Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1336: 435: Yinhe Valley, Bone-Eroding Path, Han Peng’s Choice, and Finally, the Long-Awaited Arrival_2
Previously on Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely...
Capítulo 1336: Chapter 435: Yinhe Valley, Bone-Eroding Path, Han Peng’s Choice, and Finally, the Long-Awaited Arrival_2
Sneering, Xia Hong shook his head. “With just Cold Resistance Level cultivation, Cai Shiqing's four couldn't have possibly traversed the Bone-Eroding Path alone. They must have been escorted. Such weak power, yet they believe they can roam freely across the Nine Towns—utter fools!”
“This subordinate has no idea. Those four arrived straight from the north, and even if escorted, we failed to spot it.”
After all, Li Hu possessed only 18 Zong strength, so his vision was naturally limited.
Xia Hong pressed on, “Lu Yang already informed me. In the report you sent to East Ridge, you noted that Cai Shiqing's group lingered in Jinyang Village for barely over a month before departing. Any clue on their destination?”
Li Hu shook his head at once and replied, “Please forgive me, Lord. Those four were far too strong; I didn't dare follow them myself or dispatch anyone. Still, though their location remains unknown to me, I've forwarded their portraits to Lord Lu. The instant they make a move anywhere in Great Xia Territory, they'll be spotted for sure.”
Nodding, Xia Hong kept questioning, “From what you say, Cai Shiqing clearly doesn't care much for Jinyang Village, so Han Peng's loyalty to them must be pretty shallow, correct?”
“Absolutely!”
Li Hu responded firmly with a sneer. “I can't speak for earlier arrivals, but based on Cai Shiqing's actions, Han Peng surely holds a grudge against them. When I first got here last year, I watched Han Peng closely, fearing betrayal. Yet this March, after witnessing Cai Shiqing's behavior, I felt confident in him.
Han Peng frequently talks with me, and Caiqiu Fan merely tosses him some silver taels yearly, never truly accepting him. Meanwhile, Lord Lu has delivered several Yangyuan Pills to him this year alone. Add to that his grandson Han Li thriving in East Ridge, and Han Peng shows scant doubt toward our Great Xia.”
Only then did Xia Hong grin and nod, glancing toward the village. “Han Li claimed 99th in the youth division at this Martial Arts Competition, with Great Xia pouring hefty resources into him. Unless Han Peng is blind, he'll make the smart choice.”
At the mention of the Martial Arts Competition, regret flickered across Li Hu's features. Though stationed in Jinyang Village, he'd caught wind of the massive buzz around the Three Towns event and its lavish prizes. Sadly, turning 27 this year disqualified him. Had he been two years junior, he'd have joined in.
“Save your regrets. At 27, boasting Late-stage Cold Resistance cultivation and 18 Zong power, you're mere steps from Cold Resistance Peak. Among your age group in the Nine Towns, you shine brightly…”
Noticing Li Hu's look, Xia Hong guessed his thoughts and offered a comforting smile. Pausing briefly, as if recalling something, he pulled a small porcelain vial from his robe and flung it over.
“Hiding out in Jinyang Village isn't the most enviable post. Securing the Nine Towns fully for Great Xia will demand time. You'll need to monitor Caiqiu's activities closely. Here's 30 Dragon Carp Pills—split them with Yang Zhong. Think of it as modest compensation. Once back in Xia City, your merits will earn proper honors and rewards. Rest easy; this Lord won't overlook you.”
Catching the Dragon Carp Pills, excitement lit up Li Hu's face. Together with Yang Zhong, he bowed deeply to Xia Hong, declaring in harmony, “We thank the Lord for these precious pills. We pledge our full efforts to aid the Lord in claiming the Nine Towns and sweeping away every hurdle.”
Their vows brought a grin to Xia Hong's lips.
An 18 Zong paired with a 12 Zong—their modest might dreaming of conquering the Nine Towns and removing all barriers? It bordered on the absurd.
Yet, such ambition sufficed!
Power would grow steadily, climbing higher in time.
“Return to your posts! I'll scout the Bone-Eroding Path first to assess things.”
At those words, tension gripped Li Hu and Yang Zhong's faces as they hurriedly objected, “The Bone-Eroding Path teems with peril; no Caiqiu folk have shown up yet. The Lord can't risk going solo…”
“Relax!”
Xia Hong dismissed their worry with a wave. “I'm only observing from afar. I know just the entrance to the Bone-Eroding Path; no way I'd plunge deeper without mapping the ways ahead. A quick peek, then back.”
Since Caiqiu's liaison would reach Jinyang Village in August to guide those folks to Caiqiu Feudal Town, safety was assured then. Xia Hong grasped this well.
Upon hearing this, Li Hu and Yang Zhong felt a great deal more relaxed, though some doubts lingered. “Lord, then allow us to go with you!”
Without pausing for Xia Hong’s refusal after saying that, the pair forged ahead northward.
Xia Hong paused briefly in thought and didn’t turn them down. Jinyang Village sits deep within the 30-kilometer zone of Yinhe Valley. It’s merely a bit more than 20 kilometers north to the Bone-Eroding Path. Considering Li Hu and Yang Zhong’s cultivation strength, the journey there and back wouldn’t drag on for long.
……
“Close to 6 Zong—excellent, excellent! Li’er, you’ve advanced tremendously, haha!”
Meanwhile, as Xia Hong questioned Li Hu and Yang Zhong about Caiqiu’s affairs.
Inside Jinyang Village’s central hall, Han Peng finally reunited with his grandson Han Li after a full year apart. Noting how his grandson’s power had surged by more than 3 Zong in just one year, his grin stretched from ear to ear.
Han Li, for his part, pulled item after item from his bag, showcasing them one by one. “Grandfather, I snagged 99th place in the youth category at the Great Xia Martial Arts Competition this time, reaping tons of rewards—including 50,000 silver taels. I’ve swapped it all for cultivation resources.
Last year at Hongmen, you shelled out 100,000 silver taels per Dragon Carp Pill, didn’t you? I traded for them at Xia City’s Camp Supply Department. Each one cost only 50,000 Contribution Points, and I got 10 for you. Check these out…”