IDWBE -Chapter 175 The Journey Home

War.

Death was inevitable.

Moreover, he had seen it many times before.

He had thought he would feel nothing anymore.

But this time was different—the fallen guards were people he had spent every day with, close to him.

Watching them die silently, he felt deeply unsettled.

Xiao Xizi arranged for the tents to be rebuilt and cleaned inside, then came over and said, “Prince, it’s late. You should rest early.”

Lin Yi nodded. “If there’s any news about that wretched woman, notify me immediately.”

Earlier in the tent, Hong Ying and Jingkuan were evenly matched, which surprised him.

He had to admit he had underestimated Hong Ying all along.

As Consort Wen said, he might really have become a Grandmaster. Still, Lin Yi didn’t expect Jingkuan to survive; he only hoped Hong Ying wouldn’t get into trouble again.

He lay in bed, tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep well.

In the morning, he still hadn’t heard any news of Hong Ying from Xiao Xizi, so he ate a bit and went back to bed.

He slept until nearly noon.

When he finally got up, he felt refreshed, shaking off the gloom of the previous night.

By contrast, those around him, injured, were listless.

Except for the carefree Yu Xiaoshi and A-Dai, whose injuries didn’t stop them from gnawing on bones with gusto. Lin Yi watched them for a while, but could make nothing of it.

“Prince, bear paw!”

Yu Xiaoshi held it up. “Do you want some?”

“No.”

Lin Yi refused outright, only feeling pity for the animals around Fang Yuan.

“Prince,” He Jixiang spoke, observing Lin Yi’s expression. “Over three hundred were killed or injured last night, and I’ve already handled everything properly.”

Lin Yi asked, “Exactly how many Ayu people came last night?”

He Jixiang said, “Over three hundred, all experts. Among them were four Earth Venerables—one was killed by Hong Ying, one by Consort Wen.”

“Earth Venerables,” Lin Yi smiled bitterly. “Ayu really invested heavily. Most outrageous is that Jizhao Nunnery took advantage of the situation. I’ll crush them sooner or later. Remember this—next time, Jizhao Nunnery will be left with nothing!”

Beautiful or not, what does it matter?
He was face-blind; when he killed, he never cared about beauty.
Showing mercy to enemies is cruelty to oneself.

Especially when they want to kill you at any moment.

He Jixiang said happily, “Prince, you are wise.”

Seeing He Jixiang hadn’t left yet, Lin Yi asked, “Anything else? Say it all at once; I can handle it.”

He was prepared for the worst news.

He Jixiang said, “Last night, the local Nanyang tribesmen panicked and scattered. Over two thousand were lost.”

“Light the signal fires. Those who want to return will come back naturally,”

Lin Yi said with a smile. “Those who don’t want to return, let them be. In the deep mountains and forests, let’s see where they can run.”

When they fought the Ayu people recently, these locals ran fastest; they couldn’t even carry supplies properly, so they weren’t worth worrying about.

Even if they learned some martial arts, they were only fit for watching children or farming.

After lunch, Lin Yi sat at the camp entrance with a tea cup, occasionally looking into the distance.

As the sun began to set, he finally saw Consort Wen’s figure.

“Where’s Xiao Ying?”

Lin Yi jumped to his feet, looking left and right, but saw no sign of Hong Ying.

He grew anxious.

Xiao Xizi also craned his neck, scanning the surroundings while waiting for Consort Wen’s reply.

Consort Wen said irritably, “You worry so much about that dog of a servant? Don’t you ask about me at all?”

Lin Yi smiled. “Sister can stand here safely, so naturally, nothing’s wrong. Xiao Ying’s skills are weak; can’t compare to you. Not afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of one in a million.”

Consort Wen snorted. “Rest assured. That servant’s skills are now even higher than mine—he won’t die!”

With that, she turned and left.

Lin Yi walked a few more steps and soon saw Hong Ying staggering.

“Master!”

“Commander!”

Xiao Xizi and Shen Chu rushed over to support him.

“You’re injured again?”

