"Horsemanship counts too?"
"Neigh—!"
Before Chen Sanshi could even think further, the white crane horse suddenly reared up and let out a high-pitched neigh. It bolted straight out of the stable, galloping wildly, tossing and jerking nonstop as if trying to throw its rider off.
"Shit!"
Chen Sanshi almost flew out of the saddle. He grabbed the reins with both hands and clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly while stepping hard on the stirrups.
It always looked easy when others rode horses, but only those who'd actually tried it knew the truth—riding wasn't easy at all. Especially not when the horse was fierce and untamed. One wrong move, and falling off could mean instant death.
"Neigh—!"
The white crane horse charged madly across the field.
Sitting on its back, Chen Sanshi felt wind roaring past his ears. The scenery blurred and streaked behind him while the horse's every violent twist made it feel like he was on a runaway carriage with no seatbelt—pure chaos.
"Good beast!"
He gave up trying to control it gently and instead wrapped his arms tightly around its neck, relying on brute strength to subdue it.
Man and horse struggled against each other for a full half an hour, neither giving in. Only when both were completely exhausted did they finally stop, panting hard in a temporary truce.
[Skill: Horsemanship (Uninitiated)]
[Progress: (35/100)]
[Effect: None]
"So, you're a mare?"
Chen Sanshi leaned forward, checking carefully.
He didn't know much about horses, but he knew mares were usually smaller and gentler. Yet the one before him was the complete opposite—strong and wild, with incredible muscle and power.
"Hahahahaha!"
A hearty laugh came from behind him.
Chen Sanshi turned around and saw it was Xiang Tingchun.
The Thousand-Household Officer was no longer wearing armor but dressed in plain clothes, his face a little softer, though still carrying that faint air of command.
A Thousand-Household was a proper fifth-rank official.
In Poyang County, that was already the highest level—a sky that ordinary folk could never touch. Not just in status, but in cultivation and authority as well.
"Thousand-Household Officer."
Chen Sanshi cupped his fists respectfully.
"How is it? Hard to tame this one, right?"
Xiang Tingchun chuckled. "Good. It should be hard to tame. If this horse weren't so fierce—sometimes even dangerous—no one would've been willing to give it to me, and I certainly wouldn't have been willing to give it to you. Whether you can tame it or not depends on your own skill."
He clearly hadn't come specifically to see Chen Sanshi.
Not far away, another groom was leading out a different white horse—most likely Xiang Tingchun's mount for travel. He must've just happened to pass by.
"Work hard. If you need anything, come find me."
After saying that, Xiang Tingchun mounted his horse in one smooth motion. His own steed behaved perfectly, standing still and obedient.
"Where's he going?"
Chen Sanshi frowned slightly. "Last night… did they ever find the key to unlock the immortal treasure? Were all those masked men captured? Was Luo Dongquan there too?"
Before Xiang Tingchun left the training grounds, another black horse appeared beside his white one. The two galloped off side by side.
The man on the black horse was Luo Dongquan.
"So, he's involved with the immortal treasure too?"
These people were clearly hiding something from the imperial court.
Chen Sanshi grew more and more curious—just what exactly was inside that box?
…
"Old Luo, stop bringing up the Elite Selection again."
Xiang Tingchun's tone was firm. "Our Great Sheng Dynasty is already short on capable men. If we keep turning on each other, what kind of example are we setting?"
"My lord," Luo Dongquan said reluctantly, "the first half of next year will be the final chance for the Grand Commander's Elite Selection."
"So what?"
Xiang Tingchun tugged lightly on the reins. "You have to understand something. The Grand Commander's power has grown too heavy. He's also getting old. His Majesty has long wanted him to step down."
"Right now, joining the Eight Garrisons may not actually be a good thing."
"For years now, His Majesty has been seeking new candidates to reshuffle the northern forces. The Eight Garrisons might soon be disbanded and reassigned across the east, west, south, and north."
"If someone can stand out at this moment, they might very well rise high under the next Grand Commander."
Luo Dongquan listened intently. "So that's why, my lord, you plan to cooperate with the martial halls—to look for that so-called 'immortal treasure'? But does such a thing really exist? Something that can let a man rapidly increase his cultivation?"
