Early the next morning, the sky began to brighten.
On the official road outside Prefecture City, the thin mist had not yet fully dispersed.
The crisp sound of hooves, neither fast nor slow, rhythmically struck the compacted loess road.
A jet-black steed, its coat glossy and sleek, was trotting briskly along the official road, heading west.
After a night of rest and a meal of fortified feed with eggs, the Black Horse was now full of vigor, its tail even flicking with extra enthusiasm.
On its back sat a young girl.
She wore a plain black close-fitting outfit that accentuated her slender and upright figure. Her dark hair was casually tied back with a wooden hairpin, revealing a long, fair neck.
As the morning breeze swept by, a few stray strands of hair clung to the side of her face, making her look even more ethereal and otherworldly, like someone who had stepped out of a painting.
However, her small face was expressionless, and her demeanor was quite aloof.
Passing merchant caravans, even from a distance, could feel her 'do not approach' aura and reined in their horses to give way.
They only dared to steal a glance from the corner of their eyes as they passed.
What a beautiful girl.
It's just... she looks difficult to get along with... I wonder if such a girl's husband should envy her or pity her.
Jiang Yuechu ignored the gazes of others, simply swaying lazily with the rise and fall of the horse's back.
This was Prefecture after all, known as the 'Little Jiangnan of Longyou'.
Away from that bustling metropolis, the scenery here didn't seem desolate.
Large stretches of green wheat fields lined the road, and occasionally, a few unknown flowers could be seen peeking out from their branches, adding a touch of enchanting spring color to this harsh northwestern land.
Compared to the tense days in Liangzhou, where one had to keep their head on a swivel, this place was indeed suitable for nurturing people.
However, it was merely for looking.
Jiang Yuechu withdrew her gaze, reached out to pat the horse's neck, and the corners of her mouth curved into a faint smile.
Although she hadn't witnessed the grand show last night with her own eyes, just imagining the furious expressions of those bald donkeys made her feel utterly refreshed.
Especially the Black Mountain Bear Lord.
If the Black Bear's brother knew that his sworn brother was bringing outsiders to cause trouble, who knows what kind of wonderful expression he would have.
Dogs biting dogs, leaving a mouthful of fur.
Aside from that.
What pleased her most was that when her summoned Demon killed an enemy, she could also gain Dao Cultivation.
Although each gain was only five or ten years.
But there was a large quantity of it!
Her current Dao Cultivation had once again surged from the original six hundred seventeen years to one thousand three hundred fifty-two years.
A total income of seven hundred thirty-five years!
Jiang Yuechu was in a great mood and gently squeezed the horse's belly with her legs.
The Black Horse understood and slightly quickened its pace.
The morning breeze blew in her face, carrying a hint of coolness, but it also dispersed the heat in her Heart-Nature.
The young girl squinted, her fingers tapping a rhythm on the saddle, and she even softly hummed a tune from her previous life.
Her voice was soft and sweet, with a touch of laziness.
It sounded exceptionally clear on this open official road.
"Lonely people, listening to sad songs~"
...On the official road, dozens of miles outside Liangzhou Prefecture.
A contingent of people was slowly meandering along the official road.
This group did not look like ordinary merchants.
More than a dozen tall horses led the way, their riders all dressed in matching blue close-fitting outfits, with long swords at their waists and sharp gazes, clearly skilled martial artists.
Protected in the middle was a wide carriage.
Inside the carriage sat an old man and a young man.
The old man had white hair and beard, wearing a dusty gray long gown.
He seemed unremarkable, but the occasional glint in his half-open eyes made one dare not underestimate him.
His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his body remained motionless with the swaying of the carriage.
Sitting opposite him was a Young Master.
Around twenty years old, he was exceptionally handsome.
His face was like jade, his eyes like bright stars, and he wore a moon-white brocade robe with a warm jade pendant hanging from his waist. In his hand, he held a scroll.
He didn't look like someone coming to suffer in this bitter cold land; rather, he resembled a Young Master from a noble family on an outing.
Even in this bumpy carriage, his posture remained upright.
Through the gap in the carriage curtain, the Young Master looked at the endless yellow sand and Gobi Desert outside, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Uncle Ma, is this Liangzhou Prefecture?"
The old man heard this, bowed slightly, and replied respectfully.
"Replying to Young Master, after that ridge ahead, and another thirty li, it will be Liangzhou City."
