Dawn had barely broken when the orderly sound of hoofbeats rang out across the open ground outside Stone Fort. Tang San and Xiao Wu shared a horse, its black coat sleek and shining, its four hooves steady upon the ground. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing rode side by side, the aura of the White Tiger Spirit faintly lingering around their horses, adding a touch of intimidation. Lin Zhixia and Gu Zhinian shared a white horse, the Azure Bamboo Flute slung diagonally at Gu Zhinian's waist, swaying gently in the wind. Ning Rongrong sat behind Oscar, her hands lightly around his waist, while the faint glow of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda flickered in her palms. Ma Hongjun rode a brown horse close beside Bai Chenxiang, occasionally leaning over to say something that made her turn back and glare at him, though laughter hid in her eyes.
The party slowly rode out of Stone Fort and headed toward the Limali Plain. Ma Hongjun flicked his riding whip and looked at Marshal Ge Long's cavalry ahead of them, unable to stop himself from complaining to Tang San. "Third Brother, we Shrek people and the Tang Sect disciples made a huge contribution by holding the supply line this time. But when Marshal Ge Long reported back to His Majesty last night, every other word was about how skillfully he'd commanded things, while he brushed over our achievements like they were nothing. It's really irritating! We fought through blood and fire, so why should he get all the credit?"
Dai Mubai could not help but smile, his tone carrying the steadiness of experience. "Fatty, matters at court change in an instant. Marshal Ge Long is a veteran general of Heaven Dou with immense prestige in the army. Saying that was also meant to