CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 311: HUNTING THE DEMON BEAST

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Yan Xiaobao placed himself at the rear guard position. If any unwanted men or beasts were to suddenly appear, he was already prepared. In front of him were Xie Lan and Xu Biao, stationed on either side of the caravan. Beyond them were eight Yang Guards, divided into two groups of four. The mercenary guards were positioned on either side of the caravan in pairs. Deng Wu and Sha Yun formed one pair, with Wang Julong leading the front.

As soon as the group entered the tunnel, the guards remained highly alert, staring at the massive corridor. Yan Xiaobao pressed ahead, driving the caravan forward. In their eagerness to exit the tunnel quickly, the mercenary group ensured the caravan moved at its maximum speed.

Unfortunately, one individual did not share Hui Yue’s perspective. The door of his carriage swung open, and the young master stepped out from the security of the vehicle’s interior—curious about the perilous environment.

Watching the young master emerge like this, the elderly man sighed deeply, feeling a level of frustration he had never encountered in this world. Clearly, the young master had entirely forgotten about the assassination attempts that had marked the start of their journey.

"Please return to the carriage, young master," Yan Xiaobao sighed, swiftly walking over to Yang Bai’s side with silent precision. The sudden approach startled the young master; however, Yang Bai showed no signs of heeding the warning. Instead, he pouted and began wandering of his own volition, fully ignoring Yan Xiaobao’s words.

Ever since they entered the tunnel, the pervasive aura of murderous intent had gradually faded. Yan Xiaobao keenly understood this was due to Scarface’s strategy, lying in wait outside the tunnel while allowing the group to enter. Much like hunting rabbits, one lets them run freely and strikes only at their most unexpected moment.

Yan Xiaobao remained silent for a considerable duration before finally letting a smile cross his face. That smile sent a chill down Xu Biao’s spine, his eyes widening in alarm. This was no time for anyone to be smiling.

"Young master," Yan Xiaobao called out, "What do you make of this unknown path to the next cavern?" he asked. His voice, filled with a subtle excitement, caused a spark not only in the young master’s eyes but also among the guards. They had heard tales of those who hunted Demon Beasts within these tunnels. To try it themselves was tempting.

Yan Xiaobao had two clear reasons for venturing into the dark tunnel. Firstly, Sha Yun could decipher a way through the maze-like cavern system, and if navigating proved impossible, they could simply rely on brute force. Sha Yun had previously demonstrated this was a feasible solution, one that had even left them impressed.

Secondly, venturing into the black tunnel made it harder for the Hui Clan and their pursuers to locate them, significantly reducing the chances of their assassination.

Tracking them down wasn’t the only obstacle. Scarface would have to overcome countless beasts along the way. This meant stealth would no longer be an option. This dynamic pleased Yan Xiaobao immensely. After all, the beasts within the tunnel might be powerful, but they were still no match for the strength of both the guards and the mercenaries. None of the beasts inside the tunnel should pose a true threat to their group.

Hearing these thoughts, excitement rippled through the group—particularly among the guards and members sent by the Yang Family. Sha Yun and Wang Julong exchanged glances. Though they were far from close companions, both were struck by memories of the grueling days spent in the black tunnels as they awaited the Dragon Army.

Back then, they had lived within the perilous darkness for what felt like endless stretches of time, yearning desperately for sunlight. True, this experience had strengthened their cultivation practices, but the world they had ventured into was so harsh that if given a choice, neither of them would willingly return.

But alas, no choice remained. The young master Yang Bai, visibly astonished by the proposal, found his eyes brimming with excitement. He believed the black tunnel to be one of the most incredible prospects he’d ever encountered. As part of his studies, he would eventually have to train in similar tunnels, but entering this inner labyrinth now offered him an early advantage. It also presented an opportunity to boast when he reached his academy—especially if he managed to subdue a Demon Beast along the way.

Though Yang Bai fantasized about taming a Demon Beast, such thoughts were mere dreams. Real combat was far beyond his reach, but for a boy as young as he was, dreaming was everything.

With the young master consenting, the caravan randomly chose a path and began its slow advance. Yan Xiaobao and Wang Julong took out their light stones, which they had purchased in abundance from the city. Before delving deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels, they distributed the illuminating stones to each member of the group.

The first few hours of their journey passed swiftly as they traversed the tunnels, encountering no Demon Beasts to block their way. All they found were damp walls and faint traces of beasts.

Eventually, after traveling deeper into the black tunnels for an extended period, they stumbled upon a small cavern inhabited by a white, furry, monkey-like beast. Its blood-red eyes glowed, and its large, sharp claws gleamed menacingly.

The beast, seemingly delighted to confront the humans attempting to take its lair, charged without hesitation. Yan Xiaobao issued an order for the guards to handle it, leading to a fierce battle that lasted nearly an hour. Yan Xiaobao and his companions deliberately conserved their energy, knowing full well that, contrary to Yan Xiaobao’s calculations, Scarface might still be tracking them. If Scarface did catch up, they would need all their strength to defeat him.