After witnessing the vast scale of Falling God Peak as a martial world power, and the complex web of relationships it maintained throughout the surrounding prefectures, however, Li Musheng had begun to gradually think through some more practical matters.
For instance, as far as he knew, the entire Falling God Peak sect occupied an enormous area and comprised nine main peaks in total, with close to ten thousand disciples and followers on the main peaks alone.
If he had to climb them one peak at a time by himself, was that not going to be rather exhausting?
"Does Commissioner Hu know what Commander Fu has planned? Or rather, what does Commissioner Hu himself have in mind going forward?"
Li Musheng asked with a thoughtful expression.
Hearing this, Hu Rui'an's eyes moved slightly, and after considering for a moment, he said, "In my view, it would be best to link up with Commander Fu first. We have not yet made contact with the Tianjin Guards forces that have arrived in Lan Province, which means we have no access to intelligence about Falling God Peak through their network of agents."
"Beyond that, in any military engagement, information is of the utmost importance. If we act rashly with no knowledge of the terrain or the situation, we are unfamiliar with this area, we have no precise targets, and things could easily go wrong in ways that work against us."
Li Musheng said nothing. His gaze passed through the carriage curtain to Hu Rui'an for a moment, and after a brief silence he said, "Leave me a map of Falling God Peak, Commissioner Hu, and then go and link up with Commander Fu."
At those words, Hu Rui'an's expression froze, and he immediately asked, "Your Highness is not coming with us?"
Hu Rui'an's gaze shifted, and he immediately bowed and said, "If Your Highness has no intention of meeting with Commander Fu, there is no need to go. But please allow me to remain at Your Highness's side."
Hearing this, Li Musheng shook his head again, saying, "That is not necessary either. The battles I fight are the hardest ones, and those opponents are not something you can handle."
That was what he said, but it was only a convenient excuse. What would be hard about dealing with Falling God Peak?
If there were genuinely anyone worth fighting among the martial world's forces, the four great sects would not still exist. Falling God Peak would be the only power standing.
The truth was simply that Hu Rui'an and the others following along would serve no real purpose and would only divide his attention.
That said, it was not even the most important consideration. If he truly had to go through nine mountain peaks one by one, Hu Rui'an and the others would never be able to keep pace with him.
Having heard Li Musheng's words, Hu Rui'an could find not a single point to argue against.
After all, with Li Musheng's strength, he had no use for them against ordinary enemies, and when it came to truly formidable opponents like the Nine Peak Masters, they would likely be incapable of even lending a hand.
At that point Li Musheng turned to look at Shen Anran and Murong Xiaoya before him, and said suddenly, "Miss Shen and Miss Murong will travel with Commissioner Hu's group for the time being. I have some things to attend to, and we will meet again once they are done."
At those words, both Shen Anran and Murong Xiaoya froze. Shen Anran's brow immediately furrowed, and she asked at once, "Why?"
She seemed to think of something and said in alarm, "Does Your Highness mean to go to Falling God Peak alone?"
Li Musheng did not deny it, and gave a slight nod.
Seeing this, the large black cat lying beside him opened its green eyes wide, its cat face full of bewilderment.
Li Musheng then gave Hu Rui'an much the same explanation he had just offered.
"Then with my current strength, would I not be of some use to Your Highness?"
Murong Xiaoya hesitated for a moment, then asked suddenly.
Li Musheng glanced at her and said, "That is not necessary. Miss Murong's strength is genuinely formidable, but this is Falling God Peak after all. It would still fall somewhat short."
"Beyond that, I would advise that unless you are left with no other choice, you avoid drawing on the Vermilion Bird Bone's power for the next few days. If you do, not only may you lose control of yourself, but you will also consume a great deal of your own life force."
Hearing this, Murong Xiaoya fell silent. Shen Anran said nothing either, being someone who knew her own abilities honestly.
Whatever Li Musheng was going to do, having her beside him would serve no purpose beyond being a burden.
A feeling of disappointment settled in Shen Anran's heart. This was a man she wanted very much to be close to, but the distance between them was simply too vast, and at times it left her caught in doubt and a quiet sense of inadequacy about herself.
"Shen Anran, do not give up. You still have a chance. No matter how many obstacles stand in the way, you have to keep at it. Otherwise how will you ever win His Highness over?"
Shen Anran drew a long, deep breath, then raised her head, and found Li Musheng scratching the large black cat beside him.
"Oh, and let this cat stay with you for the time being."
Li Musheng noticed Shen Anran's gaze and said it casually.
After all, he could hardly bring a cat along to destroy Falling God Peak.
Hearing this, Shen Anran narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at the large black cat, seeming not entirely pleased with the arrangement.
The large black cat let out a purring meow, then stood up, leaped over, and settled down beside Shen Anran.
Its manner made it entirely clear that it had understood Li Musheng's meaning, and it followed his words immediately and without the slightest hesitation, settling itself beside Shen Anran the moment he said so.
Seeing this, Li Musheng dusted the cat hair from his hands, then made to turn and step down from the carriage.
At that moment, Murong Xiaoya and Shen Anran spoke at almost exactly the same time, "Your Highness, you will come back from Falling God Peak alive, won't you?"
Li Musheng raised an eyebrow.
What kind of question was that?
He turned and looked at the two young women in the carriage, then said, "First, let me give a proper answer to a question Miss Murong asked before."
"What question?" Shen Anran asked instinctively, and Murong Xiaoya looked over with an equally puzzled expression.
The large black cat lying to one side rolled its eyes and pricked up its ears.
"Did Miss Murong not want to know whether I am truly the number one under heaven?"
Li Musheng said slowly, and then gave a nod, "Yes. And without any dispute."
"Of course, if anyone disputes it, they are welcome to come find me."
With that, Li Musheng turned directly and stepped down from the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Murong Xiaoya and Shen Anran exchanged a look. Shen Anran bit her lip softly and said, "I knew it. I always did like a confident man."
...
Hu Rui'an watched Li Musheng step down from the carriage, wrestled with himself for a moment, and ultimately decided he ought to say one more word.
But Li Musheng raised a hand to stop him directly, saying, "When you see Commander Fu, give him my regards."
With that, he took hold of Hu Rui'an's horse and walked forward, coming to a stop beside the hemp-robed elderly man.
He did not speak to the elderly man, however. Instead he simply reached up and lifted the little girl in pink off the mule and set her on the ground, saying, "I happen to be rather fond of mules. Let us trade."