Chapter 125: Like a Shadow Following—Ji Youyun

As expected, once the Dao cultivators awoke, chaos reigned for quite some time. Some wept, others shouted, and one Golden Core elder with a fire spirit root had suffered severe injuries. His emotions surged so violently that he nearly failed to draw another breath and died on the spot.

Dawn broke.

Freedom was so precious that those who had never lost it could never understand its worth.

The sky was so blue, the water so clear; there was the breeze, the earth, their companions, and the spiritual energy they had not felt in so long. Several of the Dao cultivators had plainly been imprisoned for many years. Though they did not lose control of themselves, they scooped up handfuls of earth and slowly rubbed it between their fingers. Others lay facedown on the ground, refusing to rise. The sight was enough to wring the heart.

Once they had composed themselves, the cultivators turned their attention to Red Note.

The woman who had rescued them all was mysterious in every way. Those who had suffered great calamities had long since abandoned their fantasies about other people. Pies did not suddenly fall from the sky. How were they supposed to repay such a life-saving favor?

Red Note, however, knew that if she wanted these people to become a source of support in the future, she absolutely could not make demands of them now. Only by generously leaving them in her debt could she persuade them to lower their guard. Given enough time, they might even seek out Trouble for Ji Youyun of their own accord.

Besides, one of them was Helian.

So Red Note merely watched the dozen or so people with a faint smile and said nothing, silently calculating how much longer it would take for Jing Xiaoyun to bring Lu Yanchang over so that he and Helian could recognize each other.

Since Red Note deliberately delayed matters, and since the Dao cultivators were still strangers to one another, they had to adjust to the enormous change in their circumstances, consider what to do next, and tend to the wounded. They could not move quickly. In that wilderness, they spent most of the day resting and regrouping.

Had Jing Xiaoyun's clansmen been moving to a new home, there would normally have been a long period of bustle and confusion. But Jing Xiaoyun was a Nascent Soul cultivator and stood alone; finding an opportunity to slip away would have been simple. Both she and Red Note had thought so, and messages arrived from Jing Xiaoyun at regular intervals. She had already packed even her accustomed belongings and her mother's keepsakes, ready to bundle everything up and leave the moment disorder broke out.

But just then, Red Note and everyone around her heard a tremendous crash from the direction of Cheng Family Village. A moment later, rolling thunder boomed again and again, mixed with a shrill howl like the winter north wind sweeping across the wasteland. Everyone turned toward the sound. Though it was impossible to see so far, they all noticed that the sky in that direction had suddenly darkened.

Something had happened!

The Dao cultivators could not yet determine the source of the noise, but Red Note and Cheng Qingqing immediately realized that someone was casting spells in Cheng Family Village—and there were quite a few of them. More precisely, someone was attacking the village.

The place where Red Note had brought them down was not far from the battlefield. If the conflict expanded, everyone here would be dragged into it.

Jing Xiaoyun hurriedly sent a message:

“Dao cultivators have come to attack us. Grandfather has gone out to meet them. There are so many enemies. Be careful, all of you. What should I do? Should I go find you?”

Red Note quickly replied:

“Go find Lu Yanchang at once. Don’t let him run about blindly.”

No sooner had she settled matters with Jing Xiaoyun than Cheng Qingqing received news as well. Her expression changed, and she stared at Red Note while transmitting through spiritual sense:

“Grandfather says that a large number of Dao cultivators suddenly arrived and Cheng Family Village has already been destroyed. He asked me to find out from you exactly what is going on.”

Red Note pretended not to notice the suspicion in Cheng Qingqing's eyes and answered calmly:

“If I could find them, naturally others could as well. Tell your grandfather to pay close attention to who they are.”

In truth, there was no need to verify it further. Red Note had already reached a conclusion. The only person who could have pursued them at a time like this was Ji Youyun.

No matter how carefully the people of the Heavenly Demon Sect concealed their movements, they had appeared in the Extreme Northern Glacier. Ji Youyun would always have some way to follow their trail. She did not know how things had gone when he went to break through the Heavenly Curtain, but with the Demon Refining Prison destroyed and Ji Youfeng in trouble, Ji Youyun had probably never suffered such a defeat. Once he had his hands free, he would certainly refuse to let the matter rest.

The strange noises near Cheng Family Village soon ceased, as though the battle had rapidly reached its conclusion.

Red Note sighed. “It seems there was hardly any meaningful resistance. Is Grand Elder Cheng planning to abandon the village?”

She had entered Cheng Family Village only the previous night. Though there were plenty of demonic insects and monsters, the strength of those left behind was inadequate. Ji Youyun did not even need to come personally. A few Nascent Soul cultivators would probably have been enough to overwhelm the place.

Hearing this criticism from someone who was not the one suffering, Cheng Qingqing shot her a furious glance. After a moment, her expression gradually darkened, and she transmitted again:

“They went toward the lakeside. Grandfather has already discovered the truth. The attackers are that man surnamed Ji from the Demon Refining Prison and cultivators from the Talisman Diagram Sect. There are about ten of them in all, and every one is a Nascent Soul cultivator. Grandfather knows we have not gone far and told you to return and help.”

Should she go back or not?

Refusing would mean turning against the Cheng clan. At this critical moment, Red Note's first thought was not how to escape the demonic cultivators, but that she could not allow Ji Youyun to succeed. If this force from the Heavenly Demon Sect were wiped out, he would immediately have the freedom to deal with her.

But if she returned, what could she do? Even if she tried to fish in troubled waters, she would still need Nascent Soul strength.

Red Note could not help looking toward Helian.

Boom!

