Endless Winter: My Camp Infinite Upgrades

Chapter 448 Encounters and Gratitude, A Leisurely Game, Tests and Opportunities

On the fifteenth day of the second month of the 297th year of the Caiqiu calendar, at night...

Qinghua City, the side courtyard of the Hong family residence
Hu Tiejiang strode in from outside the door with a worried look on his face. When he saw a burly figure practicing shooting in the courtyard, his expression immediately lit up with joy.

"Tiechuan, you've recovered?"

The man practicing his shooting turned his head, revealing an extremely terrifying face.

His jawline had been largely removed, leaving seven or eight long, irregularly distributed scars resembling giant centipedes on his face. Some ran diagonally from his left eyebrow to his nose and then to his right cheek; others rose from his left ear to his forehead; and several were in the area around his mouth... It looked extremely horrifying.

"Um..."

Not only his face, but Hu Tiechuan also subconsciously opened his mouth to speak, revealing only half of his tongue. He stammered a few times, realizing that he no longer had the ability to speak, before nodding in response with a smile, indicating that his injuries were no longer a problem.

But his face, no matter how he smiled, was somewhat eerie.

Hu Tiejiang was not disgusted, but when he saw his younger brother's terrifying face, a deep-seated hatred rose in his pupils. He clenched his fists slightly, then immediately relaxed and said with a forced smile, "That's great. In a couple of days, we'll go to the magistrate to express our gratitude."

Hu Tiechuan nodded, walked up to Hu Tiejiang, gently tugged at his arm with a slightly comforting gesture, and shook his head lightly at him.

The brothers had an unspoken understanding. Even though his younger brother hadn't said anything, Hu Tiejiang immediately understood what he meant. His previously relaxed expression tightened instantly, and the hatred in his eyes rose again. After a long while, he slowly suppressed it and said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, your older brother won't act impulsively. I originally thought the Zhang family only controlled the Chihu Ridge area, and at most they could only be kings in that small place. I didn't expect they had people in Qinghua City as well. It's all my fault that you've ended up like this..."

By the end, Hu Tiejiang's face was full of regret, and he was so ashamed that his voice even trembled slightly.

Their long-planned dream of escaping their registered residence was shattered the moment they arrived in Qinghua City on the 17th of last month and entered the jurisdiction.

…………

Hu Tiejiang was born in Chihu Ridge, a place in the middle of Changqing Valley. There are five villages in that area, and Huwei Village, where he lived, was one of them.

Although he and his younger brother lost their father at a young age, they were fortunate to have good talent for cultivation. Coupled with a ruthless spirit of fighting for their lives, they broke through to the Cold Resistance level early on. In order to seek better development, they went to Qinghua City and registered as lowly people as soon as they broke through. Then, in the area around Chihu Ridge, they started working as laborers who helped people transport goods.

Laborers are considered a lowly profession, so it's not against the rules for two people to do this.

Life would have continued as usual, and the two brothers could have lived a peaceful and stable life. But things changed after they got married.

The two men's wives, Fang Jing and Wang Qing, were both servants in the household of Zhang Yiqing, the leader of Huwei Village. In fact, the marriage itself was arranged by Zhang Yiqing, the leader. At that time, the two men were considered talented men in the village. Marrying a slave was not an insult to either of them, and both sides were naturally very happy.

It all started when the two brothers each had offspring.

The Caiqiu Six-Class Registration System was hereditary; children's registration was determined by their parents' registration, and this was the rule if one registered before the age of fifteen.

According to such regulations, all five descendants of the two brothers could only be registered as slaves or of low social status. How could they be willing to accept this?

The two brothers were hardworking, quick-witted, and skilled hunters. After saving enough money in the past few years, they approached their leader, Zhang Yiqing, to explain their desire to free their wives from the status of a commoner.

Zhang Yiqing readily agreed, promising that since they were all from the same village, he wouldn't ask for a single penny if the two brothers helped him hunt for two years without pay, and would directly hand over Fang Jing and Wang Qing's status as slaves.

But when the two-year term expired, things took a sudden turn. Zhang Yiqing denied everything. The two brothers were furious. Since they were in the right and had saved enough money to get their wives removed from their registered residence, they boldly stole their wives' registration certificates. They planned to go to Qinghua City to get their wives removed from their registered residence first and then make it a fait accompli.

The dream of escaping citizenship was shattered from this point on.

Hu Tiejiang had been rushing from Huwei Village to Qinghua City, but he hadn't seen Zhang Yiqing and his men chasing after him. He was initially relieved, thinking that the other side hadn't noticed him, or had noticed him too late and were still far away.

