Chapter 128: Inquiries Amidst the Mountains

“Master, so when you told me to travel light, it was actually to have me carry your things.”

In a secluded mountain area, the sound of movement came from a secret path overgrown with weeds. A man dressed in a sturdy outfit hurried along the path, glancing around before signaling to those behind him.

Soon, more than twenty men dressed similarly appeared, moving quickly. Each was vigorous and robust, their hair tied with silk ribbons and wooden pins, yet all bore the refined demeanor of scholars.

These were students from the prefecture academy of Jizhou, the second group sent out on a hunting expedition. They had been traveling for five days, now swiftly making their way through the Nanling Mountains.

Song Mu, dressed in pale blue sturdy clothes, followed among them. Unlike the other scholars who carried only a single book case on their backs, Song Mu had two bundles hanging in front of him, and was also holding a package in his hands.

Ahead of him, Tao Fengming, clad in a green robe, walked with empty hands, chewing on a piece of dried meat, his steps unhurried.

Though Tao Fengming heard Song Mu’s question, his expression remained unchanged, his dark eyes beneath disheveled hair flashing with occasional vigilance.

Behind Song Mu, several scholars exchanged looks, some barely suppressing smiles, but all kept their heads down and continued onward.

Song Mu held the bundle in his hands, feeling a twinge of bitterness. Since leaving the academy, Tao Fengming had somehow gathered two large bundles and entrusted them to him, which, combined with his own book case, now contained a substantial load.

The combined weight was no less than eighty pounds.

Fortunately, having trained at the martial arts hall for a month with daily weighted runs, and after a thorough cleansing of his spirit, Song Mu was still able to keep pace on the mountain trail despite the burden.

He glanced down at the small bundle he held—it contained neatly arranged strips of dried meat, seemingly beef jerky, but the color was a translucent amber. Each piece was meticulously uniform, hinting at a special origin.

Song Mu couldn’t quite fathom it; his master seemed to be chewing dried meat constantly, and the items he carried for him were mostly these jerky bundles.

Perplexed, Song Mu’s attention was drawn ahead as a messenger among the scholars conveyed news.

“We have found a temporary resting place. Everyone stop to drink some water and eat to replenish your energy.”

Hearing this, Song Mu’s face lit up, quickening his pace.

At that moment, a figure came alongside him and quietly asked, “Jingzhao, where exactly is our destination this time?”

Song Mu turned to see Xue Kaiwen, looking equally weary, and could only shake his head with a helpless expression.

Since leaving the academy, they had first traveled south by boat, then proceeded along official roads. Yesterday, at a mountain pass, following Tao Fengming’s command, they entered the mountains.

Xue Kaiwen sighed, wiping sweat from his brow, his gaze fixed ahead.

“Do you think we’ll be able to catch a fish demon this time?”

No sooner had he spoken than the path ahead opened into a bamboo grove, revealing a dilapidated mountain god temple partially hidden among the stalks.

The group settled on moss-covered stone steps and beside toppled statues. Song Mu followed closely behind Tao Fengming, pulling out his water flask and opening it.

“Jingzhao, sit down and have some hot tea,” Tao Fengming said, producing a small teapot seemingly from nowhere. He poured water from Song Mu’s flask into it, and soon steam rose in gentle wisps.

This miraculous act unfolded before Song Mu’s eyes; he clicked his tongue in quiet admiration and accepted the teacup Tao Fengming handed him.

The first sip of the warm tea instantly dispelled much of the chill that seeped through the autumn mountain air.

Tao Fengming drank contentedly, while the surrounding scholars looked on in astonishment, clearly surprised by his skill.

Xue Kaiwen stared intently at Tao Fengming and the teapot, scanning them for any clue.

“Master, we’ve been traveling all day. It feels like we’re heading southeast. Are we going to cross the Nanling Mountains straight into Yuezhou?” Song Mu asked.

Tao Fengming took a sip of tea and shook his head.

“Not necessarily. I told you, wherever there are demons, that’s where we go.”

Song Mu was momentarily speechless, unsure of his meaning, and looked up at Tao Fengming again.

“The vast mountains of the south are riddled with demon territories and magical disturbances.”

“You’re not like the first group. The monsters in these forests alone will be enough for you to slay.”

With that, Tao Fengming beckoned to the resting group. A sturdy man named Xiao Xiong stood and approached.

“Sir, what are your orders?”

Xiao Xiong stepped forward respectfully, his gaze briefly sweeping over Song Mu.

He wore black sturdy clothes, a long sword and quiver at his waist, a longbow on his back, and held an iron staff in his hand—a formidable warrior’s appearance.

Song Mu couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at him. Tao Fengming then spoke to Xiao Xiong.

“Take two or three men and head four hundred meters south down the mountain. You’ll see a towering camphor tree. Two woodcutters are sitting beneath it, and their situation looks troubling. Go check on them, and ask about any demon activity in these woods.”

After speaking, Tao Fengming blew softly on his teapot and took another gentle sip, his words light yet precise, as if the scene was unfolding before his eyes.

Song Mu turned to look south, but the dense forest obscured any view; he could see nothing far ahead.

This startled him. Gazing at Tao Fengming, he thought perhaps it was his spiritual power that explained everything.

To think Tao Fengming’s spiritual perception was so formidable that he could effortlessly scout four hundred meters away with such clarity.

Xiao Xiong remained calm and nodded before turning to gather a few men and prepare to move out.

Suddenly, Tao Fengming called out again.

“Bring Song Mu along. Those two seem frightened; let him approach and inquire.”

“Me?” Song Mu was taken aback, looking uncertainly at Tao Fengming. Xiao Xiong merely saluted, and Song Mu resignedly unloaded his packs, took up his weapons, and followed the group down the mountain.

…

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