System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 145 - 105: The Young Hero (Part 2)

"This item is related to the legacy of the Tianji Hermit. If there’s an opportunity, I would also like to strive for it."

Gentle lifted his eyelids to glance at him, then lowered his head again.

Bian City pondered and said:

"This news has suddenly spread like wildfire in the martial world these past few days. I really don’t know where it originated from."

"I don’t know either..."

Hua Jinnian smiled:

"However, it seems like the recent times have been eventful.

"I heard not long ago that Profound Emperor Shang Qiuyu is missing, Ghost Emperor Modo is heading south, and the movements of the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns seem different.

"Now it’s the Top-tier World Gathering, and the appearance of the Celestial Secret Order by Tianji Hermit was even more unexpected.

"One event after another... extremely strange.

"By the way, do you all know that the Nine Mysteries Divine Skill has emerged in the martial world?"

"...I know."

Bian City nodded:

"We all attended the First Grade Conference, and that’s where the Nine Mysteries Divine Skill came into existence."

"I see, but who will ultimately obtain this skill?"

A hint of yearning appeared on Hua Jinnian’s face.

Chu Qing glanced at him and softly said:

"The appearance of the Nine Mysteries Divine Skill is rather eerie, and the person carrying it looks even more bizarre.

"The authenticity of this skill is still unknown. If you’re interested, Brother Hua, it’s best to be cautious."

Hua Jinnian looked at Chu Qing in surprise and laughed:

"Third young master is truly not an ordinary person. Others are probably so thrilled upon hearing the words ’Nine Mysteries Divine Skill’ that they’ve lost their sense.

"How can anyone be as calm and analytical as the third young master, weighing pros and cons?

"Thank you for the reminder, third young master. I will remember it."

After a few words of idle chatter, they fell silent. After all, with shallow acquaintance, why speak deeply?

Nothing else happened that night. When dawn broke, Chu Qing opened his eyes and saw Mo Duxing standing alone at the doorway, gazing at the scenery outside.

His demeanor was still so ethereal as if he stood apart from the world. The wind stirred his hair, adding a touch of melancholy.

Just by looking at his demeanor, anyone unaware of his background would undoubtedly regard him as a peerless master of unmatched elegance.

But as Chu Qing watched, he sensed that Mo Duxing felt somewhat off today.

His overall appearance was flawless; it was just that the angle of his tilted neck seemed a bit off.

"Senior brother, it’s time to eat."

A gentle voice came from inside the house.

Mo Duxing agreed, tilting his head to turn around.

When looking at his back, he seemed odd; looking now, it suddenly dawned on them:

"What’s wrong with your neck?"

"Just a stiff neck."

Bian City came in from outside. He had gone out to scout the path ahead.

On his return, he happened to hear Chu Qing’s question and commented with Schadenfreude:

"He sat there sleeping relying on nothing, his head drooping like a hanging ghost’s tongue. How could such sleep be beneficial?

"Had a stiff neck all night... still not better? Want me to massage your bones back in place?"

"Hmph."

Mo Duxing smiled faintly:

"Mind your own business."

Bian City rolled his eyes grandly, not bothering with this senior brother, and entered the door, with Mo Duxing lopsidedly trailing behind him.

Hua Jinnian didn’t consider himself an outsider, joining everyone for a meal.

The rain last night only added a bit of muddiness to the ground, without affecting anything else noticeably.

Only the autumn wind felt colder.

After breakfast, everyone hit the road again, and upon learning that Chu Qing and the others were also heading to Luochun Manor, he requested to join them.

Bian City stated that one more wouldn’t matter, and one less wouldn’t be missing. Surely they wouldn’t lag more than the senior brother, so they agreed.

Although Chu Qing found his arrival rather peculiar and had difficulty trusting him completely, since Bian City had agreed, Chu Qing had no reason to refuse.

Thus, everyone set off anew at dawn.

The journey wasn’t entirely peaceful, as they occasionally encountered some ignorant characters within the territory of Divine Blade Hall.

