Chapter 7, Different Paths

Almost got killed

Therefore, Wu Sheng did not dare to show himself, but instead hid in the woods outside the village, waiting for the right moment

After a moment of silence, Zou Qi said: "Elder brother, do not return home, just go a little further... In recent days, not only the experts from the Shishi Mansion have come to me, but even those from the Jixia Academy have inquired about your whereabouts."

Seeing the little girl with a face full of admiration, Wu Sheng cleared his throat and said: "It's not that exaggerated, it's not that exaggerated. So, I'm leaving now. Don't tell anyone that I was here; this is a secret between us, alright?"

Suddenly clapping his hands, he exclaimed: "Uncle Wu, I heard that you accomplished great deeds in Yingdu, boldly entering the Upper Garden in broad daylight, slaying the music official Zhao She with your sword. Even the scholar Sun Jiezai and the three-lu minister Zhao Yuan, leading over a hundred skilled guards, could not stop you, as if you were in a no-man's land..."

Wu Sheng, while hurrying along the road, ate meat and drank wine. With something in his stomach to sustain him, he felt his strength returning, completely unaware of the cold and not feeling the slightest bit fatigued

There is a village near Luming Stream, consisting of six households. They are neither assassins nor thieves; they are all receivers of stolen goods. Wu Sheng is somewhat familiar with them and has sold stolen goods through them, but their relationship cannot be considered close.

Lv Er Ya remained in place, filled with joy, reflecting on how effortlessly Wu Sheng had dodged her flying sword moments ago. The precision with which he had managed it was truly remarkable, leaving her even more in awe.

Lv Er Ya pointed to the north and said: "He went to Suoyun Road, he stayed at Uncle Niu's house for three days, gave a lot of money, and spent all day wandering in the mountains looking for you, but we didn't tell him!"

Jixia Academy? Wu Sheng suddenly realized that the two black-clad cultivators he saw last night were likely the rumored figures from Jixia Academy

Upon seeing Wu Sheng, Zou Qi scratched his head and said apologetically: "My wife is just like this, timid and always afraid that something will happen to me. Please do not take it to heart, brother."

Wu Sheng comforted, "What are you saying? She is doing this for your own good"

Wu Sheng bent down to speak with her, and a short sword just happened to fly past, grazing his hair bun, with a "whoosh" sound as it severed a small tree behind him

Wu Sheng suddenly shivered and hurriedly asked, "Where did he go?"

Lü Erya immediately covered her mouth with her hand, and thus Wu Sheng was very satisfied. He cleared his throat and said: "As long as you answer me one question, I will let you go and will not hold it against you for shooting me with your sword. What do you say?"

Wu Sheng smiled and said, "What is a top minister? It is merely a Le Yin who has not yet refined his spirit."

Wu Shengdao: "I still envy you, with a lovely wife by your side and children to complete your family. My path is difficult."

When evening arrived, the opportunity presented itself

"Ten years from now, I will wait for you to find me! Remember, don't tell anyone, this is a secret..." Wu Sheng perfunctorily replied, quickening his pace towards Suoyun Road

The little girl expressed regret: "Is Uncle Wu going to find him for a sword duel? Alas, it's a pity that my mother and father won't let me leave home..."

Seeing that no one was around, Wu Sheng grabbed a handful of snow mud and applied it to his face, then let down his hair before stepping out. This girl is the daughter of the Lu family from Luming Gorge, known as Er Ya, but be careful not to let her recognize you

Lü Erya blinked her eyes, sizing up Wu Sheng while nodding: "I have seen you before"

Wu Sheng was overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "Where has he gone?"

Lü Erya blinked and said: "That strange person is looking for you everywhere, and you are looking for him. Who else could you be if not Uncle Wu?"

Luming Gorge is located to the northwest. There is a mountain path leading there from Lutai, which takes a day's journey to reach.

Zou Qidao: "It is not said like that; to act in front of the magistrate Sun Jiezai and numerous guards, and still manage to escape unscathed, is truly remarkable"

Wu Sheng smiled and said: "Study the sword diligently. At just over ten years of age, you have already entered the path of cultivation, and your sword aura is faintly discernible, clearly indicating that you have made considerable progress in the Qi Refinement stage. This is truly remarkable. If you were to seek employment at the Shishi Mansion in Yingdu, you would certainly have a place among the guards."

