Chaotic World Book-Chapter 266 - 261: Gathering of Heroes

The night market’s periphery, set against a desert backdrop, featured camps scattered in all directions. The human chatter had diminished considerably compared to the early evening, yet there still were people busily loading goods onto wagons.

From a distance, Zhao Changhe watched, the scene often reminding him of bustling port docks, a veritable hub of trade and commerce.

It was unclear what sort of understanding existed between the various merchant caravans, whether they had prearranged their own territories or not, but from the looks of it, they kept to their areas without interfering with each other, maintaining order despite the crowd.

This arrangement conveniently aided Zhao Changhe in his investigation. Had it been chaotic, it would have been a headache.

He easily located the Qiao Family’s caravan camp, where people were still transporting goods like jewels, spices, and sheepskins, seemingly to be taken back to Central Earth. It appeared that the goods were being delivered directly from the market’s merchants, and amidst the bustle, faint complaints could be overheard, "Qiao Er has really put on airs now, hiding in his tent and not even showing his face. Is this your Central Plains’ etiquette?"

A seemingly in-charge individual was nervously appeasing them, "Actually, Qiao Er went with the young master into the market, and they were set upon at San Niang’s place..."

"What? Qiao Er had the audacity to provoke San Niang? Even Captain Wu wouldn’t dare to covet that woman, she’s got powerful connections!"

"Humph, it wasn’t about provoking San Niang. The other party might be of no small account either. It’s said to be Wang Daozhong of the Wang Family. With the strength worthy of the Earth List, he actually managed to break Er’s arm with a pinch under the armpit." The in-charge person made a pinching gesture, grimacing, "That’s just terrifying..."

The merchant inhaled sharply, "What kind of Heavenly God has descended? If it’s Earth List strength, it might really be Wang Daozhong."

"Yes, we think so too. Even if it were someone impersonating the Wang Family, Er wouldn’t dare bet against it. What if it were true? Would we still have a place in Central Earth?"

"Speaking of which, there’s someone from the Wang Family bold enough to appear near the War Lion Tribe?"

"That I don’t know. But as it stands, the War Lion Tribe’s struggling against current troubles and probably doesn’t have the heart to seek trouble with the Wang Family..."

The two conversed and walked on, surrounded by workers moving cargo, accompanied by a few individuals resembling guards.

Unnoticed by all, amidst the bustling workers, a yellow-faced man had joined their ranks, blending into the camp and even obediently helping to carry the cargo right up to the wagons for loading.

Because their conversation was rich with information, he thought it worthwhile to linger and listen more.

Indeed, the merchant inquired further, "What about the six slaves mentioned earlier? Are they in the wagons?"

That in-charge person instinctively looked around and then lowered his voice, "This batch all are martial arts experts from Central Earth, the least skilled among them at the Mystical Gate Fifth Layer, and the highest at Seventh Layer. The price is not low. Er plans to take them to the beast arena for auction; Captain Wu might be very interested."

The merchant frowned, "That’s not exactly prime stock... Martial arts experts that strong can’t be controlled, they tend to escape and might even turn violent. Aside from Captain Wu, ordinary powers wouldn’t dare to take them on easily; you might not fetch a good price at auction, and Captain Wu might just pressure you into a lower price."

The in-charge person, clearly hit home by the remark, sighed, "I think it’s inappropriate too, but Er sees it as a business opportunity..."

The merchant then asked, "How did Er capture them? That couldn’t have been easy. I’ve seen Sixth Layer experts; with their Qinggong, they’re faster than horses, and just as enduring."

"They were out scouting the Wild Wolf Tribe and got spotted and chased. In fleeing for their lives, they stumbled upon our caravan. Thinking they’d found rescue with a Central Plains merchant group..." The in-charge person smiled faintly, "Er welcomed them into the group, then turned around and captured them."

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath, clenching his fists tightly to restrain himself from drawing his sword.

The leads on the mission entrusted by Cui Yuanyong proved much easier to find than anticipated, a relief considering he hadn’t killed those two from the Qiao Family at the inn. Otherwise, the ensuing chaos would have likely resulted in a full retreat, severing the leads, and those involved might have even been killed to prevent trouble.

Yet, at this moment, Zhao Changhe felt no sense of relief, but rather his ire rose tenfold.

This small team consisted of spirited men, who had set out to assist Yanmen with fierce vigilance in defense, not to sightsee!

They stood against foreign invaders to protect whom?

These men, even in their dying breaths, probably never imagined they’d be betrayed by the very people they protected, a mental blow far more destructive than physical harm.

A small fortunate detail was that they were likely still alive and unmaimed, and once rescued, they would again be capable men.

Even the typically profit-oriented merchant found this hard to stomach, questioning, "All this for just some slave money?"

"It’s not just about the money. We’re supposed to deliver this batch of food to the Wild Wolf Tribe. Having them in our group would mean they’ve seen everything, haven’t they? They’d tell Huangfu Yongxian or Tang Wanju once back, then what do we do? We kill them or we capture them and sell them; that’s the way of it."

