4 Forest Dweller

-Black Fist Clan, Main Clan Hall-

A troubled morning is on the way not just because of the disappearance of the youngster but with also another reason.

A strong presence coming from General Nou, the leader of Black Fog sub-clan and one of the Black State's Greatest General enveloped the meeting hall, the aura of level 9 Grand Master.

"We cannot let that bastard leave the city! We need to get him back before he could do any trouble. Now that we are currently fighting with the rebels!" The rebels or should they say the surviving members of the past Main Clans of four states excluding the only survivor of the Black Petal Clan from Black State is their biggest problem now.

"What can a level one disciple do exactly? Please enlighten me, General Nou?" Without a doubt, General Nou can't even question the strength of Head Leader Tanti, who's a level 3 King. Nou thinks that the young weakling should have an impact on the rebels but it seems like Head Leader doesn't think the same or he may have a different agenda for this.

"Now, instead of questioning my decision, should we talk about more important matters? Let's start with the Rebels, do we have any news?" The meeting hall calmed down a little bit. They are aware not to show any hostility to their Head Leader.

"It's been a year since we stopped sending reinforcements to Emerald Flute Clan. They are not happy at all considering they are the ones who are fighting with the rebels consisting of all the combined remaining troops of all four past Main Clans. I highly advise we send people this moon or they might cause trouble to the Black State." Head Leader Tanti knows that the rebellion won't end even if they send thousands of their manpower.

They've sent thousands already but only a few returned. If the rebels are easy to subdue, then their first war should have ended it but it's been 10 years now and the rebellion is even growing and getting stronger. Even the Head Leader knows how terrifying the rebel's strategist is and sending more would only lessen not only their manpower but their clan's morale. They said even a hundred in her command can wipe out a thousand unit. They call this strategist, Great Strategist Manda, from the White Tail Clan, the past Head Clan of White State.

"Years ago, those chosen people to join the reinforcement are the ones who are known to be the most capable and strongest of our warriors and are bound to receive the greatest and highest achievements but have you heard the rumors lately? They said that those chosen people now are the cursed ones. Another army that will return with only a few survivors after a month or two." The Head Leader is not wrong. For 10 years, they've lost too much already that's why fewer and fewer people are joining this so-called cursed unit.

"But Head Leader, we also got the news that a new Supreme Commander has been chosen to lead the Great Army. This war should be different. We also received an Order from the Supreme Commander that those who can't send army are bound to punishment and we can't let the other States to do harm to our people." General Rarna, level 8 Grand Master and Leader of Black Sting Sub-Clan, expressed his worries.

It's true that at some point, the other States should do something after not getting support from the Black State. They should be united in the first place but the Head Leader is still currently thinking of another choice. Compared to the other States, Black State is said to have the fewest and weakest army. Sending more would only wound their overall power. If they get targeted by the rebellion, then the Black State wouldn't stand a chance. Fortunately, defensive tactics of the rebellion are good but offensive, on the other hand, is lacking but it's only a matter of time before the rebellion gets a good force to advance and take a sub-clan or even a main-clan.

"I'm sorry but it looks like I will be dragging you once again with my decision. We won't send reinforcements anymore. we've already lost too much and that is my final decision. If you don't have any other reports, other than that idiot leaving the city, then you can go now." Head Leader Tanti's words are absolute. Even if they are not satisfied with his decision, they are bound to his orders. Everyone left the room and now that he delivered his orders, someone should really be upset about his decision.

'Brother... what would you do at a time like this... You shouldn't have died...'

-Days have passed-

Somewhere south of Black Fist City, there is a forest known to be a den of monsters. It's pretty thick and hard to explore that's why it's only a place explored by Experts. And somehow, an idiot traveled through that forest...

'What on Earth is this place? I feel like throwing up at any moment... I didn't expect the forest could be this bad...' Thankfully the weakling isn't really an idiot when it comes to tending to his wounds. He knows how to use medicinal herbs which is common around the area. Without strength, he mostly read books after his cultivation and training. Though, because of the intense miasma from the dead monsters, he's feeling uneasy and causing his weak body to feel so much burden. If this goes on, it could hurt his Qi core.

'The more I go deeper, the worse I feel. Should I get back?' It's an obvious choice but this weakling wants to try his limit. Even so, what happens if a strong monster suddenly enters the scene?

He walked more and deeper but the weakling finally asked himself, 'Why are there no monsters around?'. He already heard the rumors about the forest and it should be crawling with monsters but he hasn't seen even a single one.

"Should you be really going farther?" The youngster heard a girl's voice out of nowhere and instinctively grabbed his crappy sword raising it up to defend himself from the unknown danger.

"Who are you?! Show yourself!" The miasma sure is making him tense and agitated. Though, it's his own fault for coming this far.

"If I want you dead, you would be dead by now. I am here just to warn you, get back before it's too late." There are stories that Black Fist Clan sends experts or even higher ranks to hunt monster soul stones used for cultivation and to consume them to improve ones capabilities called soul transformations but only those who reached Master can control one.

*Growl* It looks like Ai finally reached his limit.

"Alright? So, can you please help me instead? I haven't really eaten a real meal since 3 days ago." Good plan asking a stranger for food.

'He seems tired and almost out of breath. If this goes on, he could die due to Qi poisoning because of the miasma from the dead bodies of monsters. Even if I let him leave now, he would only die before he could get out this forest. It's weird that he even reached the forest with Qi and weapon like that from the wolves outside the city of Black Fist. He must be really lucky coming this far.' The girl must be at least a Master rank to be able to sense the Qi of someone. She also must be the reason that there are no monsters nearby.

*Swoosh!* The girl finally appeared in front of the weakling and made him stumble to the ground.

'He's not only weak but he's also pathetic to be this scared. I feel bad for his family.'

"It's not that I got scared or something but I swear I was just hungry that I tripped..." Out of embarrassment in front of a girl who just appeared out of nowhere, yes, he was just hungry... He tried to get up again trying to clean his pants from the dirt.

"Ugh..." Before he could do anything else, he was knocked out by a solid blow to his stomach.

'I will help a needy weakling like you but I won't let our hideout be easily located. This idiot might be another spy after all.'