Chapter 318: Where the Campfire Shines — Lao Kesilusi's Third Plan

Jier bypassed the wide-area mist released by the Magic Beast, moved along the edge of the mist, and arrived at the position where they had previously launched their attack on this Bandit Camp.

Following the tracks in the snow left during the previous attack, Jier quickly found his Backpack. Carefully taking the small Wooden box containing the Red-eye Mushroom Sugar Pill from the Backpack, Jier poured one out and held it in his mouth.

It was sweet, and the taste wasn't bad.

But once the mushroom powder inside dissolved, it was like chewing on a piece of rotten wood, instantly becoming as unpleasant as eating traditional Chinese medicine.

After tidying up, Jier climbed the large tree beside him to get a clear view of the Magic Beast's current position. It seemed the creature was still in the same spot; could it be that the Magic Beast hadn't been able to finish off those bandits yet?

It seemed he had overestimated the Magic Beast and underestimated those bandits.

Thinking this, Jier slid down the tree, hung his Backpack on a branch, and walked toward that direction.

"Throw!!!" Xiao Kesilusi roared, commanding the remaining bandits to launch another defensive counterattack.

He himself, along with the other bandits, ignited one end of a piece of firewood and threw it out along with other weapons. The other bandits swung their arms and hurled their limited supply of throwing weapons in a spinning motion, aiming exactly at the limbs of the Magic Beast that had suddenly appeared from the White Mist to snatch someone away just moments ago.

Those thin, sharp limbs suddenly darted out from the thick, cold White Mist, skewered a bandit, and dragged him into the mist. The continuous sneak attacks kept the remaining bandits' nerves taut and filled them with panic. They could only huddle tightly around the previously lit campfire, relying on this faint fire to drive away the thick fog that kept trying to close in.

Every scream of a bandit dragged into the thick fog made them even more nervous; some bandits breathed heavily, trying to cool down their fear-trembling bodies with the cold air. Some bandits who had been hiding alcohol on their persons could no longer bear to keep their treasures, taking out the liquor they usually cherished and dared not drink, and pouring it down their throats in large gulps.

On one hand, they felt they were doomed, so wouldn't it be a waste not to drink the alcohol now? On the other hand, they also tried to use these things to numb themselves, attempting to forget everything deadly surrounding them.

The Bandit Leaders were also arguing with each other, their heads spinning from the constant sneak attacks and casualties. Some believed they should all charge in one direction, run out of the White Mist released by the Magic Beast, and retreat into the Forest. Others felt that even if they moved into the Forest, the Magic Beast wasn't legless; it could completely follow behind them, keep them shrouded in thick fog, and eat them one by one.

Given this, it would be better for everyone to just hold lit wooden sticks the next time the Magic Beast attacked them and charge up to fight the Magic Beast to the death.

These two fellows argued, neither able to out-argue the other, while the other bandits huddled tightly around them, supporting whichever plan they deemed reliable; they didn't even care anymore which Bandit Group they originally belonged to.

That no longer had any meaning; now was a moment of crisis, and group punishment was no longer useful—after all, even to be punished, you have to be alive, right?

If everyone died here today, what difference did it make which team they originally belonged to?

Besides that, Lao Kesilusi's men were still relatively stable; they had dealt with a Magic Beast before, a reason that made them believe Lao Kesilusi could lead them through this difficulty.

Moreover, the vast majority of those currently resisting the Magic Beast's sneak attacks and launching counterattacks were his men. The people from the other Bandit Groups had long since run out of weapons to throw, at most having only their final weapon left.

But no one would put it down or throw it away, because once they lost it, they would be at the mercy of others.

And what was Lao Kesilusi doing?

He was making a choice.

Facts proved that he had underestimated this Magic Beast that could be driven and hunted by a Knight. This guy was simply not on the same level as the Magic Beast he had dealt with before.

Until now, they hadn't even caught a glimpse of the Magic Beast; they were just constantly being ambushed by the Magic Beast's limbs, and just this alone was already enough to make them all finish.

What should be done about the current situation?

He had an idea, but this idea made him quite hesitant.

