Chapter 41
Chapter 41: Land of Extreme Yin and Evil
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Five days later.
Blackrock City’s eastern city gate.
Thirty armed martial artists in tight clothes gathered outside the moat. Beside them were three carriages filled with goods.
Five of them stood in front of everyone. Their status was clearly higher than the others, and they were chatting together.
When the others looked at the five of them, they subconsciously revealed respectful or envious expressions.
This was because these five people were all quasi-Martial Masters in the Blood Tempering Realm. They were famous big shots in the entire Blackrock City.
The five of them came from the Zhang family, the Su family, and the Xu family in the inner city.
At this moment, a young man dressed in luxurious clothes and holding a fan in his hand walked towards the five of them. As he walked, he fanned himself and said, “What is Third Sister doing? Why are you so slow? Don’t you know that everyone is waiting?”
This person was Xu Jin.
After receiving Xu Ling’s notice, he immediately went to visit Zhang Wu.
Before the departure time this morning, he rushed to the east city gate with the registered elder of the Xu family, Sun Yuan, who supported him.
“She really doesn’t know the etiquette,” Sun Yuan said indifferently.
When the other four Blood Tempering Realm registered elders heard this, they did not continue. This involved the internal strife of the Xu family, and they did not want to be involved.
Seeing that no one was going to continue, Xu Jin couldn’t use the topic to make a fuss. He smiled awkwardly and then chatted eagerly with the four Blood Tempering Realm registered elders.
“They’re here!”
No one knew who spoke first, but everyone looked towards the city gate. An old man in a purple robe with chicken skin and white hair walked out of the east city gate.
Behind him was a man and a woman.
The youth on the left was handsome and was dressed in a lake blue martial arts suit. The girl on the right had beautiful facial features and picturesque eyebrows. She was wearing an aqua green martial arts suit.
The young man had a strong build and a tall figure, making the young girl look pet.i.te and exquisite. Her slender waist could only be hugged, making people feel pity for her.
When the two of them stood together, they looked like a perfect couple.
They were Han Zhao and Xu Ling.
The purple-robed old man was the registered elder of the Xu family, Feng Xiao.
“I’m sorry to have kept everyone waiting.” Feng Xiao cupped his hands at the five Blood Tempering Realm registered elders.
“Elder Feng, you’re too polite.”
“It’s not time to leave yet. We’re early.”
The five of them cupped their fists and returned the greeting very politely.
Although Feng Xiao was already old and had long pa.s.sed the peak stage of blood qi, and there was no possibility of grasping Internal Force, as a quasi-Martial Master who had broken through to the third Blood Qi Breakthrough in the Blood Tempering Realm, he was the highest-level martial artist in the entire team, so no one was arrogant.
At this moment, one of the purple-robed Blood Tempering Realm registered elders came to the front of the team and waved at the martial artists behind him. He said loudly, “Since everyone is here, let’s set off!”
This person’s name was Zhang Linlu, and he was the leader of this mission.
“Yes!” The martial artists lined up in an orderly manner and split into three people to drive the carriage.
Xu Jin put on a fake smile and walked forward. “Third Sister, I wish you a safe trip. Come back early.”
Seeing this, Xu Ling could only smile and deal with it.
“Brother Xu, aren’t you going with the team?” Han Zhao suddenly asked. If he could let Xu Jin accompany them, he could help Xu Ling resolve her troubles once and for all.
Xu Jin was stunned when he heard this and immediately shook his head. “It’s such a long journey. I won’t go. Goodbye.”
As he spoke, he waved his fan and slowly walked into the city.
Han Zhao raised his eyebrows. “I’ll let you live for a few more days first.”
From Blackrock City to Jade Wind City, the first half of the road was basically flat and relatively safe.
Only the latter half of the road had to be crossed, but it was not difficult to walk.
However, for some reason, ever since they left Blackrock City and entered the second half of the road, Zhang Linlu, who was leading the team, had always chosen the most remote path.
In Han Zhao’s opinion, the path that could originally only be completed in ten days had not been completed in fifteen days.
That evening.
The sun was setting in the west, and the sunset dyed the entire sky red. Zhang Linlu stood at the fork in the forest and took out a map that seemed to be made of parchment to check.
Soon, he pointed at the east path and said to the martial artists behind him, “Walk five miles that way. There’s a small village.” “That’s great!”
“Finally, I don’t have to sleep in the wilderness!”
“I can sleep peacefully now!”
The martial artists cheered.
For the past few days, they had been sleeping in the wilderness. At night, wild wolves would howl at the drop of a hat. Last night, they had even been attacked by wild boars. The group did not sleep well.
In this world, wandering outside was a worrying thing.
Wild beasts that appeared in the wilderness and bandits hidden in the forest were all potentially fatal factors.
After a day of traveling, it was great to find a place to rest for the night.
At this moment, Han Zhao came forward. “Lord Zhang, have you been to that village before?”
“I’ve never been there, but since it’s marked on the map, someone should have been there,” Zhang Linlu explained. Seeing Han Zhao frown slightly, he asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something wrong?”
Han Zhao was someone Zhang Wu valued, so Zhang Linlu was very polite to him.
“No, I’m just asking.” Han Zhao shook his head and continued, “I don’t feel safe in a place like this that I’ve never been to. Why don’t we continue on our way?
He considered it for a moment. If possible, he would let the team circle around that village. When the mission was completed, he would go alone.
This was safer. There was no need to worry about anyone.
