Spellcasting Gods

"I'm so sorry, Leader! I didn't find two Stitched Abominations during my reconnaissance! But... but I saw a tent full of corpses, perhaps they were just created by them." The young man quickly knelt on one knee and explained in a rapid-fire manner.

"Forget it, one more abomination won't change their fate. Get ready, we're joining the fight."

Zhang Cheng quickly cast a mana shield on himself, mounted his horse, and controlled the remaining two arcane golems to launch an attack from the side.

He didn't want the advantage he had worked so hard to build to be wasted in the end, allowing the members of the Royal Apothecary Association hiding in the camp to retreat safely, and he certainly didn't want his mission rewards to be lost.

Although the two or three mages, led by Arya, were somewhat reluctant to approach the dangerous battlefield, they eventually obeyed orders.

After all, once such a secret operation is completed, each of them will receive a generous reward, and it will also enhance their resumes.

Six hundred meters is a distance that can be covered in the blink of an eye on horseback.

When the six mages used fireballs to blast open the side fence of the camp and began to indiscriminately slaughter the wounded or crippled undead, the balance of power completely tipped in favor of the living.

"Damn it! Go and hold them off! I'll go tell the apothecary to retreat! The data on the new plague must not fall into the hands of outsiders!" The Forsaken commander roared in Undead.

He simply couldn't believe that Dalaran, with only a few thousand people, dared to send an army right under Undercity's nose.

However, despite their roars, with both stitched abominations suppressed by the arcane golems and the mage and priest repeatedly ravaged, anyone with a modicum of common sense could see that the Forsaken were doomed and their struggles were futile.

Moreover, the Dalaran guards, led by Aiur, constantly controlled their warhorses to charge and crush, eliminating all threats in their infancy, leaving the enemy with no chance to mount an effective resistance.

The one-sided massacre lasted for about twenty minutes, and the battle finally came to an end when the last Forsaken fell.

There were no screams, no pleas for mercy, and no prisoners of war surrendering...

All that could be found were mutilated corpses scattered everywhere, and the pungent smell of embalming fluid.

Zhang Cheng now understood why, despite their small numbers, the Forgotten Ones were able to stand firmly in the northern part of the Eastern Continent.

Perhaps, as they themselves said, they had nothing left to lose, so they had nothing to fear. Their sole purpose in living was to exact ultimate revenge on the Lich King, for which they were willing to pay any price.

"Sir, we have lost twelve men and have seven seriously injured. Would you be willing to provide some healing potions?" The old man approached unnoticed, wiping the sticky mucus and bits of flesh from his beard as he asked with a grave expression.

“Okay! But before that, tell me, have you found what I’m looking for?” Zhang Cheng turned around and looked into the other person’s eyes.

El shook his head with a wry smile: "No! My men searched the entire camp, but they couldn't find the apothecary you mentioned, or any information related to the plague. It seems the other party escaped in the chaos. Should I send someone to chase after them?"

"No, no need. You take your men to town to rest first. I'll handle the rest myself." Zhang Cheng seemed to sense something and turned his gaze to a tree a dozen meters away.

"You're alone? Isn't that too dangerous? Or... why don't you bring your arcane golem?"

As a warrior, El's senses were incredibly sharp. He instantly noticed someone hiding in the tree and instinctively gripped his sword hilt.

He would immediately draw his sword and stand in front of the opponent if they moved even slightly.

"Relax, don't be nervous, go do your thing, I can handle it."

"Okay, if there is any danger, please fire a signal flare at any time, and we will arrive as quickly as possible."

Seeing that Zhang Cheng was determined, El shrugged helplessly and quickly ordered his men to gather the bodies of the stitched-up abominations and the Forsaken, burn them, and then slowly head towards the town with the wounded.

After everyone had gone far away, Zhang Cheng shouted towards the treetop with a half-smile, "Beautiful lady, aren't you going to come down?"

The words had barely left his mouth!

A dark figure suddenly descended from the sky, using tree branches to slow its descent, and finally landed steadily on the ground.

Short black hair, emerald green eyes, and a curvaceous, alluring figure that fuels the fantasies of countless men…

She was none other than Sofia, who had sneaked into the room not long ago to deliver a "small gift".

The syndicate assassin took two light steps forward, lifted her non-existent skirt, performed an elegant ladylike curtsy, and then greeted with a smile, "Good morning, young and handsome mage, we meet again."

“Yes, nothing is more joyful than the reunion of friends. If you don’t mind, could you do me a small favor and tell me which direction that Forsaken apothecary ran off in?” As he spoke, Zhang Cheng raised his staff, causing the gem at the top to emit a dazzling red light.