Another thunderous crash rang out. This time, it unmistakably came from the lakeside everyone had just left.

“A high-level Dao cultivator with a metal spirit root is casting a spell,” Helian said.

Red Note felt certain that Helian had already guessed what was happening, but she still told the Dao cultivators who had only just regained their freedom that Ji Youyun was pursuing them.

The moment they heard that their enemy was coming, the cultivators divided into two camps. One group wanted to turn back and fight Ji Youyun to the death. Whether they won or not, they wanted to vent their rage first. The others felt that this was not the best time for revenge. They had only just escaped from prison, and every magical treasure had been stripped from them. The wise choice was to flee as far away as possible before the enemy discovered them.

Perhaps because they had a clearer sense of how powerful their enemy was, the remaining three Nascent Soul cultivators—all except Helian—felt that they should avoid the enemy's edge for the time being.

Red Note cast Cheng Qingqing a seemingly helpless glance and suggested, “Since that is the case, let us leave at once. After everyone exits East Qin, there is a river not far to the west. A dense forest lies along its banks. We can regroup there. One Nascent Soul cultivator should come with me and guard the rear while we take a look at the battlefield.”

As she spoke, her eyes rested on Helian. Everyone understood what she meant and waited for him to decide.

Helian did not disappoint them. At last, he nodded. “I will go with you.”

“I am going too,” Cheng Qingqing said. She shot Old Jing a sidelong glance and added in a charming voice, “Both my father and I will go.”

The joy had barely appeared on Old Jing's face before it was replaced by panic. That cursed girl still refused to let him go. She was watching him so closely that she would not give him even the slightest chance to escape.

Red Note, however, refused flatly. “No. I can take him with me, but you must either leave with these people or return to your grandfather.”

She intended to take Helian and Old Jing to meet Jing Xiaoyun and Lu Yanchang. Cheng Qingqing absolutely could not be allowed to stir up trouble among them. If the timing had been different, and if she had not still needed the Cheng clan, Red Note would not have minded burning the bridge after crossing it and sending Cheng Qingqing straight into Jing Xiaoyun's jaws.

Cheng Qingqing asked in confusion, “Why? I am going to help you. With me there, you and my grandfather can communicate in time and join forces against the enemy.”

Red Note remained unmoved. “You may do so at other times, but not on the battlefield. I am afraid that once you and your grandfather see the situation turning against you, you will abandon me to Ji Youyun.”

Cheng Qingqing stamped her foot. Red Note's words had truly wronged her. It made her feel that a gentleman's heart had been judged by a villain's standards, and she was deeply displeased. She also felt that the sect master's chosen successor was a poor choice indeed, someone incapable of accomplishing anything significant.

Her expression shifted several times before she said petulantly, “Then I will wait here with them until you return.”

The attackers were all Nascent Soul cultivators. As a Golden Core cultivator, she would be of little use if she returned. Since her grandfather had ordered her to stay, she intended to cling to them and refuse to leave. She wanted to see exactly what this Miss Qi planned to do.

Red Note nodded approvingly. “Not bad. You do have courage.”

When Cheng Qingqing heard the praise, she gave a dismissive click of her tongue. She thought the narrow-minded sect master's successor was commending her for daring to remain alone among so many Dao cultivators. She had no idea that Red Note was thinking: I have offered you a way to live, yet you refuse to take it and insist on waiting here for Jing Xiaoyun to deal with you. What foolish courage. Tsk, tsk.

The group soon split into two.

Red Note set out with Helian and Old Jing, circling around the battlefield to search for Lu Yanchang first. Cheng Qingqing, meanwhile, departed with the other Dao cultivators and soon flew so far away that even their shadows vanished.

Red Note glanced from side to side. Even if the battle went badly and Ji Youyun uprooted the entire Cheng clan of the Heavenly Demon Sect, with these two by her side she had still fulfilled the task entrusted to her by Jing Xiaoyun and Lu Yanchang. It could be called a complete success, and only then did her mood improve slightly.

Old Jing had recognized Helian earlier, and the Dao cultivators had introduced themselves to one another. Red Note now knew that Helian's full name was Helian Yong.

Helian Yong was very tall, a full head taller than Red Note. She raised her head, smiled at him, and called out, “Helian!”

Helian Yong froze for a moment. The familiarity in the girl's voice did not sound like that of someone meeting him for the first time. In fact, he had felt this way ever since waking. Red Note's voice had not changed much. Though twenty years had passed, she was the last woman he had encountered before his imprisonment, and the impression she had left on him was exceptionally deep.

After a moment of hesitation, Helian Yong asked, “Are you... Miss Fang?”

Recognition was one thing, but the truth was simply too unbelievable.

“What? Miss Fang from the prison?” Old Jing cried in astonishment.

Red Note smiled and nodded at them both. “Come. I will take you to see Lu Yanchang.”

She glanced at Old Jing. Jing Xiaoyun had sent word that she had already found Lu Yanchang, and the two of them were coming this way to meet them. Father and daughter were about to reunite, but Red Note had no intention of informing Old Jing in advance.

Not only Helian Yong but Old Jing was extremely excited to hear this. At last, he could be certain that he was safe. Though these former prison neighbors were all Dao cultivators and none had any deep friendship with him, they would not go out of their way to torment him to death.

At that moment, the mountains shook and the earth trembled beside the lake. The water surged to an astonishing height. Even from a hundred miles away, the group could sense the spiritual energy changing at tremendous speed.

It seemed that Ji Youyun and the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Talisman Diagram Sect had encountered resistance from the Cheng clan, and the two sides were engaged in a fierce battle of spells.