Chapter 46: Camp Under Attack

Chapter 46: Camp Under Attack

Li Chaofeng being mistaken for a royal descendant by the King of Kucha was a secret only Stone Guanyin knew.

Hu Tiehua and his companions had no clue.

Not even Chu Liuxiang’s sudden appearance revealing Stone Guanyin’s knowledge of Li Chaofeng’s identity could change that.

Faced with the King of Kucha’s generous plea for assistance, Hu Tiehua hesitated. Even children knew the sky wouldn’t rain dumplings—there was always a catch.

Uncertain, Hu Tiehua turned to his companions: Li Chaofeng, the man of wisdom, and Ji Bingyan, the meticulous planner, both standing behind him.

Ji Bingyan frowned deeply, then gave a slight nod after careful consideration. Li Chaofeng, after stroking his chin thoughtfully, voiced no objection.

Li Chaofeng reasoned that staying at the camp with Ji Bingyan would pose little danger unless Stone Guanyin herself attacked. The Paradise Star would eventually return to the King’s hands, and Stone Guanyin had no intention of keeping it before her secret was exposed. Hu Tiehua’s life wouldn’t be in grave peril.

As for Chu Liuxiang, the man was always chasing death—Li Chaofeng had long given up trying to stop him, and Ji Bingyan had stopped caring altogether.

Ji Bingyan, however, had his own plan—one that required Hu Tiehua to accept the mission.

With the vote two to one, Hu Tiehua grinned and accepted the King’s offer.

“Since the King has planned so thoroughly, I shan’t decline.”

Observing their exchange, the King of Kucha’s smile deepened as he invited everyone to another banquet.

The deal was set for three days later, merely fifty li away—plenty of time.

As the feast resumed, the King, seeking to build trust, agreed to let Peng Yi Hu’s group leave with the cargo first.

Yet the warmer the hospitality, the more uneasy Li Chaofeng felt.

What was the King scheming?

Hu Tiehua was clearly the guest of honor, yet the King kept glancing at Li Chaofeng. Did he have “Martial Master” written on his forehead?

The “Finger Snap Technique” from yesterday had merely been a surprise strike against a guard’s wrist—nothing extraordinary.

Li Chaofeng shifted sideways to avoid a Hu girl pouring him sheep’s milk, her armpits faintly pungent. She resumed drinking, deftly plucking the tenderest morsel of lamb with her chopsticks.

He caught the King nodding at him again, his patience fraying.

Stone Guanyin should’ve just poisoned this man outright!

Wait—the Hu girl was the Pipa Princess.

Turning, he met her tearful gaze, her pearl-like eyes brimming with vulnerability.

Li Chaofeng twitched his lips, feigning indifference, even stepping back slightly.

The Pipa Princess’s odor wasn’t overpowering, and with her beauty, she could rival a “fragrant concubine.”

But for Li Chaofeng, whose senses were supernaturally sharp, the difference was night and day.

Meanwhile, the feast unfolded. Situ Meteor and Du Huan had vanished, and though Wang Chong remained, he soon left the tent, his mind elsewhere. Only the Wu Brothers lingered, exchanging pleasantries with Hu Tiehua.

As dusk fell and wine flowed freely, Wu Baiyun, flushed with drink, grumbled, “The Peng brothers have gone. Won’t you three reveal your true names now?”

Wu Qingtian, more sober, added, “Must we address you as ‘Flower,’ ‘Chicken,’ and ‘Snake’? We’ll become the laughingstock of Jianghu!”

Their gazes fixed on Hu Tiehua’s trio, awaiting a response.

The King of Kucha, however, showed no curiosity. “Jianghu cultivators value their freedom. No harm in keeping secrets.”

The Wu Brothers frowned. They hadn’t pressed the King for answers—they wanted to verify Hu Tiehua’s identity. His Lightness Skill was unheard of.

Hu Tiehua smirked, unbothered. “‘Flower, Chicken, Snake’ sounds fine. We’ll stick with those names.”

Wu Baiyun retorted, “Doesn’t that show the King disrespect?”

The Wu Brothers turned to the King, implying the trio was untrustworthy.

But the King merely laughed, clapping his hands. “No offense taken!”

Suddenly, a maiden emerged from behind the tent, speaking rapid Kuchean as she bowed. The Han guests understood nothing.

Li Chaofeng, a transmigrated cultivator but not a polyglot, couldn’t comprehend the exchange.

The King stroked his beard, puzzled. “The Queen wishes to join us?”

The Wu Brothers knew the Queen was ill and rarely appeared in public. Why now?

A fragrant breeze announced her arrival. Li Chaofeng’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing at the tent entrance. Ji Bingyan stood grim-faced beside him.

Only Hu Tiehua, previously consoling the Pipa Princess, gawked at the Queen. The Princess, furious, twisted his wrist before retreating to the King’s side.

“Ow!” Hu Tiehua flinched, listening to the Queen and King’s murmured exchange. The King raised his cup, beaming.

“My Queen’s health has improved. She’s here to thank Flower Senior for aiding us.”

Stone Guanyin signaled the Pipa Princess to pour half a cup of wine, raising it toward Li Chaofeng with a crisp bow.

“Gratitude, Flower Senior.”

Hu Tiehua raised his cup in turn. “The Queen flatters me. The King’s generosity is reward enough.”

Li Chaofeng’s eyes narrowed. He’d caught Stone Guanyin’s gaze flicker toward him—laced with disdain and mockery.

Yet when he looked again, her eyes were locked on Hu Tiehua, flirtatious and bright.

Had he imagined it?

As the King’s family and Hu Tiehua exchanged pleasantries, a camel caravan outside suddenly brayed.

Shi Tuo, convinced by Wang Chong, had set off to Stone Guanyin’s quarters seeking vengeance for Mount Hua.

Ji Bingyan, ever observant, noted Shi Tuo’s departure and whispered an explanation to Hu Tiehua and Li Chaofeng before falling silent.

When Du Huan’s toxic scent wafted outside the tent, Li Chaofeng realized the truth—the Kuchean rebels were launching their attack.

This was how a transmigrated cultivator’s story should unfold.

Yet Li Chaofeng’s face darkened. Chu Liuxiang had vanished.

Without Chu Liuxiang, who would face the Black Monkey, Sun Kong?

Glancing at Stone Guanyin, he understood.

The King must not die—yet the assassins she’d arranged were real killers.

Flames erupted. Shouts and hoofbeats thundered outside.

The King barked orders to his guards.

Hu Tiehua, flattered all day by the King and fawned upon by the Pipa Princess, now bolted from the tent like a black dragon.

Ji Bingyan glanced inside, then murmured to Li Chaofeng, “Let’s go.”

Li Chaofeng followed without question. But as they reached the tent flap, the King called out.

“Merely a trifle. Snake Senior, for your safety, stay here. Wait until Flower Senior quells the chaos.”

“!!”

Li Chaofeng’s lips twitched. Ji Bingyan, too, looked baffled. Neither understood the King’s sudden favoritism.

The Wu Brothers shared their confusion.

Only the King’s family seemed to grasp his motives.

And only Stone Guanyin understood why Li Chaofeng and Ji Bingyan were so perplexed.

Even Chu Liuxiang, who’d revealed Li Chaofeng’s identity, couldn’t fathom how the King had leapt to such a bizarre conclusion.

A royal descendant touring the desert? What madness was this?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end