Josie stood neatly groomed, his old leather armor polished to a shine, secured with fresh sinew straps. His shortsword’s hilt was wrapped in new cloth, faintly embroidered with some pattern.
He tried to stand tall, but when his eyes met Chen Mo’s, they darted away, betraying a mix of ne...
2025-07-14 10:40:50 +0000 UTC View PostWith business concluded and Chen Mo in good spirits, the one-eyed tavern owner clapped a massive hand on Josie’s shoulder, the force nearly toppling the young Copper Crest Warrior to one knee.
“This kid’s young and foolish, causing you trouble. How do you want to handle him?” ...
2025-07-14 10:39:49 +0000 UTC View PostThe first to react was the one-eyed tavern owner, lazily propped against the bar counter.
His worn half-eyepatch covered one eye, but the other scanned the smoky, crowded hall like a laser, catching everything despite the chaos. No small feat.
Most of the time, he flirted ...
2025-07-14 10:38:39 +0000 UTC View PostJosie, a freshly minted Copper Crest Warrior, was bragging to his companions about his promotion exploits.
Advancing as a professional had two paths: passing the Mercenary Guild’s test or completing a designated promotion task. Tests required fees, tasks needed proof of completion, ...
2025-07-14 10:37:42 +0000 UTC View PostWhitestone City, the largest stronghold in the northern foothills of the Crescent Moon Federation, once stood as a formidable military bastion. With the advent of the Five Tribes Republic era, humans and elves established their territories and borders, designating the outskirts of the Gloomy...
2025-07-14 10:36:47 +0000 UTC View PostIf the Mountain Vine Squad had some miraculous life-saving spell, their spilled guts would probably be green with regret.
This job wasn’t worth twenty silver coins, let alone twenty gold.
But regrets were useless now. Chen Mo, startled into a cornered beast, had no inter...
2025-07-14 10:35:48 +0000 UTC View PostKicking up clouds of dust along the dry road came four men on two horses. Four burly fellows crammed onto two mounts didn’t exactly scream
Kicking up clouds of dust along the dry road came four men on two horses.
Four burly fellows crammed onto two mounts didn’t exactl...
2025-07-14 10:35:04 +0000 UTC View PostLady Frost couldn’t linger long. Under Captain Paven’s repeated urging, she reluctantly ended her rare skeleton-viewing session. In the Clo
Lady Frost couldn’t linger long. Under Captain Paven’s repeated urging, she reluctantly ended her rare skeleton-viewing session. 2025-07-14 10:33:58 +0000 UTC View Post
Time flew by.
After a brief six-day journey aboard the airship with this chance-met group, Chen Mo reached his destination.
Whitestone Outpost, perched at the edge of the southern continent.
Nestled between two mountains, the outpost’s gray-white stone walls ...
2025-07-13 14:44:21 +0000 UTC View PostThe wine on the airship came at a steep price.
Fortunately, Luke’s tastes were modest. A bottle of cheap swill costing fifteen coppers was enough to satisfy him.
Chen Mo didn’t dare try it. The pungent stench when he uncorked the bottle was enough to make him recoil.&n...
2025-07-13 14:43:45 +0000 UTC View PostThe fierce monsoon roared over the Gloomy Forest, tossing the treetops like waves in a stormy sea. A few falcons soared from the mountains, glancing at the massive black shape in the sky before instinctively veering away with a deft flap of their wings.
All creatures have an instinct ...
2025-07-13 14:43:00 +0000 UTC View PostChen Mo tried offering more money.
The young centaur guide had mentioned that a ticket to Whitestone typically cost two silver coins, or equivalent furs, ores, or something else the dwarves might value.
Raising the price was the most straightforward solution he could think...
2025-07-13 14:42:27 +0000 UTC View PostPaven, seasoned and sharp-eyed, took one glance at the wound and relaxed his furrowed brow.
"Ordinary arrow, no signs of poison. It's just lodged a bit deep. Shouldn't be a big issue."
He turned to a guard nearby. "Fetch Master Locke to take a look."
Minutes la...
2025-07-13 14:41:51 +0000 UTC View PostAt this moment, Chen Mo’s heart was flooded with an emotion called “awkwardness.” He hadn’t expected Kaga’s “find a healer” to cause such a commotion.
The swordsman approaching for negotiations wore silver armor that gleamed blindingly even in the moonlight. The guards behind ...
2025-07-13 14:40:05 +0000 UTC View PostIn Six-Leaf Grove, travelers typically had three lodging options.
