Chapter 86

The mountain path was difficult, leading northward. Although it was deep in the mountains with trees everywhere, it was not a problem for Chuci. Gradually, he incorporated the balance technique into every move, walking as if on flat ground. As he walked, black and white light flickered under his feet, breaking apart and merging, forming a solid mud path that faintly appeared in the mountain forest.

Chuci led Weilan and Zhenzi toward Beiguo Town. The rain was heavy, making it impossible to see more than three meters ahead. The vast mountain wilderness was devoid of people.

"Chuci, with such heavy rain, let's find a place to take shelter." Although Chuci was leading the way, the torrential rain made movement difficult. Chuci couldn't maintain the magical barrier and alchemy continuously; not only would it waste energy, but it would also be a significant mental burden.

"Brother, let's find a place to rest." Cough, cough. To clarify, under Chuci's patient guidance, Zhenzi finally changed how she addressed him. After all, a man in his thirties being called "dad" by a twenty-year-old girl would look too creepy to outsiders. To avoid being seen as a pervert, Zhenzi complied and changed her address. Anyway, during intimate moments, it didn't matter what she called him.

"Then let's go this way." Chuci also felt that, given the uncertain situation, it was best to maintain peak condition. The baique ling immediately provided new information. Chuci changed course and went downhill, where there was a dilapidated pavilion halfway down the mountain, which could at least provide some shelter from the rain.

Apart from the baique ling leading the way, Chuci had recalled all other magical constructs. Therefore, he was unaware that at the foot of the mountain to the east, a group of bandits was fleeing, pursued by a muscular man with a sword. On the other side, a destitute scholar, with a frame hanging from his chest and a long robe covering his upper body, was also running hurriedly.

When Chuci approached, the destitute scholar was already sitting in the pavilion, wringing out his long robe.

Is this Ning Cai Chen? This plot is from the movie version.

However, looking at this black-faced, strong, and imposing Ning Cai Chen, Chuci could only think, "Director, change the lead actor to a young, handsome, and cute fresh meat."

Chuci watched the destitute scholar through the rain, finding it slightly amusing. If it were the movie version, that would be great. He whispered a few words to Weilan and Zhenzi, then used alchemy to change their clothes. Chuci wore a black and white robe, while Weilan and Zhenzi wore scholar's attire, with Weilan in white and Zhenzi in blue. Despite their beauty and fair skin, even in men's clothing, their true appearances were not hard to discern. Each of them held a newly crafted paper umbrella, and the three of them walked leisurely toward the pavilion.

"Meeting in the wilderness, it must be fate. May we share the pavilion for shelter?" Chuci stood outside and nodded slightly at Ning Cai Chen.

"Of course, of course, you are welcome." Chuci spoke in a half-ancient, half-modern style, combining classical and vernacular Chinese. Ning Cai Chen, however, spoke in modern vernacular. Seeing the three well-dressed and scholarly-looking individuals, he naturally welcomed them, standing up to greet them.

"Come in quickly, the rain is heavy outside." He overlooked the strange situation that their clothes were not wet despite the heavy rain.

The pavilion was a simple structure made by mountain villagers, with no seats. Ning Cai Chen initially feared that Chuci and his companions would be dissatisfied and wanted to dismantle a frame for them to sit on, but Chuci didn't mind and sat directly on a round stone.

Weilan and Zhenzi did not hide their true identities, and Ning Cai Chen could tell they were women. However, bound by strict etiquette, he did not ask. After exchanging names, they began to chat. During the conversation, Chuci learned about Ning Cai Chen's background. Ning Cai Chen came from a fragrant family but fell on hard times, neglecting his studies and working as an accountant at Jibaozhai to support his family of three. As a result, he used more colloquial language than the refined language of scholars.

Oh, and Ning Cai Chen was already married, not a bachelor, with an elderly mother and a wife at home.

With this information, Chuci realized that the setting was from "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio," while the plot was from "A Chinese Ghost Story." This made sense, and the town of Beiguo was likely a minor error. The cycle world was quite normal, with the main and side plots developing as in the movie version.

Thinking of the side plot, Chuci remembered Huangwu, who was probably still taking shelter in a mountain hut. He had already met Ning Cai Chen early on.

During their conversation, a chaotic sound of fighting came from the distance amidst the rain.

Xiahou Jianke arrived, and Chuci's spirits lifted. This mortal swordsman, who could fight Yan Chixia for hundreds of rounds without using mystical techniques, was the perfect way for Chuci to gauge the world's underlying power.

A single man with a sword followed a group of fleeing bandits. His sword technique was swift and fierce. Catching up to one, he delivered two or three strikes, slicing and hacking with extreme ferocity. By the time he reached the pavilion, almost all the bandits were dead, leaving only one. Seeing no escape, the last bandit was about to kneel and beg for mercy when he noticed the four people in the pavilion. His mind raced, and he deviated from the original plot, throwing his bag into the pavilion and fleeing in another direction.

"Tsk, a small trick." Chuci, under Ning Cai Chen's frightened gaze, caught the bag and placed it at his feet, watching how Xiahou Jianke would deal with the last bandit.

Xiahou Jianke was impressive. He kicked a broadsword from a bandit's corpse, and with a palm strike, the broadsword turned into a white rainbow, piercing the last bandit's back.

"Hmph, dare to steal from me, you're asking for death." Xiahou Jianke coldly snorted, turned, and walked toward the pavilion to retrieve his bag.

Seeing Xiahou Jianke approach, still radiating a killing aura, Ning Cai Chen trembled with fear, pulling Chuci and the two women to make room for the murderer.

"Brother Ning, don't panic. I don't think this person is a vicious one." Chuci held Ning Cai Chen's arm, stood up, and picked up Xiahou Jianke's bag, offering it to him.

Xiahou Jianke looked young but was extremely powerful. He heard Chuci and Ning Cai Chen's conversation through the rain. Although slightly annoyed, he was not a bully. He forcefully took the bag, trying to make Chuci stumble, but Chuci let go immediately, giving Xiahou Jianke no chance to exert force.

"Hmm, a skilled one." Xiahou Jianke immediately recognized Chuci's exceptional abilities from this small action, looking at him with intense eyes. This expression was fitting for a sword enthusiast who had pursued Yan Chixia for seven years.

"I may not be a master, but I have keen eyes. Why don't you come in and take shelter from the rain?" Chuci stepped back, inviting Xiahou Jianke inside.

Xiahou Jianke, being a true swordsman, glanced inside the pavilion. It was already cramped with four people, and adding more would be uncomfortable, especially with two obvious women. He turned and walked away in the rain.

Truly a hero, Chuci nodded silently, remembering that in the original movie, Xiahou Jianke also saw Ning Cai Chen alone in the rain and left to make room for the scholar.

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