Once this idea was implemented, it would be difficult for him to lead his subordinates again; the people he had cultivated for years would mostly leave his management. And he definitely wouldn't be able to stay in this place anymore.

If this place still existed afterward.

Looking at the state of those two idiots, Lao Kesilusi finally made a difficult decision.

He called over his son and then had his own men assemble.

This move caught the attention of the other two remaining Bandit Groups; they couldn't help but notice, as the only ones left who could still resist the Magic Beast were this group of Lao Kesilusi's. And they themselves were already a broken, defeated force, birds startled by the mere twang of a bow, with little combat capability left.

"Lao Kesilusi! How about it? Do you think our plan is the only way to survive right now?"

"Not bad, your decision is important. Although I am not satisfied, we must choose the path you have chosen."

The two Bandit Leaders, each leaning against their respective campfires, shouted toward Lao Kesilusi in front of the other campfire.

And all the bandits at the scene looked at that old guy, hoping that this old bandit could create a legend once more, leading everyone to either escape the Magic Beast's mist encirclement or kill that Monster.

But.

The old guy ignored the other bandits; he first whispered something to his son, which caused Xiao Kesilusi great panic and unease.

He started shaking his head, his face full of refusal. But after Lao Kesilusi slapped his son, shocking his own bandits, he pulled his son's head into his arms, patting his shoulder while whispering something into his son's ear.

Xiao Kesilusi finally agreed.

Thus, the two of them ignored the other bandits and simply called their respective confidants to their side, whispering Lao Kesilusi's plan to them.

Those bandits were shocked at first, but soon, the current deadly situation made these cold-blooded fellows make a choice quickly; they unanimously supported Lao Kesilusi's plan.

These confidants each had one or two close friends, and all added together, they basically made up the vast majority of Lao Kesilusi's group.

Until this moment, the other bandits, besides feeling that the current situation was dangerous and strange, had no other feelings; they were either trembling in fear, crowding next to the lit campfires, praying to all the gods in the sky while hoping that the next person to be ambushed by the Magic Beast wouldn't be themselves, but other bandits.

Or, the bandits with alcohol stuck their tongues into their own wine flasks, trying to get a bit more liquor on their tongues, using the alcohol to numb themselves and give themselves a little more false Yongqi.

Or, small groups of people huddled tightly together, promising each other that if the Magic Beast attacked them, they would all pull the person being attacked tightly, and even if they were seriously injured, they would not let the person being attacked be dragged alive into the White Mist to be treated in some unknown, terrifying way by the Magic Beast. But although the bandits patted their chests loudly, their shifting eyes and pale faces made every word of these scums and trash seem like ropes made of air—as if they were tied together, but also as if they weren't.

But these guys didn't know that the real danger was not the Magic Beast in the white thick fog, but right beside them.

Lao Kesilusi waited a moment, confirming that everyone in the group knew his plan and that no one explicitly opposed it. He couldn't help but feel a trace of fear toward his own subordinates, as if he were meeting them for the first time; to lead these guys, if one wasn't colder and more ruthless than them, how could one control them?

Drawing the Thick Machete from his waist, Lao Kesilusi quickly scanned his subordinates. Everyone also drew their own weapons, looking at their Old Bandit Leader. Lao Kesilusi spoke: "Running away without a plan will only turn into a total rout, and a reckless assault will only mean dying in vain! But I have a third option!"

He paused, then took advantage of the fact that the other Bandit Groups by the other campfires nearby hadn't reacted yet, and continued: "Let the others die for us, and we will take the opportunity to escape this Hell!"

He roared: "Kill them!"

Xiao Kesilusi was not riding a horse; he swung his long-handled mace and shouted: "Follow me! Charge!!!"

The subordinate bandits, who had already accumulated enormous pressure from the Magic Beast's continuous sneak attacks, roared simultaneously and followed their Young Leader to launch an attack on the other two Bandit Groups.

"Kill!!!"

"Kill!!!!"

