"Chief Wen Ding, I'm truly grateful! If there's ever anything you need, just say the word!"
Wen Ding Cangsheng had been a legend in the gaming world of Dragon Country for years—practically a celebrity in the scene! Ding Ye, meeting him for the first time, was a bit nervous, bowing repeatedly while spouting thanks.
"You're too kind, brother. Since you're Jiang Yuan's brother, you're my brother too. From now on, we're all family, and we'll always be friendly allies with Chuang Shi!"
Wen Ding Cangsheng extended both arms, one around Jiang Yuan and the other around Ding Ye, his gaze shifting to Cang Shu Bu Ding. In just a few words, he united everyone!
"Now that we've divided everything up, I think it's time to get down to business. Follow me!"
Jiang Yuan patted Ding Ye and Wen Ding Cangsheng on the shoulders, then stepped forward, leading the way toward the city lord's mansion.
The three followed Jiang Yuan to the mansion. This time, the two guards at the gate were sharp-eyed, recognizing Jiang Yuan instantly. They bowed and scraped with greetings before rushing to the backyard to announce his arrival.
"Haha! Warrior Jiang Yuan, I didn't expect to see you so soon!"
In the back garden of the city lord's mansion, Jiang Yuan and his group hadn't waited long before City Lord Song Shichang approached them with a hearty laugh.
"City Lord Song, you're as impressive as ever after all these days!"
It was Song who had provided crucial intel that helped Jiang Yuan assemble the Heavenly Punishment set, so Jiang Yuan responded warmly, cupping his hands in greeting.
"Meow!"
Miao Miao, hidden in Jiang Yuan's arms, poked her head out at the commotion and meowed at Song, as if to say, "Your dried fish is pretty good!"
"She's crawled into your arms! Haha! Someone, prepare a full bowl of dried fish!"
Seeing the Persian cat emerge from Jiang Yuan's embrace, Song laughed heartily and called for a maid to prepare Miao Miao's favorite treat.
"Warrior Jiang Yuan, are these your friends?"
Song's gaze swept over Wen Ding Cangsheng, Cang Shu Bu Ding, and Ding Ye before settling on Jiang Yuan.
"Yes, let me introduce them."
Jiang Yuan nodded and briefly introduced the three to Song.
"Come, come, everyone, please sit."
Once the introductions were done, Song warmly invited them to sit, instructing a maid to serve tea for each.
"City Lord Song, how's the situation in Anyang Town?"
Jiang Yuan, barely seated, immediately asked about Anyang Town.
"Alas! It's not looking good!"
Song shook his head with a grave expression and sighed.
"Oh? What's the latest? Please tell me."
Jiang Yuan cupped his hands toward Song.
"Since the demon clan launched their first assault on Anyang Town, the town has suffered heavy losses. I recently selected a hundred guards from Ping'an City to reinforce them. Together with the remaining defenders, we've managed to hold off a few more waves. But the demons seem intent on taking Anyang Town as a temporary stronghold, so they keep sending reinforcements. I estimate that within three days at most, the town will fall completely!"
After detailing the latest situation, Song's face clouded with worry. Though Anyang Town was two hundred li from Ping'an City, it was under its jurisdiction. If it fell, his position as city lord might be in jeopardy.
"It sounds like Anyang Town is in dire straits—we need to act fast! My friends here are very capable. Our team wants to set out immediately to reinforce the town. Please assign them the mission!"
Jiang Yuan exchanged glances with Wen Ding Cangsheng and the others, then turned to Song.
"Excellent! I thank all you warriors in advance!"
Song nodded, and a chime sounded in the ears of Wen Ding Cangsheng, Cang Shu Bu Ding, and Jiang Yuan's close friend Ding Ye—they all received the same main quest as Jiang Yuan!
"No time to waste. We're leaving now!"
Seeing that everyone had gotten the quest, Jiang Yuan stood up to take his leave.
"Wait! Warrior Jiang Yuan, take this. When you reach Anyang Town, find Captain Mao Cheng'an of the garrison. He'll know what to do when he sees it!"
Song stood, raised a hand to stop Jiang Yuan, and pulled a token from his robe, handing it to him.
Jiang Yuan took it and examined it. The token was made of a material neither metal nor iron, dark brown in color, with a traditional "Song" character engraved in the center.
"Alright!"
Jiang Yuan nodded, but as he was about to leave, he spotted Miao Miao eating enthusiastically nearby. He paused. "City Lord Song, I have one more request."
"Speak freely, Warrior Jiang Yuan!"
Song nodded with a smile.
"The journey to Anyang Town is long and dangerous. Please take care of this cat for me."
Jiang Yuan pointed at Miao Miao, who was still focused on her meal, and spoke with some concern.
"Rest assured, Warrior Jiang Yuan. Leave it to me!"
Song, who was quite fond of the beautiful Miao Miao, patted his chest in assurance.
"Then we'll take our leave. Take care, City Lord Song!"
