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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 148: Night Owl Leader
Ji Zichen watched as two Night Owl Beasts approached them. If they swooped down from such a height, Ji Zichen knew he wouldn't be able to handle both at once. However, he had already devised a plan in his mind. He waited patiently until the two Night Owl Beasts were within ten feet of him. Suddenly, the Water Buddha Bead darkened, and a White Lotus appeared in the air behind the two Demon Beasts.
From the White Lotus, two Water Ropes shot out, wrapping around the ankles of the Night Owl Beasts. The two beasts were startled but had no time to react. The Water Ropes tightened, pulling them toward the Pine Heart. The White Lotus then exploded, and before the unfortunate Night Owl Beasts could comprehend what was happening, they vanished forever.
Just as Ji Zichen was about to breathe a sigh of relief after defeating the two Night Owl Beasts, five more emerged from the shadows. Lin Chuyu's face turned pale as she exclaimed, "More are coming!"
Ji Zichen was equally shocked. "How did five more appear?" He felt their luck was truly terrible. However, he noticed something odd among these five Night Owl Beasts; one of them limped as it ran, reminiscent of the earlier two-horned stag. This limping Night Owl Beast stumbled over a branch and fell helplessly to the ground.
Another one met an even worse fate, crashing into a thick tree trunk and breaking its neck.
The five newly appeared Night Owl Beasts looked frantic, unlike the three that had previously hunted them. One fell while another died upon impact, leaving three that charged toward Ji Zichen like rabid dogs, their eyes filled with malice. Ji Zichen sensed that their hostile gaze was no longer about hunting; it seemed they wanted revenge.
Although Ji Zichen found this situation strange, he dared not hesitate. Compared to his fear of them, their vengeful eyes reflected their own fear of him. Despite feeling that something was amiss, Ji Zichen didn't dwell on it for long; he had no intention of confronting the three Night Owl Beasts head-on. The Fire Buddha Bead darkened, and a fire dragon surged forth mercilessly toward the three beasts.
In an instant, the three Night Owl Beasts were engulfed in flames.
A thunderous roar echoed through the forest as Ji Zichen looked up to see flashes of lightning deep within the woods. He paused in surprise. "Is someone using magical artifacts?"
As this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly realized that these five Night Owl Beasts were fleeing for their lives; no wonder they appeared so panicked. The Demon Beast that had fallen earlier lay unconscious on the ground, but Ji Zichen had no intention of letting it escape. It was better that this Night Owl Beast remained unconscious. He stepped forward and swiftly severed its head with a single stroke.
Lin Chuyu gathered her courage and followed Ji Zichen deeper into the woods. There they encountered a terrifying giant—a Night Owl Beast much larger than any they had seen before. This massive creature had fiery eyes and long horns protruding from its forehead that appeared to be at least five feet long.
The giant Night Owl Beast used its horns as weapons, dragging a soldier across the ground. There were over twenty soldiers present; Ji Zichen recognized their attire as belonging to Qingyang City. As one soldier was dragged by its horns, others rushed forward to help him while some utilized magical artifacts to unleash thunder from above. The Night Owl Beast seemed adept at predicting when lightning would strike; it dodged each time just in time while those pulling on their comrade struggled against its immense strength.
With a cry of despair from one soldier, they watched helplessly as the beast hurled their comrade high into the air with its horns. The soldier screamed in terror as he soared upward. Ji Zichen instructed Lin Chuyu to stay put and dashed into the fray with incredible speed. As the soldier fell from above, Ji Zichen leaped onto a tree trunk for leverage and caught him in mid-air.
The soldier thought he was doomed but was saved by Ji Zichen's timely intervention. Grateful for his life being spared, he repeatedly thanked Ji Zichen.
Breathing heavily and trembling with fear, the soldier sat on the ground as Ji Zichen gently placed him down. Although he wanted to stand up and fight again, his legs felt weak from fright and he couldn't rise immediately. Seeing him collapse on the ground, Ji Zichen picked him up once more and leaped back toward Lin Chuyu, saying, "Keep an eye on him."
The other soldiers noticed Ji Zichen saving their comrade and quickly regained focus as they surrounded the Great Night Owl Beast. Nearby lay seven or eight corpses of other Night Owl Beasts; it seemed that this Great Night Owl had lost all hope of fighting back against them now that it was encircled.
Despite the deaths of over ten soldiers, the remaining ones showed no fear of the Great Night Owl. They had finally lured out the Night Owl Leader, and they were determined not to let it escape easily.
The Great Night Owl's eyes flickered with fiery anger as it swung its horns violently. Each strike against the ground left a deep imprint.
One soldier shouted, "Watch out for its horns! Don't get hit!"
