Upon emerging from the confinement cells, a significant number of people awaited Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Liao Rulong.
Among them were agrarian officials who had trained with Zhao Xing, such as Zhuang Ziqing, Han Bing, and Che Shihai. Zhao Xing even spotted Shi Yong and Feng Qi. Warriors present included Xia Jing, Chen Fang, Priest Zhang Yi, military physician Yuan Yang, and mechanist Wang Ji. They had all taken time away from the battlefield to rush back to Yangcheng.
Others were acquaintances made more recently, including Ji Ziyun, Prince Liu Cheng'an, Prince Ling Shuang’s嫡孙 Pei Yuanchang, and Prince Yue Gang’s heir Wu Zhengting.
"Brother Zhao, we've all heard about what you went through. That King Liang is utterly despicable!" Zhuang Ziqing was the first to rush forward, grabbing Zhao Xing's hand with indignation. "You are a talent of unparalleled genius, yet the Liang King's faction forced you to withdraw from the battlefield! It's simply outrageous!"
"Brother Zhuang," Zhao Xing said, looking touched, as he patted Zhuang Ziqing’s hand.
"Boss, you suffered such humiliation," Wang Ji said, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. "I'd rather die than forge a single nail for the Liang King's faction!"
*I actually had a rather good time in there…* Zhao Xing thought, wondering if he was playing the victim too much.
"Boss, you don't have to comfort us. How could anyone say you had a good time, looking like this?" Che Shihai said, gritting his teeth, tears in his eyes.
At that moment, Zhao Xing's hair was somewhat disheveled, and his clothes were tattered. However, this was purely Master Zhao's own doing, arranged just before his release.
"I'm really fine," Zhao Xing reassured them.
He recalled his period of detention. He was confined in early April, and it was now late May. On the first day at the Yangcheng Confinement Prison, the standard procedure was to confiscate all equipment, provide a prisoner's uniform, and seal one's vital energy. But this was the Yangcheng Confinement Prison! The guards were all his own people, either sent by King Rahu or Liu Tianning. Who would dare to follow such rules? Not to mention interrogation or torture. Abusing Master Zhao? Unthinkable!
Zhao Xing wasn't lying; he truly had a rather good time. On his first day, Zhao Xing's restraints were removed, though his equipment wasn't returned. As for food and drink, he received meals of the same standard as a Fifth Rank official, and his accommodation was a grand villa! Originally, the Yangcheng prison didn't have suitable lodgings for someone of Zhao Xing's status; typically, such individuals would be held at the Responding to Origin Mansion. But the Yangcheng warden, in an urgent rush to house Zhao Xing, managed to construct a new villa in just one day. The very next day, he moved into the five-hundred-square-meter residence. Had Master Zhao not refused, the warden might even have sent dancers and musicians to entertain him.
Zhao Xing wasn't truly imprisoned; he was merely detained. Honestly, that month and a half was the most restful period Master Zhao had experienced. It was only upon approaching his release that he remembered he shouldn't look like he had been enjoying himself. So, he put the restraints back on, donned the prisoner's uniform, and deliberately messed up his hair.
"The Yangcheng Warden, did he mistreat you?!" Xia Jing, who had walked over, raised his voice, glaring disapprovingly at the few jailers behind Zhao Xing.
The jailers felt wronged. *How could we dare? Zhao Xing himself insisted on dressing this way.*
"No, no." Zhao Xing waved his hand. "Don't overthink it; they treated me very well." He then used a water technique to restore his clothes and appearance. Just a moment was enough for his "miserable" look to spread. Those who knew better understood Zhao Xing couldn't have been mistreated, but for the uninformed, this impression would deepen their dislike for the Liang King's faction.
"Let's go, let's talk somewhere else."
Zhao Xing was surrounded by the crowd as he left the Yangcheng prison.
Later, Xia Jing hosted a small gathering in Yangcheng, a welcome banquet for Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Liao Rulong, with over a thousand attendees. This time, Zhao Xing also drank freely, getting thoroughly drunk with everyone until the party dispersed the following evening.
Once most people had left, Zhao Xing circulated his vital energy, dispelling the alcohol, and his eyes became clear.
"Hmph," he let out a long, heavy breath, then pulled Xia Jing over. "Brother, how have you been these past days?"
Xia Jing was still somewhat tipsy, but seeing Zhao Xing return to normal, he knew important matters were to be discussed. He immediately circulated his blood energy to sober up. "I was also attacked by the Liang King's faction, but my father and uncle intervened and mediated, so I wasn't punished in the end."
