Chaotic World Book-Chapter 274 - 269: Thousands of Troops Tremble with Fear

As Hu Lie’s severe injuries set in, the sandstorm also began to abate, with the natural storm nearly over.

The two of them, limping along, left the affected area in search of horses.

Previously, the group had been on horseback in pursuit of Yue Hongling. When Yue Hongling dismounted to fight back, her own bluish-black steed had run off, and the sandstorm had scattered the group’s horses in all directions. Ba Tu might have rounded up a few, while others were still loose in the vicinity.

The pair were extremely fortunate; they caught sight of the horse Zhao Changhe had ridden, now aimlessly running nearby. It wasn’t his Winter-black steed, Wuzhui, which was still at San Niang’s inn, but a horse he had borrowed from Ba Tu. The horse itself was average, but his luggage was still strapped to the back, making it a pleasant surprise.

Zhao Changhe swiftly went over to grab the horse and turned to look at Yue Hongling.

Yue Hongling’s face was expressionless.

Without a word, Zhao Changhe reached out to lift her up and set her atop the horse.

Yue Hongling bit her lower lip and turned her head to extend a hand to pull him up, "Come."

Zhao Changhe didn’t stand on ceremony either, grabbing her hand and using it to vault into the saddle behind her.

Even getting onto the horse felt like it nearly drained all his strength, and his wound continued to bleed profusely.

In the distance, the military forces were on the move, their battle cries already audible, "There’s Yue Hongling! She’s injured! Don’t let her escape!"

"Catch that couple!"

"Prepare to shoot arrows!"

"Drive!" Enduring her pain, Yue Hongling pulled the reins, spurring the horse into a rapid gallop.

Zhao Changhe’s hand wrapped around her waist, and he leaned over to inspect her wound. Suddenly, he tore the cloth near her wound, revealing the complete injury and the pale flesh around it.

Yue Hongling knew what he was doing and allowed him to treat her without a word.

Before long, the sting as the water flask was poured made Yue Hongling scream in agony, the movement in her arm that controlled the horse inadvertently trapping Zhao Changhe’s head under her armpit.

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Yue Hongling quickly released him, "Sorry... does it hurt?"

Zhao Changhe: "... No, but it is rather rank."

Yue Hongling: "?"

Any feelings of embarrassment and apologies flew out of her mind. Before she could even complain, a cool sensation came over her wound as medicinal powder was applied.

Then, the soft fabric was wound around in layers, significantly easing her pain.

Yue Hongling was somewhat dazed, wondering how many times had she been injured in front of him, and how many times had he tended to her wounds? She almost couldn’t keep count.

Every time she was at her weakest, he was always there, taking care of her. It was as if Heaven itself was whispering in her ear, "Yue Hongling, one is not enough. You need a partner, a companion to stand shoulder to shoulder with, to traverse the world together."

What was different from the past was that back then, he could hardly be of any significant help, almost like a little brother.

But this time, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he was a main force.

It was just that his mouth had turned foul, no longer sweet and even scolding her for stinking.

During Yue Hongling’s moment of distraction, Zhao Changhe had already dressed his wound, taking a deep breath before removing the bow slung over Yue Hongling and using it himself.

Glancing back, the troops were nearly within an arrow’s range.

How could one horse carrying two people outpace the pursuit?

Zhao Changhe drew his bow and notched an arrow, with a "whizz," one officer fell, causing an instant disturbance within the ranks.

This distance... nearly twice as far as anyone else’s...

"This won’t work; we can’t replicate the escape with Yangyang. Back then, only one person was chasing us; this is an entire army." While the enemy was temporarily halted, Zhao Changhe spoke urgently, "Head north, along this mountain tail, towards that mountain range in the distance."

Yue Hongling said, "Using the forest for cover is pointless... I’ve been there before, it’s all barren mountains, not even trees. And they may be more familiar with the terrain than us."

"Not for the sake of foliage cover, but there’s a secret place there, likely unknown to others."

Yue Hongling’s eyes lit up, enduring the pain in her abdomen, she accelerated, charging forward.

Zhao Changhe took out three arrows, aligning them on the string, releasing all three simultaneously—three men fell in response.

But in mere moments, the others would be within range, all reaching for their bows, ready to shoot.

With a press on the horse’s back, Zhao Changhe suddenly leaped backwards.

As the sun set in the west, eagles soared, and a bloody long knife sliced through the yellow sand, striking down with force.

A head flew, men and horses tumbled.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Zhao Changhe seized the horse, reined it around, the frenzy of his blade resumed.

A spear thrust towards him was chopped in half, along with the barbarian soldier wielding it, drenching Zhao Changhe in blood, he seemed like a Demon God.

An unrestrained fear resonated, spreading unchecked, causing terror among the troops and making the horses neigh loudly.

"Whoever blocks me dies!" Seizing the brief pause amidst the chaos, Zhao Changhe broke through the ranks and caught up with Yue Hongling who was ahead.

Yue Hongling, galloping along, looked back to catch a glimpse of his silhouette against the setting sun imprinted in her heart, a lone swordsman leaping ahead, with a thousand soldiers stunned behind, bows tensed yet unable to advance.

Disheveled and bathed in blood, he shone like a Heavenly God.

Not until Zhao Changhe nearly caught up with Yue Hongling did the barbarian cavalry seem to regain their senses, as a commanding officer bellowed, "What the fuck are you all afraid of! He’s just one man, no matter how strong! One arrow each and we’ll turn him into a porcupine!"

Only then did the cavalry muster themselves and begin their pursuit again, the momentum now weaker than before.