"Judging from how those old bastards at the martial halls reacted, it doesn't look fake. I'm not entirely sure either, but the barbarians somehow got their hands on something extraordinary. No wonder they've been raiding more and more often since last year."
Xiang Tingchun paused for a moment before continuing, "Remember this—our main goal isn't the immortal treasure itself. Those fools never stop to think—if such a thing truly existed, could they really keep it hidden? What matters most is using this opportunity to make the martial halls and local gentry bleed a little. That'll help us prepare for next spring."
"My lord, are you really planning to go beyond the Great Wall and strike the Yu Wen tribe's branch?"
Luo Dongquan's face turned serious. "The barbarians living along the Xi River have at least 2,500 warriors. We only have 900 men total, and we can't move without reporting to the Ministry of War and waiting for approval."
"That's why," Xiang Tingchun said bluntly, "I need warhorses, crossbows, grain, medicine—and most of all, silver!"
As they talked, the two men reached the farmlands.
Xiang Tingchun raised his whip and pointed toward the vast fields. "Look. All this should belong to our Great Sheng Dynasty. But what's the result? Seventy to eighty percent of it has become private land owned by martial halls and local nobles!"
"Now, when wars keep breaking out and money is desperately needed, not one of them is willing to give even a single coin!"
"The immortal treasure rumor is the perfect excuse to scare them into paying up."
"Once we have funds and power, we can make great achievements. When that time comes, there will be far better places for us to go—why stay chained to the Eight Garrisons?"
"Old Luo, how many years have you been with me?"
Luo Dongquan nodded respectfully. "By winter, it'll be twenty-one years exactly."
Xiang Tingchun's tone grew heavy. "In all of Poyang County, I trust you the most. That's why I'm telling this to you alone. I need your full support. When the time comes and we succeed, wherever I rise to, you'll rise with me."
"Rest assured, my lord," Luo Dongquan cupped his fists and said with conviction. "I'm willing to charge through boiling water and walk into fire for you, even if it costs me my life!"
"Good. Let's go talk with those old men from the martial hall."
The two rode their horses back into town, heading straight for the Tianyuan Martial Hall.
Liang Zhan was already waiting at the entrance. "My father and several uncles have long prepared wine and dishes for you, my lords. Please, come in!"
After greeting the guests, Liang Zhan didn't enter immediately. Instead, he waited outside until a martial hall disciple arrived.
"Did you find him?" he asked.
"Reporting to Young Master," the disciple replied, "no. None of the brothers living in the city have seen him, and he's not at his family home in Swallow-Edge Village either. We asked around, but everyone says they haven't seen Qin Feng."
"Missing?"
Liang Zhan tapped his folded fan against his palm. "Most likely that brat from the army, the one named Chen, killed him."
"Then what do we do now, Young Master?" The disciple, who was close to Qin Feng, spoke with a heavy heart.
Liang Zhan's voice turned cold. "What can we do? We've got no evidence. He's dead, and that's that. What do you want me to do—hand you a sword and have you storm the barracks for revenge?"
The disciple fell silent.
Liang Zhan sneered. Qin Feng had been a decent man—he'd been with their martial hall for several years, hardworking, loyal, and good with people.
By chance, he'd overheard a secret conversation between Liang Zhan's father and another elder. Because Qin Feng had always kept his mouth shut, Liang Zhan didn't kill him and even took him in as a personal disciple.
And yet, the fool just had to go looking for death himself.
Liang Zhan had tried to dissuade him, even helped him a little. But now that he was dead, his life was worth no more than a few dozen taels of silver.
It wasn't as if Tianyuan Martial Hall lacked personal disciples anyway. Liang Zhan wasn't stupid enough to risk himself avenging one dead man.
"This Chen fellow is quite interesting though."
"Qin Feng had already reached Mastery in tempering blood, yet he was still killed just like that."
"A man like that… once I finish my current affairs, I should really get to know him better."
"And last night—" Liang Zhan narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them. "—just happened to be when those barbarians escaped the city. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?"