Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The sharp saber came down from behind, chopping the Shatu warrior’s neck at an angle. A fountain of blood gushed out from the Shatu warrior and splattered on the azalea flowers at the side of the mountain path, dyeing the leaves crimson too. Even after his head fell to the ground, the Shatu warrior’s body moved a few more steps before it collapsed on the narrow path…
Yan Liqiang put the saber away. He looked at the corpse, then let out a long sigh.
With the final Shatu warrior dead, none that attacked the Great Moon Tribe got away, including Morbeto and his lowest-ranking men. Every single one of them had been wiped out.
This place was more than thirty li away from the entrance of the Great Moon Tribe’s mountain village. Yan Liqiang chased after the Shatu people along the craggy mountain path from the Inner Pass to this area and finally killed the last of them. He even lost count of how many he had killed.
He looked at the damaged saber that was nearly useless now, and toss it on the ground. He turned around then headed back to the mountain village.
He could see corpses of Shatu people along the way back. When the Great Moon Tribe’s warriors who followed him here saw Yan Liqiang walking toward them, they parted to give way and stood solemnly at the side. They looked at Yan Liqiang with reverence and watched him as he walked past them.
Yan Liqiang’s clothes were stained with so much blood that no one could tell its original colors. It went without saying that not even a single drop of the blood on his clothes belonged to him. In the eyes of the Great Moon Tribe’s warriors, his clothes were like the armor worn by the God of War. It was an amazing and revering sight to behold.
None of them knew about the event that had transpired in the Moon Prayer Hall, but everyone witnessed everything on the battlefield just now. It was fair to say that without Yan Liqiang, no one would be able to predict the outcome of the battle between them and those Shatu people even if Seranchi managed to arrive with reinforcements. The best possible outcome would probably be the Shatu people withdrawing from here. Total annihilation was simply impossible.
“L-…L-Lord Long…” The elder who followed Yan Liqiang all the way here — sorry to say that Yan Liqiang didn’t even know his name yet, stammered when he saw him. Fear and respect were written all over his face at this moment.
“Don’t forget to give all the Shatu people on the ground another stab as good measure…” Yan Liqiang reminded the elder, then continued in the direction from where he came from.
By the time he returned to the mountain village’s entrance, the sun was already blazing high up the sky. The fire that burned the gates had been extinguished, leaving behind only wisps of smoke. Although the valley was a mess, the Great Moon Tribe’s warriors had started cleaning up the battlefield by removing the weapons from the corpses. The atmosphere was depressing and stifling. Regardless, the Great Moon Tribe still claimed victory…
Selena quickly ran over to Yan Liqiang when she saw him. She hugged Yan Liqiang without a care in the world and lifted her head. Her eyes were filled with concern. “Are you hurt anywhere, Brother Long? Hurry and show me, I have some ointment here…”
“I’m fine, it’s just the Shatu people’s blood on my clothes…” Yan Liqiang smiled.
“I’m glad to hear that. We are in your debt this time, Brother Long…!” Selena looked at Yan Liqiang thankfully. “If it wasn’t for you, we would’ve…”
“Hahaha, no need to say any further. Oh right, is there any place in the mountain village for me to take a bath? I want to clean myself up and get a fresh change of clothes. My clothes are sticky and reek of blood. I feel extremely uncomfortable…”
“Selena…” Selena’s mother, Seranchi, came over. She took a look at Yan Liqiang, then took a deep breath. “Lead Lord Long to the Prestigious Courtyard so he can clean up himself and rest…”
“Yes, Mother!”
Yan Liqiang glanced at Seranchi and only nodded wordlessly. He followed Selena into the mountain village, escorted by a few Great Moon Tribe warriors.
By now, the fire at a few places in the mountain village had also been put out. Overall, the Great Moon Tribe didn’t sustain too much damage. Along the way, Yan Liqiang saw a few Great Moon Tribe warriors escorting a few of their own people into the prison. They were all tied up and had wounds on their faces. He found out that these were Elder Gezong’s allies after asking Selena. Naturally, Yan Liqiang had nothing to worry about what would become of them…
The Great Moon Tribe’s Prestigious Courtyard was a courtyard made of bricks and stones. It was a quiet place surrounded by trees, not far from the Moon Prayer Hall. The ordinary residences were at least two hundred meters away, and only the tribal chief’s residence was situated nearest to the Prestigious Courtyard, almost adjacent to each other in fact.
