Chapter 011
Chapter 11: Passersby
“So that’s how it is.”
Li Mu Sheng nodded with understanding. Cang Yin Yue began guiding him down quiet, deserted paths, carefully avoiding the busy main roads.
Li Mu Sheng didn’t mind. After all, Chong Province bordered Jing Province, and Shang Yang City was just a few days away. Whichever path they took didn’t matter much.
On this journey, through his conversations with Cang Yin Yue, Li Mu Sheng had formed a clear idea about Great Li’s current situation.
Great Li had nineteen provinces, and within its borders, countless Martial World sects stood side by side with formidable martial experts. Their influences were intricate and powerful, strong enough even to rival the imperial court.
It was no exaggeration to say that Great Li was governed jointly by the Martial World and the imperial court. Martial sects avoided openly provoking the court, and the Great Li court, surrounded by neighboring nations, couldn’t do much about those martial artists who occasionally ignored laws.
According to Cang Yin Yue, the situations of the other four great dynasties were similar. Even in the northern Great Wu Dynasty, the circumstances were more severe, with powerful Martial World sects nearly controlling the dynasty.
This was also why Cang Yin Yue did not want to associate with the Bloodbath Alliance. Some Martial World factions hardly took the imperial court seriously.
Of course, Cang Yin Yue wasn’t afraid. She simply preferred to avoid trouble and unpredictable factors.
The remote mountain trails were hard to travel, but the scenery was beautiful.
Li Mu Sheng’s previous Black Maned Yellow Horse had grown weary from constant traveling and was sold midway. Now he rode a sturdier but less attractive pack mule.
Though cheap and ugly, this mule was excellent at climbing steep, winding paths. Even on very difficult trails, it used its sturdy legs to steadily ascend.
“Wind chases clouds through this domain,
Horse carries me up mountain’s reign!”
Li Mu Sheng patted his mule’s back, softly reciting this poem as he traveled alongside Cang Yin Yue along steep, winding trails. Amid the vastness of the mountains, two people and two beasts appeared small and insignificant.
Throughout the journey, Cang Yin Yue maintained a cool and indifferent expression, her eyes never wandering. Yet secretly, she had begun to find Li Mu Sheng peculiar.
He’d spent most of his life confined within that small city’s martial hall, so his information was quite limited, and he frequently needed to ask her questions. Yet, his understanding came quickly. He grasped things easily, sometimes even offering insightful observations.
Occasionally, he used unfamiliar terms that, upon reflection, proved to be surprisingly profound.
She saw contradictions in Li Mu Sheng. His martial skills, especially his frighteningly effective acupoint-sealing technique, made even her wary. Then there was his playful humor and his occasional air of carefree detachment toward worldly matters.
Altogether, he felt strangely unique.
“Huh? Miss Cang, look—isn’t there someone on the mountain ahead?” Li Mu Sheng suddenly asked, breaking Cang Yin Yue’s thoughts.
Her gaze sharpened, following his pointing finger.
Indeed, within dense trees miles ahead, three figures were leading horses along a path. Though branches occasionally hid them, it was clear these people traveled in the same direction.
“It seems these people think similarly to you and also chose to bypass the main roads,” Li Mu Sheng commented, stroking his chin.
“This mountain path is quite hidden,” said Cang Yin Yue, her eyes briefly gleaming. “Most people wouldn’t think to reach Jing Province this way.”
Turning around, she saw Li Mu Sheng already patting his mule to continue forward, seemingly unworried by encountering strangers deep within these woods.
“Be careful,” she cautioned lightly. Still, she wasn’t overly concerned about him. Unprepared, even she couldn’t counter his extraordinary acupoint-sealing skills. He would have no problem defending himself.
Not long after, those travelers on the other mountain path noticed Li Mu Sheng and Cang Yin Yue as well. Surprised, they instantly became wary. Their hands remained close to the handles of their swords, eyes cautious and alert, ready to fight at any moment.
Finally, the two groups met at a crossroads.
For a moment, both parties halted, eyeing each other carefully.
Li Mu Sheng studied them: two men and one woman. The woman, brave and valiant, wore a fitted green outfit and carried a sword. Beside her was a slender young scholar carrying a book basket. The third person was a middle-aged man with a broad straw hat, also armed with a blade.
Cang Yin Yue also carefully observed the trio. After gazing at the middle-aged man, then at the woman and scholar, she spoke calmly:
“Your excellency, under which general do you serve? Where in the Imperial Capital do you hold office now?”
Her words were directed at the middle-aged man, whose face immediately revealed shock.
Cang Yin Yue explained calmly, “Your footsteps are steady and powerful, your breathing rhythmic. Clearly, you’ve trained in the Great Li military’s ‘Mountain Shaking Fist.’ You’re most likely a military man.”
“Moreover, although your sword appears ordinary, its handle is intricate and unique, crafted by Shang Yang City’s Weapon Forge Pavilion.”
The middle-aged man’s gaze flickered. Suddenly, his aura intensified, and martial Qi subtly flowed into the hand gripping his sword hilt. Staring intently at Cang Yin Yue, he asked gravely:
“Young lady, you have sharp eyes. To notice my background suggests you’re also from the Imperial Capital—not a common citizen. Are you perhaps returning to Shang Yang City?”
“Yes,” Cang Yin Yue nodded, then laughed softly and coldly, adding, “It seems you’re likely under General Wu An’s command, either a soldier of the Wu An Army or one of his personal guards.”
Hearing this, Meng Shan’s face showed even greater shock. His eyes narrowed slightly, a chilling intent briefly appearing. “How could you tell?”
“From your martial Qi. You’ve cultivated the ‘Chong Yuan Art,’ the primary practice method of the Wu An Army.”
Cang Yin Yue spoke with complete calm, seated upright atop her horse, unbothered by the hostility he’d briefly shown.
Meng Shan stood frozen, silently staring at her for a long moment before finally nodding slowly.
“You recognized even that. It seems your identity is extraordinary.”
Just then, Li Mu Sheng, who had seemed almost invisible beside them, clapped his hands softly and praised:
“Miss Cang is truly remarkable, discerning fine details and knowing so much. Six Gates would regret not having you investigate cases.”
He turned to glance at the middle-aged man again, saying cheerfully:
“You three don’t seem like bad people. Since we’re headed the same way, why not travel together? It’s safer and more convenient.”
(End of Chapter)