Chapter 18 Return to the Sect

Wen Wenhai was very tired, mechanically whipping the horse's buttocks, hoping it would run faster. By his side, Xue Qing had her face covered with a veil, making it impossible to see her expression. She also urged her own horse to move faster.

Wen Wenhai occasionally glanced at Xue Qing and sometimes encouraged her, "Junior Sister, just a little more, we'll soon be in our sect's territory. We can rest then."

Xue Qing replied, "I know, Senior Brother, let's hurry."

After descending from Shiren Peak, the two initially didn't pay much attention. The mission was completed, and they just needed to bring the items back to the sect. They were even immersed in the joy of obtaining the medicine. When they mounted their horses and saw that they were among the best in the sect, they realized why their master had let them ride such magnificent horses. At the same time, Wen Wenhai remembered his master's seemingly unremarkable instruction, "Return as quickly as possible." They also realized their dangerous situation. Without considering the intentions of the other three major forces, even ordinary martial arts sects might get wind of their mission or discover what they were carrying. These items were priceless treasures in the eyes of martial artists. A man without sin is still at fault if he possesses such treasures, and their lives would be in danger. The two felt a chill and exchanged a glance, then mounted their horses and galloped away without a moment's hesitation.

The two rode without rest for a day and a night. Fortunately, they were martial artists with strong bodies, unlike ordinary people who would have been exhausted long ago.

Around noon, as they were traveling, they saw a teahouse by the roadside. These teahouses were usually simple tents or thatched roofs by the roadside, open on all sides, providing basic tea and food for travelers to rest.

As they approached the teahouse, Xue Qing couldn't help but say to Wen Wenhai, "Senior Brother, let's rest a bit. We'll enter our sect's territory after a meal. It should be safe here."

Wen Wenhai was also tempted, slowed down, and gradually approached the teahouse.

However, Wen Wenhai thought for a moment and smiled at Xue Qing, "Junior Sister, it's just a meal. We'll be there soon. We've been traveling for so long, so a little more won't matter. Let's push a bit more, and we can rest once we're in our territory."

Xue Qing said, "Alright, Senior Brother. We won't let our efforts go to waste. Let's hurry."

With that, the two gathered their strength, sped up, and galloped past the teahouse, ignoring the sweat and trembling legs of their horses.

At the teahouse, there were only a few people. Two men in martial attire sat at a small table by the roadside. One had a pale face and a long beard that fluttered in the wind, holding a sword. The other had dark skin, a robust build, and large hands and feet, without any weapon. They were leisurely sipping tea from rough bowls. When Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing's horses slowed down and then sped up again, they noticed.

After Wen Wenhai's horse passed, the man with the sword looked at the dark-skinned man and smiled, "Sixth Brother, stop drinking. Let's go. I didn't expect Hai to be so cautious, not even entering this teahouse. Third Brother has a good disciple."

Sixth Brother said, "Yes, Fourth Brother. Among our disciples, none are as cautious as Hai. It's a pity his talent is limited, and he can't make much progress in martial arts. Otherwise, he would have been promising. Ah, what a pity for these two fine horses."

After speaking, the two left the tea money, led their horses, and mounted to follow.

However, they didn't know that a plain-looking passerby behind them had a flash of insight in his eyes and muttered, "Something must have happened to make two of the Six Tigers of Piaomiao come to greet them."

After the two left, he settled his bill and quietly followed behind.

Wen Wenhai continued riding, and after another meal's time, he saw more people and more stalls along the road, with Pingyang City in sight. Suddenly, his horse let out a mournful neigh, its legs gave way, and it collapsed. Wen Wenhai felt his body sinking and immediately slapped the horse's back, using the momentum to leap off. Xue Qing, seeing this, quickly pulled the reins and slowly stopped her horse. The horse lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth and slowly closing its eyes, having been worked to death. Xue Qing checked her own horse, which was also in bad shape, trembling and foaming at the mouth, unable to be ridden further.

Wen Wenhai stood by the roadside, looking at the fallen horse and the panicked passersby. He thought for a moment, then took out a signal arrow from his chest and shot it into the sky. The arrow flew up and made a sharp sound, echoing far in the open sky.

