In the mountain forest shrouded by the night.

The mountain wind, carrying a chill, swept through, rustling the layers of treetops in the forest.

Among the swaying treetops, a 'swoosh' sound echoed.

Beneath the treetops, on a rugged mountain path.

Silhouettes on horseback were trudging arduously along it.

The mountain wind blew against their torches, producing a strange 'huff huff' sound from the flames.

The flickering flames seemed eager to plunge into the mountain forest and burn it all down.

Under the glow of the flames, a series of haggard faces emerged.

Sunken eyes, cracked lips, and a pair of listless eyes filled with fatigue and exhaustion.

A gaunt man could no longer endure the fatigue and drowsiness, and his eyes slowly closed.

The body on horseback instantly lost its support and plummeted to the ground, hitting it hard.

Although he hit the ground face first, he didn't let out a cry of pain, nor did he attempt to move his body.

Some passing companions merely glanced at him indifferently and then looked away.

Urging their horses to pass by the gaunt man without a moment's pause.

At the front of the group.

Hall, who had just taken a sip of spring water, glanced back and shouted loudly.

"If you don't want to die, pull yourself together! As long as we escape the pursuit of the Mercenary Corps, we will survive!"

"If we survive, we can loot villages, we will have plenty of food and meat, and even the women you all so desire!"

"Okay."

"Yes..."

Despite Hall's best efforts to rally the members of the Iron Blood Brotherhood, only seven or eight people responded!

Hall understood, they were simply too exhausted.

Not only them, even Anthony, walking at the forefront, visibly appeared worn out.

Hall couldn't help but curse, "Damn Aiden!"

"Had I known, I should have taken him out in the mansion!"

For the survival, they had no choice but to plunder the nearest village to Morgan Town.

But that damned Aiden spent a fortune to hire the Mercenary Corps again to hunt them down!

The number of mercenaries was over two hundred!

And they were all cavalry!

After several village raids, the Iron Blood Brotherhood members barely regained some strength.

Their numbers were restored to nearly a hundred.

But in this encirclement, the Iron Blood Brotherhood suffered heavy losses, with less than thirty members left!

To evade the pursuit of the Mercenary Corps, they had to retreat deeper into the mountains.

Food shortages, lack of rest, and disheartened spirits...

If this continued, the Iron Blood Brotherhood would completely disband!

Yet, at this point of desperation, even he, as their strategist, could do nothing to turn things around.

Seeing the dry man's torch about to ignite his clothes, Hall spoke to a man.

"Are you blind? This is a forest, extinguish the fire quickly!"

"Otherwise, we won't be killed; we'll be burned to death instead!"

Following Hall's order, a mustached man dismounted quickly.

He swiftly took the torch from the gaunt man, noticing he did not respond, the mustached man turned to look.

Realizing the sharp stones on the ground had already pierced the gaunt man's eye sockets.

The mustached man showed no sign of fear and said to Hall, "Sir, he's dead!"

Hall glanced at the gaunt man on the ground with some surprise, but his words remained calm, "Place him on the horse and bring him along."

"The Iron Blood Brotherhood will not leave any brother behind."

The mustached man was about to refuse but was interrupted by a growling stomach.

Instantly, he thought of something, "Yes, Sir!"

Hall responded with a grunt, urging his horse to speed up to catch up with Anthony ahead.

As Hall's horse passed, the Iron Blood Brotherhood members pulled on their reins, moving to the edge of the mountain path to give way.

A few minutes later.

A sturdy figure clad in armor came into Hall's view.

As he got closer, Hall's heart became increasingly tense.

Even from just a view from behind, Hall could feel the powerful aura radiating from Anthony.

Taking a deep breath, Hall nudged his horse again, coming to Anthony's right side.

Seeing Anthony's disordered hair like grass on either side, Hall tentatively spoke, "Lord Anthony, I think we've shaken off the mercenaries..."

"Do you think we should find a place to rest a bit?"

Anthony's eyes moved, he glanced at Hall, and replied coldly, "Alright."

With Anthony's permission, Hall relaxed slightly, quickly scanning the surroundings.

Shortly after.

Hall's gaze fell on a clearing ahead in the forest.

"Everyone, rest on the clearing ahead!"

"Light the bonfires, cook food, we'll camp here overnight!"

The members behind heard this, and a trace of joy appeared on their haggard faces.

They hadn't rested well for three consecutive days.

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Chief!"

"..."

With the members' responses, they quickly dismounted.

They moved forward to the clearing, starting to set up a temporary camp.

Gathering wood, setting up bonfires, lighting the fire, cooking the scarce food...

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