Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were nowhere to be seen all day, and they only appeared after it was completely dark, taking advantage of the moonlight to busy themselves on the mountain.
Yan Ge bought more than twenty iron bars from the system store, each several hundred meters long and as thick as an adult’s arm. These bars were enough to connect the nearest mountain in Rong County to the one closest to the official road. Between each pair of mountains, there were two iron bars: one sloping downward and the other sloping upward, both firmly anchored into the hard rocks to ensure safety. Even if these thick iron bars suffered significant wear and tear, they could still be used for at least ten or eight years.
When morning came, if anyone asked where these iron bars came from, they would say they were obtained by hurrying to Rong City on fast horses. After all, no one had witnessed the process, so they could say whatever they pleased. This kind of project was not something an ordinary person could accomplish. Fortunately, both Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen had their cultivation, allowing them to easily leap to great heights. Likewise, although Yan Jin was young, his cultivation was not weak, and he could be of great help.
After everything was done, Yan Ge hung curved iron bars on the cable and made a hook on the other end. Then, they attached a bamboo-woven basket that could carry a person. Worried about the basket’s sturdiness, Yan Ge reinforced it with iron wires as thick as his finger. Near the rocks, there was a tree from which they cut a branch that could hold the basket when it was not in use.
Yan Jin held the basket and lifted his chubby legs to climb inside. “Papa, let me try first.”
Yan Ge chuckled. “Alright, you go ahead and try.”
Yan Jin sat cross-legged in the basket, gripping the handles tightly.
“Sit tight.” Yan Ge loosened his grip, and the basket swiftly slid along the iron cable, quickly disappearing into the darkness. Only Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen could hear Yan Jin’s laughter gradually fading away.
“So much fun…”
After a while, Yan Jin slid back in the basket from the opposite side.
“It’s so much fun.”
“Zirui, come with us. These baskets can accommodate two people at most. Let’s see if they’re sturdy enough.” Yan Ge pulled Huangfu Yuchen over.
Huangfu Yuchen hesitated. It felt strange for a majestic emperor to sit in a basket.
Yan Ge smiled widely and forcefully pulled him along.
Huangfu Yuchen followed him reluctantly and stepped into the basket.
The two of them entered the basket, their legs touching, and with a “swoosh,” the basket slid away.
“Woo!”
Yan Jin squatted on the ground, supporting his chin with his chubby hand, pitifully looking left and right. “I’m just a child, how can you leave me alone without worrying about wolves.”
The wind blew heavily in their ears and Yan Ge burst into laughter. “So cool! I never expected to experience a roller coaster ride in this era. Zirui, isn’t it pleasant to feel the wind on your face?”
Huangfu Yuchen turned his head to look at him, his eyes filled with doting and tenderness that made Yan Ge’s cheeks heat up. He leaned closer and looked at Huangfu Yuchen with a smile on his lips.
“Baby, have I ever told you that I love you?” Huangfu Yuchen pressed his forehead against Yan Ge’s.
Yan Ge lifted the corners of his mouth and shook his head. “No.”
Huangfu Yuchen took Yan Ge’s hand and pressed it against his heart, kissing him deeply.
Yan Ge was immersed in ecstasy, feeling as if a long time had passed, yet also as if it hadn’t been long at all. The cable car jolted, paused for a moment in mid-air, and then came to a stop.
The ride was over.
The two of them exchanged smiles and boarded another basket on a different cable, swiftly returning to their previous position.
Yan Jin loved to play and went back and forth twice before the three of them descended the mountain.
The next day, after Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen packed their belongings, they took Magistrate Gong to visit the mountain cable car. A large group of people followed behind them. Xiao Shan, Xiao Hu, and Niu Zi were among them. Their bodies were still weak, and they were supported by others as they walked.
Grandpa Gong remained absent, perhaps still resisting the cable car or feeling too shy to show up.
Upon reaching the mountain, everyone was amazed to see the cable car.
Yan Ge explained to Gong Chushan the purpose of the cable car and some precautions, as well as briefly mentioning a few methods for developing Rong County.
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Magistrate Gong, we have solved the transportation issue for you. The rest is up to you.”
Gong Chushan felt that Huangfu Yuchen’s tone was not that of an ordinary businessman speaking to a county magistrate, but he still nodded solemnly and said, “Thank you once again.”
“Let’s part ways here,” Yan Ge said, carrying Yan Jin and swiftly flying onto a cable car. “Zirui, let’s race and see who can get out first. The loser will be punished!”
“Farewell,” Huangfu Yuchen bid farewell to Gong Chushan, clasped his hands, and leaped onto his horse. He wore a white robe that fluttered in the wind, and held onto the reins of Yan Ge’s horse.
“Ride—”
This scene remained in the hearts of many people in Rong County. Even after many years, when Rong County developed into a bustling city, they still remembered those three extraordinary guests.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen had an exhilarating time riding the mountain cable car. After a few transfers, they reached the outskirts of the official road in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
They sat under a tree, resting and scanning the mountain path, but there was no sign of Huangfu Yuchen.
“Little Jian, tell me, what should we make your father do as a punishment when he comes out?” Yan Ge asked.
Yan Jin thought for a moment. “Let’s make him run two miles! I’ve never seen my father run before. He always walks at a leisurely pace, even when there’s an urgent matter, he just uses light footwork. It would be amusing to see him run. Hehehe…”
Yan Ge laughed as well. “Alright, let’s make him run.”
