Chapter 148: Scouting the Black Mist Mountain Range

This trip to Heifeng Zhai is extremely dangerous.

If we encounter anyone from Heifeng Zhai,

Before departure, Gu Han repeatedly instructed the soldiers,

You must kill the enemy while ensuring your own safety as much as possible!

I hope that the number of us who go to Heifeng Zhai equals the number who can return together.

All the soldiers firmly kept Gu Han's instructions in mind.

But when we actually face the enemy, will we still be able to maintain absolute calm?

Yet this is something no one dares to guarantee.

But at least this time everyone went to Heifeng Zhai with a cautious attitude.

Under the guidance of the old escort master, the group spent nearly two hours crossing mountain after mountain.

Only after they faced the black mist that almost filled the horizon did they stop.

You mean Heifeng Zhai is in this black mist?

Gu Han looked at the constantly surging mist ahead, but it seemed trapped within the ridge, unable to spread, and he Furrowed Brow.

That's right; precisely because Heifeng Zhai is easy to defend but hard to attack, the City Lord has still not been able to wipe it out completely.

The old escort master seems to have experienced something himself, and he remains fearful of this black mist.

He hid fearfully behind Gu Lin and the others, avoiding the black mist as if it were a snake or scorpion, not daring to approach it at all.

I've already brought you here; as agreed beforehand, give me my payment.

The old escort master spread his hands, clearly intending to collect his things and then leave.

Gu Han did not immediately produce anything, but instead spoke in a low voice,

How do I know you haven't deceived me?

Visibility inside this black mist is extremely low; if we can't even find Heifeng Zhai, where would we look for you?

However, upon hearing Gu Han say that, the old escort master immediately jumped up excitedly.

At the outset, it was clearly the young man behind you who said that if danger arose, I could turn and leave!

You're not giving me my payment now; are you trying to renege because you outnumber me?

Gu Han shook his head,

What we said naturally won't be changed; you can also choose to leave now.

But we agreed from the start that payment would be given only after we found Heifeng Zhai.

But Heifeng Zhai hasn't even shown up yet; on what basis should I give you payment?

The old escort master's Face Grim, he was so angry he could barely catch his breath, and he snarled,

Fine, fine, fine; if that's the case, then you look for it yourselves—I won't accompany you!

After saying that, the old escort master decisively chose to leave without looking back.

Gu Han watched the old escort master's resolute back, and his apprehension toward Heifeng Zhai grew even stronger.

Just how fearsome is Heifeng Zhai's reputation, that even a veteran escort master with decades of experience would be so afraid?

General Gu, what should we do now?

Liang Fang and Pei Guang came over to Gu Han with solemn expressions, asking about the next plan.

They are not fools; naturally they also noticed that the black mist is unusual.

If we rush in recklessly, we'll surely suffer for it!

After a moment of silence, Gu Han looked at the soldiers who regarded death as homecoming, and spoke in a low voice,

I have decided to select ten people to enter the black mist with me.

The others will stay outside; if we do not return from the black mist within twelve hours, you must immediately return to Mu Shan Cheng to seek aid!

Because of Jiang Litian's actions.

As for Zhong Cheng, Gu Han has no trust whatsoever.

By comparison, he trusts the people of Mu Shan Cheng more.

Alright, everything will follow General Gu's arrangements.

Next, Gu Han carefully selected ten people.

Among them, only Gu Chen was a member of the Gu family.

The other nine were each selected three from the three camps.

As for the other Gu family members, although they are not afraid of danger either,

but the strength of martial practitioners and those newly entered as martial masters is simply too weak.

Gu Han lacks full confidence in being able to protect their safety.

General Gu, why won't you let the two of us go in as well?

Liang Fang looked at Gu Han with slight dissatisfaction.

Besides Gu Han, Liang Fang and Pei Guang are undoubtedly the strongest here.

But when Gu Han selected personnel, he avoided the two of them.

This left Liang Fang puzzled, yet also filled with dissatisfaction.

I need someone who can guarantee the protection of everyone's return to Mu Shan Cheng.

Gu Han's gaze fell upon the two of them, and he spoke in a low voice,

I hope you two will not disappoint me.

Liang Fang and Pei Guang, the lingering grudge they once held against Gu Han vanished completely at this moment.

Moreover, they felt immense self-reproach for having previously agreed rashly to Jiang Litian's actions.

General Gu, you are the commander this time; you cannot personally venture into dangerous territory!

Liang Fang clasped fists and spoke in a deep voice,

I request to lead a team into the black mist to scout the situation; General Gu, you wait on the periphery.

This time Liang Fang volunteered voluntarily, not to compete for merit.

But rather, as they said, they believe Gu Han's life is more important than their own!

Gu Han took a deep look at Liang Fang,

Good, since you volunteered, you shall lead the team.

This operation, be sure to pay attention to safety.

Liang Fang nodded, and tied a ten-meter-long rope to each person.

In this black mist, visibility is less than five meters.

But if the distance between them is too close, encountering a trap could cause both the front and rear persons to be affected simultaneously.

And if the distance is too far, it will result in being unable to provide timely aid when a crisis arises.

Ten meters is a relatively appropriate range.

After Gu Han and the others followed Liang Fang's team into the black mist, they searched the surroundings for a relatively safe place to rest briefly.

Perhaps they need to rest here for a night.

Time passed bit by bit.

Gu Han, not being patient, had the others stay put while he himself took Little Wolf to scout the extent of the black mist's coverage.

Before leaving, he also took a few thunderburst pearls and new flame-earth stones and gave them to Gu Lin and the others for self-defense.

One person and one wolf proceeded along the rugged mountain path.

Using a hill as vantage, Gu Han discovered that this black mist actually covered as many as ten mountains!

Heifeng Zhai lies within it; wanting to find it in such extremely low visibility is no easy task!

Moreover, they haven't even figured out the black mist yet.

Jiang Litian hasn't told us any information at all—is this the attitude of someone asking for help?

Gu Han's eyes turned slightly cold as he looked around the surroundings,

Although this black mist is special, there should be a special method or means to dispel it.

Otherwise, with the black mist covering such a vast area and visibility extremely low,

ordinary Heifeng Zhai villagers would likely get lost in the mist, unable even to leave Heifeng Zhai!

If I had known earlier, I should have left a survivor; that would be better than blindly waiting here now.

However, just as Gu Han was crossing hills and ridges, preparing to return and meet up with Gu Lin and the others,

Little Wolf suddenly let out a low growl.