When he actually entered Qinghua City, he realized that Zhang Yiqing had never planned to pursue him at all; the other party had made ample preparations in the city long ago.

On the 17th of last month, in order to play it safe, Hu Tiejiang originally planned to take his family to the local government office to remove their household registration first. However, his younger brother Hu Tiechuan volunteered and beat him to it.

Left with no other option, Hu Tiejiang could only watch from the shadows.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the younger brother went in, the whole family was arrested.

Hu Tiejiang was extremely anxious. After making some inquiries, he finally understood that the Zhang family of Chihu Ridge, where their leader Zhang Yiqing lived, actually wielded considerable power in Qinghua City.

Zhang Yiping, the captain of the fifth enforcement team, is none other than Zhang Yiqing's cousin.

When he heard the news, he was devastated and filled with despair. Not only was his dream of being removed from the register completely shattered, but the safety of his younger brother, wife, and children was now in question.

In a desperate move, Hu Tiejiang had no other choice but to turn to the legendary Hong Yu, who had been the subject of much speculation in Qinghua City, as a last resort.

So on the daytime of the 25th of last month, at the last moment when Zhang Yiping and his men were chasing them, he desperately ran to the gate of the Hong residence, hoping that Hong Yu could save them out of consideration for their shared journey.

This goes beyond madness; it's downright delusional.

Hu Tiejiang didn't have much hope at all. It was questionable whether Hong Yu even remembered him. Even if he did, given Hong Yu's current status in the city, it was practically impossible for him to pay any attention to him.

But the result was far beyond his expectations.

Hong Yu didn't come, but his four disciples did!

When Su Jing and his siblings arrived, the Enforcement Division released them almost without asking any questions. After eight or nine days of investigation, they even concluded that Zhang Yiqing was wrong. Ten days ago, they managed to send Fang Jing and Wang Qing to the Hong family as slaves.

He even personally handed it over to Hu Tiejiang.

………………

Recalling the extremely fawning expression on Zhang Yiping's face when he handed his wife her slave status ten days ago, the anger in Hu Tiejiang's eyes not only did not subside in the slightest, but instead became even more intense.

Seeing the injuries on his younger brother's face, and remembering that his tongue had been cut off while he was still alive in prison and that he was now unable to speak, made his breathing even heavier, and the hatred in his heart grew deeper and stronger.

During the days that the law enforcement team took them away, not only did Hu Tiechuan suffer inhuman torture, but his wives Fang Jing and Wang Qing also suffered the same. Even the two brothers' children, who were not yet one year old, froze to death in prison because the law enforcement team took away the items they had given them to keep warm.

These blood debts, one after another, are enough to fuel Hu Tiejiang's hatred. Even if the city lord of Qinghua City, Cai Yunzhou, came to apologize with a smile, it wouldn't be enough. "Tiechuan, we can go to the jurisdiction to get rid of our slave status anytime. There won't be any obstacles now. But there's a better way out. We don't need to rush to get rid of our slave status. As long as Prince Hong takes us in as servants, we'll rise to the top in one step. Zhang Yiping, Zhang Yiqing, and those people in the enforcement team—every single one of them will pay with their lives!"

Hu Tiechuan had already seen through his elder brother's thoughts, so when he heard these words, he didn't show the slightest surprise. He simply nodded heavily in response.

If they could become Hong Yu's servants, they wouldn't even consider civilian status, let alone military status.

"It's a pity that we've been staying at the manor for twenty days, but Prince Hong has been in seclusion and we still haven't been able to see him. Although Miss Su didn't give us a time limit for staying, if we continue like this, it's hard to guarantee that it won't arouse Prince Hong's displeasure. Let's wait another five days. If we still can't see him, we'll go to the local authorities and get rid of our slave status first!"

Despite his excitement, Hu Tiejiang couldn't help but feel a bitter smile when he realized that he had been staying at the mansion for so long without even meeting Hong Yu. He shook his head and finally set himself a five-day deadline.

It's not hard to understand. Given Hong Yu's status and position, there are probably countless people in the entire Qinghua City who would want to be his servants. Putting aside other things, there are many servants in the Hong Mansion who are stronger than the two of them.

Don't these servants want to become Hong Yu's slaves?
Why should Hong Yu choose either of them?

"Gentlemen, the master summons you. Please come with me!"

However, given the situation of coming to the Hong residence gate seeking help, Hu Tiejiang's guesses about how things were going were completely wrong.

