Chapter 38

Now about the mission. Our reconnaissance mission this time is to go to the mountainous region where the Star Luo Empire borders the Sun Moon Empire, find and exterminate a band of bandits. The time for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament is already very close. Therefore, we must complete this mission within three to four days.

This band of bandits is extremely vicious and cunning, specializing in ambushing merchants traveling between the two countries, and they leave no survivors. One could say they engage in burning, killing, looting, and every conceivable evil. Their hideout in the mountains has complex, steep terrain, and many places have caves for concealment, which is unfavorable for army attacks. Even worse, part of the mountain area they occupy belongs to the Sun Moon Empire, while another part belongs to the Star Luo Empire.

You also know that the relations between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire have always been poor. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for the two countries to conduct joint operations. Whenever one side sends a large army to suppress the bandits, those cunning scoundrels flee to the other side. There has even been an occasion when this sparked a small-scale war between the two nations. Yet even now they continue to thrive. Having superior numbers is useless against them; this band of bandits numbers fewer than three hundred, but they are familiar with the terrain and extremely crafty. Therefore, our small squad is actually better suited to fight them.

This band of bandits calls itself the Emissaries of the God of Death, and it is said that their leader is a fairly powerful evil Soul Master. Therefore, we absolutely cannot be careless. You have mostly never killed anyone before. This time you will have a completely new experience. I want to emphasize that the objective of our reconnaissance mission this time is to leave none alive, to exterminate them all, because among these bandits there are no elderly, weak, women, or children, nor any decent individuals.

Killing? That word is indeed very unfamiliar to Huo Yuhao and the others. Especially Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, and even Chen Qiye—whether they have ever seen a real killing scene—inevitably makes their hearts race.

Ma Xiaotao smiled brightly, looking at Chen Qiye and said, 'Xiao Qiye, are you scared? Don't end up wetting your pants from fright.'

Chen Qiye's face instantly flushed red, 'I'm not scared at all.'

……

Standing before the current White Tiger Duke, Chen Qiye carefully observed this middle-aged man who, in the original work, even made Ma Xiaotao's heart flutter—just what kind of person he really was.

He looked to be in his early thirties, with regular features, deep-set eye sockets, and his azure pupils each contained a gleaming double pupil. His appearance was somewhat thin, yet his whole body had a metallic texture. Especially his gaze—when it swept over, it flashed like a huge blade, causing everyone from Shrek Academy to involuntarily stop in their tracks.

Handsome, resolute, and tall, he also bore an iron-blooded aura. Seeing him, even the proud geniuses of Shrek Academy felt an urge to submit.

Indeed, he lives up to being the current White Tiger Duke; no wonder Huo Yun'er bore him a son and never regretted it for the rest of her life.

This masculine beauty full of yang vigor is irresistible to the vast majority of women; of course, those who like the effeminate, powdered, pretentious types whose every move exudes feminine charm are another matter.

After the White Tiger Duke appeared, everyone's gaze fell on him, and no one noticed that Huo Yuhao was already weeping uncontrollably at this moment.

A figure kept appearing in Huo Yuhao's mind: it was him, it was him, the one who ruined his mother's life, yet his mother never forgot him. It was also the father he had never seen! It was him, him.

……

As everyone chatted, Wang Yan also returned from his scouting.

After this senior outer-court teacher gave his analysis, that certain person didn't say much more, knowing that nowadays, if he engaged in any out-of-the-ordinary behavior or anything resembling a spoiler, he would be suspected.

This is a tormenting feeling. Chen Qiye cannot tell them whether, this time, because of Xuan Lao's soy sauce run, everyone almost suffered total annihilation? Now Chen Qiye understands what it means: even if you know the future, you cannot change it.

If one forcibly changes it, who knows what will happen in the future; the butterfly effect is the most terrifying power of time……

Just as everyone was preparing to set out, Chen Qiye called Yao Haoxuan over and handed him the soul tool in his hand.

Senior Yao Haoxuan, this is protective armor made from two rank-six soul tools; although it cannot offer complete protection, it can still provide some defense when needed. This one is for you, and the other you help me give to Senior Chen Zifeng. Since I cannot change what is about to happen, I can only alter your fate—I hope you can survive……

Just as Yao Haoxuan was still dazed, Chen Qiye directly pressed the soul tool into his hand; a palm-sized soul tool instantly spread like armor, turning into an armor vest worn on Yao Haoxuan's body.

Junior, this isn't right, after all we are both inner-court disciples; even if we carry out a mission we won't encounter great danger, you should keep it for yourself……

Don't worry, it's fine; this thing is just a little trinket I made out of boredom, the more places you have it, the more protection you get……

Having said that, Chen Qiye had already disappeared from Yao Haoxuan's field of vision.

When Chen Qiye returned, everyone had already finished preparing and was ready to depart. Looking at Chen Qiye's worried expression, Wang Dong asked, somewhat puzzled, 'Even with Xuan Lao leading the team, and so many inner-court senior brothers and sisters, what are you still worried about?'

'Nothing, just feeling a bit uncomfortable.' Chen Qiye declined, he couldn't possibly tell Wang Dong the truth, could he?

After all, these are the brothers and sisters who have watched him grow up, 'sigh.'

I hope the tragedy will not repeat itself, seniors, best of luck to you all.

As everyone charged toward the evil Soul Masters' encampment, the bloody scene before them already caused some people to have adverse reactions.

On both sides of the cave walls hung dozens of human skins, and even an infant's corpse was pierced and suspended from a stalactite.

Moving forward, the corpses grew more numerous, and the fighting sounds inside became increasingly intense. The bandits inside the cave died in all sorts of bizarre ways, yet they elicited not a shred of sympathy from anyone.

Because human skins were constantly hung on both cave walls, from the moment they entered the cave until now they had seen no fewer than a hundred, some of which had even become wind-dried.

One cannot deny that this scene is somewhat cruel; since Chen Qiye has never personally killed anyone, facing such a sight still makes him feel somewhat uneasy.

The battle between the two sides was about to break out, and Chen Qiye was also drawn into it; he really wanted to speak up to remind Xuan Lao, but there really was no chance now.

The terrain ahead suddenly opened up, and they finally saw the battle unfolding. Soul ring light shone dazzlingly, giving a somewhat dizzying feeling. Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul was the most conspicuous, its scorching flames erupting wildly, almost unbeatable. All around lay the bandits' corpses in disarray.

Gong Yangmo stood in the center, colorful rays of light continuously shooting from his body onto his companions, while others also vaguely surrounded him in the middle.

Yao Haoxuan had already become burly, his fists continually pounding his own chest. He guarded Gong Yangmo's back, while Ling Luochen stood on the other side. These three did not directly participate in the attack.

The battle ahead had gradually become intense, because the maximum pressure was borne by the inner-court disciples, so the reserve team here was completely a one-sided crushing.

Especially Chen Qiye alone, single-handedly charging into the bandit horde; at times, for his future growth, he must set aside the things he resists in his heart—killing, blood, death—this is what he must face in the future! (End of chapter)