Chapter 175: Who Goes There?

The wind howled, carrying grains of sand across the barren road. The long, narrow official highway stretched endlessly into the horizon, where a cavalry unit advanced in strict formation.

Dark red banners billowed in the wind, bearing the bold and unmistakable word “War”!

This was the Heavenly War Cavalry—the elite force that had rendered countless enemies helpless in the name of Great Qian!

It was said that the soldiers of Heavenly War Cavalry had once slaughtered through twenty thousand enemy cavalry with just two thousand of their own.

Though the tale was undoubtedly exaggerated, it still served as proof of the unmatched skill and ferocity of these warriors.

Draped in standard-issue armor, the cavalrymen and even their horses were almost entirely encased in dark red steel, resembling a surging crimson tide when seen from a distance.

At the very front of the formation rode a single horse-drawn carriage—its plain and unassuming design standing in stark contrast to what one might expect of someone escorted by the Heavenly War Cavalry.

“Imperial Preceptor, we are still two days’ travel from Shanyang County. Shall we find a place to make camp after sunset?” a general astride a chestnut-colored warhorse inquired from outside the carriage.

The curtain on the side of the carriage lifted slightly, revealing Qi Yuan, who smiled and replied, “The anomaly has already persisted for some time—we should press on with haste.”

“Understood!” The general responded without hesitation, then spurred his horse forward, returning to the head of the Heavenly War Cavalry column.

“Daoist Fang, have you divined anything today?”

No sooner had Qi Yuan spoken than a white-robed Daoist rode up and respectfully replied, “Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, today’s divination yielded Qian Hexagram, second line, which states—‘The dragon appears in the field, it is auspicious to meet a great man.’”¹

“‘The dragon appears in the field, it is auspicious to meet a great man’?”

“Indeed—a favorable omen, suggesting that we shall encounter someone of great importance.”

The white-robed Daoist hesitated briefly before adding, “However, Imperial Preceptor, you are already one of the most esteemed figures in Great Qian… In this context, the hexagram must be interpreted differently.”

“It could indicate that you will meet someone you highly value, that we will encounter a fortuitous event, or perhaps that we will gain something of great importance…”

“In short, today promises to bring good fortune!”

Listening to the interpretation, Qi Yuan waved his hand nonchalantly. “Good fortune is good fortune—who doesn’t like good things happening?”

The Daoist chuckled and clasped his hands. “Indeed, indeed—something fortunate is bound to happen.”

Whoa!

Suddenly, the two cavalrymen at the very front reined in their horses sharply.

One of them bellowed, “Who goes there?!”

“Ah, so the good fortune has arrived?” Qi Yuan showed no sign of concern, instead smiling as he asked the question.

The white-robed Daoist forced an awkward smile. “Perhaps…”

Thunderous hoofbeats followed as countless cavalrymen veered off the main road, swiftly positioning themselves in the surrounding fields.

Within mere breaths, the Heavenly War Cavalry had formed a shield-like formation, completely encircling the Imperial Preceptor’s carriage.

The chestnut-horse-mounted general took the lead, charging to the very front.

His gleaming silver spear was already leveled—ready to launch an attack at any moment.

But when he laid eyes upon the “threat” they had surrounded, his brows furrowed in confusion.

It was a frail-looking woman, clad in a light gauze dress, her face pale and drained of color.

A mere passing traveler—why had the scouts reacted so aggressively?

“What’s going on?”

Hearing the general’s question, one of the forward scouts immediately responded, “General Gao! The road ahead was completely empty just moments ago, but in the blink of an eye, this woman suddenly appeared out of thin air!”

Swish!

General Gao Xing swung his silver spear down, stopping it just before the woman’s feet, his voice sharp and commanding: “Who are you?!”

Mao Cuicui instinctively took a step back, clearly startled.

She was just as bewildered as they were.

After all, Gu Ning’an had told her to follow the right-side road, and she would soon come across the Imperial Preceptor’s entourage.

How had she ended up being surrounded like this?

As she continued walking, the once-empty road ahead suddenly surged with an endless tide of iron-clad cavalry!

Before she could even process what was happening, she had already been surrounded, with the general’s silver spear pointing straight at her!

“This humble woman is named Mao Cuicui, a resident of Shanyang County!”

“I have come at the request of Mr. Gu to deliver this letter to the Imperial Preceptor!”

A letter?

Mr. Gu?

General Gao remained silent for a moment before speaking. “Take out the letter.”

Mao Cuicui hurriedly retrieved the letter and held it up high.

After examining the letter for a while, General Gao nudged his silver spear forward. “Place the letter on it.”

Seeing this, Mao Cuicui frowned. “General, Mr. Gu said that the letter must be opened by the Imperial Preceptor himself.”

“I ask that you report this to him first…”

“Impudent!” General Gao pulled on his reins, causing his horse to rear up. “You refuse to hand over the letter—have you poisoned it?”

Mao Cuicui was startled by the raised hooves but still held her ground. “Imperial Preceptor! The officials of Shanyang County no longer uphold their duties, bandits run rampant, and the common people live in misery!”

“The Great Qian court knows nothing of Shanyang County’s plight. I have risked my life to escape and deliver this letter to you!”

“Are you not even willing to take a look at it?”

“Nonsense! Stubborn and foolish!” General Gao flicked his spear sideways, using its shaft to strike toward Mao Cuicui’s arm.

“Hold!”

The spear halted inches from her, and she swallowed nervously, turning her gaze toward the speaker.

The man approaching wore plain robes, his attire immaculate, his hair neatly bound, and his face adorned with a kind smile.

“Young lady, I am Imperial Preceptor Qi Yuan. Give me the letter.” As he spoke, Qi Yuan had already stepped closer.

General Gao hesitated, wanting to intervene, but upon meeting the Imperial Preceptor’s gaze, he could only step aside.

Mao Cuicui studied the elderly man before her, dressed so modestly that he seemed more like a merchant’s steward rather than the Imperial Preceptor himself.

“You don’t believe me?” Qi Yuan chuckled.

Mao Cuicui hesitated before handing over the letter. “See for yourself. Mr. Gu said that no one but the Imperial Preceptor would be able to understand its contents.”

Taking the letter, Qi Yuan did not open it immediately. Instead, he asked with a smile, “The Mr. Gu you speak of—does he wear a green robe, appear around twenty years old, and have a strikingly handsome face?”

Hearing this description, Mao Cuicui felt a wave of relief. This man was undoubtedly the Imperial Preceptor—he must have met Mr. Gu before!

Otherwise, how could he describe his appearance so accurately just from hearing his surname?

“Yes! That’s him!” Mao Cuicui said excitedly. “Please, Imperial Preceptor, read the letter. Mr. Gu said that once you do, you will understand what is happening in Shanyang County.”

“Hmm…”

With a soft murmur, Qi Yuan opened the letter and unfolded the xuan paper inside.

To his surprise, it contained only three words—

“The people suffer.”

General Gao caught a glimpse of the letter out of the corner of his eye, his brows furrowing tightly.

What kind of letter is this?

No greeting, no signature—just three words?

‘The people suffer’?

What could possibly be understood from just that?

And yet, why was the Imperial Preceptor staring at those three words for so long?

After a full cup of tea’s time, sensing that something was amiss, General Gao finally spoke up. “Imperial Preceptor, is everything alright?”

“I am fine.” Qi Yuan folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve before solemnly ordering, “Pass down my command—upon our arrival in Shanyang County, we shall take over the city’s defenses with swift and decisive force!”