Yun Luan Division's Turmoil

“Gee-up! Gee-up!” The next morning, a group of people set off for Xiangdong City. The coachman, seated at the front, controlled the carriage, whipping the horses’ flanks and shouting.

The carriage, crafted from fine wood, offered a smooth ride, indicating that only a well-to-do family could afford such a vehicle. Beside the carriage, a dark-skinned youth rode an ox.

The carriage moved swiftly, kicking up plumes of dust. Yet, strangely, the ox always managed to keep pace with the carriage, a fact that seemed to irk the two horses. They neighed, accelerating to overtake the ox-riding youth.

Having seemingly surpassed the youth, the horses’ eyes gleamed with smugness. Suddenly, they flinched in surprise as the Qing Niu leisurely walked beside them, moving at an unnaturally fast speed for an ox, yet showing no signs of exertion.

The dark-skinned youth patted the Qing Niu’s head and smiled, as if chiding it for competing with the two horses. This dark-skinned youth was none other than Zheng Dong Lin, accompanied by his Qing Niu.

The Qing Niu, however, paid no mind to Zheng Dong Lin’s admonitions. It snorted disdainfully, thinking to itself that mere ordinary horses dared to try and outpace it. Then, it glared at the two horses, and a chilling aura surged towards them. Their hair stood on end, and they trembled, not daring to look at the Qing Niu.

“Uncle Fu, how much longer until we reach Xiangdong City?” Zheng Dong Lin ignored the ox and asked the coachman.

The coachman was indeed Uncle Fu. The people inside the carriage were, naturally, the Jiang family. After learning last night that Da Li was preparing to invade Xishan, Jiang Xin decided to set off for Xiangdong City the next morning to pick up Eldest Young Miss Jiang Hui and proceed together towards Zhongzhou.

As for the Jiang family’s old estate, the servants were paid in full, their indentures torn, allowing them to seek new lives. Only Uncle Fu, a long-time retainer, remained with the Jiang family on their journey to Zhongzhou.

Half a month would certainly not be enough time for them to reach Zhongzhou, but it would at least take them far from the war zone. What happened after that would be left to fate.

“Judging by the road, that ancient tree is over there. So, we should reach Xiangdong City in about half an incense stick’s time,” Uncle Fu said, his slightly cloudy eyes scanning the surroundings.

Zheng Dong Lin nodded. That ancient tree was rumored to have been rooted in the Xishan Dynasty for countless generations, existing since the dynasty’s founding, and had never been felled over the years.

The Qing Niu shook its head, feeling bored. At its full speed, it would arrive in less than half an incense stick’s time, if not for waiting for those weak horses.

“I know you’re unhappy, but they are just two ordinary horses. You, who can cultivate and think, are the king of beasts. Therefore, you should be more magnanimous, Qing Niu,” Zheng Dong Lin said, tapping its head.

The Qing Niu pondered for a moment, finding some truth in Zheng Dong Lin’s words. *I, Qing Niu, am their king, so naturally, I must be magnanimous.* Its gaze softened as it looked at the two pitiful horses, letting out a soft huff.

“A Bin, get in the carriage!” From inside the carriage, the voice of Second Young Miss Jiang Yu Ni emerged. The curtain was pulled back, revealing her beautiful face.

“I prefer to ride with Qing Niu,” Zheng Dong Lin said with a smile.

“The sun will kill you!” Jiang Yu Ni said, displeased.

“My skin is dark; I’m not afraid of the sun,” Zheng Dong Lin replied indifferently.

“I don’t care about you!” The carriage curtain closed, and her voice faded, indicating that Jiang Yu Ni had given up on him.

“I say, little Bin, why do you always quarrel with Second Young Miss?” Uncle Fu asked with a smile.

“I don’t mean to, I genuinely don’t want to ride in the carriage, it’s too stuffy,” Zheng Dong Lin said helplessly. In this era, before severe air pollution, the air was fresh and breathing outside was far more enjoyable than being cooped up in a stuffy carriage. Moreover, the Qing Niu was very smooth.

“Are you truly not going to Zhongzhou to seek refuge?” Uncle Fu sighed.

“No, I will stay and fight with everyone,” Zheng Dong Lin said.

“A Bin, I raised you from a young age. I remember back then, you were so tiny, innocent, and frail. When I brought you back to the Jiang family to raise, you cried incessantly every day, so much so that Eldest Young Miss Jiang Hui even considered having someone discard you. Fortunately, I managed to keep you,” Uncle Fu waved his hand, his voice filled with reminiscence.

“That’s all in the past, Uncle Fu, I truly cannot thank you enough. The three chests of treasures I entrusted to the Jiang family, the remaining two are for you. I fear it’s still not enough to repay your kindness,” Zheng Dong Lin said. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to give Uncle Fu more, but he knew Uncle Fu’s nature. Uncle Fu would surely refuse, saying he wanted the Jiang family to use it. He would say he was old, didn’t desire much luxury, and had no descendants, so simply having enough to eat each day was happiness.

“We’ve arrived at Xiangdong City!” Uncle Fu announced. Zheng Dong Lin looked ahead and saw a magnificent, imposing city. Beneath the arched city gate, countless people passed through, with guards stationed on either side.

“Sirs, this is our entrance fee,” Uncle Fu stopped the carriage before the city gate and handed some coins to the guards. Ordinary citizens did not have to pay a toll, but carriages entering the city were required to. This was a regulation of the Xishan Dynasty, aimed at balancing the lives of the people.

