Journeying

Journeying

After registering at the mountain gate, Ye Yun descended the mountain and headed toward Clearwind Stronghold.

As he traveled, Ye Yun pondered how to wipe out Clearwind Stronghold.

According to the intelligence obtained from the sect, Clearwind Stronghold had only eight Qi Refining Realm martial artists. They posed some threat to Ye Yun, but the rest, who were in the Body Tempering Realm, would not present much of an obstacle.

Still, he had to be careful. He had already encountered several lessons from the carts ahead; he could not afford to capsize in a gutter. Once he reached Clearwind Stronghold, he would scout it out first.

Along the way, Ye Yun was in no hurry. He strolled leisurely, taking in the scenery around him.

Ever since gaining enlightenment on the path of martial arts, he had begun doing everything as his heart pleased, no longer as impatient as before.

Everything in his eyes had become different. Rather than anything else, he pursued greater insight into martial arts. Perhaps it was because he cultivated an ice-attribute technique, but his entire temperament was becoming increasingly cold, making him look like a block of ice.

After walking for more than two hours, Ye Yun saw a convoy of over thirty people ahead. It was escorted by one Qi Refining Realm martial artist and seven or eight Body Tempering Realm martial artists. Judging by the flag, it seemed to be a convoy from some chamber of commerce transporting supplies to Blackwater Commandery City.

At that moment, Ye Yun's thoughts stirred. He stepped forward and called out to the convoy, "I am Ye Yun, a disciple of the Purple Extreme Sect. I am headed to Blackwater Commandery City. Might I travel with you?"

Hearing Ye Yun's call, the convoy temporarily stopped. From a carriage in the middle of the convoy emerged an elderly man with white hair, yet a vigorous spirit.

The old man approached and sized Ye Yun up before saying, "You say you are a disciple of the Purple Extreme Sect, young master. Do you have proof? I am Luo Yulin, steward of the Luo Clan Chamber of Commerce in Blackwater Commandery City."

The Luo Clan Chamber of Commerce had been established by the Luo Family, one of the four great families of Blackwater Commandery City. It had a modest reputation throughout Blackwater Commandery. The Luo Family's eldest young master, Luo Long, was currently the twelfth-ranked expert on the Purple Extreme Sect's Hundred Strong Ranking. Ye Yun had met him once in the sect.

Hearing this, Ye Yun took out his identity token and showed it to Steward Luo. "I did not expect this to be Senior Brother Luo's family's chamber of commerce. Steward Luo, can this prove my identity?"

When Steward Luo saw Ye Yun produce his identity token, more than half the wariness in his heart faded. He had seen the identity tokens of Purple Extreme Sect inner disciples many times, and the one Ye Yun produced was genuine.

Besides, within three thousand li of Blackwater Commandery, not just anyone dared impersonate an inner disciple of the Purple Extreme Sect.

"So you truly are an outstanding disciple of the Purple Extreme Sect. This old man was discourteous just now. Since Young Master Ye is headed to Blackwater Commandery City, travel with us. However, the carriages are rather plain, so I hope Young Master Ye will not mind," Steward Luo said politely to Ye Yun.

"You are too courteous, Steward Luo. I am already deeply grateful that you are willing to give me a ride. How could I possibly disdain it?" Ye Yun said with a smile.

After saying that, Steward Luo arranged for someone to clear out a carriage for Ye Yun to ride in.

Sitting in the carriage lined with Fire Rabbit fur, Ye Yun could not feel the jolting of the carriage as it moved at all.

Looking at the furnishings within the carriage, he could not help but sigh. This was the benefit of having a sect behind him. Within Blackwater Commandery, and even throughout the Great Chu Dynasty, the identity of a Purple Extreme Sect disciple made traveling outside far more convenient. Unless they were desperadoes who lived with their heads on the line, these families would give the Purple Extreme Sect some face.

Night fell. As the sky gradually darkened, Ye Yun had traveled over two hundred li with the convoy after a day on the road.

Blackwater Commandery City was still about a hundred li away. They would likely arrive by noon tomorrow, while his destination, Clearwind Stronghold, was even closer—he could reach it tomorrow morning.

