Get Over Here

The Wanxiang Sect's array control node was inside a cavern within a valley three li away. The cavern ran deep. Stepping inside, a gentle draft brushed past. Xu Yuan strolled through it at an unhurried pace, carrying a large cloth sack in hand, his eyes gleaming with a crimson glow as he surveyed the pitch-black surroundings. A circulating draft meant there was another exit deeper inside. As he ventured deeper, goosebumps quickly broke out across Xu Yuan's skin from the bitter chill; along the way, a thin glaze of ice had even frosted the cavern walls. Ran Qingmo produced this effect every time she took action, perfectly suiting the nickname Xu Yuan had given her behind her back. Following the cavern tunnel for several hundred zhang, his field of vision suddenly opened up. Looking ahead, this was a hollow, pyramid-shaped cavern. The ground had been shaved flat, and an opening sat at the apex, allowing moonlight to spill down and cast a crystalline gleam across the ice on the floor. A profound array pattern was engraved upon the stone floor. Aside from that, there stood several lifelike ice sculptures. It seemed the big block of ice had already wrapped everything up here. His gaze fell upon her, and Xu Yuan smiled faintly. Sword in hand, Ran Qingmo stood quietly at the center of the array control node, waiting for him. The moonlight fell gently upon her veiled hat, her slender, graceful curves faintly visible beneath the black gauze. Xu Yuan looked her up and down, asking with a quiet smile, "How's the control node?" His voice and footsteps echoed softly in the cavernous space. Ran Qingmo's cool, melodious voice drifted out from beneath the veiled hat. "The cultivators inside were all low-ranked. They've all been dealt with. However..." "However?" Xu Yuan's gaze sharpened. Ran Qingmo pursed her lips. "It seems this control node requires a soul key to operate." "..." Xu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly. Striding forward, he sent out his intent-soul to sense it for a moment, his brow slowly furrowing. After a moment's contemplation, Xu Yuan spoke in his mind, "Old Man Luo..." "Don't ask me," the Saint's remnant soul interrupted. "This old man told you before: every waking moment I had over the past ten thousand years was spent researching cultivation arts. I have zero interest in formations and arrays." Xu Yuan shook his head and glanced down at the cloth sack in his hand. "No, I mean this old man ought to have the soul key. Do you have any way to forcibly borrow it?" The Saint's remnant soul was himself a soul entity. To protect himself, he had spent ten thousand years devising many secret techniques that acted directly on the intent-soul. The Saint's remnant soul did not answer right away, seemingly pondering, but in the end he murmured, "I don't." "Not even with my Meishen Dao Charm?" Xu Yuan asked. The Saint's remnant soul sighed and said in a low voice, "Unless you can recreate the sort of 'illusion realm' Yuchu dragged you into before her death and brainwash this brat who practiced an aberrant ghost art." "..." Xu Yuan fell silent. That was completely impossible. Such an illusion realm had barely been forged by amalgamating the memories of most of the realm's foremost experts. Aside from Yuchu, who had been the Meishen tree spirit, no one else could replicate it. Suddenly, Ran Qingmo's soft voice came from the side. "Xu Yuan, is Shengshan County beyond saving...?" Hearing this, Xu Yuan looked over at her. "Why do you ask?" Ran Qingmo took off her veiled hat, holding it in her hand. "The closest place to here is Yueshan County. At the marching pace of the border army, it would take them at least ten-odd days to reach here." Saying this, she tightened her grip on her sword slightly. "And... whether the other commanderies and counties would even send reinforcements is an unknown." "..." Xu Yuan paused in surprise, but then felt a sense of clarity. It seemed this big block of ice really wasn't stupid—she had actually thought of something he hadn't yet considered. According to the map Colonel Wang gave him, at Ran Qingmo's and the Saint's remnant soul's speed, reaching the nearest county seat from Shengshan County would only take a little over a day. But for an army, covering that distance would take at least ten days. Over ten days—could Colonel Wang and his men hold out? And that was assuming the other commanderies and counties were willing to break camp and march to the rescue immediately. Reality was harsh and practical. Dispatching troops to relieve Shengshan County sounded simple, but in truth, it involved the local officials' official posts, or even their heads. What Xu Yuan told Colonel Wang earlier had been true: with the surge of demonic beasts besieging Shengshan County, the defensive pressure on surrounding areas would naturally drop dramatically. The problem was that officials in the other commanderies and counties didn't know this—or even if they did, they most likely wouldn't take the risk. After all, this past month was the peak period for demonic beast tide rampages. Given the sheer number of demonic beasts Shengshan County was currently facing, sending a small force would be useless. But if they mobilized their main force to march to the rescue... If demonic beasts suddenly launched a surprise attack on their own cities while their armies were away, and their own walls were breached, who would shoulder the blame? The common folk of Shengshan County were human lives, but weren't the people of the other commanderies and counties human