Fang Jie looked at Wanyan Chongde, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking the question that had been bothering him. He raised his hand to his forehead and gestured, then asked somewhat nervously, "Brother Wanyan, why do the men of your Northern Liao tribe grow their hair like this?"
Perhaps realizing that his question was impolite, he gave an awkward smile.
Wanyan Chongde, seemingly unconcerned, stroked his bald forehead a few times and said, "This is how the men of our Northern Liao region demonstrate courage and perseverance. I told you, the Ten Thousand Mountains of Northern Liao are the coldest and most harsh place in the world. Our ancestors shaved their heads to show their courage in the face of the bitter cold."
He smiled and continued, "There's another reason… if the hair is too long, it will obstruct our vision. The Northern Liao region is too cold to cultivate. So, to survive, we have to hunt constantly in the Ten Thousand Mountains. Long hair would hinder our archery; this makes us look cleaner and more efficient."
Fang Jie nodded knowingly, wondering if the tribe from his previous life had also adopted the same hairstyle as the Northern Liao people for this reason.
"Brother Fang, what trouble have you encountered?"
Wanyan Chongde asked curiously. Fang Jie sighed and said, "To be honest, I was recommended by Fan Gu to take the exam at the Imperial Martial Arts Academy this year. However, on the way, I encountered a group of old enemies. Since leaving Fan Gu, I haven't had a moment's peace; I've been living in constant fear of being ambushed. I'm afraid that if this continues, I'll be killed by them before I even reach the capital. So, I'd like to ask Brother Wanyan to send me three good horses so I can shake them off."
"Where did these enemies come from, so audacious?"
Wanyan Chongde asked in surprise, "The law governs the entire Sui Dynasty. How could the government allow criminals to commit such violence? Besides, you're a candidate for the Martial Arts Academy exam; your status is quite special. Just inform the local officials along the way, and they will send people to protect you."
Fang Jie sighed, "Those people are all highly skilled and elusive..." "Even if the government were to send someone to protect me, it would only increase casualties. This is my private matter; how could I let others lose their lives to protect me? I can't do such a thing. I'd better be more careful myself. If Brother Wanyan is in a difficult position, just pretend we never met."
He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "We'll meet again."
Before Wanyan Chongde could speak, the Northern Liao woman immediately said, "Why be so polite, Fang Zhizhe? We Northern Liao people value gratitude and friendship above all else. Fang Zhizhe saved our envoy in Fangu; that's a debt of gratitude to our Northern Liao. In that case, why would we care about a few horses?"
She smiled and said, "Besides, we Northern Liao people have no shortage of fine horses that can travel a thousand miles a day."
Wanyan Chongde opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything more. He secretly glared at the woman, then quickly chimed in, "That's right, Brother Fang, you're being too polite. It's just three horses, you can choose whichever one you pick."
Fang Jie had been waiting for this response, so he didn't stand on ceremony. He turned and beckoned, and Da Quan and Mu Xiaoyao immediately emerged from the reeds behind him. Fang Jie clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Wanyan Chongde, saying, "I will repay your life-saving grace today. Brother Wanyan, if you ever return to the Great Sui, as long as I live, you can come to me anytime you encounter any difficulties."
He didn't choose, casually leading a horse and mounting it: "Brother Wanyan, there's one more thing you must remember. After returning to the Ten Thousand Mountains, all troop movements must not be too obvious. Your entry into the Great Sui is likely already being watched by the Mongols, and the slightest carelessness could be detected. Even if the Great Sui is willing to send troops to help, it's a long journey; by the time the Sui troops arrive, your tribe will likely have already suffered annihilation."
"Could you ask your Khan of Northern Liao to personally..." "I wrote a letter and sent it to the Golden Tent of the Mongol Empire. Don't talk about loyalty or anything like that; just say that the corvée labor and exorbitant taxes are too heavy, and the people of Northern Liao are overwhelmed. I request that the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Möngke, reduce some of the taxes and tributes."
