Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1336: Chapter 435: Yinhe Valley, Bone-Eroding Path, Han Peng’s Choice, and Finally, the Long-Awaited Arrival_2

Xia Hong shook his head and sneered, “Cold Resistance Level cultivation, those four people of Cai Shiqing, they couldn’t possibly have crossed the Bone-Eroding Path on their own. They were most likely escorted. With such little strength, they think they can do as they please in the Nine Towns, fools!”

“This subordinate does not know. Those four came directly from the north, and even if there was an escort, we couldn’t detect it.”

Li Hu, after all, only has the strength of an 18 Zong. Of course, what he can see is limited.

Xia Hong continued to ask, “I already heard from Lu Yang. In the intelligence you sent back to East Ridge, you mentioned those four of Cai Shiqing only stayed in Jinyang Village for just over a month before leaving. Do you know where they went?”

Li Hu immediately shook his head and said, “Forgive me, Lord, those four are too powerful, I didn’t dare to track them, let alone send someone. However, although I am unsure of their whereabouts, I have already sent their portraits to Lord Lu. The moment they act within the Great Xia Territory, they will surely be discovered.”

Xia Hong nodded, continuing his inquiry, “According to you, Cai Shiqing doesn’t value Jinyang Village at all, so Han Peng’s loyalty to them should also be quite limited, right?”

“Of course!”

Li Hu gave a definitive answer, sneering, “I don’t know about the ones who came before, but judging from Cai Shiqing’s behavior, Han Peng must resent him deeply. When I first arrived last year, I was wary of Han Peng, afraid he would betray us. But this March, after observing Cai Shiqing’s conduct, I was reassured about Han Peng.

Han Peng often chats with me, and Caiqiu Fan just gives him some silver taels every year, never treating him as one of their own. Instead, Lord Lu has already sent him quite a few Yangyuan Pills this year. Plus, with his grandson Han Li doing well in East Ridge, I think Han Peng harbors very little suspicion towards our Great Xia.”

Only then did Xia Hong smile and nod, turning to look in the direction of the village, “Han Li achieved 99th place in the youth group during this Martial Arts Competition, and Great Xia has invested a lot of resources in him. As long as Han Peng isn’t a fool, he’ll know how to choose.”

Hearing about the Martial Arts Competition, a trace of regret appeared on Li Hu’s face. Although he has been in Jinyang Village, he’s heard the uproar about the Three Towns’ Martial Arts Competition and knows the rewards are extremely generous. Unfortunately, he’s already 27 years old this year. If he were two years younger, he could have participated.

“No need to regret, at 27, with Late-stage Cold Resistance cultivation and the strength of 18 Zong, you’re just a step away from the Peak of Cold Resistance. Among peers in the Nine Towns, your strength definitely stands out…”

Xia Hong saw Li Hu’s expression and knew what he was thinking, smiling as he consoled him. After a pause, he seemed to remember something, and took a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, tossing it directly to him.

“Lurking in Jinyang Village isn’t a particularly good assignment. It will take a long time for our Great Xia to truly secure the Nine Towns. It seems you’ll have to keep an eye on the movements at Caiqiu. Here are 30 Dragon Carp Pills. Share them with Yang Zhong. Consider it a small reward. Eventually, back in Xia City, your accomplishments will be recognized and rewarded. Be assured this Lord will not mistreat you.”

Li Hu accepted the Dragon Carp Pills, and his face immediately showed a trace of excitement. He joined Yang Zhong in bowing respectfully to Xia Hong, exclaiming in unison, “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the pills. We will devote ourselves to helping the Lord secure the Nine Towns and clear all obstacles ahead.”

Hearing their words, a smile appeared on Xia Hong’s face.

With an 18 Zong and another with 12 Zong, this little strength aiming to help secure the Nine Towns and clear all obstacles seems impossible.

However, having the heart is enough!

Strength will gradually improve and will eventually rise.

“You two go back! I’ll first head over to the Bone-Eroding Path to check the situation.”

Hearing this, Li Hu and Yang Zhong showed a trace of tension on their faces, quickly trying to dissuade, “The Bone-Eroding Path is dangerous; no one from Caiqiu has come yet. The Lord must not venture alone…”

“Don’t worry!”

Xia Hong waved his hand, continuing, “I’m just going to look. I only know one Bone-Eroding Path; I wouldn’t foolishly go in without knowing the routes further in. I’ll take a look and come back.”

With Caiqiu’s contact coming to Jinyang Village in August to accompany those people to Caiqiu Feudal Town, it’s obviously safer. Xia Hong understood this naturally.

Hearing this, Li Hu and Yang Zhong felt much more at ease, yet still a bit unconvinced, “Then, Lord, let us accompany you over there!”

After speaking, without waiting for Xia Hong to refuse, the two led the way north.

Xia Hong thought for a moment and did not refuse. Jinyang Village is located in the 30 kilometers deep area of Yinhe Valley. It’s just over 20 kilometers north to reach the Bone-Eroding Path. With Li Hu and Yang Zhong’s level of cultivation, it wouldn’t take too long to go there and back.

……

“Almost 6 Zong, not bad, not bad, Li’er has greatly improved, haha!”

At the same time Xia Hong was inquiring Li Hu and Yang Zhong about Caiqiu’s situation.

In the main building of Jinyang Village, Han Peng was finally meeting his grandson Han Li, whom he hadn’t seen for a year. Seeing his grandson’s strength increase by over 3 Zong in a year, he couldn’t stop smiling.

On Han Li’s side, he kept taking things out of his bag, introducing them one by one, “Grandfather, this time I placed 99th in the youth group of the Great Xia Martial Arts Competition and was rewarded with a lot, including 50,000 silver taels. I’ve converted all of it into cultivation resources.

Last year, at Hongmen, you bought Dragon Carp Pills at 100,000 silver taels each, right? I exchanged for them at the Camp Supply Department in Xia City. A single one only required 50,000 Contribution Points, and I exchanged 10 for you. Look…”