Chapter 74

As the rain began to fall, Daochang Yan Song hurried the carriage along, then turned onto a narrow path; after only a dozen meters, they arrived at the entrance of a dilapidated ancestral hall.

He drove the carriage straight into the courtyard and stopped beneath a covered porch, where the horses finally calmed.

Xiuniang jumped down first, entered the main hall, and noticed the dust was light—even signs of recent cleaning were visible. “Someone seems to come here often.”

Bai Ke perched on her shoulder. “This place is close to the official road and the nearby Xiao Yi River; people often stop here to rest or shelter from rain.”

“If so, why was it abandoned?” Xiuniang asked curiously.

Bai Ke shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Because thirty years ago, during the chaos in Wuhe County’s River Mansion, the Xuanwei Divine Sect smashed every River God shrine afterward,” Zhu Qingyan walked in. “It’s never been restored since.”

Xiuniang suddenly understood. “My grandfather mentioned this!”

Daochang Yan Song glanced at the darkening clouds overhead. “This rain won’t stop anytime soon.”

Xiuniang looked around and quickly arranged four seats for rest, inviting everyone to sit, then moved to gather scattered firewood—but Gu Zhao stopped her.

“Our clothes aren’t wet, and we’re not spending the night here. No need to light a fire. Just sit and rest.”

“Oh oh!” Xiuniang nodded, then found a small, chipped table, propped it up with a stone, took out snacks, a small stove, and a teapot from the carriage. “Still, let’s light a fire—it’s no trouble. I’ll brew some tea to keep warm.”

Gu Zhao opened his mouth but said nothing.

Moments later, the small stove ignited. Xiuniang poured tea onto it, heating water while warming herself.

Gu Zhao asked Zhu Qingyan, “Do you know about Wuhe County?”

Zhu Qingyan spoke softly. “Not much—only that a river demon was causing havoc, planning to sacrifice the entire county’s population, until a high-level cultivator suppressed it. Then the Xuanwei Divine Sect tore down every River God shrine.”

“Now I think about it,” Zhu Qingyan speculated, “it must have been a demon that reached a certain realm and sought to advance further by blood-sacrificing Wuhe County.”

“Ah!” Xiuniang gasped. “Wuhe County had tens of thousands of people!”

Zhu Qingyan nodded, sighed. “About that many—I’m not sure. I was still alive then, completely absorbed in music, never paid attention to such rumors.”

“By the way,” Gu Zhao asked, “what instrument do you play? Your neighbor, that old woman, said people near the Zhu family compound sometimes hear your singing at night—but no one’s ever heard you play an instrument.”

Zhu Qingyan’s expression turned cold. “After I performed a duet with Yuan Wenrui, my family was destroyed. Since then, I’ve sworn never to touch the yaoqin or dongxiao again.”

Gu Zhao shook his head. “It’s not your fault. The real culprit is Yuan Wenrui. You’re only punishing yourself—while the murderer walks free.”

He urged, “Now that you’ve found him, revenge will come. Don’t keep punishing yourself. Think: would your parents want you happy and joyful—or bitter and broken?”

Zhu Qingyan fell silent, then nodded—but said nothing more.

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the hall. A group of riders surged in, parked their carriages in the courtyard, and several guards—some holding umbrellas, others carrying a small wooden box—ushered a young man into the main hall: Liu Qingfeng, whom they’d just met.

Seeing Gu Zhao, especially Zhu Qingyan beside him, Liu Qingfeng’s eyes lit up. He immediately bowed. “Fate has brought us together on the same road.”

Gu Zhao gave a slight nod in greeting.

Liu Qingfeng’s expression darkened, but he said nothing more.

While Gu Zhao’s group had only lit a small stove, the guards were soaked. They hurriedly started fires to dry their clothes.

After the chaos settled, Liu Qingfeng took a leather flask from one guard and strolled over, smiling. “Rainy days are cold. This is Xiangchang wine, a specialty of Changping Prefecture. Warm yourselves.”

Daochang Yan Song sipped his tea in silence. Zhu Qingyan didn’t even look up.

Liu Qingfeng’s eyes flickered. “You’re not from Changping Prefecture. What brings you here? Don’t think me boastful—but in this territory, I still have some influence.”

