Chapter 155: Exposing the Conspiracy of the Church of Light

A terrifying smile gradually appeared on the lieutenant's chapped lips.

He looked at Cao Xing and the others, a flash of mockery in his eyes.

"Oh? Did you change up your routine today, hoping to pry intelligence out of me?"

"Heh… give it up, you cultists. No matter what methods you use, I will never surrender to you!"

"I know your goal. Isn't it just to make me join the Church of Light and then use my position to pass information to you?"

"Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

The lieutenant shouted.

Hearing this, Cao Xing chuckled and said.

"To be able to speak so loudly, it seems you still have plenty of energy!"

The lieutenant said disdainfully, "Heh… do you think I'm as weak as you cultists?"

"You guys, just wait. His Majesty the King will definitely discover your conspiracy!"

"When that time comes, the Ice Crystal Kingdom's Knights and Expeditionary Force will destroy your strongholds one by one, and the corpses of you cultists will all be hung on the city walls!"

Cao Xing asked with interest, "Are the Knights and the Expeditionary Force strong?"

The lieutenant sneered, "Of course!"

"The King's Knights are all at least Tier 4 powerhouses, and among them are even more powerful heavy cavalry units, the Sword Knights."

"Plus the Expeditionary Force, we can round up you cultists in one fell swoop!"

Hearing this, a look of realization appeared in Cao Xing's eyes.

Then he nodded and said, "Alright, we are not Hunters. Those guys outside have already been killed by us."

Hearing this, the lieutenant scoffed, "Do you think I'll believe your nonsense?"

"You guys, I've already seen how you stop at nothing to get me to reveal intelligence!"

Cao Xing was speechless.

It seemed that during the time he was captured, those Hunters had subjected him to various methods.

He also knew that the lieutenant was very guarded.

Then, he looked at the lock on the iron door and said to Assam, "Smash the lock."

Assam obeyed the order, then raised the antique rapier in his hand and slashed down fiercely.

Clang!

After a sound of metal clashing, the chain was severed.

Seeing this, although the lieutenant looked somewhat surprised, he remained highly vigilant.

Cao Xing said, "Alright, you'll know whether we are Hunters once you come out and see."

"The corpses of those guys are still piled up at the village entrance."

Speaking of which, Cao Xing suddenly remembered something.

He took out a large pile of Hunter masks, including two masks belonging to black-robed priests.

"These were stripped from those Hunters."

The lieutenant stared at the masks on the ground; some of them even had sword marks on them.

He asked, somewhat wavering, "You say you aren't Hunters, then why are you here?"

Cao Xing replied, "I am a lord, and these people are my subordinates."

"We were out on business this time and just happened to pass by here."

"Then I saw someone like you, who wasn't wearing anything, running out to call for help, which made me realize the identity of these Hunters."

"So, I just took care of the guys in this village."

Hearing this, the suspicion in the lieutenant's eyes faded significantly.

Upon seeing the Druid and the half-giant Putana next to Cao Xing, a look of realization appeared in the lieutenant's eyes.

"I believe you are a lord now. These crazy cultists don't have the ability to make the Guardian Druid race cooperate in an act."

Andrew, standing nearby, said piously, "By the God of Nature, you are right. We Druids have our own faith."

Cao Xing chuckled, not expecting that it was Andrew who had dispelled the lieutenant's suspicion.

At this moment, the lieutenant said solemnly.

"Ice Crystal Kingdom Lieutenant, Declan Noble, thanks this young lord for the rescue!"

Cao Xing nodded, "Lord Cao Xing."

"Lieutenant Declan, why are you here, and how were you captured by these Hunters?"

Cao Xing asked straightforwardly.

Lieutenant Declan had a very decisive style of conduct; once he no longer doubted Cao Xing, he replied directly.

"This matter concerns some classified intelligence of our kingdom."

"According to the information we received, the Hunter branch in the Gale Snowfield area is organizing a terrorist operation!"

"But we don't know exactly what the operation entails."

"So General Tahid sent our reconnaissance squad to the Gale Snowfield to investigate."

