With flowing water murmuring and lush trees and grass, those who know of the existence of West Mountain Island call it a paradise. It is clearly not a false reputation; every step on the island reveals a new scene, and the natural craftsmanship everywhere is eye-catching and refreshing to the heart.
Walking to a small cliff, Jiang Yichen could not help but stop. He took a deep breath, and his whole body felt as if it had been washed and purified.
A small waterfall sprayed down, reflecting the sunlight and creating a rainbow before his eyes. This place is called Mist-Gathering Cliff. Having lived here for more than ten years, he only realized how intoxicating this scenery was when he was about to leave.
When he was a child, he loved to come here to play and splash in the water with his companions in the village. Before leaving, he naturally had to say goodbye to them, as well as to those uncles and aunts. Thinking of this, he, who was not good at social interactions, suddenly felt a headache.
……
On the mountain path, he encountered two little brats.
Hutou and Huniu: "Brother Yichen, where are you going?"
Jiang Yichen: "Brother is going to leave the island."
Hutou and Huniu: "Why are you leaving the island?"
Hutou and Huniu: "Is it fun outside the island?"
Hutou and Huniu: "Brother Yichen, can you take us out to play together?"
"……" Without any chance to speak again, Jiang Yichen fled as if escaping, leaving behind the echoing shouts and questions of the two children.
……
Layered Green Pool.
Following the flowing water downstream, the current grew stronger. Ahead was a drop of about seven or eight zhang, with the water plunging down. This was the largest waterfall on the island. Below the waterfall was a ten-zhang square lake that looked like a drop of emerald green gemstone, known as Layered Green Pool, where an old man often fished.
An old man was sitting on a reef by the pool, eyes closed, with his fishing rod hanging to one side, quietly waiting for the fish to bite.
Old man: "Chen'er, are you, leaving the island?"
Jiang Yichen: "Yes, I came specifically to say goodbye to Uncle Wu." He was not surprised that the old man knew he was carrying luggage and preparing to go out without even turning his head.
Uncle Wu: "Oh, then help me pick twenty water cannas, and be careful not to break the roots."
Jiang Yichen was stunned, but he didn't ask any questions. In a few leaps, he placed a pile of water cannas into the bamboo basket beside Uncle Wu.
Uncle Wu: "The pond at home is a bit dirty, and it needs water cannas to clean it up."
Jiang Yichen understood immediately, cupped his hands at Uncle Wu, and was about to turn and leave.
Uncle Wu: "Picking these flowers and grass has already made you pant. After you go out, you must find a Cultivation Method for solid Internal Breath to build a good foundation. When fighting others, remember to finish the battle quickly; do not get entangled. If you cannot fight with strength, then outsmart them. If you really can't beat them... just run!"
Jiang Yichen cupped his hands again, and Uncle Wu nodded silently, "Go."
……
At a vegetable garden.
Jiang Yichen: "Uncle Wang, Aunt Wang, I am going to leave the island with Uncle Ren to help the old man."
Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang: "Since you have decided, work hard. We will help look after Yin Niang."
Jiang Yichen: "Mm, then I will leave it to Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang."
Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang: "Hey, we are all family, why say such things? When you go outside, don't push yourself too hard when it's not necessary. Take care of your own body; your health cannot withstand much turmoil."
Jiang Yichen: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang. I will be careful."
His own physical condition really made everyone worry.
……
At a tea stall in the market.
Aunt Li: "Chen'er, where are you going? You're even carrying luggage. Are you leaving the island?"
Jiang Yichen: "Mm, Aunt, I am going to the old man's place with Uncle Ren."
Aunt Li: "Yo! You're entering the Jianghu! Oh my, how can Yin Niang rest assured letting you go like this?!"
Jiang Yichen: "……"
Aunt Li: "Sigh, the Jianghu is dangerous, and the current situation is turbulent. You have no jianghu experience. After you go out, listen more, watch more, and learn more. You need to be restrained and low-key, though you do have those two qualities. Here, take these baked flatbreads to eat on the road."
Jiang Yichen: "Mm, thank you, Aunt."
……
At a blacksmith shop in the market.
Old Zheng: "Yichen, are you leaving the island? Do you want to pick up a couple of things from me?"
Jiang Yichen scratched his head.
Old Zheng: "Hey! Come over, what's there to be shy about? Take a look. Don't look down on the things here; the material can't compare to those outside the island, but the craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch! How about this spear, or this iron sword?"
Taking the two weapons that he was most comfortable using from Old Zheng, Jiang Yichen swung them in turn. He loved the spear more, but after hesitating for a while, he handed the spear back to Old Zheng.
Old Zheng: "Eh, if you like it, take it. Take both."
Jiang Yichen: "Old brother, this spear is indeed handy, but after going outside, it is inconvenient to carry a spear, so I'd better not."
Old Zheng: "That's true. How about this, I'll make you a dagger. Hide the short dagger in your trouser leg for emergencies."
Jiang Yichen could not refuse the kindness, and finally waited for Old Zheng to forge a very petite short dagger. Once in his hand, the feel was excellent.
He cupped his hands and thanked Old Zheng.
……
He finally walked out of the village and the market. There were not many houses on the road ahead, but Jiang Yichen felt as if he had gained liberation and a new life, letting out a long sigh of relief. He really couldn't handle the enthusiasm of these neighbors and villagers, but he was still quite moved. About to leave, he still felt some reluctance.
