Chapter 9

The military camp of the 57th Heavy Infantry Regiment was built on a hill at the foot of the forest farm. To the west of the forest farm lies the Gandar Mountains. From this hill, one can overlook the vast plains to the south of the forest farm. A river that winds down from the Gandar Mountains flows through here into the southern plains. It is now the season when the rainfall in Handanar County is most abundant.

Jeronnan, covered in blood, ran out from the dense forest at the foot of the hill. He still wore a chainmail shirt, but his leggings were only a blood-soaked linen short pant. In his hand, he held a standard military saber, but his shield was nowhere to be found. He ran towards the camp in a panic.

A temporary market was located between the camp and the forest farm. At this moment, a blood-covered soldier ran out from the dense forest, and the people in the market were the first to notice. Hoboqiang only realized Jeronnan was running back from the forest after hearing the people's cries of alarm in the market.

"Hey, Xiao Zake, where are you going?" Curly-haired Gabi shouted loudly to Hoboqiang.

By this time, Hoboqiang had already taken large strides towards Jeronnan, deftly avoiding the many pedestrians in the bustling market as he passed through.

As he moved through the market, his body was as light as a breeze.

"When I was young, I could run just as fast!" A drunk old man sitting in an open-air tavern said to Larkin, who was drinking beside him.

Larkin squinted his eyes, following Hoboqiang's back with his gaze, and responded casually, "I know, of course..."

In addition to Hoboqiang, several warriors in standard chainmail armor rushed out from the market. From their attire, it was clear they were all from the 57th Infantry Regiment's camp. Perhaps because they were fully armed in heavy and fine armor, Hoboqiang always led the way, running ahead of the others.

Hoboqiang met Jeronnan and steadied the black youth, who was running somewhat unsteadily.

Behind Jeronnan, several wooden arrows were stuck to his chainmail. These wooden arrows could not penetrate the armor; they only caused injury if they hit unarmored parts. Jeronnan's injury was just a cut on his shoulder, as if someone had tried to slit his throat but missed slightly.

Sweat mixed with blood, and Jeronnan was panting heavily, his face full of anxiety.

Seeing Hoboqiang come to his aid, he did not hesitate, directly grabbing Hoboqiang's arms. He was already exhausted from running.

"Quickly take me back to the camp. I need to report to Baron Sydney. A group of native warriors has appeared in the valley west of the forest farm. Sam is leading the others in a standoff with those natives in the valley. I need to request Baron Sydney to send reinforcements... to clear out those damn natives." Jeronnan said in a panic.

Without hesitation, Hoboqiang bent down and supported Jeronnan's arm, preparing to carry him back to the 57th Heavy Infantry Regiment's camp.

At this moment, the several infantry regiment warriors who had followed Hoboqiang also ran up and asked Jeronnan, "What happened? Were you ambushed by demons?"

Hoboqiang was stopped by two infantry regiment warriors.

Jeronnan repeated to these warriors, "We were ambushed by a large group of natives from Handanar County..."

One of the infantry regiment warriors asked Jeronnan, "Which battalion are you from?"

Jeronnan quickly replied, "Our commander is Baron Sydney of the 4th Battalion..."

Subsequently, the black youth Jeronnan was quickly led towards the camp by two warriors in standard armor, while another warrior walked alongside, asking Jeronnan for more details.

No one paid attention to Hoboqiang, and for a moment, it seemed like he had nothing to do. Hoboqiang stood on the grassy hill, somewhat dazed, watching Jeronnan hurry towards the camp.

Jeronnan did not even look back at Hoboqiang.

...

Jeronnan did not provide much useful information to Hoboqiang, only saying that their squad, responsible for patrolling the western valley of the forest farm, had discovered a group of natives from Handanar County.

Hoboqiang did not know much about these natives from Handanar County, only hearing bits and pieces from Sulidak:

"These natives, though once the masters of this land, are still in a very backward tribal society. To the regular army of the Green Empire, these natives are nothing but a bunch of uncivilized monkeys. The heavy infantry regiment's warriors have never taken the natives of Handanar County seriously."

But it was these natives, armed with wooden bows and stone spears, who had caused trouble for the second squad this time.

Hearing that Sulidak and Sam were still fighting the natives in the western valley of the forest farm, Hoboqiang felt his blood boil.

He remembered Sulidak saying in the morning that he hoped this mission would bring good luck, but now it was clearly not good news.

Hoboqiang felt a heavy weight in his hand and looked down to find the Roman sword he had been carefully polishing at the market stall still in his grip. He didn't know where his courage came from, perhaps it was the strength of this body, which gave Hoboqiang a decision that surprised even himself.

He did not return to the market stall but turned and glanced at the bustling temporary market.

Hoboqiang noticed that many people in the market were watching the spectacle. Some watched the three infantry regiment warriors supporting Jeronnan as they ran back to the camp, others craned their necks to see if any enemies would suddenly appear from the forest, and still others ran back to their tents to pack their goods.

He did not see Larkin or Gabi in the crowd. He wanted to explain to Larkin that he only wanted to borrow his Roman sword.

But since he couldn't find Larkin in the crowd, Hoboqiang had no intention of returning. He simply waved the Roman sword in the air, hoping Larkin would understand his meaning.

Not waiting for any reaction from Larkin, "Maybe he didn't even see it," Hoboqiang thought.

He then turned and slowly ran into the dense forest, determined to follow the path Jeronnan had taken to find Sulidak and Sam. Holding the Roman sword, he believed he could be of some help. Hoboqiang knew his body was strong, but he had never been in a battle before. Entering the dense forest made his whole body feel excited.

A warm current surged up from his feet, and he felt an inexplicable strength within him.

He plunged into the dense forest without hesitation, but once inside, he realized he had no idea which path Jeronnan had taken.

Hoboqiang paused for a moment, feeling lost, then headed towards the western side of the forest farm. He remembered Sulidak mentioning that the valley path was to the west of the forest farm.

A large leaf with countless serrated edges brushed against his face, leaving a thin line of blood. The leaf contained a toxin that stimulated the sensory nerves, making the small wound on his face particularly painful.

Stepping on the soft, decaying leaves in the forest, the ground was very damp, and each step seemed to squish out water.

Insects scurried out from the rotting leaves and scattered...

Hoboqiang took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort in his stomach, and wiped his face roughly. He then headed straight towards the western side of the forest farm.