Page 191
Page 191
Chapter 219 Absolutely Extraordinary
"Look at these people. Ever since the heroes passed through, the whole village has changed." In a small tavern by the village, two travelers from out of town talked in hushed tones, their eyes occasionally glancing at the villagers who were having a lively discussion.
"Indeed," another traveler remarked, taking a sip of his drink. "This used to be just a rest stop on the journey, but now it seems everyone here is brimming with energy, as if they're ready to do something big at any moment."
"Have you heard? That young hunter went deep into the mountains alone last night and brought back some rare animal bones, saying he'll use them to make special weapons to fight off those monsters." The tavern owner leaned over and whispered, and the customers nearby all looked surprised.
"It's truly remarkable. I never imagined that such a hero could emerge from such a small place as ours." An old man stroked his beard, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
At that moment, the girl who was organizing the herbal medicine book hurried into the tavern, her face filled with anxiety: "Excuse me, does anyone know the terrain around the royal city? We need to draw up a detailed route map to ensure that the support team can safely reach the border."
The travelers looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, a burly, dark-skinned man stood up and said, "I have traveled all over the country for many years and I am quite familiar with the roads around the capital. I can draw a map for you."
The girl quickly thanked them, and the two then unfolded a map and carefully planned their route. Seeing this, those around them stepped forward, offering their suggestions and information; the small tavern became a space where everyone's wisdom and determination converged.
A few days later, a rescue team spontaneously organized by the villagers was ready to set off. Although their equipment was simple, the determination in their eyes inspired everyone present.
"Though we are mere mortals, our hearts are extraordinary in protecting our home!" the young hunter shouted encouragingly, and the crowd responded, their slogans resounding through the heavens.
The villagers gathered around, bidding farewell to the team about to embark on their journey. Among them, a young couple hugged their child tightly, whispering, "When Mom and Dad come back, we'll tell you the real hero stories."
"You must return safely!" The old man's blessing echoed in the air, each word carrying the hopes of the entire village.
As the dust settled from the departure of the procession, life in the village returned to its usual rhythm, but the hearts of everyone were no longer at peace.
The heroic act of young hunter Zhao De was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, creating ripples and planting a seed of courage and hope in everyone's heart.
"Hey, do you really think Zhao De can succeed?" In the tavern, two villagers chatted idly, their gazes unconsciously drifting towards the corner where Zhao De usually sat.
“Hey, have you forgotten about the old willow tree at the village entrance last night? A bunch of kids surrounded him, their eyes sparkling, one after another wanting to hear his adventure stories. With someone like that leading the way, what obstacle can our village not overcome?” another person retorted, their tone full of pride.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted the conversation. A disheveled traveler stumbled into the tavern, pale-faced and panting: "Monster...monster! The monsters over there on the other side of the mountain, they...they're starting to gather!"
The moment these words were spoken, the tavern's clamor abruptly ceased, and the air seemed to freeze. The traveler's words were like a boulder thrown into calm water, creating ripples that spread far and wide.
Chapter 220 Travel Must Be Done at Night
Chapter 220 Travel Must Be Done at Night
"What? How is that possible?" Doubt and fear quickly spread among the crowd.
“It’s true! I saw it with my own eyes. There are more of them than ever before, and their target… seems to be our village!” The traveler’s hands trembled, and his eyes were filled with fear.
At this moment, an elderly man sitting in the corner slowly rose, his gaze profound and his tone steady: "Zhao De and his men have already set off; we must buy them time. Gather all those capable of fighting and prepare for defense. At the same time, send the fastest men on horseback to the capital to request reinforcements!"
The villagers sprang into action quickly and efficiently, each understanding that the challenge they faced would be an ultimate test of their will and unity.
"Listen up, everyone! We must not only protect our homes, but also provide our children with a safe place to grow up!" The old man's words were like a clarion call, inspiring everyone.
Meanwhile, in a secluded cave near the royal city, Zhao De and the girl Eileen were discussing with the burly man how to quickly cross the monster's territory and reach the royal city to seek help.
