Regarding the nightmare, Qingmu mentioned it in passing during the day.

Chen Tang didn't pay it much mind.

After all, everyone has nightmares, and it's best to just forget them.

Shortly after the New Year, news came from the state mansion that military conscription was being ordered in Changze County, prompting the county government's constables to visit each household for registration. After the Lantern Festival, they would be collectively sent to Pingzhou City for service and training.

Pingzhou City is the center of Wu'an County in Qian Country, where the state mansion is located.

Qian Country conscripts soldiers every year, but the scale this time is unprecedented.

For martial artists of Entry Level, Qian Country has a corresponding recruitment system.

Recruitment is not mandatory; as long as ninth grade martial artists are willing to join, they will be compensated accordingly.

Moreover, martial artists of Entry Level can immediately become squad leaders or other small leaders upon joining the military.

Chen Tang naturally fell within the scope of the conscription, but fortunately, Meng Liangyu was able to help delay it.

However, according to Meng Liangyu, this conscription covers all thirteen commanderies of Pingzhou, including over a hundred counties under its jurisdiction.

Even if he goes to Wu'an County, he can't escape the conscription.

Unless he successfully determines his grade in Wu'an County, he will have no choice.

Chen Tang is not interested in joining the military.

He has a significant vendetta that remains unavenged, and once enlisted, his freedom will be restricted, making it difficult to act.

Moreover, he has an untamed nature and is used to being free. He finds even matters of the Imperial Court bothersome, let alone joining the military.

What's more, now he has a small family to take care of.

However, the chubby old man sensed something unusual in this matter.

There are five days left until the Lantern Festival.

Chen Tang and his companions have decided to leave on this day to head for Wu'an County.

They rented a carriage from the carriage shop.

Having never driven a carriage before, his curiosity led him to ask the coachman a few questions, and he quickly learned how.

Because of this, he was unanimously chosen by the three others as the driver for this journey.

Chen Tang had thought he might at least get two votes.

But seeing Zhiwei, who looked conflicted and hesitant but ultimately raised her small hand, he sighed, "Zhiwei, you've fallen to the dark side..."

"I'm sorry, Brother Atang,"

Zhiwei quickly said, "Teach me, and I'll take over when you're tired."

Qingmu pulled Zhiwei aside, laughing, "Don't mind him like this; truth be told, he'd be reluctant to let you drive the carriage."

"Let's go!"

The three of them sat inside the carriage, munching on dried fruits and snacks, while Chen Tang drove the carriage to the official road exit of Changze County, waiting to journey to Wu'an County with the agreed-upon Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall carriage.

Not long after, the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall carriage arrived.

To be precise, it wasn't just a carriage; it was a convoy.

The Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall had only three carriages, and the remaining twenty or so were from prominent families in Changze County.

Their children usually practice martial arts at the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall.

Among these youngsters, only a few have the potential for Entry Level. The others are just going to Wu'an County to gain some experience and enjoy the Lantern Festival.

Some of these children's parents and family members took the opportunity to accompany them.

The Young Master of the Evil Wolf Gang, Gou Dai, was also part of this trip.

Though his cultivation was progressing well, he was injured a month ago and has been recuperating since. His injuries are not yet healed, preventing him from performing at his best.

Nonetheless, Gou Ying still arranged for him to try this time.

He didn't bring many followers this time, just ten people.

After all, they were traveling together with the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall, personally guarded by Hall Master Mei Nianzhi, so safety wasn't a concern.

Furthermore, the Evil Wolf Gang was about to negotiate with the Black Water Gang, and they were short on manpower.

At the forefront of the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall convoy was a poised middle-aged man on a high horse with a sheathed long sword at his waist, Hall Master Mei Nianzhi himself.

When Mei Nianzhi saw Chen Tang driving the carriage, he nodded slightly.

It seemed Mei Yingxue had informed him in advance.

The Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall took this trip very seriously. The hall itself had dozens of guards, and counting followers from other families, there were nearly a hundred people.

Mei Yingxue also stepped out of a carriage, first greeting Qingmu and Zhiwei inside, then turning to Chen Tang, "Just follow at the end of the convoy and don't fall behind."

At that moment, Gou Dai from the Evil Wolf Gang looked over, and upon seeing Chen Tang, his face noticeably changed.

Observing this, Mei Yingxue whispered, "Don't worry, with my father here, they won't dare cause trouble."

Chen Tang smiled without saying anything.

The convoy set off, with Mei Nianzhi and numerous guards at the front.

Although called an official road, it's not like in the past, the road conditions weren't great.

And with over twenty carriages traveling together, the speed wasn't fast, not much quicker than walking.

At night, the carriages and people had to rest, and by this schedule, the 200-plus-mile journey would take about three days.

During lunch and dinner, families from Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall gathered around the campfire, enjoying lively conversation.

Chen Tang didn't join in the festivities.

The people there were all from the prominent families of Changze County, looking down on others. Joining them would be seeking discomfort.

The first day passed peacefully and uneventfully.

On the second day at lunchtime, the convoy stopped by the roadside to rest.

Chen Tang got out of the carriage and walked toward a nearby forest, planning to gather some dry wood to start a fire, boil some water, and heat up some cooked meat.

On the other side,

two campfires had already been lit.

Many adults sat around, with Mei Nianzhi at the center.

"Why is Chen Tang following us?"

"Maybe he's also going to Wu'an County for his grade, after all, he's our famous Young Hero Tiger Subduing from Changze County!"

"Haha, now that you mention it, it's quite possible."

"As far as I know, Chen Tang is already a has-been. Being able to drive a carriage is already an achievement."

Their words carried a sharp edge.

Mei Nianzhi said, "This child is quite pitiable. Since he wants to go to Wu'an County, taking him along isn't an issue."

A corpulent man said, "Hall Master Mei is indeed kind-hearted, but I believe there's always a reason for one's misfortune."

"Exactly!"

A flamboyantly dressed woman sneered, "He deserves it because he brought it on himself, overestimating his abilities and meddling in others' affairs. Do you know what kind of people the Black Water Gang are? Even the government officials don't want to provoke them. He's just a country bumpkin who hasn't seen the world, looking for trouble."

"One shouldn't speak like that."

Mei Nianzhi frowned slightly, then changed the subject to another topic.

On another side, there was a group of young boys and girls around a campfire, playing and laughing.

"Brother Gou, Chen Tang has gone alone into that small forest."

A young boy approached quietly, "Should we go teach him a lesson? You got injured last time because of him!"

Gou Dai glared at Chen Tang, who had just entered the woods, his expression dark and brooding.

He still couldn't forget what happened a month ago.

At home, due to his father's presence, he didn't dare to make a move.

But now, leaving Changze County, he felt less constrained!

The only tricky part was dealing with Mei Nianzhi and his daughter.

Especially Mei Yingxue, who wouldn't let them handle Chen Tang casually.

"If only I could lure out the thugs and ruffians to bite him again."

Gou Dai thought darkly.

Gou Dai pondered, "We need a pretext, can't be too direct."

After a brief moment of thought, a young boy rolled his eyes, glanced toward Zhiwei not far away, smiled with delight, and whispered, "I've got it, Brother Gou!"

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