82: Chapter 82 Anyone can act, right?

Soon, the group of dozens arrived at a forest by the lake and quietly lay in ambush.

Lin Mo quietly poked his head out and looked toward Moonlight Lake.

With just one glance, he was captivated by the scenery.

The lake surface was like a mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds. The aquatic plants along the shore shimmered with a faint silver glow. When the wind brushed across the water, the rippling waves looked like scattered moonlight. It was so beautiful that one couldn't look away, truly living up to the name "Moonlight Lake."

But this tranquility was soon broken.

The lakeshore was currently densely packed with exotic beasts.

Although most were second or third-tier, not particularly high-level, the sheer number was staggering. A vast, dark mass of them, at least several hundred.

Never mind their group of a few dozen; even if they had twice as many people, rushing in rashly would not end well.

Captain Shi Hu was, after all, an experienced mercenary, and he quickly made a decision:

"It is currently afternoon, which is the time when exotic beasts gather to drink, so it is not suitable to act. Let's head to the cliff on the opposite side of the lake to rest first, and wait until nightfall to make our move."

With that, he signaled the group, and they moved silently along the edge of the forest toward the cliff on the other side of the lake.

The fallen leaves under their feet crunched softly, startling a few birds. Everyone held their breath, fearing they would disturb the herd of exotic beasts by the lake.

Lin Mo followed within the group, but his gaze never left the lake surface.

He kept feeling that there was something strange about Moonlight Lake.

The water was too clear; one could even see several meters deep, yet not a single fish could be seen. Even aquatic plants were pitifully scarce. It was eerily quiet.

"What's wrong?" Teacher An Nuolan noticed his expression and asked in a low voice.

"It's nothing," Lin Mo shook his head. "I just feel like this lake... is a bit strange."

Teacher An Nuolan also looked toward the lake. She only thought the scenery was stunning and didn't see anything unusual, so she didn't ask further.

The group walked around the lakeshore for nearly an hour before arriving at the foot of the cliff on the opposite side.

The terrain here was steep, the vegetation sparse, and the view open. It was indeed a good place to rest and observe.

Captain Shi Hu had people find a few sheltered nooks on the cliff face, arranged for everyone to rest, and assigned two people to take turns keeping watch.

The setting sun dyed the lake a golden red.

As night fell, the exotic beasts by the lake gradually dispersed, except for a few that lay by the shore, intending to spend the night.

Moonlight Lake returned to tranquility.

Captain Shi Hu and Young Master Li discussed the location of the encampment and began making arrangements.

"Teacher An, you take these three young ladies and a few female members from my group to protect Young Master Li. These two little brothers will come with us to deal with those exotic beasts."

"That wouldn't be good. My two students only have strength around the second tier. How about I go with you instead!" Teacher An Nuolan was unwilling in her heart to have her team separated.

Moreover, she had also noticed those exotic beasts intending to spend the night by the lake. They were basically all third or fourth-tier.

"Hehe, Teacher An, you don't need to worry. With me here, I will also have the brothers in the team help keep an eye on them."

"And as you can see, Young Master Li lacks an expert to protect him, so having you stay is just right."

Lin Mo quietly gave Teacher An Nuolan a look, signaling her not to worry.

"Hehe, Teacher An, rest assured. With Captain Shi Hu here, we won't be in any danger."

Lin Mo could not afford to fall out with them before discovering Young Master Li's true objective.

"Alright then, you two be careful."

The night grew darker, and the moonlight spilled onto the lake surface, casting a layer of cold, silver radiance.

Captain Shi Hu led Lin Mo, Niu Dachun, and a dozen or so mercenaries toward the lakeshore. Their boots stepped on the slippery pebbles, making small, crunching sounds.

"Behind that crooked tree ahead, there are two fourth-tier Azure Water Pythons, and in that patch of grass, there are six third-tier Water-Patterned Crocodiles..."

Captain Shi Hu lowered his voice and pointed out the distribution of those exotic beasts.

