darknovel Chapter 44 Guobei Village
Chapter 44 Guobei Village
After leaving Lanruo Temple, Zhou Ning headed north.
He did not ride a horse, but chose to walk.
Firstly, it allows them to stop and cultivate at any time; secondly, it allows them to inquire about news along the way and learn about the latest situation of the demonic calamity in the north.
After traveling for two days, he arrived at a small town called "Qingshi Town".
The town is small, with only a few dozen households, but it is located on a major transportation route, and merchants and travelers come and go in an endless stream.
Zhou Ning checked into an inn, intending to rest for the night before continuing his journey.
As night fell, he was meditating and regulating his breathing in his room when he suddenly felt a jade talisman in his bosom become slightly warm.
That was a communication jade talisman left to him by Yan Chixia. His master had said that if there was anything he needed to tell him, he would use this jade talisman to send a message.
Zhou Ning quickly took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of qi.
The jade talisman emitted a soft light, and Yan Chixia's voice echoed in his mind.
"Zhou Ning, where have you gone?"
Zhou Ning's heart stirred, and he responded with his divine sense:
"Master, your disciple has arrived in Qing Shi Town and will continue north tomorrow."
"Hmm." Yan Chixia's voice remained calm, but seemed to carry a hint of concern:
"Did you encounter any trouble on the way?"
Zhou Ning said, "Not for now. But I've heard a lot of news about the demonic calamity in the north along the way, and the situation seems to be more serious than expected."
"Tell me, what have you heard?"
Zhou Ning recounted all the information he had gathered along the way.
Several cities on the northern border have been breached by demons, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among the people.
The various sects are recruiting manpower, but progress is slow.
Many of the experts dispatched by the imperial court from the Demon Suppression Division also perished at the hands of demons...
After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said:
"Some of these reports are true, and some are false. The situation in the North is indeed serious, but it's not out of control yet. Although the major sects are slow to act, they are all making preparations in secret. The Imperial Demon Suppression Division is not as incompetent as you've heard."
Zhou Ning was taken aback: "Master means... someone is deliberately spreading rumors?"
"It may not be a rumor, but it certainly contains elements of exaggeration," Yan Chixia said.
"Although the Black Mountain Demon's power is strong, it is not yet strong enough to sweep across the world. The reason he creates panic everywhere is to make the major sects fight their own battles and not dare to make a move easily."
Zhou Ning asked thoughtfully, "Then what should this disciple do when he arrives in the North?"
"Don't rush to attack," Yan Chixia said.
"Once you reach the North, find the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau first and get a clear understanding of the situation. Remember, don't trust anyone, including the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau."
Zhou Ning solemnly replied, "This disciple understands."
Yan Chixia paused for a moment, then said, "You did a good job rescuing people in Black Mountain this time. Although you were a bit reckless, at least you didn't embarrass me."
Zhou Ning was overjoyed: "Master, you flatter me."
"You flatter me?" Yan Chixia snorted coldly. "I haven't finished yet."
His tone became stern:
"I won't pursue the matter of you using the Explosive Qi Pill. But I will remember that you used lightning magic without authorization and almost ruined yourself."
Zhou Ning said sheepishly, "This disciple knows he was wrong."
"It's good that you admit your mistake." Yan Chixia's tone softened somewhat:
"However, the fact that you were able to unleash lightning magic in front of Black Wind shows that your talent is indeed quite good."
"Thunder magic can subdue all evil and malevolent things. If you can master it, dealing with the people of Black Mountain will be much easier in the future."
Zhou Ning said, "Master, my lightning magic was just a fluke, it has no method at all. Could you please...?"
"No." Yan Chixia interrupted him:
"I can't teach you lightning techniques right now. That requires extremely high cultivation and a solid foundation. If you try to learn it now, you'll only suffer a qi deviation."
Zhou Ning was somewhat disappointed, but knowing that his master was right, he did not insist.
"Master, I have another question to ask you," he said.
"explain."
"What should I do if I encounter the Black Mountain Demon in the North?"
Yan Chixia remained silent for a long time.
Finally, his voice rang out again: "Run."
Zhou Ning was taken aback: "Run?"
"Yes, run," Yan Chixia said.
"The Black Mountain Demon's cultivation is far above yours. You can't even withstand a single move from him. If you encounter him, don't hesitate, run immediately. Run as far away as you can."
Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat: "This disciple will remember."
"And another," Yan Chixia added.
"The Taoist priest Lin you saved before has woken up."
Zhou Ning was overjoyed: "How is he?"
"His injuries haven't healed yet, but he's out of danger," Yan Chixia said.
He asked me to tell you something.
"What is it?"
"In Guobei County, there is a descendant of one of his old friends, surnamed Zhu, named Zhu Erdan."
"That Zhu Erdan is a scholar who has recently encountered some strange things. Master Lin originally wanted to handle it personally, but he is too badly injured to go. He asked you to go and see him on your way."
Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Guo Bei County... why didn't I hear of this person when I went there last time?"
"Zhu Erdan lives in the countryside of Guobei County, not in the county seat," Yan Chixia said.
"Master Lin said that Zhu Erdan's memory has suddenly become very good recently, he can remember everything he sees, but his personality has also changed a lot. He suspects that Zhu Erdan may have encountered something unclean."
Zhou Ning said, "Disciple understands. Disciple will go to Guobei County now to check on Zhu Erdan's situation before heading to the north."
"Okay." Yan Chixia said, "Be careful on the road. Contact me anytime if anything happens."
"Disciple understands."
The light of the jade talisman gradually dimmed, and Yan Chixia's voice also disappeared.
Zhou Ning carefully put away the jade talisman, sat on the edge of the bed, and pondered for a long time.
Zhu Erdan...
Photographic memory, drastic personality change...
This does sound rather strange.
He decided that early tomorrow morning, he would go to Guobei County to see what strange things had happened to the descendants of this old friend of Master Lin.
The next morning, Zhou Ning left Qingshi Town and headed southeast towards Guobei County.
Guobei County is not far from Qingshi Town, only a few dozen miles away.
Zhou Ning used his lightness technique and arrived in less than half a day.
Instead of going to the county town, he went directly to the countryside where Zhu Erdan lived, following the address provided by Master Lin.
Zhu Erdan's home is in a small village outside Guobei County.
The village is small, with only a few dozen households, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, in a tranquil environment.
Zhou Ning inquired at the village entrance and quickly found Zhu Erdan's house.
It was a small courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles, and a few bamboo trees planted in front of the door, giving it a scholarly atmosphere.
Zhou Ning stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Before long, a young scholar opened the door.
He was in his early twenties, with delicate features, but his complexion was somewhat pale and his eyes were sunken, making him look like he hadn't slept well for a long time.
"You are..." The scholar looked Zhou Ning up and down.
Zhou Ning cupped his hands in greeting: "My name is Zhou Ning, a friend of Master Lin. Master Lin asked me to come and see you."
The scholar's eyes lit up: "Master Lin? How is he?"
Zhou Ning said, "Master Lin was injured and is recuperating. He asked me to come and see you, saying that you have recently encountered some strange things."
The scholar's expression changed slightly. After a moment of silence, he stepped aside and said, "Please come in."
Zhou Ning followed the scholar into the courtyard.
Several flowers and trees were planted in the yard, and they were kept in a neat and orderly manner.
The desk was placed under the eaves, with a thick stack of books piled on it.
"Please sit down." The scholar gestured to the stone bench and sat down himself.
Zhou Ning sat down and asked bluntly, "Young Master Zhu, have you encountered anything unusual lately?"