The leading captain dismounted, quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee before Gu Changge, cupped his fists, and loudly declared, "Your subordinate greets Inspector Envoy Gu! I have been ordered to receive and escort the offending official to the capital!"
Gu Changge dismounted, his expression calm.
"Rise."
He first walked to the prisoner cart and said to the accompanying Demon Suppression Guardss of the Jiannan Provincial Command, "You've worked hard on this journey. You may return."
The Jiannan Demon Suppression Guardss seemed to have received a great pardon, hurriedly bowed, and turned to leave as if fleeing.
After all that, Gu Changge walked to Jiang Yuechu's horse.
"Miss Jiang."
He looked up at the young woman on horseback.
"From here to Prefecture, we part ways."
Gu Changge's voice was gentle, "I must escort this old scoundrel back to the capital to report, so I'm afraid I can't treat you to a meal before I go."
Jiang Yuechu nodded, "Your official duties are important, sir."
Gu Changge smiled, reached into his 懷, and pulled out a token that was neither jade nor stone.
"Take this."
He unceremoniously pushed the token into Jiang Yuechu's hand.
"In Chang'an, though I'm not a big shot, the Gu family still has some standing."
"With your temperament and talent, this small corner of the Region will eventually be unable to hold you. One day, you will go to Chang'an."
Gu Changge looked at her, his eyes serious, "When you arrive in Chang'an, if you encounter any trouble, or if you want to find someone to drink with, just bring this token to me."
Jiang Yuechu wasn't affected, and casually tucked it into her 懷.
"Thank you."
Seeing her accept it, Gu Changge breathed a sigh of relief.
He took a step back and solemnly cupped his fists towards Jiang Yuechu.
"Miss Jiang, may the green mountains remain, and the clear waters flow on."
"We'll... meet in Chang'an."
Jiang Yuechu also cupped her fists from horseback.
"Until we meet again."
Gu Changge no longer hesitated, turned, mounted his horse, and shouted, "Depart!"
Hoofbeats rose, dust flew.
The group, escorting the prisoner cart and large wagons, galloped majestically along the official road leading to the imperial capital.
Jiang Yuechu reined in her horse, standing still.
Not until the contingent completely vanished from sight did she softly exhale a turbid breath.
Her ears seemed much quieter.
She turned her head to look at the city almost within reach.
"Prefecture..."
Jiang Yuechu murmured to herself.
If she remembered correctly... Baosha Temple, one of the three great sects of the Region, was located within it.
A red glint flashed in the young woman's eyes.
Now that she had just slain the White Flood Dragon and devoured its Perfected Core Formation flesh and blood essence, her cultivation had reached the late Core Formation Realm.
With over a thousand years of Dao Cultivation as backup, she was at her peak killing power.
If she were to ascend the mountain now... could she slaughter those bald donkeys cleanly?
She silently calculated in her heart.
Forgetting Dust was the Chief of the Disciplinary院, having entered the Core Formation Realm long ago. Although he cultivated a half-step body tempering technique, he hadn't lasted more than a few moves against her.
But this didn't mean Baosha Temple had no one else.
As a grand sect that had stood in the Region for hundreds of years, its foundation was profound, far from as simple as it appeared on the surface.
If it were a one-on-one fight, she was confident she feared no one.
But if she were to go there alone... the red glint in Jiang Yuechu's eyes flickered a few times, then slowly faded.
She shook her head.
No.
Killing one Core Formation monk only yielded a little over a hundred years of Dao Cultivation. If she were forced to use a method that consumed Dao Cultivation, it would be a bit of a loss... She took a deep look at Prefecture City.
Let you bald donkeys live a few more days.
When I step into the Ink Dot Realm... then, I will surely come here and take your dog lives!
However.
Since she had come to Prefecture, wouldn't it seem a bit... impolite to pass by without entering?
...Jiang Yuechu led her weary black horse, slowly moving with the flow of people entering the city.
