Four days later, the thunderous sound of galloping steeds rang out, like muffled thunder rolling closer from afar as they sped down the Song official road toward Hangzhou.
Hooves kicked up dust that swirled high into the air like gusts of wind. Within the haze appeared rows of powerful riders in open-chested leather outfits, wearing hats adorned with long eagle feathers. Nearly all of them were broad-shouldered, thick-backed, muscular, and imposing.
"Black Wind is passing through! Clear the way at once! We ask our fellow travelers to forgive any offense!"
The burly man at the forefront shouted, raising his whip overhead and cracking it through the air before bringing it down heavily across his horse's rump. The fine horse neighed painfully and ran even faster.
The many elite bandits of Black Wind Stronghold followed suit, shouting as their voices carried far down the official road. Their cries rose and fell amid the repeated cracks of whips, while fierce riders swept ahead like a gale to clear the way.
Merchant caravans and martial artists who had already heard the shouts quickly stepped aside at the sight of this vanguard, pointing and discussing them with reverence.
In the Song Empire, no one failed to recognize where such boldly dressed men came from.
And because they knew, they held them in great awe and willingly gave way.
Once the road had been cleared, an even larger convoy immediately followed behind.
Wagons and horses rolled onward. In the middle of the convoy, eight sturdy Dayuan fine horses pulled a massive flatbed wagon forward.
A huge iron cage had been secured atop the flatbed. Blazing flames danced wildly in the wind, and within them lay a gigantic beast, crouched motionlessly. Its chest and belly pressed tightly against the bottom of the cage as though glued