Zhao Xing nodded. Xia Jing was not part of the Divine Might Army, his background was connected to the royal family by blood and marriage, and he wasn't a main instigator. It wasn't a major issue to begin with, so with King Pingyang and Grand Marshal Xiahou mediating, naturally, nothing happened to him.
Xia Jing said, "You were stripped of your honorary title and forced to leave the battlefield, and your rank wasn't promoted as high. This was barely enough for the Liang King's faction to save face." He added, "It's just that Ji Chen, for some unknown reason, lost favor in the Liang King's residence and was sent to the battlefield."
"In the past two months, King Rahu, King Xin, and King Anning have repeatedly vetoed the Responding to Origin Mansion's handling of the matter. Your teacher, on the other hand, hasn't made much movement, still working in the Inspectorate and the Two Prefectures Transfer Bureau." Xia Jing recounted the events of the past period.
Zhao Xing closed his eyes, reviewing the information, then nodded a moment later. "This matter is now largely settled. Brother Xia, since you haven't left the battlefield, please take care of yourself."
Xia Jing solemnly said, "Brother Zhao, do you have something to tell me?"
Zhao Xing pondered, then drew a flag on the table. "If you ever see this flag on the battlefield in the future, do not hesitate, retreat immediately. This flag belongs to the 'Nine Nether Army' from the Southern Wilderness Sacred Mountain, backed by the Nine Nether Divine Sect. Their methods are extremely strange."
"Nine Nether Army? Why have I never heard of them?" Xia Jing asked.
"Historically, the Nine Nether Army has only appeared twice. They never fought against the Great Zhou. I found records of them in ancient texts," Zhao Xing explained. "Additionally, the Insect Shamans and Blood Shamans of the Southern Wilderness are much stronger than before, which we must guard against. Also, the Seven Night Holy Sons Group of the Southern Wilderness, it's best to carry out decapitation strikes against them…"
Xia Jing listened quietly. He had vaguely heard of some of the things Zhao Xing mentioned, perhaps in war reports or from strategists. The Barbarian Suppression Battlefield had countless pieces of information; picking out the useful ones was no simple task. Zhao Xing was now highlighting some events that were showing signs but hadn't yet truly exerted their influence, to explain to Xia Jing. Perhaps he would encounter them, perhaps not, but if Xia Jing remembered and was more vigilant, he might face fewer difficulties.
"Did you remember all that?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I did," Xia Jing nodded solemnly. After all he had experienced, he had absolute faith in Zhao Xing's ability to analyze military intelligence and war reports.
"I'll be leaving in a few days. After that, I won't be receiving guests. I need to pay my respects to my teachers," Zhao Xing said. "Brother, take care."
"You too."
The next morning, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, and Liao Rulong each went to visit their commanding officers or the teachers who had previously helped them.
Zhao Xing's first stop was Fuchun Garden, to pay his respects to Tian Yan.
"Teacher, your student is leaving. Thank you for all your efforts during these days. Please take care of your health." Zhao Xing performed a deep kowtow bow to Tian Yan. During his confinement, Tian Yan had indeed gone to great lengths, even using the resources that stemmed from the three letters he had given Zhao Xing earlier.
"Rise," Tian Yan said with a smile, helping Zhao Xing up. "I actually didn't achieve much." Tian Yan initially didn't know the extent of what King Rahu and Liu Tianning could do for Zhao Xing. When he found out, he realized his efforts had been in vain. However, from Zhao Xing's perspective, whether the efforts were useful or not, Tian Yan had made them, and that was a kindness he would remember.
"Where will you be going next?" Tian Yan asked.
"My rank hasn't been finalized yet, but it should be to the East Sea," Zhao Xing replied. "However, I'll first go home to rest for half a year and visit my family."
"East Sea…" Tian Yan murmured. "That's good. If you encounter any problems in the future, you can write to me."
"Though my old bones aren't as hard as Liu Tianning's, my bones are coated with a layer of gold."
"Liu Tianning is an Inspector; he must be fair and incorruptible. Even if he had money, it might not be easy for him to provide much financial help to you." Tian Yan said proudly, "I'm different. In terms of wealth, many of the King-ranked nobles aren't as rich as I am."
Zhao Xing was stunned, then cupped his hands and chuckled, "Teacher is quite wealthy. It seems you're being humble."
"Hahahaha, of course! My ancestor was Grand Duke Tian!" Tian Yan said smugly. "Your teacher only has a bit of money left."
