Please indicate the source of the reproduction:

“Huang Shelian, a participant from Jing Kingdom’s Inner Mansion realm, possesses four divine abilities. Two of these have already been displayed before others…”

“His most recent battle was against…”

“In this battle…”

“His father, Great General Huang Fu of the Yellow Dragon Guard, is known as ‘Monk Huang’, and their family inheritance…”

Gazing at the incredibly detailed information in his hand, Jiang Wang was filled with wonder.

“How much effort did this take?”

Chong Xuan Sheng commented from the side, “Knowing oneself and one’s enemy leads to a hundred victories in a hundred battles. Someone has to do this work. However, I didn’t expect Chen Zeqing to personally be in charge of the intelligence work for this Yellow River Meet. Perhaps it’s for Ji Zhaonan’s sake.”

As Jiang Wang read, he suddenly recalled something. “The information I have is so detailed, does that mean other countries have just as much information about me?”

“Nonsense.” Chong Xuan Sheng scoffed. “You represent Qi Kingdom. Looking at the entire world, who wouldn’t keep an eye on you?”

After explaining further, he asked, “What, haven’t you prepared yet?”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s fine. It’s about time I was known.”

The dividing line between “life” and “death” stretched endlessly into the distance.

Behind it was the vibrant, boundless grassland, and in front, the silent, somber, limitless desert.

For the warriors stationed at the “line of life and death,” perhaps the most unbearable thing about the frontier was not the “demons.”

Because the demon tide hadn’t occurred for many years, and the occasional stray Yin demons were sometimes even a source of amusement.

Therefore, the greatest torment was the aimless waiting and the constant need for vigilance.

The monotony of the frontier was unbearable.

Of course, only those who had never truly experienced the demon tide would feel this way.

Yuwen Duo had been stationed at the “line of life and death” for three years.

Whether it was for gaining experience or just for show, as a true blood descendant of the renowned Yuwen clan of Mu Kingdom, he had indeed spent three years of his youth in this place.

It was enough to be a role model for the young nobles of Mu Kingdom.

In terms of status and actual power, the true blood descendants of Mu Kingdom were roughly equivalent to the direct descendants of noble families in Qi Kingdom. However, their status was not established by title, but by whether their bloodline was close to their ancestors at birth.

A child born to a slave could also be a true blood descendant. And a child of a noble could also be ordinary, not qualified to be called “true blood.”

Of course, if a slave’s child was true blood, they would not be raised by the slave, but by the mistress.

Noble women who couldn’t bear true blood offspring would also usually maintain their esteemed status by adopting true blood children.

In general, the true blood descendants of the renowned families of Mu Kingdom could gallop across the boundless grassland to their heart’s content.

The only things that could restrain them were the will of the Cangtu God and the imperial decree of the Royal Court.

Of course, in reality, the competition for resources among true blood descendants was also very fierce.

Sons and daughters of the grassland were born to herd, to hunt, to fight. Those who wanted to lie in a tent and wait for harvest would basically only end up with empty hands.

In the tent befitting the status of a Commander of Ten Thousand, Yuwen Duo, with his hair full of braids, sighed with emotion, “Zhao, my Yigai! I am returning to the Royal Court!”

At this moment, Zhao Rucheng was sitting in front of the brazier, skillfully using a small knife to cut lamb, then directly putting it into his mouth, eating until his mouth was greasy.

It wasn’t that he needed this food to stop his hunger.

It was just that, if someone could venture into the boundless desert, they would understand how wonderful the taste of human life was.

After fighting in the desert for a long time, his long hair had become very dry, and he didn’t have much time to care for it, so he simply cut it off.

With his hair cut short, Zhao Rucheng, in addition to his unparalleled handsomeness, also added a touch of ferocity.

He was wearing a drab leather jacket, made of some kind of hide, but very durable. His boots were yellowish-brown, whether that was their original color or dyed by the desert dust.

Although he was eating and chewing heartily without regard for appearances and was dressed so improperly, there was still a breathtaking beauty about him.

This beauty was regardless of gender and transcended attire.

Yuwen Duo often felt that perhaps Zhao Rucheng was the Son of God. If not the Son of God, how could he be shaped so perfectly?

He repeated, “The center of power of the entire grassland, the supreme Royal Court!”

Zhao Rucheng swallowed the large piece of lamb in his mouth, and while cutting off another piece, he said, “Then congratulations.”

“Thanks to your help, I will have a good position when I return this time…” Yuwen Duo glanced at the bulging deerskin bag on the ground and paused mysteriously, but seeing that Zhao Rucheng wasn’t excited, he had to continue on his own, “Directly entering the Divine Cavalry!”

Only then did Zhao Rucheng turn his head and smile, “Good!”

The Divine Cavalry Yuwen Duo mentioned was the strongest cavalry on the grassland, the Cangtu Divine Cavalry.

Throughout the years, no matter how the top ten cavalry in the world were ranked, the Cangtu Divine Cavalry was always first.

This world-renowned top cavalry was the pride of the sons and daughters of the grassland.

