Chapter 367: Mutual Calculations

Today, Xu Sanyan finally understood the meaning of the saying “a mountain that looks close can still kill a horse.” The Southern Mountain loomed right before their eyes, yet it took the group several hours of relentless travel to finally reach its base.

Stretching tens of thousands of miles, the Southern Mountain seemed to have no end, forming a natural barrier that completely isolated the north from the south.

The Dog Clan and other tribes resided north of the mountain, while the Jade Clan lived to the south. Both races knew of the existence of tribes on the opposite side, but due to the mountain’s isolation, they had never interacted. The only occasional encounters occurred during the annual long night, when hunting parties from both sides ventured into the mountain to stockpile food.

“Be careful,” Xun Ancai called out, taking a moment to warn him. “You haven’t fully recovered yet. Just stay behind us. Those sheep are vicious—they’ll bite anyone who enters their territory.”

Xu Sanyan nodded. “Don’t worry.”

He had always valued his life. Even without Xun Ancai’s warning, he wouldn’t have rushed forward. Xu Sanyan’s sole objective remained unchanged: to kill Xun Shitou.

The group advanced cautiously, their Companion Dogs prowling around them, bodies low to the ground as if sensing danger, poised to strike at any moment.

As they ventured deeper into Southern Mountain, Xun Ancai’s pace slowed, her long blade held before her as she led the way, scouting for danger.

Her superior strength made her the natural choice for the most perilous task. Being clan chief wasn’t easy.

Suddenly, Xun Ancai crouched low, and the group swiftly took cover.

Xu Sanyan peered through the gaps in the ancient trees and spotted a distant herd of pitch-black quadrupeds. The creatures were rubbing their horned heads against the tree trunks, and a rough count put their number at over thirty.

The sight of those horns made Xu Sanyan inhale sharply, suppressing the “holy shit” that threatened to escape his lips. Are these fucking sheep?

Even ignoring their towering five-foot-tall frames, the horns alone, gleaming with a cold, menacing light, made it clear these were no ordinary sheep.

These Black Sheep were covered in thick, jet-black fur, their hooves encased in thick keratin. Their muscular thighs rivaled those of wild oxen, and when they occasionally opened their maws, the sight of their densely packed teeth sent shivers down one’s spine.

They bore no resemblance to sheep whatsoever.

Their mere size inspired awe and dread.

Xu Sanyan seriously doubted whether the Dog Clan had come to hunt or to deliver themselves as prey.

Xun Ancai remained calm, and Xun Shitou’s expression didn’t change, suggesting this wasn’t his first time here.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Xun Ancai signaled the group to retreat slowly until they were more than a hundred paces away. At this distance, the sheep wouldn’t be able to hear their conversation.

Xun Ancai surveyed the group and said, “We’ll use the same method as before. I’ll lure them, and you’ll handle the killing.”

Just as the others were about to nod in agreement, Xun Shitou’s gaze flickered almost imperceptibly toward Xu Sanyan. He spoke softly, “I’ll do the luring. The Dog Clan has only just stabilized, and we can’t afford to lose you.”

Their hunting method was unconventional. The person responsible for luring the sheep faced the greatest danger, making Xun Shitou’s offer a strategic move for the greater good of the clan.

Xun Ancai, suspecting nothing, considered briefly and agreed.

Xu Sanyan, unfamiliar with their hunting tactics, felt a sudden, inexplicable unease, as if danger was imminent.

“Ancai, how do you plan to hunt them?” Xu Sanyan asked, sidling up to Xun Ancai.

“Black Sheep are notoriously volatile and easily provoked,” Xun Ancai explained. “Once enraged, they throw caution to the wind and relentlessly pursue their target to the death. We’ll set up traps beforehand, lure them in, and gradually pick them off.”

After speaking, Xun Ancai turned to begin making arrangements.

Xu Sanyan lowered his eyelids, already guessing Xun Shitou’s intentions.

That little bastard is definitely up to no good, he thought. Ever since Xun Ancai became clan chief, Shitou had harbored deep resentment toward him. Xu Sanyan could feel the malice radiating from him like a stench.

This time, Shitou was likely planning to use the Black Sheep to kill him.

Hmph, Xu Sanyan sneered inwardly. You’ve chosen the path to hell yourself. There’s no turning back now!

By now, Xun Ancai had led the group to scout the terrain, selecting suitable locations to set up traps that would maximize their effectiveness.

Given the large number of Black Sheep, the traps needed to be substantial, which would take considerable time to construct.

Xu Sanyan didn’t lift a finger to help. He sat calmly atop the Five-Headed Dog, watching them work.

The Southern Mountain wasn’t particularly steep, but it wasn’t flat either. The uneven terrain, with its natural depressions and gullies, provided ideal locations for setting traps with minimal modification.

Moreover, armed with the swords and knives Xu Sanyan had provided, the group worked efficiently. Before long, a simple trap was completed.

Xu Sanyan circled the trap, examining the terrain. The area was relatively flat with only minor undulations, but it featured a massive, fault-like pit. The bottom of the pit was studded with sharpened tree trunks—a single misstep would mean death or, at the very least, a severe injury.

A vine hung down above the pit, specifically prepared as an escape route for Xun Shitou. Once he lured the Black Sheep close, he could use the vine to swing across the chasm.

Though the trap appeared simple, it represented years of accumulated experience by the Dog Clan—achieving maximum effectiveness with minimal effort.

Xun Ancai instructed the group to conceal themselves around the pit. The Black Sheep’s hide offered excellent defense, so the wooden spikes alone might not kill them; follow-up strikes would be necessary.

Seeing everyone prepared, Xun Shitou turned to leave, casting a deliberate glance at Xu Sanyan’s hiding spot before departing.

Heh…

A faint smile flickered across Xu Sanyan’s lips. He had concealed himself behind a tree to the left of the pit, a position dangerously close to the trap but deliberately chosen.

The Lu Clan’s Spirit Refining Force had limited range; any further away and its effects would diminish.

The Dog Clan members gripped their swords and blades, their eyes fixed on the direction Xun Shitou had vanished.

“Awoo~!!”

A resounding beastly roar echoed across Southern Mountain, its thunderous bellow reverberating through the heavens and sending flocks of birds scattering in panicked flight.

Xu Sanyan frowned. This Black Sheep… its roar is truly terrifying!

Rumble…

In an instant, the forest erupted as if a thousand horses were charging through it. Countless massive trees crashed to the ground, dust billowed in the distance, and the beastly roar grew ever closer.

A figure burst into view: Xun Shitou, fleeing frantically with dozens of Black Sheep hot on his heels. It was unclear how he had provoked them.

Xu Sanyan stared intently, waiting for the perfect moment to trip him up.

A Black Sheep rammed into a tree as thick as a man’s torso, snapping it cleanly in two. The creature shook its head as if nothing had happened and continued its relentless pursuit.

Closer…

With a thought, Xu Sanyan conjured two Divine Soul Spikes before him.

Just then, Xun Shitou suddenly veered slightly to the right, shifting his trajectory toward Xu Sanyan’s hiding place!

This minor adjustment wouldn’t significantly alter the outcome. Xu Sanyan was positioned near the deep pit, ensuring that even if the Black Sheep charged toward him, most would still fall into the trap.

Xun Shitou had calculated this precisely, aiming to eliminate Xu Sanyan without disrupting his overall plan—a perfect two birds with one stone.

What Xun Shitou didn’t realize was that Xu Sanyan had anticipated this move and chosen his position accordingly.

He had been worried Xun Shitou wouldn’t come.

(End of the Chapter)