"Little brother, you and your classmate just stand over there and keep watch later. If you spot any exotic beasts coming this way, give us a signal."

Lin Mo sneered in his heart, but nodded with feigned gratitude on the surface.

Because this appeared to be the simplest of tasks.

But if the other party played dirty and drove all the exotic beasts toward them, then his and Da Chun's position would surely be the path the beasts would take to escape.

Yet Lin Mo still agreed with a smile.

"No problem, Captain, rest assured. Leave it to me and my brother."

"Haha, not bad, little brother. I have high hopes for you."

Captain Shi Hu led the mercenaries as they crouched and rushed toward the lake. The crisp sounds of energy colliding soon exploded into the night.

Lin Mo pulled Niu Dachun to hide behind a large boulder, appearing to stare intently at the lakeshore not far away.

"Boss, are they really just asking us to keep watch?" Niu Dachun scratched his head, his hands gripping the Frying Pan so hard they were almost sweating.

"Like hell they are."

"At night, the vision of several types of exotic beasts by the lake is affected. So, as soon as they make a move, if they don't kill them immediately, the beasts will definitely flee in our direction. Our ultimate fate would be to be crushed into meat paste by the beasts."

"What! They want to backstab us?" Niu Dachun was a bit simple-minded, but he wasn't stupid.

Once he heard Lin Mo's analysis, he immediately understood.

The other party was aiming to kill him and Brother Lin Mo.

"Alright, don't be impulsive." Lin Mo held him down.

"I don't know if they will die, but we will definitely be fine."

As they spoke, a commotion suddenly erupted from the battlefield.

Captain Shi Hu and his group were indeed deliberately driving several exotic beasts toward them. The pythons hissed and twisted their bodies, their massive tails snapping the bushes along the shore.

There were also three or four giant crocodiles, with bodies like giant elephants, stomping with heavy footsteps and charging toward them. Every step made the ground tremble violently.

"Here they come!" Lin Mo gave a low shout and suddenly yanked Niu Dachun down to the ground.

Almost in the same instant, a golden furnace shadow tightly enveloped the two of them.

"Thump, thump, thump, thump!"

The ground shook even more violently. Lin Mo only felt several black shadows whistling past above his head, and his mental power received several heavy pressures in succession.

That was the feedback from the giant crocodiles' feet stepping on the shield.

His heart went cold; if not for this Furnace Shield, the two of them would likely have already been trampled into meat paste.

"Little brother, hurry and dodge!" Captain Shi Hu shouted from afar, his tone urgent, yet deep in his eyes hid a trace of imperceptible smugness.

In his view, Lin Mo and Niu Dachun had likely already been turned into mush under the giant beasts' feet.

"Oh, no!" Captain Shi Hu rushed over, and not seeing the two of them standing, immediately put on an expression of utter grief.

"I'm sorry, little brothers. It is I, Captain Shi Hu, who has failed you..."

The few mercenaries following behind him, catching a glimpse of Captain Shi Hu's Oscar-worthy performance in the moonlight, couldn't help but stifle their laughter, their shoulders trembling slightly.

"Hehe, Boss's acting, it's incredible."

"That's right, the Captain has fooled so many people with this trick over the years."

"*Sniff*—" Captain Shi Hu "wept" for three seconds, then fiercely sniffed his nose, sucking back the snot that was about to fall out, and continued acting: "Rest assured, two little brothers, your teacher and female classmates, we will take good care of them. You can just rest in peace..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the two people lying on the ground suddenly stood up.

"Alright, Captain Shi Hu." Lin Mo brushed the dust off his body, his tone calm. "As for my teacher and classmates, we will take care of them ourselves, so there is no need to trouble you. Who doesn't know how to act?"

"Holy crap! A ghost!"

The two of them suddenly rising startled Captain Shi Hu and his subordinates, causing them to retreat several steps in a row, their faces full of astonishment.

"Y-you... didn't die?!"

Captain Shi Hu pointed at them, unable to speak coherently.