The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the wide streets of the Western Liang capital. Tall horses galloped by, their saddles adorned with black tiger head patterns—the family crest of the Xie family of Western Liang.

The roadside vendors, seeing the stripes on the black tiger's head from afar, quickly retreated with their small businesses, afraid of bumping into the important figure on horseback.

The Xie family of Xiliang is the ruler of Xiliang, the leader of all the major clans, and no one dares to offend them.

The soldiers on horseback were clad in full armor, and the sound of metal objects clashing filled the air as they rode.

Under the scorching sun, sunlight reflected off the armor, and patches of light swept across the eyes of the person secretly observing him from below, causing him to hurriedly lower his head, no longer daring to offend him.

The leader of the armored cavalry was dressed very casually, in a clean and neat black narrow-sleeved Hu-style robe, with his black hair tied up high, exuding a spirited air.

What's even more remarkable is that this person slightly lowered his body and rode his horse, revealing his handsome and dazzling face. His eyes were upturned at the corners, his eyebrows were slightly raised, and he had a half-smile. His black eyes stared straight ahead, completely ignoring the pedestrians kneeling all around him.

He held a long spear in his hand, its shaft jet black and straight, the sharp tip pointing downwards, with fresh blood still dripping down its curved surface, splashing onto the kneeling man beside him. The man trembled in fear, lowering his head even further.

None of the people on the warhorses showed any intention of stopping.

They come like the wind and go like the wind; they are truly the Wind and Thunder Cavalry under the command of the young master of the Xie family.

Only after the group of people had completely disappeared down the street did the pedestrians who were lying prostrate on the ground dare to tentatively stand up.

The vendor pushed his stall further into the center of the street, exposing his goods to the sunlight to attract customers and make it easier for them to choose.

"Phew," Zhang San, who was selling noodles at a roadside stall, exaggeratedly wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead, "It's only been a month, and the young master of the Xie family has already come back with a gun."

The man eating noodles next to him was also a regular customer. He chatted with him casually for a few minutes. "Of course, look who his grandson is. The Xie family of Xiliang, a noble family that rose to prominence on horseback."

Zhang San sighed, "Like father, like son! The Xie family has only had one son for three generations. Although this young master usually hangs out with the young masters of other families, when it comes to taking action, he is decisive. Just one month ago, he wiped out a whole group of bandits who had come from the East Mountain."

Some people who had just arrived in Xiliang couldn't help but scoff when they heard the two of them praising the Xie family like that. "Are they really that amazing? Do they really think people are gods, capable of anything?"

Upon hearing his words, the person at the table quickly dropped his chopsticks and covered his mouth, saying, "Don't talk nonsense in our Xiliang territory."

The man scoffed, "You're all used to being enslaved by the Xie family, acting like you're seeing threats everywhere. Now that the Xie family is gone, who will even notice our little noodle stall in this remote corner?"

Zhang San, with his long, narrow face, looked at the outsider with disdain. "Who told you we're enslaved by the Xie family? Every two years, those southern barbarians come to rob several cities outside, taking everything—grain, women, nothing. Why do you think we're able to live peacefully in the Western Liang capital?"

The diner who had spoken to Zhang San earlier chimed in, "These sissies, pampered and spoiled since childhood, with skin as smooth as a woman's, how could they possibly understand the heroic spirit of us Xiliang men who guard the border and fight bloody battles year after year!"

Those around burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Unable to bear this insult, the man's face darkened, and he picked up his things to leave.

Zhang San quickly stopped him, "Sissy, you delicate people who are more tender than us, how can you leave without even paying for your meal?"

The man pulled out a copper coin from his pocket and slammed it hard on the table, causing the bottoms of several porcelain bowls on the wooden table to jump, spilling soup all over the faces of his companions.

Upon seeing this, the man who had only recently arrived in Xiliang paled slightly. Even though he had only been here a short time, he knew that the people here revered strength, and that as long as you were strong enough, they would submit to you.

As a result, those men simply wiped their faces with their rough hands, showing no anger whatsoever, and instead winked and made faces.

Seeing the man's puzzled look, Zhang San said, "We rough men may be rough, but we don't fight with women, hahaha."

The man hesitated for only two seconds before being humiliated again. He stopped, grabbed his belongings, and stormed off angrily.

Zhang San looked at the man's back with disdain, making "tsk tsk" sounds. "They both look like pretty boys, but the young master of the Xie family is much more capable than someone like him who only knows how to talk."

"How can he compare to that Xie family member? Young Marquis Xie could compose a poem in seven steps at the age of six, and at seventeen he defeated all the masters of Xiliang. His father is the King of Xiliang, a member of the imperial family, a chosen one of heaven. Does that guy even deserve to be compared to him?"

Zhang San wholeheartedly agreed, "Unworthy."

The Wind and Thunder Cavalry galloped all the way until they reached the Prince's Mansion before reining in their horses.

The steward, who had been waiting at the gate of the Prince's mansion, greeted the newcomer with a smile and stepped forward with a curtsy, saying, "The young master has returned."

Xie Fu dismounted with a fluid and graceful movement. Compared to the well-trained and clean dismounting of the cavalry behind him, his movement had an extra touch of dashing and romantic flair.

The steward felt a surge of pride; his young master had returned, and the girls of Xiliang were probably going to go crazy again.

He cupped his hands in greeting to Xie Fu and said, "The old master had long anticipated that the insignificant bandits in the outer eastern mountains would be no match for you, young master. He estimated that you would be returning in the next couple of days and instructed me to keep a close eye on them."

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