Chapter 18, Marriage and Ambush

Translator: Raznick

 

Mist Province, Wolf Ridge.

 

North of Green Cloud Mountains, a hundred miles away, lay the Wolf Ridge, so named for its packs of wolves.

 

On this day, Zhou Chun, who had originally been an assistant in the Green Cloud Mountains’ Mu Clan, was now accompanying several Mu Clan cultivators as they rode their Black Scaled Steeds, traversing mountains and streams to arrive at this particular ridge.

 

Their purpose this time was straightforward—Mu Clan cultivators had spotted a pair of demon wolves giving birth in the mountains and intended to snatch their pups to domesticate them as spirit beasts.

 

As for why they called Zhou Chun along, it was to prevent any abnormal reactions when the wolf cub left its den, and with him around, they could act quickly if needed.

 

In short, it’s about inviting him to act as a wolf cub’s babysitter.

 

In advance, they had already paid him ten spirit coins as a runner’s fee.

 

At this point, a group of five riders, mounted on three Black Scaled Steeds, came to a halt beneath a mountain peak. The leading man, a middle-aged member of the Mu Clan, spoke up.

 

“The wolf den is up ahead, about ten miles away on the mountains. Moving with the Black Scaled Steed makes too much noise; I’m afraid it will disturb those beasts. Fellow Daoist Zhou, you and Ziying stay here and watch over the Black Scaled Steeds. Once we’ve secured our target, we’ll send a signal for you to join us.”

 

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun was naturally more than willing to express his congratulations cheerfully. He replied, “Then I hereby wish Marshal Mu Ziying smooth sailing and certain victory!”

 

Then, several people dismounted and went their separate ways.

 

After that middle-aged man from the Mu Clan, along with two other cultivators, left, Zhou Chun and Mu Ziying tossed some fresh meat to the three Black Scaled Steeds for them to eat. Then they began chatting casually, their conversation meandering without a clear focus.

 

As they chatted on, Mu Ziying suddenly said, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, I heard that recently several young cultivators from your Zhou Clan have married into some cultivating clans in Mist Province. You wouldn’t have any such plans, would you?”

 

Zhou Chun was momentarily stunned upon hearing her words, his face filled with astonishment as he looked at her, completely unable to imagine she’d ask such a personal question.

 

Their relationship shouldn’t have reached a point where such topics are discussed, right?

 

And seeing that he was only staring at her in surprise without responding, Mu Ziying realized something and slightly lowered her head, softly saying, “If Fellow Daoist Zhou feels it’s inconvenient to answer, then let’s pretend I didn’t ask.”

 

Zhou Chun shook his head, saying in a low voice, “I don’t know why Fellow Daoist Mu would ask me this, but I’ve yet to consider looking for a Dao companion.”

 

A man who had just arrived from another world, after finally escaping the pressure of being married off, would he still harbor such thoughts?

 

Wasn’t freedom better?

 

Even if marriage truly lay ahead, it had to wait until he indulged in his freedom enough, experienced loneliness and solitude sufficiently, before considering finding a Dao companion.

 

After hearing his response, Mu Ziying nodded in understanding and said, “I understand. Thank you, Fellow Brother Zhou, for your honest disclosure.”

 

Then she lowered his head and fell silent, as if deep in thought.

 

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chun couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt in his mind.

 

If before, Zhuo Chun was caught off-guard by the question, he now understood why Mu Ziying would ask him out of the blue.

 

Because Zhou Chun suddenly remembered that among those who had recently married into other clans, there were two cousins—both of whom, like himself a year ago, had been sent as teaching assistants to other clans.

 

Reflecting further on his arrival at the Mu Clan, where he had been consistently paired with Mu Ziying—this stunning young woman—who served as his contact and attends his beast-taming sessions. Everything now seems to fall into place with crystal clarity.

 

[So she’s also being pressured into marriage by her clan, which is why she’s acting like this and laying it all out on the table today.]

 

Zhou Chun couldn’t help but deeply sympathize with Mu Ziying.

 

He understood all too well how great the pressure from his clan to marry could be—even for someone like him, who in his past life had received a top-tier education, many couldn’t withstand it and gave in. It was even more intense in a society as conservative and feudal as this one.