"Then we investigated in the Gale Snowfield for many days and finally found a gathering place for the Hunters."

"So, we found a way to infiltrate the inside of this cult."

"Later, after a period of lying low, we discovered that the Hunters' influence in the Gale Snowfield had developed to a truly terrifying extent!"

"This organization has a large number of fanatical believers, and even powerhouses above Tier 5!"

"More importantly, we learned the goal of these Hunters. They intend to perform some kind of ritual to summon an army of White Walkers to sweep across the entire Ice Crystal Kingdom!"

Speaking of this, a look of horror appeared in Lieutenant Declan's eyes.

"White Walkers are a mysterious and vicious species. They possess terrifying freezing abilities. Any target they attack, whether it is flesh or stone walls, will instantly freeze into ice and then shatter!"

"City walls are useless against them. They can also turn all dead creatures into wights, making these corpses fight for them."

"A single army of White Walkers can easily slaughter a human city!"

"If these cultists really summon an army of White Walkers, it will be a terrible disaster for the entire Ice Crystal Kingdom!"

Cao Xing fell into thought again after hearing this.

If what the lieutenant said was true, the White Walker army was indeed quite terrifying; it could almost be seen as an alternative natural disaster.

Cao Xing continued to ask, "Then how were you captured?"

Hearing this question, the lieutenant appeared very angry.

"Because there was a traitor among us. That soldier was completely brainwashed by the Hunters."

"He betrayed the King, chose to join the Church of Light, and gave us up."

"Then, we were captured…"

Cao Xing was stunned. To think they could make a soldier betray his kingdom and faith.

Is the brainwashing of the Church of Light that powerful?

Thinking about it, he felt it was normal.

After all, for the Church of Light to have developed in the Ice Crystal Kingdom for so long and have such a massive influence, they must have some tricks up their sleeve.

Lieutenant Declan looked at Cao Xing solemnly.

"Lord Cao Xing! The Church of Light is a bunch of scourges!"

"If possible, please go to the Eternal Frost Main City as soon as possible and tell Captain Umberto this news!"

"The Hunters' operation has already begun. Before long, the army of White Walkers will descend, and they will destroy everything!"

[Lieutenant Declan has issued a quest to you: Go to the Eternal Frost Main City and expose the Hunters' conspiracy.]

[Do you accept?]

Seeing this system prompt, Cao Xing did not accept it immediately.

Through his conversation with the lieutenant, he had learned a lot of information.

This included the strength of the Hunters' influence in the Gale Snowfield, as well as their subsequent plans and goals.

And Cao Xing's territory was in the vicinity.

In other words, the Hunters' conspiracy would also sweep them, the Survivors, into it.

After a moment, Cao Xing shook his head and said, "I think it's better if you take this message back yourself."

"My territory is not far from here, and there has been a dragon disaster outbreak recently. I cannot leave my territory for a long time."

He rejected the quest.

Hearing this, the lieutenant was also stunned.

Then, he shook his head and said, "I… I can't either. I have too many internal injuries, I can't mobilize my strength, and now I can't even hold a weapon."

"In my current state, let alone returning to the Eternal Frost Main City, I wouldn't be able to run a dozen kilometers before freezing to death on the road."

Speaking of this, a look of desolation appeared in his eyes.

Cao Xing pondered for a moment, then took a bottle of Cloud Yak milk from his backpack.

The system description said that Cloud Yak milk could recover some internal injuries or chronic ailments.

He didn't know if this thing would have any effect on this Declan.

Looking at the milk Cao Xing handed over, Lieutenant Declan looked surprised.

"This is…"

Cao Xing explained, "Milk from a sacred creature; it has healing effects. Give it a try."

"If it doesn't work, drinking it to restore some stamina is also good. I see you must be hungry."

Lieutenant Declan did not refuse.

He took the small bottle of milk from Cao Xing's hand and drank it in one gulp.

Then, a green recovery number of +250 appeared above his head.

Not only that, but Declan clearly felt that after drinking this bottle of milk, a warm current surged in his stomach.

Then this warm current flowed through his whole body, even easing the pain inside his body significantly.