“Since we still have to wait for a long time, let’s play chess,” Yan Jin suggested.
Yan Ge sighed inwardly. Little Jian, you are too critical of your father. Even if he’s slow, he doesn’t need you to play chess while waiting for him, right?
Although he had this thought, he still took out the chessboard, and the two of them leisurely played chess under the shade of the tree. Two amateur players playing chess were even more pitiful to watch than two experts. The chessboard was filled with pieces, and they couldn’t determine the winner.
“Da da da…”
The chaotic sound of hooves gradually approached, catching Yan Ge’s attention.
“It seems like a sizable cavalry. Let’s move aside,” he said.
Over a hundred soldiers tightly escorted five large carriages that came into their view. Yellow papers were pasted on the carriage compartments, bearing the word “military.” The tall banners displayed the grand character “soldier.”
Leading the way on a tall horse was General Wei Hao, a robust figure with a stern face. His sharp eyes swept the surroundings from time to time. He was following the orders of the Minister of War to transport a batch of military supplies to the southwestern border camp. These supplies were of great importance and involved the secrets of the Great Han Kingdom. There was no room for any mishaps along the way.
Seeing two people sitting by the roadside from a distance, Wei Hao raised his hand to his deputy.
The deputy shouted loudly, “Imperial military supplies, please make way. If there is anything suspicious, kill them on the spot!”
They are our people. Yan Ge and Yan Jin had no objections as they retreated even farther.
The convoy raced by, leaving behind a cloud of swirling dust.
“Bah, bah…” Yan Jin spat out the dust in his mouth. “Papa, what are they transporting?”
“I don’t know,” Yan Ge said. “Let’s ask your father later.”
The two sat down and continued playing chess. After a while, they faintly smelled the scent of blood carried by the wind. Yan Ge’s expression changed, and he stood up abruptly, activating his spiritual awareness. He faintly heard the sound of swords clashing in the distance. “Could something have happened to the soldiers we encountered earlier? Little Jin, let’s go and take a look!”
The two swiftly dashed towards the distance, and the sound of blades grew louder. A group of masked individuals in black clashed with the soldiers, and their goal was clearly the contents of the carriages. The black-clad individuals displayed martial skills, resembling those from the martial world. Although the soldiers numbered over a hundred, their combat skills couldn’t match theirs, clearly putting them at a disadvantage. Several soldiers had already fallen to the ground.
Yan Ge gestured for Yan Jin to stay in place, then spread his arms and gracefully descended like a white crane, drawing his sword and joining the battle. In just a moment, he forced back all the black-clad individuals attempting to approach the carriage.
Wei Hao, seeing him assisting his own men, breathed a sigh of relief. He intensified his sword techniques and also repelled several black-clad individuals.
“Damn it, we were so close. Where did this kid come from?” one of the black-clad individuals growled impatiently.
Ignoring the remark, Yan Ge continued to attack the black-clad individuals. “General, it would be best to capture one of them alive for interrogation. These people seem to be from the martial world, and their act of robbery does not seem simple.”
Wei Hao nodded and said, “Okay!”
Meanwhile, Huangfu Yuchen, who had been tricked by his wife and son, sprinted out of the mountain with all his might. He expected his wife to be waiting for him with delicious food and drinks at the mountain pass, but he couldn’t spot a single soul.
“Wife?”
No response. Huangfu Yuchen realized that something must have gone wrong. He released his spiritual awareness and quickly discovered the ongoing battle ahead. He continued galloping on his horse.
Upon arriving at the scene, Huangfu Yuchen saw that one side of the conflict was actually imperial soldiers. His face darkened, and he swiftly moved, using his sword to skillfully kill three black-clad men.
“Zirui, you’re here?”
“Yes,” Huangfu Yuchen replied. “Leave one of them alive.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s ruthless methods clearly intimidated the group of black-clad individuals, and realizing they had encountered formidable opponents, they turned and fled.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen chased closely behind. Yan Ge severely injured his opponents, while Huangfu Yuchen, aware of his inability to take lives, killed all his adversaries. If there was a need for questioning, they could interrogate the severely injured individuals from Yan Ge’s side.
However, Wei Hao remained cautious. Both Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen displayed such formidable skills, and if they had ill intentions, it would be like inviting a wolf into the house.
Yan Jin ran over with a skip in his step, smiled at Wei Hao, and extended his arms, as if asking to be carried.
Wei Hao, concerned that the black-clad individuals might harm Yan Jin, quickly lifted him up. He then killed two more of the attackers.
Soon, all the black-clad individuals either lay dead or wounded, unable to escape.
To avoid suspicion, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen carried Yan Jin and led their horses to a more distant location.
It was only then that Wei Hao interrogated one of the black-clad individuals. “Since all of you are citizens of the Great Han, why did you target the military supplies of the court? Do you know that robbing military supplies is considered treason?”
“General, spare our lives, we were just trying to make a living. A foreigner promised us a large sum of money, and we were tempted for a moment… General, spare us, we are patriotic too…”
Yan Ge twitched his mouth and quietly asked Huangfu Yuchen, “What were they transporting?”
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “Bicycles. The southwestern border has many mountains and forests, and there are many places where horses and carriages are unsuitable. Bicycles are perfect for such terrain.”
Yan Ge scratched his head. “Now that I think about it, it was a mistake to publicly reveal the existence of bicycles at the banquet.”
