For the past three years, the Turkic Kingdom and Great Yuan had established diplomatic relations. The Aika Tribe engaged in significant trade with Great Yuan, and its people were just starting to lead better lives. Neither Mahmoud nor his people wanted to destroy this hard-won happiness.

However, Prince Andre was a man of immense power and authority. More than a dozen tribal leaders in the Turkic Kingdom answered to him, and there were some matters where Mahmoud had no choice but to cooperate.

When it came to Guo Wei, though, he had a mind of his own. Even if he wanted to avenge Samba and restore the Aika Tribe’s honor, today was not the day.

He absolutely could not let Guo Wei and his two disciples die within his tribe’s territory. He even regretted colluding with Xie Xiaohuan to lure them there in the first place.

Initially, Xie Xiaohuan had enticed him with a plan to help the Aika Tribe restore its honor: let the tribe’s own warriors defeat Chu Lingguang on their home turf.

He had even handpicked a few men to face Chu Lingguang this morning and wash away the tribe’s shame.

But a piece of news last night had been a rude awakening.

Chu Lingguang had unexpectedly become the prime candidate for the Northern Territory Trial Ground and had even consumed a vial of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid. Looking across the entire Aika Tribe, not a single warrior of a similar age—or even a few years older—could possibly be his match.

If his warriors were to lose to Chu Lingguang again, right here in their own territory, the shame would become deep-rooted.

So, he had treated the master and his two disciples with great hospitality last night.

The moment the three of them entered the tent this morning, he had immediately brought up Xie Xiaohuan to divert their attention. He just never expected Xie Xiaohuan to be so deranged as to want to kill Guo Wei and his disciples right there in the tribe’s camp.

Realizing the situation could spiral out of control, Mahmoud could only help things along and get Guo Wei and his disciples on their way as soon as possible.

He had even considered dispatching a unit to escort them to the national border, but Prince Andre was immensely powerful. To do so would be to openly defy him.

So he simply escorted the three of them to the entrance of the camp.

"HYAH!"

The master and his two disciples galloped off at full speed toward the national border.

"Elder Ma, you’re letting a tiger return to the mountains! One day, you’ll bring annihilation upon the Aika Tribe!"

Xie Xiaohuan fumed.

"Don’t even think about making the Aika Tribe bear the consequences for the grudge between you and Guo Wei,"

Mahmoud retorted angrily.

He had only learned that Chu Lingguang was the prime candidate for the Northern Territory Trial Ground just as Guo Wei was arriving. If he had followed Xie Xiaohuan’s plan, the Aika Tribe would be a laughingstock by now.

Consumed by shame and anger, he might have even gone along with Xie Xiaohuan’s wishes and killed the three of them if Guo Wei hadn’t complied.

The thought sent a chill down Mahmoud’s spine.

’To think I was almost used as a pawn by Xie Xiaohuan, all for the sake of restoring the tribe’s reputation.’

"I’ve already told you, this is what Prince Andre wants,"

Xie Xiaohuan said through gritted teeth.

"Silence! Prince Andre values the warrior’s spirit above all else. He is the pride of the Turkic Kingdom and would never be as despicable as you."

Mahmoud shot back. Unwilling to argue further with Xie Xiaohuan, he turned and walked back toward his tent.

Xie Xiaohuan was seething, but this was the Aika Tribe’s territory; he couldn’t use force. Still, Guo Wei was a potential threat, and leaving him alive would only lead to trouble down the road.

’And Chu Lingguang has to be eliminated, too.’

’That kid is fiercely loyal to Guo Wei. He’ll definitely be at the vanguard of any future conflict. I absolutely cannot let him live.’

"Zamuhai!"

"Hamu!"

Xie Xiaohuan yelled.

"Chieftain!"

Two men in their early thirties came before Xie Xiaohuan.

"We’re nearly a hundred li from the Great Yuan border. Their horses are no match for our Ferghana Horses. I want you to take all our men and hunt them down. Whether it’s Guo Wei or his disciples, kill every last one of them!"

Xie Xiaohuan commanded.

"Chieftain, if we kill Guo Wei’s two disciples, it could spark a war between our kingdoms..."

Hamu hesitated.

"Do you really think we can maintain a lasting alliance with Great Yuan? For the last three years, they’ve been constantly reinforcing their troops in the Northern Territory. The moment the time is right, they will march their army north. Don’t be naive enough to trust them. Besides, with so many horse bandits in the area, who’s to say they died by your hands?"

Xie Xiaohuan argued.

The Chieftain had a point.

Upon hearing this, both Zamuhai and Hamu’s eyes lit up. Unlike Mahmoud, they craved war and slaughter. As long as they didn’t incur the wrath of Prince Andre, they were fine with it.

So, they ordered their men to remove their armor and helmets, wrap their heads in cloth to disguise themselves as horse bandits, and set off in hot pursuit of the master and his disciples.

’I can’t rest easy until Guo Wei is dead. I should go and see for myself.’

Xie Xiaohuan mounted his horse.

’No, that’s a bad idea. Guo Wei wants me dead more than anything. If I go with them and he spots me, he’ll stop at nothing to kill me.’

’What if this is all a ruse? What if he’s deliberately fleeing just to lure me out?’

’I’ll just have to hope Zamuhai brings me back their heads.’

After weighing his options, Xie Xiaohuan not only decided against giving chase himself but actually returned to the Aika Tribe’s camp to stay with Mahmoud and the others.

When Mahmoud and Iscoha saw him return, they seemed to understand exactly what he was thinking. Inwardly, they were both filled with contempt. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The warriors of the Aika Tribe didn’t seek out war, but they were no cowards. Many of them, like Samba, would willingly give their lives for victory and for honor.

If they were in Xie Xiaohuan’s shoes, they would never hide in the shadows.

"HYAH!"

"Master, something feels wrong,"

Chu Lingguang said from atop the Little Red Horse.

"Xie Xiaohuan has no intention of letting us go,"

Guo Wei stated.

"Master, why didn’t we wait for Lord Zhuo and his men to arrive before we left?"

Hei Hu asked, confused.