Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Jingzhou City

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the envelope Tian Luan brought back appeared between Ling Bozi, Ling Xiaozi, and Ling Yunzi.

Their cultivation was far stronger than the disciples, and they were more adept at using spiritual energy. Following Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan’s instructions, they applied a thin layer of spiritual energy over their eyelids, and sure enough, the three of them saw something different on the envelope.

Bai Zhengliu’s earlier statement to Tian Luan that the yin energy was “extremely faint” wasn’t meant to reassure him—it was the truth. The envelope did carry yin energy, but it was just a few strands almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Only under bright sunlight could Ling Bozi and the others clearly see it.

—And because of the sunlight, within a few breaths, the yin energy became even more indistinct. Judging by how quickly it dissipated, Bai Zhengliu strongly suspected that if Tian Luan had returned more slowly, or if he hadn’t descended the mountain today and hadn’t encountered the merchant caravan carrying Yuhan’s letter, by the time that group eventually found someone to deliver it, they probably wouldn’t have noticed the abnormality at all.

But now that the problem had appeared, it had to be confronted.

Bai Zhengliu spoke first: “Mei Yinghan was right earlier. It’s not necessarily that Yuhan and Han Shu personally encountered some ghost or demon—it could have been a chance encounter on the road. Tian Luan should find out exactly what happened when the merchant caravan arrived; if there’s anything amiss, he will report it.”

Mei Yinghan also said, “Since we’ve detected yin energy, we can’t just ignore it. Zhengliu is correct. Why don’t we handle it ourselves and descend the mountain to investigate? After all, our Master and the senior uncles can lend a bit of their spiritual energy. Even if other sects send someone back during this time, you can convince them of the supernatural nature of this incident.”

Hearing the two young men, Ling Bozi and the other two remained silent for a moment.

They were still reading the contents of the letter written by Yuhan and Han Shu.

It was a very simple page, the central idea being “reporting safety.”

Tianshan disciples were required to do this when descending the mountain. At intervals, they would write a letter back to inform their sect that they were unharmed and still traveling.

This requirement had arisen because the senior instructors had been alarmed by the experiences of Nie Qing’e and her husband, hence the existence of “safety letters.”

Reading Yuhan’s handwriting now, they roughly described the route she and Han Shu had taken, which martial artists they had encountered along the way… Finally, they mentioned that when they sent the letter, they were lodging at a household in Jingzhou City.

Ling Yunzi remembered the Cheng family that Yuhan had mentioned, and upon seeing it, he explained to the two senior brothers and the younger disciples in front: “It’s also a merchant household. Previously, when traveling, they were targeted by bandits. I happened to pass by…” That one sentence resolved the trouble for them.

The Cheng family, grateful for Ling Yunzi’s kindness, proactively offered that in the future, if Tianshan disciples passed through Jingzhou City, they could stay at their house, and the family would wholeheartedly accommodate them.

Yuhan and Han Shu naturally had no intention of seeking such “hospitality.” The Tianshan disciples’ clothing and appearance were conspicuous, and Jingzhou City was a convenient route for them to reach Changchong Gate. The letter stated that they were seen by the Cheng family in the city and were warmly invited to the Cheng residence.

For this reason, at the end of the letter, they added a note of thanks addressed to Ling Yunzi. Had Ling Yunzi not formed a good relationship with the family earlier, they would not have had such a comfortable place to stay.

However, no matter how nice the Cheng residence was, they stayed only one day before setting out again.

Judging by the time, they should have already traveled farther by now.

Ling Bozi and the other two finished reading the letter and remained silent for a long while.

The two young men had already said the most important things; there was nothing more they could add.As for instructing the disciples to take care of Bai Lang and be careful on the road… Ling Bozi let out a long sigh and finally said, “I originally thought that, aside from Yunxu Daoist, you could finally have some time to relax. But how long has it been before trouble arises again?”

Ling Xiaozi also sighed: “Looking at it now, it seems incidents are happening everywhere, and ghosts and demons are present in all directions. Before, we were like blind and deaf, unable to see any of this.”

Ling Yunzi pressed her lips together, set the envelope down, and looked at Bai Zhengliu and Mei Yinghan.

Her thoughts were the same as her two senior brothers. All she could say now was, “Perhaps when Tian Luan returns, we’ll know what really happened. Don’t worry, have a sip of tea first.”

With these words, and considering that Jingzhou City was still far away, any trouble wasn’t something Bai and Mei could immediately resolve in the city. The Swordman and the Swordsman each let out a slow breath, and indeed picked up their teacups, waiting for junior brother Tian Luan.

Tian Luan did not disappoint their expectations. He had rushed earlier, and now returned just as hastily. Once in the room, gasping for breath, he called out, “I asked… huff… they said, said… huff, huff.”

Mei Yinghan couldn’t bear it, and handed him a cup of hot tea: “Don’t rush, speak slowly.”

