"Did you find out what is ailing the village?" Mingshen greeted his sister when she returned to the carriage.
Anji nodded, and Gu Ying urged her young mistress to change her clothes while she prepared the hot water and alcohol that the villagers gifted for sterilising. Blocked from getting close to Anji, Mingshen could only exercise patience. It didn’t really matter. He had two pigeons to roast over the fire. Hunting while keeping an eye on the horse was difficult. He did not have Gu Ying’s talent for tracking animals or fishing, as he was overly spoiled by city life.
Twenty minutes later, after the sun had set, Anji joined her older brother. Gu Ying made sure she had a thorough bath and took it upon herself to do laundry, sterilising the clothes they wore so nobody would catch the illness. Curious, Mingshen asked for the full story, which Anji provided with great detail.
"In other words, the gum was the problem. Are you sure you don’t want to stay a day or two here to ensure they would be fine?" he asked.
Shaking her head. Anji knew in her heart she was still worried for them. However, they were in a rush. Her big brother departed the Celestial Dragon Mountain earlier so they would not have to travel without stopping to smell the flowers. However, that did not mean Anji could take a huge detour. Her teacher, who saved her life, was waiting for her. Although they frequently exchanged letters, Anji was dying to know how Yan Ping’s cultivation level was. The blind prophet had sacrificed too much for Anji. Despite sending the persimmon leaves, there was no guarantee her teacher could recover to the Divine Core in three years.
"The villagers would recover in a few days. The most serious symptoms will greatly reduce by tomorrow morning. I will check on the villagers one last time tomorrow before we leave. It’s a shame I can’t make charcoal pills for them with the little grindstone I brought with me."
Due to the limited number of items Anji was allowed to take with her, she could not pack all her medical equipment. Doctor He gifted her a small pouch of acupuncture needles. The bigger mortar and pestle set was left behind. Anji only brought the small grindstone to assist with her pill production. However, due to the small size, the number of pills Anji could produce at any one point in time was limited. Even if she stayed up all night making charcoal pills, there would not be enough to distribute to everyone in that village. Hence, ground charcoal porridge was the best advice she could give everyone. It would taste awful, but it would also neutralise the poison.
While Anji and Mingshen talked, sharing oiled pancakes and roasted pigeons, Gu Ying excused herself to hunt for more food. There wasn’t enough food for the two children, and they would get hungry again when night came, even if they had eaten snacks earlier.
"After this village, we will finally be leaving the borders of our sect’s territory," Mingshen informed his sister. "Although not many people would be silly enough to cause trouble for us, not everybody is friendly to cultivators. It is better not to introduce yourself as the youngest princess of the Celestial Dragon Sect."
Agreeing, Anji finally understood why her older brother prepared this horse carriage and dressed like a scholar. Other people might think they were from a rich family who were travelling for fun. Gu Ying was the only person wielding a sword. She looked closer to a pugilist or hired mercenary than a cultivator. Although they would still attract attention, it was less dangerous.
Unfolding a scroll, Mingshen showed Anji a painted map. The route they were taking to the Mystical Qilin Mountain would pass through several smaller towns and much of the countryside. Similar to the Celestial Dragon Sect, the Mystical Qilin Sect’s mountain was very secluded. Part of Anji thought it was even more secluded than her sect because there was not even a village at the foot of that mountain. The nearest civilisation to the Mystical Qilin Sect was three days away on foot. Apparently, the founder of the sect bought the land deed to several mountains in the area. Not even the emperor could enter that privately owned mountain range without permission.
"The fastest way there would be through this dense bamboo grove. The horse carriage will not be able to pass through it, so I told father to give us more time while we circle around it."
Anji studied the alternate route. To avoid that bamboo grove, they had to pass a valley that many merchants used to transport their goods. It was known to be a lawless area and one of the most dangerous in their three weeks of travel. Mingfeng ordered extra security in Anji’s escort arrangement. Hence, Mingshen would be meeting up with someone Anji was familiar with in that valley town.
"The White Tiger Sect Leader will be meeting us there at the inn I reserved," Mingshen explained. "He will accompany us from the valley till you reach the border of the Mystical Qilin Sect."
Thrilled at her reunion with Bai Dajin, Anji nodded happily. Just then, they heard a rustling sound. Alarmed, Mingshen guarded Anji but relaxed when he realised it was only Gu Ying. The bodyguard returned with a surprisingly huge haul. Anji clapped with joy at the five rabbits Gu Ying brought back.
Finishing her food quickly, Anji offered to help Gu Ying prepare the water while she skinned the rabbits. Unused to such sights, Mingshen felt queasy and excused himself. Before he left, Gu Ying stopped him briefly. Anji was fairly occupied, so she took the chance to report her findings. Content originally comes from novelFɪre.net
"The fake doctor is not related to the demonic cult," she whispered. "I caught him lurking around the area."
Turning serious, Mingshen demanded to know what happened to the man.
"Disposed," Gu Ying confirmed. "No affiliations with any current big clans. No other traces or allies. He likely acted alone."
Nodding in satisfaction, Mingshen thanked the reliable bodyguard. Even if this was an escort mission, nobody could let down their guard until Anji was safely within the Mystical Qilin Mountain boundary. The Gentleman Club had too many enemies, and no matter how careful they were, the demon cult knew Mingshen’s face. Even with his disguise, nobody could be too sure.