Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1375 - 445: Encounter and Gratitude, Idle Moves, Trial and Opportunity (2)

On the twenty-fifth of the previous month, precisely at the final moment when Zhang Yiping led his subordinates in pursuit, Zhang Yiping gambled his life by sprinting towards the Hong Mansion's gates. His desperate hope was that Hong Yu, recalling their brief shared travels, might offer them salvation.

This act wasn't merely foolish; it bordered on delusional fantasy.

Hu Tiejiang harbored vanishingly little hope. He questioned if Hong Yu could even recall his existence. Even if he did, given Hong Yu's current standing within the city, it was virtually impossible for him to even notice their plight.

Yet, the outcome far surpassed his most fervent expectations.

Hong Yu himself did not appear, but his four disciples did!

The moment Su Jing and his three martial siblings arrived, the Law Enforcement Department, almost without inquiring about the circumstances, released their entire family. Following eight to nine days of investigation, they even concluded that Zhang Yiqing was in the wrong. Ten days prior, they had willingly surrendered the slave status papers of Fang Jing and Wang Qing to the Hong Mansion.

These papers were personally delivered into Hu Tiejiang's own hand.

.........

Recalling Zhang Yiping's sickeningly obsequious demeanor ten days ago as he placed his wife's slave status papers into his hand, the fury in Hu Tiejiang's eyes did not diminish. Instead, it intensified, burning ever brighter.

Especially upon noticing the injuries on his younger brother's face, and remembering how his tongue had been brutally severed while imprisoned, rendering him forever silent, Hu Tiejiang's breathing grew ragged. The venomous hatred within his heart surged, becoming even more profound and unyielding.

During the period they were detained by the Law Enforcement Team, Hu Tiechuan endured unimaginable torture. His wife, Fang Jing, and Wang Qing, his brother's wife, suffered similarly. Furthermore, the infant children of both brothers, each less than a year old, perished from the freezing cold in the prison after the Law Enforcement Team confiscated the items meant to keep them warm.

One atrocity piled upon another—forget the few individuals from the Law Enforcement Team. Even if the City Lord of Qinghua City, Cai Yunzhou, were to personally humble himself with apologies, it could never cleanse the deep-seated hatred festering in Hu Tiejiang's heart.

"Tiechuan, we possess the freedom to nullify our slave status at the Subordinate Bureau whenever we choose. No one will impede us now. However, a more advantageous path lies before us. There's no need to hastily discard our current standing. If the Hong Prince deigns to accept us as his slaves, both you and I will be elevated as if ascending to the heavens in a single leap. Zhang Yiping, Zhang Yiqing, and those responsible in the Law Enforcement Team—every last one of them will forfeit their lives!"

Hu Tiechuan had long perceived his elder brother's intentions. Thus, upon hearing these words, he displayed no astonishment, merely offering a solemn nod in assent.

Should they be granted the opportunity to become slaves to Hong Yu, they would scarcely spare a glance for commoner or even military status.

"It is simply regrettable that we have resided within this mansion for twenty days, and the Hong Prince has remained in seclusion throughout this entire period. We have yet to lay eyes upon him. While Miss Su has not imposed a time limit on our stay, if we continue to languish here indefinitely, it is difficult to guarantee that we won't provoke the Hong Prince's displeasure. We shall wait for five more days at most. If we still have not encountered him by then, we will proceed to the Subordinate Bureau to have our slave status rescinded first!"

Despite his bubbling excitement, the thought that they had remained within the mansion for such an extended duration without even glimpsing Hong Yu's face brought a wry smile to Hu Tiejiang's lips. He shook his head, finally setting a five-day ultimatum for himself.

It was not an unreasonable consideration. Given Hong Yu's esteemed status and position, the number of individuals in all of Qinghua City coveting the opportunity to become his slave was likely beyond count. Setting others aside, even among the household servants within this very Hong Mansion, there were countless individuals possessing greater capabilities than the two of them.

Did these servants not harbor the same desire to become Hong Yu's slaves?

On what grounds would Hong Yu single out the two of them?

"You two, the master has summoned you. Attend him at once!"

However, much like his desperate plea at the Hong Mansion's gates, Hu Tiejiang's predictions regarding the unfolding events were once again proven entirely incorrect.

Just as he had nearly abandoned all hope of becoming Hong Yu's slave, a hurried summons from Housekeeper Zhou Qing echoed from the entrance of the side courtyard.

Hong Yu was summoning the two of them?

Hu Tiejiang's expression contorted sharply. He turned his head, meeting his younger brother's gaze. In the depths of their shared look, an unbridled joy flickered.

"Kindly wait a moment, Housekeeper Zhou, we shall arrive immediately!"

Hu Tiejiang strode directly towards the courtyard gate. Hu Tiechuan followed closely in his wake.

The moment they exited the courtyard, Zhou Qing, the butler, revealed a flicker of envy in his gaze.

The two brothers were somewhat perplexed. A simple meeting, why warrant such a look?

