Longevity Martial Arts: Obtain Golden Affixes at the Start

The three of them left the gambling den. Hong Lang looked up and saw a horse tied up at the entrance. It was chestnut-red all over, with long limbs and a glossy mane.

The horses in this world are completely different from those in the previous world. Not only are they thick-skinned and tough, but they are also extremely resilient. It is said that some of these prized horses are even invulnerable to swords and spears.

However, only important figures are usually qualified to ride those kinds of horses.

Cao Jin patted the horse's back: "To congratulate Brother Hong on your breakthrough to the Marrow Cleansing Realm, I'm presenting you with a fine horse!"

This horse would cost at least a hundred taels of silver.

Hong Lang reached out and stroked the horse's neck: "Chief Cao, such a generous gift..."

Cao Jin laughed heartily: "Brother Hong, you're now a Marrow Cleansing Realm martial artist. If you're going to the county town to find Registrar Song, are you really going to walk there on foot?"

Upon hearing this, Hong Lang no longer declined and cupped his hands, saying, "Then thank you very much, Chief Cao."

He got up, mounted his horse, and headed out of town to test the horse's stamina.

After Hong Lang had gone some distance, Xia Ping asked, "Boss, why haven't you recruited him into the gang yet?"

Cao Jin sighed softly, "To break through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm in less than three months—we, a small temple like ours, can't afford to support someone like that!"

……

Hong Lang practiced until sunset before riding his horse back to the village.

When the sound of horses' hooves rang out at the village entrance, several villagers stopped and looked on with envy.

In a place like Taiping Village, even donkeys are rare, let alone such a magnificent chestnut horse.

"Brother Lang!" Li Tao'er was collecting clothes in the yard when she heard the noise and immediately came out.

She ran up to it, wanting to reach out but hesitant, and timidly asked, "Brother Lang, can I touch it?"

"It's very docile, you can pet it as much as you want." Hong Lang patted the horse's neck with a smile.

Li Tao'er cautiously reached out her hand, but as soon as her fingers touched the horse's mane, the horse snorted, startling her into withdrawing her hand.

After several attempts, she gradually grew bolder, gently stroking the horse's neck with her little hands, her big, watery eyes curving into crescents.

"Brother Lang, does it have a name?"

"Not yet, why don't you name it?"

"You're all red... so let's call you Red Date!"

Red Date hissed, as if it was particularly pleased with the name.

"Brother Lang, I... I've never ridden a horse before." Her voice was filled with anticipation.

Hong Lang saw through her thoughts and laughed, "Come on! I'll take you for a ride!"

He mounted his horse, bent down, and stretched out his hand.

Li Tao'er blushed and offered her hand. He gently pulled her and brought her steadily in front of him.

After the little girl sat down, her whole body tensed up, and she didn't know where to grab her hands.

"Hold on tight." Hong Lang placed her hand on the iron ring in front of the saddle.

Li Tao'er nodded, not daring to move.

Honglang gently shook the reins, and Hongzao strode forward, slowly walking towards the edge of the village.

At first, Li Tao'er was a little nervous, her body swaying gently with the horse stance, but she gradually relaxed.

As the sun sets, the sky turns a fiery orange-red, and the silhouette of Black Wind Mountain stretches endlessly in the distance.

"Brother Lang, look over there!"

She pointed to the clouds in the west, turned around excitedly, her face almost touching the raging waves.

"Yes, it looks good," Hong Lang replied, his gaze fixed on her face, though it was unclear whether he was referring to the clouds or the person.

Red dates strolled slowly along the path outside the village, the fields filled with the croaking of frogs, and occasionally a few fireflies would fly up from the grass.

Li Tao'er gradually relaxed and kept talking, "Brother Lang, after we move to the county town, will we still be able to ride horses?"

"able."

"Can I learn to ride a horse?"

"I'll teach you."

Li Tao'er smiled, her lips pursed, her voice very soft: "Brother Lang, I...I like you."

Hong Lang didn't speak, but simply reached out and tidied her wind-blown hair.

As dusk fell, the full moon rose.

