226: Mr. Chen, take care (ask for monthly ticket)

“Creak.”

“Creak.”

Gou Zhi paced back and forth. Perhaps due to the continuous rainy days, the floorboards under his feet had become damp, emitting a somewhat grating sound.

Ahead, on the chairs on both sides, to the left and right, sat Fellow Daoist Yuan from Benlei Mountain and Daoist Li from Fulong Temple. Both closed their eyes to rest, and the tea on the table had already gone cold.

Outside, the neighing of horses and the clanging of armor from the training ground added a touch of 肅殺 to the atmosphere.

Another moment passed, and a creaking sound of a door opening came from behind.

Then, footsteps approached with a “thump, thump, thump.”

Gou Zhi stopped, and the two people sitting on the chairs also opened their eyes.

The first to emerge was Sect Leader An from Su Nu Sword Sect, her pale face now flushed with color.

The second was Qin Rushuang, her Five-Colored Treasure Robe radiating brilliant Divine Light.

The third… it was better not to mention.

Finally, it was Chen Yuan, dressed in green robes.

He had just healed the three of them and showed no signs of fatigue, as it was all thanks to the Dragon Qi Mother Tree. However, among the three, Miss Qin from the capital was the most severely injured and wouldn't be fully recovered anytime soon.

When Gou Zhi saw Chen Yuan, he was about to ask, but Chen Yuan spoke first: “Brother Gou, don’t rush, have a seat.”

Then he looked at his three leading captains, stepped forward, his gaze serious, and asked: “This General gave you the Formation Plate the other day, have you made any progress in studying it?”

The other day, when he said in the barracks that he would take his brothers home, he suddenly remembered that when he was investigating the Northern Liang retainers at Tianxiong Pass, he had obtained a Formation Plate in a cave outside Tianxiong Pass. Entering this Formation could transport one two hundred miles away to Washing Sword Mountain in the city. If utilized well, it could be of great use.

He had found it from his Pot Heaven Sleeve and given it to the three of them to study, as he had, after all, imparted the “Formation” Divine Ability to them.

Liu Qing, who usually took the lead, immediately bowed and lowered his eyes: “Sir, the three of us have made progress. This Formation is called Fanshan Formation, and it belongs to the Earth Evasion Formation of the Five Elements. Because we have the physical object, it is easy to replicate. The Formation materials required are quite special and rare; they need to be rich in Qi and also hard enough to withstand the operation of the Formation. The Heavenly Gate Qi contained in this spiritual material determines the teleportation distance and the number of uses of this Formation.”

Liu Qing spoke clearly and logically about this Formation, indicating that they had indeed made progress in their study.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan’s brows first furrowed, then relaxed, “Are the bones of Heavenly Gate Devil suitable?”

The Heavenly Gate Devil’s entire body is a treasure. Its fur can be forged into armor and treasure robes, its flesh and blood can nourish Qi and accelerate Cultivation, and its bones are harder than metal, possibly even possessing some Divine Ability characteristics, which can be used as spiritual materials for medicine, or even Artifact Refining, including Dao soldiers.

Upon hearing this, Liu Qing immediately said, “This General is brilliant. We also thought of this, but this item is too precious, and the quantity needed is not small, so we didn't dare to speak up.”

Chen Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, “As long as this item can play a crucial role at a critical moment, everything is worth it. Later, the three of you will come with This General. Devil bones are difficult to refine; I will help you refine them, and you will engrave them. Get this thing done as soon as possible.”

“Yes!”

“Go down first. Pass on This General’s order: command the troops to advance to Weiyuan Pass.”

“Understood.”

The three immediately cupped their hands, retreated, and quickly relayed the order.

Soon, a sharp whistle echoed in the light wind and rain outside.

Following that were the shouts of orderlies and the neighing of horses.

Soon, the thundering sound of hooves spread, causing the ground to rumble.

Inside the hall, Chen Yuan quietly watched the troops move out before turning his head to look at Gou Zhi: “Zhonglang Gou, next, it’s your turn!”

