44: Chapter 44 Cangwu Mountain

From the Eastern Desolate Region to the Zhongyuan Region, one must cross the entire Great Yan Dynasty. Chen Yuanji did not take the route through the Imperial Capital of Great Yan, but instead detoured through the western border, heading north along the edge of the Cangmang Mountains. This path was difficult to travel, but it had the advantage of being hidden; the Tiandao Sect had set up checkpoints on all major roads to inspect passing travelers. Although Chen Yuanji did not cultivate Yuan Qi and looked like an ordinary person on the outside, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The Wuzhui Horse traveled two thousand li a day, and after seven days, they left the Eastern Desolate Region and entered the western border of Great Yan. The western border was the poorest part of Great Yan, with severe soil salinization and poor crop growth, making life hard for the common people. Most of the villages along the way were dilapidated, travelers on the road were scarce, and the occasional merchant caravans seen were all in a hurry.

Chen Yuanji rested at a roadside tea stall, ordering a pot of coarse tea and a few steamed buns. The tea stall owner was an old man in his fifties, his face weathered by the elements. His eyes lit up when he saw the Wuzhui Horse, but seeing Chen Yuanji's simple clothing, he withdrew his gaze.

"Where are you headed, guest?" the old man asked while pouring tea.

"North."

"North, eh." The old man sighed. "It's not peaceful over there. I heard the Tiandao Sect and several Imperial Dynasties are at war, and many people have died."

Chen Yuanji did not respond. The Tiandao Sect and the Imperial Dynasties were at war? The Tiandao Sect stood above the Imperial Dynasties and usually didn't participate directly in their struggles. Why had they suddenly started fighting?

"What kind of war?"

"The specifics aren't clear to an old man like me." The old man lowered his voice. "I only heard that the Empress of Great Yan has allied with Great Chu and Great Zhou to oppose the Tiandao Sect. Of course, the Tiandao Sect wouldn't stand for it and sent many people to the Imperial Capital of Great Yan, only to be driven back by the Empress's people."

Chen Yuanji's heart stirred. Empress Yan Wuji—she was opposing the Tiandao Sect. "The Empress of Great Yan is quite bold, daring to challenge the Tiandao Sect."

"Isn't she?" The old man shook his head. "But the Empress is a good ruler. Since her ascension, she has reduced taxes and punished corrupt officials; the common people all remember her kindness. It's just that by offending the Tiandao Sect this time, I'm afraid she'll suffer for it."

After finishing his tea, Chen Yuanji tossed down a few copper coins and flipped onto his horse. The Wuzhui Horse continued north, crossing the western border of Great Yan and entering the Cangmang Mountains. The Cangmang Mountains lay between Great Yan and the Zhongyuan Region, stretching for thousands of li with high mountains and dense forests where Yao Beasts roamed. Ordinary merchant caravans needed to hire many guards to take this route, but it was more convenient for Chen Yuanji alone; he killed any Yao Beasts he encountered and drove away any mountain bandits, proceeding without hindrance the whole way.

Three days later, he emerged from the Cangmang Mountains and stepped onto the land of the Zhongyuan Region. The Zhongyuan Region and the Eastern Desolate Region were completely different; the land here was flat and open, the official roads were built straight and wide, and neat farmland and villages lined both sides. From time to time, Martial Artists flew through the sky; some were lone wanderers, others were Sect Disciples, each going their own way without interfering with one another. Chen Yuanji reined in the Wuzhui Horse's speed and rode slowly.

Cangwu Mountain was in the southeastern part of the Zhongyuan Region, about five hundred li from the Cangmang Mountains. He traveled along the official road for two days, replenished his dry rations and water in a small town, and then turned onto a mountain path, heading deep into Cangwu Mountain. Cangwu Mountain wasn't high, but it was vast, with rolling hills covered in dark green pines and cypresses. Qingfeng Temple was halfway up Cangwu Mountain; it was a small Taoist temple with only three dilapidated rooms and a mountain gate in disrepair.

By the time Chen Yuanji arrived, the sky had already darkened. He tied up his horse and pushed open the mountain gate. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and several holes were broken in the windows of the main hall, making a whistling sound whenever the wind blew. An unknown deity's statue was enshrined in the main hall, its face covered in bird droppings, looking exceptionally desolate.

"Old Xuan?" Chen Yuanji called out.

There was no answer. He walked into the main hall and looked around. Behind the deity statue was an altar table, and on it lay a letter. The envelope was inscribed with the words "To be opened by Chen Yuanji personally." Chen Yuanji opened the letter; inside was only a small slip of paper—"Kid, I have some urgent business and have gone to the Imperial Capital of Great Yan. Wait for me here; I'll be back in ten days at most. There's food and water behind the house. Don't wander off."

