Chapter 109 – Stakeout

Chapter 109 – Stakeout

After sending Yu Kai away, Cheng Yang began making arrangements. He had originally planned to help Liu Hao search for the dungeon portal today, but it seemed that would have to be postponed. He could only hope Liu Hao would have good luck and find the portal on his own.

Another important task was ensuring the safety of the Necromancer’s Gorge dungeon entrance. This required someone quick and clever – just one person would suffice.

Speed was one of Phoenix Village’s advantages, thanks to the 20% speed boost from the territory. Among the villagers, Liu Hao was undoubtedly the fastest, possessing a pair of bronze boots that increased speed by 2 points. Combined with his high-level apprentice rank and territory bonus, he could easily outrun any low-level apprentice.

However, as one of Phoenix Village’s top fighters, Liu Hao couldn’t be stationed at the dungeon entrance indefinitely. Cheng Yang had to choose someone else.

The chosen one was Wu Kong, a deputy captain from Zhao Chuan’s Snow Leopard Battalion. A refugee rescued from Huimin Town, Wu Kong was an archer with an A-grade talent that included a 3% speed boost. Though still a low-level apprentice, his bronze boots gave him a speed close to 4, far surpassing most fighters in Xiangcheng City.

Wu Kong arrived quickly after receiving Cheng Yang’s summons. A lean, sharp-eyed man in his thirties, he had become colder since losing his family in the apocalypse.

“Lord, you called for me?” Wu Kong asked directly.

Cheng Yang explained the mission: to monitor the dungeon portal and report any activity from Xiangcheng City forces. Wu Kong accepted without hesitation, vowing to prevent anyone from slipping past him.

As compensation for reduced monster hunting efficiency, Cheng Yang promised Wu Kong 100 spirit energy points daily. This was actually more than Wu Kong usually earned, but the deputy captain showed no joy – his only goals now were killing monsters and repaying Cheng Yang for saving his life.

After briefing Wu Kong, Cheng Yang gathered Liu Xiyue and headed toward Xiangcheng City. They reached the Necromancer’s Gorge entrance within half an hour. Cheng Yang decided to clear the dungeon first, using his ice spike skills to finish in just over ten minutes. The rewards included several hundred spirit energy points and some equipment, though nothing exceptional.

Leaving Wu Kong at the entrance, Cheng Yang and Liu Xiyue continued onward, soon catching up with Yu Kai’s large group transporting lumber. The procession of nearly 800 people made an impressive sight, though the heavy loads somewhat diminished their martial appearance.

By noon, they reached East Mountain Village without encountering any Xiangcheng forces. After lunch, Cheng Yang, Yu Kai, and Liu Xiyue set out to investigate the demonic birds Yu Kai had discovered.

Four kilometers north, Yu Kai pointed to a mountain peak: “Lord, the demonic birds are up there.”

Cheng Yang was surprised by the distance. “You went this far out? Don’t tell me you’ve cleared all the monsters within five kilometers.”

Yu Kai explained they had followed a flying demon bird the previous afternoon, finding the flock without encountering major monster groups. Looking up, Cheng Yang could see about a hundred black specks circling the peak – likely just a fraction of the total number.

After confirming Yu Kai’s attack power (36 points, enough to one-shot early-stage monsters), Cheng Yang outlined their strategy: “These birds are fast – even I can only match their flight speed at full sprint. If surrounded, our only option is to fight. Stay behind me and focus on defense.”

Up close, the creatures resembled giant, enhanced eagles. Cheng Yang recognized them from his past life – White-headed Eagles. Though currently early-stage monsters, they were known for their rapid evolution.