Cross-Mountain Ferry

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The rain in Yuhang City had finally stopped. The long-absent sun hung overhead, warming everyone beneath it.

But that warmth could not drive away the sorrow of parting.

Outside the gates of the Yue Residence.

The lake-blue moonlight dress had been put away.

In its place was a crisp, practical black fighting outfit.

Tight cuffs and a leather belt outlined the young woman's slender frame and the explosive strength within it.

Her dark hair was tied high, with a few loose strands fluttering at her temples in the breeze.

"Sister Jiang..."

Yue Wan'er stood below the steps, her small face full of reluctance.

Jiang Yuechu swung onto her horse and looked down at the little girl.

"Yuhang is a lovely place. The buns are delicious, and the songs are lovely too... If I have time someday, I'll come again."

"Really?"

Yue Wan'er sniffled, her eyes full of hope.

"I, Jiang Yuechu, never lie."

Especially not to little girls.

With that, she lingered no longer and flicked the reins.

"Hyah!"

Cloud Dapple neighed, sprang forward on all four hooves, and became a white streak at the head of the group.

Behind her.

Yue Huaiyuan sat astride a tall horse in heavy black armor, the Blackgold Great Spear in hand.

Seeing his daughter so reluctant to part, the old man felt an inexplicable pang.

"All right, all right. Go back inside. It's not as if we're parting forever."

He muttered the words, then waved a broad hand.

"Move out!"

It was quite an impressive procession.

Besides Jiang Yuechu, Yue Huaiyuan, and Xie Tinglan's group of three.

There were also the dozen-odd elite soldiers who had come from Suzhou with Xie Tinglan, along with fifty capable fighters Yue Huaiyuan had personally chosen from Yuhang's