The next day, the hunting team was assembled, but there was a slight change: one of the team members was replaced by a beautiful girl with brown hair and green eyes.
"Allow me to introduce one of our tribe members. This is Miu Bai Lin. She is here on behalf of her brother, Bai Shu, after he was injured in the previous hunting mission," Miu Han Li introduced proudly.
Miu Bai Lin bowed gently, her green eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. "I am honored to meet the young masters from the Qingxi tribe."
Zhang Yong was immediately cautious. Introducing a new member to the team, especially a beautiful young woman, was a clear move to change the group's dynamic.
'As I expected, they've started moving against me. They might take harsh measures if I don't open up.'
"No need for formality since we'll be in the same team," Zhang Yong said politely, but his red eyes were watching every movement.
The hunting trip began as usual, but Zhang Yong noticed that Miu Bai Lin was constantly trying to approach him and talk to him, while Miu Han Li focused his attention on Chen Yu.
"Brother Zhang, have you ever encountered a snow spirit beast in your region before?" Miu Bai Lin asked in a soft voice as they walked through the forest.
Zhang Yong turned his head toward her, his red eyes appearing calm but alert. "Yes, in our snowy region, snow spirit beasts are common. Why do you ask?"
Miu Bai Lin smiled charmingly. "Just curiosity. My brother Bai Shu always talked about fighting giant snow-type beasts, so I was wondering if your region's hunting techniques differ from ours."
Zhang Yong shook his head. "I don't think so. The basics of hunting are the same everywhere."
At that moment, they heard a warning cry from Miu Han Li. "Watch out! A herd of ice deer!"
A herd of white deer suddenly appeared from among the trees, moving at astonishing speed.
They were beautiful but dangerous, with horns sharp as swords and glowing red eyes.
Zhang Yong reacted immediately. He swept his foot, shattering a tree trunk and causing it to fall horizontally between them and the herd.
The deer crashed into the trunk, and some fell, giving the team a chance to attack.
"Well done, Young Master Zhang!" Miu Han Li shouted as he fired his arrows at the fallen deer.
While the team was busy facing the herd of ice deer, Zhang Yong seized the opportunity to observe everyone's reactions. He noticed that Miu Bai Lin was acting with exceptional skill in combat, but she maintained a safe distance from him, as if testing his abilities from afar.
'Cautious as well. This girl isn't simple. Therefore, she can't be used as a personal pawn for me, otherwise getting a double agent would have been easy.'
Suddenly, Zhang Yong heard the sound of heavy hooves charging from behind.
He turned quickly to see a massive ice deer, much larger than the others, charging directly toward Miu Bai Lin, who was busy facing two other deer.
It was a fifth-rank king of the ice deer.
"Watch out!" Zhang Yong shouted.
But the massive deer was too fast. Its sharp horns were only steps away from Miu Bai Lin's back, and she hadn't noticed the danger.
With lightning speed, Zhang Yong moved. He didn't use spiritual energy but relied solely on his raw physical strength.
He leaped forward, pushing Miu Bai Lin away from the deer's path, then turned to face the beast with his bare hands.
The massive deer collided with Zhang Yong, but surprisingly, Zhang Yong didn't retreat. Instead, he grabbed the deer's horns firmly, his feet sinking into the snow from the force of the impact.
"Impossible!" one of the Miu tribe hunters whispered in amazement.
The massive deer weighed hundreds of kilograms and moved at tremendous speed, but Zhang Yong stopped it with only his hands.
Zhang Yong didn't waver. His red eyes blazed with focus, then he made a sudden movement.
He twisted his body and used the deer's own momentum to hurl it away. The massive deer crashed into a nearby tree with force and fell to the ground, unable to rise.
"Amazing! He stopped a giant ice deer king with only his hands!"
"What kind of physical strength is that!"
Miu Han Li smiled secretly beneath his complex expression. Everything was going according to plan.
Miu Bai Lin quickly rose and approached Zhang Yong. "Thank you... you saved my life."
Zhang Yong turned his head away without looking at her, but with the sound of falling droplets, red spots began to appear on the snow. His arms were injured and bleeding.
"Young Master Zhang, your arms!" Miu Bai Lin said in a tone of panic.
Zhang Yong looked at his injured arms with an indifferent expression. "They're just superficial scratches."
But Miu Bai Lin insisted on examining the wounds. "No, you're bleeding heavily! Let me treat you. I have knowledge of medicinal herbs."
While she was treating his wounds, Zhang Yong couldn't help but raise his guard to the maximum.
According to what they had been told, their current hunting area contained only third-rank beasts and below. But suddenly a fifth-rank beast appeared?
Of course, they could blame poor detection or say its appearance wasn't logical. But the matter was clear: this beast wasn't here before; it had been sent.
