On the eve of their departure, Batel and Wei Ying talked for a long time.
Looking at the shadows outside the tent, Chu Qing fell into deep thought.
To be honest, if Wei Ying had the ambition to dominate the world, he definitely had the strength to achieve it.
But he didn't want to.
When Wei Ying returned, it was already late at night. Chu Qing had dozed off. She could naturally feel it when someone lay down beside her.
Recently, her sleep had become lighter and lighter. Sometimes, even the howling wind could wake her up.
"Awake?" Wei Ying asked apologetically.
Chu Qing grabbed Wei Ying's hand and put it in her bosom. Then she closed her eyes again, her voice laced with languor. "Yes. We have to get up early tomorrow, so I need to get enough rest tonight."
Although Chu Qing couldn't see Wei Ying's expression at this moment, he still wore a faint smile and said softly, "Go back to sleep~"
Chu Qing let out a soft hum and soon fell asleep again.
She had a good night's sleep.
...
Early the next morning, Chu Qing and Wei Ying packed up and prepared to leave.
Batel, Gerile, and Daren came together to see them off to the Ritu River.
"Follow this river all the way east, and you'll reach the border of the Dongyi Kingdom," Batel said.
Wei Ying and Chu Qing nodded to show they understood.
"Master, my words still hold. Whenever you need me, just send me a message," Batel said seriously to Wei Ying.
Wei Ying didn't decline his offer. He just nodded and replied with a "Sure".
Standing in front of the carriage prepared for her, Chu Qing looked at Gerile. There was an indescribable feeling in her eyes. "Take care... I believe Aqitu will thrive under your leadership."
Gerile returned a smile. It was a sincere smile, as bright as the sun in the sky.
"I'll take your kind words."
"Then... farewell?"
"Farewell!"
Chu Qing waved to everyone, then got into the carriage with Lvluo's help.
Wei Ying, on the other hand, mounted his horse.
Only the two of them, along with Lvluo and Wei Yi and Wei Er, were going to Dongyi this time.
Wei Yi had already led the Black Cloud Army back to the Great Yan.
Accompanying Wei Yi were Lady Zhou and her daughter, as well as... Xu Xin.
Lady Zhou and Yu'er were, after all, from the Great Yan. Even though Yu'er was reluctant, Lady Zhou still took her away.
As for Xu Xin, Chu Qing specifically asked Wei Ying to assign several secret guards to watch over her. Presumably, she wouldn't be able to escape this time.
Watching the figures of those who came to see them off grow smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared from sight, Chu Qing let out a soft sigh.
"What's wrong?" Wei Ying, who had been riding beside the carriage, naturally heard it and immediately asked.
There was a hint of reluctance in Chu Qing's tone as she replied, "I'm really reluctant to leave here. And I truly like them. Especially Batel. He's not only smart but also very endearing."
"Like?" Wei Ying's face instantly darkened.
That brat! He was really giving him a headache! Next time he saw him, he'd definitely give him a good... no, teach him a good lesson.
Although Chu Qing didn't quite understand Wei Ying's expression, she continued on her own. "And I like Gerile very much. If possible, I'd really like to have a drink with her."
"Um..." Wei Ying's face gradually softened.
"And Daren. He's open - minded and a man of his word. He's a real hero."
"... " Wei Ying's just - softened face darkened again.
"And Batel's mother! And that uncle who always made roast meat for us! He always gave me the tastiest parts! In short, I like the people of all the tribes on the grassland!"
At this moment, Chu Qing's eyes were curved in a smile, and her eyes were filled with bright light.
Wei Ying thought that he rarely saw Chu Qing so happy.
Chu Qing rambled on a lot more, and Wei Ying patiently responded to her one by one.
Until her voice grew softer and softer. When Wei Ying looked up, he saw that she had fallen asleep, leaning on Lvluo's shoulder.
Wei Ying smiled helplessly and told Lvluo to lower the carriage curtain.
After traveling for about ten days, the group of five finally saw a city.
They should have arrived in Dongyi.
After they entered the city, they found that there were an unusually large number of people. There were chivalrous men with a strong sense of the martial world and scholars with a profound literary air.
Wei Er went to inquire and came back to report to Wei Ying and Chu Qing with a complicated look on his face. He said that the annual Flower - Inserting Festival of Dongyi would be held in this small town in three days.
The Flower - Inserting Festival...
Chu Qing had heard of it.
The so - called Flower - Inserting Festival didn't really match its name.
Participants could freely take the stage.
Then they would accept challenges from anyone.
If they lost, they would have to step down directly.
If they won, they would accept the next person's challenge.
The final winner would have the right to compete with the winner of the previous year.
The ultimate winner would receive a thousand taels of silver as a reward and might even be appreciated by the court and enter officialdom.
The events of the challenge were not limited to martial arts or literature. Even... playing musical instruments, playing chess, calligraphy, and painting were acceptable.
As long as one could win until the end.
Since there were no very fixed rules, many people took advantage of loopholes.
Some people deliberately waited until the end to fully understand the person on the stage before challenging.
Some people rushed to the stage just to show off. After all, it took a certain amount of confidence and courage to take the stage at the beginning.
All in all, the final winner must be a person with both literary and military talents.
"Are you interested, Qingqing?" Wei Ying raised his eyebrows and asked when he saw the interested look on Chu Qing's face.
Chu Qing rubbed her hands and nodded.
Wei Ying stroked Chu Qing's head and said gently, "Okay, then we'll stay here for a few more days to see if Dongyi has many talented people."
Chu Qing was, of course, very happy.
She loved watching these vibrant young people!
Since they had decided to stay here for a few days, the most urgent thing was to find an inn to stay in.
However, after they had booked three rooms in a very elegant inn, a group of aggressive people suddenly entered the inn.
At the front was a bright - looking young girl.
The girl frowned and said arrogantly, "Where's the innkeeper?"
"I'm here, miss!" Seeing that the girl was well - dressed, the innkeeper immediately came out from behind the counter and bowed obsequiously.
The girl glanced at him and said slowly, "I'll book all the rooms in your inn... for this young lady."
"This..." The innkeeper rubbed his hands and looked at Chu Qing and the others with a为难 look on his face.
"These guests have just booked three rooms..."
Chu Qing frowned and said coldly, "We should follow the principle of first - come, first - served. We've already booked three rooms. You're not going to kick us out, are you, miss?"
For some reason, Chu Qing felt a bit irritated.
Normally, she wouldn't have bothered arguing with such a young girl.
Hearing the voice, the girl didn't even look at Chu Qing. She curled her lips arrogantly and said, "I can give you money. Then... take the money and go find another inn!"
Chu Qing and Wei Ying's faces both darkened. This girl was extremely arrogant!!!