novelraw Chapter 385: The Targeted Mark
Chapter 385: The Targeted Mark
"Neighhhhh!"
"Everyone dismount! We'll rest for two hours before setting off again."
In a broad valley with lush water and grass, Li Wei called for a halt. At this moment, they had been galloping continuously for nearly one hundred and fifty kilometers, covering half their journey.
Overall, he was still very satisfied.
Even those twenty novice cavalrymen who had only recently started training could keep up with the marching pace.
Of course, they also had to be thankful that the highway passing through the mountainous region was mostly intact; that was why their marching speed could be so fast.
Right now, forty-two Four-Star Heavy Cavalrymen—including Zhao Xuanxuan, Javier, Benjamin, Santiago, and Seth—easily hopped off their warhorses. With faint flashes of light glinting in their respective hands, they retracted their respective Four-Star Warhorses into their Pet Cards. Then, it would only take about ten minutes for their warhorses to completely resurrect with full health and fully recovered stamina.
This was extremely convenient. It was also an excellent method for preserving their warhorses to the greatest extent on the battlefield, barring situations where it was too late to retract them.
It was worth noting that in order to enjoy such treatment, one absolutely had to bind and activate a Cavalry Card. Only with a Cavalry Card would one obtain a quota space bound to a Pet Card, allowing them to summon warhorses without restrictions and without any time constraints.
If it were any other profession, even if they bound a Pet Card, the duration they could summon a warhorse would be linked to their own Stamina—just like Little John back then.However, if one didn't bind a Pet Card and didn't want to enjoy this VIP treatment of retracting warhorses into Pet Cards, then they could only employ the conventional method.
The warhorse wouldn't receive rapid recovery and would require twenty-four-hour care. If it grew thirsty, hungry, or got injured, the owner could only stand by and watch helplessly.
This was exactly the current mode the remaining forty cavalrymen were using.
Therefore, the moment Li Wei ordered a rest, this bunch of guys instantly disregarded their own fatigue. They unsaddled their warhorses one by one, hurriedly fed them concentrated feed, and led them to drink water and graze in areas with lush wild grass.
They didn't dare slack off in the slightest!
Conversely, the heavy cavalrymen could gather in twos and threes under the shade of trees by the roadside to shoot the breeze, take a short nap, or replenish some food. They were incredibly leisurely.
Even when ten minutes had passed, they weren't in a hurry to summon their warhorses. Because this was something that could be rapidly summoned and completed within a single thought, allowing them to quickly enter a combat-ready state.
"Li Wei, haven't you been competing with Thomas again over this period of time?"
At this time, Zhao Xuanxuan walked over and plonked herself down beside Li Wei.
"I suppose it's alright. I found that this kind of selfless working state is highly beneficial for upgrading Destiny Grids. Speaking of which, have you completed Level 2 Awakening in all attributes yet?"
Li Wei asked, though his gaze gazed distantly toward the south. Thick clouds could vaguely be seen spreading out. Those were torrential rain clouds being pushed from west to east by some sort of force. Over there, it should currently be a time of pouring rain and raging flood peaks.
"So-so, just barely. I just completed Level 2 Awakening in all attributes. In addition, I also smoothly obtained my Destiny Code Name ten days ago. I am now Sword Caster Peppa!"
Zhao Xuanxuan winked at him, looking very smug.
"Ah, what kind of code name is that? Sword Caster hasn't changed? Even Thomas went from City Builder to Mountain Opener."
"I don't know either. In any case, after I forged a hundred pieces of Three-Star Enchanted Equipment in one breath, my original Destiny Title upgraded into a Destiny Code Name. Because I'm using my real name in this mission, I can rename the code name myself, so I used the name Sword Caster Peppa. By the way Li Wei, is your code name mission still incomplete? When the time comes, I suggest you call yourself Ranger George."
"Taking advantage of me, eh?"