Tian Yan truly wasn't bragging. Soon after Zhao Xing left Fuchun Garden, he received a message on his Earth Mirror.
*Tian Yan has transferred 'ten million' points to you.**Your points account has changed. Balance: 10,021,522.**Zhao Xing, you are going to the East Sea; I expect you'll have many places where you need money. You will also soon be breaking through to the Pure Essence Realm. The Fifth Rank is a crucial juncture for a Master of Agriculture, so under no circumstances should you make do when breaking through. If it's not enough, you can always ask your teacher.*
"He gave me ten million directly? Truly…" Zhao Xing couldn't help but marvel at Tian Yan's wealth.
What did ten million points mean? Zhao Xing's previous honorary rank was Sixth Rank, with an annual salary and rank bonus of approximately 350,000 points. This time, in the contest between King Rahu and the Liang King's faction, though his official rank wasn't promoted, his honorary rank was raised again, to Tenth Rank. But even then, his annual income would only be about 800,000 points. Yet, Tian Yan had casually given him ten million. If Zhao Xing were to rely solely on his salary and rank bonus without being greedy, it would take him over a decade, provided he didn't eat or drink and saved everything.
"This is too big a favor," Zhao Xing felt a little helpless. He had only come to Tian Yan to bid farewell, never expecting Marquis Tian to give him anything. Even if there were a farewell gift, it should have been within a normal range. He hadn't expected to underestimate Tian Yan's financial power so greatly. In Tian Yan's eyes, ten million was indeed a normal gift, perfectly reasonable.
*My teacher Liu Tianning has tens of millions of clones, and now he'll have one more. My teacher Tian Yan has billions in wealth.* Thinking this, Zhao Xing sighed with a touch of melancholy, *If I had known this earlier, what was the point of struggling to accumulate wealth in my previous life? I should have just maxed out Tian Yan's favorability; I would have had everything…*
After paying respects to Tian Yan, Zhao Xing hurried to Tai Cang Academy to see Lu Bang. When the Heavenly Cave Spiritual Essence outbreak occurred, Lu Bang had sent two of his disciples, Cai Jin and Feng Qi, to the Polar Night Sea to feast on fish. At that time, their relationship had grown closer. Lu Bang was also a close friend of Liu Tianning and Tian Yan. However, when Zhao Xing visited Lu Bang, he only bowed respectfully, not performing a grand formal obeisance, and he addressed him as "Master Lu" rather than "Teacher."
"Young man, what are your thoughts on being withdrawn from the battlefield and losing a great future of promotion?" Lu Bang, with his uninhibited and carefree personality, teased Zhao Xing the moment they met.
"No thoughts," Zhao Xing replied with a smile. "No regrets after making a move; what's done is done."
"Hahahaha, I like that spirit in you!" Lu Bang laughed. "I liked that about your personality when you incited the Masters of Agriculture to fight the martial artists during training." He continued, "You're returning home this time; how can you do so without some decent gifts? I'm skilled in brewing wine, so I'll give you a boatload of fine wine."
"Feng Qi," Lu Bang waved his hand, and a young man immediately stepped out from behind a screen.
"Teacher."
"Go to my Earth-rank wine cellar and load a boat full of wine for Marquis Yuanrang."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing this, Zhao Xing deliberately said, "Master Lu, how stingy! If you're going to give a gift, why not some of your Heaven-rank rare collection?"
"Hahahaha, you little brat, you wish!" Lu Bang scolded with a laugh. "You're not even Fifth Rank, and you want to taste this old man's Heaven-rank fine wine? Wait until you reach Fifth Rank, condense Pure Essence soil, then come back and see. By then, you'll know the marvelous uses of my fine wine."
"Master Lu is generous! I'll certainly come to drink my fill when I'm Fifth Rank!"
The third stop was Liu Tianning's Myriad Law Palace. At this time, the Myriad Law Palace had ninety percent fewer clones than usual, appearing somewhat desolate. This was mainly because Liu Tianning had become the Transfer Commissioner of the Two Prefectures and also the 'Ten Suns Inspector.' With his increased workload, fewer of his clones were idle in the Myriad Law Palace.
"Teacher, your disciple plans to depart for home tomorrow." With Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing also didn't perform a grand bow. His way of interacting with old Liu differed from that with Tian Yan; old Liu disliked this formal teacher-disciple etiquette. Except for the first time he bowed as a disciple, he never formally bowed again when meeting and chatting, at most giving a slight nod. Zhao Xing vaguely felt that Liu Tianning had some aversion to formality.