lives as well? When it came to questions of jurisdictional liability, any official with an ounce of political acumen wouldn't act on a reckless impulse. After all, their heads were on the line. The most likely outcome would be the matter getting passed up through the chain of command, level by level. Xu Yuan didn't have an exact grasp of the administrative efficiency among the various tiers of government in the Great Yan Dynasty, but he knew that if this matter dragged on for even a few days, Shengshan County would truly be doomed. Amid the silence, seeing him say nothing, a hint of dejection entered Ran Qingmo's eyes. "If only my cultivation were a little higher..." Xu Yuan looked up into her eyes and asked softly, "Do you really want to save Shengshan County?" Ran Qingmo reflexively murmured, "Master said that cultivators should punish evil and uphold..." "I'm asking you, not your master," Xu Yuan cut her off. Ran Qingmo pressed her lips together and nodded. "I want to save them. Do you have a way?" Seeing the complex emotions in her normally aloof eyes, Xu Yuan drew a deep breath. "It's very difficult. You're right—the other commanderies and counties won't necessarily send troops immediately. They will definitely report the matter upward first: from county to commandery, then to prefecture and province, and perhaps even all the way to the court in the Imperial Capital before a decision is reached. Given Shengshan County's current predicament, it definitely can't afford that kind of delay. "However..." Saying this, Xu Yuan looked at her with a curling smile and raised a hand, tapping his own cheek gently. Ran Qingmo looked puzzled. Xu Yuan grinned. "Give me a kiss, and I'll help you." "..." Ran Qingmo took half a step back with wary eyes, slightly raising the sword in her hand. "How will you help?" Xu Yuan spread his hands and said softly, "Don't forget, my father is the current Prime Minister. I can contact him directly and have him issue an order straight from the imperial court." After listening carefully, Ran Qingmo fell silent for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Oh... alright. Then what does giving you a kiss mean?" Xu Yuan smiled faintly. "It means kissing me—" Before his words finished, the sword arrived first. *Swish!* A cold gleam flashed past. Xu Yuan watched as a lock of hair from his temple drifted silently to the floor. His eyelid twitched. Raising a hand, he quietly backed away. "...Was that really necessary?" Holding her sword, Ran Qingmo walked forward step by step, her gaze dark and quiet. "Master said this is something only husband and wife may do. If someone outside tries to do this to me, they are a lecher and can be cut down on the spot." Xu Yuan kept backing away, speaking quickly, "It was just a joke! Don't take it seriously, Mr. Ran." "Ran Qingmo," she said with utter seriousness, her steps never halting. Xu Yuan coughed lightly. "Ahem, fine. Ran Qingmo, stay right there and don't come any closer." The way she advanced with her sword in hand gave him flashbacks to that Buddhist temple deep in the mountains. Ran Qingmo fell silent for a moment upon hearing that, then suddenly asked, "But if I don't come over, how am I supposed to kiss you?" "..." A sudden silence fell over the cavern. After a long while, he said, "Then why did you slash at me just now?" She thought about it seriously before replying, "...I couldn't help myself." After several seconds of quiet, Xu Yuan let out an amused laugh and waved his hand. "I was only joking earlier. Even if you hadn't agreed, I would have done it anyway." Ran Qingmo stared unblinkingly at his cheek. "So we're not kissing anymore?" Xu Yuan shrugged. "Naturally. I'm not fond of forcing people in matters like this." "..." After another brief silence, Ran Qingmo stared at him for a few breaths, her beautiful eyes slowly lowering. "...Oh. Alright." "..." Xu Yuan walked over and casually ruffled her hair. Ran Qingmo looked up in a reflex-like reaction, her eyes cold as she tightened her grip on her hilt. In the silent standoff, the corner of Xu Yuan's mouth twitched. "Don't tell me your master had something to say about this too?" Her voice was aloof. "No." With that, the big block of ice leaped straight up through the hole in the ceiling and out of the cavern, leaving Xu Yuan standing alone in thoughtful silence... *** The direction Xu Yuan and Ran Qingmo headed toward was not one of the nearby border county seats, but rather a marketplace named Huanglong Market. This was the decision Xu Yuan had reached after studying the map. Now, they had no need to seek reinforcements in person; they only needed to find a communication crystal so Xu Yuan could contact his father. On the military map Colonel Wang had provided, Huanglong Market was massive. Bordering three official roads and a canal, it was exceptionally bustling. A market of this scale had a very high probability of possessing a communication crystal. More importantly, Huanglong Market was geographically closest to Shengshan County in a straight line. Traveling at full speed with their footwork, it would only take about a single day. And even if Huanglong Market didn't have a communication crystal, the two of them could set out from there toward the nearby border city of Zishan County; time-wise, it would only be half a day slower than heading straight to the nearest county seat. A day slipped by in a flash. Tonight was moonless. The wilderness was pitch-black, which only made the sea of lights on the horizon stand out all the more prominently. Looking