Just You Wait

Regarding Mu Xiangli's request to learn martial skills, Qi Beihang was blunt and direct, giving him a scolding: "Trying to run before you can crawl! Have you mastered the circulation of Qi? Keep practicing!"

Mu Xiangli was not discouraged either, and could only continue to solidify his foundation.

From the border to the Imperial City, relying solely on one's feet would take an eternity.

Arriving at the nearest town, Qi Beihang purchased two mules.

The wealthy rode horses, while the poor could only ride mules or lead donkeys.

Learning that Mu Xiangli knew neither how to ride a horse nor a mule, Qi Beihang fell silent for a long time, likely regretting taking Mu Xiangli as his disciple once more.

Fortunately, whether riding a horse or a mule, if it was merely for travel, it was not difficult to learn. Mu Xiangli quickly mastered most of it.

As the two rode their mules out of the town, Mu Xiangli asked curiously, "Master, you were once the Deputy Commander of the Palace Imperial Guard. Why are you now so destitute that you do not even possess a horse?"

Qi Beihang glanced at him. "Does riding a mule make you feel ashamed?"

Mu Xiangli hastily replied, "No, not at all. I was merely curious."

As they spoke, a merchant caravan was about to enter the town ahead. Leading the caravan was a wealthy young master in fine silk robes, riding a tall horse.

Mules are crossbreeds, divided into horse-mules and donkey-mules. Horse-mules can even be larger than horses. The one Mu Xiangli rode was a horse-mule, and since he was taller than the young master, as they passed each other, he held his head high and chest out, looking down proudly at the other.

The wealthy young master had not cared about them, but as they passed, he felt a gaze upon him. Looking up, he met Mu Xiangli's arrogant eyes. He was instantly speechless and annoyed; what was there to be proud of while riding a mule?

No conflict occurred between them. After the caravan passed, Mu Xiangli pricked up his ears and heard the young master scolding the servant beside him, "No matter how large, it is still but a mule."

Mu Xiangli, however, was quite amused. Seeing this, Qi Beihang shook his head, too lazy to scold him, and casually answered the previous question: "When I left the Imperial City, I left my warhorse behind. That horse had followed me for many years; staying in the Imperial City with someone to care for it allows it to enjoy its old age, which is better than following me. As for money, His Highness bestowed many rewards upon my departure, but I did not accept them. During those years when the wars had not ceased, I left the Imperial City and saw the suffering of the common people, so I would help them a little. At those times, I regretted not bringing His Highness's rewards."

Mu Xiangli immediately said, "Master is truly righteous!"

Qi Beihang: "Cut the flattery!"

Over the next few days, they traveled and rested. Mu Xiangli refined his Qi while riding the mule, and when the mule rested, he had to practice his blade.

"Master, I suffer even more than the mule," Mu Xiangli complained to Qi Beihang while swinging his blade beneath a great tree.

Qi Beihang said coldly, "Then do not practice anymore."

Mu Xiangli continued to swing his blade. Complaining was one thing, but practice must go on.

As he was sweating profusely, several official messengers came galloping down the official road. They glanced at them as they rode past, and a moment later, reined in their horses and turned back.

Mu Xiangli glanced at the mule resting under the tree, a question arising in his mind: "What is this situation? Is parking a mule here against the rules?"

The messengers paid him no heed. The leader stared at Qi Beihang's saber, and after confirming he was not mistaken, spoke: "May I ask if you are the former Deputy Commander of the Palace Imperial Guard, Master Qi Beihang?"

Qi Beihang nodded calmly. "It is I, but I am no master."

The other party acted as if he had not heard. "Master Qi, His Highness knows you are coming to the Imperial City, so he sent us to receive you."

Qi Beihang had not expected the Crown Prince to send someone to receive him, and was somewhat surprised. "Why trouble His Highness to concern himself?"

The leading messenger looked at their two mules and signaled a subordinate to dismount. "Master, please ride his horse."

"No need," Qi Beihang politely declined.

The leading messenger smiled. "His Highness is eager to meet you; a horse is faster."

A single sentence caused Qi Beihang to abandon his persistence.

The leading messenger now seemed to remember Mu Xiangli beside them. "Master Qi, who is this?"

Qi Beihang: "My disciple."

The messenger nodded, signaling another subordinate.

The subordinate who yielded his horse to Qi Beihang did so decisively, but this one, seeing Mu Xiangli rubbing his hands like a fly beside him, felt disgusted in his heart, as if he had swallowed... well, let's not speak of it.

Mu Xiangli mounted the horse and turned to smile at the two messengers who had to switch to riding mules. He believed his smile expressed gratitude, but in the eyes of those two messengers, it carried only one word: "sly," making them sorely wish to whip him!

"Travel slowly, we shall go ahead." Having given his orders, the leading messenger led the remaining men to escort Qi Beihang and Mu Xiangli, galloping toward the Imperial City.

The Imperial City of Xiyu was named Zhaoyang City, one of the greatest grand cities among the Nine Kingdoms.

Yet the Imperial City was not a pass or a fortress after all, lacking that heavy, solemn atmosphere. The moment he reached the city gates, Mu Xiangli felt the bustling and prosperous air.

Shops lined the streets, and passersby formed an endless stream; it was incredibly lively.

Upon entering the city, Qi Beihang said to Mu Xiangli, "Do not follow me further. Return the horse to them, then go to the Donglai Inn to book two rooms. I shall arrive shortly."

Although Mu Xiangli was curious about the imperial palace, he kept a respectful distance from those who held royal power. They held the power of life and death in their hands; a single disagreement could cost a life, making them worse than mountain bandits.

Of course, he only dared to harbor such thoughts in his heart. Once Qi Beihang finished his instructions, he immediately leaped off the horse, took the silver, and went to stroll the streets.

The messengers did not stop him either; after all, the Crown Prince had indeed only requested to meet Qi Beihang, and Mu Xiangli was naturally of no consequence.

With so many people in the city, inquiring about the Donglai Inn was not difficult. He casually asked a passerby and was shown the direction.

Zhaoyang City was vast, and it was easy to get lost after walking for a while. Mu Xiangli carelessly wandered into a place that made one's legs tremble.

This place was filled with sweet fragrances, smelling of wine and cosmetics. The shops along the street were not open, but the windows on the second floor were. Looking up, Mu Xiangli happened to lock eyes with a young lady by a window.

To his surprise, a second later, the young lady shouted backward, "Sisters, come quickly! There is a handsome young master below."

Before Mu Xiangli could recover his senses, several heavily made-up heads poked out of the window, looking down at him.

A bold one even called out to him, "Young master, our establishment will not open for another two hours. You have arrived far too early."

Another made a reservation: "Young master, my name is Ying'er. Come find me tonight."

Faced with this array, Mu Xiangli felt no pride. He knew all too well the consequences of failing to resist temptation and wandering into the Cave of the Coiled Web, so he quickly fled.

Hearing the laughter from the balcony behind him, Mu Xiangli secretly resolved: "Just you wait!"