Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 282 - 275: Sanity - Part 1

Chapter 282: Chapter 275: Sanity - Part 1

The caravan gradually moved away, passing through the woods near the Mirror Mystique Sect. Everything was tranquil as if nothing had disturbed the peace.

Yet, Lin Xin could discern from the stationed members of the Red Spine Sect that significant changes had already occurred here.

After pressing on for three days, they finally detoured around the Mirror Mystique Sect.

Ahead was the territory previously under the control of the Mirror Mystique Sect, land designated for their disciples’ trials. Now that the Sect was destroyed, this area was likely abandoned.

Empty of any people, the caravan moved slowly through the woods, which made everyone feel eerily uneasy.

"How much longer until we reach Naxi?"

Lin Xin casually asked Xiao Liu.

"Sir, it should be about five more days. As long as we get through this, there should be no problem," Xiao Liu responded in a low voice while alertly scanning the surroundings.

Everyone in the team was quiet and restrained, hardly speaking aloud, as if fearful of startling wild beasts lurking in the woods.

"Five days?" Lin Xin mentally noted.

By noon, the sky was dreary and dim.

The team stopped to make fire, cook food, and rest.

Lin Xin dismounted and prepared to fetch some dry food from his pack to nibble on.

"Sir, this is for you." Xiao Liu quickly brought over a steaming bowl of soup with mushrooms, ginger, and spring onions in it from the front carriage, which smelled enticing.

Lin Xin took it.

"Thank you."

"Sir, you are a scholar and physically unwell. The body is frail, and eating poorly might leave you unable to continue on the journey. Please take good care of yourself," Xiao Liu said, scratching his head with a smile.

After gently sipping the soup, Lin Xin smiled and responded,

"Understood, understood. Don’t worry; illness breeds wisdom in medicine. I’ll take care of myself."

"Good, then I’m going to grab something to eat too," said Xiao Liu, nodding.

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Xiao Liu, seeing that he was slowly sipping the soup, then turned towards the caravan.

Lin Xin watched him chatting and laughing with a few team members. It seemed he was often the target of teasing, always wearing a simple, honest expression. Lin Xin couldn’t help but shake his head slightly.

Throughout the journey these past days, Xiao Liu had been taking great care of him, which Lin Xin had noticed. The little guy revered the educated, showing immense respect at the mere mention of someone attending private schooling. In such chaotic times, those who could receive an education were few. Many people, if they haven’t traveled far, are often simple and straightforward, devoid of schemes or complex thoughts.

Without dwelling further, Lin Xin dismissed these stray thoughts when he saw the girl leading the troop turning around and walking towards him.

The girl had changed into new clothes, donning a white fur coat over a pair of tight-fitting grey-black leggings that accentuated her smooth, rounded curves, giving off a subtly risqué allure at first glance as if she were barely clad.

Fortunately, she also wore a short gray skirt, which covered the area between her thighs, preventing any excessive reveal due to the tight leggings.

"Ahead lies the territory of the Mountain Wolf Gang. If the Mirror Mystique Sect were still in order, we’d pass through smoothly. But now..." Ling’er said gravely, "Sir, it’s still not too late to turn back. Otherwise, once a fight breaks out, I won’t be able to look out for you."

Lin Xin replied with a light smile.

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s continue. I can take care of myself."

Ling’er, also acting out of goodwill, tried to persuade one more time. Seeing that Lin Xin wouldn’t heed the warning until it was too late, she decided against further words.

"Well then, sir, please be careful yourself," she said.

"Understood, understood."

"Miss, don’t worry! I’ll find a chance to take care of him," Xiao Liu approached and patted his chest.

"You? Xiao Liu, you can barely take care of yourself, and yet you want to take care of others," said Ling’er helplessly.

"Miss, you underestimate me too much. I did get fourth place in the last competition!" Xiao Liu’s face flushed as he glanced at Lin Xin, not wanting to appear inadequate in front of someone he admired. He patted his chest again. "Besides, I do have my own trump cards!"

Ling’er burst into laughter at his words, her prominent chest jiggling wildly, causing the surrounding men from the Escort Agency to sneak peeks in their direction unconsciously.

After a hard day’s travel outdoors, it was each man’s way of relaxing. Even the most stoic man couldn’t help but take a few extra glances as their robust vitality had built up.

Ling’er, noticing the gazes, unconsciously tightened her coat.

"Alright, alright, I will watch over you guys later," she said, letting out a breath before turning to leave. After a few steps, she hesitated, looked back at Lin Xin’s frail and bandaged form, and ultimately couldn’t bear to leave him. She turned back around.

"Forget it, forget it. Might as well see it through. Mister, come with me," she said.

"What is it now, Miss?" Lin Xin asked, puzzled, and followed her towards the front of the troop.

Soon, they reached the side of a carriage—the core and safest area of the entire team. The uncle leading the squad was not far ahead. Seeing Ling’er bringing Lin Xin over to a safe spot, he only frowned but said nothing.

"Just stay here. If there’s any trouble, get inside the carriage quickly; having barriers should make it safer," Ling’er instructed.

