Chapter 62: Canglan County, Wei Qingqing

Canglan County is located on the southwestern border of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Half a month had passed by the time Zhou Yuan and his entourage arrived outside the county city. Standing atop his carriage, Zhou Yuan gazed at the sprawling city. Compared to the grandeur of Great Zhou City, Canglan City exuded a more formidable aura. Being close to the border, it experienced frequent outbreaks of war, naturally giving it a sterner atmosphere.

Furthermore, most of the passersby exuded a faint scent of blood and emanated source qi fluctuations of varying strengths. Canglan County bordered the Black Abyss, attracting countless Genesis Masters who gathered there to hunt Genesis Beasts and seek opportunities. Compared to this, the Black Forest Mountain Range, where Zhou Yuan had previously stayed, paled in significance.

"Your Highness, Canglan County City is ahead. Our contingent is too large to enter the city, so we'll have to proceed to the Canglan military camp beside it," Lu Tieshan said in a robust voice as he rode over.

Zhou Yuan nodded. "It's getting late today. Let's go to the camp first, and we can visit General Wei tomorrow."

Lu Tieshan acknowledged, then turned to relay the order. Soon, the thousand-strong contingent transformed into a torrent, marching with rumbling footsteps, bypassing the city, and heading towards the distant military camp.

The approach of such a large, unfamiliar army naturally caused an immediate stir within the Canglan military camp. Soon, a dozen or so swift horses galloped out of the camp, heading directly towards Zhou Yuan and his group.

"Who goes there!"

The dozen horses halted in front of them. The leader, a junior general in red armor, turned out to be a woman, as Zhou Yuan and his companions realized upon closer approach. She wore soft red armor that accentuated her shapely figure. Beneath her scale-like battle skirt, a pair of long, straight legs descended, their remarkable length further emphasized by her combat boots. Beneath her helmet, a cool, handsome face was visible, with slightly raised willow-like eyebrows, giving her an impressively valiant and spirited appearance.

"Imperial Guard Commander, Lu Tieshan," Lu Tieshan stated, gazing at the newcomers. "We have come to Canglan County by royal decree and are on our way to the Canglan military camp."

"So it's Commander Lu." The red-armored woman's stern expression softened slightly, indicating she had received prior intelligence. "Wei Qingqing greets you."

"Wei Qingqing?" Zhou Yuan's heart stirred at the name. Wei Canglan had a daughter and a son, and his daughter was named Wei Qingqing. It seemed this valiant female general was indeed her.

"So you are General Wei's esteemed daughter," Lu Tieshan said, cupping his hands in salute.

Hearing this, Wei Qingqing stated coolly, "Here, I am only Wei Qingqing, Deputy Commander of the Canglan Army, not a county governor's daughter."

Lu Tieshan paused, then nodded helplessly, stepping aside to reveal Zhou Yuan behind him. "This is His Highness Zhou Yuan, who has accompanied me on this journey."

Wei Qingqing's phoenix-like eyes lifted to look at Zhou Yuan. She had never heard of him before, but the recent prefectural examination of the Great Zhou Prefecture had been widely discussed. It was rumored that this "useless prince," who was supposedly incapable of cultivating veins, had actually defeated Qi Yue, the Second Prince of the Qi Royal Estate.

However, her willow-like eyebrows quickly furrowed. At Zhou Yuan's side were Yaoyao and Su Youwei, both stunningly beautiful. This made Zhou Yuan appear no different from a playboy prince on an outing with his beauties.

"So it's His Highness Zhou Yuan." Due to a poor first impression, Wei Qingqing merely offered a perfunctory salute with an expressionless face, secretly shaking her head. It seemed that the Great Zhou Prefecture's examination earlier might have involved some trickery. She found it hard to believe that a frivolous prince who even brought two beauties with him on a journey could have defeated Qi Yue of the Qi Royal Estate, who was supposedly quite talented. She had possessed a strong character since childhood and detested effeminate men who indulged in the company of beauties. Otherwise, she would not have joined the Canglan Army as a woman.

"Everyone, follow me. I will arrange your lodging," Wei Qingqing said, then turned her horse and rode away without waiting for Zhou Yuan's reply.

