Chapter 176

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Chapter 176: Forbidden Zone Entry

As soon as Qiao Mu said this…

The old woman standing next to him, looking into the distance at the stone forest, appeared visibly stunned. She instinctively gripped the railing beside her, her knuckles turning slightly white. It was evident that her heart was not at peace.

"Mr. Qiao is just joking," the old woman’s tone, however, remained calm.

"The Inhuman War has been going on for forty years. Even if there were survivors after the war, not everyone perished. Can they really defend this desert for forty years?"

"Even if it’s a strange story made up by a storyteller, it would be incredibly absurd for a decimated and isolated army to defend a city for forty years. Even storytellers wouldn’t dare to invent such a tale."

The old woman paused, and her gaze swept towards the small town beyond the gates.

"In this town, most of the people are relatives of the hundred thousand soldiers from the past. Many of them used to hold onto hope years ago, but now the number of people in the town is gradually decreasing."

"What a long forty years," the old woman’s gaze grew distant, and her silver-white long hair fluttered in the wind.

"The lifespan of martial artists is not much longer than that of ordinary people. Forty years of time can turn youth into white hair and heroes into old age."

"Only inhuman pursuit longevity, with a long lifespan, able to cross the long years…"

Speaking of inhumans, the female general guarding Anxi Pass’s gaze became deeper, like a bottomless pool.

"Mr. Qiao, with your impressive martial arts skills, I’m afraid you have already reached the 1st rank, right?"

"You, as a 1st ranked martial artist, may understand better than me just how powerful inhumans are." The old woman sighed softly.

Among martial artists in the world, there are 9 ranks, with the 1st rank being the pinnacle of martial arts, recognized by the court as the top martial artist.

Although there is also a difference in strength among the 1st rank, only by being on this peak can one see how far away the path of martial arts is from the immortal realm above the clouds.

"The imposing Nine Immortal Gates shattered the integrity and courage of the scholars and warriors of Great Yan in a single Inhuman War."

"So, how great is the disparity between the powerful Nine Immortal Gates and the strength of the original hundred thousand Great Yan soldiers? How is it possible for those soldiers to survive until now, struggling to breathe?" The old woman asked in a deep voice.

"If Mr. Qiao is feeling lucky and wants to venture into the desert with such a mindset, then please go back."

"Although I can’t stop you, I know that this path will lead to certain death."

It sounded like she was questioning the outrageous rumors from Qiao Mu’s mouth, but upon careful listening, it seemed like the old woman was talking to herself, pouring cold water on her fleeting hope.

Qiao Mu could only remain silent. In truth, he also didn’t understand this question and had no answer.

Disciple Dao Zhen from the Great Dao Sect told him that there was still a lone army in the desert, and what they were facing was the Nine Immortal Gates, who were much stronger than them.

Let’s not even mention whether they still had the will to fight after forty years…

The strength of the Immortal Gates surpassed that of the Great Yan Imperial Court. If this lone army was still standing, then the first possibility was that the Immortal Gates simply didn’t care about their lives, or they had another purpose and were intentionally letting them survive.

The Immortal Gates viewed mortals as insignificant creatures, like a cat playing with a mouse. The difference between the two was like night and day.

"Since I, Qiao Shuangsen, have come, I will not leave," Qiao Mu said seriously.

"If there are still soldiers holding their ground in this vast desert, I will do my best to help them find relief."

"If this is just a trick, a baseless rumor, then it’s not bad." Qiao Mu said softly.

"At least there isn’t really a lonely and unsupported iron army fighting until now. Just thinking about those days feels bitter."

If there really is such an iron army that has held its ground for forty years, what would be the most bitter thing?

It’s not that they are lonely and unsupported, nobody knows that they are still fighting.

It’s that while this remnant army has been fighting bloodily for forty years, the Great Yan Imperial Court has already bowed down to the Nine Immortal Gates, providing all the human and material resources from Jiu Province to those high above in the Nine Immortal Gates.

There are even many people in Jiu Province who are unaware that the inhumans are the so-called immortals, still worshiping and providing offerings to the gods on that shrine.

Qiao Mu was born immortal, his life is worth nothing, he can always squander it as he pleases. That’s why he bravely entered this forbidden zone alone.

But in the eyes of this old woman, a veteran who has guarded Anxi Pass for many years, it made her feel dizzy and overwhelmed for a while.

"Just for a vague rumor? Are you willing to gamble with your own life?" Her voice remained as cold as before, but there was a noticeable change in her expression.

Qiao Mu replied with a faint smile.

"If there really is a group of Great Yan remnants, their lives would be more important than an old man like me who is already halfway to the grave."

"How could I sit idly by when I know about this?"

Qiao Mu’s words were sincere.

After all, his life was worthless, not to mention the possible existence of the once revered Earth Sword Immortal, which made it worth the gamble.

Besides, he was doing a win-win business, making a profit whether he won or lost the bet!

However, these words had a different taste when heard by the elderly female general.

"Mr. Qiao, you have great integrity." The elderly woman suddenly showed respect and performed a formal bow to Qiao Mu, who had always been icy and indifferent.

"I will stay here and wait for Mr. Qiao’s return. If the old gentleman needs anything else, he can just ask."

After saying that, she called the soldiers next to her and got some water and dry rations from the warehouse, telling Qiao Mu to take them away.

"There is nothing else I need… It would be better to spread my name widely."

Qiao Mu stroked his white beard and laughed boldly.

"I have no other hobbies in my life, only a love for fame, and I enjoy appearing wise in front of others."

"Remember my name well and don’t let me die silently. That would be the greatest support for me."

After saying that.

Qiao Mu turned around with a big smile and leaped towards the open gate of Anxi Pass, walking alone.

Outside the gate was a desolate desert, with strong winds bringing in clouds of yellow sand, distorting the view with heat waves.

Anxi Pass is the boundary line between Zhong Province and the desert.

The old lady, the guardian, watched the back of the old man as he went away, and her heart filled with respect once again.

Qiao Mu’s final words were actually sincere.

But saying them in this situation seemed like a boastful joke.

"Spread your name? Such a heroic character, if they really cared about mere fame, why would they mention it?" the old lady sighed.

"The implied meaning is simply that they don’t need our help…"

Boom…

The heavy gate of the checkpoint closed loudly, trapping the swirling sand and the old man who was going away outside.

However, in a corner near the wall, a blurry figure appeared. It was a middle-aged man with large, expressive eyes. A vertical line quietly appeared between his eyebrows, as he tightly stared in the direction where Qiao Mu had gone.