Chapter 60-120: Who's Waiting

  It seems that the Highland Giant Tribe has surrounded Princess Xiaoyan in this valley, with guards stationed on both sides of the mountain ridge at the entrance to the valley. The entrance to the valley should also be heavily guarded, but the guards on the two mountains are not very tight, and Amun and Maidanzo easily sneaked up. The two began to quietly analyze the situation here.

  Amun said with a strange tone, "I found seven or eight giant archers on the mountain ridge near the valley entrance, but they were all asleep. Can they really trap Princess Akane like this?"

  Mei Danzuo furrowed his brow and said, "This isn't strange either. People need to rest after all. There must be someone keeping watch at the valley entrance, and once they discover that Princess Xiaojing is trying to make a break for it, they'll send out a signal, blow a whistle or beat a horn or something, and the guards will naturally wake up."

  Ammon nodded: "Yes, it should be like this. It's not strange that we can get here, after all, there are dense forests and cliffs on all sides, but Princess Xiaoyan and others in the open valley, as soon as they make a move, they will be discovered and cannot act rashly."

  "Since we're familiar with the terrain and the distribution of the guards, when the clouds in the sky block out the starlight and the night is pitch black, it's actually possible to sneak past them and inform them, letting Princess Xiaojing quietly leave from our original route."

  Amun furrowed his brow: "That's not necessarily safe, sneaking in the dark can also be detected by divine magic, and the mountain is an open area with no obstacles. How do you know that there isn't a divine magic user among the giant tribe's guards? I think that Yucil from today is a divine magic user."

  Mei Danzuo frowned and said: "Divine Master? He's also a magician, right? Can the magicians in the Giant Tribe compare to you? Your divine technique should be able to hide your breath. ... I was just thinking, knock out all the giant guards on this side of the mountain, sneak over quietly and bring the princess back here, that would be a great achievement!"

  "Is there a way out of this place we've come to?" Amun asked back.

  "Ah, yes, there's no road at all. It's a vast expanse of dense forest, steep cliffs and precipices. The princess is too noble to trek through this terrain. I was thinking of carrying her out, but that would be too reckless. If those savages were to attack from behind, we wouldn't be able to escape quickly."

  "Merely carrying one person on the back might be possible, but what if there's an unexpected attack and you need to fight to protect the princess' safety? Can you take all of the princess' guards away from here? If not, how would they hand over the princess to just one person to carry away? If that were feasible, wouldn't the guard who broke through have already carried the princess out of the mountain?"

  Mei Danzuo smiled and said: "I just thought about it, I really want to make a contribution."

  "Our advantage is that we've figured out the distribution of the giant guards on this side of the mountain ridge. Hopefully, Jieke and the others can also get a clear picture of the situation on their end. If we need to take action, it'll be much easier. Don't forget our agreed-upon plan - let's lie low until tomorrow noon before making a move. Deviating from the plan will leave others unprepared."

  Mai Dianzuo nodded and said, "You're right, my Ah Mon god, I'll listen to your orders... But can we think of a way to send a signal to Little Xian Princess and the others? To let them know that rescue is on the way, so they can be prepared."

  Amun thought for a moment and said, "This is feasible. Princess Xiao Yan and the others should be able to receive my signal." As he spoke, he raised his iron branch staff, pointing at the center of the valley with rapt attention, using all his spiritual power but concentrating it in one direction, not even Meidan Zuo, who was close by, sensed anything.

  Although Ah Mon was only a fifth-level magician and couldn't yet practice high-level divine magic, the divine magic he had mastered and was skilled at using had already reached the pinnacle of technique. Moreover, he had the assistance of his magical staff. Although he wasn't clear what level of magician Yin Nanna was, he knew she was highly skilled in information magic. When following Gilgamesh away, she had disappeared into the distance yet her voice could still be heard by Ah Mon's ear, something even Ah Mon couldn't do.

