Xie Xun didn't have time to question the guards about why they allowed passage for a group that clearly included women, nor to ask about the transit documents. Once inside the city, Lian City had six gates in total. Without hesitation, Xie Xun headed toward the North Gate in pursuit. By the time he arrived, the gates were just about to close. Xie Xun stopped the gate guards to inquire about people leaving the city.
The Beiman group, over ten tall and sturdy individuals, all on fast horses and highly conspicuous, had indeed left through the North Gate. Xie Xun handed Zhuifeng over to the gate guards, instructing them to tend to the horse carefully, then borrowed another fast horse to continue the chase beyond the gate.
Zhuifeng was a thousand-li horse, with unmatched endurance and speed. However, in the forest, it had been injured by thorns. Sensing his horse's pain, Xie Xun paused halfway to remove the thorns.
