Chapter 39: Not More Than Three

Luo Ming, who had been a leader for fifteen years, was able to maintain the Luo Ge camp as a unique existence around Seeing Seeing Hong Mu Ridge, so he was naturally very shrewd.

Half a month ago, when Yang and Li proposed that he and everyone from the other five camps cooperate and listen to their commands, Luo Ming probably had some guesses in his heart at that time.

Yang and Li described the 'Gui' as so terrifying, Luo Ming basically didn't doubt it. After all, he had seen it with his own eyes. That 'Gui' did indeed take pleasure in killing, and the more people it killed, it did indeed become stronger and stronger.

But to say that the two stayed behind to help them because of his request, or because they were kind-hearted and looked at the fact that they were all humans...

Luo Ming absolutely didn't believe that.

He wasn't that naive.

From many confrontations, Yang and Li fighting the Wood-Puppet 'Gui' also had certain risks. What could make the two take risks and still want to kill the Wood-Puppet 'Gui'?

Thinking about it, it was nothing more than the word 'benefit'.

Luo Ming guessed that hunting that Wood-Puppet 'Gui' must have some huge benefits, otherwise the two wouldn't be so hardworking.

Half a month ago, Luo Ming found the leaders of the four camps and explained the pros and cons to them. The four leaders also agreed that they were willing to cooperate.

The four leaders were willing to cooperate, not just because of Luo Ming's face.

Shen-Ju and Tie-Feng camps, plus the Da-Xia camp he heard about from Luo Ming, among the nine camps around Seeing Seeing Hong Mu Ridge, three had already been harmed by the 'Gui'.

Although the camps didn't have much contact usually, everyone understood the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold'. Taking advantage of Yang and Li being here, it would be best to kill the 'Gui'. After all, they couldn't deal with that 'Gui' by themselves.

Luo Ming had also fought the 'Gui' and considered himself unable to help much. Yet Yang and Li still asked him to notify people from other camps to come and help. He probably had a number in his heart about what they could help with.

That Wood-Puppet 'Gui' took pleasure in killing and improved its strength by killing. And since these people didn't have much strength, what Yang and Li needed them to do was nothing more than to act as bait to lure the Wood-Puppet 'Gui' out.

Facts were exactly as he thought.

After gathering the Woodcutting Realm combat power of the six camps to the Luo Ge camp, Yang and Li didn't hide anything and said it directly.

Luo Ming was still struggling at first, but thinking of the 'Gui's' strength, he finally agreed first. Probably because he had been in contact with the 'Gui', Shi Qing was the second to agree.

The other four camps were very hesitant, but under the persuasion of the two, they also agreed.

The six camps discussed it well, and each camp drew three Woodcutting Realm combatants to act as bait at Seeing Seeing Hong Mu Ridge at night to lure that 'Gui' out.

Luo Ming didn't doubt Yang and Li's strength, otherwise he wouldn't have worked so hard to persuade the other five camps to cooperate.

But that 'Gui's' strength far exceeded Luo Ming's imagination.

In the past ten days or so, they had successfully lured the Wood-Puppet 'Gui' out three times.

But all three times, it had run away.

If it were just this, it would be fine. The problem was that every time, people acting as bait were killed.

That Wood-Puppet 'Gui' was elusive. Sometimes it killed people for no reason, and the most terrifying thing was that in just a while, it could control the corpse of the person it killed, pretend to be a living person, get close to you, and then sneak attack. It was simply impossible to guard against.

Many of the people who died had expressions of disbelief on their faces at the end.

Seven died the first time, nine the second, and seven the third.

This time was the fourth, with six dead, which could be considered the time with the fewest people.

Twenty-nine Woodcutting Realm combatants. This basically amounted to the entire family foundation of two small camps.

The Luo Ge camp had a total of only forty-seven Woodcutting Realm combatants.

Luo Ming had calculated the twenty-nine Woodcutting Realm combatants who died.

His own camp accounted for the most, with seven; Huang-Zhao camp had four; Chen-Ye camp had five; Lu-Shang camp had four; Da-Chuan camp had six.

