Translator: AnubisTL
Li Qing's departure was not truly a journey into the World of Eternal Night. Although he had gained some self-preservation abilities after becoming an Outer Strength martial artist, without sufficient food, he would still starve to death outside.
After bidding farewell to the Righteous Gang and temporarily leaving Blackrock City, Li Qing found a secluded deep mountain forest and, after a long time, traveled back to Maple Country.
Buzz! Now, traveling between the two worlds no longer posed a significant burden for Li Qing. Even with a luggage bundle on his back, he only needed to catch his breath a few more times.
Maple Country, the frontier region.
It was already late autumn, and the weather around was gradually turning cold.
However, compared to the World of Eternal Night, the temperature here could be considered warm.
Whoosh! On the desert, a gust of wind and sand swept by, and the air still carried a strong smell of blood.
Having not seen sunlight for too long, Li Qing couldn't help but shield his eyes with his hand. Only after gradually adapting to the surrounding light did he slowly open his eyes.
Tragic! Bloody! Corpses scattered everywhere!
This was Li Qing's first impression of the scene before him upon opening his eyes.
"Is this a battle?" Li Qing's expression changed slightly. He got up from the ground, surrounded by corpses clad in tattered armor, with arrows and broken weapons scattered all over the ground.
"It seems the Frontier Army outside the border has withdrawn. A battle just ended here. I really don't know if it's good luck or bad luck."
Li Qing let out a long breath, and the tension in his heart eased.
He had thought that this time, he would return to the granary of the Wu Li Army, and escaping from a camp filled with experts would have been quite difficult.
Now, the Frontier Army camp guarding the minefield was gone, replaced by a battlefield, and one where a battle had just ended.
"Can't let my guard down. Someone might come to clean up the battlefield later, and the situation on the battlefield is ever-changing. Who knows when another fight might break out? It's better to leave as soon as possible."
While muttering to himself, Li Qing quickly ran across the battlefield.
As he ran, he picked up a broken flag, its surface stained with dark red blood. However, Li Qing still recognized it as the flag of Liang Country.
"Just as I expected. The bandits harassing the border must have been instructed by Liang Country. The east is really not peaceful."
Returning to a world with sunlight, what Li Qing wanted most now was to find a peaceful place to develop slowly, gathering materials for brewing medicinal wine while practicing martial arts and forging.
Currently, he was in the eastern region of Maple Country, the frontier. Crossing the desert further east would lead to Liang Country, which was at war with Maple Country. To the north was the endless grassland, home to various grassland tribes.
If he wanted to practice martial arts in peace, Li Qing's first choice would definitely not be a place in the midst of war. Ideally, it would be a place with thriving commerce, abundant resources, and peace.
"Sigh, to the east is Liang Country, and to the north is the grassland. I can only return to Wangyuan City for now. I hope the war can end soon."
As soon as the words fell, Li Qing's figure shot forward like an arrow, heading towards the distant Wangyuan City.
After running for quite a while, Li Qing finally stopped, panting heavily, as the mottled and thick outline of the city wall appeared on the horizon ahead.
"Whew! During these times of war, entering the city has become quite a hassle."
At this moment, Li Qing could be considered a blacklisted individual, with no means to prove his identity. Moreover, possessing considerable martial skills, he might very well be mistaken for a spy.
Of course, during times of war, refugees were a common sight, but someone like Li Qing was quite rare. Having spent a year in the World of Eternal Night, where the sun was a stranger, Li Qing's skin had become somewhat fair, at least much better than the dark, sooty appearance of a blacksmith's apprentice he once was.
In addition, he was robust and muscular, his physique impossible to conceal even under his clothes.
If he were to claim to be a refugee, no one would believe him unless the city guards were blind.
Now, the most pressing issue for Li Qing was how to enter the city.
Wangyuan City was right before his eyes, yet he couldn't enter. This was a formidable fortress guarding the border, one that even masters of Inner Strength would find difficult to breach, let alone the current Li Qing.
Just as Li Qing was lamenting his predicament, a group of refugees was being herded along the official road ahead.
"Move faster, don't dawdle!"
"Once we reach our Golden Mountain Stronghold, you'll have food. If you're late, we'll skin you alive!"
"Hurry up, if you don't want to starve, move your hands and feet quickly!"
Behind these refugees, several horse-riding bandits, dressed in typical mountain bandit attire, were cracking their whips, driving the refugees forward.
The moment Li Qing saw these people, he knew their identity.
They were bandits, and with the main city right ahead, they dared to openly abduct people to their stronghold.
Such was the state of the world now, where human life was as cheap as grass during chaotic times. These refugees gathered daily beneath the walls of Wangyuan City, and the authorities certainly wouldn't let them into the city easily, as it would cause significant unrest.
This gave the bandits an opportunity to abduct these refugees to their stronghold, forcing them into servitude. They claimed to provide food, but who knew what would really happen once they were up the mountain.
The moment Li Qing saw these bandits, he formulated a plan.
"Hmph! Bold bandits, daring to abduct people in broad daylight!"
On the official road ahead, Li Qing stood straight, blocking the path of the refugees and the bandits.
His voice was filled with righteousness, resembling a young hero just starting out, ready to uphold justice! The bandits on horseback behind the refugees exchanged glances, then laughed and asked, "May we know your name, sir? Our Golden Mountain Stronghold cannot bear to see so many refugees starving and freezing to death outside the city. Taking them to the mountain is merely to keep them alive."
Upon hearing this, Li Qing snorted disdainfully.
"Hmph! You cowardly bandits are not worthy of knowing my name!"
"Opening and closing their mouths, they spew nothing but insults, calling us cowards. Even a clay Buddha has its limits, let alone these bandits who are accustomed to evil deeds."
"Damn it, where did this blind fool come from, trying to play the hero here? Today, I'm going to skin you alive!"
Sure enough, someone couldn't hold back any longer. With a fierce swing of his horsewhip, he charged at Li Qing with a menacing glare.
Seeing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Li Qing's eyes.
(End of the Chapter)
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