N-M Chapter 2288 - 652: Acquisition, Ambush, Ampei_5
Chapter 2288 - 652: Acquisition, Ambush, Ampei_5
An Zhifeng set up the cooking gear, took out some wild animal meat, and started roasting it on the stove. Nearby, a small pot was simmering some wild vegetable soup. The wild vegetables were casually dug up along the way, and the water was sourced from a small river near the cave entrance.
Wisps of smoke curled up, and soon the aroma of roasted meat mingled with the fresh scent of wild vegetable soup filled the entire stone cave. Everyone’s stomachs growled, their eyes hungrily fixed on the glistening roasted meat.
Everyone received a bowl of meat, and a bowl of soup each. An Zhifeng distributed the food, and everyone ate with laughter and chatter.
At that moment, An Yiqing suddenly set down her bowl and took out a small box.
"Each person takes one, swallow it with the soup."
Everyone was taken aback. An Zhifeng took the box and opened it, revealing over twenty pure white pills inside. The pills emitted a refreshing fragrance, lifting spirits instantly and alleviating days of exhaustion.
"Miss, what is this...?"
"A medicine to restore energy. On the way back, there will be a fierce battle. You need to restore your strength to its peak. However, this medicine has some side effects; after the effect has worn off, everyone will experience fatigue for one to three days. But don’t worry, it won’t affect everyday life," An Yiqing said calmly.
The atmosphere instantly grew solemn. Everyone silently looked at the pills, each taking one, and swallowed it with the soup.
After breakfast, An Zhifeng packed up the cooking gear. An Yiqing stood up, dusted off her clothes, and looked at everyone with clear eyes.
"Brothers, I have just one thing to say: protect yourselves well. How many came, not one should be missing when we return home!"
"Yes, Miss!" Everyone shouted loudly, no matter the danger, not one should be missing!
An Yiqing smiled warmly, her eyes shining brightly, "Let’s go, we’re going home!"
The group, carrying their backpacks, swiftly traversed the tunnel through the mountain cave. A few hours later, An Yiqing finally stepped out of the cave.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, this was the place they entered yesterday, and today they would retrace their steps.
Her right foot gently lifted as An Yiqing began to walk. After a few steps, her eyes narrowed, and she suddenly paused.
"Come out!" she shouted sharply, as the Silver Needle swiftly flew into the distance. Simultaneously, An Zhifeng and the others immediately drew their Tri-edge Military Spike, quickly surrounding An Yiqing, vigilantly watching the surroundings.
Clap-clap-clap—crisp applause echoed, sounding especially eerie in this dark forest.
An Yiqing’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked into the distance. Among a cluster of trees, a figure slowly emerged. By the weak light in the forest, she could clearly see a tall blond man.
"It’s true that Miss An has impressive skills; meeting today has certainly surprised me," the man spoke with a thick accent, his Xuanjin Language laced with deep meaning.
"Foreigner?" An Yiqing raised her eyebrows, a chill flashing in her eyes, "From The Church?"
"Miss An is very clever; we’ve been waiting here for quite a while." As the man finished speaking, dozens of figures dressed in white suddenly dashed out of the forest. They all wore The Church’s distinctive white uniform, with a shining silver cross on their chest. Some had a long sword at their waist, dressed in thin armor.
This group, with their peculiar attire, dazzled An Yiqing when they appeared.
She glanced at them oddly, her gaze once again landing on the man leading them, "An introduction?"
Her familiar tone made the man’s breath catch for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.
"Since Miss An is curious, I must introduce myself properly. I am Lawrence Kabur, one of the Archbishops in Red at the Church of Divine Country Headquarters. To my right are three Archbishops in Red, Allen, Thomson, and Philios. To my left are seventeen Bronze Holy Knights. Miss An should remember Ossero, who died in Lemin Mountain; he was one of the Bronze Holy Knights, ranked thirteenth."
Lawrence spoke with calmness and composure, without any anger or resentment, as if Ossero’s death had nothing to do with him.
Simultaneously, his words conveyed several messages. Ossero was powerful and ranked only thirteenth among the Bronze Holy Knights. Meaning there were twelve others even more formidable.
Archbishops in Red hold very high status within The Church. Back in Tea Province, those two Bishops An Yiqing encountered were only skilled in the branches. And Patch, the Archbishop in Red at Lemin Mountain, though differing by just one word from an Archbishop in Red, is vastly inferior in strength.