My lord, spare his life!

However, it really is a small amount of money.

With nothing to do, Zhang Yang's hands and feet couldn't stay still. Her desire to explore the map began to stir again, as if a cat lived in her heart, wanting to gently scratch her every now and then.

I can't help it; the more I try to stop thinking about it, the more intense it becomes.

Zhang Yang outwardly maintained a blank expression, but inwardly she was already quite agitated. Finally, she resolved not to torment herself. Considering the many things that would happen in the next two days and the many occasions requiring her attention, she didn't venture far, only staying within the vicinity of the prefectural government.

"...This really is a place where there are stories everywhere."

Countless fascinating gossips unfolded in the backyard of the prefectural government office, which Zhang Yang found fascinating. He then casually caught about ten mice that were hiding very carefully and hung them upside down by their tails on a tree.

Seeing that the soil in the yard was hard and somewhat clump-like, she decided to loosen it. She pulled out her shovel and dug down a perfect piece of ore. Zhang Yang dug up an entire game square, only stopping when she was drenched in sweat. She rested her hands on the shovel handle, catching her breath, and looked up to see a familiar green-named figure. The green-named figure was looking at her with a complex expression she couldn't describe.

"Where did you go?"

Isn't this the Wild Man Brother who disappeared for a while?

Wang Qi awkwardly avoided eye contact.

No matter how many times he watched it, he still found it quite magical to find minerals out of nowhere, but considering that the mountain spirit was a beloved creature of mountains, rivers, lakes and seas, it seemed normal.

As he dodged, he saw a tree infested with rats.

Wang Qi: "..."

He leaped from the roof, casually smashing the gruesome tree in the process. Splinters and blood exploded, leaving only a stump. Wang Qi: "I collected some things, a gift from the old man."

Zhang Yang narrowed his eyes.

"You have a secret relationship with Wang Ba? You're my hostage now, how can you still be flirting with him?"

"What, is your next step to kill me?" Wang Qi asked casually, feeling inexplicably that something was off about Zhang Yang's words, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Is this how you use the phrase 'exchanging glances'?"

Don't take advantage of him just because he's not well-educated.

Zhang Yang said, "That's roughly the idea. I wouldn't kill you, but I could use you as leverage if I tied you up."

Wang Qi: "The old man sent some books."

Wang Ba was gratified; his son had finally started school.

Zhang Yang stood there pondering for a long time: "Sent some books? The delivery address is Zongzheng County? Not Tianyue County?"

"Use star beasts to deliver messages; there's no need to provide a specific address. The old man doesn't know if I'm in Zongzheng or Tianyue." The mountain spirit didn't deliver the intense emotion he wanted, which Wang Qi found uninteresting.

"Star Beast? Zhang Da Miao?"

"It's not Gale, it's the Thunder I raised."

There was no rule that one could only tame one star beast, but Wang Qi didn't let the other one appear in front of Zhang Yang, for fear that it would be snatched away again.

"Who is Gale?"

"Zhang Da Miao".

Wang Qi could only utter the name he despised.

Zhang Yang pressed further, "Where is Thunder?"

You are a star beast, I will raise you, so do not worry.

Wang Qi: "..."

He became even more determined not to let the mountain spirit see the thunder.

"Then let me ask you another question. Where did you and Egg Bro catch these Star Beasts?" So far, Zhang Yang has only seen one wild Big Meow. Big Meow and Big Gu were adopted from Wild Man Bro and Egg Bro, which shows that Star Beasts are very rare.

"Ji... I subdued Da Miao, and Lei Ting was given to the old man by someone else, who then gave it to me as a birthday gift." Seeing that Zhang Yang seemed to want to get to the bottom of things, Wang Qi continued, "I heard that Lei Ting was born from that person's difficult childbirth."

Zhang Yang: "???"

Didn't Wildman Brother say that Thunder is a Star Beast?

Can humans give birth to star beasts?

"What's so strange about that? Star beasts have a very low probability of transforming into human form, and they can also have offspring with humans. When the old man was young, he traveled around everywhere. It is said that the leader of a force in Jiukan near the sea was born a mermaid. I don't know if he was a pure star beast or a half-beast." Wang Qi firmly believed that mountain spirits existed in this world and thought that Zhang Yang was a mountain spirit, and there was a reason for that.

"Jiukan? This place name sounds familiar."

"Didn't you call yourself Zhang from Jiukan? Have you forgotten your hometown?"

Wang Qi's words were somewhat sarcastic.

Claiming ancestral lineage is usually a way to elevate one's status and make one sound more prestigious. The old man had done it too, even sending lavish gifts to the branch of the Wang family he claimed to be related, trying to establish a connection. Prominent families are typically arrogant and look down on those of humble origins. When the old man was insulted and humiliated, instead of retaliating, he sent gifts during holidays. In Wang Qi's eyes, it was like turning the other cheek after being slapped—despicable.

The mountain spirit did not offer any gifts.

