Chapter 72: The Chen Family Caravan
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
The next day.
At the gates of the Five Elements Dao Sect, Fang Cheng Lang stood silently, gazing at the four people before him.
Aside from Quan Ye, who was still reflecting at the Cliff of Reflection, and the missing Yu Zhao, every disciple of Lone Moon Peak was present.
Cui Jue looked equally surprised.
He had only agreed to the request of his Little Junior Sister, not expecting Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming to show up as well.
How did they find out?
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ye Cong Xin stepped forward to break the silence. “Eldest Senior Brother, don’t blame Fourth Senior Brother. I told Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother about it. I think searching for Sixth Senior Sister concerns the entire Lone Moon Peak and should be something we all do together.”
The truth, however, was that Ye Cong Xin didn’t want to miss an opportunity to improve her standing with everyone.
If she hadn’t informed Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming, she might not have any interaction with them for a long time. If something uncontrollable happened, causing her relationship with them to deteriorate further, she wouldn’t even have a chance to fix it.
To play it safe, she decided it was best for everyone to go together.
“Zi Yu, Su Ming, do you both want Little Six to return too?” Fang Cheng Lang asked after hearing Ye Cong Xin’s explanation.
Both hesitated briefly before nodding firmly.
Fang Cheng Lang thought for a moment. Since everyone shared the same goal, having more people wouldn’t hurt.
He stopped dwelling on it. “We don’t know how long Little Six has been away from the sect. We’ll start by visiting the nearby towns to see if we can gather any information. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to rely on the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion for help.”
No one objected, and the group set off toward the nearest cultivation city.
…
Yu Zhao emerged from the Dark Pavilion, returned to her inn, and pondered over the new clues she had obtained.
The Dark Pavilion, known for its claim of knowing everything, had always struck Yu Zhao as a bit exaggerated.
Now, she realized how the Dark Pavilion had become the largest intelligence network in the cultivation world—it truly had its unique strengths.
She even suspected the Dark Pavilion had informants within every major sect. Otherwise, how could it know such confidential details?
Yu Zhao wanted to learn the identity of the woman in the painting, but all she had were the two characters etched on the stone tablet in the painting.
Moreover, she wasn’t sure whether the scene depicted in the painting had ever occurred in reality or was merely a product of the artist’s imagination.
When she submitted the sect name “Water Cloud” from the stone tablet as a clue, she didn’t expect much. To her surprise, the Dark Pavilion delivered a significant revelation.
Of course, the information came at a steep price, making Yu Zhao wince as she paid.
According to the Dark Pavilion, there was indeed a sect that matched Yu Zhao’s clues.
The sect was called the Water Cloud Palace, led by a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator named Shui Qing Yue, whose eyes bore a striking red mole at the corners.
However, twenty years ago, the Water Cloud Palace was mysteriously attacked by a Nascent Soul cultivator. The attack devastated the sect, leaving most disciples dead or injured. Shui Qing Yue fled in critical condition and has been missing ever since. The Water Cloud Palace ceased to exist after that.
Although Yu Zhao had identified the sect and the woman in the painting, it didn’t help much.
No one knew Shui Qing Yue’s whereabouts.
After pondering for a moment, Yu Zhao stored the clue back in her storage bracelet. She decided to visit the ruins of the Water Cloud Palace, hoping Shui Qing Yue might have left some traces.
However, she wouldn’t set off immediately.
The Black Water City Auction was less than two months away.
Yu Zhao found herself at a crossroads: should she first acquire the Supreme Essence Water at the Black Water City Auction, or head to the Water Cloud Palace to investigate her connection with Shui Qing Yue? Prioritizing the auction seemed logical, as the palace lay in the opposite direction. She decided to secure the water first before planning her next steps, even if it meant delaying her search for the Heavenly Fairy Herb in the Marsh Forest. After all, her curiosity about Shui Qing Yue was not yet urgent.
At dawn, Yu Zhao ventured into the busiest commercial district to inquire about caravans heading to Black Water City or nearby towns. Luck favored her—a caravan led by Chen Tian Dong, an amiable middle-aged man with Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation like her, was preparing for departure. The caravan was a Chen family enterprise, with eighteen guards, most of whom were Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivators, while a few were mid-stage.
Yu Zhao paid a mid-grade Spirit Stone and secured a spot in one of the six carriages. Each could accommodate four passengers. Her carriage companions included a man with a bulbous nose and thick lips, whose jovial appearance suggested he was naturally comical, and another man with pointed ears and sharp eyes, whose demeanor warned against trifling with him. Sensing potential trouble, Yu Zhao remained on guard.
The caravan used Great Stamina Colts, low-grade demonic beasts prized for their speed and endurance. As the journey began, the ride was smooth, with little jolting. Yu Zhao closed her eyes, feigning sleep, while her silent companions offered no conversation.
Two days later, the caravan stopped beside a narrow mountain path.
“We’ll rest here for an hour before continuing,” announced Chen Tian Dong.
Most guards disembarked to stretch, leaving only a few to keep watch. Yu Zhao followed suit and approached Chen.
“Why are we stopping here?” she asked. She found it odd to halt at a waterless, confined spot, especially so soon after their last break.
Chen Tian Dong’s expression turned grave. “Yu Miss, you may not know, but up ahead lies the infamous Ten-Thousand-Fathom Gorge. Its narrow paths and steep cliffs make it a prime spot for ambushes. Many caravans have been robbed there. Resting here gives us a chance to prepare for potential attacks.”
Understanding dawned on Yu Zhao. She glanced at her carriage. If her companions harbored ill intentions, now would be the perfect time to strike. Remaining cautious, she tied the Lotus Incense Burner from her Storage Bracelet to her waist, ready for any eventuality.
An hour later, the caravan resumed its journey, though at a much slower pace. Peeking through the carriage window, Yu Zhao observed the path growing narrower. Sparse forests gave way to sheer cliffs, their barren faces casting shadows over the treacherous trail. Danger loomed, and Yu Zhao knew the calm would not last long.