"Understood," Liu Tianning said, pointing to a bamboo chest nearby. "My true body isn't here. Take this."
"What's inside?"
"A Floating Vine seedling," Liu Tianning said. "Cut from the main vine; I've cultivated it for two and a half years."
"Floating Vine?" Zhao Xing's heart trembled. Liu Tianning saying he had cultivated it for two and a half years meant he had been doing this since November of the sixteenth year of Jingxin. That was also the first time Liu Tianning had come to Soul Offering Pass. A Floating Vine seedling, once it fully matures, would be a Seventh Rank plant life! Moreover, the Floating Vine seedling Liu Tianning gave him had very high potential because it had also integrated parasitic species characteristics. This meant Zhao Xing might also be able to cultivate a Tenth Rank Floating Vine, just like Liu Tianning in his previous life! A rare vine-type parasitic species—if Master Zhao had to search for it himself, he might never find it.
How precious was it? Assuming Liu Tianning's gift was an opportunity, it was so precious that Zhao Xing felt his Yanwu luck was not worthy of this opportunity.
"Ordinary Floating Vines can only be planted in Pure Essence soil, but parasitic ones are different," Liu Tianning explained. "Open the box, cut your wrist, and let the Floating Vine seedling parasitize and grow within your body."
"Yes, sir." Zhao Xing suppressed his excitement and stepped forward to open the bamboo chest.
Golden light shimmered from within the bamboo chest. Inside the three-meter square chest, there was no soil, only an extremely concentrated essence of golden light. A two-foot-long, pinky-finger-thick pale golden vine floated in the box. Zhao Xing quickly slashed at his wrist. However, the force was too light; it didn't even break the skin. He had forgotten that with his Golden Bone Grand Completion, his physique was no longer as it used to be.
"I'll help you." Liu Tianning's right hand suddenly shifted, like liquid metal, transforming into a sharp blade.
*Swish!* The blade flashed, and a deep, bone-visible wound immediately appeared on Zhao Xing's wrist; blood gushed out.
Zhao Xing: "…" This approach was indeed very Liu Tianning.
Blood dripped onto the Floating Vine, and it immediately reacted. The Floating Vine slowly moved towards the source of the blood. Zhao Xing extended his hand, and the Floating Vine immediately burrowed in through the wound.
*Hiss!*
Zhao Xing felt his vital energy rapidly plummeting. Ten percent, nine percent, eight percent… Once the Floating Vine had completely absorbed its fill, Zhao Xing's vital energy was astonishingly reduced to just one percent!
*Gasp! It almost drained me dry.* Zhao Xing pulled his hand back, feeling a sense of weakness in his body. Liu Tianning handed him a fruit plate from nearby. "Eat this, and your energy will quickly replenish."
"Okay." Zhao Xing took the fruit plate, intending to first heal his wound. However, when he looked down, the wound had already healed! A cool sensation emanated from where the wound had been, radiating from the Floating Vine.
"The Floating Vine is symbiotic with you. Your injury is its injury," Liu Tianning said. "It will also slow its growth. If you had continued to stay on the battlefield, it would indeed have been difficult to give this to you to cultivate."
"Since you are not yet Fifth Rank, its growth rate will be relatively slow."
"How slow?" Zhao Xing asked.
"For a Sixth Rank cultivator, cultivating a Floating Vine means it won't leave its seedling phase for fifty years," Liu Tianning explained. "At most, it can only reach a near-mature state."
"At Fifth Rank, possessing a Pure Essence Body, the Floating Vine can enter its growth phase."
"Once you cultivate Pure Essence soil, it can mature in thirty to fifty years, but even then, it won't be of great use."
"Only when your inner world is cultivated to the point where you can project Pure Essence can the Floating Vine conveniently fight alongside you."
Zhao Xing nodded. This meant it could only stay at the Sixth Rank for a maximum of fifty years; beyond that, the Floating Vine seedling would die. Because it wasn't something a Sixth Rank cultivator could normally nurture, Liu Tianning had lowered the threshold, allowing him to cultivate it early. The Floating Vine's rapid growth phase was when it was planted in Pure Essence soil. It was also because Zhao Xing had no more battles to fight and was already quite strong that Liu Tianning gave it to him early. Otherwise, this gift would only have been given when he reached Fifth Rank.
"Thank you, Teacher." Zhao Xing was very satisfied with this grand gift.