By noon, the sunlight filtering through the fragmented tree shadows made it impossible to lift his eyes. Jiang Yichen deliberately quickened his pace; he had to reach the coastline before dusk to find Yi Zhongren and his group.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the depths of the forest. Judging by the distance and volume of the sound, it should be caused by animals or people shuttling quickly through the forest. Guessing that it was someone catching birds or animals chasing each other in the forest, Jiang Yichen didn't take it to heart and continued on his way.
However, the sound in the forest did not stop and became more and more urgent, moving from far to near, becoming clearer and clearer.
Suddenly, a Grey Shadow flashed from the forest on the left to the forest on the right right before Jiang Yichen's eyes, with a pink figure following closely behind.
"It seems to be Xin'er, I'll follow and see." Seeming to recognize that the pink figure was Zhang Yuxin, a little sister from the neighboring village, Jiang Yichen pondered for a moment, then dashed into the forest and chased after them.
On the hilly rice fields, two figures were running towards the coastline one after another. The pink figure behind seemed to have reached her physical limit, gradually widening the distance from the Grey Shadow in front. If the opponent had prepared in advance, they could take a boat from the coastline and escape, and then there would be no way to know the person's origin and purpose.
Could it be another spy? Is it an accomplice of the Twelve Heavenly Fiend Gates spy who was caught not long ago, or some other hostile power?
Zhang Yuxin did not hesitate anymore, stood her ground, gathered her energy, and struck the sword in her hand forward.
The iron sword whistled out, flying towards the Grey Shadow in front.
Sensing the danger behind, the Grey Shadow's first reaction was to dodge. However, the flying sword was fierce and fast. By the time he turned around to kick the flying sword away, it was too late, and his right calf had already been pierced.
With a muffled groan, the Grey-clothed Man fell backward. Holding his leg, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness, he pulled out the dagger at his waist and drew it across his own neck.
Failure meant death; this was their fate.
Seeing that the situation was bad, Zhang Yuxin was powerless to stop it, leaving only a sigh.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew from behind. The youth in light blue cloth that he had just met on the road had already flashed to her side. The Grey-clothed Man in front seemed to be frightened, his figure frozen, the dagger in his hand suspended at his neck, unable to move an inch closer, with only a bit of scarlet visible.
The Grey-clothed Man was shocked, knowing that his Meridians had been sealed. He had seen this long-distance Acupoint Pressure technique before, and this method of sealing Meridians could only last for a while and could not be sustained. However, with his cultivation base and current state of fatigue, he was unable to break through this seal.
The suicide attempt failed, and a trace of relief flashed between the brows of the Grey-clothed man, followed by a bitter smile. Although he avoided death, falling into the hands of the Righteousness Alliance was probably not as easy as dying.
Zhang Yuxin turned from worry to joy, took out the long whip at her waist with happy steps, and bounced towards the frowning Grey-clothed man. The contrast in their expressions made Jiang Yichen couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother Yichen, it's a good thing you followed. That guy almost committed suicide; then my chase would have been in vain." Zhang Yuxin said while nimbly tying the Grey-clothed man into a dumpling.
"Search his body to see if there is anything." Jiang Yichen put away his iron sword and said to Zhang Yuxin.
Zhang Yuxin's hand was already stretched out in the air, but she froze at the words. She rolled her eyes at Jiang Yichen, withdrew her hand, crossed her arms over her chest, raised her chin, and said impolitely to Jiang Yichen: "Do it yourself, hmph~"
"Aren't you the one who loves searching for things the most?" Jiang Yichen felt ashamed and muttered softly.
Zhang Yuxin pricked up her ears, glared at him again, and walked away angrily. Of course, before leaving, she kicked the poor Grey-clothed man unconscious...
Accompanying Zhang Yuxin, chatting along the way, and dragging the Grey-clothed man forward, they finally arrived at the Returning Goose Forest, not far from the Ferry Crossing, where Xue Qing's thatched cottage was located.
"This is really a physical job, and this dead girl won't even help!" Jiang Yichen adjusted his breathing, secretly despising this little sister from the neighboring village.
Walking to the front of the thatched cottage, he saw a middle-aged man in white clothes standing by the long chair in front of the room door, writing calligraphy.
The man had long hair draped over his shoulders and a thin face, looking like a weak Scholar, without any appearance of a Jianghu person. Seeing his appearance, those who were not familiar with him would never think of the bloody past hidden under this pale, sickly face. The Lone Frost Swordsman—Xue Qing, once challenged four Masters alone on a snowy night. After a fierce battle for three hours, he beheaded them one by one, but due to physical exhaustion and excessive blood loss, he fainted in the snow and was only found and rescued the next day. Because of this, he suffered from cold-related illnesses, was afraid of the cold, and had poor physical strength. He eventually retreated to the mountain forest for the old man, and now he is the person in charge of the Righteousness Alliance on West Mountain Island.
As the footsteps approached, Xue Qing shifted his gaze. A delicate girl in pink clothes with twin tails, accompanied by a youth in light blue cloth with tied hair, and a strange combination with a Grey-clothed man fainted on the ground beside them, came into view.
2017.7.26 Second revision;
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