Lingwater Commandery lay with boundless mountains at its back to the north and the vast Great Marsh to the south.
Rivers crisscrossed the land, while reed marshes stretched unbroken for thousands of miles.
In contrast, the depths of those waters were often shrouded in mist, with miasma lingering year-round. Without maps or guides, ordinary mortals who entered would surely lose their way and ultimately die trapped within.
Not to mention that this was the border of Cloud Province, beyond the reach of royal rule and where laws held little sway.
Thus, many evil demons and Outer Dao cultivators frequently appeared in this region.
Yet in such a place,
two figures strolled unhurriedly through the spreading miasma.
The violet-clad girl rested both hands behind her head, a grass stem of unknown origin dangling from her lips as she walked with light steps.
Beside her followed a grimy little monk, clutching a bundle tightly as he stumbled along, one foot deep and the next shallow.
"I say, little baldy."
Zi Ling spat out the grass stem and turned her head.
"What sort of person is this traitor your sect sent you to Great Marsh Township to find?"
At those words,
the little monk Kongming paused slightly, a trace of gloom showing on his face.
"Amitabha."
"That man was once this little monk's martial uncle, with the Dharma name Jing Ye."
"In those days, he was a highly gifted eminent monk of Taining Temple. Unfortunately, he later became tainted by demonic obstruction, willingly sank into depravity, betrayed the mountain gate, and joined the Buddhist Sect."
Zi Ling raised her brows, intrigued.
"That monk Jing Ye was very strong?"
The little monk Kongming sighed.
"Martial Uncle Jing Ye possessed extraordinary talent. When he betrayed the sect, he had already knocked open the gates to