 

If Mu Ziying herself had exceptional talent, it would be different. The Mu Clan wouldn’t rush to marry off such a promising female cultivator who might one day reach Foundation Establisment; they’d want to keep her around for that potential.

 

But according to Zhou Chun’s knowledge, Mu Ziying’s spirit root was actually of inferior grade. At nineteen years old, she was still in the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining.

 

This meant that she would have very few chances of achieving Foundation Establishment in the future.

 

If that’s the case, Mu Clan elders must want to take advantage of her youth and beauty to find a good match for her.

 

Alas, sympathy aside, Zhou Chun obviously lacked the noble quality of selflessness in saving others.

 

So he gazed at her delicate figure for a moment, then shook his head slightly and began counting ants as well.

 

Just as the two were each lost in their own thoughts, in a moment of shared silence, suddenly a fireball shot into the air and burst apart.

 

That was the agreed signal, though it came rather early.

 

Zhou Chun sensed something amiss and instead of hurrying to join them, he simply raised his hand and dispatched the Red Beak Sparrow, which he had been nurturing all along, to investigate.

 

After a while, the Red Beak Sparrow returned and chattered with Zhou Chun about the reconnaissance.

 

After hearing the results, Zhou Chun’s face immediately changed, and he couldn’t help but blurt out: “Damn it, Fellow Daoist Mu, they’re in trouble. That’s a distress signal!”

 

Hearing these words, Mu Ziying’s face flushed with concern. “What can we do? Do you know who their enemies are, Fellow Daoist Zhou?”

 

“The enemies are cultivators as well, likely rogue cultivators who ventured into the mountains for adventure. There are six or seven of them.”

 

Zhou Chun explained the situation while furrowing his brows, as if struggling to make a decision.

 

While Mu Ziying heard that the enemies were cultivators, their numbers exceeding those of the Mu Clan cultivators entering the mountain by twice as much, her face paled instantly, unsure of what to do next.

 

After a while, Zhou Chun made up his mind and looked up at Mu Ziying, saying: “Fellow Daoist Mu, you stay here and keep a close watch on the Black Scaled Steeds. I will go over to check the situation. If possible, I’ll help Fellow Daoist Mu and your companions escape; if not, at least I can identify our enemies clearly!”

 

“Then it’s up to you, Fellow Daoist Zhou; do take care.”

 

Mu Ziying, filled with anxiety, looked at Zhou Chun, aware that this was the best course of action.

 

She was merely in the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining and couldn’t possibly help with such matters.

 

As for Zhou Chun, he was an esteemed guest of the Mu Clan. The Mu Clan bore the responsibility to protect him; expecting Zhou Chun to risk his life to save others was utterly unrealistic.

 

Since Zhou Chun had offered to help, both she and the Mu Clan should be grateful.

 

After giving these instructions to Mu Ziying, Zhou Chun hurriedly made his way towards the battlefield.

 

About fifteen minutes later, he climbed a tall tree and gained a bird’s-eye view of the battlefield, getting a clear picture of the situation.

 

The situation on the battlefield looked very unfavorable for the three from the Mu Clan.

 

The three of them faced enemies that seemed not ordinary rogue cultivators. Each had a cultivation level reaching Seventh to Eight Layer in Qi Refining, equipped with artifacts, and even tamed spirit beasts.

 

The three Mu Clan members were being overwhelmed by an enemy force much larger than theirs, and even though they put all their strength into defending themselves, it was no match.

 

“Who are you? Do you know we’re cultivators from Green Cloud Mountain’s Mu Clan? Why attack without cause? Don’t you fear the Mu Clan’s retaliation?”

 

A roar of anger erupted from the mouth of that middle-aged man from the Mu Clan. His face was filled with frustration and rage as he glared at his enemies across from him, completely unable to comprehend their actions.

 

Even though they had no grudge between them, were strangers to each other, and had no conflicting interests, why would they want to kill them upon first meeting?

 

But those enemies who heard his roar seemed to ignore him completely, not responding to any of his words. Some mocked with cold laughter, others looked at him disdainfully, their eyes like those of people watching a corpse.

