Chapter 510 — Cangqiong Fort

They saw that several hundred zhang ahead of the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy stood several dozen men, neatly arranged and dressed in bright armor, each holding a weapon in hand. In front of them were a few refined-looking scholars. Although they held no weapons, their temples bulged high, and precious swords hung at their waists—one glance was enough to tell they were experts of the sword path.

At the very front stood an old man clad in feathered robes and a star-crowned cap, leisurely fanning himself with a feather fan, looking exactly like someone calmly waiting for fish to take the bait.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua was startled. How had they just left Spring Rebirth Valley only to encounter an ambush? Yet if it were truly an ambush, it didn’t seem like one—who would stand so openly like this? Wouldn’t they normally hide in concealment and strike the convoy by surprise once it passed?

While he was still puzzled, the old man made an even more confusing move. He raised his head to look at the sun and frowned slightly. At that moment, from a distant high point, someone waved a small flag rapidly. The old man’s face lit up with delight, and he immediately turned back to give instructions.

Several young men waved their hands. Zhang Xiaohua thought they were about to set up an ambush—but instead, the dozens of martial warriors sheathed their weapons and quickly moved behind the hill. Before long, they returned: some holding bouquets of flowers, others carrying trays, and still others bearing large chests. They came to the roadside, lined up neatly, and wore expressions of utmost respect.

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the trays and suddenly understood—the trays were filled with wine and food.

He nearly fainted.

So they were simply people trying to curry favor with the Incense Spreading Sect.

With that realization, Zhang Xiaohua lost interest and continued pondering his mantra.

Not long after, the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy arrived at the place where those people were waiting. The disciple leading the way showed no nervousness at the sight and shouted loudly: “Who stands ahead, daring to block the path of the Incense Spreading Sect?”

The old man at the front remained unflustered. Stepping forward, he spoke gently: “I am Mao Qi of Cangqiong Fort. I have awaited the honored emissary of the Incense Spreading Sect here for quite some time. I ask that the emissary pause for a moment—our humble sect has prepared wine and food for your enjoyment, so you may rest briefly. If it is convenient, a few li ahead lies our sect’s residence. Might the emissary honor us by staying the night?”

The disciple smiled and replied: “Sect Master Mao, your intentions are appreciated. I will report this to the emissary and see whether they agree.”

After speaking, he spurred his horse and rode back.

Not long later, he returned with a solemn expression and said: “The emissary has given orders: Sect Master Mao of Cangqiong Fort’s goodwill is acknowledged. However, our convoy must continue its journey and will not stop. Many thanks to Sect Master Mao.”

Sect Master Mao, however, did not yield the road. Still smiling, he said: “I must ask that you report once more to the honored emissary. The previous emissaries all rested at our humble sect, and we have already prepared wine and food. I hope the emissary will grant us this face.”

The disciple looked somewhat troubled and was just about to turn his horse when a cold snort sounded: “Sect Master Mao, since when has the itinerary of my Incense Spreading Sect been for you to arrange? Whether I go to Cangqiong Fort or not is my decision. Just because the previous senior brothers and sisters gave you face, must I do the same?”

The voice was not loud, yet it was as if it sounded right beside their ears.

Mao Qi was greatly alarmed and quickly bowed deeply.

“I would not dare. How could I have such boldness? I merely thought the emissary must be weary from the journey and wished to show a little filial respect. I beg the emissary to see clearly.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Kong grew even more displeased. “If you know that, then why are you still blocking the road? Standing in the middle like this—how are we supposed to proceed?”

Hearing this, Mao Qi hurriedly retreated, clearing the main road. Lady Kong’s voice rang out again: “If such a situation arises in the future, there is no need to report it to me—simply drive them away.”

The disciple at the front dared not delay. He immediately turned back to acknowledge the order, then barked at Mao Qi: “Sect Master Mao—”

Seeing this, Mao Qi quickly made a gesture of invitation. “I would not dare disturb you further. May the honored emissary have a safe journey.”

The Incense Spreading Sect disciple flicked his whip and rode forward, and the rest of the carriages followed in a single line, slowly passing by the people of Cangqiong Fort.

Although Kong Que had scolded the disciples of Cangqiong Fort, not the slightest dissatisfaction showed on their faces. They only bowed respectfully, waiting for the convoy to leave.

Only after most of the convoy had passed—leaving behind the final carriage from Spring Rebirth Valley—did they slightly raise their eyes. A trace of jealousy flashed within them as they stared straight at those few carriages, as though they had long known they belonged to Spring Rebirth Valley.

But when their gazes fell upon Zhang Xiaohua—sitting cross-legged atop the Sibuxiang, eyes half-closed in meditation—their expressions changed at once. Their eyes filled with shock, their brows knitted tightly. They exchanged glances, then lowered their heads again.

Zhang Xiaohua, seated on the Sibuxiang, had long since taken in everything. He felt somewhat displeased. Cangqiong Fort had failed in currying favor with the Incense Spreading Sect—perhaps they might vent their anger on Spring Rebirth Valley, which had good relations with the sect. And with himself so conspicuously accompanying the convoy, he wondered whether he might bring trouble upon Spring Rebirth Valley.

Sure enough, after the Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy had gone far, Mao Qi—still watching from a distance—turned back and asked: “That last disciple… the mount he rode—wasn’t that Spring Rebirth Valley’s Sibu Xiang?”

A young man behind him nodded. “Father, you are correct. It was indeed a Sibuxiang. Only a place like Spring Rebirth Valley would have such a beast.”

Another person sneered: “Spring Rebirth Valley only knows how to flatter the Incense Spreading Sect. They even presented their only Sibuxiang to them. That kind of gift is not something just anyone in the martial world could afford.”

