Chapter 423: Duan Yan’s Journey, Lin Ling’s Trip p1
“Tsk!”
Mo Duanyan continued to flee through the wilderness, occasionally swinging her greatsword to force back the pursuing puppets.
It had been quite a while since the sudden attack, and she had run for more than ten miles.
After this prolonged chase and battle, she gradually realized that although these puppets were fragile, they seemed to be affected by some kind of secret technique, making them practically indestructible, no matter how many times they were shattered by her weapon, they would always reassemble, completely unharmed.
Although the young girl wasn’t afraid, her heart was still filled with unease and confusion.
Why were these puppets so relentlessly pursuing her, and who…
…was behind this?
“—Girl, you’ve run far enough, surrender.”
Just then, a deep and powerful voice, like a resounding bell, echoed, stopping her in her tracks.
Her pupils constricted, and she quickly looked back to see a white-haired old man, dressed in a simple Daoist robe, floating in mid-air behind her, his aura unfathomable.
“Further resistance is futile.”
“Old man, I have no quarrel with you, why are you pursuing me?”
Mo Duanyan’s heart pounded, and she said with a frown: “I have no treasures, nor any connection with any powerful factions, what value do I hold for you, Senior?”
“Is that so?”
But the old man smiled playfully: “Do you truly have no secrets?”
“…”
Mo Duanyan bit her lip, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
This person could see through her disguise.
The Valley Master had said that the robe she was wearing could conceal her presence even from Crimson Demon Realm demons and ghosts, yet this old man had seen through it at a glance…
His cultivation must be at the Savage Realm!
“Alright, give up.” The old man slightly raised his right hand and said indifferently: “Come with me. We, the ‘Xuanxing Sect,’ have reemerged, and we need you to tell us about the current situation—”
“Hahaha!”
A loud and arrogant laughter suddenly echoed, making Mo Duanyan, who had been on high alert, glance sideways. She saw another figure flying towards them from behind, his hands behind his back, laughing heartily: “I was wondering who was causing such a commotion here, so it’s someone from the Xuanxing Sect! It’s been a while, you seem to be doing well!”
The old man’s expression darkened slightly: “It’s you, Bi Wanjun. Your Zixiao Peak still exists?”
“Playing dead and hiding isn’t exclusive to your Xuanxing Sect.”
The middle-aged man, called Bi Wanjun, was tall and burly, his face rugged, and he grinned: “And now that even your Xuanxing Sect has decided to reappear, how could our Zixiao Peak continue hiding?”
“…I have no interest in your Zixiao Peak.”
The old man snorted coldly, waving his sleeve and striking out with his palm, trying to capture Mo Duanyan.
But the swirling energy he had just condensed was instantly shattered by another force, only sending the young girl stumbling backward a few steps.
The old man’s expression turned colder, and he looked up: “Bi Wanjun, what is the meaning of this?”
“Nothing much.”
The burly man stretched his muscles, his body cracking and popping like metal colliding.
“I just saw a disrespectful old geezer trying to bully a little girl, and I found it despicable, so I intervened.”
As he mocked the old man, he glanced at Mo Duanyan and transmitted a message secretly:
“Little girl, run as far away as you can. This isn’t something you should get involved in.”
“…Thank you for saving me, Senior.”
Mo Duanyan quickly came back to her senses and turned to flee.
The old man was about to give chase, a giant hand forming in mid-air, but Bi Wanjun had already intercepted him again, shattering the giant hand with a single palm strike.
“…Hmph!”
The old man’s expression darkened as he glared at Bi Wanjun: “Are you… seeking death?”
“I just want to… spar with you.” Bi Wanjun smiled coldly: “It’s been centuries, I’m curious to see how much of your cultivation remains, bound by the laws of this world.”
“Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish!”
A chilling snort echoed as they both struck out with their palms.
…
Boom——！！
A shockwave, like a violent wind, swept through the forest.
Mo Duanyan’s heart trembled, but she continued to run without looking back.
She didn’t know why she had been targeted by this strange faction, or what was going on, but she knew one thing—she had to escape.
Neither this so-called Xuanxing Sect nor Zifeng Peak seemed easy to deal with.
She had never even heard of these two factions during her travels in the martial world.
“Two hidden factions, I didn’t expect to encounter both of them.”
Mo Duanyan’s mind raced as she quickly pieced together the events, a wry smile appearing on her face.
Could there truly be such a coincidence?
—No.
As soon as this thought arose, a chilling premonition ran down her spine.
It wasn’t that she was so “lucky” to encounter two hidden factions reemerging at the same time, but rather…
…the number of hidden factions was astonishing!
Although they weren’t everywhere, at least in this area, there were two powerful forces lurking in the shadows: the Xuanxing Sect and Zifeng Peak.
Only now did she truly understand what “the changing times” meant.
The current balance of power in the Fengchen Kingdom would be completely shattered, intense conflicts erupting, a war on the horizon.
And then, perhaps, the world would once again be plunged into chaos and suffering.
Having stepped onto the path of cultivation, although still young, Mo Duanyan knew how terrifying such power could be to ordinary mortals.
