novelraw Chapter 19 : Encounter with Zhang Fan
Chapter 19 : Encounter with Zhang Fan
Chapter 19: Encounter with Zhang Fan
Before leaving, Lin Xiaowan took stock of her spoils.
Dry rations, flint, lamp oil, a dagger… the most valuable were naturally the bottles of pills. Still, these mundane items were not entirely useless.
She tucked the pill bottles into her clothes, considering her next destination:
Should she continue deeper into the valley, or head toward the “Fire Grass” rooted on the mountainside that the middle-aged man had revealed while begging for his life?
The deeper parts of the valley likely held greater opportunities—but with her first-layer Qi Refinement cultivation, it would be like a child carrying treasure through a black market.
Lin Xiaowan judged that the information about the Fire Grass was probably genuine—not a stalling tactic for survival.
When the man had seen the Jade Marrow Grass, the expression of regained hope on his face had not seemed fake. Moreover, he bore burn scars—likely related to the Fire Grass.
If there happened to be a conflict there… or injured people…
A faint curve appeared at her lips.
When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman benefits.
This was far more worthwhile than risking everything alone.
Having made her decision, she determined her direction and disappeared into the deepening dusk and forest.
The mountain path proved far more difficult than expected.
Twisted ancient roots, slippery moss-covered rocks, and tangled vines constantly drained her stamina.
Even as a Qi Refinement cultivator, though her steps were lighter than a mortal’s, her speed was still slow.
The sky darkened rapidly with each step.
In Luoxia Valley, the weather changed without warning.
The mist lingering since noon was suddenly replaced by heavy gray clouds rolling in from the horizon.
The clouds pressed low, as if brushing the treetops, and the air filled with a heavy, earthy humidity that made breathing difficult.
“Rumble—”
Thunder rolled through the clouds, drawing closer.
Then, raindrops the size of beans fell—sparse at first, then quickly forming a torrential curtain.
Visibility was swallowed by white mist. Cold rain soaked her clothes, the chill piercing to the bone.
“I can’t keep moving. I need shelter.”
Lin Xiaowan wiped rain from her eyes, frowning as she extended her spiritual sense, searching through the downpour.
After half a quarter hour, she finally found a shallow cave beneath a steep cliff, partially hidden by bushes.
The entrance was narrow, but inside was spacious enough, and the ground relatively dry.
Using the faint light from the entrance, Lin Xiaowan quickly gathered dry branches and leaves, pulling out flint.
“Clack… clack…”
After several strikes, no flame appeared.
Fortunately, with the help of lamp oil, she eventually managed to ignite a small orange flame. The fire greedily licked the dry branches, gradually growing into a campfire.
Light and warmth dispelled the darkness and damp cold.
Lin Xiaowan quickly removed her soaked outer garments and shoes, leaving only two pieces of clothing that had not been completely drenched.
She hung the wet clothes on a makeshift rack of branches. The fire crackled softly as it dried them.
Sitting with her knees drawn up, she extended her pale, chilled hands toward the fire.
After a while, she glanced down at her mud-stained, slightly swollen feet and gently rubbed them.
This was the awkwardness of early-stage Qi Refinement.
Though cultivators had already transcended mortals—able to channel energy, use basic techniques, and possess rudimentary spiritual sense—the body itself remained fragile.
They could tire, hunger, and feel cold. A single storm could reduce her to the state of an ordinary traveler, forced to seek shelter and build fire.
“In the end, the first three layers of Qi Refinement merely open a crack to glimpse the workings of heaven and earth. The body is still mortal.”
As she thought, she tilted slightly, wringing water from her hair. Steam gradually rose.
“Only by reaching the fourth layer, when spiritual energy nourishes the body and brings transformation, does a qualitative change occur. Only then can one truly shed fragility—becoming, in mortal eyes, a martial grandmaster.”
She was still three minor realms away.
Each layer required an enormous amount of Qi… how many people would she need to harvest through Dual Cultivation to reach that level?
The fire flickered. Warmth seeped into her limbs. She closed her eyes slightly, her tense mind finally relaxing for a moment.
And at that very moment—
Amid the heavy rain outside, footsteps approached.
Lin Xiaowan’s eyes snapped open, a cold glint flashing.
Someone had been drawn by the firelight?
Her gaze sharpened as she scanned the cave.
There was little space to hide.
Strike first? Or… feign weakness and wait?
At the same time, the footsteps stopped at the entrance.
The other party had clearly noticed the fire and signs of habitation and did not enter rashly.
After a brief silence, a young male voice called out through the rain, slightly raised and probing:
“Friend inside, pardon the intrusion! The rain is too heavy, and I can’t find shelter elsewhere. May I come in briefly to take refuge? I swear, I only seek a dry corner—no ill intent!”
That voice… Zhang Fan?
Lin Xiaowan frowned slightly.
In the vast Luoxia Valley, under torrential rain, the two of them had ended up at the same remote cave?
