359: Chapter 359 I can't afford to lose face

The first day of the second lunar month, a favorable day for travel.

Early in the morning, a top-tier Hongqi-class luxury carriage from the Northern Carriage Firm entered Gan Province via the brand-new paved official road.

Driving the carriage was Qin He, dressed like a wandering bladesman.

Two tall, date-red horses pulled the extended carriage, moving with steady ease.

Inside the carriage, Lin Xiao wore a black silk robe, looking every bit the young master of a noble family on an excursion, lounging comfortably on the soft cushions.

To his left and right, he held Xie Juner and Su Wansha, who were feeling sleepy from not having stopped at an inn along the way; his arms were filled with soft fragrance.

The carriage was spacious. At the front, Xiao Qingxuan and Zhao Caiwei were playing Go.

Mu Wanying and Leng Bingyan were flipping through a stack of "Jianghu Baixiaosheng" pictorials they had just bought on the road.

It was only after seeing the women buy them that Lin Xiao realized that the martial arts world of the Tianwu Continent actually had its own kind of "paparazzi."

They would collect the latest gossip from various sects and schools, compile them into booklets, and sell them everywhere.

Moreover, because the martial arts world was loosely regulated, there was all sorts of chaotic news: which swordswoman had an affair, which sect leader was being cheated on, whose illegitimate child some rising prodigy was...

Whether true or false, it was far more interesting than the imperial gazette!

As the Tianwu Grand Tournament approached, everyone wanted to know which sects' prodigies were worth watching this year.

Therefore, this "Jianghu Baixiaosheng" pictorial listed information on the prodigies of recent years—it was practically a "Spectator's Guide"!

"Beef noodles! Gan Province beef noodles! Ten coppers a bowl!"

Outside, they were passing through a market area, and the hawking of wares could be heard.

"Oh, we've entered Gan Province already?"

Mu Wanying delightedly lifted the curtain to look outside; the roadside was filled with stalls—what a lively scene!

Qin He remarked with emotion: "Thanks to the Princess's foresight in having the Militia prioritize the construction of the 'Gancang Expressway,' our journey this time was a full four days faster than in the past!"

"Qin He, we are traveling privately this time, and you are visiting relatives along the way, so don't stand on ceremony," Xiao Qingxuan said with a smile.

"Haha, I forgot, I forgot. Understood, Sister-in-law!"

Qin He's face was filled with anticipation. He had left Blade Mountain seven or eight years ago and had always been too ashamed to return.

Now, having followed Lin Xiao on campaigns east and west, he had become a commander of the Zhenbei Army Modao Squad, a General of Mobile Cavalry, and held the rank of fifth grade.

Not only that, but he had also followed Lin Xiao on the expedition to the Northern Desert, conquering the Northern Barbarians and Western Qiang. This achievement was enough to bring honor to his ancestors and leave his name in the history books!

With such accomplishments, Qin He no longer needed to struggle with whether or not he could become a master of the blade.

He could finally hold his head high and go see his family.

At this thought, Qin He's gratitude toward Lin Xiao deepened even further, and from the bottom of his heart, he swore to serve Lin Xiao faithfully for the rest of his life!

"Eh, Qin He, come to think of it, has your inner strength increased recently?"

Leng Bingyan looked up and said: "I noticed when you were commanding training in the military camp that the blade energy you unleashed was clearly more than thirty percent stronger than before."

"That's right, Sister-in-law. Since returning from the Northern Desert, I feel as if the sky is high and the sea is wide; my state of mind has changed, many things have become clear, and I've had some realizations regarding blade technique."

Qin He said regretfully: "If it weren't for the fact that I've missed the opportunity, I would have wanted to participate in the Tianwu Grand Tournament."

"Why is there no opportunity?"

Lin Xiao sat up at this moment and said with a smile: "If you want to go, then go."

He had actually noticed long ago that Qin He's inner strength had surged these past few days and that he was on the verge of comprehending the Heaven-Burning Blade Technique.

"Big Brother, you don't know, but there is a time limit for registration; the rules are set in stone," Qin He sighed.