"Uh..."

Zhou Yuan was also somewhat perplexed by this. Why was this woman not showing him any favor?

"Let's go, Your Highness. We're on their territory now, so we should keep a low profile," Lu Tieshan advised, fearing Zhou Yuan might become angry. After all, a significant objective of their journey was to win over Wei Canglan, and if Zhou Yuan alienated Wei Qingqing here, it would inevitably diminish Wei Canglan's impression of them.

Zhou Yuan smiled indifferently. He had long experienced the ups and downs of human relationships and would naturally not be angered or embarrassed by Wei Qingqing's attitude.

"Let's move."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand, and the large contingent followed Wei Qingqing ahead, entering the massive Canglan military camp. As the thousand Imperial Guards streamed into the Canglan military camp, they immediately drew countless gazes. Most of these gazes were filled with curiosity and challenge. In the Great Zhou, three armies were considered the strongest: the Imperial Guard, the Qi Royal Guard, and the Canglan Army. As fellow elite forces, the soldiers of the Canglan Army, upon seeing the rarely encountered Imperial Guard, naturally scrutinized them, wanting to see if the latter truly deserved to be on par with them.

As they proceeded, a path suddenly opened among the surrounding Canglan Army crowd, and several figures emerged. Seeing them, Wei Qingqing dismounted and said something with a calm expression. Zhou Yuan and Lu Tieshan also walked forward.

Wei Qingqing turned and said to them, "These are the generals of the Canglan Army. This is my cousin, Wei Ting." She pointed to another woman, who also wore soft armor and had a somewhat fiery figure, though her looks were slightly less striking than Wei Qingqing's. Her eyes swept over Zhou Yuan, and she said with a half-smile, "So, this is our long-renowned Highness? To bring two beauties along on such a long journey, how truly leisurely."

Zhou Yuan's brows subtly furrowed at her words, as he sensed that this woman seemed to be targeting him. However, he quickly perceived the source of this animosity. Beside the woman, a slender young man in armor approached, his helmet tucked under his arm, revealing a handsome face full of smiles. Around him, powerful source qi fluctuations faintly emanated, indicating he was a master who had reached the Qi Nourishing Stage, and even its late phase!

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the white-armored youth. There was something familiar about the latter's appearance. Under Zhou Yuan's gaze, the white-armored youth approached, smiling as he said, "Are you His Highness Zhou Yuan? We've met before, in a way." The white-armored youth fixed his bright smile on Zhou Yuan, but his gaze was like that of a snake. He extended his hand towards Zhou Yuan.

"My name is Qi Hao. I hear my useless younger brother had an arm severed by you?"

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed. Indeed, this young man was Qi Yue's elder brother, Qi Hao.

"In a physical confrontation, there are no guarantees. If his skills were lacking, he has no one to blame," Zhou Yuan said calmly, extending his hand to shake Qi Hao's. His voice was even.

Qi Hao's smile intensified. He nodded. "Indeed, that boy was inferior in skill; he deserved to lose his arm." He looked at Zhou Yuan, seemingly with enthusiasm, and said, "I hear the Royal Palace's Imperial Guards have arrived today. Everyone in the Canglan Army is very pleased, so we've prepared a welcoming banquet for everyone tonight. Your Highness must attend."

"Things are quite straightforward in the army. If Your Highness doesn't come, they might think you look down on them," he chuckled.

Zhou Yuan's eyes slightly lowered. "Don't worry, with everyone so enthusiastic, of course I'll be there."

Qi Hao smiled and nodded, then whispered, "However, I must sincerely remind Your Highness that this is Canglan County, bordering the Black Abyss. Here, even if a prince dies, it wouldn't be strange. So, Your Highness, you must be careful upon arriving here."

Zhou Yuan chuckled, lowering his voice as well. "Then you must be even more careful. The death of a prince is nothing; the death of a prince from a royal estate is even less so."

Qi Hao burst into laughter. Their hands clasped tightly together, then simultaneously released. Yet, in their locked gazes, a chilling killing intent was palpable.

(End of chapter)