Chapter 126: Finally, I Have Waited for You

In the mountain forest, the battle continued.

Boom!

With another violent collision, the ground beneath Ning Xiu and Huang Qingcang exploded as if a thunderbolt had struck the earth.

The shockwaves rippled outward in a ring, shattering the soil and snapping massive trees in two, sending them crashing to the ground. As the dust settled, the look of shock on Huang Qingcang’s face was clearly visible.

Ning Xiu’s strength had far exceeded his expectations; he found that, for the moment, he was unable to best his opponent. At this point, he had to admit that there were fewer than three people in all of Lingnan Commandery who could take down Ning Xiu single-handedly, and he was clearly not among them. Of course, the situation would be different if they were backed by a heavy encirclement.

After forcing Huang Qingcang back once more, Ning Xiu did not choose to press his advantage. Instead, he retreated—not advancing, but withdrawing with fluid, decisive movements.

Lightly touching the ground, Ning Xiu drifted backward, disappearing into the depths of the forest after a few swift leaps.

Through this confrontation, Ning Xiu had gauged Huang Qingcang’s strength; it was on par with his own, perhaps even a fraction better. To finish him off in a short time was likely impossible. Furthermore, even if he were to kill him, Ning Xiu’s own state would be severely compromised, and in his current predicament, he could not afford to let himself reach a point of helplessness.

If he were in the open, endless wilderness, it would be difficult to escape the pursuit of those "feathered beasts," but as he was navigating through mountainous and forested terrain and deliberately avoiding detection, he had finally reached the southernmost border of Lingnan Commandery without incident.

Further south lay the endless desert.

...

Lingnan Commandery bordered the Jing River to the east, Quanyang to the west, and Baishi to the north. Only the Desert of Death in the south offered a way for Ning Xiu to escape his current plight—a plan he had laid out from the beginning. No matter whether he chose the east, west, or north, even if he managed to leave Lingnan, he would still be within the reach of the Great Qian Dynasty’s influence.

Gale winds mixed with grit whipped against his face, bone-chillingly cold.

Ning Xiu tilted his head slightly, frowning as he looked at Jifeng Town ahead.

"The border has indeed been blockaded."

He had long since changed his clothes, wrapping himself in a worn cotton-padded jacket and wearing a human-skin mask. Coupled with the scouring of the wind and sand, he looked like a weathered old shepherd.

Realizing his escape route had been compromised, Ning Xiu had not traveled in a straight line, instead setting up numerous diversions to confuse his pursuers—such as leading the imperial troops toward the west. Whether these tactics would ultimately prove effective, however, he could not say.

After the sun set, temperatures in the desert region dropped significantly.

Ning Xiu tightened his thick cotton jacket and walked slowly toward Jifeng Town under the cover of night.

The best scenario would be to enter the Desert of Death without alerting the imperial court. Utilizing the Wind God’s Legs, Ning Xiu moved like a phantom, slipping into the town soundlessly.

"Did you see a shadow over there just now?" one of the night-watch soldiers asked, rubbing his eyes with uncertainty.

Hearing his cry, the other soldiers nearby paused, instinctively drawing their weapons. But when they looked up, there was nothing but the howling wind and sand.

One of them laughed and scolded, "You must be going crazy from this sand. Open your eyes and look—there’s not a soul in sight..."

"Well, it’s no wonder. We’re out here blowing in the wind and eating dust all day; it’s perfectly normal to see things. I just want to know how much longer we have to stay in this godforsaken place," another complained.

"True enough. It’s been so many days. That rebel has probably escaped Lingnan through one of the other borders long ago. His initial movements were just a distraction; who would have a death wish and actually run into the Desert of Death?"

The soldiers grumbled at the town entrance, never noticing that a shadow had already slipped inside.

Once night fell, Jifeng Town was eerily quiet.

Patrolling soldiers filled the streets. Ning Xiu looked up at the distant watchtower illuminated by lanterns; once he crossed that, he would be entering the Desert of Death. Once in that vast expanse, no matter how far the Six Ministries’ reach, they would never be able to find him.

Carefully avoiding the patrols, Ning Xiu reached the base of the city wall. Hugging the stone, he suddenly leaped upward, landing lightly atop the wall after a few agile bounds.

Everything was going smoothly—perhaps too smoothly for his liking. Did the imperial court really believe he had already left Lingnan?

Ning Xiu shook his head, casting aside these useless thoughts, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a brilliant light erupted from the top of the watchtower, shining directly onto him. In that instant, every soldier in Jifeng Town caught sight of Ning Xiu.

"Damn it, speak of the devil," Ning Xiu cursed under his breath, his face darkening as he leaped down from the wall.

As he descended, he caught a glimpse of the source of the light: a strangely shaped bronze mirror.

He had no time to ponder it; he flew toward the vast, boundless desert.

The imperial forces had finally reacted. The soldiers on the wall blew their military horns with all their might.

Sharp, urgent sound waves erupted from the horns, spreading in all directions. Instantly, countless torches were lit in Jifeng Town, illuminating the place as if it were broad daylight. All the soldiers rushed frantically toward the city gates.

The gates swung open.

"The rebel has been spotted!"

"Catch him!"

...

A large force of soldiers poured out of the gates, galloping on swift horses in desperate pursuit of the flickering silhouette ahead, their shouts echoing into the night.

Ning Xiu glanced back, feeling a sense of frustration. He had calculated everything, but he had never expected them to possess such a thing as a bronze mirror. What was this—an automated radar?

Ning Xiu’s lips curled in a wry smile. Fortunately, his diversions along the way seemed to have worked; although Jifeng Town was heavily guarded, Huang Qingcang himself was not among them. As long as he did not fall into an encirclement, these men posed no threat to him.

He was confident that these soldiers could not catch up to him; it would not be long before he left them behind entirely.

Sure enough, the distance between them grew, and the soldiers could no longer see his shadow.

Ning Xiu breathed a sigh of relief, but as he turned back, his expression changed drastically.

A young man was standing just a short distance ahead of him.

Under the moonlight, the man wore a deep black robe embroidered with gold. He had a handsome face, eyebrows like swords, and a gentle smile permanently etched onto his features—as if he were waiting for a long-lost friend.

"I’ve finally been waiting for you."