[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star":3,"chapter-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-11":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After Fifteen Years of Secret Cultivation, I Start as a Top-Grade Ultimate Peak!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282119,4464,"Chapter 11: Passerby","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-11",11,"\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian nodded in understanding, while Cang Yin Yue began leading him along a remote back trail, deliberately avoiding major roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian didn’t mind this at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Chongzhou bordered Jingzhou, and they were only a few days’ ride from Shangyang City—any route would do about the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, along this journey, through conversations with Cang Yin Yue, he had gained a general understanding of the entire Da Li realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Da Li’s territory lay nineteen provinces, where martial sects thrived, martial experts abounded, and their power was vast and complex, even rivaling the imperial government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not an exaggeration to say that Da Li currently existed under a joint rule of court and martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial world did not wish to provoke the court, and the Da Li court, surrounded by hostile neighboring states, had little recourse against those martial folk who frequently broke the law with violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Cang Yin Yue, the other four imperial dynasties were much the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the northern Da Wu was worse—its entire empire was trending toward domination by a few top martial sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why Cang Yin Yue avoided dealings with the Blood Bath Alliance; in the eyes of certain martial factions, they held the court in no regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Cang Yin Yue was not afraid—she simply wished to avoid unnecessary trouble and prevent uncontrollable factors from arising on this journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secluded mountain paths were hard to traverse, but the scenery was pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian’s previous black-maned yellow horse, worn out from days of travel, had been sold midway and replaced with a more enduring mule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though cheap and unattractive, this mule was adept at climbing rugged mountain trails, using all four legs to scale even the most winding, steep stretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clear wind chases clouds to this place; the horse carries me to the mountain’s peak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the vast, verdant mountains, Li Muxian lightly patted his mule’s back and hummed a little verse, walking alongside Cang Yin Yue along the winding, steep trail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the immense wilderness, the two people and two mounts appeared exceedingly small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue remained cold and composed, her gaze straight ahead; along this journey, she had found Li Muxian peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though confined to that small-town martial school, his knowledge was severely limited, forcing him to ask her about many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his ability to absorb information was strong—he grasped concepts instantly, and some of his insights were remarkably original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He occasionally uttered words she had never heard before, and upon careful reflection, she often found them profoundly astute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue saw many contradictions in Li Muxian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, his martial skill—the acupuncture technique that made even her wary—and his occasional frivolous banter, mixed with moments of world-weary nonchalance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, he simply gave off a strange vibe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Miss Cang, do you see anyone on the opposite hilltop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Muxian suddenly spoke, breaking Cang Yin Yue’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze sharpened as she followed his pointing finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, several miles away, among the dense trees, three figures were quietly riding along the mountain path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their figures were occasionally obscured by thorny branches, but with a little scrutiny, it was clear they were heading in the same direction as they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like these people thought the same as you—wanting to take this detour,” Li Muxian said, stroking his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This stretch of mountain path is extremely hidden; few would think to come this way to Jingzhou, just as I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue’s eyes flickered with a sharp gleam, but then she noticed Li Muxian had already patted his mule and continued forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He showed no concern at all about suddenly encountering strangers deep in the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue gave a warning, yet she wasn’t overly worried about Li Muxian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, under unprepared conditions, his miraculous acupuncture technique could not even be resisted by her—he should be fine defending himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the group on the opposite path also spotted Li Muxian and Cang Yin Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were greatly surprised—and immediately became highly alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept staring at them, their hands never leaving the hilts of their swords, as if ready to draw and attack at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the two groups met at a fork in the road ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides halted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Muxian studied the three before him: two men and one woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spirited woman in green martial attire, a sword at her waist; a thin-faced young scholar carrying a book basket; and a middle-aged man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, also armed with a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue also observed the three. She studied the middle-aged man for a moment, then glanced at the woman and the scholar, before suddenly speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which general’s subordinate are you? Where are you currently stationed in the capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She directed this question at the middle-aged man, who, upon hearing it, clearly showed surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue calmly explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your steps are steady and powerful, your breathing rhythm distinct—you train the Da Li military’s ‘Shake Mountain Fist Art.’ You’re likely military personnel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, though your sword appears ordinary overall, its hilt’s design is refined and unique—it must come from Shangyang City’s ‘Yan Bing Pavilion.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the middle-aged man’s gaze shifted, and his aura surged rapidly; his grip on the sword hilt shimmered with martial qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fixed his eyes on Cang Yin Yue and said gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your eyes are sharp—you’ve discerned my origins. You must be from the capital, and certainly not an ordinary woman. Are you returning to Shangyang City?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue nodded, then sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re either under General Wu’an, part of the Wu’an Army, or one of his personal guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Meng Shan’s face turned even more startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within as he asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From your martial qi—you train ‘Zhong Yuan Gong,’ the primary cultivation method of the Wu’an Army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cang Yin Yue’s voice was calm, seated steadily on her horse, unmoved by the killing intent he had just revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Shan froze, staring silently at Cang Yin Yue for a long while before slowly nodding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can recognize even this, your identity and background must be extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Muxian—who had been acting like an invisible man—suddenly clapped his hands lightly and praised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Cang, you’re truly impressive—spotting the subtle signs, broad-minded and well-informed; it’s truly eye-opening. The Six Doors should be begging you to join their investigations—it’s their loss they haven’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he glanced at the middle-aged man again and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t look like bad people. Since we’re headed the same way, let’s travel together—better to have company on the road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1130,"2026-06-20T01:43:38.503Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9484e39cd6377e636ecba28ccbcff290c78646a602395b4a3afe8c7af713877e","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-12","after-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-chapter-10",259,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-fifteen-years-of-secret-cultivation-i-star-cover.jpg"]