Chapter 1957: Your people, your decision
A moment later, all the injuries of the Black Scorpion Squad members had been treated. However, due to their severed arms, their combat abilities and mobility were significantly reduced, and even self-defense became difficult.
" Jackson, do you want me to arrange for your men to be sent back?" Margaret glanced at the members of the Black Scorpion Squad and quickly turned her gaze to Jackson. They had not been in the oasis for long, and there was still a chance to leave. If they continued deeper, there might be no turning back.
"Captain! We're fine! It's just severed arms, nothing serious!"
"That's right! We've faced even more dangerous situations; this injury is nothing!"
"Captain! Trust us, we can definitely complete the mission!"
"..."
Feeling that they were about to be dismissed, the members of the Black Scorpion Squad began to speak up, asserting that they were capable.
They knew very well that if they turned back now, all the treasures they had obtained in the oasis would be lost to them. Although the rewards for this mission were substantial, when divided among everyone, it wouldn't be enough for their retirement.
Especially in their current state, having lost their arms, they needed to find more treasures and accumulate wealth to live out the rest of their lives securely.
So, they were unwilling to leave like this.
"Miss Margaret, my brothers here have been through countless battles and have extensive experience. They have long been prepared for the possibility of death. These minor injuries won't hold them back. I can guarantee that they won't drag us down!" Jackson said seriously.
He naturally understood his brothers' intentions.
Although this oasis was very dangerous, it also hid a lot of treasures. The saying goes that wealth comes from risks, and they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity to make a fortune. After years of risking their lives, most of them had already entertained thoughts of retirement.
Once they successfully completed this mission, they would earn enough money to live comfortably in their later years.
Having come this far, none of them were willing to give up.
"Very well, they are your people. You make the decision. If there's nothing else, let's continue," Margaret without saying much, giving the order to proceed.
Everyone had their own choices, and she had no right to interfere.
Before leaving, Margaret instructed her subordinates to make a sign with a warning message.
The sign warned future arrivals not to touch the Life Prolong fruits, stating that there was a danger to their lives.
Whether anyone would believe it or not was beyond her control.
After going through a tumultuous event, the team set off once again.
However, this time, compared to before, everyone became much more cautious.
No one dared to touch anything easily, no matter what they encountered.
After walking a few kilometers, the sky finally darkened.
The night was cold, with a biting chill that made people shiver.
To avoid accidents, Margaret had no choice but to order the team to set up camp on the spot and build defensive fortifications to prevent wild beasts from invading.
Fortunately, the team had many members, and they quickly cleared the area around them and set up numerous animal traps.
On the outer perimeter, they even dug a trench to store oil. In case of danger, they could immediately ignite the oil for defense and to drive away fierce beasts.
Although most of the members in the team were elite warriors and were not afraid of ordinary wild animals, the oasis was too mysterious, forcing them to be cautious.
After setting up the camp, most people retreated into their tents to keep warm. Only two patrol teams remained, circling the campsite, vigilant against any unforeseen circumstances.
As night fell, the entire oasis came to life. Insects chirped, birds called, and various animals roared, creating a cacophony of sounds. The ground trembled, and all sorts of strange movements and noises emerged, creating a stark contrast to the daytime silence.
It was at this moment that everyone realized the terror of this oasis. What they experienced during the day was just the tip of the iceberg; only now, under the cover of night, did the true nature of the oasis reveal itself.
Inside a certain tent, Dustin and Margaret sat across from each other, warming themselves by the fire and sipping tea.
"We have entered the oasis. Has your Heavenly Eye sensed anything?" Margaret broke the silence first. She had asked for Dustin's assistance not only because of safety concerns but also because he possessed the Heavenly Eye, which could penetrate illusions, decipher formations, and be used for treasure hunting. Whenever a treasure approached within a certain distance, the Heavenly Eye would sense it.
"In the southeast and northwest directions, there are faint sensations, but they are not very clear. Moreover, they don't match the description of the Dragon Vein Energy you provided," Dustin said lightly after taking a sip of tea.
Faint sensations could mean two possibilities: either the distance was too great, or the treasure was not significant enough. Of course, treasures like the Black Spiritual Crystal and the Life Prolong fruits wouldn't even qualify for the Heavenly Eye's attention.
"In that case, we have to continue deeper," Margaret nodded. She didn't expect to find traces of the Dragon Vein Energy within a day. However, considering their current situation, the sooner they completed the mission, the safer they would be.
"To be honest, I have a bad feeling. Finding the Dragon Vein Energy this time might not be easy," Dustin said casually.
"If it were easy, I wouldn't have asked for your help," Margaret said calmly. "The Dragon Vein Energy is related to the fate of the nation. No matter what difficulties we encounter, I must retrieve it."
"You're the boss; you call the shots," Dustin shrugged.
Having promised to help, he would naturally assist to the best of his ability.
"Woo!"
Just as the two were chatting, a signal representing danger suddenly sounded. Immediately after, there was a roar of a fierce beast.
"Roar!"
The roar echoed, causing a commotion throughout the campsite. Everyone picked up their weapons and rushed out of their tents, ready to face the unknown danger.
"What's going on?" Margaret frowned slightly. When she and Dustin went out to take a look, they coincided with the captain of the guards who hurriedly approached.
"Miss, an unknown creature is approaching. Please stay in the tent for now!" the captain of the guards said.
"Creature?" Margaret raised an eyebrow. "Let's go. Take me to see!"
"Miss, there might be danger!" the captain hesitated.
"With Mr. Dustin here, I'm not afraid of being harmed," Margaret said confidently.
Without further ado, she walked directly toward the source of the sound.
She wanted to see what kind of creature would dare to attack the camp at night.
especially her mom. everytime Dustin meets them I wish he just shoot a silver needle between their eyes...
