The rising sun had just broken the horizon. The cool morning breeze was brisk, the ripples on Moon Lake clear and enchanting. The water plants by the shore swayed, lush and fat.
Amid the lively throng of several hundred Cannibal Tribe members, Yue Qianchou and Crocodile Immortal Lord walked out of the tent, both nearly half-naked. They faced everyone's gazes calmly and without fear. Everyone was dressed this way, after all. Birds of a feather flocked together—nothing strange about it.
Yet the two men standing there made a stark contrast in build. Compared to Crocodile Immortal Lord's nearly two-meter-tall bulk, Yue Qianchou looked somewhat slight. Fortunately, he had practiced the Five-Animal Frolic for years; the taut muscles all over his body kept him from looking weak.
Wearing beast-hide boots and a fur skirt around his waist, Yue Qianchou strode up to the magnificent steed, flirtatiously tossed his head of little braids, and leaped straight onto the horse. Jialan, who had been holding his horse for him, wore a face full of resentment as she reluctantly handed him the reins. Yue Qianchou hurriedly pretended not to see and turned his head away.
All six mounted up. The three warriors were Yue Qianchou, Crocodile Immortal Lord, and Boli. The other three tribesmen were there to assist the three of them. The instant all six were mounted, the gathered tribespeople opened a path. They danced wildly on both sides. More than twenty beast-hide drums formed two rows, pounding fiercely as they sent the warriors off.
Boli led the way, turning his reins and urging his horse into a gallop. Yue Qianchou followed close behind, then Crocodile Immortal Lord, with the remaining three tribesmen at the rear. Hooves flew, and the six of them charged like smoke into the narrow forest trail in the