Cheng Mo lifted Xiaobei onto the horse and gestured for Uncle to lead the way. Prince Rong, the younger generation of the Tong family, and the guards all returned to the mountain villa, shouting and cheering all the way. With one hand holding the reins and the other embracing Xiaobei's waist, Cheng Mo's gaze was fixed on her flowing hair dancing in the wind.
"Xiaobei, why do you smell so fragrant? It seems to feel slightly intoxicated," Cheng Mo leaned forward, his eyes on the road ahead, but his whispered words to Xiaobei sounded slightly hoarse, as if he were intoxicated.
"Are you learning to flirt anytime, anywhere now? Your Highness! You really have thick face skin. Stop the horse, I'll have Big Fool take over," Xiaobei retorted.
"You even know Brother Mo is Your Highness? You dare to scold even me, the Prince. Still want to ride with the Crown Prince, not afraid of making Monan jealous? Be careful, I might punish you in the future," Cheng Mo teased. Although he didn't mind the banter along the way, he was genuinely puzzled today. "Xiaobei, I'm serious. Take a good whiff. You've infused the air with a strong fruity aroma. It's intoxicating even with a light scent. Can I ask what's changed your scent?"
"Really? Is it pleasant? Maybe it's the coconut-scented shampoo I tried yesterday," Xiaobei replied.
"Coconut milk? I can detect a hint of milky fragrance," Cheng Mo nodded, temporarily setting aside his doubts and softly discussing with Xiaobei about the matter of asking General Huo for the black powder.
At the stone quarry in the village, a feast had been prepared, echoing the bonfire at the camp below. Upon their return, everyone could cleanse their hands and enjoy the meal.
"Xiaobei, come here, come to me, sit by your Uncle's side. Prince Mo, AhMo, I'm being presumptuous, but today, I'll accompany you and have a good chat over this wine, alright?" General Huo, who had ridden all the way, couldn't contain his laughter, his wolfish grin even more exaggerated, revealing a sycophantic tone.
"Uncle has been here for a while, and Xiaobei has been busy with various matters, never really had the chance to accompany you properly. Let's make up for it today," Xiaobei and Cheng Mo had reached a consensus, so they didn't hide anything, letting them establish a relationship of mutual benefit. However, Cheng Mo didn't disclose the recipe. Although there was some regret, those things were originally meant for the royal family. To obtain Cheng Mo's supply guarantee was already a great gain. This trip was not in vain. Ha ha ha ha.
In fact, Xiaobei's nature is not as pure as that of Baoyu in "Dream of the Red Chamber."
XiangBei, deep down, wasn't really the kind of bodhisattva who would shed tears for every ant she stepped on. Reading about the human calamities and national humiliations caused by the invasion of foreign enemies in the history of the Eastern Dynasty, she often felt angry, wishing she could travel back in time and personally eradicate those bandits. Now, in this place, it's uncertain if it's the YunMeng Dynasty from a parallel world, but it's still the land of HuaXia. There are pirates and bandits here too, so equipping General Huo with powerful gunpowder is also a preventive measure.
After a hearty meal and drinks, the excitement about the new road gradually subsided, and the group dispersed, each going their own way.
After the night fell and the surroundings quieted down, XiangBei slipped into her space, staying there for two to three days. Cross-legged beneath the dense clouds, combining the internal energy techniques taught by Cheng Mo, she practiced breathing exercises. Her body gradually became lighter, merging into the clouds, entering a nebula world. In this ethereal state, she seemed to transcend the stars and seas, able to see towering palaces where familiar energies emanated, along with a faint sense of soul pressure from the vast universe, there is The etheric realm, there is the divine realm．
This kind of mental cultivation greatly solidified XiangBei's spiritual strength. When she incorporated it into her Tai Chi techniques, she would be drenched in sweat after each session. She would then fly to the waterfall in the valley, letting the water cleanse her body, before soaking in the hot spring to relax her mind and body, feeling blissful, almost resembling a reclusive master.
Flying thousands of miles, teleporting instantly, it's invincible, but also so lonely. Sigh, it's time to return to reality. Look, whether it's working the land or herding in the space, she's still a hardworking laborer.
But wait a moment, what's up? when did the herd in the space become so big? Even the times is flying faster, the results are still bloody astonishing. Well, it's better to just work honestly. While it's still dark, she'll take them out. There's just one last batch left in the valley.
She stepped out of the space and walked toward the hunting valley in the darkness. Passed through the valley crack tunnel, just as she took a few steps forward, the batch of cattle she had released earlier all ran madly toward her. This was too exaggerated, were they cattle or wolves, or dogs? XiangBei was surrounded by the herd and led to the grassy lakeside, where she released all the cattle from the space outside, and gathered the last batch of wild cattle, regardless of their size, into the space. Looking at the valley filled with water buffalo, it was time to let them out of the mountains.