Before setting off, Jiang Shouzhong thoughtfully prepared a martial-style outfit for Little Jiang Yi, one that carried the spirit of a gallant heroine.
The young girl wore a light, pure-white martial dress with a black belt tied firmly around her slim waist. On her feet were a pair of exquisitely crafted petite boots, making her appear both dainty and valiant, exuding a lively heroic aura.
At first glance, she resembled a beautiful young heroine straight out of a painting or storybook.
As they stepped out of the inn, Jiang Shouzhong noticed the monk and Taoist he had chatted with quite easily the previous day—they, too, seed ready to depart.
Upon seeing Jiang Shouzhong, the monk and Taoist imdiately broke into warm smiles and greeted him enthusiastically: "Good morning, Brother Jiang."
From their engaging conversation yesterday, Jiang Shouzhong had gained so insight into the two n.
The monk went by the title Bugui, while the Taoist was called Wulang.
These two had been neighbors from a young age, growing up together, though political strife had eventually forced them apart.
When they t again years later, one had beco a monk, the other a Taoist. Both had acquired remarkable skills and, after witnessing the many cold realities of the world, decided to roam the lands as companions, living as free spirits.
"Leaving so early, gentlen?"
Jiang Shouzhong smiled as he posed the question.
Taoist Wulang let out a hearty laugh, stroked his beard, and replied with a smile:
"Naturally, we want to reach Huye early for the grand gathering there. Heroes and champions from all corners will converge. If we arrive ahead of ti, we’ll get to make the acquaintance of so notable figures. Who knows? By sheer luck, we might gain from their grace and possibly elevate our cultivation further.
Brother, are you also heading to Huye? If you don’t mind our company, why not travel together? It’ll make the journey less lonely."
"Sure."
Jiang Shouzhong nodded and agreed readily.
The monk Bugui, glancing up at Little Jiang Yi sitting on the ox’s back, asked softly, "Brother Jiang, is that your daughter?"
"Ah, yes."
Jiang Shouzhong nodded slightly.
The monk Bugui, with genuine concern, offered a reminder: "Brother Jiang, given the current chaos in Nanjin Country, traveling with family requires extra caution, especially as the roads have not been free of horse bandits. Many of them are Jianghu practitioners."
Jiang Shouzhong chuckled and replied, "Thank you, master, for your reminder. I’ll stay mindful and exercise due caution."
Taoist Wulang, leading his mule by the reins, swayed his head as he spoke:
"You bald-headed monk, stop worrying yourself over nothing. This brother here looks like a master. Though I’ve road the Jianghu for many years, my eye for talent is still sharp.
By my estimation, even if Brother Jiang isn’t a top-tier First-Grade expert, he must surely be, at the very least, at the Little Grandmaster level. Just look at his sword—it’s no ordinary weapon."
"A Little Grandmaster?"
The monk couldn’t help but gasp, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scrutinized Jiang Shouzhong from head to toe. "Brother Jiang, are you really a master?"
In the monk’s eyes, though Jiang Shouzhong was undeniably handso, his scruffy beard and the old ox by his side made for a modest, everyday appearance that seed worlds apart from the image of a Little Grandmaster-level expert.
It was hard for him to reconcile this humble image with the notion of such martial prowess.
Jiang Shouzhong waved his hand modestly and replied, "Just a small grasp of swordsmanship, nothing worth ntioning."
Jiang Shouzhong had learned from Yan Changqing.
"Everything—just a small grasp."
Little Jiang Yi tilted her tiny face upward and declared loudly, "My father is the greatest master under the heavens!"
The monk and Taoist exchanged a glance upon hearing this and rely chuckled, dismissing Little Jiang Yi’s words as nothing more than the innocent boast of a child.
Casual conversation along the way made the journey less tedious.
The group traveled together, chatting continuously, making the journey feel anything but dull.
Taoist Wulang and Monk Bugui, seasoned travelers who had ventured far and wide, were filled with all sorts of strange and fascinating anecdotes. As they recounted their experiences, one after another, Little Jiang Yi giggled non-stop in delight.
And such an adorable and clever child as Little Jiang Yi easily earned the fondness and favor of both the monk and Taoist, who shared with her snacks like dried at and candied dates they had purchased from the town.
