Xiang Tingchun

Horse Riding counted too?

"Neigh—"

Before Chen Sanshi could think it over carefully.

The White Swan Horse suddenly neighed toward the sky, then bolted from the stable in an uncontrollable mad dash, bucking constantly as it tried to throw the rider from its back.

"Fuck!"

Chen Sanshi nearly went flying. He hurriedly seized the reins with both hands, planted his feet in the stirrups, and clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly.

Watching others ride made it seem easy enough, but only after truly riding did one realize that horseback riding was absolutely no simple matter.

Especially with a fiery, unbroken horse—one careless fall could easily cost a life!

"Neigh—"

The White Swan Horse whinnied as it charged wildly in every direction.

Sitting atop it, Chen Sanshi felt the gale roaring past his ears and the scenery whipping backward around him. Coupled with the horse's resistance, it was practically like riding a roller coaster without a safety belt.

"Good beast!"

He simply wrapped his arms around the horse's neck, intending to subdue it with brute force.

Man and horse remained locked in a standoff for a full half hour, neither side able to claim victory.

Only after both were utterly exhausted did they temporarily call a truce.

Skill: Horse Riding (Not Yet Initiated)

Progress: (35/100)

Effect: None for now

"You're a mare?"

Most military horses were mares or geldings. Stallions were far too combative.

Chen Sanshi bent down and examined it carefully.

He did not know much about horses, but he did know that mares were generally smaller. Yet the one before him was clearly an exception, astonishingly strong and robust.

"Hahahahaha!"

A hearty laugh sounded from behind him.

Chen Sanshi turned around and discovered that it was Xiang Tingchun.

Xiang Tingchun had removed his armor and changed into ordinary clothes. His face carried a little more kindness now, though an air of authority still faintly clung to him.

A Thousand Households was an official of the Fifth Rank.

In Poyang County, the Fifth Rank was already the sky itself.

Not merely the sky in official rank, but also the sky in cultivation and power.

"Lord Thousand Households."

Chen Sanshi cupped his fists in salute.

"How is it? This horse isn't easy to tame, is it?"

Xiang Tingchun teased, "It's supposed to be difficult. If it weren't so wild, and if it didn't sometimes injure people, they never would have been willing to give it to me—and I certainly would not have been willing to give it to you. Whether you can tame it depends on your own ability."

The Thousand Households had not come specifically to find him.

Chen Sanshi noticed that, not far away, a groom led out another white horse. The Thousand Households was likely preparing to head out and had merely happened to encounter him here.

"Work hard. If you need anything, come find me."

After saying that, Xiang Tingchun swung himself onto his horse.

His own horse was very docile.

Where is he going?

Chen Sanshi pondered, Did they find the key to open the immortal treasure last night? Did they capture all those masked men? Was Luo Dongquan involved too?

Before leaving the Horse Farm, he saw another black horse appear, riding abreast of the white horse.

The rider was Luo Dongquan.

He was involved in the immortal treasure affair too?

This group was clearly keeping it hidden from the Imperial Court.

He became even more curious about what exactly was inside the box.

"Old Luo, do not mention the matter of selecting vanguards again."

Xiang Tingchun said firmly, "At a time when the Great Sheng Imperial Court lacks manpower, what kind of spectacle would it be if we continued fighting among ourselves?"

"My lord."

Luo Dongquan looked reluctant. "The first half of next year will be the final selection of vanguards by the Commander-in-Chief."

"So what?"

Xiang Tingchun tugged on the reins. "You must understand something. The Commander-in-Chief holds too much power, and he is already advanced in years. His Majesty has long wanted him to step down.

"Joining the Eight Great Camps at this time may not necessarily be a good thing.

"His Majesty has been seeking new talent these past years, intending to reshuffle the Northern Frontier. The Eight Great Camps may very well be broken up in the future and reassigned to the east, west, south, and north.

"At this crucial juncture, if someone can rise above the rest, they may not be unable to reach a high position under the future Commander-in-Chief."

Luo Dongquan listened with rapt attention. "So that is why you intend to cooperate with the martial arts academy and seek this so-called 'immortal treasure.' But does there truly exist some divine object in this world that can rapidly increase one's cultivation?"

