Chapter 31: Crimson Traces in a Disturbed City

The morning had just passed, the mist had begun to disperse, and the earth remained damp, stirring little dust.

Jí Yào, with his saber strapped to his side, drove the carriage, while Master Yang sat beside him, leaving Qíngyǔ and Little Girl seated in the compartment behind them.

“Has Little Girl never been to the city before?”

Having greeted them earlier, Master Yang didn’t dither over whether to address Qíngyǔ as ‘Daoist Priest’ or ‘Young Lady.’ The journey was uneventful, making it suitable for casual conversation.

“She has not yet been.”

Observing Little Girl’s restless curiosity beside her, Qíngyǔ easily surmised the answer.

“That’s quite a shame, then.”

“How so?”

“Upon our first arrival, we’re already beset by bothersome matters. Once they’re resolved, I’ll treat you to some refreshments from the Faint Moon Tower.”

The Faint Moon Tower was a renowned inn and eatery nearby, where most visiting officials would lodge when traveling to this desolate land.

This very establishment had once inspired numerous scholars and poets to inscribe verses and compose poems, leading to many romantic tales.

Legend even whispered of immortals drinking and singing within its walls during the previous dynasty, though such stories were rarely mentioned now.

“You’re too generous, Sir.”

Qíngyǔ didn’t dampen his spirits.

“Nonsense, Young Lady. You’ve aided my Yang family greatly; a few meals are hardly enough to call me stingy.”

“And you even gave me pretty clothes!”

Little Girl, who had been curiously playing with the unlit brazier in the carriage, suddenly interjected.

“That’s because your mother is skilled!”

Master Yang chuckled heartily, responding to her remark.

“You flatter me, Sir.”

Qíngyǔ twitched the corner of her mouth, pulling the girl closer, intending to prompt her to be more respectful. However, Little Girl responded by kicking her leg.

The carriage compartment, though simply adorned, didn’t quite feel like Master Yang’s personal property; its elegant decorations carried a distinct feminine touch. While Qíngyǔ found it acceptable, Little Girl adored it.

[What’s in the city?]

Seeing the two adults fall silent, Little Girl, having grown tired of playing, began chatting with the Immortal Sword.

[Nothing at all.]

The Immortal Sword naturally held little interest in such a remote mortal town, responding perfunctorily.

[Are there really immortals in the Faint Moon Tower?]

[No.]

Perhaps there might have been, but it would likely have been nothing more than a disciple from some sect secretly venturing out.

[Oh.]

[Let me tell you about immortal cities.]

[Tell me.]

In the era when the Immortal Sword’s original master—Little Girl’s previous incarnation—was still active, there were indeed many such immortal cities across the world.

Immortals were the sole patrons, oblivious to the passage of human years.

Alchemical pills, talismans, artifacts, and various cultivation techniques were all traded and distributed within these cities, greatly benefiting the rogue cultivators who were then the mainstream.

[They don’t exist anymore?]

[I don’t know.]

The ancient tales stretched far into the past, and the Immortal Sword, having lacked spiritual energy for so long, found her own chronology somewhat hazy; even a matter like the ‘Heavenly War’ was unknown to her.

[Then I’ll take Mama to live there someday!]

[I don’t think she would like that kind of place.]

‘Immortal realm’—two words that sounded so beautiful, yet who knew how much sorrow and cold moonlight lay hidden behind them?

[Why not? It sounds so interesting!]

[Your mother would probably just be happy staying with you.]

The Immortal Sword fell silent for a long time. In truth, she didn’t know what kind of place Qíngyǔ would like to live in; bustling cities, secluded valleys, or even immortal mountains seemed none of them her true home.

[You’re not lying to me?]

[Why don’t you ask her yourself?]

“Mama!”

Qíngyǔ, who had been quietly peering through the side curtain at the scenery, was startled by Little Girl’s sudden lunge. She could only helplessly smooth out her rumpled robes.

“What is it now?”

“Mama, where do you like to live?”

Where to live, indeed…

A secluded Daoist temple where hermits resided? Or a wandering immortal amidst the mortal world’s dust and smoke?

Her former self would probably have answered that she’d seek a Daoist temple for secluded cultivation, pretending to be a true immortal.

“Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be happy to live.”

Qíngyǔ narrowed her eyes, reaching out to gently ruffle Little Girl’s hair, countless landscapes flashing through her mind.

“Hmm… but I don’t know where I like to live either!”

The girl vigorously shook her head, evading Qíngyǔ’s hand, then snuggled comfortably into her embrace.

“Then, later, I’ll take you to travel and see the world. When you’re tired, or if we find a place you like, we’ll settle down there.”

Of course, the prerequisite was having the ability to protect themselves.

“Does Young Lady wish to travel the world with your daughter?”

Master Yang, having overheard their conversation, casually remarked.

“Seeing the world is always a good thing.”

“Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles…”

The clip-clop of hooves dispersed Master Yang’s sigh of emotion.

“Be careful once we leave populated areas; this world is far from peaceful.”

“Even the Sacred Dynasty isn’t peaceful?”

“It’s the monsters and wicked entities that make it unpeaceful; these things can never be completely eradicated, no matter the era. Isn’t that right, Jí Yào?”

Jí Yào, who had been silently driving the carriage, hadn’t expected to be addressed, and quickly responded.

“Yes, Master, that is correct.”

“Hmph, you’re just too deferential, lad.”

Master Yang pouted, clapping the Servant heavily on the shoulder, who merely offered a sheepish grin.

“They can’t be completely eradicated, but we can do our best.”

Qíngyǔ nodded. If it was within her power, she would not willingly stand by and watch good people suffer evil.

“Do our best… yes, do our best. The Young Lady is truly worthy of being called a cultivator.”

“I hardly deserve such a title; I can merely protect myself, nothing more.”

Since arriving in this world, she had encountered demonic entities thrice. The first two times were inconsequential, but the third encounter had been with a cautious one.

As they spoke, the small city drew near.

Qíngyǔ lifted the front curtain of the carriage, gazing towards the city.

Surrounded by sparse, jumbled rocks and trees, travelers were few, and carriage convoys even rarer.

Activating her ink wash vision, amidst the black and white, the city’s essence of ink wash was distinctly tainted by faint, intermittent crimson hues.

Indeed, there were wicked Daoists and demonic entities present here.

The guards at the city gate, seeing them approach from afar, had already lowered the road barriers. They didn’t come forward to inspect but merely kept a wide distance.

“Are travelers not subject to inspection?”

“These people are warding off evil.”

The closer they drew to the county town, the more Master Yang’s mood visibly plummeted. At times, an uncharacteristic coldness even flickered across his face.

“What is the meaning of that?”

“They fear offending my Yang family, lest misfortune befall them.”

Hearing this, Qíngyǔ silently observed the distant, retreating guards, a sigh forming in her heart.

“Master Yang! Please pass through here; the County Magistrate has been awaiting your arrival in his manor for quite some time!”

The leading veteran soldier shouted loudly from afar, seemingly oblivious to how his current actions had already deeply offended the Yang family.

“How did they recognize you?”

“Whether a name carries good repute or ill, it is still a name. Once one steps into the mortal realm, there is no escaping its grasp.”

Master Yang sat upright as he answered, his gaze fixed forward, not even sparing the soldiers a glance.

Jí Yào gripped the reins with considerable force; even from a distance, Qíngyǔ could almost hear the vigorous surge of his blood.

“Interesting.”

“Does Young Lady also find it interesting?”

Qíngyǔ offered no reply, releasing the curtain and retreating further into the carriage.

“Mama, are you in a bad mood?”

“This city makes one feel unwell.”

“Then we won’t come here again.”

Little Girl mimicked her mother, stretching her body as much as possible, and gently rubbed Qíngyǔ’s head twice.

“My daughter is the best.”

Feeling the small warmth on her head, Qíngyǔ’s mood relaxed considerably.

“Of course!”

Little Girl, ever the optimist, beamed with a wide smile upon seeing her mother cheer up.

In truth, Qíngyǔ had kept one thing from those around her.

The guards in the city who had kept their distance, and even the ordinary travelers seen everywhere, all bore faint traces of crimson on their bodies.

These streaks of eerie red seemed to pour out, binding the entire city like a colossal net.