"Go," Liu Tianning said. With that, his clone lost its vitality and slumped in the chair, its head bowed. Evidently, this clone had gone offline. Zhao Xing cupped his hands, then quickly left the Myriad Law Palace.
For his final stop, Zhao Xing went to the Divine Might Army's barracks to meet Yang An and Jia Pu. Yang An was still in his state with a severed arm, and Jia Pu remained the nominal Divine Might General.
Zhao Xing cupped his fists and said, "I am grateful to the General for accepting me to participate in the Ten Suns Heavenly Cave training. I am endlessly grateful. This time, I have burdened the Divine Might Army. I beg the General and Marquis to punish me." The spot for the training had initially been requested from Yang An by Chen Shijie, so Yang An had indeed done him a favor. Although Zhao Xing had been directly transferred by military order, he felt it was necessary to make this visit, both personally and officially.
Yang An gave Jia Pu a look, stopping Zhao Xing before he could even complete his single-knee kneel.
"Zhao Xing, what wrong have you committed?" Jia Pu said. "If anyone is to blame, it is I, for failing to protect you, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao."
Yang An waved his left hand. "Enough, Strategist. None of you are wrong. The fault lies with King Liang." He continued, "Zhao Xing, you have repeatedly achieved military successes in the Divine Might Army. Without you, it would have been impossible for the Divine Might Army's generals to have advanced north of the Yang River by now."
"Though I granted you a spot, the merits are entirely your own." Yang An then said, "We met once, and now you are leaving. I shall give you a gift. Are your Myriad Law clones on the ship?"
Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes, Marquis, they are."
Yang An asked, "Have they integrated the Path of Guardianship?"
Zhao Xing vaguely guessed what Yang An was about to give him. "They have integrated this technique." The Guardian Straw Man could store myriad laws. It was also the foundation of the Myriad Law clones. To fully expand the clones' functions, one had to integrate the Guardian Straw Man. Currently, Zhao Xing's nine main clones all possessed this ability.
Yang An extended his remaining left hand and suddenly commanded, "Protector Army Captain Zhao Xing, heed my order!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Xing cupped his hands.
"Receive the sword!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zhao Xing's brow twitched, and his nine clones immediately leaped from the warship hovering above the plaza.
"This Marquis will unleash ten-tenths of my Azure Dragon Sword Energy. Zhao Xing, how much of its power you can retain depends on your capability." With that, a streak of azure light flashed from Yang An's fingertip, then rapidly burst forth from the War Council Hall, like a swimming azure dragon, charging towards the warship.
*Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!*
The nine clones instantly appeared in the path of the sword energy.
"Roar!"
A dragon's roar actually emanated from within the sword energy. The first straw man collided with the sword energy, then erupted in brilliant light. The dragon-shaped sword energy passed through the first straw man with no apparent reduction whatsoever. Zhao Xing's second Myriad Law clone moved forward, actively absorbing the sword energy. But the second Myriad Law clone was also saturated in an instant. The sword energy, a roaming dragon, soared majestically through the sky.
All nine clones engaged in turns. Even after the ninth clone had absorbed its fill of Azure Dragon Sword Energy, there was still some left!
*Marquis Divine Might truly is extraordinary. Even after King Liang suppressed him once, his second re-instatement still shook the world,* Zhao Xing thought, marveling at the power of the sword energy within his clones.
*Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!*
Zhao Xing's main body, along with his Myriad Law clones, landed together outside the War Council Hall. Zhao Xing knelt on one knee and loudly proclaimed, "Thank you, Marquis, for bestowing this sword!" This was the first time Yang An had given him a direct order, and it would be the last. Afterward, Yang An changed his address.
After Zhao Xing finished receiving the sword, Yang An's voice drifted out from the War Council Hall: "Treasure your fervent passion, for when it's spilled, it can still transform into azure waves."
"Marquis Yuanrang, we shall meet again."
Datong Prefecture, Myriad Peaks Mountain Range.
The calm, mirror-like lake surface suddenly rippled in concentric circles, the textures growing denser until, at a certain point, the central area suddenly arched upward.
*Splash!*
Four Qilin beasts, gleaming with golden light, leaped from the water. As the golden light dispersed, they revealed themselves to be four Qilin flying boats. Three of the flying boats were abreast, while the fourth was facing them.
Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, and Chen Shijie stood together on one side, while Liao Rulong stood on his own flying boat.
"Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao," Liao Rulong said, cupping his hands. "You must come to my hometown, Boping County, when you have time."
"We will," Zhao Xing replied, cupping his hands. "Brother Liao, take care."