  The bonfire in the central valley was very far away, and Amun had to stretch his detection magic to its limits to roughly understand the situation there. The guards around Princess Akane had set up a temporary camp, building a circle of walls about two men high with large stones and tree trunks that could withstand arrow attacks from all directions. Inside the walls, there were bonfires and warriors on guard, with a tent pitched on one side, but Amun couldn't detect what was inside the tent, as it was too far away and seemed to be shielded by some sort of magical power.

  ……?

  In the tent behind the camp wall, a man and woman were talking. Along the corners of the tent, divine stones had been placed to form a divine array, isolating the sounds inside and outside, making it impossible for anyone to eavesdrop.

  The person sitting is Princess Akane, and standing opposite her is a man under the age of thirty. This person should be quite handsome, but somehow looks a bit uncomfortable. Describing a man as "seductive" may not be suitable, but this person's skin is too white and delicate, his lips are very red and moist, his eyes are narrow and long, giving off an eerie feeling.

  While speaking, the man suddenly lifted his head and looked in one direction, as if he had discovered something. Princess Xiao Yan asked: "Pei Li, what's wrong?"

  Pei Li narrowed his eyes and said: "Someone is using the Information Divine Technique to send us a signal, it's very far away, on that mountain ridge over there."

  Little Princess Akane was taken aback: "What kind of person is this? What kind of signal are they sending?"

  "Unknown who it is, but from so far away, it's impossible to sense clearly. The other party is extremely cautious and can gather the power of the divine technique directly in this direction without disturbing the surroundings. This power has no hostility, just a notification - he's here."

  "Could it be a rescue? Won't they make a mistake?" Princess Xiao Yan frowned and said.

  "Your Highness, don't you trust me?" Pei Li asked with a bow.

  Xiao Yan smiled again, her expression indescribably charming: "My dear divine master, how could I not believe you? You have recently successfully advanced to the seventh level of divine mastery, but only I am aware of it. Why not make this news public? Once the news is made public, your status will be greatly different."

  Pei Lei also smiled: "Being able to serve Your Highness is more desirable than the achievements of a great divine magician. You understand my aspirations well. Temporarily hiding one's strength by your side may be more beneficial for our plans, after all, a great divine magician is too eye-catching. There are many great divine magicians in the imperial capital, but only you, Your Highness."

  Princess Xiao Yan stroked the back of the chair and said, "Pei Li, you are a clever person. If I can achieve my wish in the future, your prospects in the kingdom will also be boundless... What just happened? A divine master sneaked here to rescue us, who do you think it is?"

  Bai Li's eyes narrowed even further: "In the Balen God Technique Academy, the person most likely to successfully advance to become a 7th-level Great God Technique Master is Jie Kai. He is the god technique mentor of Feng Niu Wangzi and they are also close friends. This time, it was him who followed Feng Niu Gongzi through Akkad Town and sent out the signal."

  Princess Xiaoyan nodded in satisfaction: "You are indeed clever, sending Packlaus to deliver the message, and Prince Fengnu has brought Jieke with him, sneaking past the giant warriors' guards into this place... Look, when will they be unable to bear it and make a move? At that time, we can send our guards to mix in and lure them into making a wrong attack, can't we completely subdue them?"

  "Prince Fengyu is indeed a passionate person, he cares about his young and beautiful aunt... Please don't worry, Princess, I am well aware of the situation with those five people. If it comes to a fight, we can definitely subdue them, not to mention the simple-minded Highland Giants will cause trouble for them too... Soon there will be rumors in the imperial city that Prince Fengyu took advantage of your outing to bribe the Highland Giant tribe to assassinate you, and he personally took action... And Your Highness must appear magnanimous, make excuses for him, and let everyone admire and appreciate you."

  Princess Xiao Yan said with a faint smile: "I will forgive his crimes, even if he has not committed any. Feng Niu is the youngest of all princes, but also the most threatening one, smarter than those brothers and more popular. After this incident, I think his reputation will be questioned... Jie Kai has already sent out a signal, we don't need to respond, just wait for those Highland Giants to make their move."