The most miserable one was the Da-Shi camp.

That day on the Da-Xia territory, the Da-Shi camp originally only had five left.

During these days, acting as bait, three more were lost.

At the moment, the Da-Shi camp only had the two Shi Qing and Shi Dong brothers left.

It could be said that even if this Wood-Puppet 'Gui' was killed, the Da-Shi camp definitely wouldn't be able to recover. Even relying on the two Shi Qing brothers, the entire camp, let alone survival, had become a problem.

The most critical thing was that so many people had died, and the Wood-Puppet 'Gui' still hadn't been killed.

Let alone the five leaders, even Luo Ming himself began to doubt Yang and Li's strength and began to waver about their method of luring the Wood-Puppet 'Gui'.

"I know you all have opinions. My Luo Ge camp hasn't lost few brothers either, but please bear with it for a while. You have all seen the 'Gui's' strength. Once these two adults leave, our few camps will have no way to survive!"

Luo Ming really had no choice and finally chose to persuade everyone.

Shi Qing was just about to speak when Hong Gang, the leader of the Da-Chuan camp, spoke first.

"Leader Luo, I won't say two things. I naturally admire the two adults' strength, but you have also seen the reality. That 'Gui's' strength is even stronger. It couldn't be killed three times. In my opinion, it's the same this time. Instead of letting the brothers die like this, it's better to live a few peaceful days first. If this continues, the 'Gui' won't be killed, and our own people will die out first!"

Hong Gang's voice was as rough as his name. At this moment, because his own camp had lost six people, he spoke bluntly with a bit of anger.

"Leader Luo, we aren't blaming you, nor are we blaming the two adults. We people don't dare to, but the facts are right in front of us. If it doesn't work this time, we must leave. We've been out for half a month, and the food left in the camp is bottoming out. If we don't go back, I'm afraid the people in the camp will go hungry."

Huang-Zhao camp leader Huang Yong also spoke. Although the other two camps didn't speak, the meaning expressed on their faces was clearly the same as the first two.

Shi Qing stood out at this time, took a deep breath and said: "Leader Luo, I won't say much more. No matter what you say, the foundation is still there. My Da-Shi camp really can't hold on anymore. If my brother and I lose one more, the entire camp of three hundred people will probably not be able to live. No matter if it succeeds or not this time, I must leave."

Luo Ming was anxious in his heart and wanted to continue persuading everyone.

But just at this time, Yang Ning and Li Hu came over.

"Let that beast run away again, but this time we cut off one of its hands. We will definitely be able to slash it next time."

"Don't be careless. Haven't you discovered? Its strength is getting stronger and stronger!"

Hearing the conversation between the two, the six leaders, including Luo Ming, and everyone else, once again showed disappointment on their faces.

When the 'Gui' escaped for the first time, although several brothers died, everyone was not as disappointed as they were now. Instead, they were excited because of the 'Gui's' flight, feeling that they were just one step away from killing it.

The second time it escaped, everyone was just a bit drumming in their hearts. After all, more and more brothers were dying, and those acting as bait were brothers who lived and died together on weekdays. It would be a lie to say they didn't feel heartache.

It wasn't until the third time it escaped that everyone truly began to doubt, doubting that although Yang and Li were very strong, they were clearly still far from killing the Wood-Puppet 'Gui', otherwise they wouldn't have been escaped by the opponent three times.

Not more than three. It was already the fourth time now, so everyone didn't hide the disappointment on their faces anymore. But even if they were disappointed, everyone didn't dare to show a cold face to Yang and Li.

Luo Ming was thinking about how to speak to Yang Ning, hoping he could give everyone some guarantees to appease everyone's emotions.

Shi Qing and the leaders of the other four camps were thinking about how to speak to the two that they wanted to take people away.

And on the other side, Yang Ning and Li Hu, who had just walked over, also noticed this unusual atmosphere among the crowd. Through the disappointment that hadn't disappeared on everyone's faces, the two immediately understood what they were thinking.

A look of anger appeared on Li Hu's face, and he stood out directly.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 40 =====