In the fourth year of the Xiangfu era, spring blossomed in full splendor.
At the northern border of Longyao Prefecture, beyond Huaiyang Pass in the Northern Liang, a little girl with a sable fur headband and a Xianbei jade buckle at her waist led a fiery red pony across the vast grasslands. Delicate as carved jade, she could already be called one of the world’s most exquisite beauties in the making.
Behind her followed three stern-faced guards—one at the Zhixuan realm, one at the Vajra realm, and a minor grandmaster of the second rank. In this peaceful grassland, where no battle was destined to occur, such a trio was enough to astonish anyone. With the raging war between Liang and Mang, most elite warriors had already been deployed, from wandering dragons to local snakes, even the ancient turtles lurking in the depths—all had followed the four hundred thousand troops to Jubei City. That a child barely ten years old could command such escorts spoke volumes of her status.
But it wasn’t just these three top-tier experts. Behind them, at a distance, trailed six to seven hundred armored cavalry, along with dozens of assassins lurking in the shadows. Finally, sixty elite scouts, the famed “Raven Fences,” patrolled the surroundings in perfect order.
These were the Raven Fences, the only scouts in the world who could rival Liangzhou’s White Horse Rangers before the Battle of Longyan Plains. Painstakingly trained by Dong Zhuo, these sixty riders were the last of their kind—now all deployed to ensure the safety of one little girl.
Yet no one in Dong Zhuo’s army dared question it.
Because everyone knew that in the eyes of Grand General Dong Zhuo, this orphaned niece of a fallen comrade was more precious than all the princesses of the northern and southern dynasties combined.
The little girl spoke little, but she bore no arrogance. Instead, she had an innate charm that drew people to her. Even the three elite guards escorting her aimless stroll couldn’t help but adore her innocent spirit.
Suddenly, the Zhixuan realm grandmaster turned his gaze northward. At the edge of his vision, several Raven Fences were confronting an unknown group of grassland riders. Soon, half of Dong Zhuo’s private cavalry galloped forward, swiftly encircling the four, while the remaining three hundred rode north.
The weary riders, their formation stretched thin from relentless pursuit, numbered at least seven hundred in the eyes of the six Raven Fences. Earlier reports suggested their numbers might even exceed a thousand.
Their leader, a commander in the garb of a thousand-man officer, raised his whip and bellowed, “Clear the way! We’re hunting a fugitive under orders from the Jade Toad Prefecture’s Jiedushi and General Huyan! Block us, and you die!”
The six Raven Fences remained unmoved, neither advancing nor retreating.
The furious Northern Mang commander gritted his teeth. If not for the approaching three hundred riders, he would have charged through without hesitation. Six men, no matter how skilled, were no match for his forces.
The young Dong family cavalry officer halted his horse and asked coldly, “Who are you?”
The Northern Mang commander spat to the side. “I’m Yelü Xuanping, commander of Jade Toad Prefecture’s garrison! Scram! If you delay us, even your master will pay with his life!”
The Dong officer replied impassively, “I am Yelü Xiezhen, thousand-man officer under Grand General Dong. Charge if you dare.”
The commander’s bravado vanished instantly. His lips moved, but no words came out.
In the thirteen prefectures of the grasslands, countless officers and generals existed, but only thirteen held the title of Grand General in the past two decades—until Dong Zhuo, the former Southern Court King, became the fourteenth.
Both thousand-man officers, both surnamed Yelü. The northern one seethed with frustration. Glancing at the six Raven Fences and the three hundred riders, he knew without doubt—these were Dong Zhuo’s private troops! Wasn’t Dong supposed to be locked in battle with Chu Lushan at Huaiyang Pass? What were his men doing here, idling at the Longyao border? And why did they have to cross paths with him?
With a bitter expression, he sighed. “Commander Yelü, to be frank, we’re hunting a martial artist who fled from Dunhuang City. Three other cavalry units are sweeping south in parallel. We’ve suffered heavy losses—even dozens of Spider Web assassins died along the way.”
The Dong officer frowned briefly before replying, “My young mistress is behind us. You may detour a mile to the south.”
The commander pleaded, “Commander Yelü, we’re combing every inch of land to avoid missing our target. He’s gravely injured and can’t have gone far—no more than ten miles ahead. My men include expert trackers. If you fear we’ll disturb your noble charge, I’ll take only a hundred riders with you. Please, don’t make this harder for me. Consider it a personal favor!”
The Dong officer hesitated.
The commander’s tone hardened. “I’ve lost two hundred and twenty-three brothers. Their deaths cannot be in vain!”
The Dong officer surveyed the riders behind him—small groups of seven or eight, led by unarmored scouts, spreading like a net as they galloped south.
Finally, he nodded. “I’ll permit a hundred riders to follow us. One more, and I’ll kill them.”
Though disappointed, the Jade Toad commander was mostly relieved.
