Chapter 2: Sudden Changes

Xia Muxin was anxious and eager to return, with her heart racing. She rode the white tiger, which was galloping fiercely ahead. The white tiger was enormous, leaping and pouncing with a mighty force, covering ten zhang (approximately 30 meters) with each bound.

The steeds of Yao Beilin and the others were all purebred dragon colts, which could barely keep up with the white tiger at full speed. However, the 300 iron cavalrymen behind them were in a more difficult position. Their mounts were mixed-breed dragon colts, smaller and slower than the purebred ones. Even at full speed, they were falling further behind.

Though the southern wilderness was mountainous and densely forested, there were roads beneath the trees. This road, originally a path for the barbarians, had been cleared of trees when the army had passed through earlier. While it wasn't as smooth as a stone-paved official road, it was still wide enough to travel on.

Because of the heat and frequent rains in the southern wilderness, the trees grew dense and tall, their vast canopies interlacing, blocking the sun. As a result, the path they followed was one of the few areas in the forest where sunlight shone through.

It was well-known that such sunny, flat areas were ideal resting spots for snakes. Along the road, large and small snakes could be seen at any moment. Most of them would hide into the surrounding forest at the sound of the iron hooves, but some of the larger snakes—those that were several zhang long and as thick as barrels—would coil up and raise their heads, ready to bite when startled.

Though the white tiger was large, it was incredibly agile and had no fear of the snakes. It charged forward, leaping into the air, its claws flashing, and when it landed, it used the force to charge ahead once more, leaving behind the snake, whose head was severed, twisting and writhing on the ground.

In addition to the snakes, they occasionally encountered large groups of elephants and massive rhinoceroses. A single tiger's roar was enough to make them scatter in panic.

The group set off at the hour of You (around 5 p.m.). With the long summer days, night didn't fall until the hour of Xu (around 9 p.m.), by which time they had already reached the edge of the southern wilderness, and after a bit more travel, they would be in Jingzhou territory.

By the time it was almost the second watch, they could see a city ahead. At this time, the city gates had already been closed, and most cities in such areas were built at mountain passes. If they tried to bypass the city, it would be a hassle.

The wind howled as they raced along, and there was little conversation among the group. When they saw the white tiger slow down, Yao Beilin and the others quickly urged their steeds to catch up.

Understanding what Xia Muxin was thinking, Zi Xu spoke in a low voice, "Every city has a sorcerer for protection. The news of our return will be hard to hide."

Before Xia Muxin could respond, Ren Qianyang spoke up, "They need time to send word. As long as we push on through the night without stopping, we can reach the imperial capital before dawn. Even if they catch wind of it, they won't have time to act."

By then, they were less than two miles from the city, and seeing Xia Muxin nod, Ren Qianyang raised his voice, "Urgent military matters, immediate action required! Open the gates now!"

Upon hearing Ren Qianyang's command, the soldiers guarding the gates did not hesitate. They immediately signaled to their comrades to open the gates. It wasn't that they were slacking off, but tonight was the fifteenth of the month, with a full moon overhead. From a distance, they had already seen the large white tiger and five unusually tall dragon colts, and as border gate guards, they naturally recognized their riders.

As the gates opened, the group sped up, rushing towards the slowly opening gates.

Seeing the iron-clad cavalry fall further behind, Ji Youde spoke helplessly, "Your Highness, you go on ahead. We'll be about half an hour behind."

Xia Muxin nodded, "Without an imperial decree, foreign troops cannot enter the city. Wait for us south of the city."

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I understand the rules," Ji Youde reined in his horse and slowed down, watching as the others passed through the gate and sped away.

Once inside Jingzhou, the road became wide and smooth. In the stillness of the night, the five riders pushed forward, galloping through the state, chasing the stars and racing the moon as they headed north.

Though the nine provinces had been unified for over a hundred years, the world was still unstable. Outside the provinces, demons and monsters ravaged the land, and spirits ran rampant. Inside, the people were not yet fully civilized, and hearts were unsettled. To defend against enemies and survive, the Xia people had a strong martial tradition, and many small sects were scattered throughout the nine provinces. Along the way, the group often encountered hurried practitioners of Qi cultivation or martial artists traveling with swords.

Jingzhou, as one of the nine provinces, was vast, and it wasn't until the third watch that the group finally reached the riverbank.

By this time, it was deep into the night, and there was no ferry in sight. However, the group didn't need one. Near the riverbank, Yao Beilin and the others spurred their steeds forward, each horse a ten-zhang distance apart, in single file.

The dragon colts, descendants of the northern black dragons, were born of dragon blood and could not sink in water. They could also walk on water's surface.

By the time the white tiger reached the river, the four dragon colts had already charged into the water. This wasn't the first time they had done this, and the steeds had developed a tacit understanding. Seeing Yao Beilin and the others lean to one side of their horses, the white tiger didn't wait for Xia Muxin's command. It leaped, using the force of the horses running on water to propel itself, and first landed on the northern bank.

