Chapter 43 Do Not Kill Me

After finishing dinner, Chen Yi and the others returned to their respective rooms.

This posthouse was not large; aside from a private courtyard, it only had three superior rooms and a dozen or so shared dormitories.

Being situated at the foot of the mountain closest to the Grand Void Taoist Sect, and coinciding with the period when the sect opened its mountain gates to recruit disciples, the place was already packed to capacity.

Even the private courtyard arranged for them by Gu Tiangang was only secured because it was reserved year-round by the Grand Void Taoist Sect, providing them with a place to stay.

Otherwise, they would have been like the people outside the inn, forced to spend the night huddled in carriages.

In fact, a minor episode had occurred earlier when they were checking into that courtyard.

A young master from a wealthy family, who had somehow hurried over to seek discipleship at the Grand Void Taoist Sect, grew furious enough to almost smash the inn when he saw the proprietor—who had previously claimed there were no lodgings left—arrange for Chen Yi and the others to stay in the backyard.

Had it not been for the wealthy youth’s observant attendants, who recognized the Grand Void Taoist robes worn by Gu Tiangang and Ning Xue, Chen Yi might well have witnessed a classic trope straight out of a vernacular novel: the protagonist slapping the face of an arrogant rich kid.

Unfortunately, reality was not a novel.

Outside the mountain gates of the Grand Void Taoist Sect, who in their right mind would dare provoke disciples of the sect?

...

As night fell, the entire posthouse sank into deep silence.

Thinking that tomorrow he would officially enter the Grand Void Taoist Sect, Chen Yi could not help feeling a flutter of nervousness.

It was not out of worry that some accident might occur, but rather the unfamiliarity of facing a new environment where he would live for a long time to come.

"I wonder what tomorrow's assessment will be like?"

"Given how Old Taoist Gu and Mister Ning both smiled without a word, it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Unable to sleep, Chen Yi got up and sat on the stone stool by the doorway, holding his ever-present Spring Rain Sword.

He tilted his head back to gaze at the brilliant starlit sky, a trace of dazed distraction appearing on his young face.

Although only a little over ten days had passed, he knew he was now thousands of miles away from the Prefecture of Kyoto.

During this journey, he occasionally recalled his days living in Kyoto—especially during quiet moments of rest, or when he felt tired and bored.

Aside from thinking of Xia Wantiao and Chen Yuan, he mostly reflected on his period of diligent and rigorous study.

Ever since he learned to speak and recognize characters, he had spent his days under the guidance of various tutors.

First came Old Master Li, who taught him the *Myriad Character Classic*, followed by bodyguards like Ding San and Si who demonstrated sword and saber techniques, and the old carpenter and others who enlightened his mind.

Most of them lacked profound martial cultivation, yet one could easily feel the deep sense of fulfillment in their hearts.

Over time, Chen Yi grew accustomed and somewhat reliant on that comfortable environment, becoming content with it.

However, as they traveled further and further from Kyoto, his past perceptions were shattered one after another.

Especially the tales recounted by Ning Xue concerning demons slaughtering ordinary people—those made him realize the true nature of the world and feel deep within his bones the vital importance of strength.

...

"The Tianyuan Continent is not a peaceful era like my past life, but a dangerous realm ravaged by demons."

"I must remain constantly vigilant."

As Chen Yi secretly warned himself, he solidified his future direction.

"After all, my strength is still far too weak..."

If he possessed the cultivation of Old Taoist Gu at the Second Grade Divine Wandering Realm, that should be enough to ensure his self-preservation.

With this thought, Chen Yi summoned his attribute panel to inspect it.

【Name: Chen Yi】
【Age: 32】
【Cultivation: Ninth Grade Mortal Realm (Upper Stage)】
【Innate Talent: Late Bloomer — The older the bone age, the faster the speed of cultivation】
【Foundation Technique: Great Accomplishment — Dripping water carves stone, thus laying a great foundation】
【Sword Dao: Minor Accomplishment — Traveling far and wide, fighting well and utilizing resourcefulness, one may comprehend sword intent】
【Counterattack Points: 71/100】

"Seventy-one counterattack points, still twenty-nine short. I wonder when I'll be able to save enough."

Chen Yi muttered to himself inwardly before closing the panel.

Though he considered his current strength to be considerably higher than that of Du Yanqing and Wei Letian, the shifting environment still filled him with a strong sense of urgency.

Once he entered the Grand Void Taoist Sect tomorrow, it seemed he would need to devise some methods to acquire more counterattack points.

He needed to strive to unlock the third [Counterattack Mission] as soon as possible.

Only in that way could his strength advance more rapidly.

At that moment, a muffled whispering sound drifted over from not far away, causing Chen Yi to frown slightly.

"Second Sister, are we really going over there?"

"What, are you scared?"

"No, not scared, but Eldest Sister just said those people clearly look like scions of nobility. If we rush over like this so rashly, I'm worried..."

"If you're not scared, stop talking. I already said we're just here to borrow some food to take back. You saw it yourself, Eldest Sister is about to pass out from hunger."

"Then, um, should we pay them money?"

"Do you have any?"

"No..."

...

"I don't have any either! Look, neither of us has money, so finding food directly without paying is the best way!"

Hearing this conversation, Chen Yi quietly concealed himself to observe in secret.

He hadn't expected that in the dead of night, someone would actually have the audacity to run over here, and for the sake of stealing food?

This was truly his first time experiencing such a thing in his life.

Soon, Chen Yi spotted two figures roughly his height sneaking over stealthily.

In the dim moonlight, he could vaguely make out the delicate features and petite statures of the two "petty thieves."

Holding hands, they glanced anxiously around them as they made their way toward the backyard.

"So they're just two little lasses."

Chen Yi evaluated them secretly for a moment. From their simple attire, it was not hard to tell that their family background was less than fortunate.

A part of his heart inevitably believed what they had just said—someone really was starving to the point of collapse.

However...

Chen Yi swept his gaze around and noticed the Black-Armored Guards stationed in the surroundings staring intently at the pair.

A few of the guards had already drawn their bows and nocked arrows, looking as if they would shoot the intruders dead at the slightest sign of trouble.

After a brief hesitation, Chen Yi stepped out holding his sword.

Waving a hand to signal the Black-Armored Guards to remain calm and collected, he quietly walked toward the two "thieves."

"Second Sister, d-do you feel like someone is watching us?" One of the petite figures looked around stealthily, her voice trembling slightly.

"Is there?" The other, seemingly bolder, scanned the area and found nothing, then said in a helpless tone, "Third Sister, you're just too timid."

"Think about it, we're just here to borrow some food, not steal it, right?"

"Set your mind at ease, set your mind at ease. Listen to Second Sister, I guarantee you'll be fine."

"B-but Second Sister, not paying for something *is* stealing."

"Aiya, I told you it's not, you..."

Right at that moment, Chen Yi arrived beside the two girls. Resting the scabbard of the Spring Rain Sword horizontally against their necks, he chuckled softly and said, "Your younger sister is quite right: borrowing without returning is called stealing."

The bodies of the two girls stiffened as they turned around in a daze.

Yet, catching sight of the dark shadow of the Spring Rain Sword's scabbard, they were frightened into tightly hugging each other.

"Please don't kill me, please don't kill me..."