Li Muzhan was surprised; he had expected Elder Ji and the others to agree immediately upon his suggestion.
Though the Black Eagle Riders were elite, capable of holding off four opponents with ease, their greatest asset was that single Black Eagle. If that bird were taken down, the Riders would essentially be blinded.
It was precisely because of the Black Eagle that the Black Eagle Riders could maneuver freely, turning the vast grassland between the two cities into their personal backyard—they could arrive or depart as they pleased.
Without that eagle, even with their formidable fighting strength, if they encountered the Swift Cavalry Camp or the Flying Cavalry Camp, retreating unscathed would be virtually impossible.
They could always anticipate the enemy’s moves and maintain the initiative, while the men of the Swift Cavalry and Flying Cavalry Camps lived in constant dread. Once outside Tenglong City, their nerves would be taut, worrying that Black Eagle Riders might suddenly appear.
Under such psychological pressure, the execution of their combat power differed vastly, naturally leading to losses.
On the training ground, Li Muzhan sparred a few rounds with Elder Li and the others, taking numerous blows until he was breathless. He walked a few paces, quickly regained his composure, and stopped to speak with Elder Ji and the rest.
Elder Ji sighed and shook his head. “Minkong, we’ve all considered your idea, and many have tried to deal with that Black Eagle.”
“It can’t be done?” Li Muzhan asked.
Elder Ji shook his head and offered a wry smile. “Our military lacks master falconers. We have managed to train a few hawks, but once they meet the Black Eagle in the sky, they immediately become its followers, refusing to fight it.”
Li Muzhan raised his eyebrows in astonishment.
Elder Li snorted. “Hmph! It’s the Eagle King. No matter what other hawk it faces, they only obey. Don't even think about fighting it!”
Elder Ji sighed. “The hawks we buy from outside are of limited quality; none can surpass that eagle. So, Minkong, there’s no use in you wasting your effort.”
“Exactly. If we take care of the Black Eagle Riders themselves, what good is having an eagle anyway?” Elder Li interjected.
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment. “Elder Ji, I still want to try.”
“You little monk.” Elder Li glared, but Elder Ji waved a hand, stopping him, and looked at Li Muzhan. “Minkong, you must have an idea.”
Li Muzhan mused, “I want to try feeding it a Guyuan Pill.”
“Using Guyuan Pills to cultivate an eagle?” Elder Ji was momentarily stunned, and Elder Li’s small eyes widened again. He exclaimed, “You daring young man, you’re quite generous!”
He quickly added, “Elder Ji, this method might actually work….”
Elder Ji considered this for a while, then slowly nodded. “That is indeed a possibility. Whether it yields results is another matter… Very well, Minkong, you try it.”
Li Muzhan was overjoyed. “Thank you, Elder Ji!”
However, his real thoughts lay elsewhere, concerning his inner strength.
From Chi Ying (Red Shadow), he had grasped the sheer power of internal energy. Chi Ying was now extraordinarily vigorous, its speed doubled from before—a clear result of cultivating inner arts. If he could acquire an eagle and teach it to cultivate inner energy, its combat potential would be immense.
Yan Lengsi had intended to go with him, but Li Muzhan refused, not wanting to delay his own training. He decided to scout the terrain alone to see if his plan was feasible.
Yan Lengsi didn't press the matter. He knew his martial skill was far inferior, and in any conflict, he would only be a hindrance rather than a help.
That night, Li Muzhan scaled the western wall and entered the Great Grassland. Under the moonlight, he moved swiftly, like a wisp of smoke, gliding towards Lingyun City.
Taking advantage of the dark, he scaled the walls of Lingyun City and slipped into the Black Eagle Riders’ encampment.
The moment he stepped inside the Black Eagle Rider grounds, the hairs on his body shot up, and his expression darkened instantly. He knew he was in deep trouble—he had run into formidable opponents.
He closed his eyes, allowing his Eye of the Void to survey the situation. The layout of the entire camp was laid bare before him: nearly a hundred structures stretched out, sealing off the south side of Lingyun City, the entire camp arranged in a circle.
At the center of this circle was a large residence where four elders sat cross-legged in their respective rooms, meditating. As Li Muzhan’s Eye of the Void swept over them, all four simultaneously opened their eyes, their gazes piercing toward the high sky.
Li Muzhan startled and quickly withdrew his consciousness. That brief glance from the four men felt as if their gazes had met his—they seemed capable of sensing his scrutiny!
This was an unprecedented phenomenon; the mental fortitude of these four elders was truly terrifying.
The hair on Li Muzhan’s neck stood on end, and icy tendrils traced his spine. He felt as if he had stumbled into a tiger’s den, surrounded by mortal danger, liable to lose his life at any moment.
He restrained his consciousness, drawing it back into his body, turning himself into a stone statue, his heartbeat seemingly ceasing, daring not to make the slightest move.
He was certain that any display of movement would invite the immediate, lethal attack of these four, against whom he stood no chance.
He sighed inwardly. He should not have been so hasty; coming here only after mastering the second layer of the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture would have been foolproof.
He chided himself for letting his guard down. Since entering the military compound, the environment had become tranquil. His enemies were only the Black Eagle Riders across the way, and the immediate surroundings felt utterly safe, allowing him to relax his vigilance.
In his previous life wandering the martial world, he had been constantly on guard, never knowing when an enemy might spring a surprise attack, keeping his mind perpetually sharp. But within the military camp, he only needed to be tactical during actual battles, and his mind settled, causing his sensitivity to danger to dull.
