Dongbahe’s words weren’t wrong. Throughout their journey, Ruowen’s relentless pursuit made him realize that they were fundamentally different from other bandits. Their faith in Ruowen, their obedience to him, had reached a certain subtle boundary. Bandits wouldn’t be like that, but if they weren’t bandits, then what were they? He didn’t know, and now he would never have the chance to find out.
Ruowen looked at the dead Dongbahe, suddenly standing up, his cold gaze flickering slightly.
“Kill them all!” he said.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Manhu, Luoying, and the others let out excited screams that were almost inhuman. In an instant, nearly five hundred lives became bloody, mangled toys. It was as if bloodthirsty demons had broken through their barriers and entered the world.
An hour of bloody carnage passed. Ruowen just sat to the side, leisurely appreciating the slaughter. As he watched this scene of human hell, his gaze grew darker and darker.
After a while, there were no more cries or screams, only exhausted panting and satisfied curses.
Ruowen stood up. “Have you killed enough?” he asked.
“Not enough! Not enough!” his brothers shouted back at him.
“Heh heh!” Ruowen laughed, raising his right fist high. Everyone immediately fell silent, all eyes on him.
“From today on, we are no longer bandits! We will no longer just wander the northern desert. I will build an army, and we’ll march south!”
His authoritative, rough voice pierced through everyone’s heart. “Raise the yellow banner with a white crown. I will lead you to take what we want and seize what we need. The army’s name will be – the Yellow Sky Madmen Corps. Born under this endless yellow sand, if we’re to go mad, let’s go mad to the end. If we’re to kill, let’s kill to the last!”
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a moment of silence, followed by earth-shaking cheers.
From now on, Ruowen would no longer be just a bandit settled in a corner of the northern desert!
I swear, I will pursue this to the end!
“Na Xiu, how did you cure Dongbahe’s hallucinations back then?”
“How could hallucinations be cured!”
“Then what exactly…?”
“I gave Dongbahe wintergreen root! For seventy-two hours, they lose all sensory desires. Without desire, how can there be hallucinations?”
“But they can’t eat or sleep for three days, and after that, the hallucinations will return, right?”
“Correct!”
“Na Xiu, will Dongbahe hate you?”
“He will because desire has no end!”
Just like human wisdom.
Ningdu, the capital of Yunpei.
Endless green trees and red flowers intertwined with majestic and grand buildings. The well-planned streets were lined with shops and restaurants of all sizes. Here, the water and wine were sweet and mellow, the food fragrant and delicious. Looking up, one could see peaceful white clouds and blue sky; looking down, one could find passionate girls and boys. Why was it so different?
Before this, Huang Beixhuang had never seen such beautiful scenery. She was almost overwhelmed by this vibrant world. The thirteen people behind her were even more dumbfounded, as if in a dream.
“This is Yunpei!” Lian Huan closed his mouth, which had nearly started drooling. He wiped his face and turned to look at Huang Beixhuang.
“Yes, we’ve arrived!” Huang Beixhuang smiled as she walked to the front, her expression a mix of emotions. Why was it so different? Life here was so peaceful and stable, the palaces so grand and magnificent. In Enani, this would be an unattainable dream even after ten thousand years.
“Is this the power of the First Political Power? Possessing the most oases and people, with a complete army and court. Let’s go! We’ll meet them and fulfill our original mission.”
“Enter the city!”
“Halt! Where are you from?” The guards at the city gate stopped them.
Night Pei, the green-robed maid, stepped forward, offering several strings of jewels. “Esteemed officials of Yunpei, we come from distant Enani, bringing our tribe’s blessings for an alliance marriage!”
Hearing this, the guards lowered their blades. A fat one among them stepped out.
“Pah! Another alliance marriage? We’ve had dozens in the past few days. Show me your entry papers and alliance treaty! Which tribe are you from again?” His tone was mocking, clearly looking down on the travel-worn group of Huang Beixhuang. As he spoke, he examined each of them, his eyes brightening when he reached Huang Beixhuang. “Oh my! This one’s pretty! She could rival the one Zhen Qu brought yesterday!” He reached out to touch Huang Beixhuang’s face.
With a sharp zing, in a flash, Lian Huan’s sword was at the fat man’s armpit. The man broke out in a cold sweat and quickly withdrew his hand. Seeing Huang Beixhuang’s calm and dignified expression, he trembled inwardly, realizing this woman was no ordinary person.
“Alright, you may enter. Register at the Embassy, and in three days, there will be an alliance marriage ceremony at the Guanghan Palace. All marriage delegations will have an audience then,” the fat man said sensibly, not making any more trouble. He understood that the more beautiful the woman, the more carefully she should be treated. Who knows, she might gain favor one day.
Lian Huan respectfully stepped aside, making way for Huang Beixhuang.
Now, these ten guards and three maids had made her their sole faith, vowing to follow her to death, sparing no bloodshed!
“Jiang Lei, Yun Zai, how about I give you a challenging task?” Huang Beixhuang had been deep in thought since entering the city. As they approached the Embassy, she finally spoke.
“We’re at Na Xiu’s command!” The two moved to Huang Beixhuang’s side.
Huang Beixhuang spoke to them in a low voice for a while, then raised her head and said, “Be careful in everything, and take care of yourselves!”
The two nodded to her and turned to leave.