Chapter 83: A Sudden Wake-Up Call: Uniting Hongmu Ridge

The newcomers were Hong Gang and Huang Yong.

Behind each of them were three more people.

Apparently, while retreating northward all this time, the group had unknowingly reached the midpoint between Da Chuan and Huang Zhao’s encampments.

Though he didn’t understand how Hong Gang and Huang Yong had appeared simultaneously, the situation was dire, and Xia Hong had no time to ask.

“Kill these beasts!”

As the eight approached, Xia Hong immediately drew his great knife and roared, charging straight into the Frost Wolf pack.

The others were confused but quickly followed Xia Hong; Li Baihe and the other four also fired all their remaining arrows in one volley at the wolves.

Seeing the group’s fierce momentum, all the Frost Wolves crouched low, bared their fangs, forelegs pressed down, hind legs tensed—ready to spring at any moment.

But when the arrows reached them and Xia Hong was only two or three meters away—

The entire pack rose instantly and fled like smoke.

The others didn’t know what to think, but Xia Hong showed no expression, only glaring fiercely at the retreating wolves’ backs.

Only after confirming the wolves had vanished did Xia Hong turn slowly, look around at the group, exhale deeply, and finally relax completely.

“Phew… that was close, that was close.”

Everyone had been puzzled—even with Huang Zhao and Hong Gang’s eight helping, they still had no confidence against the Frost Wolves, so why had Xia Hong charged forward so boldly?

Seeing Xia Hong’s reaction now, they understood: he’d been bluffing. Yet somehow, it had actually scared off the Frost Wolf pack…

Instantly, everyone looked at Xia Hong with admiration.

Especially Li Baihe, recalling Xia Hong’s decisiveness when first encountering the Frost Wolves, then his alertness in scaring them off just now, his eyes flickered with new interest.

Xia Hong was unaware of their thoughts; he merely glanced at the dozens of corpses on the ground, his expression growing heavy.

“This place isn’t safe to stay. Let’s return—talk when we’re back.”

Worried the Frost Wolves might return, Xia Hong called Hong Gang, Huang Yong, and the other eight to join them, suggesting they head back to the valley together.

The two, already bursting with curiosity, had no reason to refuse and fell in behind the group as they headed toward the valley.

“Leader Luo, are you planning to absorb all of Great Xia into the Luo Ge encampment?”

As soon as they set out, Hong Gang couldn’t help asking.

So late at night, so many from Great Xia’s encampment were marching toward Luo Ge’s.

There could be no other explanation.

Recalling Great Xia’s strength displayed during the Wood Puppet incident, Hong Gang and Huang Yong both assumed it was only natural that Luo Ge had noticed and wanted to merge.

“You’re mistaken. It’s Luo Ge encampment merging into Great Xia. From now on, there will be only one encampment on Hongmu Ridge—Great Xia.”

But as Luo Ming answered, the two froze in shock upon hearing the truth.

Luo Ge merging into Great Xia?

How was that possible?

Only when Luo Ming revealed his plan to leave Hongmu Ridge did they understand—and their expressions shifted to admiration as they looked at Xia Hong.

Not envy. Admiration.

Since the Wood Puppet incident, Xia Hong’s strength had been undeniable across Hongmu Ridge, and Hong Gang himself had received Xia Hong’s aid—he already held a favorable opinion of him.

Knowing Great Xia would replace Luo Ge, their spirits stirred slightly. Realizing congratulations now would be inappropriate, they both gave Xia Hong a slight nod.

“Leader Xia, I beg you to look after Huang Zhao’s encampment in the days ahead.”

“Leader Xia saved my son last time. Hong Mu has nothing to offer in return. Though Da Chuan is weak, if you ever call upon me, I swear—I will face fire and water without hesitation.”

Xia Hong, lost in thought, nodded at their words.

Then he suddenly remembered something and asked: “By the way, how did you both appear at the same time?”

The encounter had happened right between Da Chuan and Huang Zhao’s encampments. Even if startled, why would both arrive together—with so many men?

Hearing the question, both men’s faces stiffened slightly.

They exchanged glances; Hong Gang saw Huang Yong nod, then turned to Xia Hong with a faintly bitter smile: “We won’t hide it from you, Leader Xia. After the Wood Puppet incident, both our encampments lost all our Woodcutting Realm cultivators. Now each has only four left—we can’t even send out teams to harvest crystal fruit or cut wood.”

Helpless, Huang Yong and I agreed to merge our woodcutting teams first, then eventually merge the encampments entirely when the time was right.

Today was our first joint trip to harvest crystal fruit—and we never expected to run into you on the way back.”

Hearing Hong Gang’s words, Luo Ming’s face darkened with guilt. Had he not insisted on cooperating with Yang and Li, neither encampment would have suffered such losses. He bore responsibility for this state of affairs.

“Leader Luo, don’t blame yourself. In the end, eliminating the Wood Puppet benefited us all—we agreed willingly. Born in Bingyuan, we live each day uncertain of tomorrow. It’s only a matter of dying sooner or later.”

Seeing Luo Ming’s guilt, Hong Gang spoke first to comfort him.

But his final words carried heavy despair.

The group had just endured disaster, lost so many, and their morale was already low. Hearing Hong Gang’s words, their faces grew even darker.

Born in Bingyuan, we live each day uncertain of tomorrow. It’s only a matter of dying sooner or later.

These words fit the dozens who had just died perfectly. When they left Great Xia’s encampment at night, they had likely dreamed of better lives in Luo Ge’s valley.

But they never even saw the valley before they died.

Who could have expected a pack of Frost Wolves to appear so suddenly beyond Hongmu Ridge—so organized, so disciplined? Had Xia Hong not bluffed at the end, not just the commoners—even the Woodcutting Realm cultivators among them might not have survived.

“Both of you—if you don’t mind, bring your entire encampments and merge directly into Great Xia. From now on, let’s all make our living together on Hongmu Ridge. What do you say?”

Xia Hong, silent for a long while, suddenly spoke.

Everyone walking toward the valley stopped dead.

Even Luo Ming turned, stunned, staring at Xia Hong.

Hong Gang and Huang Yong first froze, thinking they’d misheard—or that Xia Hong was joking. Seeing the whole group halt, they turned back and saw Xia Hong’s face—serious, not mocking—and they stood rooted in place.

“Leader Xia… you’re serious?”

Xia Hong said nothing—only gave them a slight nod.

At his confirmed answer, Hong Gang and Huang Yong’s faces lit up with wild joy; their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

They stood there, overwhelmed, unable to speak for a long time.

After more than ten breaths, they finally calmed, drew deep breaths, and bowed deeply to Xia Hong together:

“Hong Mu bows in thanks for your great grace.”

“Huang Mu, on behalf of over two hundred in our encampment, thanks you, Leader Xia.”

Xia Hong hurried forward to lift them up, his heart unshaken.

Merging all encampments around Hongmu Ridge into Great Xia had long been his plan—he’d just not been in a hurry.

Tonight’s events had delivered a sudden, sobering blow.

One moment he’d been smug about absorbing Luo Ge’s encampment; the next, a pack of Frost Wolves appeared. Tonight’s escape was pure luck and boldness—nothing to do with strength.

Next time? What if it’s a pack of Snowmane beasts, or some other cold beast, determined to kill? What then?

He must accelerate—both the encampment’s strength and his own personal power must rise quickly.

Otherwise, such desperate situations would come again soon.

Xia Hong took a deep breath, said nothing more, and quickened his pace, leading the group swiftly toward Luo Ge’s encampment.

(End of Chapter)