Chapter 293: Encounter on the Road

After arranging the affairs of Wubei Command, Luo Ning dispatched David and Tom ahead on the Cloud-Treading Steed while taking a brief detour to Chi Mountain Town.

Riedal, as Luo Ning’s trusted “governor of the frontier,” bore an immense burden: he must assume command of the Knights’ Order, defend the Shore City, and assist in the defense of Chi Mountain Town and Giant Rock Command.

Luo Ning’s visit to Chi Mountain Town served both to convey instructions and, for Riedal’s safety, to leave behind the Fire Dragon Swallowing Heaven Magic Cannon gifted to him by Rulans.

Should a new band of Polish Raiders rise again near Shore City, they would be reduced to ash by the cannon’s wrath.

Having settled these matters, Luo Ning followed the road to find David and Tom, then mounted the Cloud-Treading Steed and galloped toward the Royal Capital.

Had he ridden a dragon, Luo Ning could have reached Goldfeather City in no more than two days.

But as Rulans had warned, his arrival in the capital would draw the attention of many.

If no one noticed his movements, yet he suddenly appeared in Goldfeather City, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Thus, out of caution and to avoid the risk of his dragon being spotted, Luo Ning had no choice but to ride the steed.

Fortunately, the horse possessed tremendous stamina; after David and Tom swapped their mounts for newly seized high-quality warhorses, their speed remained formidable.

They would surely reach Goldfeather City before Princess Blanch’s birthday on September 25th.

On the fourth morning of their journey, Luo Ning and his two companions departed Wushan City, heading westward.

The countryside surrounding Wushan City was dotted with knightly estates, most managed by honor knights of the Wushan Fortress Knights’ Order—Wolf Fang Command being the farthest of them all.

As night fell, Luo Ning intended to find lodging within Wolf Fang Command—but fate intervened, and he encountered Galiel by chance.

Tolu was currently occupied with organizing the Fifth Knights’ Order, so Galiel, as the eldest son of the baron, had been dispatched to handle affairs within the domain.

The next day, Galiel rode with them to the border.

“Luo Ning,” Galiel said, pointing ahead, “that mountain ahead is Wolf Fang Peak. Cross it, and westward lies Hornpoint City.”

He continued: “From there, you’ll take a boat across the Howling Sea. Two more days’ travel, and you’ll reach Goldfeather City.”

“Have you been there?” Luo Ning asked.

Galiel shook his head. “I’ve never set foot in Goldfeather City. Everything I know comes from my father—he accompanied the marquis there twice in his youth. He said the sea voyage alone takes three or four days.”

Luo Ning now had a clearer estimate of the journey ahead: if all went well, they would arrive in nine or ten days—faster than expected.

This was due largely to their superior physical conditioning and the exceptional quality of their horses. Had Luo Ning traveled with a servant in a carriage, they wouldn’t have reached the capital by month’s end.

After bidding farewell to Galiel, the three resumed their journey.

Beyond Wolf Fang Peak lay Hornpoint Command, ruled by Viscount Vittorino Denis.

The port of Denis connected Wushan Command with the Kingdom of Auduin; its bustling maritime trade had rendered the region prosperous.

Thus, Hornpoint City teemed with people, and like Wushan City, its outskirts were scattered with towns and estates.

Daily, numerous caravans shuttled between the city and its surrounding settlements, and over time, a broad trade road had carved itself through the forests.

Night had fallen now, and along this highway to Hornpoint City, a party of dozens rested, preparing to set up camp beside the road for the night.

“Alon! Stop slacking off—go fetch two buckets of water from the river!”

A burly middle-aged man barked orders.

While dispatching men to gather dry firewood from the woods, he directed others to fetch water, his voice coarse but his movements seasoned—clearly an expert in wilderness survival.

“Uncle White, are we really staying here tonight?”

A boy of eight or nine stepped down from a wagon, glancing nervously around. “Will monsters attack us in the dark?”

“Ha! Don’t worry, young Master Pike,” the man chuckled. “I’ve traveled this road a hundred times. At night, you won’t even see a plump mountain chicken, let alone a monster!”

He waved them off. “You and your mother rest easy in the wagon. When supper’s ready, I’ll call you.”

“Thank you, Uncle White,” the boy replied obediently, returning to the carriage.

White’s gaze lingered on the middle-aged woman who helped the boy inside—his eyes brightened.

Just then, another man, having finished inventorying the wagons and securing supplies, approached and nudged White with a sly grin.

“So… thinking of Les again?”

“Watch your tongue, Phil!” White scolded, though he couldn’t suppress a sigh. “She’ll be the baroness soon—mind your words.”

Yet he murmured under his breath: “If I had a woman like that, I’d gladly give up ten years of my life. That figure… that face… damn…”

Phil rolled his eyes. “You tell me to keep quiet, yet you’re the one spouting nonsense.”

Then he suddenly turned toward the road from the northeast.

“Look—three riders coming this way.”

“What’s so special about that? This road isn’t ours alone.”

White glanced over—and froze.

“Look at that horse. It’s top-tier.”

Phil nodded silently. A horse of that caliber cost more than a small fortune. These three were clearly wealthy.

They were none other than Luo Ning, David, and Tom.

Having crossed Wolf Fang Peak, they had ridden hard, passing several estates without stopping.

They’d assumed they’d find lodging by nightfall—but no estates lay along this stretch.

Reluctantly, they prepared to camp nearby—only to stumble upon a caravan.

“Tom, go ask if we can share their camp for the night. Buy some feed for the horses. And since they’re keeping watch, you and David can rest easier.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Tom spurred forward. “Who’s in charge here?”

“I am.”

White stepped forward quickly. “What can this knightly lord command?”

“We wish to rest here tonight and purchase feed for our horses.”

White glanced back at Phil, then nodded. “Agreed. Three silver coins for three men.”

“No problem.”

Tom pulled three silver coins from his pocket and tossed them—White caught them with practiced precision.

Thus, Luo Ning and his companions were granted lodging.

White tossed one coin to Phil. “Half of this is yours later.”

He watched as Luo Ning’s party settled in. “What do you think their station is?”

Phil shook his head. “The one with the hood—his bearing is extraordinary, and his mount is the finest. He’s no ordinary man.”

“Why don’t you go ask?” White prodded.

Phil hesitated, then nodded. He, too, wanted to know.

He approached Luo Ning. “Hey, brother—your horse looks magnificent. What’s its quality?”

Luo Ning, his hood drawn, concealed his silver hair—the very feature that often betrayed his identity.

He glanced at the man, sensing the faint pulse of aura—this fellow was merely a junior knight, no stronger than the one who’d caught the coins.

“High quality,” Luo Ning replied, choosing not to reveal the Cloud-Treading Steed’s demonic bloodline.

Instead, he asked: “Are you bound for Hornpoint City?”

“Yes.”

Phillip saw the other two men feeding the horses, while the man before him—wearing a hat—did nothing at all, and he immediately understood this man’s status was higher; thus, he spoke with greater courtesy.

“We are a caravan from Willie Town, transporting linen and various goods to sell in Hornspire.”

As he spoke, he thought of the figure in his own party and couldn’t resist testing whether Ronin was nobility: “Have you by any chance heard of Baron Hamet?”

Ronin raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “Hamet Leuf?”

The only Hamet he knew was the representative from Hornspire in the battle that crushed the Polant bandits.

“Yes, yes! You know him!”

Phillip nodded eagerly, his tone growing even more respectful.

Ronin frowned. “I thought Hamet was a Knight of Honor under Viscount Vittorino—how did he become a baron?” (End of chapter)