After the batch of bamboo-like Eerie Creatures that rushed into the camp was completely wiped out, no more Eerie Creatures charged in.
Neither did the strange, piercing laughter ring out again.
Yet, faint rustling sounds still echoed from the darkness outside—whether they were skirting the camp out of their disgust for the Eerie Fire or gathering strength for another assault remained unclear.
"..."
From behind the crenellations of the wall, Chen Fan screwed up his eyes, surveying the scattered corpses of the Eerie Creatures. Beside one body lay an object emitting a faint white glow.
It was an Extraordinary Treasure.
It had been a long time since the last time he obtained an Extraordinary Treasure.
If it were something that could boost his immediate combat power, his chances of surviving the night would increase.
But...
Eerie Creatures far outran humans.
If they launched an attack while someone was retrieving the Extraordinary Treasure, that person would not stand a fighting chance.
If the Eerie Creatures pursued too closely, he couldn't very well open the gate. Otherwise, they could flood into the camp, rendering the walls useless.
"Young Master."
Crippled Monkey, standing beside him with the God-Slaying Spear in hand, stared intently at the white-glowing object beside the corpse. "I'll go down and retrieve that Extraordinary Treasure. Though I'm lame, I can run almost as fast as an ordinary person."
"The Eerie Creatures likely won't attack for now. It should be fine."
"..."
Chen Fan didn't turn around. It was undeniable that those with disabilities were often more sensitive. He hadn't shown any indication of his thoughts, but Crippled Monkey had already guessed what was on his mind.
As soon as Crippled Monkey's words fell, Qiu Junior hastily spoke up from the other side. "Station Master, let me go. I'm physically fit, in the prime of my life, and I run fast."
He was Wang Kui's subordinate and had joined the camp along with Wang Kui.
If they survived the rainy season, he had no intention of returning to the Wang family. He planned to stick with Chen Fan.
Earlier this evening, it had dawned on him that Chen Fan intended to focus on cultivating these few station masters, while subordinates like him were largely ignored. Since the camp was still in its early stages, now was the time to seize opportunities to prove himself. Otherwise, he'd be stuck as Wang Kui's underling for life.
Although Wang Kui treated him well...
But...
When opportunities arose, who didn't want to climb higher?
Besides, the Eerie Creature corpse was only about seven or eight meters from the wall. He didn't think it would be a problem.
An opportunity had come, and he, Qiu Junior, wanted to seize it.
"Alright, you go."
Glancing at Zhou Mo, who was about to speak, Chen Fan didn't hesitate for a moment and didn't waste any time retracting a section of the wall, patted Qiu Junior's shoulder, and said solemnly, "Take care."
Time was of the essence.
This wasn't the moment for lengthy discussions. The Eerie Creatures could launch another attack at any time.
He could tell that Zhou Mo also wanted to volunteer. As a Level 2 cultivator, with better physical fitness and martial arts training since childhood, he was, in theory, the best candidate.
But Chen Fan had to admit that he had some selfish motives.
This task was extremely dangerous. If someone had to die, sacrificing Qiu Junior was preferable to sacrificing Zhou Mo. In his heart, Zhou Mo's value was higher than Qiu Junior's.
"..."
On the wall, Wang Kui watched Qiu Junior's retreating figure, his expression complicated as he remained silent. He would never volunteer himself—after all, he was older and couldn't run as fast.
But Qiu Junior's actions surprised him slightly. Back in their station, Qiu Junior had been idling away the days together with him, showing no signs of such courage.
...
Outside the camp.
Qiu Junior, having left the wall, swiftly navigated through the Eerie Creature corpses, sprinting to the side of the corpse and picking up the white-glowing Extraordinary Treasure. Excitement filled him as he turned to look at the others on the wall.
"I got it!"
But...
The next moment, he noticed the grim expressions on their faces. Almost instantly, he realized what was happening, and his own face paled.
Time seemed to slow down infinitely.
The pouring rain felt as if it had been paused.
Junior Qiu could vaguely see the Station Master shouting something, yet in his perception, that pair of lips was moving so sluggishly that he couldn't even hear what the Station Master was saying—his mind had gone completely blank.
A crossbow bolt nearly grazed his scalp, shooting past him toward the rear.
"I'm done for."
This was the last thought flashing through his mind. He barely had time to glance behind him before a chill shot up from his tailbone, racing along his spine to the top of his head. The hairs on his back stood on end, as if countless cold insects were crawling over him.
Run!
His life truly flashed before his eyes before death.
He exerted himself to sprint as scenes from his life passed through his mind. He had seen his parents die at the hands of Eerie Creatures. Later, he enslaved himself to the Wang family, drifting aimlessly through life.
The city gate hadn't closed yet.
But...
He was seven or eight meters from the wall, while the Eerie Creatures were only two or three meters behind him.
They were much faster than he was.
They would catch up to him before he could reach the wall, and his actions might even lead to the destruction of the camp.
Realizing this instantly, Qiu Junior didn't even have time to wipe the rain from his face. Sensing the fierce wind approaching him from behind, he mustered all his strength and screamed hoarsely, "Close the gate!"
Without a moment's hesitation, he slammed on the brakes, performing an awkward somersault to dodge the Eerie Creature's attack. Then, scrambling on all fours, his eyes red, he rushed toward the field on the left. He knew there were traps there—his only chance of survival.
He had never imagined he could run so fast.
Several crossbow bolts whizzed past him---the Archery Towers on the wall were firing at the enemies. He didn't know what the Eerie Creatures looked like or how many there were. After just a few steps, he saw a line of adjoining Spike Traps.
Nearly a hundred orderly holes stretched out before him, perfectly aligned.
Like a salmon leaping up a waterfall, he, with a roar, launched himself from the ground and sailed over the traps, hitting the farmland.
The rain-soaked mud left him in a sorry state.
But—
"Click!"
The sound of traps being triggered behind him made him laugh.
Sitting up in the field, Qiu Junior wiped the rain from his face and looked back at the two Eerie Creatures caught in the traps. They were shorter, with blade-like arms, resembling something between mantis and human. Instantly impaled by dozens of thick, dark wooden spikes, they died on the spot.
No Eerie Creatures remained standing in the camp.
A dozen more mantis-like Eerie Creatures now lay dead on the ground.
He couldn't help but laugh again, the sound growing steadily louder. The adrenaline rush and the relief of surviving filled him with excitement. Holding the Extraordinary Treasure high, he looked at Chen Fan on the wall and shouted again, "I got it!"
"Stop fucking laughing! I know you got it! Get the hell back inside!"
As the city gate opened, Chen Fan's angry shouts echoed from the wall through the rainy night.