In such cases, Chu Qing didn’t need to act; Bian City had already dealt with them.

Bian City had roamed the martial world for several years and was well-versed in handling various situations. It wasn’t just his martial arts prowess; he occasionally used the renowned Taiyi Sect name to intimidate the small fry.

Those people, upon hearing about his background, many quickly retreated.

For those who truly couldn’t take the hint, Bian City and Hua Jinnian stepped in to resolve them.

This way, through bumps and scrapes, they finally exited Divine Blade Hall’s territory and officially entered Luochun Manor’s sphere of influence.

Although it was just a line separating the two, upon stepping into Luochun Manor, Chu Qing inexplicably felt the air seemed a lot sweeter.

After walking for half a day, they finally saw an bustling town.

Upon arrival, Bian City took a deep breath:

"There’s a strange feeling as if returning to the living world from Senluo Hell."

This metaphor was certainly exaggerated.

But it wasn’t without basis... Years of bloody winds and rains in the Divine Blade Hall, occasionally seeing a few living beings, their faces dark and despairing.

It was as though the mortal world was a purgatory, once fallen in, one could never return.

Yet, the people within Luochun Manor’s sphere were entirely different.

The local customs were livelier, the people’s faces didn’t appear gaunt and emaciated, although not extraordinarily joyful, there were noticeably more smiling faces.

Hua Jinnian sighed softly:

"The martial world is chaotic, heroes divide the land.

"Some have unrivaled martial arts but lack the ability to govern, leaving ordinary people in dire straits.

"But others, though lacking in strategies for national stability, are willing to focus on people’s welfare, naturally making life easier for citizens.

"Unfortunately, as Hua has traveled the world, I’ve seen more places like Divine Blade Hall, even more despairing ones."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qing looked at Hua Jinnian:

"Brother Hua, what places are you referring to?"

Hua Jinnian was a bit surprised but shook his head:

"Better not to mention them, we don’t have the ability to change this world. Speaking of them only adds more worries."

Chu Qing watched him thoughtfully, not pressing further.

By now, dusk had fallen, and they found an inn to stay in. They asked the innkeeper for hot water, planning to have a good wash.

Chu Qing changed into a clean set of clothes and was tidying his hair...

"If there’s one bad thing about ancients, it’s this..."

No matter how skilled one became in martial arts, they couldn’t stay unstained like immortals.

With prolonged exposure to the elements, his hair became tangled and smelly, occasionally clumping into knots.

Fortunately, he hadn’t gotten lice. Otherwise, that would truly be torture.

Facing the copper mirror in the room, he tidied his long hair and tied it with a hairband, checking carefully to ensure nothing was amiss, before preparing to rest.

Tonight, he didn’t plan to practice martial arts. Ever since embarking on this journey, he’d substituted meditation for rest every night.

Now, having a good bed, he intended to sleep well and relieve exhaustion. Otherwise, with the tension so high, it could easily tire him into a state of disrepair.

However, just as Chu Qing was about to lie down, his ears twitched.

He heard the sound of Gentle’s window opening in the adjacent room.

"Not resting at this hour... Wait!"

Chu Qing suddenly sat up, grabbing his single saber, putting on his overcoat, these two actions almost completed in an instant.

He opened the window with a flick and jumped out.

A black-clad figure was carrying Gentle under his arm, running swiftly into the distance.

"Stop!!"

Chu Qing yelled angrily, leaping forward.

Before he could close in, he reached out to grab him.

The person, thinking that the powerless Gentle had suddenly exerted force to escape his grasp, was startled.

Attempting to lock her in powerfully, Gentle had already slipped out of his control, falling into Chu Qing’s hands with a swish.

Chu Qing shook Gentle’s shoulder:

"Gentle?"

Gentle’s eyes were closed tightly, unconscious, clearly drugged with intoxicants.

"How dare you meddle? Looking for death!!"

The person’s voice just came, and when Chu Qing looked up, their palm momentum was already right in front of him.