Chapter Four: The Centaur Sergeant Major

After ensuring all the dwarves had retreated to the “Woodland Fairy Legion” to protect the young maidens, Li Mingxing set out with three harpies by his side. Before charging ahead, he had already reminded the harpies to use the new weapons he had prepared for them over the past few days.

Li Mingxing’s idea had been clear from the start—he had his foundry craft ammunition slightly smaller than the usual spring-loaded projectiles, leaving enough space inside for him to inject poison as needed. Conveniently, he had recently developed a contagious poison, and now was the perfect opportunity to let the harpies use it. When they hurled these poisoned spring bullets, they struck several centaurs with impressive accuracy, just as Li Mingxing had anticipated.

Perhaps the poison bullets themselves lacked substantial destructive force; the centaurs seemed to treat them as minor wounds, barely reacting as they darted about, intent on seeking a chance to attack Li Mingxing again. By the time they realized they had been poisoned, it was already too late. Li Mingxing observed that at least half the centaurs attacking him were afflicted, some so weakened they could no longer leap from branch to branch, tumbling down from the trees instead.

Witnessing this, Li Mingxing knew the moment for counterattack had arrived. With a sweeping gesture, he signaled the “Woodland Fairy Legion”—all the young druids unleashed their power, bolts of lightning crackling from each staff, striking the centaurs that had emerged nearby.

The wave of attacks decimated half the centaurs. The once fierce and determined attackers, who had planned to annihilate Li Mingxing’s forces, retreated in disarray.

Li Mingxing did not order a pursuit. Gazing at the thirty-odd corpses strewn across the ground, he realized that the enmity between himself and the centaurs had reached a point of no return. Now, he needed to quickly locate the harpy tribe residing in the forest, for his current strength would not withstand another centaur assault.

As Li Mingxing was about to lead his troops onward, the Blackstone Warrior grabbed his arm and held him back. Startled, Li Mingxing immediately noticed a centaur standing among the branches nearby.

This centaur was unlike those who had just charged—his body was half again as large as a typical centaur, his coat gleaming silver-white, a silver helmet atop his head, a three-meter-long spear in hand. The ease with which he balanced on the branch made it clear to all how formidable he was in forest combat.

That such a conspicuous figure had gone unnoticed until now spoke volumes about his ability to conceal his presence.

Facing such a foe, Li Mingxing couldn’t help but ask, “Blackstone Warrior, what do you think of his strength?”

“If it were one-on-one, perhaps I could challenge him. But if we both charge in together, it’s possible we’ll end up worse off,” the Blackstone Warrior replied, gripping his battle axe.

Li Mingxing was taken aback. The Blackstone Warrior was the strongest among his fighters—if even he spoke so cautiously, it was clear the enemy was formidable, especially given his warning about the centaur’s prowess in group combat.

Confronted by such an adversary, Li Mingxing’s expression grew colder. Finally, he turned to Aisha and said, “Have your subordinates transform into three werewolves. I’ll send half the dwarves and two harpies with you. Go to the harpy tribe and try to convince them to send reinforcements.”

Aisha immediately understood the gravity of the situation. Without a word, she led the “Woodland Fairy Legion” toward the harpy tribe.

The white centaur watched Li Mingxing’s actions, yet made no attempt to stop him. Instead, he smiled faintly and pointed his spear at Li Mingxing.

Li Mingxing recognized this as a challenge. He knew that if he did not accept, the centaur would not wait here but would instead attack his forces.

Faced with such a formidable enemy, the warrior’s blood surged within Li Mingxing. He nodded to the Blackstone Warrior and leapt up into the trees.

Although Li Mingxing had spent the past days honing his ability to run and jump among the branches, he could never match a centaur who had evolved over countless generations in this forest. The moment Li Mingxing landed, the centaur struck—the spear flashed coldly toward him.

Li Mingxing dodged, dropping down from the tree. Though he evaded the blow, the centaur was clearly displeased.

With a disdainful snort, the centaur leapt down, pursuing Li Mingxing.

Li Mingxing fled, but remained vigilant, observing his surroundings. After a few steps, he circled a nearby tree, maneuvering behind the centaur, and struck with his scorpion tail.

But he was just a fraction too slow. As his tail lashed out, the centaur spun and thrust his spear.

Li Mingxing had known from the outset that his own attack power was no match for this centaur; his only chance lay in risking everything. As the centaur stabbed, Li Mingxing threw himself forward, plunging his scorpion tail into the centaur’s body.

At the same moment, the centaur’s spear pierced Li Mingxing, inflicting a grievous wound. Still, Li Mingxing gritted his teeth, gripping the spear tightly with his forepaws and wresting it from the centaur’s grasp.

The centaur tried to reclaim his spear, but the neurotoxin Li Mingxing had injected rendered him incapable of movement. He could only watch helplessly as several dwarf artillerymen rushed over, their three muskets firing simultaneously, blasting his upper body to pieces.

After dragging the centaur’s lower half aside, the Blackstone Warrior glanced at Li Mingxing’s wounds. “If only you had a druid here now. You shouldn’t have sent them away so quickly.”

“They need to learn to mature,” Li Mingxing replied, instructing his men to secure the spear in his wound. “If they always rely on our protection, what’s the point of having warriors?”

“I hope you’re right. You’d best stay put for a while—walking with a spear lodged in your body is hardly advisable. Those artillerymen were a bit reckless, though. Couldn’t they aim lower? Such a fine helmet, and they ruined it.”

“Not as if you need a helmet,” Li Mingxing remarked, now able to move a little with the spear secured, no longer fearing excessive bleeding.

“I may not need it, but someone else might. If we had that helmet, we could at least get information from the harpies, learn who this centaur was.”

“He was the chief sergeant of the Green Spear Forest tribe, one of their two strongest warriors. Today, the Green Spear Forest tribe has some distinguished guests. He came out intending to capture suitable beasts for ceremonial offerings.” At that moment, a voice sounded nearby.

Li Mingxing turned to see a flock of harpies with white or blue wings flying toward him, accompanied by his two harpies and Aisha.

When they reached Li Mingxing, Aisha noticed with alarm the silver spear still embedded in his body.

The harpies who had accompanied them showed no reaction. They glanced at Li Mingxing and said, “So you are the one Aisha and her companions call their leader. With your strength, to slay the chief sergeant of the Green Spear Forest tribe is a remarkable feat, but it’s not enough to qualify for an alliance with us. At most, we’ll allow you to stay temporarily in our territory—unless…”

“Unless you want me to help defeat the Green Spear Forest tribe?” Li Mingxing said, as Aisha helped remove the spear, sounding almost casual.

“No need to defeat them. I want to know the identity of their distinguished guests—who could persuade them to abandon the vast lands left vacant by the unicorn migration?”

“That’s certainly a troublesome task. I wonder if you have any experts in stealth. If not, my skills might suffice. Otherwise, I’d only be delivering offerings myself.”

At Li Mingxing’s words, several harpies grew displeased. One spoke up, “Coward. Are you truly a lion scorpion? I suspect you’re merely a human wrapped in a lion scorpion’s skin.”

“How did you know?” Li Mingxing replied disdainfully. “We didn’t come here to die. I am a merchant—I don’t do things without benefit.”

“A merchant? You’re no merchant. I’ve never seen a merchant send all his protective forces into battle. Your relationship with the ‘Woodland Fairy Legion’ must be something else.”

“So what?” Li Mingxing shot the harpies a glare.

“If you’re willing to let this troop join our tribe, perhaps we’ll offer you greater rewards.”