These scholars had come from various nations, and even included descendants of the Sage Aristocratic Clans. All had answered Fang Yun's call, and some had already moved their entire households to Ning'an City to settle there for good.
They all rode Flood Dragon Horses, formerly the property of the Flood Dragon Sage Palace. The palace had possessed many islands in the Eastern Sea. The Western Sea, Southern Sea, and Northern Sea Dragon Palaces had swept through some of them first, leaving only a few unimportant islands.
Even so, those islands could provide the Jing Kingdom with a hundred thousand Flood Dragon Horses every year.
Fang Yun spurred his horse onward. As he approached Ning'an City, countless citizens cheered aloud.
"Peace to you this autumn, Void Sage Fang!"
"Peace to you this autumn, young Magistrate Fang!"
The cheers surged like a tide.
The children in particular shouted with all their might, whether they recognized Fang Yun or not.
In Ning'an City, Fang Yun would always be the most familiar face.
Fang Yun used Tongue Blossoms Thunder to declare, "Elders and neighbors of Ning'an City, colleagues and literary friends, I am heading north to rescue my friend Zhang Poyue and cannot linger. Once I bring him back, I will return to Ning'an, and we shall reminisce over yellow chrysanthemums and yellow wine!"
The citizens of Ning'an City answered eagerly.
Fang Yun clasped his hands in salute to everyone and charged toward the Raging Waves Battle Platform spanning the Yishui River. However, he spared an extra glance for the five-thousand-strong cavalry battalion composed of scholars.
Some had the impression that Fang Yun had given the cavalry battalion a slight nod.
The private barbarian troops and the scholar cavalry turned their horses and followed Fang Yun's company.
Hooves thundered like drums, dust surged like