Chapter 9: Temporary Alliance

Chapter 9: A Temporary Alliance

“Well, sorry about that,” Ye Tian said, scratching his head.

“No need to apologize. When traveling, it’s only right to help each other,” Grey replied. “Let’s head back to camp and rest!”

“Yes, sir,” the group responded in unison, then began making their way slowly toward the camp.

“You, come here,” Jin said.

“What is it?” Ye Tian asked, puzzled.

“You’re disrupting our formation.”

Only then did Ye Tian notice the arrangement: Gell, carrying a shield, was at the front, followed by the berserker Arnie, with the captain in the center and the mage Jin at the rear.

“You’re all very well-trained,” Ye Tian remarked with admiration.

“That’s experience hard-won from the claws of magical beasts,” Jin replied coolly.

The party returned to the camp, where two others were waiting for them.

“How did it go, Captain?” a tall man stepped forward to ask.

“Not great. No signs yet,” Grey replied with a shrug. “How about you? Any trouble?”

“Nothing serious. A few magical beasts wandered over, but I drove them off,” the man said, then turned and noticed Ye Tian behind them. “Bl-black... black hair!” The man recoiled in surprise, quickly drawing the sword at his waist.

Behind him, a golden orb was already hurtling toward Ye Tian. Startled, Ye Tian dodged nimbly, the orb barely grazing his nose before smashing into a small tree and felling it.

“Lisa, are you crazy?” Grey hurried forward to shield Liu Kai.

“Black eyes—he’s a demon!” the trembling girl with a staff cried out.

Only then did everyone realize Ye Tian not only had black hair, but his eyes were black as well.

“Well, what’s so strange about that?” Liu Kai asked, taking a step back.

“Are you human?” Grey’s hand had already gone to his back, where his trusty weapon rested.

“Of course I’m human!” Ye Tian protested indignantly. If he hadn’t traveled through the Western Regions and seen all sorts of people before, even he might have been startled by this group’s reaction.

Grey studied Ye Tian, then slowly relaxed his grip.

“Which country are you from? As far as I know, there’s no human on the continent with black hair and black eyes,” Grey said.

“Hua Xia,” Ye Tian replied.

“Hua Xia?” The group exchanged confused looks.

“Well, if he says he’s human, I suppose there’s no problem,” Gell said, stepping forward to pat Ye Tian’s shoulder. “He’s got a human body—no need to be afraid, everyone.”

“But…” Lisa hesitated.

“Lisa, this isn’t the Church. We don’t have so many rules,” Grey sighed.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you,” Lisa said, but she kept her distance from Ye Tian.

“Oh, come on!” Ye Tian muttered helplessly. Why did he have to face such suspicion right from the start?

“Ye Tian, was it? This is our strongest knight, Radon, and that beautiful lady is Priestess Shana. Please accept my apologies for earlier,” Grey said.

“No problem, no problem,” Ye Tian waved his hand dismissively. “Honestly, I was startled by you all, too, but I’ve got a thick skin—it’s fine.”

“Haha! Interesting. Brother, when we get back I’ll buy you a drink!” Gell laughed heartily, clapping Liu Kai on the back.

“That’d be great. My gourd’s nearly empty; I was hoping to top it up,” Ye Tian said, licking his lips.

“Dinner’s ready—would you like some?” Grey asked.

“Yes, please! I’m starving,” Ye Tian replied, rubbing his stomach, which was indeed a little empty.

Looking at the food before him, which resembled pig slop, then observing the others eating with gusto, Ye Tian felt a wave of dismay. Back home, presentation was everything in cooking—who could have an appetite with such an unappealing dish? If the old man saw this mess, he’d have overturned the whole pot.

“Eat up. Why aren’t you eating?” Grey asked, puzzled.

“Oh, right. Right away,” Ye Tian replied, scooping up a spoonful to try. It was passable—at least edible. He quickly finished and put his bowl down.

“There’s more,” Grey pointed to a steaming pot on the rack.

“No, thanks. I’ll rest now,” Ye Tian said, then scampered up a large tree nearby, climbing nimbly into the branches.

“What a strange fellow,” Arnie remarked.

“Perhaps that’s his way of surviving. Don’t underestimate such actions—sometimes they can save your life,” Jin said calmly.

“But sleeping in a tree—can that be comfortable?” Radon wondered aloud, glancing at Ye Tian, already asleep on a thick branch.

“I wouldn’t know. You could try it yourself,” Jin replied.

“I think I’ll pass,” Radon said, pulling his cloak tighter against the chill of the magical beast forest at night.

“I couldn’t sense any battle aura from him,” Radon observed. As a senior knight, he was well-versed in the use of battle aura and had instinctively scanned Ye Tian, only to be surprised by the result.

“Nor did I sense the slightest trace of magical power,” Jin added, shocking everyone.

“So he’s neither a warrior nor a mage. Then what is he?” Gell wondered aloud, eyeing the sleeping Ye Tian.

“I don’t know. But one thing is certain—he’s no ordinary man. To survive here even for a day, he must have his own strengths,” Grey said quietly. “Alright, as usual, stay alert tonight. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Yes, sir.” The group felt a warmth in their hearts. As captain, Grey truly cared for his comrades. That was why, even though the Thunderbolt Mercenary Company had suffered heavy losses, its pillars still chose to stay—this bond was not easily set aside.

Everyone returned to their tents to rest. Because there were women in the group, they split into two groups: Arnie and Lisa in one tent, while the remaining men squeezed into another.

“What are you thinking about?” Jin asked softly, seeing Grey’s gaze lost in the distance.

“Jin, if you were left here alone, could you survive?” Grey asked.

“No,” Jin replied simply.

“Me neither,” Grey sighed. “You’re a grand magus, and even you couldn’t survive here alone. Just how capable must he be?”

“I don’t know, but he’s not as simple as he seems,” Radon, who was half dozing, chimed in.

“Then what is he doing here alone?” Grey mused.

“Enough, don’t overthink it. I believe he’s telling the truth. Still, black eyes, black hair…” Radon said with a wry smile.

“Indeed. He probably doesn’t realize what a stir he’s caused,” Grey said, also smiling wryly as he gazed into the distance.

“I trust him,” Jin said suddenly.

“Why?” Grey asked.

“Instinct. No other reason,” Jin replied.

Grey sighed silently. Could he really trust someone based on nothing more than a hunch? It was enough to give him a headache.

“Grey, try to trust him. I have a feeling he’ll be good for us,” Jin said.

“Alright, if you all feel that way, I’ll give it a try,” Grey replied, a cautious look on his face. “I’m going out for some air. You two get some rest.”

With that, Grey stepped out, leaving the other two smiling behind him.