After the enemies from the north appeared, Yan Liuyuan led all of the tribes east.
Disregarding everything else, the migration of the nomads went very quickly. The adults herded the livestock, and all their supplies were placed on the backs of the oxen.
The children were still ignorant and did not understand what had happened. They only found it exceptionally lively and fun with everyone setting off together.
The little boys and girls ran rings around the livestock. When it was time to eat, they would return to their parents’ side and kowtow to Yan Liuyuan before having their meals.
No one objected to Yan Liuyuan’s decision. Even the bravest and most domineering Kirghiz Yan did not say anything further.
Only Xiaoyu went to look for Yan Liuyuan and said, “Liuyuan, we can’t just leave like this. If we leave, what will happen to those people further south?”
Yan Liuyuan looked at Xiaoy., “Big Sis, this tribe in the north is definitely larger than we thought. We had only encountered their advance troops previously. Even with the wolf pack, it will be impossible for us to hold them back. The nomads can’t survive by existing between the Central Plains and the Northern Territory.”
Xiaoyu said, “I’m not asking you to stay behind to stop them.”
“Then what are you?” Yan Liuyuan wondered.
Xiaoyu said in seriousness, “Send someone south to inform them that enemies are approaching.”
“Big Sis, the Central Plains people don’t see us as friends,” Yan Liuyuan said in a low voice.
“But we’re from there. Have you ever thought that your brother might be in the Central Plains? And that Wang Fugui, Jiang Wu, and the others might also be with him? What if the enemies from the north march in and harm them?” Xiaoyu said patiently, “You have to give your brother and the Central Plains people some time to prepare!”
When Yan Liuyuan heard this, he finally nodded. “Big Sis, you’re right.”
For Xiaoyu, even though she had come to the North and settled down in the grasslands, her longing for the South still existed. Based on her sense of belonging and identity, she still hoped the South would not get invaded by foreign tribes.
Yan Liuyuan called Hassan over. “Choose the bravest warrior you have to ride the fastest horse to Stronghold 176.”
Hassan was stunned. “Master, what do you mean by that?”
“Go and tell the people of Stronghold 176 that a stronger enemy is coming from the North,” Yan Liuyuan said.
“But, Master, didn’t we already kill all of Stronghold 176’s overseers?” Hassan asked.
“Just go. You don’t understand the people of the Central Plains. The other consortiums couldn’t be happier that we killed the overseers of Stronghold 176. Someone else will have taken over the stronghold.” Yan Liuyuan continued heading east after saying that.
Hassan obeyed Yan Liuyuan’s orders and identified one of his tribe’s warriors for the task. The warrior mounted his horse immediately and left.
This warrior rode on his sturdy horse all the way to the South. Other than letting the horse rest and catch its breath, he did not waste another minute.
On the fifth day, he finally saw the outline of Stronghold 176’s walls.
The damaged stronghold had not been repaired yet, but there was already scaffolding erected outside the city. It looked like the reconstruction was already underway.
The warrior mustered up all his courage and walked towards the stronghold. The troops stationed outside the stronghold quickly discovered his presence and were prepared to take on their nomadic enemies.
Only when the Wang Consortium’s garrison troops realized he was the only one who came this time did they send out a platoon to deal with him.
When the nomadic warrior saw the heavily armed soldiers rushing over, he stroked the cheek of his horse and said, “Wait for me in the forest to the north for a day. If I don’t return, you can go back and look for Master. Bring Aköl’s spirit back with you as well. May all our friends in the grasslands whisper my name when you return.”
After that, Aköl patted the horse’s rump, and it galloped north.
Aköl raised his hands high to the troops who had come to arrest him. “I’m here on behalf of the grasslands to deliver the news that there’s even more powerful enemies coming from the north. My master hopes that y’all will be prepared for them.”
The Wang Consortium’s soldiers did not stop because of what he said. They quickly pressed Aköl onto the ground until they were sure he had been bound. Only then did they bring Aköl back to the camp.
The commander of the Wang Consortium’s troops looked at Aköl and said, “You said that enemies from the north are coming? But aren’t you the enemy? By coming here on your own, aren’t you afraid I’ll skin you alive to take revenge for our Central Plains people?”
Aköl laughed proudly and said, “Why would we warriors who serve under Master be afraid of death? I’m only here to tell you that our tribe has already migrated east. My master said that the enemies coming from the north are even more terrifying than you think, so y’all should be prepared.”
The officer of the Wang Consortium’s troops asked, “Are you referring to the north farther north of the grasslands?”
“That’s right!” Aköl answered.
“Alright, thank you for your master’s good intentions.” The officer of the Wang Consortium’s troops gave a wave of his hand. “Shoot him dead and hang him in the center of the stronghold. We’re going to show the residents of Stronghold 176 that our Wang Consortium will not allow them to be bullied again now that we’ve taken over. We will eventually take revenge for them.”
With that, the soldier pushed Aköl out of the room as he laughed heartily.
Ren Xiaosu, who was far away at Stronghold 61, did not go anywhere for the past few days. He just stayed at home and whipped up a variety of dishes for Yang Xiaojin to eat. After all, he still had the necessary survival instincts knowing that Yang Xiaojin was feeling unwell.
Wang Shengzhi did not seem to be in a hurry to show Ren Xiaosu how the artificial intelligence worked either. Ren Xiaosu’s life seemed to have suddenly become peaceful again.
While Ren Xiaosu was making soup, the telephone in the house suddenly rang.
He was a little surprised to hear it ring. This was the landline telephone in the house. Who could possibly be calling? Could it be Wang Shengzhi?
Ren Xiaosu walked over to answer the call. “Hello?”
However, there was no response from the other end.
Ren Xiaosu raised his eyebrows and said, “Hello! Who is this?”
A young woman’s voice came from the other end. “May I know if this is Ren Xiaosu?”
“Li Ran?” Ren Xiaosu was stunned. Other than Yang Xiaojin, wasn’t Li Ran the only woman in the stronghold who knew him? But the voice on the phone did not sound like Li Ran either.
The voice at the other end of the line said, “I’m not Li Ran. Li Ran left the stronghold at 14:31 yesterday.”
Ren Xiaosu was stunned: “Who are you then?”
“You can call me Lingling.” The girl’s voice was brisk and pleasant. “May I chat with you?”
Ren Xiaosu took a look outside. “I’m sorry, but I can’t chat with the opposite gender.” Ren Xiaosu slammed the phone down and hung up.
Yang Xiaojin asked from outside, “Who called? I heard the phone ringing.”
“Oh, no one. They probably got the wrong number,” Ren Xiaosu answered.
Then Ren Xiaosu turned around and frowned as he looked at the telephone sitting there quietly. He suddenly felt like he had caught an extremely important clue, but he was not very sure about it.
However, Ren Xiaosu was in no hurry. He felt the other party would call back again.