Caravan Guarding

As the Imperial Secret Guard departed, Luofeng City quickly returned to peace. The citizens who had fled gradually began returning home, and the streets and alleys regained some of their bustle.

Li Mingzhou's visit had thoroughly made the court's stance clear: it would remain neutral and aid neither side.

For the Song Family, this was already rare good news.

Under the current circumstances, the Phantom Spirit Sect's response had become especially crucial.

Song Tonghai held no hope for it.

It was impossible for the Phantom Spirit Sect not to know of the Song Family's current predicament. Its continued lack of response was already proof enough of certain things.

If they wanted to survive, their only option now was to save themselves.

The day after the Vermillion Bird Divine Guard departed, Song Tonghai sought out Chu Zheng to discuss Caravan Guarding.

"Caravan guarding?"

Hearing Song Tonghai's plan, Chu Zheng could not hide his confusion. "Now?"

Although no one had attacked Song Manor again, there would surely still be blockades around Luofeng City. Those lurking in the shadows could not possibly allow them to leave so easily.

"This is only a trial."

Song Tonghai's expression was grave; clearly, he had already made up his mind.

"You, Lingxue, and I will each lead a group. We'll gather three to five guards and a dozen or so laborers, then leave the city by three separate routes. If we successfully break free, we'll meet at Great Zhou's southeastern border."

"Of course, if you are unwilling to take the risk, I will not force you. The choice is entirely yours."

Song Tonghai placed the choice in Chu Zheng's hands and let him decide for himself.

Leaving the city now would inevitably entail enormous risk. Chu Zheng pondered for a moment before finally nodding.

"Then I'll follow the family head's arrangement."

This would be a good chance to test how much force was still hidden around Luofeng City. Sitting around and waiting for death was no good strategy; it would be better to probe the waters in advance and prepare himself mentally.

From what Yin Ping had said that night, Chu Zheng could infer that none of the people acting against them now were from the Immortal Sects. Without Immortal Sect cultivators involved, the risk to Chu Zheng as he was now was not too great.

"Then make your preparations first. This matter must be done quickly; we depart tomorrow."

Seeing Chu Zheng agree, Song Tonghai's brow relaxed considerably.

Chu Zheng did not bring much luggage. Aside from the Martial Dao Primer Li Mingzhou had given him and the Fragmentary Map of the Martial Wall, he brought only his diary.

To this day, he had written only one entry in it. There had simply been too many matters these past days, keeping him so busy that he had not even had time to write a diary.

He did have some time tonight, but he had no intention of making up for what he had missed. It was merely a place to jot down passing thoughts.

He had already finished reading the few Immortal Sect Scriptures Song Lingqing had given him. Carrying them around would be far too inconvenient, so after some thought, Chu Zheng dug a pit beneath his bed and buried them there.

He would dig them out again when he had time in the future—if he got that chance.

Knock, knock...

After packing his belongings, Chu Zheng stepped out of his room and sat in the courtyard. Closing his eyes and focusing his mind, he began circulating his heavenly cycle.

Rustle—

A set of footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Chu Zheng had no choice but to interrupt his heavenly cycle. He slowly opened his eyes, a slight frown forming between his brows.

Qi Cultivators greatly disliked being disturbed while circulating their heavenly cycles, for the sensation was simply too unpleasant—like being stuck halfway through, unable to rise or fall, trapped in a dilemma with no way forward or back.

Song Lingxue entered the courtyard with Song Yun. Her injuries had yet to heal, and the color had drained somewhat from her face. Compared to her usual self, she seemed three parts gentler, like a frail willow swaying in the wind.

"I was afraid that tomorrow morning would be too rushed, and I would not have time to explain. Chu Zheng, I'll have to trouble you to take Song Yun with you tomorrow."

"Song Yun is coming with me?"

Chu Zheng was somewhat surprised. "Don't you need him at your side to support you?"

"Song Yun is severely injured and cannot help me much. My strength is ordinary as it is. If I truly encounter any obstruction, I can still escape on my own, but taking him with me would be rather difficult."

Song Lingxue shook her head and spoke with a trace of apology. "I'm truly sorry to trouble you. If you are unwilling..."

Song Yun kept his head lowered and said nothing. At this moment, he truly was a burden. Their relationship had been unremarkable before, so it would only be natural if Chu Zheng did not wish to take him along.

"It's only a small favor. It's no trouble."

Chu Zheng did not give it much thought before agreeing outright.

Song Yun had risked his life to save him the day before yesterday. Whatever his reasons, that intention alone was enough. Besides, it was merely taking him along on the road; it hardly counted as a matter at all.

"Thank you."

Song Lingxue let out a breath of relief. Just as she was about to leave, Chu Zheng called out to stop her.

"Eldest Young Lady, please wait. Tomorrow's caravan route will be perilous, and you are injured. I learned some methods of guiding one's blood and qi from a medical text; they should be able to ease your injuries."

They were setting out on a caravan run tomorrow, and Song Lingxue's injuries would inevitably have a significant impact. Chu Zheng decided to lend her another hand.

"Guiding blood and qi?"

While Song Lingxue was still half-convinced, Chu Zheng had already turned and entered the room.

Seeing this, Song Lingxue instinctively followed him inside.

Song Yun, two steps behind, hesitated at the doorway for a moment. In the end, he did not follow them in, merely reaching out slowly to close the door.

Then he turned around and looked up at the sky. The arrow wound in his chest seemed to have flared up again, throbbing faintly with pain.

"Please get on the bed, Eldest Young Lady. Just lie face down."

Chu Zheng rolled up his sleeves and spoke casually.

"This..."

Song Lingxue turned back to glance at the tightly shut door. After a slight hesitation, she slowly sat on the edge of the bed. Her once supple body seemed increasingly stiff as she finally lowered herself onto the bedside, keeping her breathing shallow.

The bed was steeped in a warm, sunlit scent, and Song Lingxue unconsciously relaxed.

Until a pair of warm palms settled on the sides of her shoulders. Her nerves, which had only just eased, tensed again. She could not help curling her toes, panic rising within her.

Even though those of the martial world did not place as much importance on propriety between men and women as ordinary aristocratic families, such unprecedented intimate contact was still somewhat beyond Song Lingxue's limits.

Chu Zheng was not pressing at random. He had also dabbled in Traditional Chinese Medicine massage, and his skill was decent enough. At the very least, the old professors he had worked on in his Previous Life had all praised him.

With a beauty before him, any normal man would have more or less entertained some thoughts. But Chu Zheng was in no mood for that now.

He had just drunk quite a bit of moonlight and had not yet had time to absorb it. It was currently accumulating in his body, his rising yang energy obstructed and suppressed. Naturally, he had no thoughts in that direction, nor did he have the leisure to admire the beauty before him.

Song Lingxue (Zero Order): Wounds from Weapons across her body, Minor Meridian Contusions. With two months of quiet recuperation and breath regulation, there will be no serious issue. Can be repaired (0/3)

Song Lingxue's injuries were not particularly severe, but judging from how Song Yun's almost near-death wounds had required only ten repairs, these injuries could not exactly be called light either.

Chu Zheng had no intention of telling anyone else about the panel's secret yet. It was the foundation of his survival. He had no intention of harming others, but one must not be without vigilance against them.

After simply massaging Song Lingxue's back, Chu Zheng tentatively used Repair once.

A stream of heat instantly surged into Song Lingxue's body.