Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 147: Journey to Qingyang City
From Flying Wolf's expression, it was clear that Ji Zichen was quite satisfied to be leaving him. Perhaps Flying Wolf agreed with Ji Zichen's suggestion just to let him go.
Xia Lian nodded and said, "It's fine to rest for a night before leaving, but it's best to keep your visit to Prince Huixin a secret from the clan leader. If she finds out, she will ask Kai Zhou Shen about the outcome of this trip. Once Kai Zhou Shen knows, the Saint King will inevitably find out as well. I can't accompany you to Qingyang City; you know someone from the Hall of Malevolence recognizes me."
Lin Chuyu asked in surprise, "You've changed bodies; how could anyone still recognize you?"
Xia Lian sighed, "No matter how many bodies I change, there will always be someone who recognizes me. Going with you would only cause trouble."
Ji Zichen added, "It's probably for the best that you don't come. There might be matters in the village that need your help. There's no need to hide anything from the clan leader; once we leave, she'll likely suspect something."
Early the next morning, Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu bid farewell to the clan leader. Knowing their intentions, the clan leader did not try to keep them from leaving. She wanted a team to escort them out of the Opening of the Zhou Wasteland, but Ji Zichen declined. He felt it was far better for the Militia to return to their duties than to escort them out. The clan leader understood Ji Zichen's reasoning and did not insist further.
"How confident are you in winning over Prince Huixin?" Yang Guizhi asked just before Ji Zichen set off.
"I don't know, but I believe cooperation is our best option. We currently have no idea how to deal with the Arbitrator, so we can only brainstorm together," Ji Zichen shared his thoughts.
Yang Guizhi did not press for more details; she could only wish them a successful journey. As dawn broke, Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu set off.
As they traveled along the road, Lin Chuyu seemed lost in thought and said, "Brother Ji, have I been to Qingyang City before?"
Ji Zichen was quite surprised; Lin Chuyu had been remembering more and more lately. This was certainly beneficial for her. He nodded and replied, "You have been there, and Prince Huixin knows you."
Lin Chuyu looked astonished. "Prince Huixin knows me? How did we meet?"
Ji Zichen wasn't entirely sure how they had encountered each other but knew a bit about it. He said, "I don't know the details either. If you run into him again and he remembers you, you can ask him then."
The name Prince Huixin felt somewhat familiar yet strange to Lin Chuyu.
Lin Chuyu let out a faint sigh. "That Prince Huixin is the crown prince. Does he even want to meet us?"
Ji Zichen had traveled to many places, but he had rarely encountered someone of such high status as a prince. He thought about it and realized that someone of that rank would not be easily accessible. As for the current situation in Qingyang City, he would have to assess it once they arrived to see if they could meet Prince Huixin.
Lin Chuyu felt a slight unease about the uncertain road ahead, but she did not show it because she trusted Ji Zichen. Although she couldn't remember much from her past, she had a feeling that Ji Zichen always managed to turn misfortune into fortune.
In her mind, Lin Chuyu vaguely recalled the many experiences she and Ji Zichen had gone through, having seen some fragments in the Travel Path—some were vivid while others felt dreamlike.
After three days of travel, they finally arrived at the Desolate Central Plain. They originally did not need to exert themselves so much; they could have asked Kai Zhou Shen to open a rift to transport them. However, since Kai Zhou Shen's spirit was damaged, Ji Zichen decided it was best not to trouble him. He had considered opening a rift with Xia Lian, but after their last adventure where they accidentally entered the Spirit Immortal Realm, they were fortunate to escape.
Who knew where they might end up if they tried again?
They soon reached the fork leading to Gyro City. The last time they were here, they encountered Purgatory Soul, but Ji Zichen had felt no worry then. This time, however, his sense of foreboding had greatly increased. The Hall of Malevolence's Cult must have been here before; evidence of past battles still lingered. Although he didn't know who the Hall of Malevolence's Cult had fought against, it was clear that those involved had turned the tide of battle; otherwise, this place would have been utterly destroyed.
Danger was closing in. The moment Ji Zichen stepped onto the Desolate Central Plain, he felt it. As they made their way toward Qingyang City through the nearby forest, life thrived around them—the trees were vibrant and birds chirped cheerfully. Kai Zhou Shen did not ask for his ring back; he treated it as a reward for closing the rift this time. In another sense, he hoped Ji Zichen would see other rifts and close them as well.
With this peculiar ring, Ji Zichen could sense the trees' awareness of their passage. If he listened closely, the ring allowed him to hear the birds' songs growing louder; it seemed that the trees and other animals in this forest could perceive his uniqueness.