Lin Yi frowned, furious. “Every time, you recklessly act; if you can’t win, why not retreat? What kind of luck is mine to meet such a fool?”

Hong Ying forced a smile. “Sorry for worrying you, Prince. It’s only a minor injury. With a couple days’ rest, I’ll be fine.”

“And the woman?”

Just now, Consort Wen hadn’t given Lin Yi a chance to ask. He could only ask Hong Ying.

“Prince, her skills are high. Even with Consort Wen’s help, I couldn’t stop her. But for her to want to kill both of us—that’s like climbing to the heavens,”

Hong Ying sighed. “I’ve disappointed you.”

“A gentleman waits ten years for revenge. Let her run around a few days first,”

Lin Yi said, glancing at Bian Jing. “Shell Jizhao Nunnery; the rest is up to you.”

Bian Jing hurriedly said, “I will not disappoint you, Prince.”

Lin Yi said to Xiao Xizi, “Help your master down and let him rest properly.”

Xiao Xizi stepped forward, meeting his master’s murderous glare, and quickly bowed his head.

He had truly disappointed his master this time!
He hadn’t lasted a single move!
If his master hadn’t arrived in time, he would have been dead—and if anything happened to the Prince, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Hong Ying was about to speak when Lin Yi impatiently said, “There’s plenty of time to discipline your disciple later. For now, no more talk—rest quickly.”

The Sanhe camp regained its calm.

But everyone, after last night, was shaken to the core.

Especially Ye Qiu.

Last night, Consort Wen killed an Earth Venerable—a ninth-rank expert—with a single move!
That scene was unforgettable.

A ninth-rank expert facing a Grandmaster could only be slaughtered without the slightest ability to fight back.

He couldn’t recall Hong Ying holding back while pursuing him—otherwise, he’d already be a skeleton.

His once-proud skills now seemed laughable.

Lin Yi stayed for ten days; the Ayu people still showed no sign of movement.

One morning, just as he prepared to go fishing, Pan Duo came in. “Prince, the Ayu army gathered in the Ten-Thousand Mountains has retreated.”

“Retreated?”

Lin Yi murmured. “Just like that?”

“Yes!”

Pan Duo said loudly, “The porters kept watch for three days. Only after confirming did they report back.”

“So we—?”

Lin Yi looked at He Jixiang.

He Jixiang smiled. “Congratulations, Prince. The Ayu people must have heard of your fame, knew they could not win, and so retreated. To win without fighting is the best strategy. I will immediately order the troops to withdraw.”

“Fine. We depart tomorrow.”

Lin Yi could hardly believe it. Was it because he was too capable that Mei Jingzhi seemed a little incompetent? Back then, Mei Jingzhi’s hundred-thousand troops lingered here nearly two years before retreating!

Returning to Baiyun City brought joy to most.

But everyone was reluctant to leave the local tribes.

In this world, truly honest people were rare; simple, sincere folks like the Lian and Qian tribes were few.

In just a few days of interaction, tens of thousands of laborers earned something!
Before leaving, they patted their chests, promising to return!
Not coming back would be foolish!
One grain of gold for a pinch of salt, a silver coin for a bottle of wine—pure profit!
Nothing could be more lucrative.

On the journey home, Lin Yi rode at the front, with Hong Ying and Consort Wen on either side.

Late autumn, winter approaching; maples, mountain Chinese tallow, and other trees were already turning brilliant shades of red, vibrant and magnificent.

Lin Yi was in high spirits; a light drizzle now and then didn’t bother him.

But passing a mountain peak, temperatures dropped sharply; ice clung along the road, even the waterfalls froze into giant blocks of ice.

The laborers, who had exchanged their clothes with the tribes, now wrapped tents, sacks, and cloth around themselves to keep warm, hunching their necks, cursing the heavens.

Many had never seen snow in their lives, let alone ice.

Fortunately, the route wasn’t long, and the path had been leveled on the way here, making the return smooth.

Finally, in less than a month, Lin Yi, riding a donkey, saw the spire of the Baiyun Grand Temple rise high in the distance.