Chapter 19: The Futility of Seeking the City of Shadows

“Stop right there!”

As soon as those two words left the mouth of the leading man in black, a wave of tension crashed over Su Mu, his body growing taut as a bowstring. He was ready—if Jiang Yingying asked for his help in dealing with these men, he’d strike first. Though Su Mu was young, his courage far outstripped that of his peers. Besides, he didn’t fear pain and was always eager for a fight. Newly armed with fresh skills, he was itching to test them.

The leader in black had halted the ox cart. Old Qin, the cart driver, grumbled loudly, “Why are you blocking my way? Who in all of Yuma County doesn’t know Old Qin?”

The black-clad leader snorted coldly. “Who’s in the cart?”

“My niece and her son. What, can’t a mother and son come to town for a doctor’s visit?” Old Qin hopped down from the cart and pressed close to the leader, craning his neck and shouting at the top of his voice, instantly drawing a crowd.

The leader shoved him aside, voice icy. “I want to see every woman passing through. Tell her to come out.”

“No way! My niece is gravely ill, she can’t be exposed to people. Try to touch her and this old man will fight you to the death!” Old Qin’s temper flared; he grabbed the leader and was about to start swinging when the leader’s men hurriedly dragged him back. The leader, furious, barked, “Drag him away, don’t let this old fool get in the way!”

Straightening his clothes, the leader strode to the ox cart, several men at his side drawing their swords and standing guard.

“Get out here—stop dawdling!” the leader barked impatiently at the cart.

Without hesitation, Su Mu was about to leap down and attack, but Jiang Yingying hissed, “Don’t be reckless, not yet.”

Hearing this, Su Mu jumped down from the cart but said nothing, his gaze icy as he stared at the black-clad men surrounding them.

The leader frowned at the sight of a half-grown boy. “Who is the woman in the cart to you? Why won’t she come out?”

A fit of coughing came from inside the cart, followed by a hoarse voice: “Sirs, I am gravely ill and cannot be exposed to the wind. If you must see my face, please trouble yourself to come inside.”

“Cut the nonsense! Get out here or we’ll cut you down!” the leader snarled, drawing his blade.

“Very well, don’t be impatient, I’m coming.” A trembling hand reached out from the cart—it was pale, withered, the hand of a peasant woman weathered by labor. The fingernails were caked with black dirt, enough to make one’s stomach turn.

With a wet sound, fresh blood splattered from the cart. That hoarse voice said, “Please don’t be offended, sirs. I’ve been ill for a long time. The physician says it isn’t contagious unless I’m touched. Please, I’m coming down.”

As the hand reached to lift the cart’s canopy, a murmur spread through the crowd—contagious! The onlookers scattered in panic, and even the black-clad men shrank back. The leader, seeing the withered hand, the blood, and hearing of contagion, lost all interest in searching and retreated several paces, shouting, “Go, go! Don’t come out! Old man, take them and get out of here!”

The men released Old Qin, but he was not to be deterred. He charged forward, still yelling, “You stop when you like and go when you like! I’m an old man and you still manhandle me! When have I ever been so humiliated? I want to see if Yuma County belongs to you little bastards now! I’m not leaving, not today!”

“Then don’t! Lock him up in the cell and let him cool off!” the leader roared at the county officers present.

Clearly unwilling to offend this man, the officers hurried over to Old Qin, soothing him and bowing, begging the old man to just leave quietly, lest everyone get into trouble.

Realizing he’d get nothing out of it, Old Qin eventually dragged Su Mu and Jiang Yingying into the city, grumbling the whole way, making Su Mu’s head spin.

Su Mu, curious, quietly asked Jiang Yingying how she’d pulled it off earlier. She whispered back, “That trick only fools idiots like him. Anyone with a trained spirit would see through it. I used pulse force to shrink the skin on my hand, and the blood was real—I forced it out.”

Su Mu found this fascinating and resolved to have Jiang Yingying teach him more of such tricks.

Not long after entering the city, Jiang Yingying asked, “Uncle Qin, do you know of any suitable inns here?”

Uncle Qin laughed heartily, patting his head. “Then you’ve come to the right man! Our old master’s Inn of the Far Traveler is the best—good rooms, cheap prices. I’m headed there myself—come with me!”

Jiang Yingying thanked him, and she and Su Mu quietly waited for Uncle Qin to take them to the inn.

Once there, Uncle Qin led them in, loudly announcing to the innkeeper that these were his relatives and to take good care of them. The innkeeper, clearly a kind soul, smiled warmly after Uncle Qin left, waved them to any of the many empty tables, and said, “Old Qin’s worked here for years, delivering food and goods—he’s a passionate man, just a bit stubborn. I haven’t seen you two before; is this your first time in Yuma County with Old Qin?”

