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    Light snowflakes, like scattered grains of salt, drifted down from the sky, covering the mountains and rivers, blanketing the endless fields in white.

    On the straight and spacious main road, a thin layer of fine snow had already accumulated. The snow made the road slippery, and there were few travelers to be seen.

    At this moment, the crisp sound of “ding-ling” bells rang out as a carriage sped over from the distance. The carriage was drawn by an ordinary black horse, nothing remarkable about it. What was remarkable, however, was that the carriage did not travel down the center of the official road. Instead, running parallel to the black horse at the very center was a creature with sleek fur and an extraordinary air about it, a mule!

    No, that wasn’t quite right. On closer inspection, it was a creature that looked quite like a deer but not, quite like a horse but not, quite like a cow bit not, quite like a donkey but not, a true “Sibu Xiang(Four-Not-Alike)”. Upon its back, there even seemed to be something that was quite like a sword, but not!

    The Sibu Xiang galloped easily down the center of the road, its deer-like head, with antlers broken, held high. Its cow-like hooves trod steadily across the snowy ground. What was truly astonishing was that when the black horse beside it slowed or drifted off course, the creature’s donkey-like tail would swish and slap the black horse’s rump, as if to remind it to keep pace.

    Seated upright atop the carriage pulled by the black horse was a lean young man, eyes closed in meditation. His hands were arranged in a mysterious gesture, as if he were already asleep. Everything about him seemed utterly ordinary.

    But if one looked closely, they would see that the swirling, ever-thickening snowflakes, though they touched all things, seemed not to disturb the young man’s peaceful dream in the slightest. Around his body, there appeared to be a transparent barrier; whenever a snowflake drifted down toward him, it would slide off as if landing on an unnaturally smooth surface, unable to linger. Thus, though the snow danced all around, not a single flake left its mark upon him.

    Just then, a soft and clear voice sounded: “Big Brother Ren, the snow is getting heavier. Why don’t you come inside the carriage to take shelter?”

    Wasn’t that the voice of Miss Nie Qianyu, the maiden of Mochou City?

    The three people riding in the carriage were none other than Zhang Xiaohua, Nie Qianyu, and Little Orange, who had just left Danhe City!

    Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Xiaohua opened his eyes, relaxed his hands, withdrew the mystical incantation, and immediately extended his divine sense. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Zhang Xiaohua was already different from before; though only a month had passed, his youthful face seemed to have matured even more, and there was now a new depth to his smile.

    Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Little Fish, it’s fine. I enjoy watching the snow blanket the land. The sight of snow makes me think of vitality and dormancy. Why don’t you come out and take a look too?”

    “Big Brother Ren, I’ve told you hundreds of times, don’t call me Little Fish. My name is Xiao Yu! Honestly.”

    Nie Qianyu’s reproachful voice came from within the carriage.

    Zhang Xiaohua raised his eyebrows and said: “You two, one is Little Orange, and the other is Little Fish. Isn’t that a perfect match? Luckily, I’m smart enough to come up with such good names. Little Fish, shouldn’t you pay me a bit more for naming you?”

    “Pfft!” Nie Qianyu spat, “Shameless!”

    Another voice chimed in: “Miss, I think you’d better hand over those gold leaves too, so Young Master Ren won’t keep thinking about them.”

    “What? All the food and drink on this journey, the cost of inns, and… and Huanhuan’s expenses, weren’t they all paid with my silver? And he still has the nerve to say that?”

    “Hahaha!” Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua felt extremely pleased. Indeed, he hadn’t spent a single coin of his own since leaving Danhe City, how could he not be happy?

    Hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s laughter, laughter rang out from inside the carriage as well. Nie Qianyu said with a smile: “Big Brother Ren, it’ll be dark soon, and the snow is getting heavier. I’m afraid we won’t make it to any towns tonight.”

    Nie Qianyu found it rather strange. Over the past month, Zhang Xiaohua had been exceptionally cautious on the road, never spending the night in the wild. Even if there was still daylight left, he would choose to stay at an inn rather than press on. With his profound martial skills, what did he have to fear from mere bandits? But since Zhang Xiaohua never explained, she didn’t feel it was her place to ask.

    Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “No worries. Just four or five li ahead lies Pingyang City. If we spur our horses on, we should arrive even if night has already fallen. We spent the first day of the New Year on the road, but we’ll be able to celebrate the fifth day in Pingyang City.”

    “Huh?” Nie Qianyu exclaimed in surprise. “Big Brother Ren, you’ve always been hopeless with directions. How is it that you know we’re almost at Pingyang City today? With all this whiteness outside the carriage, how can you even tell?”

    Zhang Xiaohua only chuckled and didn’t explain. Inside the carriage, Nie Qianyu seemed used to this and didn’t press further. As was his habit, Zhang Xiaohua gave a loud shout: “Hyah~!”

    At once, the Sibu Xiang swished its donkey-like tail, landing a perfect smack on the black horse’s rump. The black horse immediately picked up speed, galloping swiftly forward into the swirling snow!

