Without summoning their beasts, both sides were engaged in a fierce fistfight. Yehken's group, though outnumbered, fought valiantly. Especially the Ly brothers, with their synchronized attacks and defenses, managed to hold their own against multiple attackers.
Since recontracting the Herculean Unicorn Beetle and the Diamond Ape, Yehken's physical abilities had significantly improved. His renewed confidence allowed him to hold his ground even without summoning his beast.
He single-handedly battled two men who looked like twins, both tall and muscular, and attacked Yehken relentlessly.
Yehken fought back fiercely, and the trio exchanged heavy blows to each other's faces, resulting in bloodied and swollen features.
Driven by rage, none of them showed any sign of backing down.
The onlookers weren't surprised by the brawl, as such fights among mercenaries were common.
Even the border soldiers remained indifferent, not intervening.
Grey Tail Wolf, upon Eddie's signal, leaped into action.
With a roar that stunned everyone, the wolf effortlessly knocked away the men attacking Haye Yew, rescuing the helpless figure on the ground.
The presence of the silver-level four wolf caused the surrounding soldiers to retreat in fear.
The brawlers, too, were frightened into ceasing their fight.
"Hey, this isn't fair! We agreed not to use beasts, and you summon such a powerful one to join the fight. That's bullying!" A man and woman stepped out from the crowd, with the man remaining calm but the woman angrily chastising Eddie.
"I'm not sure what happened, but ten against four doesn't seem like your 'rules' either," Eddie retorted sarcastically.
"Whatever happens within their group is not our concern, but before you arrived, we neither summoned beasts nor joined the fight, proving our lack of malice. "
"This is an internal dispute, and both sides have been restrained, only using fists. Now that the fight is over and tempers cooled, perhaps we should leave it at that," the man spoke calmly and confidently, not flinching at the sight of the silver-level four Grey Tail Wolf, indicating his own formidable status.
In the brawl, neither side had summoned their beasts and were just exchanging blows with fists.
Yehken's group, used to tough mercenary work, fought back fiercely, especially the Ly brothers who coordinated well together, managing to fend off their attackers.
After recontracting the Diamond Ape and the Herculean Unicorn Beetle, Yehken's physical capabilities had significantly improved, boosting his confidence to stand up to his adversaries.
"What's going on here?" Eddie asked, puzzled. "Is this a family feud like the tragic man's situation?"
"They're my cousins," Yehken explained, quickly adding, "We don't have any deep grudge, just some minor disputes since childhood."
"So why did you start fighting?" Sophia inquired.
"Well, there was a conflict during the New Year at home. We ran into each other here, they insulted me, and I couldn't hold back my temper, so we ended up fighting. I only fought, didn't really hurt them," Yehken said, somewhat embarrassed, clarifying his actions to Sophia.
"If it had really come to blows, you're still a loser, Yehken. If not for your uncle's sake, would you even be alive?" the twin cousins sneered.
"We'll settle this at the family ancestral worship. I won't argue with you now," Yehken replied confidently, his new beasts giving him an edge.
"If they think I'm still the same defeated guy from two months ago in the Heaven-Reaching Tower, they're sorely mistaken," Yehken thought.
"Young people fighting is normal. Now that it's over, let's disperse," the leader of the opposing group suggested, gesturing a salute to Eddie and preparing to lead his group away.
"Wait a minute, you think I'll just let you get away with hitting me? You, the beautiful lady over there, come out. I challenge you to a duel!" Haye Yew's true intention seemed more about getting close to a woman than an actual fight.
The young woman on the other side, with delicate fists and probably not much strength, smartly refused and even teasingly stuck out her tongue. "Shameless, I won't fight you!"
"I'm a boss, not afraid to face challenges. You think I'm scared just because Grey Tail Wolf showed up? I am a warrior! No one takes beauties from me," Haye Yew blustered, though everyone scattered as soon as he started talking, leaving him frustrated and ignored.
Eddie spotted a tall, leggy, masked female thief standing alone, engrossed in a book. Initially mistaking her for Inan, he realized she was much taller and stronger. Using his third-level insight, Eddie was astonished at her power, surpassing any peer he had encountered, including the three notorious assassins.
She wasn't just a thief; her true strength was hidden, resembling an elemental summoner. The most intriguing part was the ancient book in her hands, seemingly alive like the Ashen Blade and concealing immense power.
"Who is this mysterious female thief with such formidable strength?" Eddie wondered. He speculated that if Princess Jean's power was due to Emperor Alexander's cultivation, then who was behind this female thief? Only a powerful family, nation, or sect could elevate someone so young to such a level. She might be a disciple nurtured by a mysterious sect, even more discreet and low-key than Princess Jean.
"What's going on?" Sophia asked, following Eddie's gaze and spotting the quiet female thief reading a book. "That's not Inan... I mean, not Brother Inan."
"Let's go," Eddie said, patting Sophia on the head.
As they headed towards the Tian Luo border, Eddie couldn't help but glance back, only to find the female thief had vanished without a trace. Her speed was astonishing – how did she manage to disappear so quickly and silently?
Could she be targeting him? Eddie wondered which sect might be behind this mysterious figure.
After crossing the border and reaching Shuiniu City, Eddie looked back and saw the female thief quietly reading her book a hundred meters away. Her ability to follow them without detection was extraordinary.
In Shuiniu City, Eddie led the group to a teleportation circle, heading to Mountain Cat City. There, they planned to have lunch. Sophia tugged at Eddie's arm, pointing out the female thief sitting in a window seat at a warrior's tavern called "Guests Return Again," still engrossed in her book.
Eddie was both annoyed and intrigued by her mysterious behavior.
After lunch, they proceeded directly to Snake Coil Valley, but the female thief was nowhere to be seen, making Eddie wonder if she was just coincidentally on the same path as them.
Upon arriving at Snake Coil Valley, they spotted the female thief sitting on a high rock, still reading her book in the fading light, looking serene and calm.
Even Yehken and Haye Yew noticed her, with Haye Yew eagerly volunteering to confront her, but Eddie warned him of her strength.
"Who is she?" Sophia wondered, puzzled by the woman's persistent presence without any interaction.
Was it coincidence, or was there another reason for her to follow them?