The official road from Jiangdong to West Jiangnan Circuit was not easy to travel.
Especially after passing beyond Xinzhou.
The mountains abruptly rose steep and jagged, unlike the gentle, enchanting landscapes of Jiangdong.
Here, mountains massed like a gathering crowd, waves roared with fury, the Gan River flowed north, and the cries of apes rang endlessly from both banks.
Jiangnan's distinctive ink-wash blue-green hues, upon reaching this place, seemed as though the painter had drunk himself drunk, jerked his wrist hard, and splashed out a wild air of desolation and boldness.
Green mountains lay faint in the distance, withered leaves rustled bleakly.
Several hundred riders, clad in black with crimson patterns, silently galloped along the official road like a winding serpent.
At their head rode an old general clad in heavy black armor that gleamed darkly.
Beneath him was an exceptionally divine Crimson-Eyed Stallion.
White vapor puffed from its nostrils, while wind sprang beneath its four hooves.
The old general's face bore the marks of wind and frost, yet his spirit remained vigorous.
Only a trace of worry lay hidden in his eyes.
He was none other than Yue Huaiyuan, the Demon-Suppressing General of the Jiangdong Regional Command.
He lightly tugged the reins, turned his head to glance at the side, and said irritably, "Enough. The mountains and waters of West Jiangnan Circuit are nothing special. What fucking difference is there from our Jiangdong?"
Hearing this, Xie Tinglan awkwardly shrank his neck and gave a sheepish laugh.
"General Yue, you've traveled north and south and seen the world. This junior is simply... on his first journey far from home."
He cupped his hands atop his horse.
Yet inwardly, he grumbled without end.
This old bastard.
How could he know that Xie Tinglan had entered Lu Jingchun's tutelage from childhood? Not