Chapter 90: A Lining of the Road to Welcome

Outside Qingzhou.

At the imposing, grand gate, two rows of soldiers gripped their long spears and stood ramrod straight.

Looking far into the distance, on the flat, broad official road outside the city gate, several hundred riders in black spurred their horses forward, like a thick bank of dark clouds, the clatter of hooves like thunder.

Though the people of Outside Qingzhou had seen their share of the world, they had rarely witnessed such a grand display from Zhen Mo Si with their own eyes.

"So many?" They gaped, crowding onto the long street.

"Pfft, this is nothing — the real main force is still behind, handling the escort." A youth from some minor family stood with arms folded, mocking the crowd's ignorance. Compared to those first-rate powers, beings like them — neither high nor low — would most likely join Zhen Mo Si in the future, and had no stake in the Qingfeng Mountain sect massacre, no feelings to share in it.

To them, whether first-rate powers or Zhen Mo Si, both were equally out of reach.

The Li siblings stood in the crowd, their expressions both rather grim.

Li Xinhan had never imagined that, after being injured for only a few days, his elder sister had actually sent Shen Yi to Qingfeng Mountain — a place even the Deputy Commanders wouldn't dare claim they could walk away from unscathed, let alone Shen Yi.

He knew the other had slain a late-stage Jade Liquid Realm river demon; even though the demon had been in poor condition at the time, it still wasn't something he himself could have finished off, and the feat inspired genuine admiration.

But he had likewise heard about the reward Shen Yi took upon returning — the Wind Thunder Melting Sun Tome… If it truly was the battle that annihilated Qingfeng Mountain, even an initial realm cultivator with a few killing moves hidden away would have far less chance of surviving than one at a higher realm.

On a battlefield that ground flesh like meat, compared to a sharp weapon, what was needed even more was thick skin, tough flesh, swift legs, long breath, and deep reserves.

"…"

Li Mujin offered no explanation for what had happened that night; she merely stared silently past the city gate.

The hand hidden within her wide sleeve tightened slightly.

The ones returning first were surely the Captains and Deputy Commanders who had been temporarily reassigned — after all, they weren't responsible for the follow-up matters.

If Shen Yi were still alive, he would most likely be among them.

Even Li Mujin didn't know what exactly she was looking for.

A grievously wounded Shen Yi?

To prove that his choice back then had been utterly foolish? That pushing the dossier back had been far too reckless?

She bit her lip slightly — it would still be better if he came back safe and sound.

What did winning a momentary quarrel matter, compared to the life he had saved her from?

Only, that chance was far too slim.

Even Qingfeng Gate was gone — one could well imagine how fierce the situation over there had been. A two-stripe Captain forcibly reassigned would most likely be pushed forward to wear down the sect disciples' strength.

"Whoa!"

With a collective tug on the reins, several hundred demon horses halted in unison.

One after another, the figures in dark robes dismounted.

It was a rule personally set by the Zhen Mo Si Regional Commander: barring emergencies, all Captains and Deputy Commanders were forbidden from riding horses within Outside Qingzhou.

Violators, besides having their pay docked, would also get a whipping.

The common folk surged toward the city gate again, and even the youths from noble houses and sects couldn't help getting excited: "Can we see General Chen?"

"There! General Chen Qiankun!"

Someone shouted loudly and pointed outward; at his cry, countless gazes converged like a surging tide toward where he pointed.

Given that several hundred in black had all dismounted, one particular figure among them stood out conspicuously.

A group of Golden Eagle Captains could be seen walking slowly into the city, their gazes cold, swiftly clearing a path.

Several Deputy Commanders, draped in great cloaks, flanked a demon horse.

On the tall, sturdy demon horse's back, a handsome youth gripped the reins; his slender frame in dark robes was thin but straight, his sleeves fluttering.

A fair face, a pair of clear eyes fixed straight ahead, a high-bridged nose, thin lips pressed tightly together — paired with the dark saber at his waist, he carried a faint air of deadly intent.

As the clop of hooves rang out, even without the Golden Eagle Captains standing guard, the watching crowd still involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

"Damn it, General Chen isn't this handso— young."

The young men were a little disappointed, shoving the fellow who had just shouted back into the crowd, but the young ladies kept staring at that face — even if it wasn't General Chen, it seemed there was no problem with that.

Captains clearing the way ahead, Deputy Commanders flanking and leading his horse — whoever could enjoy such treatment couldn't possibly be of low standing.

In the crowd, the Li siblings suddenly found their breathing quicken.

Li Xinhan stared blankly at the two cloud stripes on that person's sleeve, then looked at the familiar face, slapped his own cheeks twice, turned to his sister, and said in a daze: "I'm not mistaking the person, am I?"

