"Uncle Yao, Uncle Zhou, let's go!" Jiang Yuyan said. "Them...?" Yao Sitong gestured toward the north.

The rooftops were mantled in white snow, the sky a clear azure, and several dark specks stood out starkly against the blue-and-white backdrop. They leaped forward like thrown pebbles, their speed astonishing.

A slight curl touched Jiang Yuyan's lips. "No need to mind them, let's go!"

Yao Sitong and Zhou Dashan glanced at Li Muzhan, nodded resignedly, and stepped onto the carriage shafts.

"Giddy-up!" Zhou Dashan cracked his whip with a sharp snap, shouted an encouragement, and the four white horses trotted forward, their hooves churning the thick snow.

The beautiful woman in middle age leaned against the carriage window, watching the great mansion shrouded in snow. A dreamy light flickered in her lovely eyes, her heart filled with a thousand emotions.

Yao Sitong stood up, his hand resting on the top edge of the carriage box, his gaze sweeping above the roof and turning to look behind them.

………………………

There was Li Muzhan, seated motionless on the bay horse, his bow drawn but not loosed, allowing the eight figures to approach as swiftly as flying birds.

He felt a trace of worry, yet also anticipation.

The Young Mistress had always been fiercely proud, looking down on all others; whoever could bring themselves to serve her must not be ordinary, certainly possessing astounding martial skill.

That bay horse was truly magnificent, bearing a white diamond mark on its forehead, its eyes like gleaming jewels, shining brightly, imbued with a sharp, intelligent aura, much like human eyes, rich with emotion.

At this moment, it was casually pawing the ground, scraping away the snow to expose the damp earth beneath.

The carriage gradually picked up speed. As the eight men in black swept past the grand residence, four dropped into the courtyard while the other four vaulted directly over the walls, chasing the carriage.

"You surnamed Yao, stop right there!" a burly man roared mid-air, his voice like a colossal bell, shaking the surroundings.

Yao Sitong, one hand pressed to the carriage edge, the other stroking his beard, laughed heartily. "You surnamed Nian, stop shouting! Fate arranges meetings; we'll meet again another day!"

"You surnamed Yao, stop, or don't blame us for being impolite!" The burly man wore black attire, his face elongated sideways, resembling an eggplant.

His eyes were narrow and long, his nose elongated too, his chin hooked upwards, his gaze flashing with cold light as he glared fixedly at the carriage.

"Zheng," a cold glint flashed, and he drew his sword while airborne. Amidst the shimmering cold light, the man and sword became one, shooting directly toward the carriage, forming a silver torrent, like a white rainbow piercing the sun.

Although Yao Sitong found Li Muzhan’s stillness strange, he could ignore it no longer. He leaped onto the carriage roof and drew his own sword to meet the charge.

The man surnamed Nian, body and sword united, moved with incredible speed, arriving before Yao Sitong in the blink of an eye. The two were about to clash.

"Wooo!" A sound like a tiger's roar suddenly erupted.

The face of the burly man surnamed Nian changed drastically; he was abruptly swept sideways, flying away as if pulled by an invisible string.

……………………………

The other three were less skilled than the man surnamed Nian, trailing three to four zhang behind. Seeing this, they instantly grew alert, realizing they had been ambushed. They quickly dropped toward the ground, sinking straight down like three stones.

To be caught ambushed while in the air was to be a stationary target—equivalent to courting death.

"Bang!" A dull thud sounded, and three streaks of dark light flashed and vanished in the air; the three men followed, flying sideways.

Yao Sitong gasped, sucking in a cold breath. He had seen clearly: this Master Mingkong had first shot one arrow to send the man surnamed Nian flying, and for his second action, he simultaneously loosed three arrows, striking the other three men with pinpoint accuracy.

Such archery was truly miraculous; with martial arts of that caliber, the four had absolutely no room to evade. He shook his head in awe—all four were masters.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and the hair on his arms stood up as he saw Li Muzhan raise his arm and shoot toward him.

His eyes caught a fleeting glint of dark light. Just as he was about to duck his head, a fierce gust swept past, and an angry "Wuuu!" roared past his ear.

"Bang!" A muffled sound echoed from behind him.

Cold sweat instantly flooded his back, having just walked the line between life and death. He quickly spun around to look back, only to see two figures in black lying by the base of the wall, submerged in the thick snow, their condition unknown.

Zhou Dashan’s expression remained unchanged. He whipped the horses faster, silently admiring the skill; if not for those two arrows, he himself would have been hit.

He hadn't expected the Nanjiang family to be so wary of the Madam; they not only stationed men in the residence but also set up defenses in the outer perimeter—their intentions were laid bare.