Zhao Changhe, gasping for breath, realized that the kind of effect where all gods and buddhas are scattered should indeed be used in situations like this, it’s never been much use against masters...

It was a pity that his recent actions, though as impressively badass as Wen Yang, were actually a façade specter, he was wounded, his injuries so painful now that he hardly had the strength to spur his horse, let alone pull off another feat like that. All he could do was silently regulate his breathing, hoping the healing power of the Six Harmonies Divine Skill would be a bit stronger.

It didn’t take long for the cavalry to once again close to within an arrow’s range, and the officer raised his hand, "Ready! Fire—"

"Whoosh!" A dart flew an impossible distance and pierced straight into the officer’s Heavenly Spirit, the officer didn’t even finish his sentence as a bloody hole appeared in his forehead and he toppled from his horse.

Only then did people remember, they were not dealing with just one person; besides Zhao Changhe, there was the even more formidable Yue Hongling!

A bizarre who could throw hidden weapons further than others could shoot arrows, a Human List Grandmaster!

Yue Hongling turned slightly and lashed her whip, pointing at the troops, "Whoever dares pursue, will end up like this man!"

The generals exchanged glances, all slowing their pace. They knew they could easily overpower the two if they rushed them together, but who was willing to be the first to take a dart?

This male and female duo was somewhat terrifying.

Someone said, "We don’t need to truly surround them, just press them from behind. Wounded as they are, with no chance to tend to their injuries, they will eventually fall from their horses on their own."

Immediately, someone echoed, "Exactly, the commotion here is so great, other tribes will have heard... For example, Chi Li is also looking for Yue Hongling, he might arrive soon. We just need to maintain the pressure..."

The sun had completely set below the horizon, and stars and moons shone in the sky.

Under the moonlight, the scene was extremely strange—thousands of horses and men following just two individuals, yet tacitly maintaining a distance greater than an arrow’s flight, never getting any closer.

In a sense, their thoughts were not wrong; maintaining pressure was enough. The man and woman were clearly severely injured and their wounds were only hastily treated, obviously insufficient. As long as they kept up the pressure, preventing them from stopping to rest and heal, they would likely faint on their horses.

Even if not, such commotion here would undoubtedly attract others to come and look. As long as people like Chi Li got close, it would be all over.

In fact, Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe were nearly at their limit at this moment, struggling to keep going on their sheer willpower, heading toward the last hope. If not for this thread of hope keeping them going, they might not have made it this far.

The mountain range was extremely distant, its silhouette barely visible in the daylight, and invisible in the night, making the emptiness even more palpable.

But thankfully, she had him.

And he had her.

The two rode side by side, glancing at each other unintentionally, then quickly averting their gazes.

A hard-to-express emotion rose in both of their hearts at the same time; it was the feeling of having someone to rely on, no matter which side one was on.

With you by my side, there’s nothing to fear.

Who knows how long it had been when the night grew so deep that one could hardly see the road, and faint hoofbeats could be heard ahead, as if someone was approaching from the front.

Yue Hongling’s expression changed slightly, and she whispered, "There are people blocking the way up ahead."

As if pulled by an unseen force, the army following from behind suddenly accelerated.

Zhao Changhe looked up to see the mountain ahead.

He quickly pulled out the map given to him by Yuan Xing, comparing it briefly before steering his horse to the Northwest, "This way."

The two spurred their horses into a sprint, breaking through between the surging lines of the military pursuit from behind and the lone rider ahead, and dashed into the mountains through the Northwest.

Chi Li flew over and saw only two horse corpses lying across the mountain road, the riders nowhere to be seen.

Chi Li angrily pointed at the leading officers of the pursuing troops, "Thousands of men chasing two injured people, and you actually let them slip into the mountains! Worthless fools!"

The officer replied awkwardly, "It’s okay, we know these mountains well. Block all the key paths with our hands; they’re short on provisions and medicine, they can’t escape!"

Chi Li took a deep breath and looked up toward the mountains.

The mountains at night were pitch black, like a shadowy abyss swallowing everything.

A golden light suddenly appeared in the sky, as the Chaotic World Book delivered a new passage, "In the beginning of September, Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe fought with Hu Lie amidst a sandstorm, both sides wound alike, with Hu Lie fleeing after losing an arm."

Zhao Changhe, "?"

So Hu Lie isn’t dead yet? If someone from the Human List had died, there definitely would have been a succession of ranks. Ba Tu, you worthless piece of iron, your mother’s a fucking inability to kill!

On the run, Ba Tu glanced behind at the unconscious Hu Lie tied to the horse, heaved a sigh, and said, "The Chaotic World Book can indeed be deceived. Brothers, let’s head back to the tribe and launch a surprise attack on the Wild Wolf Tribe! The rise of the battle lion starts today!"

Hu Lie was also one of the tribal leaders, capturing him alive was far more meaningful to Ba Tu than killing him, Zhao Changhe apparently hadn’t considered this.

Ba Tu wasn’t foolish today.

But the Chaotic World Book didn’t just speak of this one matter; according to the last time it evaluated Yangyang, the book would wait until a whole battle was over to give a complete review, "Zhao Changhe at the Seventh Layer of Mystical Gate, with a heavily wounded body, shot arrows and cleaved swords, cut down generals and seized horses, breaching formations and returning. A thousand troops trembled in fear, none dared to pursue."

"Hidden Dragon List changes."

"Sixth Hidden Dragon, Zhao Changhe."

"Yellow sand veils the setting sun, Changhe reflects the evening glow."

Chi Li frowned and looked up, feeling somewhat puzzled.

In this evaluation... did it evaluate Yue Hongling, or did it not include her at all?

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