Idle Chat About Northern Borders at the Teahouse, Sudden Shock of Fierce Horse Attack at the Market

Huailin City.

Noon, marketplace.

Today was market day, and the street was bustling with noise.

The shouts of vendors, the laughter of children, and the footsteps of passersby mingled together, creating a rare scene of lively winter atmosphere.

This city was located at the border of Cangzhou and Chuzhou, less than fifty miles from the "Xi River" that served as the state boundary, making it part of the southern territories.

Consequently, the climate was much milder than in the north, and the snow was shallower. The city's liveliness was not significantly different from other seasons.

In a simple but popular tea house, the patrons were engaged in animated conversation.

"Did you hear? The barbarians from the north attacked again a few days ago!"

"Oh? Which government troops were defeated this time?"

"Heh! This time it's different! The barbarians weren't attacking the heavily fortified government garrisons. They were heading straight for Jizhou!"

The six northern states had been constantly harassed by the northern barbarians, with the frontier border regions suffering the most brutal attacks.

Jizhou, due to its relatively remote location, had seldom been affected by large-scale warfare.

"Jizhou? I heard Jizhou isn't controlled by the government anymore. The Tianxing Sect is in charge."

"Heh, when the barbarians invaded Jizhou this time, it was precisely the Sect Master of Tianxing Sect who personally led the army. Not only did he rally the righteous heroes of Jizhou, but he also mobilized government soldiers to cooperate in resisting the enemy. Guess what happened in the end?"

"Ah! Stop teasing us and tell us the result!"

"A great victory! They routed the barbarians, making them flee in disarray. It's said they beheaded ten thousand and captured thirty thousand!

The barbarian leader fled hundreds of miles overnight with the remnants of his army, even losing his banner. How pathetic!"

"Good! Well fought!"

"Finally, we can hold our heads high! That's how they should be fought!"

Chen Duan and Ah Huang were among the tea patrons, quietly listening to the lively discussion.

Both had large wooden boxes strapped to their backs, uniquely shaped, clearly indicating they were extraordinary individuals, attracting many curious glances.

However, Chen Duan's aura was too intimidating, so no one dared to approach them for a chat.

Along their journey, passing through several cities, Chen Duan had heard similar discussions about the northern war.

The government's control over public opinion was already lax, and with the martial artists of the jianghu being no simple folk, news spread like wildfire.

The government troops' constant defeats were common knowledge throughout Daliang, with deserters from the northern states scattered everywhere.

Defeats happened every year, but news of a "great victory" was unheard of.

Especially since this victory was not led by government troops but initiated by a secular sect, it naturally sparked considerable public discussion.

However, phrases like "a million troops in battle," "ten thousand beheaded," and "thirty thousand captured" were undoubtedly filled with exaggeration, mostly for propaganda purposes.

Jizhou, like Chuzhou, had a bad reputation before, being a lawless land for desperate individuals.

Banditry and evil cults were rampant, and thieves were as numerous as cattle.

In such a place, how strong could the government's influence be?

It was only later, when the Tianxing Sect emerged and brought order with an iron fist, that the chaotic situation was reversed.

But to claim they had the foundation for a million-strong battle against the barbarians was undoubtedly wishful thinking.

It was likely a small skirmish, cleverly packaged and widely publicized by the Tianxing Sect to boost their reputation.

"Heh, Senior Brother, listen to the Tianxing Sect. They really aren't afraid of their tongues getting twisted when they brag. Captured thirty thousand? Why don't they just say they wiped out the entire Northern Barbarian royal court?"

At the next table, a young woman in white, with two short swords hanging at her waist, scoffed disdainfully. Her voice was clear and carried a hint of contempt.

Sitting opposite her was a young man, also dressed in white.

His face wasn't particularly handsome, but there was an air of nobility about him. A longbow was slung across his back.

"Just a method to build their reputation, nothing unusual," the young man said, picking up his teacup, his tone indifferent.

"However, the Tianxing Sect is indeed fortunate. After this battle, they'll likely solidify their hold on Jizhou completely."

Chen Duan had been listening to their conversation all this while. With the aid of his Wind Listening Ears, he could clearly hear and identify the source of everyone's conversations in the teahouse.

With this skill, he often stumbled upon interesting information.

Judging by the conversation between the two white-clad individuals, they seemed to be from Han Land. They mentioned Chuzhou, which appeared to be their next destination...

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted from the street.

The crowd cried out in alarm.

Chen Duan looked over and saw a magnificent carriage, for some unknown reason, startled. The three tall horses pulling it had blood-red eyes and were rampaging through the street, dragging the carriage behind them.

But as he was just starting to watch the spectacle, the carriage unexpectedly charged directly towards the tea stall where Chen Duan was.

"My heavens! Whose beast is acting up? Run!"

The tea patrons, sensing danger, erupted in chaos, scattering in all directions, overturning tables and chairs.

However, a few were too close or reacted too slowly to escape, like Chen Duan's table, which was very near.

The carriage was not small in size. If it had hit head-on, coupled with the trampling of three horses, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Go to hell!"

An old man who had been quietly reading and drinking tea suddenly cursed aloud at the sight.

His position was the most dangerous; he was likely to be trampled into a pulp by the horses' hooves.

Just as the tension peaked, Chen Duan slowly stood up.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three sounds of piercing the air rang out almost simultaneously.

Something grazed past Chen Duan's side, then flew over the old man, and struck the three horses.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Three arrows had directly pierced the horses' necks. The internal energy on the arrows then erupted, causing them to explode.

The heads of the three horses, along with half of their bodies, turned into a rain of blood and gore.

Horse blood poured down like rain, drenching the old man completely.

Chen Duan, being a little farther away and prepared beforehand, quickly grabbed Ah Huang and dodged the blood, saving his clothes.

With the three horses dead, the carriage tilted forward due to inertia and finally stopped less than ten feet from the old man.

The young man and woman in white then quickly stepped forward.

The young man held a strong bow in his hand, its string still trembling slightly. It was clear that the three arrows had come from him.

"Old sir, are you alright?" the young man in white asked with concern, hurrying to inquire about the old man's condition.

"Do I look alright, you damn brat? I just changed my new clothes today, and these fine fabrics are ruined!"

To their surprise, the old man did not show any gratitude. Instead, he began to curse the young man in white.

Hearing this, the young woman in white's eyebrows shot up, and she immediately became angry.

"Hey! You old bastard, are you unreasonable? If my senior brother hadn't shot the mad horses, you'd be dead by now. Not only are you ungrateful, but you're also spewing venom. You truly don't appreciate kindness!"

"Nonsense! Did I need you to save me? Could three mere beasts really take my life?"

Hearing this, the young man in white's heart skipped a beat. He took a closer look and realized the old man's breath was long and steady, his stance firm and rooted. He was likely a skilled practitioner.

His three arrows might have been a superfluous action, even causing trouble.

But he glanced at his junior sister beside him, still arguing with the old man.

His junior sister had stepped up to defend him, so right and wrong no longer mattered.

Besides, the old man's attitude was truly quite unpleasant.

He was about to open his mouth and join the scolding.

However, just then.

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