"Alright, you may enter."

However, it wasn't long before they grasped the reason.

Zhou Qing, the Hong Mansion's butler, actually lacked the standing to set foot inside the main building...

Upon this realization, the hearts of the brothers surged with even greater excitement. They hastened their steps, walking into the building. Before they were even close, they spotted the figure seated regally in the main hall. With a heavy thud, both dropped to their knees, striking their heads forcefully on the floor towards the seat of honor.

They performed the kowtow more than a dozen times before Hu Tiejiang, positioned on the left, finally lifted his head. His face, full of deep gratitude, spoke in a tone of utmost reverence: "Had it not been for you, my lord, my entire household would surely have perished in captivity. For your life-saving grace, even ten thousand deaths would be insufficient repayment. If you do not find us too beneath you, my lord, my entire family, including descendants for generations to come, willingly pledge ourselves as your slaves, to serve by your side eternally. Should you command us to traverse seas of blades or mountains of fire, we shall obey without hesitation. If I dare to harbor even a shred of reluctance, I shall take my own life before you this instant!"

"Mm-hmm..."

Once Hu Tiejiang concluded his heartfelt declaration, Hu Tiechuan, beside him, emitted a sound. He then struck his chest forcefully and smashed his head onto the floor with a resounding crack, clearly echoing the same unwavering resolve as his elder brother.

"There is no need for such haste. I have been aware of Xing'er's intervention to rescue you for some time."

Xia Hong, having just returned from Snow Phoenix Mountain, still had a few lingering snowflakes adorning his attire. He first shook his head upon hearing the brothers' impassioned words. Observing the transformation in Hu Tiechuan, who a month prior was vigorous but now appeared in such a pitiable state, he couldn't help but emit a soft, sympathetic sigh.

"Xing'er visited me five days ago, and I have received a comprehensive account of your situation, the two of you. I also have a general understanding of your current aspirations."

Xia Hong continued with a gentle smile, "To be perfectly candid, the Zhang Family of Red Tiger Ridge is a triviality to me. Even if I were to exert my power to eradicate them, Cai Qiu would be powerless to intervene. However..."

At this juncture, he paused momentarily before abruptly shifting the topic. "You two brothers possess very little, and your aptitude can only be described as mediocre. To put it bluntly, you are not even qualified to be my retainers. Therefore, avenging you by eliminating the Zhang Family is out of the question."

At these pronouncements, the expressions of the Hu Brothers instantly fell.

Particularly Hu Tiejiang—despite bracing himself mentally, having his innermost desires articulated so plainly by Xia Hong face-to-face still caused a fleeting shadow of despair to cross his eyes.

Without Xia Hong's intervention, they harbored absolutely no hope of achieving vengeance...

"However, I can illuminate a path of opportunity for you."

Not long after, as Xia Hong resumed speaking, the two brothers snapped their heads up, their gazes fixed upon him, shimmering with a mixture of hope and intense longing.

With a smile, Xia Hong retrieved a Beast Skin Roll from his robes and effortlessly flicked it forward.

The Beast Skin Roll unfurled majestically in mid-air, and by the time it gracefully descended before the Hu Brothers, it had spread open completely.

They lowered their heads to examine it and immediately recognized it as a map—a map depicting Evergreen Valley, with a specific location pinpointed in its deep southern reaches.

After observing the contents of the map, they raised their heads to meet Xia Hong's gaze, a sense of bewilderment clouding their eyes.

"Vengeance must ultimately be claimed by your own hands. The strongest among the Zhang Family in Red Tiger Ridge possesses a cultivation level no higher than the early thirties. Facing such a feeble opponent, if I were to personally step in to annihilate them, then you two brothers would hold no significant value to me. Far from taking you in as servants, I would even find fault with Su Xing'er for rescuing you."

Upon hearing Xia Hong's words, their expressions tensed, yet sensing there was more to come, they remained silent, attentively listening.

"What you lack are merely time and resources. With my influence shielding you, the Zhang Family will absolutely refrain from any hostile actions against you in the immediate future. At the site indicated on this map, I have provisioned a substantial collection of Cultivation Resources. The manner in which you utilize these assets, and the specific strategies you employ, are entirely at your discretion. Whether you possess the capability to eliminate the Zhang Family through your own efforts will serve as my assessment of you.

Should you succeed, I shall formally accept the two of you into my service."

Here, Xia Hong paused once more, then continued, "Naturally, if your endeavor to eliminate the Zhang Family precipitates any significant complications, I shall personally address and resolve them for you. Now, do you possess the fortitude to undertake this trial?"

Examining the spot indicated on the map, Hu Tiejiang then lifted his gaze towards Xia Hong. Certain that the man's offer was genuine, he considered it for a brief moment before readily assenting with a firm nod.

"Indeed we do! This isn't a trial, but rather a benevolent opportunity you're bestowing upon us, my lord!"

"Mm-mm..."

Overwhelmed with elation, Hu Tiechuan immediately prostrated himself in gratitude.