Josie stood neatly groomed, his old leather armor polished to a shine, secured with fresh sinew straps. His shortsword’s hilt was wrapped in new cloth, faintly embroidered with some pattern.
He tried to stand tall, but when his eyes met Chen Mo’s, they darted away, betraying a mix of nervousness and shame.
The other guide, Little John, was Old John’s grandson, as his nam...
2025-07-14 10:40:50 +0000 UTC View PostWith business concluded and Chen Mo in good spirits, the one-eyed tavern owner clapped a massive hand on Josie’s shoulder, the force nearly toppling the young Copper Crest Warrior to one knee.
“This kid’s young and foolish, causing you trouble. How do you want to handle him?” His tone and posture suggested leniency, despite the offer to let Chen Mo decide.
Josie...
2025-07-14 10:39:49 +0000 UTC View PostThe first to react was the one-eyed tavern owner, lazily propped against the bar counter.
His worn half-eyepatch covered one eye, but the other scanned the smoky, crowded hall like a laser, catching everything despite the chaos. No small feat.
Most of the time, he flirted with a few women whose figures rivaled minotaurs and lips were painted vampiric red. But since Chen ...
2025-07-14 10:38:39 +0000 UTC View PostJosie, a freshly minted Copper Crest Warrior, was bragging to his companions about his promotion exploits.
Advancing as a professional had two paths: passing the Mercenary Guild’s test or completing a designated promotion task. Tests required fees, tasks needed proof of completion, both key revenue streams for the guild.
For instance, the Whitestone City Mercenary Guil...
2025-07-14 10:37:42 +0000 UTC View PostWhitestone City, the largest stronghold in the northern foothills of the Crescent Moon Federation, once stood as a formidable military bastion. With the advent of the Five Tribes Republic era, humans and elves established their territories and borders, designating the outskirts of the Gloomy Forest as a demilitarized zone. For a hundred and seventy years, no war had touched the city. ...
2025-07-14 10:36:47 +0000 UTC View PostIf the Mountain Vine Squad had some miraculous life-saving spell, their spilled guts would probably be green with regret.
This job wasn’t worth twenty silver coins, let alone twenty gold.
But regrets were useless now. Chen Mo, startled into a cornered beast, had no interest in talking or negotiating. He struck with full force.
The explosion’s dust hadn’...
2025-07-14 10:35:48 +0000 UTC View PostKicking up clouds of dust along the dry road came four men on two horses. Four burly fellows crammed onto two mounts didn’t exactly scream
Kicking up clouds of dust along the dry road came four men on two horses.
Four burly fellows crammed onto two mounts didn’t exactly scream elite. They looked like a classic ragtag crew.
By the original plot’s design,...
2025-07-14 10:35:04 +0000 UTC View PostLady Frost couldn’t linger long. Under Captain Paven’s repeated urging, she reluctantly ended her rare skeleton-viewing session. In the Clo
Lady Frost couldn’t linger long. Under Captain Paven’s repeated urging, she reluctantly ended her rare skeleton-viewing session.
In the Cloudmist Domain’s group, the true decision-makers were Linda, the chief attendant, and...
2025-07-14 10:33:58 +0000 UTC View PostTime flew by.
After a brief six-day journey aboard the airship with this chance-met group, Chen Mo reached his destination.
Whitestone Outpost, perched at the edge of the southern continent.
Nestled between two mountains, the outpost’s gray-white stone walls formed a sturdy fortress, handling tasks like vigilance, reception, screening, and serving as a rela...
2025-07-13 14:44:21 +0000 UTC View PostThe wine on the airship came at a steep price.
Fortunately, Luke’s tastes were modest. A bottle of cheap swill costing fifteen coppers was enough to satisfy him.
Chen Mo didn’t dare try it. The pungent stench when he uncorked the bottle was enough to make him recoil.
As for the mid-tier wine at forty coppers a bottle, Luke’s excited expression showed it...
2025-07-13 14:43:45 +0000 UTC View PostThe fierce monsoon roared over the Gloomy Forest, tossing the treetops like waves in a stormy sea. A few falcons soared from the mountains, glancing at the massive black shape in the sky before instinctively veering away with a deft flap of their wings.
All creatures have an instinct to seek fortune and avoid calamity.
The enormous airship stretched twenty meters long, w...
2025-07-13 14:43:00 +0000 UTC View PostChen Mo tried offering more money.
The young centaur guide had mentioned that a ticket to Whitestone typically cost two silver coins, or equivalent furs, ores, or something else the dwarves might value.
Raising the price was the most straightforward solution he could think of, and it seemed his only option.
He pulled out a heavy coin pouch and, with deliberat...
2025-07-13 14:42:27 +0000 UTC View PostPaven, seasoned and sharp-eyed, took one glance at the wound and relaxed his furrowed brow.
"Ordinary arrow, no signs of poison. It's just lodged a bit deep. Shouldn't be a big issue."
He turned to a guard nearby. "Fetch Master Locke to take a look."
Minutes later, a white-haired, bleary-eyed old man shuffled over, yawning, his face radiating reluctance. ...
2025-07-13 14:41:51 +0000 UTC View PostAt this moment, Chen Mo’s heart was flooded with an emotion called “awkwardness.” He hadn’t expected Kaga’s “find a healer” to cause such a commotion.
The swordsman approaching for negotiations wore silver armor that gleamed blindingly even in the moonlight. The guards behind him were arranged in an orderly formation, their disciplined movements betraying a tight-knit unit d...
2025-07-13 14:40:05 +0000 UTC View PostIn Six-Leaf Grove, travelers typically had three lodging options.
