Chapter 181 - 179: Setting Out for the North
The next day, Song Changming didn’t continue to wait passively for replies; instead, he directly asked Song Ping’an to pack his luggage, preparing to set off.
Even if in the end Liang Zhao Long could handle this matter by himself without needing his help, he would treat it as a trip for leisure.
Having stayed in Donglai Prefecture practicing martial arts for years, he finally achieved Body Refining Great Perfection.
He felt it was time to leave this place and explore the outside world more.
Currently, Liang Zhao Long’s Changming Association is primarily located in the Northern States.
This northern journey is not only to support Liang Zhao Long but also to check on his old friend Liu Dingsheng’s current situation.
He worried that Liu Dingsheng was getting on in years, and if he didn’t visit soon, he might miss the last chance to see him.
Additionally, if he could obtain some information about Body Refining Martial Techniques on this trip, that would be even better.
Before departure, Song Changming went to the Zhao Family to inform Liang Chuan Mountain and several other old friends.
While he’s away, he needs them to help look after Song Residence to some extent.
Subsequently, a carriage set off, leaving Song Residence and Houli Street.
It traveled out of Donglai County City, heading north.
The carriage was equipped with two tall horses, with Song Ping’an taking on the role of Song Changming’s coachman.
Alongside the carriage, Dahuang and White, the two dogs, also accompanied them on their trip, acting like two fierce bodyguards.
Mainly because after he and Song Ping’an leave, there would be no one at Song Residence.
Leaving the two dogs in the courtyard to wait lonely for their return was something Song Changming just couldn’t do.
Additionally, before setting off, the two dogs looked so pitiful, seemingly feeling abandoned, which softened Song Changming’s heart, and he decided to take them along.
He wasn’t worried about the long journey, as he knew the dogs would adapt easily.
Even before consuming the Dragon Transformation Pearl, the dogs were already robust, comparable to lions and tigers in the wild.
Having eaten the Dragon Pearl, after years of development and evolution, they became even more extraordinary.
A mere long journey, with two horses exhausted from running, the dogs would still remain vigorous.
Meanwhile, in the north, within Taiqing County City.
In a sizable business firm, Liang Zhao Long, with a cold expression, stared at the intelligence report he had just obtained.
Years have passed, and Liang Zhao Long has changed quite a bit.
Tall and solid in stature, dressed in a neat outfit with sleeves and pant legs tied.
His slightly coarse bronze skin, covered with a not-too-thick layer of stubble, a deep-colored headscarf adorned his head.
His demeanor now exuding a strong Jianghu atmosphere, and a sense of authoritative anger.
"It’s basically confirmed to be him. Remember how previously the Second Prince specifically sent people to recruit our Changming Association?" Hu the Third said gravely.
He is a senior member of the Changming Association and was among the first recruited by Liang Zhao Long, following him south and north, absolutely loyal as a close follower.
Liang Zhao Long’s visage tightened, "Are you saying this incident is orchestrated by the Second Prince’s people?"
"Yes, the Sanhe Gang has long colluded with the government, and it’s being manipulated by a strategist under the Second Prince!
The Second Prince has been troubled by wars for years, suffering significant troop losses, and has enacted forced recruitment and appeasement in the populace more than once. Zhao Long, we need to plan ahead." Hu the Third spoke with a solemn expression.
He is much older than Liang Zhao Long, and oftentimes his Jianghu experience surpasses Liang Zhao Long’s, making him more cautious.
"Are you suggesting we withdraw from Taiqing County?" Liang Zhao Long hesitated a bit.
Abandoning their base is akin to a warrior severing his arm, a significant loss for the Changming Association.
"Decisions must be made decisively, I have a premonition that chaos is imminent on the Second Prince’s side, and the Xiao Family is about to make a move. Retreating now isn’t regrettable, but before retreating, we must first purge the undecided, shaky individuals in the association!"
Hu the Third spoke coldly, his words carrying a murderous intent.
"Alright!" Liang Zhao Long nodded, his expression becoming harsher.
He wasn’t a hesitant person, when killing is necessary, he wouldn’t hold back!
