Jiang Zhizhou continued onward.
Southern Xun still lay on the far side of that wilderness.
After disposing of one opponent, Jiang Zhizhou paid no mind to how many "tails" were still following him.
What mattered most now was making good time.
Clop, clop...
The sound of hoofbeats came from behind him, exceptionally clear in the wilderness.
"Just when I was hungry, someone delivered a meal. You really do understand me," Jiang Zhizhou said with a smile.
The hoofbeats drew closer and closer, until they seemed to be right behind him.
But accompanying them was the whistle of an arrow slicing through the air.
The arrowhead hurtled straight toward the back of Jiang Zhizhou's head.
It was about to bury itself in his skull when Jiang Zhizhou raised his hand to block, as though he had eyes in the back of his head. The arrow struck squarely against his scabbard.
A clang rang out, sending up a spark.
"A refined-iron heavy crossbow. You certainly spared no expense!"
Jiang Zhizhou caught the feathered arrow with a backward sweep of his hand, slowly turning around.
Three horses had approached.
Three men in full cavalry gear sat astride them, their crossbows already aimed at Jiang Zhizhou's head.
"Your life ends here!" the three shouted in unison.
A mere curl of their fingers would leave the man before them dead or crippled.
"My life will certainly stay with me, but not for your sake."
Jiang Zhizhou smiled, then attacked the horse nearest him.
He drove his sword into its leg.
Maddened by pain, the horse bucked its rider off its back and onto the ground.
But one of the man's legs remained caught in the stirrup, and he could not free it in time.
The injured horse galloped forward, dragging him along.
Never had the