Had he been his former self, he would have realized immediately: if two masters from the Lingshan Sect had broken in, how could the Black Eagle Riders not know, and why wouldn't they have tightened their defenses?
After a brief moment of self-reproach, he quickly suppressed it and urgently sought a countermeasure.
A whistle blew, and the entire camp awoke from its slumber, stirring into organized patrols, dividing into squads and teams, and beginning to sweep through the barracks.
Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. It seemed remaining hidden was impossible; he would have to force his way out.
Suddenly, he moved, transforming into a wisp of smoke, utilizing the ‘Small Dragon Ascending Form’ for fluid, graceful movement, traversing the area right under their noses.
He was incredibly light, landing without a sound, and his speed far outstripped that of the Black Eagle Riders, even though they were all experts. He headed inward, intending to slip into Lingyun City—it was safer inside than outside, and besides, he hadn't forgotten his primary objective.
Drifting like fluff, he weaved through the sightlines of the knights, finally breaking free from the encirclement and slipping out of the camp. He immediately let out a long breath.
Just then, a cold snort sounded directly in his ear.
His hair bristled, and Li Muzhan turned with a wry smile. The four elders stood behind him, their expressions amused as they assessed him from head to toe.
Of the four elders, one was stout and tall, his face the color of rich jujubes; another was slender and vigorous, standing straight like a pine tree, his features sharp and his eyes piercing. The remaining two were unremarkable in appearance, medium build, with plain features—easily overlooked.
Li Muzhan perceived that the internal energy of these last two was significantly less profound than that of the other pair.
Li Muzhan flickered suddenly, vanishing from his spot and reappearing thirty yards away—having completely exited the camp boundaries and darting toward a nearby street.
The barracks were separated from the civilian houses by a hundred meters. He covered that distance in a single bound, aiming for a side alley, but in a flash, the four elders stood blocking his path.
Li Muzhan offered a bitter smile. They truly were tough adversaries; their lightness skill surpassed his own.
If one’s qinggong is inferior, escaping becomes difficult. He sighed, cupped his hands in a bow, and chuckled genially. “Four seniors, you stop me for a reason. May I ask what business you have?”
A red-faced elder said coldly, “You are from Dayang, aren’t you?” He was robust and tall, his face thick and ruddy like dried dates, his eyes sharp and intimidating.
Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. “Indeed. This junior is from the Dayang sect of Shuishuin Shushuwang [Watermark Book Website]. I heard the horses of Western Zhao are excellent, so I came to see for myself.”
As he spoke, his face was wreathed in smiles, yet he secretly activated the Lamp-Lighting Technique. Unfortunately, the internal energy within the military was completely unresponsive; the technique failed.
The red-faced elder sneered. “Admire the fine steeds? I doubt that’s the whole story?”
Li Muzhan maintained his amiable smile. “Why would seniors say that? The fine horses of Western Zhao are peerless, and the Black Eagle mounts are the finest among them. They truly live up to their reputation…”
“Heh, boy, you think you can fool children with that talk!” another elder with plain features sneered. “You sneak in here in the dead of night just to look at horses?”
Li Muzhan nodded solemnly. “Precisely! The mounts of the Black Eagle Riders are truly exceptional!”
The four shook their heads and smirked, glaring coldly at Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan smiled. “Do the four seniors still have questions?”
“Any Dayang person who trespasses into the Black Eagle Rider territory is to be slain without mercy,” the red-faced elder sneered, narrowing his eyes. “We’ll grant you a swift end—why don’t you commit suicide now?”
Li Muzhan paused, then shook his head, crying out in grievance, “Why do seniors say this? Although I am from Dayang, I have committed no crime by coming to Western Zhao. Why the immediate call for death?”
“Regardless of who it is, anyone who violates the Black Eagle Rider station is to be killed immediately,” the red-faced elder stated coldly, impatiently snorting. “Hurry up and end yourself. If we do it, death won’t be so easy.”
“Second Brother, we haven’t found out who he really is yet. How can we just let him go?” the vigorous elder frowned.
The red-faced elder sighed. “What a pity.”
“Farewell!” Li Muzhan suddenly moved, charging toward the four like a falling meteor.
In that instant, he switched to the Azure Sea Divine Art, igniting its burning technique. Stamping his foot, he turned into a streaking comet, charging them head-on.
His inner energy burned fiercely, boundless strength surging out, his meridians feeling as if they would tear apart. His vision blurred, so he closed his eyes and observed through the Eye of the Void.
The four elders were momentarily startled, then moved to intercept, striking out with open palms. Suddenly, they sensed something amiss: Li Muzhan passed through them like a clear breeze, his palm strikes hitting only empty air.
Sensing danger, the four turned to pursue, but Li Muzhan had already vanished without a trace. The four exchanged glances, deeply astonished that the cooked duck had flown away.
“Chase!” The four roared in unwilling anger, pursuing in the direction Li Muzhan had fled.
Li Muzhan activated the Lamp-Lighting Technique, his inner energy blazing, his speed electric.
The streets of Lingyun City were a complex network, connecting in all directions. He cut through one section after another, twisting and turning toward the west, as he knew the Black Eagle Riders were at odds with the White Horse Riders in the west.
Near the White Horse Rider quarters, in a commoner’s house, he slipped inside and hid himself.
Soon, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Li Muzhan sighed inwardly. They had mobilized soldiers and initiated a lockdown, searching house by house. (To be continued)
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