Chapter 100: Rosha Gorge

After breakfast, Chu Danqing calmly cultivated for half an hour, and the derived skill Five Elements Cultivation Technique leveled up once.

On the other side, Xiong Zhigang bought a carriage through Yuan Chong, and the group set off again.

It wasn’t just them who left—Yuan Chong also packed his bags and headed toward Canluo Sect, where the contest would double as a marriage arrangement.

This shocked Zhao Mingqian so badly he forgot everything else and scrambled away in panic.

On the road, Chu Danqing couldn’t help teasing: “You’ve been stuck with her.”

No sooner had he spoken than hoofbeats came racing up from behind.

Chu Danqing stuck his head out, then promptly pulled it back in.

It was Yuan Shanhu riding after them—Chu Danqing’s face broke into a smug grin.

Zhao Mingqian’s forced smile turned instantly to horror.

“Aren’t you going with Elder Yuan to Canluo Mountain? Beijing and Canluo Mountain are in opposite directions.” Zhao Mingqian truly hadn’t expected this.

“I told my father I was afraid you’re too young and naive to be tricked, so I’m here to guard and escort you.” Yuan Shanhu spoke as if she were doing him a favor.

Chu Danqing knew full well what she was thinking—she feared complications, worried Zhao Mingqian might be snatched away en route.

That would mean a huge loss for her.

So she gritted her teeth and decided to follow Zhao Mingqian to Beijing.

Leaving aside Chu Danqing, Xiong Zhigang’s seasoned experience far surpassed Yuan Shanhu’s.

Zhao Mingqian looked at Chu Danqing and Xiong Zhigang, hoping they’d offer some advice.

Chu Danqing stared at his nose, eyes downcast, calmly refining the Five Elements Spirit Seal, clearly pretending he had no time.

Since Zhao Mingqian wasn’t being treated as a cuckold, Chu Danqing had no reason to meddle.

Xiong Zhigang sighed: “Miss Yuan, the journey to Beijing is extremely dangerous.”

“My martial skill may not match my father’s, but I inherited my mother’s mist technique.” Yuan Shanhu boasted: “Even my father, if careless, would fall asleep for half an hour after inhaling my mist.”

“Besides, I know the Heavenly Wolf Sword Art—I can defend myself.”

Her meaning was clear: she wouldn’t leave. Xiong Zhigang urged her repeatedly, but to no avail—she was determined to stick to Zhao Mingqian like a stubborn plaster.

In the end, Xiong Zhigang had no choice but to give up and let her follow.

Though another person joined, little changed.

During this time, Chu Danqing, fully absorbed in refining the Five Elements Spirit Seal, paid little attention to the outside world.

The others chatted animatedly, while Chu Danqing remained silent.

Xiong Zhigang and the others noticed Chu Danqing was occupied—not only did they not disturb him, they made sure the carriage ride stayed smooth.

Only after all five magic orbs had fully transformed into Spirit Seals did Chu Danqing finally exhale.

【Five Elements Spirit Seal (Derived) LV.MAX】

【Metal Spirit Seal: +20 negative resistance to summons within 20 meters】

【Wood Spirit Seal: +200 HP to summons within 20 meters】

【Water Spirit Seal: +200 MP to summons within 20 meters】

【Fire Spirit Seal: +20 attack to summons within 20 meters】

【Earth Spirit Seal: +20 defense to summons within 20 meters】

Combined with the passive bonuses of the Five Elements Beast Art and the aura of the Spirit Seals, the summons’ strength rose again.

As a derived skill, the technique had reached its maximum level, but the range and bonuses of the Spirit Seals depended on the level of the Five Elements Magic Orbs.

“Maximum level” only meant the number of Spirit Seals that could be forged had reached its limit.

After all, Spirit Seals were forged from the Magic Orbs themselves—their essence hadn’t changed, only their form.

As the level of the Five Elements Magic Orbs increased, the effectiveness of the Spirit Seals naturally strengthened.

Now only the Five Elements Cultivation Technique remained unmaxed.

This technique was of lower quality than the Five Elements Spirit Seal, and its advancement was tied to cultivation time—it required patience.

Chu Danqing estimated he could reach maximum level before arriving in Beijing.

“Master Chu, have you completed your cultivation?” Xiong Zhigang asked at once.

He rode with Chu Danqing and had seen the Magic Orbs’ transformation.

“Done. Da Bao and Zhanji Tiger are stronger now.” Chu Danqing didn’t deny it.

There was nothing to hide.

“That’s excellent. Three li ahead lies Rosha Gorge.” Xiong Zhigang said: “It wasn’t always called that.”

“A bandit known as the Jade-Faced Rakshasa seized it and renamed it herself.”

“Travelers passing through must pay a toll.”

“Merchants and officials face even greater trouble. With my reputation now ruined, I fear I’ll need your help to pass.”

Chu Danqing scratched his head—he heard the words, but didn’t quite understand.

“You mean a bandit not only robs travelers but also targets officials with extra brutality.” He knew bandits were everywhere, but this was outright defying the court—and still thriving.

He’d heard of courts that were weak abroad but strong at home, but this one that was weak both ways? First time.

“Rosha Gorge is easy to defend and the mountain paths are treacherous,” Yuan Shanhu added, though she’d never been there: “The troops have tried to crush them several times—and failed.”

“The Jade-Faced Rakshasa is a formidable martial artist. Whoever dares lead troops against her, she descends at night and cuts off their heads.”