Li Tao'er suddenly turned to the side, buried her face in Hong Lang's chest, and said in a trembling voice, "Brother Lang, let's not go back tonight, okay?"

Hong Lang pinched her cheek: "It's getting dark, we should go home."

How could he not understand Li Tao'er's implied meaning?

This girl is only fourteen years old, although in this world she is already of childbearing age.

However, Hong Lang, being a time traveler, still couldn't accept having anything happen between himself and a girl of that age.

Let's wait until she's a bit older!

"Oh..." Li Tao'er pouted and leaned against the wall until the sound of horses' hooves stopped at the front door.

……

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Hong Lang got up.

Qin Jiuzhen, who lived next door, was already busy at the stove. Seeing him come out, she ladled out a bowl of hot porridge and handed it to him: "Leaving so early?"

"Yes, I'm going to the city today." Hong Lang took the bowl of porridge, finished it in a few gulps, and wiped his mouth.

"Wait a moment."

Qin Jiuzhen went into the house and came out with a wolfskin coat in her hand.

"This is the beast pelt you gave me last time. It took me dozens of needles to sew it up. Besides this coat, the remaining pelt is enough for me and Tao'er to make clothes."

Hong Lang felt a warmth in his heart. Before he could speak, Qin Jiuzhen had already draped the coat over his shoulders: "Try it on to see if it fits."

"Perfect." Hong Lang stretched his arms.

As an experienced tailor, Qin Jiuzhen has the ability to tailor clothes according to the person's needs.

She looked Hong Lang up and down, her eyes gleaming with a strange light.

At this moment, Hong Lang was wearing a dark purple robe underneath a brand-new black wolfskin coat, exuding an air of heroism.

Since acquiring the [Dragon Spirit and Tiger Might], his physique has become exceptionally robust. Standing at the door now, he truly exudes the air of a prince or nobleman.

Li Tao'er got up at this moment, rubbing her eyes as she walked to the door. When she saw Hong Lang's appearance, she was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed "Oh!" and her face turned bright red: "Brother Lang, you...you look so handsome today!"

Hong Lang was a little embarrassed by the straightforward praise, so he mounted his horse and rode away.

The morning dew was slightly cool, and the black wolfskin coat fluttered in the wind.

Hengjiang County is about 30 miles away from Taiping Village.

Hong Lang rode his horse for more than half an hour and then saw the shadow of the city wall in the distance.

There was a long queue at the city gate, with people carrying loads, pushing carts, and leading donkeys—all sorts of people from different walks of life.

Hong Lang led his horse into the city, and the view before him suddenly opened up.

Hengjiang County was even more prosperous than he had imagined.

The main street is very wide, wide enough for three carriages to travel side by side, and the road surface is paved with bluestone slabs.

Shops lined both sides of the street, with restaurant signs, cloth shop signs, and pharmacy banners, a colorful array of flags stretching as far as the eye could see.

Everywhere you look, there is the warmth and life of everyday life.

Having lived in Taiping Village for a long time, Hong Lang was suddenly struck by the bustling scene and felt as if he had been transported to another world.

He inquired about the location of the county government office and walked for about fifteen minutes until he arrived at a majestic building.

Two stone lions squatted at the entrance, looking majestic. Above the vermilion gate hung a plaque with the four large characters "Hengjiang County Government Office".

Two constables stood at the entrance, swords at their waists. Seeing Hong Lang leading his horse over, they immediately raised their hands to stop him: "What are you doing?"

Hong Lang took out Cao Jin's letter of introduction from his pocket and handed it over: "I have been recommended by someone to pay my respects to Registrar Song. Please inform him of my presence."

The constable took the letter, looked Hong Lang up and down, and seeing that he was burly, his attitude softened: "You wait here."

After saying that, he turned and went into the county government office.

Before long, the constable came out, followed by a servant. The servant bowed to Hong Lang and said, "Young Master Hong, please come with me. You can leave the horse to me."

Hong Lang handed over the reins and followed behind the servants, making several turns before finally stopping in front of a row of side rooms.

"You're Hong Lang?"