Chapter 2480: Chapter 2470: No Need to Lie Down Anymore

The one speaking was Tian Luo Yi, who had been sitting and playing with a dagger before. His icy eyes carried a look of displeasure, clearly indicating that Long Yan was not what they expected. However, the other two women had not spoken yet, only Tian Luo Yi had voiced his concerns.

“Why? Brother Long Yan is quite formidable.”

Chu Lu was afraid Long Yan might get angry and leave, making this half a day’s sunbathing a waste. Tian Luo Yi seemed to have already prepared his argument.

“Let’s not talk about combat skills first. Dressed in white robes, is this how you gear up to go to the Demon Beast Mountain Range? Even if he’s the expert you mentioned, I remember he only upgraded to an Earth-level Mercenary a few days ago and participated in the evaluation thanks to the Cannibal Inn mission, right?”

Tian Luo Yi’s words truly didn’t consider saving his team leader’s face. Although his tone was cold, every word made sense, leaving Chu Lu at a loss for words.

“Come on, we’re all brothers, we can discuss these things.”

Zhu Ying took the opportunity to hook her arm around Chu Lu, clearly indicating that Zhu Ying and Chu Lu were a pair, so she opened her mouth to smooth things over for Chu Lu, but Tian Luo Yi didn’t even intend to give Zhu Ying face and instead coldly tossed out a sentence.

“Either he goes, or I go.”

Long Yan burst out laughing, drawing an angry glare from Tian Luo Yi, who just saw Long Yan shaking his head deeply.

“No matter how little you think of me, I’m still an Earth-level Mercenary just like you, but my power has truly reached the Heavenly Level standard. What do you say about that? Judging by your appearance, you seem like a speed-type fighter, right? Can you now defeat a Heavenly Level Mercenary? I’m afraid not even a surprise attack would work for you.”

Indeed, Tian Luo Yi’s martial path was somewhat akin to that of an assassin, seeking methods to kill in one strike, and many such talents had emerged before, such as Jing Ke and Zhuan Zhu, relying on the martial path of speed.

Long Yan was not wrong in what he said. The underlying meaning was that Tian Luo Yi, someone with no reputation, criticized him; it was truly overconfident.

“You…”

Tian Luo Yi was originally a cold person, not as adept with words as Long Yan. Just one sentence from Long Yan had shut him down, filling his previously calm face with anger.

“Alright, alright, since I brought Long Yan back, I’ll be responsible myself. Let’s just continue our mission.”

Although Chu Lu was an honest person, he was, after all, the leader. Tian Luo Yi couldn’t say much more when he heard Chu Lu speak, and just coldly left a sentence.

“If we lose our lives, I won’t be responsible.”

Chu Lu smiled apologetically at Long Yan, and Long Yan didn’t take it to heart. Tian Luo Yi probably wasn’t driven by selfish desires but feared something might truly go wrong in the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

“After noon, let’s meet at the entrance of the town, and now let’s each prepare our things.”

That’s indeed how a mercenary group operates; they gather when executing tasks but now go buy things useful in the forest. Long Yan found a place to purchase some things he needed; the things he initially prepared during the seven days in the temple were mostly unused, and he needed to repurchase a few items.

By the afternoon, as the weather cooled, Long Yan saw from afar the four people already ready, waiting for him at the town entrance. As he approached, it seemed the three had not been there for long either.

“You’re going dressed like that?”

Long Yan still wore the same white clothes. While convenient, it offered no protection, which was quite dangerous in the forest facing a demon beast surprise attack.

“Of course.”

Long Yan nodded, glancing at Chu Meng, who asked the question. She frowned slightly but said nothing, yet in her mind, she had a clear understanding of Long Yan.

Too amateur!

But thinking of her boss, Chu Meng didn’t say more, just slightly wrinkled her nose and headed towards the Demon Beast Mountain Range. Chu Lu also felt uneasy, so he discussed a bit with his girlfriend Zhu Ying, and they sandwiched Long Yan in the middle, one on each side.

With Tian Luo Yi leading in front, Chu Meng covering the rear, the group formed a cross shape. It amused Long Yan slightly; he hadn’t expected to be personally escorted like this one day.

The entire Demon Beast Mountain Range consists of nine mountains; the first three are considered the front part, inhabited by minor beasts, posing no threat to the five of them. Naturally, they were easily dealt with by Tian Luo Yi at the front, cleanly swept away. Scanning back to see the utterly uninterested Long Yan, a contemptuous smile formed on Tian Luo Yi’s face.

This man was indeed just a pretty face.

Chu Meng finished off a snake trying to launch a surprise attack from behind. The materials from these smaller beasts weren’t valuable, typically collected by Human Level Mercenaries, though the loot from just this one demon beast was enough for a decent meal.

“Ahead is the middle section, where we might face opponents we can’t handle. Everyone, be careful.”

Chu Lu quietly reminded everyone, for seasoned mercenaries surviving in the mountains know there’s never a moment to let their guard down. The moment you do, death is what awaits.

“Hmm.”

Chu Meng replied cautiously. The group had set off at noon; by now, the sun had already set. The demon beast forest was even more dangerous at night, so the only option was to make camp.

The group cautiously cleared the surrounding demon beasts, lit a fire, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except for Long Yan. Since entering the Demon Beast Mountain Range, he’d been using his full sensory capabilities. No matter the beast, once within a kilometer radius, he was aware, even down to the smallest insects.

Mercenaries outside had no luxury food, only some dry rations, adequate to barely satisfy hunger, given they were not there for a vacation.

“Let’s do this; Tian Luo Yi and I will keep watch tonight, one person in the first half, another in the latter half.”

After a hasty meal, Chu Lu quickly arranged for people to keep watch. Though they had a fire, it was prudent to guard against beast attacks, so leaving someone on watch was a wise choice.

Chu Lu didn’t even consider Long Yan for this task; holding watch was crucial, any mistake could spell the demise of the entire mercenary group. Even though Tian Luo Yi disliked Long Yan, he nodded in agreement.

“You all go to sleep first.”

Chu Lu casually said, especially indicating to Tian Luo Yi that without sufficient rest, falling asleep in the latter half could result in disaster.

“There’s no need to sleep just yet.”

Seeing everyone sitting on the ground, Long Yan spoke up.

“Hmm?”

Tian Luo Yi, who already didn’t like Long Yan, glanced at him unhappily upon hearing his words.

“After all, if you lie down, you’ll have to get up soon.”

Long Yan stood up; something had just entered his sensory range.