Chapter 357

At first, support staff like Shu You and Shu Lin didn’t understand why, after Lang Ze finished speaking, Qi Bai and Cang Xie laughed in such a wicked way.

It wasn’t until a few days later, when Lang Ze and Cang Xie led two teams out and returned hauling tons of food, that everyone finally caught on.

Qi Bai and Tu Ya organized the tribesmen to sort the supplies:
“Although the Hao Xiong three clans don’t have as many people as we do, all the warriors they’ve sent to the front are horned beastmen. This food will last us at least a month.”

That’s right—Lang Ze’s plan was to cut off the enemy’s rations.

The Hao Xiong and Jian Hu who came to pursue Hei Yao hadn’t brought much food themselves. Now that Hei Yao had stalled them here, their provisions were bound to run out, forcing them to bring supplies from the rear.

So, all Hei Yao had to do was track the Hao Xiong clans’ movements. That way they could both replenish their own stockpiles and sever the enemy’s supply line. A win-win.

Lang Ze nodded:
“These supplies came from the Ge Han tribe nearby. They’ll soon realize their goods were stolen. Let’s see how they respond.”

What Hei Yao had intercepted wasn’t only food—it also included hides for tents, firewood for warmth, and more.

A shipment this large disappearing mid-transport made it obvious where it had gone.

The Hao Xiong three clans had only two possible responses:

Direct war with Hei Yao.
But Hei Yao did not fear them. Lacking food and clothing, the Hao Xiong would see their strength gap shrink against Hei Yao. If Hei Yao held their ground, the Hao Xiong would exhaust themselves first.
Transport new supplies from afar.
Both the Hao Xiong and Jian Hu had strongholds in the grasslands. With their strength, resupplying the front wasn’t difficult.

Given they still weren’t sure of Hei Yao’s full power, the second option seemed more likely.

Because of this, Hu Qiao led scouts out daily, practically itching for another ambush.

But before the Hao Xiong could even act, a new force suddenly appeared at Yan’a Gorge.

---

Yong Shensi stood upon a rocky mountain, overlooking the two opposing camps.

Bao Tan said: “Hei Yao really did prepare in advance.”

The Hao Xiong clans were native grassland tribes, so they should’ve held the advantage here. But judging by camp size and activity, Hei Yao’s numbers actually exceeded theirs.

Northern Continent reinforcements couldn’t have reached the plains so quickly. The only explanation was that Hei Yao had stationed forces here before entering Beast God City.

“We’ve come just in time,” Yong Shensi said cheerfully, then turned to the two beside him. “What do you think we should do next?”

He clearly already had his own judgment, but Bao Tan knew this was a test. After being confined last time, Bao Tan no longer dared to speak carelessly.

Glancing between the two camps, he thought for a bit, then smiled:
“I have an idea, but I’d like to hear my elder brother’s opinion first.”

Bao Xi considered, then pointed northwest.
“We should set camp there first.”

“Even if Hao Xiong and Hei Yao combine forces, they can’t match our Ling Bao army,” Yong Shensi asked. “Don’t you want to seize this chance to crush Hei Yao and Hong Chai together?”

Though framed as a question, Bao Tan could tell Yong Shensi wasn’t rebuking Bao Xi. He instantly realized Yong Shensi’s intent.

He quickly said:
“Hao Xiong’s camp is southwest of Yan’a, Hei Yao’s camp southeast.

Those positions aren’t random—they’re deliberately facing Ji City and the Northern Continent, clearly waiting for reinforcements.

With the situation unclear, placing our camp northwest—where the road leads directly to Ji City beyond the rocks—is the best option.”

Indeed, Hao Xiong’s so-called “Red Chai strength” was really Guong Wo’s personal power. They were separated from Ji City. If Ling Bao clashed head-on with four clans, it would drain time and resources—and might even end up benefiting Shensi like Chang. Ling Bao would never do that.

Since Red Chai and Hei Yao were already locked in conflict, Ling Bao only needed to wait for them to wear each other down.

“Good. Rare of you two not to act rashly. We’ll set camp as you said.”

“But there’s one thing you misunderstand,” Yong Shensi said, patting his hand. “Hei Yao is not our enemy.”

“Xi,” his gaze turned toward Beast God City, eyes flashing with determination, “you’ve dealt with Hei Yao before. Once the camp is ready, go to them. Tell them I wish to meet their priest.”

Bao Xi froze. “Why summon him?”

“That’s right,” Bao Tan blurted, forgetting to hide his shock. “He’s not someone who reasons well. Meeting him would only…”

“It’s not me summoning him.” Yong Shensi raised a hand, pausing. “In fact, that reminds me—you should find a spot between Ling Bao and Hei Yao camps suitable for a meeting.”

