91: Fire

Savage Bull Rearing Area.

Lister looked on curiously at the Small Savage Bull that Dode Neil had forcefully pulled out of the calf herd.

[Having written this far, I hope readers will remember our domain, Taiwan Novel Network, for a better and easier reading experience.]

Indeed, as Dode Neil had said, the overall appearance of this Small Savage Bull was quite different from the other Small Savage Bulls.

Although its size was still small, its body already appeared extremely solid and muscular, its four limbs thick and powerful, and the color of its body was not the simple black-brown of an Ordinary Savage Bull.

Instead, it was predominantly Bronze-Black, and the surface of its black skin was covered with irregular Magma-Red patterns.

Deep within the slightly transparent red patterns, magma seemed to flow.

Its thick, Magma-Red curved horns, about the size of its head, had tips that were just beginning to show sharpness, pointing directly forward, as if always ready to attack.

Embedded between the two horns was a huge, darker Magma-Red crystal, adding a touch of beauty.

Its four hooves and thick tail hair, also Magma-Red, looked as if they were about to burst into flame.

Coupled with its fiery red pupils, its overall presence gave off a very strong sense of oppression.

'Tsk tsk, as expected of one that awakened the Fire Bull Bloodline, it truly is extraordinary!'

Extraordinary as it was, compared to the innate kingly aura and inherent wildness of Bai Ze, the Small Fire Bull seemed much more ordinary, exhibiting more of a volatile feeling.

Lister was not surprised by this, after all, the difference in bloodline hierarchy between the two was significant.

After finishing his inspection, Lister explained, "It should have awakened the Fire Bull Bloodline. If nothing goes wrong, it can grow into a Magic Beast equivalent to a Silver Knight."

"A Silver Knight!" Dode Neil and Spartacus immediately showed surprise upon hearing this.

Silver Knights were not common cabbage; most Viscount Territories didn't even have them, so this little fellow was definitely a treasure.

Excited, the two immediately offered their congratulations to Lister.

"This subordinate congratulates Lord Lister!"

"Congratulations, Lord, on acquiring such a Magic Beast treasure. I wonder if you intend to give it a name?"

Hearing this, Lister picked up the Small Fire Bull from the ground, pondered for a moment, and then smiled, "I shall call you Lihuo."

"Moo~"

The Small Fire Bull mooed happily, seemingly quite fond of the name.

Lister looked at Dode Neil and said, "Dode Neil, I will take Lihuo back to the Castle for a few days. Please arrange for someone to deliver its feed on time."

"Yes, Lord." Dode Neil respectfully replied.

Holding the Small Savage Bull, Lister and his companion leaped onto their horses, turned around, and quickly departed.

After patrolling for a while longer, they only returned toward the Castle when the sky grew dark... The setting sun slanted down, and dusk arrived.

In the dark Valley, the sound of the fierce cold wind howling past was like the sound of souls being claimed from the depths of the Underworld.

Along both sides of the narrow Mountain Road, which was the only one in the Valley and only wide enough for two carriages, a dozen or so dark figures lay silently in ambush.

Six of the figures, clad in Black Armor, had fierce glints in their eyes and exuded strong killing intent.

As a gust of cold wind swept past, one of the figures in Black Armor, who had a young, dark face, spoke to the black armored figure at the very front:

"Big Brother, we've been waiting for two days, why hasn't the Cole Family's caravan arrived yet? Is the Benson Family trying to fool us?"

The owner of that figure had a long Saber Scar across his face, starting from the left side of his forehead, passing through his eye and nose, and slashing across his lower right cheek.

The sharp ferocity in his eyes seemed almost tangible; clearly, he was not a character to be trifled with.

Hearing this, the Scarred Man replied without turning his head, using his hoarse, low voice, "Sixth Brother, do you think they dare?"

"Hehe! Big Boss is right."

Before Sixth Brother could reply, the Pale-Faced Man next to the Scarred Man chuckled, then turned to look mockingly at Sixth Brother behind him:

"Sixth Brother, why are you still so impatient? It's a long journey from the Western Territory to here. It's not strange for the Cole Family's caravan to be delayed for a few days along the way."

"Besides, this is the only road connecting the Western Territory to Telris. They can't possibly avoid coming here."

Sixth Brother, who had a young, dark face, curled his lip upon hearing this and said, "Fourth Brother, it's easy for you to say. Don't forget, we are the ones freezing and facing the wind in the Valley right now."

"If we have to stay here for two more days in the middle of winter, I'm afraid we'll turn into Frozen Corpses by the roadside before we even catch a glimpse of the Cole Family caravan."

"Moreover, if the Cole Family genuinely changed their route midway to sell Slaves in the Southern or Northern Territories, it's highly possible they wouldn't return via this road."

"So, in my opinion, instead of freezing here, we might as well go back and enjoy drinking with beautiful women. After all, the Benson Family isn't paying much anyway."

Saying this, he complained with great displeasure, "I really don't understand this family of theirs. They clearly want the Cole Family dead, yet they are unwilling to spend more money—they're incredibly stingy."

"I also don't know what they use the money they earn for. Are they saving it to build their own graves when they're about to die?"

The three men hadn't deliberately lowered their voices during their discussion, so the members of the Benson Family ambushing nearby heard everything clearly.

Especially Sixth Brother's merciless mockery, which caused their blood pressure to surge repeatedly, making their faces as red as Pig Liver.

Yet, they dared not, nor could they, refute him immediately, because many among them also believed the family was indeed too stingy.

Not only the haggling involved in hiring these Bounty Hunters to ambush the Cole Family, but even the daily provisions provided to ordinary family disciples like themselves seemed somewhat tight-fisted.

As they thought about it, they even started to entertain the same thoughts as Sixth Brother.

Was the family's money really being saved for building graves?

At this moment, the Scarred Man, Big Boss, turned his head to look at the Benson Family Representative in charge of the ambush, a man in his thirties.

His face was placid, showing no expression, and he asked in a low, somber tone:

"Benson Family Representative, I don't think my brother was wrong. Are you certain the Cole Family caravan will pass through here?"

"Well..." The Benson Family Representative hesitated, then said with a slight panic, "This decision was reached through discussion between the Patriarch and the Clan Elders, and it was set by the Patriarch himself. I don't think there should be any mistake."

"Should?"

The Scarred Man, Big Boss's eyes narrowed, and a cold gleam flashed in the twilight shadow. The light, slender, Curved Saber in his hand instantly appeared at the neck of the Benson Family Representative.

The slight pain of his skin being cut made the Benson Family Representative realize what was happening. He instantly turned pale with fright and pleaded, "B-Bounty Hunter Sir, please spare my life, spare my life!"

"I am just an ordinary family disciple, I don't know much. 'Should' was just my cautious way of speaking; in reality, there won't be any mistakes."

"Besides, even if there really is a mistake, you can still take the half of the mission deposit you received beforehand and leave directly. You won't suffer any loss."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Curved Saber was returned to the Scarred Man, Big Boss's waist. His voice was hoarse, and his tone carried a warning, "We Six Brothers didn't come just for half the bounty. Your Benson Family better hope there truly won't be any mistakes, or else our brothers will definitely have a good chat with your Patriarch."

Having said that, he ignored the Benson Family Representative before him, turned his head toward the end of the Valley, and continued waiting.

The biting cold wind brushed across the shallow wound on the Benson Family Representative's neck, filling his heart with lingering fear.

Patriarch, what kind of Evil Star did you provoke!