After chatting animatedly for a while, the group of men from the martial arts world paid their bill and left the teahouse.
It seemed they wanted to hurry on their way so as not to miss this grand event at the Flowing Cloud Sect.
After they left, the people at the other two tables also started to pay their bills and leave.
Lu Qing glanced at their backs a few times, a thoughtful expression on his face.
After finishing two pots of tea and devouring all the steamed buns, Lu Qing and his companions rested for a long time until the horses were full and well-rested before continuing their journey.
"Dr. Chen, I never expected that the Liuyun Sect would cause such a big incident."
"I am surprised," Wei Zian said in the carriage.
"Yes, I thought they would be extremely anxious about their young sect leader's disappearance, but I never expected them to use this as an excuse to further exploit and plunder other smaller forces," Magu sighed.
Only Lu Qing remained silent, his expression thoughtful.
The old doctor noticed his expression and asked, "Aqing, what are you thinking about?"
“Master, I’m thinking, the young sect leader of the Liuyun Sect clearly died in Qingfeng Town, and none of the other Liuyun Sect disciples escaped at the time.”
Logically, the Flowing Cloud Sect shouldn't have been so quick to confirm the death of their young sect leader; at most, they should have assumed he was missing.
"But why has the news already spread throughout Yunzhou?" Lu Qing asked, puzzled.
“That’s right.” Ma Gu also realized, “We came from Qingfeng Town without any delay, but judging from what those martial artists said just now, it seems that we had just killed that young sect leader not long ago, and the Liuyun Sect already knew about the news of their young sect leader’s death. It is indeed a bit strange.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Qing's heart stirred slightly.
"Ah Qing, have you thought of something?" the old doctor asked, seeing this.
"That's true. I'm thinking that the Flowing Cloud Sect must have some kind of extraordinary treasure that can determine the life or death of their young sect leader in a short time. Otherwise, it's a bit hard to explain."
"Such a rare treasure exists in the world?" Ma Gu exclaimed in surprise. "According to the map given by Master Fang, the Flowing Cloud Sect is a thousand miles away from Qingfeng Town!"
“There are all sorts of wonders in this world, and it’s not to say that such extraordinary treasures don’t exist. Take, for example, the large cauldron in Zian’s house. Before you’ve seen it, could you have imagined that such a magical object existed in the world?” Lu Qing said with a smile.
Magu recalled the strange cauldron he had seen in the underground cave of the Wei family, and for a moment he was speechless.
Indeed, before seeing that magical cauldron with his own eyes, he really couldn't imagine that there were such incredible treasures in the world.
The old doctor, however, did not question Lu Qing's words.
He knew that Lu Qing possessed a cultivation inheritance. Since he dared to say such a thing, he must have figured out how the Flowing Cloud Sect had confirmed the death of the young sect master.
The carriage fell silent again, and Lu Qing fell into deep thought once more.
Indeed, he did have some suspicions.
If the Flowing Cloud Sect truly confirmed Mo Xuan's death using methods such as life tablets or soul tablets, it means that someone within the Flowing Cloud Sect had also obtained a cultivation inheritance.
At the very least, they must have obtained some magical artifacts.
In that case, their trip to the Flowing Cloud Sect might be subject to some changes.
However, even if there are any changes, Lu Qing is not worried.
Not to mention that Master has not only broken through in cultivation but has also become a Qi Refiner. His spiritual power is increasing every day, and his strength is no less than that of a Great Perfection of the Innate Realm.
Speaking for himself, if he were really pushed to the limit, he would break through directly and enter the Innate Realm.
By then, his cultivation level would have increased dramatically, and he would have condensed innate true qi, in addition to the Qiankun Qi Bag and the Earth Spirit Pearl, two great spiritual artifacts.
His combat power is probably even more exaggerated than his master's, and he is not afraid of anyone at all.
By then, even if a true cultivator suddenly appears in the Flowing Cloud Sect, he is confident he can beat him so badly he won't even be able to find his teeth.
The carriage moved slowly and leisurely.
Knowing that the major sects of Yunzhou would be heading to Liuyun Sect to demand an explanation in a few days, Lu Qing and his group were no longer in a hurry to travel.
At their speed, they should be able to reach Liuyun Sect in three days.
You can also watch a great show for free, why not?
As evening approached, the carriage came to a stop.
"Doctor, it's getting dark, and there's a dilapidated temple ahead. I think we'll have to spend the night there," Magu said.
"Just park there," the old doctor nodded.
Anyway, they had been sleeping in the wild most of the time, so they were used to it. They were lucky to have a dilapidated temple for shelter.
