The celestial horses, capable of understanding human speech and possessing profound spiritual awareness, were nonetheless arrogant and stubborn. When Feng Zikang questioned them, they merely snorted, tossing their heads high with manes flowing, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Did you not hear what I said?"

Feng Zikang remained composed, reaching out to lightly stroke the blade of his sword.

"I shall ask one more time: I require two horses to pull a carriage. Are you willing?"

Of the three celestial horses, the lead one, a chestnut-red beast of violent temper, continued to shake its head wildly despite being restrained, spitting directly at Feng Zikang. With a slight motion of his sword edge, Feng Zikang made the horse's spittle vanish without a trace.

Miss Wu found it rather amusing to watch him solemnly address a group of horses. Though sharp for her age and possessing an old soul, she was still only a girl of twelve or thirteen, and she covered her mouth to stifle a soft laugh.

"It seems I still haven't made myself clear..."

Feng Zikang showed no urgency, repeating his query. Yet, questioning the horses was no different from playing music to a cow; he received no response whatsoever. The three celestial horses exchanged looks of disdain, treating him as if he were a fool.

Feng Zikang let out a hearty laugh. "I have spoken three times. It seems it is not that I was unclear, but that you deliberately refuse to answer. If that is the case, do not blame me for being merciless!"

A dark gleam flashed across the iron sword. Before anyone could discern how Feng Zikang moved, the head of the chestnut-red celestial horse separated from its neck, a cascade of equine blood erupting like a waterfall!

"Ah!"

Miss Wu gasped, her face paling, and she stumbled several steps back.

The other two celestial horses were so terrified their legs turned to jelly. They defecated and urinated profusely, whinnying several times before their front knees buckled, causing them to collapse onto the ground.

Feng Zikang slowly and methodically wiped the blood from his iron sword, saying coldly, "Now, are you willing to pull the carriage?"

The two remaining celestial horses nodded ceaselessly, the last vestiges of their arrogance completely gone.

Seeing one of their own perish gruesomely before their eyes—the pity of fellow creatures, the sorrow felt when a neighbor falls—how could they cling to pride?

Feng Zikang retrieved the Cloud Carriage from his storage pouch and tossed it outward. It grew in the wind, settling on the ground: its seat fashioned from gold, its canopy of jade, and a pure white cloak fluttering in the breeze—truly a carriage of unparalleled magnificence.

Miss Wu had witnessed immortal arts before, but a celestial carriage so opulent and beautiful was new to her experience, and her gaze grew momentarily distant.

The two celestial horses, seeing the vehicle, also displayed a measure of excitement, feeling that their status was finally being honored; as for their recently deceased companion, he was naturally forgotten.

Feng Zikang harnessed the two celestial horses and beckoned Miss Wu to board.

"Do you know how to drive a carriage?"

"Drive... drive a carriage..."

Miss Wu had intended to say no, but catching a glimpse of the chestnut-red corpse lying nearby, a jolt went through her heart. She quickly nodded in affirmation, took the whip Feng Zikang had inexplicably produced, and settled into the driver's seat, placing the sleeping little fox on her lap.

"Very well. I shall take a short rest. You must continue due south, toward the Southern Barbarian Cold Mountain Cave..."

Since they were flying through the air, traveling perpetually south guaranteed they would not get lost.

"Yes..."

Miss Wu replied quietly. Only after seeing him enter the carriage compartment to rest did she let out a long sigh, feeling as if all the strength had drained from her bones. A damp chill covered her back; she must have broken out in a cold sweat.

From the moment she was seized by the Nine-Tailed Fox, feigning composure had been a necessary act she maintained until this very moment. In truth, fear had been consuming her.

Though Miss Wu could be considered a spirited daughter of a military family, she was, after all, only thirteen. She had not been pampered excessively in childhood, and her family cherished her deeply. To suddenly face such a drastic upheaval and remain outwardly calm spoke volumes of her excellent upbringing.

The Nine-Tailed Fox had expressed surprise at Miss Wu's composure and offered comforting words, but Miss Wu perceived the resolute killing intent in the fox's eyes. Knowing her life was likely forfeit, she showed nothing on her face while constantly plotting an escape.

Fortunately, the Nine-Tailed Fox had died suddenly after giving birth, and she had been rescued by this young man of fifteen or sixteen. She had begun to relax, merely restraining any overwhelming joy or grief out of concern for propriety. She hadn't expected this young man, despite his age, to be so ruthless; even the celestial horses, being rare and spiritual beasts, were not spared his merciless sword stroke.

I absolutely must not provoke this man!

Miss Wu silently cautioned herself and gently flicked the whip. The two celestial horses, thoroughly terrified, were now compliant. Without needing further urging, they spread their wings and sped southward.

When she was snatched by the Nine-Tailed Fox, she had been carried aloft, so terrified that her soul had nearly fled, leaving her no courage to observe her surroundings. Now, seated securely in the Cloud Carriage, traversing the vast sea of clouds, she saw the horizon ablaze with golden light and the world’s mountains and rivers miles below shrunk to the size of tofu blocks, stirring a sudden surge of heroism within her.

She glanced back toward the carriage compartment. Feng Zikang’s eyes were half-closed, neither fully asleep nor truly awake.

However, when he was disciplining the horses, he gave repeated warnings. He is likely not someone whose temper is capricious and who kills on impulse...

Miss Wu had been well-read since childhood. Feng Zikang had questioned the celestial horses three times, and only when he received no response did he execute the beheading to establish authority. This demonstrated a profound understanding of military strategy, not mere random slaughter.

In the past, when Sun Tzu served the King of Wu, the King, hearing of his military prowess, summoned him and asked him to demonstrate his skill by training the palace maids into an army. Sun Tzu readily agreed, appointing two of the King's favorite consorts as generals and selecting hundreds of palace girls to form ranks.

Initially, these women treated the training as a frivolous pastime, giggling incessantly. After repeatedly issuing commands and confirming their understanding, yet still failing to observe military discipline, Sun Tzu immediately executed the two leading consorts. The King of Wu was heartbroken, yet he saw that the formation of palace maids now advanced and retreated with precision—it had indeed become a viable fighting force.

Feng Zikang had employed the same method in taming the horses: direct, simple, yet remarkably effective.

"That is actually a very good tactic..."

Miss Wu's terror began to subside. Recalling the decisive decisiveness of Feng Zikang’s demeanor during the execution, she felt a surprising sense of awe.

"If one day I have to tame a fierce steed, I might try that method!"

Imagining the formidable bearing of herself subduing a wild horse, a smile touched her lips.

Miss Wu drove the Cloud Carriage for a full day. The little fox slept soundly, but her own stomach was churning with hunger. Realizing the little fox would also need sustenance, she finally sought a place to land.

Feng Zikang emerged from the carriage and nodded when he saw her. "Find something to eat for yourself. As for the little fox..."

The little fox likely needed milk, but finding milk in this desolate region of the Southern Border would be impossible. Feng Zikang waved his hand, sighing, "What a nuisance. Hand the little fox over to me!"

Miss Wu dared not refuse and gave the little fox to Feng Zikang. She surveyed the surroundings: ancient trees soared high, thickets grew dense, and she could hear the rustling of various small rodents scurrying about.

Turning back, she summoned her courage and addressed Feng Zikang, "Martial Uncle Feng, might I borrow a weapon for a moment?"