Chapter 72: A Truly Righteous Man
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan ran until daybreak, reaching a spot over ten li away.
They looked around, checked their book box and medicine chest, and then Xu Xiaoyan said cheerfully, “That creepy thing didn’t follow us.”
Shi Hao also sighed in relief.
The unknown was the most terrifying. He didn’t know what the doll was, yet he couldn’t get rid of it, forcing him to be constantly on guard.
It was a nerve-wracking experience.
Especially after that night he had woken up from his dream, his internal energy in disarray.
He was almost certain the doll was responsible.
Now, although he didn’t know why, it was finally gone.
Shi Hao smiled, “I guess it really wasn’t interested in me.”
Xu Xiaoyan giggled, “But what if it really was the Emerald Beauty? You might have missed out on a great opportunity.”
Shi Hao chuckled, “That so-called Remnant of the Demon Empress? No thanks.”
He knew the Demon Empress quite well. If he needed anything, he could just ask her during the next full moon. He didn’t need some “remnant.”
After all, he had already obtained… her essence.
They continued towards the Changbai Mountains. That day, as they traveled along a mountain path, they saw a group of barbarian soldiers setting up a checkpoint.
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Even here?”
Shi Hao said, “We’re getting close to the Changbai Mountains. The entire area is probably under lockdown.”
One of the soldiers saw them and shouted, “You two, come here!”
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan, still disguised and dressed in simple clothes, exchanged glances and approached the checkpoint.
There were about a hundred soldiers, led by a commander. The commander looked at them and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “We’re from Bai Zhi County, just buying some books and herbs in the market. We’re on our way back now.”
With her disguised, plain appearance and petite figure, she looked like an ordinary village girl. The commander barely glanced at her, his gaze fixed on Shi Hao, “You’re a scholar?”
Shi Hao said, “Yes.”
The commander said, “You have a rather menacing look for a scholar.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “He was born with a scary face, sir. It’s not his fault. And look at him, so frail, what else can he do besides studying? His father was a butcher, so he inherited his looks. But his father didn’t want him to be a butcher, so he forced him to study.”
The commander said, “I wasn’t talking to you! You talk too much!”
He said, “Open your boxes.”
Xu Xiaoyan said, “It’s just books and herbs, sir.”
The commander, gripping his saber, barked, “Books are fine, but we have to check the herbs. Who knows if you’re working with the bandits? Open them!” The other soldiers closed in.
Xu Xiaoyan said, “Don’t worry, sir, we’ll open them…” She suddenly kicked the commander, sending him flying.
Although the commander was a ninth-rank martial artist, he was no match for Xu Xiaoyan. Caught off guard, he had no defense.
He rolled on the ground, drew his saber, and shouted, “Stop them!”
The soldiers charged, their spears thrusting. Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan, not wanting to be entangled, kicked a few aside and leaped into the air.
Although there were skilled martial artists among the barbarian troops, and many soldiers had some training, it wasn’t possible to station experts at every checkpoint in the countryside.
These soldiers, although numerous, besides their commander, were all unranked and no match for Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan in terms of speed and agility. They could only watch as the two escaped over the barricade.
As Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan ran, a sharp whistle echoed from behind them.
They looked back and saw a signal flare flying towards them, embedding itself in a large rock.
Xu Xiaoyan said, “They’re calling for reinforcements.”
Shi Hao said, “Head for the mountains!”
They ran for half a li, then turned and climbed a hill. Looking back, they saw a large group of barbarian soldiers approaching. Someone saw them and fired another flare.
The whistling flare flew overhead.
Several barbarian martial artists, following the flare’s trajectory, pursued them up the mountain.
Ignoring them, Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan continued through the mountains, changing directions, using the terrain and the dense forest for cover, gradually leaving their pursuers behind.
As they descended a mountain, Xu Xiaoyan, ever vigilant, looked back and exclaimed, “Oh no, it’s a rider!”
Shi Hao looked up and saw a barbarian officer on an Yingzhao beast. Seeing them, the officer drew his bow, preparing to fire a signal flare.
Whoosh! A sharp whistling sound came from the opposite mountaintop as an arrow flew through the air, striking the barbarian officer, who fell from his mount. The Yingzhao, startled, flapped its wings and flew away.
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan looked towards the distant mountaintop. The arrow had flown over a hundred zhang, killing the officer instantly.
The archer must have been using an incredibly powerful bow, requiring at least a six-stone draw weight. Even a ninth-rank martial artist couldn’t achieve such a feat.
