Reborn as Lin Pingzhi, starting from escorting Daiyu to the capital.

"Young Master Escort, see what treasure Master Ke gave you!"

"Could it be a martial arts manual?"

"That's not necessarily true. Although Master Ke is chivalrous, his martial arts skills... well..."

Under the curious gazes of everyone, Lin Pingzhi slowly opened the booklet given to him by Ke Zhen'e.

"The Book of Horse Judging?"

Lin Pingzhi was slightly taken aback, never expecting that Ke Zhen'e would give him a book about judging and raising horses.

"How could Master Ke have such a book?"

Everyone couldn't help but ask questions out of curiosity.

Logically speaking, given Master Ke's current condition, he wouldn't need to use his horse-judging skills anymore.

Recalling Ke Zhen'e's parting words, Lin Pingzhi spoke:

"This is a book written by Han Baoju, one of the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan."

It turned out that Ke Zhen'e was very fond of Xiao Xuelong because of his extraordinary performance and great achievements.

He suddenly remembered his third brother, Han Baoju.

Han Baoju, nicknamed "Horse King God," was unparalleled in his horsemanship and horse judging skills. Unfortunately, he was later harmed by Yang Kang, and even his prized horse suffered a tragic fate.

Ke Zhen'e was unwilling for such a fine horse as Xiao Xuelong to be buried, and he hoped that Han Baoju's lifelong hard work and knowledge could be passed down.

That's why this booklet was given to Lin Pingzhi.

Bai Er couldn't help but sigh, "The fact that Master Ke still treasures this book shows how deep their brotherly bond is."

-----------------

The group continued their journey north.

Lin Ping would occasionally take out that booklet and study it carefully.

The text not only details how to judge the quality of a horse by observing its physical characteristics, but also describes various methods for raising and training horses.

"Although this booklet is thin, it truly embodies Han Baoju's hard work."

"This person is truly a genius, but unfortunately, fate has played a cruel trick on him."

Lin Pingzhi closed the booklet, his heart filled with countless emotions.

In this world, there are many talented people, and it is not only those with superb martial arts skills who can be considered geniuses.

[I'd like to spend one thousand taels to improve my horsemanship, thank you.]

As soon as he finished speaking, the silver tael numbers on the panel began to jump around like rapidly rolling wheels.

At the same time, lines of notification messages flashed rapidly across the panel:

[You diligently studied the "Treatise on Judging Horses," spending one hundred taels of silver, and your understanding of horse judging has significantly improved.]

You observed horses in the East Market and spent one hundred taels to buy a horse that looked thin and weak. Later, you discovered that it was actually a rare and excellent horse, and your horse-judging skills improved as a result.

Your equestrian skills have successfully reached the beginner level.

You took meticulous care of the horses, providing them with the finest feed, spending three hundred taels of silver. The horses gradually grew tall, strong, and fat, and your horse-raising skills improved accordingly.

You consistently ride horses daily, spending two hundred taels of silver. Your bond with your horse grows stronger each day, and your horsemanship improves.

Your equestrian skills have improved to the level of minor mastery.

[You successfully killed Yun Zhonghe. Mu Wanqing admires your character and exchanges equestrian tips with you, giving you a deeper understanding of equestrianism.]

You spent 300 taels to buy props and practiced horsemanship continuously, raising your horsemanship level to Master.

[Your silver has been exhausted; this upgrade is now complete.]

We've finally achieved some success!

Lin Pingzhi glanced at the white horse beneath him, leaned down, and whispered something.

"Does the young镖头 (bodyguard/escort) know how to speak horse language?"

Chief镖师 Shi joked with a smile.

Unexpectedly!

As if it could truly understand Lin Pingzhi's words, the little snow dragon rolled on its white hooves and ran off joyfully.

"Young Master Escort, wait for us!"

Upon seeing this, Chief Escort Shi and his men immediately shouted loudly.

As they continued running, Lin Pingzhi became increasingly adept at controlling the little snow dragon.

The man and the horse are getting more and more in sync.

Riding a horse was no longer as difficult for him as before; as long as he expressed his intentions slightly, Xiao Xuelong would understand him.

I've never felt so exhilarated while horseback riding.

Your equestrian skills are quite impressive!

Unbeknownst to him, Lin Pingzhi had already distanced himself from Lin Daiyu and the others.

Lin Pingzhi decided to stop and wait for them.

"Whoa!"

As if it understood human nature, the little snow dragon slowly stopped upon hearing Lin Pingzhi's command.

