The laughing crowd finally saw hope. Ha’er Bala and Chagan Bala were like two wild horses finally freed of their bridles and saddles – no one knew where their strength came from, but they could still run around on the ground with joy.

Even the usually steady Uncle Ar’han embraced the tribespeople, laughing heartily and using his remaining left arm to pat their shoulders and backs.

Hearing Qin Yining say this, Uncle Ar’han stopped and said seriously: “Yes, what you say makes sense. I’ll have everyone pay attention. We should arrange scouts to explore the path first. It’s fortunate you stayed calm – we were all too happy and didn’t think to notice these things.”

Qin Yining smiled: “This is human nature. I’m just as happy as everyone else. But the more times like this, the more we can’t let our guard down, or all our efforts during this period will be wasted.”

“You’re right.” Uncle Ar’han and the tribespeople had observed Qin Yining’s conduct all along the way and were already completely convinced by her. They never doubted her suggestions.

Ar’han turned to the tribespeople and said: “The pursuit we encountered along the way wasn’t intense, which shows Khan Wutejin didn’t arrange many people in the desert. That hypocrite would definitely make a big show of avenging that demon woman A’na Ri. Since the pursuers in the desert were limited, he must have arranged people outside the desert.”

The tribespeople nodded upon hearing this. Some became somewhat panicked: “What if he really did arrange people there?”

“This isn’t difficult. We’ll choose two fast warriors as scouts to explore ahead first, while our group slowly moves forward. We’ll first leave this desert to find water sources, and after we get news, we’ll decide our next step.”

“Good, we’ll listen to Uncle!”

The tribespeople all agreed in unison.

Ar’han explained this to Qin Yining again. Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “You’ve fought in wars and have experience. I don’t understand these matters – everything will be arranged according to Uncle’s decisions.”

Uncle Ar’han was pleased to hear this and immediately selected two scouts to go explore.

Their group quickly reorganized. The thousand people didn’t stretch into a long line but gathered in a diamond formation to respond to various sudden dangers.

The group carefully and slowly advanced forward.

Because of Ar’han’s earlier words, all the tribespeople in the group became cautious. Everyone watched in all directions and listened carefully, as if a wild beast might suddenly spring from some corner to bite them.

After advancing like this for half an hour, the sky began to darken somewhat.

After this period of time, the mentally tense crowd relaxed slightly. Even Qin Yining began to wonder if she was being overly worried.

Just as she was thinking about whether to have everyone stop for a brief rest, someone on the left flank of the group suddenly let out a loud cry. The voice, hoarse from lack of water, sounded like a dull knife scraping against rough stone.

“Pursuers! It’s the pursuers!”

In the distance, a cavalry force of about a hundred men was galloping toward them on horseback. They waved large sabers in their hands, their loud laughter and shouting meant to intimidate this group of “refugees” who had just reached the desert’s edge.

Some people panicked.

At this moment, Ar’han shouted loudly in Tatar: “Stay calm! Cut the horses’ legs! Show them what we’re made of – let them know there are no cowards in our Minuo tribe!”

Along their journey, they had thought of many strategies for dealing with emergencies. Some among them were remnant soldiers who took time to teach those around them how to fight enemies.

Although seeing so many people charging at them with sabers was frightening, after Uncle Ar’han’s reminder, these people who had endured the desert’s cruel baptism forced themselves to steady their minds. They didn’t show panic but changed formation to meet the enemy.

Qin Yining stood guard beside the horse where Lu Heng lay prostrate, also holding a saber in her hand. She pressed her lips together, her eyes sharp as she watched the enemy’s movements with such fierce determination that even Uncle Ar’han couldn’t help but nod approvingly.

Originally, this cavalry group stationed at this central location had about one hundred fifty men.

Khan Wutejin had deployed this position but hadn’t arranged too many people. According to calculations by the Khan and his advisors, this was the direction farthest from the Great Zhou border after leaving the desert. Unless this group had lost their minds in the desert, they couldn’t possibly take such a long detour to come here.

Because this place was so remote and least likely to have visitors, they hadn’t stationed as many people here as at other strongholds.

They hadn’t expected this fearless group to actually reach this most unlikely destination.

The pursuers looked at the Minuo tribe as if seeing glittering silver, lively livestock, and countless beauties.

Because the Khan had said that whoever could capture the two Great Zhou murderers who killed Khan A’na Ri would definitely be promoted and ennobled, enjoy wealth and honor, receive a thousand taels of silver, and a hundred beauties.

These people were pumped up like they’d been injected with stimulants. Moreover, the Minuo tribespeople before them looked truly wretched, so they didn’t take them seriously at all.

Because of this underestimation, these people ultimately suffered losses.

Sounds of fighting and roaring came from the grassland. Strong winds brought the thick smell of blood.

In the midst of chaotic battle, the Minuo tribe achieved a costly victory.

Although they annihilated all hundred-plus enemies and captured many horses, weapons, provisions, and water, nearly two hundred tribespeople remained here forever.

Uncle Ar’han choked up: “If we hadn’t been so exhausted in the desert, thirsty and hungry, and without weapons and equipment, we wouldn’t have lost so many tribespeople.”

Everyone was very sad. Qin Yining watched the tribespeople cleaning the battlefield and couldn’t help but bow her head and wipe away tears.

The only consolation was that they now had more war horses and weapons, plus additional water and provisions, and they had successfully left the desert.

They rallied their spirits and recounted their numbers outside the desert.

Qin Yining took a sip of water to moisten her dry throat before saying to Ar’han: “Uncle Ar’han, I think there must be a garrison near here for that group just now. Everyone should rest briefly first, and when our strength recovers, we should try to raid that camp. There are surely guards left there, but if we attack unexpectedly when everyone has recovered from exhaustion, our chances of victory are great. Once we win, we’ll have abundant provisions and supplies.”

Ar’han nodded repeatedly: “We’re thinking the same thing. I was thinking exactly that. We came out of the desert to make a living for our tribespeople. Now that there are supplies, shouldn’t we take them? Brothers, what do you say!”

“Right! Rob that dog Khan – no need to feel guilty about it!”

“Rob him, rob him!”

The warriors who had just lost tribespeople were filled with hatred. Thinking of those who had died horribly at home, they were now willing to do anything that could cause trouble for the royal family.

“Good! Then let’s plan how to give him a hard time!”

Uncle Ar’han was very charismatic and quickly integrated into the crowd, calling each squad leader forward to strategize.

The final decision was that the weaker ones and the healthy, strong women who had come along would stay behind, while Ar’han and Chagan Bala would lead three hundred people in a planned surprise attack on the garrison.

After the two scouts who had gone to explore returned and informed everyone of the garrison’s direction, Ar’han and Chagan Bala set off with three hundred people.

Ha’er Bala stayed with the other tribespeople, along with Qin Yining and Lu Heng.

Qin Yining was somewhat worried.

But warfare was something she was inexperienced in after all, so she had to trust Uncle Ar’han’s experience.

Qin Yining and two young wives worked together to lift Lu Heng down from the horse’s back. They melted snow water in a clay pot, boiled it, let it cool, and fed it to him.

Lu Heng had been frequently unconscious these past days and was very weak. When Qin Yining fed him water, it took a long time to get any down – water would overflow from his tightly closed lips.

Qin Yining once again used a handkerchief to wipe the water from his chin, frowning with worry.

If Lu Heng’s condition didn’t improve soon, he would truly be in danger. They had to settle down quickly and find medicine for him.

Qin Yining found a clean handkerchief, dampened it with water, and helped Lu Heng wash his face. Due to his poor health these days, his cheeks had sunken in with thinness, and the stubble on his chin was quite rough. Qin Yining carefully cleaned his face, then washed the handkerchief and cleaned his hands.

Perhaps the sensation of this washing was too cold, but Lu Heng finally drew a bit of consciousness from his drowsy sleep.

“You’re awake?” Qin Yining said joyfully. “How do you feel? Drink some water – we’ve already left the desert!”

Qin Yining’s voice was full of joy. Lu Heng looked at her and couldn’t help but smile, his voice hoarse as if scraped by sandpaper: “I know. I could feel that my face was clean.” If they hadn’t left the desert, where would they get extra water for washing?

Qin Yining smiled and brought him warm water: “Now we don’t lack water. Drink more – this water is cooled boiled water, it’s clean. You need to drink more to recover quickly.”

Qin Yining helped Lu Heng sit up, fed him water, then soaked the captured rice cakes in hot water until soft and fed them to him.

Lu Heng forced himself to stay alert, eating while asking about the current situation of the tribe.

Qin Yining told Lu Heng about Uncle Ar’han and Chagan Bala leading people to attack the enemy camp. Lu Heng smiled and nodded: “I’m at ease with you handling things.”

“So you were sleeping peacefully because you felt secure?” Qin Yining teased with a smile.

Hearing this, Lu Heng couldn’t help but laugh too.

After drinking sufficient water and eating hot food, Lu Heng felt much better. Although he was drowsy, he didn’t immediately fall asleep. Instead, he wrapped himself in thick cotton clothes and sat beside Qin Yining, listening to her tell about the past few days’ events until he really couldn’t hold on anymore and fell asleep again.

When dawn showed its pale light in the east, Uncle Ar’han brought good news.

They had indeed successfully raided the camp and captured much food and many horses.

Hearing the news, everyone cheered and headed toward the camp.

Qin Yining watched the cheering Minuo tribespeople and couldn’t help but let out a long breath: “Today everyone should rest and reorganize well. Tomorrow we’ll discuss setting out again.”