The next morning.
Qinghe Town was as bustling as ever. To make a living, the townspeople rose early and hurried about; peddlers and laborers came and went along the streets, while the surrounding fields were filled with farmers.
The entire town brimmed with the peaceful, leisurely warmth of everyday life.
As the morning light spread, the taverns and teahouses along the streets had already opened for business. Calls to attract customers gradually rang out, blending with the cries of merchants and peddlers in a lively din.
No matter how terrifying yesterday's events had been, they were only a momentary shock. After a few tongue-clicks over tea and meals, they had already passed. Life still had to go on. Ordinary, steady, busy days were everything to the people of Qinghe Town.
However.
Not long after the main street had regained its bustle, a denser thunder of hoofbeats rang out beyond the town!
"Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!"
At once.
The long street fell abruptly silent. Everyone seemed to have had the awe in their hearts awakened, and they could not help stopping to look back. The whole of Qinghe Town sank into immense panic.
Even the Town Chief, whose injuries had yet to heal, came to receive them with a face drained of color.
Under countless watchful eyes.
Only the increasingly dense and distinct hoofbeats echoed from the silent town gate. The sound drew closer and closer, as though a terrifying pressure came rolling in with it!
As the leading black-maned spirit horse, towering over a man, galloped through the town gate.
Everyone's eyes were seized by the rider!
The man had a long beard and swordlike brows, his seemingly middle-aged face full of majesty. Wearing cloud boots and splendid robes, he looked noble beyond measure at a glance. Even Miss Chen,