Crimson-Scaled Demon Venerable

The official road from the East Riverlands to the West Jiangnan Circuit was no easy route.

Especially once it passed beyond Xinzhou.

The mountains suddenly rose steep and sheer, nothing like the gentle, enchanting scenery of the East Riverlands.

Here, the mountains gathered like throngs and the waves surged in fury. The Gan River flowed north, while the cries of apes rang ceaselessly from both banks.

The ink-wash blues and greens unique to Jiangnan seemed, here, as though a drunken painter had given his wrist a violent shake, splashing out a wild grandeur, bleak and bold.

Green mountains loomed in the distance, and withered leaves rustled.

Several hundred riders in black with crimson trim raced silently along the official road like a long, winding serpent.

An old general led them, clad in heavy armor with a dark sheen.

Beneath him was an extraordinarily magnificent Scarlet-eyed Steed.

White vapor streamed from its nostrils, and wind seemed to spring beneath its four hooves.

The old general's face was weather-beaten, yet he remained hale and spirited.

Only his eyes held a trace of worry.

He was none other than Yue Huaiyuan, the demon-suppressing general of the East Riverlands Regional Office.

He eased the reins, turned his head, and glanced at the rider beside him. "Enough. The scenery in the West Jiangnan Circuit is nothing special. How the hell is it any different from our East Riverlands?"

At this, Xie Tinglan sheepishly ducked his head and gave an awkward laugh.

"General Yue, you've traveled far and wide and seen it all. This is... my first time traveling so far from home."

He cupped his hands on horseback.

Inside, however, he grumbled endlessly.

This old bastard.

What did he know? I entered Lu Jingchun's tutelage as a child. Forget leaving the Jiangnan Circuit.

*Even within