roccoschili Chapter 269 - 264 Ba Tu
Chapter 269 - 264 Ba Tu
Chapter 269: Chapter 264 Ba TuActually, even if San Niang hadn’t mentioned it, Changhe had already planned to visit the market.
Because it wasn’t just any food or water that Hongling had asked him to bring, she could easily rob a caravan and make do for a few days, carrying too much would only be cumbersome. The food and water were meant to be Changhe’s own supplies.
The supplies Hongling needed him to bring were more about medicines and dark weapons as consumables, all of which had already been used up; a good bow would be best for this environment, she had taken one when she left but it had broken early on; she also wanted him to bring some clothes, as she was down to her last set, which even had slight tears and had gone stale.
Clothes were something Hongling would never ask anyone else to bring, but it seemed like it was okay since it was Changhe.
As Changhe wandered the market, he still couldn’t help feeling that Hongling was truly remarkable.
She had been alone in the vast grassland for about three months, literally seeing every stranger as an enemy, without any supplies. Yet, she still rode freely, killing the Black Wolf King, raiding various merchant caravans, forcing the tribesmen to specifically crackdown on the "female" attribute, making Qiao Er and other caravan handlers uneasy and worried about the "lone horse bandit."
Fighting until she was out of bullets and food, yet still instilling fear in people at the mere sight of her red shadow.
Changhe had to admit, he could never achieve this, not just in strength, but also having such a loneliness-enduring heart.
But Changhe still instinctually felt a bit of worry.
The strong men of the tribes were mostly gathered at the frontline, and there might be fewer of them in the rear, but it wasn’t like there was none, like the ones possibly stationed at Longevity Heaven Temple.
Because of the scarcity of people, it wasn’t feasible to
According to Cui Yuanyong, the Wild Wolf Tribe was small and weak, yet even such minor forces dared to take a bite out of the War Lion Tribe, showing just how tough times were for Ba Tu...
At that moment, Ba Tu was talking to a grassland man, visibly agitated. From a distance, it was unclear what was being said. Changhe quietly moved closer to a nearby antique stall, pretending to browse, but in reality stealthily eavesdropping.
Ba Tu was swinging his arms, "I can give you jewelry, but I can’t give that! Otherwise, my uncle won’t forgive me even in Longevity Heaven!"
The man said, "But you need grain. Don’t you realize that grain is extremely scarce right now? The Great Khan is urgently attacking Yanmen because of this. If we take Yanmen, we will have food, treasures, and women—everything we need. If we don’t, we might as well prepare for a harsh winter and don’t be surprised if many die from the cold and hunger."
If anyone were to die of cold and hunger, Ba Tu’s tribe was now the most at risk. This man was posing as being reasonable, but he was actually just issuing a naked threat.
Ba Tu’s voice was filled with anger, "Hu Lie, my uncle was very kind to you back then..."
Hu Lie... Zhao Changhe had seen this name on the Chaotic World List, ranked forty-first.
A member of the Human List had indeed appeared here, and his ranking was not low. Zhao Changhe furrowed his brows tightly, wondering if this could be related to Yue Hongling?
Hu Lie said indifferently, "He Lei is your uncle, but he is also the uncle of your other brothers. Who else can help? I am the only one who’s willing to help you a bit. Why don’t you try asking others?"
Ba Tu said, "How are you any different? They want to swallow my tribe, you want our treasures!"
Hu Lie responded, "That’s not the same, at least I am truly willing to give you grain. All they want is to devour your people along with the treasures."
Ba Tu went silent.
Although Hu Lie was also exploiting the situation, his words were true. Compared to others, Hu Lie somewhat genuinely seemed willing to help.
Of course, no one knew if he would change his tune once he had the treasures in hand—he could still snatch them back even after giving them grain.
Should he gamble on Hu Lie’s credibility? It seemed there was no other path available.
Seeing his silence, Hu Lie glanced at the sky, "I have other important business in Yellow Sand Market and can’t stay here to chit-chat. Think it over, and when I come back tonight after I finish my tasks, I’ll treat you to a drink, and we can discuss further."
Ba Tu said, "Are you here to kill Yue Hongling?"
Hu Lie tapped his head, "Right, you’ve met Yue Hongling... want to join me?"
Zhao Changhe: "..."
After a moment of silence, Ba Tu shook his head, "Not in the mood. I’ll ask someone else..."
Hu Lie almost laughed out of exasperation, "Brainless brute. Even if you ask a few more, I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave Yellow Sand Market alive! Currently, everyone still wants to save face, not daring to make a move against you openly in the Great Khan’s territory because they have to at least appear honorable. Don’t refuse the toast only to drink the penalty... Anyway, it’s good for you to hit a dead end!"
After saying this, he left with a sweep of his sleeve.
Ba Tu remained silent for a long while, sitting with his knees hugged at his stall.
He was actually selling jewelry here!
Zhao Changhe quietly walked up to his stall and casually picked up a bracelet, "How much?"
Ba Tu weakly pointed to a sign next to him, "Not for money, only trading for food, cattle, or sheep."
Zhao Changhe looked at him for a long time, then suddenly said, "Food for thousands of people by just trading like this?"
Ba Tu squinted, sizing him up, "What are you trying to say, Central Plains man?"
"You’ve done business with the Central Plains people before, haven’t you?"
"Of course. Do you have a lot of grain?"
"I don’t, but I know where there is some, and it’s something you can really use. How about we swap information?"
Ba Tu asked, "What information do you want?"
"The arrangements and setup for killing Yue Hongling?"
Ba Tu’s gaze sharpened, staring unblinkingly at Zhao Changhe.
Zhao Changhe said calmly, "Yue Hongling killed the Black Wolf King and your Battle Lion Tribe has no quarrel with her. Do you think her life is more important, or is your tribe’s food more important?"
Ba Tu’s expression dimmed, and he sighed, "You’re right. But I don’t know their plans."
"They just invited you, didn’t they? Just participate, and maybe bring me along as your guard?"
Ba Tu said, "Where would I get a guard from the Central Plains?"
"I’ll change into your clothes; who would recognize where I’m from?" Zhao Changhe said impatiently, "Is the grassland lion always this indecisive? Just say yes or no!"
Ba Tu clenched his teeth, "Fine!"