Shortly after leaving Cangxi City, Ye Xuezhang dismounted and began using his lightness skill to travel.
Why? It was faster, allowing him to return and reunite with his wife sooner.
With his true energy circulating, Ye Xuezhang's figure transformed into a streak of light, covering dozens of feet in the blink of an eye.
This incredible speed was far superior to horseback travel.
The journey to Zhongzhou's Wang family would take nearly a month on horseback. With Carefree World Movement Technique, it would take at most seven days.
By midday, Ye Xuezhang arrived at Jiyang City, intending to rest and recover his internal energy before continuing his journey.
Upon entering the city, he stopped at an inn, where a cheerful waiter quickly greeted him.
"Welcome, traveler! Are you here for a meal or a room?"
"Bring me some of your signature dishes and a pot of good wine."
"Right away! This way, please."
The waiter led Ye Xuezhang to a window-side table and went to prepare his order.
The inn was bustling with noise, filled with merchants, scholars heading for their exams, and wandering martial artists from across the land.
None of this concerned Ye Xuezhang. After finishing his meal, he planned to resume his journey.
Before long, the waiter returned with a plate of Huadiao chicken, shredded cucumber salad, sautéed green beans, stir-fried pork, and a pot of fine wine.
The dishes looked exquisite—colorful, aromatic, and appetizing—perfect for a weary traveler.
Just as Ye Xuezhang was about to pick up his chopsticks, a little girl plopped down across from him. Without a word, she grabbed a pair of chopsticks and started eating.
"Hey, little girl," Ye Xuezhang said, bewildered. "Are you sure you're at the right table?"
The girl ignored him, voraciously devouring the food like someone who hadn't eaten in days.
In no time, she had polished off the entire plate of Huadiao chicken.
Her speed even left Ye Xuezhang astonished.
Where did this child come from?
After finishing, the girl patted her stomach, flashed a cheeky grin, and said, "Thanks a lot!"
Ye Xuezhang: "..."
"We don't even know each other. I never said I was treating you."
The little girl laughed. "Well, now we know each other. My name's Zhang Xiaoyu."
With that, she hopped off her chair and disappeared in a flash.
Watching her display of agility, Ye Xuezhang felt a chill in his heart. Her speed surpassed that of most martial artists he knew.
Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it.
The martial world was vast and full of strange encounters.
Out on the road, nothing was truly surprising anymore.
Ye Xuezhang ordered another round of food, ate his fill, settled the bill, and resumed his journey.
To avoid drawing attention to his cultivation, Ye Xuezhang avoided main roads, instead traveling through desolate areas.
Even so, his pace was still far faster than horseback travel.
Not long after leaving the city, the distant sound of clashing weapons reached his ears.
Frowning, Ye Xuezhang decided to detour, hoping to avoid trouble.
But just then, a sharp sound cut through the air behind him!
Without looking back, Ye Xuezhang shifted his footwork, instantly dodging to the side.
Several flying needles embedded themselves in the ground where he had just stood.
His eyes turned cold as he gripped his sword, Yuanhong, and turned to face the threat.
In front of him stood several masked figures dressed in black, wielding long knives and staring at him menacingly.
Their cultivation was high, but Ye Xuezhang couldn't determine their exact level.
In the martial world, a person's cultivation could often be gauged by their aura.
However, if someone deliberately concealed their aura or used techniques to suppress it, their true level would be impossible to discern without engaging in combat.
Sometimes, one could only gauge an opponent's strength after crossing blades.
Glaring at the masked figures, Ye Xuezhang said coldly, "Have you mistaken me for someone else?"
"Hmph," the leader of the group snorted. "It doesn't matter who you are. If you're involved in this, you must die!"
Without another word, the leader flickered forward, his long knife slashing horizontally toward Ye Xuezhang with devastating force.
The blade sliced through the air, creating a sharp, howling wind.
The sheer speed and power of the strike tore through the surrounding air, leaving visible ripples.
Clang!
Ye Xuezhang's eyes gleamed with killing intent as Yuanhong left its sheath.
He didn't know who these people were or what they were talking about, but since trouble had come knocking, he wouldn't hold back!
A flash of cold light—swifter than the blade itself—arced through the air.
The sword's speed outstripped the attacker's by severalfold.
The blade sliced cleanly through the leader's arm, severing it completely.
At the same time, Yuanhong's tip traced a lethal path across the man's throat.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed like a fountain as the black-clad man staggered, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"Impossible..."
He collapsed with a heavy thud, lifeless.
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