Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1171: Section 719: The Neighbor’s Guest (Part 1)_2

Chapter 1171: Section 719: The Neighbor’s Guest (Part 1)_2

"It could also be a bold adventurer group. They might have noticed our battle with the zombies and, once they confirmed that the zombies wouldn’t notice them, they decided to come and reap some spoils." Another legendary woman named Liu said.

Some agreed with her point of view, and Malin thought that the camp also supported her viewpoint—it was clearly not a permanent camp and didn’t seem like something those wandering groups could establish. The camp was too small, considering those groups number at least a few hundred people, sometimes even thousands.

"What do you think, Malin?" Bixiu Five directed his gaze toward Malin, who was reclining lazily.

"I think the camp is too small; a few people would feel cramped. It doesn’t seem like a camp for wandering groups, but it’s not impossible that it was a reconnaissance camp for a wandering group. If they confirmed it was safe, they might empty the place like moles popping out from the ground." Malin paused here: "Alright, tomorrow I’ll lead the team myself. I’ll need an assistant, and we’ll go to the site to find out."

"Count me in, Your Highness!" Lin was the first to raise his hand.

Malin nodded with a smile—even though he disliked faith, he didn’t want to dampen a young man’s spirits because of his own coldness. After all, it wasn’t Lin’s fault, and there was no need for Lin to suffer because of Malin’s personal cynicism.

The big man happily showed off his biceps and triceps—he had some strength, not quite as much as Zhao Chenggong, but he was considered the top physical cultivator under Master Zhao.

"I’m the Immortal Master, count me in!" Ling Zuo Zuo was the first to raise her hand over there.

Having a healer was a good thing; at least it would allow Malin to focus more on the battle. Malin pointed her out, and Bunny Girl, seeing Malin pointing at her, happily hugged Spotty. Then Spotty licked her face, which finally made the Bunny Girl realize the difference between hunter and prey, causing her to bristle with embarrassment and draw laughs from her companions.

"How could Malin’s outing be without me?" Sostak No.3 walked into the resting area, handing over a report to Bixiu Five while announcing his presence.

"No problem, you’re in." Malin certainly didn’t mind. Although Sostak No.3 didn’t have spell formation abilities, he was strong enough to fight equally against Zhao Chenggong when going all out. Among those present, not many had marksmanship that could rival Sostak No.3 within five hundred yards. But once the distance extended to a thousand yards, few could match him.

"I’ll go too; I want to see who could survive in such a derelict place." Bixiu Five said.

With that settled, there was only one spot left. Malin glanced around the group and finally settled on a young man—Jin Weili, a young man with blonde hair but a Thainan appearance. Despite his youth, he had exceptional talent in scouting and became the pinnacle of the Silent Sentinel at seventeen, a true prodigy.

From the start, this kid had lowered his presence to the point where it was only when Malin pointed him out that those around him realized his presence belatedly.

Confronted with Malin’s selection, the young man awkwardly scratched his head: "Your Highness, you’re overestimating me."

"Haven’t you always wanted a pistol with a silencer? I’ll give you one. How about it?" Malin asked with a smile.

Then the kid sped over on his knees to Malin’s feet with exaggerated movements, hugging Malin’s leg: "Your Highness! Please feel free to use me!"

Right there, Malin handed him a pistol with an integrated silencer. The young man took out his ordinary revolver from his waist holster, switched to the new one, and tossed the revolver onto the table.

"Alright, since the personnel are confirmed, we’ll set off tomorrow morning. I hope those guys aren’t eaten alive by something tonight." Bixiu Five clapped his hands as he said this: "We’ll leave the camp’s defense in the hands of those staying behind."

"Rest assured, sir." Zhao Chenggong, as the backbone of the team, nodded solemnly.

Bixiu smiled at Zhao Chenggong’s reply: "With you saying that, Zhao, I’m at ease."

With the tasks assigned, the group continued to enjoy life, while Malin could only hope that those in the camp would make a concerted effort to survive till dawn so that everyone’s preparations wouldn’t go to waste.

......

Jumping off the airship, Malin wiped his face, feeling like he had a talent for being a jinx. The small camp in front of him visible at a glance was covered in blood, with all sorts of equipment and weapons scattered everywhere—broken swords, firearms with twisted barrels, and torn armor. But there were no bodies to be seen.

"It seems our neighbors didn’t manage to wait for our visit," Bixiu Five remarked as he loaded his shotgun: "Pilot, ascend to high altitude and wait for our signal."

"It must have been a small adventurer team. Their opponents were pretty strong. This armor, made from the belly skin of a large Earth Dragon species—only I could tear it apart with some effort." Lin picked up a piece of torn armor to confirm. He was half a martial monk—a martial fighter who, compared to monks, wasn’t part of an order, didn’t follow monastic rules, and didn’t possess the same kind of strength.

Thus, the phrase ’without desire, one is strong’ holds some truth.