It seemed it had either rained heavily or a strong wind had blown recently.
Many of the stones that had been on the mountainside had rolled down onto the main road.
As the carriage passed, it bumped and jolted over the stones.
Ali was woken by the jolting, his eyes hazy with sleep.
He looked around in confusion, rubbed his eyes, and asked me,
“Where are we?”
“We’re on our way to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest.”
“The Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest!”
His sleepy face registered surprise, disbelief.
“How did we suddenly end up going to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest?”
Ali was puzzled. He only remembered sleeping soundly on the floor mat.
How was it that upon waking, he was on the road to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest?
I explained to him.
“I only just found out myself. Young Master Jin was afraid Liu Shinian would cause trouble,
so he brought us out ahead of schedule.”
“But I didn’t feel anything at all.”
He said the exact same thing as me, equally confused. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahaha, that’s because they carried us downstairs while we were fast asleep.”
“What about Ada?”
He also noticed Ada wasn’t around.
I said,
“Ada? Young Master Jin sent him back to Beishen Capital.”
“That’s true. Him coming along wouldn’t have done any good, only increased the danger.”
“Yes, it’s just a shame we didn’t get to say goodbye to Liu Shinian. I wonder what he’ll think.”
“I think Big Brother will be very upset.”
Indeed, these few people, scattered to the four winds before they could even bid farewell.
“Sigh!”
Another sigh of helplessness.
Ali got up and looked out. He saw the carriage entering the forest.
The forest path was quiet, the scattered tree shadows cast upon the dirt on both sides of the road.
He watched, captivated, then stretched his head further forward. Leaning behind him, I also looked out.
Suddenly, a cold wind swept through, and the trees in the forest swayed eerily.
Dead leaves swirled up on both sides of the road, filling us with confusion.
We wondered why there was still a cold wind this month.
Before we could figure it out, we suddenly heard a man and a woman singing a poem in the wind.
“Snow-kissed plum blossoms, twin blade rain,
Peerless, unmatched, feathered raiment.”
Ali curiously lifted his head to look.
Suddenly, a gleaming flying knife flew from the woods.
It whizzed straight into the wooden board next to Ali’s ear.
He flinched in fright and quickly pulled his head back.
Dao Lang seemed to sense something and asked,
“What’s going on?”
“A flying knife,”
Ali replied.
“Hand it over for me to see.”
I took down the flying knife and handed it to him.
He examined it closely and found that the flying knife was pure white.
In the center, there was an intricate镂空 (lòukōng - hollowed-out) star.
Without a second thought, we knew who the attackers were.
Fei Xiong leaned in to take a look and immediately recognized the owner of the flying knife, exclaiming in surprise,
“The Snow Blade Duo!”
“What are they doing here?”
Dao Lang was somewhat puzzled.
Rumor had it that the Snow Blade Duo appeared without a trace and vanished without a shadow, living in seclusion.
Now, why would they appear here?
As we speculated, we heard more “swish, swish, swish!” sounds from the wind.
Immediately after, several flying knives came hurtling towards us, striking near our carriage.
Dao Lang knew that with the opponents’ skill, killing us would be as easy as turning over a hand.
However, these attacks deliberately avoided vital points, clearly indicating they were testing us.
Guessing the general reason, Dao Lang immediately reined in his horse and jumped out of the carriage.
He cupped his hands and shouted towards the woods,
“We didn’t know esteemed guests were here. If we have caused any disturbance,
we beg you to be merciful and let us pass.”
The unseen individuals on the other side did not reply.
We thought we would pass safely, but then a flash of light suddenly struck our faces.
In an instant, a long sword was thrust through the air.
At that moment, a horse’s neigh was heard, and a figure descended from the sky, landing in front of me.
With a “clang,” two blades met.
In a blur, a white figure, like a fleeting white steed, darted into the woods.
I raised my eyes and saw that the person before me was Liu Shinian.
My heart was filled with excitement, yet I felt too shy to speak, only stammering,
“You, how did you get here?”
Liu Shinian retracted his sword, turned around, and asked softly,
“Mu Ye, Ali, are you alright?”
I nodded.
“We’re fine.”
Seeing him, Ali also exclaimed excitedly,
“Brother Liu, how did you get here too?”
Liu Shinian chuckled, then became indignant.
“That scoundrel Jin Yulan actually sent you out of the city behind my back.
I was worried you might be in danger, so I rushed over.”
Dao Lang said,
“I think this was Young Master Jin’s intention too, to have you follow us.”
“He said so. I don’t know what he’s really up to with that fake facade.”
Fei Xiong grinned heartily upon seeing him, very pleased.
“It’s good you’re here. You can keep us company.”
Seeing him, Liu Shinian also smiled.
