Although the Eighteen Tribes of the Grasslands had no alliance leader, four were universally acknowledged as the strongest: the Turks, Xiongnu, and Xianbei, who worshipped the Wolf God, and the Huhe Tribe, who worshipped the Eagle God! Thus, these four had always taken turns hosting the Heroes' Assembly. This time, it was being held on the Xiongnu's Tanhan Mountain, the seat of their royal encampment, with a population of a million, countless cattle, sheep, and other livestock, lush pastures and abundant water, and majestic mountains and rivers.
With an old horse who knew the way like Gao Gun guiding them, the two caravans entered Xiongnu territory after a month, despite their unhurried pace.
Three days later, they encountered Xiongnu cavalry. On seeing the insignia of the Shangtuo Tribe and White Camel Tribe, this small band of a dozen or so riders did not even come over to question them. They merely left a supply of provisions and fodder as a gesture of hospitality. Such was the custom of the Great Grassland: even two tribes with a blood feud would set everything aside during the Heroes' Assembly.
Over the past month, Wang Chong had either been seeking Gao Gun's guidance in martial arts or sparring with Dong Qing, Sun Mingke, and Mo Zhenxing, occasionally exchanging moves with Yueliduo as well. Even "advancing by leaps and bounds" no longer sufficed to describe his progress!
Although they still had several days' journey ahead, they could already make out the towering Tanhan Mountain in the distance.
Wang Chong ordered his men to collect the provisions and fodder, then turned back with a smile. "I'm looking forward to this Heroes' Assembly more and more."
Sun Mingke was excited too. "Lately, my Nine Profound True Scripture has advanced another step beyond the top of the hundred-foot