Chapter Forty-Four: Qinglin Town

“Hey, hahaha!” Lu Zhe spread a pair of black wings, each nearly thirty feet long, from his back and soared joyfully through the air.

Old Ye sat cross-legged on a rock by the roadside, quietly cultivating, paying no heed to Lu Zhe, who was reveling in his flight above.

Suddenly, Old Ye opened his eyes and said calmly, “Three, two, one.”

Just as the word “one” left Old Ye’s lips, Lu Zhe, lost in his flight, let out a sudden cry. The pair of black wings vanished from his back, and he plummeted from the sky.

Crash! Crack!

Lu Zhe fell onto a tree not far from Old Ye, landing sprawled across a branch, his face scratched and marked by the branches he’d crashed through. Grinning sheepishly, he peered down at Old Ye below and said, “I’m back, Master.”

Old Ye glanced up at him and said in a mild tone, “You’re too careless. I’ve told you before, I don’t mind you flying, but you must estimate how long your current spiritual energy can sustain you. Each time you fly, you forget yourself and lose track, and you’ve already fallen from the sky five or six times. Why won’t you learn?”

Lu Zhe scratched his head with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, every time I fly I get so excited I forget. By the time I realize it, I’ve already fallen.”

With that, Lu Zhe slid down from the tree and hurried over to Old Ye, sitting cross-legged to replenish the spiritual energy consumed during his flight.

After a while, Lu Zhe exhaled deeply, feeling his elixir core full again. He smiled and was about to channel his spiritual power toward the tattooed wings on his back, when Old Ye interrupted him.

Old Ye spoke calmly, “We’re about to hit the road. Don’t waste your energy.”

Lu Zhe nodded, though reluctant, and withdrew his spiritual power, then stood and followed Old Ye as they resumed their journey.

Their destination was Green Forest Town, a medium-sized settlement at the other side of the mountain. Green Forest Town sat at the junction of several mountains and was frequented by mercenary groups who hunted in the area. Over time, mercenaries began to settle there, and gradually, various factions emerged, each vying for dominance. On the surface, these mercenary groups coexisted peacefully, but beneath, they schemed and plotted, each hoping to one day control Green Forest Town.

Old Ye explained to Lu Zhe that this trip was for him to join a mercenary group entering the deep mountains, so he could learn how to hunt beast kings and the like.

The mountain where Lu Zhe lived was called Hundred Trees Mountain—so named because it boasted every type of tree imaginable. It was considered a treasure trove by lumber merchants of the northwest Divine Xia Continent, as any tree found in the market could be found here. As a result, Lu Zhe often saw burly men carrying saws and pushing giant carts along the mountain road.

Lu Zhe and Old Ye walked briskly, aiming to reach Green Forest Town before nightfall. Hundred Trees Mountain was neither too large nor too small; from one side to the town, it took about a day’s journey. By now, they had covered half the distance, and with the sun at its zenith, they should arrive before dark.

Neither Old Ye nor Lu Zhe spoke, focused solely on the road. They rarely stopped at inns or rest spots, relying on their own stamina. By dusk, they finally crossed Hundred Trees Mountain.

Looking at Green Forest Town not far below, Old Ye said nothing, while Lu Zhe wiped the sweat from his brow, grinned, and together they descended the mountain.

The winding mountain path was deceptive; from above, Green Forest Town seemed close, but as they descended, it felt interminable. After nearly half an hour, they had only covered half the distance.

Lu Zhe glanced at the sky—it was about the hour of the dog. At their current pace, they would not reach the foot of the mountain before nightfall.

Lu Zhe looked at Old Ye ahead and suggested, “Master, let’s fly the rest of the way.”

Old Ye turned and said calmly, “What, now you don’t want to walk just because you can fly?”

Lu Zhe scratched his head, smiling, “But at this rate, it’ll be dark by the time we reach the foot, and traveling at night isn’t safe.”

Old Ye snorted, “Then hurry up.”

Lu Zhe raised his eyebrows, helpless, and quickened his pace.

As they neared the foot of the mountain, two figures appeared from the direction of Green Forest Town—one tall, one small—running swiftly toward Lu Zhe’s position.

Lu Zhe looked up at them. The dusk obscured their features, but it didn’t matter.

He and Old Ye descended steadily, while the two figures rushed toward Hundred Trees Mountain.

As they drew closer, Lu Zhe noticed four or five massive figures following behind them. These figures, towering over two meters, were broad and burly—clearly mercenaries or hunters.

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Old Ye paid little attention to the approaching figures but slowed his steps, perhaps because they were nearing Green Forest Town and there was no need to hurry.

Walking leisurely, Old Ye was followed closely by Lu Zhe, who suddenly noticed the smaller figure stumble and collapse, apparently twisting her ankle.

As the taller figure tried to lift the smaller one, the pursuing giants surrounded them.

Lu Zhe and Old Ye continued walking toward Green Forest Town. As they drew near, Lu Zhe could see by the town’s lanterns the true identities of the figures.

The men surrounding the pair were indeed burly, bearded hunters. Their arms were thicker than Lu Zhe’s thighs, likely mercenaries accustomed to hunting.

The ones surrounded were a frail man, who guarded the person behind him—a young girl, not more than thirteen or fourteen, delicate and lovely, refined and gentle. Her small, beautiful face was filled with anger and fear.

