Chapter 65: Hard is the Road Part 2

Old Tang lectured for half the morning, then stopped to rest. Wang Cheng’an had started the “mountaineering activity” full of excitement, bouncing around and even climbing trees to raid bird nests. But later, his enthusiasm waned, and he stuck by Wang Ya’s side. He would occasionally pipe up: “Yaya, are you tired? Want Daddy to carry your backpack?” “Yaya, thirsty? I have water, want some?” “Yaya, want cookies? I really want an Energy Bar!” “Yaya, are we going to find Mom? Did Mom move to live in the mountains?”

Wang Ya keenly noticed that since yesterday, Wang Cheng’an had barely acknowledged Zhang Qingshui or Huang Qi, and even ignored Old Tang mostly. During breaks, he sat with her instead of joining the other three. She asked him, “Dad, why don’t you go play with Old Tang and them?”

Wang Cheng’an glanced sideways at Old Tang and the others, pouting angrily. “I don’t wanna play with them!”

Wang Ya asked, “Why? Did they offend you?”

Wang Cheng’an said, “Zhang Qingshui hit you and had your blood on her hands. They play with her, so I won’t play with them. They think I’m dumb and try to fool me, but I’m not dumb.”

Wang Ya stared at Wang Cheng’an in a daze. “What did they fool you about?”

Wang Cheng’an mumbled, unable to explain clearly, and just pouted in anger. He felt they were treating him like a fool, but he couldn’t say how, so he sulked by himself.

Wang Ya was silent for a moment, then softly said, “They’re not our people to begin with. It’s right not to pay them any mind.”

Wang Cheng’an grinned, pleased. “See, I was right not to pay them mind! I’m smart, huh!”

Wang Ya found it strange: this area was so remote—how had Old Tang and the others found it? Some paths they’d taken had no trail at all, requiring machetes to clear.

While walking, Wang Ya voiced her doubt.

Old Tang said Zhang Qingshui had the Zhang Family find the place; he didn’t know details.

Zhang Qingshui replied, “We used a helicopter to scout from the air.”

Wang Ya understood at once. She didn’t know if the Zhang Family had helicopters, but China had strict aviation controls; private ones couldn’t just fly around. Clearly, the Zhang Family had mobilized official forces. No matter how secret their route, it wasn’t secret anymore. With helicopters revealing the destination, pursuers didn’t need to track—they could just wait there. Wang Ya said flatly, “Zhang Qingshui, you’ve sold me out from the start!”

Zhang Qingshui said, “It’s just cooperation, each getting what we need. No selling involved.” She could have lied, saying the Zhang Family found it in an Ancient Book or some elder recognized the map. But by admitting the helicopter, she warned Wang Ya it wasn’t secret, stirring dissatisfaction and suspicion. With so many eyes on Wang Ya, the Zhang Family couldn’t lock down the info. She could only hint for Wang Ya to prepare. She could control Zhang Family members, but not other factions.

Wang Ya snorted coldly. “Why not just call a helicopter to fly us there? Save us hauling dozens of jin through these woods.”

Zhang Qingshui looked up at Wang Ya ahead of her and said calmly, “If we flew in by helicopter, it wouldn’t be just us. Every move would be under others’ control. Would you even have room to resist then? If I offered to take you by helicopter, would you go?” Flying in would mean all-out battle or Wang Ya captured and controlled. By hiking through remote woods, others could only track roughly, giving them room to maneuver, evade, or counterattack. In this uninhabited borderland of three provinces, hiding or ambushing was easy. Unless the military launched a full helicopter sweep, setting traps to inflict casualties was simple. Most importantly, Wang Ya seemed impulsive, reckless, and unthinking. Under her guidance, pursuers thought Wang Ya was clueless, charging ahead blindly. They feared alerting her early, causing extra trouble. Why exert themselves when they could tail from afar easily?

Zhang Qingshui expected Wang Ya, knowing the leak and possible pursuit, to set traps along the way to delay and damage the tails. But Wang Ya showed no reaction—just hiked and cultivated her Demonic Power, as if unconcerned. Their relationship was tense from that incident, plus differing stands, so she couldn’t pry. But she wasn’t worried; Wang Ya hadn’t killed her that morning, proving she wasn’t as rash as thought. This unease grew—Zhang Qingshui couldn’t guess Wang Ya’s plan, but knew she had backing. If Wang Ya struck, she’d be first. Once in the Feng Family’s underground abysses, it became Wang Ya’s turf: she active, they passive.

Zhang Qingshui hesitated: report the change and abandon, or risk death following? Reporting meant no gains, possibly all for naught, but safety. Following meant a shot at rewards, but likely dying by Wang Ya’s hand. That event hurt Wang Ya deeply, trapping her in a dilemma.

On the second night in the mountains, they camped in a sheltered spot. Wang Ya stayed far with Wang Cheng’an; Zhang Qingshui shared a tent with Huang Qi.

Soon after pitching the tent, Old Tang came over from nearby.

Old Tang said quietly to Zhang Qingshui, “Little Zhang, we’ll reach the place tomorrow. You can still leave now. Withdraw tonight; I’ll take Wang Ya out early tomorrow. She’ll escape danger, and you can retreat safely. A’qi and I will follow her for the Ghost Pill. Wang Ya honors promises; we’ve done nothing against her. She’ll help A’qi get the Ghost Pill. Don’t worry about us.”

Zhang Qingshui sighed deeply. “Old Tang, I’ve thought two days. I decide to stay.”

Old Tang asked gravely, “Why?”

Zhang Qingshui said, “The great mistake is cast, Heart Demon born. Even if I flee tonight, I’ll carry an unpayable debt the rest of my life, ruining my cultivation. I can’t inherit Zhang Family headship. If I die underground, call it my inescapable karma. I’ll go with you, fighting for my own way out.”

Old Tang looked at Huang Qi, sitting cross-legged silently in the tent. “A’qi, your thoughts?”

Huang Qi said, “I don’t want Qing Jie risking it, but adults must own their actions. Without this responsibility, how can she lead Zhang Family? If she leaves tonight, even if she becomes head and overcomes her Heart Demon, Wang Ya won’t forgive her. Don’t talk killing Wang Ya—that’s our fault, not hers. Can’t err again. Plus, behind Wang Ya is a Leaf Demon rooted in Yellow Springs, linking Three Realms, stronger than her. I don’t know how to make Wang Ya forgive Qing Jie, but leaving harms more than staying. Two harms, choose lesser. Now only Qing Jie risks; if she leaves, Wang Ya’s revenge might hit my grandparents, uncle, other Zhangs, even whole family.” Hatred’s seed grows into a towering tree of destruction.

Old Tang said no more, just looked deeply at Zhang Qingshui. “Decision made? Rest early.” Then he returned to his tent.