It was the first time they had heard someone from the Tianluo Kingdom speak of their relationship with the Kailong Kingdom with such a tone of pride. At that moment, it seemed to them that one of the three great powers of the Northwest was not the Kailong Kingdom, but their Tianluo Kingdom.
If anyone else had spoken with such an attitude, even if they hadn't scoffed, they would have secretly cursed the person for not knowing their place.
But upon seeing He Yiming’s expression, they felt a surprising sensation, as if this person was born to wear such an arrogant look.
After hearing He Yiming’s words, they even felt a sense of pride, as if the people of the Tianluo Kingdom were far nobler than those of the Kailong Kingdom.
Several people shook their heads, casting aside this strange feeling, muttering inwardly if they had been cursed.
Xu Su’s heart tightened. His perception was far sharper than that of his companions, and he knew this person was far from simple. He immediately put on a smile and said, “Since you gentlemen favor our caravan, it is our honor. Please, come inside.”
Those beside him looked at him in astonishment, unable to fathom why their usually cautious elder brother had suddenly become so agreeable.
Xu Su personally led them into the camp, drawing curious glances from everyone along the way.
Moments later, they arrived before the largest tent in the camp. Xu Su bowed slightly and said, “Gentlemen, although I lead this group, I am ultimately employed by another. If you wish to join the caravan, you must gain the approval of the caravan’s chief.”
A hint of apology graced his face—an expression perfectly calibrated to avoid making He Yiming and his group feel awkward, yet without provoking their resentment.
He Yiming nodded and smiled, musing inwardly that those who distinguish themselves among hundreds were indeed not to be trifled with.
Xu Su entered the tent alone. A moment later, a pot-bellied man emerged with him.
This man was somewhat stout, with a pair of small eyes that seemed drawn on with reed leaves, yet a faint glint flickered within them, revealing an ever-present shrewdness.
After examining He Yiming and his companions carefully and intently for a moment, his face instantly broke into a broad smile. “I am Zhang Facai. May I ask your esteemed names, sirs?”
He Yiming smiled wryly and replied casually, “I am Li Koubei. This is my wife, and this is my senior martial brother, surnamed Bai.”
Zhang Facai nodded, whether he truly believed it or not, his face revealed not a hint of his true thoughts. Just this suggested he was a man of vast experience, and such people, when doing business, usually wouldn't suffer significant losses even if they didn't gain an advantage.
“Brother Li, as you can see, ours is a small caravan with limited supplies, hardly comparable to the luxurious tents of the great families,” he said with a smile. “If you do not mind, arranging a small tent for you is certainly possible.”
He Yiming laughed heartily. “When traveling, merely having a place to rest is a blessing indeed. Thank you, Brother Zhang.”
Zhang Facai repeatedly waved his hands. “Since we are all on the road, mutual assistance is necessary. To help others is to help oneself.” As he spoke, he called someone over and gave a few instructions. Immediately, someone retrieved another tent from the caravan’s carts and began setting it up.
He Yiming watched silently. The faces of those laborers were somewhat sullen, clearly unwilling to accept the extra work, yet no one opposed Zhang Facai’s decision or contradicted him. This revealed the considerable strength of his control over the caravan.
Zhang Facai invited He Yiming and his party into the tent, accompanying them with Xu Su.
Both men had traveled extensively and possessed keen insight. Zhang Facai’s eloquence was exceptionally flexible; he could inject novelty into any topic, leaving He Yiming and Yuan Lixun quite satisfied, never feeling bored. As for Bai Lingba, his icy expression gave no indication whether he absorbed any of the conversation.
Zhang Facai and Xu Su exchanged glances when they had a moment, growing even more certain that He Yiming and Yuan Lixun were likely the children of wealthy families on an outing, and Bai Lingba, nominally their senior martial brother, was actually a bodyguard sent by their household for protection.
The conversation shifted, and Zhang Facai sighed, “Gentlemen, traveling alone here is truly too dangerous. It would be best to avoid this route in the future.”
He Yiming asked, surprised, “Why is that?”
Zhang Facai shook his head. “This is Tai’a County in the Tianluo Kingdom, the area most plagued by bandits. To travel safely here, it is best to join a larger caravan. Strength in numbers is the only true self-preservation.”
Yuan Lixun blinked her beautiful eyes. “Weren’t the bandits in Tai’a County all wiped out in Taicang County?”
Although Yuan Lixun wasn't overly interested in such matters, the great event that transpired in Taicang County was common knowledge. Having spent some time in He Family Village, anyone not deaf would have heard of it, making her familiar with the bandits of Tai’a County.
Zhang Facai gave a bitter laugh. “Madam, you are unaware. Those who were eliminated were the old batch of bandits. It is precisely because the old bandits were wiped out that our lives have become harder.”
This time, even He Yiming was greatly surprised. He said sincerely, “Brother Zhang, what is the reason for this?”
