Leaving the Residence

The Han River ran north to south, stretching for more than thirty thousand li. It was the Great Yan Dynasty's most magnificent river.

It rose in the vast Kunlun Snow Mountains, where ice and snow that had endured for ten thousand years melted and gathered into the Tuo Tuo River. It cleaved through mountains and gorges, took in a thousand streams and countless rivers, its waters vast and surging as it flowed from west to east into the sea.

Passing through Qing Province, Su Province, Shu Province, Yun Province, Hu Province, Central Province, Jiang Province, and Ping Province, it nourished a thousand li of fertile land and sustained the martial world of an entire region.

At the border between Yun and Hu Provinces, two peerless mountains rose from the earth. Jade Dragon and Haba faced each other from afar, their sheer cliffs standing a thousand ren high like two colossal pillars holding up heaven and earth, magnificent and majestic.

When the Han River's ten-thousand-li torrent reached this place, the cliffs on both banks locked it in, and the broad river surface suddenly narrowed.

Furious waves crashed together, exploding into water mist a thousand zhang high.

The endless roar sounded like thunder rolling across the heavens without cease.

The gorge here was perilous beyond compare, its waters overwhelming and thunder qi abundant. This was the most dangerous and wondrous place along the Han River—

Tiger Leaping Gorge!

Xie Jinghan looked at the map of Great Yan's terrain, his gaze fixed on that spot with considerable satisfaction.

Tiger Leaping Gorge lay three thousand li from Heaven-Bearing Prefecture. Riding hard on a fast horse, he could reach it in just over ten days—the distance was perfect.

At daybreak the next morning, the sky was barely bright, and morning mist shrouded the Xie Residence.

Xie Jinghan had finished preparing. An ancient sword case was strapped to his back, the Thunderclap Sword hung at his waist, and his plain clothes made him look neat and unrestrained as he swung himself onto a fine horse capable of traveling a thousand li.

The steed raised its hooves and neighed.

Without lingering, he spurred his horse and cracked his whip, galloping out through the gates of the Xie Residence. A single rider kicked up a trail of dust as he sped away.

"Hyah~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The various martial wanderers who had lain in wait around the Xie Household for days all turned to look when they saw Xie Jinghan traveling alone.

Those who coveted his reputation and wished to challenge him at his door, or sought a chance to settle old scores, immediately mounted their horses and silently followed after him.

Wei Dong and the young A Qing, concealed in the shadows, exchanged a distant glance. They quietly restrained their auras and followed, blending into the crowds as they trailed close behind.

On horseback, the fierce wind howled, tugging at his clothes.

Xie Jinghan's gaze turned cold.

This time, he had deliberately left the residence in such a high-profile manner to draw away every one of these ill-intentioned people.

As long as he left Heaven-Bearing Prefecture, their eyes would remain fixed upon him.

Then the Xie Household would be left in peace.

Moreover, the Mystic Azure Sword Sect had sent word that Xie Jinlin and Wang Tianfeng had both been accepted as inner disciples under Ling Yun's master—True Person Yin Zi.

Perhaps thanks to those two prophecies from before, the two of them had won True Person Yin Zi's considerable favor, and cultivation resources flowed to them without end.

This time, they had even had someone bring back a bottle of precious Sword Condensation Pills.

The Wang Household had also sent word, formally finalizing the alliance between the two clans. From this day onward, the Wang and Xie households would watch over and aid each other, each serving as the other's support.

With all matters settled, there was nothing left to worry about.

A thousand li away, in the Shu Region, Dutian Prefecture.

Shu Province was also known as the Shu Region.

Encircled by countless mountains and valleys, layer upon layer of peaks sealed off an entire world.

The Shu Region was surrounded on all sides by mountains and embraced by steep ridges, like a gigantic walled city in the shape of an urn.

From high above, it looked as though it had been formed by the blow of some tremendous force.

Within the Shu Region, fields stretched for a thousand li and hearth-smoke flourished. Yet to leave this fertile land, one had to face the mountains that barred the very heavens and earth.

Since ancient times, people had lamented: the road to Shu was hard, harder than climbing to the blue sky!

Even yellow cranes could not fly across it; apes and monkeys, wishing to pass, grieved over the climb.

It was precisely for this reason that the escort agency trade thrived in the Shu Region, and escort masters were held in great esteem.

And the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency was now the most renowned escort agency in the Shu Region, controlling more than half of the region's merchant transport resources.

At this moment, before the vermilion-lacquered gates of the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency, a tall figure stood silently.

Miao Cunyi wore simple clothes and held a longsword in his hand.

He lifted his eyes to stare at the escort agency's plaque, and a bone-deep killing intent filled his gaze.

"Heh heh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Miao Cunyi laughed madly.

He raised his arm and sent out a stream of sword qi.

Crack—!

The next instant, the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency's plaque shattered into two halves.

It fell with a crash!

After being gone for many days, he had returned from Central Province, weather-beaten from the journey. Today, he had come for one purpose only: to settle all accounts.