Yao Sitong glanced at Li Muzhan, feeling a touch of annoyance. If the shot had truly been aimed at him, he would already be pierced. Such archery was truly terrifying!

Amidst the muffled drumming of hooves, the carriage pressed forward. Chi Ying trotted along slowly behind, keeping pace. Li Muzhan sat upright on the saddle, occasionally loosing an arrow.

With every arrow shot, one pursuer fell. The carriage finally passed through the alley and reached the wide main street. In that single alley, he had taken down over twenty people.

Upon reaching the main street, Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong both breathed sighs of relief. The area was crowded; it would be difficult to ambush them here. They could take advantage of the throng to slip away unnoticed.

Li Muzhan rode Chi Ying, leisurely following the carriage.

"Make way! Make way!" Zhou Dashan cracked his whip and shouted loudly, his voice like a huge bell. The carriage sped down the street, and people scattered, muttering curses.

Zhou Dashan was burning with anxiety. He couldn't bother with them now; the family would certainly dispatch more men once they received word, so they had to leave the city as soon as possible to avoid being trapped like turtles in a jar.

"Waaah!" A child, about five or six years old, sat crying on the ground. People dodged frantically, ignoring the boy, and knocked him over.

The white horses thundered past, about to run right over him. People covered their eyes, unable to watch.

Zhou Dashan leaped onto the back of the foremost white horse, wrapped his whip around the child, and yanked. The child flew up and landed safely among the crowd on the side of the street.

Amidst the gasps of the onlookers, the carriage sped away, hooves hammering urgently, disappearing from sight in moments.

The journey was smooth after that. The four horses bolted, quickly clearing the West Gate. Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong finally let out long sighs of relief; they had successfully escaped the dragon's pool.

They knew best the vast influence and formidable strength of the Nanjiang family. If the family had been prepared, they wouldn't have escaped the city; they would have been annihilated right there.

The two exchanged a look and then turned toward Li Muzhan behind them.

Li Muzhan sat on Chi Ying's back, his eyes slightly closed, seeming already asleep, gentle and serene, as if he had just performed some utterly trivial task.

Having witnessed Li Muzhan’s archery, even though they didn't know the full extent of his martial arts, they admired him. Might makes right—this was common knowledge among martial artists. Even if he was young, he possessed the standing to be arrogant.

The purple curtain of the carriage shifted, and Jiang Yuyan stood by the edge, asking Li Muzhan, "Master, which way do we proceed?" Li Muzhan opened his eyes and said gently, "Directly back to the capital, let's take the official road."

"Good." Jiang Yuyan nodded, then turned. "Uncle Zhou, Uncle Yao, we'll take the official road. No need to rush; proceed as usual."

Yao Sitong stroked his beard, frowning. "Miss, we must hurry. Once the Family Head hears, he will send many experts."

Jiang Yuyan chuckled softly. "The Master can take the head of an enemy general amidst a thousand armies as easily as taking something from his pocket. What is there to fear from the petty Nanjiang family?"

The two looked over, perplexed.

Jiang Yuyan smiled. "Have you two uncles heard of the great victory at Shenguang City?"

Yao Sitong nodded. "Of course, we know! It was the first major victory of Dayang against Eastern Chu in centuries—incredibly uplifting!" Jiang Yuyan pursed her lips and smiled. "The Master was the greatest contributor to that victory—assassinating the famous Eastern Chu general, Ximen Zhan, which led to General Hua's great success." "Ah?" The two stared wide-eyed at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Yuyan, perhaps it's best not to speak of these things."

"Yes, Master," Jiang Yuyan replied obediently.

Jiang Yuyan continued, "Uncles, the Master was ennobled as a General because of this military achievement. The Emperor personally bestowed a General's Residence upon him. Once we arrive at the General's Residence, no matter how bold the family, they won't dare to provoke us!"

"Master, pardon our disrespect, pardon our disrespect!" The two cupped their hands toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled, his palms together, shaking his head. "Gentlemen, no need for such formality."

Yao Sitong chuckled. "The battle of Shenguang City—we really held our heads high! Old Zhou and I heard the news and got gloriously drunk. Truly exhilarating!" Li Muzhan smiled. "It was the soldiers' dedication that was the foundation of victory; it wasn't all my credit." Seeing his modesty, the two said no more, their expressions turning respectful.

……………………………

The carriage turned south along the official road, heading towards the capital. The Jiang family was called the Southern Jiang family, not because they were in the south; quite the opposite, the Nanjiang family was in the north of Dayang.

