Distributing Supplies

"Once the reinforcements arrive tomorrow night, we'll move. The two Battle Masters will be responsible for drawing the Snake-People Battle Masters' fire head-on. As for the rest of us, we'll split into two echelons. The first echelon will consist of me and all experts at eight-star Fighter and above, four people in total. We'll deal with the Snake-People's high-level Fighters."

"The second echelon will form squads or operate alone. You'll infiltrate the oasis and focus on striking the Snake-People's logistical forces while securing the defensive positions around the wells!"

Next, Lu Sheng assigned everyone's tasks in detail. From infiltration routes and weapon preparations to retreat signals in case of injury, he explained everything clearly.

Qing Mo listened in silence, but his mind was on other matters.

"Lu Sheng does have some skill, gathering everyone together so quickly."

"My Falling Leaf Flying Daggers could prove especially effective. There's no need for me to confront them head-on."

"When the time comes, I can keep an eye out for that second-tier Hibiscus Snake."

Half an hour later, the meeting ended.

The mercenaries in the tent gathered in twos and threes, discussing things among themselves.

Just as Qing Mo was about to leave, Black Face stopped him.

"Brother Qing Mo, wait." Black Face quickly walked over to him.

"Brother Black Face, what is it?" Qing Mo stopped and turned back.

"Brother Qing Mo, your skills are extraordinary. To have such cultivation at such a young age, you'll surely become renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire someday." After praising him, Black Face continued, "I wanted to ask whether Brother Qing Mo would be willing to act with us."

"Act together?" Qing Mo considered it.

"Yes." Black Face nodded. "Niu Da, Xiao Hu, two other team members, and I..."

"The Snake-People in the desert are extremely cunning. We plan to conduct guerrilla attacks and harassment from the rear, search for Master Mu's remains, and collect some spoils along the way. It's much safer than fighting head-on."

"The Snake-People attacked so suddenly that they left behind many things they didn't have time to take away, so..."

Black Face held nothing back and laid out all his little calculations. He truly wanted Qing Mo to join them.

"Brother Qing Mo, that hidden weapon technique you displayed earlier would surely catch them off guard if you coordinated with us. What do you say?"

Black Face spoke with great sincerity.

However, Qing Mo had no interest in that. All he wanted was the Magic Core of the second-tier Hibiscus Snake.

"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't act with you." Qing Mo declined.

"Brother Black Face, I appreciate your kindness."

"My fighting style is rather unique. I specialize in hidden ambushes, so I may be more effective on the main battlefield."

Black Face's eyes filled with regret at those words.

"Since Brother Qing Mo has his own plans, I won't force you. But you must be careful! Staying alive is what matters most!" Black Face patted Qing Mo's shoulder.

He lowered his voice. "Don't be fooled by how loudly they're shouting. They may look like they're doing this to avenge Master Mu, but really, if there weren't something in it for them, who would take on work that could cost them their lives?"

Black Face sighed. "Master Mu treated us well when he was alive, but now that he's gone, people have moved on. We all make our living with our lives on the line. For him to end up like this... no one else can really be blamed."

"I know." Qing Mo lowered his gaze and smiled. In the adult world, there was no such thing as simple vengeance and camaraderie. It was all just a string of interests threaded together, polished to look good on the surface.

Seeing that Qing Mo understood, Black Face said no more.

Amid the flickering firelight and passionate cries for retribution, how much was sincere and how much was calculation had already become as indistinct as the night fog.

Qing Mo watched Black Face's departing figure, lost in thought.

Come to think of it, he did not truly want to avenge Master Mu either. He did not even know what Master Mu looked like.

His goal was very clear: the second-tier Hibiscus Snake.

This type of magical beast usually hid among vegetation near water sources and was extremely rare.

Hopefully, it had a Magic Core. Otherwise, this trip would be for nothing.

He returned to his tent.

Qing Lin was sitting cross-legged on an animal hide, cultivating. Although she had already reached the bottleneck of the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, she still refused to slack off.

"Brother Mo, are you done discussing everything?" Seeing Qing Mo enter, Qing Lin stopped cultivating and asked softly.

"Mm, it's settled." Qing Mo walked over and sat beside her. "We'll move tomorrow night, and I'll be taking part as well."

"Brother Mo, are you going alone?"

Qing Lin looked up and asked with some concern. She knew her strength was too weak to be of help to him. The only thing she could do now was avoid becoming a burden.

"Of course I won't leave you behind." Qing Mo smiled and rubbed her head. "My Falling Leaf Flying Daggers are silent and better suited for ambushes. You just need to hide somewhere with me."

He could not rest easy leaving Qing Lin here alone.

"Okay!"

Qing Lin nodded obediently. Seeing how adorable she was, Qing Mo could not resist scraping her nose.

"Get some rest. I'll cultivate a little longer."

The night passed without incident.

The next morning.

Sunlight tore across the horizon, spilling brilliance over the land.

The gathering place also began to bustle with activity. Some people sharpened their weapons against whetstones.

Other mercenaries were rubbing beast oil onto their armor to improve its toughness and defensive power.

Qing Mo led Qing Lin out of the tent. At a glance, every person in the camp wore a solemn expression.

Just then, a rough voice rang out through the camp.

"Come over here! Supplies are being distributed!"

The distribution point was in front of Lu Sheng's large tent, where several capable mercenaries maintained order.

The table was piled high with dried provisions, bandages, pills, and other supplies.

Qing Mo led Qing Lin forward. Niu Da was handling registration, and the moment he saw Qing Mo, his face broke into a smile.

"Brother Qing Mo, I've already set aside your share separately." As he spoke, Niu Da pushed a bulging canvas bag in front of Qing Mo.

"This was allocated according to the first echelon's standards. Young Master Lu specifically instructed me to reserve it for you." Niu Da lowered his voice.

Qing Mo opened the bag and inspected it. Apart from ordinary supplies, there were several bottles of Qi-Recovery Pills and Blood-Stanching Powder inside.

"Thank Young Master Lu for me."

"Um, Brother Qing Mo..." Niu Da rubbed his hands together and asked hesitantly, "Are you... are you really planning to act alone?"

"Hm? What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Qing Mo looked at him strangely, sensing that there was something behind his words.

"Brother Qing Mo, you attended yesterday's meeting too, right? Young Master Lu said that whoever brings back Master Mu's body will be rewarded with ten thousand gold coins!"

He raised his large hand, his eyes gleaming. "Ten thousand gold coins! That's enough for us brothers to live comfortably for quite a while. You're so skilled—if you teamed up with us, the chances would definitely be better..."

"No need. I'm used to working alone." Qing Mo shook his head.

He did not have the time. Besides, several days had already passed. Master Mu's corpse had probably been fed to snakes long ago.

"Ah... then that's truly a pity." Niu Da's face immediately fell as he sighed awkwardly.

Qing Mo said nothing more. He led Qing Lin back to the tent, arranged the Silent Flying Daggers in a specific sequence inside the hidden pockets along his inner forearm, then sat cross-legged on the bedding and began cultivating.

The setting sun sank behind the dunes, and the last trace of afterglow was swallowed by the night.

Clang—!

A crisp metallic strike rang out. The mercenaries emerged from their tents and gathered toward the center of the camp.

By the time Qing Mo arrived, more than twenty people were already there.

Lu Sheng stood at the very front of the group, gripping a long saber in his hand.

"Everyone!"

"Tonight, we have only one purpose—to avenge Master Mu and reclaim our oasis!"

"Kill—!"

"Avenge Master Mu!"