"This journey was fraught with danger, and fortune or misfortune could not be predicted. Yun Chong, you all should return to the mountain first. There is no need to follow your master to Tiger Ridge Pass."
After pondering for a long while, Ouyang Zheng glanced at the horses' corpses and finally changed his mind.
"After you return to the mountain, tell your martial mother that circumstances have changed. If she can free herself, she must come to our aid as soon as possible. She will understand what I mean."
"Father."
Ouyang Lan wanted to follow her father to Tiger Ridge Pass, but recalling what had happened earlier, she felt somewhat guilty and became deeply conflicted.
"Do not be willful. Father will take you out for experience next time."
Ouyang Zheng knitted his brows, intending to get angry, but his tone turned gentle instead. "The main thing is that we are facing the Northern Zhou Demonic Sect this time. Though only the fiends of the Yellow Springs and Blood Lotus factions have appeared openly, we may also encounter experts from the Reincarnation Sect. If matters go awry, I can retreat at any time. Your cultivation is insufficient; if you truly encounter danger, it will become very difficult."
At this point.
Ouyang Zheng carefully instructed them, "Do not delay on the road, and do not stir up trouble... Wu-bing's earlier reminder was correct. There may be another mystery behind this mission. We cannot afford to let down our guard."
"Rest assured, Master. This disciple will properly look after my junior sister and junior brothers."
Wu Yunchong replied gravely.
His internal cultivation had already opened nine meridians, making him a peak Seventh Rank martial artist. Moreover, he cultivated the Tianshu Sword of the Celestial Star Sect's secret Seven Stars Sword. His swordsmanship was dense and intricate, and his combat strength was extraordinary.
This had been apparent from the sudden ambush earlier.
When Ouyang Lan, who cultivated the Yaoguang Sword of the Seven Stars Sword, faced the rain of needles without any advance precautions...
Even though her swordsmanship was exquisite and her attacks powerful, she had been caught off guard and had not even managed to draw her sword.
Yet Wu Yunchong, who had likewise been unprepared, had stirred his internal force and shaken the air around him, halting several blood needles for an instant.
This allowed him to sweep away a large swath of needle rain with his fine, dense sword rain and evade the vital points.
The difference in the two's cultivation was obvious at a glance.
"Yun Chong's cultivation and swordsmanship are enough for him to travel the martial world without fear of mishap. Still, one must think thrice before acting. Being more careful is never wrong. If anything happens on the road, ask Little Nine for his opinion more often. Do not act on your own initiative."
After some thought, Ouyang Zheng added another sentence.
"Little Nine?"
Wu Yunchong looked slightly stunned, then immediately understood.
The Little Nine his master referred to was Ninth Junior Brother Lu Wu-bing.
With Sect Leader Master's solemn tone, this showed that he highly approved of Lu Wu-bing's actions and had thus included him in the ranking of direct disciples.
He had even used the intimate form of address, "Little Nine."
One could well imagine just how important this newly admitted junior brother was in his master's heart.
"Yes, this disciple shall respectfully obey Master's command."
Wu Yunchong answered respectfully.
"Father, come home early."
Ouyang Lan looked reluctant, her eyes slightly red as she spoke in a muffled voice.
"You child." Ouyang Zheng reached out with a broad hand and gently stroked Senior Sister Xiaolan's hair, the corners of his mouth unable to stop themselves from lifting.
"Do not underestimate your father. Mere demons and petty fiends are not worth a single blow."
Having said that, Ouyang Zheng turned, his sword on his back, and took one step forward. After a flicker, he had vanished around the bend in the road.
"Ah!"
Ouyang Lan sighed.
She had grown tired of staying on the mountain and had followed her father down with a heart full of delight. It was supposed to be training, but most of their time had been spent sightseeing and enjoying themselves.
Every day after descending the mountain had brought fresh experiences, far more fun than life on the mountain.
But what had happened today told her that while life below the mountain was fun, it was not quite so fun after all.
One careless step, and even her life could be played away.
Remembering how she had circled the gates of life and death earlier, Ouyang Lan still felt lingering fear.
"Let us go back. I miss Mother a little too."
Ouyang Lan sighed again, her spirits somewhat low.
"Let us return to Jiangzhou City first and buy a few horses for travel." Wu Yunchong took the lead. "As it happens, a new batch of fine steeds arrived at the horse market north of the city some days ago."
"Senior Brother, wait."
