Chapter 412 – The Hometown of the Little Sword

A plain carriage drawn by a black steed jingled as it rolled out of the east gate of Pingyang City. It looked no different from any other vehicle setting out on a long journey. The only thing that drew a second glance was the mule walking alongside the horse.

Seated atop the carriage, holding the reins, was not a seasoned old coachman weathered by wind and frost, nor was it a brawny, imposing man in the prime of his life. Instead, it was a thin young man. His appearance was completely ordinary—so much so that if you tossed him into a crowd, he’d vanish without a trace. Even now, sitting there on the carriage, no one would spare him a third look.

Well, aside from the first look, the only reason for a second glance might be the odd fact that he was driving the carriage without a whip.

And who else could this ordinary fellow be but our very own Zhang Xiaohua?

Anyone who’s achieved success in the martial path knows well that martial arts are a way to temper one’s body, refine one’s essence, energy, and spirit—so as to rise above the common herd. Only then can one outshine others and dominate them. That’s why many experts of the Jianghu can be spotted from a distance: their aura is distinct, for the presence of a martial cultivator is different.

However, as one’s cultivation deepens, and their martial skills approach the level of transformation, all that outward momentum becomes internalized. Unless they deliberately release it, no one would even notice anything unusual about them. Just like Zhang Xiaohua right now.

By the standards of the martial world, Zhang Xiaohua’s current martial arts would already qualify him as an expert—perhaps even one approaching the so-called “peerless” level. The past few years in which his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds had all been spent on a desolate island. Even if his aura had been exposed back then, there had been no one around to witness it. By the time the people of the Xinrong Sect encountered him, his presence had already begun to withdraw inward on its own. That’s why Bai Yonggui and Chai Feng hadn’t sensed anything unusual.

Later, when Zhang Xiaohua caught his first glimpse of the Heavenly Dao in Songning Town, and again when he gained insight into life and death on the road back to Lu Town, he had gradually begun to walk a cultivation path of his own. Vaguely, he had already started to merge himself with Heaven and Earth, and even the exalted Heavenly Dao. This was what the Immortal Dao spoke of—returning to simplicity and the true essence.

Therefore, even though Zhang Xiaohua was sitting high atop the carriage, he was no more conspicuous than when he was standing among a crowd—completely unremarkable.

After leaving through the east gate, the carriage traveled for a short distance before arriving at a fork in the road. The curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing Nie Qianyu and Little Orange seated within. At this moment, Little Orange’s complexion was slightly pale, but her spirits were high—it was clear she had been stifled long enough in Pingyang City, and now her eyes darted about in all directions.

Glancing at the fork ahead, Zhang Xiaohua said with a smile: “Little Fish Nie, we should take the southern road, right?”

Nie Qianyu replied: “That’s correct, Brother Ren. This official road is the most recognizable—just keep heading south.”

Zhang Xiaohua asked again: “Since Little Orange stayed a few extra days in Pingyang City to recuperate, aren’t you in a hurry to get home? If there’s a shorter route, we can take that too.”

After his battle with the mysterious elder and mastering the Bewildering Soul Finger, Zhang Xiaohua’s courage had grown considerably.

Nie Qianyu’s eyes curved into crescents as she gave a sweet smile. “No need, Brother Ren. The official road is fine. Side roads tend to be unsafe. Though we’re not afraid, there’s no reason to invite unnecessary trouble. We’ve already been delayed this long—a few more days won’t matter.”

Hearing this, Little Orange cried out: “Aiyo, Miss, just listen to yourself! If that’s how it is, then why didn’t we rest a few more days in Pingyang City? I told you my limbs are still weak, but you insisted on having me recover on this bumpy carriage instead.”

“Bah!” Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but spit in mock irritation. “You’ve been eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating all day long! My wrist is injured, so only Brother Ren can do the labor. And you still have the gall to complain? I already checked your pulse—it’s fine. Getting home sooner will only ease your family’s worries.”

Little Orange pouted and muttered under her breath: “Who knows what you’re really thinking?”

Zhang Xiaohua, sensing the mood, tactfully kept silent. He moved his hands slightly and steered the carriage onto the official road heading south.

Ever since Little Orange had spoken so much right after waking up, Zhang Xiaohua had felt a bit awkward. When nothing was happening, he spoke less with them, especially when the two started bickering—he would stay quiet like a gourd, pretending not to hear a thing.

All the way eastward, though the New Year had nearly passed, the weather remained cold. Snow still lay thick along the roadsides, and the surface of the rivers was frozen over.

Zhang Xiaohua sat cross-legged atop the carriage, eyes closed as he rested his mind. His body seemed to have fused with the carriage itself. Though the vehicle jolted from time to time, his body swayed naturally with the carriage’s movements, appearing utterly in tune.

After half a day of travel, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly felt a stir in his heart and opened his eyes. This official road looked familiar. He examined it carefully, and sure enough, wasn’t this the very same route he had taken southward several years ago with Ou Yan and the others? Only, back then, they had taken a small path with Shi Niu that led them from Piaomiao Manor to this main road. Now, however, they had simply exited through Pingyang City’s east gate and traveled along the grand thoroughfare from the start.

Could it be that Nie Qianyu’s Spring Rebirth Valley was the same place Ou Yan had been heading to?

