Editor: Atlas Studios
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"Then I’ll trouble Luojing." Wang Shouzhe didn’t want to delay any longer and let the Lua Family suffer a loss for nothing.
Moreover, the two uncles of the Lua Family treated him and his sister Wang Luoyi very well. Even if they could only et once a year or two, the Lua Family would often send household generals to deliver gifts to Wang Shouzhe, Wang Luoyi, and even Gongsun Hui’s daughter Wang Luomiao.
"It’s no trouble, I’ve eaten well these past two days." Wang Luojing smiled lightly, "I have so much energy I can’t use it all." Saying this, she deliberately made a gesture indicating her strength.
"Alright, you skinny little yellow-haired girl, don’t show off in front of . Let’s hurry up and start our journey." Wang Shouzhe felt a warmth in his heart and laughed, "Later, have a sip of spirit wine and get a good sleep on the carriage."
"Fourth brother, I’ll grow up, you know." Wang Luojing pouted with so displeasure, "Don’t underestimate Jing’Er, fourth brother."
"I don’t underestimate you, I wouldn’t dare." Wang Shouzhe helped her up onto the carriage, "My Luojing is going to be a Great Spirit Insect Master in the future. Maybe your fourth brother will depend on you for protection, how dare I underestimate you."
"That’s settled then. In the future, if anyone bullies fourth brother, I’ll send insects to bite them."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say. Now, go to sleep."
...
The carriage slowly traveled on the flat road.
Wang Shouzhe rode a black steed, escorting the carriage on both sides with several other household generals. There were mainly two routes to Yingxiu Lu Family, one passing through the sunny side of Dragon Ridge Mountain or detouring from the shady side.
Surely, it wasn’t feasible to go towards the Shanyin Liu Family side, so they naturally took the Shanyang route.
This was also one of the main reasons Wang Shouzhe prioritized assisting the Shanyang Gongsun Family in stabilizing the crisis.
Originally, Gongsun Qiang wanted to co along but was rejected by Wang Shouzhe. Firstly, he couldn’t really handle Gongsun Qiang’s low emotional intelligence, and secondly, the Gongsun Family was currently busy with disaster relief and already short on people.
Additionally, Gongsun Hui had voluntarily stayed in Shanyang for a while, saying it was just right to accompany her parents. In reality, she understood her own position and that going to the Lua Family wasn’t very appropriate.
The caravan continued to move forward, entering a dense forest where the road gradually beca bumpy and uneven.
Wang Shouzhe frowned slightly, "Wang Zhong, this road isn’t easy to travel on. How much further to Yingxiu?"
"Patriarch, this forest is the border between Shanyang and Yingxiu, spanning a width of seven to eight miles." The household general Wang Zhong, familiar with the route, said, "Once we pass through the forest, we’ll reach the famous Yingxiu Lake. You haven’t been to Yingxiu for several years, and previously you always traveled through the main road on the Shanyin side, which might be why you’re unfamiliar with this one."
"Everyone, forests are usually more dangerous, so stay alert."
With his shout, all the household generals perked up, becoming even more vigilant.
"Wang Zhong, is there anything unusual about this forest?" Wang Shouzhe also beca more cautious, "Could there be any rumors of fierce beasts?"
This world wasn’t a ga world; if powerful fierce beasts appeared, they could result in casualties for the team.
"Patriarch, at such border places, the Black Tortoise Clans of Shanyang and Yingxiu would take turns patrolling. Any slightly dangerous wild beasts would be cleared out, let alone fierce beasts." Wang Zhong shook his head and said, "However, since we’re household generals escorting, we have regular training to be extra cautious in areas with poor visibility; it’s our duty to prevent any accidents."
The team continued to move uneventfully for a few more miles until they passed a small stream that flowed over the road.
Suddenly!
Wang Zhong’s expression changed, and he raised his hand to halt.
The coachman Wang Laoshu quickly stopped the carriage, and the other household generals drew their weapons with a clang, full of alertness.
Wang Zhong dismounted and walked over to the side of the road by the stream, picking up a small piece of cloth fragnt. His face turned solemn as he spoke to the approaching Wang Shouzhe, "Patriarch, this piece of cloth was cut by a sharp blade and has so blood stains on it. There are also so uncleaned blood traces on the stones by the stream."
Indeed, sothing had happened.
Traveling in the wild, the last thing you want is to encounter unexpected situations. With a serious expression, Wang Shouzhe said, "Wang Zhong, give your assessnt."
"Judging by the fabric, this is fine-grained cotton dyed gray, which is relatively expensive. Ordinary tenant farrs, civilians, hunters, and the like are reluctant to buy such expensive clothes. Even if they gritted their teeth to buy it, it’s usually worn during festive occasions like New Year." Being a household general, Wang Zhong was trained by senior generals since childhood and is quite familiar with this area. "Therefore, this person is highly likely to be a Black Tortoise Practitioner whose status is relatively higher than a commoner. However, his status wouldn’t be too high; people with noble status like the Patriarch usually use even more expensive brocade fabrics."