"So what? From now on, big sis will cover you!" Zhao Xuanxuan laughed loudly, incomparably confident.
But she indeed had the capital to be confident. Because in a certain sense, she was also a Workaholic King on the same level as Thomas.
The kind who fought on horseback and patrolled in training during the day, then forged iron for half the night. This state had never been interrupted.
Currently, the Destiny Grid of Zhao Xuanxuan's first primary profession, Four-Star Blacksmith, had already broken through to 70. Her secondary profession Miner Destiny Grid was at 42, third profession Artisan was at 40, and fourth profession Cavalryman Destiny Grid was at 35.
Factoring in equipment and code name bonuses, her current Life was 550, Stamina 700, Strength 52, Agility 49, Defense 100, and Blood Burning +5.
To tell the truth, among Four-Star Professionals, such attributes could only barely squeeze into the first tier.
However, what truly made Zhao Xuanxuan terrifying was that she was also a heavy cavalryman, possessing a Four-Star Warhorse, a full set of Enchanted Heavy Armor, a Four-Star Cavalry Card, plus a 35 Cavalry Destiny Grid. On a suitable battlefield, that would truly be far too ferocious.
Once her Blood Burning Talent was activated, she could temporarily achieve +5 to all attributes. It was extremely ferocious, and it specifically countered Thomas's Dulling while also suppressing Delusion Breaking.
"Alright, from now on, you cover me."
Li Wei smiled faintly. He then took out the Magic Crest Qin Yu had crafted for him and embedded it into Zhao Xuanxuan's scale armor heart-guard mirror. This piece originally belonged to Brother Scar's heavy royal scale armor, but after Zhao Xuanxuan repaired it, the heart-guard mirror spot had remained empty. In reality, this spot could have a Magic Crest embedded into it.
"Li Wei—"
Zhao Xuanxuan looked over in surprise. She wanted to say something, but Li Wei stopped her.
"Don't make a fuss. I am merely a scout-oriented Ranger. When it comes to heavy cavalry charging into enemy lines, I am far inferior to you. It's not that I can't beat you in a fight, but rather that I have no way to lead a heavy cavalry force as nimbly as controlling my own arms. I have no way to pierce through enemy formations like an arrowhead. This is something only you can accomplish."
"For a person, the most important thing is to understand their own positioning."
"No one can be omniscient and omnipotent. Temporary luck cannot replace everything. Only by finding the right direction and finding the right partners can one have the last laugh and walk further."
Having said that, Li Wei smiled and patted Zhao Xuanxuan's shoulder. He then stood up and called out to those energetic heavy cavalrymen who didn't feel fatigued in the slightest: "Come on, let's have a warm-up match."
"I'll allow you all to come at me together!"
——
Toward evening, a heavy rain finally arrived in the northern mountain ranges. Mountain torrents erupted and cut off their path. Li Wei and the others had to temporarily set up camp in an open area. It wasn't until the next morning that they marched out of the mountain range, subsequently meeting Mark—who had been waiting early outside the mountains—along with a rather large convoy.
This was exactly the power brought about by a Paladin + Temple Priest. This older brother had only used a little under two months to grind out over five hundred survivors. Concurrently, he had also subdued over fifty Level 3 Ability Users. These Ability Users whose brains didn't work too well and who had to rely on divvying up natural persons to maintain their sanity, under Mark's calling, had practically shaken themselves into becoming devout Fanatics of the Temple of All Heavens. Even the Level 3 Blood Plague in their bodies had been cured.
"Mark Mark!"
Mark rode over on horseback, shouting somewhat urgently. His dedicated lackey translator immediately said:
"Lord, Lord Mark sensed a trace of danger. Therefore, three days ago, he led the convoy into this mountain pass and contacted you. Although we currently don't have any evidence, Lord Mark firmly believes that a dark cloud of danger is shrouding our return journey. Fortunately, Lord, you are here."
