With everything in Nankou Pass settled, order was restored under his command. he returned to the inn to pick up Ming Mei, her maidservants, and the rest of his men who had been waiting there.
After that, Xiang Long Wei, Mei Liang, the other concubines, the captured bandits, and his remaining men left Nankou Pass and began their march toward the northwest border. A month passed swiftly, and by then autumn had already settled over the plains.
The winds carried a sharp chill as they reached Gansu Province, their destination looming ahead—Ganzhou City, the key frontier stronghold guarding the northwest. At the emperor's command, the carriage drivers urged their horses faster, speeding the convoy along the rugged road. Two hours later, the border of Ganzhou City came into view.
