Chapter 116: Chapter 108: A Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix

"Come, come, come! Everyone, this way!"

Du Chengfeng shouted from the front, and the grassland warriors followed closely behind him. However, this time, they didn’t raise their weapons but regarded the rider with the flaming blade ahead as their savior — even if this person was an enemy not long ago. Being captured by the enemy was better than being killed by their own people.

And what reassured these grassland people even more was that the rider with the flaming blade hadn’t killed them.

Not only did the rider not kill them, but he also greeted them warmly. After leading them to a secluded alley, he even broke open a wall and found wine and food from a nearby residence to share with them.

Who knows why these supplies were hidden in the wall, but the warm and hospitable atmosphere made these grassland warriors, who had escaped death once again, relax.

Judging by the rider’s speech and actions, and his bold demeanor, if it weren’t for the fact that he was wearing the clothes of the southern people, he would have been taken for a true grassland native — and judging by his accent and demeanor, he seemed to be from the Qingyang Tribe near the northern border, which made the grassland warriors like him even more.

Surrendering to the southerners might be disgraceful, but surrendering to a brother from the Qingyang Tribe seemed acceptable?

But does the Qingyang Tribe still exist?

"Now is not the time to discuss these things."

Du Chengfeng wiped his mouth after eating his fill and lowered his voice to the hundred or so grassland warriors who had followed him.

"First, let’s establish one thing: none of you want to die, correct?"

"No, we don’t."

The grassland warriors nodded in agreement.

Although they were resolute men as tough as iron, unafraid of battle and not reluctant to fight, and even wrapping their bodies in horsehide upon death didn’t faze these warriors who were ready to face death — but even so, if they were to die, it should at least be in battle. Being inexplicably killed by their own people? What sense does that make?

The State Preceptor, their superior who should have led them to victory, now wanted to kill them. On the other hand, the enemy who had been fighting against them, the fiery-bladed rider who had slaughtered many grassland warriors, was now sharing wine and meat with them, offering the best of both.

It’s too absurd and incomprehensible. There were some clever minds among the grassland warriors, but no matter how hard they racked their brains, they couldn’t make sense of what was happening.

Perhaps it’s okay to not understand. After all, they’re alive now, and the wine and meat in their mouths are real.

Even if they’re to die now, they’d accept it. At least they had a good meal before setting off.

But the fiery-bladed rider still didn’t kill them.

"Eat your fill and follow me."

Du Chengfeng mounted his horse and led the way.

"I know you want to survive, but it’s tough to find anywhere safe in the city now... Fortunately, I know a hidden place where no one should find you."

Upon hearing that there was still a way to survive, the grassland warriors naturally followed. Having eaten and drunk their fill, they had completely stopped thinking — they would follow whoever could keep them alive.

So, after a brief ride, the grassland warriors arrived in the depths of an underground armory, in front of a huge character "仁" (Ren).

"This place... is really safe."

The grassland warriors didn’t recognize the character, but they knew that deep underground was undoubtedly the safest place — especially since they could vaguely smell wine, meaning that the fiery-bladed rider had prepared fine wine for them.

This thoughtful hospitality made the grassland warriors even more confused.

"Esteemed warrior..."

The grassland warrior who seemed to be a leader spoke with difficulty.

"During the previous battles, we caused offense. That was indeed our mistake. But now, you’re not killing us and even protecting us... Why is this?"

——————

"Why is this?"

On the other side of Yanzhou City, Xiang Rong, who was pursuing the grassland warriors, was equally perplexed.

According to his calculations, he should have been competing with that monster to devour prey. The monster would grow stronger through slaughter, and the Overlord’s halberd would gradually regain its power through the blood sacrifice — and after that, once they had killed enough, they would have a final battle to see if he would be consumed by the monster or if the Overlord’s halberd would be rejuvenated.

But now, as he was busily killing, the enemy stopped.

Not only did the monster stop killing, but it also actively assisted the grassland warriors. Whenever Xiang Rong cornered some grassland warriors, ready to strike, the monster with the flaming blade would appear from afar, loudly urging the grassland warriors to run. The most ridiculous thing was that the monster used the Qingyang Tribe’s accent, a familiar grassland dialect that almost made the grassland warriors follow without hesitation.

Of course, some grassland warriors were more cautious. They remembered how the flaming blade had slaughtered grassland people before, so they hesitated for a moment and didn’t approach.

And then these wise ones had their heads chopped off by Xiang Rong, who approached on horseback.

Nourished by blood and life, the old Overlord’s halberd began to glimmer, and under the influence of Evil Qi, crimson feathers sprouted on Xiang Rong’s profile. Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a good sign. The excess of Evil Qi had begun to push him toward a non-human form, but Xiang Rong could no longer care; he needed the power brought by the Evil Qi.

As long as the Overlord’s halberd could recover a bit more, it would suppress the aberration of transformation. As long as he killed more, everything would get better!

Just kill a bit more.

So why did these damned grassland people run when the enemy shouted once?

How was he supposed to kill them?

"Next time, I should shout first!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Despite several confrontations, Xiang Rong still didn’t understand what the monster intended, but he had at least figured out a way to deal with it.

Yes, he was the State Preceptor of the grasslands. He had more authority among the grassland warriors. When the monster appeared, he would shout, "Follow me," and the grassland warriors wouldn’t possibly follow the enemy over their own people.

After all, the enemy wielded a flaming blade several meters long that could easily kill a group with a single sweep.

And his halberd... as a mounted general, wasn’t it natural for him to carry a weapon?

Compared to the monster with the fiery blade, he seemed more like the savior of these grassland people — and besides, the monster didn’t dare to oppose him. He could rush over, force the monster back, and enjoy all the prey in front of him alone.

It seems young people are too flamboyant and don’t understand restraint. Being so keen on displaying Evil Qi would just scare people away.

"Haha, got you now!"

Seeing that familiar figure appear at the street corner again, Xiang Rong couldn’t help but grin, ready to shout.

But immediately, Xiang Rong’s smile vanished.

"What is that?"

For a moment, Xiang Rong thought he was seeing things.

It must be an illusion, otherwise, it made no sense, it really made no sense.

The monster’s weapon should clearly have been a flaming blade.

But why was he now seeing a Phoenix Battle Flag?

"How... is this possible?"

Xiang Rong rubbed his eyes hard.

But in his vision, the old Phoenix Battle Flag continued to flutter in the wind.

"Run! Follow me!"

With the command, numerous grassland warriors gathered toward the flag, like birds flying toward a phoenix.

In a daze, Xiang Rong even thought he saw the ancient state of Chu.