“If it’s about drinking, let’s forget it. I really can’t compete with you all.”
Dao Lang burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, what old tales from years ago are you still remembering?”
“Thinking back to that time we drank for three days and three nights, I drank ten pots.
But you two drank like it was water, without a break for three days.
I was terrified by that sight.
For a long time after that, I didn’t touch alcohol at all,
just in case I remembered that horrifying scene again.”
Fei Xiong couldn’t help but laugh and said,
“We brothers don’t have many other skills, but when it comes to drinking, truly no one can match us.
However, it also depends on our mood. We had just met you then.
The three of us hit it off, so we couldn’t help but have a few extra drinks.
Normally, we’re not like that. Normally, we value decorum.”
“Hahaha”
Liu Shinian also couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Brother Fei, if anyone else said they valued decorum, I might believe them.
But now that you say it, I can hardly imagine it.”
“Hahaha, scholars have their decorum, drinkers have their decorum.”
“Hahaha”
Ali and I watched them laugh, looking completely bewildered.
We couldn’t figure out what was so funny.
Ali asked him,
“Brother Liu, how did you get here?”
He pointed to the side and said calmly,
“On horseback.”
The others followed his gaze and saw that behind the carriage, there was indeed a horse.
Dao Lang, quick as lightning, strode over, stepped into the stirrup, and mounted his swift horse.
His heart was filled with joy.
“Hahaha, if I had known you were coming, I would have prepared an extra horse.
That carriage is small and cramped. I’d rather ride my horse.”
“Alright, I’m also a bit tired. I’ll rest in the carriage.”
“Although the carriage isn’t large,
it’s more than enough to fit your three small frames.”
“Hahaha, indeed.”
Saying this, Liu Shinian got into the carriage, shooed Ali out, and took the reins.
He then took Ali’s spot, turned his head, and fell asleep, clearly exhausted.
With Dao Lang now riding alone, the task of driving the horse fell to Fei Xiong.
Recalling the recent events, Fei Xiong was still full of questions. He asked Dao Lang,
“Second Brother, were those the Snow Blade Duo just now? Why were they here too?”
After the brief skirmish, Dao Lang seemed to have understood something.
“I think they are also heading towards the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest.”
“It seems Young Master Jin didn’t just invite us, but also other experts.”
“Naturally. Perhaps he himself isn’t confident that we can succeed.
However, with the Snow Blade Duo present, given their skills,
whether it’s rescuing people or eliminating monsters, they’ll be no problem, essentially adding another layer of security.”
“Indeed. The Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest is so dangerous. With them here, it’s some assurance.”
Hearing them speak so highly of the Snow Blade Duo, I couldn’t help but become curious and asked them,
“Brothers, who are the Snow Blade Duo?”
Dao Lang, seeing my interest, began to tell me in detail about the origins of the Snow Blade Duo.
“Legend has it that the Snow Blade Duo were a martial brother and sister, who later became husband and wife.
The man was named Xue Gucheng, and the woman was named Yan Wushuang.
Both of them were skilled in using sabers, but their whereabouts were mysterious, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
And because their sabers both had the character ‘Xue’ (snow) in them,
people simply called them the Snow Blade Duo.”
“So that’s how it is.”
I understood the general idea, though not entirely.
Ali also became interested and chimed in,
“Rumor has it they are highly skilled, move with great speed, and their sword strikes are as fast as lightning.
In an instant, they can bring a person down. I saw it just now, the rumors are indeed true.”
“Fortunately, they didn’t intend to make things difficult for us, but were merely testing our capabilities.
It seems this journey to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest will be fraught with peril.”
Dao Lang sighed.
I turned to look at Liu Shinian. He could have stayed away, but he still came.
If I had the ability, I would definitely save him from his suffering.
After traveling for an unknown duration, the sky gradually darkened.
Dao Lang looked at the increasingly dim road ahead and said,
“Let’s rest here tonight. It’s too dark ahead to travel safely.”
So, Fei Xiong drove the carriage to the side of the road.
He dismounted and went to the roadside to start a bonfire.
Liu Shinian stretched lazily and slowly woke up.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Mu Ye and Ali staring at him.
Liu Shinian frowned, confused, and asked,
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong with me?”
Saying this, he reached up and touched his face. Ali explained,
“Brother Liu, you’ve been asleep all day. We thought something had happened to you.”
Liu Shinian gave an awkward smile and said,
“What could happen to me? What time is it now?”
Ali called out towards the outside of the carriage,
“Look, it’s already dark.”
“Is it? I didn’t realize I’d slept for so long.”
“Come out and sit with us. The wind tonight is very pleasant.”
Dao Lang called out to us from outside the carriage.