Compared to the low wooden houses and tents the ordinary members of the tribe lived in, this Prestigious Courtyard could really be regarded as a luxury.
Selena had the Great Moon Tribe’s warriors guard outside the courtyard and then personally led Yan Liqiang to the rear courtyard.
The rear courtyard was steamy and hazy. Yan Liqiang was greatly astonished by the sight of a steamy pool, surrounded by fir trees and a rock garden. Beside the pool was a small running stream. He didn’t expect to be able to enjoy a hot spring in the mountains. This accommodation definitely reached the standard of a five-star hotel from his previous life.
“Hahaha, not bad… Not bad at all…!” Yan Liqiang chuckled while looking at the clear water in the hot spring. He immediately stripped himself down, not even bothered by the fact that Selena was beside him, then jumped into the warm pool. He submerged himself to the pool’s bottom then resurfaced and leaned against a smooth big rock in the water.
He had never enjoyed such a great hot spring ever since he had come to train on Mount Jade Dragon.
Selena stood next to the hot spring, looking like a beautiful fairy shrouded by the mist.
“Come have a soak in here too, Selena…” Yan Liqiang beckoned to her.
Selena’s cheeks were tinged with a bit of red when her gaze swept across Yan Liqiang’s naked muscular body. “No one will come and disturb you here. Have a nice bath and rest first, Brother Long. I shall get someone to prepare food for you…”
“I’ve seen too much blood today and lost my appetite for meat. Just some fruits or dried fruits will do…”
“Understood…”
After Selena said that, she picked up the pile of clothes Yan Liqiang had discarded next to the hot spring, then left.
Yan Liqiang relaxed his body in the hot spring and nearly moaned from the pleasure. Soaking in a hot spring like this after a war was definitely the greatest enjoyment.
He slow shut his eyes while he soaked in the hot water. While his body relaxed, thoughts started rushing through his mind.
If he wasn’t here, he wondered how the Great Moon Tribe would end up in the Heavenly Realm that he used to possess. The outcome probably wouldn’t be optimistic. His arrival at Mount Jade Dragon had given him the chance to rescue the Great Moon Tribe. This whole thing was more like a mysterious arrangement by the unseen world of spirits as the Great Moon Tribe was one the tribes that once inhabited the Gulang Plains under the jurisdiction of the Qiyun Protectorate. From certain perspectives, it could be said that Yan Liqiang, as the Qiyun Protectorate General who existed only in name, was the true ruler and protector of the Great Moon Tribe.
Now, when chaos descended upon the Great Moon Tribe who was isolated and helpless against the threat of Shatu people, it was a golden opportunity for him to take care of them. If he could gain such force from Mount Jade Dragon on his side, they would make fine troops that would prove useful to him!
Yan Liqiang unknowingly sunk deeper into his thoughts…
Yan Liqiang had no idea how long had passed when light footsteps once again rang out in the misty small courtyard. He opened his eyes and saw Selena enter. She was holding a tray of fruits dressed in a thin layer of clothes. The vague outline of her hot body through the thin layer of clothes and mist was another kind of aesthetic.
Yan Liqiang’s eyes immediately lit up…
He watched Selena set the tray of fruits on the ground beside the hot spring. Looking at the sparkles in his eyes, she smiled charmingly back at him. Without even needing Yan Liqiang’s orders, she slipped off her clothes, gently slid into the water, and went to his side. She wrapped her arms around Yan Liqiang and leaned her face against his chest. “Brother Long, I can’t even imagine what would have become of our Great Moon Tribe without you. I didn’t know if I would even be reunited with my mother. Thank you so much!”
“Perhaps this is the so-called fate!” Yan Liqiang gently lifted Selena’s chin. A strange smile then appeared on his face…