As for the origin of the name Southern Jiang, very few knew the reason. Jiang Yuyan explained it to Li Muzhan: the Jiang family called themselves Southern Jiang because they had migrated south previously.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly upon hearing this; he had thought it sounded quite mysterious, but it was merely a reference to their ancestral home.

The carriage sped on. In a short time, they had covered over ten li. Behind them, urgent hoofbeats sounded. The snow on the official road had been swept away, revealing the ground beneath, and the hooves striking it made dull, thudding sounds.

Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong kept looking back. A group of men were pursuing them, drawing closer and closer. Even with four horses pulling the carriage, they couldn't outpace a single swift horse.

Li Muzhan slightly lowered his eyelids, his expression placid, observing from above with the Eye of the Sky.

There were twenty riders in total behind them, all clad in tight black satin jackets, long sabers and swords hanging at their waists. They were all around forty years old, the peak of a man's vigor, their spirit full and concentrated, their gazes sharp, their brows and eyes hinting at a history of killing.

Evidently, each one had taken lives and fought many battles. As they galloped, they maintained complete silence, their expressions resolute and determined.

Seeing Li Muzhan's composure, Zhou Dashan and Yao Sitong felt deeply impressed. With the pursuers closing in, his ability to remain outwardly calm and composed demonstrated a level of mental cultivation far beyond their own.

After another li, the pursuers were even closer, only a hundred meters away. Three riders pushed off their saddles and flew into the air, darting like flying snakes skimming the grass tips, shooting directly toward them.

"Bang!" A dull thud, the bowstring vibrating violently.

A flash of dark light appeared, and the foremost middle-aged man suddenly flew sideways, sliding about ten zhang through the air. "Bang!" He crashed into the snowdrift by the roadside and vanished from sight.

The other two slowed their horses, turning toward Li Muzhan. Two arrowheads were already upon them; they could only watch helplessly as the points grew larger, unable to evade.

Each arrow pierced their shoulders, sending them flying sideways into the snowdrifts nearby.

This arrow was not fatal; it sealed their acupuncture points, rendering them immobile and unable to use their internal energy for a time. Furthermore, the internal energy he used was cultivated through the Tianyuan Breathing Technique, meaning it contained no poison.

The weather was fickle. The sky had been clear azure moments ago, but now a thick layer of dark clouds had gathered. After a gust of wind, snowflakes began to drift down lazily, scattering like catkins.

The carriage, drawn by four fine horses, raced down the official road. The riders behind pursued, but they kept their distance, increasingly hesitant to approach. In that short time, Li Muzhan had shot four more men flying.

Ten riders trailed far behind, maintaining a distance of about a li. Three others turned their horses around and headed back—to relay messages and summon more manpower.

The snow grew heavier and denser, and the north wind howled. Fortunately, they were traveling with the wind, making the journey easier; in fact, the wind seemed to push them forward.

Li Muzhan and Chi Ying remained untouched by the snow, appearing perfectly clean. When a snowflake landed on him, it seemed to suddenly slip away, as if encountering an invisible wall, and slide off.

………………………

After another ten li, the snow intensified. Yao Sitong and Zhou Dashan looked up at the sky; snowflakes were battering down incessantly.

"Master, perhaps we should rest for a moment?..." Yao Sitong asked.

He had intended to ask the Young Mistress—since the Madam did not manage affairs and the Young Mistress made all decisions—but now that the Young Mistress deferred entirely to the Master, he addressed the Master directly.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "We rest when we reach a town."

"Good." Yao Sitong nodded. Seeing Li Muzhan’s remarkable state, he was amazed; the Master's internal power was truly unfathomably deep.

The group traveled rapidly through the dense snowfall. The four horses steamed heavily, exhaling white plumes, while Chi Ying seemed unaffected, trotting along leisurely behind.

In that time, thirty more riders caught up. They did not rush to close the distance, instead joining the first ten and trailing far behind.

Another dozen li passed, and the official road was now coated in snow, making the surface slightly slippery.

Zhou Dashan suddenly frowned. "Damn it, they took a shortcut and are blocking the way ahead!" "A pincer attack—they've planned this well!" Yao Sitong snorted coldly, turned, and called out, "Master, what now?" Li Muzhan replied, "Let's charge through." "Right, charge through!" Zhou Dashan nodded fiercely, flicked his whip in a sharp flourish, shouted loudly, and the horses sped up again.

The carriage, pulled by four horses, charged forward like a war chariot, breaking through the thick snow toward the ten men blocking the official road.

Yao Sitong squinted. "It's... the Eldest Young Master!" Zhou Dashan snorted. "Whether Eldest Young Master or Second Young Master, now that we're this far, there's no turning back. Even if the Family Head himself came, we'd still charge through!" "That's true!" Yao Sitong slowly nodded.

