CHAPTER 991: CHAPTER 948: INTELLIGENCE RISING~

[Strange, why did that sword strike feel so natural, as if heaven and earth were cooperating, and why did my strength explode beyond its full potential, how is this possible?]

"..." The young girl pointed at the mountain peak, her finger trembling, feeling as if her eyes were about to be blinded by the mirror-like cleaving. She then threw away her lady-like demeanor and roared directly, "How is this possible? How can this be!"

"That’s why I said your brother Meng Qi would take several more years to catch up to my current self." Unable to figure it out, Zhao Yun stopped pondering and said with a smile, showing no change in expression due to the young girl’s roar.

The young girl gaped, not knowing how to refute it. This powerful display left Ma Yunlu, who greatly admired Ma Chao, directly kneeling.

"How can this be!" Ma Yunlu murmured to herself.

"It’s nothing really, General Guan previously also cut down the city walls defended by tens of thousands in Ye City." Zhao Yun touched his face and said humbly.

"Are all of you monsters?" Ma Yunlu really didn’t know how to describe it. Without an earth-shattering aura, just a casual swing of the sword, and the mountain was cleft asunder, just like that!

"By the way, I don’t know what your name is yet?" Zhao Yun finally remembered what he should do and quickly inquired.

"Ma Yunlu from the Ma Family of Fufeng greets General Zhao." Ma Yunlu dismounted and awkwardly saluted, realizing that it was quite embarrassing, her face slightly flushed, as performing a lady’s curtsy in military attire wasn’t easy.

"No wonder you’re the daughter of General Ma." Zhao Yun said with a face full of admiration.

"However, if Miss Ma heads to Ye City now, you would only brush past your father. Also, your brother’s mount, Lifeisha, is a peerless steed. Though your Red Date Horse is a fine horse as well, it’s still far from those divine steeds that can soar in the sky and leap across the sea. Moreover..." Zhao Yun paused, pointing at the bandits that had already been captured.

"Though Jizhou is prosperous, it has recently experienced a war, and there are still many bandit and rebel remnants." Zhao Yun shifted the topic with a smile.

"That’s true, I’ve already encountered several on my journey here." Ma Yunlu, still frightened by Zhao Yun’s awe-inspiring swordsmanship, recalled her resentment of Ma Teng and Ma Chao for not taking her to the Central Plains, which led to her sneaking out. She was unwilling to return just like that.

"Jizhou was once the leading province of the Central Plains, possessing its own charm. Unfortunately, regardless of how wars are controlled, they bring disorder and desolation. The area’s past prosperity is lost." Zhao Yun felt as if his intelligence had surpassed the limit of that of a military general, and his speaking manner shifted towards Li You’s way of voicing his ideas through others.

"Indeed~" The previously heroic Ma Yunlu suddenly became downcast, "Living in Xiliang for long, I admired the splendor of the Central Plains. Although Chang’an is nice, it lacks that certain aura my heart yearns for. Father and brother said it’s because the country is in turmoil, and the people haven’t resumed production, hence the emptiness. So I..."

At this point, Zhao Yun could tell Ma Yunlu had run away from home. After all, many people live on the border territories yearning for the prosperity of the Central Plains, let alone someone like Ma Yunlu.

"But even if Miss Ma heads to Ye City now, you won’t see your father and brother, nor the true flourishing sights of the Central Plains." Zhao Yun said calmly, although these words weren’t entirely true, they were rather watered down, as Zhao Yun had had an epiphany on how to tell a white lie.

"Then where should I go? I heard that Nanyang is in ruins too; war really ruins many beautiful places." Ma Yunlu pouted, unwilling to be sent back to Chang’an.

"In today’s world, if talking about elegant splendor, Fenggao is the foremost. It is backed by Mount Tai, a famous mountain, leading in both culture and economy." Zhao Yun said with a proud look, his expression full of shared glory.

Although Ma Yunlu was captivated by Zhao Yun’s swordsmanship, coming from a prestigious family, she remained somewhat cautious. Nevertheless, due to Zhao Yun’s overwhelming strength, handsome appearance, fame across the Central Plains, and upstanding character, Ma Yunlu didn’t harbor much suspicion.

Only after Zhao Yun spoke of Mount Tai’s grandeur did Ma Yunlu closely watch his expression, seeing nothing but pride and contentment of a creator on Zhao Yun’s face, which completely dispelled her worries. After all, Ma Yunlu had heard too many tales of Mount Tai’s beauty along her journey, sparking her curiosity whenever mentioned.

Zhao Yun chuckled heartily inside. Although raising his head to the sky, he was well aware of Ma Yunlu’s gaze on his cheek.

Trying to spot flaws on Zhao Yun’s face was impossible; this was genuine shared glory. During Mount Tai’s arduous early developments, Zhao Yun’s contributions were significant, and even now, as Zhao Yun roams around Mount Tai, he would be greeted and offered food and drink by the locals.