Anyone with a little common sense knows that this is a sign that a mage is about to cast a spell.

"Are you threatening me?" Sophia's expression changed slightly, revealing a wary look.

"Threat? No, no, no, please don't put it so harshly. I'm just asking for your help as a friend. Of course, if someone isn't willing to help me, they're definitely not my friend. And if they're not a friend, then they're naturally an enemy. What do you think..."

Chapter 0044 Cooperation

Sophia carefully observed Zhang Cheng's eyes, seemingly trying to determine whether his words were merely verbal threats or if he might actually take action.

A full minute passed before she suddenly burst out laughing, teasing, "Wow! Bullying a weak and helpless woman, that's not befitting your noble status as a mage."

“First, you are not some weak and helpless ordinary woman, but a dangerous Syndicate assassin; second, I am indeed a mage, but I have never considered myself of noble status. As long as I can achieve my goal, I don’t mind using some extreme methods. Now choose, will you become my friend or my enemy?” With that, Zhang Cheng leaned forward slightly, gripping the reins tightly with one hand, assuming a posture as if he might suddenly launch an attack at any moment.

Although he didn't intend to actually resort to violence, he wouldn't mind teaching the other party a small lesson if they didn't know what was good for them.

The reward for the "New Plague" mission was so tempting that it was enough to make him temporarily abandon his morality and conscience, and even do some heinous things.

"Is that even a question? I've always been your friend. If you'd like, our relationship can go even further, perhaps becoming lovers or inseparable allies," the female assassin replied, licking her lips suggestively.

Zhang Cheng smiled dismissively, put away his staff, and asked in a slightly amused tone, "Since we're friends, then please explain why you're here. Has the Syndicate fallen so low as to cooperate with the undead?"

"Cooperation? What a joke! The Forsaken have taken down two watchtowers under my control in just a few days! As the administrator of Durnholde Castle, I must find out what they're up to, or I won't be able to sleep soundly."

The mere mention of the Forgotten Ones immediately enraged Sofia, her tone filled with undisguised disgust and hatred.

After all, she had only just taken over and hadn't even had a chance to firmly grasp power before causing such a huge mess. No wonder she was in a bad mood.

"Oh? The watchtower you occupied has been taken down?" Zhang Cheng suddenly realized something, and a gloating expression appeared on his face.

Clearly, the Forsaken, in order to keep the secret of the new plague, cleared away all potential threats along the way, and the Syndicate was just unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire.

Sophia rolled her eyes in annoyance: "Yes! Not only did they take down the watchtower, they also killed everyone inside. I tracked them for three days straight, only to find out that their target was a worthless farm town. I don't understand why, given their strength, they could have destroyed the rudimentary fortifications in a few hours, but instead chose the slowest method."

"No, you don't understand. The undead aren't just here to destroy this town; their main purpose is to test the power of some new magical plague. See those mutated animals, and the contaminated wheat fields and land? They've developed something far more terrifying than the Scourge. I think you and I should work together to face this common threat. After all, we're both alive."

In order to gain the other party's trust, Zhang Cheng revealed a little information about the plague.

Anyway, it won't be long before all the intelligent races in Azeroth know about the Forsaken's research on the plague; he just accelerated the process a little.

"A new magical plague? Damn! Have these guys gone mad?"

The female assassin trembled at the thought of the terrifying scene when the Scourge of the Undead broke out.

She would never forget the scene of hiding under the bed in the country cottage and watching helplessly as her biological father was torn to pieces and devoured by ghouls.

I can't forget how the once thriving farm was transformed into a slaughterhouse of skeletons, ghosts, and cave demons...

Zhang Cheng feigned helplessness and shrugged, explaining, "I don't know if they've gone mad or not, but I know the Archmage of Dalaran has started paying attention to this matter. I led the team here to obtain information about the plague. As far as I know, there's an organization among the Forsaken called the Royal Apothecaries' Guild, which specializes in developing various terrible toxins and plagues. One of their members was in the military camp and escaped with the information during the chaos just now. Take me to him, and I guarantee you a satisfactory reward."

"A satisfactory reward?" Sophia slightly raised her sharp chin, her eyes filled with lewdness.

"Yes! As long as you don't cross my bottom line." Zhang Cheng nodded without hesitation.

His intense desire for a small bottle of Sunwell water made him willing to pay a price for it, even if that price was himself.

In any case, when it comes to issues of the sexes, he, as a man, is certainly not the one who suffers a loss.

Under the influence of the charm spell, Sophia immediately seemed to be stimulated, and an alluring blush appeared on her face. Then, she involuntarily groaned softly, "Ah! That's wonderful! What are you waiting for? Pull me onto the horse."