At this moment, the convoy stopped. Before long, while Ye Yun was cultivating with his eyes closed, he heard a maid's voice outside the carriage. "Young Master Ye, Steward Luo has sent me to invite you over for dinner."

Ye Yun opened his eyes. After thinking for a moment, he stepped out of the carriage and said to the maid waiting outside, "Miss, please lead the way."

The maid made a gesture of invitation and led Ye Yun toward the front of the convoy.

After only a few steps, he saw a bonfire ahead. Two tables had been set beside it, and Steward Luo was directing the attendants as they laid food and fruit upon the tables.

"Young Master Ye, it is not suitable to travel at night, so we will make camp here to rest. We have prepared some food and invited you to dine with us. I hope we did not disturb your rest," Steward Luo said courteously as he walked over upon seeing Ye Yun.

"No need to be so polite, Steward Luo. Your family's eldest young master is my fellow sect senior brother, so there is no need for so much ceremony. I will first thank you for your kindness, Steward Luo!" Ye Yun said, cupping his fists in thanks.

"Then please take a seat, Young Master Ye!"

"Very well. Steward Luo, please sit as well!"

After Ye Yun and Steward Luo took their seats, they picked up the food on the table and chatted as they ate.

As Ye Yun ate the delicacies, something suddenly occurred to him. Looking at Steward Luo across from him, he asked, "Steward Luo, there is something I would like to ask you about. Would that be alright?"

"Please speak freely, Young Master Ye!" Steward Luo said with a smile. "As long as it concerns the area around Blackwater Commandery City, this old man knows a thing or two. Please ask!"

Ye Yun's eyes lit up at those words. He asked Steward Luo, "Steward Luo, do you know anything about Clearwind Stronghold?"

"Clearwind Stronghold? Does Young Master Ye mean the Clearwind Stronghold not far from Blackwater Commandery City?" After thinking for a moment, Steward Luo said, "Alas, Clearwind Stronghold came to Blackwater Commandery from another commandery three years ago and settled here. There are roughly sixty people in the stronghold, all of them scoundrels who burn, kill, plunder, and commit every evil imaginable.

The lord of Blackwater Commandery City once deployed troops to attack Clearwind Stronghold, but its location is easy to defend and difficult to assault, perilous in the extreme. The army sent to attack it returned with feathers clipped and wings broken. Later, some changes occurred, and the matter was ultimately left unresolved.

Moreover, it is said that Wu Heihu, the chief of Clearwind Stronghold, possesses an exceedingly formidable Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber Technique. He once killed a martial artist at the Seventh Level of the Qi Refining Realm. He also has several Qi Refining Realm martial artists under his command, so few people dare set their sights on Clearwind Stronghold. We chambers of commerce also do our best to avoid encountering people from Clearwind Stronghold. Otherwise, it is usually more ill fortune than good."

"So that is how it is. Thank you for informing me, Steward Luo!" After hearing Steward Luo out, Ye Yun finally understood why several inner disciples before him had fallen at the hands of Clearwind Stronghold.

Wu Heihu's saber technique had likely already been cultivated to perfection. Coupled with his many subordinates, that was why he could kill opponents above his level.

"Young Master Ye, your destination this time cannot be Clearwind Stronghold, can it? If so, you must take extra care!" From Ye Yun's words, Steward Luo guessed that it had only one accessible side, while its other sides were sheer cliffs that were difficult to climb, and he could not help reminding Ye Yun.

Hearing this, Ye Yun smiled faintly and said to Steward Luo, "You worry too much, Steward Luo. My destination is not Clearwind Stronghold. I am merely planning to buy a few things in Blackwater Commandery City. I was only asking out of curiosity."

Ye Yun could not yet be said to trust Steward Luo, so he kept an extra guard up and did not reveal the purpose of his journey.

"That is good, then. I thought Young Master Ye was going to seek trouble with Clearwind Stronghold. It is good that you are not. Young Master Ye, please eat," Steward Luo said with a sigh of relief.

(End of Chapter)