Bai Shixue shifted her enthralling eyes as if she had figured out something from Ou Yangming's expression. A faint shade of red appeared on her jade-like face, amplifying her beauty further, and causing Ou Yangming's heart rate to quicken.

Nevertheless, Ou Yangming was extremely wary of Bai Shixue. After collecting himself, he asked, "Young Pavilion Master, just cut to the chase, what are you here for?"

Bai Shixue pursed her lips and snapped, "I'm only concerned for you, is it wrong to visit a friend?"

Ou Yangming feigned a smile and responded, "Oh, that's flattering. But, to save both our time, just tell the truth."

"Hmph." Bai Shixue shot him an annoyed glance before revealing, "Alright fine. Since you like being boring, I'll just tell you." She calmly stated, "You'll have at least a thousand men accompanying you on your journey, and this lady has already prepared all your supplies and accommodation throughout your journey. All you need to do is focus on gathering your troops."

Ou Yangming was touched, and even more than that, he was surprised.

He did not doubt her words, as Bai Shixue would never joke about her arrangements.

Moreover, as an organization with several stores throughout the nation, it was definitely possible for her to make those arrangements at such short notice.

It was just that, it had never occurred to Ou Yangming that Bai Shixue would do it out of her own volition.

With some slight hesitance, Ou Yangming mumbled, "Thank you, Young Pavilion Master."

Bai Shixue snorted, "You were the main reason the Yi Pavilion managed to snag first place in the Myriad Treasure Meet. As such, it is only reasonable that we compensate you for your efforts. There's no need to thank us. Also, since you only have eyes for Her Highness, and not me, I'll just vanish from your life." With that, Bai Shixue turned around and left.

Ou Yangming was dumbfounded. "What do you mean by me only having eyes for Her Highness?"

Bai Shixue feigned surprise and exclaimed, "Oh, so you're saying you prefer me over the princess, huh?"

Ou Yangming's expression morphed into a frown as he noted to himself, 'How shameless can this woman be…'

Without paying heed to Ou Yangming's response, Bai Shixue commented, "Since you put it that way, I'll be sure to appear before you again." She then slipped into the darkness and vanished without a trace.

Ou Yangming's jaw dropped. He wanted to explain himself to her, but instead, he had only made the situation worse.

'The best way to deal with women like her is probably to keep my mouth shut.'

For some reason, Ou Yangming had a lingering feeling that his journey to Changlong County was not going to be easy.

※※※※

Three days.

Within the short span of three days, countless forces within the capital had mobilized, and a massive force was assembled.

During ordinary circumstances, the assembly of such a powerful force would likely have worried the imperial family, and they would have attempted to suppress the force. This time, however, the imperial family had decided to keep their eyes closed to the assembly, and pretended not to have noticed.

Outside the capital, a force that was around 2000-strong had assembled, as each Supreme Great Ancestor had around a dozen followers accompanying them.

Other than that, there were also a hundred or so luxury carriages parked outside. Despite everyone's best attempts to maintain order, it still felt like a messy assembly to observers.

Back when Ou Yangming was leading the Advanced Blacksmiths, he had utilized his keen intuition to make arrangements that had taken the most advantage out of everyone's talents.

However, managing a dozen or so blacksmiths was very different from managing a 2000-strong army. Worse still, none of his troops were blacksmiths, and as a result, he had even less of an understanding as to how they operated.

As such, he had a cloudy expression when he saw the rowdy scene that unfolded outside the capital and he could feel a migraine coming.

Woo Lejia walked to his side and chuckled. "Brother Ou, we've already brought as few people as we could with us. However, as there are still around 70 or so newly ascended Supreme Great Ancestors, they still need to stabilize their boundaries. Having them board the carriages is… The most you can ask of them. Plus, it's also no surprise that their family would post them more guards to ensure their safety. Fret not, though, I'm sure they'll definitely contribute in battle.

Ou Yangming nodded and answered, "Thank you."

Honestly speaking, the newly ascended Supreme Great Ancestors should be holing up somewhere safe to stabilize their boundary.

However, the moment Ou Yangming gave the order, they immediately abandoned their solitary cultivation and joined Ou Yangming's troops. They were willing to carry out the stabilization of their boundaries while traveling within the carriages.

Without a doubt, throughout all the generations of the Supreme Great Ancestors, the treatment they received was undoubtedly the worst.

When Woo Lejia stated that this was their limit, he meant it.

In truth, if the imperial family were to ask the same of them, they would definitely have ignored the imperial family's orders.

As such, if Ou Yangming were to ask them to abandon their guards and travel alone, it would have resulted in massive backlash.