Lu Wu-bing suddenly spoke.
"I do not think we can return to Jiangzhou City."
Brother, had he forgotten something?
My family's extermination crisis had only just passed. That whole crowd from the Eastern Sea Sword Sect had merely been driven away, not killed.
For all he knew, they might still be lurking in Jiangzhou City, watching in secret.
With the powerful Sect Leader Master no longer at their side, how did he dare run back into Jiangzhou City?
"You mean the Eastern Sea Sword Sect? They would dare lay a hand on disciples of my Celestial Star Sect?"
Wu Yunchong asked in surprise.
Then he added, "Junior Brother, you have considered things thoroughly, but perhaps you are worrying too much. If you had not joined the Celestial Star Sect back then, it would be understandable to fear the Eastern Sea Sword Sect making a move..."
"Third Senior Brother, Father just said that in all matters, we should listen more to Junior Brother's opinions."
Ouyang Lan suddenly cut in.
"Er..."
Wu Yunchong flushed bright red and forced a smile. "We will listen to Junior Brother. You decide how we go?"
Seeing Senior Sister Xiaolan gaze at him with a face full of expectation, Lu Wu-bing thought that although this girl looked clever and lively, she was actually very obedient.
He did not know why she trusted him so much.
Could it be because he was handsome?
Or had his earlier act of drawing his sword to save her made her admire and feel grateful to him? Was she returning a peach for a plum?
Whatever the reason.
Trusting his judgment was always a good thing.
Otherwise, having only just entered the sect, with little status and less influence, he would have plenty of trouble along the way.
"Let us go around the city. Avoid the main roads as much as possible."
Lu Wu-bing did not decline the responsibility.
Life and death were at stake.
Some dangers were better believed to exist than dismissed as nonexistent.
He had learned many profound lessons about that in his previous life.
Whenever you felt that things might develop in a bad direction, they would surely develop into the worst possible outcome.
It was always best to proceed with caution.
"Let's go."
By the time the sun slanted westward, they had left Jiangzhou's territory and entered the southern mountain forest, searching for small paths to travel along.
With internal force in their bodies, they were physically strong, but after walking for two hours, they were still somewhat weary.
So they rested for a while, drank some water, and ate dried meat and flatbread.
Taking the opportunity, Ouyang Lan began teaching Lu Wu-bing how to use internal qi to conserve strength and lighten his body.
"Junior Brother, if not for the sect's rules requiring an examination before martial arts can be taught, with your talent and comprehension, learning the Inch Step in a short time would not be difficult."
"It is fine. Being able to learn a method for saving strength is already very good."
With great interest, Lu Wu-bing raised his qi and stimulated such acupoints as Yongquan, Chengshan, Taixi, and Zusanli.
He immediately felt his body become much lighter...
Even when he encountered gullies and uneven ground, he could cross them in a single step, and his balance improved considerably.
This does not even count as qinggong. Merely stimulating acupoints slightly has such miraculous effects. The wonders of martial cultivation in this world surpass even my imagination. Some methods would have seemed utterly inconceivable in my previous life, yet they possess their own unique principles.
Lu Wu-bing thought happily, unable to stop himself from imagining the days when he would reach the Celestial Star Sect.
While he practiced nearby, Wu Yunchong could not stay idle. Shading his eyes with a hand, he looked around, then slapped his forehead and laughed. "How did I forget? The eldest disciple under Hero Zhang of Four Directions Hall is at Chanxi Station. We can go borrow a few horses."
"Is that Senior Brother Zhao who is with Uncle Zhang in Jiangzhou? We attended his banquet just two days ago. And there was Sister Zhang Shu too. She said she would come to the Celestial Star Sect to play with me during the Qixi Festival."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lan also perked up.
With mounts for travel, who would want to walk?
From Jiangzhou to Xiangzhou, they would have to travel on foot over mountains and rivers stretching endlessly away. It would exhaust a person to death.
"It is Zhao Fangshun. He and Zhang Shu are in love, and their wedding date is approaching. In a few days, even if we cannot descend the mountain, we must still send a gift. These past days, the disciples of Four Directions Hall have been running about everywhere, which has helped us greatly."
Lu Wu-bing looked back down the road they had come from. They had already traveled thirty li south from Jiangzhou City. After thinking it over, he decided not to spoil the pair's enthusiasm.
He followed Wu Yunchong toward the small town at the foot of the mountain.
Before you continue