Free Web NovelChapter 577: Chapter 577: Breaking Army (Part 2)
[Source Material +2340]
Zhang Yuan withdrew his hand, feeling quite satisfied with the information that popped up in his vision.
The five would-be robbers contributed over fifteen thousand points of Source Material to him in total.
Among them, the contribution of the Tier Six expert was the most.
Yet Zhang Yuan took him down with just three strikes, or rather, three moves.
The burly man, though a True Gang Realm user.
His Protective Armor was extremely fragile, broken with a single strike from the Taowu Saber, followed by a swift neck slash.
This person was considered very weak among the Tier Six, most likely advancing through Elixir power or some Evil Secret Technique.
His foundation was unstable, his power hollow, and facing Zhang Yuan, who was at the Peak Level of Tier Six augmented by Host’s Power, it was already quite commendable he could take three strikes.
However, these five evidently had nothing to do with the Desert Wind Army or the Cyan Wolf Camp/Red Tiger Camp.
Zhang Yuan found some odds and ends on them, deducing they were a group of folks who had long roamed Crescent Oasis, thriving by blackmailing and robbing others.
Now fully dispatched by Zhang Yuan, they truly got what they deserved.
Having already acquired the Seven Leaf reishi, Zhang Yuan’s purpose in coming to Crescent Oasis was halfway achieved.
In fact, if he returned now, he could report back to the Wu Family with this natural treasure.
After all, Wu Ziyu of the Wu Family specifically emphasized the importance of retrieving the Seven Leaf reishi.
But since he was already here, Zhang Yuan had no intention of letting the Desert Wind Army go.
He sent out a Talisman.
Then he set up camp at a safe place nearby.
By the following afternoon, Mo Wei led three hundred Daoist Soldiers to the area.
Thanks to the Red-eyed Crow serving as his eyes and ears, Zhang Yuan easily spotted their arrival.
The two parties successfully met up.
"Dao General Zhang, what’s the situation now?"
As soon as he saw Zhang Yuan, Wu Ziyu from the team couldn’t wait to jump out: "Have you found the Cyan Wolf Camp?"
Zhang Yuan calmly took out a prepared sandalwood box: "Not ashamed to bear the mission."
Wu Ziyu was momentarily stunned: "This is?"
Upon opening the lid and seeing the Seven Leaf reishi inside, he was overjoyed: "Yes, it’s exactly that!"
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "That’s good."
Wu Ziyu felt extremely excited, it took him quite some time to calm down.
He handed the Seven Leaf reishi to his companion, then respectfully saluted Zhang Yuan: "Dao General Zhang, this time it’s all thanks to you. Our Wu Family will surely remember this!"
"I was merely carrying out orders."
Zhang Yuan casually waved his hand: "No need to keep it in mind, Brother Wu."
Wu Ziyu shook his head, unable to resist asking: "Dao General Zhang, where did you find it?"
Zhang Yuan thought for a moment, then truthfully recounted how he disguised himself and came to Crescent Oasis, followed by purchasing the Seven Leaf reishi at an auction.
"Eight hundred thousand silver?"
Wu Ziyu’s eye twitched upon hearing this, and his expression inevitably turned a bit awkward.
He thought Zhang Yuan had relied on strength and luck to reclaim the Seven Leaf reishi, but unexpectedly, it was bought through bidding.
Moreover, such a massive sum of eight hundred thousand silver, he couldn’t repay Zhang Yuan immediately.
In fact, the Wu Family might not even be willing – Did I ask you to buy it back?
The problem was, they couldn’t expect Zhang Yuan to foot the bill himself!
Though young, Wu Ziyu found himself momentarily stumped.
Zhang Yuan chuckled: "You don’t need to worry, I will recover the silver."
Wu Ziyu instantly blushed deeply.
The grand Wu Clan of Daqian, even if it were a collateral branch, wouldn’t fall short of tens of thousands of silver.
Yet as a direct descendant of the Wu Family, he’d need solid reasons to even ask for such a sum.
Most importantly, the fact that the Seven Leaf reishi was taken by the bandits, now needing to be "bought back" with silver, was undeniably a great humiliation for the Wu Family.
Even if it passed through Zhang Yuan’s hands, it made no difference.
Had Zhang Yuan not been a Dao General under the Upper Scenic Celestial Gate, Wu Ziyu might even suspect collusion between him and the bandits!
Hearing Zhang Yuan’s words now, Wu Ziyu couldn’t help but feel awkward.
Luckily, he was quick-witted and immediately changed the subject: "Dao General Zhang, did you find any trace of the Cyan Wolf Camp?"
"They must still be in Crescent Sandbar."
Zhang Yuan replied without hesitation: "But the bandits can’t stay in one place forever, so we just need to be patient and wait for them to come out on their own."
The ones who consigned the Seven Leaf reishi at auction must be the bandits who robbed the Wu Family’s caravan.
Given the timing and the situation in Crescent Oasis, it was almost indisputable.
However, Zhang Yuan was unsure when they’d leave the oasis.
Hence, he had to wait.
"So should we guard near Crescent Oasis?"
Wu Ziyu wondered: "That place is large, can we keep watch with just our small group?"
"Don’t worry."
Zhang Yuan said: "Leave this matter to me."
With the Red-eyed Crow as an air scout, he could monitor Crescent Oasis non-stop, all day long.
Even if the target tried to slip away in the dead of night, the Profound Spirit would not miss it!
Zhang Yuan glanced at the perplexed Wu Ziyu and continued: "Brother Wu, why don’t you return with the Seven Leaf reishi first, leave the rest to us."
Wu Ziyu felt tempted.
Having eaten sand with the West Plain Dao Camp’s team for several days, the conditions were quite tough.
Not to mention they had no idea when the Cyan Wolf Camp would emerge, so there would be more waiting.
Besides, once the battle broke out, life and death were uncertain.
Though Wu Ziyu had some youthful vigor, he was ultimately well-bred and couldn’t fight to the death like those wandering heroes who lived on the edge.
Zhang Yuan’s proposal seemed entirely considerate!
Yet with so many people watching, if he backed down now, how would the Wu Family be perceived?
Others might think the Wu Family cowards thereafter!
Wu Ziyu’s expression changed, and finally, he clenched his teeth: "No need, I’ll stay with you all, I want to contribute as well!"
Zhang Yuan was somewhat surprised.
But he didn’t say much, nodding: "Alright, but make sure you take care of your safety."
After their discussions, the team set up camp nearby to wait.
And they waited for two full days.
By the dawn of the third day, the Red-eyed Crow, which had been monitoring Crescent Oasis from above, relayed information to Zhang Yuan.
The suspected target had appeared!
A troop of several hundred riders had just left the oasis, traveling southwest.
Furthermore, the group released three hawks.
To avoid alarming the enemy, Zhang Yuan instructed the Red-eyed Crow to withdraw a bit.
Then, leading three hundred Daoist Soldiers along with Wu Family experts, he marched quickly in the direction of the target.
After over half an hour, Zhang Yuan spotted the cavalry from afar.
Or rather, the bandit troop!
