Chapter 193 – Unwilling? Just Hold It In (Part 2)
“Those horses look like good ones… Why not just take a few? That’s a fortune right there…”
Jiang Pengji hid in the shadows, carefully observing the group, and when her gaze fell on the twenty or so horses, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Although those horses weren’t top-tier, they boasted excellent warhorse lineage, representing some of the better stock from the Meng Clan’s stables.
The Meng Clan was the only one among the four great noble families that rose through military merit and was also the largest horse ranch owner in Dongqing!
Cangzhou was situated at a junction of trade routes, making various trades quite convenient. The Meng Clan had brought in numerous famous horses from the Northern Frontier and Southern Barbarians.
Through generations of selective breeding, the quality of horses raised at the ranch was generally excellent, but they only sold the inferior ones; all the best specimens had to be supplied to the Meng family’s main house or compensated to the Meng Army.
The Dongqing royalty wanted high-quality steeds but had to buy them at a high price from the Northern Frontier or Southern Barbarians. Upon learning that the Meng Clan’s stables also had decent quality horses, the Emperor made all sorts of hints and requests, hoping to obtain a batch at a discount.
What happened next?
The Meng Clan didn’t take the Emperor seriously, offering a small tribute of lower-quality horses while bluntly stating that the best horses all had to go to the Meng Army, and not a single good horse could leave!
This infuriated the Emperor of Dongqing.
However, the Meng Clan was indeed a tough nut to crack. While the Emperor burned with internal rage, he still had to maintain an open and affable appearance.
At first, Jiang Pengji wasn’t even considering those horses, or rather, she hadn’t thought about it at all.
But the owner was soon to meet their demise, so wouldn’t it be a waste not to take them?
As a child who disliked wasting resources, Jiang Pengji declared those horses were now hers.
Feeling unwilling?
Just hold it in!
She sent three experienced subordinates to look for food and water sources while the others rested and recuperated in place.
“I’ve heard that there are quite a few bandits around here in Hejian… Do you think the three of them went out and might run into one?”
As they sat down to rest, several subordinates began to chat.
“Hey, as long as their eyes aren’t blind, which bandit would dare mess with us? Even if all three went out together, even if it was just one, we’re from the Meng Army—who doesn’t know we can take on ten thousand with one of us? What’s so scary about a few ruffians, right?”
Speaking of the Meng Army’s reputation, a surge of confidence filled the subordinates.
That’s right! Who in all of Dongqing and the other four countries didn’t know about the Meng Army’s renown?
They had defended Cangzhou for many years, helping the Dongqing royal family guard the nation’s vital gates. Dongqing’s peace and prosperity now was largely thanks to their efforts!
“Absolutely! But if you ask me, the strongest among us is definitely the Leader. Even Meng Hunyun can’t compare to you…”
One subordinate buttered up, and like a tide, the compliments overwhelmed the Leader.
He couldn’t help but smirk, feeling elated. After soaking in that high-flying feeling for long enough, he finally put on a serious face and admonished them.
With a frown, the Leader appeared quite displeased, “Now is the time for you to rest, not chatter like gossiping hens. If you don’t want to rest, just say so. Meng Hunyun? Hmph, a dog without a master—he’s not worthy to compare with me.”
“You’re right, Leader. We were wrong. How could that hypocritical mongrel Meng Hunyun ever compare to you?”
One subordinate quickly changed his tune, smoothly flattering the Leader. This subordinate had a face that looked quite sincere, yet his eyes darted about uneasily, revealing he was overly eager to please.
The others immediately chimed in, saying, “Meng Hunyun doesn’t have the right to compare with the Leader. If comparisons are to be made, only the Duke of the North can match the Leader. I heard they got beaten back into a corner in the Northern Frontier again. If it were you leading them, with your talent, you would’ve turned the tide and sent those beasts packing back home!”
Upon hearing this, the Leader felt quite pleased, like savoring a block of ice on a scorching summer day, feeling a refreshing chill throughout.
As they chatted and flattered, fifteen minutes rolled by, yet the previous three subordinates still hadn’t returned.
Of course, they couldn’t come back.
These three were seasoned veterans in wilderness survival, rich in experience, but compared to Jiang Pengji, they were child’s play.
She was one step ahead, finding the nearest water source and lying in wait, ready for her three unsuspecting targets.
Soon enough, three figures approached in unison.
One exclaimed excitedly, “There really is water here! You’re amazing!”
“Stop talking, let’s fill the water bags first.”
The three were carrying empty leather water bags. If they filled them all, they’d be quite heavy to take back.
Jiang Pengji watched coldly as they crouched by the pond, smoothly drawing her bow.
With a quick motion, she nocked two arrows, the bowstring pulled taut.
Whoosh—whoosh—
The two arrows struck true, piercing through the skulls of the two subordinates, killing them instantly.
The third person, busy filling his water bag, suddenly noticed the water’s surface ripple with a striking red hue.
He froze for a moment, the next second seeing his two companions, who were just chuckling with him, slump into the pond, eyes wide with disbelief.
An ambush is happening!
The thought jolted through the third person’s mind, causing him to drop his water bag, splattering water across the ground.
He leapt to his feet, drawing his sword, scanning the surroundings for any threats.
From the direction of the arrows, he couldn’t see anyone.
How many enemies are there? Where are they?
As he pondered these questions, the more he thought, the sweat trickled down his back.
Nerves taut and alert for a long while, still no one attacked him, as if those arrows that killed his companions had materialized out of thin air.
He glanced at the bodies of his fallen companions, biting his lip tightly before steeling himself, stumbling to escape.
【One Leaf Makes a Boat】: Ahhhh, Host! You just let him go like that? Releasing a tiger back to the mountain means endless trouble!
【Bone Mie Mie】: While I think killing is quite bloody, I believe the Host’s situation is unique and cannot be generalized. Letting the enemy go is like being harsh on oneself. That person could run to raise the alarm and bring everyone over. Can the Host deal with that many by themselves?
【Mu Yu Qing Feng】: I want to convince myself the Host can pull off twenty kills, but… is the Host still just a bean sprout?
Liu Lanting’s body was merely twelve years old, like a little bunny compared to those towering six-foot-tall hulks.
Just the difference in stature left the audience in the live stream feeling super tense, sweating for Jiang Pengji.
Yet, Jiang Pengji didn’t care about that one lucky fish that got away; her aim wasn’t just to kill two people.
One to spread the word was enough.
