Chapter 262: Brave Niu Niu, Fearless of Hardships
As dusk approached.
A massive cargo convoy finally finished the longest stretch of official road and gradually headed toward Luoying Mountain.
The sky was already darkening, and by now, few travelers could be seen on the official road. After all, it is a hard and fast rule for most travelers to avoid traveling at night.
Sang Zhe rode at the front of the convoy, his hooded cloak wrapping him tightly from head to toe.
His eyes were keen, watching every movement around him without a moment’s slack.
Finally.
With their advance, they could gradually see the checkpoint at Luoying Mountain.
Sang Zhe slowly lifted his gaze and spotted three individuals leisurely sipping tea at a stall.
He subtly nodded to the people beside him, and the convoy passed by the three at the tea stall as if they hadn’t seen them.
The three seemed to pay no mind, chatting and laughing, perfectly playing the part of indifferent strangers.
However.
As Sang Zhe’s horse walked past the young Taoist, the young Taoist suddenly spoke up:
“Daoist friend, where are you heading?”
Sang Zhe reined in his horse and turned to look at the three.
All three wore faint smiles, laced with disdain, and radiated an intangible oppressive aura.
Just the pressure alone made it hard for Sang Zhe to respond.
After a moment of silence, Sang Zhe sneered and replied:
“I, a poor monk, come from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, heading to the West to worship Buddha and seek scriptures.”
Xiang Zimo: “?”
“…Since when did monks exist in the Demon Cult?” General Niu questioned, puzzled.
“I-I don’t know!”
As the two generals exchanged glances, Xiang Zimo gritted his teeth slightly, a shadow crossing his face:
“Are you trying to make fun of us, Daoist friend?”
“You know I’m making fun of you, yet you still have the nerve to ask?” Sang Zhe sighed dramatically, “Incredible. It’s my first time meeting someone so eager to have their face slapped.”
“You!”
Xiang Zimo’s temper flared, his robe billowing as a gust of wind rocked the convoy behind Sang Zhe, sending the carriage swaying.
Yet, Sang Zhe stood unfazed, quietly observing him.
“Calm down, Young Master.”
General Huang slowly rose, stroking his beard leisurely: “In battle, venting anger recklessly can hinder the main general’s focus. Don’t let a few taunts cloud your judgment; it could jeopardize big things.”
Xiang Zimo gritted his teeth and silently bowed: “I appreciate the lesson, senior.”
“This young brother seems misguided and has strayed from the right path, foolishly following this rabble.”
The old general said arrogantly: “In any case, you won’t get this batch of goods out of Linzhou. It’s better to turn back and surrender now.”
Sang Zhe fixed his gaze on him, and after a long moment, spoke slowly, word by word:
“Is your arrogance backed by the Animal Protection Association, you old fossil?”
General Huang: “?”
“Kid, your sharp tongue won’t save your life.”
“If you’re envious of my good wit, just say so.” Sang Zhe pretended to sigh sadly, “I genuinely feel for your missing old teeth, though.”
“You!”
General Huang hated having his age brought up.
That one sentence hit him right in the feels, making him roll up his sleeves, ready to confront this bastard Sang Zhe.
Thankfully, General Niu managed to pull him back with a few soothing words.
“Calm down, Huang. Let me deal with this kid.”
The muscular General Niu stomped forward, shaking the ground with his imposing aura.
“Kid, get off your horse and talk to me.”
“That’s not going to work for you.” Sang Zhe replied earnestly.
General Niu: “?”
“What are you blabbering about—”
“On your wedding night, you and your wife finished twenty times in half an hour—averaging under the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.”
Sang Zhe looked at him with pity: “Honestly, I feel for your wife. Why not check on her? No shame in that.”
“You better stop spouting nonsense!”
General Niu’s face turned beet red, and he angrily reached for a heavy, long-handled axe.
He swung the axe, about to chop down on Sang Zhe:
“If you make a call right now, you might still catch the sound of her and your officer panting after their jog.”
Sang Zhe stared at him, calmly saying: “If you wait a little longer, they might start their second concert, and she probably won’t have time to answer your call.”
The axe froze in mid-air.
After a moment, General Niu hurried over to General Huang’s side, whispering: “Huang, I just remembered I need to call home about some laundry, let me handle that first.”
General Huang: “…”
“Ahem. Kid, flowery words won’t save your life.”
General Huang sneered at him: “Due to the emperor’s death decree today, no cargo is allowed to leave Linzhou. So don’t resist.”
“Young Master, attack!”
Xiang Zimo, beside them, saw his hair rise without wind, as his dust whisk swirled dazzlingly, instantly vibrating the stones and forests around them.
Mystical light glimmered, and a massive pattern appeared on the entire official road.
The entire convoy gasped in alarm, and the horses grew restless.
Sang Zhe squinted slightly: “…A formation?”
Just as he dismounted, stepping into the pattern, the surrounding scenery suddenly expanded, distances became blurred, even the horses beside him seemed as unreachable as the horizon.
Meanwhile, those escorting the convoy looked panicked, as if they had no idea what was happening.
In the next instant, everyone within the formation vanished without a trace.
The once-bustling official road was now completely quiet, only the sound of distant birds chirping could be heard.
“Truly impressive for someone from the State Master’s estate.”
General Huang chuckled, stroking his beard: “This formation of ‘A Hand’s Length’ by Young Master exhibits quite a bit of the State Master’s style.”
“You’re too kind, General Huang.”
Xiang Zimo smiled confidently: “This is a top-tier trapping formation. As long as the core isn’t broken, no one can breakthrough.”
“And thanks to my modifications, the most annoying part of this formation is that the core isn’t even inside it.”
As he spoke, he gradually raised his teacup.
General Huang understood, and chuckled as he clinked his cup with Xiang Zimo’s.
“As you say, it seems those inside the formation won’t be able to get out at all.”
“Exactly.” Xiang Zimo replied confidently, “It’s only a matter of time before they tire themselves out, surrendering without a fight, and then we can return victorious.”
“However, to be safe, I suggest one of the generals enter the formation to oversee these rebels.”
General Huang stroked his beard: “That’s easy enough, General Niu—”
“I’M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU UNGRATEFUL SLUT! HOW DARE YOU SNEAK A MAN INTO MY BED?! I’LL KILL YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!!”
“You lot, Zheng, Hu, Yang… just wait! I’ll slaughter you all!”
From a nearby grove, an earth-shattering roar erupted.
Xiang Zimo: “…”
General Huang: “…Ahem. Looks like General Niu has some family business to attend to; I’ll go myself.”
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