Too coincidental.
This person always gave her an inexplicable sense of attachment—as if deliberately arranged—making her uneasy.
She had felt this once before—when she was watched bathing by the stream.
Zhang Fan was not someone skilled at hiding his feelings—his admiration was obvious.
Yet strangely, she felt he carried secrets she could not fully see through.
But now was not the time to dwell on it.
In a flash, she made her decision.
The spiritual energy within her stilled.
The killing intent in her eyes faded. She cleared her throat, her voice softer than usual, tinged with hesitation:
“If it’s just to take shelter… then come in. The entrance is slippery—be careful.”
Silence fell outside for a moment.
Clearly, Zhang Fan had not expected a woman—and for her to agree.
“Excuse me!”
Footsteps resumed. He pushed aside the wet bushes and entered.
Soaked through, Zhang Fan stepped inside—and froze when he saw the girl by the fire, lightly clothed, hugging her knees.
“Xu… Miss Xu?!”
His voice was filled with disbelief and joy.
Lin Xiaowan looked up, meeting his gaze, surprise appearing on her face. “I didn’t expect it to be you, Zhang Fan.”
“Uh—”
Realizing her state of undress, he hurriedly turned away. “I didn’t know it was you! I’ll leave immediately—”
“Since you’re already in, stay quietly.”
Lin Xiaowan interrupted calmly. “Turn around. I don’t mind. Or do you plan to talk to the wall?”
Zhang Fan stiffened, then awkwardly turned back.
The cave was small. Firelight flickered, outlining her slender ankles and pale calves in soft shadows. He only glanced once before his heart began racing, his expression turning unnatural.
“Take off your wet clothes and dry them. Don’t catch a chill.”
Her voice came again, calm—just like by the stream before.
“Alright… thank you, Miss Xu.”
Zhang Fan responded stiffly, turning away as he hurriedly removed his soaked outer and inner garments, hanging them up, leaving only a jade pendant and undergarments.
A strange silence filled the cave, broken only by the crackling fire and the rain outside.
Lin Xiaowan lowered her eyes, watching the flames.
Zhang Fan hesitated several times before finally speaking.
“Miss Xu… have you been well lately?”
The moment he said it, he wanted to bite his tongue.
What a stupid question.
Lin Xiaowan seemed to smile faintly. “I’ve been alright. What about you? The northern district seems unstable lately.”
Relieved, Zhang Fan quickly responded, talking about what he had seen and heard.
Lin Xiaowan listened quietly, occasionally giving a soft “mm.”
Gradually, his voice trailed off.
He clenched his hands, struggling, before finally gathering his courage.
“If you want to ask something, go ahead,” Lin Xiaowan said suddenly, meeting his gaze. “At the Medicine King Gathering, you were looking for a chance to ask me, weren’t you?”
Zhang Fan froze.
“Is it true? Are you really… the ‘Orchid of the Empty Valley’ of Drunken Immortal Pavilion?”
Lin Xiaowan did not avoid his gaze.
She nodded gently. “It’s true.”
The light in Zhang Fan’s eyes dimmed instantly.
“Why?” he asked hoarsely. “Miss Xu, you clearly… why go to such a place? Were you forced?”
“I chose it myself,” she said softly. “There’s something I must accomplish. It’s the fastest way.”
“What could be so important?!”
His voice rose, almost desperate.
“You could tell me! I could help! Even if I’m weak, we could find a way together—why…”
She sighed softly. “You and him are not the same.”
That sentence pierced him.
“Not the same?” he demanded. “Because I’m useless?!”
“I never said that.”
She cut him off, pained.
“I didn’t tell you for your own good. Telling you would harm you. Do you understand?”
“I don’t!”
“Promises made lightly bring regret.”
Her voice softened.
Then, suddenly—
She broke.
Her shoulders trembled.
“Clinging to power… relying on Qin Bai… In the end, I’m nothing but a toy to him…”
Zhang Fan froze, overwhelmed with pain.
“You’re a cultivator!” he blurted. “Why choose this path?!”
Silence.
“Cultivator?” Lin Xiaowan repeated softly.
Her gaze turned unfamiliar.
“How did you know?”
Zhang Fan’s face changed instantly.
“I… I didn’t mean…”
“Not intentional?” she stepped closer, voice sharp. “Not intentional to pry into me?”
Her tone turned cold.
“Who are you, Zhang Fan?”
He panicked, unable to answer.
She gave a hollow smile.
“Forget it.”
She turned and walked toward the rain.
“Outside is dangerous!”
He grabbed her wrist—
She looked back.
Only cold disgust remained.
He let go.
And then—
A faint light flickered from the ancient black jade pendant.
A translucent young man’s figure appeared between them.
A sigh echoed.
“Fan’er is simple-hearted and means no harm. It was I who told him your identity as a cultivator.”
“Master?!” Zhang Fan exclaimed.