And it was directed specifically at Miu Bai Lin. If she knew about it, did she possess such deep loyalty to agree to a suicidal plan? To this extent, they were desperate to achieve their goal.
Zhang Yong didn't know whether to feel awed or impressed by such a performance.
"Young Master Zhang, you must return to the camp to rest," Miu Bai Lin suggested in a worried tone. "These wounds aren't as simple as you think."
Zhang Yong looked at his arms, then at her face full of feigned concern. He knew this was part of the plan—isolating him from Chen Yu under the pretext of medical care.
"No need to worry," Zhang Yong said coldly. "My body recovers quickly."
But Miu Han Li intervened: "No, Bai Lin is right. You should return to rest. We'll continue hunting."
This was the next step—separating Zhang Yong from the main group, leaving Chen Yu without his direct protection.
Zhang Yong realized that if he resisted now, he would reveal that he knew their plans. No, they knew he wouldn't simply give up Chen Yu, so they were prepared to sacrifice Miu Bai Lin.
Even so, if he left, the rest would remain to handle the situation, so he didn't need to worry too much.
"Alright, if you insist," Zhang Yong said quietly, pretending to yield.
"Good. Young Master Zhang Yong should return to receive proper treatment. Bai Lin, accompany the young master," Miu Han Li said in a formal tone.
Miu Bai Lin nodded seriously, then turned to Zhang Yong with eyes overflowing with fabricated concern. "Let's go, Young Master Zhang. We must treat your wounds before they worsen."
Zhang Yong showed no objection, walking quietly behind her while his mind worked quickly. He looked toward Su Ming and shook his head slightly, and Su Ming responded with a slight nod.
As long as the others took care of matters, everything was fine. But he needed time to recover his mental energy. This isolation might actually work in his favor.
"Young Master Zhang, do your wounds hurt much?" Miu Bai Lin asked in a tone of fabricated sympathy.
"Nothing worth mentioning," Zhang Yong answered coldly, his red eyes scanning the surrounding area with focus.
When they arrived at the medical tent, Zhang Yong turned toward her and said, "This is enough. I can rely on myself."
Miu Bai Lin hesitated for a moment, then smiled gently. "As you wish, Young Master Zhang. I'll be outside if you need any help."
As soon as the door closed, Zhang Yong sat on the ground and closed his eyes. He knew time was becoming limited.
Their intentions were clear now—isolating him from Chen Yu was the first step in their plan.
'I must recover my mental energy as quickly as possible,' Zhang Yong thought as he began activating the Eternal Dream Truth technique.
At the end of that day, the tribe chief visited Zhang Yong personally in the tent.
"Young Master Zhang, I heard you were injured while saving Bai Lin," Miu Han Kuan said in a warm, fatherly tone. "The Miu tribe is grateful for your bravery."
Zhang Yong slowly opened his eyes, showing a tired expression. "It was merely my duty, Chief."
Miu Han Kuan sat beside him, his gaze examining Zhang Yong's wounds, which were healing at an astonishing rate. "Your body is unusually strong, even for an ordinary human."
"Thanks to the tribe's training," Zhang Yong said with feigned humility.
"Actually, I came to tell you that we've decided to help you rebuild the Qingxi tribe," Miu Han Kuan said suddenly. "Where are your elders, young man? It's been a long time since you said you were separated from them."
"This... they should have been here by now. Could it be they encountered problems?" Zhang Yong said with a flash of panic and worry.
The village chief patted his shoulder with a smile when he noticed Zhang Yong's reaction. "Don't worry. We promise you that our tribe won't leave until we help the Qingxi tribe settle and rebuild itself."
Zhang Yong nodded as a light of gratitude appeared in his eyes. "This is more than we deserve. We are extremely grateful!"
The chief shook his head. "Don't worry. I came today to give you a fourth-rank healing pill. It was our mistake for the lack of scouting in that area and not noticing the presence of fifth-rank beasts."
Miu Han Kuan presented a sparkling blue crystal pill to Zhang Yong. It radiated a soft light and an aromatic scent, indicating its high value.
Zhang Yong accepted the pill politely, but he was extremely cautious. "You are very generous, Chief."
After Miu Han Kuan left, Zhang Yong carefully examined the pill. Using his Heavenly Eyes, he inspected its internal structure. It was a genuine healing pill, but it also contained an odorless, transparent substance—a sedative intended to keep him weak and unable to resist.
Zhang Yong could now guess about 60% of their plan. The truth was, this man hadn't come only for the healing pill; he wanted to intimidate Zhang Yong. The healing pill would treat him but make him feel weak, which was enough to keep him out of the picture.
'Hmm, they want to weaken me completely,' Zhang Yong thought as he hid the pill without taking it. 'I must pretend to be weak. That gives me time to focus on gathering enough mental energy.'
