Chapter 42: The Wolf King and the Alms-Seeking Daoist

Piercing screams and the mournful whinnies of horses tore through the afternoon’s tranquility on the main road.

A merchant caravan of considerable size had been brought to a complete halt, its dozen-odd carriages forming a makeshift circle, within which the people trembled uncontrollably.

Outside the circle, wolves prowled.

A dense pack of them, their eyes, a haunting emerald green, gleamed amidst the trees, numbering no less than a hundred.

They did not immediately pounce, but instead quietly encircled the caravan, as if savoring their prey’s final struggles.

Directly in front of the convoy, a colossal wolf blocked their path.

It was even larger than a robust ox, with fur of a terrifying silver-grey, its muscles bulging beneath. Simply standing there, it exuded an oppressive aura of ferocity.

“M-master… this… this is a wolf king!” A guard, dressed like a seasoned warrior, gripped his saber, his hand trembling like a sieve. “Its physique is almost demonic! We… our chances of survival are slim indeed today!”

The portly merchant, addressed as Master Qian, had long since lost all color from his face. He cowered behind his guards, shouting shrilly, “Why are you panicking?! I paid a hefty sum for you to protect me, not to stand around like mere ornaments! Go on! Kill it!”

Yet, not a single guard dared to move.

Facing a beast of this caliber meant certain death.

Just as the caravan plunged into despair, a crimson figure streaked out from the forest beside the main road like a phantom!

The figure moved with astonishing speed, executing a graceful somersault in mid-air, deftly dodging the wolf king’s sudden, sweeping claw!

“Clang!”

A flash of sword light!

Lu Hongzhuang landed, her longsword returning to its sheath in a seamless, flowing motion.

The once-arrogant wolf king’s colossal head soared into the sky, hot wolf blood spurting several feet high!

The enormous, headless corpse crashed to the ground.

The entire wolf pack fell silent.

All eyes turned to the red-clad woman who had appeared so abruptly.

Lu Hongzhuang did not pause. With her left hand, she retrieved a yellow paper talisman from her robes. It was a branch of the same type as the ‘Spirit Power Talisman’ Su Qinghan had taught her to draw—a Fire Talisman.

Injecting spiritual energy into it, she softly uttered, “Command!”

The talisman instantly illuminated. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled it, striking the wolf king’s corpse with pinpoint accuracy!

“Whoosh!”

A sudden, crimson blaze ignited out of thin air!

The flames, as if alive, completely enveloped the wolf king’s body, burning fiercely. There was no black smoke, no acrid smell; the immense corpse, under the gaze of both humans and wolves, visibly turned to ash at a speed perceptible to the naked eye!

“Awoo…”

The remaining wolves let out a chorus of terrified howls, tucked their tails between their legs, and dared not linger for another moment. In a flash, they fled into the mountain forest, vanishing without a trace.

Master Qian and his guards gaped in astonishment.

To slay a wolf king with a single sword strike—this was strength typically possessed only by a martial artist of the Core Condensation Realm.

But what was that subsequent technique, conjuring fire from thin air to reduce a corpse to ashes? It was a divine feat!

Master Qian was the first to react. He scrambled down from the carriage, bowing deeply to Lu Hongzhuang. “Many thanks, esteemed hero, for saving our lives! This immense kindness, this old man shall never forget!”

Lu Hongzhuang sheathed her blade and waved a hand, a hint of reserved grace on her face.

She turned and walked towards the edge of the forest. Under the bewildered gazes of the onlookers, she pushed out a four-wheeled cart.

Seated on the cart was a maiden whose white robes rivaled freshly fallen snow.

The maiden’s complexion was pale, and her figure delicate, as if a gust of wind could topple her. She was absently toying with a strand of her hair.

Master Qian, recognizing Su Qinghan, was stunned once more.

How could such a frail beauty be accompanying the decisive and formidable female hero he had just witnessed?

He dared not ask further, instead hurrying closer, his face wreathed in a fawning smile.

“Esteemed heroes, are you heading to Moon-Gazing Town? This old man’s caravan is also bound for there. If you don’t mind, would you consider traveling with us? We could look out for each other on the way!”

