Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Precautions Before It Rains Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Precautions Before It Rains Editor: Atlas Studios Cheng Feiyu, though inexperienced in the ways of Jianghu, was by no means a fool.
At this moment, he realized the problem and took out an invitation from his bosom, handing it to Su Mo: “Please take a look, Brother Su.”
Su Mo pondered briefly before accepting it.
The matter at hand no longer just involved the Luoxing Sect alone; if what the Yin Mountain Ghost Lord said was true, no one on the Righteous Path of Jianghu could stay out of it.
Those who escort in Jianghu belong to the Martial Arts lineage, and they might also be affected.
Upon opening the invitation, he read through it at a glance.
His eyebrows slightly raised.
The first line of the invitation read: “For Brother Lou’s perusal.”
With this, Su Mo couldn’t help but steal a glance at Lou Jingjing.
The content that followed read:
Lately, there have been whispers of disturbances in Jianghu, potentially leading to chaos; those of us on the Righteous Path must prepare early.
With the tender buds and soft pistils of spring, brewing a pot of spring tea.
Thus, I invite Brother Lou and other fellow Jianghu comrades to discuss and enjoy tea.
The signature at the end was: Cangming from Xuanji Valley!
“Cangming Taoist?”
Su Mo’s eyebrows raised slightly again; ten years ago, it was Liu Suifeng of Yuliu Manor and this Cangming Taoist from Xuanji Valley who led the siege against the Yin Mountain Ghost Lord.
And it seemed from the invitation that not only the Luoxing Sect was invited.
However, it was still unknown who else might have received this invitation aside from the Luoxing Sect.
Yang Xiaoyun also looked over the invitation, her eyebrows slightly furrowed:
“This matter seems to be no small affair; in my opinion, Brother Cheng would do well to take his junior Sister back to the Luoxing Sect first.”
Cheng Feiyu was clearly lost in thought.
After pondering for a long while, he shook his head slightly: “If there indeed is an issue with this invitation, I’m afraid it could stir up a storm. Whether the words of the Yin Mountain Ghost Lord are true or not is hard to discern; however, if there is any possibility, we must guard against those evil fiends. Therefore, my junior Sister and I cannot return to the Luoxing Sect just yet.
“After reaching the next town, we will write a letter explaining the situation to our sect.
“My junior Sister and I will then disguise ourselves and investigate Xuanji Valley to uncover the truth.
“If there indeed is an issue, our sect can intervene, forming alliances and hence, those evil demons might not prevail.”
Yang Xiaoyun, appreciating his words, nodded lightly: “Well said, Brother Cheng, such vigilance befits a true gentleman. Unfortunately, we both still have urgent matters to attend to, and thus can’t help in this matter.”
Although that’s what she said, considering that this escort mission was to Yuliu Manor,
Upon meeting Liu Suifeng, speaking about this matter could possibly bring about a new twist.
Yet, with important escort tasks and unseen troubles lurking, it was not convenient to divulge this now.
Additionally, it was unknown whether Cangming Taoist also invited Yu Liu Sword Heart from Yuliu Manor?
At this thought, she subconsciously glanced at Su Mo, only to find Su Mo was also looking at her.
Despite Cheng Feiyu’s slight disappointment upon hearing this—given that both Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, despite their young age, possessed exceptional martial arts skills and could certainly be of great help—but the life-saving favor they owed from earlier tonight was too great, and he dared not ask too much.
Thus, though slightly disappointed, he showed understanding.
Thereafter, no further words were spoken; they arranged two people for the night watch, allowing the other two to rest.
That night until dawn no further words were exchanged, and as the sky barely began to brighten, everyone had already gotten up.
First, they simply heated some food to eat and drink, and afterwards, the four of them together buried the bodies of those from Yin Mountain Ghost Lord on the spot.
In Jianghu, it is common to see bodies lying unburied by the roadside.
However, if time permits, even for mortal enemies, they would not necessarily leave their bodies exposed to the wilderness.
If burial is possible, a pit would still be dug to lay the deceased to rest.
This could be considered one of the few tender mercies in the cold world of Jianghu.
…
…
After everything was done, the four of them set off on horseback together, but the road was slippery, so they dared not gallop wildly.
The sound of horse hooves clattered, but they leisurely rode for an entire morning before finally arriving at the next town.
In this town, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun bid farewell with cupped hands to the brother and sister from Luoxing Sect.
Lou Jingjing seemed somewhat reluctant to part, holding Yang Xiaoyun’s hand and incessantly asking her to visit Luoxing Sect if she ever had free time, so she could repay the lifesaving grace.
After many polite responses by Yang Xiaoyun, the matter was finally settled, and she watched as the two siblings found an inn to temporarily settle down, then she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Turning her head, she saw Su Mo looking at her with a strange expression, which made her a bit puzzled: “Is there something wrong with me?”
“Nothing, just that Sister Yun’s valiant spirit is no less than any man’s.”
Su Mo smiled.
Yang Xiaoyun chuckled dryly, suddenly her expression turning odd: “Are you saying I lack feminine charm?”
“Ah… I meant no such thing!”
Yang Xiaoyun gave Su Mo a sidelong glance, not picking up the conversation, but instead softly asked: “What do you think about this matter?”
“There’s too much we don’t understand, too many truths and lies difficult to distinguish. Ultimately, I am more worried about Xuanji Valley…”
Su Mo sighed softly: “Daoist Cangming is highly esteemed, although not quite an overarching figure like the North Star, he is nonetheless of great significance. Back when Liu Suifeng’s swordsmanship was not yet perfected, he was still more prominent than him. If the invitation from Cheng Feiyu and the others truly came from Xuanji Valley, thinking of the worst… it could mean Xuanji Valley has met with misfortune.”
Yang Xiaoyun nodded slightly: “There’s another possibility.”
Su Mo looked at her: “Someone impersonating…”
“Exactly.”
Yang Xiaoyun nodded: “Someone using the name of Daoist Cangming from Xuanji Valley, drawing many sects to Xuanji Valley, but then having people ambushed and captured along the way… What do you think, what could it be for?”
“No matter what it is for, the plot will certainly not be small.”
“That’s true, if this is real, we probably cannot keep ourselves out of it. I must write a letter to Iron Blood Escort Agency right away, so father can have some understanding of this affair. To avoid being caught off guard by another’s schemes down the line.”
Yang Xiaoyun left some words unsaid.
When the two had left Luoxia City that day, and Xu Ruoshen had come to block their path, he had already mentioned it.
The Chief had already left the agency to an unknown destination yesterday afternoon.
If he had still not returned… could he have gone to Xuanji Valley too?
This possibility was purely Yang Xiaoyun’s speculation, based entirely on intuition, naturally not something she would voice out loud, but it could not help feeling urgent.
Su Mo nodded slightly: “In that case, let us split up. You write and send the letter, I will buy provisions.”
“Eh?”
Yang Xiaoyun arched her eyebrows, initially not wanting to agree, but after observing Su Mo’s expression, as if having realized something, finally nodded lightly: “If that’s the case, then let’s meet at the town’s exit.”
“Alright.”