20: Escort mission

"Remember, a wolf's characteristics are a copper head, iron bones, and a tofu waist. When attacking, aim for its weak point, the waist. Han Yi, you go and try." Li Feng said to Han Yi while explaining.

"Gray Stripe Wolf', a common wild beast..."

Three days later, Wang Meng's injuries had almost recovered, and the Ninth Squad officially began executing missions.

"Understood!" Han Yi responded softly.

He quietly came up behind the 'Gray Stripe Wolf', applying slight force to his legs, preparing for a surprise attack.

Unexpectedly, this 'Gray Stripe Wolf' had been living alone for a long time and was very vigilant. Before Han Yi could attack, it suddenly raised its head and let out a howl, its front paws leaping up abruptly, charging straight towards Han Yi!

"Dodge!" Li Feng's urgent voice came from his ear.

Han Yi's gaze darkened, he did not dodge, but instead let out a loud shout.

As his vital energy surged, the muscles in his arms seemed to rapidly swell and fill with blood, and a dark luster like rock gradually appeared on his fists.

'Mountain Crushing Fist - Earth Splitting!'

Bang!

The iron fist guard collided with the hardest copper head.

The 'Gray Stripe Wolf' let out a whimper, its head immediately caved in, and it instantly crashed to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.

"This..." Li Feng, Wang Meng, and Pan Sheng on the side were instantly dumbfounded.

Although this 'Gray Stripe Wolf' was only a demonic beast at the level of a common wild beast, it was comparable to a Martial Artist at the Refining Bone level. Coupled with the demonic beast's inherent physical strength, Martial Artists of the same level were simply difficult to deal with.

"Why is there such a big difference when both are at the Refining Bone Stage?" Wang Meng muttered from the side.

"Just a small matter, maybe I'm more talented in fist techniques." Han Yi waved his hand, looking nonchalant.

He thought to himself, "It's just a wild beast with a value of '18~22'. Now that I'm fully equipped, I'm '21~40'!"

Time flowed by, and a week quietly passed.

After this period of adjustment, their squad gradually became more harmonious. Han Yi also successively carried out missions such as clearing out demonic beasts and patrolling the camp, gaining a deeper understanding of the Crimson Flame Sect and An Yan County.

An Yan County is controlled by four forces: 'One Sect, One School, Two Families'. The one Sect refers to the Crimson Flame Sect, the one School refers to the Qianye Sect, and the two Families are the Wang Family and the Huang Family. There are also some other minor forces that all rely on these four families to survive.

Han Yi also once asked curiously, "If a county is controlled by four forces, what's the use of the government?"

Unexpectedly, Li Feng laughed a few times and said, "The Elders, Sect Leaders, Family Heads, and others from these four forces all hold positions in the government. For example, our Crimson Flame Sect's Sect Leader is also the County Yamen's Archivist..."

Perhaps in this world, the Martial Dao is flourishing, and practicing martial arts is prevalent. 'Knights errant violate prohibitions with martial arts', and disagreements can easily lead to fights, but most Martial Artists dare not act too presumptuously within the government's jurisdiction.

Why is this? Because the royal family of Great Xuan, which survived the struggles of countless forces and achieved final victory, is the number one Martial Dao force in the world!

"It seems my modern way of thinking is still too narrow..." A thought arose in Han Yi's mind.

In the afternoon

Han Yi was practicing 'Flying Swallow Kick' in the training ground. After continuously going out on missions these past few days, he felt he had gained a new understanding of 'Flying Swallow Kick'.

"Look at the

[Name]: Han Yi (16/86)

[Realm]: Early Refining Bone (18/100)

[Cultivation Methods]: Yang Yuan Skill (Incomplete, Proficient 2/20, can be upgraded); Jade Bone Skill (Mortal Rank, Trait: Strong Bone, Minor Accomplishment 1/20, can be upgraded)

[Martial Arts]: Mountain Shattering Fist (Mortal Rank, Traits: Stone Crushing, Earth Splitting, Great Accomplishment); Basic Knife Technique (Mortal Rank, Trait: Dance Knife, Minor Accomplishment 2/20, can be upgraded); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank Low Grade, Beginner 8/10, can be upgraded)

[Essence Value]: 19

[Demonic Artifact]: blood plum handkerchief (Purified, ??)

"There are still 19 points of Essence Value, I should use them sparingly, and I'm only two points of proficiency away from truly mastering it..." Han Yi frowned slightly, "Let's Cultivate a bit more."

He wanted to see how far he could ultimately reach through his own cultivation.

