Docile Senior Sister

"This journey is perilous, with uncertain fortune. Yun Chong, you and the others should return to the mountain first. There's no need to accompany me to Tiger Ridge Pass."

Ouyang Zheng pondered for a long time, glancing at the horse carcasses, and finally changed his mind.

"When you return to the mountain, tell your mother that things have changed. If she has the time, she needs to provide support as soon as possible. She'll understand what I mean."

"Father."

Ouyang Lan wanted to accompany her father to Tiger Ridge Pass, but thinking of what had just happened, she felt a little guilty and was very conflicted.

"Don't be willful. I'll take you on another training trip next time."

Ouyang Zheng knitted his brows, about to get angry, but his tone softened as he continued, "The main thing is that this time we're facing the Northern Zhou Demonic Sect. Although only the Yellow Springs and Blood Lotus factions of the demonic path have appeared openly, we might also encounter experts from the Reincarnation Sect.

If things go wrong, I can retreat at any time. Your cultivation is insufficient. If you encounter real danger, it will be very difficult then."

Speaking of which.

Ouyang Zheng carefully instructed, "Don't delay on your way, and don't cause trouble... Wu-bing's reminder earlier was right. This mission might have hidden complexities, so we must be vigilant."

"Master, don't worry. Your disciple will take good care of our junior sister and junior brothers."

Wu Yunchong responded solemnly.

His internal energy cultivation had already opened nine meridians, making him a peak seventh-rank martial artist. Furthermore, he practiced the Tianshu Sword, a secret technique of the Celestial Star Sect's Seven Stars Sword. His swordsmanship was meticulous and refined, making his combat power exceptionally extraordinary.

This could be seen from the sudden ambush earlier.

Ouyang Lan, who practiced the Yaoguang Sword of the Seven Stars Sword, faced the needle rain. Without any prior defense...

Even with exquisite swordsmanship and powerful attacks, she was caught off guard and didn't even draw her sword.

Wu Yunchong, who was also unprepared, circulated his internal energy, vibrating the surrounding air and momentarily halting several blood needles.

He then used a refined sword rain to sweep away a large portion of the needle rain, dodging the vital points.

The difference in their cultivation was immediately apparent.

"Yun Chong's cultivation and swordsmanship are sufficient for traveling the jianghu, so there should be no major issues. However, it's always wise to think twice before acting and be extra cautious. If you encounter any problems on the road, ask Little Jiu for his opinion more often, and don't act on your own."

After thinking for a moment, Ouyang Zheng added a sentence.

"Little Jiu?"

Wu Yunchong's expression flickered, and he immediately understood.

The "Little Jiu" his master mentioned was their ninth junior brother, Lu Wu-bing.

Given the solemn tone of the Sect Leader Master, this indicated his strong approval of Lu Wu-bing's actions, thus including him in the ranking of direct disciples.

He even used such an intimate nickname as "Little Jiu."

One could imagine the important position this newly accepted junior brother held in his master's heart.

"Yes, your disciple respectfully obeys your command."

Wu Yunchong replied respectfully.

"Father, come home early."

Ouyang Lan's face showed reluctance, her eyes reddened, and she said in a muffled voice.

"You child." Ouyang Zheng reached out his large hand and gently stroked Senior Sister Xiaolan's hair, his lips involuntarily curling upwards.

"Don't underestimate your father. Those mere little demons are no match for me."

After saying this, Ouyang Zheng turned, slung his sword over his shoulder, took a step, and vanished at the turn of the road.

"Sigh!"

Ouyang Lan sighed.

She was bored staying on the mountain and had happily followed her father down, ostensibly for training, but in reality, she had spent most of her time sightseeing.

Every day since descending the mountain had been filled with new and exciting experiences, much more fun than on the mountain.

However, what happened today told her that while the outside world was fun, it wasn't that fun.

One wrong step, and one could lose their life.

Thinking of the brush with death just now, Ouyang Lan still felt a lingering fear.

"Let's go back. I miss Mother a little too."

Ouyang Lan sighed, her mood somewhat dejected.

"Let's return to Jiangzhou City first and buy a few horses for transportation," Wu Yunchong said, taking the lead. "Coincidentally, a new batch of fine steeds arrived at the horse market north of the city a few days ago."

