A step further, and the child would have been flattened. The boy, having retrieved his toy drum from the ground, coughed incessantly as the dust kicked up by the horse's hooves enveloped him. Finally, the parent broke free from the crowd, scooping up the child and fleeing without looking back.
On the street, murmurs of disapproval spread among the onlookers, yet the white-robed rider seemed deaf to the criticisms, merely glancing up at Uncle Hao, who remained expressionless.
Liu Baobao, standing beside He Lingchuan, cleared his throat forcefully, "Who are you people, daring to gallop through the market, aware that it invites corporal punishment?"
"And who will administer this punishment?" laughed the young man in white, his disdain palpable. "You?"
His piercing gaze made Liu Baobao's skin crawl, causing him to shrink back, "The laws of Heishui City are strict. Try running a few more steps and see."
Ignoring him, the youth turned his attention to He Lingchuan, as if recognizing him as the one in charge. He Lingchuan offered a smile in return, but after a thorough scrutiny, the rider spurred his horse forward, followed closely by the man in gray who never raised his head.
This brief encounter slowed their pace, and the assembled crowd watched them disappear around the corner towards the city's northeastern exit.
"Both possess cultivation, especially the one in gray; his strength eludes me. The young man in white may come from a military background," Uncle Hao mused, surprising He Lingchuan.
Having infiltrated the capital's elite under the cover of night and later reformed by a Daoist sage, Uncle Hao's deep understanding of martial arts was undisputed within the He household. His assessment of the grey-clothed figure as formidable left no room for doubt in He Lingchuan's mind.
These were no ordinary travelers; what business could they have in this remote place?
As city patrols arrived, inquiring about the commotion, the crowd explained the reckless horse riding, thankful that the He family's young master wasn't involved. The patrol leader, recognizing He Lingchuan, greeted him respectfully before vowing to punish the transgressors.
He Lingchuan pointed them northeast, but it was clear to him that a few city guards wouldn't suffice to apprehend the riders.
Indeed, the patrol returned empty-handed, confirming He Lingchuan's expectations. They explained the riders were emissaries of the Northern Conquering General, carrying official seals and on legitimate business in Heishui City.
He Lingchuan pondered the involvement of such a high-ranking official from a distant province.
Just then, thunder boomed overhead, signaling an approaching storm, observed by the two strangers now at Hu Yang Mountain. Known for its rugged terrain and diverse wildlife, the mountain was a source of mystery and power.
The man in gray, wielding a purple-golden staff, began a ritual that silenced the natural sounds of the mountain, attracting the attention of the mountain's spirit, a centuries-old Poplar tree. Surprised by the newcomers' use of a coin from the new dynasty, the spirit engaged in conversation, revealing its long slumber and questioning their intentions.
The ritual, involving the unique coin, marked a significant moment, connecting the present with ancient traditions and powers long dormant. As the storm gathered, the interaction hinted at changes stirring in the natural and political landscapes, with He Lingchuan and the mysterious visitors at the heart of the unfolding events.