"How magnificent," Tiran couldn't help but exclaim as he lifted the carriage curtain for a glimpse outside. Soldiers clad in uniform iron armor and carrying long halberds on their shoulders were marching along the main road, their formation imposing, with only the sound of metal armor and weapon friction audible besides their footsteps. Behind the infantry column, there was a large convoy of heavily laden horse-drawn carriages, raising billowing dust clouds that obscured the sky.

Tiran's convoy was passing by the army from the side, and it had to be admitted that the five-horse carriages were quite impressive. After a brief communication with the army's commanders, they quickly made way for the passage. They truly befitted as the carriages of the princess of the country.

The next morning, from the Gai Xia Academy in Tianan City, their convoy caught up with this marching army head-on. "Are they also heading north?" Tiran asked.

"Yes, Your Highness Tiran, towards the Northern Yanmen Pass fortress, which is also our destination," replied Mo Yi.

Mo Yi was also amidst the infantry column outside the carriages. Judging from the military discipline and formation of this marching army, it was undoubtedly an elite force capable of fierce battles. Across the nation, the only place in need of such a military force at this time was the Yanmen Pass.

In the eastern expanse of the continent, there was only one Western Empire Chu, but that didn’t mean it was without worries. For example, the nomadic people of the Northwestern grasslands were skilled horse archers who made a living through pastoralism. They frequently organized large-scale raids into the heartland of the empire, burning, looting, and then vanishing without a trace.

Emperors of the Western Chu dynasty had tried several times to solve this issue, but the mountainous regions of the Northwest beyond the Tian Shan Mountains consisted of vast grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains. Due to the scarcity of resources in these regions, the empire chose not to occupy them but instead sent expeditions to subjugate the nomadic tribes living there before withdrawing.

However, the nomadic lifestyle and limited resources of the grasslands nurtured the fierce spirit and wolf-like nature of these people. Even if the empire’s expeditions inflicted heavy losses and forced them to submit, they would regain their strength after a few decades and become bolder, almost like a never-ending cycle.

There were instances in the past where emperors had resorted to ruthless measures to eradicate the nomadic people, amassing nearly two hundred thousand expeditionary troops. Yet, after penetrating deep into the grasslands and deserts, they suffered logistical issues due to constant harassment by the nomadic cavalry, leading to shortages in food and water supplies. The army morale plummeted, and they were eventually defeated in a night raid by the nomadic cavalry, retreating with less than twenty thousand survivors.

After this lesson, the empire abandoned the idea of conquest and instead chose to construct the Yanmen Fortress in the treacherous Tian Shan Mountains to block any incursions by the nomads. Now, the one stationed at Yanmen Pass, who had invited Tiran to the Eastern Continent, was Prince Xiang Ling.

"Although Prince Ling repeatedly mentioned that he doesn't need reinforcements, the unprecedented attacks on the borders for the past decade have made the high officials in Luo City uneasy," Mo Yi revealed a hint of disdain. "In reality, the primary purpose of reinforcements is to put their minds at ease."

"Do you have so much confidence in the princess?" Tiran asked, shifting his gaze back to Mo Yi.

"I am a loyal subject to Her Highness, so isn't it natural for me to have confidence in her?" Mo Yi chuckled. "Furthermore, it's not just confidence in Her Highness. The one guarding Yanmen Pass is the Imperial Ace Army of the Western Empire Chu. There's no second stronger army in the entire empire."

The Imperial Ace Army? Tiran found the name oddly familiar. "When the founding emperor of Empire Chu, Xiang Yu, led eight thousand troops from his homeland in Jiangdong, they followed the late emperor in battles across the nation. After the Battle of Gaixia, where fewer than a thousand survived, he stationed them along the northwestern border, repelling countless invasions by the nomads... Prince Ling is leading this formidable army."

Up to now, thinking of Xiang Yu, unwilling to cross the Jiang River... right?

Tiran suddenly had a subtle feeling, once again marveling at the magic of this world. Is this considered an alternate history "if" line?

"But it does feel a little strange... if they are heading north to support the border, why dispatch troops from the south? Although they are elite, wouldn't troops from the north be more timely?" Mo Yi glanced outside at the marching column of troops, murmuring with some confusion.

The carriage of Tiran's party was lightly equipped for quick travel. Their personal belongings were stored in storage rings. Mo Yi and Zilan also had similar items, so their speed was not only faster than marching on foot, they quickly passed through the marching column and continued northward.

It was fortunate they traveled light, and the carriage had been modified by Mo Yi with mechanical techniques, increasing speed while conserving horse power. Even so, it would still take about ten days of continuous travel to reach Yanmen Pass. They didn't know when those soldiers would arrive.

...If luck had been a little worse, the war might have ended, if that princess really was as formidable as Mo Yi described.

"I say, since it's cultivating immortality, don't you have any magic treasures like a cloud boat to quickly arrive? At least set up a long-distance teleportation array."

