Chapter 114: Leisurely Rear
: Led by Marquis Song Yao, the army, like a cautious ancient beast, slowly advanced into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The soldiers at the front of the column were tense, every nerve strained to the limit.
Their eyes, like precise radars, vigilantly scanned their surroundings. Their weapons, drenched in sweat, remained firmly grasped, their most reliable support in this perilous forest.
The soldiers moved lightly and cautiously, fearing to disturb the spirit beasts lurking in the shadows.
Every rustle of a leaf, every snap of a twig, instantly alerted them, forcing them to quickly assume a defensive stance.
Although their lightweight armor enhanced their mobility, it could hardly dispel the deep-seated fear within them.
In this mysterious forest, unknown dangers shrouded them like a thick fog, constantly testing their courage and will. Meanwhile, behind the army, a completely different scene unfolded.
Here, civilians, cooks, and doctors gathered, a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere like the warm spring sun, permeating every inch of the air.
Liu Feng, the healing spirit master, was immersed in this relaxed atmosphere.
He looked at the tense faces of the soldiers ahead, and a wave of emotion welled up in his heart.
So far, everything seemed to be going smoothly. At least he hadn't yet reached the moment to show his skills.
So far, the soldiers had mostly encountered ordinary wild beasts.
While these beasts were ferocious, they posed no real threat to the well-trained soldiers.
The occasional injuries sustained by soldiers weren't due to intense battles with powerful enemies, but more often to their own negligence.
Some soldiers twisted their ankles while traversing rugged terrain.
Others, while collaborating with their teammates, were accidentally wounded by their own knives.
These minor injuries were a piece of cake for a healing spirit master like Liu Feng, but it wasn't his turn yet; ordinary military doctors could easily handle them.
Not far away, the chefs were busily busy.
Li Zhishu, the experienced head chef, was shouting instructions to the other chefs on how to handle the carcasses of wild animals brought back from the front.
His voice was resonant and penetrating, remarkably clear amid the clamor. "Everyone, hurry up and get these beasts ready!"
The chefs, upon hearing his call, quickly set to work, their butchering the beasts with a fluid, expert technique that resembled a masterful performance.
First, they swiftly skinned the beasts, their movements seamless and effortless.
Then, methodically, they dissected the bones, meticulously removing each bone and placing them neatly in their proper places.
They took great care to bury the blood and some inedible organs.
Li Zhishu knew that the stench of blood and offal in this forest would easily attract the powerful spirit beasts from the depths. If these terrifying creatures were drawn in, the entire army would be in danger.
After preparing the beasts' bodies, the cooks set to work preparing them.
They plundered local branches for firewood, and a blazing fire instantly erupted.
Meat and bones were roasted over the fire, and soon the air was filled with an alluring aroma.
However, preventing the fire from starting a forest fire became their most important task.
They kept a close eye on the flames, constantly adjusting the placement and quantity of firewood to keep the flames under control.
"Everyone, keep a close eye on it! Don't let it spread!" Li Zhishu repeatedly reminded the cooks beside him.
A hint of worry lingered in his eyes. If a fire broke out in this forest, the consequences would be disastrous.
To be on the safe side, he had several soldiers patrol the area, ready to extinguish any sparks.
Liu Feng watched the chefs busy at work, his heart filled with emotion.
Although he hadn't yet engaged in the fiercest battle, he remained vigilant. If needed, he would unhesitatingly use his healing abilities to bring hope to the wounded soldiers.
Time passed slowly, a mixture of tension and relaxation, as the army continued to advance deeper into the forest.
The soldiers at the front remained on high alert, while the laborers, cooks, and doctors in the rear were busy at their respective posts.
Liu Feng could occasionally hear the sounds of battle from the front, but each engagement ended quickly, seemingly without encountering a particularly formidable foe.
As the army advanced deeper into the forest, the landscape subtly changed.
The trees grew taller and more luxuriant, and sunlight struggled to penetrate the branches and foliage, filtering down to the ground, making the forest appear even darker.
The air was filled with a damp smell, tinged with the faint scent of decaying leaves.
In this environment, the soldiers' tension grew even stronger, while the relaxed atmosphere in the rear gradually gave way to a sense of unease.
Liu Feng surveyed his surroundings, a subtle sense of worry rising within him.
The deeper into the forest, the greater the chance of encountering powerful spirit beasts.
If a large-scale battle broke out, the number of wounded soldiers would inevitably increase, and at that point, he, a healing spirit master, would be crucial.
He quietly checked his medicine and tools, ensuring he could successfully perform his healing spirit skills in a crucial moment.
Meanwhile, Li Zhishu and the chefs noticed the change in the atmosphere.
They sped up the processing of the beast carcasses and the cooking process, striving to prepare sufficient food for the soldiers before the battle.
They understood that only when the soldiers were well fed and well-watered could they maintain their best condition during the battle.
During a brief break, Liu Feng and Li Zhishu had a brief conversation.
Liu Feng, observing Li Zhishu's busy presence, couldn't help but say, "Brother Li, it's really lively here."
Li Zhishu looked up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled, "Haha, Brother Liu, it can't be helped. Although we're not on the front lines, we still have to provide logistical support for the soldiers."
Liu Feng nodded and said, "Yes, it's not easy for everyone. I really hope this hunting operation goes smoothly."
Li Zhishu frowned slightly and said, "I hope so, but the situation in this forest is unpredictable, so we have to be cautious."
As they talked, a sudden, urgent horn sounded from the front.
Liu Feng and Li Zhishu exchanged a glance, knowing that the battle had begun again.
Liu Feng quickly stood up, gathered his equipment, and prepared to rush to the front lines to support.
Li Zhishu immediately instructed the chefs to speed up their work and prepare food for the soldiers as quickly as possible.
At the sound of the bugle call, the army once again moved. Soldiers at the front quickly assembled toward the battle site, while in the rear, the laborers, cooks, and doctors meticulously prepared themselves.
Liu Feng, following the medical team, hurried forward.
As they drew closer, he heard the cries of battle and the roars of spirit beasts.
Finally, Liu Feng and the medical team reached the far side of the battle.
From afar, the scene before him astounded him: a squad of elite soldiers engaged in a battle against a group of enormous, incredibly powerful spirit beasts.