An arrow tore through the air, heading straight for Zao Ying’s back.
It turned out Big Honglang had fired this arrow.
Knocked off her horse and robbed of her steed by Zao Ying earlier, she burned with humiliation. Yet fearing the militia’s firearms, she dared not approach and shot from afar instead.
Her archery was usually poor, missing more often than not. But today, fortune favored her—this shot flew unerringly toward Zao Ying’s spine.
The sun had nearly set, light was fading, and the arrow arrived with such speed that almost no one noticed. In a blink, it reached between Zao Ying’s shoulders. By the ti she heard its whistle, it was too late to dodge.
Just then, a massive iron figure lunged closer.
A huge arm reached out and yanked Zao Ying clean off her horse.
Though Zao Ying was powerfully built—a female gorilla among won, comparable even to Xing Honglang—who could barely be shifted by two or three ordinary n, the iron giant flung her down effortlessly.
Mid-tumble, two massive hands caught and scooped her sideways.
Big Honglang’s ambush strike harmlessly pierced empty air.
Heart racing, Zao Ying glared at the iron man: “Who are you?” Instantly regretting her harsh tone toward her rescuer, she added: “My thanks.”
The iron man chuckled. “Zheng…cough…Reckless Bull of Guyuan.”
Reckless Bull? Zao Ying thought. A nickna’s understandable for rebels, but this fits his enormous build too well!
Reckless Bull was Zheng Daniu. Setting Zao Ying on her feet, he grinned. “Captain Ghost, we were fixing to pull out. Getting shot at—leaving without paying them back? Ain’t sitting right with .”
Cheng Xu nodded. “It’s impolite not to reciprocate, Reckless Bull. Toss them a grenade.”
“Right!”
Zheng Daniu roared with laughter, pulling out a Fuse Hand Grenade.
Up close now, Zao Ying studied it clearly. Was this the thing that exploded so fiercely? Looks unremarkable—just a small object…
Before she finished pondering, Zheng Daniu lit the fuse. When half burned, he charged forward, whipped his arm, and hurled it far into the distance.
Just from his explosive stride and throw, Zao Ying jolted: Monstrous strength! So that’s why he hauled off my horse so easily. Against this creature? Pure force is useless.
The grenade flew impossibly far, arching eighty ters before landing near Big Honglang. Boom! Big Honglang dropped fast, escaping death once more, while her fighters crumpled instantly.
So, Zao Ying realized, this terrifying device that mows n down is thrown by this iron beast! Extraordinary.
“Move out!” Cheng Xu signaled.
The militia prepared to retreat. But most couldn’t ride; they shuffled uselessly around seized horses. anwhile, Xing Honglang’s salt smugglers expertly mounted newly claid steeds, galloping south as their vanguard.
A rush of riderless horses thundered after them southward—gone like mist. The militia now trudged slowly on foot…
Zao Ying yearned to follow, but abruptly saw no path open.
North and west were Huanglong Mountain—now Wang Zuogua’s territory.
East? Impossible. Hong Chengchou’s n had driven her east into these mountains. Facing him outside again? No.
Can’t win—simply can’t win.
What now?
Only south remained.
Facing Cheng Xu and Xing Honglang, she stated: “I’ll withdraw south too. That’s… Chengcheng County, right?”
Cheng Xu hesitated inwardly: This fake Guyuan rebel act must switch back to the Gaojia Village Militia after. A horse thief like her? Makes that switcheroo ssy.
He glanced at Xing Honglang. She leaned near, whispering: “Zao Ying’s known honor. Won’t betray us. Might as well tell her. Besides—Gaojia’s militia lack equestrian skills. Integrating five hundred horses? Nearly impossible. Better lure Zao Ying into our village. Skilled with mounts? Put her in charge; make these steeds useful.”
Cheng Xu paused—it made sense.
He peered upward at the low cloud. The Deity offered no sign—clearly not opposed.
Since the Deity stayed mute, Cheng Xu’s doubts vanished.
A sly grin spread as he addressed Zao Ying. “Boss Zao, why not spend a few days… at our stronghold?”
Zao Ying: “Am I intruding?”
Cheng Xu: “Nonsense. You helped us win back five hundred warhorses! That kindness is worth tens of thousands of silver taels. Repaynt’s due. Co feast properly at our place! Several good als—that’s least we can do!”
Zao Ying began protesting—But you saved !—when desperate gulp noises echoed behind. The great disaster made starvation chronic nationwide. “Several good als” struck like thunder—a hundred twenty bandits instantly flooded mouths with saliva.
Politeness dissolved. For her people, she’d swallow mortification and feast.
“I’ll impose… gratefully.”
Watching below, Li Daoxuan bead, delighted. Perfect! A hundred twenty horsen. Cavalry was our biggest vacancy.
He’d worried endlessly about training riders from scratch after inheriting hundreds of warhorses. Training nonriders? Headache incarnate. Yet Zao Ying crystallized solutions vividly.
To lure them in—food’s the gateway. Their starvation-despair glared obvious. Feed them well.
But what to serve?
Li Daoxuan frowned at the “Westin Chinese Burger” clutched in his hand—This shoddy trap—no, treat!—won’t shake anybody.
He opened the takeout app, hunting culinary treasures—impressive yet approachable, soul-rumbling als.
His search hit paydirt: A Qin Feng Restaurant sold Xi’an cuisine nearby.
Xi’an’s Eight Great Bowls!
Perfection. Majestic yet intimately Shaanxi—nothing better. Quick click—arrival: one hour.
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