In Someone's Grip

Traveling within the Han Dynasty's territory required one thing: a travel pass.

The pass was made of bamboo and bore the holder's name, the official who issued it, the date, the destination, and so on.

Whenever a traveler reached a city in a new region, the pass had to be checked.

If the guards found any incorrect information when someone passed through a checkpoint, the holder of the bamboo pass would be sent back.

Zhang Xuezhou's original pass had been issued to a foreign merchant caravan, but after the soldiers registered him, it had been exchanged for one used by Han Dynasty subjects.

Just as when Zhang Zhong and Lady Yourong had taken him into Hibiscus City, this kind of pass for Han subjects allowed him to avoid numerous inspections.

Inside the carriage, Wu Chao looked at the pass in Zhang Xuezhou's hand, his expression shifting between light and dark.

He had helped Zhang Xuezhou to keep himself alive, but now that they had entered Han Dynasty territory, Zhang Xuezhou was gradually slipping out of his control.

If Zhang Xuezhou revealed his identity, then, given the current state of war between Xiong State and the Han Dynasty, many people would take an interest in him.

"Junior brother, you're putting me in a difficult position," Wu Chao said quietly.

"I don't want this either." Zhang Xuezhou spread his hands, then assured him, "But don't worry, senior brother. I've been struck by the Snake Head Incantation, so there's no way I could reveal your identity!"

"It seems this Incantation Technique does have some use after all!" Wu Chao said, his expression sour.

"Senior brother, you know the Star-Fixing Technique, so finding me would be as easy as turning your hand over. With my meager cultivation, I couldn't kick up the slightest wave