"Ran away?"
Motai Jie rode atop a Black Cunning Beast, while a Black Leopard followed lazily at his side.
Looking at the chaotic, abandoned campsite before him, Motai Jie's expression darkened.
"Young Master." After carefully examining the traces around the camp, Renzha smiled. "It looks like they migrated just today. The Wild Ox dung they left behind hasn't even dried yet. The whole tribe moved together, so they can't have gone far."
"Yesterday, I told the Iron Ox Tribe to pay another hundred Wild Oxen in tribute, and today they migrated. They clearly don't take our Black Hand Tribe seriously." Motai Jie's voice turned cold. "Pursue them! Once we catch up, kill every man in the Iron Ox Tribe, take the women back, and sell the children."
"Yes!" The hundred warriors, all clad in half-armor, roared excitedly.
They loved following the young master out to slaughter little tribes like the Iron Ox Tribe.
With a hundred armored guards, they could sweep aside a small tribe with barely more than thirty warriors. And that was without counting the Black Leopard at the young master's side.
It was a spirit beast at the Xiantian Great Demon level!
For a tribe without a Xiantian Lifeform, a Great Demon was an invincible presence.
Thinking of the women they'd take back after wiping out the Iron Ox Tribe, and how they'd be able to do whatever they wanted with them, the warriors in the armored guard felt as though their blood was boiling.
Rumble~~~~
A group of Black Cunning Beasts raced off along the tracks left by the herds of Wild Oxen that had passed through, while a Black Leopard that looked ready to fall asleep followed them without a care.
On the back of a Wild Ox.
Zhou Hao toyed with a dagger about twenty-five or twenty-six centimeters long. Its blade was thin as paper, and its surface shimmered with a chill.
In the sunlight, faint traces of ancient, broken patterns could still be seen on its surface.
"What a pity." Zhou Hao shook his head with a sigh.
Although he had yet to see the magical treasures used by the cultivators of this world, Zhou Hao did have divine sense.
After trading with Zhamu for this dagger, he had tested it out in an empty place, controlling it with his divine sense.
It was dozens of times faster than controlling ordinary things like stones and wood, and the toll it took on his soul was almost negligible.
Even controlling the lighter arrowheads of a bow was nowhere near as effective as this dagger, and their sharpness was worlds apart.
"This must be a flying dagger, a magical treasure used by cultivators. The patterns on the blade are broken, so the treasure's clearly badly damaged. It can only be used as a weapon now," Zhou Hao guessed to himself.
"I heard you traded all your Wild Oxen to Big Brother Zhamu for his Cold Iron Dagger?"
At the sound of that crisp voice, Zhou Hao knew who it was.
"No." Zhou Hao shook his head.
Xiangcao was speechless. She looked at the dagger in his hand and thought, I saw it with my own eyes.
"I kept one for myself to ride." Zhou Hao patted the Wild Ox beneath him.
After experiencing an ox flying through the air, the beast had become incredibly obedient. It could even adjust its speed according to the force and rhythm of Zhou Hao's pats.
"What are you going to eat without any Wild Oxen?" Xiangcao asked, exasperated.
For tribes like theirs, nomadic herders on the Great Wild Plains, Wild Oxen were the foundation of their survival and their greatest source of wealth.
And now he'd traded away all his wealth for a dagger that could only be used to skin and butcher animals?
What a waste.
The most important thing was that those Wild Oxen had been given to Zhou Hao by her family just recently.
"I can hunt," Zhou Hao said, unconcerned. "This Cold Iron Dagger can cut through even a Great Demon's hide and flesh. If we run into a demon beast on the way, I can kill one and we'll have enough to eat."
Do you really think I came here to raise oxen?
"Kill a demon beast? With that little dagger?" Xiangcao scoffed. "Do you think demon beasts are those foolish gray wolves?"
What was a demon beast?
Only a beast with intelligence that could absorb the energy of heaven and earth to cultivate was called a demon beast.
