133 The Chase
On the edge of Cascadia, in a dilapidated county town.
Two Templars strode swiftly, drawing curious glances from passersby.
Master Arden's eyes blazed with fury, yet he managed to suppress his temper as he sent a telepathic message to the distant woman in the white dress. "Madam Hightower, have we finally found the right place?"
Rose's face turned cold. "He's escaped again."
For ten whole days, the essence of the thief king had been circling around, leading us on a winding chase between Surrey and Spokane, zigzagging through every county between the two cities.
The essence ranged from being right beside us at its closest to nearly fifty miles away at its furthest.
However, Peter Volare would flee at the slightest hint of our approach. Despite using all our strength, we could barely keep him within tracking distance.
Rose suspected that the only reason we hadn't lost him was because the thief king deliberately waited for us each time.
He was clearly toying with us! She turned to me and said in a low voice, "This was my misjudgement. I've wasted so much of your time."
She had assumed the thief king would respect boundaries and exercise restraint, given that his wife's life lay in the Admiral's hands.
She hadn't expected him to be so insolent this time. Even if he could escape, could his Bandit of Okanagan Valley do the same?
"It's not your fault," I said, shaking my head with composure.
Even if this pursuit yielded no tangible rewards, I had still broadened my horizons. Rose taught me valuable tracking and hunting skills, and I discovered the surprising differences in movement speed that could exist between martial artists of the same realm.
The two Templars returned, restraining themselves from venting their anger on the officers of the people. They knew better than to do so, and moreover, Colonel Kane's performance over the past days had impressed them.
Initially expecting him to be a burden, they were surprised to find that this young man not only kept pace with them—Crystal Realm martial artists—but seemed to be holding back his true speed.
"I suggest that H.A.R.M. surround the Okanagan Valley, slay his disciples and grand-disciples, and seize his Whispering Gale technique. Let's see where this thief can run!" Master Arden clenched his fist angrily.
As fellow members of the martial world, Cloud Citadel seemed utterly unconcerned about the fire that might consume them.
Rose glanced at Master Arden. These stubborn fools are probably the only ones H.A.R.M. hasn't been able to find fault with all these years.
"Don't talk nonsense." Master Rhys frowned slightly, feeling a headache. "If we go any further, we'll be completely out of Cascadia. In my humble opinion, Peter Volare is colluding with vampires and wants to lure us out."
Otherwise, there was really no way to explain his actions these past few days.
"What is there to fear? Colonel Kane, you should rest in this town while we go out to subdue this thief." Master Arden's words carried confidence, yet betrayed a hint of worry—why else would he insist on leaving me behind?
Outside of Cascadia's borders, even these renowned experts lacked confidence in their ability to ensure my safety.
Venturing out under normal circumstances was one thing, but being deliberately led away step by step made the situation far more treacherous.
The two Templars fell silent, waiting for the woman to give the order.
Rose turned to me instead, letting me make the decision.
Observing the dynamics, Master Rhys remembered Rose's earlier statement about Colonel Kane being in charge. He now realized it wasn't merely meant to appease them—this young man truly commanded the entire operation.
He was taken aback. Perhaps this young man possesses abilities beyond his remarkable movement skills.
After a moment's contemplation, I asked, "If he leads us beyond Cascadia's borders and still refuses to stop—would that give us sufficient justification to surround his gang in Okanagan Valley?"
Rose was surprised to see my eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation at the prospect of attacking Okanagan Valley, rather than reservation and concern. She smiled and asked, "What draws your interest in such matters? Have you been to Crown Mountain?" Then, with a decisive nod, she added, "We don't even need to follow him out to lay siege—he's already crossed the line this time."
This time, even if he kneels outside the Admiral's residence until his knees were worn raw as melons, it won't save him or his disciples. Luring Vampire Hunters into vampire territory is an unforgivable offense. Someone's going to face serious consequences, and it won't be pleasant.
"Let's chase him one last time." I stepped out of the county town. Now, besides the Sun-Shattering Bow and the Will Embodiment of Sword, I was also interested in the thief king's Whispering Gale technique.
Naturally, safety comes first. At the first sign of real danger, I would retreat without hesitation.
… …
Seventy miles outside of Spokane, we had completely left the scope of Cascadia.
The towering mountains in front of us were rugged and jagged, like giant beast crouching, seemingly calm, but making the two Templars increasingly uneasy.
Such a vast territory, yet without the slightest hint of vampiric aura.
This was an extremely rare situation.
Only one thing could make vampires avoid this area: the presence of a being they dared not offend.
Rose divided the essence in her hand into four strands, not knowing whether to feel relieved or solemn. "He's stopped moving... Let's surround him from four directions, but be careful not to disturb anything else."
"I'll go with Colonel Kane." Master Arden took one of the strands.
"No need." I also took a strand of essence. Based on Rose's judgment, seventy miles was the limit of the safe range. If we went any deeper, it would be easy to get sucked in.
Since it was the last chance, we naturally had be thorough in our search and avoid any blunders.
The two Templars exchanged glances but remained silent. In such dangerous territory, even they felt uneasy and had no interest in discouraging anyone's bravado.
The group swiftly split up and encircled the location indicated by the essence sample.
… …
Though my expression remained cautious as I walked alone through the dense forest, my movements had grown more at ease—just as they had in the depths of Black Stone Spring.
As I entered the mountain forest, the Mountain Lord's abilities within the Nine Cycles Sanguine Resurrection were fully unleashed.
Though I kept my aura hidden, neither the rugged mountain road under my feet nor the towering trees around me were obstacles to me.
On the contrary, they felt like old friends welcoming me home.
Even my senses sharpened, and every blade of grass and every tree around me seemed to pulse with life.
Suddenly, I halted, my gaze fixed ahead.
From the silent thicket of thorns came a long sigh, breaking the stillness.
Then, a tall figure emerged slowly from the shadows.
The man's disheveled hair and drunken flushed face, combined with his bloodshot eyes, gave him a dejected appearance.
Licking his dry lips, he cast a casual glance at me and spoke in a hoarse voice, "If I remember correctly, I stole General Laurent's Sun-Shattering Bow—not some leftovers from his H.A.R.M. General's Mansion. And he sends someone like you to investigate?"
With that, the man scratched his head in frustration. "Look, this has nothing to do with a Vampire Hunter of your realm. I'm going to kill vampires, not feed them."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Get lost, get lost."
Before his words could fade, a black shadow materialized before him. A swift, fierce knee slammed into his stomach, followed by a precise palm strike that sealed off the major vein in his right leg.
Peter Volare doubled over in searing pain as his eyes widened, blood mixed with the smell of alcohol spewing from his mouth.
His Crystal Realm aura burst forth instinctively as he summoned all his strength to create a three-foot gap away from me.
Seizing the brief opening, his figure whirled away like a gust of wind, vanishing from sight.
I had barely drawn my long blade when I found myself facing empty air.
As I silently sheathed the blade, I realized my plan to capture and question him had been thwarted. Who would have thought someone could move so swiftly on just one leg?