The Nanjiang family had strict ancestral rules. Once one rebelled, the pursuit would be relentless, like maggots clinging to bone. Even if they returned to the clan, death would likely be the result.

They had entrusted their lives to the Madam; at worst, they would die, thereby repaying the Madam’s kindness.

A clear, bright voice drifted from ahead: "Uncle Yao, Uncle Zhou, please stop for a moment. Your nephew has a few words for my younger sister!"

His voice was not loud, yet it drifted through the snow, clear and unbroken.

"Miss...?" Yao Sitong hesitated, then whispered.

"...Stop for a moment!" Jiang Yuyan sighed after a brief silence.

…………………………

The carriage halted. The four horses panted heavily, their breath clouding the air. Snowflakes falling onto their steaming bodies instantly melted into running water.

Jiang Yuyan slowly stepped down, followed closely by Yao Sitong, who rested his hand on his sword.

Zhou Dashan took out a cloth and began wiping down the horses, showing no concern for Jiang Yuyan's safety, as he had absolute faith in Li Muzhan's archery.

Chi Ying stopped beside the carriage, motionless, tilting its head to observe the ten riders ahead.

A handsome youth leaped down from his horse and walked a few paces forward, stopping before Jiang Yuyan.

He was tall and straight, his face like flawless jade, his eyes like bright stars, his eyebrows like drawn swords. He possessed a scholarly elegance tinged with martial spirit—a rare beauty.

Li Muzhan inwardly noted that this must be Jiang Yuyan's elder brother, Jiang Yuhan.

He stared at Jiang Yuyan and sighed. "Younger sister, what is it? Why the sudden departure?"

His gaze shifted to Li Muzhan, and he said quietly, "Is it because of that monk?" Jiang Yuyan gazed fixedly at his jade-like face and shook her head. "Elder Brother, are you here to persuade me to return?"

Jiang Yuhan said, "Younger sister, don't be foolish! How can you leave! The clan is like a great tree, and we are mere twigs. Leaving the tree's protection in this harsh world, battered by wind and rain, how can we resist?... Regardless, you are a young lady of the Nanjiang family! Please return, alright?"

Jiang Yuyan shook her head. "Elder Brother, I injured Second Brother. Even if Father doesn't kill me, Second Mother will not spare me, nor will she spare my own mother. Rather than face that, it's better to leave early." "I am here!" Jiang Yuhan quickly said.

Jiang Yuyan smiled. "Second Brother is crippled, which is your opportunity, Elder Brother. How could I implicate you?... When you become the Family Head in the future, I will return!"

"If I cannot protect my sister, what face do I have to be the Family Head!" Jiang Yuhan grumbled.

Jiang Yuyan shook her head. "Elder Brother, you need not say more. My mind is made up; I will absolutely not return!"

"Silly girl, why go to such lengths!" Jiang Yuhan sighed.

Jiang Yuyan said, "When Elder Brother becomes the Family Head, I am certain the Nanjiang family will ascend to a higher level. I offer my early congratulations!" "It's too early to speak of that," Jiang Yuhan shook his head with a wry smile, sighing. "Although Second Brother is crippled, Father says it might not be a bad thing... Second Brother truly seems like a different person."

Jiang Yuyan frowned, pondering for a moment, then shook her head. "Elder Brother, your younger sister cannot help you further. If you have leisure in the future, come visit me at the General's Residence in the capital. Your sister takes her leave now!" With that, she performed a formal bow and immediately turned to slip back into the carriage.

"Younger sister!" Jiang Yuhan started, then called out quickly.

Jiang Yuyan pulled back the window curtain and smiled. "Elder Brother, are you truly going to stop me?" Jiang Yuhan showed a troubled expression and sighed. "Alas, younger sister, this is the Family Head's command. I dare not disobey. You must return!" Jiang Yuyan frowned. "If I insist on leaving, Elder Brother will use force, won't you?" "...Alas, why must it come to this! No matter what, I will not let you leave. You do not know how difficult the world is; you will surely regret this later!" Jiang Yuhan insisted.

Jiang Yuyan looked at him deeply, lowered the curtain, and raised her voice. "Uncle Zhou, Uncle Yao, charge through!" "Got it!" the two responded, climbed onto the carriage, and prepared to spur the horses forward.

"Insolence!" Two men in black satin jackets rushed forward, lunging at the two drivers.

PS: Everyone has cast over thirty monthly votes. Thank you all very much; I am greatly encouraged. I will push myself again today!