The Lord of Glimmer plants the sun in the eternal night.

The flint illuminated the room brightly, but the atmosphere was somewhat gloomy.

Two people from the patrol team arrived, led by team leader Qin Kexing, who was describing the situation in the mountains.

"Many strange things have happened in the mountains recently. Some fire springs inhabited by dangerous creatures have almost gone out, while high-level fire springs have been born deep in the night fog." Qin Kexing, with a big beard, was quite rough and unrestrained. He drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan finally understood why the mountains had been so chaotic lately, and why the hunting team had encountered the blood bear in the outer area of ​​the dense forest.

Because of unforeseen circumstances in the mountains, the nests of some birds of prey and ferocious beasts were damaged, and their unusual behavior caused other creatures to flee.

"Will things get worse? What if those monsters come to the mountains?" someone asked.

The fire springs are so conspicuous in the darkness that they naturally attract the attention of various creatures, but fortunately, they each have their own territory, and most of the time a certain balance can be maintained.

But now the balance has been disrupted, and some outcasts, having failed in their struggle for territory, have escaped.

Whether they will spy on the fire spring located in the outer mountain village is entirely uncertain.

"You can rest assured, our patrol team has investigated and found that there were only two ferocious creatures that escaped this time: a blood bear and a one-eyed giant deer."

"The attacks on the previous villages were also its doing."

Qin Kexing provided the truth.

"What! There's another one-eyed giant deer!" Cao Ci exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

Unlike the strange creatures in the dark, the patrol teams in nearby villages have information about some unusual things in the mountains.

Compared to the Blood Bear, which enjoys killing for pleasure, the One-Eyed Giant Deer prefers destroying buildings.

This monstrous creature prefers to appear in winter. It will crush all the village walls and houses built around the fire spring, and then leave, leaving people to die slowly in the cold and darkness.

"So, just in case, the patrol team members are on high alert, and all combat units in the villages and towns outside the mountains must also be ready. We will sweep the mountains once this Hundred Ghosts Night Parade is over."

"Force that one-eyed giant deer out and take care of it."

Qin Kexing explained that the blood bear had been severely damaged by their patrol team and had escaped, so it was no longer as threatening as the one-eyed giant deer.

Those present breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Brother Qin just helped us drive back the Blood Bear, and now you've come to deliver the message. You've really worked hard," Fu Jiu said.

Qin Kexing waved his hand and said, "Brother Fu, what are you saying? This is all part of our duty. Don't worry, if any wild beasts or mountain monsters rush out, they will not harm anyone outside the mountain unless they step over the corpses of our patrolmen."

"Jiang Chuan, listen to this, this is what a patrolman should say." Cao Ci spoke up at this moment, with a hint of flattery.

Hearing Cao Ci speak like that, Jiang Chuan frowned slightly.

At this moment, Qin Kexing also turned his head to look over and said, "These people look rather young."

"Uncle Qin, just call me Xiao Cao."

"Ning Yao".

Fu Jiu introduced Cao Ci and Ning Yao: "These are our village's newly awakened combat sequences. Their sequence characteristics are quite good, and we all hope they can go to the distant Haoguang City for further training."

"Further studies are good. They're all young and promising. After they finish their studies, they can come back and contribute to their hometown. I remember that guy..."

"Jiang Liu is dead," someone next to Qin Kexing reminded him at the right moment.

"Yes, Jiang Liu." Qin Kexing nodded with deep emotion. "What a pity! By the way, the seventh day after his death has passed, right? I was thinking of going to Snow Eagle Ridge to pay my respects, but I've been too busy lately and haven't had the chance."

Then, he looked at Jiang Chuan:

"Hmm, this one?"

"He is Jiang Liu's younger brother, Jiang Chuan," Fu Jiu continued.

"Oh~, so Snow Eagle Ridge is yours now?" Qin Kexing nodded and then suddenly asked about it.

"Yes."

Jiang Chuan was puzzled.

Why are they asking this? Have they taken a fancy to Snow Eagle Ridge?

But that place doesn't belong to the patrol team; it's Jiang Liu's private territory, as explicitly witnessed by the 'Contractor'.

Now that Jiang Liu is dead, the inheritance will naturally go to his direct relative, Jiang Chuan.

It will only become ownerless if Jiang Chuan dies without having any descendants.

"Heh, your brother is quite arrogant. Back then, the patrol team had a ready-made base, but he insisted on driving away the mutated creatures himself, which resulted in him suffering hidden injuries."

"Tsk tsk..."

Qin Kexing shook his head, seemingly remembering something.

"Young people may have their own ideas," Fu Jiu said, trying to smooth things over.

"Haha, good job, young man! Now that you've inherited Snow Eagle Ridge, you're naturally considered part of our patrol team. You'll be joining us for the hunt for the One-Eyed Giant Deer!"

Qin Kexing laughed loudly, but his tone carried an air of undeniable authority.

"This..." Fu Jiu frowned slightly.

What use would Jiang Chuan, a mere "farmer," be in the war? Isn't that ridiculous?

However, intimidated by the imposing presence of Qin Kexing's veteran mountain patroller, Fu Jiu pursed his lips and ultimately did not defend Jiang Chuan.

Seeing this, Ning Yao frowned slightly, not understanding what Qin Kexing meant. Just as she was about to speak up for Jiang Chuan, she heard Jiang Chuan agree on his own.

"it is good."

We're being targeted!

Jiang Chuan smiled broadly, but inwardly he was cursing!

This guy has no good intentions towards me at all.

First, he asked someone to let him sit in on the conversation, but then pretended not to know him and suppressed him throughout.

Jiang Chuan himself wouldn't believe he had nothing to hide.

But he couldn't figure out exactly what the other party wanted to do. Could it be that his older brother had offended this guy?

Forget it, I'll pretend to be Tang first.

Jiang Chuan thought for a moment, gave his reply, and then got up to take his leave.

At this moment, the old village chief personally brought out a large iron platter containing a whole roasted black goat, its aroma filling the air, to entertain the patrol team and others.

He stopped the others who also wanted to leave, saying, "Don't go, join the patrol team for a couple of drinks."

Qin Ke paused for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Haha, then I'll tell you some more strange things that happened in the mountains! I'll inform Shi Village tomorrow."

The atmosphere in the room immediately became lively.

...

After leaving the village chief's house, Jiang Chuan went straight to Xing Shou Village.

Brother Liu is much better now; we can come back tomorrow to have another check-up.

He needs to hurry back now and find an opportunity to hunt some more strange creatures tonight to improve his strength.

Jiang Chuan felt that Qin Kexing might be eyeing his Snow Eagle Ridge.

Each patrol team is responsible for a specific area, covering seven to nine villages. Xueyingling is responsible for Xingshou Village.

Now that some villages have been severely damaged, these people might not be able to make any money from them anymore, so they might set their sights on Xingshou Village.

Go back and figure out how to install another arrow tower, at least to ensure that the base is not lost.

After walking for about twenty minutes, Jiang Chuan suddenly stopped and looked back.

Xing Shou Village had become a red dot, indistinct, and there was nothing in the mountains and forests except the sound of the wind.

But he had an indescribable feeling that something was off.

"Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Jiang Chuan shook his head, quickened his pace, and headed towards the territory.

...

Five more minutes passed.

A dark figure appeared on the snowy road that Jiang Chuan had traversed.

The dark figure raised its head, its nose twitched, and it turned its head to the side in the direction Jiang Chuan had left.

Then... they followed silently.