Chen Ye felt the newborn power within him, delight and satisfaction welling up in his heart. He stretched a little, feeling light in body and full of vigor.
He had never felt better.
Chen Ye glanced outside the tent and discovered that the campfire had gone out at some point.
His men had all retired as well, their snores rising and falling around him.
The night had grown deep.
Chen Ye settled his emotions, lay down fully clothed, and closed his eyes to rest.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, his men dismantled and packed the tents and other supplies as usual, loaded them onto the wagons, and set out again.
The changes the night before had left Chen Ye in high spirits.
Along the way, he occasionally exchanged a few words with Zhuang Chaoyang, Jiang Yi, and the others, looking thoroughly relaxed.
Even the spring scenery along the road seemed more lively and vibrant to his eyes.
After they had traveled for a little over two hours, a sudden flurry of urgent hoofbeats rang out.
Cui Changfeng's expression changed. He quickly rode over to Chen Ye and said, "Someone's coming! Watch out for bandits!"
Chen Ye immediately reined in his horse and shouted, "On guard!"
His men moved at his command, swiftly forming a defensive formation.
Blades left their sheaths, bows and crossbows were readied, and everyone braced for battle.
They fixed their eyes on the road ahead.
The hoofbeats drew closer and closer.
Soon, a cloud of dust appeared in their field of vision.
There were some fifty or sixty riders, all clad in silver armor, with standard-issue sabers hanging at their waists.
The man at their head rode a chestnut horse.
He wore a black brocade robe. His complexion was ruddy, and his narrow eyes