Sitting in the carriage for half a day, Tiran couldn't hold back and reached out to shake Mo Yi, who was meditating with closed eyes, wanting to talk to someone.

"Your Highness Tiran, you jest. Even if such magic treasures as a cloud boat were created, their efficacy and cost wouldn't be proportional. And teleportation arrays... Your Highness, consider Western Magic—casting long-distance teleportations also requires substantial resources, doesn't it?"

Indeed, there were similar teleportation techniques in the West. However, drawing the smallest Magic array required a top-tier Magic user to expend a considerable amount of effort and many magic crystals. As the size of the magic array increased, the rate of consumption did not rise substantially. Therefore, it was only used in emergencies requiring a large number of troops.

...Historically, there seemed to be records of widespread use of such magic arrays; however, that was only achieved during The Age of Legendary War when the entire Western world exhausted its resources to combat the Demons.

Looking at this, the world of immortal cultivation here wasn't as miraculous as Tiran had imagined from cultivation novels. At least, a complete replacement of technology by cultivation to elevate civilization on all fronts did not exist. Its actual influence should be similar to Magic—it could be convenient for a very small number but wouldn't constitute a civilization.

"But traveling like this is too boring. If I knew, I would have brought more comics... Aren't you guys bored?"

Tiran reluctantly put away her comic book. She had initially thought that rescuing Aya would not be too leisurely, so she brought some casually. However, she had only read a few on the boat, and she had to save the rest to endure the long and boring hours ahead.

Mo Yi looked at Tiran, somewhat helpless. "It might be because the cultivation methods of Shenzhou are different. We have a special 'heart technique,' and by cultivating through meditation, we can prepare for cultivating the immortal heart. Both Master and I have been accustomed to cultivating the heart technique since childhood, so during times when it's difficult to gather spiritual energy while traveling, cultivating the heart technique has become a habit."

After speaking, he sighed. "It's actually quite boring. Sometimes, I envy Your Highness Tiran. Westerners can become strong without cultivating the heart."

"Well..." Upon hearing this, Tiran felt a bit embarrassed for bothering others.

Glancing again at Zilan, who sat beside them quietly with closed eyes, resembling a serene high monk, Tiran stuck out her tongue.

Decision made, I'll go play with Chirp at the carriage behind later.

...

According to Mo Yi, Xiang Ling, nominally the dean of the Gaixia branch in Tiannan City, would also travel between Yanmen Pass and Tiannan City when there was no war at the border. Therefore, he was quite familiar with the whole route, knowing where to travel during the day and where to rest at night with prior arrangements.

"Tonight we will stay at the Wu Xi Post House."

As the sky darkened, Mo Yi said, after learning the location from the coachman.

"Post House?" Tiran was taken aback. In her impression, post houses were always places for weary long-distance messengers to take a break and change horses. The environment probably wouldn't be anything great.

She didn't mind simplicity, but usually, such places' simplicity often came with extremely poor hygiene conditions. You might end up with fleas, cockroaches, or rats crawling under the covers at night... which was quite distressing.

"If Your Highness is worried about the environment at the post house, you need not be." Mo Yi seemed to read Tiran's mind. "I have personally selected and funded the renovation of several post houses along the way from Tiannan to Yanmen. They are at least on par with the estates of nobles and are even preferred by passing aristocrats for accommodation."

As they spoke, the carriage had already turned onto a small road beside a main road, heading towards the nearby mountain.

When they arrived at the Wu Xi Post House, it was completely dark outside, and the lanterns hanging outside the post house gave off a soft light, making the place look particularly warm.

"This really changes my perception of post houses..."

Holding Chirp in her arms, Tiran was the first to jump off the carriage, looking at the vermilion gates, white walls, and black-tiled roof in awe. It looked just like a luxurious mountain villa.

"I heard there's a hot spring here, Chirp, would you like to soak in the hot spring tonight?"

Tiran asked as she pinched Chirp's tiny nose.

"Chirp! Let's go!" 0w0

"Your Highness! Please allow me to join too!" Mimi, who had just stepped off the carriage, eagerly raised her hand even before she could stand firm.

Meanwhile, Mo Yi had already stepped onto the stone steps in front of the door, rattling the door handle with a sense of puzzlement.

Strange, the post house should have received a message about the arrival of Princess Tiran and himself in advance. Why was the gate still closed instead of welcoming them?

He knew the manager of this post house, a retired old military officer from Yanmen Pass due to disability in recent years. Xiang Ling specially entrusted this post house to him with the care of this man. Under normal circumstances, there was no reason for the gate to be closed when he and Princess Tiran, a noble guest, were expected.

Could it be...

A sense of ominous premonition arose in Mo Yi's mind. He cast a glance at his senior sister, Zhilan, who stood obediently behind him. Zhilan nodded and drew a flying sword from her sleeve, holding it in her hand.

At that moment, footsteps gradually approached from behind the door, causing Mo Yi's heart to beat faster.

The door creaked open a crack.