The caravan resumed its journey.

Inside the most spacious and comfortable carriage, Su Qinghan reclined languidly against the soft cushions.

Lu Hongzhuang sat opposite her, a trace of confusion and perplexity still lingering on her face.

“Were we perhaps too excessive just now? You made a paper-folded giant black wolf to scare them, and then those illusory wolves…”

Before she could finish, a soft, cool hand covered her mouth.

“Shh!”

Su Qinghan winked at her. “What do you mean ‘trick’? I, your Daoist master, call this ‘alms-seeking,’ understand? It’s a logical utilization of existing resources to showcase one’s value.”

She released her hand, explaining unhurriedly, “Do you truly believe that merchants who travel the jianghu year-round are pious men and women? If you don’t let them see your worth, forget getting a ride in their carriage; they wouldn’t even offer you a sip of water.”

Lu Hongzhuang listened, utterly bewildered.

She murmured softly, “Is the place where you learned your skills… truly an orthodox sect?”

It felt more like a den of charlatans.

“Pat.”

Su Qinghan raised her hand, lightly tapping Lu Hongzhuang’s forehead.

“An orthodox Xuan Gate sect! No questioning allowed!”

Lu Hongzhuang clutched her forehead, no longer daring to speak.

Outside the carriage, an obsequious voice drifted in.

Lu Hongzhuang lifted a corner of the curtain, observing a young steward from the caravan fawning over another carriage, offering fruit and telling jokes, which elicited delightful giggles from the young lady inside.

Lu Hongzhuang propped her chin on her hand, a hint of envy in her tone. “Their relationship is truly wonderful.”

Su Qinghan glanced over, her voice flat. “That’s only what it looks like now. If they truly encounter a life-or-death crisis, and the man is the first to flee, it means he’s motivated by profit.”

Lu Hongzhuang was puzzled. “Then what if… the man fights with all his might, disregarding his own life to save the girl? Wouldn’t that be true love?”

As she spoke, a memory of Bluestone Town inexplicably surfaced in her mind.

Su Qinghan had done the same, knocking her unconscious without hesitation, then facing the unknown danger alone.

She…

Lu Hongzhuang’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Could Su Qinghan feel the same way about her…

“That’s called being a simp.”

Su Qinghan’s cool voice, like a basin of ice water, poured over her head.

The pink bubble of romance in Lu Hongzhuang’s mind instantly shattered completely.

She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring indignantly at Su Qinghan. “According to you, there’s no such thing as true love in this world?”

“Perhaps there is,” Su Qinghan said, propping her chin on her hand as she watched the scenery rapidly receding outside the window. “I’ll tell you when I see it.”

Just then, the voice of Master Qian’s servant came from outside the carriage.

“Esteemed heroes, Master has sent some fruits and pastries over.”

Su Qinghan acknowledged them.

After the servant left, Lu Hongzhuang reached out to take something.

Su Qinghan, however, stopped her.

Su Qinghan extended her right hand, her fair fingers quickly performing a few calculations at the knuckles.

“A minor auspicious sign. No poison. It’s safe to eat.”

Only then did she pick up a piece of osmanthus cake and begin to eat it in small bites.

Lu Hongzhuang watched, utterly dumbfounded.

“Aren’t you… being a bit too cautious?”

“Cautious?” Su Qinghan swallowed her mouthful, then shot Lu Hongzhuang a glance. “You’re an unmarried maiden, and you’re rather comely. When traveling outside, one must always be wary of others, understand?”

Lu Hongzhuang instinctively retorted, “Aren’t you the same?”

Upon hearing this, Su Qinghan puffed out her not-so-ample chest, shaking her head with a solemn expression.

“No, I’m different from you.”

She cleared her throat, then announced in an extremely provoking tone,

“I am an unparalleled beauty!”

“Hahahaha!”

Lu Hongzhuang was initially stunned, then she reacted, snorting in derision at Su Qinghan.

“You’re shameless!”

Su Qinghan, however, laughed even more heartily, her clear laughter echoing long in the spacious carriage.

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