Chapter 1233: Ominous Shadows

Heaven is high and clouds are wide. On the official road, a figure in a green robe walks leisurely, stepping on scattered clouds, appearing calm and unhurried, yet moving at an astonishing speed.

His bosom is bulging. After a while, a small gray head emerges into the wind, blinking its eyes, still somewhat muddled from sleep.

This man and dog are naturally Jiang Wang and the little gray dog he recently adopted.

It's not that Jiang Wang enjoys flying so low to the ground, thus restricting his vision. Rather, his injuries have not fully recovered, and he is unaware of the Equality Nation's movements, forcing him to act discreetly.

During the earlier escape, he didn't have time to ascertain the direction, only knowing that they fled southward. After leaving that small town, Jiang Wang learned that he had arrived in the Elephant Country.

This country is home to giant elephants, which the people of the Elephant Country worship at temples.

Jiang Wang hasn't seen any.

After all, the dwelling places of the giant elephants are sacred sites to the people, and not typically open to the public. And he doesn't have much curiosity to spare at the moment.

However, being in the Elephant Country, he naturally must visit the Star and Moon Plain.

Firstly, to replenish his Totem Star power. Secondly, to converse further with Master Guan Yan. Thirdly... he cannot detect if any powerful beings are tracking him, but Master Guan Yan can help him ascertain.

While flying swiftly, Jiang Wang casually takes out an oil-paper package, unfolds it, and holds it out to the little gray dog.

Inside the oil-paper package are pieces of chicken leg meat, cut into bite-sized pieces.

The grogginess in the little gray dog's eyes vanishes instantly, replaced by a sudden burst of energy. It eagerly devours the meat, one piece after another, clearly enjoying its meal.

Relative to its size, its appetite is clearly excessive. It quickly finishes all the chicken leg meat in the package. After eating, it licks Jiang Wang's hand affectionately.

Jiang Wang expresses his distaste with a soft "ugh," and summons water elemental energy to wash his hand clean.

Seeing the fine stream of water dancing in the air, the little gray dog immediately shrinks back, clearly remembering the painful experience of being forced to bathe.

Man and dog, they head directly towards the Star and Moon Plain.

Rong Country is an inconspicuous small country in the Eastern Region.

In previous years, one memorable event might be in the Dao Calendar 3918, when Rong Country was the first to issue a state letter, declaring to the world the ravages of the Crow Disaster in Yang Country.

This should have been an act demonstrating national responsibility. To put it grandly, Rong Country might have averted a great calamity, saving the Eastern Region from dire straits... This was, of course, merely the self-perception of the Rong people at the time.

The truth is, Qi Country decisively mobilized its great army, completely eradicating the Crow Disaster, and simultaneously incorporated Yang Country into its own territory.

The reputation of responsibility and the practical benefits both belonged to Qi Country.

For a long time, Rong Country was the laughingstock of other nations.

After all that effort and manipulation, the result was becoming a neighbor to Qi Country. It was like a rabbit actively sleeping near the mouth of a tiger. Was there any other country in the world so devoid of foresight?

However, at the Yellow River Meet in Dao Calendar 3919, Rong Country did change the perception of many people.

Lin Xian, who possessed the Restrained Divine Ability, with a woodcutting axe, left his unique brilliant mark on the Guanhe Platform.

While certainly no match for the overwhelmingly superior Jiang Wang of Qi Country, putting Jiang Wang aside, across the entire Eastern Region, at the Inner Mansion level, only Jiang Shaohua of Shen Country could compare.

The people of Rong Country already referred to Lin Xian as one of the top three Inner Mansion cultivators in the Eastern Region.

The so-called "top three Inner Mansion cultivators in the Eastern Region" isn't particularly impressive.

But this is also a form of solace, signifying that Rong Country... perhaps still has a future!

Because the shadow cast over Rong Country is already so vast.

Those who are truly clear-headed understand that Lin Xian, whom Rong Country had hidden for a long time,'s lackluster performance at the Yellow River Meet essentially declared the failure of Rong Country's efforts.

