Chapter 532 - 297: Seeing the Light Again (Part 2)
Chapter 532: Chapter 297: Seeing the Light Again (Part 2)
Chu Qing cupped his hands in salute, and with Niao Shisan, Wu Qianhuan, and Gentle, they left Heaven-Reaching Ridge.
This time, from beginning to end, Chu Qing had never seen Gu Ling’Er.
After leaving Heaven-Reaching Manor, Chu Qing took out the compass and checked it, using the location of Heaven-Reaching Manor given by Gongyang Chou to determine direction with greater ease.
Considering that Niao Shisan didn’t know martial arts, Chu Qing carried him along the way.
As they traveled north, Chu Qing occasionally asked Niao Shisan a few questions.
The questions did not dwell on matters concerning Niao Shier or inquire where he had lived or what experiences he had had.
Instead, he asked if he had any skills, or if he could do certain tasks.
In response, it turned out Niao Shisan knew quite a lot.
Especially being literate, he wasn’t just a lowly servant or slave.
Besides that, he was also proficient in various odd jobs.
With this person around, the food for Chu Qing and his companions tasted much better during their journey; Niao Shisan claimed that if only there were suitable seasonings, the game hunted within Heaven-Reaching Ridge could be wonderfully cooked, making the taste so good that one could unconsciously swallow their tongue.
Chu Qing thought this kid was probably bragging, but did not debunk him.
In just two or three days, Niao Shisan became much braver when speaking with Chu Qing, not as reserved as before.
Facing Wu Qianhuan and Gentle, he remained cautious, never letting his gaze fall upon them, and even when Wu Qianhuan asked him anything, he replied with his head bowed.
Finally, one day the three emerged back into the daylight, coming out from Heaven-Reaching Ridge.
Niao Shisan looked around, his gaze seemingly confused, with a feeling that this scenery was somewhat familiar.
But he did not ask, and Chu Qing did not answer.
Having been so long in the mountains, Chu Qing wasn’t in a hurry to find an inn to freshen up.
Instead, he took them to a deserted place and began to bring out jars and bottles for disguise.
He had ’Painted Skin’ obtained from Mirror of Sin, making disguise quite handy.
This time, Chu Qing, Gentle, and Wu Qianhuan all changed their appearances.
However, Chu Qing and Gentle used their old disguises.
Originally handsome and beautiful, they transformed into rugged men.
This was their disguise from when they first entered Iron Blood Hall territory, posing as Han San and Han Si.
Upon hearing this, Wu Qianhuan was amused and looked at his face in the Copper Mirror:
"Then I’ll be called Han Wu."
The fake name was chosen quite casually.
Niao Shisan stared with wide eyes, full of admiration on his face.
Chu Qing glanced at him:
"Wanna learn?"
Niao Shisan nodded instinctively but then quickly shook his head.
"If there’s a chance in the future, I can teach you."
Niao Shisan’s eyes lit up immediately, realizing Chu Qing was serious, his heart couldn’t help but feel excited.
The group didn’t linger there long; after finishing the disguise, they set off again.
Having left Heaven-Reaching Ridge, it wasn’t difficult to find signs of human presence ahead.
After traveling barely ten miles, they saw a small town ahead.
The name of the town was grand, called Heaven-Reaching Town!
The name was clearly derived from Heaven-Reaching Ridge... yet it was indeed fitting.
However, despite the grand name, the town’s population wasn’t large.
There were merchants passing through; Chu Qing even heard complaints among them that the town was too small, lacking profit, and they wouldn’t return next time...
Chu Qing observed these people for a moment, since they were traders, they must be well-traveled and experienced.
He could inquire about the situation at Cold Valley from them.
But before that, finding an inn to rest and getting some hot water to wash away the travel fatigue was a priority.
The inn they found wasn’t large, nor were there many rooms, but they managed to get four rooms sorted out.
After cleaning up a bit and preparing a new outfit for Niao Shisan, they headed to the inn’s main hall.
Waving for a waiter, they ordered a table full of dishes, although Niao Shisan’s cooking was decent, sparing them some misery, it was ultimately lacking salt and sugar, and their mouths felt bland.
Having finally returned to civilization, they naturally wanted to indulge their senses.
The food didn’t arrive quickly; the merchant group they saw earlier came back first, with a well-dressed middle-aged man leading them upstairs.
Leaving several guards in the main hall to dine and drink.
Chu Qing glanced at them, signaled to Wu Qianhuan and Gentle, then stood up and approached their table, slightly bowing:
"Gentlemen, greetings, I am Han San."
A few men looked up at Chu Qing and returned the salute, their faces guarded.
Chu Qing smiled:
"I heard you chatting earlier, you must be well-traveled individuals.
"I’m new to the Martial World, very curious about it... finally meeting several seniors, wishing to inquire about any major events happening recently in the Martial World?"
"Young fellow, you’re asking us for information?"
The one leading was a little old man in his fifties, who glanced up at Chu Qing.
Chu Qing realized this person was a veteran of the Martial World; his words had made the other guards understand, even radiating a bit of old martial world superiority.
Only this little old man looked at Chu Qing with indifference, evidently not truly trusting his words.
"Not at all, just curious."
Chu Qing gestured:
"Waiter, bring a pot of wine over here."
"Well then, sit and chat."
The little old man chuckled, engaging in casual conversation.
However, what he referred to as major events seemed trivial to Chu Qing, mostly disputes between martial artists or families deciding their conflicts through martial arts...
Finally, the old man mentioned that the shopkeeper recently felt business was hard and planned to set up a stall in Cold Valley to sell tea.
This remark left several guards puzzled, not sure why.
The old man snorted:
"You’re unaware, Cold Valley is soon hosting a Martial World gathering.
"At that time, experts from three mountains and four seas will converge in Cold Valley... it’ll certainly be packed, and selling there is bound to be profitable."
"Indeed, that’s the shopkeeper for you."
"Wise foresight, deserves to prosper indeed."
The guards immediately complimented him.
Chu Qing was surprised; this merchant group was heading to Cold Valley?
Thinking of this, he casually asked:
"Is there a shortage of guards in your merchant group?
"Honestly, I have some skills, and my two companions are also quite adept.
"If you need more hands, we’ll work without pay, just asking for meals.
"Once we reach Cold Valley, we won’t be a bother, what do you think?"
The old man looked at Chu Qing suspiciously:
"Your martial arts... are truly good?"
Chu Qing was about to boast, when voices from outside interrupted.
"Damn it, we’ve been searching outside Heaven-Reaching Ridge for more than a month. How can there be no sign?"
"Heaven-Reaching Ridge is a mysterious place, he most likely died inside. Should we just head home?"
The two talking entered the inn, their gaze sweeping across the hall, initially not caring.
But upon seeing Niao Shisan, their faces changed drastically.
"To find him here without effort!"
"Kid, you ran away, yet chose to eat here?
"Who gave you the guts to sit here like a person?"
As they spoke, they moved to capture Niao Shisan.
Chu Qing frowned slightly, casually picked two chopsticks from the holder, and with a flick, there was a swift sound.
The chopsticks flew not towards their chest or head, but diagonally downward, piercing through their feet, pinning them to the ground.
This stunned the old man who had asked about Chu Qing’s martial arts, his eyelids twitching.