    It should be said that ever since leaving Danhe City, Zhang Xiaohua had shared his plans with Nie Qianyu. Though Miss Nie was still young, she had far more experience than Zhang Xiaohua had at her age five years ago. She was shrewd in the ways of the world; how could she not seize the chance to rely on such a strong ally? Naturally, she had no objections at all. What was a detour, after all? Even if it meant circling the seas, as long as she could return safely to Mochou City, she was willing, let alone for other reasons…

    As for those other little thoughts, well, let’s not pry into a young lady’s secrets.

    From Danhe City to Pingyang City, it was but a short curved line on Ji Xiaohua’s map, passing through a few towns along the way. Yet it had taken Zhang Xiaohua over a month to drive the carriage along this route, even spending the first day of the New Year on the road. In the end, he hadn’t managed to return home to Guo Village in time for the New Year celebrations.

    At first, Zhang Xiaohua would use the whip on the carriage to urge the black horse forward, but he soon grew tired of it. Huanhuan, that Sibu Xiang spirit beast of his, truly lived up to its name. It seemed to understand its master’s intentions, coming up to walk alongside the black horse. Only when they reached a fork in the road would it pause and wait for Zhang Xiaohua’s instructions. This whole journey had delighted Zhang Xiaohua, and in his heart, he felt even more grateful to Ji Xiaohua.

    Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were both astonished to see how intelligent and spirited this Sibu Xiang was, and soon grew quite fond of it. Both of them had raised Sibu Xiangs before and were deeply familiar with their habits and diet. With no shortage of silver on Nie Qianyu’s carriage, their journey was well-provisioned. Though Huanhuan was somewhat different from the Sibu Xiangs of Spring Rebirth Valley, it was now glossy and plump, nothing like the shabby, unsightly creature it had been back in Songning Town.

    As for Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, after spending over a month traveling with Zhang Xiaohua, their initial awe and wariness gradually faded. Through getting to know him, they realized that this young man, despite his formidable martial prowess, was not so lofty or unapproachable after all. If one looked past his mysterious ways and overwhelming strength, the carefree “Ren Xiaoyao” they first met was his true self.

    Speaking of mysterious ways, Zhang Xiaohua insisted on sleeping soundly every night and would often meditate with his eyes closed even while riding in the carriage. Sometimes, he was hopelessly lost; other times, he could unerringly point out the correct path ahead, even seeming to foresee what lay before them. This left Nie Qianyu utterly baffled.

    What vexed Nie Qianyu the most, however, was that this fellow hadn’t spent a single coin along the entire journey. Every bill and every expense, he would simply reach out to her for payment. This… this was hardly the conduct befitting a hero of the martial world!

    Still, the benefits of this most vexing trait brought Nie Qianyu much comfort.

    Over the month-long journey from Danhe City to Pingyang City, they encountered their share of bandits, brigands, and the various dangers of the mortal world. It was in these moments that the value of a martial hero became clear. No matter how many ruffians blocked their path, Zhang Xiaohua would simply glance around, pick up his longsword, and walk over to the nearest massive tree or boulder. With a deep breath, he’d swing his sword, and no matter how thick the tree or how hard the stone, they would shatter at a single touch. Then, while the bandits stared in stunned silence, Zhang Xiaohua would leisurely return to the carriage, call out “Hyah!”, and the black horse would set off on its own, leaving only the envious gazes of the would-be robbers behind.

    Of course, there were also those who, emboldened by their numbers and overestimating themselves, tried their luck. Zhang Xiaohua showed no mercy, no matter how many opponents there were, a single sword strike would cut them down, never needing a second blow. His heroic bearing, whenever Nie Qianyu and Little Orange recalled it, left stars sparkling in their eyes. Yet, they would still spit and laugh: “This fellow is truly savage!”

    At the same time, they would hide in the carriage, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter. Where else could one find such a valiant bodyguard? How much silver would it take to hire someone like this?

    The month-long journey was arduous, but also filled with joy. Before they knew it, they were drawing near to Pingyang City.

    Nie Qianyu was nothing if not clever. Ever since leaving Danhe City, she had never again asked where they were headed. She simply followed Zhang Xiaohua’s lead, occasionally offering her opinion when he seemed uncertain about the direction, but never probing into his true destination.

    Besides, Nie Qianyu was already very familiar with the layout of the various cities, and Zhang Xiaohua’s route was clear enough. Over ten days ago, she had already realized that Pingyang City lay along their path. She just didn’t know that it was Zhang Xiaohua’s intended destination.

    Five days earlier, on the first day of the New Year, the three of them had spent the night in a tiny market town. Zhang Xiaohua didn’t mind; he hadn’t spent New Year’s with his mother, father, and family for several years now. Though he missed them dearly, seeing how far from home he still was, he set the thought aside, letting the longing rest quietly in his heart. Nie Qianyu, however, was different. It seemed she had never spent a New Year away from home before, and that night her eyes were red, and she barely touched her food. Zhang Xiaohua didn’t know how to comfort her, so he simply offered a few gentle words and sat silently by her side.

    Fortunately, Little Orange took her young mistress out for a stroll. When they returned, though Nie Qianyu’s eyes were still red, her cheeks flushed, and her spirits had lifted. Her bright eyes kept glancing at Zhang Xiaohua, and at that simple table, she actually toasted him several times.

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