Chapter 75: Chizhou

This... is truly an interesting cultural custom.

Jiang Ding tilted his head and thought for a long time before realizing this was the nickname they had given him, much like 'East Mountain Flying Tiger', 'Descending Mountain Tiger', or 'Mixed Gold Blade'. Basically, anyone with a bit of fame in the jianghu had one.

It's just that things like 'Dream-Eating' or 'Sword Demon' didn't match him at all, and he had no idea what the basis for them was.

"Young Master..."

Looking at the green-robed youth who had descended before her in her moment of crisis just as he had months ago, Gong Caiyu couldn't help but redden her eyes.

In such a short time, her father was gone, her home was gone, and just as she had placed her grief on the Seven Profound Sect left behind by her father, suddenly, everything was gone again.

From the drone's perspective, the gathering points of torchlight were constantly dispersing and retreating into the distance.

Jiang Ding remained silent for a long time.

The problem is, these are all white.

(Author's note: This novel is first published on 【Platform】, please go there to read!)

"I... I want to go to Yuejing to see if I can save my mother." Gong Caiyu wiped her eyes with her hand: "Also, Uncle Ziteng gave me a treasure map, saying it was a secret underground palace left by the founder years ago. If I can find it, perhaps I can revive the Seven Profound Sect."

Gong Caiyu followed closely behind.

"You said it yourself!"

!.

"Miss Gong, I suggest that your attire should be simple, and the colors should ideally be gray, blue, or green—colors that are widely used."

She argued stubbornly: "Walking in the jianghu requires hiding one's tracks. You are too eye-catching; others will spot you immediately."

Inside the clothing store, Gong Caiyu changed clothes repeatedly—linen materials, female hero outfits, skirts, and jackets.

He didn't know how to comfort her; any words were pale in the face of her experiences.

Jiang Ding thought for a moment.

Gong Caiyu ordered another white garment of a different style to be wrapped up, paid, picked up a white men's long gown, and said expectantly: "Young Master, I think this piece suits you very well. You will look very handsome wearing it..."

"What are your plans?"

"Hmm."

The memories of the massive searches for wandering jianghu martial artists in East Spirit Prefecture and its counties had not yet faded in the slightest.

Jiang Ding shook his head, turned, and walked out of the store, silently meditating outside the door to nourish the tiny branches of his Twelve Main Meridians.

Many people said with hatred: "In my opinion, why bother with the experts from the Green Ox Palace? The attacks and arrests of so many Dragon-Phoenix Ranking prodigies are 99% likely the work of the Marquis of East Town. The major righteous paths should just join forces and wipe them out."

Many jianghu people changed color immediately.

The two walked together for over ten hours on mountain roads, crossed the East Spirit Mountains, and finally encountered a small town. Without any disguise, they walked straight into it.

In the end, she chose a white ru-skirt, with two small buns and ribbons on her head. Her baby-fat face was round, and her ink-black hair reached her waist, making her look extremely cute and naive. The gazes of the proprietress and many customers in the shop were involuntarily drawn to her.

This was a fairly prosperous town located on both sides of the East Spirit Mountain trade route. Travelers and merchants liked to rest here, and since the disappearance of the Fierce Tiger Stronghold, there were even more people.

Underground palace secret treasure?

"No."

Everyone looked serious and lowered their voices.

"How about this one?"

"Young Master, how is this outfit?"

He didn't agree, but he didn't think it was wrong either.

After waiting for a long time, Gong Caiyu finally came out. She wore a black bamboo hat with a veil and, without a word, tried to place another hat without a veil on Jiang Ding's head.

"In the four prefectures of East Province, besides East Spirit Prefecture, you haven't seen those city guards? They get out of breath just standing there collecting entry fees!"

It wasn't just the large armies; Innate and higher experts were also extremely dangerous and even more difficult to escape from.

Jiang Ding ignored her, took a winding path, and went straight into a bustling teahouse, ordered a pot of tea, and closed his eyes to rest. "How is that impossible? I just came from East Spirit Prefecture. Black-armored soldiers filled the sky, pouring out of the city endlessly. It's been miles and there's no end in sight. Could so many soldiers be going out for fun?"

"Look, it's very suitable, Young Master."

Perhaps this was the fate of the jianghu children in this world.

A mortal's life is short, and jianghu people are often in danger, never knowing when they might fall. A certain degree of 'seize the day' culture had its own rationality.

Gong Caiyu said earnestly: "Mother said that white can reveal dirty things and prevent illness. Also, a daughter's life is naturally very short; no matter what, one must always remain beautiful."

Jiang Ding didn't believe that a secret treasure set by an Innate or Grandmaster realm martial artist could last for a thousand years; it was probably just a reason given by that 'Azure Eagle Iron Sword' to make her flee quickly.

"This piece..."

The events in East Spirit Prefecture might spread. This identity and appearance were indeed no longer suitable. He wondered if there was anything on the Banyan Tree Network that could change one's appearance...

Jiang Ding frowned.

Various jianghu people discussed and offered all sorts of ideas.

They stepped into the jianghu, fought and killed, and seized high status, living in luxury without producing anything. The only price was that when they became weak or were targeted by stronger martial artists, they would become the ones being plundered.

"They probably don't believe it. A mere Marquis of East Town shouldn't have such capability. It would be better to report this rebellion..."

Jiang Ding didn't want to inquire about anything, he asked softly.

However, he still couldn't let his guard down.

Gong Caiyu nodded vigorously.

"The Marquis of East Town has started a rebellion..."

In the teahouse, everyone was talking about this news. The previously popular news about jianghu heroes or changes in the Dragon-Phoenix Ranking went unasked.

"Then we are going the same way for a distance; let's travel together."

The East Spirit Mountain range spans several prefectures in the southeast. The only passage between East Province, where East Spirit Prefecture is located, and Chizhou is this mountain road.

Pat!

Jiang Ding decided to travel with her for a while.

"Impossible, he is a Marquis, his ancestors were one of the Twelve Generals of Heavenly Clouds under the Founding Emperor. How could he..."

Gong Caiyu's body trembled, and she instinctively stopped the small hand that was about to cover his head.

Jiang Ding glanced at her.

While he was thinking, a bamboo hat was placed on his head, half-covering his eyes. If he lowered his head slightly, he could completely block others' sight.

"Doesn't that mean we can't stay in the entire East Province in the future?"

Gong Caiyu nodded with satisfaction.

"I only need one outfit."

The proprietress of the clothing store covered her mouth and giggled, not coming over to disturb them.

Once here, they had entered Chizhou territory, which was relatively safer. At least the Marquis of East Town couldn't just mobilize a large army to surround and kill them.

This was a world without a strict and fair order.

"I see that before long, all five prefectures of East Province will be surnamed Tang!"

These were people whose families were in East Province or who had business concerns there. Other jianghu people discussed another matter.

"Have you heard? Two of the Four Beauties of the jianghu, the 18th on the Dragon-Phoenix Ranking 'Ice Glass Fairy' Long Xiuyun and the 19th 'Clear River Fairy' Chen Xi, will have a duel in Chizhong Prefecture in three days to compete for their Dragon-Phoenix Ranking."

Beauties, duels.

These two words instantly attracted the instinctive attention of a large group of jianghu people.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 76 =====