Chapter 816, Merely the Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 816, Merely the Calm Before the Storm
Translator: Silavin
The Dark Scorpion Tribe’s people continued to move. Three hours later, they approached the Flame Dragon Tribe’s explosive package ambush site.
They remained completely unaware of the imminent danger. Some even laughed and joked as they moved. Particularly Gai, who laughed carelessly while single-handedly grasping a freshly killed Ferocious Beast leg.
This Ferocious Beast leg was completely uncooked. Blood still dripped from it, yet Gai consumed it voraciously, as though savouring some exquisite delicacy.
Ga, meanwhile, ate berries. They rarely rested. Most of their time was devoted to covering the distance.
Even meals followed this pattern. Everyone ate while walking, maximizing every moment.
Ga suddenly halted at a forked path, surveying the surrounding environment. She prepared to select the most suitable route forward, since there were numerous small trails crisscrossing through the forest.
Each of these paths resulted from the repeated passage of various Tribes. Each potentially led to a different destination, though some might converge towards the location they want.
“Why are we suddenly stopping?” Gai asked, immediately discarding the already consumed leg, only left with bone.
“I’m thinking of which route to take.” Ga said, frowning.
Perhaps it was her Warrior’s intuition. She sensed something strange was ahead.
What seemed wrong remained unclear, but she felt the need to be extremely cautious.
“No need to think so much. With our numbers, we cannot travel through those narrow paths anyways. It would take too much time to gather everyone.” Gai rejected immediately.
He disliked splitting up and navigating the narrow paths. It was an action that seemed incompatible with his status. Moreover, walking those narrow paths also required more vigilance and felt uncomfortable.
“You…” Ga attempted to speak, but saw him already leading the Warriors down the widest path.
She could only sigh and follow, despite the internal uneasiness.
Still, she could not really find anything to argue back. Wider paths were indeed more comfortable, and most importantly, saved time compared to those narrow paths.
“Sister, just stop worrying already. Taking those narrow paths would actually increase the chance of us getting ambushed,” Gai declared confidently. He continued. “Don’t you think they would have already anticipated this? They’ll assume we’d take the narrow path, then establish ambushes there.”
Ga did not immediately respond. This time, her Brother’s reasoning might be right. Rather than cautiously waste time thinking, directly taking the widest path might be for the best.
“See. You also think I’m right.” Gai said, increasingly smug. He strode forward with broad steps, resembling someone fresh from victory.
[I need to find an opportunity to squash that overconfidence of his…] Ga thought, rolling her eyes involuntarily.
*Step step step…*
Everyone proceeded along the forest’s most common, wide path, walking with three side by side.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh…* A gentle breeze stirred, gradually lifting scattered falling leaves. The air became eerily silent.
Sha Hong observed the Dark Scorpion Tribe forces from the treetops. She gently swayed branches, causing leaves to drift downward slowly.
It resembled a natural breeze. This also represented the preparatory signal.
They had established numerous signals. Under windless conditions like this, shaking branches to release leaves was one signal type.
Under stronger wind conditions, alternative signals would replace this method.
Warrior Trainees and soldiers concealed within bushes, trees, and behind rocks maintained constant readiness. Their tension was at its apex.
Each held ignition fuses for the detonation. When the Dark Scorpion Tribe approached close enough, they would then ignite these fuses.
*Step step step…* The Dark Scorpion Tribe continued advancing, completely oblivious to the imminent danger.
Those individuals continued their naive fantasies, imagining life after controlling the Flame Dragon Tribe.
Meanwhile, the concealed Flame Dragon Tribe members experienced tremendous anxiety. They feared they would make an error.
A single mistake would leave them closest to the Dark Scorpion Tribe Totem Warriors and they would be the first casualties.
*Screech!* Yan Hua’s Peak Eagle suddenly cried out, then landed on a nearby branch before the Dark Scorpion Tribe group.
It stared at them with enlarged brown eyes, its expression seemingly mocking.
Gai simultaneously noticed the Peak Eagle, involuntarily licking his lips while thinking how this plump Ferocious Beast would taste.
Unknown to him, the Peak Eagle’s cry signalled for those lying in waiting to detonate.
Soldiers and Warrior Trainees concealed in grass and bushes received the signal, simultaneously igniting their fuses.
*Sizzle sizzle…* The fuses had been pre-soaked in Kerosene Fruit Juice. So, even the smallest spark would cause them to rapidly combust.
The Dark Scorpion Tribe naturally heard these faint noises.
It was too late though. Even if they managed to hear them, nothing changed. They had no comprehension of the imminent brutality awaiting them.
…
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!* When sparks reached the final fuse segments, successive violent explosions erupted.
Instantly, the dense primitive forest erupted with towering flames, followed by billowing smoke. The previously silent forest’s massive explosions terrified birds and beasts into chaotic flight.
Only the Peak Eagle remained. It stood calmly on a branch, completely unfazed by the sudden explosions.
The number of explosions was incalculable. The deafening sounds eventually dissipated, leaving only lingering smoke and sparks.
Those from the Dark Scorpion Tribe barely registered what had occurred. Warriors standing above buried explosive packages were blown into bloody fragments. They were no different from fish on a chopping board. At this moment, what only awaited them was slaughter.
*Crackle crackle…*
Explosion-generated flames continuously burned the surrounding trees. Yet, the survivors stood there, unable to comprehend what was happening. They stared at each other, their faces covered with dense ash, fallen leaves, and debris.
*Rustle rustle…*
Sha Hong leapt down from the tall tree. Others simultaneously emerged from their concealment.
The hunting phase had commenced.
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