Chapter 53

Walking to the temporary base camp the goblins shamans had created, Zuyuan wandered his gaze at the wounded goblins and hobgoblins alike. They were laying on the ground with beds of leaves for comfort while the shamans chanted their magical powers to heal the wounded soldiers. 

Proceeding to the big hut made of haystacks, Zuyuan could see that all the missionaries had gathered around this place and tended to their business. Some had applied medicine or salve on their body, while others sharpened their weapons for the next battle to come. 

On one of the corners inside the big hut with space as big as a gymnasium, Zuyuan spotted a familiar figure amongst the crowd and walked to him. Bandaged everywhere like a mummy, a man with a muscle hardened body was laying down on a mattress with his eyes being one of the few things of his body that could still move. 

Grinning at Zuyuan, the man spoke with a voice that was becoming more and more familiar to Zuyuan within the past hour while his words were filled with pride, "What happened to that lizard boy? Did you slice him up into a lizard sashimi? Bahahah!"

Shaking his head while showing a hopeless expression, Zuyuan asked back with a smile on his face, "How's your body? Tom." 

"Never felt better! This is a mere flesh wound! Heh." Answered Tom while he tried to wave his hand but flinched in pain. 

"I heard when they found you, your right arm was mangled and so were both of your legs. You are bloodied all over, pal. Are you sure?" Asked Zuyuan while he observed Tom's limbs that he had just mentioned. 

"Bah! The body is just a means to an end! All men need is his courage and his will! I'll slice up my enemies even if I have to use my jaw!" Snorted Tom then he chuckled softly. Replying with his voice full of confidence. 

"Even your mental fortitude is a tough nut to crack, huh?" Teased Zuyuan while he saw Tom was good enough to say stuff like that. 

"Absolutely! Don't even count on my drinking tolerance. Hehe, I was even bringing some girls back thanks to that." laughed Tom loudly. 

"Anytime soon for you to join our next battle?" Asked Zuyuan curiously. Ignoring Tom's last words.

"Give me a day or two and those shamans should fix me up as good as new." Smirked Tom as he replied. 

Chatting some pleasantries with Tom for a while, Zuyuan finally bade farewell to the man and let him have his rest. Then, Zuyuan walked to the direction where Ling Zhue's group took a spot for themselves. 

On his way, Camilla saw Zuyuan's figure with the usual XB11 who followed behind him. Waving her hand onto both of them, the rest of the group soon noticed Zuyuan as well because of Camilla's sudden action. 

Gesturing Zuyuan to take a seat with them, Ling Zhue smiled and asked with a slimy concern, "Are you alright, uncle?" 

"Definitely better than that muscle head over there." Replied Zuyuan with his thumb pointed behind him, to the direction where Tom was sleeping. 

"He's the best tank one could get from all of these people." Nodded Ling Zhue while he commented on Zuyuan's words. Shortly, Ling Zhue frowned his eyebrows and spoke with serious expression, "The war was decided into a halt because I had succeeded in assassinating the enemy's shamans. But I'm afraid a missionary of the opposing faction had also infiltrated into the goblin's ranks and decided to kill the shamans and goblin riders on our side." 

"How much did we lose?" Asked Zuyuan's back. Slightly intrigued with how the development went. 

"Not as bad as the orcs, but I heard the missionary used some kind of poisons to spread a plague to the goblins' direwolves. They were dying slowly." Answered Ling Zhue while he leaned his back on his chair. 

"I guess we could eat wolf's meat tonight. Worry not, my power could take out all the poison residing in their blood. After all, I'm a highly esteemed vampire lord." Chimed Marvelick on the side while he munched on a salted fish, "I hate fish. I'd rather eat fresh, wolf meat than eat this." 

Glaring briefly at Marvelick, Ling Zhue let out a fake cough and continued to speak, "Anyhow, it seems like the chief sent out one of the hobgoblins to inform me to choose one more missionary to infiltrate the rank of the enemies. Means I have to get a missionary that is fast as I am at the very least." 

Tilting his head to the side, Zuyuan asked in curiosity towards Ling Zhue, "Why do you look just fine after going inside their territories? Were the orcs that easy of a challenge?"

Shaking his head, Ling Zhue spoke with a hint of pride, "Apparently, the shamans had to prioritize my health, so when I was so battered when I got back, they quickly fixed me in no time." 

"Is that so?" Smiling wryly, Zeyuan was about to say something but then stopped midway. Slowly closed his lips, a confused expression could be seen from his face out of nowhere while Zuyuan furrowed his eyebrows. 

"What's the matter, uncle?" Asked Ling Zhue after he had realized Zuyuan's odd behavior. 

"it's nothing," Answered Zuyuan while he raised his body from his seat and smiled towards Ling Zhue's group, "I just remembered that I had a business to take care of. I will take my leave." 

After saying his piece, Zuyuan turned his body and walked towards the hut's entrance with XB11 behind him. 

'I thought that it would never activate and had buried it in the back of my mind. Who knows, it suddenly reacted to something right now..' Thought Zuyuan while he read the notification that came out of his mind out of nowhere. 

[Guide of Nurth has awakened.] 

[Guide of Nurth will let the user see the pathway which leads towards the destination.]

Soon, bluish light in the shape of dots appeared in the air. The countless dots as small as dust had gathered around and made a path in the air that continued on to the deep inside of the forest that was near the meadow. Right in the direction of southeast from the goblins temporary camp. 

'Things are getting interesting.' Smiled Zuyuan while he followed the pathway that only he could see to the forest.