Even a single Evil Spirit or ghost was an unstoppable force to a town or village, capable of taking lives with a wave of its hand, easily defeating an army of hundreds.
And if these demons and ghosts started fighting each other, the casualties would be unimaginable.
She had heard stories about the horrors of famine from her elders when she was young, and now, with a great war looming, it might be even more terrifying, a true hell on earth.
“…”
Mo Duanyan gritted her teeth, her expression turning grim.
An image of her conversation with the Valley Master of Lunar Valley ten days ago surfaced in her mind. That unfathomable Valley Master had said that the demonic source within her was both a curse and a blessing.
Although she could help suppress and seal the demonic source, preventing it from corrupting her, how she used this power…
…ultimately depended on her own “heart.”
“I can’t… give up.”
Mo Duanyan took a deep breath, the images of a few familiar faces flashing through her mind, and she tightened her grip on her sword.
“I can’t disappoint Great-grandfather, and I can’t disgrace Master Lin.”
She took out the map from her bosom and quickly glanced at it, pondering.
Although she was heading towards the border region, the mountains were high, and the roads were dangerous, she couldn’t just travel in a straight line.
“I have to go through Donghuan Province and then Maohuan Province to reach the four border provinces.”
According to the Valley Master, if she persevered on this journey, she would find a turning point in her life, obtaining the strength and skills to protect herself and her loved ones.
Chaotic times were coming, and she had to cultivate diligently to protect those she cared about and stay true to her heart.
…
Among the hills, on a bamboo forest path.
With the Spring Festival over, this remote post station was gradually coming back to life, merchants and travelers passing by occasionally.
Naturally, some people also stopped here to rest.
Outside the bustling inn and tavern, a carriage slowly approached and stopped as the driver gently pulled the reins.
The old driver got off the carriage, knocked lightly on the door, and said softly: “Madam, it’s getting late, we’ve arrived at an inn, would you like to stay the night?”
A gentle female voice came faintly from inside the carriage: “How far are we from Changling?”
“About three or four days, depending on the weather.” The driver’s voice was hoarse: “If we set off early tomorrow morning, we should be able to reach Jianggai County by nightfall, and from there, it’s a smooth journey to Changling.”
“Then please make the arrangements, Uncle Li.”
“Please alight from the carriage, Madam and Young Miss.”
“Uncle Li, you’ll need…”
“Hehe, this old man, even sleeping in the stables is fine.”
The old driver smiled, stroking his beard: “Don’t worry, Madam, I’ll find a place to rest.”
“Mm.”
As the curtain was lifted, a beautiful and elegant woman stepped out of the carriage, holding the hand of a lovely little girl, about seven or eight years old, dressed in beautiful clothes, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked around, a playful and innocent aura about her.
“Mother, are we going to sit at the tea stalls outside like those travelers?”
“Of course not.”
The elegant woman smiled and lowered her head: “We’ll find a room and stay the night.”
“Oh…”
As this elegant mother and daughter entered the inn, they attracted the attention of many travelers and merchants, their eyes filled with admiration.
But seeing the woman’s fine clothes and jewelry, their hearts stirred slightly. This woman’s status was clearly not low, at least quite wealthy. Just her clothes and accessories alone were probably worth several years’ worth of food for an ordinary family. She must be the cherished wife of some wealthy man.
Businessmen, naturally, wouldn’t want to cause trouble or offend anyone.
“Innkeeper, do you have any clean rooms available?”
Seeing the young woman’s gentle and friendly smile, the elderly innkeeper stroked his beard and replied with a warm smile: “Yes! Of course! Our inn has clean rooms, please come upstairs.”
Following the old man up the stairs, the young woman held her skirt lightly, a soft shawl draped over her arm, looking at the corridor with interest. And the little girl beside her also seemed excited.
However—
After walking back and forth in the corridor a few times, the young woman suddenly noticed something amiss and frowned slightly: “Innkeeper, why aren’t you taking us to our room? We’ve been going in circles.”
“Hehe, you don’t know, guest.”
But the old innkeeper just smiled gently: “We’re a small business, and we don’t want any trouble. I don’t know if you have any powerful guards with you, Madam, but it’s always good to be cautious. Walking around a few times will deter those with ill intentions.”
The young woman quickly covered her mouth with her hand and said apologetically: “Thank you for your consideration, old man, I apologize for my earlier words.”
“It’s nothing.” The innkeeper smiled warmly, leading them to a room and opening the door: “This is your room. If you’re not satisfied, just let me know, my wife will clean it again.”
“This room is very clean.”
“As for dinner tonight, I’ll have my wife bring it to your room, so you don’t have to come downstairs, how about that?” The old innkeeper stroked his beard and smiled: “Although there haven’t been any troublemakers recently, there might be some drunkards who could disturb you and the little miss, ruining your trip.”
The young woman touched her chest lightly and bowed slightly: “Thank you so much, innkeeper.”
And the little girl beside her also smiled brightly and sweetly: “Thank you, Grandpa!”
“What a sweet child.”
The old innkeeper’s smile widened: “Just as adorable and well-behaved as my own granddaughter.”
…
