Chapter 2124 Harsh Conditions
Hey why are you even thinking about coming along? You get carsick just sitting in a vehicle. We’re heading into battle, not a vacation. Who has time to babysit someone as useless as you?” Quintus scapped.
He didn’t have the slightest trace of sympathy for Libby and was ready to drag her away.
Claudette had nailed it–Quintus only had room in his eyes for Mackenzie. To him, every other woman might as well have been a man.
“Mackenzie! Mackenzie!”
Libby knew that only Mackenzie could stop Quintus, so she shouted her name with desperation that tore at the heart.
“Wait a moment!”
Mackenzie did call out to Quintus, halting him in his tracks. But she didn’t immediately agree to Libby’s request. Instead, she reasoned with her.
“Libby, Quintus has a point. The journey is rough, and your health is too weak to endure it. We promise to do everything in our power to rescue your sister–if she’s still alive.”
“But how will you even know who she is?” Libby asked with a tear–streaked face.
“Don’t you have a photo of her?” Mackenzie asked.
:
Libby shook her head. “I don’t have a phone or any pictures.”
“Ugh, what a hassle!”
Quintus, clearly frustrated, said directly, “Mackenzie, stop wasting your breath on her. We’ve got those Five Poison Sect guys to guide us; we don’t need her. If she refuses to leave, I’ll just have her tied up and taken back!”
Even Mackenzie found his words crude, but he wasn’t wrong. Bringing along someone so frail wasn’t practical on the front lines.
At that moment, Claudette appeared again. Her kind heart couldn’t bear to see Libby crying so painfully, so she quickly stepped in to protect her and said, “Quintus, I understand how she feels. If it were you, and someone had taken me away, wouldn’t you go rescue me yourself?”
“Well…”
*
Quintus hesitated, then grumbled, “That’s different! I could rescue you, but she’s just dead weight!”
“But the feeling is the same!”
Claudette insisted, then turned directly to Mackenzie. “Mackenzie, Aunt Laura and I will take care of Libby. Please bring her with us. Otherwise, she’ll be devastated.”
Mackenzie looked at Claudette and was reminded of Emmanuel’s actions when he had once risked everything to save her. She let out a soft sigh and nodded in agreement.
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Now was the time to honor that vow
Thank you, Mackenziel Thank you, Claudettel Libby led with gratitude, her voice trembling.
Quintus, on the other hand, let out an annoyed grunt and stormed off.
In the end, Libby joined the unit as they set off.
After a full day and night of travel, the group finally arrived near the Serpent Altar on the third day.
The journey had been grueling, marked by harsh weather, but they had managed to proceed without major obstacles.
Now, however, a sprawling mountain range of snow–capped peaks loomed before them. The vehicles could
go no further.
“Mackenzie, what’s the plan now?”
Quintus, leading the vanguard, had arrived earlier and now hurried over to report as Mackenzie’s vehicle pulled up near the snowfield.
“These mountains look like they’re several thousand meters high. In this kind of brutal weather, not even planes could fly over them,” he said grimly.
Even sitting inside the vehicle, Mackenzie felt the piercing cold. She couldn’t imagine how bitter the temperature was outside.
“What did that Five Poison Sect guy say? Surely, they don’t hike over these mountains every time they leave,” Mackenzie asked.
Quintus grimaced. “I already beat him to within an inch of his life, so he should be telling the truth. He said there’s a checkpoint on the mountain. Their people can pass freely, but we won’t be able to get through. Unless we force our way in.”
Mackenzie fell silent, lost in thought.
After a long moment, she instructed Quintus, “Bring Magnus over.”
Soon enough, Magnus and Hattie’s vehicle pulled up nearby.
“Magnus, do we storm our way through, or do you have a better plan?” Mackenzie asked directly.
“I’ve already worked out a plan,” he replied confidently.
Magnus smirked and said, “When we took out those Five Poison Sect lackeys earlier, I had my men collect their uniforms and necklaces. They’re all in the trunk. We can disguise ourselves as cult members and infiltrate.”
“As expected of you!” Mackenzie praised. She had thought of this plan herself but wanted to hear Magnus‘ opinion. After all, leveraging others‘ strengths was a skill every leader needed.
“But there are two drawbacks to this approach,” Magnus pointed out.
“First, we only managed to collect 41 sets of uniforms and necklaces. That means only 41 of us can blend in. While we have military communication devices to stay in touch with the team outside, if something
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Chapter 2124 Harsh Conditions
critical happens inside, external reinforcements might not be able to respond in time.”
+9 Pers
is a problem. The blizzards are
He continued. “Second, the harsh environment surrounding the outside won’t be able to hold
so severe that regular personnel can’t stay stationed for long. Those their positions indefinitely,”
These were also concerns Mackenzie had been mulling over. Magnus‘ sharp analysis of the issues was impressive, but even he couldn’t provide a foolproof solution. Against the forces of nature, human strength was woefully insignificant.
“Bah! Forty–one people are more than enough to get the job done!” Quintus declared with a dismissive wave. “I’ll lead a group of elites inside, locate the key strongholds, and make sure there are no innocent people around. Once we’re certain, you can just launch guided missiles and blow everything to kingdom come!”
He made it sound easy.
But the reality was far from it. Precision strikes were costly, and targeting anything from this altitude was incredibly challenging. Furthermore, once they launched an attack, they’d tip off the Five Poison Sect, leaving the 41 infiltrators surrounded and in grave danger.
Magnus seemed to read Mackenzie’s thoughts and added, “Ms. Quillen, commanding a battle is far more unpredictable and dangerous than managing a business. There’s rarely a perfect solution. This is the best plan we have for now. As the leader, your choice is simple–execute it or retreat.”
Mackenzie let out a soft sigh and nodded, acknowledging her understanding. There was no turning back now; they had no choice but to take the risk.
:
“Quintus, select 39 people personally. Dress them in the Five Poison Sect uniforms and take Mauve Protector with you to infiltrate the Serpent King’s domain,” she commanded.
“At your command, Your Holiness! Haha!”
Quintus was brimming with excitement. He even gave Mackenzie a mock salute before rushing off to
prepare.
“Wait!”
Magnus suddenly called out.
“What now?” Quintus snapped, clearly eager to dive into the action.
“Count me in,” Magnus said firmly.
“What?”
Magnus‘ sudden offer stunned everyone.
Even Mackenzie widened her eyes in surprise, staring at him through the car window.
“Magnus, this is too dangerous! You don’t even know how to fight!” Hattie, usually calm, uncharacteristically pleaded with her brother.
“Someone has to go in and handle the strategy,” Magnus replied, his tone unwavering. “Ms. Quillen can’t go, and I can’t let you go either. After thinking it over, I’m the best option.”
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Chapter 2124 Harsh Conditions
Once again, Magnus‘ chivalrous demeanor came to the forefront.
+8 Pearls
On the sidelines, Laura, who had been quietly observing the scene, couldn’t help but be impressed. She mudged Claudette, who was watching intently, and teased, “That man is definitely trying to show you how dependable he is. Don’t fall for it. Don’t let him sweep you off your feet.”
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