Lu Heng alertly pulled Qin Yining behind him.

Mu Jinghu positioned himself to protect the two of them, observing the shadowy figures on the ground while listening to the approaching footsteps and voices, silently calculating his chances of winning in a fight against multiple opponents.

Qin Yining involuntarily held her breath, her eyes widening as her heart began racing frantically, as if it might burst from her chest.

As the footsteps drew closer, the orange-red glow from the torches visible at the alley entrance grew brighter and brighter. Qin Yining’s hands gripping the bundle gradually turned white from tension.

Just as the pursuing soldiers were about to reach the alley entrance and Mu Jinghu had prepared himself for battle, a wooden gate beside them was suddenly pushed open gently. A thin young man anxiously beckoned to them, whispering urgently in Tatar: “Quick, come in!”

The three of them rushed over immediately.

At the same time, the pursuing soldiers also turned the corner, holding torches high as they searched everywhere.

When they passed by several inconspicuous wooden gates, they paid them no attention. Since these households had already been searched through their front doors, there was no need to enter through side doors again.

Upon reaching the dead end, the soldiers confirmed that no one could hide there and continued their pursuit elsewhere.

Only then did Qin Yining, Lu Heng, and Mu Jinghu quietly breathe a sigh of relief, turning back to bow and thank the young man who had just let them through the gate.

Lu Heng said in Tatar: “Thank you, young brother. Without your help, we would probably all have been killed. Rest assured, we won’t stay long. Once those people have gone far away, we’ll leave and won’t cause any trouble for your household.”

The young man nodded. In the darkness, his features weren’t clearly visible—only his thin silhouette and a pair of bright, dark eyes could be seen. He lowered his voice and said something more to Lu Heng.

Upon hearing this, Lu Heng immediately tensed up all over, becoming wary and falling silent.

Seeing this reaction, Qin Yining knew something was wrong and asked quietly: “What did he say?”

Lu Heng replied: “He asked if we were the ones who killed the female Khan’s warriors.”

The young man, seeing Lu Heng’s expression, became even more excited. Speaking rapidly, he grabbed Lu Heng’s sleeve and began walking toward the house while talking.

Qin Yining, seeing this, said anxiously: “What’s happening? Should we just leave?”

Lu Heng, however, said: “He says he’s from the Mino tribe. A few days ago when A’na Ri was stopped on the street, he saw you and me in the entering city and hunting parties. If we’re the warriors who killed the female Khan, then we’re benefactors to the Mino tribe—that’s why he let us hide here just now.”

“But we’re not actually—”

“Stay calm for now.”

Lu Heng followed the young man’s pull and went into the house. Qin Yining and Mu Jinghu had no choice but to follow up the steps.

Before entering, Qin Yining pointed to the cloth covering hanging from Mu Jinghu’s chin.

Only then did Mu Jinghu remember to cover his face. He quickly masked himself and smiled gratefully at Qin Yining.

This was a spacious brick house. A bonfire burned in the center of the main hall, where more than thirty elderly, weak women and children, all dressed in rags and emaciated, had gathered.

Seeing the young man bring Qin Yining and the other two inside, the hall fell silent for a moment as everyone looked over.

Another, slightly taller young man frowned and approached: “Ha’er Bala, who are these people you’ve brought?”

Lu Heng turned back and whispered to Qin Yining: “So this child is called Ha’er Bala—in Tatar, it means Black Tiger.”

Qin Yining nodded.

Ha’er Bala said: “They’re the warriors who killed the female Khan. They’re being pursued by those lackeys right now. I happened to encounter them, so I let them in.”

“But we still have the tribe’s elderly and weak here. What if we’re discovered… And how can you be sure they’re the warriors who killed the female Khan?”

Ha’er Bala frowned and put his hands on his hips: “Chagan Bala, you’re not thinking of backing out, are you? Originally, it was you who first said that whoever could avenge our Abu and Eji would become the new tribal chief of the Mino tribe. That’s correct, isn’t it? All the tribespeople heard it clearly! When the tribal chief is in trouble, how can I not help?”

“The words weren’t wrong…” Chagan Bala said.

Ha’er Bala clapped his hands: “Then that settles it! Those people outside say the ones who killed the female Khan were a man and a woman from Great Zhou. We’ve seen them before, and the people from Great Zhou staying in the imperial palace are exactly them—how could there be any mistake?”

“But they’re people from Great Zhou. How can they become the new tribal chief of the Mino tribe?”

“Originally, you didn’t stipulate that people from Great Zhou couldn’t be tribal chief. Besides, whoever can kill that female demon is a warrior, a hero, someone who has avenged the blood debt for our Mino tribe’s fallen warriors and relatives. If we let them be captured by the guards outside, how will we ever face Abu and Eji in heaven?”

“Alright, my good brother, you’re right.” Chagan Bala patted Ha’er Bala’s shoulder. “I was overthinking. They’re the warriors who helped Abu and Eji and our tribespeople get revenge. Now they can be our Mino tribe’s tribal chiefs.”

The conversation between the two young men was heard clearly by all the elderly and young people around them.

Qin Yining couldn’t understand what they were saying. Mu Jinghu understood only half, while Lu Heng understood completely. A calculating look flashed in his eyes, but he didn’t immediately interrupt.

Just like that, Qin Yining watched as the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people before her, led by the two young men, placed one hand on their chests in salute and called out something in unison in low voices.

Lu Heng then explained the brothers’ conversation to Qin Yining, adding: “They’ve already acknowledged us as their new tribal chiefs of the Mino tribe.”

Qin Yining was speechless: “This doesn’t seem right, does it?”

Lu Heng said: “We’re few in number and isolated. To leave Tatar territory, perhaps these people can help us. Moreover, they’ve already acknowledged you and me as their tribal chiefs—once they’ve made this recognition, it won’t change. If we refuse them, they’ll actually be hurt.”

Qin Yining said: “But we haven’t actually fulfilled their requirements.”

“Since they’ve made this acknowledgment, it means Si Qin has already spread the same news outside.”

Qin Yining fell silent for a moment.

After the recognition ceremony, Ha’er Bala and Chagan Bala enthusiastically pulled Qin Yining, Lu Heng, and Mu Jinghu to sit down, eagerly asking about their heroic achievements when they killed the female Khan.

Qin Yining, unable to understand the language, sat quietly to the side with a smile, listening.

Although she wore men’s clothing, her features were extremely beautiful—one could tell at a glance she was a lovely woman. Seeing her handsome appearance, the tribespeople couldn’t help but stare.

Taking advantage of the commotion, Qin Yining said to Mu Jinghu: “You should leave shortly. We’re already safe here and will find our own way to leave later. You should hurry back to your martial uncle to avoid any complications. Just don’t forget to help me get a message to Pang Zhixi.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinghu furrowed his brow in distress. After a long moment, he finally said: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”