toward Huanglong Market on the horizon, Xu Yuan's eyes brimmed with exhaustion he could hardly conceal. Ran Qingmo could go without sleep, but he couldn't. If Huanglong Market didn't have a communication crystal, he likely wouldn't be able to sleep for another full day. Two days and two nights without sleep—he wondered if he might drop dead of exhaustion. Just as he was thinking this, a cool voice sounded in his ear: "Xu Yuan..." Xu Yuan circulated the Blood Yuan Heart Calamity Art to force himself awake, replying via voice transmission, "What is it?" "Once we arrive at Huanglong Market, do you want to find an inn and rest a bit?" Her tone was as aloof as ever, but this was the first sentence Ran Qingmo had spoken to him throughout the journey. Evidently, the big block of ice had been upset over his earlier joke. Even so, hearing her words of concern brought a faint smile to Xu Yuan's face. "No need. I'm tired, but circulating my cultivation art keeps me going." "Oh." Ran Qingmo fell silent again. In silence, the dozen-odd li vanished beneath their feet, and the lights on the horizon grew increasingly distinct. Looking down from the sky, Huanglong Market below was practically a city without walls. Streets and buildings stood in tight, orderly rows, illuminated brilliantly by bright-pattern lamps. Pedestrians bustled between them, and decorated pleasure boats drifted upon the canal. Its nocturnal radiance was even more prosperous than that of some commandery capitals. Perhaps if there were no wars in the future, within another decade or two, the Great Yan government might erect a sizable city here. At the southern entrance of Huanglong Market, lights blazed bright, horse carriages flowed like a river, and merchant caravans came and went in a bustling spectacle. Suddenly, two figures descended from the sky. The moment their feet touched the ground, they immediately drew countless startled glances. Both of them were travel-worn, clearly having journeyed for a long time—and flying through the air for prolonged periods was a hallmark of at least fourth-rank cultivation. Experts of this caliber were exceedingly rare in a border marketplace. Paying no mind to the chatter of the onlookers, Xu Yuan led Ran Qingmo straight into Huanglong Market. A market of this scale almost certainly possessed a communication crystal. All he wanted now was to get this done as quickly as possible and then find an inn to crash. *** Huanglong Market, West Gate. A carriage convoy was heading out of the market. Among them, a carriage engraved with a coiled black dragon drew particular attention. Wherever the convoy passed, pedestrians stepped aside to make way. Soon, the convoy rolled smoothly along the market street and out onto the broad official road beyond. Amid the crisp clatter of horse hooves, the convoy receded into the distance, leaving behind only the clicking tongues and hushed marveling of traveling merchants in Huanglong Market. Having traveled over a dozen li, the surroundings gradually turned desolate, and caravans on the official road grew sparse. Riding a flame-hoofed horse, Zhou Ziqing slowed her pace until she was riding abreast of the coiled dragon carriage in the center of the convoy. After a breath of silence, the curtain of the coiled dragon carriage was drawn back from inside, revealing a gentle face as soft as water. Xu Xinyao smiled softly. "Ziqing, what is it?" With an apologetic look, Zhou Ziqing cupped her fists slightly. "Xinyao, I'm sorry. My junior sister and brother are playful by nature, so they delayed us by a whole day." Xu Xinyao shook her head gently, her voice soft. "How could that be considered a delay? We set out to travel and gain experience in the first place. When arriving at a new place, seeing the local sights and customs is only natural." Pausing, Xu Xinyao glanced back at a young man and woman riding horses behind them and chuckled softly. "Besides, once we pass Shengshan County on this trip, Zhonghua will be taking his leave. You know full well how that girl Luo Xi feels about Brother Zhonghua, Ziqing. Letting them spend an extra day together is a good thing. After all, once they part ways here, who knows when they will see each other again." Hearing this, Zhou Ziqing's lovely eyes curved, the corners of her lips turning up in an amused, teasing arc. "True enough. From here to Shengshan County is probably only about five days' carriage ride. Once that girl Luo Xi returns to the sect, she'll probably clamor to go look for Zhonghua—" Before her words could finish, Zhou Ziqing snapped her head up toward the pitch-black sky behind them. Sensing for a breath, Zhou Ziqing drew the thin sword she carried on her back, her face grim as she whispered, "Xinyao, someone is coming. Activate the carriage's formation first." Seeing Ziqing's expression, Xu Xinyao's eyes flickered slightly. "Are they very strong?" "Judging by their aura and speed, they should be two Grandmasters. And they're coming right for us!" With that, Zhou Ziqing began circulating her cultivation art. The next moment, *buzz—* A low hum sounded as dust billowed up along the official road. Two figures descended from the sky and landed directly before the convoy, blocking the way. Zhou Ziqing exchanged a glance with Li Zhonghua behind her. Nodding to each other, they leaped forward simultaneously, landing at the front of the convoy as they stared solemnly at the rising cloud of dust. And before the dust could even settle, a gentle male voice tinged with a chill rang out first: "Xu Xinyao, get over here right now."