"Senior Brother, wait a moment."

Lu Wu-bing suddenly spoke.

"I don't think we should go back to Jiangzhou City."

Didn't you forget something, old man?

My sect's crisis of annihilation only just passed. That large group from the Eastern Sea Sword Sect was merely driven away, not killed.

They might still be lurking around Jiangzhou City, watching us in secret.

At this moment, with the sect leader and master not by your side, how did you dare to run into Jiangzhou City?

"You mean the Eastern Sea Sword Sect? They dare to lay a hand on my Celestial Star Sect disciple?"

Wu Yunchong asked in surprise.

He then added, "Junior Brother, you've certainly considered things thoroughly, but perhaps you're worrying too much. If you hadn't joined the Celestial Star Sect back then, I might worry about the Eastern Sea Sect making a move..."

"Third Senior Brother, Father just said earlier that we should listen to Junior Brother's opinions on everything."

Ouyang Lan suddenly interjected.

"Uh..."

Wu Yunchong blushed deeply and forced a smile, "Listen to Junior Brother? You want us to go wherever you say?"

Lu Wu-bing saw Senior Sister Xiaolan looking at him expectantly and thought, Despite her lively and spirited appearance, this girl is actually quite well-behaved.

He wondered why she trusted him so much.

Could it be because he's handsome?

Or perhaps her admiration and gratitude from when he saved her with his sword earlier led to this reciprocation.

Whatever her reasons,

it's always good to trust my judgment.

Otherwise, as a new disciple with little influence, this journey would be quite troublesome.

"Let's go around the city. Avoid the main roads as much as possible."

Lu Wu-bing said without hesitation.

This was a matter of life and death.

Some dangers, it's better to believe they exist than to dismiss them.

In his past life, he had learned many profound lessons.

When you think something might go wrong, it inevitably will, in the worst possible way.

Caution is always best.

"Let's go."

As the sun began to set, they had already left the Jiangzhou territory and entered the southern mountain forests, taking small paths.

With their internal energy and strong bodies, they were still a bit tired after walking for two hours.

So they rested for a while, drank some water, and ate some dried meat and flatbread.

Taking the opportunity, Ouyang Lan began to teach Lu Wu-bing how to use internal energy to conserve strength and lighten his body.

"Junior Brother, if it weren't for the sect's rules requiring an assessment before bestowing techniques, with your talent and comprehension, learning the [Inch Step] in a short time wouldn't be difficult."

"It's fine, being able to learn a method to conserve energy is already great."

Lu Wu-bing excitedly channeled his internal energy, stimulating acupoints like [Yongquan], [Chengshan], [Taixi], and [Zusanli].

He immediately felt his body become much lighter...

Even when encountering small ditches or obstacles, he could leap over them, and his body's balance improved significantly.

This isn't even a lightness skill, yet merely stimulating acupoints has such a miraculous effect.

The divine nature of martial arts cultivation in this world exceeds my imagination.

Some methods, which seemed completely inconceivable in my past life, possess their own unique logic.

Lu Wu-bing thought gleefully and began to imagine his days at the Celestial Star Sect.

While he practiced, Wu Yunchong couldn't sit still. He cupped his hands to shade his eyes and looked around, then slapped his forehead and laughed, "How could I forget? The eldest disciple of Hero Zhang from Four Directions Hall is at Chanxi Station. It's the perfect opportunity to borrow some horses."

"Is it that Senior Brother Zhao who's always with Uncle Zhang from Jiangzhou? I had a banquet hosted by him just two days ago. And Sister Zhang Shu said she'd come to the Celestial Star Sect to visit me during the Qiqiao Festival."

Hearing this, Ouyang Lan also perked up.

Who would want to walk when they could ride?

From Jiangzhou to Xiangzhou, the journey on foot would be long and arduous, exhausting them completely.

"It's Zhao Fangshun. He and Zhang Shu are deeply in love, and their wedding is approaching. In a few days, even if we can't go down the mountain, we'll have to send a gift. The disciples of Four Directions Hall have been running errands everywhere these past few days, which has been a great help to us."

Lu Wu-bing looked back the way they came, realizing they were already thirty li from Jiangzhou City. After some thought, he didn't want to dampen their spirits.

He followed Wu Yunchong towards the small town below the mountain.