94: Qingxi River
The sky hadn't fully brightened yet, the east was just beginning to turn white, the black sky was gradually fading, and the air was still filled with the night's mist.
Han Yi stretched and got up early, preparing to start his daily training.
"Huh?"
In the courtyard, Bai Sanren seemed to have gotten up even earlier.
"Train in the coldest days of winter, train in the hottest days of summer."
"Han Boy, come over and practice with this old man!"
This Bai Sanren... Han Yi rubbed his nose and smiled silently.
"Eyes follow hands, legs follow elbows, steps follow the body!"
On the steps, Bai Sanren lay on a grand tutor's chair, smiling as he watched Han Yi practice, occasionally shouting out a few incantations.
"It's useful!"
Han Yi's eyes lit up after practicing according to Bai Sanren's words.
Some of his minor flaws in cultivation were corrected. Although his strength didn't increase, he could feel that the power of his strikes was significantly greater with each move.
"Alright, Han Boy, you can rest now." Bai Sanren clapped his hands, motioning for Han Yi to come over. "I've inquired about the matter you asked me to look into..."
"Han Yi, what are you thinking about?"
Since what happened last night, Miss Tantai's attitude towards Han Yi had suddenly become a little cold again.
"Nothing..."
Han Yi, who was gulping down spicy hot soup and eating flatbreads, suddenly paused. He was thinking about the information Bai Sanren had told him.
Earlier, Han Yi had asked Bai Sanren to help him find out the meaning of 'Shadow Master walks alone, onebrake is eternal' that the Black-Clothed Man had shouted at the time.
Bai Sanren found out about this after asking a few old friends.
The information he provided was almost the same as Elder Li's, both regarding some information about Yingsha Pavilion.
The only difference was that Bai Sanren told Han Yi about Yingsha Pavilion's stronghold in An Yan City.
Han Yi had originally considered finding Yingsha Pavilion's stronghold and waiting for an opportunity to see if he could find information about the person behind it, but after the incident with Iron Kill, it seemed there was no need to go to Yingsha Pavilion...
"Still saying you're not overthinking things!
"You're eating my plate of oily flatbreads!"
Miss Tantai shouted fiercely at Han Yi.
"Ah? I was wondering why it was so delicious..." Han Yi smiled awkwardly, turned his head, and shouted, "Boss, two more plates of oily flatbreads..."
On the distant horizon, there was still some black, but in the blink of an eye, the cold morning light turned into a brilliant golden color, and the three of them were instantly covered in a layer of golden light.
Whoosh!
The three of them moved quickly, and after passing through a large area of fields, they arrived by a gurgling stream.
"It should be here."
Han Yi's voice under the bamboo hat was low and he said faintly. The Xuan Tie Sword, over a meter long, was tightly wrapped in layers of black cloth, looking like an inconspicuous stick, placed on his wide white robe.
To hide his identity, he specifically went to a general store to buy a bamboo hat and loose clothing.
"But, there's nothing unusual here..."
Miss Tantai's delicate little face furrowed her brow as she carefully observed the changes in the 'Revealing Evil Talisman' in her hand.
"Let's walk around a bit more!"
Han Yi paused and said slowly. The mission he had accepted at the Bureau of Unusual Matters this time appeared in his mind.
'Upper reaches of Qing Xi River, suspected appearance of a river ghost. Investigate details. Mid Bone Refinement Stage, minimum of two people required. Reward: one bottle of Essence Tempering Pill or Blood Transformation Pill. Note: If the river ghost is found and killed, there will be an additional reward!'
The mission he accepted this time was an investigation mission, with much lower requirements than the previous 'Wild Dog Crying at the Grave'.
In fact, in the Bureau of Unusual Matters, most missions are like this investigation type, and it's the daily routine for most investigators. Only a few teams accept missions like clearing Yins.
Han Yi had originally wanted to accept some clearing missions to increase his Yuan power value, but they were either too demanding or too dangerous, and there were no suitable ones. In desperation, he accepted the mission to investigate the 'river ghost'.
"Follow the stream, with each person spaced out by the distance of the 'Revealing Evil Talisman'..." Bai Sanren seemed to be quite experienced in such matters, shouting instructions as he directed.
Han Yi walked along the riverbank, secretly observing the surroundings.
The river water flowed gurglingly, winding and meandering out from the depths of Black Rock Mountain. The trees and grass on the bank were lush and green, rolling densely.
In his ears, the chirping of birds could be heard from time to time, seemingly swallows and sparrows flying. In his nose, there were faint fragrances carried by the breeze. It was the late summer, the time when pomegranate flowers, oleanders, and gardenias bloomed and bore fruit.
Everything seems normal here...
Han Yi walked for a while but didn't find any abnormality.
He turned his head and carefully examined the water surface.
The surface of Qing Xi River was not very wide, only about six or seven meters wide, as if Han Yi could jump across with a light leap. However, the water below was bottomless at a glance, its depth unknown.
The rolling heat waves of midsummer were so stuffy that sweat streamed down. Seeing the deep green, cool river water made one want to strip naked and jump in for a cool down.
Han Yi shook his head, shaking that thought out of his mind.
This 'Qing Xi River' is indeed a bit strange...
However, neither the 'Revealing Evil Talisman' nor my vision detected any problems.
But Han Yi didn't let his guard down at all. He still vividly remembered the incident with the middle-aged woman in the forest last time. Things related to You are very strange, and everything must be handled cautiously.
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter
Han Yi cautiously walked towards the upper reaches of the Qing Xi River.
"Phew, I really didn't find anything..."
At this point, he had reached the foot of a mountain, which was the end of the investigation area for this mission.
There was nothing else here except a few dilapidated wooden boats with rotten wood and tattered sails.
Near Qing Xi River, under an Old Peach Tree.
"Didn't find any trace of a 'river ghost'..."
"I didn't find anything unusual either..."
The three of them had agreed to meet here after completing the investigation.
"This counts as completing the mission, let's go back."
Bai Sanren stroked his beard and said with a smile.
"What's going on? I thought I could show off my skills and display Miss Tantai's might!"
Miss Tantai turned her head, showing a dissatisfied expression.
This time, to avenge the shame of encountering wild dogs last time, she was fully prepared, but she had to go back without using it.
"You little girl, your injuries from last time have just healed, and you're being so boisterous again..."
"This is normal... There aren't that many unexpected events..."
Bai Sanren snapped his fingers at Miss Tantai.
The water of Qing Xi River was eerily green, chillingly green. Beneath the water, it seemed as if countless eyes filled with venomous resentment were staring at the three of them as they left...