Gu Zhao sighed and raised his hand.

But before he could snap his fingers, he looked up toward the hall’s entrance—and Daochang Yan Song and Zhu Qingyan turned as well.

The next instant, a black-clad figure appeared in the hall like a ghost.

Gu Zhao studied him: black robes with silver embroidery, half-armor, a broadsword at his waist, his bearing proud and commanding.

Liu Qingfeng followed their gaze and saw the man. He wasn’t afraid—he blurted, “General Yan! What are you doing here?”

The black-clad man’s gaze softened upon seeing Liu Qingfeng. “Trouble has stirred near Wuhe County. Your parents, fearing you might be here, offered incense and prayers to the gods, begging me to protect you.”

“Huh?” Liu Qingfeng blinked. “Wuhe County? I’m going there to audit accounts right now!”

“I’ll go with you,” the black-clad man said, gripping his sword hilt.

Liu Qingfeng grinned instantly. “With General Yan accompanying me, I’ll sleep soundly!”

The black-clad man nodded proudly. “With me, you have nothing to fear.”

“Thank you, General Yan!” Liu Qingfeng’s heart eased. He turned sharply, his earlier friendly smile now twisted into arrogance as he challenged Gu Zhao. “Brother?”

Gu Zhao looked up. “What do you want to say?”

Liu Qingfeng chuckled. “I just wanted to share a drink with your wife. You don’t mind, do you?”

Zhu Qingyan’s eyes flickered, glancing sideways at Gu Zhao.

So direct?

Gu Zhao shook his head. He didn’t outright refuse Liu Qingfeng. Instead, he asked softly, “Have you ever thought about killing me to silence me?”

“Hahaha!”

Liu Qingfeng thought Gu Zhao was afraid—he laughed loudly. “I’m the eldest son of the Changping Liu family. My uncle is the County Magistrate of Changping. I’ve killed plenty of people in my life. Killing you? I’d do it without a second thought. Why bother silencing you?”

Daochang Yan Song raised an eyebrow in surprise. Zhu Qingyan suddenly lifted her head.

Yet Gu Zhao lowered his hand, smiling warmly. “Funny how this feels… like it was arranged.”

Liu Qingfeng frowned. “What do you mean? Do you know my uncle?”

“I know him,” Zhu Qingyan rose slowly, her voice flat and icy. “Our enmity runs deeper than the sea.”

The guard captain reacted instantly, drawing his blade. “Protect the Young Master! Kill them!”

The other four guards leapt to their feet, swords drawn, eyes blazing with malice.

The next moment, a chilling wind swept through. All four guards collapsed instantly. Only the captain remained standing, face contorted in pain, struggling to resist—until he too crumpled to the ground.

The black-clad man drew his sword. A shadow emerged from behind him. Seeing Zhu Qingyan’s flowing robes and frost-laced eyes, he cried out in shock, “A hundred-year ghost!”

Before the words faded, Zhu Qingyan was already beside him, palm descending.

The black-clad man swung his broadsword. The shadow beside him twisted and cast a spell—their movements were perfectly synchronized, yet they retreated swiftly as they struck.

“I am the Divine General of the Golden Wind Sect! Who are you? Give me, Wang, some face!” the black-clad man barked.

“Golden Wind Sect?” Zhu Qingyan’s lips curled. Her aura grew colder. “I kill every last one of you.”

…

Though Zhu Qingyan was no match for the Golden Wind Divine King, and had been overpowered by Yu Fei, she was undeniably a hundred-year spirit—no weaker than Ren Tianhe—and far superior to this Golden Wind Divine General.

Even as the black-clad man fought desperately, trying to flee, Zhu Qingyan dispatched both him and his bonded spirit without needing Gu Zhao’s help.

Gu Zhao and Daochang Yan Song exchanged glances.

“We didn’t lift a finger—and still gained sha energy.”

“Is this a tacit team-up? Or can we absorb any unclaimed sha energy nearby?”

Meanwhile, after killing the black-clad man, Zhu Qingyan lowered her aura and approached the stunned Liu Qingfeng. Her voice was soft, haunting. “You just said… you wanted to share a drink with me?”