Dressed as a man today, she wore a gray tight-fitting outfit, a bamboo hat, and a small, dark goatee resembling Li Muzhan's.
Dressed in male attire and seated on horseback, she appeared exceptionally upright, radiating martial spirit.
Six people followed her, all elderly men in their fifties or sixties, each with a different expression: some vigorous and alert, others listless, some placid as water, or cold as ice.
The six men had varied looks, their only similarity being their profound cultivation; all were top-tier masters.
Li Muzhan was secretly startled, his heart chilling.
Li Muzhan was astonished.
It seemed Taibai Stockade was no minor entity.
If the six surrounded him, he probably couldn't manage; he might have to use the Randeng Shu just to escape.
He had absolutely no chance in a direct confrontation.
An armored soldier suddenly rushed before Li Muzhan, gave a military salute, and shouted loudly, "Mingkong, the Right Commandant summons you." Li Muzhan looked up into the distance.
The Right Commandant was positioned in the middle of the formation, standing atop a war chariot pulled by four tall horses, guarded by over twenty personal escorts. "Yes," Li Muzhan nodded, dismounted, told Chi Ying to follow with the main group, and proceeded with the soldier to the war chariot, saluting, "Right Commandant." The Right Commandant, clad in military uniform, exuded an added air of heroism.
He snorted, "Mingkong, go scout ahead, together with the Fan family's people." "Yes." Li Muzhan nodded, turned back to Chi Ying, mounted the horse, approached Fan Peiyao, and executed a military salute, "Young Master Fan." Fan Peiyao immediately smiled, her eyes curving beautifully, beaming cheerfully, "Master, what is the matter?" Li Muzhan said, "The Right Commandant has ordered me to scout ahead.
If it is convenient for Young Master Fan, shall we go together?" "Certainly," Fan Peiyao agreed readily.
Li Muzhan and Fan Peiyao moved forward, the six elders trailing closely behind them like shadows.
Li Muzhan glanced over but said nothing; clearly, these six were responsible for Fan Peiyao's safety.
The two rode at the very front.
The official road was wide, and the two horses accelerated, Chi Ying neighing softly with excitement.
This kind of galloping was immensely satisfying for it, and it neighed ceaselessly—vastly different from running within the barracks compared to galloping freely on the official road outside the city.
It ran faster and faster, quickly outstripping Fan Peiyao by a large margin.
Li Muzhan did not stop it, merely laughing and letting it fly.
Fan Peiyao urged her horse on, chasing closely behind, yet unable to catch Chi Ying.
She sighed inwardly; her own horse was also a rare fine steed, but it paled in comparison to Mingkong’s.
The warhorses of the army truly lived up to their reputation.
It was a pity that military mounts could not be ridden by civilians; using one was a grave offense, a trouble no one wished to invite.
Chi Ying bolted, running wildly, and within a blink, the soft whinny faded, the rider and horse becoming small dark dots accompanied by Li Muzhan's laughter.
Fan Peiyao bit her lip and let out a soft huff.
She finally slowed her pace.
Soon, Li Muzhan reappeared, having doubled back.
She gazed at him with sharp eyes, "Master, why have you returned?" Li Muzhan smiled, "I don't know the way; I still depend on Young Master Fan." Fan Peiyao smiled smugly, huffed, "Your horse runs quite fast.
Are all the army's horses this magnificent?" Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed, "If they were all like Chi Ying, there would be no need to stubbornly defend Tenglong City; we'd just attack the Western Zhao directly." "I suppose so." Fan Peiyao studied Chi Ying, a look of envy flashing across her face.
Li Muzhan laughed, "Chi Ying is one of the finest steeds, especially skilled in speed, but its temper is too volatile, prone to injuring people.
That's why it became my companion—a matter of fate." "Truly a fine horse," Fan Peiyao clicked her tongue in admiration.
Li Muzhan smiled, "Its temper is bad; outsiders cannot ride it...
How much further?" He feigned ignorance of Fan Peiyao's thoughts—she wanted a ride on Chi Ying to experience riding a warhorse, but Chi Ying was his mount and not to be trifled with.
Fan Peiyao gave him a sidelong glance, pouted, and silently called him stingy, yet she wasn't truly angry; if it were her, she wouldn't want others riding her horse either.
Fan Peiyao replied, "About twenty li further.
We need to get ahead and hide...
Today, one of our escorts will pass through; we've already spread the word.
Once Taibai Stockade makes a move, we will encircle them." "It's already arranged?" Li Muzhan inquired.
He had been puzzled why they needed cavalry for attacking a mountain stronghold; infantry seemed more appropriate.
So, it was an ambush, waiting for Taibai Stockade to fall into the trap. "What if the people of Taibai Stockade don't move?" Li Muzhan asked with a smile.
Fan Peiyao pursed her lips and smiled, "The fellows at Taibai Stockade are extremely arrogant.
Even if they know it's a trap, they will still move." "That's for the best," Li Muzhan nodded.
The two rode ahead, the six elders following without a word, like shadows.
Chi Ying occasionally let out a soft whinny, clearly stifled, obviously disliking holding back its pace.
Fan Peiyao led the way along the official road, then suddenly turned, heading toward a slope on the side.
This section of the official road was flanked by high mountains on both sides, their slopes densely covered with pine forests.
A gust of wind swept through, rustling the green canopy, vibrant with life.
Fan Peiyao entered the mountain on the right.
Upon entering the woods, she dismounted and tied her reins to a tree, securing the horse before walking upward on foot.
Li Muzhan released Chi Ying, gently stroking its neck.
Chi Ying was intelligent and knew it was supposed to wait; it lowered its head to graze.
The six elders tethered their horses separately and followed behind the two, their steps light and silent upon landing.
The eight of them found individual trees, perching on the branches, each holding a large branch to obscure their faces, blending into the forest so as not to be detected.
Seated in the trees, looking down from a commanding height, the situation on the road below was completely visible.
Li Muzhan and Fan Peiyao sat on one tree.
The branch was thick and sturdy, and they sat shoulder to shoulder, each holding a piece of branch to shield their heads.
A delicate fragrance drifted faintly into his nostrils, refreshing and stirring his heart.
Li Muzhan took a deep breath, pointed toward the distance, and asked, "Is Taibai Stockade across the way?" "Yes." Fan Peiyao gazed toward the opposite mountain, "Taibai Stockade is on that mountain, easy to defend and hard to attack.
The only way to take it is to lure them out." Li Muzhan asked, "Miss Fan, isn't it a bit late to act now?" Fan Peiyao turned her head, "You mean he has already consumed the Ginseng?" Li Muzhan smiled, "If you steal something, wouldn't you eat it quickly before others take it back?...
I heard it can enhance one's power, right?" Fan Peiyao smiled slightly, "Indeed." "If it were you, Miss, would you eat it after stealing it?" Li Muzhan asked.
Fan Peiyao shook her head, "With his level of cultivation, consuming the Ginseng is of little use anymore." "Then why did he steal it?" Li Muzhan inquired.
Fan Peiyao explained, "This stalk of Ginseng is priceless.
It can save lives, and countless people want to buy it; it would fetch a high price." "This bounty must be very valuable, right?" Li Muzhan smiled. "Yes," Fan Peiyao nodded lightly, sighing, "Losing this shipment means a year's work is wasted." Li Muzhan suddenly raised a finger slightly.
Faint sounds of approaching hoofbeats could be heard in the distance, rolling closer, accompanied by shouting.
Fan Peiyao listened intently, glanced at him, and said, "The escort team is here." She found it strange—she hadn't expected his hearing to be so sharp, allowing him to detect the sounds a step before her.