Chapter 516 — Merit of Protecting the Escort

Steward Yang’s eyes lit up, and he thought to himself: Exactly. When experts clash, victory or defeat is often decided within a few moves. Yet Lady Kong hasn’t returned for a long time, and her opponent hasn’t come either. The most likely possibility is that Lady Kong is injured and currently healing. If I go now, wouldn’t I be able to earn some merit before her?

“But what if they’re still fighting?” Steward Yang hesitated. “Still, it doesn’t matter. My martial skill is meager. Even if I go, they might not pay me any attention. Besides, if Lady Kong loses, we’ll all be doomed anyway—why fear dying a little earlier or later?”

Having made up his mind, the dissatisfaction in Steward Yang’s eyes immediately turned into gratitude. He patted Zhang Xiaohua’s shoulder and said: “Ren Xiaoyao, what you said makes sense. However, you’re only a medicine boy right now. You’d better stay inside the carriage and not cause any trouble that would make things difficult for me.”

Seeing that he understood, Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “I was just bored, so I came out for a walk. I’ll head back now, I’ll head back now.”

After speaking, he jumped down from the carriage and slowly walked back.

Steward Yang climbed into the carriage, took out a treasured sword from inside, then used Qinggong to reach the front of the convoy and asked, “How is Lady Kong’s situation?”

The disciple at the very front saw Steward Yang approach and nodded slightly. “Still unclear. Lady Kong chased across the rope bridge, and there has been no movement for quite a while. We don’t know what’s happening.”

Steward Yang said: “You all hold your positions. I’ll go take a look.”

With that, he flicked his longsword and was about to go forward, but the disciple stopped him. “Steward Yang, you’d better return to the carriage. Matters of protection should be handled by us of the Mingwu Hall.”

Steward Yang froze, then sneered. “Although the safety of this journey is indeed under Mingwu Hall’s charge, you should still heed the orders of our Tuodan(Pill Expansion) Hall. This old man now wishes to go ahead and take a look—are you going to stop me? Or would you like to go check yourself?”

The disciple sighed. “Please don’t take offense, Steward Yang. It’s very dangerous ahead. I’m acting under Lady Kong’s instructions to remain on guard and dare not disobey orders. If Steward Yang insists on going, you must be careful.”

After speaking, he stepped aside from the path.

What Steward Yang said was indeed correct. Although this trip to Mochou City was led by Lady Kong’s envoy, it also involved matters of Tuodan Hall, so Mingwu Hall did have to heed certain of Steward Yang’s commands. Now that the affair at Spring Rebirth Valley had ended, however, the sect’s orders had never stated that they must listen to Tuodan Hall on the return journey as well. In any case, their duty was only security—so long as the convoy remained safe, that was enough. If Steward Yang insisted on going ahead and something happened, that would be Tuodan Hall’s problem.

Seeing the Mingwu Hall disciple step aside, Steward Yang straightened in high spirits, gripped his longsword, and leapt onto the rope bridge. As they watched his figure vanish at the far end, a trace of mockery appeared at the corner of one disciple’s mouth. “Just an ordinary disciple of Tuodan Hall—what’s so impressive about him? And he actually dares to meddle in Lady Kong’s affairs!”

Zhang Xiaohua returned to the carriage. Qiang Shi was still frightened and, upon seeing him, immediately asked: “Little Uncle-in-law, how are things outside? Do we… do we need to die?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head. “I just went out to relieve myself. How would I know? Sit tight and wait quietly.”

After speaking, he ignored him, sat inside the carriage, released his divine sense, and carefully observed.

At this moment, Steward Yang had already rushed across the rope bridge with sword in hand and was searching everywhere. Following the trail of trampled flowers and plants along the roadside, he found Kong Que in the distance without the slightest effort, sitting there regulating her breathing.

Seeing Kong Que seated cross-legged with eyes closed, no one else around, he naturally knew the battle was over, and that Lady Kong had won, only that she was injured and unable to move for the time being.

Steward Yang stepped forward but did not dare speak, afraid of disturbing her meditation. He merely swung his longsword into position and stood guard a short distance away.

Although Kong Que had her eyes closed while regulating her breath, her attention was still focused outside, wary that Liang Cangxu and the others might return to attack. When she heard someone approaching with Qinggong, she was startled at first. Then, hearing the footsteps that were heavy, she was delighted, thinking it must be someone from her own sect. Yet when she saw it was actually Steward Yang, she could not help feeling surprised—where had all the Mingwu Hall disciples gone?

However, her healing was at a critical stage. Since he was one of her own sect, she felt reassured and closed her eyes again to focus fully on recovery. After another cup of tea’s time, Kong Que finished a phase of healing. She opened her eyes, saw Steward Yang standing there with an appearance of utmost loyalty, and felt quite pleased. In a low voice, she said: “Steward Yang.”

Hearing Lady Kong speak, delight appeared on Steward Yang’s face. He turned and saluted. “Lady Kong, are your injuries well?”

Kong Que smiled. “They’re no longer a problem. By the way, where are the Mingwu Hall disciples? Why have you come alone?”

Steward Yang said respectfully: “They are guarding the convoy. With their duty upon them, they dare not leave their posts. I was concerned for the envoy’s safety, so I came to take a look.”

Kong Que nodded. “It’s rare to see such sincerity. I will remember this.”

Steward Yang was even more delighted and bowed deeply. “I wouldn’t dare. Lady Kong has suffered serious injuries for our sake. This is only what I ought to do.”

Kong Que waved her hand. “Enough. Go back to the other side of the rope bridge and have them come over at once.”

