Chapter 326

The next day, at dawn, the Great King didn't need Zhao Bao to call him; he got up

Going out for an autumn… winter trip, the mental state of getting up early for work is completely different!

The bear beside the bed also sat up; this guy glanced at the direction of the hall's window, then at the King, looking very wary.

The sky isn't even bright yet, and you're already up?!

Something's off!

When the King gets out of bed, it follows him closely, never leaving his side; it must keep an eye on him—don't let it run away!

Waiting for the King to appear at the assembly point, East Splendor Gate, an entourage naturally trailed behind him. The bear stuck close to his heels; Zhetian originally stood on the King's shoulder, but the King disliked it for being too big and in the way, so he drove it away; now Lord Zhetian stands on the bear's back.

Further behind was the leisurely Bai Ze; the King took two steps, turned, glanced at them, and sighed, 'Just these three, and we need two carriages!'

Further behind were Zhao Bao and Tong Chen, plus the attendants from Suiyu Hall, the little eunuchs. The King waved his hand, dismissed the attending palace staff, and headed to the military camp—what's the need for such a grand show?

After repeated streamlining, the troop leaving the gate was still mighty and imposing.

The King's troupe passed the Northern Border Academy, taking along all its students and lecturers.

Xie Yuan led all the teachers and students of the academy early that morning to greet the King's carriage at the mountain gate.

The King still had a team of four black wind horses, with mystic-armored cavalry surrounding the carriage front and back.

Chang Li stood in front of the carriage, while Ling Yin lingered by the window; though they wore no armor, each had a cold expression, equally unapproachable. No doubt about their presence—he increasingly felt the King wasn't just taking them on a simple study tour.

Xie Yuan led everyone from the academy in a salute; the King lifted the carriage curtain and, with great composure, invited Xie Yuan to join his carriage heading to Dragon Head.

His proper demeanor contrasted sharply with yesterday's roguish King, leaving Xie Yuan feeling dazed.

And among the academy's students, especially those in the King's class, a few were even more dazed than he.

Quite a few people in the academy knew the King's identity, and there were many in his class—such as the disciples Xie Yuan brought along—who were aware.

But they wouldn't voluntarily mention it to others!

When others were present in the academy, they, like Xie Yuan, addressed the King as 'Wei classmate'.

For example, Hutong Xue, the King himself once told him that he was a 'connection household'.

Little Hutong Xue merely thought he was Xie Yuan's connection household—which is already impressive, considering Xie Yuan is famous all over the world!

Now then?

He had also gone to see the King off when he went on campaign—not because it was too far, but because the King wore a veil, causing Little Hutong Xue to stare dumbstruck when he saw the King in person today!

Upon reflection, the King wasn't wrong—he wasn't just a connection household; he was the strongest connection household in the Northern Border.

His mind kept flashing back and forth, repeating the phrase: 'That guy who makes classmates do homework every day—the "strongest tyrant"—is the North! Border! King!'

Finally, a classmate behind him gave him a push, and he realized the King had called out; only then did he notice he was still kneeling on the ground.

Heavens, the Northern Border King is sitting in my front seat!!!

Although he skips class in half‑year increments, he's still a classmate!

Little Hutong Xue's face flushed with excitement; originally he had no interest in a study trip to Longtou County—being from Youzhou, who wouldn't know how poor Longtou County is? What's there to see? Now it's different—couldn't he be bursting with energy?

★

。

As for Xie Yuan at the front, upon hearing the King's invitation to share his carriage, he didn't even think and flatly refused.

Once aboard the King's carriage, he could already imagine what he would have to endure along the way.

Hearing this, the King felt great regret: 'Then, Sir, please take the fourth carriage.'

Xie Yuan bade farewell, assuming the second and third carriages held Northern Border officials; but as he withdrew, he saw that the second carriage was that familiar bear, which was now sticking its head out the window, intently staring at the King's carriage...

The bear feared the King would ditch it and run off, so upon boarding it tore off the carriage curtain and kept a constant watch on its unreliable master ahead.

As for the third carriage, no need to guess—just a patch of white, fluffy tail sticking out...

This again feels like an outing.

Being assigned to the fourth carriage—one has to say, the King still seems to value him quite a bit.

It seems… getting away won't be easy.

。

Xie Yuan stepped back; the Wei brothers, seeing Zhou Huang, inevitably exchanged greetings, which the sharp‑eyed King noticed.

He shouted to Tong Chen by the window: 'Go, summon Zhou Huang; I want to catch up with him.'

Upon hearing the King's summons, Zhou Huang, amidst the envious gazes of his classmates, followed Tong Chen and almost tripped over his own feet.

It wasn't that he was timid—the Northern Border Academy's designated carriage was the King's logistics vehicle for transporting supplies, and they were behind a contingent of mystic-armored cavalry escorting the King.

That cavalry's aura was astonishing, fully unleashing the might of the Northern Border's new king's personal guard, which had unified martial power.

Whoever passes through this squad of cold‑faced killing machines would surely have trembling legs, right?

Zhou Huang could swear that, being stared at by all of them at once, he instantly broke out in gooseflesh! Thinking that these people have likely killed more than he has ever seen, he felt it was only natural.

They are no longer the King's personal guards he once brought from Chang'an; compared to them, those could be counted as ceremonial troops.

Now those who can accompany the King on campaign are either the Yao cavalry or the elite of the Xuanjia cavalry—all ruthless fighters who have slaughtered countless on the battlefield! Just do the math: how many Xianbei and Xiongnu have they killed altogether?

Zhou Huang felt that merely marching through that cavalry without his legs shaking enough to impede his steps was already impressive—truly!

Having passed the second carriage and seen a fuzzy head poking out the window, confirming the bear wasn't in the same vehicle as the King, he relaxed and clambered onto the King's carriage.