"I understand. That is exactly what I came for." Li Wei nodded. The existence of Paladin Mark was practically like a bug. As long as the Frost Duke learned of it, it was impossible for him to remain indifferent.
Speaking of which, the fact that the Frost Duke's side only discovered Mark now was an incredibly interesting matter in itself. It proved that the Frost Duke's intelligence and information system was weakening, and it also proved that the arrogant bluster of those Neanderthals had been knocked down considerably.
If not for this, if that Neanderthal scout from a few months ago were still alive, Paladin Mark would have long been discovered and focused down in an assassination.
At this time, Li Wei suddenly looked up towards the sky. He saw a white bird circling at an altitude roughly over a thousand meters above the ground.
It was a Four-Star Hunting Pet.
Interesting!
Li Wei turned around and waved his hand. From their team, fourteen crows, three magpies, two mallards, and five owls flew out.
Mhm, they were all Adai's underlings. Some were Two-Star, some were Three-Star, and some were One-Star. They had all been bound by the Hunter professionals in the team.
At this moment, this bunch of Hunting Pets shrieked and pounced upwards. So what if it flies high? Everyone here has wings; who's afraid of who!
As a result, that Four-Star Hunting Pet didn't engage in combat at all. It turned around and fled without a trace.
"Alright, Mark, you did well. Now have these natural persons retreat along this road!"
Li Wei instructed. Since the Frost Duke's side had already noticed Mark, he could no longer let him come over alone to grind out natural persons. He had to perform collective actions with the team.
And these natural persons would be escorted by that thirty-man squad of soldiers, heading toward the territory main base via the mountain highway behind them.
Walking along this path, Li Wei's +8 Perception hadn't detected any spying glares. This was sufficient to prove that this mountain range was currently still considered safe. These natural persons were all riding electric trucks or electric buses. With the road conditions intact, their traveling speed would be very fast; at most, they would be able to cross the northern mountain ranges by this afternoon.
Following that, Mark went to handle the arrangements himself. His prestige among those natural persons was quite high, so there were absolutely no problems.
Soon, as the convoy departed, only Li Wei's group was left within this mountain pass.
He wasn't in a hurry to get moving either. While letting everyone rest and recovering the physical stamina of the warhorses, he himself climbed up a relatively high mountaintop. He watched the convoy travel for dozens of kilometers until they could no longer be seen; only then did his heart settle down.
However, it was right at this time that he once again saw that white bird fly past over ten kilometers away to the north. It hadn't traveled far, which simultaneously proved that its master was nearby.
It seemed Mark truly had been targeted.
"Let's go!"
After descending the mountain, Li Wei issued a command. Everyone mounted their horses, rushing out of the mountain pass like a violent gale. Then, without even pausing and without even needing to confirm directions, they headed directly west along the highway.
Li Wei was equally familiar with this region. He knew where he was going, and he also knew where the enemy was.
Yes, this war—or rather, this competition—having reached this moment, the cards had basically been laid out on the table.
Li Wei refused to believe the Frost Duke had limitless Magical Power on hand. Although various signs indicated his Magical Power reserves were quite affluent, similarly, his family business was grand. To maintain a massive Ability User Legion, to upgrade ordinary people to Ability Users, and to upgrade low-level Ability Users to high-level Ability Users, the amount of Triangular Power required to be consumed would be immensely massive.
Based on this, the Frost Duke had to fight Socrates to the bitter end. But fighting to the bitter end would result in tragic casualties among the Ability Users under his command. Therefore, what he needed was more population.
In the past, Li Wei had always been wondering: what was the basis for the cooperation between the Frost Duke and the Neanderthal Cross-Border Players?
The Neanderthal Cross-Border Players risked their lives and went through thick and thin for the Frost Duke. What could they get out of it?
Now, Li Wei could roughly guess it. The Neanderthals needed a new camp, and the Frost Duke would promise this new camp would be protected under him.
If so, purely theoretically speaking, where would this camp be situated?
(End of this chapter)