The vast river winds brought moisture and warmth to Huainan, and tender green grass sprouted from the ground like spring water bubbling up from the depths of the earth.
Beneath the tree roots, small orange flowers bloomed first.
Dense moss spread along the narrow cave entrances, extending deeper and deeper.
A small snake, having slept through the winter, crawled stiffly out of its burrow.
The sound of flapping wings rapidly approached, and a hawk swooped down from above, its talons stretched like arrows through the branches.
It cast a long shadow and landed on the tree trunk, tearing open the snake's belly with its sharp beak.
Dark red blood dripped onto the small flowers below.
Suddenly, the pounding of hooves broke the tranquility, shaking loose the corpse of the snake.
Startled, the great hawk fled the woods in panic.
Leading the charge, Liang Qu rode with a group of riders, trampling the small yellow flowers into flying fragments as they galloped by.
Among the riders was Yang Dongxiong, clad in black iron armor, with a large straight blade hanging at his side.
Behind them, seven senior brothers followed in succession, all mounted on sturdy steeds, burying the fallen flowers beneath a cloud of dust.
After riding for about fifteen minutes, Liang Qu reined in his horse.