The three of us then slowly walked out of the carriage and came to the roadside.
We saw Fei Xiong and Dao Lang sitting on stones opposite each other.
Between them, a small campfire was burning.
Fei Xiong turned his head and said,
“Come and sit down quickly.”
The three of us found good spots and slowly sat down.
As Dao Lang had said, the wind tonight was indeed very pleasant.
Liu Shinian picked up a stick and poked at the embers, asking about the journey,
“How far is it to the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest from here?”
“About two to three days’ journey,”
Dao Lang replied.
Liu Shinian looked up at the dark, starry sky, then lowered his head to look at the fire and said,
“It seems it won’t be easy to reach the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest.”
“Yes, it’s not a good place to go.
Forget about walking, even birds have to take it step by step.
But who knows what dangers lie along the way.”
Fei Xiong chimed in,
“I think that’s not the most crucial part. The key is entering the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest.
What’s inside is not a place ordinary people can stay.”
Ali also said,
“I’ve heard about the terror of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest. I wonder if Master Zhang and the others are still safe.”
Dao Lang was still somewhat confident about this matter.
“They are all famous experts from the Four Cities. Their strength is naturally unquestionable.
Therefore, they should be safe. However, the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest is famously a great maze.
Even experts like the Snow Blade Duo might not be able to get out once they enter.”
“Then aren’t we also in great danger?”
Ali suddenly became worried.
Fei Xiong, however, said,
“Don’t worry. Since Boss Jin said that Mu Ye is the key to rescuing everyone,
then Mu Ye will naturally find a way.”
I gave an awkward smile, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Actually, I, I really don’t know anything.
I don’t know if I can really help.”
“You might not know, but that Fate Diviner who visited the Qianji Pavilion that day
is also a renowned figure. He only divines for those destined to meet him in his life.
Legend has it that a thousand years ago, he divined for a fallen nobleman.
He said the man had limitless potential and would one day attain a general’s rank.
As expected, within fifty years,
he had become the most famous general in Beishen Capital.”
Within fifty years, you really don’t take time seriously.
Fei Xiong also told us,
“Another most famous instance, I heard he divined for the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts.”
“What! The King of Ten Thousand Ghosts!”
Ali and I were shocked.
“Yes, you definitely wouldn’t know.
Everyone avoids mentioning the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, so no one brings it up.
Therefore, this matter is known to very few.
Today, I’ll tell it to you as a story.
Legend has it that a thousand years ago, Shui Xingyuan, also known as the Fate Diviner,
was still an unknown traveler.
Rumor has it that on one occasion, he descended the mountain to travel and passed by a village of the Ghost Tribe.
He saw that the place was filled with dark energy and abundant purple qi, which was very strange.
He then entered the village and saw a woman holding an infant, sitting under a ghost tree.
He approached to examine it. He saw that the infant was laughing joyfully.
He felt curious and divined for the child. Upon doing so, he was shocked.
The divination indicated that this person would be the future master of the ghosts, a demon that would wreak havoc in all directions.
Shui Xingyuan trembled in fear, lamented fate, and then left.
Legend has it that this was his first divination.
As expected, a hundred years later, the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts rose to prominence.
He gathered ghost tribesmen from all directions and engaged in a thousand-year battle with the Four Cities.
Until finally, he died at Mount Ten Thousand Ghosts.”
We listened intently, finding the story utterly marvelous.
After hearing it, everyone couldn’t help but praise,
“This Senior Shui Xingyuan truly has skill.”
“Although he doesn’t divine often, every divination he makes is renowned throughout the martial world.”
Ali suddenly said,
“Since he said that Mu Ye can save everyone,
then Mu Ye truly can save everyone.”
Liu Shinian had to admit,
“I’ve heard of his talent.
Whether it’s true or false,
since we’ve already come this far, we can only press onward.”
“Indeed.”
Dao Lang agreed with his statement.
Fei Xiong looked at the dark sky. It was already late at night, so he said,
“It’s late. Everyone should rest. We still have to travel tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Everyone agreed and found good spots to sleep.
Snow Blade Duo:
“Snow-kissed plum blossoms, twin blade rain,
Peerless, unmatched, feathered raiment.”
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang were traveling martial artists from Xiziguo.
Their true forms were ancient divine beasts, of the Phoenix clan, belonging to the Divine Race.
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang knew each other from childhood and studied under Xue Gucheng’s father, Xue Yingfeng.
After they came of age, they were married with the arrangement of their families.
The saber used by Xue Gucheng was named the Snow Saber, a family heirloom saber of the Xue clan.
The flying knife used by Yan Wushuang, the Snow Flying Knife, was forged from the special Snow clan’s cold ice profound iron.