The Tofas, despite its slow movements and weak attacks, is a dangerous beast because of its infinite potential. It's hard to predict the outcome until the very last moment. While such beasts are something even innate experts must approach with caution, all these mercenaries are at best post-natal stage experts, with the strongest among them, Zhou Tong, barely reaching the peak of the post-natal stage.
"Uncle Zhou?"Ming Ren cautiously watched the Tofas climb back up the tree, his voice full of hesitation. "Shouldn't we just avoid it?""We're following your lead," the mercenaries chimed in unison, waiting for Zhou Tong's decision.
Ming Ren stuttered, clearly unsure what to do. As the employer, he didn't dare make the call himself, not knowing enough about the hunting zones.
After a moment of thought, Zhou Tong looked up, his heartbeat quickening slightly. "Young master, it's rare for a beast like this to stray into the outer hunting grounds. There may be spiritual plants nearby, such as Water Cloud Bamboo and the Panghu Tiger."
Ming Ren blinked, then focused on Zhou Tong. "Uncle Zhou, do you have a way to handle the Tofas?"
Zhou Tong instinctively clenched his fist. "Though the Tofas is a beast, it shares some common weaknesses with snakes. If we're careful, we should be fine."
"Alright," Ming Ren said, his tone thoughtful as he rubbed his chin. "But let's be careful. If it gets dangerous, don't push it."
Almost unnoticed, a flash of irritation passed through Ming Ren's eyes as he spoke.
Zhou Tong took a deep breath and raised his hand, his voice calm yet firm. "Listen up, brothers. Follow my lead. There's nothing to fear—it's just a strange-looking animal. If we catch it, we'll all be set for the year. Take care of your families with ease."
At his words, the mercenaries stirred, their enthusiasm rising with the promise of great reward. The thought of the danger faded as greed set in.
"Move in slowly!"Zhou Tong signaled, and the mercenaries quickly spread out. But when they looked ahead, they were all stunned.
"Let's keep going."With a look of indifference, Hu Yu appeared under the crooked tree. The Tofas, the very creature they had been treating with such caution, was now in Hu Yu's hand, trembling as though it were a mere toy.
Zhou Tong furrowed his brows, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Did you trick us earlier when you said it was a beast?"
Ming Ren's mouth dropped open in shock. "Hu Yu, how did you catch the Tofas?"
The mercenaries were still recovering from the surprise and stared at Hu Yu, particularly at the Tofas in his grasp.
Hu Yu chuckled and pointed at the Tofas. "Is it so surprising to catch it?"
Zhou Tong's tone grew more serious. "You have almost no cultivation—how can you catch a beast like this? Are you saying this thing isn't a beast at all? Or perhaps it's not even a dangerous creature?"
Despite being a regular person, Hu Yu had shown no sign of fear in this perilous environment, unlike Ming Ren, who was panicking. He moved as though he was completely at ease. This oddity had been overlooked before, but the capture of the Tofas had now brought it to light.
"Hu Yu," Ming Ren glanced back and forth between him and Zhou Tong, feeling the tension building. He didn't know who to trust.
"Didn't I tell you? The Tofas is slow. Catching it is no challenge," Hu Yu said with a smile, tossing the Tofas aside carelessly.
"Scatter!"Zhou Tong's voice was sharp, and the mercenaries scrambled to put some distance between themselves and the Tofas. Ming Ren was so frightened that he nearly stumbled and fell. He was just a frail scholar, unaccustomed to such danger.
"What are you trying to do!"Zhou Tong was genuinely angry now.
"Don't worry."Hu Yu remained calm, walking forward slowly. The mercenaries hesitated, retreating cautiously, but Hu Yu walked right up to the Tofas, which was now hissing and baring its fangs.
"Why have you joined our team?"Zhou Tong's eyes locked onto Hu Yu, suspicion clear in his gaze.
At that moment, the Tofas suddenly lunged forward, its movement so slow that no one could catch it in time. But the next second, it was back in Hu Yu's hand. With a slight squeeze, Hu Yu forced its mouth open. A dark liquid dripped from its fangs and onto the ground, where a small flower withered instantly, turning into a puddle of pus. The silence was so intense that they could hear their own heartbeats.
"Who are you really?"Zhou Tong's face had paled slightly.
How could someone with no cultivation casually capture such a beast? Was Hu Yu secretly an innate expert? If so, how had he hidden this for so long?
"What's there to worry about?"Hu Yu shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just an ordinary person."
But Zhou Tong was not convinced. His suspicion only grew. "You catch a Tofas with your bare hands and claim to be ordinary? Isn't that a bit far-fetched?"
Hu Yu smirked, looking at the mercenaries. "You're all just frogs in a well. If you don't trust me, then I'll be on my way."
He gave a polite bow and turned to leave.
"Wait, Hu Yu!"Ming Ren reacted just in time to call out.
"Young master, don't!"Zhou Tong grabbed Ming Ren's arm. "We don't know this man's true strength. We cannot keep him around. It's too dangerous."
By the time Ming Ren turned to speak, Hu Yu had already disappeared into the forest.
"Uncle Zhou, you're being too cautious. Hu Yu may be hiding something, but doesn't everyone have their secrets?"
"One should never be careless," Zhou Tong replied firmly. "If Hu Yu had intended to harm us, he would have remained silent earlier."
Ming Ren sighed helplessly, tossing a leaf onto the ground. It dissolved instantly when it touched the toxic residue.
"Though I haven't cultivated, do you think you could've handled that poison and speed?"
Zhou Tong stared blankly at the leaf's remnants. His mind raced with the unsettling realization that they were no match for someone like Hu Yu. The earlier tension had been a grave misunderstanding.
"Though it's unfortunate, there's no point in dwelling on it. Let's move forward. If fate wills it, we may meet again."