They arrived at Qingji Town earlier than Gu Qing had expected. After just three days of travel, the boatman came to inform them that they had already reached their destination.
Qingji was only a small town, without a proper dock for mooring. Once the boat steadied by the riverbank, Gu Qing took a deep breath, then leapt lightly ashore with the bamboo basket on his back, landing steadily on the ground.
The soil beneath his feet was slightly soft, and the cold yet fresh air filled his lungs.
One hand rested against his chest, where the short sword lay quietly, never having had the chance to be drawn.
This was undoubtedly a good thing.
He lifted his gaze. Ahead of him, a winding dirt path stretched into the distance, leading toward a grove of bare willow trees not far away. Wisps of smoke curled up from behind the grove, and faintly, the sounds of barking dogs and crowing chickens could be heard.
Most likely, beyond that barren willow grove lay the town.
Thinking this, Gu Qing took something out from his robe.
It was a map. On it were markings he had made in advance, a vivid red line traced in cinnabar ink. The first stop along the route was Qingji.
From Qingji northward, there was no water route to follow. The Canglan River changed course here, and if they wanted to reach the Red River, they could only continue on foot.
A journey of three thousand li. Having already cut out five hundred by taking the boat, there were still two thousand five hundred li left.
Who knew how many days it would take?
Especially now, in the deep winter of the twelfth lunar month, with the roads remote and difficult.
There were a few merchant caravans passing through; otherwise, they might have been able to hitch a ride.
Gu Qing quickly put away the map, but in the same motion took out the short sword. Using the scabbard, he lightly tapped the bamboo basket on his back. Two soft knocks, like knocking on a door.
In response, the thin quilt covering it lifted slightly. A frail little hand reached out, felt along the edge of the basket, and then took the short sword inside.
“We need to head into town to buy some food. Those flatbreads are almost gone. And once we leave Qingji, it’ll all be mountain paths. It might take several days before we find a proper place to resupply.”
Gu Qing spoke as he stepped into the willow grove.
A quiet response came from behind him, indicating she had heard.
Qiu Niang didn’t like to talk. Most of the time, she was just like this. Silent and reserved.
Gu Qing guessed it was likely related to the hardships she had suffered before.
Over these past days, the girl’s attitude toward him had gradually shifted from initial wariness, coldness, and distance, to growing closeness. But there was one thing that remained a mystery.
That was Qiu Niang’s background.
Gu Qing had once brought it up in passing, but her reaction had been unusually intense. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, her gaze dropped, her face turned pale as snow, and her lips pressed tightly together…she even bit them until faint traces of blood appeared, as if she felt nothing.
At that moment, she had been in great pain and deeply afraid. It was something that stirred pity.
After that, Gu Qing never asked again. In the end, whether or not he knew Qiu Niang’s past didn’t matter to him. His task had always been only one.
To find her and then heal her.
Carrying the bamboo basket on his back, he walked on in silence.
After about ten minutes, the noise of people gradually grew clearer. Before he knew it, the soft dirt road beneath his feet had turned into smooth stone paving.
Gu Qing wandered around Qingji Town for a while, purchasing enough dried meat and flatbread. He didn’t linger, and following his planned route, he left the town and continued onward.
Logically, after just finishing a five-hundred-li journey by water, he could have rested well in town for a day before setting out again. But Gu Qing knew time was pressing and was unwilling to waste it here.
The mysterious black marking on Qiu Niang’s calf had become like a death warrant, constantly urging them forward.
…
…
Night fell.
Xiqi City, the City Lord’s residence.
Today, the estate was adorned with lanterns and decorations, brilliantly lit. Lines of maids moved back and forth through the banquet, carrying delicate and expensive porcelain dishes.
Seeing such a grand display, the servants of the residence couldn’t help but speculate about the identity of the carriage that had arrived that evening. What sort of person could warrant such solemn attention from the City Lord?
“Immortal Master Zhang, forgive my dullness. Regarding this matter of ‘finding someone’ you mentioned, I would appreciate a bit more guidance.”
At the banquet, the middle-aged man rose from his seat, smiling as he offered a toast to a young Taoist seated at the place of honor.
The Taoist wore a black robe, his hair pinned up neatly. His expression was cold, and there was a faint sharpness in his brows.
Hearing the question, his gaze swept lightly across the room, and he frowned slightly.
Xu Shixiong understood at once. He clapped his hands, and a steward immediately stepped forward, dismissing all the unrelated attendants.
The once lively banquet quickly fell silent.
Only at the head table did things differ. There sat another man dressed the same as “Immortal Master Zhang”, but unlike him, this one was fat, with plump ears and thick lips. He wore a wide, leering grin as he held onto the serving maid’s small hand, refusing to let her leave.
It wasn’t until his senior brother Zhang Chi cast him a cold glance that he snapped partly out of his drunken haze and hurriedly released the maid’s hand in embarrassment.
After a moment, Zhang Chi slowly said, “City Lord Xu, stationed here in Xiqi…are you aware of what happened in the capital some days ago?”
Xu Shixiong’s heart skipped a beat at those words, though his expression remained composed as he smiled. “Immortal Master Zhang is joking. Though Xu resides in Xiqi, if you’re referring to that matter… then I’m afraid throughout the entire Great Zhou, there is no one who hasn’t heard of it.”
That was, of course, a bit of an exaggeration. But if it truly was that incident, then anyone serving in the court would certainly have heard of it.
Zhang Chi nodded and took out a scroll from his sleeve, handing it over.
Xu Shixiong reached out to accept it and unfurled it. Upon seeing the contents clearly, his gaze tightened, and he subconsciously read the words aloud in a low voice:
“Upon investigation, it has been revealed that Su Xiaotian, the former General Who Pacifies the North and Marquis of Mighty Valor long favored by the state and holder of a high rank has failed to repay such grace. Instead, he has harbored treacherous intent, secretly colluding with demonic and heretical forces, allowing rogue cultivators to infiltrate and abduct common people, conspiring with evil beings, slaughtering the loyal and good, and plotting rebellion.” His crimes are unforgivable. By decree, his entire clan is to be executed to uphold the laws of the state.”
This was, in fact, an official notice!
A notice bearing the seals of the Ministry of Justice, the Celestial Masters’ Temple, and the Court of Judicial Review!
Even though he had already heard rumors before, seeing it with his own eyes still left the weathered old face of Xu Shixiong unable to conceal his shock.
What shocked him even more was the implication behind Zhang Chi bringing this notice with him.
Zhang Chi did not continue to speak in riddles and said bluntly, “Su Xiaotian’s collusion with evil entities and slaughter of the people have already been confirmed. My purpose in coming here is precisely to capture the final fugitive in this case.”
Xu Shixiong’s expression grew serious. “In that case, Immortal Master Zhang, please give your orders.”
“However… there is still one matter I don’t understand. I ask the Immortal Master to enlighten me.”
Zhang Chi said, “Speak.”
Xu Shixiong said, “Xiqi is at least a thousand li away from the capital. What ability does this fugitive have to flee all the way here?”
Zhang Chi let out a cold laugh. “Su Xiaotian somehow obtained a jade talisman. This item can traverse a thousand li in an instant. Tracking its movements is no easy task. It was only under my master’s orders that I learned this little wretch had actually hidden herself in Xiqi.”
He then glanced at Xu Shixiong, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if seeing through the man’s thoughts, and said calmly, “You don’t need to worry. Such a miraculous treasure can naturally only be used once.”
“Moreover, during her use of the jade talisman, my master gouged out her eyes from afar and crippled her legs. She is now certainly within Xiqi City, unable to move at all!”
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