Chapter 74

The kitten walked out of the small wooden house dejectedly, dropped the knife, and fell on his back under a tree, spreading himself out in the shape of a large character, truly unwilling. But he didn't know who to vent his frustration on. He knew deep down that Guo Jiuling was just an outlet for his anger. This time, if it weren't for Shuchang, he would have surely met his end. He shouldn't have doubted him, but who could he vent his anger on?

Footsteps sounded beside him, and Shuchang came out, sitting cross-legged next to the kitten. With Qin Feng gone, Shuchang had become the most influential person in the daredevil camp. Whether it was Scissors, the Monk, or Wild Dog, they all respected him. Although the kitten had taken command during the battle, now that there was no fighting, he couldn't command the others anymore.

"Doctor, I'm going back to the city!" the kitten said, staring at the leisurely clouds in the sky.

"Huh?" Shuchang was taken aback for a moment.

"I promised Hong'er that if I survived this time, I would marry her. Now that I'm alive, I naturally have to keep my promise," the kitten said.

Shuchang laughed, "That's only right. Set a date, and we'll come to your wedding. Make it a grand affair."

"Of course," the kitten smiled.

"Will you welcome me?" a sinister voice came from behind.

The kitten didn't bother to get up: "Scissors, when will you change your gloomy nature? One good word from you makes me shiver all over!"

"Can't change it!" Scissors sneered, "This is just how I am. Take it or leave it. You haven't answered me yet, will you welcome me? But I think your wife will definitely welcome me. If it weren't for me beating you to the ground, you would have been dead by now!"

The kitten remained silent for a long time, sighing, unexpectedly not contradicting him.

Wild Dog limped over with a cane, "I'm definitely going, but kitten, my pay is always spent as soon as I get it. I'll just eat and drink for free, without a red envelope."

The kitten got up, patting Wild Dog's shoulder, "No problem, no problem. Just write an IOU, I won't charge interest. If my brothers don't even give me a red envelope for my wedding, how will I save face in front of my wife?"

Wild Dog widened his eyes, looking at the kitten, "Is that okay?"

"I'm not afraid you'll default," the kitten laughed, "What about the Monk?"

Wild Dog leaned on his cane, pointing into the depths of the forest, "He's having fun in there! The small brothel at Jingjing Pass has lost its territory and can't find a suitable place in the city, so they've set up some shacks near our camp. The Monk has an old lover, and with nothing to do, he's naturally enjoying himself there."

Shuchang and the kitten shook their heads, "Wild Dog, help me bring the Monk along. I won't disturb his fun. Let's go!"

"Kitten's heart is cold!" Shuchang sighed, looking at the kitten's back, "After we drink to his wedding, I'm also preparing to leave."

"Doctor, you're leaving too? Qin Feng isn't here, and you're leaving, what will we do?" Wild Dog widened his eyes, looking at Shuchang. Without these two, the remaining three wouldn't respect each other, and the daredevil camp would become a scattered mess.

"Qin Feng still has no news. I plan to travel along the Luoying Mountains and then to the state of Yue. I'm out of ideas for treating Qin Feng's injuries. I've heard that in the Kunlun Mountains of Northern Yue, there's a hermit doctor. If I can find him, perhaps he can come up with a way to save him," Shuchang said.

"Is there anyone better than you in medicine?" Wild Dog shook his head in disbelief.

"Medicine is not about being the best. Each person has their own expertise. But this is just a rumor. I'll try my luck, maybe a blind cat will catch a dead rat! With a glimmer of hope, we must put in a hundred percent effort," Shuchang smiled, "After I leave, you'll each manage your own affairs. It's not much different from before. If there are disputes, go to the kitten. He's an outsider and can be fair. When you need supplies, he can help you. You guys, during this time, must keep your subordinates in line. It's not like before. The western border army is gone, and the left commander is gone. There's no more shade over your heads. If someone catches you, there will be no one to help you."

Scissors nodded silently. Wild Dog stared at the clouds in the sky, indifferent.

"Doctor, what if Qin Feng doesn't come back?" Wild Dog suddenly asked.

"Really?" Shuchang was taken aback; he hadn't thought about this.

"I'll wait for news from Qin Feng. If he doesn't come back, I'll run away. I won't do this job anymore," Wild Dog said fiercely, poking the ground with his cane, "The kitten is right. We're just pawns. I was only meant for this, but I won't let myself be sent to my death. If Qin Feng doesn't come back, I'll be a deserter, damn it."

"Well said. When the time comes, we'll go together and enjoy life," a hoarse voice came from the forest. The Monk, disheveled, walked out, with two large lipstick marks on his cheeks.

This guy had been indulging day and night for the past few days. His originally plump face had become gaunt, and he looked listless.

"I won't go with you, you lecherous monk," Wild Dog spat, "I'd rather be a bandit, robbing and plundering, than do such despicable things."

"Oh, you really don't understand the charm. You're truly a wild dog," the Monk shook his head.

Scissors stared at the two, his eyes flickering.

Shuchang looked at the three, shook his head, and smiled bitterly, turning to leave. Without Qin Feng, no one could control them. These two had been tempered in the army for years. If they really turned to the black path, it would be a disaster.

At the Luoying Mountains, Jingjing Pass.

When the daredevil camp left, they burned this place to the ground. Now it had become a large construction site. The Qin border army was rebuilding the pass here. This would be their forward base for raiding Nanyang County and a crucial checkpoint for defending against Chu's retaliation. Capturing Jingjing Pass was of great strategic significance for West Qin, meaning they had regained the upper hand in the border conflict with South Chu. In the future, they would have free rein over Nanyang County. Seven years of hard work by Zuo Lixing had been destroyed in an instant.

Deng Pu lay in a large tent, his face pale and lifeless. This time, he had suffered greatly, first injured by Guo Jiuling, then by Zuo Lixing, and then betrayed by Qin Feng. Finally, he was severely injured in a battle with Qi's Shuhui. When the Qin reinforcements found him, he was barely alive.

"Second Brother, do you really plan to assassinate Princess Zhaohua?" Deng Pu asked hoarsely, looking at the slender figure standing by his bed.

"Times have changed," Deng Fang looked at Deng Pu, "I know it's hard to succeed, but I want to give Shuhui some trouble and vent some of his anger. And to get some revenge for you."

Deng Pu smiled bitterly, "Why go through all this trouble?"

"No, we must not show weakness. An eye for an eye. Our national strength is weaker than Qi's, and even South Chu's, but in the shadows, we are no less than anyone. Qi wants to take advantage of the chaos. This time, I'll take the opportunity to strike. What if I succeed?" Deng Fang sneered.