Leaving his courtyard Dante strolled the clan compound until he reached the exit.
As Dante reached the exit he saw two figures waiting there
One was a dark-haired beauty in a luxurious red robe, while the other was a handsome young man holding an old rusty sword in a plain white robe.
They were Klent and Anne.
Approaching them Dante spoke
"Hopefully the two of you didn't have to wait too long."
"It's alright I just got here" replied Anne
Klent just gave a nod seemingly agreeing with Anne
"Well since we're all here I guess it's time I tell you about the real details of this mission. The mission we are taking to the Howling beast forest is not your usual magic plant gathering mission, in fact, the real objective is to secure a Scarlett Flame Rose that is about to bloom" said Dante
"But that's not all, It seems that mercenary group has already gotten news about this Scarlett Flame Rose before us and have gathered a large team to retrieve it. so the real challenge of the mission is going to be stealing it from a large mercenary group"
"Do you know the mercenary team well be competing against?" asked Anne
"It will be the Flame Wolf mercenaries" replied Dante calmly
"Flame wolf mercenaries !" exclaimed Anne in surprise even Klents face changed expression hearing their name
"Flame Wolf mercenaries, Dante are you crazy ? the leader of the mercenary group is 7th layer Martial Novice and if that wasn't enough they also have many 6th and 5th layer Martial Novice realm cultivators in their mercenary group as well " explained Anne
"And you want to rob them with 2nd and 3rd layer Martial Novice realm cultivators, even if you include me it will only be one 5th realm, Martial novice cultivator. Dante, I'm not sure if you thought this through, Maybe we should just consider buying it from them. "
"I did think this through Anne " replied Dante coldly " The leader of the Flame Wolf mercenaries has been stuck at the 7th layer for many years now and the and this is the last chance for him to breakthrough his bottleneck into the next layer would be to get this Fire element Natural treasure so no amount of money would be able to buy it off of him no matter the price."
"were also not going to be fighting all the mercenaries at once. well sneak attack the leaders taking them out before the others can support them, then we can just buy off or intimidate the rest after we take care of the leaders and with mine and Klent's strength and your not weak yourself either, trust me, I don't think we'll have a problem taking them out in a sneak attack"
"I guess you do make a good point... but I still think it's risky with so few of us if i get to the scene and the fight doesn't seem winnable don't blame me for refusing to join in." stated Anne hesitantly
" Don't worry too much about it, I got it all planned out " replied Dante after saying that he turned towards Klent "How about you, you got any problems with the mission ?"
"No problems here " replied Klent coldly " I owe you a favour for helping me comprehend sword intent so ill repay it. I just hate owing favours after I repay this favour there'll be no debt between us and well be back to a clean slate."
"Sure that's fine by me I don't have any complaints if you don't have any "
right as Dante finished speaking a luxurious carriage pulled up right outside the clan entrance.
"That's our ride, right on time " after saying that Dante hopped right inside the carriage before turning back to look at the two stunned people staring outside blankly.
"Are you guys gonna just stand there and stare, cmon get in " beckoned Dante
The two of them just stood there stunned looking at the luxurious carriage for a second before turning to look at each other. Klent gave a light shrug before reverting to his usual cold expression and hoping inside the carriage quickly followed by Anne. Shortly after the carriage started moving.
....
around 30 mins later the carriage carried along a rough dirt road before pulling to a stop.
"young master this is as far as I can take you in a carriage, you'll have to get out here if you're going to keep going along this path" stated the old coach driver
"That's fine enough, thanks for taking us out here." said Dante stepping out of the carriage.
"It's my pleasure" replied the old man heartily before leaving in a luxurious carriage leaving the 3 of them stood outside on a dirt road
This path was one of the secret paths created by the Kinsman family. As one of the top Clans Dominating Brightsteel City and the surrounding areas of the Howling Beast Forest it was obvious that they would have their own little secrets and hideouts and places in the surrounding area. This path was one of such areas and was a secret path made by the ancestors of the Kinsman clan back when they were first settling down in Brightsteel city.
The path is not as important as it used to be and has become like a type of open secret among the upper members of the Kinsman Clan so it wasn't that hard for Dante to obtain a map of one such secret path and the surrounding areas of the Howling Beast Forest as the son of the first elder , Making it perfect way to secretly enter the Howling Beast Forest and prepare an ambush