Ban Shu put the book away. The mission was the priority now; there would be time to study it later.
After who knew how long, the hunting party marched until noon, finally nearing the place mentioned in the intelligence report.
The knight captain leading the party came to Yue Guan and the others, dropped to one knee, and said respectfully, "My lords, five li ahead lies the Wolf Bandits' hideout mentioned in the report."
"Very good."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. The Wolf Bandits were mainly meant to give Ban Shu and Bibi Dong some experience. All he had to do was keep the bandits pinned down in one place.
Li Yan also took command, determined not to let a single Wolf Bandit who preyed on people escape.
"Go. Send a few scouts ahead to investigate and determine the exact number of Wolf Bandits. The rest, stand by here. As soon as we get word, move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
The knight bowed, accepted the order, then turned to carry out Li Yan's instructions.
"My lords, I'll leave what comes next to you."
Yue Guan turned to them with a smile.
At that, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong exchanged glances and both chuckled.
"Come on! My great halberd is thirsty for blood!"
Ban Shu summoned the Painted Halberd. Two Soul Rings, one yellow and one purple, gleamed beneath his feet.
With the halberd in hand, his aura burst forth, as if a god of war had descended, inspiring awe and reverence.
"Those vile Wolf Bandits—let me send every last one of you to the next world!"
Bibi Dong was no less imposing. Three Soul Rings, two yellow and one purple, slowly rose around her, while the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul behind her bared its hideous fangs, radiating terror.
"Truly worthy of Spirit Hall's super geniuses! Those Soul Rings, that Soul Power—simply unbelievable."
Looking at Ban Shu's conspicuously unconventional Soul Rings and Bibi Dong's Soul Power Level far beyond that of others her age, Yue Guan couldn't help praising them.
"That's nothing. The really outrageous part is still to come."
Li Yan came to stand beside Yue Guan, arms folded. "Their potential hasn't been fully developed yet. Their futures are limitless."
"Mm."
Yue Guan nodded, agreeing with Li Yan.
Before long, the scouts returned, their expressions graver than ever.
One whispered something to the knight captain, who then reported the findings to Yue Guan and Li Yan with a solemn expression.
"My lords, we have a problem. The Wolf Bandits attacked a village. They've bound a large number of villagers and are heading toward their lair with them now."
"What?"
Yue Guan and Li Yan's expressions turned grave. They had thought this would be a simple hunt; they hadn't expected to run into something like this.
"Damn Wolf Bandits!"
Li Yan clenched his fists, fury blazing within him.
At Spirit Hall, he was among the most implacable foes of evil. Whether hunting Wolf Bandits or purging Fallen Ones, he was always involved.
Now the Wolf Bandits had dared to attack a village and take its people captive. How could he not be furious?
"All knights, fall in! Follow me! Today, I'm going to slaughter every last one of those beasts!"
Li Yan raised his spear and roared.
"Yes, sir!"
The knights around him were fired up, too. Most of them had been born in villages and recruited after Spirit Hall had awakened their Martial Souls.
In their hearts, those villages were like home. They couldn't stand by and watch the people there suffer.
"Wait!"
Yue Guan stopped Li Yan.
"Bishop Yue Guan, what is it?" Li Yan frowned at Yue Guan, thinking he was trying to stop him.
"Bishop Li Yan, don't forget—the Wolf Bandits still have hostages."
Only then did Li Yan realize. "You're right. They still have hostages. But why would they bring living captives back to their lair?"
Yue Guan furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. Then he stepped over to the scout and questioned him carefully. "Tell me, what condition were the villagers in? How many were still alive?"
The scout thought back before replying, "My lord, we split into two groups to investigate. The other scout went to the village, and according to him, there weren't many bodies there."
"For some reason, the Wolf Bandits hadn't killed the villagers. They'd tied them up alive instead."
"Oh?"
Yue Guan frowned. In his experience, Wolf Bandits never left any living creatures besides women. Why were they acting so strangely this time?
Still, this gave him a chance to save the villagers.
Yue Guan thought for a moment, then began assigning tasks to the hunting party.
"First and second squads, find out where the hostages are. Once I give the signal, get them to safety as quickly as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
"Third and fourth squads, work with Bishop Li Yan and Lord Ban to engage the Wolf Bandits head-on. Do your best to keep them all here."
"Understood!"
Li Yan nodded. "I'll follow your lead."
Ban Shu also said he had no objections.
"Lastly, fifth squad, deal with any Wolf Bandits that slip past the third and fourth squads, and cover the first and second squads as they retreat."
"Lady Bibi Dong, I'm leaving this side to you."
"Don't worry."
Bibi Dong accepted the difficult assignment.
"Remember, the villagers' lives come first. Move out!"
With that, Yue Guan activated his Martial Soul and raced toward the Wolf Bandits' location as fast as he could. If he moved a little faster, he could save one more life.
Li Yan waved his hand. "Follow me. We're going to kill some beasts!"
Ban Shu followed beside Li Yan, his blood beginning to boil. This was a battle—a real, genuine battle.
He let out a deep breath, excitement shining in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the Wolf Bandits, having captured a large number of people, were carrying their spoils back to their lair.
"Grr!"
Some of the Wolf Bandits couldn't resist the sight of the juicy food before them. They bared their fangs at the villagers.
"Grrr!!!"
But just then, a Wolf Bandit with streaks of blue fur sprang out. It slapped one of the bandits flying and gave a few low growls, cowing the others.
The other Wolf Bandits hesitated, wary of the consequences, and didn't dare act recklessly again.
In the woods not far away, Ban Shu, Li Yan, and the knights had already taken cover along the Wolf Bandits' route.
They'd dug traps up ahead. They'd had to set them in a hurry because of the time constraints, but they'd be enough to deal with these thickheaded Wolf Bandits.
"Wait for my signal. Then kill them with everything you've got!"
Li Yan raised a hand and spoke softly.
The knights around him nodded.
The instant the Wolf Bandits stepped onto the traps, Li Yan shouted, "Now!"
At his words, the knights triggered the mechanisms at once. Countless crossbow bolts shot toward the Wolf Bandits, killing those at the edge of the pack on the spot.
"Kill!"
Ban Shu swung the Painted Halberd and charged into the Wolf Bandits first, striking with Mountain Splitting Strike and cutting a bloody swath through them.
"Kill!"
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