The trees and animals appeared to welcome his presence; Ji Zichen could distinctly feel their friendly aura.
As they walked along, they noticed no other travelers on the road, indicating the significant destruction in Qingyang City. Some animals welcomed him while others remained wary; Ji Zichen did not blame them for being defensive—they were merely trying to protect their home from intrusion.
Ji Zichen focused on reaching Qingyang City without disturbing the lives of these animals.
"This forest seems calm on the surface," Ji Zichen remarked, "but I can feel that the animals inside are suffering."
Lin Chuyu nodded in agreement. "Brother Ji, I feel it too. They are still haunted by that war."
Ji Zichen asked, "Can you also feel the emotions of animals?"
Lin Chuyu appeared somewhat confused and replied, "Yes."
Ji Zichen thought that perhaps it was because she was a Vermilion Bird, the most intelligent of beings. Although her Vermilion Bird form had not changed much, it might have granted her the ability to perceive other animals.
Suddenly, Ji Zichen heard a terrible scream from deep within the forest. The scream echoed, and then everything around them fell silent. He asked, "Did you hear that?"
Lin Chuyu nodded. "I heard it." For some reason, Ji Zichen dismounted from his mount.
Lin Chuyu asked in surprise, "Brother Ji, what are you going to do?"
In the past, Ji Zichen had been indifferent to the lives of animals, unable to sense their emotions. But now, the fear of the animals had seeped into his own feelings. He thought he needed to see what was happening.
"I'll go take a look," Ji Zichen said.
He did not rush into the forest unnecessarily since he could inhabit any animal. Instead, he settled down in a patch of soft grass. Lin Chuyu dismounted and stood beside him but did not disturb him.
Ji Zichen closed his eyes and focused his energy. He first extended his consciousness toward the trees, then to all the plants, and finally to everything else that was alive, slowly searching for the direction of the scream.
After searching for a while, he saw no animal corpses and no signs of panic among any creatures. Ji Zichen thought, "Could it be farther away?"
He extended his consciousness even further.
Ji Zichen felt his awareness gradually reaching out into the distance. He wasn't sure how far his perception could extend, but he felt no discomfort yet. So he pushed his awareness even further until he suddenly stopped; unexpectedly, he felt drowsy. He thought to himself, "Is this my limit?"
Not wanting to remain in this state for too long, Ji Zichen retracted some of his consciousness.
Suddenly, Lin Chuyu shouted, "Brother Ji! Something is coming!"
Ji Zichen was abruptly pulled back to reality. His mind raced as he struggled to regain control of his body, which leaned slightly backward. He braced himself with his arm just as he opened his eyes to see a stag charging toward them.
The stag was covered in patches of blood, limping as it ran, seemingly with a broken leg. Hot on its heels were three Demon Beasts resembling Night Owl Beasts. They pounced on the stag, bringing it down and tearing into it. Within moments, the stag was reduced to nothing more than scraps of flesh and bone.
Lin Chuyu grabbed Ji Zichen's arm with surprising strength, shaking as she urged, "Brother Ji, we need to get out of here!"
Ji Zichen had no time to respond to her plea; the three Night Owl Beasts had just finished devouring the stag, and one of them glared at the two of them with a menacing look.
Ji Zichen realized they were likely being eyed as the next meal. He had no confidence in facing off against three beasts of that size alone.
Meanwhile, two mounts tethered to a tree were roaring and straining against their ropes but could not break free. The Night Owl Beasts paid no attention to the horses; it was clear their targets were Ji Zichen and Lin Chuyu.
They had no time to untie the horses and ride away. Ji Zichen drew his Demon-Slaying Sword and pulled Lin Chuyu behind him just as one Night Owl Beast lunged at them. Despite its large size, it charged with speed that rivaled a horse.
Ji Zichen focused on the beast's trajectory, stepping forward lightly. With a swift swing of his Demon-Slaying Sword, he cleaved the charging Night Owl Beast in half with a single strike, eliciting a howl of pain.
Thanks to Ji Zichen's quick thinking and extensive experience dealing with Demon Beasts, he managed to take down one of the Night Owl Beasts perfectly. The other two paused in surprise; clearly, they hadn't expected him to kill their companion so easily. They hesitated for a moment, giving Ji Zichen a brief opportunity to consider his next move.
Though they did not charge immediately, the two remaining Night Owl Beasts began to close in gradually.
Comment 0 Comment Count