Magu drove the carriage slowly toward the ruined temple.
Once inside, they discovered it was a small, abandoned mountain god temple.
and......
Lu Qing glanced at the horses outside the temple and felt a slight unease; it seemed that someone had already occupied this place before them.
When the people in the temple heard the commotion of the carriage, two people came out to check. As soon as they saw each other, both sides were stunned.
Lu Qingwei paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.
What a coincidence!
It turned out that the two people who came out were a young man and woman carrying long swords, and they had just seen each other at noon.
It was one of the other tables of people who were resting and drinking tea in the teahouse.
Magu was also somewhat stunned when he saw the young couple.
However, he quickly realized what was happening and stepped forward politely, saying, "Greetings, young lady and young master."
"Oh, you're welcome. I've met you all before. I didn't expect to meet you here again."
The young couple then came to their senses and quickly said...
They clearly recognized Lu Qing and the others.
"Yes, it is fate that we meet. You two, is there still a place in this temple where we can take shelter from the cold mist and morning dew?"
At this moment, the old doctor stepped forward and said gently.
"Yes, yes, this temple looks small from the outside, but it's quite spacious inside. If you guys don't mind, you can squeeze in."
Seeing that the old doctor had a kind face and that Lu Qing and his companions didn't seem like bad people, the young couple relaxed their guard and quickly said...
"Then thank you both very much."
After expressing their gratitude, the old doctor led Lu Qing and the others, following the young couple, into the temple, while Ma Gu went to park the carriage.
There was a small front courtyard inside. Passing through the courtyard, you would reach the hall where the mountain god was enshrined.
Upon entering the hall, one sees three other people inside: a plump middle-aged man and two young men.
"Ping'er, who are those people outside?"
The plump middle-aged man saw the girl go in and casually asked a question.
“Father, it’s Dr. Chen and his companions whom we met at the teahouse around noon. They just arrived here and, seeing that it’s getting late, they also want to come in and stay the night,” the girl replied.
"Dr. Chen?"
The chubby middle-aged man looked at Lu Qing and his group.
The old doctor stepped forward and said politely, "My surname is Chen, and I am a doctor. These are my disciple and servant. We were in such a hurry that we didn't pay attention to our journey. It's getting dark, and we wonder if you could do us the favor of letting us stay here for the night?"
"Dr. Chen, you're too kind. This place is unclaimed and anyone can stay here. We've only arrived a little earlier and are not the owners of this place, so there's no question of us borrowing it. It's not easy being away from home. If you don't mind, please squeeze in with us."
The chubby middle-aged man also recognized the old doctor and the others.
After all, their group was quite special, including not only elderly people with gray hair and beards, but also children as young as a few years old, making them hard not to leave a deep impression.
"Thank you very much. May I ask your name?"
"My surname is Xu..."
While the old doctor and the plump middle-aged man were chatting, Lu Qing and Wei Zian found a spot to clean up.
On the other side, the girl named Ping'er came to Xiao Yan and looked at Xiao Li in her arms with a face full of curiosity.
"Little sister, what are you holding?"
"Hello, sister," Xiaoyan called out sweetly. "Its name is Xiaoli, and it's my best friend."
"Xiao Li?" The girl looked at Xiao Li, who had squinted its eyes, and liked it more and more. "It's so cute, can I touch it?"
"You'll have to ask Xiao Li for that," Xiao Yan said, looking down at Xiao Li.
Xiao Li opened her eyes, glanced at the girl, then turned her head to the other side and continued to pretend to sleep.
The two little ones have been spending every day together and have long since developed a deep understanding of each other.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately understood what Xiao Li meant.
She could only apologize, saying, "I'm sorry, sister, Xiao Li doesn't like being touched by strangers."
"I see." The girl also noticed Xiao Li's actions and was somewhat disappointed.
However, she was soon drawn to something else.
"Little sister, you just said you wanted to ask it, does this little beast understand what you're saying?"
"Yes, Xiao Li is amazing! It can understand what we're saying," Xiao Yan said proudly.
Upon hearing this, the girl became even more amazed by Xiao Li.
But when she saw Xiao Li's aloof expression, she felt a wave of frustration.
Her eyes darted around, and after thinking for a moment, she asked, "Little sister, do you know what Xiao Li likes to eat?"
“Xiao Li likes to eat fish!” Xiao Yan said without hesitation.
"You like eating fish?"
Upon hearing this, the girl immediately became distressed.
Their bags contained everything except fish.
