Chapter 263: A Storm is Brewing

Chapter 263: A Storm is Brewing

Zhao Changhe looked into the distance where dust rose from the barbarian army’s horses and determined that it was time they left. “Let’s go. We should split up into three groups as we leave this place. We can meet back up at the Rooms Available Inn at Huangsha Market.”

Situ Xiao, who was carrying the unconscious young man from the Qiao Clan, replied, “I’m not going to drag this burden to Huangsha Market. I’m going to go and find Cui Yuanyong to exchange this piece of scum for some alcohol.”

After saying that, he took the lead in running off. He actually left first, mainly because his movement art was the worst among them, and he feared that he might not be able to outrun the army while carrying someone, and that would end up embarrassing him.

Moreover, Situ Xiao actually really wanted to challenge Yue Hongling. He had felt that he was almost ready before and was just waiting for the right moment, but judging from the current situation, it seemed like she might become his friend’s wife in the future, making it hard for him to challenge her anymore.

Damn it, why does it feel like every woman is connected to this guy? I can’t keep a friend like him. I should break off our friendship sometime in the future.

“Eh, hey...” Han Wubing wanted to grab Situ Xiao but was a step too slow. He could only watch as Situ Xiao ran off faster than a rabbit.

He glanced helplessly at Zhao Changhe, then at Yue Hongling. “I guess I should go as well...”

Why the hell does it feel like every woman is connected to this guy? I can’t keep a friend like him. I should break off our friendship sometime in the future.

Yue Hongling crossed her arms and said, “What are you guys even thinking? I’m the one who has to go.”

Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing looked at her with raised eyebrows.

Yue Hongling said angrily, “Don’t you know that the barbarians have been looking for me? I don’t dare enter Huangsha Market”

Zhao Changhe reached into his pocket and rubbed something, then he attempted to smear a yellow substance onto Yue Hongling’s face.

Yue Hongling drew her sword, ready to cut off his head.

Zhao Changhe flinched and cried out in exasperation, “Hey, let me help you disguise yourself!”

“It’s useless. Women are thoroughly checked, haven’t you noticed that nobody dares to bring any women inside? Under the pretext of them searching for me, several incidents have taken place where others’ family members were forcibly taken away and brought to the beast ring to be sold.”

“Just how much trouble have you caused for the barbarians to treat you so seriously?”

“Is that any of your concern?” Yue Hongling turned away irritably and entered the camp. “I’ll go look for some food to take with me before I go. You guys do whatever you want. I’ll find a way to contact you later.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Why don’t we arrange to meet somewhere else?”

“Further northwest, there’s a place called Rocky Mountain[1] I’ll stay there for a while. If you can, can you bring some things for me?” Yue Hongling’s tone held a hint of anticipation that she herself was not aware of.

Han Wubing glanced at the two in silence. Zhao Changhe replied cheerfully, “Sure.”

“Then goodbye for now.” Yue Hongling entered the camp to search for some supplies in a good mood.

Having someone to support her felt good. She had some plans in mind, but she felt that they might be difficult to carry out alone, especially with the issues she was facing these days. But with trustworthy helpers like Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing, certain things become much more feasible.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe and Han Wubing looked at each other. Han Wubing said, “I’ll be staying at Barbarian Merchant Inn near the beast ring. If you need me, you should be able to find me there. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Alright, I’m staying at Lady Three’s Rooms Available Inn. You can find me there if you need me. I go by the name Wang Daozhong when I’m there.”

Han Wubing: “...”

“...Maybe.”

“Listen to your nonsense! If the warriors of the Central Plains are all so strong, why bother fighting this war? With a few hundred Yue Honglings and Zhao Changhes from the Central Plains, wouldn’t they be able to flatten an army of ten thousand?”

“...Because the Central Plains doesn’t only have people like Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe, but also people like Qiao Er.”

As soon as these words were said, the heat of the discussion subsided a bit.

Zhao Changhe walked in leisurely, sat directly at the counter, and gestured with his hand. “Lady Three, bring me some of your specialty pastries. I don’t want the ones from Jiangnan, by the way, I’d like to try some of the local ones. The more unique they are, the better.”

Lady Three scrutinized him for a while. “Did you do something big last night?”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t have anything to do with that mess.” Zhao Changhe retorted. “I just went out for a stroll and came back... If I actually raided that caravan, why would I come back to buy pastries from you?”

Lady Three handed him a plate of pastries, still looking somewhat puzzled.

She knew that Zhao Changhe had come back in the middle of the night, but he had really not brought back anything. He definitely did not seem like someone who had just gotten back from a nice round of looting.

Did he really not go there? But how could there be such a coincidence? As soon as I told him that Qiao Er might have slaves with him, the slaves were rescued. Could it really just be a coincidence?

Zhao Changhe enjoyed the pastries as he spoke, “Was it really just four people who did all that?”

“Mm-hm, there should really have only been four people.”

“That Bloodthirsty Asura Zhao Changhe sure is awesome!”

“Yeah, four people against a thousand, that’s at least 250 for each of them. The ranking that the Tome of Troubled Times gave him makes a lot more sense now.”

Zhao Changhe almost choked on a pastry in his throat. “Lady Three, do you have a problem with him?”

Lady Three casually replied, “Of course I’ve got a problem with him. Yue Hongling, Situ Xiao, and Han Wubing have all come to my establishment, but Zhao Changhe has not. Does he not see me, Third Lady Yuan, as someone from the Central Plains?”

Zhao Changhe silently passed a piece of silver.

Lady Three raised an eyebrow. “What’s this for?”

“I’d like some supplies and water. I’m heading out.”

“Are you going on a long journey?” Lady Three looked at him meaningfully. “You’ve come all this way to Huangsha Market, and there are still so many interesting places you haven’t visited, yet you already want to leave?”

Zhao Changhe said, “Like the beast ring? Honestly, I’m not that interested in it. I would just find myself frustrated if I were to see injustices from afar and not be able to do anything about it.”

Lady Three said, “You’re really a strange one. Others come to this market hoping to find treasures that aren’t available elsewhere or take in sights they can’t find anywhere else. On the other hand, there’s you... What did you even come here for?”

Zhao Changhe was left speechless.

Lady Three sighed. “I bet that even if Zhao Changhe were here, he would have to defer his rank to you. You seem like a true hidden dragon.”

1. This might be a reference to the Rocky Mountain (乱石山) in Journey to the West. ☜