"Neigh~roar~"
Dust rose, the earth trembled, and as the dust settled, the Divine Steed emerged. Blood stained its hooves, mingling with dust into bloody mud.
"Trampled beneath hooves into mud, ground into dust, their infamy would forever stain the annals."
Luo Shu looked at Ma Teng and Han Sui and cupped his hands. "My lords, Shu offers his greetings."
The ice in his eyes, like a glacier ten thousand years old, had yet to thaw. The blood on his body had yet to be wiped away, and he still held the scepter in his hand.
Ma Teng and Han Sui shuddered, then solemnly cupped their hands together. "May you enjoy good health, young master!"
Luo Shu urged his horse forward, and everyone followed. When they reached a rise, Chang'an came into view. With a faint sigh, he said, "Eight Rivers Surround Chang'an; four barriers enclose this heavenly treasury.
"What a majestic, magnificent panorama. Even after a century of decline, Guanzhong still has kingly aura beyond measure. You two lords are blessed men."
Ma and Han were inwardly ecstatic. Fa Zheng lightly covered the lower half of his face and smiled. "The young master obeys Heaven's will, while you two lords honor the last wishes of Great Han's successive late emperors, executing the villains who sowed calamity and cutting away the source of chaos. Guanzhong's kingly aura naturally belongs to those with virtue and good fortune."
Luo Shu stroked the scepter and said softly, "How does one become a person of virtue and good fortune?
Before fleeing, Liu Xie had even asked, "Didn't Ma Teng and Han Sui come to rescue me? Those two have always been loyal and dutiful toward the Court. Why must we leave Guanzhong?"
Fa Zheng said bluntly and sternly, "Li Jue and Guo Si were Dong