27: The two of them met eyes (seeking follow-up reading)

Chapter 26: The Storyteller Arrives with His Jianghu

The sun gradually set in the west.

In a small courtyard in Jiazi Ward.

A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, and ripples spread across the pond.

In front of the house, there was a wooden reclining chair.

Chen Yuan napped in the spring sun, resting to regain his energy.

At his feet, a white fox lay beside him, its head curled up, its abdomen wrapped in a layer of gauze.

And the Squirrel was curled up on Chen Yuan's head, forming a ball.

The small courtyard was peaceful and harmonious.

As the view shifted upwards, outside the city.

At this moment, a one-armed Hunter, covered in dust, walked into Qingshan County.

Several young people with swords at their waists had been waiting at the city gate.

Upon seeing the middle-aged Hunter, they immediately went to greet him.

"Master!"

"Hall Master!"

"You're finally back. How was it?"

The young Disciples looked at their Hall Master with nervous and expectant eyes.

The one-armed Hunter's expression was serious at first, then it broadened into a wide smile.

"I did not fail my mission, and I did not disgrace that Lord!"

"All the demons in Yunlu County have been subdued."

"Go, tell the others that the demonic disaster in Yunlu County has been quelled."

Upon hearing this, the martial arts hall Disciples immediately became excited.

Then, they ran through the streets, shouting.

"Folks, the demonic disaster in Yunlu County has been quelled!"

"You can go back!"

"You can go back!"

"..."

The people of Yunlu County, who had been wandering aimlessly in the streets, heard the commotion and gathered around.

"Is what you're saying true?"

"You're lying, aren't you?"

"Demons are everywhere, eating people. How could they all be killed?"

"..."

Everyone talked at once, discussing animatedly.

One martial arts hall Disciple, quite emotional, immediately patted his chest:

"This is truly not a lie. Do you all know that the Captain has great Divine Ability? Last night, he sent my Master to slay demons on his behalf. If you live in Yunlu County, you must have heard of my Master; he is very famous..."

Before the Disciple could finish speaking,

A palm as large as a cattail leaf fan directly slapped his head, sending him to the side.

"Shut up."

After speaking, Wu Shan walked out, glaring at the loose-tongued Disciple with his tiger eyes, then raised his single hand and cupped his fist at the villagers.

Then he said loudly:

"Everyone, I am Wu Shan. Last night, I was ordered by that Lord to wield the Divine Weapon bestowed by him, and I have made those demons surrender. Everyone can rest assured and go back."

As soon as these words came out,

Most people believed him.

If that Captain had taken action, then it made sense.

The common people were once again excited and grateful.

Many people were eager to rush back.

But suddenly, someone blurted out.

"If you want to go back, you go back. I don't want to go back."

"There's a demonic disaster every two or three days; it's impossible to live there. I'll just stay here. I heard that Lord is in Qingshan County. If I ask for his protection, at least I can have some peace of mind."

These words also spoke to the thoughts of many people.

"Yes, yes, I think so too."

"..."

Everyone split into two factions.

Each had their own choice.

Some embarked on the road home, where there were concerns and ties to their hometown.

Others chose to settle in Qingshan County, because that Lord was there.

A Disciple asked Wu Shan,

"Master, what about us?"

Wu Shan thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"First, find a place to stay here."

Then he looked at his severed arm, which was only simply treated and looked somewhat gruesome.

"This injury will probably take some time to heal!"

...

Outside the city, the setting sun was like blood.

Golden scales shimmered on the river surface.

Fishermen sang in the evening, and birds returned to their nests.

About a dozen miles to the east, at this moment, a small boat was sailing on the river.

At the bow of the boat stood an old man with a goatee, dressed in a washed scholarly robe, with a straw hat hanging behind his neck.

He held a paddle and sang loudly.

"Dharma Dharma, Dharma without Dharma,

Emptiness, emptiness, also not empty.

Silence and noise, speech and stillness, are originally the same.

When did one ever speak of dreams in a dream?

...

His voice was long and resonant, echoing through the mountains and fields under the setting sun, with a profound and mysterious meaning.

Just then, a clear sound of stepping on water came from behind.

The goatee old man stopped singing and looked back.

Under the evening sun, a figure in red, with a sword on her back, galloped her horse across the river.

Going down the river!

As she passed, the woman on the horse looked at the old man, frowned slightly,

And then rode far away!

The red figure, accompanied by the setting sun, gradually disappeared into the distance on the river.

The goatee old man watched her depart.

He praised three times in a row:

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

Then, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a scroll and a fine-tipped brush.

He moistened the brush tip in his mouth, raised his hand, and wrote on the scroll.

"Day of Bing Shen, You Hour, west of Yunlu County, above the Nu River"

"There is a woman in red, of stunning beauty, carrying a sword and riding a horse, freely roaming the Jianghu, a truly beautiful sight."

"A small note."

After writing the comment, the goatee old man seemed very satisfied, nodded, and added a few more strokes.

Then he put away his paper and brush, looked into the distance, and muttered,

"On the map, continuing south should be Qingshan County."

"The towns along the way have all been messed up by cults and demonic disasters!"

"I hope it's safe here, so this old man can have a place to rest!"

...

Soon, as the sun set among the western mountains.

The land immediately plunged into darkness.

The entire Qingshan County was swallowed by this giant beast, enveloped in shadows.

In a small courtyard in Jiazi Ward, figures flickered.

In the middle of the courtyard, Chen Yuan held the Little Squirrel and pointed to the pile of rice.

"Xiaohua, return all these things to their rightful owners."

He hadn't forgotten about this.

If he didn't return them, his reputation in Jiazi Ward would probably be ruined.

The Little Squirrel chirped, sucked in its belly, and then inhaled the entire pile of rice in one breath.

A strong gust of wind swirled up.

Soon, all hundreds of pounds of rice were sucked into its belly.

Then, this little creature scurried over walls and through courtyards as if on flat ground, disappearing into the night.

Its 'business' was quite skilled.

Chen Yuan followed behind.

In about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, all the rice was returned to its rightful owners.

After finishing this, Chen Yuan let the little fellow climb onto his shoulder.

Then, he took it and patrolled the county town in the night.

Soon after, on the eaves of the city gate tower,

Chen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with silver light, looking at the mountains outside the city, swallowed by darkness.

Suddenly, his ears twitched!

His eyes gleamed, and he turned his head, looking in the direction of the river outside the city.

"Thump, thump, thump."

The sound of horse hooves grew closer in the darkness.

Gradually, a red flowing shadow appeared in his line of sight.

A figure in red, with a sword on her back, galloped her horse, rushing towards Qingshan County!

Her clothes were like a raging fire, her hair like flying willow branches, and her face like the bright moon.

And those beautiful eyes glowed in the dark, glancing in Chen Yuan's direction.

Their eyes met!