Chapter 6: Journey of a Thousand Miles

The beautiful corners of her lips silently curled up, and with a light tone, left Qingci said: "So what? It is certainly excellent to be at my command; if you are unwilling, I have my own means. Send the clothes over, and be a bit more polite in your words."

Zuo Qingci picked up a silver needle to trim the wick and said lightly, "If you can see through this, then Fei Kouer is indeed undeserving of her reputation; what use is she then"

"Fei Kouer is known as the Thousand-Faced One, never revealing his true appearance, and that face is naturally a disguise." Zuo Qingci casually flipped through an ancient book, "His complexion remained unchanged, yet his fingertips were purple, his breathing was labored, and his cough was weak and hollow, interspersed with other sounds. In these past two months, his internal injuries not only failed to heal but had worsened. Falling ill on the road is indeed a troublesome matter"

The closest attendant Bai Mo of Left Minister Zuo stepped out. He was the youngest among them, having mingled with everyone along the way, speaking without restraint, "Miss Shen has a beautiful appearance, and only such attire is worthy of her."

After the master finished his bath, Bai Mo opened a small window to disperse the smoke and steam, and placed the warmed bed stove into the bedding. Suddenly, he heard Zuo Qingci speak: "Find my black cloak and send it to Fei Kouer."

Bai Mo neatly folded the soft cloak he had just shaken out and finally asked the deepest question in his heart, "That fellow has no abilities other than being adept at changing forms, and he is injured, far inferior to the other few. Why does the young master treat him so generously?"

Bai Mo has always been curious: "I have heard those rumors as well, but when I sneak a glance at his face, I see no flaws. Perhaps he is not pretending; what he has been using recently is indeed his true appearance"

Bai Mo nodded in a seemingly understanding manner and said, "But he is unwilling to take risks, and he has come here entirely under the coercion of Young Master Bai Xiao, so it is hard to guarantee that he does not harbor ulterior motives"

The crowd observed with indifference, each person organizing their belongings in silence

Zuo Qingci is the weakest among the group, undoubtedly a burden. However, he comes from a noble background and does not shy away from the hardships of traveling thousands of miles. His character is humble and easygoing, earning him the goodwill of many. This time, he brought along six guards and a seventeen-year-old attendant named Bai Mo, who is clever and alert. Not only is he skilled in martial arts, but he also excels in driving and daily care, providing meticulous and thoughtful service.

The groom looked on with suspicion, hesitating to take orders, as the horse was wild and difficult to tame; the moment he loosened his grip, it would immediately rear up and injure someone. It was only after he signaled again that the groom finally released the reins. Sure enough, the gray horse neighed loudly, raising its front hooves high, startling the groom into a hurried retreat.

The black cloak is exquisitely crafted, thick, dense, and warm to the touch. Holding it in hand, I cannot help but feel regret: "Young Master, shall we send it over now? I noticed that fellow has not changed his expression all the way, seemingly unafraid of the cold"

The gray horse, having shed its previous defiance, snorted white vapor from its nostrils, its body glistening with sweat. It galloped forward, and with a tug on the reins, Fei Kuo'er brought it to a halt, as obedient as an extension of his own arm. Fei Kuo'er patted the steaming horse's head and leaned down to secure the bundle to the hook hanging from the saddle.

Shang Wansheng is inherently solitary and cold, always maintaining a layer of distance when interacting with others; Yin Changge and Lu Lanshan, one being passionate and the other composed, surprisingly find a harmonious connection despite their contrasting temperaments, growing closer as the journey progresses; Shen Manqing, on the other hand, enjoys the best social relations, being the only woman in the group. As the foremost disciple of the Master of Zhengyang Palace, she has gained fame at a young age, and coupled with her rare gentleness and beauty, everyone in the group takes special care of her.

Zuo Qingci, half draped in a soft cloak, leaned against the side of the bed and said, "What do you think of that thief?"

Yin Changge secured her bundle onto the horse's back and, raising her eyes, saw Fei Kouer walking out of the inn

Zuo Qingci paused beside the carriage and said softly: "This horse has great strength in its legs. If you had arrived a few days earlier, you would have been able to master it with ease. If you truly find it too spirited and difficult to control, you may have a servant replace it with another horse."

Everyone experiences a moment of speechlessness; Lu Lanshan sincerely wanted to express his admiration, but upon seeing the other person's appearance, he truly found it hard to do so, and he awkwardly mounted his horse

As a young master of the侯府, extending kindness to a lowly little thief, only to be rejected, is simply incomprehensible to白陌, who feels an additional layer of disdain: "He disregards the young master's arrangements and is foolish enough to know he is leaving without preparing warm clothing, so if he freezes to death, he has no one to blame but himself. He even claims to have winter clothes and that there is no need to worry, but he is just a thief; what airs is he putting on!"

