Chapter 122: Using a Stratagem
At noon.
The scorching sun baked the earth.
The muddy ground cracked open in places.
Even the hazy mist had mostly dissipated, revealing patches of swampy puddles.
Twisted eyes occasionally peered out from the grayish-yellow reeds, but after seeing the size of the convoy, they "obediently" retreated.
Their creed was to bully the weak and fear the strong!
By midday, the convoy had left the control of Blood Moon City and arrived at the outskirts of the Misty Marsh.
Adam Smith, looking grim, stepped down from the carriage and pointed to a nearby hill:
"Stop and rest, prepare to cook."
Then, in front of everyone, he reprimanded his personal guards.
Soon, the guards began searching and questioning within the convoy.
They approached the temporary leaders of each group, casting scrutinizing glances at everyone they saw.
The people in the convoy were confused.
They didn't know what had happened.
The pushcart workers stopped, skillfully checking the vehicles and confirming everything was in order.
The squad leaders fed the mules, covertly observing the pushcart workers.
If they could find a suspicious person, they might win Adam Smith's favor.
The adventurers returned from all directions.
They had only found traces of fishmen but hadn't engaged with anyone.
They wouldn't casually provoke those endlessly multiplying monsters unless necessary.
Another team of guards moved to the hill, skillfully digging pits, lighting fires, setting up stoves, and placing pots.
As the water boiled, the rich aroma of meat quickly spread.
The refugees in the back, smelling the scent, immediately calmed down.
As long as there was food, they would be obedient.
The refugees took out small stools, sitting down to rest while whispering to each other.
"What are they looking for?"
"Did someone steal something?"
"They seem to be looking for a fugitive!"
"No, I heard they're searching for someone specific…"
"Something doesn't feel right; what exactly is happening?"
"Don't worry about it, just rest for now!"
"That's right, we still have a few days of travel ahead…"
"…"
Everyone kept their voices low, trying not to appear too tense. The personal guards only asked questions and didn't take any action.
This made everyone even more curious about what was going on.
The carriages full of elderly, weak, and women opened their doors and windows, revealing thin faces.
This was the result of a few days of recovery.
When they first arrived in Blood Moon City, they were on the brink of collapse, pale and weak.
Now, smelling the food, their faces showed anticipation. After suffering through hunger, they only longed for a full meal.
In one of the crowded carriages.
A slender figure, seeing the approaching guards, couldn't help but feel nervous.
If discovered, she might face mortal danger.
She was beginning to regret it…
But she quickly forced herself to calm down and squeezed to the window like the others.
Captain Mellen of the personal guard approached, noticing the nervous old woman. Suppressing his thoughts, he smiled gently and asked:
"No need to worry, ma'am. This is just a routine inquiry. Has anyone been acting unusual lately?"
"Like frequently going off alone, out of everyone's sight?"
The old woman nodded thoughtfully, then gently shook her head.
Captain Mellen glanced up at the carriage, just catching a glimpse of a pair of frightened eyes, causing his heart to skip a beat. He decisively turned and moved on to the next carriage.
Adam Smith had made it very clear: identify and confirm the target, but don't make it obvious.
The old woman subtly turned back to the others in the carriage, lightly gesturing and saying in a hoarse voice:
"Did you hear that? Keep an eye on anyone who goes off alone."
Finally, she let out a breath of relief. Like everyone else, she quickly nodded, trying to show no signs of abnormality.
Lunch was generous.
The sweet and delicious rice porridge was even mixed with meat.
Paired with hearty black bread, it replenished everyone's strength.
It seemed the personal guards hadn't found anyone or any clues, and no further action was taken, as if it had just been a routine inquiry.
The convoy quickly resumed its journey.
Most people soon forgot about it, but she kept it in her mind, not daring to make any other moves.
The blazing sun gradually lost its intensity.
It sank into the heavy evening glow, dyeing the sky red.
The clouds, unable to bear the sun's heat, scattered with a blush, forming strange shapes.
Seeing the town in the distance, the tension that had gripped Adam Smith all day finally eased.
Matthew withdrew his gaze from the convoy and pulled out a Communication Spell scroll, tearing it open as he said:
"We can rest well tonight. The battle will happen tomorrow!"
Adam Smith immediately recalled.
After Sweetwater Town was destroyed, the original route had to be changed, and the convoy could no longer reach a town every day.
They could stay in a town tonight, but not tomorrow night!
If anyone planned to attack, tomorrow night would be the best opportunity.
Adam Smith silently nodded, then got off the carriage to make contact with the townspeople.
He knew there was likely no danger today, but he still cautiously reminded his personal guards to stay alert throughout the convoy.
Matthew looked at the blood-red moon, exhaled deeply, and slowly closed his eyes, sending his consciousness back.
As soon as he opened his eyes again, he saw Yaya.
She was staring at him with wide, black-and-white eyes, tilting her little head as she curiously observed Matthew's actions, asking in a bright voice:
"What are you doing?"
Matthew gently stroked her head, feeling the warmth of their connection, and softly replied:
"Meditating, want to try?"
"Huh? Can I do it too?"
Matthew was about to nod when he suddenly realized.
How did this little one get in here?
Matthew carefully examined Yaya's status panel.
Sure enough, her physical attributes had significantly improved since last time:
Name: Yaya
Race: Dragon Beast.
Class: Level 1 Warlock.
Age: 2 months (Wyrmling stage).
Talent: True Dragon Bloodline LV1 (+)
Challenge Rating: 9+ → 10+!
Equipment: Shadow Fang
Feats:
Extraordinary Feat - Dragon's Might LV2: Unleashes terrifying pressure, imposing a -10 willpower resistance on all surrounding creatures!
Extraordinary Feat - Banishment Breath LV2: Causes a linear time-banishment breath on objects or enemies, exiling them in time for 2 months!
Attributes:
Strength: 12 → 13
Agility: 14 → 15
Intelligence: 18 → 19
Constitution: 14 → 16
Perception: 20
Charisma: 22
Luck: +5
Evaluation: A leg you cannot afford to miss!
Matthew instinctively raised an eyebrow:
"The True Dragon Bloodline can still be improved?"