He said in surprise, "By the gods, the effect of this milk is truly miraculous!"

"I can feel it. Some of the injuries inside my body are recovering. It seems it really works!"

[Because you rescued Drenk Noble, his attitude towards you has changed. Current relationship: Stranger]

Hearing the system prompt, Cao Xing also smiled.

In fact, if this Lieutenant Drenk were his own friendly unit, Cao Xing could cast Ice Healing Art on him, add a Purification Spell, and quickly restore him to a healthy state.

However, because the other party already belonged to his own faction, Cao Xing could not recruit him.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Xing took out another liter, which was 10 portions of Cloud Yak milk, and 3 bottles of Life Secret Potion (Small).

"Lieutenant Drenk, I have a few more portions of milk here. Used in combination with the Life Secret Potion, it should be able to accelerate your recovery process!"

"Although I cannot go to the Eternal Frost Main City, I also do not want to see the Hunter's plan succeed."

The reason Cao Xing was willing to take out so many supplies at once, besides the reasons mentioned above, had another cause.

Through previous experiences, he had already tasted the benefits of building good relationships with these major factions.

And the largest faction in the area where Cao Xing was located was undoubtedly the Ice Crystal Kingdom.

Therefore, this was also equivalent to a kind of investment.

An expression of excitement appeared in Lieutenant Drenk's eyes.

"So many Life Secret Potions and milk are enough to recover most of the injuries in my body. Then I can absorb power and let myself slowly recover!"

"Great! In this way, I will have the strength to return to the Eternal Frost Main City and expose the conspiracy of these Hunters to the General!"

Cao Xing nodded. This was also the recovery method for the strong in this world.

After disengaging from battle, they would absorb a type of energy to recover injuries in their bodies.

In the eyes of the Survivor, it was simply recovering HP.

However, unless it was an existence with tenacious vitality, this recovery speed was very slow.

Lieutenant Drenk solemnly took these milk and secret potions, and said gratefully, "You are a powerful and kind lord. May the gods bless you!"

[Because of your generous gift, Drenk Noble's attitude towards you has changed. Current relationship: Familiar]

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Cao Xing's mouth.

Then, Drenk began to use these secret potions and milk to recover.

A few minutes later, Cao Xing saw that his HP had returned to over 4000.

Moreover, the internal injuries, hunger, and cold status on his status bar had also been cleared.

Not only that, but green numbers of +5, +5 were also appearing above Drenk's head.

Although very slow, this meant he was already recovering.

It wouldn't be long before he could restore his strength to his peak period!

Drenk opened his eyes again. His terrifying muscles bulged, and the aura on his body was like a fierce tiger released from a cage!

But facing Cao Xing, he quickly restrained this aura.

Drenk said solemnly, "Lord Cao Xing, your milk is very effective. I will soon be able to restore to my peak state!"

"However, now I have one more request. I wonder if you could agree to it."

Cao Xing was stunned. "What request?"

"Could you lend me a weapon so I can first go and rescue the soldiers?"

"When I return to the Eternal Frost Main City, I will definitely repay you many times over!"

Hearing "repay many times over," Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

He even wanted to give him that [Ancient Sword – Magdale] right on the spot.

By then, if the other party returned a few legendary weapons to him, he would be rich!

Cao Xing thought happily, although he also knew this was an impossible thing.

Thus, he took the [Black Rock Greatsword (Blue)] from his backpack and handed it to the Lieutenant.

Then he took out a dozen sets of cotton clothes and a dozen standard longswords from his backpack.

And some bread and Cloud Yak milk, placing them on the ground.

These cotton clothes and bread were naturally searched from those villagers' rooms.

Those longswords were also green weapons dropped from the Hunters.

For Cao Xing, these items did not have high value, but they could allow this Lieutenant and the other soldiers to quickly possess combat capabilities.

Looking at the pile of weapons and supplies in front of him, Drenk was stunned for a moment.

An expression of being moved appeared on this firm soldier's face, and then he bowed solemnly to Cao Xing.

Everything was understood without words.

[You gifted supplies to Drenk Noble, his attitude towards you has changed. Current relationship: Friendly]

A smile was on Cao Xing's face.