Compared with ordinary beasts, demon beasts were not only more intelligent, some were even cleverer than humans. More importantly, many of them gained special abilities through cultivation.
Some controlled fire or water, others commanded the wind or spewed poison... It took at least a dozen ordinary tribal warriors working together to hunt a demon beast, and even then, they couldn't avoid casualties.
And if they encountered a Great Demon that had reached the Xiantian Lifeform realm, it would be an outright disaster.
In a fight, a Great Demon could defeat even an ordinary Xiantian Lifeform.
When Zhou Hao didn't reply, Xiangcao softened her tone. "Even if you want to hunt, you'll need a weapon that suits you. What... what weapons are you good with? I'll find one for you."
Weapons he was good with?
Zhou Hao froze.
He'd trained in Wudang Innate Taiji Fist under his master since he was a child, but because the patterned tattoo drained the vitality from his body, he'd focused on the health-preserving forms and rarely practiced the combat forms.
As for weapons... even a long fruit knife counted as a restricted weapon. He'd never had a chance to train with one.
But Taiji Fist's combat forms were incredibly forceful. Its three types of power—cannon, hammer, and whip—translated into heavy weapons. And when he considered how many times stronger he'd become...
"I've never trained with a saber, sword, or spear, and it'll take time to get used to one." Zhou Hao pondered. "A great hammer, iron whip, heavy staff... any of those would work. Find me a heavy weapon."
Those heavy weapons all had one thing in common: simplicity.
As long as you were strong enough, you just swung them and smashed things.
With a little practice, he could blend the combat forms of Innate Taiji Fist into his strikes and make them even more powerful. It was just what Zhou Hao needed right now.
"Okay." Xiangcao nodded. "My brother used an iron staff before. Wait here, I'll go get it."
Watching Xiangcao walk away, Zhou Hao shook his head slightly. "Women..."
She'd inexplicably picked on him, then inexplicably started caring about him, and now she was inexplicably getting him a weapon.
He couldn't make heads or tails of it.
"We're setting up camp! We're setting up camp!"
"Drive the Wild Oxen outside and circle them around the camp!"
The tribal warriors rode their Black Cunning Beasts back and forth, shouting as they directed everyone to prepare the night's camp.
The tall Wild Oxen formed a circle like a thick earthen wall. They blocked the wind, and ordinary beasts couldn't easily jump over them.
The men busied themselves setting up felt tents for the night, while the women began preparing dinner.
They couldn't stop on the road during the day, so everyone made do with dried beef and the like. Once they camped for the night, they needed something hot to eat.
Zhou Hao was alone and couldn't be bothered setting up a felt tent. He led his Wild Ox to a patch of level ground and planned to sleep leaning against it that night.
As for dinner... Xiangcao had told him to come eat later when she brought over the iron staff.
The temporary camp was bustling, and Zhou Hao had nothing to help with. He picked up the iron staff and began getting used to it.
It was called an iron staff, but it was really an iron whip, or an Iron Mace. It was about four feet long, without ridges, and weighed around a hundred and twenty pounds.
On the battlefields of ancient Earth, an Iron Mace was so heavy that only a strong person could wield it with ease. It dealt considerable damage, and even through armor, it could smash a man to death.
But in Zhou Hao's hands, with his strength now greatly increased, it felt a little light.
Iron Ox's pair of axes each weighed over six hundred pounds. After swinging the Iron Mace a few times, Zhou Hao estimated that he'd need it to be at least twice as heavy before it would really suit him.
"I'll make do with it for now," Zhou Hao thought.
He was completely broke. Having anything to use was already good enough.
Besides, once he reached Jade Dragon City, he was sure to find a cultivation method. When his strength improved, he'd replace his weapon, so there was no need to be too particular.
And he could still control the Cold Iron Dagger with his divine sense.
...Inside Iron Ox's felt tent.
"Mmm... that smells so good!"
