Chapter 39

Xiafeng Mountain is not particularly high, but it is undulating and continuous. It is not something that can be crossed in a short time. No matter when one sets off, spending a night in the mountains is inevitable. People leaving the mountains usually travel in groups to look out for each other, as encounters with fierce beasts in the forest are not low-probability events.

However, for the students of Xiafeng Academy, this is not considered a great challenge. Although they are young, they are all cultivators. Even those with a bit of cultivation can handle ordinary fierce beasts without any problem. Some first-year students with lower cultivation might be a bit dangerous, but they have all found companions to travel with, so what ordinary people consider dangerous is not worth mentioning to the academy students.

The students of Xiafeng Academy are not concerned, and the group from the City Lord's Mansion, with many experts, is even less worried about this issue. After traveling for a while, the sky gradually darkened, and they casually chose a place to set up camp. Spending the night in the mountains was something they had prepared for.

Although they do not feel that there will be any danger, the guards from the City Lord's Mansion are still cautious.

Wei Ming carefully observed the surroundings and then returned to report to Wei Tianqi. Wei Tianqi listened absent-mindedly, not taking it to heart. He knew very well that Wei Ming's report was just a formality, as he was their nominal young master. However, his father, Wei Zhong, was a highly efficient person. Although Wei Tianqi was Wei Zhong's only son, he had not yet been tested and was not mature enough. In Wei Zhong's eyes, he was far from being able to handle things independently. Having Wei Tianqi in charge would be less efficient than having Wei Ming in charge.

"The situation around here is as such," Wei Ming reported.

"Hmm." Wei Tianqi responded absent-mindedly. He was looking at Wei Yang. Wei Yang, who always wore a smile, could no longer laugh. He wore a mask that fixed the bones on his face, making him look clumsy and ugly. He could not speak or make any expressions, and only his eyes were visible, which often revealed a look of resentment.

Wei Yang was setting up the tents and other items needed for the night. After reporting to Wei Tianqi, Wei Ming also came to help. As for Wei Ying, Wei Tianqi only knew of his existence, but from the beginning, that guy had not traveled with them in the carriage. On the mountain path, Wei Tianqi had seen his figure a few times, but it always disappeared quickly. Now, he was nowhere to be found.

"I'll go for a walk," Wei Tianqi said, feeling bored. He wanted to wander around; as a third-year student, he knew most of the other Xiafeng students.

"I'll accompany you," Wei Ming immediately put down his work and followed.

"No need," Wei Tianqi quickly said. Wei Ming's presence always made him feel constrained, a feeling he did not like.

"Be careful, Young Master. Although there is nothing in the mountains that can threaten you, some people..." Wei Ming insisted on following and reminded him.

Wei Tianqi immediately understood what Wei Ming meant. He looked around but did not see the four students from Zhai Academy. However, thinking of Wei Yang's current state, Wei Tianqi finally did not refuse Wei Ming's request.

Wei Ming followed Wei Tianqi away, but before leaving, he glanced in a certain direction, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.

Apologize?

Wei Ming smiled slightly.

Wei Meng, the driver, was a practitioner of the Sound Spirit. At the entrance of Xiafeng, he used his second-level ability, "Sound Transmission," to inform Wei Ming. However, Wei Ming had no intention of accepting Lu Ping's apology. The mistake he made against the City Lord's Mansion could not be washed away with just one apology.

Stupid!

Wei Ming's brief glance in that direction was filled with disdain. He was a smart person and hated stupidity the most. He did not even bother to stop and do anything to Lu Ping. Such a stupid person was not worth the effort.

After Wei Tianqi and Wei Ming left, Lu Ping indeed appeared from the direction Wei Ming had glanced at, with Su Tang by his side. Lu Ping immediately saw the prominent City Lord's emblem on the tent.

Wei Yang also happened to stick his head out of the tent he had just set up. When he saw Lu Ping, his eyes immediately filled with deep resentment. His right hand, which was on the ground, dug into the soil, uprooting a clump of grass.

He did not move, as he was very clear about the significant gap between him and Lu Ping.

But soon...

Wei Yang stared at Lu Ping, and his resentful eyes suddenly filled with anticipation.

Lu Ping only glanced at him and then looked around.

"Where is Wei Ming?" Lu Ping asked.

Looking for trouble? Wei Yang thought. He was glad Wei Ming was not around; otherwise, if Lu Ping were killed by Wei Ming, who would he seek revenge from?

He ignored Lu Ping, who scanned the area and quickly realized that Wei Ming was not there.

"Where did he go?" Lu Ping asked.

Wei Yang casually pointed in a random direction. He did not mind playing a trick on Lu Ping.

"Thanks," Lu Ping said and headed in the direction Wei Yang pointed. Wei Yang was surprised at how easily Lu Ping was fooled and regretted not being able to laugh.

Lu Ping and Su Tang left, following the direction Wei Yang pointed. The area was filled with Xiafeng Academy students, who mostly knew each other. They chatted and laughed, making Lu Ping and Su Tang stand out as outsiders. The others looked at them as if they were wild beasts.

The two searched around but still did not find Wei Ming. Their stomachs started to growl.

"Let's go back," Su Tang said.

Lu Ping did not object; he was not in a hurry.

They returned to their campsite, which was on the edge, clearly indicating that Xiafeng Academy did not want to be too close to them.

When they returned, they saw Xi Fan sitting in a wheelchair, roasting meat over a campfire.

"Where is Molin?" Su Tang asked.

Xi Fan, who was focused, did not look up but pointed in a certain direction.

Lu Ping and Su Tang looked over and saw another campfire, surrounded by Xiafeng Academy students. Molin was among them, chatting and laughing. When he saw Lu Ping and Su Tang return, he greeted the group, put on a straw hat, and walked back. The Xiafeng Academy students seemed reluctant to see Molin leave, looking at him with a sense of loss as he walked toward Lu Ping.

"You have this talent!" Su Tang was amazed.

"Being able to blend in with anyone, anywhere, is very important," Molin said, pointing to himself. "Assassin, professional." He then took a bite of the chicken leg he had brought back.

"You eat, I'm almost full," Molin said, pointing to the roasted meat on the fire, indicating he no longer needed it. He had already eaten enough by mooching off the others.

The three did not hesitate and sat around the fire, dividing the roasted meat into three portions.

Molin continued to tear into the chicken leg, his mouth and hands covered in oil. He casually asked, "Where is Wei Ming? Is he dead?"

"Probably not," Lu Ping said.

"Why are you so uncertain?" Molin was puzzled.

"Because I didn't see him," Lu Ping said.

"You're quite meticulous," Molin was impressed. Not seeing him, so you don't easily conclude whether he is dead or alive. This attitude...

"I think you have the potential to be an assassin!" Molin said.

"If you were to kill Wei Ming, how much would you charge?" Su Tang suddenly asked.

"Why are you asking this!" Molin became alert.

"Curiosity!" Su Tang said.

"Oh," Molin relaxed and then thought for a moment. "I won't charge, I'll just die in front of you."

The three laughed.

"Acting rashly without understanding the opponent's strength is no different from dying!" Molin said.

"Can you sense his cultivation level?" Xi Fan asked Lu Ping, as he could not sense Wei Ming, but Lu Ping's strength far exceeded theirs.

Lu Ping shook his head.

"My current condition makes my perception weaker," Lu Ping said.

"What about your strengths?" Molin asked.

"Explosive power," Lu Ping said.

Thinking of the two collapsed Spirit Towers, Molin nodded. "I believe you."

(Have you ever camped in the wilderness?)