The cavalry of the Cangtu Divine Cavalry were also revered by the herdsmen as the divine knights of the Cangtu God’s divine kingdom.

Even though Yuwen Duo came from a renowned family and was a true blood descendant, it was not easy for him to join this cavalry.

The constant supply of Yin demon heads since he met Zhao Rucheng had played a significant role in this.

“Yigai.” Yuwen Duo carefully chose his words. “After I leave, what do you plan to do? I mean, will you still go into the desert to kill Yin demons?”

Zhao Rucheng took a gulp of mare’s milk wine and simply said, “I’m used to it.”

Yuwen Duo thought for a moment and said, “I can arrange for someone to continue cooperating with you, and they will definitely be reliable. That guy would be overjoyed. But…”

He looked at Zhao Rucheng across the brazier and roasted lamb. “My Yigai, you are a person as brilliant as the sun. Are you going to live in this dull place forever on the frontier?”

Zhao Rucheng shook the wine skin and smiled, “Being dull is very happy, you don’t understand!”

“Yigai, Yigai.” Yuwen Duo said with a搖頭晃腦 (yaotou huangnao – a gesture of swaying the head, often indicating a carefree attitude or deep thought). “There’s an opportunity. I can fight for an opportunity for you. The Yellow River Meet! Do you know about it?”

Zhao Rucheng gulped down the mare’s milk wine and didn’t respond.

Yuwen Duo moved closer. “The spots for the Inner Mansion realm have been filled now, but his strength is not enough to convince everyone! In my opinion, you are far superior to him. I can help you fight for the opportunity and replace him. Our Great Mu Empire has always respected the strong and lightly regarded bloodline and family background. With your talent and skill, there will surely be a day for you to stand out! This Yellow River Meet is your opportunity! Yigai!”

Zhao Rucheng let out a burp from the wine and casually threw the empty wine skin aside.

Then he turned his head, said nothing, and just looked at Yuwen Duo with those beautiful eyes, half-drunk.

He looked at this grassland “brother” with whom he had cooperated for so long.

Although he didn’t care about the situation in Mu Kingdom, with his wisdom, what couldn’t he see clearly?

Yuwen Duo touched his nose, knowing that his little trick couldn’t fool anyone.

Although this Yigai fought day after day deep in the desert, seemingly only knowing how to fight, like a cultivation fanatic. But his eyes were bright! Like a soaring eagle in the sky.

Yuwen Duo thought for a moment and simply laid everything out. “I won’t hide it from you, Yigai. Our Yuwen family is not on good terms with the Jin family, and I can’t stand that kid Jin Ge… But this opportunity is absolutely real. As long as you can defeat him, the spot for the Yellow River Meet is yours. I can swear to the Cangtu God!”

Jin Ge was the Inner Mansion realm cultivator from Mu Kingdom participating in the Yellow River Meet. He was the son of Jin Tanddu, the master of the Iron Floating Pagoda.

The Iron Floating Pagoda was the second strongest cavalry in Mu Kingdom and was also among the top ten cavalry in the world, ranked sixth.

The conflict between the Jin family and the Yuwen family dated back several generations.

In this Yellow River Meet, Jin Ge was able to represent Mu Kingdom in the final round of the Inner Mansion realm, while the Yuwen family had nothing. It was said that after the Royal Court’s great discussion, grandfather was so angry at home that he beat a beloved horse to death.

Yuwen Duo thought that even if he couldn’t compete with Jin Ge. Pushing Jin Ge down would be a great thing.

But Zhao Rucheng just smiled, picked up the small knife, and continued to cut lamb. “I’m not interested in the Yellow River Meet.”

Yuwen Duo said anxiously, “If you win the Yellow River Meet, you’ll have everything: fame, status, and beautiful women!”

Seeing that Zhao Rucheng still didn’t react, he added, “Don’t you want to become stronger faster? If you win the Yellow River Meet, His Majesty will greatly reward you. Meritorious deeds, secret techniques, divine grace… You’ll have whatever you want!”

Zhao Rucheng was still smiling, eating the meat as he said, “Greed is a cardinal sin, Brother Yuwen. Having wine to drink and meat to eat is enough for me!”

“How is that enough?” Yuwen Duo was so anxious he wanted to jump up. “You are a majestic eagle, you should soar high in the sky. You are a fine horse, you should gallop on the grassland. From south to north, from ancient times to the present, heroes will only be silent for a while, not for a lifetime. Yigai, believe me, you should not be unknown, you should shine brightly!”

Such inspiring words, however, had no effect on Zhao Rucheng.

His hands did not stop, and neither did his mouth. But he just ate the meat and did not respond.

“You’re really making me anxious, Yigai.” Yuwen Duo was so eager to persuade Zhao Rucheng that he spoke without thinking. “Aren’t you regretful? You cultivate so diligently, you must want revenge, right? As long as you win the Yellow River Meet, the Yuwen family can help you! Mu Kingdom can help you!”

Zhao Rucheng, as he wished, stopped his actions.

But the smile also stopped.

