"Distinguished guests, please come in as well."
Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger Duke welcomed everyone into the large cowhide tent, and then instructed his subordinates to bring in some food.
Seeing everyone seated, Dai Hao laughed loudly, "It's been years! I didn't expect Young Master Cao to have grown so tall and handsome."
"Haha, it's all thanks to the good food at home. Uncle Dai, how's the border war going? Has the Sun Moon Empire stopped harassing you?" Cao Yu didn't dwell on that for long before moving on to another topic.
Dai Hao said, "Currently, everyone is on guard against each other, and no major actions have occurred. However, the Soul Tool His Majesty sent a few days ago were of great help to me. I heard that these things were actually made by you, Young Master Cao?"
Cao Yu did not deny it, nodding and saying, "Yes, I set up a Soul Tool Research Institute specifically to make these."
After confirming the information, Dai Hao was somewhat surprised but also very happy. After all, in the confrontation with the Sun Moon Empire on the border, Dai Hao had become increasingly aware of the importance of Soul Tool in war.
Now someone within the empire has finally taken on this important task, and so far the results seem quite promising.
Dai Hao praised him sincerely, "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young! Young Master Cao, you've accomplished something at such a young age. It's an honor for the Empire! Come! Without saying a word, Young Master Cao, I'll toast you!"
Dai Hao picked up his wine glass with both hands and drank it down. Cao Yu was not to be outdone, and in no time, he had finished his glass completely.
After a while, the table was filled with all kinds of delicacies. Dai Hao immediately said, " Young Master Cao, esteemed guests, please don't stand on ceremony. This was specially prepared for you by my subordinates. You've all had a long journey, you must be tired."
Cao Yu, of course, sampled it without any hesitation.
The large chunks of beef shank, braised to a golden-brown color, looked incredibly tempting.
With each bite, the honey splattered everywhere. Seeing how much Cao Yu enjoyed his meal, the others followed suit and started eating as well.
After traveling for so long, everyone was really hungry.
Wang Yan then looked at White Tiger Duke and said, "Then thank you very much, Your Grace."
Seeing this, Dai Hao waved his hand and laughed heartily, "Oh, no need to thank me. In fact, I should be thanking Teacher Wang and you all."
"Thank goodness you came, otherwise that Death Hand Bandit Gang would have given me a headache for a long time."
At this point, Wang Dong asked, somewhat puzzled, "Uncle Dai, is this bandit gang really that powerful? Even you couldn't wipe them out."
Dai Hao frowned and said, "They are extremely cunning. If too many people go, they will flee at the first sign of trouble; if too few people go, it will be ineffective."
"The areas where those bandits are stationed are too sensitive, located on the border between the two countries. Sometimes they will flee to the Sun Moon Empire. To avoid unnecessary war, we can only endure it."
"So I can only ask you to help handle this, since you are not subject to the Empire's restrictions and can freely cross the border between the two countries."
Only then did Wang Dong and his men realize why such a powerful army couldn't deal with that bandit group; it turned out that it involved border issues between the two countries.
From the perspective of the White Tiger Duke, it is indeed not a good solution.
Coming from the Shrek Academy, they were naturally not under the control of any empire, so they didn't need to worry about so much.
After eating and drinking his fill, Cao Yu specially took a plate of roasted chicken legs and walked out of the leather tent, also carrying a bottle of fine wine in his hand.
Xuan Zi did not enter the military camp.
With his strength and status, he is capable of representing Shrek Academy, but it is clear that he is unwilling to associate with the official authorities.
We found him perched on a large tree branch, his hand behind his head, legs crossed, fast asleep.
Cao Yu called out, " Xuan Zi, I brought you some of your favorite chicken legs and some wine. They smell delicious."
Cao Yu found a relatively flat, large rock, cleaned it up, and placed the food on it. Soon after, Xuan Zi walked over.
"Hey, you're something else, kid. Come on, eat with me." Xuan Zi didn't stand on ceremony, picking up a chicken leg and starting to eat, while also gesturing for him to sit down.
Cao Yu shook his head. "I just finished eating."
Xuan Zi seemed very happy, saying between bites, "You're quite something, kid! Don't forget to let me know when you and Xiaotao get married, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope."
Cao Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Xuan Zi, I'll never forget you, no matter who else I forget."
After resting for three hours, the group set off towards the Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Based on the intelligence gathered by the Central Army Corps and the routes on the map, they searched for the bandit group's trail.
The entire bandit gang consisted of over three hundred members, all of whom were young and strong, with Soul Master making up about one-tenth of the total.
Moreover, the Death Hand never leaves any survivors; its methods are extremely cruel.
As night fell, led by Ma Xiaotao and the other Inner Court disciples, the group quickly ventured deep into the central area of the Ming Dou Mountain Range.
Ma Xiaotao said, "Everyone stay put and rest. No fires are allowed, so as not to alert the enemy. We'll probably have to search all night."
Before long, Wang Yan discovered Wenlan Tree in a certain place, and based on the characteristics of this tree, he concluded that these places were very likely the areas where this Evil Soul Master were active.
Sure enough, after half an hour, Wang Yan followed these clues and found a large number of messy footprints in an open space.
Wang Yan pondered for a moment and said, "The enemy should be down the hillside. If I'm not mistaken, there should be a cave where they're hiding."
"Everyone, prepare for action!"
Everyone nodded in unison and replied, "Yes, Teacher Wang!"
After changing their clothes, everyone began preparing to move out, but Cao Yu interrupted them, saying, " Xiaotao, after you confirm these people's identities, don't rush into the cave, because I have a better way to eliminate these Evil Soul Master."
Ma Xiaotao asked, "What method is it? Tell me about it."
Holding her slender waist, Cao Yu chuckled, "Don't ask yet, you'll find out soon enough. Just remember, whatever you do, don't go into the cave."
Although she didn't know what he was up to, Ma Xiaotao could only nod in agreement, after all, she had to listen to her man's words.
Although Dai Yueheng and the others had some doubts, they didn't say much. After all, the White Tiger Duke treated him so well, so Cao Yu's words naturally made them more convinced.
Soon, they came to a cave that was covered by a lot of vines and creepers.
This is undoubtedly a den of thieves.
At the entrance of the cave, five or six bandits lay sprawled on the ground. Ma Xiaotao and her group were standing there waiting for Cao Yu and his companions.
Ma Xiaotao looked at Cao Yu with a strange look of expectation in her eyes, and her mischievous smile reappeared on her face.
Then he said to Cao Yu, " Little Yu, it's up to you now."
What a tormenting... devil.
Seeing Ma Xiaotao's appearance, Cao Yu couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart, but his blood also inexplicably surged.
At this moment, Cao Yu waved his hand and took out Flying Soul Tool from his Storage Ring, which was the same model as the one used by Xuan Zi.
"Everyone back off, the farther the better, I, Cao Yu, am about to show off!"
(End of this chapter)