---

Qi Bai received Bao Xi’s message while hosting Luo Shu.

The chaos of the Grand Assembly hadn’t lasted long. By the next day, Luo Fu and Lady Xia had returned safely to Qing Chi’s camp.

But since the temple’s rewards hadn’t yet been issued, leaving Sacred Mountain so soon would have drawn attention. So they stayed at the mountain market until other cities made their move, then followed in Qing Chi’s wake.

Qi Bai asked: “Qing Chi came with us. They didn’t trouble you, did they?”

Luo Shu waved it off.
“After you left, a Shensi came to the market to explain things. We were traveling under Ji City’s arrangement. To trouble us would be to trouble the Great Shensi and Ji City.”

Besides, though Qing Chi was a lower city, its strength wasn’t less than many of the newer middle cities. With Lady Xia present, few would dare bully them openly.

And so, upon returning from Beast God City, Luo Shu had immediately rushed here with news:

“Ji asked me to tell you—Song Wu City’s forces are also coming to the plains.”

“Fu Shensi…” Qi Bai frowned. The Shensi at the Central Temple knew far more than they did. “If even Song Wu is moving, then the grasslands will truly be lively.”

Luo Shu looked grim. The plains might be wide, but no one wanted battles breaking out at their own doorstep.

Qi Bai gave a wry smile. In truth, with Hao Xiong plus Ling Bao encamping at Yan’a, Hei Yao had played a big role in that outcome.

But what choice was there? Qi Bai also wanted to return safely to Northern Continent. No one wanted to camp out in the freezing wilderness.

Now, though, with every faction gathering on the plains, no one could withdraw until matters were settled.

Qi Bai asked: “Does Qing Chi have enough food? We’d like to trade some provisions.”

With Ling Bao’s arrival, it had become much harder for Hei Yao to intercept Hao Xiong supplies again at Yan’a. If they could buy food from Qing Chi, their people wouldn’t need to take such risks.

Luo Shu’s eyes lit up. He didn’t hesitate to trade for large amounts of sugar and salt. Then he gave Qi Bai a resentful look:
“I knew it. You were never short of these things.”

Seeing Qi Bai trade so freely proved all the earlier ration limits had been lies.

Qi Bai quickly waved his hands.
“This trade has already used up years of stockpiles. There won’t be this much next time.”

He couldn’t let Luo Shu think he could keep buying endlessly. Salt was one thing, but sugar required crops.

With shorter growing seasons and shrinking yields, Hei Yao only had the edge due to sheer acreage. They couldn’t spare much cane and barley for outside sales.

Just then, Hu Xiao entered the tent.
“Bao Xi is here. He wishes to see the Great Priest.”

Luo Shu frowned.
“When I left Sacred Mountain Market, the entire Beast God City was already under martial law. I heard even the Great Shensi’s hall was sealed…”

The last time Bao Xi had come to Hei Yao, it was on the Great Shensi’s business. Naturally Luo Shu assumed this was the same.

Qi Bai asked: “Where did he enter from?”

Hu Xiao tilted his head. “Through the camp gate.”

“Ling Bao scouts are always watching us. If he came on the Great Shensi’s orders, he wouldn’t just stroll in.” Lang Ze entered the tent. “This is from Ling Bao themselves.”

He told Hu Xiao: “Let him in.”

Luo Shu stood. “You two talk. I won’t stay.” He hurried after Hu Xiao out.

Just as Lang Ze predicted, Bao Xi had come only to deliver Yong Shensi’s message. But before leaving, he paused, adding one more thing:

“Jia Shenshi’s forces will soon arrive at Yan’a.”

Yong Shensi suddenly wanted to see Qi Bai—and only him.

Qi Bai and Lang Ze exchanged looks, both suspecting something. But more intriguing was Bao Xi’s parting words.

Qi Bai stroked his chin. “Interesting.”

---

The next morning, Qi Bai bundled himself in thick hides, donned a Ming beast-fur cloak, and set out tightly wrapped.

The meeting place Yong Shensi chose lay between the two camps, in a sparse grove of stunted trees.

The trunks were bare, branches dry, half-buried under waist-deep snow—making the grove look even smaller and thinner.

Thus the lone figure within stood out all the more clearly.

A deep, aged voice called:
“You really did come alone.”

Qi Bai turned. “You’re just an old man, and you dared come alone. What have I to fear?”

Yong Shensi chuckled low, his tone warm.
“You truly are like him.”