Zou Qi thought for a moment and said, "There are always seventeen or eighteen days."

The sudden appearance of Wu Sheng startled Lv Erya, causing her to involuntarily take a few steps back. A short sword, about a foot long, slipped out from her sleeve. With a flick of her hand, a cold gleam flashed, and the short sword flew towards Wu Sheng.

Seeing Lu Er Ya nodding, Wu Sheng began to ask: "I would like to inquire about a person. There is someone who uses a copper rod, who came to Lu Ming Gorge about half a month ago. Have you seen him? He has a green snake coiled around his waist as a belt."

Wu Sheng applauded: "Good ambition!"

He opened the gourd, and the aroma of the wine wafted through the air. Wu Sheng took a sip, warmth rising from his stomach, and suddenly his vision became somewhat blurred

Yet, hearing the sound of footsteps, Zou Qi appeared again on the ridge, but did not come down. He only called out from a distance: "Elder brother, I almost forgot, there is someone named Jin Wuhuan who came to find you last month, claiming it was in accordance with a ten-year promise. I did not tell him anything. This person carries a copper rod and has a green snake coiled around his waist, making him easy to recognize. Elder brother, you must be cautious."

A girl of about ten years old bounced into the woods, carrying a bamboo basket, picking up dead branches from the snowy ground

The Jixia Academy is located in Linzi, the capital of the Qi state, and is regarded as a sacred place in the hearts of practitioners throughout the world. It is said to be a place where mortals communicate with immortals. What does my assassination of Zhao She have to do with the Jixia Academy? I am neither a practitioner of the demonic path nor a monster, and I am not among those they suppress. They do not concern themselves with worldly matters, let alone with assassins and thieves

This is indeed a hope for self-cultivation, and I must hurry to catch up, yet I do not know if I can still make it in time

If it were merely a matter of dealing with the military office of the State of Chu, Wu Sheng could confidently make an appearance and inquire about the whereabouts of Jin Wuhuan, as this group does not get along with the authorities, posing little risk. However, with the involvement of the scholars from the Jixia Academy, the situation becomes uncertain; under the esteemed reputation of the academy's scholars, their character cannot be guaranteed.

Zou Qi shook his head: "I do not know, he has gone to the direction of Luming Gorge."

Wu Sheng suddenly felt a bit awkward: "Er Ya, you recognized me? Hmm..."

The young girl lost her grip on the sword and stumbled back a few steps, realizing she was about to scream. Wu Sheng quickly lowered his voice to intimidate her: "Girl, if you dare to scream, I will kill you"

Wu Sheng picked it up, and after Zou Qi's figure disappeared behind the mountain ridge, he finally opened the package. Inside was a wine gourd, a large bag of warm cooked meat, and over a hundred ant-nose coins, all weighing heavily at the bottom of the package. Once opened, the package itself was a thick cloth cloak, with tightly sewn seams, capable of blocking the wind in the fields at night

Zou Qi shook his head and said, "I heard that my elder brother has made a significant business deal outside, directly entering Yingdu, and single-handedly assassinating a high-ranking official of the Chu state, truly..." As he spoke, a look of longing appeared in his eyes

Lv Er Ya pouted and said, "I don't want to be a guard, I want to wield my sword and roam the world like Uncle Wu!"

Zou Qi shook his head and explained again: "So my wife is scared; she does not harbor any ill intentions towards you, brother... In any case, it would be best for you to keep your distance for a while and avoid the limelight. I have prepared some food and wine for you to help ward off the cold on your journey."

Wu Sheng had no time to react at all, his body froze in place, and he was instantly drenched in cold sweat

As I turned to leave, I was entangled by Lv Erya: "Uncle Wu, after I complete my studies in the future, can I challenge you to a sword duel?"

Wu Sheng inquired: "How long did you walk?"

Saying this, he threw the package from his shoulder, cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell, and strode away