Chapter 1103: Blocking My Way

Lu Qingbang and his sister fought on the eastern front, repelling the Ya army, and Bailie finally had a moment of triumph.

Not long ago, Lu Qingbang was ordered by Mou Kingdom to assist the Bailong people. He not only demonstrated resilience and bravery in combat but also teamed up with me to defeat and capture General Wulu of the Ya Kingdom. I remember that when this news reached Bailie, the people of Qucheng set off firecrackers, and Bailie experienced another surge of pride.

The Soul-Devouring Mirror chuckled, "Yes, after the victory reports reached Bailie, Yangshan's stores in Bailie saw even better business."

Master He's intervention to rescue Lu Qingbang, defeat the Ya Kingdom's general, and even shelter tens of thousands of displaced Bailong people became a celebrated tale in Bailie. People in the market praised Master He as strong, benevolent, and of noble character. Overjoyed, people couldn't help but patronize Yangshan's shops. Over a dozen Yangshan local product stores sold out completely, running out of stock within a single day.

"Old Man Lu Six's family produced two accomplished children. They've been in the spotlight recently, highly popular among the common folk, and they're also associated with the Yangshan Islands, which the main branch of the Lu family despises," He Lingchuan asked the Soul-Devouring Mirror, "If you were the head of the Lu family, what would you think?"

"That would be somewhat displeasing, and a bit dangerous, considering the Lu family has a history of side branches usurping the main lineage," the mirror replied empathetically. "Hmm, it would be best to suppress their growing influence."

At this point, it understood without He Lingchuan needing to explain further: "Oh, so Lu Qinglin returned for this reason."

"The eastern front isn't fiercely contested, so how would common people know? Lu Qinglin brought Mou Kingdom's elite forces back to the Bailie front to give people a glimpse of the Mou Kingdom cavalry's heroic might. This way, the people of Bailie would know that the main branch of the Lu family indeed has Mou Kingdom's support, and Lu Zhensheng's promises are true," He Lingchuan asked it, "Even if Lu Qingbang and his sister are capable fighters, if you were a Bailie citizen, would you have more faith in the Mou Kingdom army or in Lu Qingbang and his sister?"

"Uh, how are those two comparable?"

"Exactly, how can they be compared? Everyone knows it's better to lean on a big tree for shade," He Lingchuan said, finally taking a sip of water. "Lu Zhensheng used this tactic to bind himself, Lu Qinglin, and the Mou Kingdom together, making the common people believe that Lu Qinglin's power is equivalent to that of the Mou Kingdom. At the same time, it's a demonstration to Old Man Lu Six: 'My son is stronger than yours!'"

"Old Man Lu Six isn't a fool; this incident will surely make him resent the main family even more," it mused. "When Bailie was being bullied by foreign enemies and suffering greatly, Lu Qinglin didn't return. But as soon as Old Man Lu Six's son defeated the enemy, Lu Qinglin came back with troops to show off." It would be strange if Old Man Lu Six felt comfortable about that.

"Lu Zhensheng's petty schemes are insignificant, but Lu Qinglin's return to Bailie directly obstructs me and blocks my path!"

The Soul-Devouring Mirror asked him, "What will you do?"

He Lingchuan gazed out at the swaying tree shadows, lost in thought, and did not reply.

The sky was vast, the plains boundless, and as the wind swept over the low grass, cattle and horses became visible. This was the first sight that greeted Sun Fuling as she stepped down from the carriage. She couldn't help but take a deep breath; the wind seemed sweet, yet its coolness was invigorating. Blue skies, white clouds, distant mountains, lakes, and an endless expanse of wilderness with spirited horses frolicking in the grass. This picturesque scene was so beautiful it seemed unreal.

Behind her, of course, was an inn built less than half a year ago. She was the only one who alighted at the stop. A woman who had shared the carriage, seeing her alone, leaned out the window and asked, "Miss Sun, this is a remote wilderness. Is no one coming to pick you up?" This young woman and her family had traveled together all the way from Yuheng City. However, Sun Fuling only carried a small bundle, unlike the woman's family with their large suitcases and bags that were difficult to carry. Being unattached certainly made things easier, light and agile with no fuss. It was just that this young woman was too beautiful; although she usually covered her face with a plain scarf, revealing only her eyes, the men around couldn't stop stealing glances at her. Although she wore an apricot-colored cloak, the mountain breeze still outlined her graceful figure.

"Yes," Sun Fuling said, brushing strands of hair from her forehead. "By rights, they should have arrived by now. I'm not sure why they're late."

As the carriage procession prepared to move on, the woman's son also leaned out the window and offered Sun Fuling a half-eaten packet of garlic sticks, "Pretty big sister, this is for you!" Though missing two front teeth and speaking with a lisp, he already knew how to win people over. The woman patted her son's head, wondering why the old woman who had gotten off earlier hadn't received such kind treatment. Sun Fuling took it, smiling, and said, "Thank you."

Just then, thunderous hoofbeats erupted from behind the inn, approaching rapidly in a flash. Four or five riders rounded the back of the inn. The lead horse, a large black one with glossy fur, bared its sharp teeth as it ran, exuding a formidable aura. Sun Fuling was directly in front, but the black horse didn't stop, charging straight toward her. People in the carriage procession cried out in alarm. Seeing this graceful, deer-like young woman about to be cruelly trampled underfoot, the woman instinctively covered her son's eyes, fearing he would witness the horrific scene.

The black horse passed by as swiftly as lightning. But the imagined scene of a furious horse trampling a person didn't occur. In a blink, the apricot-clad figure was already atop the black horse—just before impact, the rider extended an arm and swept her onto the horse's back.

The child in the carriage exclaimed, "Big sister was snatched away!" The passengers were stunned. Were there really bandits snatching people in the Coiling Dragon Wasteland? Yet, Sun Fuling, resting on the "bandit's" shoulder, was smiling widely and waved at the child: "Goodbye." In a flash, the skilled riders galloped away, quickly becoming a few small black dots at the edge of everyone's vision.

"My hat fell off!" Sun Fuling, now seated properly on the horseback, quickly adjusted her posture and held down her wind-tousled hair with one hand. "Putting on a show like a bandit kidnapping a bride, who are you trying to scare?"

He Lingchuan rested his chin on her shoulder, taking a deep breath. "You smell wonderful. My dear young lady, how about becoming my bandit chief's wife?"

"You smell strongly of horse," Sun Fuling said, patting his face. "What if I refuse?"

He grinned ominously, "Then don't blame me... Ow!" Sun Fuling pinched his waist and twisted hard. "Hiss!" He nearly teared up. The young woman's grip was as firm as ever.

The group of riders galloped across the grassland, wild and unrestrained. There were almost no roads here, but wooden houses and tents were frequently seen, scattered sparsely around water sources. The plains held lakes, streams, and even clear, sweet springs, as well as distant mountains that never seemed to get closer no matter how far one rode. When the herdsmen saw He Lingchuan approaching, they would greet him with smiles.

"The last time I was in Tianhe Plain, it was a desolate valley. The wind would kick up dust everywhere, blinding you," Sun Fuling remarked sincerely. "This place has truly transformed; I barely recognize it."

"When was the last time you came?"

"Hmm, it's been a long time, six or seven years ago?" Tianhe Plain is located west of Dragon's Throat Pass, at the junction of the Coiling Dragon Wasteland and the Mao River Plain. It's a typical region of long mountains and large valleys, with high altitude.