“After several attempts, they gave up.” Yuan Shanhu had no interest in bandits.

Rosha Gorge was nearly a hundred li from Yuan Family Village—when Yuan Chong visited to pay respects, he fought the Jade-Faced Rakshasa, and Yuan Shanhu learned of it then.

Yuan Chong won, which is why Rosha Gorge and Yuan Family Village have since kept their distance.

Yuan Family Village is sizable and wealthy—surely it had been targeted before.

Without wealth, they couldn’t have produced Yuan Chong, the Iron Palm Flying Dragon.

Martial training requires full-time dedication and resources—without sufficient family backing, it’s impossible.

Not to mention, many members of the Yuan family train, not just Yuan Chong and Yuan Shanhu.

Unlike bandits who live by plunder and produce nothing, Yuan Family Village is self-sufficient.

“Useless,” Chu Danqing cursed the court—he wasn’t a native, so he felt no reverence.

“Master Chu, ahead—chaos, people, bad.” Da Bao suddenly stuck his head in, warning Chu Danqing.

Da Bao recognized only Chu Danqing—he ignored everyone else, so he only spoke to him.

At once, the old servant pulled the reins tight; Zhao Mingqian and Yuan Shanhu both grew alert.

“This is no small force—they’re waiting for us right outside Rosha Gorge.” Chu Danqing didn’t ask how far—it was beyond Da Bao’s description.

“They’re clearly targeting you, Grand Coordinator Xiong.”

Chu Danqing remembered—he still had a C-rank side quest: escorting Xiong Zhigang to Beijing.

On the road to the capital, peace was hard to find.

Compared to the Seven Tigers of Hu Jian, the Jade-Faced Rakshasa had greater numbers, better preparation, and superior strength.

He suspected this was the work of the Qiutan Faction or the Secret Service—no one else would dare be so brazen.

Chu Danqing anticipated he’d need Guo Ming’s help again.

Suddenly, gongs and drums boomed, firecrackers cracked—far off, they heard the commotion.

A woman riding a chestnut mare led a large band of bandits, blocking their path and forming a battle line.

“Xiong Zhigang, you’ve made me wait a long time,” the Jade-Faced Rakshasa said, reins in hand, tone arrogant.

Yet her appearance was strikingly beautiful—Zhao Mingqian stared, stunned, wondering how such a beauty could become a bandit.

Only Chu Danqing and Da Bao showed no reaction.

The former came from a modern world where makeup and filters were like face swaps—nothing special.

The latter was simple-minded—just too dim to care.

“Three thousand taels of gold, and this is all you brought? A bunch of rotten fish and trash?” The Jade-Faced Rakshasa scanned them with disdain.

Chu Danqing didn’t hesitate—he cast the Spirit Eye Technique immediately.

She spoke rudely—he had no reason to be polite.

【Jade-Faced Rakshasa】

【Attributes】

【HP: 100%】

【Internal Qi: 550】

【Strength: 10】

【Agility: 10】

【Constitution: 10】

【Spirit: 10】

【Perception: 10】

【Skills】

【Rakshasa Heart Method LV.45】

【Jade-Faced Sword Art LV.45】

【Lotus Step LV.45】

【Melee Basics LV.MAX】

【Melee Proficiency LV.1】

【Sword Basics LV.MAX】

[Sword Skill Proficiency LV.1]

Chu Danqing’s actions were immediately noticed by the Jade-Faced Rakshasa, who flew into a rage on the spot.

“Hmph, you sneaky little rat—you’re no good,” the Jade-Faced Rakshasa said, drawing her longsword in one motion and leaping forward, floating toward him like a lotus blossom.

The longsword pierced straight for Chu Danqing’s vital points.

Da Bao blocked in front of Chu Danqing at once, unleashing his rending claws without hesitation to meet her charge.

Instinct clashed with sword technique—Da Bao was clearly outmatched.

The Jade-Faced Rakshasa’s skill panel far surpassed his.

At the same moment, Chu Danqing summoned all his summons to launch an attack.

In an instant, the bandits of Rakshasa Gorge were caught completely off guard.

They had never expected the Jade-Faced Rakshasa to strike before even finishing her threats.

This time, the One-Horned Dragon Demon displayed tremendous power—its area, spreading, and lingering poison spells struck the bandits, causing rapid mass casualties.

It was a pity for the Crossbowmen—their bolts reverted to ordinary physical attacks now that the One-Horned Dragon Demon’s enchantment was gone.

But thanks to his coordination, Da Bao was able to hold off the Jade-Faced Rakshasa.

“Cowardly! How dare you ambush me!” the Jade-Faced Rakshasa snarled, deflecting the crossbow bolts with her sword and glaring furiously at Chu Danqing.

Yet Chu Danqing ignored her entirely, activating the Blood Oath Contract to summon Guo Ming.

[You summoned your contract partner. This use consumes 1000 Paradise Points.]

[Contract partner has responded.]

[Contract partner’s summoning cognition rationalization completed.]

A vortex appeared, and Guo Ming’s figure materialized.

“Brother Chu, you want him dead or alive?” he said, cutting straight to the point, having learned from last time.

We can chat after we’ve dealt with the enemy.

“Kill them all. Leave none alive,” Chu Danqing said—he wouldn’t hold back just because the enemy looked beautiful.

No matter what the enemy looked like, the best enemy was a dead one.

(End of Chapter)