Zhao Changhe didn't know that the "passerby" he spared was actually a member of the Qianlong List. He had just said that even people from the chaotic world list couldn't be found in this garbage place...

He originally thought that after his arrogant declaration, the officials would be the first to come knocking on his door.

After all, as a wanted criminal, it was impossible to be so arrogant and reveal himself. What's the difference between that and walking around with a sign on your forehead that says "come and catch me"?

But now there was nothing to hide, his whereabouts had been sold out, even those idiots knew it, so the officials would definitely know too. What was the point of hiding?

The significance of being a wanted criminal was different from that of a regular murderer. If he was found, the officials who came to his door would most likely be Chancellor Tang himself or other important figures. Even if the subordinates came, they would most likely "want to live" and wouldn't just kill him casually. It was better to sit down and talk with them. He knew too little about the government and the information was too biased.

But what he didn't expect was that the officials didn't come even after waiting for a long time... he didn't know if it was because the efficiency of the late empire was really so low, or if there was another reason. All the people who came were "people on the Dao".

"Ahem!" The long knife broke, and a thin man was kicked out several yards by Zhao Changhe, struggling to cough up blood on the ground.

"Take off his clothes and hang him upside down! I said if you want to challenge, it's one hundred taels each time. You come here with nothing? I'm waiting for you to challenge me with nothing? If you don't pay, take off your clothes. This is the rule. It's been half a month, haven't you heard?"

"Zhao, Zhao leader, spare me, I really didn't know..."

Zhao Changhe leaned against the cool shed, looking at the several people hanging unsteadily in the distance, with a fierce look on his face, but he was actually quite happy.

It had been more than half a month since he made his arrogant announcement.

There were really many challengers in this half month, and their strength was particularly suitable. They were basically at the first or second level of Xuan Guan. Occasionally, there were also those who fought together, which was wonderful for his practical experience.

Practice was not enough, martial arts was not dance, it must be tested in actual combat. Fighting in the mountain stronghold was no longer useful for him, and no one dared to fight him. He was worried about where to gain experience, but these challengers were a constant source of training.

Among them, there were also several tough opponents who would overturn the car if he wasn't careful. The more they were like this, the better. As he fought, Zhao Changhe felt that he had a better understanding of swordsmanship and was truly able to use it skillfully.

It also had a great effect on cultivating his martial arts. In these few days, Zhao Changhe felt that he was becoming stronger and stronger, and was about to reach the edge of a breakthrough.

The second level of Xuan Guan?

He didn't know how many more days he needed, but he felt that he was still a little short of the mark. He couldn't be considered a genius. Anyway, these days were really enjoyable, even if these people really didn't pay a penny, Zhao Changhe was still very happy.

Moreover, some people really paid... even those who didn't follow the rules and didn't bring money had weapons to be seized.

In just half a month, the North Mangshan Road was full of people who came to challenge him, and the silver in the warehouse increased from the original 300 taels to nearly 2,000 taels, with a warehouse full of good knives and swords.

"Let's dig a trap here, yes, right in front of my door. Are you afraid that I'll step on it? Let's do one behind the house too."

In the stronghold, there was a hustle and bustle everywhere, either practicing martial arts or setting up various traps.

Because there were also many people who wanted to sneak into the stronghold and secretly cut off Zhao Changhe's head recently.Of course, the person doing this now was not hanging upside down on a mountain road, but their heads were hung on the flagpole. Looking at the row of heads next to the village, the bandits were both respectful and fearful of their leader.

Who said that their leader was soft and did not rob or plunder? When they chopped off heads, their eyes did not blink. The more bloody their hands became, the stronger their murderous intent. Even from far away, one could feel their demonic aura.

That was truly killing intent soaring to the sky, shaking the Bei-Nang region.

No one dared to raid them at night for the past day or two, but they couldn't let their guard down. According to Zhao Laoda, spring was coming soon, and the officials and soldiers might come. These traps were not only for dealing with travelers but also had a significant role in dealing with attacks from officials and soldiers.

Therefore, traps had to be set not only in the village but also outside, and all places like the back mountain could not be missed.

A group of idle bandits who always wanted to rob somewhere suddenly had a lively construction project. No one dared to go against their leader now.