The handwriting was messy, indeed Old Xuan's. Chen Yuanji folded the paper and tucked it into his robe. The Imperial Capital of Great Yan, Empress Yan Wuji, the Tiandao Sect... why had Old Xuan gone there? Was it a coincidence, or intentional? He didn't know, but he knew that since Old Xuan told him to wait, he would wait.

Ten days wasn't long. Chen Yuanji settled down in Qingfeng Temple. Although the temple was dilapidated, it was quiet and free from distractions. He practiced Zhan Zhuang every morning, practiced his boxing during the day, and meditated at night, living as regularly as he had at the Demon Emperor Palace.

On the night of the fifth day, while he was meditating, he suddenly heard a flurry of disorganized footsteps coming from down the mountain. It wasn't one person, but many—at least dozens—and their cultivation wasn't low; the weakest were in the Guiyuan Realm.

Chen Yuanji opened his eyes and walked to the window. Under the moonlight, dozens of men in black were walking up the mountain path toward Qingfeng Temple. Leading them was a white-haired old man with a sinister face and an Aura as deep as the sea. The Tiandao Sect! It wasn't Zhou Xuanji, but someone else—Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage.

"Chen Yuanji, come out." The white-haired old man's voice was flat but carried an unquestionable authority. "I am Han Tiance, an Inner Sect Elder of the Tiandao Sect. Zhou Xuanji is my Junior Brother. You injured him and stole his heavenly order; it's time to settle this account."

Chen Yuanji walked out of the house and stood in the courtyard. "How did you know I was at Cangwu Mountain?" he asked.

"You underestimate the Tiandao Sect too much," Han Tiance cold-smiled. "From the Zhongyuan Region to the Eastern Desolate Region, every checkpoint has informants for the Tiandao Sect. Although you took a detour, your horse is too conspicuous. There aren't many mounts of the second-tier Yao Beast level in the entire Zhongyuan Region."

Chen Yuanji glanced at the Wuzhui Horse tied in the backyard; the horse neighed uneasily, seemingly apologizing to him. "What do you want?"

"Hand over the heavenly order and the martial gods heart, cripple your own cultivation, and I can spare your life."

Chen Yuanji did not answer. Instead, he took a deep breath, and the inner core in his Dantian began to rotate with full force.

The Aura of a Half-Step Divine Realm rose from him, and white Protective Aura condensed into a golden light shield on the surface of his body.

Han Tiance's pupils contracted slightly. "Half-Step Divine Realm... no wonder Junior Brother Zhou was defeated."

He raised his right hand, and the Yuan Qi of the Void-Piercing Realm Early Stage condensed in his palm, transforming into a black longblade. "But you are still no match for me."

The longblade swung down, and a black blade light slashed through the night sky, heading straight for the top of Chen Yuanji's head. Chen Yuanji did not dodge; he threw a right punch, and his white Protective Aura collided with the black blade light.

"Boom!" A thunderous explosion shook the air. The main hall of Qingfeng Temple was overturned by the shockwave, and stone fragments flew everywhere. Chen Yuanji retreated three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Han Tiance remained motionless, but the hand holding the longblade trembled slightly.

"To be able to take a strike from me, not bad." Han Tiance was expressionless. "But with the next strike, you won't be so lucky." He raised the longblade, the black light on the blade becoming even more intense.

Just then, a long whistle came from down the mountain. A streak of gray light flew from afar and landed in front of Chen Yuanji, transforming into a gray-robed old man—Old Xuan! Most of his injuries had healed, he looked energetic, and his eyes flashed with sharp light. "Han Tiance, you're still as shameless as ever. Bullying a Junior—what kind of skill is that?"

Han Tiance's expression changed slightly as he looked at Old Xuan. "Xuan Wuji? You're not dead yet?"

"I won't die even if you do." Old Xuan sneered. "Take your people and get out. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."

Han Tiance After a moment of silence, put away his longblade. "Xuan Wuji, you can't protect him forever."

"I'll protect him as long as I can."

Han Tiance turned and led the men in black down the mountain. Old Xuan watched them disappear into the night and let out a long breath.

"Kid, you really picked a bad time to come."

Chen Yuanji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Old Xuan, what were you doing in the Imperial Capital of Great Yan?"

Old Xuan turned around, his expression becoming serious. "I went to find Empress Yan Wuji. She needs help to deal with the Tiandao Sect, and I think this is an opportunity."