Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 359

Elder Chen, who had been silently observing, let out a bitter laugh. "Normal? These guys aren't the only ones who mistreat us. But of course, it's nothing new that nobody finds out because we're so few here in the outskirts that statistic collectors don't even bother to come. They simply guess random numbers for their reports."

"That's true, but that's not what they're talking about, neighbor," Reed clarified, wincing as a wave of pain washed over him. "We pretended everything was fine to avoid worrying our son, and although we partly believed that the almost non-existent interest in the area would hide us... It was a mistake."

Wei frowned, processing the information. "I also thought you were well hidden precisely because Ren has a very obscure origin with a very uncommon surname in the records. But this..." he gestured toward the knocked guards, "this seems as if they were waiting for Ren to arrive."

"Kassian must have remained interested," Lin murmured, her eyes narrowing. "He still wants information about the purifying ray... He must have put people to search for them and wait for Ren to appear, perhaps to use them and facilitate capture... Though again, he underestimated my student."

Her last words carried a hint of pride despite the grim circumstances.

"It makes sense," Yang nodded. "Wait until you visited your parents, perhaps he was already watching them for some time, to prevent them from escaping and to use them as bait..."

"We should take your family to the city," Wei suggested, finishing concealing the last evidence. "They'll be safer there."

Elder Chen shook his head, pointing to the column of smoke still rising into the sky. "With all due respect, that smoke has alerted every patrol for kilometers. Although I don't doubt your group's strength... Trying to cross the border now would be obvious and much more dangerous. There would be dozens of alert guards reinforcing the highly probable fight."

"What do you suggest then?" asked Yang.

"Wait," Chen responded with the wisdom of someone who has survived decades on the margins. "In the morning, when workers cross en masse to their jobs, the guards will be busy processing hundreds of people. A small group could go unnoticed among the crowd until the end."

"Besides," he added with a shrewd smile that transformed his aged face, "an elite group like yours wouldn't have problems with the few guards who would remain attentive tomorrow. Especially if they're distracted with the morning flow."

Reed leaned heavily against Fern, the pain from the lashes finally overcoming his adrenaline.

"Perhaps Mr. Chen is right," Ren said, concern evident in his voice as he watched his father struggle to remain standing.

"Then it's decided," Lin declared. "We'll rest at Mr. Chen's house, tend to the wounds, and cross with the workers at dawn."

"The carriage is very conspicuous. We can't simply leave it here," Wei observed.

Ren looked toward the vehicle that had brought them, where the Pegasus driver waited nervously, his eyes scanning the horizon for signs of patrols. The carriage's ornate design and official insignia made it stand out starkly against the humble surroundings.

"He's right," Wei agreed. "We must take our belongings and send the carriage back. An official vehicle with the Pegasus emblem should be able to leave the border easily after its business is completed."

They headed toward the carriage at a quick pace. The driver startled upon seeing them approach, his hands tightening reflexively on the reins.

"Is... everything alright?" he asked, though the answer was evident in their blood-spattered appearances.

"We need you to return to the city. I know you were supposed to be on a round trip but you won't be able to wait for us... go," Lin ordered. "It's not safe to remain here."

"But Miss Alicia ordered me to wait and take you back," the driver protested weakly.

Wei produced a small paper and signed it. "This certifies that we released you from your obligation for security reasons. Your boss will understand."

While they discussed the details, Ren hurried to unload his belongings. His backpack, notably large and bulky as always. Then, with Yang's help, they unloaded a long case containing a bow and a quiver of finely crafted arrows.

"Did you bring your entire arsenal?" asked the professor with a raised eyebrow as he watched Ren unsheathe a spear and a silver-rank dissection dagger. The weapons gleamed with the unmistakable quality of master craftsmanship.

"I wanted to show some things to my parents," Ren replied, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "So they could see my progress."

"I see..." Yang said quietly, his expression softening with understanding.

The last pieces they unloaded were two medium-sized chests, sealed with complex symbols that glowed faintly in the darkness. When Fern asked about their contents, Ren simply replied: "Materials. For cultivation."

"Materials?"

"And crystals," he added with a smile. "Many crystals.".

As half the group moved away from the scene, preparing to follow Elder Chen, Ren looked back one last time at what remained of his childhood home.

"Ready," said Yang when the carriage was empty.

The driver nodded. With a snap of reins, the carriage began to move away, taking with it the last obvious connection to their presence. The sound of hooves faded gradually into the night.

"Now then," murmured old Chen. "Let's go before the patrols reach here."