However, it seemed the Huns' worries were unnecessary. Inside Xuanhuang Village, there was no movement at all. The soldiers on the walls maintained their watch, vigilant as ever. The village gate remained tightly shut, showing no signs of opening. Based on previous observations, the only way to leave the village was through the gate—since it hadn't opened, that meant no one had left.
Inside a large command tent—
Liu Bao sat together with the shaman, surrounded by several Hun generals—renowned warriors in the army, each one a pillar of strength among the Hun forces.
At this moment, all their eyes were focused on the ancient bronze mirror placed before Liu Bao.
Their gazes burned with eagerness.
Looking closely, the mirror displayed a vivid image—a lifelike view of Xuanhuang Village. In the mirror, the village was full of laughter and joy. Villagers mingled freely, cheerfully roasting meat around bonfires and enjoying steaming bowls of fragrant rice.
This rice had been obtained earlier through trades with wandering merchants.
Among the supplies they'd acquired was grain. Though not abundant, it was enough to alleviate their immediate food needs. Moreover, they didn't eat rice every meal—just small portions daily, substituting with other foods. And with the surrounding wilderness teeming with fierce beasts, anyone with the courage wouldn't go hungry.
In this world, beasts were food.
It was a game of survival. If the beasts died, they became food. If humans died—they became food too.
"What a bold village. Even with us right outside, they feast and make merry without a care in the world. It's as if they don't see Liu Bao as a threat at all. Outrageous!"
CRACK!!
Liu Bao's face twitched as he hurled his cup to the ground, smashing it to pieces.
This was blatant disregard. They didn't fear him in the slightest. This kind of indifference was an insult, a show of utter disdain.
How could he not be furious?
"These villagers aren't simple," said the shaman Uma, frowning slightly. "Their layout is orderly, well-planned. The people are harmonious and well-fed. They've even built a wall. To accomplish all this so soon after descending into the new world—it's no small feat. Remember, there was no town from the original world in this valley."
The merging of the Myriad Worlds had brought countless cities and people. While towns had indeed descended, their locations varied. The lucky ones landed in city areas, the unlucky were scattered randomly. Towns were far fewer than people.
"Hmph, so what if they're clever?" Liu Bao sneered. "Once we fill in those pit traps, there's no way a mere village can stop the might of our Hun cavalry. Tomorrow, double the workforce for the pit-filling."
Xuanhuang Village was like a thorn in his flesh. He longed to tear it out completely.
"Still," Uma pondered aloud, "from what we can see, their soldiers are few. They couldn't possibly mount an assault on us. Most of the villagers are just common folk. They likely think their pit traps are enough to halt us, so they've let their guard down. I doubt anything major will happen tonight."
Indeed, the village gave off a carefree and relaxed vibe. If they were planning a night raid, it wouldn't look like this. Under the mirror's gaze—something the village knew nothing about—no secrets could be hidden.
What they saw was the raw truth.
And thus, the most accurate intelligence.
There was no way Xuanhuang Village could know the Huns possessed such a treasure as the Bronze Mirror.
"True, it's unlikely the Han will mount a sneak attack. Still, precautions are necessary," Liu Bao commanded. "We don't know what dangers this valley holds. Keep patrols on rotation, three shifts. Everyone else should rest—but keep weapons close. Tomorrow, those pits must be filled. By nightfall, I want to feast on two-legged sheep in that village!"
"Yes, Lord Zuo Xian Wang!"The generals rose together and answered in unison.
Soon, the Hun camp began settling in. Soldiers gathered in groups, falling into uneasy sleep. Only a portion remained on watch. Even those sleeping kept their weapons in hand, ready to react to any disturbance. Some were even trained to sleep standing up—a battlefield skill honed through blood and danger.
As night deepened...
Back in Xuanhuang Village, most villagers were already asleep.
In a quiet chamber, Yi Tianxing was surrounded by swirls of heaven and earth energy. A natural vortex of vital energy spun around him, drawing in ambient spiritual qi, which poured into his body, refining rapidly into True Dragon Qi.
At some point, the vortex's speed suddenly increased, pulling in even more energy.
The Second Extraordinary Meridian—Yin Linking Vessel (阴维脉) had been completely opened.This significantly increased Yi Tianxing's cultivation speed.
With the aid of Willing Force Pearls, which convert spiritual will into qi, the process could be accelerated further.
He now realized that reaching Peak Divine Sea Realm might not require as many pearls as he'd thought.
The meridian was still fragile and narrow, needing nourishment from qi and blood. This would consume energy, but compared to opening meridians, it was a minor cost.
"Finally, it's deep into the night—the perfect time," Yi Tianxing murmured as he stood and walked out.
In the main hall, Yang Ye and others were already gathered.
"It's about time. Are all preparations complete?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"All set," Yang Ye replied seriously. "The tunnel has long been connected. We can transport our troops at any time. I'll send Dalang to lead, with Er Lang accompanying him."
"We've also added the villagers who awakened the Water Manipulation Life Aperture," Huang Chengyan added.
"Good. Let's go to the wall and watch this grand performance unfold," Yi Tianxing smiled.
His calm confidence reassured everyone around him.
"Big Brother Yi, Zhaoji can't wait to see your big show," Cai Yan said with a playful smile and a wink.
The group climbed up the city wall.
Elsewhere in the village, an empty area had become a staging point for a hidden strike force led by Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding. The Yang Family Army had spear infantry, archers, and even some soldiers carrying buckets full of water drawn from the river.
"Everyone knows our task. Whether we can douse this Hun army rests on us," said Yang Yanping firmly. "The Lord entrusted this to us. If we fail—I'll have no face to return."
With a wave, men moved a massive stone aside, revealing a tunnel entrance.
The tunnel was wide enough for adults to walk upright—though tall ones might need to bend slightly.
This tunnel wasn't dug from scratch.
It was the burrow left behind by a Ground-Boring Worm. Though the creature had been slain, Yi Tianxing had deliberately kept its tunnel intact—and even had it secretly expanded, turning it into a hidden underground passage.
This tunnel had been part of the plan all along.
Combined with the pit traps, the cut-off retreat paths, and the accurate prediction of the Huns' camp location, everything had been carefully orchestrated.
It was time to serve the Huns a feast of devastation.
Swish!!
At the front, Yang Yanping led the troops into the tunnel, torches in hand, following marked paths through the sprawling underground maze. Without those markers, one could easily get lost in the web of tunnels.
"General Yang has set off," a soldier rushed up to the wall and reported to Yang Ye.