CHAPTER 990: CHAPTER 948: IQ RISING

[Strange, why did my sword strike feel so natural, as if heaven and earth were cooperating, and how could every ounce of my strength unleash power beyond its limits? How is this possible?]

"..." The young girl pointed at the mountain peak, her finger trembling uncontrollably. The almost mirror-like cut left her eyes nearly blinded. Casting aside her refined pretense, she roared, "How is this possible? How is this possible!"

"That’s why I said it would take your brother Meng Qi a few more years to catch up to me now." Unable to understand, Zhao Yun stopped pondering and said with a smile, not changing his expression despite the girl’s outburst.

The girl was at a loss for how to refute, and such strength made Ma Yunlu, who immensely admired Ma Chao, bow in awe.

"How is this possible!" Ma Yunlu murmured to herself.

"It’s nothing much; previously, General Guan even cut down the walls of Ye City, which were defended by tens of thousands." Zhao Yun modestly touched his face and said.

"Are you all monsters?" Ma Yunlu didn’t know how to describe it. Without an earth-shattering momentum, just with a casual sword swipe, the mountain was cut, just like that, just like that!

"Right, I still don’t know your name?" Zhao Yun finally realized what he should do and quickly asked.

"Ma Yunlu of the Ma Family of Fufeng greets General Zhao." Ma Yunlu dismounted and awkwardly performed a salute. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, her face slightly flushed, as it wasn’t easy to perform the maiden’s salute in armor.

"As expected of General Ma’s daughter," Zhao Yun said admiringly.

"However, Miss Ma, if you head to Ye City now, you will only miss your father by chance, and your brother’s steed Lifeisha is a peerless horse. Although your Red Date Horse is also a fine steed, it pales in comparison to a divine steed that can fly and leap over the sea, and moreover..." Zhao Yun paused and pointed at the already captured bandits.

"Although Jizhou is prosperous, it has just gone through a war, and there are still many bandits and thieves," Zhao Yun said with a smile, shifting his tone.

"Indeed, I’ve encountered several trouble spots on my way here." Ma Yunlu, startled by Zhao Yun’s awe-inspiring sword skills, remembered her resentment toward Ma Teng and Ma Chao for not taking her to the Central Plains, so she sneaked out, unwilling to return just like that.

"Originally, Jizhou was the foremost among the Nine Provinces of the Central Plains, with its own charm. Unfortunately, wars, no matter how controlled, bring chaos and desolation, and it has lost its former prosperity." Zhao Yun felt his intelligence was surpassing that of a military general, and his manner of speaking began resembling Li Youu’s, saying what he wanted through other’s mouths.

"Indeed~" The once spirited Ma Yunlu suddenly wilted a bit. "Having long lived in Xiliang, I admired the prosperity of the Central Plains. Though Chang’an is impressive, it lacks that atmospheric essence. Father and brother say it’s because chaos in the realm prevents the people from resuming production, thus causing desolation, so I..."

Zhao Yun couldn’t help but be aware that Ma Yunlu had sneaked out upon hearing this. After all, it’s common for those residing in border areas to yearn for the Central Plains’ prosperity, especially women like Ma Yunlu.

"But Miss Ma, if you go to Ye City now, you won’t see your father or brother, and neither will you witness the genuine splendor of the Central Plains." Zhao Yun said calmly. In truth, although not entirely deceitful, his words contained much embellishment, for Zhao Yun had attained the insight to speak falsehoods.

"Then where to go? I heard Nanyang has been ravaged too. War truly is tiresome, destroying so many beautiful places." Ma Yunlu pouted discontentedly, not wanting to be sent back to Chang’an either.

"In today’s world, the most bustling place should be Fenggao, backed by Mount Tai, a famous mountain. In terms of culture and economy, it’s undoubtedly premier." Zhao Yun said proudly, with an expression of pride.

Though Ma Yunlu was captivated by Zhao Yun’s swordsmanship, being from a powerful family, she instinctively remained cautious. Yet, with Zhao Yun’s formidable prowess, handsome and untainted demeanor, and renowned reputation in the Central Plains, she had little suspicion.

But when Zhao Yun described the scenery of Mount Tai, Ma Yunlu intentionally observed his expression, finding only the pride and satisfaction of a creator.

This completely dispelled Ma Yunlu’s worries, as she had heard much about the splendor of Mount Tai along her journey, naturally piquing her interest.

Zhao Yun chuckled inwardly. Though he gazed skyward, he easily sensed Ma Yunlu’s gaze upon him.

Seeking any flaw from Zhao Yun’s appearance was impossible. The pride was genuine, for during Mount Tai’s dire initial construction, Zhao Yun’s contributions were significant. Even now, as he walked across Mount Tai, townsmen offered food and drink to welcome him~

"Looks so proud..." Ma Yunlu whispered, seeing Zhao Yun’s face full of pride as he said, "You wouldn’t understand the feeling of building a giant city from nothing, nor the satisfaction of enabling the people to be well-fed through your efforts."

