With the Blade

The execution capabilities of Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan were both strong.

Upon realizing a way to solve the problem, they were ready to give it a try. Success wasn’t guaranteed, but unexpected situations could always occur. After all, there’s no such thing as a sure thing in this world—so long as a method seems feasible, it’s worth attempting. Worst case, they could always try another way.

With this try-and-see mindset, they left the remnants of the refugee group and spent several days locating another team.

They switched teams because the previous group had lost many members, potentially reducing its numbers—especially after being recently attacked by nearby monsters, they shouldn’t be unfortunate enough to endure another round.

However, Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan actually needed such misfortune, because only when those around them were unlucky enough could they hope to encounter a true master.

If they could meet that master and persuade him for help, then perhaps the Great Chen Dynasty could continue, and the world might eventually improve.

"Will the world really become better?"

Another refugee group, uncertain of where they were headed, had a disheveled refugee muttering quietly beside Jiang Wenyuan.

"Can we really return to the past?"

"We will."

Jiang Wenyuan nodded, instinctively placating, having once been a Chief Constable.

"We definitely will."

"Surely will!"

Shan Bing, disguised as a refugee, nodded repeatedly too.

"Though life is tough now, as long as we’re alive, things will surely get better."

"Will life really improve just because we’re alive?"

The disheveled refugee came to a halt.

"Can things really get better?"

"Of course, it’s true..."

Thud—

Before Jiang Wenyuan and Shan Bing could finish speaking, the refugee’s head was pierced by an arrow shot from who knows where.

More than fifty arrows flew from a distance, covering the refugees. Their thin clothes couldn’t possibly block the sharp arrows, and the refugee group suddenly erupted into cries of pain.

In just one instant, about forty people were injured or dead, and the already tense refugee team exploded into chaos.

Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan also fled in desperation. However, compared to the aimlessly flailing refugees around them, they were consciously gathering information from their surroundings—after all, if monsters really came, they needed to at least see what those monsters looked like, what kind of moves they used, and figure out how to hide from them.

But what they saw enraged them.

Because it wasn’t monsters attacking the refugee team.

The refugee group used as bait didn’t attract enough monsters, instead luring a group of grassland cavalry. After testing with a volley of arrows, these horse riders confidently charged with curved blades and maces—one look at their blood-red eyes revealed that they each had Evil Qi infused within them, and the armor-clad commanders even showed signs of Evil Qi emanating outward.

Clearly, not just the monsters, but even in the eyes of these Evil Qi War Soldiers, refugee lives were considered easy prey.

"Old Jiang, I know you might want to say something, but don’t try to persuade me today."

Taking a deep breath, Shan Bing stood up.

"I’ve spent this period feeling stifled, and I need a chance to vent."

"If you think the same, then we shouldn’t feel different about our situation."

Jiang Wenyuan’s expression was equally grim.

"Chased by madmen, chased by monsters, and now, just when we see an opportunity, we have to let these mongrels trample us... If I can endure this today, then my whole life has been in vain."

Saying this, Jiang Wenyuan and Shan Bing both drew their weapons.

The disguise no longer mattered, having been chased all this way, now they only wanted to vent their anger—just as the grassland people saw refugees as easy targets, now they would use these grassland riders as outlets for their fury. It’s quite normal, isn’t it?

Just a bunch of grassland riders, even considering those armored ones with Evil Qi emanating, they weren’t much. For two masters listed in the Hundred Weapons Chart, such a team was almost effortless to handle.

Theoretically, at least.

In practical terms, however, they encountered some complications. Because the opposing side also had a master from the Hundred Weapons Chart—the one leading the raid was the second-in-command of the Northern Desert Bronze Bull Clan, known as "Iron Bull Horn" Tuoba Jie.

"Iron Bull Horn" Tuoba Jie excelled in wielding two exaggerated blades shaped like bull horns, ranking thirty-sixth in the Hundred Weapons Chart.

It turns out, masters ranked high in the Hundred Weapons Chart possess significant skill, as Jiang Wenyuan and Shan Bing were now experiencing firsthand.

They were unexpectedly overwhelmed by a single opponent.

The battle blades crashed against shields, wielding a force that almost shattered them. Shan Bing had initially thought he was facing two great hammers, or even two mountains—in Tuoba Jie’s hands, these immensely heavy weapons felt like light straws, deftly wielded with an impermeable skill. Even Jiang Wenyuan, known for his agility, couldn’t find a chance to strike against such exaggerated blades.