CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46 IRON WILL.

Chapter 46: Iron Will.

"They’re spreading out!" Lin Mu called to the tribesmen. "Don’t be afraid! Stick together. don’t let them pick us off one at a time!"

The tribesmen tightened their formation, their mounts sprinting in unison. Despite their fear, they trusted Lin Mu’s commands, their survival instinct overriding any lingering doubts about him.

Lin Mu’s quiver was nearly empty, but he refused to give up. He nocked another arrow and aimed for a rider at the edge of the Jebaki formation. The arrow struck true, the rider toppling from his mount with a pained shout.

The leader of the Jebaki Clan bellowed something in his guttural language, and the remaining riders picked up speed, their mounts surging forward. Lin Mu’s heart pounded as he realized they were gaining ground.

" Brother Lin, we can’t outrun them!" one of the tribesmen shouted.

"We don’t have to outrun them," Lin Mu said, his voice grim. "We just have to make it to the settlement."

But the settlement was still too far, and Lin Mu knew their odds were slim. His vision blurred slightly from the blood loss, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay focused. He had to keep fighting, to keep buying time.

" Guahh!"

" Brother Lin!"

Another arrow struck his shoulder, the impact nearly knocking him from his mount. He turned around to see the leader of the Jebaki band with a satisfied grin on his scaly face.

’Damned lizard!’ Lin Mu clenched his jaw, gripping the reins tightly as pain radiated through his body.

"Jokes on you bastard but I have no intentions of dying here" Lin Mu muttered to himself. "Not today!"

He took out his last arrow the next moment, turned and aimed for the Jebaki leader. The shot was risky, the distance far greater than anything he’d attempted so far. But Lin Mu didn’t waver but steadied his breathing, drawing the bowstring back as far as it would go.

"Come on..." he whispered, then released the arrow, and it soared through the air like a streak of light.

The Jebaki leader saw it coming and pulled hard on his reins, his mount rearing back. The arrow missed its mark, grazing the leader’s shoulder instead of piercing his chest. But it was enough to enrage him further.

The Jebaki band leader let out an enraged roar before flicking his mounts reins and continuing the chase.

As he trailed behind Lin Mu’s party, the Jebaki leader roared non-stop, his voice a chilling sound that sent shivers down Lin Mu’s spine. His mounts speed accelerated, leaving behind his savage clans men and closing the distance with terrifying speed.

’ This persistent f*cker!’ Lin Mu’s eyes threatened to pop out of its sockets at the sight. He gritted his teeth even more then tossed the empty bow aside and urged Autumn Wind forward, rejoining the group.

«[Considering the circumstances, if you were to flee now to a safe distance, I could take you back hom–]» The system realized she might’ve have miscalculated his capabilities and decided to ensure his safety but.

’ Not happening!’ Lin Mu refused without a second thought.

’ There’s no way I’m going to turn tail and run now! My Grandfather didn’t raise a bloody coward!’ Lin Mu added, leaving the system speechless.

«[I understand. Looks like you’re improving faster than I expected]» The system said with a hint of praise.

’ That’s inevitable, besides, We can’t let that bastard catch up now, otherwise this will all be for naught!’

"We’re almost there everyone!" he shouted, urging the hunting party. "Just hold on a little longer!"

" Huaaa!!!!" The tribesmen yelled energetically as they pushed their mounts to the limit, the animals’ heavy breathing mixing with the pounding of their feet.

Several moments later....

The desert night stretched endlessly before them, its silence broken only by the rhythmic pounding of hooves and the distant howls of the relentlessly pursuing Jebaki.

The Serinerian hunting party, weary and wounded, pressed on through the shifting sands, their breaths ragged and hearts heavy with despair. The moon cast a pale glow over the dunes, illuminating the desperation etched on their faces.

Lin Mu, riding atop Autumn Wind, felt the weight of their predicament pressing down on him. The Jebaki were truly deserving of the word persistent, not to mention their numbers were overwhelming, and their bloodlust insatiable. He concluded that if any other from his world were to be put in his place, they would’ve long since fallen to their wicked claws.

He glanced back at the pursuing horde, their ignited torches flickering like malevolent stars in the darkness.

"System," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind, " You got any ideas that can turn the tide of this shitty situation?"

[If you had asked sooner I might’ve said no but now there seems to be a way you can escape your current predicament but it won’t be easy]

’ Your serious?! Easy?! I don’t care if it’s bone breaking, just tell me!’

A moment passed before the system responded, telling Lin Mu what it had in mind.

Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed, he quickly activated his Nightshade breathing technique before focusing his gaze on the horizon. In the east, he caught a faint glimpse of something that caused his eyes to flash with hope.

’ System your an angel!’ he mused internally, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. ’From now on your my one true love!’

’ No! My loving wife! Hahahaha’ Lin Mu felt relieved and ecstatic.

[Your unbelievable. To think you still have the time to joke around]»]

[If you were at the True God stage, Perhaps I’d considered it]

[Focus your feeble brain on survival. I won’t have my name tied to a corpse]

The system, replied but Lin Mu only chuckled at her reply.

Turning to the Serinerians, Lin Mu shouted, "Keep moving everyone!"

" I’ve got something in mind that might get us out of here!"

Without waiting for a response, he veered off to the east, urging Autumn Wind. The Jebaki, noticing his sudden departure, saw an opportunity. Their leader raised his arm and barked an order.

"After him! Bring me his head!"

The Jebaki warriors surged forward, their arrows flying through the air. Several found their mark, piercing Lin Mu’s flesh, but he pressed on, gritting his teeth against the pain. Autumn Wind, her scales deflecting many of the projectiles, carried him farther east.