Chapter 9

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In the night, the small boat drifted downstream.

Wujiao, who had just relaxed, suddenly felt a tightening in his heart. After a moment, he dragged his wet body and got up.

The small boat was no more than two zhang long, with a canopy in the middle. A white paper lantern hung at the bow, and a figure stood with his hands behind his back. In the dim night and the light of the lantern, the young man's appearance and flowing robe could only belong to Mr. Mushen from Ruyi Pavilion. Apart from each other, there was no third person on the boat.

It was truly unbelievable, how did he end up on such a boat? And where was the person heading at midnight?

However, this young master is neither a servant nor an accountant. Now that things have come to this, he can't jump back into the water...

Wujiao was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile and clasped his hands, saying, "I am Wujiao, a scholar traveling for studies! I was tricked and forced to flee from Ruyi Pavilion..." He paused, then added awkwardly, "I have disturbed you... Mr. Mushen, please forgive me, hehe!"

"Oh... I see!"

Mushen nodded in understanding but did not hold it against him. He turned and sat down, calling out, "It's better to meet by chance than to be invited. We are truly fated to travel together. Brother Wu, please come to the bow and talk..."

Wujiao hesitated slightly, then responded, wringing the water out of his robe, picking up his bundle, and bending to pass through the canopy.

The small boat drifted steadily without anyone steering it. Strangely, there were no oars or paddles on the boat.

Wujiao sat at the bow, feeling the cool breeze on his face. He placed the bundle beside him, loosened his collar, and rolled up his sleeves, feigning calm, "Sailing under the stars, it's quite elegant, hehe..."

After all, he was on the boat, like a guest in someone else's home. It was only proper to flatter and get closer.

However, the moon in the sky was bright, and there were few stars visible.

Wujiao laughed awkwardly, looking around, and suddenly shivered for no reason.

The boat owner was still sitting, turning his head to look at him. His face was pale, with no blood color. His brows seemed to exude a faint, soft aura, adding a touch of elegance. His eyes were hard to read, and his smile was faint, making Wujiao feel uneasy and at a loss. They were so close, and there was no way to avoid it.

"Hehe..."

Wujiao lowered his head and laughed dryly, then looked elsewhere as if nothing had happened, "Mr. Mushen, where are we heading?"

The river surface shimmered, and the small boat drifted steadily. The banks of the Yi River were dark and misty. Occasionally, the screech of a night owl came from the distance, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Mushen replied calmly, "South..."

Well, this young master also knows that the Yi River flows south.

Wujiao, afraid he hadn't made himself clear, asked, "I don't know... where will you dock, sir?" Before he finished, a voice answered, "We'll dock at dawn, you'll know then."

Hmm, truly concise!

This so-called sir, who was talkative at Ruyi Pavilion, now seemed reserved.

Wujiao turned back, wanting to ask more, but saw the other person with his eyes half-closed, clearly not interested in talking. He felt embarrassed, quietly smiled, and then leaned against the cabin, stretching his legs, and leaned on the bundle, lost in thought.

This place is far from Lingxia Mountain. For now, he could only take one step at a time. As for whether he could escape the attention of certain people, who knows. Fortunately, there was still Fairy Ziyun, guiding him like the moon, hehe...

Only the girls, Xing'er and Zao'er, were a pity, sigh...

Wujiao's eyelids started to droop, and he slowly fell asleep. He had been traveling for several days and was exhausted and scared tonight. Now that he was settled, he was both tired and sleepy...

Unconsciously, the wind started to blow. The boat swayed, as if floating in the clouds.

Wujiao opened his eyes from his drowsiness, looking surprised.

The bright moon in the sky had disappeared, and thick fog rolled in. The small boat was moving forward, fast as an arrow. The river surface was no longer visible, only the wind and fog whistling past...

Wujiao sat up, startled again.

The white lantern at the bow was swaying slightly, and Mr. Mushen was still sitting, but he now held a familiar short sword in his hand, examining it curiously.

Wujiao realized his side was empty and quickly grabbed the bundle, saying unhappily, "Mr. Mushen, don't touch what doesn't belong to you..."

Mushen laughed, saying, "This sword looks like a magical tool but is shaped like an ordinary object..." Perhaps he couldn't figure it out, he glanced and casually threw the short sword, then asked, "Brother Wu, are you a cultivator?"

Wujiao took the short sword and was about to put it back in the bundle, but hesitated and secretly tucked it into his chest, then said somewhat surprised, "Ah... yes!"

Mushen suddenly showed interest, his eyes flashing, and asked, "What realm are you at, what powers do you have, and what kind of cultivation method do you specialize in?"

The short sword was about a foot long, and it fit well in his chest. This was called learning from experience, to prevent the other person from touching it again. His questions seemed to be knowledgeable!

Wujiao felt a bit guilty and stammered, "This year, in spring, I just started trying, I haven't even entered the door yet, I'm looking for a way to cultivate, cough, cough..." He was afraid of being exposed and didn't dare to say more, then asked, "Sir... you must be a high-ranking cultivator?"

Mushen nodded mysteriously, then smiled and said, "I have only just glimpsed the door, not worth mentioning. It seems you are interested in the path of cultivation but have no chance to enter. However, we are fellow cultivators..."

