My Misfortune Crushed Instances-Chapter 299: Courage

While various factions were still gathering their manpower and exploring the map, Li Rui was already sitting in the basket on the back of the Giant Force Warrior, arriving at Cuihong Mountain.

The mountains here are extremely steep in the center and difficult to cross, but as long as one progresses along the gentle mountain foot route, they will eventually reach East Wangze State.

Li Rui already had an idea in mind.

Earlier, there were spies from the Demon Race who discovered a large number of outsider camps in the northern part of the Divine Wood Forest. The island was vast, so if there were many people in southern Zhangye State, there must be few people in other places.

At this moment, neither the Polar Alliance nor the Western Kingdom knew what was happening in the Divine Wood Forest. They were only trying to establish their foothold first like playing a game of Go, setting up defenses and outlining their territories before slowly exploring.

Therefore, Li Rui believed that as long as he broke out of this encirclement, he would not be trapped and killed in a corner by the enemy’s major forces. Even if it devolved into a thousand-mile pursuit, there would be room to maneuver.

The Giant Force Warrior’s pace was very fast. At full speed, it took only half a day to cross half of Cuihong Mountain. The Monkey Race was not good at traveling at night and needed rest, so they decided to reach the tribe introduced by Yuan Ju before dark to take a break.

Of course, according to the Giant Force Warrior, it didn’t matter, he felt that spending the night in the forest was no big deal.

But Li Rui couldn’t do that; he wanted to sleep in a bed.

More importantly, in the Secret Realm battlefield, any local native settlement was likely to offer rewards, and he didn’t want to miss out.

This tribe was marked on the map after Yuan Ju revealed it, claiming they had offended the Yangli Race and migrated out of the Divine Wood Forest to avoid disaster, and have occasionally interacted with the Ape Race over the years.

Yuan Erliang was hopping around in the basket, "Faster, faster."

The Giant Force Warrior chuckled and galloped across the land, over ridge after ridge, finally reaching a high point.

"Sir, it seems we have some signs of people ahead. Shall we descend?"

Li Rui was lying in the basket without even raising his head, "Go ahead."

.....

In the middle of Cuihong Mountain, there lived a group of Wenque Demons in Qingfeng Cave. They originated from a type of bird, but during their cultivation to become demon cultivators, they gave up the ability to fly in pursuit of greater strength.

This clan has been adept at wielding the pen since their ancestors, with a lofty disposition.

"Back then, your great-grandfather, dissatisfied with the tyranny of the Yangli Race in the Divine Wood Forest and their oppression of other clans, penned an ode to criticize them. Subsequently, he was imprisoned and executed, but even facing death, the old man did not forsake his ideals and shouted aloud...."

"Fairness, fairness, damn fairness!"

A young member of the Demon Race impatiently interjected, "Dad, you’ve told this story a hundred times."

The old and young Wenque Demons both wore long robes, with slender builds, slightly pale facial hair, and elongated feet. Each carried a thin sword at their waist.

Between them, a bamboo table was set up with complete tea sets, and they sat facing each other, maintaining diligence even at home.

The middle-aged Demon was named Wenfu, the current cave master of Qingfeng Cave, and the leader of nearly a hundred demons here. He not only inherited his ancestors’ literary talent but also possessed considerable cultivation, wielding a swift sword with extraordinary skill, which was their foundation for holding their ground here.

The younger one was his son Wen Ling, who could be accused of being illiterate, but would be only slightly overstated.

He was quite active from a young age, never resting, yet had a talent for cultivation that promised to surpass his father in due time.

"Ling’er, the reason why I keep repeating the words and deeds of our ancestors is to remind you of their spirit, that even in prison, you must adhere to righteousness and not lose your bravery over life and death." Wenfu was patient, unfazed by the interruption, and advised kindly.

Wen Ling didn’t continue to argue, simply nodding continually, softly acknowledging.

Wenfu was pleased and was about to ramble a bit more when he suddenly heard someone shouting outside.

"Second Grandpa, Second Grandpa, there’s an outsider visiting."

The speaker was another Wenque Demon. The place was largely connected by kinship, a family-style cave dwelling with varying ages and seniorities.

"Who are they?"

Wenfu inquired, as Qingfeng Cave rarely had visitors.

"Second Grandpa, I don’t recognize them, they are a species I’ve never seen before, standing on two feet, somewhat like hairless members of the Ape Race."