"Thank you, Miss Ling’er," Lin Xin thanked her, bowing graciously. For him, avoiding confrontation was best since illusions and corruption would intensify with rising murderous intents and spiritual energy.

After lunch, the caravan continued forward. Lin Xin was positioned in the safest spot at the center of the team, surrounded by the Escort Masters, with carriages carrying valuable items nearby.

Apart from a few small animals suddenly darting out and an Escort Master capturing a python, no more trouble occurred.

As they were about to clear the area of the woods, the Escort Masters collectively heaved a sigh of relief. Perhaps the people from the Mountain Wolf Gang didn’t dare to appear, knowing the Red Spine Sect members were nearby.

Lin Xin glanced at an Escort Master beside him.

He was an escort master who had lived over half a century, clad in black leather armor studded densely with many flying daggers and darts.

His face was serious as he carefully listened to the sounds around him, his hand always resting on one of the darts on his person.

"Don’t let your guard down, we’re still in the territory of the Mountain Wolf Fort, let’s wait until we’re completely through before relaxing and resting," Uncle Wu raised his voice.

Lin Xin shifted his gaze to the side where one of the lead coordinators, Ling’er, was holding a map, frequently lowering her head to compare the terrain as if constantly correcting their course. Many young escort masters unconsciously let their gazes drift towards her.

"There’s a smell of blood!"

Suddenly, Uncle Wu halted in his tracks and said in a deep voice.

"I’ll go check it out." An escort leader stopped and walked forward, turning into the shadowy woods ahead.

"Be careful, Guan Hua," Uncle Wu whispered a reminder, "Everyone else, stay alert."

He raised his hand.

Everyone tensed and held their breath, waiting for several moments before shouts came from ahead.

"Uncle Wu, Miss Ling’er, come over here!" It was the voice of the man who had gone ahead earlier.

Uncle Wu and Ling’er exchanged glances, then immediately rushed forward, leaping over the curve and landing where the escort master had been standing.

Both of them looked forward and inhaled sharply.

"This...!!" Even with Uncle Wu’s seasoned experience, he couldn’t help but turn pale and break out in a cold sweat at this moment.

Ling’er felt her stomach churn, wanting to vomit but unable to, her complexion turning green.

"We need to leave here immediately!"

"Not so fast!" Uncle Wu said in a stern voice.

He suppressed his nausea, stepped forward, and knelt down for a closer look.

In front of them lay dozens of corpses in various positions, their intestines all pulled out and tied into a large knot in the center, attached to a wooden stake driven into the ground.

The stake, about two meters high, bore a line of text.

’Intestine Deity Sacrificial Offering’

"It’s a heretical cult! Let’s go, let’s leave now!" Uncle Wu changed his expression immediately after seeing the writing.

The three turned and quickly returned to the convoy, leading the puzzled crowd in a different direction, accelerating through the forest.

However, no matter where they went, everyone felt as though someone was constantly following them.

Uncle Wu and Ling’er especially had grim expressions. They looked back from time to time, but saw nothing but the dense trees and vegetation.

"Stay a bit farther from me later on," Ling’er whispered to Lin Xin. "They’ll certainly target the leaders first, the closer you are to me, the more dangerous it is."

Lin Xin nodded.

He dared not act recklessly now since the last time he acted, it was as though he had become another person, not only killing the opponents but also his own people. Such madness only compounded illusions and corruption; taking action now would do more harm than good.

"If you indeed possess martial skills, please help out when possible," Ling’er suddenly remembered something and turned back to say to Lin Xin.

"No problem," Lin Xin nodded in agreement.

At this moment, everyone in the convoy almost sensed an unusual presence. It was clear someone was following them, but no one appeared.

After walking further, Uncle Wu increasingly felt something was wrong.

He raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.

"What’s the matter, Uncle Wu?"

"Keep going! This place feels odd."

"Uncle Wu, what happened?"

The escorts in the group spoke out, many experienced ones feeling something was off.

Uncle Wu didn’t say much, but simply pointed ahead.

"This junction, we’ve passed through it before."

Upon hearing this, Ling’er’s expression changed slightly. She leaped forward into the corner ahead and quickly came back.

"It’s the site of the Intestine Deity Sacrificial Offering!" she said in a low voice, her complexion pale.

"Indeed!"

Uncle Wu tried to remain calm, but his mind was already in turmoil.

"Heretical cults are bad enough, but to encounter the legendary Mystic Barrier Formation... This is a grand formation usually set by immortals..."

"We have to form a defensive formation right here since they’ve trapped us with a purpose," Ling’er quickly said.

"Right."

Uncle Wu thought for a moment, and clearing his mind of confusion, decided that forming a defensive formation was indeed the best response since they couldn’t leave.

The escorts quickly arranged themselves into a circular formation as instructed. No sooner had they done so than a group of people in black cloaks and masks stepped out from the surrounding woods.

"We are from the Pang Dao Escort Agency! Friends on the road, please grant us passage. We can negotiate the silver coins, just let us pass!" Upon seeing people appear, Uncle Wu stepped forward and bowed in greeting. (To be continued. If you like this work, you can visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)