"If my, the Prince of Zhenbei's, brother wants to go, would they dare to stop him?" Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking domineering.

"Exactly! Your Highness, whoever dares to stop you, I'll go and chop them down!" Mu Wanying joined in the joke.

Qin He hurriedly waved his hands: "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I beg you! It's not worth it for such a small matter! It really isn't!"

"Actually, I understand that even if my inner strength has increased, the Tianwu Grand Tournament arena is filled with martial arts prodigies. At most, I would make it into the top twenty; it's useless."

Lin Xiao looked at him with disdain: "Only the top twenty? Then don't bother going. The Prince of Zhenbei and the Zhenbei Army cannot afford to lose face like that!"

The women all laughed until they were trembling.

Qin He was speechless, wanting to cry but having no tears. Making the top twenty was not easy at all, okay?

The Tianwu Continent valued martial arts over literature; the number of talented young martial artists was as numerous as the hairs on an ox!

Did he think everyone was like him, possessing peerless martial arts at twenty-one?

"Husband, we are probably only half a day's journey from Wuliang Mountain. Why don't we eat something?"

Zhao Caiwei was a little hungry; playing Go with Xiao Qingxuan had consumed quite a bit of energy.

"Alright! I've heard that the beef noodles in Gan Province are a specialty; I haven't tasted them yet!"

Lin Xiao had originally intended to take the women out to eat, drink, and enjoy the scenery, so naturally, he wasn't in a hurry.

The group parked the carriage and walked into the market.

Although Lin Xiao and the women were not wearing overly luxurious clothing, traveling with six stunning beauties naturally attracted countless gazes.

Fortunately, it was clear that they were people of extraordinary status, so no blind fools came to disturb them.

Lin Xiao used his Eye of God to find a shop owner skilled in cooking, and they walked into a noodle shop.

The group pushed two square tables together, ordered eight bowls of beef noodles, and sat on small wooden stools to wait.

When the beef noodles arrived, even more curious gazes were cast in their direction.

There was no helping it; the common folk had truly never seen such a pleasing-to-the-eye scene of people eating noodles.

It was even hard for them to believe that these beauties, who looked like fairies, would actually sit on small wooden stools and eat noodles on the street.

Fortunately, the women were used to being the center of attention, and since they often interacted with soldiers and commoners, they didn't feel awkward.

On the contrary, they quite liked this kind of life, blending into the common people and experiencing the hustle and bustle of daily life.

"A single spark of light pierces the Nine Heavens, the Five Elements' interactions are analyzed in detail. Do not say this life is full of hardships, the Ziwei Doushu has already made it clear..."

At this moment, a fortune teller, looking about forty years old and holding a banner that read "Mysterious Calculations," walked over from not far away, stroking his beard.

When he passed the noodle shop, his expression suddenly changed; his brows furrowed, and he began to calculate with his fingers.

Then, the fortune teller walked toward Lin Xiao's group and bowed: "May I ask... are you all heading to Wuliang Mountain?"

The women were very quiet and paid no attention to him; although they were out for fun, they still followed the ways of women and followed the man's lead.

Lin Xiao was concentrating on eating his noodles and didn't react, so naturally, they didn't want to deal with a strange man.

"Nonsense, at this time of year, who comes to Gan Province if not to go to Wuliang Mountain? Can't you see my Big Brother is eating noodles? Get lost, we aren't getting our fortunes told!"

Qin He stood up to drive him away, telling the fortune teller not to disturb the enjoyment of Lin Xiao and his wives.

But the fortune teller's face was grave as he said: "You cannot go! This gentleman and his wives carry the White Tiger Omen; if you go to Wuliang Mountain, you will meet with a bloody disaster!"

"Bullshit!"

Qin He was furious, "You stinking fortune teller! What nonsense are you spouting!?"

His Prince had finally found some free time to bring the Princess and his wives out for sightseeing and fun; wasn't this ruining the mood!?

Qin He placed his hand directly on the hilt of his blade, "Say one more word, and I'll chop you down!"

But the fortune teller's next sentence left Qin He dumbfounded—

"Does the brave warrior happen to be surnamed Qin?"