It required at least an eighth-rank, perhaps even seventh-rank, foundation and exceptional archery skills. Even with the necessary strength, Shi Hao couldn’t have made such a precise shot.
They exchanged glances and, taking advantage of the downed rider, ran across the open area and into the forest ahead.
They continued up the mountainside and looked back. The barbarian soldiers had reached the body and were searching the area, but unable to find them, they dispersed.
They continued to the other side of the mountain. Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind a tree, “Are you alright?”
They looked and saw a man in his twenties, dressed in simple clothes and a fur vest, clearly a hunter, but his eyes were sharp, and his build was sturdy.
His arms were unusually thick, and he carried a powerful, black iron bow. Clearly, only such a bow, forged by a skilled craftsman, could have made that shot.
Shi Hao said, “Thank you for your assistance, brother. May I ask for your name?”
The man said, “My name is Mu Heng. I’m on my way to the Changbai Mountains to join the rebels. I saw you being chased by the barbarians, so I intervened. Judging by your attire and what you’re carrying, are you also heading to the Changbai Mountains?”
Shi Hao said, “My name is Hao Xinghua. We are indeed heading to the Changbai Mountains. Since you’re also going there, Brother Mu, why don’t we travel together?”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “My name is Chen Que’er. Brother Mu, are you familiar with this area? I know some of the roads, but it seems they’re all blocked by the barbarians. I’m not sure where to go.”
Mu Heng smiled, “Just follow me. I often hunt in these mountains and know the area well. The barbarian army has blockaded the Changbai Mountains, trying to suppress the rebellion, setting up checkpoints on all the main roads.
“But there are still some hidden paths they haven’t found. It’s impossible for them to completely seal off the mountains.”
Shi Hao said, “Thank you, Brother Mu.”
Mu Heng led them through the mountains. Along the way, he asked, “Are you transporting supplies for the rebels?”
Xu Xiaoyan chuckled, “We’re not that generous. We just have some medicinal pills we’re hoping to sell to them. It’s a profitable business, much more so than smuggling salt.”
Mu Heng’s expression changed, “Hero Fu’s army desperately needs medicine, especially pills. Although you call it business, traveling through these dangerous mountains, taking such risks… it’s a righteous act. I admire your courage and generosity.”
As they crossed a ravine, Shi Hao asked, “How is the situation in the Changbai Mountains?”
Mu Heng sighed, “Not good. The barbarian court wants to make an example of them. They’ve sent over a dozen generals. You might not know, but promotions in the barbarian army are strict. Only mid-rank martial artists and above can become generals. So, every general is at least sixth-rank.
“The commander leading the siege of the Changbai Mountains is Fu Xiong. He’s the son-in-law of the Han He family, one of the four great barbarian families. He comes from a humble background but rose through the ranks due to his skill and achievements. He’s a brilliant strategist, patient and cunning, a fifth-rank expert, and also a supernatural ability user with a high-rank divine crystal.
“And the barbarian court has also assigned several powerful generals to assist him. Although Hero Fu is a skilled martial artist, and many have joined his rebellion, they’re still no match for the barbarian army, especially in terms of ordinary soldiers. Most of the rebels are just refugees, unlike the barbarian soldiers, who, although increasingly corrupt, are still trained warriors.”
Shi Hao said slowly, “Knowing the situation is so dire, you’re still going to join the rebels?”
Mu Heng straightened his back and said resolutely, “As a Chinese martial artist, it is my duty to serve my country and my people. The barbarians’ tyranny and oppression… how can we endure it any longer? Now that Hero Fu has risked his life to ignite the flames of rebellion, how can we stand idly by?”
Shi Hao’s respect for him deepened, “You are a truly righteous man, Brother Mu. I admire your courage.”
Mu Heng lowered his voice, “You’re too kind, Brother Hao. I’m just doing what I must. And you two, traveling so far to deliver medicine to the rebels, that is also a righteous act.”
Xu Xiaoyan smiled, “We’re just doing business. Times are tough, and things will only get worse. We have to make a living. But with the imperial army so powerful, and the royal families determined to crush the rebellion, how much longer can those rebels in the Changbai Mountains hold out? By the way, who did you say is leading the imperial army? That… Lord…?”
She spoke quickly, and Mu Heng, caught off guard, replied, “Lord Fu Xiong.”
Shi Hao and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances…
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