Able to Bend and Stretch

County Town.

It was roughly in line with Chen Sanshi's estimations.

The leopard's most valuable parts were its gall and heart. The rest of its body was sold for a total of forty-six taels of silver.

After dealing with the goods, he hurried back to the garrison before nightfall.

"Running back and forth like this is such a waste of time!"

"I really need a mode of transportation."

Chen Sanshi had been cultivating day and night recently, hardly even practicing archery, and had only visited the horse farm once.

With this thought in mind, he didn't go home but headed to the military camp.

"Hiss—"

As soon as he reached the stables, the white horse became restless, neighing and stomping its hooves as if issuing a threat.

Chen Sanshi's temper flared instantly.

The moment he opened the fence, the White Swan horse charged out like a madman.

Chen Sanshi grabbed the saddle, leaped onto the horse's back, and cracked his whip.

The White Swan horse, in pain, ran even faster, trying its best to throw the person on its back off.

While steadying himself, Chen Sanshi used the reins to force the horse to run in the direction he guided.

With his strength at the Minor Accomplishment stage of Blood Tempering, it was naturally not something a horse could resist.

The White Swan horse struggled at first, but as time passed, perhaps its spirit and energy were exhausted, or perhaps it realized resistance was futile, it finally began to obey slowly.

Half an hour later, it was as obedient as his own arm.

The reins in Chen Sanshi's hands were like a car's steering wheel, allowing him complete freedom.

Skill: Horse Riding (Novice)

Progress: (0/200)

Effect: The steed recognizes its master, telepathic connection.

A steed?

The system panel called it a steed, so its bloodline must be truly exceptional, just a bit stubborn.

As for the telepathic connection, it was an indescribable feeling, quite mysterious.

If he had to describe it, Chen Sanshi felt that the White Swan horse, despite having known it for a short time, felt as familiar as an old dog he had raised for twenty years, and they were telepathically linked, able to understand each other's intentions.

This was crucial.

On the battlefield, a general and their warhorse were the closest comrades. A good coordination could sometimes save lives.

When he read the Great Sheng historical records, he remembered that the current Grand Ancestor, Cao Xie, had once been a household servant responsible for raising horses for wealthy families and had developed a bond with a foal.

Later, during a pursuit, Cao Xie was saved by that horse.

Otherwise, there would have been no Great Sheng Dynasty of the Cao family.

Having tamed the White Swan horse, Chen Sanshi planned to go back and rest.

However, when they reached the stable, the White Swan horse was very resistant, indicating it did not want to live in the cramped stable.

Chen Sanshi didn't mind.

His home had plenty of space, more than enough to keep a horse. He brought the fodder and trough home with him.

"Shi Ge'er is so imposing."

Gu Xinlan's heart skipped a beat as she watched her man ride a horse into the courtyard.

Even though he was still just an Officer, in her eyes, Shi Ge'er was increasingly like a general from a storybook.

Chen Sanshi, ravenously hungry, had dinner, then ate another Leopard Gall, and continued practicing his spear in the courtyard.

The spear whistled like thunder, yet the horse was not afraid at all. It stood under the osmanthus tree, watching him, occasionally taking a few bites of fodder, and only fell into a deep sleep standing up late at night when it was tired.

After he finished practicing his spear, Lan Jie'er had also prepared hot water for Chen Sanshi to bathe and change.

"I've finished processing the tiger skin you brought back,"

Gu Xinlan showed off the tiger skin blanket. "How about I make it into clothes for you? It would be warm in winter."

Chen Sanshi leaned in the bathtub and said, "Show me you wearing it."

"Ah?"

Before Gu Xinlan could react, she heard her man say again, "I mean, don't wear any other clothes, just wear that."

"Shi Ge'er..."

Gu Xinlan's pretty face flushed to her neck. "You, who did you learn from? Your tricks are getting more and more elaborate."

Who would ask someone to dress up as a tigress?

The next day.

White Dew condenses sweet fruit, morning mist scatters horse hooves.

Chen Sanshi rode his White Swan horse to the military camp to sign in.

After training ended, he went to Wang Zhi's tent and told him about Poyang and the possible involvement of the Witch God Cult, hoping he would report it to the Thousand Households and have someone sent to investigate.

Then, he requested another day off, preparing to head up the mountain again.

The White Deer, he was determined to get.

Not only did he desperately need a Heavy Bow, but the White Deer itself was also a great tonic, its effect on cultivation speed no slower than a Tiger Heart.

Even if the bait cost fifty taels, it was worth a try.

After requesting leave, Chen Sanshi hadn't even left the tent when his subordinate Wang Li approached him.

"Sir."

Wang Li reported, "Someone from the Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy wants to see you."

"The one surnamed Liang?"

Chen Sanshi hesitated for a moment: "Let him in."

Since they wanted to meet, he would meet them in the military camp.

Soon, Wang Li led someone in, but it wasn't Liang Zhan himself, but a disciple from the Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy.

"Officer Chen."

The disciple first cupped his fists in greeting, then took out an exquisite sandalwood box from his embrace: "My young master knows you've been hunting deer recently and specifically picked a hundred-year-old Treasure Mushroom from Medicine Valley.

"Furthermore, my young master also asked me to convey a message.

"There were some misunderstandings between us before, Officer Chen. I hope you will accept this gift as an apology, let bygones be bygones, and if you need any help in the future, my young master will definitely assist you with all his might."

Chen Sanshi savored the meaning behind the words.

The one surnamed Liang, was he afraid of him?

That couldn't be right.

It was understandable that Qin Xiong, a mere ruffian, would be intimidated by his archery skills.

But this Liang Zhan was, after all, a Bone Tempering martial artist, and he had fought bravely with the Witch God Cult followers that day.

Why would he need to apologize and offer a gift to a mere Officer Chen, a Blood Tempering martial artist?

What a flexible and adaptable person.

This person must not be kept!

Chen Sanshi felt as if he were facing a great enemy.

He had originally intended to refuse the Treasure Mushroom, but seeing the gleam in Commander Wang's eyes, he changed his mind: "I'll accept the gift. Please thank Young Master Liang for me."

There were indeed aspects of Wang Zhi that were worth learning from.

When dealing with people like this, there was no need to talk about honor.

A sugar-coated bullet.

Sometimes, you just had to swallow the sugar and spit out the bullet.

Perfect.

Fifty taels of silver was too extravagant for bait; it would be better used to buy tonics to improve his cultivation.

"It's good that you accepted."

The martial arts academy disciple breathed a sigh of relief: "Before I came, my young master instructed me not to return if Officer Chen did not accept the gift."

"What about me?"

Wang Zhi, who had been holding back, asked: "Your young master and I are sworn brothers, kindred spirits. Don't I get anything?"

"Commander Wang, this, this..."

The martial arts disciple coughed awkwardly: "I still need to return to report. I shall take my leave now."

With that, he turned and hurried away without looking back.

"Pah!"

Wang Zhi cursed, "The Liang family is truly snobbish. They know it's a sure thing that you'll enter the Eight Great Camps and be under the Governor's Mansion in the future, so they're trying to curry favor with you!

"But..."

He said seriously, "You need to put in the effort. The more they respect you now, the greater the backlash you'll face if you fail in the elite selection later."

Chen Sanshi naturally understood this.

That made it even more important to cherish his time.

He picked up his weapon, mounted his White Swan horse, and left the military camp, heading straight for Tiger Head Mountain.

With the Treasure Mushroom.

The probability of finding the White Deer should greatly increase.