"Farewell!" Liao Rulong waved and entered his cabin. The Qilin flying boat transformed into a streak of light and soon disappeared into the horizon.
Watching Liao Rulong leave, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel a touch of melancholy. Liao Rulong had not been part of the original plan to impeach King Liang, but at the time, he had taken on the matter alongside them. Zhao Xing's dissuasion had been futile, and in the end, Liao Rulong was also detained. The outcome was the same for all of them: they couldn't reach Fifth Rank, were transferred to local official positions, stripped of their honorary official titles, and had their military merits converted into honorary ranks.
Liao Rulong's hometown was Boping County in Binjiang Commandery, Guanghua Prefecture, and he was from the same region as Yang An. He had joined the army with Yang An back then, though their achievements differed greatly; Yang An was already a Fourth Rank military general, while Liao Rulong remained Sixth Rank. Zhao Xing wondered whether Liao Rulong leaving the battlefield was a blessing or a curse, but since things had come to this, he didn't dwell on it.
"Old Chen, Long Xiao, it's time for us to go too," Zhao Xing said.
"Mm."
Long Xiao's hometown had been submerged by floods, so he had nowhere to go during his half-year leave. He planned to spend time with Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie. Chen Shijie also intended to return to Gucheng. His hometown was in Xishan Commandery, but his close relatives there were gone, and the aunt and uncle who were somewhat close by blood had treated him very poorly when he was young, so he had long severed ties with them. Chen Shijie had no intention of going back to humiliate them, so he also planned to go to Gucheng, where Gui Niang was waiting for him.
"Let's go," Long Xiao said. "Last time I went to Gucheng, I spent all my time helping you two fight; I didn't get to enjoy myself properly. This time, I need a good look around."
"Zhao Xing, as the host, you have to treat us!"
"If you're looking for entertainment, you've probably picked the wrong person," Chen Shijie chuckled. "Does Zhao Xing look like someone who knows how to enjoy himself?"
"Heh heh, you wouldn't know," Long Xiao said, winking. "When I was his guardian, following him to handle the Shao Wanjie case, guess what?"
"What?"
"Heh, that kid impersonated Shao Wanjie, had two cat-eared girls serving him in a hot spring, and even called in a bunch of gauzy-clothed dancers…"
"What?! Such a thing happened?!" Chen Shijie exclaimed with a laugh. "You, Zhao Xing, I can't believe you're such an improper person too!"
"How can you slander my good name!" Zhao Xing argued. "That was called a mission, a mission, understand?" He then added, "However, while I may not know how to enjoy myself, I have a friend who certainly does."
"Long Xiao, when we reach Nanyang Commandery, I'll make sure you don't even have the strength to draw your sword!"
"Hahahaha, I'm looking forward to it!"
Nanyang Commandery was in Dayuan Prefecture. Even by straight-line distance, it was more than forty thousand li away from Datong Prefecture's Myriad Peaks Mountain Range. On their way to Yangcheng, they had borrowed the path from the Lihuo Dao Academy's Fire Cauldron, but they couldn't do that on the return journey. This was because they now had too many items: Qilin flying boats, bronze chariots, Emerald-Eyed Dragon Lions. It would be too costly to transport these through the Fire Cauldron. A single person's passage required an eighty thousand li return journey; with so many items, the transport capacity would increase, and the cost would also escalate, all charged to the owner. They might not be able to do anything else for the next six months but run to repay the cost.
Zhao Xing had also bought many goods from the military market. Lu Bang alone had sent him a boatload of fine wine. Additionally, there were gifts from Xia Jing, Young Master Ji, Wu Zhengting, and various other friends and teachers. Zhao Xing's personal belongings alone filled fourteen cargo flying boats. Coupled with items purchased by Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, they had a total of twenty cargo boats. Adding their three Qilin flying boats, the three of them now possessed twenty-three flying vessels. Zhao Xing's Qilin flying boat was a recent acquisition; he wanted to return home in glory, and how could he do so without adequate pomp?
They planned to fly back this time, and their route was chosen. First, they would pilot the twenty-three flying boats to the Datong Prefecture capital. Then, they would board a public inter-prefecture airship to Dayuan Prefecture. Once in Dayuan Prefecture, they could fly directly to Nanyang Commandery.
"The straight-line distance is forty thousand li, but avoiding no-fly zones makes it over a hundred thousand li in total. Boarding a Seventh Rank airship should take about thirty hours," Chen Shijie said. "However, we also need to factor in
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