With the small knife stuck in the lamb, Zhao Rucheng turned his head again and just looked at him coldly and emotionlessly.

The chilling and cruel killing intent instantly filled the military tent.

Yuwen Duo felt his breathing become difficult, and a chill ran down his spine!

He would die!

At this moment, he suddenly had such a strong feeling.

He would be killed by this excessively handsome man in front of him, just like killing a Yin demon, and also like killing a sheep, easily killed!

Miscalculation…

He thought to himself.

During the long time they had been in contact, he had never touched upon this topic. It was precisely because he knew it was likely a taboo for the other party.

They were able to maintain this long cooperation because Zhao Rucheng never asked for anything other than supplies, and he never inquired about Zhao Rucheng’s past.

But perhaps it was because he was about to return to the Royal Court, perhaps it was because he was about to enter the Cangtu Divine Cavalry, his heart had an unconscious swelling.

He was actually so foolish as to say such words.

Would I die today?

Yuwen Duo, a true blood descendant of the renowned Yuwen family of Mu Kingdom, who was about to join the Cangtu Divine Cavalry, thought so.

Zhao Rucheng looked at him, watching his hair stand on end, his eyes filled with fear, before he said calmly, “Yuwen Duo, don’t think too highly of the Yuwen family, and don’t think too highly of Mu Kingdom.”

What did he mean? The Yuwen family couldn’t help him? Mu Kingdom couldn’t help him either?

Yuwen Duo’s mind was in a mess, but his body suddenly relaxed.

Because Zhao Rucheng had already turned back and continued to cut lamb.

It was as if nothing had happened, as if everything just now was just an illusion.

Even Yuwen Duo himself felt that the feeling was unreal.

He was chatting happily with his Yigai, how could he suddenly think of death? Haha, it’s a little ridiculous.

But… he couldn’t laugh.

He was silent for a long time, then said, “Actually, I really see you as Yigai, maybe you don’t believe me. I want you to go to the Yellow River Meet for the reason of suppressing Jin Ge, but also partly because I don’t want to see you like this. I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I’ve never asked about your story, but I know… you are in great pain.

The blood of our grassland children is boiling. You saved my life and helped me a lot. Perhaps I can’t help you, my Yigai, but if you are willing, I want to help you.”

What Yuwen Duo was talking about was last winter night, when he was patrolling the line of life and death and encountered an assassination. It was Zhao Rucheng who saved him then. Otherwise, he should have been thrown into the desert by now, and others would probably just think he was dragged away by a Yin demon.

“Alas.” Zhao Rucheng suddenly sighed. “I’m eating, you’re talking too much.”

Yuwen Duo, however, grinned and affectionately squeezed closer. “Actually, participating in the Yellow River Meet is truly beneficial with no harm.”

Zhao Rucheng’s attitude improved slightly, so he came back to life. “My Yigai, you are so powerful, don’t you want to cross hands with heroes from all over the world? Don’t you want to know who is the true number one in the Inner Mansion realm? Qi Kingdom’s Qin Zhizhen, Chu Kingdom’s Xiang Bei, Qi’s Jiang Wang, Mu Kingdom’s Huang Shelian…”

The knife in Zhao Rucheng’s hand stopped again. “Who?”

Yuwen Duo blinked. “Huang Shelian, a woman.”

Zhao Rucheng could only ask more directly. “Who is this Jiang Wang?”

“A person from Qi Kingdom, a man,” Yuwen Duo said.

Zhao Rucheng flipped his hand, cut off a small piece of lamb, and put it into his mouth to chew slowly. He had a somewhat gnashing of teeth feeling. “Is this how you do your intelligence work?”

Only then did Yuwen Duo suddenly realize. “Oh right, I got the information for you!”

He suddenly got up, walked quickly a few steps, rummaged through the desk, and found a ledger.

He quickly turned the pages as he said, “Actually, there’s nothing much to pay attention to. Among all the heroes in the world, I only think you are the best, Yigai. How many people in the Inner Mansion realm dare to go deep into the boundless desert?”

He turned to the corresponding information and read with an indifferent tone, “Jiang Wang, from Fenglin City in Zhuang Country, Western Region. After the city was destroyed by a cult, he went east into Qi. He was one of the five victors of the Tianfu Secret Realm that year, the first time he entered the sight of the people of Qi. Afterwards, he made contributions in the Qiyang battlefield and was granted the title of Marquis Qing Yang. He fought a battle with Wang Yi Wu, the closed-door disciple of the God of War, in Linzi, which made him famous. After that…”

As Yuwen Duo read, he suddenly noticed that his Yigai had stopped cutting and eating the meat at some point.

That excessively handsome man who had cut off his long hair.

Sitting in front of the large brazier, somehow, suddenly burst into laughter. “Hahahahaha… Hahahahaha!”

“Yi… Yigai?” Yuwen Duo’s voice was somewhat hesitant.

And Zhao Rucheng laughed, he laughed loudly, tears streaming down his face.

“You’re right! You’re absolutely right, Yuwen Duo!”

“Among the heroes of the world, there should be a place for me!”