Chapter 107: Exploiting Heaven and Earth?

Li Xuan kept her doubts to herself, knowing that asking would be pointless—Kong Sheng would never admit to anything. She silently resolved that once they left the regions of Jiangnan and Shannan, if there was even the slightest sign of Kong Sheng betraying them, she would decisively put him to death. Kong Sheng was both a man of letters and arms; if he turned traitor, it would only embolden the Yan army. As a member of the Li Tang imperial clan, a female general in the northern army, and a champion of justice, Li Xuan could not let Kong Sheng go, neither for public duty nor private reasons.

With righteousness on her side, Li Xuan felt her personal grievances against Kong Sheng were insignificant. For the sake of the realm and its people, she could eliminate Kong Sheng without hesitation or remorse.

After the commotion, the caravan was left in disarray. Although Jiang Ning’s militia in Jiangping was well-trained and disciplined, a search was still a search, and soldiers were soldiers; expecting them to inspect a large number of goods in perfect order was wishful thinking. In Jiangping’s eyes, it was merciful that his men hadn’t destroyed the sacks of grain transported by the merchants.

Li Biao, anger and dissatisfaction burning within him, ordered his men to start tidying up the scene and restore the wagons. Li Xuan looked at Kong Sheng calmly and said, “My caravan is heading north to Chuzhou, passing through Xuyi and Hongze, straight to Pengcheng. This area is rife with bandits and rebel attacks. If you have no other plans, it would be best for you to travel with the main force.”

Mu Changfeng had been standing behind Li Xuan all along, watching over her to prevent any trouble.

In truth, this was unnecessary. Li Xuan had no intention of resisting; she had decided to endure silently for the time being. Not only did she worry that Kong Sheng might leak their whereabouts, but she also knew he had poisoned her.

Under such control, weighing the pros and cons, she could only compromise temporarily. Yet unwilling to leave her caravan, she suggested that Kong Sheng travel alongside them.

Kong Sheng shook his head. “The main force moves slowly. I am anxious to press onward and cannot wait. You need not worry, Princess. Travel north with us, and once we enter Pengcheng’s territory, I will grant you your freedom. How does that sound?”

“Once inside Pengcheng, will you really let me be free?” Li Xuan sneered inwardly.

“As for the caravan, whether you are with it or not doesn’t make much difference,” Kong Sheng smiled. “I suggest you order the caravan to travel by day and rest at night, stick to the main roads to avoid the Hongze water bandits, the Chemen mountain thieves, and rebel spies. As long as you leave the Chuzhou region and enter Jiangbei territory, it should be safe.”

Startled, Li Xuan asked, “You actually know about the Hongze water bandits and the Chemen mountain thieves?”

She glanced at Mu Changfeng behind her, understanding that the young wandering hero serving as Kong Sheng’s escort would naturally know the local situation around Chuzhou.

Kong Sheng smiled. “Of course. The Hongze water bandits and Chemen mountain thieves have long terrorized the countryside; I have certainly heard of them.”

He then waved his hand. “Brother Mu, let’s prepare to set out.”

Kong Sheng glanced back to see Zhong Wuniang leaning against the doorframe, draped in a cotton jacket, sleepily watching him. He smiled and signaled to Wu Xian and Wu Jie to leave some money with her for the inn.

For Zhong Wuniang and Zhong Ma, the events of the past day and night felt like a dream. They still couldn’t understand what had happened, nor who this handsome young man Kong Sheng truly was. As for Li Xuan and her group, Zhong Wuniang had been led to believe they were ruthless bandits.

A princess of the grand Tang dynasty mistaken for a mountain thief and robber—what a grave injustice.

But banditry was rare in this area; only ahead in Chuzhou were thieves rampant. With so many bandits invading the town, Zhong Wuniang felt compelled to report to the authorities—perhaps she might even earn a reward. In her subconscious, the charming young Kong Sheng was being held captive by these bandits, so reporting them was akin to rescuing him.

At dawn, with the eastern sky turning pale and the cold wind dying down, Kong Sheng and his group of five mounted their horses and left the town, parting ways with Li Xuan’s caravan. Li Xuan handed command of the caravan to Li Biao, a captain under Prince Guo Li Ju, known for his steady temperament and bravery. With him leading, she felt assured.

Li Biao was furious and bewildered as to why the princess willingly accepted Kong Sheng’s coercion and obediently followed his lead. Yet, under Li Xuan’s strict orders, he dared not question further.

If it were up to Li Biao, Kong Sheng and his three companions would have been apprehended long ago. With a hundred spear-wielding soldiers attacking and dozens of archers supporting, even skilled as they were, Kong Sheng’s group would find escape impossible. Capturing them alive might be difficult, but killing them on the spot would be effortless.

Li Biao did not know the depth of Li Xuan’s worries, nor that her willingness to stay near Kong Sheng was a form of surveillance. Should Kong Sheng leak information to the rebels, she would risk everything to eliminate him.

Li Biao’s vision was not so broad.

After this episode, Kong Sheng’s cunning and ruthless decisiveness earned Wu Xian and Wu Jie’s deep respect. His authority was firmly established within this small group. As they approached the Henan route, this was of immense significance to Kong Sheng.

His white steed, Chasing Wind, was magnificent—its hooves seemed to ride on clouds, barely touching the ground, moving like flowing water: effortless and graceful. Watching from behind, Li Xuan couldn’t help but envy. Her own mount was a rare and excellent horse, yet compared to Chasing Wind, it was plainly inferior.

Li Xuan resolved that when the time came to confront Kong Sheng openly, she would seize that white steed from him. To her, such a fine horse in the hands of a petty thief was an egregious waste.

Only Li Xuan’s horse could keep pace with Chasing Wind; Mu Changfeng and the two Wu brothers, riding ordinary horses, struggled desperately to keep up, trailing far behind.

If Kong Sheng had not periodically stopped to wait for the others, Chasing Wind could have left Mu Changfeng and company behind by over ten miles.

Chasing Wind’s strength lay not only in its extraordinary speed and explosive power but also in a stamina and willpower far beyond that of ordinary horses. Kong Sheng reckoned that Chasing Wind could gallop tirelessly for a full day and night—covering hundreds of miles with ease.

In truth, this Turkic horse was born for war; it was during fierce battles that Chasing Wind’s exceptional nature truly shone. Using it solely for travel was a squandered talent.