Lingbei Dao, Rongzhou, Liling County.
"So you didn’t take this official road last ti?" Liu Qingyan asked.
"No..."
Lu Zheng looked at the mountain pass ahead, though it wasn’t bustling it was still quite busy, feeling speechless.
"Last ti, I directly used Earth Travel Technique to cross Ling Mountain."
Between Lingbei Dao and Lingnan Dao, a vast mountain range, the Ling Mountain Range, stands.
Apart from roads on both sides of Ling Mountain Range that circle around to connect, there have been mountain paths running through the range, linking the two Dao since ancient tis.
Though most of these mountain paths are rugged and tough little trails, over successive dynasties, a relatively easier road was found, considered the official road.
Of course, the price of a smoother journey was utilizing parts of several mountain paths, taking several big detours, making the journey at least three to four tis longer than other trails.
Even so, this distance is much closer than going around Ling Mountain; moreover, this road has always been maintained by the Court, with official inns and inns and tea stalls and taverns run by mountain folks along the way, avoiding the need to camp in the wild.
Hence, most large caravans or those seeking safety would travel together on the official road.
And those in a hurry for profit, familiar with the routes, with little luggage, or with nerves of steel might take the trails.
"Let’s go into the mountains."
Last ti Lu Zheng was in a rush and wanted to avoid trouble, so he used Earth Travel Technique. But this ti heading south to Southern Border with Liu Qingyan, besides attending Hu Zhou’s wedding, he is also accompanying Qingyan to roam the mountains and enjoy the trip, so naturally he can’t just put Liu Qingyan into a gourd and travel by Earth Travel Technique.
Lu Zheng took Liu Qingyan’s hand as they prepared to enter the mountains.
"Are you planning to go hiking or heading to Lingnan Dao?" A voice sounded by them.
Lu Zheng turned around and saw a slim middle-aged man with a smile approaching them.
"What, do you have sothing to say?" Lu Zheng asked.
"The day is getting late, seeing that you’re still planning to enter the mountains, do you have urgent business heading toward Lingnan Dao?"
"What if I am? What if I’m not?" Lu Zheng curiously asked.
"The official road is safe, but there are many travelers, and at several large bridges, one has to queue. To cross Ling Mountain, it takes at least ten days." The middle-aged man said, "If you’re in a hurry, you can join my small caravan; I know a trail that crosses Ling Mountain in just four days."
Lu Zheng followed the gaze of the middle-aged man to the roadside and saw seven or eight wheelbarrows, accompanied by four sturdy n wielding knives and guns.
"I’ve heard the inside of Ling Mountain isn’t safe, ordinary beasts might be manageable, but aren’t there also various mountain spirits and tree monsters?" Lu Zheng said, "On the official road, there are court inns and troops for safety, but isn’t it dangerous to take other routes?"
"There aren’t that many mountain spirits and tree monsters; if there were, how would Great Jing manage?" the middle-aged man chuckled, "I’ve taken this path for two years, only occasionally encountering beasts that were chased away by the guards.
Seeing you both in a hurry, I extended the invitation. If you’re willing, for so paynt to hire guards, I’ll accompany you through the mountains."
Being a small business, ti is money, and this middle-aged man didn’t want to waste ten days crossing Ling Mountain.
Now seeing Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan dressed well, he extended the invitation, wanting to save on hiring guards’ silver coins.
"How much?" Lu Zheng asked.
He wasn’t planning to take the official road either; it’s too slow and inconvenient for public displays of skill. His plan was to follow the official road and take a shortcut on the trail, which is undoubtedly closer than the big detours of the official road.
Now, with an experienced guide, Lu Zheng naturally did not refuse.
"Two guans!" The middle-aged man looked at the lightly packed bundles behind Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan, "Don’t worry about provisions, I have plenty."
Lu Zheng took out a bunch of treasure notes from his pocket, pulled out two sheets, and handed them to the middle-aged man, "Just lead the way, don’t worry about food."
Seeing the roll of treasure notes in Lu Zheng’s hand, the middle-aged man was startled, then quickly looked around and whispered, "Young Master, put away the treasure notes. Wealth should not be exposed, as Ling Mountain is sparse with people, don’t attract attention of those with ill intentions!"
"Thanks for the reminder, but no worries; I have so power to protect myself." Lu Zheng smiled, twirling the White Jade Folding Fan in his fingers, performing a trick.
The middle-aged man grinned, thinking no wonder he dares to bring a young woman into the mountains, turns out he’s sowhat trained, although not a Martial Artist, can only deal with ordinary people.
So, is this young master a Martial Artist?
The middle-aged man stealthily scrutinized Lu Zheng, unable to tell.
"This way, please. By the way, may I know your nas?" The middle-aged man asked, then introduced himself, "My surna is Luo, Luo Jin, you can call Old Luo."
Lu Zheng nodded, "Lu Zheng."
Liu Qingyan replied, "I’m Liu."
"Young Master Lu, Miss Liu!"
Luo Jin led them to his team, "It’s just after noon; we should head out now. Tonight we can reach a small cabin prepared by a hunter in the mountains. Do you need to prepare anything?"
"No need." Lu Zheng shook his head.
"Alright!" Luo Jin nodded, then called to the four guards. He said to the leading man, "Brother Zhang, we can go!"
Seeing Luo Jin bringing Lu Zheng over, everyone had already made preparations and got up.
Brother Zhang glanced at Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan, nodded to Luo Jin, and joked, "You really found two stragglers, you are indeed worthy of being called Luo the Miser!"
Luo Jin chuckled, "Small business, save where you can."
The man surnad Zhang looked at Lu Zheng, focusing on Liu Qingyan, "The trail is quick, but not easy to walk; are you sure? We are used to mountain roads, won’t wait for you."
Liu Qingyan smiled slightly, "Don’t worry, Big Brother; we’ve lived through tough tis ourselves, hiking through mountains is like coming ho."
The man surnad Zhang’s eyes lit up, "Wow, looking at your delicate skin, I couldn’t tell. Well then, you’ll know after the hike, into the mountains!"
The man surnad Zhang didn’t mind, having taken this trail for over three years, back and forth dozens of tis, mostly encountering mountain cats, occasionally leopards, and big cats, once even a wolf pack, all managed without danger.
So, two more weaklings are just two more weaklings, no problem, he’s got it covered!
After preparing, everyone headed into the mountains.
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