Noxus Glory

Chapter 51 Ice Never Begs for Mercy

Amidst the chaotic rocks and forests.

The oddly shaped rocks and trees are randomly piled up, forming a winding terrain.

The winter sun pierced through the clouds, bringing a rare warmth to the cold, snowy environment.

Huo Jixing leaned against the smooth-surfaced boulder, chewing on the hard dry rations in his mouth.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he withdrew his crimson gaze from the sky and saw Heini walking towards him, carrying a stone bowl filled with warm water.

"Is this the duty of a sword-wielding boy?"

Huo Jixing sized up the boy carrying a runic weapon, shrugged, picked up the stone bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

In recent days, he has come to appreciate the benefits of having a swordsman.

The food was prepared, the water was delivered, and there was constant care and concern – complete and thorough care from beginning to end.

"Do you need anything else?" Heini asked, her eyes wide.

This was his third day with the team, and what he had seen and heard along the way filled him with curiosity about the centurion, Huo Jixing.

Humble and polite, with outstanding skills.

He was never harsh on his subordinates, nor did he defend his own rights. Instead, he blended in with them and chatted and laughed with them.

This is very different from his previous team, or even from the atmosphere of most Noxus legions.

It's very rare.

"No need. Go take care of Oaks, lest his wound reopen." Huo Jixing shook his head, turned his gaze, and looked at the dappled sunlight in the distance.

The rocky forest that Oakes chose not only had broken boulders but also fallen and leaning trees, which together formed a complex and varied terrain.

It has also become their resting place in recent days.

The rapid journey over the past few days had taken them far from the burned-out villages, and the traces left along the way had been cleaned up by Sharuba and Eric.

This is a warning from AUX!

The Raven Clan has a strong tracking ability, and even Oakes, a war stonemason, needs to be careful at all times to avoid leaving any trace.

Everyone listened to Oakes's advice.

This unfounded belief was not directed at Oakes himself, but at his identity as a war stonemason.

And during these few days, Huo Jixing deeply understood the importance of the war stonemason.

Without Eric's guidance or Hoji Star's frequent use of [Vermilion Bird: Crimson Eyes], Oaks could easily find a shortcut to avoid the clan warriors' pursuit.

However, the environmental impact of the ice sheet and permafrost still exists.

Since they ventured deep into Freljord, the howling winds and relentless blizzards, like unseen ghosts, have sought to bury all living things in the Ironthorn Mountains.

"Um?"

While basking in the sun, Huo Jixing saw an armored figure rapidly approaching from the rocky forest.

It's Rand and DeWitt.

After carrying out several reconnaissance missions together, the two seemed to have developed a certain understanding and chose each other as their partners.

Considering DeWitt's ability and age, Hojixing was happy to see it happen.

"Crusader, something's up!" Rand, who had run quickly to the boulder, gasped for breath, a flush rising on his usually cold face.

"On the distant ice field, wheel tracks were found, along with campfire ashes buried in the snow."

Upon hearing the news, Huo Jixing raised an eyebrow, unable to contain his emotions once again, and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, I hope this time we'll get something out of it!"

The weather in Freljord is simply too cruel and unforgiving.

Even with the blessing of the Southern Fire, Huo Jixing was still somewhat unable to withstand it.

There's no need to wait to call for other Noxian scouts.

In a sheltered spot in the rocky forest, Oakes and his companions, having noticed the commotion, quickly approached.

A few minutes later, after listening to Rand and DeWitt's account, the quiet atmosphere in the group became somewhat restless, and a blush appeared on everyone's face.

Compared to the previous scattered rumors, this one seems to be more realistic.

"Gentlemen."

Huo Jixing walked to the front of the group, his posture upright, his left hand on the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist, and his right hand pointing to the sun that was gradually setting in the west.

"Time is running out!"

He looked around at the crowd, his dark eyes filled with icy coldness.

"We must follow the tracks before nightfall, otherwise the blizzard and the night will destroy all traces."

"Aux, don't let us down this time!"

At the end of his words, Huo Jixing looked deeply at Oaks, then roared at the minotaur standing at the back of the group.

"Hager, protect Oaks."

Don't worry!

The minotaur, Hag, grinned, a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile on his face, and proudly puffed out his chest, pounding it forcefully.

In the howling, cold wind, the rapidly falling snowflakes obscured the view.

The Minotaur's towering figure enveloped Oaks, protecting him from the biting wind.

Hoji Star seemed unaffected, stepping on the fresh snow and landing behind Oakes and Hager.

He didn't know if he had any so-called talent for command, but as a war stonemason, Oaks certainly did, and with extraordinary talent.

Therefore, he would listen to Oakes' advice at crucial moments, and even relinquish command.

Just like Sharuba and Sword Boy Heine said of him, he never defended his rights, nor did he act superior.

On the vast ice field, a convoy loaded with supplies was traveling against the blizzard.

Pale snowflakes danced in the air, landing on the carriage canopy and horses' hooves, adorning the slowly moving caravan with a layer of silver feathers.

Perhaps the ground was too slippery, or perhaps the weather was too cold.

Ernuk, pulling the vehicle, would occasionally emit a low hum, and his exhaled air would form puffs of white mist in the cold environment.

Squeak!Squeak!

The wheels of the cart scraped against the snow, making a series of sounds. The clan warriors guarding the area moved cautiously, their cold eyes surveying the environment behind the blizzard.

"It's a supply convoy!"

Huo Jixing lay prone in the snow, his slightly scorching gaze sweeping over the long convoy and the blue flags fluttering in the wind.

It is engraved with the pattern of the claws of winter.

The convoy traveling across the ice field consisted of six carriages, each carried by a different number of Enukara, their bodies covered in snow.

Visibly exhausted, these Ernuk had long been unkempt, their orange fur matted together under the falling snow, resembling deer antlers; some were broken, others cut off.

Besides Ernuk, there were about thirty clan warriors guarding the caravan.

Judging from their fur armor and weapons, they were probably not elite warriors of the Winter's Claw, but rather members of a subordinate clan or a blood alliance.

Perhaps they themselves never imagined that someone would cross the line and penetrate deep into Freljord.

"Shall we make a move?" Sharuba slowly crawled over, his gray hair covered by snowflakes, but a hint of bloodlust appeared in his calm eyes.

"No, wait a little longer!" Huo Jixing shook his head and refused.

Looking back at the many Noxian scouts silently lurking in the snow, they tried their best to control their breathing so as not to reveal their location.

Further away, rising snow-covered hills are the Minotaur Hag.

Beneath his body, the wounded war stonemason Oakes, protected by a sturdy shield, was spared too much of the blizzard's onslaught.

The blizzard is still ongoing; they will stop and rest before dusk.

Huo Jixing withdrew his gaze and stared at the clan caravan not far away, thinking of Oakes' suggestion.

Freljord at night is far beyond the capabilities of these ordinary clan warriors.

They will definitely choose a location to set up camp based on the environment.

Another important point is that they cannot fight on this open ice field, lest someone escape and reveal their whereabouts.

"We have plenty of patience!" Huo Jixing's gaze was fixed on the convoy ahead, and he chuckled softly.

How could we easily let go of such a hard-won opportunity?

The ice and snow are never kind to any creature that sets foot on this frozen northern land, not even the Freljord people.

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(End of this chapter)