“Enter!” The guard accepted the money, his face expressionless. Two long spears blocking the path lowered, making way for the convoy.

“Gee-up!” Uncle Fu shouted, and the convoy proceeded into Xiangdong City. Zheng Dong Lin, riding the Qing Niu, kept pace without delay.

“Did you see that kid riding an ox into the city, Tong Qi?” one guard chuckled.

“Looking at that ox-herding brat makes me laugh,” the other guard replied with a smile.

Inside Xiangdong City, the lives of the people were bustling, with a constant flow of pedestrians and busy stalls.

“How lively!” Zheng Dong Lin exclaimed, looking around.

“The first time I came to Xiangdong City, I was just as overwhelmed as you,” Uncle Fu said with a smile.

“One candied hawthorn stick, please!” Zheng Dong Lin led the Qing Niu to a candied hawthorn stall and spoke up.

“Don’t wander off, you might get lost. This city is huge!” Uncle Fu, seeing him engrossed, reminded him.

“It’s fine, I’ll catch up!” Zheng Dong Lin shouted, receiving two bright red candied hawthorn sticks. He smiled and said, “How fragrant!” He offered one to the Qing Niu, who swallowed it whole.

“Young brother, your ox looks truly magnificent!” The hawthorn seller, seeing the Qing Niu’s entirely green body, large smooth horns, and a physique much larger than normal, said in surprise.

“He is Qing Niu, the king of all oxen!” Zheng Dong Lin said, patting the Qing Niu. The Qing Niu raised its head proudly.

“Young brother, is your ox for sale?” Another group of people crowded around, their eyes shining as they looked at the Qing Niu.

“Hmph!” The Qing Niu glared, letting out an angry roar from its throat, scaring the crowd away. It looked smug, thinking, *Mere mortals dare to covet me?*

“Let’s go!” Zheng Dong Lin said. The crowd felt as if their eyes had blurred; the Qing Niu, with incredible speed, caught up with the Jiang family’s carriage in the blink of an eye.

The Jiang family’s group traveled a little further, stopping the carriage in front of an estate with a large sign bearing the characters “Yun Luan Division” hanging above.

Eldest Young Miss Jiang Hui, intelligent and diligent from a young age, harbored great ambitions to rise in the imperial court. Thus, at twenty years old, she had already been appointed to the Yun Luan Division.

“What is your business?” A Yun Luan Division guard spoke up.

“I am a member of Jiang Hui’s family. I respectfully ask the esteemed sir to report our arrival!” Uncle Fu bowed and said.

“Please wait!” The guard said, then entered the Yun Luan Division. When he returned, another figure was beside him: a young woman with large, round eyes and a high bun, exuding an intelligent and discerning aura.

“Uncle Fu!” Eldest Young Miss Jiang Hui exclaimed in surprise.

“It is Eldest Young Miss. I have come with the Family Head and Second Young Miss to pick you up!” Uncle Fu said. From inside, Jiang Xin emerged, along with Jiang Yu Ni.

“Let’s discuss matters inside the estate,” Jiang Hui said, even though she didn’t fully understand the situation.

Inside the Yun Luan Division,

“What, Father, are you sure?” Jiang Hui almost blurted out in astonishment.

“The news has been confirmed; there’s no mistake. That’s why I want to take you with us to seek refuge in Zhongzhou,” Jiang Xin said.

“But I still have my career here,” Jiang Hui frowned. She had only recently been appointed to the Yun Luan Division, and now she had to leave, feeling an unavoidable sense of regret.

“Life is more important, Sister, you must come with us!” Jiang Yu Ni said.

“Indeed, Young Miss,” Uncle Fu nodded.

“The current situation is very dangerous. The Son of Heaven has tacitly approved the war. If Xishan falls, then losing your career will be natural, and even your life will be hard to preserve,” Zheng Dong Lin said.

“I will think about it,” Jiang Hui looked at everyone, hesitating.

“Jiang Hui, your father implores you, preserving your life is paramount!” Jiang Xin suddenly roared.

“Father!” Jiang Hui’s large, round eyes widened in shock. She turned her face away, lost in thought.

“Sister!” Jiang Yu Ni cried out angrily, shaking Jiang Hui’s arm.

“I will go with everyone,” Jiang Hui’s lips relaxed, having no other choice but to agree. She sighed softly, thinking that after arriving in Zhongzhou, she would have to rebuild her career from scratch.

“Ah, this crazy ox!” An angry shout echoed from outside. Zheng Dong Lin’s eyes widened; he knew someone outside was provoking the Qing Niu.

Zheng Dong Lin went outside and saw a young man dressed in luxurious, high-quality silk robes, but his hair was disheveled, his clothes askew, and a hoof print was emblazoned on the front of his shirt.

“Catch this ox for me!” The young man panted furiously, pointing at the Qing Niu and shouting. A group of burly men obeyed, surrounding the Qing Niu.

“What are you doing?” Zheng Dong Lin roared, causing the young man’s eardrums to vibrate. Everyone else also turned to look at him in surprise.

“Who are you, brat?” The young man asked, annoyed.

“I am its master,” Zheng Dong Lin said, pointing at the Qing Niu.

“Ah, a mere herdsman. How could you infiltrate a noble place like the Yun Luan Division? As for your ox, I will seize it for defiling the Yun Luan Division!” The well-dressed young man sneered. So, he was just a herdsman. Initially, he had seen the Qing Niu’s handsome and extraordinary appearance and was seized by greed, wanting to claim it for himself. Who knew the Qing Niu would react with such abnormal strength, kicking him in the chest, leading to the current situation.