Encounter

Chapter 29: Encounter (Seeking Recommendation Votes~)

[Mission Complete, congratulations to the host for obtaining one beginner's lucky draw opportunity.]

Shi Lan had been jolted on horseback for two days before finally hearing the System's prompt. After some thought, Shi Lan didn't use the lucky draw opportunity immediately, but saved it for a rainy day.

The Ziwei Seven Star Halberd had long passed its temporary storage period, so Shi Lan had no choice but to wrap the long case in cloth and carry it on her back.

Fortunately, the horse purchased at the inn was a fine steed. Even with the extra three hundred pounds on its back, it only slowed down its travel speed and could still gallop.

As dusk fell, Shi Lan surveyed her surroundings. There were no villages or towns in sight, only wilderness as far as the eye could see.

After a day of galloping, the horse beneath her was already exhausted, panting heavily and in urgent need of rest.

Shi Lan dismounted, carrying the long case and leading the horse, she walked slowly forward, searching for a place to stay for the night.

Finally, just as it was getting dark, Shi Lan found a somewhat dilapidated temple by the roadside.

For some reason, as they approached the temple, the horse became very uneasy, snorting incessantly.

Shi Lan managed to calm it down, fed it some fodder and water, and tied it up before entering the ruined temple.

A thin layer of dust covered the ground, and there were several clear remnants of bonfires, suggesting that many travelers had stayed there before.

Shi Lan built a fire, stretched her limbs, and sat down against a wooden pillar.

Not long after she sat down, a series of rapid hoofbeats and the sound of rolling wheels echoed from outside the temple, followed by a clamor of voices.

Gradually, it quieted down outside, and a string of footsteps approached the temple.

The first to enter the ruined temple was a burly middle-aged man, carrying a broad saber in a cloth sheath on his back.

The burly man paused slightly upon seeing Shi Lan leaning against the wooden pillar. He glanced at the long case beside Shi Lan, nodded, and greeted her.

Following behind the burly man came a group of strong men dressed in short, fitted jackets. Judging by their demeanor and aura, they were clearly martial artists.

Amidst this group of martial artists were two young people, a man and a woman, being protected.

"What a dump," the woman said, lightly covering her nose and mouth, a hint of impatience appearing on her brow.

"We're fleeing for our lives, not traveling for pleasure. We'll have to make do," the man beside her said in a low voice and began directing the martial artists to clean the dust from the temple.

After a rough cleaning of the temple and starting a bonfire, these martial artists left the temple and began to build fires and cook outside, leaving only the man, the woman, and the burly leader inside the temple.

Shi Lan watched silently, chewing on the dry rations in her hand.

A moment later, the martial artists outside brought in a large platter of roasted meat and several bags of wine before retreating again.

Sniffing the aroma of roasted meat in the air, Shi Lan glanced at the dry rations in her hand and once again longed for the daily Medicinal Cuisine she used to have.

She had been too busy rushing on her journey these past two days to eat a hot meal.

"Young friend, if you don't mind, would you like to share some?" the middle-aged man walked up to Shi Lan, holding a small plate of roasted meat and a bag of wine.

Shi Lan hesitated, then shook her head, put away the dry rations in her hand, and replied, "Thank you, but no need."

It was the first time meeting these people, so it was better to be cautious.

The middle-aged man didn't mind. He sat down by the fire beside Shi Lan, eating the roasted meat and striking up a conversation with her.

After some conversation, Shi Lan learned that this group had come from the west, from Baiyang City, over a thousand miles away. The middle-aged man's name was Song He, and he was the head of the guards for a wealthy merchant surnamed Lu in Baiyang City.

His purpose on this trip was to escort the merchant's two children to a territory near the Holy Martial Immortal Sect to seek refuge.

"What happened in Baiyang City?"

Shi Lan couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. Every time Song He mentioned Baiyang City, he spoke vaguely about a major event but didn't elaborate.

Song He took a large gulp of wine and sighed heavily, his eyes reddening slightly. "I don't know where so many Demon Beasts came from. They swarmed in from the west like a tide. Everywhere they passed, there were corpses. Baiyang City should be an empty city by now."

Seeing the troubled look on Song He's face, Shi Lan didn't ask further, secretly wondering how many Demon Beasts it would take to break through cities and overwhelm so many martial artists.

"You should change direction and leave. It's best to turn back. Further ahead, there are Demon Beasts everywhere, and you could lose your life if you're not careful!" Hearing that Shi Lan was traveling and planning to head west, Song He immediately advised her.

Shi Lan nodded and thanked Song He for the reminder. After chatting for a couple more sentences, Song He got up and left the ruined temple. A moment later, he returned carrying two thick quilts and blankets.

After settling the man and woman, Song He began to instruct the other guards outside to make their arrangements.

Shi Lan hugged her knees, leaning against the wooden pillar with her head bowed, pretending to sleep. She slept lightly, not daring to sleep too soundly with a large group of strangers nearby.

In the dead of night, as Shi Lan was half-asleep, she suddenly heard a piercing scream and the neighing of horses, which instantly woke her up.

"Demon Beasts!"

"It's Iron-backed Wolves!"

Immediately after, there was the sound of swords being drawn.

"Boom!"

Song He took a step, smashing the temple door open, and rushed out with a roar, "Don't panic! Fall back towards me!"

The broad saber on Song He's back was already unsheathed, its blade glinting coldly in the moonlight. He didn't leave the temple to help the other guards fend off the Demon Beasts, but stood like a guardian god at the temple entrance. His most important task was to protect the two people inside the temple.

The man and woman were awakened by the commotion and huddled together, trembling slightly.

Listening to the occasional wolf howls and screams from outside, Shi Lan couldn't help but feel tense, clutching the long case beside her.

Shi Feng stood on the roof of the temple, a point of spiritual light ready in his palm. He ignored the guards injured by the sharp teeth and claws of the Iron-backed Wolves, his gaze fixed solely on the temple entrance.

"Crash..."

A sound of shifting earth and stone echoed within the temple. Shi Lan's expression shifted as she moved her gaze to the dilapidated stone statue.

Under the faint firelight, the broken statue appeared somewhat terrifying.

The sound of shifting earth and stone grew louder. With a series of falling rocks, a huge dark shadow leaped out from behind the statue, lunging straight for the huddled man and woman!

Shi Lan's face changed. She instinctively took a step forward, her whole body surging with power. She swung her long case through the air, carrying a whistling sound, and struck the dark shadow fiercely!

The dark shadow instantly flew sideways, smashing against the wall and kicking up a cloud of dust.