After the three sticks of incense, the horse returned along the long street

Bai Mo was taken aback: "Give that flying thief? He is not worthy of wearing the young master's clothes"

Zuo Qingci raised an eyebrow without saying a word, in contrast to those few hot-blooded individuals, this thief seemed to understand very well what he was facing

Because he feared death, he became afraid when he discovered the road was perilous and difficult to traverse. Bai Mo cheerfully rummaged through the trunk, feeling that her answer was quite reasonable

Zuo Qingci glanced for a moment, then bent down and entered the carriage. The heavy brocade curtain fell, blocking the biting cold wind

Despite the few people in the early morning, the wild horses galloping through the market is no joke. One can only see the hooves striking the ground, narrowly brushing past the stalls and pedestrians, yet not a single injury occurs. Lu Lanshan is deeply moved and exclaims: "What excellent horsemanship"

Even after a night of rest, he still bore a noticeable fatigue, and his luck did not seem to be very good. The gray horse left to him, although tall and majestic, had a fierce temperament. Even with the bridle on, it could not be subdued, and it would stomp its hooves repeatedly at the slightest approach, snorting angrily through its nostrils, ready to throw anyone off at any moment. It took the combined effort of three grooms to hold it back.

With a single press and a leap, Fei Kouer was already on the horse's back, his posture smooth and graceful, his figure seemingly glued to the saddle, remaining perfectly still despite the wild jumps. After a cup of tea, he pressed down with his palm, forcefully bringing the horse's front hooves to the ground. The gray horse, filled with wild spirit, galloped down the long street like thunder.

Bai Mo received the order and left, returning shortly after, seemingly having lost face and unable to contain his pent-up resentment: "Young Master, that fellow simply does not know what is good for him; let us not concern ourselves with his life or death."

A group of people rested at the post station, with the carriage already prepared. It was modified to be suitable for traveling on rough terrain, featuring a sturdy and spacious body, thick brocade lining the walls, and heavy furs as cushions, creating a warm and comfortable setting

On the day of departure from Jincheng, the sky was gloomy, and flakes of fine snow floated like threads in the air. Shen Manqing, dressed in a new outfit, appeared radiant in the morning light, her features enchanting, with teeth as white as jade. The fine velvet of her hood complemented her cloud-like hair and elegant brows, adding a touch of grandeur to her usual grace, which even Yin Changge, accustomed to seeing her daily, could not help but stare at in astonishment

Jincheng is located in the northwest, and autumn has already set in. The continuous drizzling rain has caused passersby to don thick clothing. In the evening, the frosty wind brushes against the face, bringing a chilling sensation, contrasting sharply with the picturesque scenery of Jinling, as if they belong to two different worlds

"Looking ahead and behind, valuing profit over righteousness." On that day at the waterside pavilion, Bai Mo was also present and, without a moment's hesitation, remarked, "However, that horsemanship is truly remarkable."

Even with martial arts skills, enduring such weather while on the road is certainly not pleasant. Shen Manqing is a woman, and she was invited by Zuo Qingci to board the carriage, while the others continued on through the snow. Fortunately, they had prepared ample fur cloaks, which, when shaken out and wrapped around their bodies, provided immediate relief, making it difficult for the cold wind to penetrate.

Lu Lanshan glanced at her a few times from horseback, half in admiration and half in jest: "That is only natural; the name of 'delicate hands and fair complexion' is not a mere fabrication. I still remember the last Sword Testing Festival, when Miss Shen's sword energy was like a rainbow, and her beauty was like jade, captivating countless heroes of the martial world."

The arrangements at the Jing'an Marquis's residence were exceedingly meticulous. The finest tailor in Jincheng took measurements for everyone, and within a few days, the garments were completed. The styles commonly seen beyond the borders featured folded collars and fitted sleeves, tailored to accentuate the waist, resulting in clothing that was light and warm without any bulkiness. Additionally, they retained the vibrant and bright characteristics typical of Hu clothing. Shen Manqing tried on several pieces and found herself quite enamored with them.

The flickering shadows of the candle cast a deep and inscrutable gaze upon Zuo Qingci's brows and eyes. "He has managed to evade the pursuit of Yan Guihong for several years, which clearly demonstrates his exceptional abilities. In the past, Lord Mengchang had three thousand guests, yet when he left the Pass of Hangu, he relied entirely on the likes of roosters crowing and dogs stealing. Do not underestimate the cunning of thieves and rogues."

Shen Manqing had long been accustomed to praise, receiving it with a smile, showing not a trace of the shyness typical of a young girl

The snowstorm swept in, with fine ice particles whipping against the face like a knife's cut

Fei Kouer arrived last night at the second watch, wearing a dusty gray coat and carrying a slightly large bundle. Compared to the well-dressed crowd around him, he appeared particularly shabby, almost like a hired servant accompanying the group

Zuo Qingci felt slightly surprised, but after a moment of contemplation, he set it aside and once again directed his gaze towards the scroll.

Fei Kouer was wearing a straw raincoat bought from an old farmer by the roadside, remaining silent throughout the journey. Upon arriving at the lodging, he cleared his throat softly, causing the ice on his bamboo hat to slide off and shatter on the wet ground. After the exhausting trek, no one felt inclined to chat anymore; they hastily finished their meals and returned to their respective rooms to rest.

Zuo Qingci then asked, "Since there is greed for profit, why is it that gold cannot be moved?"

Fei Kouer assessed the restless gray horse for a moment, then made a gesture, signaling the servant holding the horse to let go.