They didn't have many ways to deal with the Magic Beast, as the Magic Beast was entirely hidden in the White Mist and wouldn't face them head-on, leaving them with no place to exert their strength. But facing other bandits, these guys, who had always looked down on other Bandit Groups, didn't take them to heart at all.

"What! Old guy! Are you crazy?" a Bandit Leader questioned loudly, but his trembling hand gripping his weapon exposed his panic and helplessness.

"What are you doing! Everyone will die like this! You must be crazy! Don't just stand there, counterattack, counterattack!" Another Bandit Leader brandished his weapon, loudly commanding his subordinates.

But the bandits, who had already lost control due to the Magic Beast's constant sneak attacks, didn't know what to do in the face of those who suddenly started trouble. Everyone had done their fair share of backstabbing, but in this extreme environment, facing allies who suddenly turned on them, they simply didn't know what to do.

Some felt that they were treacherous and decided to counterattack.

Some felt that this was leading everyone to a dead end and, in despair, just screamed and charged into the White Mist.

Some felt this was a chaotic opportunity and, taking those they knew, charged straight in the direction where no Magic Beast had appeared.

Others guarded their leader, constantly urging their leader to hurry up and flee to be done with it.

There were even some who thought they could briefly enter the White Mist outside the range of the bonfire, enter briefly, then come back out and charge straight at Lao Kesilusi to slaughter this mad fellow.

Such were the various things happening, chaotic beyond measure.

Xiao Kesilusi charged at the very front, holding his Long-handled Round Hammer level as he charged, slamming directly into the Bandit closest to him. His companions behind followed closely; everyone stayed together, leaning in tightly to maintain the formation. This was to provide space for the companions behind to attack.

"Throw!" Lao Kesilusi saw everything clearly from the back. He commanded, and seeing his son engage with the opposing Bandits, he immediately ordered the Bandits behind him to throw the throwing weapons they had kept ready.

These weapons capable of driving away Magic Beasts were thrown all at once in a wave, and a whistling sound came from the paths these deadly spinning weapons carved through the air.

Immediately following this was the painful carnage of the opposing Bandits.

Various Flying Axes could not be blocked by mere fur clothing meant to keep out the cold; any Bandit struck by them died instantly.

The smaller Throwing Iron Hammers were even more insidious. These spinning little things had wooden handles longer than the small iron hammer heads themselves. They came flying while spinning, and the attacked Bandits often only noticed the spinning wooden handles, finding it hard to see the inconspicuous, heavy Small Iron Hammer. After being struck, a large patch of bone would be shattered, leaving them unable to fight and then hacked to death by the men led by Xiao Kesilusi. If they were unlucky and struck in the head by the hammer, they would lose consciousness instantly and collapse to the ground. Whether they could live afterward depended entirely on the random arrangement of the God of Fate.

Sharp Flying Knives were also very dangerous. This thing had no effect on Magic Beasts protected by shells, but facing Bandits protected only by animal skins, it was second only to the Flying Axe. Although a Flying Knife was not fatal upon impact, it would cause the attacked Bandit to lose their combat advantage, and in a one-on-one, they were no match for Xiao Kesilusi and his men.

Like a hot knife through butter, Xiao Kesilusi kept raising the weapon in his hand and smashing it down toward the enemies resisting in front. Regardless of whether you had a Shield for protection, as long as such an attack landed, it was a fatal blow.

And if possible, Xiao Kesilusi would first use the long attack range of the Long-handled Round Hammer to knock the opponent down, then lift the weapon slightly and smash it down fiercely. One after another, one after another, no one was a match for him in a single exchange.

Even if there were any, they would be struck by the continuous projectiles from his companions behind him, either dying or fainting; those lucky enough to only be hit by a Flying Knife would still have their combat effectiveness greatly affected.

Moreover, compared to those two Bandit groups with more ordinary men, Lao Kesilusi paid more attention to the combat strength of his subordinates. Since occupying this Forest where they could spend the winter, they could collect the wealth of Bandits who came here to spend the winter and avoid the Militia, reducing the number of times they had to go out and spend time raiding a Caravan. This gave them more time for various training.