“I’ve traveled this road before, but it’s extremely dangerous. We have to travel at night to avoid monster patrols.” The burly man drew a winding route on the map, his brow furrowed.
Eileen gripped the herb packet tightly and said firmly, "No matter how difficult it is, we will try. Our family, our village, are waiting for us."
“Then it’s settled.” Zhao De’s eyes were sharp. “We’ll set off tonight. We must reach the royal city before the monsters.”
As night fell and the crescent moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light bathed the rugged mountain path, casting long, thin shadows of Zhao De and his companions.
Zhao De walked ahead, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, not escaping the notice of any slight movement.
Eileen followed closely behind, clutching a tree branch for self-defense, while the burly man brought up the rear, his robust body resembling a moving city wall, providing the group with a sense of security.
"Hey, have you heard? Zhao De, the hero of that little village, is taking a girl and a big guy with him and planning to cross the monster territory to seek help from the royal city."
Inside the tavern, two strangers were talking in hushed tones. Though their voices were soft, they were surprisingly clear to the ears of a passing villager in the quiet night.
“Zhao De? Isn’t that from our village? Does he really have that kind of guts?” Another villager stopped and asked incredulously.
"Hey, you don't know yet, do you? That kid has loved adventure since he was a kid. I'm afraid he's going to put on another good show this time." The traveler shook his head, his words full of amazement.
Meanwhile, Zhao De and his group were carefully making their way around a huge pile of rocks.
Suddenly, a huge nocturnal beast appeared silently in front of them, its eerie green eyes fixed on them, emitting a low roar, and a dangerous aura filled the air.
"Step back!" Zhao De swiftly drew his short sword from his waist and stood in front of Eileen, calm and resolute.
The burly man, not to be outdone, raised a thick tree trunk, ready to fight. "Let this guy see real power."
"Mr. Zhao, be careful!" Although Eileen was nervous, she did not back down. Instead, she quickly took out several specially made smoke bombs from her herbal pouch, ready to use them at a critical moment.
Chapter 223 One Sword Strike Down
Chapter 223 One Sword Strike Down
"Hmph, it's just a rumor, it's not that miraculous." Although the burly man was stubborn, a hint of wavering was clearly visible on his face.
Just as everyone was discussing this, the tavern door was gently pushed open, and a ragged traveler staggered in, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Before the traveler could catch his breath, he cried out urgently, "Gentlemen, do you know? In the valley to the east, I personally witnessed Zhao De's team clashing with a small orc squad. The scene was absolutely breathtaking!"
"Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?" Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around, and the tavern immediately fell silent, with only the travelers' voices recounting the story.
"Zhao De and his men cleverly set up a trap using the terrain. As soon as the orc squad entered the valley, they were caught off guard by a sudden rain of stones. Even more incredibly, Zhao De appeared before the orc leader without anyone noticing and struck him down with a single sword strike. At that moment, it seemed as if even the mountains and rivers trembled!"
"What! He knocked down the orc chieftain with a single sword strike?" The burly man's eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his wine glass.
"That's right, the power of that sword strike was simply unbelievable. It is said that Zhao De also rescued several children who had been captured by the orcs. He was like a divine soldier descending from the sky, giving people in despair a glimmer of hope."
The traveler's narration dispelled the doubts and unease in the tavern like a spring breeze, replacing them with unprecedented admiration and confidence in Zhao De and his team.
"It seems we really have hope!" A villager excitedly slammed his hand on the table, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Not just hope, Zhao De, he is our dawn.” Another old man murmured to himself, a long-lost smile appearing on his face.
Just as the conversation was getting into the swing of things, the tavern door was pushed open again, and this time a handsome young man entered. He looked travel-worn, but his eyes revealed an extraordinary determination.
Curious eyes followed him as he walked straight to the bar and asked softly, "Excuse me, does anyone know how to find Zhao De's team? I'm here to ask to join."
"Young man, what's going on?" The burly man put down his wine glass, his face full of disbelief. "Are you sure you want to go with Zhao De to fight those terrifying orcs?"