"Judging by how excited those old fellows from the martial arts academy are, it does not seem fake. I do not know where the barbarians acquired such a treasure.

"No wonder the barbarians' raids have grown increasingly frequent since last year."

Xiang Tingchun paused before continuing, "You must remember that the immortal treasure is not our main goal. Those fools have not thought it through—if such a thing truly existed, could they keep it hidden? What matters most is using this opportunity to make the martial arts academies and wealthy gentry of the county bleed a little, so we can prepare for next spring."

"My lord, do you truly intend to leave the Great Wall and strike at a branch of the Yuwen Tribe?"

Luo Dongquan looked grave. "The barbarians living around the Xi River have at least two thousand five hundred in Combat Power. We only have nine hundred men in total, and we must report to the Ministry of War and obtain its approval before sending troops."

"That is why I need warhorses, bows and crossbows, grain, and medicinal materials—in other words, I need silver!"

As they spoke.

The two arrived amid the fields.

Xiang Tingchun raised his riding crop and pointed at the vast farmland. "Do you see it? All this land should have belonged to our Great Sheng, yet what happened? Seventy or eighty percent of it has become the private property of martial arts academies and country gentry!

"Now that war rages without end and money is needed everywhere, they refuse to part with even a single coin!

"The matter of the immortal treasure is perfect for helping me intimidate them.

"With money and strength, once we establish an achievement that will never fade, naturally there will be better places for us in the future. Why should we remain confined to the Eight Great Camps?

"Old Luo, how long have you been with me?"

Luo Dongquan nodded. "By winter, it will be exactly twenty-one years."

Xiang Tingchun said in a low voice, "In all of Poyang, you are the one I trust most. That is why I have told you alone about this matter. I hope you will give me your fullest support. When we succeed in the future, whatever position I reach will be your position as well."

"Rest assured, Lord Thousand Households."

Luo Dongquan cupped his fists. "This subordinate is willing to brave boiling water and raging fire for you, my lord. Even if I must die ten thousand deaths, I will not refuse!"

"Let us go. We will speak with those old fellows from the martial arts academy."

The two rode into the city and went straight to Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy.

Liang Zhan greeted them at the entrance. "My father and several uncles have long prepared wine and dishes and await you both. Please come in, my lords!"

After receiving the guests.

Liang Zhan did not immediately enter. Instead, he waited for a martial arts academy disciple and asked, "Have you found him?"

"In reply to Young Master, no."

The disciple answered, "He was not in any of the residences where our senior and junior brothers live in the city, nor was he at his old home in Yanbian Village. We asked around everywhere, but everyone said they had not seen Qin Feng."

"He has disappeared?"

Liang Zhan tapped his palm with his folding fan. "There is an eighty percent chance that he was killed by that brat surnamed Chen from the Military Camp."

"Then what should we do, Young Master?" The disciple was close to Qin Feng and looked heavy-hearted.

Liang Zhan said coldly, "What else can we do? We have no evidence. Dead means dead. What, do you expect me to hand you a sword so you can charge into the Military Camp and avenge him?"

The disciple fell silent.

Liang Zhan sneered.

Qin Feng had been decent. He had trained at their martial arts academy for several years, worked tirelessly without complaint, and valued loyalty.

Not long ago, by a stroke of chance, he had overheard a secret conversation between Liang Zhan and his father. Seeing that the boy had always kept his mouth shut, they had not killed him and had instead accepted him as a personal disciple.

Yet he had insisted on courting death.

Liang Zhan had advised him and helped him.

To Liang Zhan, Qin Feng's life was worth no more than a few dozen taels of silver.

Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy was not lacking in personal disciples. Liang Zhan would not be foolish enough to take risks avenging him.

"This Brother Chen is rather interesting!"

"Qin Feng was at least proficient in Blood Refinement, yet he was killed just like that."

"Once I finish dealing with this busy stretch, I should properly get to know him."

"Last night... also happened to be when the barbarians escaped the city. What a coincidence."

Liang Zhan narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.