The era during the Great Liang Dynasty was turbulent. Since its establishment, millions of commoners were conscripted to build the Great Wall in the north. Half of the annual taxes were allocated to military expenses, maintaining the northern frontier forces. However, despite over two centuries of warfare against the monstrous court in the north, the Great Liang could only maintain a defensive stance, preventing hordes of monsters from crossing the Great Wall.
Facing the rampant monsters within the country's borders, during the reign of Emperor Taizu, local officials were appointed to protect the regions.
However, within the Great Liang's borders, aside from these unruly creatures, numerous sects thrived. Monks on mountaintops regarded human lives as insignificant, treating all beings like livestock. These appointed officials meant to protect the regions had become ineffective against these powerful monks from major sects. They turned a blind eye to their ruthless killings of innocents, even avoiding conflicts with formidable monsters.
Yet, Chen Chao, the appointed official for this region, was evidently different from others.
Ever since he took over as the official in Tianqing County three years ago, the number of residents falling prey to monsters decreased significantly.
Especially in the last two years, as Chen Chao slew more and more monsters, rumors spread among the creatures within a radius of hundreds of miles about a black-clad youth wielding a broken sword whom they dared not provoke.
In the eyes of Tianqing County's people, Chen Chao was a harmless youth, but to these monsters, he had become their greatest demon.
This made it impossible for him to find a monster within the county and forced him to venture out on "hunts," particularly on snowy nights.
Otherwise, how could he have rescued a girl in such a dilapidated mountain temple?
In the flickering firelight and the long night, since neither of them could sleep, they naturally engaged in conversation.
However, both were not naïve. During their conversation, they were cautious, refraining from revealing too much about themselves.
In the world of martial arts, shallow conversations were avoided.
Chen Chao seemed to have grasped the circumstances that led the girl to end up alone in the mountain temple.
"What are your plans after this?" Chen Chao initiated the conversation.
Xie Nandu calmly replied, "I'm headed north to the capital. My family was supposed to send me to Tianqing County, and someone from the north was supposed to pick me up. But it seems that won't happen anytime soon. I'll write to them to make contact. In the meantime, before they send someone for me, I'd like to stay with you. It's the safest option."
Straightforward and without beating around the bush.
Certainly, within the entirety of Tianqing County, there was likely no safer place than being beside this young man.
Chen Chao furrowed his brows. While protecting the local people was his duty, it didn't mean he was obliged to act as her... bodyguard.
"Clearly, you're in big trouble."
Since she had already made her intentions clear, Chen Chao was more direct.
He didn't know the girl's identity, but from the events that had occurred and the information she revealed, this girl was undoubtedly trouble.
Xie Nandu didn't argue. She simply continued, "You are a martial artist. As far as I know, the path of martial arts is extremely difficult. The cost of refining one's body is not insignificant in terms of time and money. Your salary isn't enough to support such expenses."
This hit a nerve with Chen Chao. Among the various martial arts schools in the world, the path of a martial artist was the most challenging. The amount of resources needed to refine one's body was substantial. Therefore, most martial artists sought to align with the court to obtain the substantial funds required for their practice.
Chen Chao frowned, "How do you know I don't have other means?"
Xie Nandu shook her head and smiled, "Perhaps these demon pearls are enough. But now, how many nearby monsters can you kill?"
This struck another sensitive point for Chen Chao.
With his cultivation improving, the amount of resources he required far surpassed what killing a few monsters could provide. Moreover, there were probably very few monsters left in the vicinity of Tianqing County.
He had been troubled by this for a long time.
If he weren't unsuitable for cultivation, Chen Chao would never have chosen to become a martial artist.
Besides the slow progress in cultivation, martial artists had a natural disadvantage once the cultivators gained the ability to control the wind. At this stage, martial artists found it challenging to approach those cultivators. Even if they had peerless physical bodies, what use would it be?
