Chapter 61: Ruiyang Mountain
Lin Jiang chose to live a quiet and reclusive life.
He stopped setting up stalls at the grand market and limited his outings.
Now, he only went out occasionally to sell talismans at the Yunlai Pavilion store and to purchase cultivation materials and daily necessities.
Zhang Ruifang had introduced him to Yunlai Pavilion, a small store that had operated in Yunzhong City for five generations and had an excellent reputation.
Lin Jiang’s talismans were of exceptional quality.
Yunlai Pavilion offered him the same price as regular contributors—about ten percent less than what he could earn at the market.
The store prioritized high turnover and minimal profit. Lin Jiang was comfortable with this.
They collaborated several times, and both sides were content.
Lin Jiang also collected maps of the Yun State and gave them to Zhang Ruifang.
After studying them for a few days, she decided to settle in a place called Ruiyang Mountain.
Ruiyang Mountain lies next to one of the three major sects in Yun State—the Five Elements Sect.
Once a high-level spiritual mountain, its spiritual vein shattered for unknown reasons and was subsequently abandoned by the sect.
Over time, it became a refuge for rogue cultivators, similar to the central region of the Yunzhong Mountain Range.
A hundred years ago, three Golden Core rogue cultivators rose from Ruiyang Mountain.
They established a base, gathered fellow cultivators, and formed a loose alliance.
The Five Elements Sect allowed it to exist under their watch.
Over the years, many cultivators came to Ruiyang Mountain seeking refuge.
Zhang Ruifang had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
If she went to Ruiyang Mountain, she would likely be granted protection and given a stable status.
Unlike the chaotic Yunzhong Mountain Range, Ruiyang Mountain would be a better long-term refuge for her.
Zhang Ruifang made her decision, and Lin Jiang supported her choice.
They spent time repairing the fence between their two homes and arranged to rent out her house.
“This is Cao Yang’s grave. When I found him, only his bones remained.”
Before leaving, Lin Jiang brought Zhang Ruifang and her mother to visit Cao Yang’s resting place.
It hadn’t been difficult to locate his remains.
He paid some spirit stones, then cut down a large tree to build a coffin and preserve the bones.
However, he never told Zhang Ruifang how Cao Yang had died.
Cao Yang’s end had been both tragic and heroic—he had essentially chosen death.
This self-sacrifice had left a deep impression on the people of Yunzhong City, and his story still circulated widely.
“Yingzi, kneel and pay respects to your father.”
“Mom, is Dad sleeping inside?”
“Quiet. Just kneel when I tell you.”
Zhang Ruifang’s tone turned cold and harsh.
Cao Ying pouted but obeyed, bowing reluctantly.
She was less than four years old and couldn’t understand the concept of death.
“Let’s go. There’s no point lingering here.”
Lin Jiang glanced around, sensing an ominous aura.
This mass grave had buried countless bodies, leaving behind a sinister atmosphere.
There were even rumors of grave robbers.
Even if zombies did emerge, they would be of no threat.
A Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivator could eliminate them with a single blow.
Zhang Ruifang picked up Cao Ying, and they flew hundreds of miles on their swords.
Only then did Lin Jiang summon the Aurora Falcons.
Each of them mounted a bird, heading for Ruiyang Mountain.
“Big bird, fly higher!”
“This is amazing!”
“It’s so fun!”
Cao Ying finally got to ride the Aurora Falcon for real—not just stroll around the yard but soar through the clouds.
The Aurora Falcons were also elated.
They were born to rule the skies, not be caged in a courtyard.
After so long, they were flying again.
“Stop shouting so much.”
Zhang Ruifang was already in a foul mood, and Cao Ying’s excitement only irritated her.
She scolded her daughter harshly and released a burst of spiritual energy that blew into Cao Ying’s face.
Lin Jiang couldn’t bear to watch. He quickly picked Cao Ying up and brought her over to ride with him.
Ruiyang Mountain was a long way from Yunzhong City, lying in the northwest.
Even the fast-flying Aurora Falcons took an entire day to get there.
Fortunately, they soared high and avoided trouble on the way.
Upon arrival, Lin Jiang and Zhang Ruifang descended from the sky, and Lin Jiang stored away the birds.
They checked into an inn at the market town near the mountain.
Lin Jiang went out to gather information and later told Zhang Ruifang,
“We came too late. Ruiyang Mountain stopped accepting new members more than ten years ago.
These days, if you want to join, you have to stay nearby and complete missions issued by the alliance.