After the white tiger successfully crossed, the four riders quickly returned to their mounts, galloping onto the bank, following close behind.

By the fourth watch, the group passed through Jingzhou and entered Yuzhou. They were now less than a thousand miles from the imperial capital.

After hours of nonstop galloping, even the dragon colts, with their dragon blood, began to tire. Foam appeared at their mouths, and their speed slowed.

Seeing that the dragon colts were struggling to keep up, Xia Muxin hesitated, then signaled for the white tiger to stop near a small stream.

The dragon colts, thirsty from the long ride, immediately went to the stream to drink, without waiting for their riders to dismount.

"You all rest here for a bit. I'll go ahead," Xia Muxin said.

Concerned for her safety, Ren Qianyang shook his head, "Your Highness, let us go together."

Xia Muxin pointed northeast, "I know a shortcut straight to the imperial capital. But the mountain path is too rugged. My white tiger can make it, but your dragon colts cannot. Afterward, continue on the main road and wait for me outside the palace after entering the city."

Ren Qianyang and the others were still reluctant to let her go alone, but Zi Xu stopped them with a glance. She had noticed that Xia Muxin's eyes were red throughout the journey. As the saying goes, "Brothers are deeply connected," and with the Xia Emperor in a grave condition, Xia Muxin was worried she might never see her brother again.

Before anyone could say anything else, Xia Muxin urged the white tiger into the dense northeast forest. The white tiger leapt a few times through the mountains and quickly crossed the ridge, disappearing from sight.

Among the four, besides the one-eyed Ren Qianyang, the tall Yao Beilin, and the female general Zi Xu, there was also a slender young man named Si Qingshan. He was usually quiet, but seeing Xia Muxin go alone, he looked worried and furrowed his brow. He asked Zi Xu, "Why didn't you let us speak out to stop her?"

"It's useless. We couldn't change her mind," Zi Xu sighed.

Ren Qianyang clicked his tongue and shook his head, "Something's not right. The military rations used to be supplied monthly, but in the past few months, they've been cut down to just seven days' worth. I've always been puzzled, but now it's clear—someone doesn't want the prince to take the throne and is trying to sabotage him. Reducing our rations is to prevent the prince from finding out the truth and leading the army back."

Ren Qianyang finished speaking, and both Yao Beilin and Si Qingshan nodded in agreement.

Zi Xu smiled bitterly and spoke, "The prince is extremely clever. Whatever we can think of, he can certainly think of."

"If the prince really knows, he should realize it's too dangerous to go back alone," Ren Qianyang said.

Zi Xu crouched down to wash her hands, then spoke, "Of course, he knows. But even if the four of us went with him, if something happens in the imperial capital, we wouldn't be able to leave unscathed."

"The dragon colts and iron cavalry are still behind," Ren Qianyang said.

Zi Xu shook her head, "It's useless. Besides the five thousand imperial guards inside the city, there are still thirty thousand elite soldiers outside. No matter how powerful the dragon colts and iron cavalry are, they can't fight hundreds."

Hearing Zi Xu's words, the three others furrowed their brows.

Zi Xu straightened and slapped her hands together. "Actually, we don't need to worry too much. As long as the Xia Emperor is still alive, no one will dare to make a move. Besides, the prince is a martial arts expert and has the white tiger with him. Who would dare challenge him?"

Si Qingshan spoke seriously, "They even dared to shoot down the emperor's messenger bird. What wouldn't they dare to do?"

"Rebellion they wouldn't dare. If they were bold enough to rebel, they would've shot down the emperor himself, not the messenger bird," Zi Xu paused and continued, "Besides, while the sorcerers can communicate with spirits and deliver divine messages, they aren't of royal blood. They can't sense the golden dragon, and they can't take the throne."

"Alright, alright, stop talking," Yao Beilin interrupted, "Let's get moving."

Normally, after a long journey, horses shouldn't drink a lot of water, but the dragon colts, with their aquatic bloodline, were revived after drinking, and the four quickly mounted their horses and sped off.

After another watch of rapid travel, they finally reached the southern gate of the imperial capital just as dawn was breaking.

Summer mornings came early, and the gates opened early too. At this time, the city gates were open, with people coming and going.

The four had been anxious, but upon seeing that everything in the imperial capital seemed normal, they breathed a sigh of relief and urged their horses through the gates.

Having gone without food all night, the four were hungry. Seeing someone selling baked pancakes by the roadside, Ren Qianyang dismounted to buy a few.

Just then, an angry tiger roar came from the north of the city.

The four froze in shock. The north was where the imperial palace was located, and having spent so much time with the white tiger, they were familiar with its roar. Such a furious roar could only happen during a bloodbath...