Zhou Hao grabbed a piece of meat from a stone basin on the ground and shoved it straight into his mouth.
After chewing dry, tough beef all day, this fragrant stew was practically the finest delicacy under heaven.
"My aunt makes the best stew." Zhuzi was also wolfing down his food.
"If you like it, eat more." Xiangcao brought over two more basins of freshly scooped meat and set them on the ground.
Just then, the hide curtain was lifted, and Iron Ox came back.
As the chief, Iron Ox was undoubtedly conscientious. He had to see with his own eyes that every family in the tribe was settled before he came home.
"Dad, Auntie made stew! Hurry and eat!" Iron Pillar said, his little mouth full of meat.
"Good. Eat more, Zhuzi. That way you'll grow faster." Iron Ox rubbed Iron Pillar's little head and nodded to Zhou Hao. Then his gaze fell on the fire, and he stared at it in a daze.
Xiangcao set a bowl of stew in front of Iron Ox, then handed soft, freshly baked flatbread to Zhou Hao and Iron Pillar. Seeing that Iron Ox hadn't touched his food, she asked, "What's wrong, brother?"
"We only traveled less than five hundred li today. It's too slow." Iron Ox shook his head. "At this pace, it'll take at least three months to reach Jade Dragon City—and that's if everything goes smoothly. If we run into demon beasts, or even a Great Demon... sigh."
Iron Ox let out a long sigh, and worry crept across Xiangcao's face.
On the Great Wild Plains, where gods and demons appeared and demon beasts ran rampant, migration was never simple.
"It's all my fault," Xiangcao said quietly. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had to leave the Liu Clan, and now you wouldn't have to risk your lives going to Jade Dragon City..."
"How could I blame you? It's all that bastard's fault." Iron Ox cut her off. "With Second Young Lady's order, that bastard never dared do anything, but now Second Young Lady has left the Liu Clan. Besides, if we migrate to Jade Dragon City, Zhuzi and the other children might have a chance to cultivate. Zhamu and the others are willing to take a chance, too."
"Mm." Xiangcao nodded.
Even so, if they had any choice, who would willingly risk their lives on an unknown road?
"Little Zhuzi, you're only four and you've eaten so much. Careful, or you'll make yourself sick."
"Uncle Zhou Hao, you've already eaten four pieces!"
Over there, Zhou Hao and Iron Pillar were fighting over the last piece of flatbread.
How I wish... Watching the two of them finally decide to split the flatbread in half, Xiangcao thought, How I wish there were someone I could rely on...
Suddenly—
"Iron Ox, Iron Ox!"
Outside the tent, Zhamu's voice sounded urgent. "A hundred armored guards are heading this way. Looks like they're coming for us."
"A hundred armored guards?" Iron Ox strode out of the tent, his axe already in hand. "Get the women and children back into the tents first. All the men, bring your weapons and come out."
"Okay."
Zhamu answered and hurried off to gather everyone.
"Hurry, hurry!"
"Women and children, get back inside!"
"All the men, over here!"
The peaceful, quiet temporary camp suddenly erupted into clamor and confusion.
Xiangcao took her bow and arrows down from the wall and was about to leave the tent when she saw Zhou Hao rise just as quickly. She paused, then said, "You... stay here and look after Zhuzi."
"If someone's staying, it should be you. Looking after children is a woman's job."
Carrying the Iron Mace, Zhou Hao stepped past Xiangcao and strode outside. "Zhuzi, stay in the tent. Don't go out."
Watching Zhou Hao's ramrod-straight back, Xiangcao suddenly felt a warmth in her heart.
...At the edge of the camp, Zhou Hao jumped onto one of the Wild Oxen that had been used to form a makeshift wall.
Iron Ox and Zhamu had already arrived and were gazing into the distance.
Dust billowed more than ten li away. A group clad in half-armor raced toward them, reaching a few li away in the blink of an eye.
"They're the Black Armor Guard from the Black Hand Tribe." Zhamu spoke quietly to Iron Ox. "It's not time to collect tribute yet. Why did they come after us so soon?"
