Chapter 59: Linzhou |
Elder Meng paced back and forth twice before finally realizing the severity of the situation.
He had taken the disciples into the secret realm—and lost the Sect Master’s first disciple.
He pondered for three seconds, then resumed pacing.
As he walked, he muttered to himself,
“It’s over, it’s over, it’s over…”
The possibility of being slapped to death by the Sect Master flashed rapidly through his mind.
Elder Meng walked faster and faster before abruptly coming to a halt.
“No, I must immediately send a message to the Sect Master.” As he spoke, he reached for his jade talisman.
Before Lingxuan Venerable’s slap could descend, Lu Fengmian’s message arrived first.
Zhou Wu’s communication talisman lit up first.
Zhou Wu glanced down and nearly burst into tears on the spot.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait! Elder Meng!” He grabbed him at once to stop him. “Senior Brother sent a message!”
Elder Meng’s hand froze midair.
He watched Zhou Wu connect the communication and heard Lu Fengmian’s voice from the other end.
Thank the heavens.
Fortunately, he was safe.
Otherwise, given Lingxuan Venerable’s temperament, if he learned that his disciple had entered the secret realm and failed to emerge, he would likely overturn the entire Northern Region.
He let out a long breath, clasped his hands behind his back, and adopted a composed and steady demeanor.
“I said it earlier,” he remarked calmly, “what could possibly happen in a mere secret realm? Young people are too impatient.”
Zhou Wu: “……”
He silently glanced at the circle of footprints Elder Meng had just worn into the ground and wisely chose not to expose him.
After hearing Zhou Wu’s account, Lu Fengmian could not help but smile.
“Tell Elder Meng that I’m fine,” he said. “Once we find our way, we’ll return.”
Zhou Wu replied, “Understood. Please take care.”
The jade talisman dimmed.
***
Lu Fengmian tucked it back into his robe and leaned against Xiao Jin’s shoulder.
Xiao Jin had been listening quietly the whole time. Only now did he ask softly, “Senior Brother, how are we going back?”
Lu Fengmian closed his eyes, his tone languid.
“Rest first. Once we’ve rested enough, we’ll think about it.”
Xiao Jin nodded and asked no further questions.
Warm sunlight bathed them; a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves with soft whispers.
After resting for about half the time it takes an incense stick to burn and recovering some strength, Lu Fengmian gathered himself and sat up.
The wound on his arm had already been treated with medicinal pills, and the bleeding had stopped. Yet when he moved, a dull ache still throbbed faintly.
He shrugged and looked up at the sky.
“Let’s go. We’ll scout the area.”
Xiao Jin hurried to his feet and reached out to support him.
Lu Fengmian waved his hand. “No need. I can walk on my own.”
He stood up and brushed the grass clippings from his robe.
His brocade robe was smeared with mud, the sleeve torn, dried blood staining it dark red. He truly looked a sorry sight.
Xiao Jin followed behind him, his gaze fixed intently on him.
Lu Fengmian took one step forward; Xiao Jin followed with one step. His eyes seemed glued to him, afraid he might collapse the next second.
Under such scrutiny, Lu Fengmian felt somewhat helpless.
“I’m fine,” he said. “Stop staring at me.”
Xiao Jin realized it, yet his gaze still did not shift away.
The two walked out through the forest.
There was no proper path within, so they relied on intuition to choose the easiest direction. After walking for only half an hour, they finally saw a dirt road.
The road was not wide, wild grass growing on both sides, but it was clearly well-traveled.
Looking along it, Lu Fengmian faintly spotted a wisp of smoke rising in the distance.
If there were people nearby, things would be easier to handle.
They followed the dirt road for a while when the rumble of wheels sounded behind them.
Lu Fengmian turned and saw an old man pushing a cart piled high with round watermelons, neatly stacked together.
If they asked for directions looking like this, they might frighten him.
He lifted a hand to straighten his robe, folding the bloodstained sleeve inward, then brushed the dust from his body to appear less disheveled.
Stepping forward, Lu Fengmian clasped his hands and bowed slightly to the old man.
“Sir, may I ask where this is?”
The old man stopped and looked up at him.
At a single glance, his expression changed.
The person before him wore garments of exquisite fabric the likes of which he had never seen in his life.
The young man beside him, though less lavishly dressed, was neat and clean; at a glance, one could tell they were not from ordinary families.
The old man’s heartbeat skipped.
Dressed like this, bearing such presence—had he encountered immortals?
He hurriedly set down his cart and nervously rubbed his hands.
“Honored Immortals, this is Linzhou.”
Linzhou?
Lu Fengmian raised his brows slightly.
It truly was far-reaching.
Seeing that he did not appear impatient, the old man mustered courage to add, “Not far from here is Guanyang City. I’m heading there to sell melons.”
Following the direction he pointed, Lu Fengmian faintly discerned the outline of city walls.
He withdrew his gaze and smiled at the old man.
“Many thanks, sir.”
He glanced at the heavily laden cart and then at the old man’s stooped back.
“Let us help you push it.”
The old man waved his hands repeatedly. “No, no, that won’t do. How could I trouble immortals…”
“It’s no trouble,” Lu Fengmian interrupted with a smile, lightly nudging Xiao Jin beside him.
Xiao Jin had been standing blankly at the side, his expression somewhat peculiar.
Jolted by the nudge, he snapped back to his senses and looked at Lu Fengmian in confusion.
Lu Fengmian gave him a look.
Xiao Jin blinked once, then again, finally understanding.
He stepped forward and took the cart handles from the old man.
The old man still wished to decline, but Xiao Jin had already pushed the cart forward a step. He hurried to follow, muttering, “How improper of me…”
Lu Fengmian walked beside them, tilting his head to look at Xiao Jin.
Though pushing the cart steadily, Xiao Jin’s expression remained somewhat strange.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Fengmian asked.
Xiao Jin paused, lifted his head, opened his mouth, then closed it again.
After a moment, he said softly, “Senior Brother, Linzhou…”
He hesitated, his voice even lower.
“The Xiao family of Linzhou is here.”
The three of them proceeded slowly along the dirt road.
At first, the old man was reserved, not daring to speak much, only stealing occasional glances at the two youths.
But after walking a while, seeing that Lu Fengmian always wore a gentle smile, patiently answering every question, and that Xiao Jin, though silent, pushed the cart steadily, his nervousness gradually faded.
“You two immortals are from out of town, right?”
Lu Fengmian nodded. “We’re passing through and wish to enter the city to rest.”
“That’s wonderful. Though Guanyang City isn’t large, it has everything.” Once the old man began talking, he could not stop.
“There’s an inn in the east of the city, an old establishment—clean and affordable. The western market is lively, selling all sorts of goods. Oh, and in the north of the city there’s a noodle shop. Their minced meat noodles are especially fragrant. Every time I finish selling melons, I have to eat a bowl…”
Mid-sentence, he suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh. “Ah, listen to me rambling. How could two immortals fancy such mortal food…”
Lu Fengmian smiled and shook his head. “What’s wrong with mortal food? I eat it often.”
The old man looked at him and nodded as if understanding, though he did not entirely comprehend.
Lu Fengmian did not elaborate further, merely continued listening to him speak.
The old man prattled on endlessly—from Guanyang City’s local customs to this year’s watermelon harvest, from Butcher Li in the east to Widow Wang in the west.
Lu Fengmian responded from time to time, occasionally asking a question or two, which only encouraged the old man to speak more enthusiastically.
Xiao Jin pushed the cart to the side, yet his ears remained keenly attentive.