Half a month later.
A carriage slowly entered the borders of the northern states.
The carriage rode at a steady pace, seemingly rushing along the way.
The most eye-catching were the two long-haired dogs closely following beside the carriage, one yellow, one white.
On the main road, a convoy quickly passed by.
"Wow, mom, such big dogs!" In the convoy, inside a carriage, a child blinked and pointed to the two lion-sized dogs not far away.
Seeing the scene, the woman inside the carriage hurriedly shushed the child.
"Don’t shout, those are fierce beasts; angering them might lead to getting bitten!"
"Oh..." The child obediently stopped shouting, though his gaze toward the two big dogs still sparkled.
Such big dogs, hugging them must be so comfortable...
Really want to ride them...
In fact, others in the convoy also saw the solitary carriage and those two fierce dogs.
They dared not provoke them, nor even approach.
Not just because the two big dogs clearly were Exotic Blood Fierce Beasts, but also because the carriage managed to travel safely on the wilderness road without any large escort protection.
This indicated the carriage’s owner was not an ordinary person.
Most likely, they were a Martial Tao expert.
Traveling outside, with the mindset of avoiding unnecessary trouble, the convoy had no intention of interacting with the carriage.
Outside the carriage, Song Ping’an watched the convoy leave, turned back, and spoke to the inside of the carriage.
"Brother Song, we are soon entering Taiqing County."
"Alright." Song Changming’s voice came from inside the carriage.
He lifted the curtain and looked out the window.
A stripe of golden sunset fell upon his face, causing him to unconsciously squint his eyes.
Entering the north, he can clearly sense the climate changes, quite distinct from his southern home in Donglai Prefecture.
The north is characterized by hills and mountains, making the roads difficult.
Luckily, they’re about to reach their destination; if traveling at a slow pace, enduring the bumps is alright, able to enjoy the view of the beautiful mountains and rivers.
Unfortunately, Song Changming rushed in haste, making the journey not so pleasant, unable to take time to admire the scenery even if beautiful views appeared.
As the wheels rolled and bumped, soon there was the sound of urgent hooves.
A group of riders with their faces concealed by wide-brimmed hats galloped past.
As if sensing the fierce aura emanating from these riders, Dahuang and White instantly became alert.
Dahuang even showed a fierce expression, letting out a low growl from his throat.
The group glanced at the two big dogs, took a look at Song Changming’s carriage, and then continued without stopping, leaving in a dust cloud.
"Seems that convoy is going to face trouble." Song Ping’an said, commanding the carriage, shaking his head.
On this south-to-north journey, they’ve seen many people and events along the way, in various forms.
They’ve witnessed similar Jianghu vendettas several times.
In the city, the government maintains law and order, so many executions happen outside the city.
The carriage continued moving, soon the sound of slaughter came from ahead.
"Brother Song, should we save them this time?" Song Ping’an asked.
Along the way, they’ve occasionally intervened in situations they found unacceptable.
However, most of the time they remained indifferent, either ignoring it or taking a detour.
Especially in unclear situations, they generally refrained from getting involved.
"Let’s bypass it." Song Changming said.
"Alright." Song Ping’an expected this, per Song Changming’s instructions, he drove the carriage to bypass that section of the main road ahead.
After continuing a while, passing a thicket, Dahuang suddenly barked towards a certain part of the bush.
"Who’s there! Come out!" Song Ping’an’s expression sank, shouting sternly.
Along their journey, despite having Dahuang and White as deterrents, they encountered bandits, trapping ambushes.
Thus, Dahuang’s barking immediately heightened Song Ping’an’s vigilance, as he jumped off the carriage wielding a knife.
At that moment, the thicket rustled, and soon, two figures emerged, one larger, one smaller.
"Hmm?" Song Ping’an initially thought they encountered another bandit ambush, surprisingly, the emerged were a seemingly frail woman and a small girl.
He recognized them.
These two were from the previous convoy, sitting in the carriage seemingly as protected targets.
Now fleeing in such a dire state indicated the convoy’s clash with those riders didn’t end well.