Chapter 271 - 163: Cleanup Mission, Pei Lingjie’s Premonition

Chapter 271: Chapter 163: Cleanup Mission, Pei Lingjie’s Premonition

A Second-level Wizard at eighteen. Even Ji Sheng, a Level 3 Wizard, had to marvel at the implications.

"You flatter me, Sir," Pei Ze said, his expression calm.

Ji Sheng laughed heartily and turned the conversation to business.

"I heard about the situation from Yin Xue. We are indeed short-handed right now. It would be a great help if you could assist us."

The manpower shortage was partly because the operation was so sudden, leaving no time to redeploy personnel. But there was also the matter of secrecy.

The news couldn’t be leaked to outsiders before the operation began. If the Pei Family Wizards still out in the field found out, it could cause unnecessary complications.

That was why the Witch Hunting Team had never considered recruiting Free Mages.

But after Yin Xue’s reminder, Ji Sheng realized he had overlooked someone: Pei Ze.

Pei Ze’s status as Mo Weng’s disciple, combined with his grudge against the Pei Family, meant he was naturally their enemy. Even though he wasn’t a member of the Witch Hunting Team, he was undoubtedly on their side.

Besides, Pei Ze was also incredibly powerful.

When he was still a Level 1 Wizard, he could already kill Second-level Wizards and fourth or fifth-rank Winter Frost Priests. Now that he had advanced to Second-level Wizard, he probably stood a fighting chance even against a Level 3 Wizard.

This kind of powerful combatant was exactly what they desperately needed at the moment!

"Can I ask for intelligence on the target’s strength?" Pei Ze asked.

"Of course." Seeing Ji Sheng nod with a smile, Yin Xue immediately explained, "Pei Lingjie himself is at the liquefaction stage of a Level 3 Wizard. Besides him, there are seven other Wizards in his party, all from the Pei Family. Four are Second-level Wizards, and three are Level 1 Wizards."

"However, their mission is to destroy a temple in a town and clear out the sect’s forces there. It’s a difficult task, so they will likely suffer some losses. By the time we face them, their strength should be somewhat diminished."

"And what about your side?" Pei Ze asked.

"On our side, besides Lord Ji Sheng, there are three Second-level Wizards, including myself, and two Level 1 Wizards. As for Yin Guang, he’s staying behind to guard Red Maple City and won’t be joining the mission."

A glint flashed in Pei Ze’s eyes.

Their side was short one Second-level Wizard and one Level 1 Wizard. That was a significant gap.

’Of course, it’s also possible that the Wizards dispatched by the Witch Hunting Team are the best of their respective levels,’ he thought. ’After all, they have detailed intelligence on the target. It’s unthinkable that they would go on a suicide mission knowing they were outmatched.’

’But this also confirms that the Witch Hunting Team really is short on manpower.’

Seeing that Pei Ze was tempted, Ji Sheng smiled and added another incentive.

"If you’re willing to help us, I can make an executive decision to treat this as an official mission. The base reward will be ten thousand merit points, with additional rewards for any other contributions you make during the mission. What do you say?"

It had to be said, the reward was quite attractive.

Upon hearing this, Pei Ze no longer hesitated and immediately nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I’ll take the mission."

At his words, smiles appeared on both Ji Sheng’s and Yin Xue’s faces.

With a powerful combatant like Pei Ze, who was comparable to a Level 3 Wizard, joining them, their confidence in completing the mission grew even stronger.

"Do we leave now?" Pei Ze asked.

"That’s right." Ji Sheng smiled and nodded. "Pei Lingjie and his group are on a mission in the heartland of the Winter Frost Sect Country. It’ll take us about two days to travel there from here."

"Time is of the essence. We should set off as soon as possible. Delays breed trouble, and we can’t risk Pei Lingjie sensing that something is wrong."

Pei Ze nodded, having no objections.

To make travel easier, none of the Wizards brought their followers on this mission, and Pei Ze followed suit.

After sending a letter to inform Su Ya and Peng Yan, he followed Ji Sheng and the others out of the tavern.

When they reached the city gates, the teammates who would be joining the operation were already waiting.

A few of them were familiar faces he had seen several times at Yin Xue’s residence, including the Female Witch.

The moment they saw him, the four of them immediately focused their gazes on Pei Ze, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock, awe, and reverence.

They clearly already knew that Pei Ze was joining the mission and that he had been promoted to Second-level Wizard.

A Second-level Wizard at eighteen!

It seemed a Second-level Wizard this young had never appeared in Chenxi City before!

In the entire Star Realm Alliance, only the direct descendants of the so-called "Chosen" Rule Wizards could reach the realm of a Second-level Wizard before the age of eighteen.

One could only imagine the immense uproar this news would cause once it got back to Chenxi City!

For a moment, all four of them were filled with utter amazement.

"Let’s move out."

Ji Sheng didn’t say much more, giving the order crisply.

The group quickly mounted the giant eagles that had been prepared for them, soared into the sky, and flew swiftly into the distance.

...

「Winter Frost Sect Country, Xuetong City.」

This prosperous city, located in the heart of Duke Snow Wolf’s territory and guarded by a High Priest, was now desolate and grim. Smoke rose from all corners of the city, the streets were empty, and the citizens were all hiding in their homes, too afraid to come out.

The Duke’s Mansion and the temple in the very center of the city had long been reduced to ruins, with bodies piled among the rubble and broken walls.

The air was filled with a nauseating, scorched stench.

Pei Lingjie hovered high in the sky, staring down at the ruins below with a deep frown.

He wasn’t lamenting the tragic scene of war before him, but rather pondering recent events.

’I don’t know if I’m overthinking it,’ he thought, ’but something about the recent situation just feels... off.’

The members of his Pei Family in the Silver Light Legion were constantly being sent on various dangerous missions, suffering heavy casualties.

From what he knew, more than thirty Wizards from his family had lost their lives recently.

It gave him the distinct impression that the upper echelons of Red Maple City were targeting his family.

But on the one hand, he had checked with the main family in Chenxi City, and they reported that nothing unusual was happening.

On the other hand, after penetrating deep into the Winter Frost Sect Country, the Red Maple City army had encountered increasingly fierce resistance. Casualties were mounting not just for the Pei Family, but for the other families as well.

"Perhaps it’s just my imagination," Pei Lingjie muttered to himself.

Just then, a Wizard came to his side and said in a low voice, "Sir, the remaining resistance has been wiped out. There are no survivors."

Pei Lingjie snapped back to his senses and asked in a solemn tone, "What about our casualties?"

The Wizard’s eyes dimmed. "Pei Xu and Pei Zhang were killed in action," he said softly. "The others only sustained some injuries."

Pei Lingjie sighed inwardly.

’Two more Level 1 Wizards lost.’

In this planar war, the Pei Family had already lost over a hundred Wizards. Although the family had deep foundations, they couldn’t sustain such losses.

He could only hope that the gains from conquering the Winter Frost Sect Country would be enough to compensate for the family’s losses.

Gathering his thoughts, Pei Lingjie said in a deep voice, "Pack it up. We’re returning to Red Maple City."

"Yes, Sir!"

Soon, under Pei Lingjie’s lead, the group of six Wizards departed without a backward glance, leaving behind only the devastated city.