The sound of hooves was not the ordinary clip-clop of a traveling horse. It was a muffled thunder, like torrential rain and raging wind pounding the ground.
As the sound drew closer, the impact of the hooves against the earth became almost like the pounding of explosive war drums, making people's eardrums ache and their hearts beat faster.
Hearing the hoofbeats, Wan Haihao narrowed his eyes slightly and placed a hand on the Sword Hilt. His posture seemed relaxed, but in reality, he could unleash his strength at any moment and deliver a thunderous killing blow to any attacker.
The sword-practicing youths in the small town heard the hoofbeats, and their expressions varied. Some flushed with excitement, their breathing growing hurried, while others turned deathly pale, their legs trembling uncontrollably.
"That horse is definitely a Lan Qi from the Wu Family Horse Farm! I once saw one when I was traveling with my father. With fur the color of the sky like that, anyone with eyes could never mistake it!"
"I... I saw one more than ten years ago, too. The person riding that horse was alone, yet he wiped out the entire Autumn Wind Bandits, leaving their stronghold awash in blood and sparing neither man nor beast!"
"Hm? How do you know that?"
"I heard it from someone else. Don't worry about the details."
"I see it! That rider is wearing the plaque of the Governor of Ranzhou!"
"I heard war is about to break out. Is he here to recruit Master Wan?"
"On the battlefield, blades and swords have no eyes, and blood will flow like rain. But... with Master Wan's abilities, he can surely earn a title through military merit and protect his descendants for generations!"
"Master Wan has devoted himself to this town and has never