Chapter 081: "I Speak!"

Tang Mubai’s knowledge of dinosaurs was not extensive; he had memorized only a few of the main species. The velociraptor was among them. This swift, vicious, and social dinosaur was abundant in number. Ordinary velociraptors possessed average intelligence, but among their ranks were nobility—the Velociraptor King—whose cunning was exceptional and whose cruelty was even greater.

Once targeted by such a creature, escape was nearly impossible—it would pursue relentlessly until either it or its quarry was dead. Like now: even if Tang Mubai returned the dinosaur egg, the Velociraptor King would most likely continue to hunt the convoy, unwilling to let its rage subside until every last person was slaughtered. Even if they fled into the domain walls, the King would remember each of their scents, and when they ventured outside again, it would resume its bloody pursuit.

To resolve the threat and ensure no future peril, the Velociraptor King had to be eliminated.

A sudden vibration stirred the air. When the Velociraptor King was just five meters from Tang Mubai, he unleashed a master-level aura he had kept in reserve. His supernatural power expanded, enveloping a hundred meters in all directions. Under the invisible yet overwhelming pressure, every velociraptor—whether the ordinary ones encircling him or the avenging King descending from the mountain—froze in place.

The Velociraptor King, with its commander-level strength, glared in terror, its rage replaced by fear. It tried to run, but it was already too late.

A dazzling blade flashed through the air. Tang Mubai swung his C-grade alloy saber, leaping forward, brushing past the Velociraptor King.

A tearing sound echoed as the snowy blade’s brilliance engulfed the King’s neck.

Blood sprayed skyward. The King’s monstrous head slid from its neck, tumbling to the ground and rolling several times. The wound was neat and smooth.

A heavy thud reverberated across the hillside. The headless body collapsed, lying in a pool of blood, silent and still.

[Life Force +289]

A recovery prompt flickered through his mind.

Tang Mubai turned back, channeling his vital energy into both hands, and struck the dinosaur egg with force.

A crisp explosion rang out as the egg shattered into fragments. Inside, a fully formed Velociraptor King hatchling spilled out with the yolk, flooding the slope.

[Life Force +250]

Another recovery prompt flashed. Tang Mubai stayed motionless, his posture still poised for chopping, surrounded by utter silence.

The other velociraptors seemed stunned. The King had been decapitated in one stroke, and the egg they had pursued was destroyed. The sudden blow left all the raptors frozen in disbelief.

Tang Mubai did not move, but his sixth sense was heightened to its utmost. He sensed, as expected, a distant gaze from the northwest, watching him intently.

Surveillance...

The mastermind who had secretly placed the dinosaur egg in the truck was observing him.

Previously, Tang Mubai had only suspected this, unable to confirm. Now, he was certain.

He did not turn or look toward the hidden observer’s location. Instead, he withdrew his aura, allowing the shocked velociraptors to regain their vitality.

Then—

Roars erupted as hundreds of velociraptors, already arrayed in a predatory formation, surged toward Tang Mubai.

Tang Mubai darted among them, bow slung on his back, saber in hand, sweeping into the horde and unleashing a storm of blood and carnage. Gradually, he retreated into the dense forest, vanishing from the mastermind’s surveillance.

Once out of sight, Tang Mubai no longer concerned himself with the shrieking raptors. With a tap of his toe, he leapt into a tall tree, bounding from branch to branch, soaring through the air. As he went, he tossed “poison pellets” behind him, which exploded like bombs, saturating the pursuing raptors with toxic gas.

The poisonous mist curled upward, and the velociraptors’ cries grew more shrill and piercing. In less than half a minute, the hundreds chasing Tang Mubai collapsed one after another.

From the branches, Tang Mubai absorbed another wave of life force, ceasing only when no raptors remained in pursuit.

He did not slow, but instead accelerated, veering slightly and heading straight for the northwest, where he had sensed the watcher.

Yes, Tang Mubai intended to root out the mastermind.

He had been framed without cause, nearly annihilated. This grudge demanded vengeance.

Even if he was outmatched, he had to discover who was behind it.

The wind rushed past. Combining “Flying on Grass” with “Wind-chasing Legs,” Tang Mubai unleashed his greatest speed.

Three minutes later, Tang Mubai found the watcher—a robust man standing atop the tree canopy, binoculars in hand.

Tang Mubai approached from the man's right, ascending to the treetop and revealing himself.

The robust man, oblivious to Tang Mubai’s presence and absorbed in his surveillance, suddenly turned and stared. His pupils contracted in horror, his face twisted with fear. “You…”

A sudden shockwave swept down from above, paralyzing the man with invisible pressure, leaving him terrified and immobile.

Tang Mubai landed atop the canopy, facing the man calmly. “Where is your companion?”

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the man replied through clenched teeth.

A forearm flew through the air.

Blood splattered as Tang Mubai severed the man’s right arm. The man’s face turned pale, his jaw clenched, and not a single scream escaped his lips.

“Where is your companion?” Tang Mubai asked again, his alloy saber dripping blood.

Silence. The man’s face was ashen, sweat pouring down, his body trembling, but he bit down hard and refused to speak.

Tang Mubai, without further words, cut off the man’s other arm.

“Where is your companion?”

The man gasped for breath, barely maintaining his balance atop the canopy.

“Still not talking?” Tang Mubai’s voice was icy. “Very well, you have two legs left. Once I cut them off, I’ll throw you into a nest of fire-snake ants. Let’s see how long you can endure—”

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” The man, who had held out until now, broke at the mention of the fire-snake ants, laughing wretchedly as he shouted, “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you where my companion is, but you have to make it quick for me!”

“Agreed,” Tang Mubai replied impassively.

“Good… good,” the man panted, speaking slowly. “I’m from the Red Star Mercenary Corps, I—”

“Red Star Mercenary Corps?” Tang Mubai interrupted abruptly. “Under the Red Lake Group?”

“…Yes!”

…

(P.S.: A new week begins. Dear readers, please send your recommendations!)