With the Blade

Contrary to what Du Chengfeng expected, Wu Zhao not only left that hidden stronghold, but even departed from Yellow Sand City.

Some hooded people followed Wu Zhao in leaving, being the most loyal to him. Neither Wu Zhao nor Du Chengfeng intervened. In fact, Du Chengfeng was more curious about how Wu Zhao intended to make them leave.

However, Wu Zhao did not say anything. The two men and the dog, without even taking their staff and sling, disappeared into the vast yellow sand.

"I hope you can handle it."

Looking at the two objects in his hands — the culprits that brought them to this unfamiliar environment — Du Chengfeng shook his head.

Since Wu Zhao decided to bear the responsibility for messing things up, it is overall a good thing.

Of course, he wasn’t going to place all his hope on Wu Zhao.

The daily cooking competition was still ongoing. By relying on irresistible cuisine, Du Chengfeng had successfully integrated into this small town. Under his influence, the locals began using the cooking methods he taught and started making dishes in the style of Southern Chen.

To make people believe in you, you must first get closer to them and be friendly. This was Du Chengfeng’s understanding, although there might still be some gaps in this understanding.

Overall, things were progressing slowly. Initially, it might have been just a coincidence, but now, he had indeed successfully used food as a propellant to give people here a general concept of Southern Chen.

They truly understood another world.

This was a very good start, and what remained was to have them believe that place truly exists.

Of course, they currently do believe; they believe in a far distant land, a country full of gourmet food must exist — but this alone was not enough. The power of their imagination had not been fully invoked. Perhaps it would take some more time. Once they really deeply believe in this matter, the path back to Forget Sorrow Village will appear before them.

As for how long this period would take...

Du Chengfeng couldn’t say for sure.

"So he was stuck here all along."

At that moment, Du Chengfeng realized that earlier, Wu Zhao might have also encountered such a problem — the people here were completely different from those in Southern Chen; they almost couldn’t exert any power of imagination. Relying on them to create a fantasized environment was indeed no easy task.

Looking at it that way, he wrongly blamed Wu Zhao. It’s not that Wu Zhao wasn’t doing any work, but the task itself was genuinely difficult.

Just like how saline soil can hardly grow crops, the power of imagination here isn’t as effective — to Du Chengfeng, it seemed more like the place he lived in before going to Southern Chen, where the gravity of reality was equally heavy, and in the face of cold, hard reality, no miracle had any chance of appearing.

"So, what method do you plan to use?"

Thinking this way, Du Chengfeng looked towards the distant desert, in the direction where Wu Zhao had left.

He was indeed a bit curious now, about what method Wu Zhao would use to forge a path of return for them in such a circumstance.

What Du Chengfeng didn’t expect was, the measure Wu Zhao took was even more intense than he imagined.

"Is this the Capital City of the empire?"

Half a month later, under the tall, snow-white city walls, two men and a dog raised their heads, looking at the adept guards atop the city.

Behind them, the originally accompanying hooded people were reduced to less than one-tenth.

The half-month journey was a painful ordeal for them, as the two men and the dog at the forefront showed no intention of foraging for food or water. They spent all their time on the road, moving quickly — perhaps they could handle it, but for the ones following them, it was utterly unbearable.

Some fell behind, and some even starved to death in the desert. Only a few, in what could be considered a miracle, kept up with Wu Zhao’s pace all the way to the end.

This persistence did not escape Wu Zhao’s notice.

"Since you all have come this far, you deserve a reward."

Saying this, Wu Zhao waved at the remaining hooded people.

"Go, enter the city, take anything you want. That is the reward deserving of a warrior."

"This..."

Looking up at the guards on the city walls, the few hooded people were still somewhat timid.

It’s not their fault for being cowardly; after all, the guards atop the walls weren’t the same as those of Yellow Sand City. This is the capital of the empire, the most heavily guarded place, and the armored and armed guards are trained warriors capable of real combat and killing.

Just a few of them, challenging this vast capital, and saying that they could take whatever they wanted?

They fear they might not even know how they died!

But the two men and the dog showed no understanding of their difficulties, continuing to speak.

"After today, what you believe in will become the state religion of the empire, and what you worship will also be revered by this empire... What? You say the king in the capital would not agree? And the priests serving the gods would not agree? Such matters are of no consequence."

Hearing the hooded people stating various facts, Wu Zhao just shook his head.

"At most, we’ll just call down their god, and I would like to see what right they have to stand in my way."

While speaking, Wu Zhao raised his hand, pointing to the solid city wall ahead.

"As for now..."

Boom—

Under the formidable force, the once impregnable city wall was torn apart like paper.

And those guards on top of the wall were also turned into broken corpses.

"Into the city!"

Wu Zhao and company first stepped into the city.

Those hooded people, immersed in shock, awakened as if from a dream, hurriedly followed.

Facts proved that nothing could withstand Wu Zhao’s attack. Against a true master of extraordinary power, these so-called elites were insignificant — thus, the cruel bloodbath lasted for three consecutive days and nights. All those who showed disobedience to Wu Zhao were crushed into corpses by formidable forces.

In merely three days, Wu Zhao used his terrifying power to seize control of the entire capital.

Afterward, he required only seven days more to control the entire so-called empire.

By eliminating all who disobey, the remainder become obedient — Wu Zhao’s method has always been this straightforward and brutal.

After seizing control of the entire empire, Wu Zhao swiftly mobilized the army.

But his target was the Yellow Sand City where Du Chengfeng was located.