Su Mu grinned. “We actually met Grandpa Qin on the road; we’re not really his relatives. We’re from—”

Before he could finish, Jiang Yingying cut in, “We’re from a nearby county—just traveling together. Boss, we’ve been bumping along all day and are tired. Could you show us to our rooms?”

The innkeeper, a little puzzled but unconcerned, smiled and called for a servant to lead them to their rooms.

The servant brought them to their second-floor rooms, told them to call if they needed anything, and left. Jiang Yingying stopped at her door and said, “Rest for a bit, then come see me. I have something for you.”

Su Mu was surprised. “What is it? I’m not tired, give it to me now.”

But Jiang Yingying ignored him, went inside, and shut the door right in his face—so quickly that Su Mu, following too closely, got hit on the nose and started bleeding. Clutching his nose, he hurried back to his own room.

Evening came before he knew it. Su Mu had slept soundly—rarely had he gotten to sleep in a real bed on this journey, and though unused to the comfort, he quickly drifted off.

Stretching luxuriously as he got up, he considered heading out to practice his cultivation. He’d felt his progress speed up lately—perhaps Jiang Yingying could teach him more. Then he remembered she’d asked him to come by for something. Patting his head at his forgetfulness, he hurried to her room.

He knocked three times. Hearing Jiang Yingying’s footsteps inside, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

The door creaked open, and he saw her looking utterly exhausted. He asked in concern, “Sister Yingying, why do you look so worn out? Didn’t you rest?”

“This place is a dragon’s lair—we’re in danger at any moment. Who has the heart to sleep? Come in,” she replied, exasperated.

Su Mu stepped inside. At once, he spotted a small bundle on the table and reached for it, but Jiang Yingying pressed a hand over his, her expression solemn.

“Su Mu, you’re still young, but after all we’ve been through, I’m half your teacher now. Don’t you agree?”

“Sister Yingying, you’re more than that! I’d kneel and call you master right now if you asked!” Su Mu said, already dropping to his knees.

Jiang Yingying caught him. “It’s enough that you feel that way. Since you see me as your teacher, there are some things I must tell you, and you must remember them well.”

“I promise, I’ll never forget,” Su Mu replied earnestly.

Jiang Yingying caressed the bundle, clearly reluctant to part with it. After a moment, she sat at the table and gestured for Su Mu to sit as well.

“The item in this bundle is of utmost importance. It’s the only thing I brought out of the Jiang family. You don’t need to know what it is. Things are growing more dangerous, and if anything happens to me, you must take this and flee—run as far as you can, never come back for me. Remember, this is more important than my life. You must guard it with yours. Do you understand?”

Su Mu was shocked, waving his hands. “No, no! Sister Yingying, we’re like family. Wherever we go, we go together! I won’t run away alone—that’s not what a true man does!”

She smiled gently. “What kind of man are you, so young and already boasting?”

Su Mu bristled. “A true man isn’t defined by age. If he knows loyalty and righteousness, he’s a true man!”

“Oh? And who told you that?”

“The opera singers in town always say so,” Su Mu replied shamelessly, as if there was nothing wrong with the claim.

Jiang Yingying said, “Do as I say, not as you please. If you’re stubborn and this bundle falls into the wrong hands, I’ll haunt you even in death. Understand?”

Jiang Yingying’s stern tone made Su Mu promise reluctantly, though inside he was determined never to leave her.

Her tone softened as she patted his head. “Just do as you’re told. Things may not come to that—we still have a good chance of escaping. You keep asking where we’re headed and who we’re looking for—today I’ll tell you.”

Su Mu perked up his ears.

“It’s three days’ journey from here. Leave Yuma County through the north gate, keep heading northeast, and you’ll reach a river called Peach Blossom River—though locals call it the Blood River. If you can cross that, you’ll be there.”

“That place is called the Immortal’s Burial Valley—a land of great peril. Its master is a remarkable figure. Even if we trained for centuries, we couldn’t match her. People call her the Blood Marigold Immortal.”

“What does that name mean?”

Jiang Yingying shook her head. “I don’t know. It may have to do with her cultivation method. You can’t enter the valley without a token—here, take this.” She produced a small, blood-red item from her bosom, no bigger than a thumb, neither metal nor wood, its material unidentifiable.

“Keep this on you at all times. When the time comes, hold it in your mouth and you’ll be able to enter. Otherwise, you’ll die at the gate.”

Su Mu tucked it carefully into his clothes and comforted her, “Sister Yingying, I’ll remember everything you said. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

She smiled. “Just setting up contingencies. Remember to guard the bundle, and don’t open it, all right?” Seeing Su Mu nod, she said, “Now, your pulse force is forming much faster lately, but you waste too much of it. Let me teach you how to use it more efficiently.”

So the two, one teaching and one learning, sat together as night fell.