“As you wish, charming lady.” Zhang Cheng bent down and extended his left hand.

Without a word, the female assassin leaped onto the horse, snatched the reins, and said with a smile, "Hold on tight, and don't fall off the horse."

The words had barely left his mouth!

She quickened her pace, urging the horse to gallop eastward.

Because it was so sudden, Zhang Cheng was almost thrown off his horse and quickly grabbed the other person's slender waist.

And so, the two pressed close to each other, feeling each other's warmth and scent. Coupled with the friction from the jolting of the horse's back, it was inevitable that they would have some physical reactions, and the atmosphere gradually became ambiguous.

We sped along the country roads and soon left the polluted land.

Zhang Cheng, who has never had a good sense of direction, enjoyed the stimulation from the friction while loudly asking, "Where are you taking me?"

“Of course, it’s the watchtower at the crossroads of Tarrenmill and Southshore. I bet that undead apothecary will definitely flee to Tarrenmill, so what we need to do is get around him and intercept him first,” Sophia explained without turning her head.

Although her tone was very calm, a closer look would reveal that her breathing was much more rapid than usual.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Zhang Cheng understood that finding someone in a hilly area filled with trees and bushes would indeed be quite difficult. Rather than searching blindly, it would be better to ambush the person on their likely route.

After a long and arduous journey of more than three hours, the two finally arrived at a dilapidated brick and stone watchtower before their horses collapsed from exhaustion.

A masked man who was burying the body immediately put down his shovel, ran over quickly, and bowed respectfully: "Madam, you're finally back. How did it go? Did you catch up with those damned ghosts?"

"Yes, we've caught up. Don't ask too many questions yet. Immediately light the signal fires and get everyone in the watchtowers out to find a lone undead apothecary. Remember, once you spot the target, signal immediately. Do not kill him; I want him alive." Sophia jumped off her horse and quickly gave the order.

"Understood! I'll go light the beacon fire right away!" The masked man nodded vigorously and ran quickly to the top of the tower.

About two or three minutes later, a wisp of smoke slowly rose, clearly visible even from several kilometers away...

Chapter 0045 The Target Appears

Looking at the sturdy tower standing in front of him, Zhang Cheng quickly judged that it was likely a beacon tower built during the Orc Wars to quickly transmit urgent military information.

Ironically, since the fall of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, the beacon towers scattered throughout Hillsbrad Foothills have been occupied by Syndicate bandits and the Forsaken, who use them to monitor Southshore and, when necessary, launch attacks from there.

Of course, none of this mattered to him. Even if all the residents of South Sea Town died, it wouldn't matter, as long as he could complete the task and get the reward.

With an indifferent attitude, Zhang Cheng jumped off his horse and followed Sophia inside.

Perhaps due to the recent massacre, large dark brown spots were visible everywhere on the floor and walls of the hall. It was obvious that these were traces left by dried blood, and even a faint smell of blood still lingered in the air.

There were no elaborate decorations. Several thick bear skins were laid on the floor. Three tables, pieced together from some unknown type of wood, were set with half-eaten roast meat, bread, and fruit. Several hammocks hung in the corner, and a large pot simmered in the roaring fireplace, filled with a fragrant broth.

Overall, it is a shelter that provides food and a place to rest in peace.

A spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower, where two guards armed with bows and arrows vigilantly watch the surroundings. If they detect any threat, they will immediately notify those below to lower the iron gate that is the only entrance and exit.

Although Zhang Cheng was unwilling to enter this relatively closed fortress, he was exhausted and sleepy after traveling all night and needed to find a place to eat and sleep. Otherwise, he would collapse before he even found the Forgotten Apothecary.

After all, he wasn't a living dead person; he didn't need to rest or eat.

As a thoughtful woman, Sophia undoubtedly noticed the undisguised exhaustion on Zhang Cheng's face. She proactively ladled out a bowl of thick soup, followed by a plate piled high with hard bread chunks, placing it in front of him. Deliberately mimicking a wife's tone towards her husband, she said, "Here, darling, eat up. After you're done, go take a nap in the hammock. Don't worry, I'll wake you up immediately if there's any news."

"Thank you!"

Zhang Cheng ignored the verbal teasing and picked up the bowl to eat without any hesitation.

In about seven or eight minutes, he finished eating, got up, lay down in the hammock, closed his eyes, and began to rest.

Despite the persistent drowsiness, he forced himself to stay awake until evening, when a young man on guard duty rushed in, panting, and shouted, "Madam! Madam! We have news! Our people have sent out a distress signal three kilometers to the northwest."

"North? If I remember correctly, that area should be where the Yeti are found, right?" The female assassin, who had also been resting with her eyes closed, immediately opened them and asked in surprise.