"That would be household generals or ordinary clan mbers of the Black Tortoise Clan," Wang Shouzhe nodded, "Or perhaps so traveling rchants."
"Traveling rchants usually travel in groups," Wang Zhong shook his head, "Patriarch, look at these footprints, they should all belong to the sa person, and they went deep into the dense forest, um, as if avoiding capture. Therefore, it’s highly likely this person is a fugitive loose cultivator or a traitor of so family. He must have heard our voices and couldn’t hide his tracks in ti, so he hurried into the forest."
"Can we catch him?" Wang Shouzhe asked solemnly, "We ca from the direction of Shanyang and haven’t heard of any fugitives or traitors, so this person is most likely coming from the direction of Yingxiu. Regardless of the situation, let’s catch him first before we speak."
"Rest assured, Patriarch." Wang Zhong’s eyes flashed coldly, "He’s already injured, and his hurried tracks are hard to conceal, I’ll take two brothers to retrieve him."
"Wang Yong, Wang Wu, you follow," Wang Shouzhe ordered, "Safety first, if it becos too difficult, seek help imdiately."
"Yes, Patriarch."
The three household generals took orders and acted. They slightly distanced themselves from each other and tracked down the footprints in a pinwheel formation. In less than the ti it takes to burn a stick of incense, a mournful cry echoed from deep within the forest.
Soon, the three household generals of the Wang Family carried back a man who was tied up like a rice dumpling and returned to the carriage.
"Patriarch, mission accomplished without disgrace," Wang Zhong said, throwing the captive on the ground and cupping his hands, "This thief looks to be around the Fourth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm. Judging by his appearance, he seems to be a loose cultivator."
"Mmm mmm, mmm mmm~" the man looked terrified, his mouth stuffed, his body bound, he could only struggle to catch Wang Shouzhe’s attention.
"Listen to what he has to say," Wang Shouzhe instructed.
"Yes, Patriarch," Wang Zhong removed the rag from his mouth.
"This young master, no, sir," the sowhat sleazy-looking middle-aged man imdiately began begging for rcy, "I’m just passing through your esteed land, not committing any offenses. Please, let go. I still have so Qian Gold and a Profound Martial Technique on , they can serve as my ransom."
"Whether you committed offenses, what you say doesn’t count," Wang Shouzhe gestured to Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong quickly searched him; he had a total of 5 Qian Gold, 17 Large Copper, and 56 Coins. There was nothing valuable in his pack, just a worn-out Profound Martial Technique.
"Small Circulation Qi and Blood Transport thod."
Wang Shouzhe glanced at it with a frown. It was a common cultivation thod. The Wang Race’s heritage collection has this, used to build a foundation for household servants and generals in early cultivation, and this technique clearly had several errors.
However, it generally matched the status of a destitute loose cultivator. Loose cultivators most focus on improving their cultivation, and whenever they get so money, they buy cultivation resources.
"How did you get injured?" Wang Shouzhe asked, noticing a deep knife wound on his shoulder.
"I encountered bandits," the loose cultivator said honestly, "I fled into the forest in panic and had just started to clean my wound when I ran into you, sir."
"Lies! This area is the border of the Shanyang Gongsun Family and the Yingxiu Lua Family’s influence. Which bandit would dare commit cris here?" Wang Zhong scolded, "Confess the truth, or I’ll chop off your head."
"I’m wronged, sir, wronged," the loose cultivator scread miserably, "Those bandits disguise themselves as traveling rchants, usually bullying passing loose cultivators. They wouldn’t dare to target noble families like yours."
"Sounds plausible," Wang Shouzhe remained unmoved, "Take him to Yingxiu and have the Lua investigate the situation. If what you say is true and you’re not a criminal, then everything will be returned to you, and you will be released."
Among the Black Tortoise Clans, every family has its code of conduct, not to ntion he only has a few Qian Gold. Even if it were dozens or hundreds of Qian Gold, or more, Wang Shouzhe would not randomly rob or kill him for imdiate benefits.
This is a matter of family conduct and education. Doing so would plant a significant hidden danger for the family’s moral conduct. How would those involved household generals and clan mbers think? Would it foster a mindset of bloodthirst and cruelty? Would their values beco distorted?
Would they, when encountering similar situations next ti, deem killing, silencing, and robbing justified actions?
A family or a power that acts lawlessly for the sake of interest might be rampant for a while but will never be arrogant for a lifeti.
Any Black Tortoise Clan capable of lasting a hundred years, or even several centuries to a thousand years, will undoubtedly have good family education and conduct, possess a high reputation, and clan mbers will necessarily adhere to strict behavior standards and principles.
But as Wang Shouzhe finished speaking, the loose cultivator’s face beca ashen instantly, and he scread in agony, "Sir, I was wrong, please don’t take to Yingxiu. I beg you, I’ve hidden so items, if you let go, they’re all yours."
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