The Regional Commander's rules — he knew them better than anyone.

After all, he'd just taken a whipping not long ago.

"Probably… not."

Li Mujin suppressed the slight tremor in her voice, raised her head to watch the tall horse stride past her, then gradually move away.

The other hadn't even spared her a single glance.

Nor, as she had imagined, offered a mocking smile, sneering at how full of herself she had been that day when she pushed out the dossier thinking she could have him in her grasp.

Just like that… he passed by her in perfect calm.

"…"

"I say, why the long face?"

Hong Lei, following alongside the demon horse, muttered in some puzzlement: "We're Zhen Mo Si, not tax-collecting bailiffs."

"I'm being aloof."

Shen Yi stared expressionlessly at the empty space ahead, looking slightly stiff.

He quietly wiped the sweat from his palm on the horse's mane.

Hong Lei noticed the small movement and curled his lip. If it were him up on the horse, he'd definitely wave nonstop to the left and right, drawing a chorus of cheers — that would be the only way not to waste it.

After much difficulty, they shook off the excited commoners.

Finally enduring until they reached Zhen Mo Si, Shen Yi dismounted without the slightest hesitation.

The moment he made a move, Hong Lei butted his calf hard with his shoulder and growled through gritted teeth: "General Chen gave orders — if you get down before we reach the government office, I'll break your legs."

"..."

At the same time.

Inside the Zhen Mo Si medical pavilion, within a simple bamboo building.

Bai Ziming, with no good temper, picked up a needle and jabbed it into Fang Heng's arm. Hearing the muffled groan Fang Heng let out through gritted teeth, he said coolly, "Continue being foolish. Next time, I will demonstrate for you the Nascent Core Realm needle technique that Master obtained from the imperial court on my behalf."

"It's already been these many days. How much longer exactly?"

Fang Heng lay on the bed, feeling the numbness in both arms, his mood slightly impatient.

"Interesting. You waste so much of my salary treating injuries, and now you don't even call me Zhu Shixiong."

Bai Ziming smiled gently and reached out, driving more than ten needles down.

Fang Heng's entire body suddenly leaped like a carp. Veins burst on his forehead, and he nearly bit his teeth to pieces. He pleaded, "Bai Xi... I am really in a hurry... I must go to Qingfeng Mountain..."

"If Master knew he had taken in such a useless disciple, tsk, a mighty Wu Xian who hasn't even met the person face-to-face, getting rejected twice in a row. You, as the disciple, still have to press your warm face against someone else's cold buttocks."

Bai Ziming shook his head and withdrew the silver needles one by one.

He stood up, patted the hem of his robe, and said, "Let's go."

"Where?" Fang Heng looked up, puzzled.

"To meet this Captain who strikes so ruthlessly and see how much true skill he actually has."

Bai Ziming's eyes were calm as he placed the flat needle case into his robe. "Taking advantage of Zhu Shixiong and Jiang Shijie being away from home to beat you into this state. If Jiang Shijie finds out, she will think that I, Bai, after abandoning martial arts for medicine these past few years, have forgotten how to strike."

Back already? So fast?

Fang Heng rose impatiently, his lips moved, and finally he said dejectedly:

"Zhu Shixiong, I was the one who struck first."

"How many tenths did you lose?" Bai Ziming glanced over, having expected this.

"Eleven tenths." Fang Heng let his hands hang down. Amidst the other's puzzled gaze, he sighed, "I used ten tenths of my strength, and he slapped me to the ground with one palm."

"..."

Bai Ziming pretended to take out the needle case. "I almost forgot. A physician's heart is benevolent; one must not be competitive. Such matters should be left to Jiang Shijie."

Fang Heng knew the other was making fun of him and said helplessly, "If you fought him, of course Bai Xi would be superior. After all, your methods are so insidious. He has some Body Tempering skill, but it is far from enough."

Both are experts capable of killing me in a single move. Shen Yi needs to get close, while Bai Xi uses poisoned flying needles extracted from the Jade Liquid Poison Demon, and even possesses precious protective medicines gifted by Master. Ordinary martial artists who touch them die instantly.

Already hard to defend against, and he likes to launch sneak attacks with a smile.

One moment he is exchanging pleasantries, the next the flying needles are coming.

In comparison, Shen Yi appears to have more of a strong expert's bearing, always letting me strike first, but it is also easier for him to suffer losses.

"I'll take that as you praising me."

Bai Ziming, completely unbothered, stepped out of the bamboo building. He was truly curious about that newly arrived Captain now.

The two walked quickly toward the External Affairs Hall.

Immediately after, they saw a swarm of Captains surging forward, blocking the government office entrance completely.

(End of this chapter)