On the official road of East Field County, a trade caravan was slowly moving forward at this moment.
The heavy wagons left two deep ruts on the muddy road.
This was a caravan heading to the Imperial Capital, with as many as ten wagons, all escorting extremely precious Ice Jade Stones.
Dozens of Martial Artists were riding fine horses at the front and rear, escorting the caravan as it moved slowly forward.
The man leading them was handsome and imposing, with a tall and straight posture, and his sharp gaze swept around, making any lurking danger unable to hide from his eyes.
Meanwhile, inside one of the wagons behind them, a slightly chubby middle-aged man looked at the intact goods at the back, only then satisfied to put down the wagon curtain.
Inside the wagon, besides the middle-aged man, there was also a woman of extremely beautiful appearance.
This woman was dressed as a man, which made her look exceedingly handsome.
"Father, are we really going to the Imperial Capital?" The woman, seeing her father, asked somewhat unhappily.
"Daughter, donāt worry. Father has sold all his family assets this time to buy these Ice Jade Stones. Once we reach the Imperial Capital and sell these Ice Jade Stones, father will earn a huge amount of money. By that time, weāll buy a house in the Imperial Capital and find you a good family to marry." The middle-aged man said with a smile, looking at the woman with eyes full of affection.
"Father, what are you talking about, Iām not going anywhere. But father, what if we encounter bandits while transporting these Ice Jade Stones?" The woman thought for a while, and asked with some worry.
"Donāt worry. Father spent a large sum of money to hire the most powerful Star River Mercenary Corps of the entire empire this time. Their leader, Captain Li Qingxian, is a Saint-level expert. With him personally guarding, no petty thieves would dare to attack." The middle-aged man said proudly.
"Saint-level?" The woman was surprised to hear this, and lifted the wagon curtain to look at the imposing middle-aged man in front, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Father, Iāve heard that Saint-level masters are very powerful, capable of cutting rivers and splitting mountains with a single finger. Is it really true?" The woman couldnāt help but ask.
"Itās true, daughter. Captain Li Qingxian is indeed a big figure. If it werenāt for him coincidentally heading to the Imperial Capital, with the little money your father has, he wouldnāt even consider it." The middle-aged man said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the woman also revealed a look of longing on her face.
"Stop!"
However, at this very moment, Li Qingxian, riding on a fine horse, suddenly shouted sternly.
Everyone was instantly stunned.
Could something have happened?
"Captain Li, whatās going on? Why did we suddenly stop?" The wealthy merchant stepped out of the wagon, looking at Li Qingxian and asked.
The girl was also curious and looked forward.
But her gaze did not fall on Li Qingxian, but rather on a young man in front.
At this moment, Li Qingxianās sharp gaze was also fixed on the young man ahead, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Who are you, sir? Why are you blocking our way?" Li Qingxian immediately looked at the young man and asked.
Only then did the rich merchant notice someone was blocking the road ahead, but upon seeing that it was just one person, and a young man at that, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Donāt misunderstand, I blocked the road without any other intentions. I just saw you were heading to the Imperial Capital, so I hope you could give me a ride. I am willing to pay the fare." The young man said with a smile.
Indeed, this young man was none other than Xu Nian.
"You want to go to the Imperial Capital?" Li Qingxian turned his head to look at the wealthy merchant, seemingly seeking the merchantās opinion.
After all, the owner of these wagons was the wealthy merchant, and everything still needed the merchantās consent.
"Since itās on the way, letās travel together. The fare will be free, but thereās no room left in the wagons, so youāll have to ride a horse." The wealthy merchant said with a smile.
"No problem!" Xu Nian responded with a smile.
Soon, a member of the Mercenary Corps brought over a horse.
This member was extremely robust, but had a hint of a smile on his face.
"The horses of our Star River Mercenary Corps are quite wild, be careful. Whether you can ride on the horseās back depends on your skills." The burly man said with a smile.
The surrounding people also smiled when they heard this, seemingly wanting to see if this young man dared to get on the horse.
Xu Nian smiled, realizing that the burly man was not provoking him.
But rather stating a fact, that the horse indeed seemed a bit wild.
Because these horses were no ordinary horses, but Demon Beasts. Although their strength wasnāt strong, they at least possessed the strength of a Nine-star Warrior.
An ordinary person would never be able to ride on a horseās back.
Of course, such low-level Demon Beasts were almost no different from ants to Xu Nian.
"Kneel!" Xu Nian said lightly.
In the next moment, the unruly demon horse knelt down on its front legs.
"This..."
The members of the Mercenary Corps around were instantly filled with surprise.
They all knew well that their war horses were so obedient only because they were raised by them from a young age.
To outsiders, however, they were extremely fierce. So why was it so docile in front of this young man now, like a little lamb?
The girl sitting inside the wagon also showed a surprised expression upon seeing this scene.
When she first saw the horses, she found them extremely majestic and wanted to touch them.
But who would have known that the horse would open its huge mouth, almost swallowing her whole.
She was so scared that she didnāt dare approach these horses again.
Now seeing the horse so obedient to this young man, her curiosity grew even more.
Xu Nian mounted the horseās back, and the demon horse obediently stood up, even affectionately rubbed its head against Xu Nianās leg, in a fawning manner.
Even Li Qingxian showed a surprised expression at this scene.
Even he couldnāt make these demon horses so pleasing.
But no matter how he looked, he couldnāt see through the young manās strength in front of him. In fact, in his view, this young man wasnāt a Martial Artist at all, because there was no spiritual energy fluctuation from him.
Itās not his fault, actually. At Xu Nianās level, the control over spiritual energy had already reached a perfect level.
How could there still be any spiritual energy fluctuations?
"I didnāt expect this demon horse to listen to you so well. In that case, you can ride it. If thereās anything, just let me know, Iām Liu Ergen." The burly man smiled, seeming a bit simple-minded.
Perhaps because of Xu Nian taming the war horse, the members of the Star River Mercenary Corps also looked at Xu Nian with more recognition in their eyes.
"Alright!" Xu Nian agreed.
Then broke into a smile at the people around him.
Finally, his eyes fell on Li Qingxian.
Seeing the latter looking at him, Xu Nian cupped his fists with a smile.
Li Qingxian also cupped his fists, then immediately turned his head and continued on the journey.
Xu Nian didnāt mind this, turning back to look at the wagon, noticing that the girl inside was really looking at him, and immediately smiled and waved.
The girl was so startled that she hurriedly pulled up the curtain, her face blushing.
Seeing this, Xu Nian smiled helplessly, and said to himself, "Xu Nian, Xu Nian, to get the Starry Sky Fragment, you even used your looks."