The top choice was Brave Haven Inn, the one young centaur Kaga enthusiastically endorsed.
Perched prominently on the central plaza’s highest point, it boasted an elevated position, wide views, excellent light, and ventilation. The building blended elegance with rugged charm, and its rest and dining facilities were w...
2025-07-13 14:39:24 +0000 UTC View PostThe doctor’s hut was tucked in the southeast corner of Six-Leaf Grove.
The camp’s witch doctor was a plump old man. According to Kaga, who patted his chest with confidence, this elder, respectfully called “Big Eye,” had lived in the camp since Kaga was a scampering colt. His healing methods were “weird and quirky” but effective, a “master of all cures” for both man and bea...
2025-07-13 14:38:39 +0000 UTC View PostDuring his two months at Black Crow Castle, Chen Mo had diligently gathered intelligence about the surrounding area. The nearest escape point, Six-Leaf Grove, was his top priority. From some guards, he’d learned about this outpost, guarded by the formidable Six-Leaf Centaur Tribe. It had an unwritten rule: newcomers had to hire a local “guide” for a small fee. The job was usually taken by...
2025-07-13 14:37:41 +0000 UTC View PostChen Mo began clearing the battlefield.
The air reeked of gunpowder and the metallic tang of blood. Fighting shudders and a roiling stomach, he silently repeated every self-soothing mantra he could muster.
“Self-defense!”
“Evil, begone!”
“Bodhisattva, protect me!”
“Long live Renmin!”
The last phrase seemed to bolster his courage. Slipping on c...
2025-07-13 14:37:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe deafening gunfire shattered the forest’s silence, startling a flock of noisy birds that flapped frantically into the distance.
Ellie, that cunning girl, had decisively used the binding spell on Chen Mo without witnessing his first strike. She never could have imagined her brief life would end at the hands of a slow, seemingly dim-witted skeleton.
Watching her delicate figure c...
2025-07-13 14:33:53 +0000 UTC View PostBreeze Path was a winding, narrow trail that snaked along the edge of the Gloomy Forest’s inner ring, stretching toward Ironback Valley’s main road to the east and twisting west toward Redtree Highlands, disappearing into its vast plateau.
Six-Leaf Grove was the nearest and busiest camp.
Controlled by a fierce centaur tribe, this camp functioned like a chaotic digestive cavity i...
2025-07-13 14:32:48 +0000 UTC View PostAs Chen Mo issued the “follow-up shot” command, he darted forward like an arrow released from a bow.
This life-or-death struggle had been rehearsed countless times in his mind.
As expected, the moment Little Blondie hit the ground, his two zombies let out frenzied roars and shuffled toward Chen Mo with lurching steps.
Little White deftly adjusted the rifle’s muzzle, unlo...
2025-07-13 14:32:10 +0000 UTC View PostLittle Blondie was fully immersed in his fervent monologue, as if standing center stage under the gaze of thousands.
“What a pity!” His voice rose and fell with theatrical regret. “Everyone praises your so-called talent, washed up from some backwater corner to Black Crow Castle, mastering our language and script in mere dozens of days!”
“Tch, climbing from the lowliest ser...
2025-07-13 14:31:14 +0000 UTC View PostThe stars faded from the sky as dawn illuminated the boundless sea of trees.
The team, maintaining their standoffish formation, ventured into the inner ring of the Gloomy Forest.
The first thing they saw was a heavily corroded signpost.
The words “Demon Tree Jungle” were barely legible, but beneath them, smaller, crooked carvings stood out, likely left by past apprentices....
2025-07-13 14:30:30 +0000 UTC View PostThe Black Crow Lord’s birthday was still months away, but that didn’t stop the students from preparing their tributes early.
Depending on the distance to their destinations, various teams gradually set off toward the Gloomy Forest.
Chen Mo’s team assembled and headed for the Demon Tree Jungle as assigned.
The group of five marched toward an uncertain fate.
The team...
2025-07-13 14:29:34 +0000 UTC View PostThe prolonged overuse of mental strength left Chen Mo with a splitting headache.
The pain was indescribable, unbearable, like someone sawing open his skull, prying it apart, and sprinkling in peppercorns, mustard, salt, and fennel, then stirring it with a stick.
Biologically, the brain has no pain nerves, but Chen Mo was convinced it would hurt like hell.
After resting for who...
2025-07-13 14:28:26 +0000 UTC View PostChangan Prefecture, Changle Palace, Yongning Hall.
The majestic palace complex stood solemnly in the dawn, its golden glazed tiles shimmering with the sunrise’s glow. The vermilion walls, stretching like a dragon’s spine, proclaimed the supreme authority and enduring cultural heritage of East Xia.
A small-scale internal meeting was underway, tackling a weighty issue: how to coun...
2025-07-13 14:26:51 +0000 UTC View PostHeavy footsteps echoed closer from the passageway above, and Chen Mo silently counted down in his head: “Three, two, one, zero!” Right on cu
Heavy footsteps echoed closer from the passageway above, and Chen Mo silently counted down in his head: “Three, two, one, zero!”
Right on cue, a raspy, grating voice boomed from the cave’s entrance: “Pet cleanup time’s over! Get o...
2025-07-13 14:25:41 +0000 UTC View PostThe spring breeze of the Starry Continent couldn’t melt the snow piled high in the Gloomy Forest, and the setting sun over Black Crow Castle
The spring breeze of the Starry Continent couldn’t melt the snow piled high in the Gloomy Forest, and the setting sun over Black Crow Castle failed to pierce the haze lurking in its underground depths.
As a transmigrator, Chen Mo hunched ov...
2025-07-13 09:09:17 +0000 UTC View Post