Cultivating Immortality Begins with Acting as a Girl Chapter 125

The sky was drizzling, and the members of a caravan traveling on the official road in the forest had all put on their coir raincoats.

Inside the carriage, Song Ling leaned back against the seat, holding a blue book with its title smudged out, reading it carefully.

“This Dao of Talismans is indeed profound. The drawing of each talisman is completely different and requires repeated practice. It’s a pity that I haven’t yet cultivated the Innate Qi, so I can’t control spiritual energy for ‘point-linking.’ Otherwise, I could try to see if I can improve it with the panel after getting started…”

“Young Master Zhu, what are you looking at so intently?” Ni Huaijun, sitting opposite him, asked curiously.

Song Ling put down the book and replied with a smile, “Nothing, just a miscellaneous book passed down in my family. Since I have nothing to do, I just repeatedly read and review it.”

“I see.”

Ni Huaijun nodded, no longer pressing the matter. She looked out the window and said softly, “It’s raining.”

“Yes, the air is much fresher now,” Song Ling said.

Ni Huaijun sniffed, stretched, and shouted to outside the carriage, “Uncle Wang, how far is Xiangding City?”

“Miss, less than a hundred li. We were supposed to arrive this afternoon, but it’s raining now, and the road is muddy, so it might be later,” Uncle Wang replied.

Ni Huaijun’s lips curved slightly, “Understood. It’s fine if we’re slow; safety is what matters.”

Uncle Wang: “Yes, Miss.”

Song Ling looked at Ni Huaijun and said sincerely, “It seems we’ll reach Xiangding City tonight. Zhu expresses his gratitude for Miss Ni’s care these past three days.”

“Young Master Zhu, there’s no need to be so polite, I—”

Before Ni Huaijun could finish speaking, the carriage suddenly stopped. Then, a chaotic sound of footsteps came from outside, and a rough, unfamiliar male voice shouted, “Little ones, kill them all, leave no one alive!”

“Bandits again?!”

Song Ling’s face turned pale, which brought back some unpleasant memories.

“Young Master Zhu, don’t be afraid. Uncle Wang is a second-rate martial arts master, and the others in the caravan are also quite strong and good at forming formations. Ordinary petty thieves can’t do anything to them,” Ni Huaijun comforted Song Ling.

Sure enough, Uncle Wang’s roar came from outside:

“Miss, don’t worry! They’re just mountain bandits. All guards, listen to my command: form the Iron Wall Formation and protect Miss’s safety!”

Ni Huaijun lifted a corner of the curtain and saw that, at Uncle Wang’s command, the guards outside the carriage quickly moved. They formed several rows around the carriage according to the pre-practiced formation, their weapons gleaming with cold light in the rain, forming an impregnable defense line.

Those bandits who had rushed forward aggressively found their offensive immediately blocked upon encountering this tight formation. After a struggle, they gradually fell into a disadvantage.

“See? They’re just a rabble; there’s no need to worry at all,” Ni Huaijun said to Song Ling.

Song Ling’s gaze was complex, and he sighed:

“In this chaotic world, indeed, only fists are the foundation for survival. A weak scholar like me, who can’t even tie a chicken, can only rely on the protection of others. It’s truly lamentable.”

Ni Huaijun frowned upon hearing this. She gently patted Song Ling’s shoulder and said gently but firmly:

“Young Master Zhu, you must not belittle yourself so much. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. While martial force is strong, wisdom is equally important. This world won’t remain chaotic forever. As the saying goes, ‘long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.’ There will always be a day of peace. Fists can conquer the world, but only wisdom can govern it for a long time. Your talents haven’t yet had their chance to shine.”

“Miss Ni…”

Song Ling paused slightly, then nodded vigorously, “You’re right, I was too attached to appearances.”

While the two were talking, the battle outside had already entered its final stages.

Under Uncle Wang’s leadership, the caravan members began to counterattack the mountain bandits, quickly routing them and sending them fleeing in disarray.

“Don’t pursue the fleeing enemy!”

Uncle Wang chopped off the bandit leader’s head, then shouted to the caravan members:

“The bandit leader is dead. To avoid falling into a trap, everyone return and protect Miss. Zhang San, Liu Biao, Xiao Dun, you three go clean up the ground. We’ll continue our journey shortly.”

Song Ling said thoughtfully:

“Miss Ni, I heard that the northwestern counties like Nangou are full of monsters, and even first-rate ones are not uncommon. Compared to that, our Sizhou is much better.”

Ni Huaijun nodded, “Indeed. This is thanks to the Prefect. If he didn’t regularly send people to clear them out, the wilderness we’re in would probably be several times worse than it is now, and the enemies we encounter wouldn’t be just a few small fries like today.”

“The Prefect is truly a pure stream in today’s world,” Song Ling agreed.

The two chatted for a while longer, and the caravan slowly set off again, heading towards Xiangding City.

…

In the evening, the caravan finally arrived at Xiangding City.

The carriage passed through the city gate and drove onto the wide streets inside the city.

On both sides of the street, shops lined up. Although it was late, many shops were still lit up, selling various goods. Occasionally, one could hear hawkers’ cries and pedestrians’ conversations, adding a touch of liveliness to the rainy night.

“Xiangding City is truly bustling, unlike the quietness when we were in the wilderness.” Song Ling lifted the carriage window, looked at the prosperous scene outside, and couldn’t help but sigh.

Ni Huaijun smiled in response, “Xiangding City is one of Sizhou’s major cities and a crucial transportation hub, so it’s naturally prosperous. After we settle down tomorrow, I’ll take you for a good stroll and try the city’s specialty snacks.”

Since Song Ling had no gold or silver and no immediate place to go, Ni Huaijun had already invited him to stay temporarily at the Ni Mansion until he found a suitable place or had a next plan.

“Miss Ni, I have no way to repay such great kindness.” Song Ling said earnestly.

“Alright, we’ve known each other for so many days now. Just consider it helping a friend. There’s no need to be so polite in the future,” Ni Huaijun blinked.

Song Ling smiled and nodded.

Half an hour later, the carriage finally stopped in front of a magnificent mansion. Above the mansion’s main gate hung a plaque with the words “Ni Mansion” written in strong, vigorous strokes.

But as soon as Song Ling got out of the carriage, his nostrils detected a faint scent of blood.

And its source… was precisely within the Ni Mansion.

Song Ling remained calm, pretending to be unaware as he accompanied Ni Huaijun inside.

When they reached the main entrance, Uncle Wang, who had been following Ni Huaijun, suddenly changed his expression drastically. He drew the long saber from his waist and shouted:

“Situation has changed! Protect Miss! Zhang San, Liu Biao, you two go open the door!”

“Yes!”

Everyone responded, immediately forming a protective circle around Ni Huaijun and Song Ling. The two young men whose names were called cautiously walked to the main gate. After preparing themselves, they pushed it open with force. The gate swung open with a bang, and an even stronger smell of blood rushed out.

Inside the courtyard of the Ni Mansion, bodies lay scattered everywhere, almost forming rivers of blood.

…

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If there are three updates every day, will more readers follow?

(Just asking…)