"This place... is even more desolate than I imagined. Ke'er... is she here?"
The old man whispered, "The Demon Suppression Division only has one Dusi in Longyou Circuit, which is in Liangzhou. If Young Master truly joined the Demon Suppression Division, then she would most likely be here."
The Young Master was silent for a moment, then looked out the window with a troubled expression.
At this moment, a gust of sand blew by, turning the world a hazy yellow. A few withered poplars shivered in the wind, as if narrating the hardships of this place.
"Liangzhou is bitter and cold, with sandstorms swirling. How can one live in such a place?"
The old man pondered for a long time before speaking: "Although Liangzhou is tough, it is also a good place to temper one's Heart-Nature. To call it suffering is perhaps to call it another form of cultivation."
The Young Master did not refute these words, merely letting out a soft hmph.
"You certainly speak up for him. Poor mountains and harsh waters have always bred unruly people."
"Ke'er grew up in the Villa, living in luxury, only interacting with renowned and upright individuals. Now, to be mixed among these vulgar border folk and martial artists... if he were to pick up their banditry, it would surely bring disgrace upon our Luoyan Mountain Villa when he returns."
The old man opened his mouth, as if to say something, but seeing his Young Master's disgusted expression, he ultimately swallowed the words he was about to speak.
Only a soft sigh escaped him.
Just then.
Thump-thump-thump—
A rapid clatter of hooves came from behind the caravan.
The sound grew from distant to near, not chaotic, clearly indicating a single rider on a single horse, but the thudding hooves were heavy and powerful, showing the horse's considerable strength.
"Be on guard!"
The blue-clad swordsmen responsible for protection instantly became alert.
In the chaotic Longyou Circuit, even official roads were not necessarily peaceful; robbery and murder were common occurrences.
More than a dozen riders quickly adjusted their formation, hands already on their sword hilts.
Inside the carriage, the Young Master was also startled.
"What's going on?"
He frowned slightly, seemingly annoyed by the sudden commotion, and impatiently reached out to pull open the heavy carriage curtain.
Yellow sand swirled.
A black figure was galloping towards them.
The person on horseback did not slow down because of the caravan ahead.
With a slight tug of the reins, the Black Horse deftly turned its head, preparing to overtake the caravan from one side.
The two passed each other.
Only inches apart.
The Young Master subconsciously looked up.
Then, he froze.
What kind of woman was that?
Like the eternal snow on the highest mountain peaks, or the coldest winter moon in this vast desert.
The young girl wore a black close-fitting outfit, her black hair flowing like a waterfall, dancing wildly in the wind.
Her face was unadorned, yet it was so fair it was almost dazzling.
In this drab, yellow world, she became the most breathtaking splash of color.
...
As if sensing the gaze from inside the carriage.
The young girl slightly turned her head and gave a faint glance.
Then.
"Hup."
A cold, low shout.
The Black Horse neighed, like a black bolt of lightning, instantly overtook the caravan, and galloped away into the distance.
Leaving behind only a slender silhouette, gradually fading into the swirling yellow sand.
For a long time.
Until that figure completely vanished at the end of his sight.
The Young Master suddenly snapped back to reality.
He slowly lowered the carriage curtain and leaned back against the soft cushion, feeling somewhat deflated.
He reached out and touched his chest, then looked at the bewildered old man opposite him.
"Uncle Ma..."
"What's wrong, Young Master?"
The old man looked at him with some concern, "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to stop and rest for a moment?"
"No... no need."
The Young Master took a deep breath, then looked at the old man with a serious expression.
"I suddenly thought, although this Liangzhou lacks the beauty of Jiangnan, it possesses the lone smoke of the great desert and the setting sun over the long river. If one were to merely glance at such a treasure and leave, wouldn't that be squandering the creations of heaven and earth?"
Uncle Ma was utterly bewildered.
Didn't he just say that poor mountains and harsh waters breed unruly people?
How, in the blink of an eye, did this become a treasure land?
"Young Master means..."
The Young Master's face was filled with righteous indignation.
"I wish to linger here for a while longer."
"Firstly, it is to look after Ke'er, fulfilling my duty as an elder brother."
"And secondly..."
He lightly coughed, and his folding fan snapped open with a whoosh, fanning gently to conceal a touch of unnatural blush on his face.
"I also wish to use the winds and sands of this place to temper my Heart-Nature."
...