The Youngest Daughter, Chang Le
Chapter 51

Qiuli leapt onto the nearest carriage roof, extending his hands upwards. Following his motion, the arrows on the ground slowly rose to face him, their tips obediently turning around. With a push of his hands, the arrows flew back towards the approaching attackers.

The speed was too fast for the black-clad men in front to avoid. Even those who managed to block one or two arrows couldn't dodge them all. Some fell to the ground, while others pulled out the arrows and continued charging forward. By then, Qiuli's second wave of arrows arrived.

Aunt Feng seized the opportunity to strike, all the while becoming more wary of Qiuli. Though she had sensed his prowess before, she never paid much attention to how formidable others were with her master present, believing no one could surpass her master. But Qiuli's current display put her on guard. Such profound skills at such a young age - she had never heard of any sect producing such an extraordinary junior. Where did he come from?

What happened next further shattered her understanding.

Having returned all the arrows from the ground, Qiuli swept his long sleeve again, lifting shattered stones from the ground to attack the black-clad men. The force was so strong that no one dared to underestimate it, and no one dared to approach!

But Qiuli didn't stop there. He lightly tapped his toes, leaving the carriage to hover in mid-air, then tossed out a handful of bamboo leaves he had casually picked the day before while making sleeve arrows. The leaves lined up in formation before him as if extensions of his will. With a gentle push of both hands, the leaves shot out rapidly.

Watching the black-clad men fall, Aunt Feng's pupils constricted. She could also harm people with plucked leaves, but not at this distance or with such force. Ultimately, it came down to the depth of one's skills. This man was incredibly strong!

Dingding was so shocked he had to support his chin. "Oh my goodness, where did the Zhu family replace such a powerful ally?"

Zhu Changle was pondering the same question. She was certain she hadn't known this person before, and had secretly asked Little Lid, who said she had never seen him either. So this person must be connected to the Zhu family somehow. How did her father know him? Surely he couldn't really be her brother?!

This thought refused to leave her mind, even slowing her movements. Fortunately, Little Golden was effective, and two bamboo leaves arrived just in time. These non-human allies worked together to repel the black-clad man whose sword had nearly reached her chest.

"Chirp..."

Zhu Changle set the matter aside for now to focus on the battle, thinking she'd have to ask her father about it later.

Qiuli's prowess exceeded everyone's expectations. Seeing the situation was hopeless, the black-clad men began to retreat.

Naturally, Zhu Changle didn't dare to pursue. She grabbed Little Golden's claw and landed in front of Qiuli, looking him up and down. Qiuli stood with his hands behind his back, allowing her inspection.

"Qiuli, we're friends now, right?"

Expecting her to ask about his speaking, he was surprised by this turn. Thinking she might say friends shouldn't deceive each other, he didn't nod.

Zhu Changle's face immediately fell. "We've fought side by side in battle, and we're still not friends?"

Qiuli looked down at himself, not a single drop of blood had splattered on him. Then he looked at her, noticing a few wounds, though they didn't seem deep.

"Well, can we start being friends now at least?"

Realizing that becoming friends now meant she couldn't accuse him of previous deception, Qiuli nodded.

Zhu Changle's face lit up with a smile. "Friend, if I ever send Little Golden to you for help, remember to come rescue me."

Qiuli raised an eyebrow. So she wanted to make friends to have him as backup?

"I may be very skilled, but there are always a few people slightly better than me. My master refuses to help me, saying I bring her shame. Now I have you!" Zhu Changle patted Qiuli's shoulder in a very chummy manner, grinning from ear to ear. Of course she was happy - she wanted nothing more than to run to someone's territory right now, pick a fight, and battle it out. With Qiuli by her side, of course!

Her intentions were all too transparent. Qiuli mused that this was probably the least valuable "use" he had ever been put to.

"It's settled then!" Zhu Changle patted Qiuli's shoulder again before jumping off the carriage. She called out to Lan Ping and Dingding to help her family members out. Looking around, she realized something was missing - the horses were gone!

She whistled loudly several times. Little Golden responded with two cries from the sky. Zhu Changle laughed heartily and urged it, "Go bring Little Tail back!"

Little Golden seemed to understand, circling a few times before flying off in a specific direction.

Dingding clicked his tongue. "These two must be on the verge of becoming spirits."

"Almost there! I'm counting on it!" Zhu Changle said shamelessly, as always, without the slightest concern that her words might be challenged. "When they become spirits, they'll have long lives and great abilities. I'll follow them and live the good life."

She knew Little Tail all too well. Usually, when she fought, it would watch from the sidelines. Even though the arrow rain was quite powerful, it wouldn't have run far. It was domineering - wherever it was, the other horses wouldn't dare to stray. It cared about maintaining its status as the king of horses!

The sky had completely darkened. Zhu Changle spun around on the spot. The place that had seemed quite lively when they arrived, with people visible everywhere, now seemed as lifeless as a ghost town.

The sound of wooden wheels rolling made Zhu Changle turn. Seeing her eldest brother's calm demeanor, she immediately dropped her serious expression. She walked over with a grin, crouching in front of him. "Big brother, you rest for a bit. Once the horses are back, we'll continue on. We'll be entering Yunbei territory soon, right? That'll be our own turf."

Zhu Changwang pretended not to notice her earlier expression and smiled. "Can the horses really be found?"

"With Little Tail there? Managing its own kind is its instinct."

Zhu Changwang thought for a moment and understood. Just as wolf packs have an alpha, horse herds have a lead horse. Little Tail was probably such a leader. Although Master Zhong allowed her to roam the martial world alone, she had given her the exceptionally skilled Aunt Feng to care for and protect her, a fine horse like Little Tail to ride, and even a fierce bird like Little Golden as a companion. She certainly hadn't skimped on providing means of protection.

"Big brother, I have a question."

Zhu Changwang smiled. "What question could stump our little Changle?"

"This place, does it belong to Gu'an or Yunbei? Or is it split between them?"

"This is a historical legacy issue, not something formed in a short time, and each place has its own unique situation. I specifically looked into this area before coming. Initially, Gu'an carved out this place and drove a group of refugees here, leaving them to fend for themselves. To survive, the refugees naturally resorted to all sorts of actions. Later, Yunbei, unable to tolerate the disturbances, simply sectioned off this adjacent piece of land as well, driving those who had lost their fields and possessions due to disasters here. With everyone fighting to survive, you can imagine the consequences."

There was no need to imagine. Zhu Changle had personally witnessed two villages fighting over a fruit-bearing tree, resulting in several deaths. Because of poverty, hunger, because they had nothing, they couldn't let go of even the smallest thing that could help them survive.

She and her master had also seen old people in winter, supporting themselves with canes, going to the mountains to await death because there wasn't enough food at home. They wanted to save their rations for their young grandchildren. She had sent the person back home and left all their food, but when her master took her back the next day, they learned that the person had still gone up the mountain that night. By the time they rushed over, the body was already stiff.

Back then, she didn't understand. But after seeing more, she came to understand.