The journey into the Magic Beast Mountain Range began rather smoothly.
Although several magic beasts tried to ambush the group along the way, most were merely first-tier beasts. First-tier magic beasts are equivalent to Dou Fighter among humans. Since nearly everyone in the group had reached that level, handling these creatures posed no challenge.
However, as they ventured deeper, the forest became denser, and the number of beasts attacking them increased.
One of the largest attacks came when a pack of yellow-maned hyenas ambushed them.
Yellow-maned hyenas are a particularly troublesome type of beast in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. These creatures share traits with wild dogs, favoring sneak attacks and focusing on their prey's lower body, making them especially dangerous. They travel in packs and are notorious among mercenaries for their cunning and cruelty.
"Everyone, be careful! We're under attack by magic beasts!"
It was Gu Changqing who first realized the danger and immediately shouted to alert the mercenaries.
Even so, the pack of yellow-maned hyenas suddenly burst out from the ground, biting the lower bodies of several mercenaries. A few unlucky ones even had their crotches bitten.
"Damn! Yellow-maned hyenas! These disgusting beasts!"
"Kill them quickly!"
"Filthy creatures! I'll tear you apart!"
"Watch out, these mutts can burrow underground. They possess earth-attribute powers, so keep an eye on the ground!"
The mercenaries immediately tightened their stances, their faces contorted with fury. They unleashed their anger upon the yellow-maned hyenas, driven by the threat to their lower bodies—something no man, especially a mercenary living on the edge of life and death, would take lightly. To them, losing that part of their body was as good as being dead.
These vicious hyenas had crossed a line, and the enraged mercenaries weren't going to let it slide.
Faced with the wrath of over forty furious mercenaries, the dozen first-tier yellow-maned hyenas stood no chance. They were quickly hacked to pieces by the furious men, their bodies reduced to nothing more than minced meat.
Watching the brutal scene, both Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran couldn't help but flinch.
"They are quite terrifying..."
Both women shared the same thought as they turned their heads to glance at Gu Changqing.
"Hey! Why are you looking at me like that? I swear, I'll deal with you both!"
Gu Changqing, catching their glances, felt a surge of embarrassment and snapped at them angrily.
"Ugh, stop swearing!"
Nalan Yanran scoffed and looked away disdainfully, while Xiao Yi Xian blushed slightly, scolding him for his foul language.
"They're injured in... sensitive areas. Let me handle the treatment," Gu Changqing offered, taking charge of the wounded mercenaries.
Half of the injured were from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Since the Blood War Mercenary Group was still recovering and unable to take on missions, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group had taken the lead in accepting this one.
Despite some initial reluctance, the Wolf Head mercenaries accepted Gu Changqing's treatment, although they weren't too happy about it. After all, they preferred someone like Xiao Yi Xian to administer the treatment.
Mu Li, one of their leaders, had also been injured in the leg by a yellow-maned hyena. Although his dignity as a man remained intact, his face was dark with displeasure. Seeing Gu Changqing unharmed only made his mood worse.
Politely declining Gu Changqing's offer to treat him, Mu Li pulled out some medicinal ointment and applied it to his wound, all the while casting occasional glances at Gu Changqing, his eyes gleaming with an ominous intent.
"Gu Changqing, come over here."
Back in the convoy, Nalan Yanran waved him over hurriedly.
"What's the matter?"
Gu Changqing followed her into one of the carriages.
"That Wolf Head Mercenary Group's vice-captain has been giving you strange looks. I think he's planning something. You should be careful."
Nalan Yanran wasn't foolish. Although Mu Li had hidden his animosity well, her sharp eyes, trained from dealing with countless types of people, had seen through his mask. She was certain that Mu Li bore ill intentions toward Gu Changqing.
"You're getting better at noticing things like this."
Gu Changqing teased, pinching Nalan Yanran's cheek. Her soft, smooth skin felt wonderful under his fingers.
Slap!
"Don't underestimate me! And don't take this lightly. Even though you can handle a five-star Dou Fighter, this is the Magical Beast Mountain Range. We're not familiar with the terrain, and it's easy to fall into a trap. Plus, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group has dozens of people. We might not be able to take them on if things get rough."
Nalan Yanran remained calm, swatting his hand away and speaking seriously.
"Relax. I'm not worried. In fact, I hope they make a move. If they do, it's them who'll regret it."
Gu Changqing's confidence didn't waver.
"Hmph, you better be careful. I, as the Young Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect and the eldest daughter of the Nalan family, have nothing to fear."
Nalan Yanran's tone was filled with pride.
"Alright, thank you, my dear Young Sect Leader and Eldest Miss."
Gu Changqing swiftly planted a kiss on Nalan Yanran's cheek before darting away.
"Scoundrel! You did it again!"
Nalan Yanran's shout of indignation followed him out, but her eyes glimmered with joy, her heart feeling inexplicably sweet.
"What's wrong with me? Am I falling for this scoundrel? First, this guy kiss my cheek. Will he kiss my lips soon?"
Although she scolded herself for being shameless, the thought of kissing Gu Changqing brought a strange sense of anticipation.
"Bah! Ridiculous!"
She shook her head, blushing at her own thoughts.
After a long day of battles, many of the mercenaries were injured.
The convoy pressed on for a while longer, but as night began to fall, they chose to make camp, avoiding the blood-stained areas where beasts had been slain earlier.
As bonfires lit up the surroundings, night quickly descended.
Nighttime in the forest was a terrifying affair. The howls of magic beasts echoed from every direction, and on occasion, massive winged creatures would soar overhead, causing the mercenaries' nerves to fray.
While everyone remained vigilant, wary of an ambush from the restless beasts, Mu Li was already making his own plans.
"Gu Changqing, if you insist on meddling with Xiao Yi Xian, then I can't let you live!"
A flash of cruelty crossed Mu Li's eyes.
Standing up, he plastered on a courteous smile and looked over at Gu Changqing and Xiao Yi Xian's group before addressing the rest of the mercenaries.
"Everyone, we've had a tough day with multiple battles. Let the Wolf Head Mercenary Group take the first watch tonight. Don't worry, with us guarding, not even a mosquito will get through. Rest easy, everyone!"
Hearing this, the scattered mercenaries nodded in agreement. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group was, after all, the primary escort for the herbalist convoy. Guard duty was expected of them, and their offer to take the first shift wasn't questioned. The scattered mercenaries would handle the second shift anyway.