Chapter 425: Accompanying on the Journey, Unexpected Encounters on the Mountain Path p1
The next morning.
After a hasty breakfast, Zhu Shutong and Lin Ling arrived at the inn’s entrance.
Meanwhile, although the surrounding travelers and merchants were busy as usual, they couldn’t help but glance at the two carriages parked outside the inn, their eyes filled with admiration.
Because, in this remote wilderness, a remarkably beautiful woman stood, dressed in martial attire. Her heroic and elegant bearing, even as she stood silently by the entrance, exuded a captivating allure, like a snow lotus on a distant peak, making one wonder about her origins.
“—I didn’t expect you to be up so early.”
Tan Zisheng looked back at them, her expression cool and collected: “Since you’ve finished your meal, let’s set off.”
“We’ve kept you waiting, heroine,” Zhu Shutong quickly apologized.
“I just arrived as well.”
Tan Zisheng casually patted the carriage: “Would you like to ride with me?”
Zhu Shutong’s eyes lit up, and she nodded happily: “Of course! “
She then hurried to the front of the carriage and introduced: “Uncle Li, this heroine… is a friend I met at the inn last night. She’ll be traveling with us to Changling.”
“Oh?”
The old man looked at Tan Zisheng in surprise, then his expression turned serious as he nodded repeatedly, stroking his beard: “Excellent! With this master accompanying us, our journey will surely be safe.”
Zhu Shutong’s eyes twinkled, and she asked curiously: “But whose carriage is that behind you, heroine?”
“It belongs to my maid.”
Tan Zisheng said softly: “Since I’ll be riding with you now, my maid will drive that carriage and follow behind us.”
Lan’er also nodded to them from afar.
Zhu Shutong quickly returned the greeting, a gentle smile on her face: “In that case, please get in, heroine.”
…
The carriage moved forward, slowly traveling along the forest path, the interior quiet.
Tan Zisheng simply placed her sword on her lap, closed her eyes, and seemed to be meditating.
Zhu Shutong hesitated for a while, then whispered: “Heroine, about what happened last night—”
“I know what you’re worried about.”
Tan Zisheng opened her eyes slightly and murmured: “Yin energy gathers in places where there has been death and resentment. That room you stayed in might have been the site of a murder in the past, hence the lingering evil.”
Zhu Shutong’s face turned slightly pale: “Just a single murder can lead to the birth of a demon or ghost? Does that mean—”
“In the past, demons and ghosts weren’t so common, they rarely interfered with the lives of mortals.”
Tan Zisheng’s expression was calm and indifferent: “But recently, the world is changing, Yin energy is overflowing, and the actions of demons and ghosts are becoming more and more unrestrained. To survive in this world, mortals can only pray for heaven’s protection.
Or rather, to mortals, these demons and ghosts are like unavoidable ‘natural disasters,’ a matter of fortune or misfortune.”
Zhu Shutong bit her lip lightly, sighing inwardly.
This world had become so strange and cruel without her realizing it.
Just then, Lin Ling, her eyes sparkling, suddenly murmured: “Big Sister Heroine knows so much.”
“It’s no different from what you know, I just learned about it recently.”
“Then why are you so powerful, Big Sister?”
She looked curious, her hands gesturing excitedly: “Last night, I saw Big Sister Heroine slay that scary monster with a single sword strike!”
“I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was young.”
Tan Zisheng glanced at her and said softly: “It’s been more than forty years. And recently, I received guidance from an expert, which allowed me to fight against demons and ghosts.”
“So you practice martial arts… Eh?!”
Lin Ling’s eyes widened in surprise: “You’ve been practicing martial arts for forty years, Big Sister Heroine?!”
Even Zhu Shutong’s face showed a look of shock and surprise.
Forty years of training, didn’t that mean this heroine before her eyes… was at least forty or fifty years old?!
“In terms of age, I’m old enough to be your grandmother.” Tan Zisheng’s lips curved into a faint smile: “Little girl, I heard that you want to learn magic from Master Lin?”
“Y-Yes!”
Lin Ling immediately sat up straight: “I want to learn celestial arts, so I can protect my mother! I don’t want any more demons or ghosts harming my family!”
Tan Zisheng’s heart stirred, finding this little girl quite interesting.
Although still young, her words were quite mature and ambitious.
“Since you want to learn magic, how about becoming my disciple?” Tan Zisheng smiled meaningfully: “Perhaps my cultivation methods, specifically designed for women, are more suitable for you than Master Lin’s.”
But Lin Ling shook her head decisively: “I’ve already chosen Master Lin as my teacher, I won’t take another master. Thank you for your kindness, Big Sister Heroine.”
“Oh?”
Tan Zisheng crossed her arms, a playful look on her face, and said casually: “It’s fine if you don’t want to become my disciple, I can still teach you a few things, it won’t affect your apprenticeship with Master Lin, how about that?”
Lin Ling hesitated slightly, her eyes flickering.
But she quickly shook her head firmly, as if sulking: “No! No! Ling’er doesn’t want to!”
“Ling’er…” Zhu Shutong’s expression changed slightly as she pulled her daughter closer: “Don’t be so rude, you should be more respectful to the heroine.”
“It’s fine.”