The top choice was Brave Haven Inn, the one young centaur Kaga enthusiastically endorsed.
Perched prominently on the central plaza’s highest point, it boasted an elevated position, wide views, excellent light, and ven...
2025-07-13 14:39:24 +0000 UTC View PostThe doctor’s hut was tucked in the southeast corner of Six-Leaf Grove.
The camp’s witch doctor was a plump old man. According to Kaga, who patted his chest with confidence, this elder, respectfully called “Big Eye,” had lived in the camp since Kaga was a scampering colt. His healing...
2025-07-13 14:38:39 +0000 UTC View PostDuring his two months at Black Crow Castle, Chen Mo had diligently gathered intelligence about the surrounding area. The nearest escape point, Six-Leaf Grove, was his top priority. From some guards, he’d learned about this outpost, guarded by the formidable Six-Leaf Centaur Tribe. It had an unw...
2025-07-13 14:37:41 +0000 UTC View PostChen Mo began clearing the battlefield.
The air reeked of gunpowder and the metallic tang of blood. Fighting shudders and a roiling stomach, he silently repeated every self-soothing mantra he could muster.
“Self-defense!”
“Evil, begone!”
“Bodhisattva, protect me!...
2025-07-13 14:37:00 +0000 UTC View PostThe deafening gunfire shattered the forest’s silence, startling a flock of noisy birds that flapped frantically into the distance.
Ellie, that cunning girl, had decisively used the binding spell on Chen Mo without witnessing his first strike. She never could have imagined her brief life w...
2025-07-13 14:33:53 +0000 UTC View PostBreeze Path was a winding, narrow trail that snaked along the edge of the Gloomy Forest’s inner ring, stretching toward Ironback Valley’s main road to the east and twisting west toward Redtree Highlands, disappearing into its vast plateau.
Six-Leaf Grove was the nearest and busiest camp...
2025-07-13 14:32:48 +0000 UTC View PostAs Chen Mo issued the “follow-up shot” command, he darted forward like an arrow released from a bow.
This life-or-death struggle had been rehearsed countless times in his mind.
As expected, the moment Little Blondie hit the ground, his two zombies let out frenzied roars and shuffl...
2025-07-13 14:32:10 +0000 UTC View PostLittle Blondie was fully immersed in his fervent monologue, as if standing center stage under the gaze of thousands.
“What a pity!” His voice rose and fell with theatrical regret. “Everyone praises your so-called talent, washed up from some backwater corner to Black Crow Castle, maste...
2025-07-13 14:31:14 +0000 UTC View PostThe stars faded from the sky as dawn illuminated the boundless sea of trees.
The team, maintaining their standoffish formation, ventured into the inner ring of the Gloomy Forest.
The first thing they saw was a heavily corroded signpost.
The words “Demon Tree Jungle” were bar...
2025-07-13 14:30:30 +0000 UTC View PostThe Black Crow Lord’s birthday was still months away, but that didn’t stop the students from preparing their tributes early.
Depending on the distance to their destinations, various teams gradually set off toward the Gloomy Forest.
Chen Mo’s team assembled and headed for the Dem...
2025-07-13 14:29:34 +0000 UTC View PostThe prolonged overuse of mental strength left Chen Mo with a splitting headache.
The pain was indescribable, unbearable, like someone sawing open his skull, prying it apart, and sprinkling in peppercorns, mustard, salt, and fennel, then stirring it with a stick.
Biologically, the brai...
2025-07-13 14:28:26 +0000 UTC View PostChangan Prefecture, Changle Palace, Yongning Hall.
The majestic palace complex stood solemnly in the dawn, its golden glazed tiles shimmering with the sunrise’s glow. The vermilion walls, stretching like a dragon’s spine, proclaimed the supreme authority and enduring cultural heritage o...
2025-07-13 14:26:51 +0000 UTC View PostHeavy footsteps echoed closer from the passageway above, and Chen Mo silently counted down in his head: “Three, two, one, zero!” Right on cu
Heavy footsteps echoed closer from the passageway above, and Chen Mo silently counted down in his head: “Three, two, one, zero!”
Right o...
2025-07-13 14:25:41 +0000 UTC View PostThe spring breeze of the Starry Continent couldn’t melt the snow piled high in the Gloomy Forest, and the setting sun over Black Crow Castle
The spring breeze of the Starry Continent couldn’t melt the snow piled high in the Gloomy Forest, and the setting sun over Black Crow Castle faile...
2025-07-13 09:09:17 +0000 UTC View Post