After walking for more than two li, Gu Qingyun sensed dozens of shanxiao trailing behind her. She stopped upon reaching a relatively open clearing. The two sides confronted each other in tense silence. Suddenly, a sharp claw swept forward carrying a foul wind, lunging straight for Gu Qingyun’s face.
Bang!
Bang, bang!
In the blink of an eye, Gu Qingyun’s saber clashed with the shanxiao several times. With each exchange, another wound opened on the beast's body. Realizing it was outmatched, the shanxiao emitted a sharp screech. In barely a breath, dozens of shanxiao swarmed and surrounded Gu Qingyun.
Her eyes calm and steady, Gu Qingyun tapped her foot lightly. Surging spiritual power formed a massive barrier around the clearing; this time, not a single shanxiao would escape.
Channeling spiritual power throughout her entire body as the shanxiao closed in, the Blazing Sun Saber unleashed its true might. Every shanxiao that lunged at her was felled with a single lethal stroke. In less than a quarter of an hour, the ground was littered with a vast expanse of shanxiao corpses.
“Wuu... aoooh...”
The shanxiao leader let out two long howls, and the remaining beasts began fleeing frantically into the mountain woods. Gu Qingyun simply watched until one of the shanxiao slammed into the invisible spiritual net, releasing an ear-piercing shriek.
Only then did Gu Qingyun raise her blade and give chase. In a single clash, the ordinary shanxiao proved no match and were cut down beneath her saber. In the end, only the shanxiao leader stood before her.
Seeing its subordinates slaughtered, the shanxiao leader—possessing an intellect rivaling that of a human—merely paused for an instant before lunging at Gu Qingyun with even greater speed and ferocious power.
Her toes lightly skimming across broken branches, Gu Qingyun darted over the shanxiao’s head like a swallow, sweeping her saber downward.
Sensing the peril overhead, the shanxiao roared abruptly. The black fur covering its body bristled sharp as steel needles, and its frame swelled to twice its size as it swung a massive claw toward her.
Neither dodging nor retreating, Gu Qingyun met the blow head-on with her blade.
Slash.
The Blazing Sun Saber truly lived up to its name as a precious blade forged to slay demons and monsters; the edge severed one of the beast’s arms cleanly off. The shanxiao let out an agonized howl. Striking while it was vulnerable, Gu Qingyun flicked her wrist, vaulted into the air, and hacked toward the shanxiao leader’s other arm.
The excruciating pain drove the creature completely mad. It threw itself violently toward Gu Qingyun, determined to drag her down with it in death.
Gu Qingyun gave it no such chance, slashing her saber toward the shanxiao’s neck. In that breath, the Blazing Sun Saber cleaved forward once more.
Accompanied by the whistle of slicing wind, before the shanxiao could react, its severed head spun through the air, its gaze landing upon its own headless body. Still locked in its frenzied posture, the headless corpse crashed heavily to the ground, its life snuffed out entirely.
Gu Qingyun slowly sheathed her saber. Frowning at the gruesome mess strewn across the ground, she sighed and piled the shanxiao corpses in one spot.
A spark of spiritual light ignited in her palm, gradually giving rise to a pure white spiritual flame. Neither scorching nor turbulent, the flame was nonetheless capable of incinerating all dark impurities.
With a flick of her hand, she tossed it forward. The moment the spiritual flame touched the carcasses, it engulfed them, silently burning away their flesh, bones, and baleful aura until they were reduced to ash and dispersed into the world. Only then did Gu Qingyun carry her saber and head back.
...
Ever since Gu Qingyun had departed, Head Constable Liu and the others had remained safe and sound. Now, they were eagerly waiting for her return.
Without them realizing it, stars had reappeared in the night sky. The chirping of birds and insects echoed around them, punctuated by the occasional howl of a wolf in the distance. They knew that the forest had returned to normal.
“I wonder how Qingyun is doing. Head Constable, how about we go out and look for her?” Zhao Si asked, his face etched with worry.
Head Constable Liu glared sternly. “What, you think you’re the only one who cares about her? Do you know why I’m the head constable and you’re not?”
Zhao Si had no idea why Head Constable Liu brought this up. He shook his head dumbly. “Why?”