“We are preparing to move to Weiyuan Pass. You will stay in Guangan Prefecture to arrange for the evacuation of the common people. They cannot go north, only east. This is an arduous task, involving hundreds of thousands of lives, and only you can handle it. Additionally, your main prefectural army cannot withdraw, not until you receive our signal. They need to serve as a reserve. Also, try to spread out your forces as much as possible to guard against any situations from the northwest direction, blocking off escape routes.”

“You need to start immediately. There are many things to do to coordinate so many people.”

Upon hearing this, Gou Zhi opened his mouth, his expression a bit bitter, “Do we really have to evacuate?”

He had heard the news of the Yao Race breaking through the Heavenly Gate before Chen Yuan arrived and had considered evacuating, but now that it had come to this, he felt a mix of emotions.

After going through so much, his mindset had changed, and this feeling was a bit uncomfortable, as he had been there for so many years.

“The situation is such. Perhaps when you and I reach a higher level, we can be more at ease.”

Chen Yuan extended his hand.

Gou Zhi, the “little man” sitting on the chair, jumped down from it, and his “small hand” slapped and squeezed Chen Yuan’s large hand.

With a cracking sound, his body expanded, revealing his original burly appearance, and his voice became deeper, his eyes slightly wide: “Chen Yuan, take care!”

Saying that, he shook hands vigorously, then released his grip and quickly left the hall.

Chen Yuan heard these words and was momentarily lost in thought, his hand opening and closing, recalling the small alley in Qingshan County, filled with the scent of wine, where a hunched old man always waited for him in the misty morning, always telling him to take care when he left.

He missed that little old man somewhat!

Chen Yuan turned his head again to look at the five people remaining in the hall, the nostalgic look in his eyes already gone, “Gentlemen, if you have anything to instruct your Disciples, or need anything prepared, you may go. Sect Leader An, please scout further towards Chishui Prefecture and estimate the time; your Disciples should be arriving soon. We will meet at West City after we are done.”

“As for Miss Qin, she may do as she pleases for now. Chen still has some matters to attend to, please forgive Chen!”

“Alright.”

The few people stood up and left the hall.

Seeing this, Chen Yuan looked at the empty courtyard outside, feeling a little emotional, then transmitted a message, moving his lips a few times.

Liu Qing and the other two, having received their orders, quickly appeared, entered the hall, and followed Chen Yuan into the quiet room behind the separate courtyard.

Soon after, cracking sounds and a peculiar fragrance emanated from within.

In Guangan Prefecture, during the morning, fine rain drizzled, and the streets appeared deserted.

“Rumble!”

Outside the Sky Patrol Division's station, the sound of horse hooves was loud, rushing into the rain.

Instantly, as the sound of horse hooves spread in all directions, the entire Fu City gradually began to stir.

The common people, whose nerves were already taut due to the Yao Race calamity, immediately pushed open their doors and windows a crack when they heard the horse hooves outside. Seeing that it was indeed the prefectural army, their hearts skipped a beat, and anxiety quickly crept onto their faces.

What a disaster! Any movement from the prefectural army meant something was happening.

At this critical juncture, who wouldn't be afraid?

Could it be that the Yao Race calamity had returned?

In the city, in front of a horse market relatively close to the Sky Patrol Division's station, business was sluggish. The city had been sealed for over ten days, so it was no surprise that there was no business. The shopkeeper was worried about both business and survival.

However, today, a troop of soldiers arrived!

The shopkeeper was startled and quickly ran out, greeting them with a smile, “Military sirs, rare guests, rare guests! What kind of horses do you want? I will definitely give you a good price.”

The leading soldier, however, took out an official document.

“Shopkeeper, by order of Zhonglang, all horses in your horse market have been requisitioned.”

“Ah?”

And the same scene occurred throughout the city's various carriage and horse businesses, as well as among wealthier families who owned carriages and horses.

Soon, notices and official documents were posted in every street and alley.

All households with carriages and horses were to be requisitioned, centrally allocated, and recorded.

At this point, many people sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Suddenly, the entire Fu City began to stir.