Tian Luan looked at him gratefully. After running for so long, and being a bit winded from anxiety, his throat truly felt like it was burning. Only after downing three full cups of tea—two of which Mei Yinghan had handed him—could Tian Luan finally speak: “They said that, yes, strange things happened on the road. But from what I heard, nothing seems different.”

Others in the room said: “You tell us.”

Tian Luan then recounted things like “seeing floating lights around in the middle of the night” and “buns in the arms disappearing mysteriously.” When he finished, he rubbed his nose and said, “I think it was just stolen! Those ghosts aren’t supposed to eat buns. As for the floating lights, there aren’t fireflies this month, but graveyards have those bright spots—nothing unusual.”

Everyone else: “…Indeed.”

Seeing the sudden drop in atmosphere, Tian Luan felt slightly guilty and said, “I didn’t help much.”

Bai and Mei smiled at him reassuringly, comforting him with words like “if you hadn’t gone quickly, we might not have noticed anything amiss at all.”

Seeing Tian Luan’s expression improve, Bai Zhengliu asked, “Besides these ‘strange things,’ did you inquire about anything else from the merchant caravan?”

Tian Luan’s eyes brightened: “Yes!” He pulled paper and pen from his bosom. “I carefully recorded every town and village they passed through. Bai Senior Brother, Mei Senior Brother, take a look—does this seem appropriate?”

Seeing the place names written on paper, Bai and Mei exchanged a glance and nodded together.

“Very appropriate.” They smiled at Tian Luan, “You’ve worked hard so far, now sit down and rest.”

After saying this, they turned to look at the senior instructors.

Without Bai or Mei speaking, the instructors sighed: “Go back and pack your things. We’ll prepare the spirit stones. Bring plenty—considering Tan Family Village’s situation, they’re all valuable items that will come in handy.”

The Swordman and the Swordsman nodded solemnly, speaking respectfully: “Thank you, Master and Senior Uncles.”

……

After staying in Tianshan for nearly three months, Bai Zhengliu left the place once again.

When he first arrived, his mind had been filled with questions about The Star-Picking Record and concerns about the future of the martial world. Now, some of those questions had lessened, but the worries had only grown.

Moreover…

Traveling down the mountain alongside the Swordsman, they bought horses from merchants at the foot of the mountain and began heading east.

As they rode swiftly, Bai Zhengliu would occasionally glance sideways at the Swordsman, who was dressed all in white.

If he were to consider everything that had happened, the greatest change in his life was probably his relationship with Yinghan.

When they first came, they were friends. Now, leaving the mountain, they were lovers.

The calm certainty Bai Zhengliu had once felt, merely due to the Swordsman’s presence, had deepened further. He knew that at the end of this journey, he might once again encounter dangers and obstacles. But he would not shrink back—not only because of his own convictions as the Swordsman, but also because he knew that no matter what happened, Mei Yinghan would be by his side.

Traveling like this for more than twenty days, it wasn’t always on horseback. When they encountered treacherous or difficult terrain, they left their horses behind and relied on their own martial skills to continue.

Thanks to the silver coins Ling Xiaozi had given them before they left, they could afford such extravagance. Along the way, to maintain their speed, they ended up changing horses three times.

Finally, following the route pointed out by the merchant caravan, they arrived at Jingzhou City.

Compared to Tianshan, Jingzhou was already within the “Central Plains.” But compared to truly prosperous places, it still seemed somewhat barren.

Yet no matter how barren, Jingzhou was still a city. As Bai and Mei stepped inside, they immediately felt the bustle a city should have.

Street vendors calling out, inns soliciting guests… Faced with the clever, quick-tongued waiters who approached them, Bai and Mei looked at each other and decided together: “Let’s get something to eat first.”

By right, they should have gone straight to the Cheng family. But if the Cheng family truly was the source of the yin energy, rushing over would surely be unwise. Better to rest first and gather information about the Cheng family.

Hearing the words of the wandering martial artists, the waiter’s smile widened even more, and he took the opportunity to promote his inn: “Guests, though it isn’t late yet, it would take a full day to reach the next city! If you start now, you won’t make it in time. Why not stay a night at this inn? Rest well, and tomorrow you can consider leaving the city!”

Bai Zhengliu smiled: “You have a point. Yinghan, what do you think?”

Mei Yinghan slightly nodded: “Then book a room for us.”

The waiter’s eyes brightened: “Right away!” Martial artists in the Jianghu came in all sorts, poor and rich alike. The ones they had encountered now were clearly the latter.

The Swordsman and the Swordman were warmly led into the inn. Soon, their table was filled with various dishes.

As they ate, they considered how to ask discreetly about the Cheng family. But before they could speak, a theatrical voice came from nearby, interrupting Bai and Mei’s train of thought.It went: “Amid the flowers, dreams of love arise, a young girl’s heart not yet clear. A sleepless night, the lamp flickers, but the fragrance of plum cannot awaken her…”

Author’s note:

The lyrics are from The Peony Pavilion.

Technically, in this fictional setting, it shouldn’t exist, but… 233