Ma Xiaoda consulted Linglong, "Sister Xiaosi, look, he’s doing this for his old mother. We can’t be completely heartless about this, perhaps we should..." Linglong snapped, "I listen to the Master, not you. Drive!" Yun Yao levitated, offering up a spare mount. Dali Wan swiftly reached out from the horse, pulling Ma Chong up onto the back of Yun Yao’s steed. Ma Chong gasped as the motion aggravated his wound, breaking out in a cold sweat, but the moment he was mounted, some spirit returned to him. Led by Linglong, the group pressed forward urgently along the winding, rugged path.

But to everyone’s surprise, the pursuers behind them were closing in fast, seeming to target their exact location. Ma Chong spurred his horse alongside mine. "My Lord..." I replied, "My name is Zhao Qian." "Lord Zhao, it appears they are after the young brother behind you. Your horsemanship is poor; you will be overtaken soon." Linglong, ahead of me, glanced back. "You’re injured yet possess such strength? I doubt you. Don't even think about making a move on Ma Xiaoda!" Ma Xiaoda, behind me, was deeply moved. "Sister Xiaosi, you really do care for your little brother after all! I’m so touched." Ma Chong, never a man of many words, stammered, "Y-you, I, I..." I cut in, "Enough of this 'you' and 'I.' I trust you. Dali Wan stays with me to hold them off; the rest of you must continue ahead." Linglong reined in her horse. "Absolutely not. Neither you nor Dali Wan know the mountain paths. If we stay, we all stay. If we go, we all go!" Yun Yao interjected, "I sense we’ll have to dismount and proceed on foot not far ahead. Let’s not quibble over details; just travel as far as we can." The look of sheer awe Ma Chong gave the aerial-capable Yun Yao was truly lantern-like, but nobody had time to explain the physics of human flight. I said, "Then you all go on ahead and wait. Dali Wan and I will set up a few horse traps to slow down these bandits." Zhou Ni also jumped off her horse. "Let’s all work together." "What’s a horse trap?" Linglong asked. I explained, "Find some sturdy vines, secure them to the ground, specifically designed to trip the horses. That should keep them busy for a while." Ma Chong was too heavily injured to ride and had to remain mounted, but he warned us, "It would be better to retreat a little further. This path is too narrow here; they won’t build up enough speed and could easily avoid the tripwires you mentioned." "You’re right," I conceded. "Let's pull back a bit more." Vines were abundant in the woods, old, long, and tough. The group cut four or five lengths and tied the ends to trees. We specifically chose spots where the undergrowth was thickest for the traps. This path was rarely used; though called a road, it was choked with grass nearly waist-high. In some places, even hidden tripwires would go unnoticed, let alone by horses galloping blind. After setting the traps, we hadn't gone far before the road became impassable for riding. Everyone dismounted and proceeded on foot. Dali Wan carried Ma Chong, while Ma Xiaoda and I led two horses each. We had to be wary of snakes, insects, and strange beasts, all while sticking close behind Linglong, lest the dense trees cause us to lose sight of the others in an instant.

Carefully navigating around a mud pit, I said to Ma Xiaoda, "Let’s cut some grass and toss it over this mire. If the bandits aren't careful, they’ll jump right in and get a nice mud bath." Ma Xiaoda chuckled wickedly. "Not bad, not bad! You’ve got more ideas than I do, kid. I willingly recognize you as my elder brother." I scoffed, "Forget it. You’re a Crown Prince; I’m just a commoner. If your father finds out, he’ll have my head. By the way, is your father Ma Da?" Ma Xiaoda was startled. "You know him?" "We’ve met once, you could say. You two are quite the pair, visiting the escape pods incognito, one right after the other. But your father had it much easier; he had no alarms or danger. You, on the other hand, almost got us killed by bandits at Flying Eagle Manor, fought a huge battle in Feiyu County, and now we have them right on our heels!" Ma Xiaoda seemed unconcerned by the danger. He laughed, "That just proves I have much greater charm than my father. Maybe a princess from the Ten Thousand Horse Kingdom has taken a liking to me. Hurry up and cut the grass! I’ll tell Sister Xiaosi to wait; we can’t get lost in these woods without them."