 

Far away, Zhou Chun saw the situation and was deeply concerned, realizing that rescuing the three members of the Mu Clan was impossible.

 

He suspects that these individuals were not ordinary rogue cultivators but likely members of a rogue cultivator group or a cultivating clan, possessing the strength to fearlessly confront the Mu Clan.

 

Moreover, attacking several people from the Mu Clan without cause either indicated that they had a grudge against each other or suggested that Wolf Ridge possesses some treasure which they were eager to conceal.

 

No matter which it was, Zhou Chun would definitely be targeted by these people if he wanted to save them.

 

Therefore, he quickly descended from the treetop, preparing to call Mu Ziying to leave immediately.

 

But just as Zhou Chun was about to climb down from the tree, a hawk circling in the sky suddenly fixed its gaze upon him and emitted a shrill, piercing screech.

 

“We’re in trouble—they’ve got accomplices outside!”

 

On the battlefield, upon hearing the eagle’s cry, a cultivator’s expression immediately changed, filled with anger and astonishment as they gazed up at the eagle in the sky. Following the eagle’s guidance, their gaze shifted towards Zhou Chun’s direction, and they cried out loudly.

 

Meanwhile, Zhou Chun’s face also underwent drastic changes.

 

He looked up at the hawk in the sky with a grim expression, not expecting that today he, a cultivator from a beast-taming clan, would be pecked in the eye by a hawk.

 

[There are indeed many talented and extraordinary people. Today’s incident should serve as a lesson for the future!]

 

While reflecting thus, Zhou Chun hastened toward Mu Ziying’s location at top speed.

 

When they reached their destination, he didn’t wait for Mu Ziying to inquire about the situation. Instead, he immediately jumped onto the back of a Black Scaled Steed and barked, “Hurry up, the enemies are upon us.”

 

After saying this, he spurred his horse and galloped away.

 

Mu Ziying, despite her many doubts, could only mount her horse and flee with him.

 

The two people and three horses galloped, never daring to stop for a moment.

 

Even for increasing the speed of the horse, Zhou Chun and his companion used Lightness to enhance the Black Scaled Steed’s speed.

 

If it weren’t for Soaring Art not being able to assist others, they might have even had to resort to that.

 

The enemies pursuing Zhou Chun, noticed that they were riding the Black Scaled Steeds and galloping away in the distance and their faces immediately turn pale with frustration.

 

One looked at their departing figures with a sour expression, hesitated for a moment, and suddenly gritted his teeth and shouted, “You won’t get away!”

 

As he spoke, he reached out and lightly tapped his waist pouch with one hand, withdrawing a artifact shaped like a bamboo leaf and tossing it in front of him.

 

Under the propulsion of his spiritual power, that artifact suddenly grew as big as a skateboard, emitting a faint white glow.

 

Then he leapt up, landing on those enlarged bamboo leaves, and maneuvered them toward Zhou Chun and the other.

 

Flight artifacts!

 

On the Black Scaled Steed, Zhou Chun was likewise visibly shaken, filled with utmost surprise upon seeing his enemies pursuing from behind on their flying items.

 

Among Qi Refining cultivators, those with flying artifacts were few and far between.

 

First, crafting flight artifacts was inherently challenging, requiring both high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship skills. Second, these tools drained too much spiritual power from Qi Refining cultivators to use practically.

 

After all, as a traveling Qi Refining cultivator, every bit of spiritual power was precious. Why would one squander it on flying artifacts for transportation?

 

Now, enemies were using flying artifacts to chase and kill them, which made Zhou Chun sigh with frustration.

 

The Black Scaled Steed’s galloping speed, though swift, paled in comparison to that of flying artifacts.

 

His face was strained as he repeatedly looked back at the enemy rapidly approaching, and finally, with resolve, he shouted at Mu Ziying, “Fellow Daoist Mu, the rogues are coming in full force. Let’s split up and run; each to their own fortune!”

 

Having said that, he took the initiative to adjust his horse and turned in a different direction, splitting up with Mu Ziying to escape in separate routes.