Just as he had almost given up on the idea of ​​becoming Hong Yu's servant, the steward Zhou Qing's urgent shouts came from the side courtyard gate.

Hong Yu summoned the two of them?

Hu Tiejiang's expression suddenly changed, and he turned to look at his younger brother. Both of them saw ecstasy in each other's eyes.

"Butler Zhou, please wait a moment, we're coming right away!"

Hu Tiejiang walked directly towards the courtyard gate, with Hu Tiechuan following closely behind.

As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, the two saw the butler, Zhou Qing, looking at them with a hint of envy.

The two brothers were immediately puzzled. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss over a mere meeting?
"Alright, you can go in now!"

But soon, the two understood.

Zhou Qing, the steward of the Hong family, wasn't even qualified to enter the main building...

Upon discovering this, the two brothers became even more excited and hurriedly walked into the building. Before they even got close, upon seeing the figure sitting upright in the main hall, they both knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly to the person at the head of the table.

After kowtowing more than a dozen times, Hu Tiejiang on the left finally raised his head with a face full of gratitude, and said in an extremely devout tone: "If it weren't for you, sir, my entire family would have died in prison. I can never repay your kindness, sir, even if I die nine times. If you do not abandon me, my whole family and even generations to come are willing to serve you as your servants, and serve you forever. We will obey your orders, even if it means going through fire and water. If I dare to even flinch, I will kill myself in front of you!"

"Um..."

After Hu Tiejiang finished speaking, Hu Tiechuan, who was standing next to him, also spoke up. He then patted his chest heavily and kowtowed loudly to the ground, clearly expressing the same meaning as his brother.

"No need to be in such a hurry. I already knew about Xing'er saving you!"

Xia Hong, who had just returned from Xue Luan Mountain, still had some snowflakes on his clothes. Hearing the two brothers' words, he first shook his head. Looking at Hu Tiechuan, who was full of energy just a month ago, but had now become such a horrifying sight, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

“Xing’er came to see me five days ago. I know the basics about you two brothers, and I have a general idea of ​​what you’re thinking right now.”

Xia Hong continued with a smile, "To be honest, the Zhang family of Chihu Ridge is nothing to me. Even if I forcibly wiped them out, Cai Qiu wouldn't do anything to me, but..."

He paused, then changed the subject, asking, "You two brothers have nothing of value, and your talents are only average. To be honest, you're not even qualified to be my servants, so it's impossible for you to destroy the Zhang family for me!"

Upon hearing this, the Hu brothers' expressions instantly darkened.

Hu Tiejiang, in particular, despite being mentally prepared, still felt a hint of despair in his eyes when Xia Hong so bluntly exposed his thoughts face to face.

Without Xia Hong's influence, their chances of revenge are absolutely nonexistent...

"However, I can show you the way!"

Soon, as Xia Hong continued to speak, the two brothers immediately looked up at him with hope and longing in their eyes.

Xia Hong smiled and took out a piece of animal hide from his pocket, then threw it forward.

The animal skin scroll unfurled in mid-air and was completely flattened when it reached the Hu brothers.

The two looked down and immediately recognized it as a map, specifically a map of Evergreen Valley, showing a location deep in the southern part of the valley.

After seeing the map clearly, the two looked up at Xia Hong with puzzled expressions.

“Revenge still depends on ourselves. The strongest member of the Zhang clan of Red Tiger Ridge is only in his 30s. If I have to deal with such a weak enemy, then you two brothers are of no value to me. I would not take you in as servants. In fact, I will hold Su Xing'er accountable for saving you later!”

Upon hearing Xia Hong's words, both of them immediately became somewhat tense, but they could tell there was more to come, so they simply listened quietly.

"What you lack is nothing more than time and resources. With my name on your side, the Zhang family will never dare to touch you in the short term. The location marked on this map contains a large amount of cultivation resources that I left behind. How you use them is up to you. Whether you can destroy the Zhang family on your own is my test for you!"

"If you can do that, I can take you both in."

At this point, Xia Hong paused, then continued, "Of course, if the destruction of the Zhang family causes any major trouble, I will personally resolve it for you. So, do you have the courage to take on this test?"

Hu Tiejiang looked at the location marked on the map, then looked up at Xia Hong above him. After confirming that he was not joking, he thought for a moment and nodded heavily without any hesitation.

"Of course! This isn't a test, it's an opportunity given to us by the adults!"

"Um..."

Hu Tiechuan even kowtowed in response, his face full of excitement.

(End of this chapter)