"If I once felt proud of my own strength, from that moment on, the thing that satisfies me the most is ensuring the people have enough to eat!" Zhao Yun said with a confident turn in his tone.

Ma Yunlu was taken aback, not expecting that what gratified a renowned Superior Military General in the Central Plains was not his formidable prowess.

"Miss Ma, thank you for your assistance earlier. If you’re keen to witness the prosperity of the Central Plains, Mount Tai and Xuzhou are the most suitable places. Especially Mount Tai; only there will you truly understand the meaning of prosperity," Zhao Li took the opportunity to offer some help.

"Oh..." Along the journey, Ma Yunlu had gained a bit of understanding about this merchant, otherwise she wouldn’t have traveled with him all the way. After all, even if she possessed decent martial arts and didn’t have Inner Qi Manifestation, it would still be easy to fall into a trap.

"Since there’s nothing much to do, let’s visit Mount Tai!" Ma Yunlu said cheerfully. After all, she had a youthful mindset, quick to change.

"In that case, I would ask Miss Ma to leave an official seal so that I can write a letter to your esteemed father. It will also facilitate your return home," Zhao Yun said with a smile.

Ma Yunlu did not refuse Zhao Yun’s goodwill. If she stayed away from home too long, even with Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai covering for her, she’d still be scolded. Given Ma Teng’s current strictness, even though he treasures her, he might make her kneel in the ancestral shrine.

Seeing Zhao Yun finish the letter, Ma Yunlu took a secret glance and was very pleased. She happily stamped her seal on it, then placed it in a prepared bamboo tube and handed it to Zhao Yun.

"Please allow General Zhao to extend the hospitality of a landlord." After giving the letter to Zhao Yun, Ma Yunlu’s relationship with him suddenly became much closer, so she said with a grin. She’d long since run out of money; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been tagging along with the Zhao family’s caravan.

Zhao Yun shook his head. In just this short while, she had already shown several different aspects of her personality. "Miss Ma should follow me to the post house first to have a saddle and stirrup installed on your fine steed. Though we are soon entering Mount Tai, where it won’t be bumpy, since I promised hospitality, please come with me."

"Just call me Yun Lu." Ma Yunlu, perhaps assured of Zhao Yun’s harmlessness, began to let her guard down even more. "But this thing is really nice. Which craftsman made it?"

"Then Yun Lu, please mount up, and we’ll talk on the way. This item was crafted by the military advisor and is the best method to enhance cavalry performance, especially giving a significant boost to the Xiliang Iron Cavalry," Zhao Yun explained, squinting slightly to appear more friendly. Upon hearing ’Xiliang Iron Cavalry’, Ma Yunlu understood the significance.

Liu Bei and others naturally had no idea about Zhao Yun’s encounter along the way, nor did Ma Teng realize that the daughter he painstakingly raised was already being courted, and so skillfully at that, with strength so overwhelming that even if Ma Teng faced it, he’d be speechless.

Upon reaching the post house, with Zhao Yun’s own official seal, Ma Yunlu faced no obstacles. After she had freshened up, Zhao Yun had already equipped her red date horse with a stirrup and saddle, and replaced the unsightly military outfit with a set of purple silk floral garments better suited for movement.

As for the quality, there was no doubt about it. Zhao Yun also possessed certain secret techniques for high-effect nourishment. Although they couldn’t exceed the material limits, they were certainly not inferior to Ma Yunlu’s previous attire.

"Huh, where’s my armor?" With her hair still damp, Ma Yunlu looked around but couldn’t find it.

"Miss, your previous armor was too worn and has been sent away. General Zhao has found you suitable clothing," the maid said cautiously.

Ma Yunlu glanced at the new clothes on the bed and was slightly displeased, but after picking them up, she was quite happy.

"Does Lord Xuande actually have such armor here?" Ma Yunlu marvelled. "Does this mean there might be female soldiers too?"

Armor quality is immediately apparent to a veteran, and though Ma Yunlu wasn’t a veteran, she had spent years learning martial arts, so she knew these clothes were no less protective than armor. Good-grade Shu brocade could inherently wade off stabs and slashes, especially after Zhao Yun’s enhancement.

As for whether it might have been nurtured by a man, Ma Yunlu didn’t consider that, as she could tell the newness of the clothes.

The maid didn’t know how to respond, and Ma Yunlu didn’t expect much information from her, so she waved her hand to dismiss her and began changing into the new outfit.

Truthfully, not many women in Mount Tai wore clothes made from such nurturing material. Those who could afford them typically didn’t want others to handle their garments. Thus, those who did wear them were either exceptionally special, like Cai Yan, or belonged to powerful families with access to female Qi Refiners.

Regarding Zhao Yun’s hands-on secret technique, perhaps there was only him. Indeed, in certain situations, a man’s intelligence and ability could greatly excel. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)