Chapter 75: Stealing a Chicken

Chen Yi He ultimately gave up the opportunity to lead Dragon Tiger Gate.

It wasn't because Dragon Tiger Gate was a minor sect in the jianghu, nor because he feared others would gossip, saying he was taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

More importantly, he feared failing the Dragon King's spirit in heaven; if he also sacrificed the lives of these over three hundred brothers, he would have even less face to answer to the Dragon King.

Chen Yi He had no ambition to rule the world; he only wanted to become stronger! Until one day, relying solely on his own strength, he could avenge all his brothers.

If he could settle it himself, why involve others?

But for one person to wipe out the Western Depot is nothing short of a fantasy.

How much strength would that take? Although Fifth Heaven experts exist, none have been seen destroying the Western Depot or stirring up storms within the Great Zhou Dynasty's jurisdiction.

"Yi He, won't you think again?" Gao Di Chun asked Chen Yi He.

Chen Yi He had already made his decision: "My strength isn't enough yet; if everyone follows me now, it's just sending them to their deaths, and then there's no talk of revenge."

Gao Di Chun nodded: "Alright, I understand what you said."

"You must have a plan, right?" Chen Yi He knew Gao Di Chun was no ordinary person; as the Dragon King's strategist, he certainly thought things through more thoroughly than he did.

He was also trustworthy.

Gao Di Chun told Chen Yi He his plan: he had a friend in West Gate City who ran a wood workshop, doing logging, shipbuilding, and cartmaking; he would take the brothers to that friend's place.

This was also why he set the final destination of their escape route at West Gate City.

Gao Di Chun smiled: "Back then, the Dragon King saved his life. Without saying more, just changing his appearance to earn a plain living—he could still manage."

"Can you be trusted?" Chen Yi He asked.

"Trustworthy."

"Then the rest is up to you; I'm leaving as well."

At that moment, over three hundred Dragon Tiger Gate brothers rose to their feet, facing Chen Yi He, clasping their fists in unison and saying, "Thank you for saving our lives! Yi He."

Chen Yi He was deeply moved and returned the salute.

Gao Di Chun spoke on behalf of the brothers: "The Dragon King is gone; whether you acknowledge it or not, in our hearts you are our boss! If anything is needed, just send a word to the West Gate City wood workshop."

"Alright, I'll remember." Chen Yi He promised.

"We'll meet again someday."

"See you later."

……

Imperial Capital, Western Depot.

Zhang Gonggong's office—no, the hall where Zhang Gonggong handles state affairs, the Military Bureau.

The Military Bureau pales in comparison to the Imperial Palace; it lacks gilded walls and carved beams with painted rafters, its overall appearance is simple yet exudes a solemn aura. Though not antiquated, it gives the impression of many years of time passing.

Zhang Gonggong sat upright in his chair; before him lay a wide camphor-wood desk, bearing paper and ink. He had only returned from Southern Border City to the Imperial Capital a few days earlier.

Zhang Gonggong angrily flung his teacup away, shattering it on the helmet of the courier from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That kneeling Embroidered Uniform Guard almost fainted from the blow.

"Chen Yi He… Chen Yi He ah, Chen Yi He, I, old man, have finally remembered you. Hehe…" Zhang Gonggong's pallid face broke into a nasty smile.

"What a pity, Qian Da such a capable hand." Zhang Gonggong felt like he'd lost the chicken and the rice, but after a brief bout of anger he laughed, saying, "The game is truly getting more and more exciting…"

After all, he had eradicated the Thousand Layer Gate this time; his merit was sufficient.

He would not issue a wanted order for someone as insignificant as Chen Yi He; otherwise, once it got out, the whole world would laugh at him!

Until one day not long after, the Emperor told him that his brother-in-law had been crippled by a young upstart named Chen Yi He…

He issued a kill order against Chen Yi He that was even more terrifying than a wanted notice…

……

After a light rain, the weather was no longer scorching.

Leading his horse along the muddy path, Chen Yi He did not feel lighthearted.

He became a person again—a lonely, solitary individual.

He took out his Apple 17, opened the photo album, tapped the picture of himself with the Dragon King and Xu Jia, stared at it for a long time, as if from another lifetime.

"Xu Jia, will you forgive me?" Chen Yi He murmured to himself; Xu Jia was the first person he had met here.

"You're fine, losing a brother halfway down the road! Ah! Is that fair?"

"Thank you for saving my life; I, Xu Jia, will definitely repay this kindness in my lifetime."

"Get lost!"

These were all the words Xu Jia said to him.

"Forget it, don't dwell on these." Chen Yi He told himself, "Someday Xu Jia will forgive himself; I just don't know how he is now."

Chen Yi He didn't go look for Xu Jia; he knew that even if he found him, it wouldn't lead to anything good.

No phone signal, can't play games; even Honor of Kings won't launch.

"Still no signal…" Chen Yi He felt gloomy; at this moment he really wanted to call home to report his safety, but he knew that idea was nothing short of a joke…

Chen Yi He put his Apple 17 back into his pocket—this was the safest place.

He needed to prepare for the next step. He wasn't heading straight west to the nearest West Gate City; he already had a plan in mind.

The score with Dragon Tiger Gate must be settled; Chen Yi He decided to first go to Eternal Happiness Gate to look for clues.

He would head north, to the Imperial Capital.

The prosperous Imperial Capital, the legendary Imperial Capital, the dreamlike Imperial Capital.

"It must be Beijing in the real world…" Chen Yi He speculated. He didn't even need to think to know that the Imperial Capital was surely a place where tigers and dragons lay hidden; acting rashly, if discovered, would get him killed.

Chen Yi He walked and thought, pondering what he should do next…

He didn't know how long he had walked; by evening, Chen Yi He finally felt hungry.

He hadn't yet entered the city; starting from tomorrow morning, riding on horseback, it would take about three days to reach the northern border city, then another seven days to reach the Imperial Capital.

Bei Du is after all not as vast as the southern borderlands; after passing this stretch, one should be able to see people, and they will become increasingly crowded and noisy.

In the wilderness, the only thing one could catch was a wild chicken, to eat roasted chicken.

Finally, after expending tremendous effort, I caught the chicken.

Plucked the chicken clean, then used the Purple Tempered Sword to cut off its head and buttocks.

Skewered the chicken on a long wooden stick.

Then propped up a frame with several branches, piled some grass, and lit a fire.

"Northern Capital welcomes you……anyone with a dream is amazing……" Chen Yi He hummed a little tune……while roasting the wild chicken……at the same time constantly comforting himself, it's fine being alone as long as he doesn't starve……

"Whoosh……" something pierced the air, fleeting, yet the sound lingered long.

"Welcome……" Chen Yi He's singing cut off abruptly.

In the air, that sound vanished, leaving only the aroma of the roasted chicken.

Chen Yi He warily scanned his surroundings, not daring to breathe loudly.

"Whoosh!" another sound.

Chen Yi He went toward the source of the sound! An open clearing in the woods.

The spring forest, trees lush with foliage. At dusk, the night was hazy.

Moonlight poured into the forest, illuminating the bewildered Chen Yi He.

"No way, the sound clearly came from here, how could there be no one?" Chen Yi He's cultivation was near the fourth heaven; he couldn't possibly have misheard! His pursuit speed was clearly already very fast!

"Wrong!" Chen Yi He suddenly realized!

But it was already too late!

Chen Yi He's heart was shattered!

Shattered into pieces!

"My roasted chicken……I bought it……how many……I'll open……damn you, immortal……" Chen Yi He's wail almost frightened the moon in the sky into hiding……"I……I will kill you!"

"Give me back my chicken!"