Chapter 62: The World of Youth
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Days had pa.s.sed, but in the world of the Gu worm, the scent remained fresh.
Interestingly, when blood was spilled on a person’s body, the living aura clashed with it, causing the residual aura to dissipate quickly.
Xu w.a.n.gliang’s expression shifted as he trailed behind Wu Zhangli. Two Marrow Tempering realm consecrators from the Xu family followed closely. If they encountered the murderer, they would swiftly subdue him.
Gu worms possessed impressive speed, comparable to that of a person running. After fifteen minutes, the Gu worm came to a halt in front of a courtyard, poised to enter.
Wu Zhangli swiftly shielded the Gu worm and glanced back at Xu w.a.n.gliang. Xu w.a.n.gliang surveyed the courtyard before him. It belonged to an ordinary family. His ears twitched, but he heard no sounds emanating from within. In an instant, Xu w.a.n.gliang scaled the courtyard wall, finding no trace of anyone inside.
The two Xu family guardians landed in the courtyard, kicking open the door. It was clean and devoid of any signs of habitation as if n.o.body had ever lived there.
“The sword has been here for a while,” Wu Zhangli pointed to a spot, indicating where the aura was most concentrated. It had clearly lingered there for some time.
…..
“Find the landlord and inquire about the situation here,” Xu w.a.n.gliang instructed gravely.
Soon, the landlord, known as the “tooth man,” was summoned. He was taken aback upon seeing Xu w.a.n.gliang, well aware of the Xu family’s reputation in Apricot Fen City.
“Who rented this courtyard?” Xu w.a.n.gliang inquired of the tooth man.
With a sharp memory, the tooth man meticulously described the appearance of the person who had rented the courtyard at the time.
Sergeant Wu stood by, silent. Given the circ.u.mstances, it was unlikely they would discover the culprit’s true ident.i.ty. Most likely, it was a disguise. Xu w.a.n.gliang understood this well, but he refused to let any possibility slip away. After the tooth man departed, Xu w.a.n.gliang turned to Wu Zhangli.
“That weapon was not discarded, which is a positive sign. If the culprit has not left Apricot Fen City, we can find him!” Wu Zhangli hurriedly spoke.
“I must rely on you once more, esteemed Elder Wu!”
“Of course, of course!”
Wu Zhangli smiled apologetically and summoned his Gu worm. Extending his hand, he pointed forward, and the Gu worm circled the courtyard before flying out.
The group followed closely, and soon, the Gu worm arrived at another courtyard.
Xu w.a.n.gliang’s brows furrowed. He sensed that there was no one inside the courtyard. He leaped over the walls, confirming his suspicions.
“This culprit is exceedingly cautious!”
Xu w.a.n.gliang’s words seemed to hang in the air. This wily rabbit had more than one burrow, further fueling his anger.
“Squeak!”
The Gu worm emitted a long cry. Upon hearing it, Sergeant Li’s face brightened.
“The scent here is two days old. It’s likely that the person hasn’t left Apricot Fen City!”
“Excellent!”
Xu w.a.n.gliang nodded, and Chang Li promptly commanded the Gu worm to continue tracking. However, after circling the courtyard for a while, it did not fly out.
Wu Zhangli’s expression changed, and he emitted a strange long cry, similar to the sound of a Gu worm.
The Gu worm responded a few times, and Wu Zhangli frowned.
Given the limited intelligence of Gu worms, Wu Zhangli could only communicate with them in simple terms. The result of their recent communication was that this was the last place where the Gu worm had detected the sword’s aura.
“What’s the matter?” Xu w.a.n.gliang inquired.
“It appears that the sword has vanished,” Wu Zhangli stammered. This conclusion seemed incredulous, but it was the information he had received from the Gu worm.
Xu w.a.n.gliang’s countenance darkened as if blood was going to explode from his eyes.
• •
In the courtyard, Chen Fei practiced a simple sword technique, wielding a tree branch.
The blade and longbow had been stored within Chen Fei’s s.p.a.ce grid. He was unsure if the Xu family possessed any means of investigation, as the blade would undoubtedly serve as a marker.
Chen Fei was worried that disposing of it w.i.l.l.y-nilly would only increase the chances of discovery. Melting it down was also risky, as the blacksmith shop might report it. The potential gains did not outweigh the potential losses.
He chose to place it in the s.p.a.ce grid, confident that the Xu family had no means to breach its restrictions.
Due to the grid’s sensitivity, Chen Fei had relocated to another courtyard after saving Chi Defeng, taking the opportunity to organize the items within the s.p.a.ce grid.
He spent considerable time there before returning to this courtyard.
Chen Fei had refrained from refining pills and a.s.sumed the guise of an ordinary martial artist. The Xu family had sent search parties, but after Chen Fei bribed them with several taels of silver, they left.
The search teams of the Xu family were lucrative positions. Each family would bribe them with a few taels, resulting in substantial earnings. As a result, the search process was mostly ceremonial. They held no hope of finding the culprit through this method.
“Cultivating Sword Five can severely injure or even kill someone in the Marrow Tempering realm. However, it seems a bit exaggerated for someone like He Yuanqiu, who was in the Marrow Tempering realm,” Chen Fei pondered as he observed the branch in his hand. The battle from that day replayed in his mind. In the past few days, Chen Fei had been reflecting upon the gains and losses of the battle, as well as a.s.sessing the strengths and weaknesses of his martial arts techniques. Only through real life-and-death battles could one truly uncover their shortcomings.
“Creak!”
The courtyard gate creaked open, and Chi Defeng returned. Even though several days had pa.s.sed, his injuries had already healed. He occasionally ventured out to procure food and gather information.
Chen Fei glanced up and noticed Chi Defcng’s slightly furrowed brow.
“Pingyin County has fallen,” Chi Defeng spoke in a low voice.
Chen Fei was taken aback, though he had long antic.i.p.ated such an outcome. When he heard the news, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of emotion.
“How did you find out? Did someone from Pingyin County manage to escape to Apricot Fen City?” Chen Fei inquired.
Chi Defeng nodded, placing the food he had obtained on the stone table. He poured two cups of wine, drinking one himself before releasing a long sigh. Chen Fei took a seat and began drinking with Chi Defeng.
Chen Fei couldn’t even handle a slightly stronger evil, let alone a malevolent storm like the one that had befallen Pingyin County. It was a testament to his own weakness. Despite his knowledge, he was unable to change the outcome. This was the plight of the weak, a predicament faced by most people in this world.
Willow blossoms fluttered in the wind, and Wu Ji served wine, inviting guests to partake. As Chen Fei and Chi Defeng were lost in thought, their wine gla.s.ses were continuously refilled. Chi Defeng took advantage of the alcohol to recount his story.
It was a mundane tale devoid of twists and turns or entanglements. Chi Defeng was simply a young man yearning to explore the world.
Chi Defeng spoke intermittently, and Chen Fei listened attentively until Chi Defeng burst into raucous laughter, leaning on the table.
Five days pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye. Chaos reigned within the city, and the Xu family persisted in their search until the arrival of the Immortal Cloud Caravan in Apricot Fen City.
“One thousand taels per person?” Chen Fei found it incredulous. Chi Defeng nodded in confirmation.
Chen Fei gazed skyward, contemplating the situation. The Immortal Cloud Caravan could have resorted to force, yet they chose to sell tickets instead..