Wanyan Chongde exclaimed in surprise, "Doesn't that mean we're telling Möngke we're going to rebel against the Mongol Empire?"
"No."
Fang Jie smiled calmly. "Just do as I say. Unless Möngke has lost his mind, he won't suspect anything. On the contrary, he'll lower his guard against you people of Northern Liao."
At this moment, Da Quan and Mu Xiaoyao came over, each leading a horse. After bowing to Wanyan Chongde in thanks, they mounted their horses and rode to Fang Jie's side.
The Northern Liao woman looked at Fang Jie, a unique glint in her beautiful eyes. She had never seen such youthful composure and confidence in any other Northern Liao man. Although he didn't say much, his confident demeanor made her heart beat faster. The Northern Liao tribe has never lacked warriors, but one so young and wise is truly rare. Having served under the Northern Liao Khan, Wanyan Yong, since childhood, handling tribal affairs, she naturally knew how important wisdom was to a man. In her eyes, this young man's demeanor was comparable to that of the tribe's Master Shuiyue.
Although the young man, soaking wet, looked somewhat disheveled.
"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Fang!"
Wanyan Chongde clasped his hands in thanks, wanting to say something more, but saw Fang Jie turn his horse and ride away. He watched the three figures disappear, and couldn't help but sigh. Turning to the Northern Liao woman beside him, he gently scolded, "Qing'er, don't be so rash next time. I've only met him once; helping him like this might bring trouble..."
"You're such a coward!"
The woman called Qing'er rolled her eyes at him and simply turned and walked away. Wanyan Chongde seemed helpless with the woman, only smiling wryly as he said, "Brother Fang's words are not entirely truthful. Who knows if he has offended some prestigious family of the Sui Dynasty, or if he is simply being pursued by the government? If we rashly help him, we might offend someone we shouldn't, which would not benefit the important affairs of our Northern Liao region."
"I don't care about any of that."
Qing'er looked earnestly in the direction Fang Jie had disappeared and said, "I only know that Father Khan has always told you, brother, that the men of our Northern Liao people must repay kindness and never betray their friends. Fang Zhizhe helped you in Fangu, and just now he revealed the Sui Dynasty's plans and even helped find a way to prevent the Mongol Empire from suspecting anything." "What's wrong with us giving him three horses? If we can't even help with this small favor, how can we face Father Khan's teachings?"
"I can't argue with you! Just don't feel bad about it yourself... He took away your 'Fiery Horse'!"
Qing'er pouted and said, "Fiery Horse is fine, we can just ask Father Khan for another good horse. We in Northern Liao lack everything, but we don't lack fine steeds! I'm just a little worried... they can't ride our Northern Liao's cold cavalry."
Wanyan Chongde said with annoyance, "Whatever... we can't delay any longer, let's leave immediately and get out of the pass as soon as possible."
...
...
Fang Jie rode off, galloping along while inwardly praising the horses produced in the Hundred Thousand Mountains of Northern Liao. These horses seemed even better than the fine steeds of the grasslands. His own crimson warhorse was moving as fast as a gust of wind.
Not only was its speed astonishing, but it also seemed to possess a kind of spiritual intelligence. The moment he had a thought, the horse would react instantly. Whether leaping or stopping abruptly, riding it felt like controlling his own limbs. Fang Jie knew that even wild horses needed taming, and this horse, with its powerful physique and lightning speed, was certainly no ordinary steed. But how could a fiercely independent horse be so docile?
He couldn't understand it, which only fueled his curiosity.
In his previous life, novels and television portrayed a fine horse as fierce as a tiger. Without great willpower and skill, it couldn't be easily tamed. But this steed, running like a blazing fire, completely overturned his preconceived notions.
Not only his warhorse, but also the warhorses ridden by Da Quan and Mu Xiaoyao were the same. They showed no resistance to their new masters, as docile as kittens.