"Captain Li Feng went to get the mission today. Let's go see tomorrow's mission."

Inside House Number Nine

"I have some good news for everyone." Li Feng said to everyone with a smile, "It's our squad's turn for the mission to escort the fire crystal stones!"

After the fire crystal stones are mined, most of them are directly transported back to the Sect within An Yan County.

During transportation, a few escort teams are usually assigned to guard them.

Since each transport is within the Crimson Flame Sect's sphere of influence, it can be said that there is basically no danger, and the contribution points are generous, making it an enviable mission.

"Great!"

As soon as Li Feng finished speaking, Pan Sheng immediately became excited.

"Han Yi, you brat, get a good rest tonight," He turned his head and winked at Han Yi, chuckling, "When we enter the city then, this Elder brother must take you for a stroll around An Yan County. Let me tell you, Miss Yihong in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion in Heyue Ward, her figure..."

"Cough cough!"

Li Feng coughed a few times repeatedly, "Don't get happy too early. This escort mission, we might be teaming up with the Fourth Squad..."

The atmosphere in the room immediately quieted down.

The Fourth Squad had Song Qing and Song Zhong. They had always been at odds with Li Feng, causing the relationship between the Fourth Squad and the Ninth Squad to be like fire and water.

"What was the steward thinking, arranging it like this?" Wang Meng grumbled from the side.

"According to the steward, he wants to ease the relationship between the Disciples, which is why he arranged it this way..." Li Feng touched his nose and gave a few bitter smiles.

"When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, cover it with earth. What can the Fourth Squad do? They still have to carry out the mission with us!" Han Yi spoke up from the side.

"Right, that's the logic!" Pan Sheng echoed from the side.

The next morning

At the Mining Camp, two groups of people were facing off.

"Li Feng, long time no see. I wonder how your 'Blazing Fire Blade Technique' cultivation is going?" A man with a sinister face, holding a long sword, sneered, "And you, Han Yi, I heard you're the one who injured my clan brother. How about we spar a bit?"

He sized Han Yi up and down.

"Song Qing, if you have the guts, come at me. Don't bully the newcomer!" Li Feng said indifferently.

"Hmph!" Perhaps having suffered at Li Feng's hands before, Song Qing let out a cold snort and said nothing more.

The atmosphere between the two squads became increasingly heavy.

Han Yi glanced at the Fourth Squad. Apart from Song Qing's high value of '50~63', the strength of the others was not worth mentioning.

"It seems my strength is considered upper-middle..." His thoughts turned.

"Let's go." After the Sect steward finished counting and confirmed the quantity was correct, and the handyman Disciples loaded the fire crystal stones, the convoy set off.

As for Han Yi and the others, they naturally sat on different carriages, guarding them along the way.

The mountain shadows shifted, the clouds were gradually covered by the night, and it was getting dark.

Creak, creak

The heavy 'fire crystal stones' pressed down on the ox cart wheels, making them creak. Even the 'Black Rock Ox', a demonic beast that was well-trained and known for its endurance, was so tired its hooves were soft and it didn't want to move.

The Sect steward discussed with Li Feng and Song Qing, then shouted to the many handyman Disciples to set up camp.

The sky grew darker.

In the center of the camp, bonfires were lit, torches were raised. Pan Sheng skillfully cooked meat soup in an iron pot, muttering, "If only my maid was here..."

Han Yi sat by the bonfire. The firelight shone on his well-defined features, making him appear exceptionally bright.

On the other side, the Fourth Squad was burning firewood, clearly separated.

Before long, Li Feng returned. He twitched his nostrils a few times, seemingly attracted by the aroma of meat. "It's decided. The Fourth Squad will guard the first half of the night, and we'll guard the second half."

Zhang Yun and Huo Dahai from the Fourth Squad were dozing off by the bonfire. The two of them were guarding for the first two hours.

The mission to escort the 'fire crystal stones' had been carried out on this road countless times. The two of them muttered inwardly, the Ninth Squad is really troublesome!

Crackle!

The two bonfires burned continuously. In the quiet environment, the firewood occasionally crackled, making the surroundings seem even more tranquil.

Around the camp, the gnarled ancient trees in the mountain forest, against the backdrop of the dark night, seemed to reveal their menacing fangs.

"Throw!"

A sharp shout rang out.

Bang!

Dozens of torches mixed with lamp oil were thrown into the camp.

Swish, swish, swish

Countless hidden weapons mixed with quicklime poured down on the people in the camp like a waterfall!