Zhang Facai shook his head. “The previous bandits occupied this area for decades. Though greedy, they understood necessary restraint. But these new bandits are like a pack of wolves starved for too long, and to establish their authority, they are ruthless. If anything displeases them, they immediately slaughter everyone involved. Alas… to satisfy them, it will likely take several years.”
He Yiming’s expression slowly darkened. Mentioning the bandits of Tai’a County instantly brought to mind a conversation he overheard long ago in the Tianluo Kingdom between Cheng Fu and the princes and princesses of the Kailong Kingdom.
In that conversation, He Yiming learned that the bandit groups in Tai’a County, adjacent to the Kailong Kingdom, were actually supported by the Second Prince of Kailong. Otherwise, given the current strength of the Tianluo Kingdom, how could they have never succeeded in eradicating them?
In the past, he would have been helpless regarding this matter. But at this very moment, his status, standing, and personal strength had undergone a monumental shift compared to when he first traveled to the Kailong Kingdom. Perhaps meeting Zhang Facai and his group now was destiny’s arrangement.
Seeing a cold glint flash suddenly in He Yiming’s eyes, both Zhang Facai and Xu Su felt a chilling sensation in their hearts. They became even more certain that these three were anything but ordinary people.
A short while later, the tents for the three of them were erected, and dinner was also ready.
At the invitation of Zhang Facai and the others, He Yiming and his two companions ate dinner. Although the dishes were extremely simple and somewhat too salty, everyone in the caravan ate quickly and in large quantities, clearly long accustomed to it.
After the meal, He Yiming and his two companions retired to their tent.
It was a tent large enough to hold ten people, making it far more than sufficient for the three of them. Although Zhang Facai kept calling it a small tent, the one arranged for them was already the best spare tent the caravan possessed.
Once inside, Yuan Lixun whispered, “Yiming, are the bandits here truly that rampant?”
He Yiming nodded slightly. “Someone is backing them. Since that is the case, they are naturally unrestrained.”
“Someone is supporting the bandits? Does the Tianluo Kingdom not intervene?” Yuan Lixun frowned slightly.
He Yiming let out two cold laughs. “Intervene? With their current strength, how could they possibly control it?”
Yuan Lixun paused briefly. She was naturally intelligent, and having broken through to the Xiantian realm, her thoughts were even sharper; she instantly grasped the key point.
“Could the backing behind them be the Kailong Kingdom?”
“Correct, it is the Second Prince of the Kailong Kingdom.” He Yiming paused suddenly, considering. “Perhaps this was even directly instructed by the Kailong royal family.”
Yuan Lixun sighed softly. Although she could not condone such actions, she knew that matters between nations were rarely clear-cut in terms of right or wrong. The Kailong Kingdom’s actions were clearly intended to impede the development of the Tianluo Kingdom. While the menace of bandits might not undermine a nation’s foundation, these elusive raiders were enough to give anyone a severe headache.
Although three people occupied the tent, He Yiming and Yuan Lixun treated Bai Lingba’s presence as nearly nonexistent. After all, he wasn’t truly human, and sitting silently on the ground, he resembled a statue, causing people to unconsciously overlook him. This ability made He Yiming envious, yet utterly unattainable for him to learn.
When the others finished laying out the tent, the sheepskin blankets were spread close to the ground, even topped with a layer of warm beast-hide quilts. Zhang Facai had been extremely thoughtful; even in this humble setting, He Yiming felt quite satisfied.
The two of them lay down side-by-side, unapologetically taking up three people’s worth of space. As for Bai Lingba, perhaps even he never contemplated sleeping.
Night finally descended.
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, letting a few sparse stars show through. The wind and waves sounded like a gluttonous beast devouring everything, and the boundless grasslands of the day were now wholly swallowed by the deeper, broader twilight.
Throughout the entire camp, aside from the occasional whinny of a horse, only the guards on duty remained active. For those who frequently traveled this road, such a night was ordinary. Especially the merchants and rotating guards who had been traveling all day—most fell asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow. This skill was quite useful when traveling abroad.
Finally, just as the long dark night was about to give way, He Yiming suddenly sat up from the furs. He turned his head, his ears twitching twice rapidly, his expression becoming exceedingly peculiar.
Yuan Lixun asked in surprise, “What is it?”
He Yiming pointed into the distance. “Someone is coming. Quite a number—about two hundred riders, on fast horses… good horses.”
Yuan Lixun started slightly. For He Yiming to praise a horse as ‘good’ was rare indeed. Two hundred horses, while perhaps not reaching the caliber of the Crimson Silk Mares, represented a significant amount of wealth if they were all fine steeds.
