Chapter 44: Wildfire!
"This guy's really something—cooing like that and so human-like."
Jiang Lin laughed as he sheathed his greatsword after pressing down the Blue Eagle.
Xiao Yi Xian gently patted the eagle's head. The bird, surprisingly docile, rubbed against her hand like a large dog wrapped in eagle skin.
"Leave the rest to me."
Jiang Lin nodded to Xiao Yi Xian, then gestured for the injured Blue Eagle to follow him. Under the gaze of the others, he led it into the forest and disappeared from sight.
The eagle looked between Jiang Lin and Xiao Yi Xian, confused. Xiao Yi Xian smiled and said, "Go on. If you don't, he might get upset and roast you."
Hearing this, the Blue Eagle panicked, flapping its injured wings and hopping after Jiang Lin like a land-bound chicken, cooing non-stop. It was hard to believe this was a first-rank magical beast.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes shimmered with surprise, but she still smiled and urged it on: "Go on, you'll be safe with him."
With a few final backward glances, the Blue Eagle hopped off into the woods after Jiang Lin.
"So much intelligence in a magical beast… it'd be a shame if it died."
Deep in the forest, Jiang Lin—dressed in black armor and cloak—turned back to see the two-legged Blue Eagle trotting after him. He smiled, then led it in a few wide circles through the forest before finally taking it into Peach Blossom Valley through a hidden tunnel.
As he grew older, Jiang Lin became more convinced that Peach Blossom Valley was shrouded by some sort of formation. Over the years, he'd seen flying magical beasts pass right over it without ever noticing the valley below.
He resolved that once he was strong enough, he would dismantle the valley's secrets and see for himself.
"This place is safe. Don't touch the stuff on that cleared patch, got it? Pick a spot to rest and recover. There's fruit and dried meat over there if you get hungry. Just stay put for two days, and I'll come back to take you out."
Whether the eagle understood or not, Jiang Lin said it all anyway. Then, seeing the sky darken, he fetched some meat and fruit.
He tossed some to the eagle and sat on a rock, chewing on jerky while watching the sky grow darker.
Then, in front of the puzzled bird, he stood up, walked over to the supply area, and pulled out a ten-meter rope. He tied one end around the Blue Eagle's neck, the other to a nearby tree.
Blue Eagle: …
"Don't wander. The sky here might not be safe. Don't snap the rope, or I won't come back for you."
Treating it like a pet, Jiang Lin gave it food, water, and a pat on the head. Then, donning his helmet, he exited the valley through the tunnel and camouflaged the entrance.
The eagle was just a small episode. It had impressive intelligence—if it could be tamed, great. If not, that was fine too. The valley didn't hold anything especially valuable. What Jiang Lin needed was a quiet environment. If he wanted to practice Mystic Armor Puppet Art, this secluded place was perfect.
After all, Wan Yao Zhai was too crowded. If he wanted to avoid people seeing their commander go in lying down and come out standing up, well… that would be rather rude.
Peach Blossom Valley just needed to remain quiet and hidden for a short while. Whether it was exposed later didn't matter.
Whoosh!
At the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Jiang Lin suddenly looked up. A fire arrow streaked across the night sky, igniting a patch of dry grass as it plunged into the forest.
"So… it's finally started? Of all the people you could've picked, you had to pick me."
Gazing at the distant flames, Jiang Lin silently lowered his visor. His black armor melted into the shadows and vanished into the woods.
——
Elsewhere, amidst the blazing forest, a group of black-clad figures with headscarves swiftly overwhelmed Li Miao's mercenary group. In the firelight, mercenaries fell one by one. Xiao Yi Xian watched, panicked, as the black-clad attackers closed in on her. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something—but in the end, said nothing.
"Run! Hurry!"
Captain Li Miao, bloodied and staggering, burst from the flaming forest and shielded Xiao Yi Xian. With a broken sword, he charged at the enemies.
Shhk!
Xiao Yi Xian could only watch as Li Miao was kicked to the ground, then stabbed through the chest with a sword—blood spurting forth instantly.
Her face went pale. She clenched her jaw and turned, fleeing into the burning woods. The black-clad attackers quickly followed, pursuing her relentlessly.
Not long after they vanished, Li Miao suddenly pushed himself up from the ground, clutching the bloody wound at his side. The flickering flames illuminated his pale face.
"Captain Li…"
Several mercenaries—who should've been dead from the heat—also began crawling back up and gathering around him.
"They're… all Qingshan Town mercs," one muttered, rubbing his sore neck with a grim expression.
"People do a lot for money. That's normal."
Li Miao nodded weakly, then looked toward the expanding wildfire. "Who the hell set this fire?!"
Fire was merciless. A wildfire could easily lead to mass casualties if not handled properly.
"You're hurt, Captain."
"If I wasn't, how would I sell the act?! Miss Xiao Yi Xian can't know too much—it would be too dangerous!"
Li Miao quickly bandaged himself, then turned to head downhill toward Qingshan Town.
"We've got to go! If second- or third-rank magical beasts get drawn out by the fire, we won't stand a chance. They won't go easy like those mercs!"
The mercenaries helped him down the mountain quickly.
But on the way, they were intercepted again—by another group of black-clad figures. Their short, stocky leader stared coldly at Li Miao and growled, "Who started the fire?"
Li Miao, drenched in sweat, frantically shook his head. "I don't know! I don't know!"
The leader frowned, then growled, "Get lost," before leading his team into the burning forest.
Goddammit! Just my luck to get dragged into this pointless mess!
Li Miao cursed inwardly and led his men down the mountain as fast as possible.
(END CHAPTER)
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