Wang Qi also did not believe that she was truly from the Zhang family of Jiukan.

However, even if it is an ancestor who was impersonated and doesn't even remember what his hometown was called, the mountain spirit's actions are far too perfunctory.

"Oh, so that's where it is." Her tone was flat, showing no embarrassment at being caught red-handed pretending to be someone's ancestor. Her topic always jumped around, and her next question was, "What are you studying for?"

Both Wang Qi and Guan Si had the habit of squatting on rooftops or standing on high places.

But Zhang Yang never saw him reading on the roof.

Wang Qi: "There are houses of gold in books."

He is no longer the same naive man he once was! He has self-studied and read through the primers, skimmed the Four Books, and is not very interested in various Confucian sayings. Currently, he is reading military strategy books that he finds somewhat interesting.

Zhang Yang was puzzled: "But I can still have a house of gold even if I don't study."

Do you need to study hard to get a golden house?

Wang Qi: "..."

Guan Zong's skills were quite good. Even though Zhang Dami and Zhang Damiao's fur was badly tangled from the hot scalding liquid, he still managed to clean them thoroughly with his vigorous and miraculous efforts. To mask the stench of the hot scalding liquid, he washed them again and again and even applied incense.

"Phew—I can wield a knife weighing dozens of kilograms for hours without even panting, but I almost couldn't catch my breath after giving you two a bath." Guan Zong patted Zhang Dami's head, started a fire, built a temporary stone wall, and let the two beasts dry off next to the stone wall.

Guan Zong, who had been exhausted for half a day—

"I really don't want to do this job anymore."

Guan Zong received payment for high-end racing-grade hair care products—

"It's not that there can't be a next time."

The prefectural government was brightly lit, with people coming and going, and occasionally a dozen or so Hundred Ghost Guards could be seen. Guan Zong stopped one of them and asked if there was any movement in Zongren Prefecture and Bodu Prefecture. The elite Hundred Ghost Guards replied, "Reporting to the general, the two prefectures have integrated their troops, totaling about ten thousand men."

Guan Zong was somewhat disgusted.

"So timid? How come you only have 10,000 men?"

The deployment of 10,000 troops for foreign wars is actually a lot for the two counties.

Guan Zong's plan was to take advantage of their forces being confined to the main battlefield so that he could lead his troops to launch a surprise attack on the two counties' home base.

Now, mobilizing 10,000 people from the two prefectures is not enough.

Guan Zong, thinking he would likely be summoned tonight, stayed at the prefectural government office awaiting news. Zhang Yang, having satisfied his exploratory desires that afternoon, was now cuddling two soft, fragrant star beasts, asking, "Will you two turn into humans too? Guan Zong, when do you think they'll become human?"

Guan Zong: "Become a human?"

Zhang Yang naturally replied, "A mermaid warlord once emerged from Jiukan."

Guan Zong: "I'm not too clear about the Nine Tribulations. However, I've heard that the transformation of star beasts into humans involves a great tribulation. It's a hurdle that usually only nine out of ten survive, and only those with top-tier talent and fortune can overcome it. I'm afraid the two beasts under your command will have a tough time."

But for star beasts, reaching adulthood is the biggest hurdle.

Humans and wild beasts are in competition, both vying for survival space in the world. Star beasts have much larger appetites than ordinary wild animals, and they are much less likely to reach adulthood, making them easy prey for prey when they are still weak. If they manage to survive, they are either raised in the military to fight for them, or used by certain merchants as tools to improve their bloodlines; the latter often have very short lifespans.

The best outcome would be to follow someone like Guan Siwang.

Limited strength means low combat frequency. With the help of their master, they can safely pass the adulthood stage. After adulthood, their survival rate will be much higher, and only then can they attempt other stages.

Now that he has switched allegiance to Zhang Yang, his coming of age and impending death are a foregone conclusion.

"A great calamity? What great calamity?"

"It should be something like a lightning tribulation?"

Zhang Yang thoughtfully took notes, then rubbed Zhang Dami's chubby head, saying, "Don't worry, Dami, I'm here for you."

If Da Mi and Da Miao turned into humans, there would be another woman...

Hmm, speaking of which, what's Big Meow's gender again?

When Fan You and the others arrived, Zhang Yang was holding onto Zhang Da Miao's hind leg with one hand. Da Miao was clinging to a pillar with its two front paws, howling pitifully. Only after Fan You and the others bowed did Zhang Yang release its grip, and Da Miao timidly hid behind the pillar.

"Why are you back?"

Xiao Sui ordered someone to bring over a box full of account books.

Everything else here didn't catch Xiao Sui's eye, but one ancestral asset particularly caught her attention: a horse ranch, though it wasn't located in the mountains. Zhang Yang listened for a while, then asked, puzzled, "If it's not in the mountains, how are we going to collect the debts?"

Guan Zong gasped in astonishment: "A horse farm? How big is it?"

He seemed more impressed by how much money these people had.