Head Constable Liu smacked him upside the head. “Because I know my own limits! I know what should be done and what shouldn’t. With your sorry skills, going out there is purely serving yourself up on a silver platter. Gu Qingyun would have to break her neck trying to save you, only adding to her burden. Just wait right here. She’ll come back safe and sound—I trust her.”
Just then, footsteps sounded from the darkness. Clutching her chest with a pale face, Gu Qingyun appeared. “I’m back.”
Head Constable Liu and the others moved to help her, but suddenly recalling Gu Qingyun’s warning, they froze in their tracks. “Are you real or fake?”
Helpless, Gu Qingyun stepped through the barrier and coughed softly twice. “It’s fine now. I’ve dealt with all the shanxiao. We can resume our journey without worry.”
Head Constable Liu helped her sit down, stammering, “Qingyun, you’re injured! In the middle of nowhere like this, what are we going to do? It looks like you won't be able to participate in the tournament at the prefectural city this time.”
Gu Qingyun felt a little guilty. She had only wanted to conceal her true strength, not expecting to overact. She waved her hand feebly. “It’s nothing. I just took a minor scratch and exhausted some energy. A couple of days of rest will fix me right up.”
Wu Yong and the others were rife with guilt. “Forget the tournament! Our county has never won anyway. When our turn comes, we’ll just forfeit straight away so your injuries don't get worse.”
Gu Qingyun coughed twice more and struggled to her feet. “Let me pack up the formation. Let’s get out of these mountain woods first.”
She retrieved the lightning-struck wood offcuts—these could still be reused next time and couldn't be thrown away. As for the eight talismans, having depleted most of their spiritual power, they were of little use. Gu Qingyun did not bother collecting them, instead mounting her horse and waiting for the others.
Zhang San peeled off the talismans and walked over. “Qingyun, you haven't collected these talismans yet.”
Gu Qingyun replied, “No need. More than half of their efficacy is already spent; I don’t need them anymore.”
Hearing that she didn't want them, Head Constable Liu and the others crowded around, each taking one. Seeing the elderly man and the young boy looking on eagerly from behind, and remembering how much silver they had paid, Head Constable Liu handed all four remaining talismans to them.
Even though Qingyun had said that half the power was gone, to them, these talismans were still treasures to be carefully stowed away.
Gu Qingyun had intended to say that she could draw more anytime, but considering there were outsiders present, she held her tongue.
By daybreak, the group finally emerged from the mountain forest. Having traveled through the entire night, everyone was utterly exhausted. Paying a bit of silver, they found a local household and sat waiting for a hot meal.
Leading the young boy over, the elderly man sat with them. “Officer, once we reach the next town, this old man shall find a clinic to have you examined.”
Gu Qingyun shook her head. “Old Sir, there’s no need. It’s nothing serious; I can manage. We'll travel during the day, find a place to rest properly tonight, and reach the prefectural city tomorrow.”
The elderly man sighed, stood up, and clasped his hands in a deep bow. “Benefactor's noble righteousness is something this old man and my young master will never forget.”
Gu Qingyun gave no definite response. It was merely a chance encounter, and since the other party had paid silver, it was a fair transaction.
As they spoke, a woman brought in the dishes, appearing somewhat intimidated. “Pardon us, but these are the only dishes we have at home.”
Gu Qingyun looked at the greens and a large bowl of chicken soup. Head Constable Liu and the others pushed the chicken soup directly in front of her. “Qingyun, this is for you. You’re injured, so drink this bowl of soup to nurse your health. Don’t you refuse now! Once we reach the next town, we’ll treat ourselves to a proper feast.”
Gu Qingyun hesitated. Finishing such a large bowl of soup all by herself didn't seem right.
Seeing her hesitation, Head Constable Liu said briskly, “All right, that's what we decided. If we tell you to drink it, just drink it. Don’t dilly-dally. None of us are coveting your soup! The other dishes taste great too. Everyone, eat up!”
Gu Qingyun paused, then looked down at the soup in the bowl. Well, so be it; she truly had exerted herself, and nourishing herself with some soup wouldn't hurt.
Rate on N.U.