The moment this thought arose, Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly and shook his head. There was only one official road heading south from Pingyang City. Anyone going that direction would naturally take the same route as Ou Yan and the others had. It wasn’t a mere coincidence—it was inevitable. He was simply overthinking things.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaohua felt the urge to ask Nie Qianyu about where exactly this Spring Rebirth Valley was. He knew that if he asked, Nie Qianyu would surely answer him honestly and in detail. But still, a subtle feeling of resistance rose in his heart. Nie Qianyu only ever called him “Brother Ren” and never asked about his past or origins—so why should he pry into her private affairs?

There was only one official road, but it carried with it memories of Zhang Xiaohua’s journey south those years ago. Now, treading the same path again, his thoughts couldn’t help but drift. Before long, he began thinking of the kindness the people of Huanxi Villa had shown him. As a result, his mood all day was a little subdued.

This change didn’t escape the notice of the observant Nie Qianyu and Little Orange. Normally, Zhang Xiaohua wasn’t one to chatter, but he always gave off an air of ease and calm—a kind of carefree demeanor that matched his name. Today, however, he was clearly different, and there had to be a reason. Girls were more perceptive than men and knew not to ask too many questions, so both of them remained quietly inside the carriage, saying nothing at all.

As night gradually fell, small villages and market towns began to appear along the roadside. But Zhang Xiaohua didn’t seem inclined to stop or even ask Nie Qianyu about finding an inn for the night. This behavior left the two inside the carriage a bit puzzled—this wasn’t like Zhang Xiaohua at all.

Nie Qianyu was just about to ask when she heard Zhang Xiaohua mutter to himself in a low voice: “Why hasn’t it come up yet? There’s only this one road…”

Nie Qianyu was slightly taken aback. She leaned out and asked; “Brother Ren, are you looking for a particular place?”

“I am?” Zhang Xiaohua replied instinctively. “Eh? How did you know?”

Then, all of a sudden, he realized what he had said.

Nie Qianyu covered her mouth with a smile and said: “Brother Ren, you’ve given yourself away. You’ve always been so calm and carefree, never showing your thoughts on your face. But today, you’ve barely spoken to us all day—of course we can tell something’s on your mind. And besides, it’s already so late. If this were before we reached Pingyang City, you’d have found a place to stay long ago. The fact that you haven’t stopped must mean you know there’s somewhere up ahead. And most importantly, you just now said ‘why hasn’t it come up yet?’—doesn’t that mean you’re looking for something?”

“I said that?” Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head in mild embarrassment.

But then his face lit up with joy. “You really guessed it. It should be just up ahead.”

With that, he gave a firm pat to the black horse’s rump. The horse neighed and sped up, hooves striking the road with renewed energy.

But the “just up ahead” that Zhang Xiaohua mentioned actually took quite a bit longer to reach, enough to leave Nie Qianyu and Little Orange a bit confused. Still, considering that Zhang Xiaohua had been to this place before and could roughly estimate the timing, it made sense.

Even though Zhang Xiaohua wasn’t great with directions, the inn they’d stayed at last time was right along the road into the town. So when the carriage turned into the small town, it wasn’t long before he found the place.

Just like before, Zhang Xiaohua chose to stay in a small courtyard inn. The innkeeper was still the same portly man from years ago, with a round, friendly face and an eager manner as he bustled around taking care of things. But even with the best memory in the world, the innkeeper wouldn’t have remembered a short, scrawny servant boy from back then.

Zhang Xiaohua drove the carriage into the courtyard, gave the innkeeper a few simple instructions, and then, after saying a few words to Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, turned to head back out.

Nie Qianyu, ever thoughtful, asked gently: “Brother Ren, are you looking for someone or something? Why not ask the innkeeper first?”

The innkeeper, warm and enthusiastic, quickly rubbed his hands together and said: “Young master, if there’s anything you’re looking for, feel free to ask. I’ve lived in this town for decades—there’s hardly anything I don’t know.”

Zhang Xiaohua looked at the innkeeper for a moment and then smiled. “It’s nothing really. I’m just going out for a walk. No need to ask.”

“Then, Brother Ren, do come back early. Should we save dinner for you?”

Nie Qianyu said with concern.

“No need. I’ll just grab a bite of something small outside. You two go ahead and sleep early—we’ve still got a journey ahead tomorrow.”

Waving a hand, Zhang Xiaohua stepped out of the inn.

Knowing he wasn’t good with directions, he released his divine sense the moment he exited and scanned carefully, hoping to find the weapons shop where he had once obtained the little sword.

Unfortunately, the place he remembered held no such weapons shop.

“Did I remember the wrong place?”

He searched other areas as well, but found nothing. “That’s strange.”

After passing a few intersections, he spotted a butchery lit by a dim yellow lamp. Zhang Xiaohua walked up to it. Inside, a fair-skinned, chubby, stubbly middle-aged man was working with a similarly fair and plump young man, chopping and dividing pork. When they saw someone enter, the older man quickly greeted him, saying: “Customer, here to buy some meat? Our shop’s meat is the finest in town!”

“The finest?” Zhang Xiaohua blinked. “Is it really that good?”

“Of course! If it weren’t, how could our little meat stall grow into such a large storefront?”

“Haha,” Zhang Xiaohua chuckled, “then congratulations on your success. But actually, I didn’t come here to buy meat.”

The man’s expression cooled the moment he heard that, and he said flatly, “Then what business does the customer have with us?”