Xiao Sui explained, "I know this horse farm; it was originally the property of a prominent family. I checked the family genealogies of each clan and remembered that the previous head of the family only had one capable son. The rest of the children either married out or married into the family, with only a few remaining in the clan. One of the daughters was born to the first wife, and when she married, she brought with her a dowry of 11% of the annual profits from the horse farm. This dowry passed through two generations and somehow ended up here. It's a pity that it wasn't kept; I don't know why it's still here."

Even though the bonus is only 10%, it's still a considerable sum of money.

Guan Zongdao said, "They didn't take it back?"

Xiao Sui shook her head: "I don't know."

The affairs between powerful and wealthy families are always complicated, dramatic, and full of messy stories, and Xiao Sui didn't want to waste time on that. All she needed to know was that the warhorses at this horse farm were of high quality; they could use the 100% bonus to prioritize purchasing the warhorses they wanted.

"Warhorses? How good are they?"

Xiao Sui: "Their endurance is excellent. Horses from this ranch, whether for military or civilian use, are all expensive. I also raised a few at home. They all have a high level of half-beast blood, and can fight for hours without exhausting even when carrying a thousand pounds of weight."

The commander of the Imperial City was envious.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but lean forward to listen closely.

What military general doesn't love a fine horse?

Zhang Yang hadn't cared about the value of the warhorses; Fan You and the others had handled those matters. Most of the warhorses used by Tianyue were seized from the Eastern Bandits, essentially a risk-free transaction.

She asked casually. Then, belatedly, she realized that what seemed like a warhorse that even a military general would covet was equivalent to observing a supercar that someone couldn't afford—perhaps a spaceship?

Once Zhang Yang found the anchor point, he would understand.

No wonder Xiu Ying was so happy.

Who wouldn't be tempted by the 100% bonus for supercar/spaceship companies?

Warhorses have always been a resource controlled by local powers, since the breeding of warhorses is inseparable from horse farms, and horse farms cannot be taken away and run away. Other powers that want to buy them either need to be strong enough to seize them or have enough money to buy them directly.

The finest warhorses are not something you can just buy anywhere.

However, this confiscated property can become a stepping stone.

As Zhang Yang was deep in thought, Lü Yuan suddenly coughed twice, mentioning that her warhorse had been wounded on the battlefield, and even if it recovered, it could easily leave hidden dangers. If she had a sufficiently excellent and top-notch warhorse, she could be more focused on fighting.

Zhang Yang: "..."

At this moment, Zhang Yang remembered the title of Lü Yuan.

[The successor of Lü Wenhou]

In terms of being an adopted daughter and killing her adoptive father, Lü Yuan certainly fits the title, but while Lü Wenhou had the Red Hare, her adopted daughter didn't. Dong Zhuo gifted the Red Hare to Lü Wenhou, but Lü Yuan's adoptive mother didn't, which seems somewhat unworthy of the title.

Zhang Yang was lost in thought for a while, oblivious to everyone else.

Then, she looked at Lu Yuan earnestly and said, "My son, don't panic. I will definitely find you a warhorse even more magnificent than Red Hare!"

The expressions of everyone, including Lu Yuan, became strange.

Red Hare and that other person have always been a standard pairing, and coupled with Lü Yuan's act of killing his adoptive father, Zhang Yang's words seem somewhat subtle.

Is the Lord really not being sarcastic or mocking?

Seeing the maternal love in Zhang Yang's eyes, everyone fell silent.

Lu Yuan's mind raced, and she smiled and decided to play along: "Thank you, godmother. Then I'll wait for 'Red Hare'."

Zhang Yang nodded: "If there were, you would be the first person I think of."

Guan Zong looked anxiously and said, "My lord, I also need horses."

He can't just be thinking about his adopted sister.

Zhang Yang nodded again: "Yours too."

The tense and strange atmosphere suddenly lightened.

Other generals, such as the newly surrendered Zhe Meng, remained silent. Although they were tempted, they knew she was not worthy of him. Such warhorses were not something that could be obtained casually. The garrison commander of the Imperial Throne City, on the other hand, looked on with envy.

Zhang Yang asked a few more questions about the horse farm.

The others also looked at Xiao Sui.

Xiao Sui smiled and said, "I heard earlier that the horse farm mobilized a large number of people and successfully captured a strange wild horse that failed to survive the great calamity. Its whole body seemed to be surging with thunder. Speaking of which, this horse farm already has five bloodlines and is related to other horse farms by marriage."

Guan Zong and the others were even more fascinated by what they heard.

If we can't count on the second generation, maybe we can think about the third generation?

Lu Yuan suddenly interjected, "Actually, there is also a horse farm in the mountains, but it is small in scale and the quality of the warhorses is far inferior to those of the larger horse farms. However, it is enough to arm ourselves."

So, should we fight?

??(??へ??╬)

This world setting is indeed not as convenient as Tang Mei's Qi-transforming horse (just kidding).