53: Chapter 53: Inexplicable Hostility 53: Chapter 53: Inexplicable Hostility Just as Xia Hong had previously mentioned, the territory of the Rogel Camp was just within a thousand-meter radius of the outer layer of Redwood Ridge, making it not difficult to find a team of fifty to sixty people within this range.
As Xia Hong was about to break through the boundary of a thousand meters, he spotted the group.
However, when he discovered the group, Xia Hong clearly sensed that something was off, so he didn’t immediately come down.
Since he was called out, he didn’t hesitate to show himself.
After glancing at the group, Xia Hong quickly judged that the person who called him out, along with the one standing beside him, should be Yang Ning and Li Hu.
No other reason; the attire of these two was just too conspicuous.
A brown fur beast skin coat, with a smooth white fur neck scarf, clearly made from the tail of a Cold Beast; and a pair of shiny black beast skin boots on their feet.
Compared to them, everyone else, including Xia Hong himself, looked like beggars.
Even though Xia Hong had seen countless luxurious clothes in his memories, seeing the complete outfit on the two of them still made him feel a twinge of envy.
God knows, after wearing beast skin skirts for four months, his desire for a complete outfit was how strong.
While Xia Hong observed the crowd, Luo Ming also stepped forward, took a moment to ponder as he looked at Xia Hong, and then asked with some speculation on his face:
Are you the son of Old Ding?”
Seeing Xia Hong nod, Luo Ming immediately showed a smile.
He had previously thought that the Great Xia Camp had fallen to the Wood Puppet Monster, but unexpectedly, it was still there.
Recalling Xia Hong’s earlier words, he hurriedly continued, “I’m Luo Ming.
What urgent matter do you have to inform me about?”
Even though he sensed the off atmosphere, the urgency of the matter made Xia Hong not think much but speak directly: “Leader Luo, during this trip out, did the Wood Puppet Monster fail to show up from start to finish?
It is highly likely that the Wood Puppet Monster has already infiltrated your Rogel Camp.”
Xia Hong was not unwilling to explain the cause and effect, but given the urgency, he didn’t want to waste words and merely wanted to quickly get these people back to the Rogel Camp.
The sooner they returned, the more people they might be able to save.
Therefore, he chose to speak succinctly.
But evidently, the crowd did not immediately believe him.
Even Luo Ming, upon hearing that the Wood Puppet Monster might have entered the Rogel Camp, tensed up at first but then furrowed his brows at Xia Hong with a suspicious look.
Upon seeing the expressions of the group, Xia Hong knew they didn’t believe him.
He first blew the bone whistle to summon Xia Chuan and others over, then quickly and succinctly narrated the events concerning Shi Qing, Shi Dong, and the fall of Da Shi Camp.
By the time Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the other six arrived, Xia Hong had basically finished speaking.
Seeing the extremely grim expression on Luo Ming’s face, he urgently said: “If nothing unexpected happens, for those previous four times, the Wood Puppet Monster was deliberately confusing you.
It controlled Shi Dong to infiltrate the Rogel Camp and likely left a trap before heading off with Shi Qing to Da Shi Camp.
It killed over a hundred people in Da Shi Camp and has already greatly increased its strength.
With even more ordinary people in Rogel Camp, if it continues to kill, I’m afraid no one will be able to handle it.
Leader Luo, hurry and take people back to the camp to check, otherwise, the consequences could be unimaginable!”
Xia Hong focused on persuading Luo Ming to return to the camp, not even noticing that when he mentioned the Wood Puppet Monster fooling them in the previous four instances, Li Hu’s already unpleasant expression worsened even more.
Just a moment ago, he got angry because of Hong Mu’s comments, saying they were outsmarted by that Wood Puppet Monster during the previous four outings.
Now Xia Hong came out and repeated this, reigniting the unvented anger in his heart.
“We’ve only been out from the Rogel Camp for a little over two hours; if the Wood Puppet Monster had infiltrated, how could we not have noticed?
