Chapter 36: Puppets (Three Chapters Released Together, Seeking Follow‑up Reads)

Leimeng drags a huge moose into the house, and not a trace of the murderous aura he had when controlled by the Black‑robed Man remains on his face; instead he looks completely proud, as if returning fully loaded.

The family sees the plump moose, their eyes instantly light up, and joy overflows.

"Leimeng, you're so capable!" his wife helps unload the moose, her face full of pride.

His mother laughs with her mouth unable to close, busy urging everyone to bring the game inside.

Since then, Leimeng seems like a different person.

In the camp, he is no longer the solitary youth of before; he actively mingles with other Knight Apprentices, always wearing an enthusiastic smile.

Every time he leads a hunting party, he seems divinely aided, always bringing back various precious game and scarce materials.

"Leimeng, how did you find so many good things this time?" a veteran Knight Apprentice asks curiously.

Leimeng just gives a mysterious smile, "Just good luck, plus paying more attention to the sounds of the forest."

Unnoticed, Leimeng's strength quietly climbs to Knight Apprentice Late Stage.

On the training ground, his Swordsmanship becomes ever more refined; his power and speed far surpass his former self, drawing everyone's gaze.

"This Leimeng truly commands respect; he'll surely achieve great things," Kaiyin, who oversees Leimeng, says after watching his training, unable to hold back praise.

By the lively campfire, Leimeng stands tall, his face radiating confidence, his eyes flashing with the excitement of discovering treasure, and he addresses the circle of young Knight Apprentices: "Brothers, let me tell you, I recently found an excellent hunting ground deep in the Black Forest. That place is abundant and full of plump game; a few kills there will cover a month's training resources! I feel you all have been kind to me, so this time I plan to take you along—let's have a big, exhilarating hunt!"

His voice is booming and passionate; in the firelight his confident expression is highly contagious, instantly inspiring the young Knight Apprentices.

"Leimeng, the deep Black Forest isn't safe; what if we encounter powerful monsters?" a slightly immature voice asks with worry from the crowd.

Leimeng slaps the apprentice's shoulder heartily, letting out a hearty laugh: "What are you afraid of! Don't forget my current strength. Besides, with so many of us together, how can we fear those beasts? I once emerged from there alone unharmed; with everyone this time, it's guaranteed to be flawless! Moreover, I found a hidden route that avoids most danger. As long as we act cautiously, this is a sure‑profit venture!"

The others glance at each other, eyes full of excitement and hesitation.

Seeing this, Leimeng seizes the moment, Hammering: "This is a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance; if this haul is abundant, perhaps even our Knight Leader will look at us differently! From now on in the camp, we'll walk with straight backs, heads held high! Just thinking about it is thrilling, isn't it?"

Finally, under Leimeng's strong urging, the hot‑blooded young Knight Apprentices all nod, their eyes ignited with desire for bounty and glory, deciding to follow him into the Black Forest.

Days later, the party steps into the mysterious, gloomy realm of the Black Forest.

Dense foliage layers upon layers, blocking the sky, making the forest dim; a damp, decaying scent pervades, and occasional low hums of unknown creatures add a strange eeriness.

Leimeng leads calmly at the front, yet a faint coldness occasionally flickers in his lowered eyes.

As they walk, Leimeng suddenly stops, his expression grave, whispering, "Everyone be careful, there's movement ahead, probably a big game. Stay alert, make no sound, we'll sneak through."

The group instantly tenses, breathing involuntarily lighter, gripping their weapons tightly, eyes showing both excitement and anxiety, cautiously following Leimeng forward.

Just as everyone is fully focused, a chilling voice like a ghost emanates from all directions, seeming to pierce the marrow, sending shivers: "Welcome to my domain…"

The Black‑robed Man materializes slowly from a dark corner, his figure wavering in the dim light like a messenger from hell.

Black‑robed Man's hands instantly surge with thick black energy, rolling toward the group like a black tide; where it passes, the air seems scorched, emitting a sizzling sound.

The Knight Apprentices scream in terror, instinctively trying to resist, but find their bodies sluggish under the oppressive dark power, as if bound by invisible shackles.

Fear and despair fill their eyes; their weapons tremble, their steps stagger.

Leimeng stands aside, a bizarre twisted grin on his face, coldly watching his former comrades struggle under the Black‑robed Man's control.

The Black‑robed Man's hands move like flowing clouds, muttering incantations; the black energy, like living tentacles, flexibly threads into the Knight Apprentices' bodies.

As the black energy infiltrates, their gazes grow hollow, bodies stiffen like puppets, becoming the Black‑robed Man's puppets.

Those corpses shattered by the Black‑robed Man's overwhelming force instantly turn into strands of eerie blood‑red mist, drifting slowly toward Leimeng as if pulled by an unseen force.

Leimeng opens his mouth, greedily absorbing the mist, his face showing intoxicated satisfaction.

As the mist continuously floods his body, his aura grows stronger; the already mighty force wave becomes even more surging, hinting at a breakthrough beyond his current realm.

After a moment, everything calms.

The new puppets stand motionless, eyes vacant, bodies rigid, awaiting the Black‑robed Man's orders.

Leimeng slowly opens his eyes, a blood‑thirsty glint flashing, licking his lips, clearly pleased with the power just absorbed, while already scheming his next bait, ready to lure more Knight Apprentices into this dark trap.

"Squeak, well done, they're only Knight Apprentices in the early Mid‑stage, and many aren't like the camp's Knight Apprentices," the Black‑robed Man says with a sharp, eerie voice, eyeing the four re‑stood, hollow‑eyed Knight Apprentices, his fingers lightly tracing one puppet's face, a cold arc curling at his mouth.

(End of Chapter)