Chapter 280: Though Thousands Of People Oppose Me, I Shall Go

Chapter 280: Though Ten Thousand Stand Against Me, Go I Shall

The setting sun cast its dying light over a desert scattered with corpses for miles. Severed limbs and shattered bones littered the earth, the flesh and blood of men and horses mingled together, staining the yellow sands crimson.

Batu’s army was currently overrunning Heshan’s camp. Watching from behind him, Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling discovered that the slaughter was not as severe as they had imagined. After all, they were of the same tribe. Once the "chief culprit" was removed and the banners changed, the camp instantly became Batu’s territory—a transition so swift and convenient it required less than an hour.

In truth, this was the case not only for members of the same tribe; different ethnic groups often did the same, allowing their forces to snowball larger and larger.

However, among different tribes, such arrangements usually took the form of a loose coalition, differing considerably from the centralized system of the Central Plains.

By contrast, the late Herei had been a truly submissive and loyal subordinate to Temur. Otherwise, a grand master of the Earth Ranking would never have been dispatched to the Central Plains like a special forces operative to stir up trouble. Precisely because he was on the Earth Ranking, he understood the terrifying nature of the third ranker of the Heaven Ranking better than anyone.

But Batu lacked such realization. Ignorance bred fearlessness.

While Zhao Changhe silently criticized Batu for his ignorant fearlessness, Batu was looking askance at the pair, similarly marveling at how utterly fearless this man and woman were.

Did they really dare to follow him inside like this, with just the two of them, completely unafraid that he might turn around, bind them, and present them to the Great Khan?

Yet he knew he did not dare.

Batu had experienced the events of Yangzhou. Chi Li had once analyzed for him that Zhao Changhe was most likely a member of the Demon Suppression Division, which meant he was an official of the Great Xia, making his intent to stir up chaos in their rear painfully obvious. Batu’s current actions had undoubtedly infuriated the Great Khan. While a punitive expedition might not be sent immediately, it would be pure stupidity not to leave himself a retreat. Zhao Changhe was a retreat delivered right to his doorstep; how could he dare offend him lightly?

Even knowing he had previously been deceived by Zhao Changhe's false identity as Fadian of the Maitreya Sect, Batu dared not voice his rage. Instead, he forced a hearty, hospitable smile: "Come, bring wine! This Khan wishes to feast his friends!"

Though termed a feast, everyone else was dismissed from the tent. Only the three of them sat within, each harboring their own hidden schemes beneath their smiles.

Yue Hongling crossed her arms, speaking with some annoyance: "Since when were you and he friends?"

Zhao Changhe pulled her down to sit, winking at her: "Back in Yangzhou, Brother Batu and I crossed swords. We were both enemies and friends, respecting each other's talents."

Batu joined in, saying: "Even just now, Miss Yue saved my life. Batu offers his thanks here."

With that, he raised his wine bowl and