The team traveled through the desolate wilderness for over a shichen.
The silhouette of the dark, oppressive forest in the distance grew clearer and clearer.
As they approached the forest, the atmosphere in the air became increasingly stagnant.
The bird calls and insect chirps that could occasionally be heard earlier had completely vanished.
Only the sobbing of the wind through the dead grass and the monotonous sound of wheels grinding against the ground remained.
This excessive silence was more skin-crawling than the roars of monsters.
The Knight Commander and his men were clearly tense.
Their hands instinctively moved toward their weapons, and their vigilant gazes scanned the surroundings.
The horses also seemed to sense the unease, snorting from time to time as their hoofbeats became somewhat erratic.
The young lady inside the carriage seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere as well and stopped complaining.
One could even faintly hear her breathing, which had become slightly rapid due to nervousness.
Only Lin Gui and Theia remained exceptionally calm.
Lin Gui had his eyes half-closed as if he were napping.
However, Wind Listening had already been silently activated, bringing every subtle sound within a radius of several hundred meters into his ears.
Theia was like an agile cat, her footsteps light and noiseless.
Her emerald eyes were like the most precise detectors.
She constantly scanned the path ahead, the shrubs on both sides, and even the tree canopy in the distance.
"Stop."
Theia suddenly raised her hand, her voice low yet exceptionally clear.
"Seventy meters ahead to the right, a tree hollow; there is a sleeping lesser demon."
"The shrubs to the front-left; two imps are feasting on some animal remains."
"Watch the branches overhead; a Night-Howl Bat Demon is lurking there, but it seems very agitated and has no intent to attack."
Theia continued to lower her voice, precisely reporting the location and status of every potential threat.
Her perception was like the most sophisticated radar, taking in every subtle movement of the environment.
After avoiding another nest of imps cowering and screeching under a rock, Theia slowed her pace and walked side by side with Lin Gui.
She gestured with her eyes toward the carriage behind them, which creaked incessantly as it jolted along.
She pouted her lips at Lin Gui, her emerald eyes conveying a clear message:
This thing is too noisy.
Lin Gui immediately understood her meaning.
In such a silent and peril-filled environment, the sound of carriage wheels crushing dead branches and leaves and the creaking of the axles were no different from beating drums and gongs in the dark, telling all potential predators, "There is fat meat here, come and get it."
This was why Lin Gui himself preferred the lighter, more adaptable basilisk mount when crossing the wilderness.
While there were only low-ranking demons left in the forest now, their sheer numbers meant that if they suddenly attacked, it would be problematic.
Lin Gui and Theia were not afraid, but the guards and that delicate young lady would likely be torn apart by the demons.
He nodded and turned to walk toward the Knight Commander in the middle of the team.
"Commander."
Lin Gui lowered his voice and directly stated his concerns.
"The carriage is too loud. If we keep going like this, it’s like walking in the night while holding a torch; it will attract too much unnecessary attention."
"The further in we go, the more dangerous it becomes. I suggest abandoning the carriage and walking."
To Lin Gui’s surprise, the Knight Commander did not show any opposition; instead, he nodded with a heavy expression.
"I understand."
"To be honest, we in the City Guard have never truly ventured deep into the Black Demon Forest, and our knowledge of the situation inside is limited."
"Since we have hired you two, we will follow your professional judgment in these matters."
He paused, a look of difficulty appearing on his face.
"It’s just... the young lady..."
He glanced at the carriage, which still emitted occasional complaints, and shook his head helplessly.
Getting him to convince that pampered and willful young lady to give up the relatively comfortable carriage and trek through this muddy and dangerous forest on foot would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Lin Gui seemed to have expected this. With an "I get it" expression, he said in a relaxed tone.
"Commander, think about it. Is it more painful to sit in a carriage while trembling with fear, not knowing when you’ll be attacked by demons, or to close your eyes for a nap and wake up to find you’ve already arrived safely at Caran City?"
The Knight Commander was stunned for a moment, then caught the implication in Lin Gui's words.
His expression flickered several times as his sense of duty struggled against reality.
Ultimately, the desire for the mission's success and the fear of potential risks won out.
He took a deep breath and lowered his voice to a whisper that only Lin Gui could hear.
"...Be gentle. Don't leave a mark."
"Don't worry, I'm a professional."
Lin Gui gave him a reassuring look.
He adjusted his expression, walked to the carriage, and politely knocked on the window.
"What is it now?! The road is so bumpy; can't you walk more steadily? Slow down! My bones are about to fall apart!"
The carriage window was slammed open, revealing the young lady's face, which was filled with annoyance and fatigue.
She immediately began complaining to the guard outside, clearly mistaking the person who knocked for a soldier.
Lin Gui wore an impeccable, slightly apologetic smile.
"My apologies for the interruption, My Lady. We just discovered some very peculiar glowing fungi on the trees ahead to the right."
"They are shaped like crystals and even change colors. It is said they can only be seen deep within the Black Demon Forest. Would you like to..."
"Glowing fungi? Like crystals?"
The young lady’s attention was indeed captured.
While willful, she still had a bit of curiosity for such rare items.
She instinctively turned her head to look toward the dense forest on the right as Lin Gui pointed.
At the moment she turned her head, Lin Gui's right hand, which had been hanging naturally by his side, shot out like a flash of lightning!
At some point, his hand had been covered by an extremely thin, almost imperceptible blue magic halo.
It was the special magic rewarded by the system: Stun!
"Ugh!"
He delivered a precise and gentle hand-chop to the young lady's fair neck.
The effect of Stun took hold instantly.
She couldn’t even manage a cry of alarm; her eyes rolled back, her body went limp, and she passed out.
Lin Gui caught her sagging body in stride.
He smoothly opened the carriage door and carried her out.
The entire process was clean and efficient, happening in the blink of an eye.
The guards nearby hadn't even fully reacted.
Lin Gui handed the unconscious young lady to the Knight Commander, who stepped forward quickly.
"There, the problem is solved. Letting her sleep a bit longer is for the best."
The commander took his lady, looking at her face, which still had a furrowed brow even in unconsciousness.
His feelings were complex, but in the end, he only gave Lin Gui a nod.
"...Much appreciated."
"Pack the essential supplies and travel light. We’ll leave the carriage here," Lin Gui instructed.
The team moved quickly into action.
Essential dry rations, water, and valuables were unloaded from the carriage and distributed.
As for the luxurious carriage, it was simply hidden behind some shrubs.
Without the burden of the carriage, the team’s travel speed increased significantly, and they became much quieter.
Theia walked over to Lin Gui’s side.
She glanced at the young lady, who was still unconscious and being carried on the back of a strong guard, and her lips curled upward slightly.
"Pretty practiced, aren't you?"
Lin Gui remained unfazed. "Forced by life. Knowing more skills never hurts."
The two looked at each other and smiled before continuing to serve as the team’s eyes and ears.
They led the silent team toward the deeper parts of the forest.
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