After all, fish has a strong fishy smell, and for no reason, no one would carry fish in their luggage when traveling.
"Besides fish, does Xiaoli like to eat dried meat? I have a lot of dried meat in my bag," the girl asked hopefully.
However, Xiaoyan shook her head: "I don't really like it. Xiaoli loves fish the most, and rarely eats dried meat."
"What about the dry rations...?"
Wei Zian, who was cleaning, secretly chuckled as he watched the girl trying her best to please Xiao Li.
Xiao Li is quite arrogant.
Aside from Xiaoyan and Lu Qing, he had never seen it be affectionate towards anyone else.
He ignores everyone, no matter who they are.
Even Dr. Chen rarely approaches it on his own initiative.
Just like his mother, who has tried every possible way to build a good relationship with Xiao Li over the past two years.
As a result, despite bribing Yu countless times, the number of times he actually managed to hug Xiao Li was very few.
This girl's idea of winning Xiao Li's favor with just a little food is simply wishful thinking.
Sure enough, no matter what methods the girl used in the following time, she was unable to get close to Xiao Li.
Even when she took out her most treasured and favorite pastries, she couldn't get Xiao Li to open her eyes to look at them.
On the contrary, Xiaoyan benefited from the meal and ate several delicious pastries.
Later, Xiao Li found the woman too annoying, so she simply jumped out of Xiao Yan's arms, onto Lu Qing's shoulder, and snuggled into his embrace to hide.
This left the girl completely helpless, and she could only feel frustrated.
After all, men and women are different, and as a woman, she dared not bother a strange man.
This scene naturally caught the attention of the old doctor and the chubby middle-aged man.
"Dr. Chen, your little beast is quite intelligent; my daughter was being presumptuous," said the plump middle-aged man.
"It's alright. Xiao Li has a rather eccentric personality. It rarely gets close to us, except for A Qing and Xiao Yan. Please don't take offense, Miss Xu," the old doctor said with a smile.
"I see, then this little beast certainly has a personality," the chubby middle-aged man said in realization.
"By the way, Mr. Xu, I heard you say earlier that you are going to the Liuyun Sect?" the old doctor asked.
“That’s right. Doctor Chen must have heard it at the teahouse at noon. Something big is about to happen at the Flowing Cloud Sect. I’m here with my disciples to travel and broaden their horizons. How can we miss such a grand event?”
"But didn't those martial arts practitioners at noon say that the Flowing Cloud Sect has always been arrogant and domineering? Mr. Xu, aren't you afraid of danger going there?"
"Haha, the Flowing Cloud Sect is now facing a joint attack from many sects in Yunzhou. They're probably struggling to protect themselves, so how could they possibly care about idle people like us? Besides, although I'm not very talented, I do have some ability to protect my disciples," the round, chubby middle-aged man laughed.
"Mr. Xu is amazing," the old doctor couldn't help but praise.
"By the way, Dr. Chen, where are you headed this time?" the chubby middle-aged man asked.
"We originally intended to travel to the territory under the control of the Liuyun Sect, but after hearing what those martial arts practitioners said at noon, we are now in a dilemma."
"The Flowing Cloud Sect is about to enter the vortex of the storm in Yunzhou. If we go there now, we might easily get caught up in it," the old doctor said hesitantly.
“I knew it was something, what’s so difficult about it?” The round, middle-aged man laughed. “Doctor Chen, since you are also traveling, you shouldn’t miss this good show. This time, most of the sects and forces in Yunzhou will be there. It would be a pity to miss it.”
"But......"
"No buts, it's rare that we get along so well, Dr. Chen. If you're worried about your safety on the road, why don't you set off with us tomorrow? It'll be good to have someone to look after you on the road. With us here, ordinary scoundrels will definitely not be able to do anything to you!" the chubby middle-aged man said cheerfully.
Seeing the composure on the round, middle-aged man's face, the old doctor pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, my master and I will shamelessly take advantage of Mr. Xu's kindness."
"No need to be so polite, it's settled then!"
The girl standing nearby overheard their conversation and was pleasantly surprised.
If they were to travel together tomorrow, wouldn't she have more time to get closer to Xiao Li?
Thinking of this, the girl immediately went to find Xiao Yan, hoping to find out more about Xiao Li's preferences from her.
Lu Qing was somewhat surprised to learn that his master had decided to set off with the chubby middle-aged man and others the next day.
However, he didn't ask anything, but continued to busy himself with his work, preparing dinner for everyone.
Before long, a rich fragrance began to emerge, slowly filling the entire mountain god temple.