"Let's ask them why they're here first," Iron Ox said.
"Brothers from the Black Hand Tribe?" Zhamu shouted. "We're from the Iron Ox Tribe. Are you brothers out hunting?"
"Hahaha..."
Hearing the question, a middle-aged man with dozens of braids laughed from among the group. "That's right. We came out to hunt."
"Since you're out hunting, are you here to ask us for food?" Zhamu continued. "Our chief, Iron Ox, is willing to give you ten Wild Oxen for dinner. We're migrating today, and the camp's in a mess, so we won't invite you to stay."
Zhou Hao saw that every man in the Black Hand Tribe's group was armed and brimming with killing intent. He furrowed his brow slightly.
Whoosh.
Xiangcao leaped up from behind onto the back of a nearby Wild Ox.
"What does the Black Hand Tribe want?" Xiangcao's brows knitted together as she took the bow from her back.
"They don't look like they mean well," Zhou Hao said.
...Among the Black Armor Guard.
"Renzha, stop wasting your breath on him," Motai Jie said impatiently.
"Yes, Young Master." Renzha smiled.
He, too, came from a small tribe and had suffered under the bullying of larger tribes.
After attaching himself to the Black Hand Tribe, his favorite pastime had become toying with other little tribes.
Whenever he faced one of these little tribes, the feeling of superiority, of being able to do whatever he wanted, brought him the greatest pleasure.
"Hmm?" Motai Jie suddenly caught sight of a young man and a young woman standing atop the Wild Oxen across from him. His eyes lit up at once.
"Is that Iron Ox's younger sister?"
He had never met her, but Motai Jie immediately decided that must be her.
What ordinary tribe had a girl so beautiful?
Her slender, graceful figure and the way she held her bow gave her a wild beauty all her own.
"Kill that brat and bring the girl to me." Motai Jie raised a hand and pointed at Zhou Hao and Xiangcao.
The anger that had been drained out of him by four girls the previous night surged back up, and the thought that the woman he'd been longing for had been sent away by his father today made him want nothing but to vent.
"Kill the men! Take the women!"
The hundred Black Armor Guard shouted, waving their curved blades as they drove their Black Cunning Beasts toward the Iron Ox Tribe.
Renzha enjoyed toying with little tribes before a battle. They had no such hobby.
Bloodshed and the spoils they'd claim afterward were what drove these warriors wild.
"Fight!" Iron Ox barked. Gripping his two great axes, he leaped off the back of a Wild Ox.
The other warriors also charged out from behind the Wild Oxen and formed a battle formation in front of the camp.
The makeshift camp enclosed by Wild Oxen might keep out beasts, but it was useless against elite warriors who were also at the Post-Heaven realm.
"Xiangcao, your archery is good. Stay here and support us from a distance."
Hearing the enemy roar, "Kill the men! Take the women!" as they charged like wild beasts, Zhou Hao felt boundless fury rise within him.
He'd already learned from the people of the tribe just how brutal life on the Great Wild Plains was. But any man with blood in his veins would be unable to stomach being slaughtered for no reason.
Master, your disciple is going to kill today!
Zhou Hao leaped into the air. The powerful force of his legs sent the Wild Ox beneath him toppling over.
The wind howled past his ears. Zhou Hao felt his blood and qi coursing through his entire body as one, while his spirit had never been clearer.
"Watch out!"
Hearing the voice behind him, Zhou Hao grinned.
The ones who should watch out... were them!
P.S.:
A quick note on updates: barring special circumstances, there'll be two chapters every day.
One around noon.
One around 6 p.m.
If anything comes up, I'll explain in the author's note at the end of the previous chapter.
Fellow readers, please support the official release on Qidian Reading and support Suifeng. Many thanks!
That's all for today! While the book's new, I need to keep the word count in check. If it goes on sale too early, it'll affect recommendations and stats.
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