And since you claim Shi Dong is a fake, why didn’t he stay inside Rogel Camp instead of leaving with Shi Qing?
Flawed logic—a babbling fool!”
Xia Hong was inexplicably scolded, and his expression stiffened immediately.
But he didn’t lash out right away.
Instead, he looked at Li Hu with a somber expression, pondering why this person held hostility towards him.
He could restrain himself, but Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others who had just approached couldn’t hold back.
It can be said that in the hearts of everyone at the Great Xia Camp, Xia Hong was the absolute spiritual pillar.
Those who had been following Xia Hong outside for a long time even revered him like a god.
How could they tolerate an outsider insulting Xia Hong like that in their presence?
“Where did this fool come from to shout at our leader like that?”
“Even when the words are spoken so clearly, if you still think there are holes, either your ears are faulty, or your brain is!”
“He might look presentable, but who knew he would spew filth like that!”
Seeing Xia Chuan and the others getting more and more excessive with their words, and Li Hu’s face turning visibly redder, Xia Hong quickly stopped them.
Of course, Xia Hong didn’t think they were wrong; he only stopped them to prevent a conflict with the other side.
Li Hu over there, his chest heaving, was clearly on the verge of lashing out.
Xia Hong, worried that his outburst would waste more time, quickly said to Luo Ming with a serious tone, “Leader Luo, we are all trying to survive around Redwood Ridge.
I don’t want to see too many people die from Rogel Camp, so I took the risk to come and inform you, even willing to lend you a helping hand.
Even if you don’t believe me, at least prioritize the lives of over a thousand people in your camp and go back to take a look.
If nothing happens, then everyone would be delighted, and I will personally apologize to you—is that acceptable?”
This statement finally enlightened Luo Ming.
He then quickly raised his head, realizing the crux of the issue.
Whether Xia Hong was lying or not didn’t matter to him.
What mattered most were the lives of over a thousand people in the camp.
“Everyone, let’s head back and check.
If it’s true after all…”
The more Luo Ming thought, the more panicked he became.
He couldn’t finish a sentence before giving all his camp members a look and leading the charge towards the camp.
Of course, Xia Hong wasn’t going to object, as he was 90% sure that the Wood Puppet Monster was indeed in the Rogel Camp, so he gathered Xia Chuan, Yuan Chuan, and the others and quickly followed Luo Ming.
Hong Gang, Huang Yong, Lu He, and Chen Ying had initially planned to leave, but after witnessing Xia Hong’s actions, the four exchanged glances and, in the end, still decided to follow Luo Ming back to the Rogel Camp.
They harbored grievances against Yang and Li, but deep down, they respected Luo Ming.
If something had indeed happened at Rogel Camp, they wouldn’t stand idly by.
Whether they could help or not was another matter, but at least they would go take a look.
Very soon, only Yang Ning and Li Hu were left at the scene.
“Big brother, why did you hold me back just now when those little bastards were disrespectful to me?
These ignorant country bumpkins deserve to have a few of them killed to teach them a lesson.”
Li Hu spoke in a harsh tone, clearly upset.
He didn’t hold back earlier because Yang Ning had restrained him, thus preventing him from making a move.
Yang Ning looked down in thought for a while before raising his head to look at Li Hu and said:
“Don’t underestimate that Xia Hong; his strength is probably not much weaker than yours.”
Upon hearing this, Li Hu showed disdain and said, “Big brother, are you saying he hid in the side, and I didn’t notice?
Sure, he might just have some skills at concealing his presence.
When he came down from the tree, I observed his qi muscle fluctuations—his strength barely surpasses ten thousand pounds.
If he wants to compare with me, he has a long way to go!”
Yang Ning nodded, not disputing.
If it’s true, that Wood Puppet Monster might be in Rogel Camp.
If it’s not, then forget it, and we’ll head back.”
“Alright, but before we go back, I must teach those little bastards a lesson!”