Ji Zichen stood tall, watching the Great Night Owl. He wanted to help, but the soldiers had surrounded it tightly, continuously stabbing at it with their spears. Even if Kiko found a way in, there was no opening to strike.
The Great Night Owl was increasingly agitated, thrashing and screeching. Seeing this, Wei Deputy shouted from a distance, "It's almost done! Hold on!"
At that moment, another group of soldiers surged in from behind Wei Deputy. He waved his hand to signal these newcomers to join the fight. Many wielded curved swords, while others brandished double-headed spears. A few carried short bows, skillfully shooting arrow after arrow.
The attack quickly proved effective; blood holes began to appear on the Great Night Owl's body. The soldiers swung their weapons with confidence, but the Great Night Owl refused to go down without a fight. It swept its horns and knocked several soldiers to the ground. Some fell lifelessly, while two fearless soldiers rolled in close with long knives. One managed to sever a long horn from the Great Night Owl. In a fit of rage, the Great Night Owl's sharp claws pierced through the chests of both soldiers, tearing them apart and leaving behind two bloody corpses.
After knocking down several soldiers, a gap appeared in the encirclement. Wei Deputy suddenly spotted Ji Zichen charging toward the Great Night Owl.
Wei Deputy did not recognize Ji Zichen and saw him moving in to help. Not knowing Kiko's background and unwilling to see him perish for his good intentions, Wei Deputy shouted, "Get back! You can't handle it alone!"
Having already advanced, Ji Zichen could not retreat. As he neared the soldiers, he saw the Great Night Owl swiping at one of them. Kiko quickly grabbed the soldier's shoulder and pulled him back just in time to avoid the owl's claw. Thanks to Kiko's quick reflexes, the soldier escaped being struck.
Ji Zichen pulled the soldier back out of range of the Great Night Owl's attacks. Wei Deputy noticed that this stranger had some impressive skills and finally regarded Kiko with respect.
The ground was muddy and soaked with blood as the Great Night Owl continued to retreat, desperately trying to escape this perilous place.
Ji Zichen would not give it that chance. Gripping his Demon-Slaying Sword tightly, he charged into the fray. The Great Night Owl turned and swiped at Kiko with a claw. Kiko sidestepped just in time and aimed his sword at its right leg. The heavy creature lifted its leg to dodge, but Kiko struck just as it moved.
Ji Zichen activated his Fire Buddha Bead; a dragon of fire surged toward the Great Night Owl, scorching its upper body. The owl screeched in pain as Kiko leaped into the air and swung his Demon-Slaying Sword downwards, severing its head.
Without its head, the massive body of the Great Night Owl swayed unsteadily before collapsing heavily onto the ground, shaking it violently.
As soon as the Great Night Owl fell, relief did not wash over the soldiers' faces. Wei Deputy did not thank Ji Zichen; instead, he immediately ordered, "Go assist our brothers on the side!"
Ji Zichen's heart sank! "Is it not over yet?"
Wei Deputy led his soldiers toward the side entrance of the forest where he saw soldiers alongside Lin Chuyu rushing forward and saying, "Young Hero, come quickly! There are still some Demon Beasts in the side forest!"
Ji Zichen followed the soldier into the side forest, where the situation was somewhat better. The soldiers here clearly had the upper hand, but many were still in peril.
More than ten Night Owl Beasts were engaged in a fierce battle with the soldiers. It was evident that someone had deliberately lured their leader away to deal with them separately. One soldier was pulled off his saddle by a Night Owl Beast, its jaws piercing through his neck like soft cake.
Yet another soldier thrust his weapon into the side of a Night Owl Beast, the hilt of his sword emerging from its shoulder blade.
"Heart!" Wei Deputy shouted as he rushed toward a soldier.
Wei Deputy's mount galloped forward, and he shot an arrow that flew swiftly past a soldier, piercing the eye of a Night Owl Beast.
The Demon Beast let out a mournful cry as it fell to the ground. The soldier saved by Wei Deputy, fearing that the Night Owl Beast was not yet dead, thrust his spear toward its heart. The sharp blade was coated in a viscous liquid—blood from the Demon Beast.
After killing the Demon Beast before him, the soldier gasped for breath and said, "Thank you, Commander Wei, for saving me."
Following their last battle, Prince Huixin had promoted Wei Deputy to commander.
Commander Wei scolded him, "Don't just focus on the Demon Beast in front of you! Pay attention to what's behind you; if you let your guard down, no one can save you!"
The soldier accepted Commander Wei's reprimand without any resentment on his face. Commander Wei continued, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and deal with these Demon Beasts! Do you want to spend the night here?"
"Yes!" The soldier charged into the fray with his spear raised.
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