Wujiao hurriedly waved his hands in humility, "Hehe, I dare not, I dare not..."

"Boom—"

At this moment, a faint, dull sound came, as if they had hit something, shaking the small boat.

Wujiao, unprepared, almost fell out, quickly supported himself with both hands on the deck, and looked up in a panic.

This was a secluded shallow beach, surrounded by deep vegetation. In the dim morning light, the mist drifted with the wind. It was dawn, and the small boat had docked. He had only taken a nap, and now found himself in a different place...

Wujiao grabbed the bundle and stood up, surprised, "Mr. Mu, where are we?"

Mushen didn't rush to answer but waved his long sleeve. Instantly, the small boat glowed and then disappeared. He raised his hand and pulled out a piece of animal skin from the air, then gracefully got off the boat, smiling, "We don't need to be formal, call each other fellow cultivators. This place is called Daze Wanhun Valley..." As he left, the white paper lantern behind him went out.

Wujiao stood at the bow, his mind racing.

The term "fellow cultivator" was nice, at least more pleasant than "sir." But what was Daze Wanhun Valley? He had never heard of it. As for the so-called Daze, he remembered it was marked on the map given by Qisan, about two to three hundred miles south of Fenghua Valley. It was hard to believe that such a small boat could travel hundreds of miles down the Yi River in one night.

Sure enough, he had met a true cultivator. The animal skin was no longer unfamiliar; it was a talisman used by cultivators, cast on the boat, allowing it to fly at night. He had no idea and ended up here, if the other person had ill intentions, it would be too late to regret...

"Fellow Wu, why not come ashore?"

Mushen hadn't left but stood on the shore, turning to wait. Seeing Wujiao still hesitating, he added, "If you want to travel alone, you are free to do so. But there are few people within a hundred miles of here, it would be better to travel together..."

The small boat had no oars or paddles, and he couldn't steer it. If he didn't go ashore, what else could he do?

Wujiao hesitantly got off the boat, looking around and asked, "This place is desolate, I don't know... hehe, I should call you fellow cultivator, what do you want here?"

Mushen smiled as if he had expected this, turned, and walked forward, saying, "Since we are fellow cultivators, there's no need to hide. I am heading to Lingxia Mountain and need to earn money for the journey..."

Lingxia Mountain? He didn't hear wrong, someone was actually going to Lingxia Mountain.

Wujiao immediately perked up and followed, listening to Mushen continue, "Lingxia Mountain is a place everyone aspires to, but the journey is long, and there are the Daze and deserts to cross. Without a teleportation array, it's extremely difficult to cross the dangerous terrain. Using a teleportation array is very expensive. I have to travel between several towns within a thousand miles to earn money. You might ask, why do I have to deal with brothels and courtesans..."

Mushen paused and glanced back.

Wujiao quickly put on a respectful smile, listening attentively, but was thinking to himself. Who cares about your romantic adventures, this young master is only curious about the teleportation array. What is it, and does it have anything to do with going to Lingxia Mountain?

Mushen continued, "As everyone knows, brothels and courtesans are famous for their luxury and debauchery. I happen to be skilled in dual cultivation techniques. Besides enjoying myself, I can earn money, a win-win situation, why not do it..."

What dual cultivation techniques? It sounded impressive, but it was just the act of sexual intercourse, very popular among the nobles in the capital, but few of them had achieved enlightenment.

Wujiao didn't say anything, just followed silently.

Mushen talked as he walked, then stopped and asked, "Now that I am ready to set off, do you want to travel together? We can help each other..."

Absolutely willing!

Regardless of what kind of person this fellow cultivator Mushen was, his words echoed Qisan's, that the journey to Lingxia Mountain was fraught with danger. Since someone was leading the way, who would miss such a great opportunity!

Wujiao nodded repeatedly, raising his hand and smiling, "Since you have invited me so kindly, I will not refuse!"

Mushen also smiled and gestured, "Let's go to my cave to get the gold and silver, and we can set off today!" He swung his sleeve and walked forward.

The valley became deeper, with ancient trees blocking the sky. After a while, they seemed to have reached the end of the valley. On the shady slope ahead, a cave entrance about ten feet high was faintly visible.

Mushen walked straight to the cave entrance and called out, "Noble guest, your presence honors my humble abode..."

Wujiao followed, looking around.

The valley was very quiet, with no sign of birds or beasts. It was supposed to be a humid and hot season, but a chill came from all directions. Especially near the cave entrance, the cold became more intense!

"Fellow cultivator, this way..."

Wujiao was uneasy, but hearing the call, he had to push through the tall grass and climb the slope, finally reaching the cave entrance. Seeing Mushen waiting with a smile, he shivered and said, "Such a secluded path must lead to a blessed place. You are truly a hermit of high virtue, hehe..." He said this but secretly spat.

Was this insincere flattery shameful? But when you need something from someone, you must show respect. This young master is just a mortal, how could he avoid such customs!

However, the wild grass was overgrown, and there was no sign of a divine cave. The cave was dark and cold...

Wujiao had just entered the cave, not yet seeing the surroundings, when he suddenly felt a tightening around his body. His feet left the ground, and he flew forward, then fell with a "thud," followed by a "bang" behind him...

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