The bandits pursued relentlessly, following the traces left behind. Soon, a scout reported from up front, "Chieftain, the bodies of those two traitors we killed this morning are gone." The Chieftain commanded, "Pay them no mind. Keep chasing! We wasted time by heading straight for the county seat earlier. We must catch that child, or the sacrifice of our hundreds of brothers will be meaningless, and we’ll be punished by the High Leader when we return home." The bandits acknowledged the order and spurred their horses into a gallop. The sound of hooves drew rapidly nearer. How could those unfamiliar with true riding keep pace with bandits who lived on horseback? Victory seemed imminent, and the bandits increased their speed.

"Neigh...!" A neigh split the air as the lead warhorse suddenly lost its footing, crashing down with a thud. The rider, thrown forward by momentum, sailed over ten zhang before landing squarely on a tree fork, pierced fatally through the heart. The horse alongside it met a similar fate. As it fell, it slammed its rider against a nearby boulder, instantly crushing his skull. The five or six horses following behind couldn't stop and piled up, a cacophony of whinnies and shouts blending into chaos. The Chieftain yelled, "Whoa!" and managed to rein in his horse, fortunate not to have been at the front. "What happened? Why did the horses fall?" he roared from the saddle. They were so close to catching the child; this delay would let them escape again. A bandit quickly reported, "To the Chieftain, there are vines on the ground that tripped the horses." The Chieftain fumed, "How are there vines on the ground? Why didn't they trip the group that just passed, but only ours?" The bandit explained, "Chieftain, these vines were deliberately placed; it seems specifically meant to block our cavalry." A subordinate standing nearby said to the Chieftain, "Chieftain, the people of the Twin City Kingdom are growing smarter. They used to let us fleece them easily. I never expected that this time, using the Empress Dowager's clever plan, all the siege weapons we designed would be countered. Could it be that the destiny of the Twin City Kingdom is not yet spent?" The Chieftain spat, "No! Scouts report that throughout Feiyu County, the common folk whisper that the defense of the city was the work of one man. If not for him, we could have taken Feiyu County with just a hundred elite riders. This time, we must not only capture the child but kill him, ensuring the Twin City Kingdom ultimately becomes our horse pasture." The subordinate asked, "Who is that child that the Chieftain values so highly that we must capture him at all costs?" "How would I know?" the Chieftain snapped. "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Quickly send men to drag the injured horses aside, then dispatch others to clear the obstacles ahead. Once we pass this stretch of long, wild road, they won't be able to use dirty tricks." Indeed, more hidden vines were cleared further ahead. The Chieftain couldn't help but feel a chill. This insignificant figure possessed so many methods for dealing with cavalry. If he were leading the Twin City Kingdom’s army, the Ten Thousand Horse Kingdom wouldn't stand a chance. Soon, the lead clearing party reported back, "Chieftain, the road ahead is blocked. Our horses can go no further." "And those people?" "Judging by the tracks, they must have abandoned their horses and proceeded on foot." The Chieftain dismounted. "Good. We dismount too. Assign men here to guard the horses. Since we can't ride ahead, they will be a burden while leading their mounts. If we move unencumbered, we will catch them quickly." The bandits' formidable combat strength stemmed not only from their cavalry advantage but also their absolute obedience to orders. This Chieftain was already unsure how many he had replaced since entering Twin City territory, but his men still followed his command. The bandits, having abandoned their horses, indeed moved faster, and the distance to their target closed. The Chieftain walked near the center of the group. Just as they rounded a massive boulder, dull thudding sounds echoed from ahead, followed by wails like a ghost crying out. The Chieftain shoved aside a bandit blocking his view and rushed forward. Before him lay an open expanse of green grass, except this grass wasn't rooted to the ground—it had been deliberately laid over something. At first glance, one wouldn't notice. Beneath the grass wasn't a path, but a thick mire pit. Five or six bandits had carelessly fallen in. They managed only a few cries before sinking completely, not even their hair visible. The remaining bandits panicked, scrambling backward. They looked imposing on horseback, but they lacked the courage to fight nature itself. The Chieftain cleaved one down with his saber. "Stop! It’s just a mud pit! Next time, watch where you put your eyes! Go around and continue forward!" About a dozen bandits linked hands, cautiously skirting the edge of the pit. Suddenly, a piece of deadwood in the mire shifted. One bandit felt a sharp pain in his leg, screamed, and was yanked into the swamp along with the two others whose hands he held. "There's a monster in the mud pit!" someone shrieked, and chaos erupted again. The bandit Chieftain finally managed to stabilize the line. "Silence! Keep moving! Keep moving! Bows and crossbows! Shoot them with crossbow bolts!" But the bandits couldn't locate the 'deadwood' to target it. Finally, all the bandits safely crossed the mire.

