Engaging the Demons

What's that noise?

Fei Dao looked around warily, like a startled ostrich raising its head and looking left and right.

"The mandrills of Fu Yuan Mountain," the bodyguard beside him replied, "Don't worry too much. It's just a mandrill that was keeping watch at the mountain pass. It saw us coming and alerted its companions."

"We outnumber them; if we just show our strength, these mountain demons might not dare to come forward."

The bodyguard confidently reassured Fei Dao Dagger.

Fei Dao nodded solemnly.

Lin Yu was somewhat surprised.

"Was that whistle actually made by Yaomo...?"

He had assumed it was the work of human bandits and brigands, but it turned out to be Yaomo.

These demons and evil spirits even had lookouts, and they could communicate with each other... This was quite unexpected for Lin Yu.

The intelligence of the Yaomo in this world seems to be higher than he anticipated.

But...

Lin Yu, on the contrary, thought it was a good thing.

At this moment, Yue Zhenqiao, who was in the lead, also made a move.

"Fire the signal arrow!"

Yue Zhenqiao spoke, the three bodyguards beside him, each carrying a bow, agreed. They then took the Hunting Bow and arrows from their quivers and released them into the sky.

"Waaah--!"

The sound of three arrows piercing the air rang out simultaneously, whistling like demons, and was not at all concealed by the whistles.

That's not all!

Shortly after, the three arrows flew into the sky and exploded in mid-air.

"--Smack!"

A cracking sound rang out, instantly drowning out all other noises!

The three arrows exploded at roughly the same time, and the three explosions overlapped, like thunderclaps from a clear sky, echoing endlessly through the mountains.

After the lingering sound faded, no further whistles were heard.

Yue Zhenqiao sneered and said smugly, "A bunch of beasts, let's see what you have to brag about now!"

"Do these mountain demons think we're just an ordinary caravan?"

Yue Zhenqiao said, then spurred his horse forward. "Let's go."

Lin Yu nodded slightly as he watched this scene.

Just as he thought, the Yaomo in this Prison Mountain Realm do indeed possess some intelligence.

This is truly good news for Lin Yu.

They possess intelligence, can be intimidated by Yue Zhenqiao's intimidation, and are capable of exchanging information. This means that the Yaomo of this realm, or at least this group of mountain goblins... might be able to be "tricked" into believing.

As Lin Yu pondered, Lin Yu Old Zheng's voice echoed in his mind.

"Be careful, boss, don't believe too much in the words of this bodyguard and other bodyguards. Although they have some strength, they are still relatively weak."

"Try releasing your Mental Power to probe and detect as many other mental fluctuations as possible, and you'll understand what I mean."

Old Zheng spoke leisurely, and Lin Yu was stunned for a moment before he began to release his Mental Power.

After reaching an agreement with Old Zheng, the other party began to guide and teach Lin Yu how to use his Mental Power.

After doing as Old Zheng said, Lin Yu understood the meaning of Old Zheng's previous words.

He felt his Mental Power spreading outwards like ripples on water, and soon sensed the spirits of about thirty people—peaceful, balanced, and without much fluctuation. Upon closer inspection, he could almost sense that everyone present was rather tense.

Other mental fluctuations were like ripples spreading outwards, or signal towers transmitting signals. Without Old Zheng's explanation, Lin Yu could intuitively discern their "mental state" through some mysterious feeling.

As his Mental Power expanded further outwards, Lin Yu was able to sense mental fluctuations that did not belong to them and were even distinctly different from human mental activity.

It is simpler, but also more manic and bloodthirsty.

More importantly, the sources of those mental fluctuations were not far away, and Lin Yu could sense that the targets of these mental fluctuations were all on his thirty people.

Lin Yu concluded. "Those Yaomo weren't intimidated; they were just pretending to be afraid. Their silence was merely a prelude to an ambush!"

He shared his ideas with Old Zheng, Old Zheng was very satisfied.

"Wow, you learn really fast. You're definitely one of the top three students I've ever taught in terms of comprehension and talent."

Lin Yu was surprised. "There are actually two people ahead of me in line?"

"Of course there are, and one of them even has a grudge against you."

Before Lin Yu and Old Zheng could continue their conversation, the whistle suddenly sounded again.

"Call out--!"

A sudden whistle came from overhead, and this time, the whistle... was extremely close!

Yue Zhenqiao somewhat shocked. "What? Have these mandrills gone mad?!"

Above them, atop the mountain wall, appeared the ferocious and grotesque figures resembling monkeys, their faces a striking blend of crimson and indigo.

These monsters were each the size of an adult, but their limbs were bulging with muscles and their fangs were protruding, clearly making them far more powerful than an average adult man.

As they emitted sharp whistles, they began leaping down the mountainside, stepping on protruding rock crevices as they rushed downhill, clearly heading towards the convoy.

"It seems that the scorching heat has made you grandsons go crazy with hunger." Although Yue Zhenqiao was frightened, as the escort leader, he quickly calmed down and began to give orders, "The demon is coming, prepare to fight the enemy!"

"Close-combat specialists hold the perimeter; those skilled in archery and Hidden Weapons, begin firing!"

"Wu San, Wu Qi, you two lead the teams on the left and right flanks respectively. Keep a close watch and don't let any monsters get through."

The caravan was now in a narrow canyon road, flanked by mountain walls. Mountain demons were attacking from both sides, creating a pincer movement and attacking from higher ground, which was very disadvantageous for the defending caravan.

Therefore, Yue Zhenqiao continued to issue instructions, "While engaging the enemy, the troops must not stop. Maintain formation and continue moving. Do not engage the monsters in the location they have chosen!"

Yue Zhenqiao spoke repeatedly, then drew his long sword and charged toward the right flank, where the defense seemed somewhat weak.

Then, the first wave of mandrills rushed to the foot of the mountain, leaped high into the air, and pounced on the caravan, engaging in close combat with the bodyguards on the periphery who were armed with swords.

"Ding-dong!"

The mandrill's claws were long and sharp, and when they collided with the swords of the bodyguards, they made a sound like gold and iron.

A volley of arrows and Hidden Weapons rained down from the ranks, striking the mandrills behind them. While this caused some casualties and elicited screams and spurts of blood from the mandrills in the rear...

However, very few mountain demons actually fell down and rolled to the foot of the mountain, becoming powerless to fight again!

Meanwhile, watching Escort Agency) members quickly change formation and fight the Yaomo, Li Nian couldn't help but feel moved.

"They're really professional... Employer, do you think we should help them?"

Li Nian said with a grin, seeking Fei Dao's opinion.

Seeing the mountain demons and smelling the blood, Fei Dao immediately spoke up.

"Of course, if these monsters kill all these escorts... won't it be our turn?!"

"Please help if you can!"

By the end, Fei Dao's voice almost cracked from shouting!