122: Chapter 122 Huaizhou

Su Xin.

That crazy woman, why did she run off to Huai Prefecture as well?

And her actions are so flamboyant—killing government soldiers and leaving her mark, as if she's afraid the world won't know it was the White Lotus Sect Saintess who did it.

A thought flashed through Chen Fan's mind.

Mr. Know-It-All said that the Huai Party and Daoist Priest Qingxuan of the Righteous Alliance are allies. Meanwhile, the White Lotus Sect is an evil that everyone in the Righteous Path of the Martial Forest seeks to destroy.

Now, Su Xin is on a killing spree in the Huai Party's territory.

There is likely some shady business going on that he isn't aware of.

But what does that have to do with him?

He currently only wants to reach the Imperial City, Zhaoge, safely, complete this escort mission, and then find a place to continue his laid-back life.

As for that crazy woman Su Xin, it would be best if they didn't cross paths.

Of course, if there's an opportunity to screw her over and let her fight the Huai Party to the death to create some convenience for himself, that wouldn't be out of the question.

He still remembered how miserably he had been tricked by Su Xin in the past.

Chen Fan's mind began to race with possibilities.

Past Jiangzhou lay the borders of Huai Prefecture.

Huai Prefecture, a major salt and iron hub of the Great Shang, was every bit as prosperous as the wealthy Jiangzhou.

Should he bypass Huai Prefecture?

A map surfaced in his mind; if he took a detour, it would add at least three months to the journey.

Three months was not short for an ordinary person, but for someone like him with eternal life, it was but a blink of an eye.

But those three months would be tedious and pointless.

He, Chen Fan, could go with the flow, but he never feared the wind and waves.

The Jade-Faced Asura, Luo Hengsheng, was certainly not one to flee at the first sign of trouble.

Avoid the brunt of it? There was no need.

He slowly withdrew his tapping finger, having already reached a decision.

The night grew even deeper.

In the adjacent room, the steady breathing of the two sisters was clearly audible.

Chen Fan rose from his bed, walked to the unlocked door, and pushed it open gently.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafted toward him.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

...

The next morning, the first light of dawn appeared.

When Chen Fan led the refreshed Hong Shao and Qing Luo out of the meditation room, the Guest-receiving monk from yesterday was already waiting in the courtyard.

"Three patrons, these are dry rations prepared by our temple. The journey is long, so please take them with you."

The old monk handed over a cloth bundle, a kind smile on his face.

Chen Fan took it, then produced a silver ingot and pressed it into the monk's hand.

"Thank you, Great Master."

After a bit of polite refusal, the old monk finally accepted the incense money.

The three bid farewell to the monk, reached the mountain gate, untied their horses, and mounted.

The morning air in the mountain forest was fresh, and the birds sang melodiously.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo were clearly in high spirits, chirping away about what novelties they might find in Huai Prefecture.

Chen Fan said nothing, but the moment the horses stepped onto the official road, he quietly glanced back at the ancient temple looming in the morning mist.

In his perception, everything seemed normal.

Yet that sensation of being watched lingered in his heart, refusing to dissipate.

"Master Luo, let's hurry! I heard the salt-baked chicken in Huai Prefecture is a true delicacy!"

Hong Shao urged him on, squeezing the horse's flanks to take the lead.

Chen Fan withdrew his gaze, lightly urged his mount, and followed.

The three figures, two in front and one behind, quickly vanished at the end of the official road.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after they had departed.

In the forest behind the ancient temple, several dark figures that had blended into the shadows of the trees emerged silently.

They wore the most ordinary hemp clothing, looking no different from common woodcutters or hunters.

However, they all emitted a cold aura that warned others to stay away.

One of them walked quickly to the edge of the official road, crouched down, and carefully examined the hoofprints left in the dirt.

A moment later, he stood up and spoke in a low voice to the leader.

"Three horses. The direction is correct. They've headed north toward Huai Prefecture."

His voice was as raspy as two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

At that moment, another dark figure flashed out from the side door of the temple and approached the leader.

"I've asked. A man wearing a jade mask, accompanied by two beautiful women. They did indeed stay here last night and left just this morning."

The leader had a hideous scar running from his left forehead to his right jaw; with every breath he took, the scar twitched like a living centipede.

He didn't speak, but simply looked up toward the direction where Chen Fan and the others had vanished, his murky eyes reflecting a wolf-like ferocity and patience.

"Boss, the target has entered Huai Prefecture territory. Should we move now?"

A subordinate lowered his voice, his words tinged with a hint of bloodthirsty excitement.

Scarface slowly shook his head.

"No."

"This place is too close to Jiangzhou; it's not our territory. Once they're in Huai Prefecture, that will be our hunting ground."

His lips curled into a grim smile.

"Word came down from above that this person's strength has reached the Sixth-Rank Peak. He cannot be faced with brute force, only outsmarted. In Huai Prefecture, the Hall Master has already set an inescapable net. What we need to do is simple."

He paused and said, emphasizing every word.

"Watch him like a hawk, don't let him escape, and then wait for him to walk into that net himself."

"No matter how strong a Jianghu martial artist is, how can he hope to contend with the Imperial Court?"

Scarface's tone was filled with disdain and mockery.

He reached into his robe, took out a small bamboo tube, and pulled out the plug.

A gray messenger pigeon emerged from within, fluttering its wings.

Scarface took out a pre-written note and expertly tied it to the pigeon's leg.

"Go."

He opened his hand.

The pigeon let out a soft whistle and soared high into the air. It circled once, banked toward the north, and became a black dot that quickly vanished into the horizon.

Scarface watched the direction the pigeon had gone, a flash of cruelty in his wolf-like eyes.

Jade-Faced Asura, Luo Hengsheng.

Welcome to Huai Prefecture.

I hope you enjoy the grand gift we've prepared for you.