Consequently, their cautious advance slowed their speed compared to their forward target. Yet, even with caution, mistakes occurred. More shrill screams rang out. The Chieftain rushed forward to see two bandits had fallen into a natural sinkhole in the middle of the path, which had been secretly fitted with several sharpened branches concealed under soft twigs and grass. They became human skewers. The Chieftain didn't want his men observing scenes like this, as it would erode their will to fight. "Forward!" he commanded, waving his saber. "Ah! Ah!" More screams followed. The Chieftain felt his head swell. "What now?" A bandit reported, "Chieftain, over a dozen of our brothers were bitten by venomous insects. It seems their venom is lethal; they’re foaming at the mouth! Quick, do something to save them!" Suddenly, a low roar echoed, and a dark shape sprang down from a large rock. A leader selected by bandits naturally possessed some skill. The Chieftain swung his saber at the shadow. To his shock, the shadow neither dodged nor weaved, coming straight for the blade. The Chieftain intended to force it back, but the attacker was fierce and descending from above; even if it landed on his blade, it would injure him before dying. Fortunately, he reacted nimbly, executing a clumsy roll to evade the dark shape. Only then did the bandits clearly see what it was: a White-Browed Great Tiger. It landed, raised a massive forepaw, and two nearby bandits instantly perished. Opening its massive maw, it lunged toward the head of another bandit. The bandits shouted in unison and loosed a volley of arrows, turning the tiger into a pincushion. The bandit Chieftain rose from the ground, breathing heavily. "That was close." A subordinate approached. "Indeed, Chieftain. Who knows what dangers lie ahead? Perhaps we should wait for them outside." The Chieftain was furious. "If they never come out, should we wait forever? No! Advance immediately! Anyone disobeying the order will be executed!" There had originally been over a hundred bandits. Two died and six were injured by the tripwires. Over ten men were left at the mountain pass to guard the hundred-plus warhorses. Even so, nearly a hundred chased them in. But more than a dozen died in the mire, two were skewered, and more than ten died after being bitten by poisonous insects, two more were killed by the tiger. Fewer than eighty remained. These eighty advanced, encountering monsters and traps until only forty-odd men reached the base of Gourd Peak. A weary subordinate reported to the Chieftain, "Chieftain, there is a small path leading up the mountain ahead, with a small rest pavilion on the road. Let’s rest there for the night and resume the pursuit tomorrow." The Chieftain looked at the setting sun. "No. It’s clear that their stronghold is just ahead. Those people assume the forest, mountain paths, and marsh will be sufficient defense, so they won’t be expecting us. We must launch a surprise attack immediately to ensure a single, decisive blow." Having pursued this far, the bandits had no desire to quit now. They rallied their spirits and charged up the mountain, brandishing sabers and crossbows. This mountain path had been carved into a steep cliff face. To the left was an abyss; to the right, a sheer rock wall rising two zhang before meeting the forest canopy. Just as the forty-odd men passed the small pavilion, a massive uproar erupted from the forest atop the cliff. Boulders rained down, smashing forty men to their deaths over the precipice. The remaining twenty-odd huddled tightly against the cliff face, managing to evade the rock shower for the moment. The bandit Chieftain bellowed, "Charge up! Once we break through, they'll have no place to defend!" These bandits were all outlaws who lived for bloodshed; the more violence, the more their savage instincts were aroused. The twenty-odd men carved a path with sabers and crossbows into a narrow ravine barely wide enough for two men abreast. The ravine wasn't straight, so they couldn't see what lay around the bend or use their crossbows effectively; they had to proceed cautiously. But caution was useless. The ravine was dim with insufficient light. Suddenly, blinding flashes of white light erupted from the corner ahead. The bandits who had attacked Flying Eagle Manor knew that light meant death. They turned to flee. But the ravine was too narrow; their panic jammed them in place. At that moment, white light also shot out from behind them. The remaining twenty-odd bandits were effectively wrapped up like dumplings in the gorge, bringing the end to the near thousand-strong bandit force.