"Cough, cough…"

A violent cough echoed through the wilderness.

"Boss, the smell's coming from just up ahead," the tracker said hoarsely after recovering, pointing toward a pile of rocks.

"Send a few men to check." Bloodbeard tugged at his graying beard, his tone hoarse but full of authority.

After days and nights of relentless pursuit, even his once-blood-red beard had turned pale.

He remembered the incident back in the canyon and added coldly, "Ye Zha, you lead the search."

"Yes." Ye Zha's face twitched, but he grit his teeth and obeyed.

No one dared to defy Bloodbeard's orders anymore. Those who had questioned him in the past were now corpses lying along the road.

Moments later—

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Screams tore through the sky.

Thump, thump…

Ye Zha stumbled back, clutching his bleeding arm, his expression pale with fear.

"Another trap?" Bloodbeard frowned, noticing the familiar white strands wrapped around Ye Zha's arm.

"No… this isn't rope—it's spider silk." Ye Zha ripped the sticky threads off, his face grim. "It's from a beast spider."

"In other words…" Bloodbeard's expression darkened, his killing intent flaring. "…we've been tracking a beast spider all along?"

The tracker stiffened under his glare, but quickly blurted out, "Boss, what if this beast spider was domesticated by the thief? That would explain everything—why he could climb cliffs so easily, how he stole without being caught. He must've relied on the spider."

Bloodbeard's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Then what about the thief himself?"

"There are two lighter scent trails branching off that way," the tracker said, pointing downhill.

"Toward… the Moon Lake Tribe?" Bloodbeard's eyes chilled as he spotted the distant settlement. "So the thief came from there?"

"Boss, maybe he went there to claim a reward," Cunning Fox reminded softly.

"Reward…" Bloodbeard's expression twisted with rage. He remembered the envoy from the Moon Lake Tribe who had once suggested he could become an elder if he offered up a Crystal Fish.

Bloodbeard had flown into a fury and killed the envoy on the spot.

"Boss, let's investigate first," the tracker suggested. "If no one has claimed the reward, we might still have a chance to snatch it back."

Cunning Fox nodded toward the spider silk. "Besides, if the thief really was offering the reward, why would he leave his domesticated beast spider out here? It's more likely he's still negotiating."

The tracker added, "If he really traded it, he'd keep the spider close by for protection. Leaving it here doesn't make sense."

Bloodbeard's eyes glinted. "Fine. Head to the Moon Lake Tribe. Find out where the thief is staying."

If the thief hadn't completed the trade, then the Crystal Fish must still be in his possession. And Bloodbeard intended to seize it himself—whether inside or outside the Moon Lake Tribe.

"Yes, Boss." The tracker and Cunning Fox volunteered to scout.

---

On the way, the two whispered quietly.

"Thinking of leaving now?" Cunning Fox asked in a low tone.

"No. I owe him one last favor." The tracker glanced behind at their comrades, then muttered, "If the Crystal Fish really ends up in the Moon Lake Tribe's hands, how would we explain ourselves when we return?"

Cunning Fox waved his hand carelessly. "I've been lurking for five years. Even if I walk away now, no one can blame me."

The tracker gave a bitter laugh. "Who would've thought… after years of fighting each other for the Crystal Fish, it'd be stolen by someone else."

Cunning Fox stretched lazily. "Bloodbeard never trusted us. These years were wasted."

"Are you really planning to leave? Not going to try again?" The tracker frowned, testing him.

"Try what? Robbing the Moon Lake Tribe?" Cunning Fox sneered. "That's suicide."

"You… you're not from the Moon Lake Tribe, are you?" the tracker asked suddenly, staring at him.

"Guess." Cunning Fox smirked slyly.

"No, you're not." The tracker's tone grew calm again. "If you were, you wouldn't have warned Bloodbeard earlier. You'd have just slipped away and reported to your tribe. You've had countless chances to run—why stay?"

Cunning Fox's eyes flickered. "Don't underestimate Bloodbeard. He's not as hot-tempered as he looks."

"You're still not reconciled. You want the Crystal Fish." The tracker sneered knowingly.

"…." Cunning Fox narrowed his eyes. He had underestimated this man. Escaping Bloodbeard's wrath repeatedly was proof enough that the tracker wasn't ordinary.

"Cooperate with me," the tracker said, stepping closer.

"How?" Cunning Fox's gaze shifted toward the Moon Lake Tribe's gate.

"The more chaos, the better. Let Bloodbeard charge in first. Only in the confusion will we have a chance to seize the Crystal Fish."

"…You mean leaking news of the fish?" Cunning Fox asked in surprise.

"No, that's too foolish." The tracker shook his head. "But if word of Bloodbeard's arrival reaches the thief, what do you think he'll do?"

"Either sneak out with the Crystal Fish… or hand it to the Moon Lake Tribe," Cunning Fox realized.

"Exactly." The tracker smiled coldly. "And between the two, which is more likely?"

"He'll give it to the Moon Lake Tribe." Cunning Fox clenched his fists, his jealousy growing. "…You really are the sly one here."

"Then we let Bloodbeard cause havoc. In the chaos, we'll take the Crystal Fish." The tracker's eyes gleamed.

Only in the clash between Bloodbeard and the Moon Lake Tribe could they hope to profit.

The two finally reached the gates, paid the entrance fee, and slipped inside.

"Do you think the Moon Lake Tribe can stop Bloodbeard?" Cunning Fox asked, unease flickering in his eyes.

"He can't win. The Moon Lord's strength is formidable," the tracker said flatly.

"…Maybe." Cunning Fox's voice was vague.

"Then whoever snatches the fish in the end… depends on skill." The tracker stopped in front of an inn, staring up at it.

The scent of the two thieves they were tracking lingered inside.

"Why not just take it now?" Cunning Fox asked, raising an eyebrow.

The tracker sneered. "Do you think you can snatch it and escape Bloodbeard's pursuit? Or kill the thief silently without the Moon Lake Tribe noticing?"

Cunning Fox fell silent. Without Bloodbeard as a distraction, he wouldn't dare.

"Report to the boss," the tracker ordered a subordinate. "Tell him we've located the thief. He should sneak in at midnight."

"Yes."

"And…" The tracker's voice lowered. "Spread word to lure the Moon Lord toward Bloodbeard."

"I'll handle it." Cunning Fox smiled faintly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.