Astral Apostle

Chapter 180: Familiar Face (2)

“Damn it, to think I didn’t die in the mouth of the mutant beasts, but actually am going to die in the hands of a group of bandits.”

The hunters were filled with grief and indignation.

They were originally drinking as usual in the Hunter Tavern, but they did not expect to be plotted against and poisoned.

The paralyzing medicine used by the enemy was used to capture mutated beasts alive. It could paralyze those mutated beasts for half a day. The bandits added a bit to all the alcohol, which was why everyone was easily knocked down without any chance to fight back.

Now that the effects of the medicine were intensifying, everyone’s bodies were numb, and they could barely move.

The chains that they could usually break easily could not even be broken at this moment. A dozen hunters could only lie there obediently.

At this moment, Weber, who was in the crowd, said in a deep voice, “Don’t be disheartened. Think of a way to escape. For some reason, these bandits haven’t killed us yet, but they can change their minds and take our lives at any time.”

After leaving White Plains Town, he traveled everywhere and became a freelance hunter. Recently, he had just settled down in Deep Rock City. He did not expect to be involved in such a storm and secretly cursed his bad luck.

Soon, someone replied helplessly, “We don’t have any strength at all. We can’t escape at all. I hope that there are other hunters in the city who haven’t been plotted against like us.”

Now, everyone could only hope that someone was not in the tavern when the incident happened.

But even so, no one had high hopes.

Even if there were still hunters in the city who had not been hit, there would not be too many of them. They would not be a match for the bandits at all. It was still uncertain if they would be willing to take the risk to save them.

Even if they rescued them, the effects of the medicine would still be in effect. They would not be able to muster any combat strength even if they managed to escape. They would only be a burden and would not be able to organize a counterattack, with no help at being able to stop the bandits at all. At most, they would be able to escape and let the city fall.

Weber was depressed and helpless, but there was nothing he could do.

This feeling of not having his life in his hands was too unsettling.

At this moment, faint sounds of battle and screams came from outside.

Weber’s expression changed, and he said solemnly, “Did you hear that?”

“There seems to be a fight outside?”

Everyone hurriedly listened, but soon all the sounds died down.

After a while, the door suddenly opened with a bang.

Zhou Jing strode in with his teammates, carrying a bandit whose face was covered in blood.

“Hunter Brothers, we’re here to save you.” Cole loudly announced his identity.

The hunters were overjoyed. They hurriedly twisted on the ground like earthworms, signaling the newcomers to untie them.

Cole and the others quickly broke the chains of the hunters and helped everyone sit up.

At this moment, many hunters saw their faces clearly and realized that they were unfamiliar faces. They could not help but be stunned.

“You’re not hunters from Deep Rock City?”

“Yes, we’re Imperial Hunters. We went out to hunt a fatal-risk mutant beast and happened to pass by Deep Rock City before discovering the changes here.”

Cole answered and briefly explained the entire situation.

“Fortunately, you guys came. Otherwise, we would be doomed.”

Many hunters were overjoyed and subconsciously sized up the few of them.

Weber’s gaze swept across everyone. Only now did he see Zhou Jing’s appearance clearly. He was suddenly left stunned.

Why does this guy… look so much like Jason?

At the same time, Zhou Jing also discovered this familiar face. His heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure and pretended not to recognize the latter.

Before Weber could ask in detail, Zhou Jing took the initiative to ask, “How is your situation? Can all of you still fight?”

Hearing this, many hunters revealed bitter expressions and shook their heads.

“We were plotted against and ingested a paralysis potion. The effects of the potion have yet to wear off, so we can’t help you.”

Cole couldn’t help but frown, “This is bad…”

They had come to save the town’s hunters so that they could help fight against the bandits. However, the hunters had lost their combat strength. Not only would they not be able to help, but they would also have to divert their attention to protect them.

The few of them had just captured a survivor and obtained information—this group of bandits called themselves the Sons of the Mutant Blood. There were nearly 40 members in the group, and all of them were Mutant Blood Warriors. With their current team lineup, it would probably be difficult to deal with them.

In particular, the leader of the Sons of Mutant Blood, Dorton, had actually enhanced thrice. He was the backbone of this group of bandits.

Nearly 40 Mutant Blood Warriors were already a force to be reckoned with. A group of this size could pose a threat to most cities. It was precise because Dorton had the strength of three enhancements that he could gather so many Mutant Blood Warriors and suppress everyone.

From the captives he captured, he learned that this Dorton had not always been a bandit. He was once a proper hunter. Later on, he encountered something, and his temperament changed drastically. In the end, he embarked on the path of crime.

As for the other gang members, many of them were recruited during the plundering process. They captured this group of hunters but did not kill them because they wanted to persuade them to join and strengthen the gang.

“From what this survivor said, their plan is to plunder for the entire night. The night is still long, so we still have a lot of time… While the bulk of the Sons of Mutant Blood are still plundering outside, take the hunters and move first. Also, we should also release those workshop craftsmen.”

Zhou Jing turned to the crowd and said firmly.

“What about you?” The team leader didn’t mind Zhou Jing giving the orders. He just widened his eyes and asked.

“I’ll go scout and see if I can find some enemies to kill. At the same time, I’ll stop the enemy’s main force from returning so quickly and create time for you.”

“…Okay, be careful.”

The team leader thought about it and did not object.

He was not too worried about Zhou Jing. Although they had both undergone three enhancements, he had sparred with Zhou Jing many times in the past few months, but he had never been able to win. He knew that Zhou Jing’s strength was above his, but the other party was just too lazy to lead the team.

Zhou Jing nodded and casually threw down the bandits before turning to leave the bunker.

Weber watched Zhou Jing leave. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

His heart was filled with bewilderment. He did not understand why he would see someone so similar to Jason.

Weber could only be certain that this person was definitely not Jason because Jason was already dead—he had watched him be buried.

Such similarity only proved that this person might be related to Jason by blood…

But now was not the time to talk about this. Weber did not immediately ask the question in his heart. He decided to find an opportunity to ask in private… if he could survive tonight.

...

Dorton’s group searched Deep Rock City and did not find any other resistance teams. However, they found the corpse of another accomplice who had been killed by the earth spikes. It was as if he had been pierced through and died miserably.

“Who did this? How dare they kill my brother!”

Dorton’s eyes blazed with anger as he looked over his accomplice’s body.

He did not know the exact process of the battle, but in his opinion, a normal battle would not be such a tragic death. This was definitely revenge from an enemy.

“Continue searching. I want this guy to taste the same way of death!”

Dorton stood up, his face ashen.

However, his companions behind him had a different opinion.

“Boss, let’s go back to the stronghold first and put away our gains.”

During the search just now, everyone had also plundered quite a bit. At this moment, everyone was filled with spoils of war. They only wanted to go back and store them before coming out to continue plundering.

Dorton looked back and saw that everyone had the same intention. He could only suppress the anger in his heart and nod, “Alright, then we’ll return to the stronghold first and put down the things in our hands before chasing after this enemy. At the same time, let the others not roam alone again.”

More than ten bandits immediately returned to the stronghold.

Along the way, the bandits who received the news also came over to meet up. The team quickly grew to more than 20 people.

As they walked, the group of people suddenly stopped and looked ahead in surprise.

At the end of the street where the fire was spreading, a figure holding two sabers slowly approached through the smoke. He was faintly discernible, blocking their way forward.

Zhou Jing walked out of the smoke and stood in front of the twenty-odd people. He glanced at everyone excitedly before pointing his blade at all the enemies.

“I’ve finally found you guys. Come, accompany me on this dance of death.”