The next day, Zhang Yong began acting weaker, pretending the pill had affected him. He allowed himself to look pale and tired, and his movements became slower.
Miu Bai Lin visited him several times, each time showing more fabricated concern.
But his companions were giving him details and data about what was happening outside.
On the third day of Zhang Yong's feigned illness, he noticed that the Miu tribe's activity had increased noticeably, even from inside the tent.
Then he decided to leave his place. Currently, he barely had enough for one spiritual travel technique.
At that moment, he noticed a presence moving within his line of sight. It was Miu Han Li, and he was walking toward...
Chen Yu was sitting alone!
Chen Yu was sitting alone in front of the quiet campfire, her eyes thinking about something distant. She didn't notice Miu Han Li's approach until he stood directly behind her.
Zhang Yong was not going to allow any sabotage to happen in his plan.
Zhang Yong quickly approached them.
"Isn't it cold here?" Zhang Yong said suddenly, frowning as he approached. "Sister Chen Yu, aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"
Chen Yu flinched and looked at Zhang Yong with wide eyes. Miu Han Li had already gotten so close that he was only a few steps from her, and this was the last thing he would allow to happen.
"Brother Zhang, why are you here?" Miu Han Li said, trying to hide his annoyance. "Weren't you asked to rest?"
"My condition has improved," Zhang Yong said coldly, his red eyes gleaming with a faint light.
The look he gave Miu Han Li was clear—stay away from her.
Miu Han Li smiled secretly, but his eyes were cold. "I understand completely. But I was only trying to take care of our honored guests."
"Your care is appreciated," Zhang Yong said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. "But I think Sister Chen Yu prefers the company of someone from her tribe."
A heavy silence fell among the three. Chen Yu was looking at Zhang Yong with complex eyes. She shouldn't have allowed any emotion to show, not even a little, if she wanted revenge.
Miu Han Li smiled coldly. "Well, if you insist." Then he turned to Chen Yu. "We'll have our conversation later, Lady Chen."
After Miu Han Li left, Chen Yu sat by the fire again, avoiding Zhang Yong's gaze , and rather she tried to control her expression
Zhang Yong sat beside her, his gaze intense toward her, and whispered in a voice just loud enough for her to hear. "That was close. Good thing you didn't tell them anything. Or do you want the Miu tribe to end up like the Qingxi tribe?"
Chen Yu trembled, her golden eyes widening with shock and anger, but she suppressed it all, which surprised Zhang Yong.
Then a strange expression appeared , she couldn't control her expression anymore, She bared her teeth and smiled. It wasn't a nervous smile; it was more like a victorious smile. "Yes, you destroyed my village. But I wonder, can you really survive this time?"
Zhang Yong's train of thought stopped for a moment before his danger instinct screamed inside him.
At that moment, killing intent rose from everywhere around them. Suddenly, dozens of Miu tribe warriors surrounded them, armed.
In front stood Miu Han Kuan, Han Li, and several elders, all looking at Zhang Yong with deadly stares.
"Damn you, you bitch!" Zhang Yong cursed as he struck the back of her neck with force, knocking her unconscious easily. He carried her and fled!
Zhang Yong carried the unconscious Chen Yu on his shoulder at lightning speed, his red eyes scanning the situation around him.
He was completely surrounded—dozens of armed warriors, with Miu Han Kuan, his son, and the elders in front.
"Everyone, attack him together! Don't let him escape!" Miu Han Li shouted.
The air beneath his feet compressed, and he shot into the air like a bullet.
The wind whistled in his ears as he tried to avoid the arrows and spiritual energy attacks fired at him.
But Zhang Yong was very fast. Using only his raw physical strength, he leaped from one location to another, evading attacks with astonishing skill. His red eyes blazed with intense focus, calculating every movement.
Suddenly, a golden energy net appeared in the sky, trying to catch him. It was a trapping formation the Miu tribe had prepared in advance.
"It's over for you!" one of the elders said with a gloating smile.
However, Zhang Yong clenched his fist and sent a Death Qi punch through the air, instantly nullifying the net.
"Impossible! This net can withstand attacks from a Venerable rank!" the elder shouted in panic.
"Zhang Yong!" Zhang Yong heard a voice suddenly calling him.
He turned his head, and at the same time, his companions were running toward him, pursued by a group of guards.
The situation was catastrophic. Surrounded from every direction, with the entire Miu tribe against them. Even with Zhang Yong's power, escape seemed impossible.
But Zhang Yong did not give up. His red eyes blazed with a mad light. He raised his fist and sent a palm of Death Qi toward the guards, sending them flying, before landing beside his companions. "Hurry, climb up the mountain slope!"
Su Ming didn't hesitate, nor did the twins. They began climbing quickly. Zhang Yong was in the rear, defending them against the successive attacks.