The merchant, naturally disinclined to argue further, merely said, "We’re all old acquaintances here. Just sell this batch to me and spare the auction. Take my advice—it’s not worth it... If Captain Wu decides he wants them for free, you’ll probably have to give them up."

The in-charge individual responded, "I don’t have the power to decide. You’ll have to ask Er."

The merchant replied, "They’ll need time to load up anyway, I might as well check on how Er’s wound is healing."

As they walked on toward the tents, Zhao Changhe pretended to continue moving cargo while mulling over the situation in his mind.

There were far too many people here for a rescue; any slight disturbance would alert the entire thousand-strong caravan to encircle them, making escape after a forced rescue impossible. This highlighted the disadvantages of operating solo; if only he had an accomplice to create a diversion elsewhere, the situation here could be more manageable...

"Should I find some help, like paying San Niang to lend a hand, would she be willing?"

While pondering, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of the camp, "Who’s that drunkard, get lost!"

A somewhat familiar voice slurred, "Damn it~ Acting like I don’t have money, what about it? Where are your Hu Ji? Come out and dance!"

Zhao Changhe’s eyes lit up.

Situ Xiao!

Help had arrived!

The guards at the gate cursed in anger, "Damn it, this isn’t a Hu Ji camp, the brothel you’re looking for is on the other side! I’d like to go there myself!"

"It’s not a Hu Ji camp? I don’t believe you! You look like a damn chicken..."

"Get lost, you damned drunk!"

A ruckus began at the gate, and inside the main tent, Qiao Er was in the middle of escorting the Hu merchant out and was saying something when he saw the trouble, "What’s with the drunk causing a scene here? Send a few men to check it out!"

Men were dispatched at the command, and Qiao Er said to the merchant, "Brother, you’re right, it’d be better just to sell those people to you privately and be done with it..."

Before he could finish, a sudden glint of a sword flashed behind the tent.

This was a blade that had been stealthily lurking there for who knows how long, probably since the Qiao duo had gone to the market for a meal. It had remained unnoticed, waiting for the right moment to strike, and had incredibly hidden for several hours motionless.

To be capable of such a feat, apart from the top assassin of the "Listening Snow Tower," there was only one who lived as a bounty hunter...

Han Wubing!

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity presented by the disturbance at the gate, the long-hidden Han Wubing boldly made his move to assassinate Qiao Er!

Contrary to Han Wubing’s expectations, Qiao Er, who was average in combat and had one hand out of commission, managed to defend against what was thought to be a death-dealing blow.

A "clang" resounded as the Hu merchant, wielding a curved saber, fended off Han Wubing’s lethal strike. Han Wubing brushed past him, and the merchant was forced back several steps, stunned.

"Who would’ve thought there would be such a master among the Hu from the Western Regions, I have miscalculated." Han Wubing thought to himself, having no time to deliver a second blow to Qiao Er, and quickly retreated to the back of the camp. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Qiao Er was quickly surrounded by his men as he hopped angrily among them, shouting, "What are you all dazed for! Block that guy at the front!"

Crowds of people surged towards Han Wubing, who like a specter in the night, left a trail of blood splatter and screams in his wake as he fought his way out of the camp.

Situ Xiao, who caused the ruckus at the gate, was dumbfounded.

He had never even met Han Wubing, much less arranged any plan together. He had simply discovered that this was a Central Plains merchant caravan here to trade and had gotten pissed off, so he spontaneously decided to cause a scene to draw out Qiao Er and try to take his head and escape.

Just as the commotion started, someone else had made an attempt on the assassination.

What a courageous man.

Faced with the guards who now considered him an accomplice, Situ Xiao wasn’t frustrated at being misidentified, but instead embraced the role. Casually sipping his drink, he suddenly spewed it at a torch at the gate.

With a "boom," flames soared into the sky, setting the gate, tents, carts coming and going, and the spices and garments ablaze, spreading fire far and wide.

The camp finally descended into complete chaos, the men loading the carts got distracted, and at the call of their leader, they abandoned their tasks to rush to extinguish the fire.

Zhao Changhe, seeing the suddenly deserted carts and horses around him, quickly moved from one carriage to another, opening doors and searching.

Hang on just a bit longer, brothers, I’ll rescue you and then come back to help you both.

"Bang!" After opening a dozen empty carriages, he finally found one that seemed to have several people unconscious inside. Just as Zhao Changhe’s eyes brightened and he was about to climb aboard, a chill suddenly ran across his neck.

Instinctively dodging, he realized that the attacker’s sword technique was extremely mysterious, and he couldn’t avoid it having lost the initiative...

The longsword was already at his throat, and a cold voice came from behind, "Which cart has the grain and fodder? Take me to get it... huh, that knife..."

Zhao Changhe sighed and turned to face the familiar visage he had missed, "If you’re going to take the grain and fodder, why not take me as well? How about making me your camp husband?"

Yue Hongling’s eyes widened in surprise.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l