Zhao Changhe looked at his crossed arms and felt truly great, as if he had turned ghosts into humans!

But he also knew that he couldn't be awesome for much longer.

Generally speaking, people who were at the third level or above of the Xuan Guan level wouldn't come to fight with you for some petty things. Moreover, real strong people had a clearer understanding of the nature of the Qian-Long ranking and wouldn't be as naive as the fools here, thinking that they could challenge and rob it. But it was difficult to say that it wouldn't happen; there weren't many people in this world who could read, understand, and be cultured. It wasn't the era of compulsory nine-year education.

There weren't many strong people near the Mang Mountain now, so it was a newbie village that suited him for practical experience. But things here always spread out, and it was possible that a strong person at the third level of Xuan Guan would come here... It was inconvenient to travel in this world, so there would be some time before this happened, but it would definitely come.

Were traps really to deal with officials and soldiers?

No, it was to deal with potential risks, whether it was the upcoming third-level strong person or the possible recovery of Fang Buping.

"Laoda." Wang Dashan carefully came to his side. "Today is New Year's Eve. Do you have any plans?"

"I'm not your wife. Why are you asking me about the holiday?"

"?"

Zhao Changhe said, "There's a lot of money in the village recently, so I'm giving everyone a red envelope. Also, take some people to the city to buy wine and meat. Let the brothers have a good time tonight."

Wang Dashan showed a happy expression. "Yes, I'll go buy it now."

Watching Wang Dashan happily leave, Zhao Changhe's eyes showed a hint of sarcasm.

This vice village master was not honest. He had been secretly communicating with Fang Buping recently. In fact, Zhao Changhe knew that the first group of people who came to provoke them were brought by this person.

In other words, their affairs in Mang Mountain were leaked out by this person and Fang Buping.

Want to be the village head?

Heh...

But for the time being, Zhao Changhe did not want Fang Buping to know that he had seen through his spy. It was better to know who the spy was than not know, and this guy worked quite hard to gain his trust. It was quite enjoyable.

Anyway, there was no secret that Wang Dashan could leak out. Even his inner cultivation was done in bed, and he knew nothing.

The most urgent matter was to break through the second level of Xuan Guan before anything else.

As for the New Year?

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What did it have to do with him... There was no wife to celebrate with, and he was a lonely person.The mountain stronghold was bustling with excitement as news of a feast spread, but Zhao Changhe felt lonely and homesick. He sighed and looked at the setting sun, then turned to go back to his room to practice cultivation.

"Zhao Leader, why do you sigh like a tiger howling in the mountains?" A woman's voice laughed as soon as he entered the room. "You look different from your usual heroic self."

Zhao Changhe stopped in his tracks, surprised.

A woman in a red dress leaned against the window, reading the Blood God Sect's scriptures. She looked up and smiled when she saw him.

The setting sun shone through the window, and the woman's smile was bright and carefree, as if the sunset outside had become more beautiful because of it.

The beautiful Hongling with the sunset behind, was not of this world.

Although the owner of the Luo Manor had a bad reputation, this evaluation was spot on.

"Why are you here, Miss Yue?" Zhao Changhe was a little nervous. He knew the gap between himself and Yue Hongling was too big. What if she disapproved of his recent killing spree?

Wait...

Zhao Changhe suddenly noticed that the color of Yue Hongling's abdomen was off...there was a deeper shade on her red dress, and it wasn't red, it was blood.

Was she injured?

Yue Hongling knew what he was thinking and shook her head with a smile. "Yes, I'm injured...you're the only acquaintance I have here, so what's so strange about coming to you for help? Did you really think I came to slay demons and monsters? You may seem heroic, but your mind is not sharp enough."

Without hesitation, Zhao Changhe turned to the cabinet and rummaged for medicine and bandages. "We're in the same boat. If you let a stranger sit behind you, you won't live to see the day the dragon emerges from the abyss."

"Haha..." Yue Hongling looked at him and said, "So, were you really an innocent young man who didn't realize anything back then?"

Countless thoughts flooded Zhao Changhe's mind. He stared out the window at the slanting sun for a while before answering softly, "Yes."

"Then..." Yue Hongling looked at the bandages he had taken out and whispered, "Can I still trust you today?"