Lin Pingzhi happily stroked the back of Xiao Xuelong's head, and Xiao Xuelong turned his head affectionately, seemingly enjoying it very much.

Lin Pingzhi took a moment to check his own condition.

Name: Lin Pingzhi

Martial Arts: Evil-Repelling Sword Technique (Cut-down Version) (Perfected), Heaven-Turning Palm (Mastered), Evil-Repelling Sword Technique (Complete Version) (Not Yet Beginner), Three-Layer Cloud Reversal (Minor Mastery), Frosty True Qi (Mastered), Flaming Blade (Proficient), Flower-Picking Finger (Not Yet Beginner)

[Skills: Disguise (Master), Medicine (Master), Horsemanship (Master)]

[Silver: 8,012 taels]

On that day in Yangzhou, Lin Pingzhi ransacked He Siyuan's home, and the Imperial Guards gave him five thousand taels of silver.

Later, after he became the leader of the Chang Le Gang, he obtained another four thousand taels of silver from the gang.

To express his gratitude, Lin Ruhai also gave him one thousand taels of silver.

Therefore, even though he spent a lot of money recently, he is still not short of money.

After thinking it over, Lin Pingzhi decided to improve his internal strength first.

After all, internal strength is the foundation of all martial arts. Improving one's internal strength greatly helps in learning other martial arts techniques.

[It cost 5,000 taels to upgrade my Frost True Qi, thank you.]

As soon as he finished speaking, the silver tael numbers on the panel started jumping rapidly again.

At the same time, lines of notification messages flashed across the panel:

You spent 300 taels of silver to purchase elixirs, further enhancing your internal strength.

[You spent two thousand taels to infiltrate the Ancient Tomb Sect, exchanged martial arts insights with Little Dragon Girl, and gained a deeper understanding of the Frost True Qi.]

You spent five hundred taels to borrow the Jade Bed to cultivate your Frost True Qi.

You spent two thousand taels of silver to exchange martial arts techniques with Zuo Lengchan, only to discover that his understanding of the Frost Qi was even inferior to yours.

[You spent two hundred taels to refine the Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pill. After taking it, your internal strength was significantly enhanced.]

[Your silver has been exhausted; this upgrade is now complete.]

"Five thousand taels isn't enough?"

Lin Pingzhi frowned deeply.

He discovered that although the true icy energy within his body had been further enhanced, he still felt that something was missing from the perfect state.

"With my current skill level, I'm afraid I can only get guidance from an expert like Brother Qiao."

"However, experts of this caliber are extremely rare; I wonder how much silver it would cost to hire one."

Just as I was pondering this, I faintly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

The sound of hooves came so fast; we had only just heard the sound when they were already close by.

Lin Pingzhi looked up and saw two horses galloping side by side.

The horse was entirely black from head to tail, but its hooves were as white as snow.

The other horse had hooves as black as ink, but its body was as white as snow.

"What a magnificent dark cloud covering the snow!"

"What a magnificent black-hoofed jade rabbit!"

Lin Pingzhi couldn't help but exclaim in praise.

He had just finished reading Han Baoju's "The Art of Judging Horses" and had a thorough understanding of the characteristics of different horse breeds.

Both of these horses are famous horses mentioned in horse racing guides; I never expected to encounter two of them at once.

"hiss!"

When Little Snow Dragon saw its master praising the other horses, it couldn't help but neigh softly, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied.

Lin Pingzhi quickly comforted him:

"These two horses are fine, but they can't compare to you."

The white horse then raised its head in satisfaction, looking defiantly at the two horses.

"This gentleman has a good eye. May I ask your name?"

A male voice came from inside.

Lin Pingzhi then noticed the two men on horseback.

The white horse was ridden by a woman in white, with a bright red flower in her hair and a scarlet ribbon tied around her waist, from which hung a long sword in a white sheath. She looked heroic and dashing.

The passenger in the black horse was a middle-aged man dressed in black, with a long sword with a black scabbard at his waist, giving him a calm and reserved demeanor.

"I am Lin Pingzhi from the Fuwei Escort Agency. I couldn't help but praise the fine horse I just saw. Excuse me for disturbing you. May I ask how you two gentlemen are addressed?"

Upon hearing Lin Pingzhi's name, the passenger on the dark horse was overjoyed and exclaimed:

"So it's Lin Pingzhi, the young hero who killed Tian Boguang. I am Shi Qing from Xuan Su Manor in Jiangnan, and this is my wife, Min Rou."