And what Fang Jie found most unbelievable was that this horse he had randomly chosen was clearly no ordinary warhorse among the Northern Liao people. They had only run less than five li when they left Da Quan and Mu Xiaoyao far behind. If he hadn't deliberately slowed down, they probably wouldn't have even seen his back in half an hour.
"The steeds of Bei Liao are truly extraordinary!"
After Fang Jie slowed down, Da Quan caught up and couldn't help but exclaim. He and Mu Xiaoyao were both riding pure white warhorses, which looked like clouds floating on the ground when they ran. In comparison, Fang Jie's horse seemed even more dazzling. Its mane was very long, and when it ran, it looked like a ball of flame rising.
"However..."
Mu Xiaoyao frowned and said, "Did you feel a chill emanating from this horse?"
Mu Xiaoyao had been in the cold of Fan Gu, wearing only a thin red dress all day. For her to feel a chill showed that the warhorses of Bei Liao were indeed somewhat strange.
"Indeed!"
Fang Jie nodded. "And this chill seems to penetrate to the very bone."
Da Quan hesitated. "Is it because the Northern Liao region is too cold?"
"Never mind!"
Fang Jie laughed. "Once you get used to it, it'll be fine. I'm growing to love this horse more and more!"
As they spoke, the three of them turned from the side road onto the main road and sped southeast. Unexpectedly, Mu Xiaoyao's expression turned serious shortly after they reached the main road.
"There are quite a few experts ahead; they've probably blocked the main road."
She looked at Fang Jie, about to ask him what to do, but then frowned. "There are people coming from behind too."
"Can you sense the strength of those blocking the way?"
Fang Jie asked.
Mu Xiaoyao reined in her horse and closed her eyes. Da Quan and Fang Jie also stopped, not daring to disturb her. Five minutes later, Mu Xiaoyao slowly opened her eyes and said, "The people on both sides are within three miles of us. Among those blocking the official road ahead, I don't sense any strong individuals, just a few with third or fourth-rank strength. But the people behind us, there are quite a few experts we can't handle."
"Then charge forward!"
Fang Jie gritted his teeth and suppressed a curse, "Even if I'm going to die, I'll die at the entrance of the Martial Arts Academy!"
...
...
About a thousand miles away from Fenglin Ferry, in a small village, several elderly people sitting idly chatting under a large tree at the village entrance suddenly noticed someone approaching from afar. It was an unfamiliar face, alone. The man looked to be around twenty years old, wearing a moon-white scholar's robe that billowed as he walked, his casually tied long hair gently blowing in the wind, giving him an ethereal, otherworldly air.
These elderly people, who were already in their sixties and seventies, had never seen a man so handsome. Not only handsome, but he also seemed untouched by worldly concerns.
His figure and face were perfect to the extreme.
His every gesture was elegant to the extreme.
"Gentlemen, how far is it to Fenglin Ferry?"
The young man approached the elderly men and asked politely.
"Fenglin Ferry? The ferry crossing from Xiangcheng to Hedong County?"
One of the old men asked.
The young man nodded.
The old man thought for a moment and said, "It's probably another thousand li. I've never been there, so I can't say for sure."
The young man in white asked gently, "Then, am I going the right way?"
"No! You are going the right way."
Hearing the old man's affirmative answer, the young man smiled and bowed again in thanks. He turned and walked back to the official road, waving his hand. Suddenly, a snow-white tiger, larger than a bull, leaped out of the roadside bushes and let out a deafening roar in the direction of the old men. The tiger had massive limbs, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist. Its tail was as long as a person's, and the "king" character on its forehead was a blood-red color.
This roar terrified the old men, causing them to collapse to their knees.
"Subduing Demon, don't be foolish."
The white-robed young man gently touched the giant white tiger's forehead, and the tiger immediately became quiet and docile. It lowered its body, as gentle as a cat. The young man climbed onto the tiger's back and pointed in the direction ahead. The tiger let out a low growl and leaped forward, disappearing from sight in moments.