Or, no matter how much they struggle, it will merely be a repeat of Yang Country's past.

Furthermore, perhaps being incorporated into Qi's territory, like Yang Land, is already the best outcome. There are actually many worse results. For example... Qi Country is unwilling to consider the people of Rong Country as Qi people, and instead uses the entire Rong Country as a lair for fierce beasts!

Yinguang City is a strategically important border town, formerly a border city between Rong Country and Yang Country, and now directly bordering Qi Country...

The garrison strength has more than doubled.

Compared to the scattered presence of Qi Country's garrison along the border, Rong Country is on high alert. However, the soldiers of Qi Country stand tall, confident and sharp. The soldiers on the Rong Country side, while not exactly cowering, are particularly anxious.

This is unavoidable.

The disparity in national strength is so immense that no matter how brilliant a general, it is difficult to maintain high morale.

As a military town, Yinguang City is unlike ordinary cities with their relaxed atmosphere and developed commerce. There are pitifully few places for recreation.

So when that胖汉 curses, saying "What kind of lousy city is this? Can't even find a place to gamble."

It's not surprising.

"Exactly, exactly," echoes the thin man beside him.

While complaints about Yinguang City being boring are not uncommon, this fat and thin pair walking together are quite eye-catching.

"There's nothing for it," the fat man sighs helplessly. "Can't gamble, let's do the proper business first."

"Third Brother, can we play a bit longer?" the thin man says with a bitter face. "I don't want to work."

The fat man slaps him on the back of the head, declaring with righteous indignation, "Lying flat is shameful! If you don't work, what will I eat? Where will my expenses come from?"

The thin man rubs his head and says forlornly, "Okay."

The two then walk north.

They walk for a long time, passing many people and many houses.

The fat man suddenly stops, takes a rolled-up map from his bosom, and examines it carefully by comparing it with his surroundings.

Then he turns around and walks south again without a word.

The thin man follows behind, walking with his head down for a long time, and finally can't help but ask, "Third Brother, did we go the wrong way just now?"

The fat man turns his head and stares at him. "Hmm?"

The thin man pouts, "Just asking."

"Li Laosi, oh Li Laosi," the fat man scolds. "If your brain isn't good, talk less. Do you know what reconnaissance is? We who are bad people, we always have to secure our retreat first. This is called preparing an umbrella before it rains, do you know?"

"I know!" the thin man says aggrievedly.

"Annoying!" The fat man shakes his head and continues to lead the way arrogantly.

This time, the two of them don't go to the wrong place again. Following the map, they quickly find the location.

"Eh, someone lives here," the thin man says, looking somewhat troubled. "How troublesome."

In front of them is a rather spacious courtyard.

Two strong and capable gatekeepers are watching them warily. "What do you want?"

Perhaps because this place is too remote, or for some other reason.

At this moment, there are no pedestrians on the street.

The fat man says nothing, simply takes one head with each hand, like plucking peaches, effortlessly detaching two heads. He then kicks open the large gate with one foot and strides inside.

The thin man quickly deals with the bloodstains. With one headless corpse on each shoulder, he follows closely and enters the courtyard as well.

He casually throws the two corpses on the ground and turns back to close the large gate.

The bolt is broken after all, and he can't close it no matter what.

Bang bang!

He slams the door twice, annoyed. "Third Brother, you used too much force! This door can't be fixed!"

At that moment, the fat man is slapping a maid's head into her chest cavity. He grabs the corpse and throws it backhand.

The corpse just happens to get stuck behind the door.

He says irritably, "Isn't that done? Idiot!"

"Eh," the thin man says, as if he has discovered a new world, and claps his hands happily. "Let's see who can stack them higher!"

The fat man rolls his eyes. "Not fun at all."

But his feet move, and he quickly rushes into the inner rooms.

"No cheating!" the thin man shouts, following closely behind.

Screams quickly erupt inside, but the sound cannot travel far.