At the same time, these people in the team did not have to die in vain.
“There shouldn’t be a problem,” Zhang Linlu replied. Then, he pondered for a moment. “But what you said makes sense.”
“What’s the problem? It’s dangerous to live in the wilderness! Previously, we even encountered wild wolves at night. At least there’s a shelter in the village.” “That’s right! What danger can there be?”
“There are so many of us. Even if we really encounter dozens of evil people, we’re not afraid of them.’
“Han Zhao, you’re too timid! If you like to live in the wilderness, you can sleep outside alone!”
Seeing that Zhang Linlu was about to be convinced by Han Zhao, the martial artists immediately panicked. Some of them even spoke rudely.
It was really uncomfortable to sleep in the wilderness in the late autumn.
Furthermore, in the eyes of many people, Han Zhao only wanted to use this method to establish his status in the team.
“With us here, it’s not your turn to worry! You’re really nosy!” Sun Yuan sneered. In the face of Han Zhao, a “minion” of the “enemy camp”, his words were very unpleasant.
“Registered Elder Sun! Aren’t your words…” When Xu Ling heard this, she was immediately unhappy and wanted to go forward to argue. Han Zhao hurriedly pulled her back and whispered, “Forget it.”
“Hmph!” Sun Yuan snorted.
Seeing that the martial artists in the team denounced Han Zhao and the Xu family’s registered elder directly berated him, Zhang Linlu naturally listened to the majority.
“In that case, let’s go to the village to stay. Remember! No one is allowed to act on their own. We’ll be on night duty as usual.”
The martial artists cheered.
Han Zhao’s expression was normal.
If he didn’t know the outcome, he also felt that it was safer to sleep in the village than in the wilderness.
But now… life and death were up to fate. It was up to one’s ability. In any case, these people were not familiar with him. It was considered benevolent to persuade them.
Even if he said that there were monsters in the village and that they would probably lose their lives if they went, who would believe him?
He did not care about everyone’s mockery just now.
What was the point of arguing with the dead?
After confirming their target, everyone quickened their pace and rushed towards the village.
Soon, the group arrived at a small hill.
Smoke rose from the chimney, and the small village came into view.
Low-rise houses were scattered all over the place. Most of them were adobe houses that were old and slightly messy.
On the b.u.mpy muddy road, a few hens ran past from time to time. There were also puppies playing behind and children chasing and fooling around.
From time to time, the voices of adults could be heard. They were full of energy.
The periphery of the village was only surrounded by simple wooden fences. Many holes were filled with bamboo.
There was a small river at the entrance of the village. A few young women were squatting in front of the stones, holding wooden clubs and beating their clothes.
As they chatted, they skillfully flipped their clothes over and poured washing powder.
Seeing this scene, Han Zhao was stunned. This was clearly a small village filled with life.
Was it really here?
Although there was no specific location in the simulation, it was indeed the village that was staying at this time.
The women washing clothes were the first to notice Han Zhao and the others. When these women saw the weapons they were holding, they immediately stopped washing their clothes.
Zhang Linlu walked forward with a smile on his fierce face. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that the young women all looked fearful.
He was stunned and took a few steps back. He glanced at Han Zhao not far away and waved at him.
Han Zhao walked over and Zhang Linlu patted his shoulder. “Go up and explain to them.”
“Uh… Alright.” Han Zhao was stunned. Then, he walked forward and cupped his hands like a scholar.
“Greetings, ladies. We’re a caravan from Blackrock City. It’s already late, so we want to stay in your village for the night. I wonder if it’s okay?”
Seeing Han Zhao’s tall and handsome figure, the young women who had a timid expression just now immediately laughed delicately.
“Brother, you’re really good at talking. Our children are old enough to run. How are we still ladies?”
As she spoke, one of the women pointed at the gentle-looking young woman behind her and said, “If you want to stay overnight, you have to ask Aunt Tao. Her father is the village chief of our Taoyuan Village.”
The gentle young woman walked forward and bowed.
“I’m from the Li Family. Everyone in the village calls me Aunt Tao. Occasionally, there will be traveling merchants and rangers coming to stay here, but so many people have never come here before. You have to get my father’s permission.” Aunt Tao’s demeanor was dignified, and her words were polite as if she had studied in a private school.
Han Zhao smiled and said, “It’s nothing. Sorry to disturb you.”
“Young Master, please follow me.” Aunt Tao placed the clothes and club into the basin and picked it up. She was about to bring Han Zhao into the village to go home.
Han Zhao told her to wait a moment and ran back to explain to Zhang Linlu. Then, he followed Aunt Tao into the village.
As soon as he stepped into the village, Han Zhao felt a coldness appear in the Essence Soul Bead in his arms. Yin energy began to gather inside.
Han Zhao began to absorb the Yin energy in the Essence Soul Bead.
Soon, a notification appeared.
[Gathering of Yin Energy, Land of Extreme Yin and Evil]
[Danger at night!]
[Danger at night!]
No matter which direction Han Zhao looked in, the same notification appeared.
[20 Notification Fragments have been collected. Do you want to synthesize the Trait?]
[30 Notifications…]
[40 Notifications…]
Soon, there were 45 Notification Fragments.
The Yin energy absorbed by the Essence Soul Bead was basically consumed and no longer increased.
For now, Han Zhao still had some Yin energy left in his body.
However, when he looked at Aunt Tao, the notification showed that she was a normal person.
How strange!