On the way back to the academy, without carriages, the group was expected to walk for about ten days. The students complained bitterly; this excursion to the Monster Forest had been nothing short of torture, but they were powerless to do anything about it. This academy-organized Monster Forest hunting expedition had resulted in the loss of almost all their horses, a virtually empty harvest, and many more deaths were feared had Wang Han not intervened to quell the beast tide.
Now, on the third day of their journey, some summoning students are even running out of food to feed their summoned beasts. Angie and Vivian's summoned beasts are being fed prey that Wang Han summons from his Divine Might Space, brought back by two-headed wolves. Wang Han is also the only one who has reaped a bountiful harvest in the Monster Forest.
(The summoner's summoning space can store supplies, but only summoned beasts can bring them in and out. Time flows inside just like outside, and food will spoil. Living things cannot enter.)
In an ordinary grove of trees beside the path the academy procession was traveling, a middle-aged archer carrying a large bow, engraved with magical runes and inlaid with energy crystals, and wearing leather armor, was hidden in the dense trunk of a large tree, observing the academy's marching procession. After observing for a while using Eagle Vision, the archer said to the other three people under the tree with a grim expression, "The target is with the King of Monsters, the Gedi Tiger, as mentioned in the intelligence. He probably knows the Gedi Tiger's master, or is even protecting her."
Of the three, the thief dressed in black, hiding in the shadows, spoke up: "I'm just a mid-level thief. With that Earth-Covering Demon Tiger by my side, even if I stealthily approach the target, it will be difficult. Creating the illusion of an accidental death is even more difficult, and the chance of being exposed is very high. In fact, I would definitely be discovered. Even if I manage to kill the target, I will definitely be exposed afterward."
“No.” The elderly mage in the group immediately shook his head and said, “We absolutely cannot expose ourselves. Let’s find another opportunity to observe them when they are encamped at night. Nighttime also provides an advantage for thieves.”
“Nighttime won’t work.” The thief shook his head and rejected the idea. “Although nighttime gives me a bonus, it gives the Earth-Covering Demon Tiger a bigger bonus. Also, it’s quiet at night, and the monsters are too alert, so the chances of being discovered are much higher.”
“I remember there’s a bandit den nearby. They’re not only numerous but also very powerful. Maybe we can use them and avoid having to take direct action ourselves,” said the last of the three, a middle-aged man carrying a greatsword.
“That’s right, if there’s no opportunity, we can create one.” The old mage immediately agreed. “Death is common in chaos, as long as we lure the Earth Demon Tiger away from our target, we’ll have a chance.”
“This is a student team from the academy,” the archer said. “Attacking an academy team is a serious crime, and the empire will never forgive it. Those thieves probably won’t be that stupid.”
“They have no choice. I know their leader; he wouldn’t dare refuse.” Upon hearing this, the swordsman’s lips curled into a smile. “Besides, when the general returns, he can use this opportunity to silence them and gain credit for suppressing the bandits.”
“Since you’re confident, then let’s do it this way!” the elderly mage said. The four of them then discussed the details of their plan of action.
"Time is running out, we need to act quickly." After discussing it, the four of them quietly retreated into the depths of the forest.
"Are we being watched again?" In the academy's group, Wang Han, who was resting on a cart with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and glanced at the ordinary woods next to him. He thought to himself, then closed his eyes again to rest.
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At night, the students, who had been walking all day, were too lazy to even set up their tents. After eating, they spread blankets on the ground and went to sleep. Some students even slept directly on the ground. Only a few students gathered in twos and threes, chatting quietly, their faces showing their exhaustion.
…………
"Brother, are we really going to do this? These are all students from the academy!" In the dark forest, a lean, shifty-eyed middle-aged man looked at the students resting in the distance and asked the burly man next to him in a low voice.
The burly man appeared to be in his fifties, with four wide, long scars crisscrossing his face, giving him a rather fierce look. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "I didn't want to attack the academy's team either, but it was unavoidable. If we didn't, those people wouldn't let us go. Not only you and me, but everyone would die, including the rest of our family. Reviving the family would be impossible. But as long as we succeed and clear our names afterward, the family's revival will be just around the corner."
“But if we’re found out, neither of us brothers will survive.” The lean man still hesitated.
"If we find out, at most only the two of us brothers will die, but the rest of us will live, and the family will still have some hope." The man said through gritted teeth, "Moreover, we don't need to kill them all, nor do we need to entangle with them for too long. We can just lead our men out to create chaos, kill some students, grab some things, and then retreat. It'll be a quick and decisive battle, taking at most ten minutes."
Seeing that the lean man was still hesitant, the man called the eldest brother said, "Don't hesitate, we have no other way out. The youngest of us brothers is forty-five years old. This may be our only chance in our lives."
Upon hearing this, the lean man gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.
“Alright, let’s go back and gather the brothers,” the burly man said, and the two quietly slipped away.
'Is it time to take action?' Wang Han thought to himself as he chatted with Anqi while lying down and gazing at the stars. 'After resolving Anqi's matter, our connection should come to an end.'
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