Chapter 82: The Warrior
Squeak, squeak, squeak—!
Suddenly, the rat swarm—previously silent—began to chirp and chatter loudly. It sounded like some kind of conversation, or perhaps they were issuing commands.
Mu Qingyun and the others instinctively held their breath, trying to suppress their presence.
But their effort was in vain.
The largest rat at the center said something, its glowing green eyes locking onto Mu Qingyun.
Squeak squeak squeak—! It gave what sounded like a command.
Immediately, the entire swarm turned to face her.
What...?
Mu Qingyun felt a prickling sensation along her scalp. She instinctively reached for her dagger, holding it cautiously in front of her.
The swarm began advancing—swiftly and in unison.
"Damn it."
"Run!" Fan Xuanye snapped, his serpentine lower body morphing into place, ready to flee.
"But what about the house?" Xiong Ruoyou glanced longingly at their home. They had just built it.
"If we don't run, you'll lose more than your house. You'll lose your life." Kazel's voice was ice-cold and unwavering.
Despite their pleas, Mu Qingyun didn't move. She stood there, eyes fixed on the approaching swarm.
"Mu-ge, run!" Xiong Ruoyou shouted, transforming into her beast form and preparing to drag her away.
"Don't move." Mu Qingyun raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
Her voice was calm but commanding.
"What do you mean 'don't move'? If we don't run now, we'll die!" Fan Xuanye exclaimed, panicked.
"Exactly! Houses can be rebuilt, but lives can't!" Xiong Ruoyou echoed.
Ignoring their protests, Mu Qingyun suddenly leapt forward, her body flipping through the air, landing even closer to the rats.
[What is she doing?!]
[Mu-ge, are you insane?! That swarm will tear you apart!]
[This is suicide. Plain and simple.]
As the swarm neared her, Kazel and the others, realizing they could not dissuade her, began preparing for battle. All of them transformed into their beast forms.
Su narrowed his eyes, yellow light flickering faintly in his left hand as he curled his fingers into a fist. He was ready to reveal his true power, if necessary.
But something unexpected happened.
The rat swarm stopped—just three steps away from Mu Qingyun.
They stood still, like disciplined soldiers awaiting orders.
"You carry a scent I like. Tell me, do you possess plant-based abilities?" asked the largest rat in a strange, raspy voice. Its glowing green eyes bore into her. "Could you be... the reincarnation of the Warrior?"
"I don't think so," Mu Qingyun replied softly.
Su and the others behind her exchanged confused glances.
Who was she talking to?
The rats?
"If you are the Warrior, clench your left fist and speak to me in your mind. I will hear you," the Rat King said, his eyes gleaming with emotions she could not decipher.
Obeying instinct, she clenched her left hand and thought: I don't know who this 'Warrior' is. I'm not the person you're looking for. You must be mistaken.
"It is not surprising that the Warrior has forgotten after so many years," the Rat King replied. "But the fact that you can hear me proves the intelligence we received was accurate. It was not in vain that we came all this way to greet you."
"Greet me?"
Mu Qingyun frowned as she looked at the sea of rats. She had sensed no hostility, but the sight of them still made her skin crawl.
"Yes. Don't be afraid, Warrior. Tonight was only for confirmation. In the coming days, the Ant Legion, the Venom Scorpion Legion, and the Unformed Serpent Legion will also arrive."
Ants. Scorpions. Snakes?
She winced slightly.
Why were all the creatures seeking her out so... grotesque? And they called themselves legions?
"Are there any others? Maybe butterflies, rabbits, or... koi fish?" she asked without much hope.
The Rat King blinked. "No. None."
Figures.
She narrowed her gaze slightly.
She still had no idea what this "Warrior" was supposed to be, but she now understood that these rats were refraining from attacking her because of that identity.
Apparently, the Warrior had a unique taste... choosing allies from the most nightmarish species imaginable.
"If you ever need us, simply place your left hand—your plant-controlling hand—on the ground, and channel your power for one minute, three times. We will arrive immediately."
With a reverent tone, the Rat King bowed, then turned. The entire swarm pivoted and disappeared into the night like a well-trained army.
"They're... gone?"
Fan Xuanye and Xiong Ruoyou stood dumbfounded. Their faces were full of disbelief.
Even Kazel and Su, though composed, were clearly stunned.
How had she done it?
[What just happened?!]
[All Mu Qingyun did was say one sentence and stare at them! And they just... left?!]
[Can she talk to rats or something? Is this... Rat Whispering 101?!]
Watching the swarm vanish into the distance, Mu Qingyun twitched slightly. She doubted she would ever call on them—just too horrifying.
Turning back, she found four pairs of eyes staring at her in confusion. Xiong Ruoyou's mouth was hanging wide open, like she could fit a whole egg in it.
"Don't look so surprised. The swarm's leader—the Rat King—I saved him once, by accident. I recognized him just now, and he must've recognized me too," Mu Qingyun lied smoothly.
She knew not everyone would believe her—but that didn't matter.
When only one person knows the truth, even the most unbelievable lie becomes plausible. No one could prove otherwise.