Earn enough merit points, and then you can officially enter.”
“I checked the missions. Most are basic tasks—gathering herbs, collecting ores, trading resources.
There are also assignments like capturing traitors or eliminating demons.
You don’t have to take dangerous ones.
If you work steadily, you’ll qualify in three to five years.”
Ruiyang Mountain had been flooded with rogue cultivators.
The alliance couldn’t keep taking in new people, so they implemented a strict merit system.
Only a few made it through.
But Zhang Ruifang was in the Foundation Establishment stage, so her chances were good.
“I also asked around. Prices here are much lower than in Yunzhong City.
I’ve got some savings—it should be enough.”
“That’s great. What do you plan to do next?”
“Hunt demons. It’s the only thing I know how to do, and I don’t want to kill people anymore.”
Zhang Ruifang answered quietly.
Her time in the Dark Night Organization had taught her only one skill—killing.
She had no experience with business or farming.
Now that she refused to kill humans, her only option was to hunt monsters.
“How are you going to do that with a child in tow?”
“I’ll leave her at home, set up a protective array, and make sure she doesn’t wander.”
“Even with protection, Ruiyang Mountain isn’t completely safe.”
“What other choice do I have?”
“Forget it. I’ll stay a little longer to help you settle in.”
Lin Jiang sighed.
He was too soft-hearted.
He had planned to slip away quietly, but when he saw the struggling mother and daughter, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon them.
Over the next few days, Lin Jiang helped Zhang Ruifang rent a home.
Housing was cheap here.
They got a spacious property for just 800 spirit stones a year.
Zhang Ruifang bought a defensive array to safeguard the house, and Lin Jiang handled the rest—furnishings, daily needs, and more.
He also helped her scan the task board, selecting suitable missions and researching nearby demon habitats.
The land around Ruiyang Mountain was mostly old forest, but after years of demon hunting, very few monsters remained.
Only a handful survived deep in the woods.
To find more, one had to travel to the Wastelands, thousands of miles away.
A round trip took at least a day.
After about half a month, Zhang Ruifang finally settled into the new life.
Lin Jiang decided it was time to leave.
“Daoist Lin, what do you think of this place?”
Zhang Ruifang asked him one day.
She had noticed his restlessness and suspected he was planning to leave.
She felt a twinge of sadness.
She had grown used to relying on him.
She had never been strong.
Even back at the market, she was timid and withdrawn.
The killer’s edge she had once carried was long gone.
She just wanted someone dependable in her life.
Cao Ying also adored Lin Jiang.
He treated her with warmth and patience—just like her father once had.
She had never even grieved, as Lin Jiang had filled that emotional gap so easily.
“This place is nice, but it’s not for me.”
Lin Jiang shook his head.
He understood what she was hinting at but also knew Ruiyang Mountain was too small for him.
He would eventually have to reveal his identity if he stayed too long.
Only a big city like Yunzhong, with its bustling traffic and constant flow of people, could hide his secrets.
“You’re right. This place is too small for someone like you.”
Zhang Ruifang smiled faintly.
She was disappointed, but she didn’t try to stop him.
His heart had never been here.
“I’ll come visit when I can.”
Lin Jiang meant to end ties with Lin Yang and disappear quietly.
Zhang Ruifang fell silent, eating quietly.
Cao Ying, unaware of anything, begged Lin Jiang to play with the birds.
He turned her down but gave her snacks to cheer her up.
The next morning, Lin Jiang didn’t accompany them but spent the day thinking.
“Should I just leave without saying anything? But what if Cao Ying cries?
I hate seeing girls cry—especially adorable ones.”
He was torn.
Leaving silently felt heartless, but saying goodbye formally might make it harder to go.
“Fine, I’ll just buy some snacks and fruit. At least leave her something.”
He went to the market and bought a pile of goodies.
But when he returned to the house, he suddenly sensed something was off.
They were being watched.
That surprised Lin Jiang.
They had only just arrived.
Who could be following them—Dark Night remnants or someone from Ruiyang Mountain?
He suppressed his anger, opened the door, and went inside.
Cao Ying ran up happily, asking to play with the birds.
“Cao Ying, let’s go outside and play with the big birds, okay?”
Lin Jiang forced a smile.
No matter who was stalking them, he was going to find out today.
Whoever it was, they had picked the wrong target.
Translator: Volume 7 has been translated and published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3Ju9rnB).
Volume 8 will be translated within 2-3 weeks.