Tan Zisheng wasn’t offended, instead, she smiled faintly: “I’m just curious, little girl, why are you so angry, even after I offered you an opportunity?”
Lin Ling shrank her shoulders slightly, lowering her head timidly: “I’m not angry at you, Big Sister, I’m angry at myself.”
“Why?”
“I just want to be Master Lin’s disciple, I don’t want to learn anything else. But your words just now made me curious.” Lin Ling fidgeted with her fingers and murmured: “I’m angry at myself for being so… fickle, not loyal to Master Lin.”
Tan Zisheng couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
This little girl was truly interesting.
Although she was just an ordinary child, her personality was quite… unique.
“You’re still young, it’s normal to be curious, there’s no need to blame yourself.” Tan Zisheng smiled gently and said casually: “It’s commendable that you have such determination at such a young age. Just study diligently under Master Lin after you arrive in Changling, and you’ll surely achieve great things.”
“…Mm!”
Lin Ling’s face lit up with a sweet smile: “Thank you, Big Sister Heroine!”
Tan Zisheng corrected her gently: “Heroine is fine, but there’s no need to call me ‘Big Sister’.”
“But Big Sister is so beautiful, just like a heroine~” Lin Ling said sweetly and innocently: “It’s the most appropriate title.”
Tan Zisheng rubbed her head and smiled at Zhu Shutong: “Your daughter is truly adorable, no wonder Master Lin agreed to take her as his disciple.”
“She’s indeed a sensible and intelligent child.”
Zhu Shutong gently caressed her daughter’s face and said softly: “To be favored by Master Lin is truly a blessing. I have no other wishes, only for Ling’er to learn some self-defense techniques and be safe in the future, protected from those demons and ghosts.”
Tan Zisheng nodded approvingly.
In her opinion, both this little girl and this young woman had admirable personalities, worth nurturing and guiding.
If they went to Changling, and Tianlu only taught the little girl magic, then she would teach the mother some swordsmanship and movement techniques, so she could protect herself.
However—
She looked out the window, her expression gradually turning cold and indifferent.
—The young woman’s worries weren’t unfounded.
Since leaving Qingcheng, she had traveled through many towns, villages, and counties, encountering bandits and thugs along the way, and even being targeted by demons and ghosts at night.
And because of this, she could truly feel…
…that this world was on the verge of chaos.
Although it wasn’t exactly a living hell yet, corruption and banditry were rampant in many towns and counties. Even demons and ghosts, which she had rarely encountered in the past few decades, were now appearing frequently, their malicious intentions clear, as if ready to strike at any moment.
“I wonder… if we can still…”
…
As night deepened, the sky darkened.
Zhu Shutong, her eyes heavy with sleep, gently caressed Lin Ling, who was sleeping soundly on her lap. Seeing that her daughter was still fast asleep, she looked at the woman beside her.
“Heroine Tan, thank you so much for the medicine. Ling’er has been sleeping much better today.”
“It was just a small gesture.”
Tan Zisheng withdrew her gaze from the window and said indifferently: “But you, still pushing yourself, should also rest.”
Zhu Shutong chuckled softly, her heart at ease.
During the long and boring carriage ride today, the two of them had chatted occasionally, about demons and ghosts, and also about some more mundane topics.
Although she was still unfamiliar with this heroine, whose demeanor was noble and elegant, like that of royalty, making her feel a bit nervous and reserved,
The more they interacted, the more she sensed the woman’s kindness and sincerity, a truly righteous and trustworthy person.
“Madam——”
A knock came from the carriage door, and the old driver’s voice echoed: “There’s a village up ahead, and it’s getting late, should we stay there for the night?”
“A village?” Zhu Shutong lifted the curtain and looked out, vaguely seeing the outline of a village in the distance, smoke rising from the chimneys.
She looked at Tan Zisheng and asked hesitantly: “Heroine Tan, tonight we…”
“Let’s find an inn and stay the night.”
Tan Zisheng said calmly: “You and your daughter must be tired from the journey. We can set off again tomorrow morning, it won’t delay us too much.”
Zhu Shutong smiled gently: “Thank you for your consideration, Heroine Tan.”
…
The carriage entered the village, and through the window, she could vaguely see women and children playing, and some men carrying hoes and bamboo baskets, a peaceful and rustic scene.
As the carriage stopped in front of a slightly old inn, Zhu Shutong and Lin Ling quickly got off and entered.
“…”
Tan Zisheng, wearing her veil, followed them inside, her eyes glancing around. She saw three young men eating noodles.
Hearing the noise from the entrance, the three men looked up. Their eyes lit up as they saw Zhu Shutong, their gazes lingering on her.
“Heroine Tan, I just asked the innkeeper, and there’s one room left.” Zhu Shutong quietly walked back to Tan Zisheng and whispered: “I wonder if you mind if we…”
“It’s fine, I can just meditate for the night.”
Tan Zisheng waved her sleeve casually, but a cold glint appeared in her eyes as an invisible pressure descended upon the three men, their faces turning pale, silencing them.
But she quickly looked towards the entrance of the inn, her eyes narrowing slightly.
A faint sense of unease arose, as if some danger was approaching.
“Could it be… that there are demons and ghosts lurking in this remote mountain village?”
…