Woo Lejia waved his hand and added, "Brother Ou, you mean the world to us, so there's no need to be polite." He then swept his gaze downwards, and in a slightly awkward tone, he stated, "We come from different families, so it's slightly hard for us to coordinate. But don't worry, I'll go and talk to them."

Ou Yangming nodded. Indeed, such matters were better left to the Woo family and the Chen family to handle.

Nevertheless, before Woo Lejia had even stepped down, a small platoon of cavalry set out from the capital. It was a force that consisted of only a hundred or so people, each of them was clothed in uniforms and they all wore brilliant smiles. Surprisingly, once they joined the troops, the troops immediately mobilized.

To Ou Yangming and Woo Lejia's surprise, the ensuing formation of the troops had become much more organized under the mysterious newcomers' orders. Moreover, once the first carriage began to move, everyone else followed in an orderly manner.

If one were to describe the initial situation as chaotic, the situation after the newcomers' appearance could only be described as organized.

Ou Yangming turned around in surprise, and Woo Lejia hastily stated, "It wasn't me."

"I know it isn't you." Ou Yangming spat, "You were at my side all this time. How can it be you?"

In truth, Ou Yangming had added another statement in his mind. 'If you had this kind of ability, we wouldn't be stuck in the mess earlier, now would we?'

Ou Yangming observed the newcomers.

Among the hundred-or-so newcomers, a luxury carriage could be seen, and once the curtains were drawn, a charming face was revealed for all to see.

Ou Yangming's eyes narrowed, and after some slight hesitation, he immediately caught up to the carriage on his horse. "What are you doing, Young Pavilion Master?"

Bai Shixue giggled and answered, "I'm here to help you, of course." With a teasing smile, she commented, "You've got no experience leading so many people, right? Without me, you would be stuck here all day!"

Ou Yangming's face reddened as he stammered, "I-I've led soldiers before, b-but I forgot that these people aren't soldiers."

Bai Shixue smiled. "Indeed, they aren't soldiers, but disciples of aristocratic families. They're the real deal, and they all carry immense pride." She then pursed her lips and stated, "Didn't you notice earlier? They were at each other's throats, how would they have mobilized?"

Ou Yangming's eyes lit up. He had wrongly assumed that the aristocratic elites would be orderly due to their status, and it had almost ended up being his undoing.

"Young Pavilion Master, how did you manage to get them to be obedient?" Ou Yangming asked curiously.

Although the aristocratic family members had indeed possessed great talent, it was for that reason that they were as arrogant as they were. As such, logically speaking, it would probably take a lot for them to submit willingly. However, what Ou Yangming observed was not the case. Bai Shixue had only spoken a few words to make them listen, and this feat had impressed Ou Yangming greatly.

Bai Shixue grinned like a sly fox. "it's simple, really. I asked my followers to inform them that the Great Master Ou has given the command of the army over to me. If anyone disobeys me or delays me, then their rights to the magic tools will be revoked! See, aren't I smart?"

Ou Yangming was utterly dumbfounded, and he could not help but chuckle bitterly at that.

'So she's riding my coattails, huh!'

'But it's also true that these aristocratic family members are obedient because of it.'

For the sake of the magic tools, these aristocratic family members were willing to risk their newly ascended Supreme Great Ancestors. As such, it was not a stretch to imagine how furious their family elders would be if they learned that they had lost the rights to the magic tools due to a few of their rowdy family members.

Although Bai Shixue was lacking in martial arts, her ability to toy with another's heart was unparalleled.

After giving her a grateful nod, Ou Yangming thanked, "I appreciate your help, Young Pavilion Master. If there's anything I can help you with in the future, I'll be sure to assist you."

Bai Shixue winked without saying a word.

With that, Ou Yangming clasped his fists and spurred ahead. Unexpectedly, however, the carriage behind him had tagged closely along.

Ou Yangming reined his horse back. With a surprised tone, he asked, "Young Pavilion Master, what are you…"

Bai Shixue giggled, "To ensure a smooth journey, I'm going to personally accompany all of you to Changlong County."

"You're… Accompany us?"

"Yeah, you don't want me to?"

Ou Yangming's lips twitched and he gritted his teeth. Upon noticing how orderly the troops ahead were, he could not bring himself to reject her.

Just as the two were at an impasse, the hurried gallops of horses rang out from behind the capital's gates.

A force that was a hundred-strong stomped out, and an envoy of carriages tagged behind the troops.

Upon noticing the familiar insignia on the carriages, Ou Yangming and Bai Shixue stared at one another in disbelief.