  Pei Li's smile was somewhat mysterious: "Those rough and simple-minded giants are very trustworthy, they won't let us go if the goods aren't delivered...and Lord Feng Niu arrived so quickly......According to Your Highness, when can the supplies that the giant tribe wants be delivered here?"

  Princess Akane replied confidently, "At least ten days. If it were just a matter of money, it would be easy to handle, but the Giant Tribe is demanding such a large quantity of living supplies. A small town like Arakade can't possibly prepare and deliver everything within three days... We'll have to report back to the City-State Organization for supplies and then dispatch the guards with fast horses to escort them. It will take at least ten days."

  Pei Lei: "Yousil is an interesting highland giant, he has long organized those tribes and can take things with him at any time to establish a new home in the distant fertile land. ... You really have a deep plan, granting Yousil noble status and allowing him to learn divine magic, but giving his fiefdom within the Hatti Kingdom is something that no one could have anticipated."

  Princess Akane's smile faded as she calmly said, "That place is now just a nominal territory of the Hatty Kingdom, and it will soon become a battleground for the four warring nations. The highland giant who excels at conquest has arrived early to establish a foothold, which is in line with my guidance. Yucil has promised to build a temple for the Malduk people, and I think the gods will be grateful too. The kingdom should also be grateful to have such a pawn, as in the upcoming conflict between nations, the Barren Kingdom will take the initiative, and I will become an important decision-maker. This is just the first step of the plan."

  If Armon, who was far away, could hear this conversation, I wonder what he would be shocked at. But the confident little Princess Xian and the great magician Pei Lei also misjudged two things: First, the person who sent the signal was not Jie Kai but Armon; Second, the supplies that the Giant Tribe asked for, the mayor of Deqi Town had prepared in just one night and half a day, and it took only one more day to deliver.

  ……?

  Amon put away his staff and stood still for half a day, as if quietly waiting for something. Meidansuo asked in confusion: "God Amon, what are you doing?"

  "Amon replied: 'I just sent a signal using the Information God Technique to that side, informing them that rescue has arrived, but I didn't receive any response.'"

  "Mei Dan Zuo exclaimed in surprise: 'I'm also a magician, how could I not have noticed at all?'"

  Amun revealed a childlike smile: "You're still a bit tender, this divine technique is extremely difficult, although it's not an advanced divine technique but the means are very clever, I also need to rely on my staff to do it."

  "Indeed, you are brilliant and always seem mysterious to me. But can they respond to you in kind? Even if there is a divine master on the other side, it's unlikely that they would be more brilliant than you."

  Amun furrowed his brow and said, "Princess Xiaoyan has a 6th-level divine technique master by her side. Even if his information divine technique is not as good as mine, he should still be able to receive the signal. I know Princess Xiaoyan herself, she also practices divine techniques. I'm not sure about other things, but her information divine technique is definitely more impressive than mine. Maybe they're not clear who we are, I don't have the ability to speak directly into their ears. They didn't respond, probably because they're afraid of exposing our location. In that case, let's change locations."

  Amon brought Maidan Zuo to a position closer to the valley mouth, lurking not far from the archers of the giant tribe. If they really make a move at noon tomorrow, they can first eliminate those archers and cut off the greatest threat when breaking through. Hopefully, Jie Kai and others are also doing the same thing on the opposite mountain peak, sandwiching and occupying the valley mouth, which can cover up Princess Xiao Yan's successful escape.

  ……?

  Amon was quietly lurking in the mountains, while on the plateau, the inventory of supplies continued. Those giants with incredible strength were sweating profusely on their foreheads. They could carry a horse cart on their shoulders and walk, but they were not good at counting numbers and sorting goods. Fortunately, Yuxi'er was directing and checking beside them, otherwise it would have been chaotic.

  The mayor of Deqi Town chatted with him from time to time, taking the opportunity to ask Yuxi'er's words. He was very curious about this person and asked with a concerned expression: "Yuxi'er, are you also a highland giant? I don't think you look like one, but they all listen to you."

