Mo Han found the situation both exasperating and endearing; he certainly couldn't bring himself to accept protection from a woman, yet Anna’s actions filled him with a sudden warmth.
Archers were typically the ones needing defense, so the fact that Anna disregarded her own safety to step forward and shield him was profoundly moving.
Mo Han began to chant under his breath, “Spirits of light that dance upon the air, heed my summons and cleanse all darkness before me. Let the radiance of brilliance destroy the foes in my path—Light Burst Technique.”
From Mo Han’s chest flew a sphere of light, the size of a fist, hurtling toward the three assailants.
Chris warned sharply, “Watch out! That’s the Light Burst Technique!”
But it was too late. The orb reached the trio in the blink of an eye. One instinctively brought up his blade to hack at it.
A blinding flash of white light erupted. The three attackers simultaneously clutched their faces, screaming as they were flung backward. A look at their visages revealed skin scorched black by the intense light energy; they struggled a few times upon hitting the ground before falling still—clearly deceased.
Anna exclaimed happily, “Brother Mo Han, you’re amazing! Are you a High Priest? You actually know the Light Burst Technique!”
Mo Han smiled toward Kelly and replied, “Haha, it was nothing. I never said I didn’t know the Light Burst Technique.”
Chris finally lost his restraint, roaring, “Brat, don’t get cocky! Your death is at hand.”
What he had presumed to be a sure thing had proven unexpectedly troublesome. These people had somehow acquired high-tier weaponry, boosting their power significantly, and the fact that Mo Han, whom they assumed was a Novice Priest, commanded a technique usually reserved for High Priests, cost him several men, instantly stripping him of his dignity.
He launched himself toward Mo Han like an eagle, his knight’s sword glowing with a green aura as he swung it. A beam of green fighting energy shot rapidly toward Mo Han’s position.
Kelly, entangled by other enemies and unable to intervene, cried out in alarm, “Mo Han, be careful!”
The arrows Anna loosed were easily batted aside by Chris.
A flicker of cold resolution crossed Mo Han’s face as he muttered to himself, You’re asking for it.
Just as he prepared to strike, a faint blue fighting aura materialized beside him, moving to intercept the incoming green energy targeting Mo Han.
With a loud bang, the green energy was shattered. The blue aura, however, continued its trajectory toward Chris. Chris hastily raised his sword to block. The blue energy struck the greatsword, flared brightly for a moment, and vanished. Chris, however, was driven back two full steps, a slight flush appearing on his face—the impact had clearly caused him considerable internal injury.
Mo Han followed the trajectory of the energy and saw a figure materialize to the left side of the camp, walking slowly toward them. Among them was a girl around twenty, her hair blazing red, who slowly retracted the longsword in her hand and offered Mo Han a slight smile. What a stunning beauty, Mo Han mused internally.
When Chris clearly made out who had arrived, he gasped in shock, “The Soaring Cloud Mercenary Group!”
Mo Han immediately understood. This was one of the two most famous S-rank mercenary groups on the continent. No wonder the young woman could injure Chris, an Intermediate Swordsman, with a single blow.
The other members of the Vicious Wolf Mercenary Group, hearing the name Soaring Cloud, instantly ceased fighting and clustered around Chris.
Chris shouted, “Kake, our Vicious Wolf group holds no grudge against the Soaring Cloud; why are you interfering?”
The red-haired girl replied, “Seeing an esteemed B-rank group bullying an E-rank one? Naturally, I can’t just stand by. What say you? Care for a fight if you have the nerve?” What a fiery girl, Mo Han thought, matches her appearance perfectly, hehe.
Chris’s face flushed red and white with anger, but faced with their superior strength, fighting was out of the question.
He finally managed, “This is a matter of personal grievance between us and them. It’s none of your business.”
The girl replied brazenly, “If I see something I object to, I interfere. So what about it?”
“You…” Chris was so enraged he couldn't speak.
At that moment, a robust middle-aged man standing at the center addressed Chris. “Chris, I’ve long heard the infamous reputation of the Vicious Wolf group. I didn’t expect you to have sunk this low. Alas, you should leave now, and I hope you mend your ways.”
Hearing this, Chris’s facial muscles twitched violently in anger. He replied with venom, “Very well, Kake. I will remember this day. I will certainly return the favor someday.”
The girl, hearing Chris’s tone, exploded in fury, drawing her weapon again, ready to attack.
The man called Kake, in the middle, stopped her. “Liss, hold! Let them go.”
He then added dismissively to Chris, “Kake is always ready for a match.”
Hearing Kake’s words, the girl named Liss reluctantly lowered her weapon, shouting at Chris, “Get out of here!”
“Chris barked at his subordinates, “Let’s go!” The group left in haste, abandoning the corpses of their comrades, leaving behind more than a dozen bodies.
Kelly approached Kake and his group, bowing slightly. “I am Kelly, leader of the Cloud Rider Mercenary Group. Thank you for your timely assistance.”
The man named Kake returned the courtesy. “Haha, it was nothing, just a simple gesture. We were drawn by that flash of light earlier. By the way, how did you end up clashing with the Vicious Wolf group? Chris has a notorious habit of repaying any slight; you should all be cautious.”
Kelly recounted the story of Mo Han’s duel with Chris. As soon as she finished, Kake and his party burst into laughter. The red-clad girl, in particular, kept staring at Mo Han, which made him uneasy. Even if I’m handsome, does she need to stare this much? Mo Han thought narcissistically.
Kake smiled at Mo Han and asked, “Haha, you must be the Priest who was dueling Chris over healing techniques?” Mo Han had formed a good impression of him, so he nodded, “Something like that, hehe.”
Kake continued, “That flash of white light just now—that was the Light Burst Technique, wasn't it?” Mo Han tried to quibble, “The Light Burst Technique? I don’t know about that. Are you sure you weren’t mistaken? That was merely the Illumination Spell.”
Hearing this, Anna looked confused. “Brother Mo Han, that was clearly the Light Burst Technique. Why would it be the Illumination Spell?” She’s bringing up exactly what I wanted to hide, Mo Han thought helplessly, giving Kake an awkward smile.
Kake smiled gently at Mo Han. “Hehe, I am quite confident I can distinguish between the Illumination Spell and the Light Burst Technique.”
Mo Han adopted an expression of mock pride. “Hehe, I was actually trying to cast the Illumination Spell, but who knew it turned into the Light Burst Technique? Strange, perhaps I’m just too talented?” His tone and expression made everyone laugh. Kake knew he was lying but chose not to expose him; everyone has their secrets, and if Mo Han wouldn’t admit it, there was no need to press the issue.
The girl named Liss said with a slight smile, “What a thick-skinned fellow. No wonder he agreed to duel over healing techniques.”
Mo Han retorted playfully, “I’ll take that as a compliment. My principle is: if I can argue it, I won’t fight—that’s wisdom, you know?” This earned him a roll of Liss’s eyes.
Kake said, “Alright, it’s time for us to leave. We have other pressing matters, so we won't intrude further. We hope to meet again.”
With that, he cupped his hands to the others, and the Cloud Riders quickly returned the gesture.
The girl named Liss also told Kelly, “Goodbye, Sister Kelly.”
Kelly replied quickly, “Yes, goodbye.”
The Soaring Cloud Mercenary Group bid farewell and vanished into the deepening night… Jump to