"This world, I must say, seems to have plunged into chaos quite suddenly."
The Taoist Wulang sighed and said, "I had thought Dazhou and Yanrong would eventually go to war. After all, their tensions have simred for years, always teetering on the edge. Who would’ve expected Dazhou to spiral into its own disorder first?
And now, Nanjin Country is in turmoil as well. For Yanrong, this situation is undoubtedly a golden opportunity.
I’ve heard that Yanrong is already preparing to send troops. The only question is whether they’ll strike Nanjin Country first or march directly toward Dazhou."
"It’ll be Dazhou, for sure,"
The monk Bugui said with certainty.
"Dazhou and Yanrong have long harbored grudges. If Yanrong waits too long and allows Dazhou to reunify its factions, consolidating its forces under one banner, any future offensives will beco much harder. For this reason, I believe Yanrong will undoubtedly target Dazhou first."
Jiang Shouzhong silently listened to their conversation, his thoughts drifting to Jingjing.
As one of the Ghost Guards under Empress Dowager Xiao’s service, Jingjing would surely know every detail of the dowager’s strategies.
He wondered whether that woman was still at Water Moon Manor.
...
At the foot of Demon Sea Mountain.
Xiao Lingqiu’s expression was as grim as the dark clouds looming overhead. Her delicate hand clutched a secret letter tightly, her gaze sharp with fury.
Beside her, a black-clad Ghost Guard knelt respectfully.
To track down Jiang Shouzhong’s whereabouts, Xiao Lingqiu had ultimately coordinated with the Ghost Guards stationed in Nanjin Country’s Capital City for assistance.
The senior Ghost Guard, who had parted ways with Xiao Lingqiu back at Zhenxuan Mountain, wasted no ti upon learning of her location, rushing over on horseback.
In his possession, he carried a highly critical piece of intelligence from Yanrong.
"Has Yelv Wuqi lost his mind? Who gave him the authority to send troops!? Does he think a shiny ’Great General’ title suddenly makes him a god of war?"
Xiao Lingqiu’s chest rose and fell erratically with her anger.
The Ghost Guard, keeping his head bowed and voice low, cautiously explained:
"According to our spies, the soldiers stationed in Fengcheng had indeed been temporarily withdrawn, creating an opportune mont. Furthermore, Empress Dowager, you had once left instructions to act opportunistically if the situation allowed. However, the final approval for General Yelv’s deploynt ca from the princess."
Xiao Lingqiu’s brows furrowed deeply in frustration. "That Miaomiao! Ever since she’s gotten a man, her brain has turned to mush."
The Ghost Guard hesitated briefly before asking, "Empress Dowager, should we make haste to return now?"
"Return?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingqiu froze montarily. Her expression grew conflicted.
She knew full well that returning now would an it’d be twice as hard to ever see Jiang Shouzhong again.
She should’ve gone back long ago, but she had deliberately delayed for the sake of spending more ti with Jiang Shouzhong, having squandered nurous chances to gain strategic advantages for their campaign against Dazhou.
With every mont wasted now, the situation grew increasingly disadvantageous.
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to leave.
Reason told her she should depart without delay, but her heart refused to take that step.
If she must leave, at the very least, she felt she owed him proper words of farewell. She couldn’t just slip away silently.
Her heart wavered.
Instinctively, she cast her gaze toward the distant peak, where Water Moon Manor stood tall, and unbidden, images of the won accompanying Jiang Shouzhong filled her mind.
The thought of those won surrounding Jiang Shouzhong brought an uncontrollable pang of lancholy to her heart.
Enough. Xiao Lingqiu sighed inwardly. From the start, she had never intended to pursue any romantic entanglent with him; the two of them were rely friends.
He already had so many won by his side; her absence would not make a difference to him, surely.
The Ghost Guard added, "Following the chaos that day, I’ve already secretly retrieved the Taoist Ancestor’s remains. The people of Zhenxuan Mountain are entirely unaware."
Xiao Lingqiu’s eyes glead with a sudden, intense light, her gaze montarily shadowed by complicated emotions.
At last, she clenched her slender fist as if making a decision and said coldly: "We’re returning to Yanrong. Launch the attack on Dazhou!"
What are n?
I, Xiao Lingqiu, aim for the world!
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