The gate guards were not as strict in their inspections as those at the border; they were even a bit lazy, leaning against the city wall, sunbathing, and casually glancing at passersby.
As long as one didn't carry obvious long weapons, and gave two copper coins, they would turn a blind eye and let them in.
Jiang Yuechu casually tossed a few copper coins and led her horse into the city.
The streets were wide, paved smoothly with bluestone slabs. Many common folk strolled the streets, and along both sides were elegantly dressed Young Misses and Young Masters, as well as young wives and ladies holding their children.
From the shops along the roadside, enticing aromas occasionally drifted out, along with the hawkers' shouts:
"Finest Prefecture Old Brew, ancestral secret recipe, delicious and intoxicating without harming the brain..."
"Freshly fried oil cakes, hot off the stove—"
Jiang Yuechu wrinkled her nose.
So fragrant!
No... she shook her head.
That wasn't the point.
Even in this bustling market, many monks in monastic robes could be seen.
Each one held their head high, with an arrogant expression.
When passersby saw them, they all respectfully avoided them, calling them Great Master, and some even knelt and kowtowed in the street.
"Hmph."
Jiang Yuechu sneered softly and withdrew her gaze.
She wasn't in a hurry to find trouble with those bald donkeys; right now, the gluttonous worm in her stomach was acting up fiercely.
Although the Core Formation Realm cultivation was formidable, the depletion of Qi and blood had to be replenished with solid grains and food.
All along the way, it had been dried meat and flatbread, and her mouth was so bland it felt like it had turned to earth.
Leading her horse, she wandered around the street.
Finally, she stopped in front of a restaurant called Taibai Ju.
It wasn't that the name was particularly elegant; it was purely that the scent of mutton wafting out was strong and pungent enough.
"Guest, please come in!"
The waiter was sharp-eyed. Although Jiang Yuechu was dressed in black and wore no conspicuous ornaments, that cold, unapproachable aura was definitely not that of an ordinary person.
Moreover, the black horse was plump and strong, clearly a fine specimen.
"Feed the horse the best fodder, and add two eggs."
Jiang Yuechu shoved the reins into the waiter's hand and casually flicked out a piece of broken silver.
After thinking for a moment, she took it back amidst his bewildered expression.
She swapped it for a copper coin and slapped it heavily into his hand.
"Your tip."
"…"
She went upstairs and found a window seat.
It was dinnertime, and the restaurant was bustling with noise.
The waiter nimbly wiped the table and poured a bowl of hot tea: "Guest, what would you like to eat? Our mutton is exceptional, and we have our own brewed Prefecture Old Brew..."
Jiang Yuechu interrupted him, pointing to the large basin of hand-pulled mutton on the next table: "Start with ten catties of that portion."
"Guest... Guest, how... how many of you are there?"
"Just me."
Jiang Yuechu glanced at him, "What? Afraid I can't pay?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare! I'll go right away! Right away!"
The waiter felt a chill down his spine from her gaze and dared not say more, scurrying downstairs.
Before long.
The dishes were served.
Ten catties of hand-pulled mutton, steaming hot, with a perfect balance of fat and lean, glistening and translucent.
Jiang Yuechu didn't stand on ceremony, reaching out to grab a lamb rib and biting into it.
There was no pretense of delicate chewing.
Upon entering her mouth, it was a burst of fatty aroma.
The meat was stewed until tender, yet still had a good chew, and the bone came out with a pull.
She ate quickly, but without seeming crude; instead, there was a sense of efficiency befitting a Jianghu woman.
One piece after another.
The ten catties of mutton diminished at a visible rate.
If it were an ordinary person, eating like this would have them rolling their eyes from being stuffed.
But for a martial artist, this was like adding firewood to a furnace.
Her previously somewhat pale complexion gradually became rosy.
"Hoo—"
Jiang Yuechu exhaled a warm breath, a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead.
Comfortable.
Now that she was full, it was time to prepare for the evening's 'gift'.