The mountains are long, the road is far, and the western wind blows sharp.
Through the woods, across the water, over wild plains.
Sweat-soaked warhorses never stop, heading west from the east. When they hit mountains, they cross them; when they reach rivers, they ford them—like a pair of scissors slicing across the Southern Song. If this were modern times, or if Jill Young had a different crew, she’d never dare swagger along like this. If surrounded and beset on all sides, even with three heads and six arms, she’d be doomed. But now? She can, and she’s nailing it.
The top brass of the Southern Song are furious—someone carved 'Flower Thief Jade Hawk Johnson was here to rob!' with a giant sword in the Qilin Vault. Royal dignity, trashed. The Martial Alliance instantly issued a statement and raised the bounty on Jade Hawk Johnson yet again. With official funding, the number on that wanted poster now shines brighter than gold, leaving the second place far behind.
Meanwhile, the Southern Song deployed the regular army and even appointed a general, going all out to hunt down Jade Hawk Johnson like a full-on military campaign. Now, whether you’re in the court or on the streets, Jade Hawk Johnson is public enemy number one.
Too bad, all they can do is eat dust.
The general they picked? Classic government efficiency—none. From picking the person to funding them to giving them authority, the court just bickers nonstop. No one wants this thankless job, so it’s all, 'You nominate me, I recommend him, he says he’s too young and useless—it’s all you.' Meanwhile, the emperor keeps flip-flopping, impossible to pin down.
And even if they finally appoint a general, the junior officers are a mess. Every faction’s got their people in the mix, and everyone’s got their own agenda. So while the troops look strong on paper, their actual fighting power and response time are way worse than the Qilin Vault’s guards. Even if the army sets out, the general immediately hits a huge snag—
Where’d the thieves go?
Yep, it’s not just the government— even the well-connected martial artists have the same problem. Everyone’s dreaming of cashing in or becoming a hero by taking down the big bad, so the whole martial world jumps into the 'Hawk Hunt.' But honestly? Nobody has a clue where Jade Hawk Johnson even is.
Today they say it’s in Jiangsu-Zhejiang, tomorrow in Henan, the day after in Shaanxi—truth and rumor all tangled up.
Honestly, they’re losing out because they just can’t keep up.
Warfare moves like wildfire—Jill Young’s elite squad pushes their speed and stamina to the max. Barreling through mountains and forests, they’re faster than the news about Hawk Johnson’s escapades, like jets outrunning missiles.
The sun rises behind them, sets before them.
Day one, they gallop past the gentle water towns of the south. Camp by Lake Poyang, pitch tents outside Jiujiang. So close to the Song’s heartland, but Jill Young isn’t running—she’s vacationing, even fishing in the lake. It’s crab season, and Lake Poyang’s hairy crabs are plump and delicious.
Can’t miss out on big crabs this time of year—come on, let’s fry, steam, and cook them up!
Day two, they ride through dense primeval forest. Blaze trails in the wilds, rest in the Shennongjia Wilds—legendary for strange tales and lurking danger. Jill Young ignores all taboos, rounds everyone up for a hunt. Sure enough, they bag plenty of fat game.
In the woods, you gotta eat wild game! Come on, let’s get that campfire going and roast it!
Day three, they ride through battle zones, heading from Song territory to Guanzhong. The Song court is still bickering over who’ll lead the army, but Jill Young’s crew is already out of their reach. Outside Xi’an, autumn’s in full swing—crisp air and golden leaves. Mongol troops are rumored to be nearby, but Jill Young isn’t worried. She’s rounding up everyone to go apple picking.
Shaanxi apples are the best this time of year—come on, let’s chow down before we cross the border!