"Don't let them escape!" Miu Han Kuan shouted angrily. "Fire the shadow arrows!"
From behind, the archers fired black arrows glowing with sinister light. These arrows were specially designed to penetrate defenses.
Zhang Yong turned quickly and created a shield of Death Qi, which did the job, then began running again.
There was no choice. He had to use spiritual travel here and now.
Meanwhile, Chen Yu was gradually regaining consciousness, her golden eyes slowly opening.
When she realized the situation, she tried to resist, but Zhang Yong pressed the energy points in her body, rendering her immobile.
"Don't think about surviving today, Zhang Yong! I will avenge my tribe, and you won't be able to escape!"
However, Zhang Yong's gaze was cold as he smiled and looked behind him, where Miu Han Li was chasing him with the group.
"Well, I wonder about that."
"What?"
Then, in an instant, Zhang Yong's arm rose, and he hurled Chen Yu toward the mountain's precipice, sending her falling to her death.
Chen Yu screamed in terror as she fell toward the abyss, her golden eyes widening with shock and disbelief.
She never expected Zhang Yong to throw her like that.
"No!" Miu Han Li shouted from behind, his eyes gleaming with panic.
In a moment of desperation, Miu Han Li leaped toward the edge, extending his arms in a desperate attempt to catch her. He managed to grab her wrist at the last moment, but the momentum of the fall pulled them both toward the edge.
"Young Master!" the guards shouted as they rushed to help their young master.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yong seized this golden opportunity. While everyone was occupied with the rescue scene, he raised his left hand, and the symbols of the spiritual travel spell appeared in the air at lightning speed.
His fingers left traces of purple light in the air.
"Now!" Zhang Yong whispered in a firm voice.
The spell exploded with bright purple light, enveloping Zhang Yong and his companions.
Then the world around them turned upside down, and they found themselves in a completely different place.
When their senses settled, they found themselves in a dense forest on a mountainside. The air was cold, but not as harsh as the Miu tribe camp.
"Where... where are we?" Liu Yan asked, looking around in astonishment.
Zhang Yong raised his gaze toward the sky as he read the changes in the surroundings.
"Well, with my low energy, I was able to create a third-rank spell, so I'd say we're about 1000 kilometers away from them. They should like my gift," Zhang Yong said as a small laugh appeared on his tired face.
At the same moment, in the Miu tribe camp...
An explosion shook the area where Miu Han Li and the group of guards were trying to pull Chen Yu from the edge of the precipice.
Suddenly, a yellow paper stuck to Chen Yu's back began to glow, and then in an instant—
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion shook the earth. Rock fragments and debris flew in every direction. Smoke and dust covered the entire area, and sounds of screaming and moaning came from the rubble.
When the dust began to settle, a horrifying scene appeared. The edge where Miu Han Li and the rescue group had been standing had completely collapsed. The guards' bodies were scattered here and there, some severely mutilated by the explosion's force.
"My son!" Miu Han Kuan screamed as he rushed toward the rubble, his face pale with terror. "Save my son! Save the tribe's young master!"
But it was too late. When they pulled Miu Han Li from under the rubble, he had lost a lot of blood and was breathing with extreme difficulty.
"Father... I'm... sorry..." Miu Han Li whispered in a barely audible voice, blood filling his mouth. His body was severely mutilated, his arms broken and his chest caved in.
Miu Han Kuan held his son in his arms, his hands trembling from shock and pain. "Don't speak, my son. Save your strength."
But Miu Han Li continued whispering, his eyes gleaming with unbearable pain. "Zhang Yong... he deceived us all..."
Then his eyes closed forever, and his head fell back. He was dead.
Miu Han Kuan's scream of pain pierced the sky. "No! My son!"
The elders and guards stood silent, their faces pale with shock. None of them had expected things to end this tragically.
...
"I placed an explosion spell on her!" Liu Yan couldn't help but be shocked at this moment.
Zhang Yong sat on the ground breathing deeply, his face pale from the massive consumption of mental energy. "Yeah , i put the Mountain Weight talisman on her back which pulled the two down , and everyone tried to save the young master , so It was an emergency plan... I didn't know it would work like this."
Su Ming looked at Zhang Yong with eyes carrying a mixture of admiration and horror. "He would be as good as dead right now, you hurt the heir of the Miu tribe... that means we're now irreconcilable enemies."
"And therefore we must move. The tribe chief will want revenge and will undoubtedly report us in the city. So we must disappear and change our identities and appearance."
Zhang Yong raised a pile of mud in his hand and began smearing his long white hair with it, following his plan quickly and decisively.
"Everyone, change your appearance immediately. Use mud and herbs to change your hair color and skin. We'll change our names as well."
Zhang Yong looked at the group with serious eyes. "From now on, I am 'Naoto.' Avoid using our real names."