Among the burly men, one in his thirties stepped forward, looked at the girl, and laughed heartily, “Our young master fancies your sister—he wants her as a concubine. This is a blessing for your ‘Falcon’ mercenary group. Don’t be stubborn. If you come with us, maybe our leader will spare your group.”

The girl gritted her teeth, her lovely face contorted with rage, glaring fiercely at the speaker, but said nothing.

The man protecting her glared back, clenching his teeth, “Dream on.”

The burly man only laughed, “Haha, stubborn, aren’t you? But…”

Before he finished, he lunged forward and slapped the man twice, drawing blood. Grabbing his hair, he sneered, “Stubbornness is worthless.”

“Move aside, you’re blocking my way,” came Old Ye’s voice just then. He and Lu Zhe had walked right up to them, Old Ye showing no intention of stepping aside.

The burly man turned and saw two figures—a man in green robes and another in black. He frowned, but quickly masked his irritation, sizing them up before asking, “Who are you?”

Old Ye replied calmly, “Just travelers.”

The burly man was surprised, his anger flickering, but he said, “Please, step aside. We have matters to attend to.”

“Help! Help!” the battered man suddenly called out. From the moment Lu Zhe and Old Ye appeared, he’d seen them, though from afar couldn’t judge their faces. Now that they were close, he noticed one shrouded in green robes with only his eyes visible, and the other a thin youth in black. He hadn’t intended to ask them for help, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

The burly man, annoyed, slapped him again, making him spit more blood.

“Move aside, you’re in my way,” Old Ye repeated, refusing to detour.

Before the burly man could speak, another, younger—about twenty-five—stepped forward impatiently, “Can’t you see we’re busy? If you know what’s good for you, take a detour, or else—ah!”

He hadn’t finished before Old Ye struck him with his cane, sending him flying dozens of yards away. The sound of trees snapping followed—he must have crashed through dozens, and then there was silence.

“Move aside.” Old Ye’s words snapped the others out of their shock.

The leader, now wary, bowed, “Forgive our offense, sir.”

He waved his hand, and his men hurried to grab the angry girl and respectfully cleared a path.

Old Ye walked calmly ahead, Lu Zhe following. As they passed the girl held by mercenaries, Lu Zhe glanced at her and saw in her clear autumn eyes a plea.

“Help us, sir! If you save us, our ‘Falcon’ mercenary group will risk everything, serve you as beasts of burden if need be!” the battered man called desperately from behind.

“What are you shouting for?” the burly man, impatient, punched him, eliciting another spurt of blood.

The girl cried, “Brother!” on seeing him injured.

Lu Zhe could hear the despair in her voice.

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Lu Zhe was about to turn back but Old Ye stopped him. “Don’t meddle,” he said calmly.

Lu Zhe wanted to protest, but after thinking, realized that with his current strength—even using his crushing fist—he could only hope to fell two of those men at most. With five still standing, excluding the one Old Ye had dispatched, he’d be doomed.

Lu Zhe clenched his fists, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes in silence.

Old Ye looked at him and sighed, “One day, you’ll understand what I mean.”

With that, Old Ye turned back toward the burly men.

Seeing Old Ye return, the mercenaries felt a chill. The leader handed the battered man to another, then hurried to Old Ye, bowing with a nervous smile, “Is there anything else you require, sir?”

Old Ye glanced at him and said, “Nothing much—my disciple fancies this young lady and wants her.”

Lu Zhe was stunned, lifting his head just as the girl’s gaze met his. Her eyes were filled with surprise, and perhaps a hint of joy?

The man she called brother was likewise elated, “So long as you save us, we’ll do anything.”

The leader hesitated, “Sir, this girl is wanted by our young vice-captain. We’re just following orders—we have no authority to give her away.”

Old Ye said nothing, but his grip tightened on his jade-green bamboo staff.

The leader, seasoned in the ways of the world and mindful of Old Ye’s earlier feat, pondered briefly, then said, “Since you desire her, sir, I’ll do you this favor. But I can’t explain to the vice-captain—perhaps…”

He looked at Old Ye expectantly.

Old Ye said nothing, but touched his jade-green storage ring. A cloth sack half as tall as a man appeared on the ground.

He tossed the sack to the leader and said calmly, “Consider this a gift for your vice-captain.”

The leader caught the sack—it was heavy, enough to make him stagger. He opened it, and golden light spilled out like a sun in the night—pure gold coins!

Stunned, he nearly forgot himself until Old Ye snapped, “Get lost.”

He hefted the sack, signaled his men, and bowed, “Farewell, sir.”

With that, he hurried toward Green Forest Town.

Released, the girl quickly crawled to her brother, asking, “Are you alright?”

He waved her off, showing he was fine, then knelt and bowed to Old Ye, “Thank you for saving us. I, Hong Lei, will devote my life to repaying your kindness.”

Old Ye looked at him, said nothing, then turned to Lu Zhe, patting his shoulder, “Let’s go.”

Lu Zhe smiled, glanced at Old Ye, and quickly followed.

After a few steps, Hong Lei’s voice called out behind them, “I wish to beg one more favor, sir.”

Old Ye slowly turned, his tone cold, “Do you take us for your subordinates?”

Hong Lei shook his head in haste, “No, sir, you misunderstand. If you grant me this, my life will be yours.”

Old Ye turned, looked at him, “What is it?”

(Writing this is tiring my hands, friends. If you’ve finished reading, please toss a few favorites and recommendations my way. I’d be most grateful.)