Steward Yang went to one end of the rope bridge and waved toward the disciples who were watching from the other side. The disciple understood; the stone hanging in his heart finally dropped. He shouted: “All right, brothers! The danger has passed! Lady Kong says we can cross!”

At that shout, everyone burst into smiles, and the gloom that had hung over them vanished without a trace.

Under the arrangements of the Mingwu Hall disciples, several of them crossed first. Then each person climbed down from the carriages, covered the horses’ eyes, and led them along with their respective carts. One by one, the carriages slowly and individually crossed the rope bridge suspended in midair.

Zhang Xiaohua’s carriage was last, so he naturally walked at the rear with Qiang Shi. As they crossed the rope bridge amid the howling mountain wind, Zhang Xiaohua’s robe flapped wildly, giving him a sensation as if riding the wind. He glanced down at the mountain ravine below—its depth unknown by how many zhang—and his divine sense no longer dared probe downward. Yet another thought arose in his heart: No wonder those of the Immortal Dao like to ride the wind and float through the air. This Five Elements Escape Art is truly uncomfortable. Old Huo was absolutely right: if one can pass through the sky, who would still bother burrowing underground? The earth below is not only dark as night, but extremely dangerous as well!

After crossing the rope bridge, while no one was paying attention, Zhang Xiaohua quietly withdrew the Chasing Dream Sword back into his money pouch.

Once past the bridge, everyone other than the Mingwu Hall members climbed back into their carriages and prepared to set out again.

The Mingwu Hall disciples who had crossed earlier, along with those who arrived later with the convoy, heard that Lady Kong had been seriously injured and all stepped forward to offer their regards. But these greetings were vastly different from Steward Yang’s earlier concern. Lady Kong merely nodded coldly and let the accompanying female disciple help her into the carriage.

After the female disciple hastily applied medicine to Kong Que’s wounds and changed her clothes inside the carriage, they heard Kong Que point to one of the Mingwu Hall disciples and instruct: “You—ride a fast horse and travel through the night without stopping on the road. Hurry to the shores of Dianchi Lake and notify the other envoys. If any have already arrived, report our situation to them and have them rush to provide aid. I fear the people of the Heavenly Dragon Sect may still come to attack.”

The disciple did not dare delay. After a brief preparation, he immediately mounted and galloped off.

The other disciples all changed expression upon hearing this.

Seeing their reaction, Kong Que smiled and said: “This time, the Heavenly Dragon Sect sent three people to ambush me. All were beaten into serious injuries and fled in panic long ago, their courage shattered. How could they possibly return? Besides, the Heavenly Dragon Sect lies far out in the borderlands. Even if they send others, they won’t make it in time. We’re already close to Dianchi Lake now—what is there to fear? This arrangement of mine is only for the sake of caution. There’s no need for everyone to be afraid.”

Hearing this, the others found it reasonable, and their expressions eased.

They set out again. Although it seemed the same as before, the atmosphere had already changed. Zhang Xiaohua, this unofficial escort, no longer had any chance to take up duty and could only remain cooped up inside the carriage.

That day’s journey had been delayed, and with Kong Que injured and unable to travel quickly, by nightfall, they had only reached a remote place and could do nothing but set up a temporary camp.

Since leaving Spring Rebirth Valley, Zhang Xiaohua had also noticed that in this southwestern region, there were very few towns. Unlike the north, most settlements were stockaded villages inhabited by local natives, and they almost never welcomed outsiders. Thus, if the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy failed to reach a prearranged stop, they could only sleep out in the wild.

This was the first time the Incense Spreading Sect had camped out, yet judging by everyone’s practiced movements, they had clearly received professional training—far superior to those people from Huanxi Manor back in the day.

The medicine boys of Spring Rebirth Valley naturally had to set up their own tents; no one else would handle it for them. Fortunately, Zhang Xiaohua possessed great strength and had done such work before. Most importantly, he was Spring Rebirth Valley’s prospective son-in-law, and those medicine boys of about ten years old all listened to him closely. Under his direction, everything was soon arranged properly.

This surprised Steward Yang, and the way he looked at Zhang Xiaohua changed again. Indeed, if Zhang Xiaohua hadn’t reminded him, he would never have thought to go ahead of the others to protect Lady Kong during her recovery. And who was Kong Que? She was an outstanding inner sect disciple. When she said she would remember something, she truly meant it. The benefits he might gain in the future would be endless—and all of that was thanks to Zhang Xiaohua. Of course, Steward Yang didn’t think Zhang Xiaohua actually knew what was happening ahead; he only assumed the young man was clever and had strong logical reasoning.

So after finishing his own arrangements, Steward Yang deliberately came over to show concern for Spring Rebirth Valley, and incidentally express a bit of personal regard for Zhang Xiaohua.

Naturally, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t admit he knew anything. He only gave vague replies. Seeing this, Steward Yang didn’t press further, merely saying somewhat worriedly: “I’ve gone to Spring Rebirth Valley I don’t know how many times, and never once encountered something like this. This is my last assignment—let nothing go wrong. I only hope, as Lady Kong said, that the road ahead will be safe.”

Zhang Xiaohua comforted him. “Steward Yang worries too much. If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. We’re just small pawns—our lives aren’t worth anything. Why would anyone bother with us?”

Steward Yang couldn’t take that to heart. He only shook his head and left, still worried.

Early the next morning, before the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy had set out, a group of riders arrived from ahead. They were from the place where the envoy had been scheduled to stay the previous night. When they hadn’t seen the envoy arrive and received word from the reporting disciple, they hurried over to provide support.