"Let's split up and take three different routes, then we can meet at the guesthouse in Huangsha." Zhao Changhe looked into the distance at the approaching Huren army and prepared to run.

Situ Xiao carried the unconscious Qiao family young man and said, "I'll carry this burden to Huangsha first. Let's go find Cui Yuanyong and exchange for some wine."

After speaking, he took the lead and ran. In fact, it was because he was the worst at lightness skills. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to outrun the army if he carried someone, losing face.

And Situ Xiao actually wanted to challenge Yue Hongling... He had previously felt that he was not quite ready and was waiting for the right opportunity. But judging from the current situation, there might be no chance for a challenge in the future... Damn, why does it feel like every woman is related to you?

This friend is not worth keeping. I'll break off the relationship another day.

"Hey..." Han Wubing wanted to stop Situ Xiao, but he was too slow and watched him run faster than a rabbit.

He helplessly looked at Zhao Changhe, then at Yue Hongling. "Is it that I've never existed at the right time, or should I leave first..."

Damn, why does it feel like every woman is related to you?

This friend is not worth keeping. I'll break off the relationship another day.

"..." Yue Hongling crossed her arms and said, "What are you guys thinking? I should be the one to leave."

Zhao Changhe: "?"

Han Wubing: "?"

Yue Hongling said impatiently, "Don't you know that the Huren have been surrounding me for a long time? I dare not enter Huangsha at all."

Zhao Changhe reached into his pocket and rubbed it, then when he reached out again, there was a lump of yellowish-brown feces-like substance, and he was about to smear it on Yue Hongling's face.

Yue Hongling drew her sword, ready to strike.

Zhao Changhe shrank back, crying and laughing, "It's just a joke."

"No use, women will be thoroughly checked. Haven't you seen that no one dares to bring a woman inside? Under the pretext of searching for 'Yue Hongling', several families have been forcibly taken to the animal pen and sold."

"How much trouble have you caused the Huren to make it so serious?"

"Is it your concern?" Yue Hongling turned and entered the stockade angrily. "I'm going to find some food to take with me. You guys do whatever you want, and I'll figure out how to find you later."

Zhao Changhe said, "How about we meet at an outside location?"

"Further northwest, there is a chaotic rocky mountain. I'll temporarily station there. If you have the chance, can you bring something out for me?" Yue Hongling's tone unintentionally revealed a hint of expectation.

Han Wubing looked at the two of them without speaking. As expected, Zhao Changhe replied very readily, "Okay."

"Then I'll take my leave." Yue Hongling entered the stockade in a good mood to search for supplies.

Having someone to support her felt good. Originally, she had some plans and felt that it was difficult to do it alone, especially now that she was targeted and restricted. But now that she had Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing, both reliable experts, there might be some things that she could accomplish.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing looked at each other. Han Wubing said, "I live at the Hu merchant inn near the animal pen. If you need me, call me. I don't have time to say more, so go quickly."

"Okay, I'm at the Youjian Inn run by San Niang. You can come find me if you need anything. My name there is Wang Daozhong."

Han Wubing: "..."

Turning around, the Huren cavalry had already come within shooting range.

The two of them said no more and ran in different directions.

Different from ordinary martial artists and soldiers, these top-notch experts in lightness skills were famous throughout the world. It was really difficult for ordinary cavalry to catch up with them. Even Situ Xiao, who was weak in lightness skills but had the strength of Xuan Guan's eighth level, could easily outrun any horse.

To surround people like them, it would require the deployment of even stronger masters or pre-arranged ambushes to prevent them from escaping. Otherwise, it would be difficult to capture them.

This was also the main reason why Yue Hongling and the others had been able to stay in the northern border for so long without any danger. Cui Yuanyong believed that none of the small teams he sent out should be unable to escape, and this was the reason.

For them, horses were mainly used for saving energy and transportation. During battles, they were more accustomed to fighting on foot... Hmm, that sounded a bit strange. Of course, they couldn't do without horses. Traveling on foot in the vast grasslands and deserts would be exhausting and they would be worn out in a few days. Yue Hongling's horse was hidden in the chaotic rocky mountain, which was her temporary base.

In short, this group of people remained calm until the large army approached, and only started to run when they were close behind. They managed to disappear without a trace, and soon vanished into the night, leaving no trace.

The Huren leader in charge of the troops didn't bother to pursue them and waved his hand, saying, "Don't chase them. Confiscate the goods from that merchant caravan and capture the people as slaves."

The law of the jungle, nothing more than that.

The people in the merchant caravan who were alert had already run away early to avoid being robbed. Those who were greedy and unwilling to leave were still fighting over the goods, and what awaited them would be a tragic end.

