Chapter 126: An Insoluble Mystery

Although it has not been long since the incident where Emei intercepted the horses, the events Zhang Chi has encountered since he traveled through time have been far more complex and numerous than everything he experienced in the many years prior to his arrival.

Before his transmigration, he was merely a student; having graduated not long before, what kind of conspiracies or schemes could he have possibly faced? Yet, ever since he arrived, the events of these past days have often left Zhang Chi—a man accustomed to modern society—feeling as though he were being battered by wave after wave of turbulent storms, each one crashing down before the last could even subside.

Because so much has happened, Zhang Chi often mistakenly believes a long time has passed since he arrived. Upon closer calculation, however, it has only been a little over two months. This goes to show just how dense and compact these events have been. It is truly a tumultuous era of great unrest.

He recalls that shortly after his arrival, while in Huainan, the roads were treacherous. He joined the Dachang merchant caravan, which was transporting horses for the Wang family, alongside the two monks, Daoxuan and Daoyuan. He remembers that the caravan was transporting over three thousand warhorses to Jiankang when they were ambushed by robbers. Zhang Chi had been in grave danger back then, and it was Emei who descended from the heavens to save his life, using a brilliant strategy to seize the horses. Who would have thought that those very warhorses would be put to use here today?

Emei once told him that they would surely meet again. Zhang Chi’s mind drifted to the rumors surrounding him being the "Heavenly Secret"—rumors that originated from the Daoist sects. Later, when he reached Kuaiji, the young lady Ruoshui, being the daughter of Du Zigong, also knew of his status as the "Heavenly Secret." The "Cold Gate" is also a branch of the Daoist tradition, and having been aided by them repeatedly, he wonders if there is a connection there as well. Furthermore, when Emei departed, she said they would meet again; did she already know back then that these horses would be used for today?

Zhang Chi pondered deeply. When he first arrived, he had no enemies in this era. Why was someone so determined to take his life during that horse robbery? Why did Emei save him? When he once asked her why she had done so, she replied that once he understood why those people wanted him dead, he would naturally understand why she had saved him. If that were not strange enough, why did she gift him "White Snow" after the rescue? White Snow was a magnificent steed, and through the subsequent series of upheavals, he had escaped danger countless times thanks to the horse. Without White Snow, he might have died long ago.

After he arrived in Jiankang, the prophecy spread: "The Heavenly Secret appears, the world rebels; the master of the Cold Gate, a white horse and a green robe." It was this very prophecy that triggered countless subsequent events. Being called the "Heavenly Secret" and receiving a white horse from Emei of the "Cold Gate" aligned perfectly with the prophecy. Could there be a connection? And his rise to being known as the "Heavenly Secret" was undoubtedly aided by Miss Wang. Why did she know he was the "Heavenly Secret" from the very beginning?

Since Miss Wang claimed he was the "Heavenly Secret," she must have known that Shu was the stronghold of the Cold Gate. Did she know all along that he would become deeply involved with them? Otherwise, why would she arrange for him to come to Shu before she died? She had said that the world would soon face great chaos, and that she was gifting Shu to Young Master Zhang as a place for a hero to build his legacy. How does this relate to the prophecy of the white horse and the green robe?

The more Zhang Chi thought, the more startled he became. It seemed the various Daoist sects were far from simple; there were profound mysteries hidden within them. Before his transmigration, Zhang Chi had been naive, but having seen the guile of powerful ministers and experienced many setbacks—coupled with the constant guidance of his brilliant cousin—he was no longer the man he once was. Whether on the battlefield or in daily life, he now pondered matters with greater depth. Of course, he kept these mysteries to himself, never revealing them to Emei.

Having horses did not immediately mean having cavalry, as the riders required extensive training to coordinate effectively with their steeds. Emei had foreseen this, and since intercepting the horses and bringing them into Shu, she had begun the necessary training. Along with the three thousand warhorses, she had sent three thousand brave warriors—all members of the Cold Gate, each possessing some martial skill.

Though three thousand cavalrymen were not a massive force, it was excellent news for Qin Bo and Ding Yizhi. Qin Bo was an experienced commander, and Ding Yizhi was well-versed in military strategy; both knew that while the cavalry was small, having an additional branch of the military would allow them to conduct the upcoming battle with much greater finesse.

With the cavalry secured, the army broke camp and marched back to rescue Chengdu. As Zhang Chi mobilized the troops, the commanders from the various commanderies of Shu lowered their heads in silence, each harboring their own ulterior motives, clearly unwilling to commit their full strength. Only Zhao Qian, eager to distinguish himself, requested to lead the vanguard. Zhang Chi could see that although Zhao Qian possessed some of the corrupt habits of the Shu bureaucracy and was ambitious for promotion, he still possessed a fiery, patriotic spirit when faced with the nation's crisis—a true heir to a lineage of famous generals.

Not only Zhao Qian, but San Tong was also eager to prove himself, volunteering: "Brother Zhang, I may not have other talents, but having grown up on the borders of Qin and Jin, I am well-versed in the nature of horses. Why not let me manage these three thousand mounts?"

Zhang Chi had previously mentioned finding an opportunity for San Tong to lead troops. With the three thousand iron cavalry from the "Cold Gate," which required different tactics than infantry, and with San Tong being the only one near him who truly understood horses, he was the ideal candidate. Although San Tong lacked experience in leading troops, he had followed Zhang Chi through thick and thin to Shu and was his most trusted companion. It was time for him to be tested.

Zhang Chi nodded, saying, "You shall lead them, but as this is your first command, do not be headstrong." San Tong was overjoyed, promising to be twice as cautious. Seeing that San Tong was still somewhat impulsive and prone to seeking glory, Zhang Chi realized he would need an assistant for him. His eyes lit up—Han Xiang would be the perfect choice. San Tong might not listen to others, but he would certainly listen to her.

Since the local commanders could not be trusted with major responsibilities, Zhang Chi ordered Zhao Qian, Han Xiang, and San Tong to lead their respective forces as the vanguard. He warned San Tong to be cautious and to consult frequently with Commander Zhao and Han Xiang, as the former was the descendant of a famous general and would have valuable insights. San Tong agreed with great enthusiasm. The vanguard moved out, with Zhang Chi leading the main army closely behind, rushing through the mountain ranges to return to Chengdu.