  Yousi's expression was somewhat awkward, and he replied irritably: "Why do you all ask me this question? I'm really a member of the tribe here, just a bit shorter than others. Since childhood, I've been laughed at, so I simply ran down the mountain myself to learn magic, and only then returned to the tribe." Then his tone changed, and he said proudly: "Now the tribespeople all admire me, electing me as the leader of the united tribes, thinking I'm the smartest and most capable member of the tribe."

  "Ah, I see. Forgive me, forgive me... I admire you, admire you... Anyway, since you even dare to kidnap a princess of the kingdom, I'll take the risk and ask one more question: Are you a magician?"

  "You're mistaken, I'm a genuine second-level divine spellcaster who has been granted the blessing of the Temple of God. There's even a record of me receiving the Power Awakening Ceremony in the main temple of Marlduk, King Balen."

  This time it was Diqi's turn to be shocked, and he stuttered for half a day before asking: "Really? You... you are a noble divine master, this is too unbelievable"?

  "Youxiel turned his head, staring with round eyes: "What's unbelievable? Mayor, if you don't believe me, you can go to the Malduk Main Temple in Balen City and check their registration records to see if my name is there?"

  Deqi was just the mayor of a small town, how could he have the authority to go to the main temple of the imperial capital to check the archives. As for Yuxi'er's words, whether true or false, it could only be said that they were infuriating. Deqi replied with a stern face: "What I meant by 'unthinkable' is that you are doing something now. As a noble and respected divine technique master, you must have a hereditary title of nobility, why do you want to kidnap the princess of the kingdom? This is betrayal! Even if you want to do something for your people, you can't use this method. Are they stupid or are you stupid too? It will only bring disastrous consequences to these tribes."

  "You certainly have a reason, this is actually... anyway, I can't tell you, it's a secret" He said to this point, he seemed to suddenly realize that the words had been spoken too much, and continuing to talk would lead to saying something wrong, so he stopped talking. From then on, no matter how Emperor Qi tried to steer the conversation, Yuxi always diverted the topic elsewhere, refusing to continue discussing the issue.

  ……?

  When the sky was slightly bright, Jie Kai and You Le Du finally climbed to the ridge on the other side of the valley with a group of five people, hiding in the dense forest for a short rest. Jie Kai's eyes had a hint of fatigue, sitting quietly without speaking. Looking at the others, they were somewhat disheveled, with small cuts from tree branches and rocks on their clothes. Especially Jie Kai's student Pei Li, not only was his pants torn, but his foot was also twisted, and there was a wound on his leg that was fortunately treated in time with divine techniques.

  They were all nobles who lived in luxury within the imperial capital, and this was their first time traversing through the treacherous mountains under the cover of night. Compared to Amun and Medanzo, who had long been accustomed to such activities, it was already quite impressive that they were willing to endure such hardships.

  After a brief rest to recover his energy and physical strength, Yue Lao said something strange to Jie Ke: "The guards here are not very strict, and no giant warriors have been found nearby."

  "Look at the terrain around us. Such a vast area of deep mountains and forests, even the giant tribe can't guard every place. There's no other way out here if you're not familiar with the terrain... You all hide and don't move, I'll go scout around, it's almost dawn, everyone be extremely careful."

  Jie Kai carried the staff along the mountain ridge and searched quietly for a while. The situation here was similar to that on the other side, with about ten or so archers from the Wild Man tribe guarding the mountain ridge near the valley entrance. Jie Kai didn't dare get too close, and quietly retreated back, discussing with You Le Duo and others for half a day, and the conclusion they came up with was also similar to that of Ah Meng and Mei Dan Zuo.

  At this time, the sky had already brightened, and it was not possible to make any sudden movements. So Jie Kai made the same decision as Ah Meng, leading a group of people to quietly move to a position close to the valley entrance, not far from those giant warriors, waiting silently for noon to arrive.