"Looks so proud..." Ma Yunlu whispered, only to hear Zhao Yun reply with pride, "You wouldn’t understand the feeling of building a giant city from scratch, nor the satisfaction of seeing the populace fed through your efforts."

"If I used to feel proud of my own strength, then from that moment on, the thing that satisfied me the most was ensuring the people had food to eat!" Zhao Yun then changed the subject and said confidently.

Ma Yunlu was at a loss, not expecting a renowned superior military general of the Central Plains to find satisfaction not in his formidable strength.

"Miss Ma, thank you for your previous assistance. If you’re looking to witness the prosperity of the Central Plains, then Mount Tai and Xuzhou are the most suitable places, especially Mount Tai. Only by going there can you understand what true prosperity is." Zhao Li took the opportunity to lend a hand.

"Oh..." Having traveled together, Ma Yunlu had some understanding of this merchant; otherwise, she wouldn’t have continued traveling with him, especially since having good martial arts but not achieving Inner Qi Manifestation made one easy to deceive.

"Since there’s nothing else to do, let’s go see Mount Tai!" Ma Yunlu said cheerfully. After all, she had the mindset of a young girl and changed her mind easily.

"In that case, please leave your official seal, Miss Ma, so that I can write a letter to your father, making it easier for you to return home." Zhao Yun said with a smile.

Ma Yunlu did not refuse Zhao Yun’s kindness. If she stayed away from home for too long, even with Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai covering for her, she would receive a scolding. Given Ma Teng’s current authority, he might still make her kneel in the ancestral hall, even though he cherishes her greatly.

After Zhao Yun wrote the letter, Ma Yunlu sneaked a peek and was very satisfied, so she happily stamped her seal on it, placed it in a bamboo tube prepared by Zhao Yun, and handed it to him.

"Please extend your hospitality to me, General Zhao." After giving the letter to Zhao Yun, Ma Yunlu suddenly became much closer with him and said with a smile. She had run out of money long ago; otherwise, she wouldn’t have tagged along with the Zhao family’s caravan.

Zhao Yun shook his head as Ma Yunlu’s personality had changed several times in just a short while. "Miss Ma, please come with me to the post station to equip your divine steed with a saddle and stirrups. Although there’s no bumpiness once we enter Mount Tai, since you mentioned hospitality, you should come with me."

"You can just call me Yunlu." Ma Yunlu might have confirmed that Zhao Yun posed no danger, so she let loose a bit more, "But this stuff is really nice. Which craftsman made it?"

"Yunlu, please mount your horse first and listen as we go. This was made by our strategist. It is the best way to enhance cavalry combat, especially giving a huge boost to the Xiliang Iron Cavalry." Zhao Yun squinted to make himself appear more friendly, and Ma Yunlu understood why upon hearing about the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Liu Bei and others naturally didn’t know about the opportunities Zhao Yun encountered along the way, and Ma Teng wasn’t aware that his daughter, whom he raised with great care, was already being won over. Moreover, the methods used were so clever and the force so powerful that even if Ma Teng were present, he would have nothing to say.

Upon arriving at the post station, Ma Yunlu passed through unimpeded thanks to Zhao Yun’s seal. After she finished washing and tidying up, Zhao Yun had already equipped her red date horse with a new saddle and stirrups, and her unsightly armor had been replaced with a more convenient purple silk floral garment.

As for the quality, there was absolutely no problem; Zhao Yun also possessed some high-effect nourishment secret techniques. Although they couldn’t surpass the material limits, they were no worse than Ma Yunlu’s previous armor.

"Huh? Where’s my armor?" Ma Yunlu asked, sweeping her wet hair left and right, unable to find it.

"Miss, your previous armor was too worn out and has been sent away. General Zhao found clothes suitable for you." The maid explained cautiously.

Ma Yunlu looked at the new clothes on the bed, feeling slightly dissatisfied, but upon picking them up, she was pleased.

"Does Lord Xuande have this kind of armor here?" Ma Yunlu exclaimed in wonder, "Does that mean there are female soldiers too?"

Armor quality could instantly be discerned by veterans. Although Ma Yunlu wasn’t a veteran, she had been immersed in martial arts for a few years and knew that this clothing was on par with armor. High-quality, custom-made Shu brocade could defend against piercing and slashing, especially with Zhao Yun’s high-effect nourishment.

Ma Yunlu didn’t consider the possibility that it was "nurtured" by a man, as she could distinguish between new and old clothes.

The maid didn’t know how to respond, and Ma Yunlu didn’t expect her to disclose anything. She waved her hand to dismiss her and started changing into the new outfit.

Honestly, there weren’t many women wearing clothes made of this nurturing fabric throughout Mount Tai. Most who could afford them didn’t want others handling their clothes. Those who wore such clothes were either exceptionally special, like Cai Yan, or had a family strong enough to find female practitioners of Qi Refining to Gang.

As for using secret techniques directly like Zhao Yun, there might be only this one case. Indeed, at times, a man’s intelligence and abilities can greatly increase. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)