I Can Strengthen Infinitely-Chapter 201 - 160: Journey to Yangzhou Prefecture

After taking a careful look at Ah Hu again and seeing nothing unusual, Qin Yuesheng placed it back on the ground, letting it run off to play.

Gathering the items on the table and placing them into the Celestial Demon pouch, Qin Yuesheng then attached the Six-Armed Exoskeleton to his back.

With the additional practice and control over the past few days, Qin Yuesheng had already grasped many tricks, such as controlling the Six-Armed Exoskeleton during its insertion so that the six arms wouldn’t automatically extend.

More importantly, Qin Yuesheng could now preliminarily control the six arms to perform actions like punching, grabbing things, and scratching an itch.

Once he mastered it completely, Qin Yuesheng’s combat strength would undoubtedly rise to a new level. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Just imagine, with his original two arms plus six more, wielding the Mountain-Crushing Tyrant Saber with eight arms altogether—the power would be unimaginable.

"Young Master." Just as Qin Yuesheng was tidying his clothes, Chunfeng suddenly rushed in from outside the courtyard.

Seeing her flustered appearance, Qin Yuesheng asked in bewilderment, "What’s the matter? Has something happened?"

"Qin Hai is leaving."

"Oh!" Qin Yuesheng suddenly remembered his distant cousin who was once haunted by a ghost.

However, unlike Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian, Qin Hai’s fate was different. If it hadn’t been for Qin Yuesheng’s intervention, Qin Hai wouldn’t even be able to dream of reaching the capital for the imperial examinations—his life would be at risk.

Calculating the time, Qin Hai had stayed at the Qin Mansion for quite some time; it was finally time to head towards Chang’an, lest he risk delaying the crucial examination day.

The route from Cyan Yang City to Chang’an required traveling north, passing through the Baoqing Highway and Yangzhou Prefecture. Coincidentally, Qin Yuesheng was also planning to attend the Jiangnan Martial Arts Banquet hosted by the ’Autumn Water Family’ in Yangzhou Prefecture. He decided to set off with Qin Hai today so that he would have someone to talk to on the journey to prevent boredom.

At this time, at the main gate of the Qin Mansion.

"Uncle, Aunt, thank you for your care during this period," Qin Hai gratefully said to Qin Feng and Duan Hongjin.

"No need to be polite. Take extra care on your journey to Chang’an for the examinations. Your uncle will be waiting for your name on the honor roll here in Cyan Yang City," Qin Feng said with a smile, then took a soft pouch from Housekeeper Qin’s hand and handed it to Qin Hai. "Considering that Yuesheng planned to give you fifty taels of silver for travel expenses, I worried it wouldn’t be enough and added more. Here is five hundred taels in silver notes and fifty taels in silver; take good care of it and spend wisely, avoiding flaunting wealth to prevent attracting trouble."

"Thank you for your generosity, Uncle, but I only need the fifty taels of silver my cousin Yuesheng promised me; please take back the rest. Accepting such a great sum could invite disaster," Qin Hai graciously refused.

"Exactly, exactly." At that moment, an echo came from inside the gate.

Everyone turned to see Qin Yuesheng emerging from the mansion, carrying a Crescent Saber that shone like a Ruby.

"Yuesheng, what is this?" Qin Feng looked puzzled.

"Lord Xun has assigned me to Yangzhou Prefecture for official duties. I happened to hear that cousin Qin Hai was leaving, so I decided to accompany him north," Qin Yuesheng explained.

"To Yangzhou Prefecture? For official business? What kind of business, is it dangerous?" Duan Hongjin immediately asked anxiously, as she had always been very protective of Qin Yuesheng since he was young.

"Hush now, don’t pry," Qin Feng quickly stopped her from asking more. "Truly a woman’s perspective—how can we question the affairs of the authorities? Lord Xun entrusting this task to Yuesheng is a sign of trust."

Qin Yuesheng didn’t speak, only nodded with a smile, acknowledging it.

Little did Qin Feng know, his child’s official rank was now much higher than that of Xun Sheng, the Governor of Cyan Yang City.

"Alright, Father, Second Mother, I’m leaving with cousin Qin Hai. I’ll be back in a few days, so don’t worry," Qin Yuesheng waved, placing his arm around Qin Hai’s shoulder and gently pushing him to the street outside.

Once they were further from the Qin Mansion, Qin Hai finally returned to his senses and asked in surprise, "Cousin Yuesheng, are you really going to Yangzhou Prefecture?"

"Of course, what’s there to doubt? How do you feel about having someone to accompany you on the road?"

"How do I feel? It’s merely having one more person," Qin Hai replied.

With casual conversation, the two soon walked out of the northern gate of Cyan Yang City.

...

In Cyan Yang City’s north, south, and west directions, about one li away, there were inns set up by local forces where travelers could rent carriages and send letters and goods.

Given Cyan Yang City’s favorable geography and high traffic of people traveling south and north, these inns’ businesses were thriving.

The journey to Yangzhou Prefecture was neither too long nor too short. If done on foot, it would take over ten days, causing Qin Yuesheng to miss the Jiangnan Martial Arts Banquet.

To hasten the journey with Qin Hai, Qin Yuesheng rented a carriage at one of the inns.

This kind of carriage didn’t require the renter to drive it themselves. To facilitate collection, designated drivers would drive the carriage for them.

Qin Yuesheng and Qin Hai sat inside the carriage, as the driver snapped the whip and with a shout of "Giddyup," the carriage sped off down the Baoqing Highway.

...

The sun set in the west, with the remaining light like blood.

The pace of the carriage gradually slowed.

After a day’s journey, even the best horses were exhausted. The driver shouted back at the curtained door, "Sirs, we’ll have to camp outdoors tonight."