With Miao Miao settled, Jiang Yuan felt at ease. He exchanged glances with Wen Ding Cangsheng and the others, nodded, and bid Song farewell.
Leaving the mansion, they entered Ping'an City. Jiang Yuan opened the map and began studying it.
"Anyang Town is a bit far. The fastest way is to teleport to Pingyang Post Station and then ride from there. It should take about half an hour."
Jiang Yuan closed the map, having found the best route, and told the group. With Anyang Town in crisis, every second counted.
"I'll have the guild brothers prepare mounts there. Once we reach Pingyang Post Station, we'll hop on and go—faster that way!"
Wen Ding Cangsheng was generous, arranging a mount for each of them. In the game "Wanjie," which had only been out for less than a month, mounts were rare and cost at least ten thousand gold coins!
"Let's go!"
Jiang Yuan waved his hand and led the way to the teleport NPC in Ping'an City.
"Honorable warriors, where would you like to go?"
The teleport NPC squinted and smiled at Jiang Yuan's group.
"Please send us to Pingyang Post Station."
Jiang Yuan said.
"Certainly. That'll be 20 silver coins total."
The NPC counted the group and quoted the fee.
"Here!"
Jiang Yuan handed over 20 silver coins and waited for the teleport array to activate.
A white light flashed, and Jiang Yuan and the others felt a dizzying sensation and a loss of gravity underfoot. When they opened their eyes, the scene had changed—they were now in a small post station.
"Boss!"
"Chief!"
As soon as they landed, Jiang Yuan heard voices. He looked closely and saw several players with the "Wen Ding" guild tag walking toward them.
"Did you buy the mounts?"
Wen Ding Cangsheng nodded to his subordinates in greeting and immediately asked.
"Bought them, just as you ordered—four in total!"
One of them, a warrior named "Wen Ding Xiao Xian Yu," turned and led out a pure white, majestic horse from the stable beside the station.
"Chief, here are the mount tokens. Please take them!"
"Wen Ding Xiao Xian Yu" pulled a bronze token from his bag and handed it to Wen Ding Cangsheng, who took it, registered his info, and Jiang Yuan saw a line of text appear above the horse's head.
[Wen Ding Cangsheng's Cloud Horse] Level: 50 Speed: 6.3 m/s
"Give the other three Cloud Horses to them. Your job's done."
Wen Ding Cangsheng mounted the horse and said to the other three guild members.
Soon, Cang Shu Bu Ding and Ding Ye each received a Cloud Horse. When it was Jiang Yuan's turn, he waved his hand. "I don't need one. I have plenty of mounts."
With that, he raised his hand, and a majestic Dragon Beard Tiger appeared before everyone.
"Wow! Yuanzi, your mount is so cool!"
Ding Ye, still buzzing from getting his own free mount, felt his Cloud Horse lose its appeal when he saw Jiang Yuan's Dragon Beard Tiger.
"It's my summon, the Dragon Beard Tiger. Not only does it look awesome, but its stats are incredible too!"
Jiang Yuan jumped up and landed steadily on the tiger's back, looking proud.
"Yuanzi, let's swap!"
Ding Ye's eyes lit up at the sight of the flashy tiger.
"A summoner's summon can only be ridden by the summoner. Forget about it!"
Cang Shu Bu Ding's words dashed Ding Ye's hopes. He reluctantly glanced at the tiger, sighed, and mounted his horse.
"Move out! Target: Anyang Town!"
Once everyone was mounted, Jiang Yuan shouted, and with his tiger leading the charge, he burst out of Pingyang Post Station, heading toward Anyang Town.
"Giddyup!" "Giddyup!" "Giddyup!"
Wen Ding Cangsheng, Cang Shu Bu Ding, and Ding Ye shouted in unison, squeezing their horses' flanks. The Cloud Horses neighed and galloped after Jiang Yuan's retreating figure.
"Ahhh! So exciting! This is my first time riding a horse!"
Along the way, Cang Shu Bu Ding was the loudest, her face flushed with nervous excitement from her first ride.
"Here, give me your hand!"
Seeing Cang Shu Bu Ding bouncing awkwardly on the horse, Jiang Yuan slowed down to ride beside her and extended his hand.
"Mm!"
Cang Shu Bu Ding's face reddened even more, but she reached out a small hand, letting Jiang Yuan take it. The two rode side by side, like a fairy-tale couple from a period drama.
"Dammit! You animal! I treat you like a brother, and you try to steal my boss!"
Ding Ye, riding behind, cursed at Jiang Yuan's betrayal of their friendship for a woman.
"Haha! From now on, Jiang Yuan's your big sister-in-law!"
Wen Ding Cangsheng laughed, riding up to Ding Ye to tease him.
"Pfft! You two jerks, what are you saying!"
Cang Shu Bu Ding caught every word, her already red face deepening in hue. She turned and glared at them.
"Hahaha!"
Laughter echoed across the empty road.