Yuan Lixun half-closed her eyes, her Xiantian true qi circulating slowly within her body, causing the surrounding space to drop a few degrees in temperature. However, this was not her first time doing this; her qi control was precise enough not to attract attention from outside. As that true qi began to gather, her entire being underwent a subtle transformation, radiating a faint, indescribable solemn pressure. This was the unique aura of a Xiantian expert, and Yuan Lixun was gradually becoming accustomed to it without realizing it.
Moments later, her eyelids flickered. “I hear it too.” Her voice was excited and eager. Even without mastering wind-elemental power, utilizing Xiantian true qi greatly enhanced her hearing and vision sensitivity. It was just that this was Yuan Lixun’s first formal use, hence her slight overreaction.
He Yiming shook his head slightly, seeing her demeanor reminding him of his own when he first learned the ‘Wind-Following Ear’ technique. Ultimately, they were both young adults under twenty. In terms of composure, they were far inferior to figures like Jing Leining or Shui Xuanjin.
Suddenly, a piercing whistle rang out from the camp—a musical signal specially crafted from bamboo. Once blown, its clear, crisp tone was perfect for rousing people, and instantly, the entire camp sprang to life.
Yuan Lixun smiled slightly, dispersing her true qi. She reverted to being an ordinary young woman again, losing that previous aura of majesty.
Urgent footsteps sounded, rushing toward their location.
“Brother Li, are you in there?” Xu Su’s steady voice called out, though for some reason, He Yiming detected a faint undertone of hostility.
His heart stirred, and he immediately understood. Xu Su suspected that they might be connected to the approaching cavalry. However, he couldn't entirely blame him; their arrival coinciding with this moment was too suspicious. Even if He Yiming intended to explain, it would likely be difficult to earn Xu Su’s acceptance.
He opened the tent curtain, and He Yiming stepped out holding Yuan Lixun’s hand. Bai Lingba followed closely behind them.
The moment the curtain opened, a wave of cold air rushed out, causing Xu Su to shiver and draw a sharp breath. He was greatly surprised by the sudden drop in temperature. But since it was winter, and the faint roar of hooves could already be heard, he only hesitated briefly before dismissing the matter entirely. After all, with his limited experience and standing, he was unlikely to encounter a Xiantian realm expert, let alone know that certain true qi possessors had the ability to alter the ambient temperature.
Seeing the calm demeanor of He Yiming and his group, Xu Su’s expression finally eased. He immediately said, “Brother Li, we just discovered bandits heading toward us. For your safety, it is best to remain in the tent and not wander. I will arrange two men to guard you.”
With that, he cupped his hands and turned to leave without another moment’s delay. This decisive speed actually earned He Yiming a touch of admiration. At such a critical juncture, swift action was necessary to cut through complications. Hesitation and timidity would only invite disaster.
More than ten men followed him away, but two remained, staring fixedly at He Yiming’s group with alert eyes, clearly prepared to draw their blades at the slightest sign of trouble. He Yiming was not offended by this; given his current status, he wouldn't take such actions seriously.
One of the two men bowed. “Mr. Li, Brother Xu instructed that you return to the tent, lest you be caught in friendly fire later.”
He Yiming smiled calmly and said, “That’s alright. We will watch from here and see just how rampant the bandits of Tai’a County have become.”
The two men were momentarily stunned. It was the first time they had seen someone react to the mention of bandits not with fear or hesitation, but with apparent interest. Before meeting them, they had indeed suspected these three uninvited guests were allied with the approaching bandits. But now, somehow, that notion felt increasingly distant. It seemed almost insulting to equate these three with common bandits.
They exchanged a look, and one conceded stiffly, “Very well, you may watch from here, but you must not move away, or it will be difficult for us brothers to explain.”
He Yiming nodded with a placid smile, and the two men relaxed slightly, though they did not leave, maintaining a cautious watch nearby. However, their gazes frequently flickered toward He Yiming’s group, clearly indicating they were also tasked with surveillance.
A few more moments passed, and the sound of hooves grew steadily clearer. Though only a little over two hundred riders, as they charged toward the camp, the sheer momentum generated was so overwhelming that it hinted at the spectacle of ten thousand horses thundering past.
At that moment, most faces in the camp turned pale. Such disciplined bandits were truly rare.
He Yiming suddenly let out a cold snort. “The military.”
Yuan Lixun’s large eyes darted around, and she instantly understood. “The army of the Kailong Kingdom?”
He Yiming nodded, sneering. “I initially thought they had assembled idle vagrants to act as bandits; I never expected they would send the actual army directly.” His voice, though low, contained a profound, bone-chilling killing intent.
“The Second Prince of the Kailong Kingdom has a truly singular affection for me… for us, the Tianluo Kingdom.”
Yuan Lixun felt the immense anger and resentment surging within He Yiming. She glanced back and caught the sharp glint in his eyes as it flashed and disappeared. At that moment, Yuan Lixun suddenly recalled the Fourth Prince of the Tufan Kingdom who had perished in a foreign land… Bu Xingcong.