With the Blade

Chapter 310: Chapter 261: Peaceful Life and Joyful Work

"Is it always like this around here?"

Listening to the powerful roaring from inside the house, Tao Wuli’s heart twitched.

From any angle, this valley is an excellent place to retreat, with crisscrossed paths and the sounds of chickens and dogs. Whether young or old, everyone’s face is brimming with happiness. Tao Wuli even once thought of tearing up his official papers and simply settling here, as this place seemed so wonderful.

But just moments ago, that earth-shaking roar... the malice and killing intent contained within the roar made him shiver, even from a distance.

Perhaps this place isn’t as peaceful as it seems?

"Oh, the old man isn’t like this every day, it’s mainly because we lost quite a few family members this time."

The prisoner who had brought Tao Wuli out looked increasingly embarrassed.

"Many relatives have died. It’s understandable for the clan leader to be angry and curse a bit."

"This... alright."

Tao Wuli thought for a moment but still pressed his doubts deep down.

The environment here just seemed too perfect.

Clear mountains and fresh waters, birds singing and flowers fragrant, no madmen, no monsters. Amidst such stability and peace, Tao Wuli even heard the sounds of students reading out loud.

As a scholar himself, Tao Wuli instinctively looked around, growing even more fond of this environment.

In such a beautiful place, where people are eager to learn, it’s simply...

"Is there even a school here? Where is it?"

"Not over there, look up."

The prisoner raised his hand to point, and Tao Wuli followed his gaze.

It was then that he saw that this valley actually had a mountain peak standing within it, although rather than a peak, it was more like a thirty-foot high hill. The sound of children reading came from up high, leaving Tao Wuli dumbfounded.

"There... up there?"

"Yeah, up there."

The prisoner nodded.

"Originally, we planned to build it on flat ground, but later we thought it would be good for the children to exercise their muscles, so we made a small mountain. This way, when the kids go to study, they have to climb a mountain first, which counts as exercise."

"It’s indeed a method... wait, did you say made a mountain?"

Tao Wuli was growing increasingly confused.

What do you mean by made a mountain? He couldn’t quite understand.

"Just made a mountain."

The prisoner had a nonchalant look.

"We moved rocks and soil, solidified the foundation, and built the mountain... oh, you’re asking who did it, right? Mr. Du did it; he’s very skilled in this area."

Immediately, the prisoner began praising, and through his words, Tao Wuli seemed to see a hidden immortal wielding infinite power, shifting mountains and seas, bridging rivers—just like the area’s reversed river and this mountain peak were both the handiwork of Mr. Du.

"No wonder, no wonder..."

At that moment, all of Tao Wuli’s doubts were answered.

It turned out to be the abode of a legendary immortal, no wonder it was so peaceful and serene.

Compared to the almost frenetic world outside, this place was simply...

"It’s a pity."

Tao Wuli sighed.

"I still have to leave."

"What do you mean, you don’t have anywhere to go?"

"I... sigh."

Tao Wuli simply sighed.

Although he wanted to stay here as a recluse and avoid worldly matters, he ultimately had to go out once. Whether it was the abrupt death of his elderly servant on the road or the perilous encounter in Dengzhou City, if he couldn’t turn all this into a report and present it, he wouldn’t be able to quell his anger.

To submit a report, he needed an official position at least. To actually gain one, he had to take up his post first—fortunately, Longzhou was not far from here. After reporting, he could return here eventually.

In the end, although he yearned for the beautiful life here, he couldn’t let go of Da Chen completely.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been banished by a single document to a place thousands of miles away.

"In any case... I’ll be back in two or three months at the least, or five or six months at the most, and I’ll return to have a drink with you."

"Alright, by the time you come, the teachers should have your courtyard ready."

Seeing Tao Wuli determined to leave, the prisoner was quite carefree.

"If you encounter any danger along the way, just say you’re from Wangyou Village; that should keep you somewhat safer... Of course, that’s not to say they won’t rob you, but they’ll spare your life and ask us for ransom instead."

"Ah, this."

Faced with the other’s subtle humor, Tao Wuli couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle.

Packing his belongings, Tao Wuli set off again. Even though he and the prisoner hadn’t exchanged names, in such fleeting encounters, there was no need for formalities—just as the prisoner said, he would return in a few months, and there would be plenty of time to chat then.

"I’m off!"

Following the prisoner back to the hidden passage, Tao Wuli waved and left.

He didn’t dare look back, didn’t dare savor the beauty once more, for fear that if he stayed a moment longer, he would waver and no longer want to leave.

After all, this place was too tranquil, too peaceful, without slaughter or bloodshed...

"He’s back."

Just as Tao Wuli had left the hidden passage, a blood-soaked figure fell from the sky.

Along with it, a still-bleeding head dropped down.

"Not my blood, it’s someone else’s."

Landing back on the ground, Du Chengfeng took the towel handed by a fellow villager.

"The person in charge of Dengzhou is really inconsiderate. They actually prepared over five hundred guards to kill me. Fortunately, I’m trained and managed to kill them all; otherwise, it would have been me dead... By the way, help me wipe the blood off my back, I trained too much and can’t quite reach."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Du."

The villager who had seen Tao Wuli off quickly grabbed another towel and helped wipe the blood off Du Chengfeng’s back.

"What about the others...?"

"Those hostages? Xiao Cui’s over there, he can’t fly, so I came back first to report safe and sound."

Du Chengfeng had a nonchalant expression.

"Don’t worry, I checked, and there’s no strong adversary near Dengzhou, at least no one who can beat Xiao Cui... Besides, Xiao Cui wanted to try his sword, so let him cut some Evil Qi."

"Mr. Cui took action, then there should be no problem."

The villager immediately felt relieved.

"I wonder how many people Mr. Cui can kill..."

"What kind of talk is that? What do you mean by how many people?"

Du Chengfeng shook his head repeatedly.

"Don’t talk about killing all the time; we came here just to live a peaceful life."

"Right, right, absolutely."

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the villager laughed awkwardly, quickly continuing to wipe the dense red blood from Du Chengfeng’s back.