Lao Kesilusi had always wanted to take revenge on the Knights who had repeatedly destroyed his Bandit career, and it had been proven that a large number of mediocre Bandits would not work. Therefore, he had always tried to train a small but elite team—not needing many, just enough to kill any Knight in an ambush.

By then, the obsession that had hung in his heart for decades could be put down, and handing over the management and command of the team to his son would be no problem at all.

But to achieve his wish, he could not die here!

Spotting the right moment, as the last few Bandits on the opposite side gathered to put up a stubborn resistance, Lao Kesilusi once again commanded his men to throw their weapons together: "Throw!!"

At the same time, a Bandit who suddenly rushed out from the White Mist charged at Lao Kesilusi, the Single-handed Axe in his hand rising as he jumped, hacking heavily toward the target.

But Lao Kesilusi, who had been a Bandit his whole life, was long accustomed to being ambushed; he was experienced.

He retreated quickly two steps, just two steps, not one step more. Then, eyeing the gap in the opponent's attack, he used his Thick Machete to strike back, hacking from bottom to top into the belly of the Bandit who had missed his strike.

With one slash, he tore open the opponent's belly and chest, barely splitting the fellow into two. Lao Kesilusi raised a foot to kick away this heavily wounded guy, then followed up with his attacking subordinates to continue directing the battle.

The leaders of the other two Bandit groups had by now only been able to retreat to the last bonfire and huddle there. Facing the subordinates of Lao Kesilusi and Xiao Kesilusi who were killing their way over, these panicked Bandits actually dared not approach the thick White Mist getting closer and closer, as if they would die the moment they touched that mist.

Interestingly, while the two groups of Bandits were fighting each other, the Magic Beast did not launch an attack.

At least, not an obvious attack.

So what was it doing?

It was circling around this small area where the bonfire was lit, stuffing into its mouth those Bandits who felt the timing was right or who, having given up on everything, ran into the White Mist.

It was truly great; there was no need to sneak up and capture them personally. These Bandits would often run headlong, trying to get away from the bloody battlefield that had suddenly erupted behind them.

But how could they run fast in the thick snow? They could only trudge through the snow.

And the Magic Beast could simply extend its long, pitch-black giant mouth a little bit ahead of the fleeing Bandits, waiting for these fellows who could not see the direction to crash headfirst into its mouth.

Some Bandits who were still wary of it did not fare much better. Although they stopped in time and did not crash into its mouth, the Magic Beast only needed to extend its mouth a little bit further to swallow the Bandits who tried to resist or run.

Every Bandit who saw its mouth was quite interesting; they looked as if they had seen something that would only appear in nightmares, screaming cries that would never be heard, or collapsing to the ground with weak limbs, or trying to attack it like madmen.

It was useless.

The Magic Beast only needed to lift its mouth and then smash it down hard to flatten the resisting Bandits on the ground. Although it was a pity that after many Bandits were flattened, much of the blood and Viscera inside their bodies burst out from their torsos, it was still interesting food, wasn't it?

Unlike swallowing them whole, the Magic Beast thought it tasted quite good too.

Jier held his Two-handed Axe, his eyes, strengthened by the Red-eye Mushroom Sugar Pill, constantly scanning the surroundings. For convenience, he lifted the Faceplate of his Helmet and walked quickly toward the direction he had seen earlier.

He knew that the Magic Beast's mobility was actually not strong, so compared to moving cautiously, maximizing movement was actually a good strategy.

Although the thick snow on the ground was very troublesome, Jier used his own weight at the moment to step quickly into the snow, barely managing to speed up his movement.

Just as he calculated that he was almost there, a figure approached from his side. Jier did not even think, stepped back one step first, and then quickly hacked out with an axe.

It missed.

No, the metal surface at the top of the axe was firmly grabbed by a palm covered in armor.

"Be careful, blindly swinging your weapon will only bring you more enemies," a female voice came from the direction of the newcomer.

"Knight Lanisha? I am so sorry, I thought it was an ambush by that Magic Beast." Jier realized who it was and quickly withdrew his axe; the other party also let go.

After getting closer, in this thick White Mist, Jier was finally able to confirm it was Knight Lanisha.