Sure enough, helping others is most effective when providing timely help.

This favorability is really skyrocketing!

The Lieutenant stood up, then quickly put on the clothes and gripped the Black Rock Greatsword.

He came to those iron doors and cut off the locks on them one by one.

Clang! Clang!

The locks fell off.

That group of soldiers still looked at Lieutenant Drenk with numb expressions.

And Lieutenant Drenk also knew the state of these soldiers.

"Soldiers, that group of crazy Hunters has been killed by this young lord. We are saved!"

"Now, put on your clothes, pick up your weapons, and let us return to the Eternal Frost Main City to report this matter to the General!"

"And then, launch the fiercest revenge against this group of Hunters!"

Hearing these words, light appeared in the eyes of the soldiers in the cage.

The word "revenge" seemed to ignite some kind of flame in their hearts!

At this moment, these soldiers, who were like walking corpses, actually summoned the last bit of their strength and came outside the prison.

Then, they saw a big pile of dry bread on the ground!

Immediately, shocking brilliance burst forth from their eyes!

They rushed over and devoured it like a pack of hungry wolves!

And the Lieutenant did not stop them.

He knew that these soldiers were starving.

A few minutes later.

This group of soldiers finished eating all the dozens of pieces of bread on the ground in one breath, and drank the milk on the side.

They seemed to have regained a bit of strength.

Then, they stood up again, put on their clothes, and picked up their weapons!

"Lieutenant…"

Lieutenant Drenk nodded.

"No need to say more."

"Now, let's go out first and leave this hellhole."

"Understood! Lieutenant Drenk!"

Then, Drenk led these dozen or so soldiers and left this underground prison together.

As for Cao Xing, he continued to scan the basement a few times.

He didn't find anything special, not even a Bronze Treasure Chest.

Shaking his head, Cao Xing also led his people out of the underground prison.

At this moment.

Lieutenant Drenk had already brought his soldiers to the entrance of the village.

Just as Cao Xing had said.

The corpses of this group of Hunters had already been piled together by them.

And after seeing the corpses of the Hunters.

A shocking brilliance burst forth from the eyes of these soldiers.

Their faces bore expressions of either satisfaction or anger!

After seeing Cao Xing come over.

All the soldiers unanimously expressed their sincere gratitude to Cao Xing.

Through the Lieutenant's account, they already knew that it was this young lord who saved them.

For a moment, the favorability of these soldiers skyrocketed.

The relationship changed from Cold to Familiar.

Cao Xing nodded.

At this time, Lieutenant Drenk came to Cao Xing's side.

He frowned and said, "Lord Cao Xing, I've taken a look, and the corpse of that White-Robed Priest is not among them."

"White-Robed Priest?"

Lieutenant Drenk nodded, "Yes, the Hunter cult organization also has a hierarchy of status."

"From Black-Robed Priest, to White-Robed High Priest, and then to Red-Robed Bishop."

"The higher up it goes, the stronger the possessed power is."

"And the White-Robed High Priest here is a guy with Tier 4 Leader-level strength. We fell into his hands."

Cao Xing nodded in realization, "Then do you know where this guy went?"

A Tier 4 Leader-level existence, although very terrifying.

But Cao Xing was not afraid.

His subordinates were all existences capable of cross-tier combat.

And even if he couldn't beat him, Cao Xing still had trump cards.

When the time comes, he would directly use the [Ascalon Book of the Dead] to summon the undead and flatten them.

Lieutenant Drenk pondered for a moment and said, "A few days ago, that White-Robed Priest came to find me once. He forced me to ask about information regarding the Witch Forest."

"But obviously, they asked the wrong person. I don't know anything about the legend of the Witch Forest."

"Later, when the White-Robed Priest saw that he really couldn't get any information, he knocked me unconscious."

"And in my unconscious state, I vaguely heard them say that they would take people to the Witch Forest in the near future, which is related to some plan coming up."

Hearing this, a look of contemplation appeared in Cao Xing's eyes again.

Because next, they were going to the Witch Forest.

By then, they might just run into this White-Robed Priest…