Chapter 49: Making Everyone Look Up to Him in Awe!

The Left Wise King felt as though he had been slapped fiercely across the face, a burning pain that was both a provocation to his authority and a trampling of his dignity. As the Left Wise King of the Rongdi, for someone to dare create havoc right under his nose was nothing short of ultimate disgrace!

"Send out two thousand cavalrymen. Hunt them down and wipe them out completely."

The Left Wise King’s voice was ice-cold, devoid of any emotion, resembling a death summons echoing from the netherworld, making one's blood run cold. He was beyond furious; supplies were already tight to begin with, and now someone dared to cause trouble in his rear—was this not an attempt on his life?

"Without food, how are the soldiers supposed to fight?"

The more the Left Wise King thought about it, the angrier he grew, wishing he could tear the troublemaker into a thousand pieces. His heart was filled with anxiety and unease.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ergou and his men were completely oblivious to all this. Immersed in the joy of victory, they had no inkling of the approaching danger. After a night of forced march laden with generous spoils, they had quietly returned to Yanmen Pass.

This night was destined to be restless, but for Zhao Ergou, it was merely another glorious chapter in his legendary life.

...

As night fell, the starry sky glittered brightly, like countless eyes staring down at this story-filled land. Zhao Ergou and his entourage, burdened with their heavy spoils, had no choice but to halt their journey. They found a wind-sheltered mountain col to serve as a temporary resting spot.

The horses and supplies felt exceptionally heavy in the dead of night; pushing forward carried too high a risk and the losses would outweigh the gains.

"We rest here for the night! Brothers, take turns keeping watch, and keep your eyes peeled!"

Zhao Ergou’s voice echoed in the night sky, carrying unquestionable authority. After all, he was the born protagonist; could he possibly fail to manage such a trivial matter?

A bonfire was lit, illuminating the exhausted yet excited faces of the men. The flames danced merrily, mirroring their current mood—it felt fantastic!

Tonight’s dinner was stewed meat once more, the rich aroma overflowing and appearing exceptionally tempting in the quiet night. Large chunks of meat tumbled in the pot, and the gurgling sound was like the movement of victory, making hearts surge with excitement!

"Squad Leader, this meat smells so good! It tastes even better than what my mother makes!"

Luo Datong mumbled indistinctly while gnawing on a meaty bone. He was Zhao Ergou’s most loyal fan.

"Haha, naturally. This is bought with our very lives! Luo Datong, it’s not that I want to disparage you, but your mother’s culinary skills are only good enough to feed pigs! Follow me, and I’ll make sure you eat and drink like royalty every single day from now on!"

Zhao Ergou laughed heartily, his voice brimming with pride. Who was Zhao Ergou? He was the man destined to become the number one under heaven!

After eating and drinking to their fill, drowsiness crept in, but Zhao Ergou remained full of vigor. He was the chosen son of heaven—how could he possibly be tired? He arranged the watch rotation and found a corner for himself, sitting cross-legged. That posture alone exuded the demeanor of an absolute master!

"Stay alert, all of you. Out here in the wilderness, anything can happen. Don't end up dying without even knowing how it happened! Especially you, Luo Datong, don't you dare doze off!"

Zhao Ergou’s voice was low and powerful, every single word striking into the hearts of his men. He was, after all, a responsible and fine squad leader.

Earlier that day, he had fought a multitude of enemies single-handedly, slaying a hundred and forty to fifty Rongdi soldiers! Every swing of his blade took a life, and every drop of blood transformed into a source of his power. This was the world of the strong!

Name: Zhao Ergou
Race: Human
Realm: Late Martial Artist (+)
Techniques: [Dog-Subduing Vigor (Minor Success)] (+), [Mad Wolf Three Sabers (Great Success)]
Strength: Four Thousand Catties
Talent: Silver Archer (+)
Killing Intent Value: 203

By now, his killing intent value had accumulated to two hundred and three points. This reservoir of power was enough to elevate his cultivation to the next level—it felt simply too amazing!

Without a moment of hesitation, Zhao Ergou immediately decided to use these killing intent points to advance his cultivation. He was a man of action; once he made up his mind, he did it!

He closed his eyes and chanted silently in his heart, converting one hundred and fifty points of killing intent into the momentum to boost his cultivation. The sensation was just like using cheat codes!

Instantly, an immense torrent of power surged and roared within his body like a breached embankment, feeling utterly ecstatic!

This energy coursed through his limbs and bones, continuously strengthening his muscles, skeleton, and flesh. The feeling was akin to shedding his mortal skin and transforming!

His body seemed to have turned into a giant smelting furnace, undergoing a metamorphic rebirth—an essential path one must walk to become a powerhouse!

Zhao Ergou could clearly sense his physique growing ever stronger, his brute strength continuously rising, and the true essence within his body becoming denser and more solid. This sensation was simply beyond words!

With every breath, infinite power seemed to pour into his body; with every heartbeat, it thudded as powerfully and passionately as a battle drum. Was this what it felt like to be a powerhouse? It was utterly fantastic!

Within his Dantian, true essence surged like a turbulent, roaring sea, continuously churning and condensing. This was true essence, something countless people dreamed of attaining!

Gradually, this true essence actually condensed into liquid form, resembling divine nectar and radiating a powerful aura.

This formidable energy lasted for a full hour before slowly dissipating. Zhao Ergou felt as though he had just taken a hot bath, completely relaxed and comfortable all over!

Zhao Ergou snapped his eyes open, shooting out sharp, brilliant lights like two unsheathed swords—his gaze alone seemed capable of killing!

Clenching his fists tightly, he felt the surging power within his body, and a surge of grand ambition rose in his heart. This was true power!

Right now, he felt as though he could shatter the void with a single punch; it seemed as though nothing could block his path forward!

Of course, this was merely an illusion born from a sudden surge in strength. He certainly did not genuinely believe he could shatter the void with one punch. While Zhao Ergou was confident, he was not a fool!

Following his breakthrough, Zhao Ergou did not stop to rest.

He knew that while his strength had improved, it was still far from enough. In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, only by growing continuously stronger could he survive better and protect the people he wished to protect!

He continued to practice cultivation, refining the martial true essence within his body like an untiring machine operating unceasingly. This was the mandatory path to becoming a true master!

Even with a system, he still had to work hard and grind away in secret, silently striving until he out-competed everyone else.

He wanted everyone to know that he, Zhao Ergou, was not someone to be trifled with!

He would stand at the pinnacle of the world and make everyone look up to him!

...

As the first ray of dawn broke, Zhao Ergou and his men hastily finished their breakfast and once again set foot on the return journey. They traveled by day and camped by night, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Meanwhile, inside the Rongdi army camp, two thousand elite cavalrymen shot forth like arrows released from taut bowstrings, silently breaking away from the main camp and galloping swiftly toward the boundless grassland, leaving behind rolling billows of dust.