With a decisive wave, he kept ninety riders and sent the rest to continue their sweep a mile to either side.
Around the sable-clad girl, the three hundred riders subtly expanded their perimeter by fifty paces. The three guards stood shoulder-to-shoulder behind her.
Yelü Xiezhen narrowed his eyes but showed no reaction.
Among the pursuing hundred riders, three scouts occasionally dismounted to examine the grass, even sniffing blades before remounting. Skirting the circular formation, they eventually regrouped and shook their heads at their commander.
Yelü Xuanping’s expression was a mix of disappointment and relief. After a cautious glance at the girl, he clasped his fists toward the Dong officer. “Regardless, I thank you, Commander Yelü!”
Though both held the same rank and surname, the northern commander knew he was outmatched.
Yelü Xiezhen replied calmly, “You’ve worked hard.”
The hunting party rode south, vanishing from sight.
Once they were gone, Yelü Xiezhen rode to the girl’s side, his hand resting on his saber hilt as he stared intently at the grass not far south.
Simultaneously, the three grandmasters turned. The Zhixuan expert shielded the girl while the other two took positions a dozen paces apart.
The little girl, Tao Manwu, peeked out and called softly, “You can come out now.”
Silence.
She raised her voice kindly. “Hiding won’t help.”
Finally, the grass rustled before exploding outward as a massive figure lunged toward her. Two thick chains lashed out like rainbows, aiming for the chests of her two flanking guards.
Tao Manwu cried, “Don’t kill him!”
A moment later, the assassin would have had his neck snapped by the Zhixuan guard, who now held him by the throat, fist inches from his heart.
The other two guards gripped the chains protruding from the man’s shoulders, each tipped with a massive dagger.
The girl tried to step forward, but Yelü Xiezhen, for the first time showing urgency, dismounted and knelt to block her path. “Little Princess, stay back!”
Tao Manwu nodded, then called to the old man, “White-Haired Grandpa, I’m Tao Manwu. I won’t hurt you… and… you’re about to die.”
The white-haired man’s eyes gleamed. “Girl, what did you say your name was? Say it again!”
“I’m Tao Manwu!” Then she added something no one else understood: “I know that person!”
The old man chuckled hoarsely, not with sorrow but strange satisfaction. “Good, good! Heaven never seals all exits! Old Man Heaven, consider this a favor I owe you!”
Tao Manwu tugged Yelü Xiezhen’s sleeve. “Brother Xiezhen, can I talk to White-Haired Grandpa? Don’t worry—he won’t hurt me. I promise!”
Yelü Xiezhen, the only one aware of her gifts, patted her head fondly. “But we’ll stay close, alright?”
The innocent girl nodded eagerly, like a pecking chick, utterly endearing.
She hurried forward, Yelü Xiezhen and two guards following closely.
Sitting cross-legged five or six paces from the old man and the Zhixuan guard, she looked up. “Say what you need to, Grandpa. If I can help, I will!”
Amused yet exasperated, Yelü Xiezhen signaled the grandmaster to release his grip. Reluctantly, the guard loosened his hold and stepped aside, though he remained vigilant.
The disheveled old man sat cross-legged too, sneering at the Zhixuan expert. “In my prime, I’d kill you with one hand!”
He had already given up on escape, hiding only to die with dignity.
That he’d encounter this girl named Tao Manwu could only be fate.
Gasping, the old man steadied himself before speaking slowly. “Girl, I’ve heard of you from that person. But how do you know me?”
Tao Manwu answered candidly, “Earlier, I only knew to come this way, not what I’d find. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me… and I can see things others can’t…”
She waved her hands, tracing invisible patterns in the air.
The old man marveled. “Such talent is unheard of! Before parting with him, he mentioned you—a girl named Tao Manwu in the Northern Mang…”
Her luminous eyes sparkled with joy and sorrow.
The old man coughed, fists on his knees. “I was once of the Princess’s Tomb… Never mind. I meant to head to the Central Plains but got word from another old man about secrets in Dunhuang. I only half-succeeded… Tao Manwu, tell that person—quickly!—that in the north, he not only has a woman but a child!”
Tao Manwu’s lips parted in shock.
The old man smiled bitterly. “I can’t force you. But at least I’ll die in peace.”
With effort, he reached into his sleeve, making the guards tense. But he only pulled out a thin, yellowed book and tossed it to her. “A sword manual he gave me. He added some moves later. I understood but couldn’t master them. It’s yours now.”
Clutching the manual, her eyes welled up. She knew he was truly leaving.
Thumbing his chest, the old man grinned. “Remember, girl—this white-haired grandpa is Chu Kuangnu. The first peerless expert that person ever met!”
He closed his eyes, murmuring, “Those chicken legs soaked in lake water… damn, they were good…”
Wiping her tears, Tao Manwu promised loudly, “I’ll tell him! I promise!”
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