The young man smiled slightly, a smile that held an undeniable resolve: "That's right. My name is Leon, and I was once a member of the Royal Knights. I've heard of Zhao De's deeds and believe he's the one who can lead us out of this darkness. I want to use my sword to contribute to the light of this world."
“Leon, is that so?” The traveler who had been telling the story earlier squinted and scrutinized him closely. “I admire your courage, but Zhao De’s team isn’t one you can just join casually. However, if you really want to help, perhaps I can tell you their route.”
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the traveler quietly told Leon a direction, then patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "Young man, this road is fraught with danger. I hope you can catch up with them, and more importantly, I hope you can survive."
Leon nodded gratefully, then turned and left, leaving behind only a resolute statement that echoed in the tavern: "I will. For the sake of light, I am willing to give everything."
As Leon's figure disappeared into the night, the tavern erupted in cheers once more.
Chapter 224 The Light Is Already on the Way
Chapter 224 The Light Is Already on the Way
"This guy's got some skills, daring to go find Zhao De alone." One of the young men raised an eyebrow, looking quite impressed.
“Yes, such heroes are rare these days,” another villager sighed, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. “People like Zhao De and Leon are the heroes our era needs.”
"But can they really change anything?" A slightly hesitant voice rang out, clearly indicating that someone present still harbored some uncertainty.
At this moment, the weathered old man stood up, looked around, and said in a soft but unusually firm voice: "Change? They are already changing."
Every step Zhao De took was like illuminating a star in the dark night sky, and followers like Leon were the ones who gathered those starlight into a river. We may not see dawn immediately, but believe that the light is on its way.
As soon as the old man finished speaking, the tavern fell silent. Everyone seemed to be deeply moved by his words, and their eyes shone with new hope.
Finally, it was the burly man who had initially raised his doubts who broke the silence, raising his glass in a loud voice.
"Regardless of the outcome, Zhao De and his team have given us hope. Let's raise a toast to this hope, and to all those like Zhao De and Leon who bravely forge ahead despite the darkness!"
"Cheers!" the crowd responded, the clinking of glasses echoing throughout the room. Each sound was a blessing for the future and a silent cheer for the adventure that was about to begin.
Night had fallen. Outside the tavern, a cold wind swept through, swirling a few withered leaves that danced in the moonlight. Leon's steps did not falter; his gaze pierced the darkness, fixed resolutely on the unknown road ahead.
Behind him, the tavern lights gradually faded into the distance, until they became a faint speck of light in the night.
Leon's journey was far from peaceful; he encountered bandits, wild beasts, and even twisted creatures corrupted by dark magic.
Every battle tests his will and swordsmanship, but he always manages to turn danger into safety with his extraordinary perseverance and quick wit.
Along the way, he also met many like-minded travelers. Their stories were different, but their goals were surprisingly the same—to find Zhao De and fight together against the darkness that shrouded the world.
In a small town abandoned by war, Leon and several newly acquainted companions sit around a campfire under a dark night sky with sparse stars.
“Listen to me, I met a child in a small village in the East,” said a female mage named Eileen, her eyes gentle yet firm.
"The child possesses an ancient gem, said to be a symbol of guidance. He says he received it in a dream and intends to give it to Lord Zhao De."
"A dream? That sounds incredible." The tall hunter in the group, Bolt, stroked his beard and looked puzzled.
“Don’t underestimate the power of dreams, Bolt,” Eileen smiled gently. “In this world, there are many things that science and reason cannot explain.”
“That’s right, isn’t the light we’re pursuing itself a miracle?” Leon chimed in, his words resonating with everyone, and the atmosphere around the campfire suddenly became solemn.
Just then, the silence was broken by the sound of rapid hoofbeats, and a cloaked messenger riding a weary horse came straight toward them.
He reined in his horse and, without even dismounting, shouted, "Are you looking for Zhao De's troops? I've come from the capital with urgent news!"
Chapter 225 What Happened?
MM Racing