The deputy asked, "The woman we just saw should be Yue Hongling... The previous military order from General Wu, everything else doesn't matter, but this woman must be captured at all costs."The general waved his hand dismissively, "This woman isn't someone we can simply rush at and capture. She soars higher than the eagles; even a hundred thousand troops might be useless. Commander Wu has already requested the Khan to send real powerhouses. She's been wandering the northern frontier for too long, thinking they're all just ordinary soldiers. Maybe this time, she'll get a taste of her own medicine."

"So, cutting off her supplies is actually about gradually limiting her range of movement?"

"Exactly. If I'm not mistaken, since she's still appearing around here, it's very likely she's hiding in the Northwest's Chaotic Stone Mountains. There's water to be found beneath those rocks." The general clenched his fist, "If she's really there, she won't escape. Maybe when the rewards come down, we'll all have our share of fun."

...

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe took a long detour and, after disguising himself with a yellowed face, cheerfully returned to the inn.

He didn't use the main entrance of the restaurant this time, but entered from the back of the inn and went straight to sleep until dawn.

What a thrilling night it had been—saving heroes, slaying traitors, meeting friends. The depression and frustration he had felt since leaving the borderlands were swept away. He felt like bursting into song.

A man should live like this when he ventures beyond the Great Wall!

If there's another chance, to lead a cavalry across the plains, charging through enemy lines, unstoppable—that would be truly exhilarating.

Zhao Changhe felt that opportunity was within his grasp. He still had some ideas to test out.

After waking up at dawn and washing up casually, he strolled out to the restaurant. The morning crowd was bustling as usual, and it seemed the place didn't just serve liquor; they also sold breakfast, with all kinds of distinctive Western Region pastries.

The breakfast chatter was particularly lively today, with all the patrons discussing last night's shocking events outside the settlement: "Damn, those Central Plains warriors are ruthless. I heard it was just four of them, elite troops who launched a surprise attack and broke through a camp of a thousand, slaughtering them like sheep, setting fires that lit up half the sky."

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? I heard they only burned the front and back of the camp, maybe to rescue someone or something."

"What about the caravan? All the people and goods are gone. The scene of that bloodthirsty demon Zhao Changhe holding a head and drinking loudly was witnessed by the other caravans."

"…Maybe."

"You listen to them bluffing! If the Central Plains warriors were all that strong, would we still need to fight? A few hundred Yue Honglings and Zhao Changhes could flatten a hundred thousand troops, right?"

"…Because it's not just Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe from the Central Plains, there's also Qiao Er."

At that, the fervor of the discussion died down a bit.

Zhao Changhe sauntered in and took a seat directly at the counter, gesturing, "Madam San, bring me some special pastries, not the ones from Jiangnan. The more unique, the better."

Madam San sized him up and down for a moment, "Did you go out and do something big?"

"What are you talking about? What does it have to do with me?" Zhao Changhe replied, "I just went out for a stroll and came back… If I had really robbed a caravan, would I still come to you for pastries?"

Madam San handed him a plate of pastries, still somewhat skeptical.

She knew Zhao Changhe had returned in the middle of the night, but he hadn't brought any goods, which didn't seem like someone who had just come back from a raid. For someone living in such a place, it was almost incomprehensible to return empty-handed. Could it really not be him?

How could it be such a coincidence that just after she mentioned to this fellow that Qiao Er might have taken slaves, the slaves were rescued? Are you telling me it's unrelated?

As Zhao Changhe ate the pastries, he began to boast, "Listening to them, it sounds quite impressive, just four people?"

"Mm-hmm, it should really be just four."

"This bloodthirsty demon Zhao Changhe is amazing!"

"Yes, four against a thousand, that's two hundred fifty each. The Chaos Chronicles' previous ranking for him on the Hidden Dragon List was quite justified."

Theft is never good, try looking at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Zhao Changhe nearly choked on a pastry, "Madam San, you have a problem with them?"

Madam San replied leisurely, "Of course, I have a problem. Yue Hongling, Situ Xiao, Han Wubing, they've all patronized my place, but Zhao Changhe hasn't. What, you don't consider me a Central Plains person?"

Zhao Changhe silently slid a silver ingot across.

Madam San asked curiously, "What's this for?"

"Get me some dry food and water; I'm heading out."

"Going far?" Madam San looked at him meaningfully, "You've come all this way, and there are still so many interesting things in Huangsha Settlement you haven't seen, and you want to leave just like that?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Like the beast arena? Honestly, I'm not too interested. It's distressing to see injustice and want to intervene, only to find yourself powerless, isn't it?"

Madam San remarked, "You're a strange one. Others come to this hub of commerce hoping to find treasures not available elsewhere, but what did you come here for?"

Zhao Changhe was taken aback.

Madam San sighed, "I think even if Zhao Changhe himself came here, he'd have to pass his title of 'two hundred fifty' to you. Truly a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger."