“What did you say?”

It was clear that Huhe Hao was not at all unfamiliar with that Third Master.

Although Tang Si’s father was not the leader of Houliao, he was one of Houliao’s fierce generals. When speaking of Houliao, who didn’t know him? Back when Third Master dominated the grasslands, Huhe Hao had not yet made a name for himself on these plains.

From Huhe Hao’s eyes and expression, he had some apprehension toward that Third Master.

But it wasn’t fear!

Ji Yinshu said, “On these grasslands now, only Houliao and your Yuedan are evenly matched, so your relationship is extremely tense. For Yuedan to charge into the Central Plains, you must first annex Houliao. But even though your Yuedan forces have greatly increased these years and you’ve annexed many tribes, Houliao has dominated the grasslands for over a hundred years. You don’t dare act rashly, fearing mutual destruction. To be certain of annexing Houliao in one stroke, you brought people from the westernmost part of these grasslands to camp here. The reason you haven’t yet gone to war with Houliao is because…”

She stopped speaking.

The wicked smile on Huhe Hao’s lips gradually disappeared as she spoke.

“Because what?”

He grew tense.

“Because you’re still waiting!”

Eh.

Huhe Hao’s eyes tightened.

His purpose had been completely seen through.

So his first reaction was to slide the dagger in his hand back to Ji Yinshu’s neck.

Demanding, “What else do you know?”

At this, Ji Yinshu smiled. “It seems… I guessed correctly.”

“Guessed?”

“I did indeed guess. You’ve been able to annex so many tribes in just a few short years. Houliao is clearly right before you, yet you camp here without attacking. This isn’t your style, Huhe Hao. So I guessed that you’re waiting—waiting for reinforcements to arrive and join forces before going to war with Houliao. Then you’ll have complete confidence in annexing Houliao. From your reaction just now, it seems I guessed correctly.”

She not only knew his name.

She also understood his purpose so clearly.

This woman was not just attractive—she was terrifying!

Huhe Hao’s entire face contorted, his eyes carrying vigilance. The dagger in his hand had already cut a small wound on Ji Yinshu’s neck.

Blood slowly seeped out.

“Who exactly are you?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that Houliao’s people must be searching for me everywhere right now. Soon, they’ll find this place. And to rescue me, they’ll stop at nothing. Both sides will inevitably go to war. But your reinforcements haven’t arrived yet. When that happens, your Yuedan will be like meat on a chopping block, at the mercy of others!” She spoke each word clearly and distinctly.

“You…” Huhe Hao gripped the dagger with great force.

He could clearly kill this woman right now!

“I, Huhe Hao, have never been threatened by anyone.”

Ji Yinshu replied, “Then I will be the first person to threaten you.”

The next moment, Huhe Hao suddenly threw away the dagger in his hand and directly seized her neck with one hand.

His thumb pressed right on the wound the dagger had opened on Ji Yinshu’s neck.

Pain spread from that wound throughout her entire body.

Making her whole body tense.

“Do you know that I could kill you right now?”

She said fearlessly, “You… can try.”

Huhe Hao looked fiercely at the prey currently in his grasp, and the force with which he gripped her neck grew stronger and stronger.

Squeezing until Ji Yinshu couldn’t breathe.

Her entire face flushed red.

But she just wouldn’t submit. Her ink-dark eyes carried tenacity.

Huhe Hao could clearly take her life right now, yet he actually hesitated.

Finally—

He released her.

And rose from atop her.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Ji Yinshu turned to one side and coughed violently.

Her throat finally got a breath of air.

Huhe Hao looked down at her from his position of superiority. “Before things are clarified, I won’t take your life. Keeping you alive might have its benefits.” He shouted toward the outside, “Someone come.”

The two people outside immediately entered.

They had expected to see some passionate scene, but instead encountered this unexpected sight.

“Take her away and lock her up. Keep a close watch.”

“Yes!”

So Ji Yinshu was once again dragged up from the ground like a commodity.

And taken away.

Huhe Hao thought about many things inside, then summoned his trusted confidant A Mulang.

“Chief?”

He instructed, “Go immediately and dispatch people to investigate—see if Houliao’s people are searching for someone.”

“Has something happened?”

“Just go investigate first.”

“Yes!”

A Mulang received the order and left immediately.

Huhe Hao then sat down, drawing up one knee and resting his hand on it.

Who exactly was that woman?

How did she know the purpose of his mission?

She was clearly from the Central Plains, not from Houliao. How could she know Houliao’s Third Master?

And furthermore—

How could Third Master go to war over her?

Impossible!

Actually, he truly wasn’t afraid of Third Master. It was just as Ji Yinshu had said—he was waiting, waiting for his reinforcements to arrive. If they went to war at this moment, his Yuedan would definitely suffer losses. Perhaps… they might even face defeat.

He never fought battles he wasn’t confident of winning!

…

Ji Yinshu was locked in a narrow, simple tent with nothing inside.

“Grumble…”

Her stomach was growling.

She hadn’t eaten anything all day!

Usually she could go three days and nights without food, but this time she couldn’t even last one day. This showed how much energy she had expended today.

The wound on her neck was becoming increasingly painful.

When she reached up to touch it, it burned painfully.

She couldn’t help but make a “tsk tsk” sound.

Just then—

A voice suddenly came from outside: “The chief has ordered that no one may enter.”

“Move aside!”

“Bai Yin…”

It was Bai Yin!

Disregarding the obstruction of those people outside, he rushed in.

Those people had no choice but to give up.

When Ji Yinshu saw him enter, she deliberately scooted back several steps.

On guard!

Bai Yin first stood before her, then suddenly sat down opposite her.

Like two old friends.

“I won’t eat you. Why are you so afraid?” He took out a white bottle from his clothing and tossed it to her, saying, “This is medicine specifically for treating knife wounds.”

Huh?

Ji Yinshu looked at the medicine bottle that had been tossed beside her. It was very small and delicate.

“It’s not poison. Don’t worry,” he said.

For some reason, she found herself inexplicably trusting him.

So she reached out and picked up the bottle, opened it, and tapped some powder onto her finger, applying it to her neck.

While asking Bai Yin, “Why did you capture me?”

This was the question she had always wanted to ask.

Bai Yin lowered his gaze and didn’t speak for a long time.

After she finished applying the medicine, she returned the bottle to him.