"Oh?"

Wenfu smiled, "Years ago, the Giant Ape and Powerful Ape clans of the Divine Wood Forest were kind to our race; perhaps these are their descendants. Ling’er, join me in welcoming them."

The three demons walked out together, quickly exiting the cave dwelling embedded in the mountain. Upon emerging, outside was a vegetable garden with wooden troughs leading water from the mountain streams to cover.

These demons lived in seclusion here, yet they seemed content.

Turning along the path by the field to the outside, they arrived at the discreetly built entrance camouflaged by bamboo trees.

Inside the entrance stood two Wenque Swordsmen on guard, and outside the door, indeed seven or eight creatures resembling the little demon’s description were waiting.

Wenfu angrily remarked, "How can we let guests wait outside the door."

The gatekeeper swordsman replied, "These people do not understand our language, nor do they make clear their intent, so we did not let them in."

Wenfu felt a bit surprised.

"Could they be from a distant land coming here?"

He stepped forward to greet and probe, realizing that the other side truly didn’t understand the language and quickly comprehended the reason the gatekeeper swordsman did not let them in.

These fellows were too rude, even when attempting to communicate, they did not stand still to focus, merely uttering a few words while ignoring him and talking amongst themselves. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

However, if he could understand what they were saying, the situation might have escalated to a confrontation with swords.

"How about this, these stupid creatures don’t seem strong." A brawny man outside said.

"Why not kill them directly; there must be spoils inside, taking one would be a profit."

"Good idea, I’ll act as the assassin, instantly step behind him for a kill, and then you guys follow."

"I have no objections."

They spoke in the Banluo Language from the chaotic lands, a style indeed quite reckless. If they were from the three major nations, they generally wouldn’t directly kill but rather try to extract information first.

Regardless, upon concluding their discussion, the assassin suddenly moved, arriving behind Wenfu.

Clang!

However, unexpectedly, this seemingly weak demon acted quickly, instantly drawing his thin sword and turning to block.

The sudden twist saw both the swordsmen at the door and the messenger demons reacting instantly, raising their swords to defend—the only exception being Wen Ling, who was born after the clan had relocated here and had not witnessed the storms of the Divine Wood Forest or fought with outsiders.

He couldn’t comprehend this unexplainable malice, nearly failing to react in an instant.

Thus, after enduring the assassin’s strike, Wenfu devoted attention to kicking this foolish child away, distancing him from a nearby whip-like leg strike.

However, the Secret Realm agents from chaotic lands had quite a high level, all above 40, and due to their overwhelming numbers, dealing with weak demons comparable to the Powerful Ape Race was no challenge.

Within a few breaths, except for Wenfu, the other Wenque Demons lay in pools of blood.

Wenfu, seeing this, was filled with grief and anger, yet remained composed.

He did not futilely attempt communication, merely shifting his eyes, searching for a way to defeat the enemies.

As the head of the clan, his strength was the greatest, if he couldn’t handle the situation, there was likely no one else in the tribe who could.

Just as he was contemplating, an enemy suddenly attacked, swiftly closing in on his side.

Wenfu tried to counter, but found another figure emerging on the other side.

Bam!

Two fists are no match for four hands, within a few moves, this leader of the Wenque clan also fell.

At this moment, the rescued Wen Ling trembled all over, unable to draw his sword due to fear, despite gripping the hilt tightly.

Bravery!

Bravery!!

He repeatedly recited Wenfu’s teachings in his mind.

Even seeing his strong father fall in an instant illustrated the deep and unfathomable strength of these outsiders.

But as a descendant of the Wenque clan, he couldn’t shy away from action due to fear of death!

Shing!

Finally, he overcame the fear within, letting the sword’s edge reveal itself from its sheath.

I can die, but not without drawing my sword first.

However, his ambition never came to fruition, for before he could fully draw it, he was shocked to find another individual nearby, resembling those fiends.

This person merely pushed lightly, unleashing tremendous force to press his hand down, and the sword’s edge submerged back into the sheath.

Hope welled up in Wen Ling’s heart only to instantly wither, replaced by overwhelming despair.

He realized the gap between himself and this person was too vast.

No, even Father couldn’t withstand a single move from this person.

Just as he resigned to die, he saw a small monkey’s head emerging from the person’s shoulder.

"Sir said, you’re too weak, practice for a few more years before drawing your sword again."