Just as the sound of the arrow faded, someone called out, "Hai~" Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing turned around, their faces lighting up.

It was the two men in martial attire from the teahouse.

When the two men rode up, Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing greeted them, "Greetings, Fourth Uncle, Sixth Uncle."

The two men dismounted and said with a smile, "No need for formalities, nephews. We were sent by the Sect Master to greet you. They will be here shortly."

Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing nodded and stood beside their uncles, waiting quietly.

At this moment, the tension in their hearts finally eased.

Sure enough, not long after, a group of riders galloped from the distance. The leader was a scholar in a square cap, about forty years old, with a pale face and no beard, wearing a white robe, looking young and scholarly. Behind him was a beautiful woman with a mature aura, dressed simply, both riding white horses. Behind them were about ten men in martial attire, each armed with swords and knives, their eyes sharp, some with prominent temples, clearly martial arts experts. They urged their horses and scanned the surroundings vigilantly.

When the two reached them, they dismounted, and Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing greeted them, "Greetings, Master."

The scholar was none other than the Sect Master of Piaomiao, Ou Peng!

He was so unremarkable.

The two then greeted the woman, "Greetings, Master Mother."

The woman smiled at them but said nothing. Ou Peng said, "Well done, Hai and Qing. No need for formalities. You know your Master Mother rarely involves herself in sect affairs. Today is like a trip for her."

The two men behind Wen Wenhai also greeted, "Greetings, Sect Master, Sister-in-law."

Ou Peng helped them up and said, "You've also worked hard."

The Fourth Uncle stood up and said, "Not at all, we were just drinking tea. Your disciple is so cautious, he didn't even enter the teahouse."

Wen Wenhai finally understood and quickly said, "Disciple didn't know you were there, otherwise, I would have joined you."

Then he said to his master, "Disciple has completed the mission and returned safely with Junior Sister, but the horses..."

Ou Peng laughed and said, "No problem. Horses, no matter how magnificent, are not as important as you. As long as you return safely, that's what matters."

Then he said to his followers, "Give Qing a horse and take care of this."

After speaking, he led Wen Wenhai and Xue Qing and the others back, leaving two people to handle the dead horses. He didn't mention the items Wen Wenhai was carrying.

The plain-looking passerby who had followed them watched the entire process and was even more surprised. Without much thought, he mounted his horse and galloped in another direction, likely to report back to his sect. Whatever had happened must have been significant for Ou Peng to come out to greet them.

Wen Wenhai and the others followed the group to Pingyang City. However, they didn't enter the city but circled around to another direction. After a short while, they arrived at an estate outside the city.

The estate was built on a hill, with scattered houses in front, arranged in a picturesque manner. Many people were busy with their tasks, and when the group arrived, they quickly made way and greeted Ou Peng.

Further in was a straight road lined with large trees. After the road, there was a grand archway with the characters "Piaomiao" in elegant calligraphy, the same as on the token Xue Qing had given to the Zhang family, but even more graceful.

After the archway, there was a platform with a large open gate. Dozens of sect members were waiting at the gate and on the steps. In front of them was a young man with a fair complexion and a gentle demeanor, about the same age as Wen Wenhai, the eldest disciple, Zhang Chengyue. When Ou Peng and the others dismounted at the steps, Zhang Chengyue led everyone to say, "Welcome, Sect Master."

Ou Peng dismounted, and someone took the reins. He said, "Well done, everyone. You can all go now. Those participating in the advancement trials, hurry and practice. Time is running out."

The disciples said, "Yes, we will follow the Sect Master's instructions."

Then Zhang Chengyue followed Ou Peng and the others into the estate, while the others went about their business. These disciples had been ordered by the Sect Master to gather and be on high alert, expecting a major event. However, today, the Sect Master returned and announced the cancellation of the alert, leaving the disciples puzzled. However, the advancement trials were more important to their future, and if they advanced, their status and benefits in the sect would improve, and they might learn more advanced martial arts. This was their concern, and they didn't ask about other matters.

Ou Peng led everyone to the council hall. His wife, seeing they had sect business, excused herself, and the others followed Ou Peng into the hall.