Mao Qi also nodded. “No wonder the Incense Spreading Sect takes special care of Spring Rebirth Valley in every matter. Each time they come out, they always go to Spring Rebirth Valley first. As for sects like ours, even getting a chance to meet the emissary is difficult.”

At that moment, he noticed someone behind him frowning deeply, as if lost in thought, and asked: “Little Third, you’re usually the most talkative one. Why so quiet today? Were you frightened by the Incense Spreading Sect?”

Little Third raised his head and said: “Father, just now you were looking at that Sibu Xiang, but I was looking at the disciple riding it. He seemed very familiar, as if I’ve seen him somewhere before—but no matter how I try, I can’t remember where.”

Mao Qi waved his hand. “In past years, the emissaries of the Incense Spreading Sect would more or less stop to rest, and a few even stayed directly at our Cangqiong Fort. Perhaps you saw him back then.”

Little Third still shook his head. “No, Father. If it were a disciple of the Incense Spreading Sect I had seen before, I would have been respectful before anything else—how could I forget? Wasn’t the one leading the way just now the same person who visited our Cangqiong Fort last time? I still remember him. But this last disciple… it feels like I only came to know of him recently. And I only saw him from afar, not clearly, so I couldn’t recall…”

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up. He slapped his forehead. “I remember now—it’s actually that fellow…”

Mao Qi was startled and scolded: “Why are you jumping at shadows? Tell me quickly—who is that person? If he’s not a disciple of the Incense Spreading Sect, how could he be traveling with their convoy?”

Little Third laughed. “If he’s not from the Incense Spreading Sect yet still travels with them, then naturally he must be a medicine boy from Spring Rebirth Valley.”

Mao Qi waved dismissively. “Those little medicine boys are only around ten years old and all hide inside the carriages. How would any of them dare ride outside like the escorting disciples?”

Little Third said: “Father, do you remember the martial contest for marriage at Spring Rebirth Valley half a year ago? The fourteen-year-old youth who defeated the Sword Young Master of Soaring Dragon Manor?”

Hearing this, Mao Qi seemed to recall something as well and said in surprise: “Could it be… this fellow is the one you mentioned half a year ago—the one named Ren… what was it?”

Little Third nodded. “I wasn’t certain just now, but the more I think about it, the more it must be him. That day I was far away and didn’t see clearly. Afterward, he entered Spring Rebirth Valley and didn’t even attend the banquet, so my memory isn’t very precise.”

“Didn’t that old Nie later announce his name as Ren… something?”

“Ren Xiaoyao.”

“Mm. They said Ren Xiaoyao was still young—only fourteen—and that he would have to wait a few more years before marrying that family’s third daughter. Then how did it become…”

“Could it be he was sent to the Incense Spreading Sect as a medicine boy? But what about their third daughter? And what was that martial contest for marriage supposed to mean?”

Mao Qi nodded thoughtfully. “Who knows what kind of wishful scheme that old Nie is plotting—perhaps he wants to bind Spring Rebirth Valley even more tightly to the Incense Spreading Sect? Forget it, no use overthinking. I’d better discuss it with Old Sun and the others.”

Little Third also nodded. “Father’s thinking is best. Though the Falling Star(Xingmeng) Alliance isn’t especially powerful, it has many sects under it, and its information network is broad. They’re the most suitable to consult.”

“Enough. Men, we return to the fort. Since the food and wine are already prepared and others won’t partake, we’ll enjoy them ourselves.”

The disciples behind them all shouted in agreement, and the earlier dejection was swept away at once.

The Incense Spreading Sect’s convoy continued onward. They traveled for nearly another twenty days. During that time, there were countless sects like Cangqiong Fort waiting by the roadside, hoping to serve and curry favor with the Incense Spreading Sect.

But the leading disciple, having learned from earlier experience, had grown shrewd. Whenever he saw the leaders of those sects, he showed no courtesy at all—rebuking them outright—and the carriages did not slow in the slightest, passing directly before them.

At first, Zhang Xiaohua wondered whether such behavior from the Incense Spreading Sect was appropriate—would it not offend others? Yet what he witnessed instead revealed the imposing bearing of a supreme sect within the martial world. Those sects that were refused all responded meekly, loudly offering apologies. Many even bowed deeply, not daring to rise until the carriages had long since gone. Where was there the slightest trace of anger at being rejected?

Whenever he saw such scenes, Zhang Xiaohua—riding at the very rear—would secretly shake his head. “A slave’s nature… this is the nature of servility. Sects like these only seek a powerful backer, never considering their own strength. How could they possibly stand firm in the martial world? Let alone speak of lasting a hundred years, a thousand years—ten thousand years?”

Alas, this fellow was speaking—no, rather, sitting—from atop the Sibuxiang without feeling the strain. How could he understand the hardships of founding and maintaining a sect? Without networking on all sides and bending oneself to flatter others, many of these sects would be fortunate to endure even ten years.

After traveling for nearly more than a month, the climate gradually grew damp, and the surrounding scenery began to change. Mountain peaks became more numerous, and the forests upon them thicker. From time to time, many low, bare stone spires even appeared, like a forest formed entirely of rock.

The food also grew increasingly spicy and sour, though Zhang Xiaohua usually ate little, so he did not particularly mind.

On this day, after passing through a dense stretch of low woodland, another lush mountain forest appeared ahead. Sitting atop Huanhuan, Zhang Xiaohua—who had already made a breakthrough in the Guiding the Spirit Mantra—suddenly released his divine sense and probed forward. Several li ahead, he saw a sky-suspended cableway. Upon it stood a man in green robes, hands clasped behind his back, standing steadily on the line as it swayed with the wind.