Chapter 120 - 98: When the Snipe and the Clam Grapple (Part 2)
By now, quite a few people had gathered inside the inn.
Tong Wanli’s group of friends had arrived.
After Liu Wenshan woke up, he first thanked Tong Wanli profusely, then sobbed his heart out while holding Mingyue.
Only after he had something to eat and drink did Tong Wanli finally begin to ask about the whereabouts of the Jiaowei.
He stated that the Jiaowei had become what everyone was after, and there would be no peace for a single day until it was found.
Liu Wenshan struggled with the decision for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh and giving his answer:
"I’ll take you there."
Ye Jingshuang’s heart tightened when she heard this. She wanted to send a message to Jiang Ran.
Unfortunately, ever since she arrived in Benma County, she had been cooped up in the inn and hadn’t been anywhere else.
She had no idea where he was, even if she wanted to find him.
So, she could only settle down and wait.
After all, Jiang Ran had pulled her from the open into the shadows precisely so he could operate in secret.
’He must be aware of the situation at the inn.’
So she packed her things along with the others. They found a soft sedan chair to carry Liu Wenshan and then set out.
After leaving the inn, the group headed north.
As they walked, Liu Wenshan said,
"The place where the Jiaowei is hidden is rather dangerous. Brother Tong, is there anyone among your companions who is skilled in medicine?"
"Yes."
Tong Wanli nodded.
"Rest assured, Brother Liu. With the masters we have gathered here, there is no place in the world we cannot explore."
Hearing this, Ye Jingshuang’s gaze swept over the people around them.
The group gathered around now consisted of thirteen people, including herself, Tong Wanli, Tong Yan, Zhou Wang, and Liu Wenshan.
The number wasn’t actually that large.
Yet Ye Jingshuang had never heard of any of these other people.
She asked Tong Wanli about it, and he just smiled and said they were all reclusive masters who didn’t involve themselves in the affairs of the martial world.
They weren’t famous, and he had only met them by chance.
It was perfectly normal that Ye Jingshuang didn’t recognize them.
Ye Jingshuang wanted to ask more, but Tong Wanli clearly didn’t want to continue the conversation.
And with Tong Yan trailing behind her... she had no more chances to ask.
Tong Yan had basically recovered after his period of recuperation.
Every day, he followed Ye Jingshuang around like a shadow.
He was constantly calling her "sister," telling her not to be upset by the gossip and rumors.
His tone was so sincere it could move anyone.
If Ye Jingshuang didn’t already know the truth of the matter, she might have actually been touched.
’But now, all she wanted to do was draw her sword and kill him.’
Especially now, whenever she heard Tong Yan call her "sister," she felt an indescribable sense of nausea and revulsion.
She forcibly held back, telling herself, ’A little impatience can spoil a great plan.’
That was the only reason she managed to restrain herself.
The group walked on, stopping and starting, and in no time at all, they had traveled more than ten li.
Liu Wenshan pointed out the path, sometimes stopping, sometimes moving forward again.
After walking a few more li, the group felt the ground beneath their feet gradually begin to slope downwards.
Wisps of fog began to appear around them, hazy and indistinct.
As they went deeper, the fog grew thicker.
It gradually became so thick they couldn’t see their hands in front of their faces.
"What is this place?"
Tong Wanli frowned as he looked at the heavy fog.
"This is the Valley of Rebirth."
Liu Wenshan said softly.
"This place is shrouded in mist, and further ahead, it’s filled with miasma. It is fraught with danger.
"Years ago, I and... Ye Konggu hid the Jiaowei here. With this natural barrier, we could ensure the Jiaowei remained safe."
Tong Wanli thought for a moment, then nodded.
"It is indeed a good place."
"The place is good."
Liu Wenshan smiled.
"But it’s also extremely dangerous. Everyone must be careful."
As he spoke, he called out again,
"Jingshuang."
"Uncle."
Ye Jingshuang quickly came to his side.
Liu Wenshan said with a smile,
"Jingshuang, you should stay by my side."
"Alright."
Ye Jingshuang nodded. "I’ll be sure to protect you, Uncle."
"Good child..."
Before he could finish, Tong Yan sidled up to them.
"I’ll protect Unc—Uncle Liu, too."
Liu Wenshan glanced at him and nodded with a slight smile.
This gesture seemed to give Tong Yan a huge boost of encouragement, and his spirits soared.
Tong Wanli, however, furrowed his brow. He felt that something wasn’t quite right.
But for the moment, he couldn’t put his finger on it.
He had someone distribute some antitoxic medicine, and then they continued deeper inside.
The so-called miasma wasn’t actually that mysterious.
Aside from some specific diseases it could cause, it was simply the toxic gas that collected from the decay of dead animals, trees, and fallen leaves in the mountains and forests.
Everyone took an Antitoxic Pill and continued onward.
Ye Jingshuang was about to take the Antitoxic Pill that Tong Wanli had given her, but Liu Wenshan tugged on her sleeve and pressed another pill into her hand.
Ye Jingshuang’s pupils contracted sharply.
’Liu Wenshan doesn’t want me to take Tong Wanli’s medicine... Does this mean Liu Wenshan doesn’t trust Tong Wanli?!’
At this thought, her mind began to race.
But this was neither the time nor the place for overthinking. She secretly popped the pill into her mouth and continued on her way.
Suddenly, Tong Wanli called out softly,
"Wait!"
Everyone stopped at the sound of his voice. Tong Wanli’s brow was tightly knit. "Did anyone hear a sound nearby?"
The group looked at one another, and then one of the men in their party spoke with a light chuckle:
"Old Tong, this place is dangerous enough without you being so paranoid. You’re just making it even scarier.
"You can scare a man to death that way. Don’t go crying wolf."
Tong Wanli was silent for a moment, then he pointed.
"Look. Is that a shadow over there?"