Only by reaching a higher realm, achieving the same ability to control the wind, could this disadvantage be overcome. The path of a martial artist was inherently difficult. How many martial artists in the world could truly reach that stage?
The earlier scene of slaying the blood demon might have seemed simple, but only Chen Chao knew the extent of his exhaustion after that punch against the blood demon.
After a moment of silence, he spoke, "You saved my life. Even if you don't agree to my request now, I won't forget this favor. Frankly, my identity is not bad. If I survive to reach the capital, I will definitely prepare a great gift for you." Xie Nandu frowned slightly, seeming somewhat aggrieved. "But if I die here, there'll be no gift, and you might get implicated..."
She looked pitiful, as if she was still considering Chen Chao's situation.
Chen Chao squinted, feeling like digging a hole and burying this girl right there.
Are you plotting against me?
But he quickly smiled, "Gifts or no gifts, I never care about such things. I have always been a warm-hearted person, well-known for being a good man in Tianqing County. If you're alone and I don't lend a hand, am I even human?"
Ultimately, despite knowing that this matter might entangle him in trouble, after weighing the pros and cons, Chen Chao was willing to take the risk.
After all, in this remote little county like Tianqing, earning a lot of resources was not an easy feat.
Xie Nandu smiled, seemingly believing Chen Chao's words. She said earnestly, "Actually, being friends with me won't be a bad thing."
Chen Chao also smiled, but whether he was cursing inwardly remained unknown.
In the latter half of the night, Chen Chao seemed to talk a lot more. Despite his constant probing, Xie Nandu still did not reveal much. Seeing that it was already dawn, Chen Chao, feeling a bit tired, glanced deeply at the girl in front of him, stood up, and prepared to descend the mountain back to the county town.
...
...
Snowfall hadn't ceased; the long streets of the county were still covered in snow. Few pedestrians wandered, yet the children couldn't resist. In groups of three or five, they frolicked in the alleyways, giggling, rolling snow into balls, and playfully engaging in snowball fights.
They cared not for the heavy snow or the consequences of returning home with wet cotton jackets, risking a severe thrashing from strict fathers. At this moment, even if their small hands turned red from the cold and their noses ran, their hearts were filled with joy.
Xie Nandu walked beside Chen Chao, holding an oiled paper umbrella. She glanced at Chen Chao, who was already covered in frost, then averted her gaze, smiling as she watched the children running around in the distance, listening to their laughter.
She felt a little happy herself.
For over a decade, her most common activity was studying. In the prestigious family compound, she never experienced such scenes. Even in heavy snow, the elders of her clan only used it as an opportunity for testing and examination, never allowing the youngsters to engage in a snowball fight.
At a distance by the bridge, a vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes intermittently called out in a rhythmic and melodious tone.
For many common folk, these bustling scenes were customary, but for her, it was an unprecedented experience.
However, she didn't feel out of place. Instead, she found everything around her fascinating.
Crossing the small bridge and arriving at an alley, Xie Nandu had a small roasted sweet potato in her hand. She carefully peeled the skin with her snow-white fingers. Upon revealing the golden flesh inside, her eyes lit up. Taking a small bite, the steaming hot potato scattered warmth in her mouth, turning her lips a rosy red as if applied with high-quality rouge.
Watching this scene, Chen Chao inexplicably became a little distracted.
Such a cute girl... anyone would be fond of her, right?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Chen Chao briskly walked towards a narrow alley called Peach Blossom Lane. It wasn't extensive, only seven or eight households, and at its end stood his home.
Arriving at his doorstep, Chen Chao placed his oiled paper umbrella by the door and reached for the keys from his pocket, about to adeptly unlock the door.
Just then, the gate of the opposite courtyard swung open. A moderately built man with a scruffy beard came out carrying a large bowl. He sat down on his doorstep, glanced at Chen Chao, then cast another look at the girl eating the sweet potato in the alley. Suddenly widening his eyes, he yelled out, "Chen lad, you've made progress! Haven't seen you in a few days, and now you've brought such a pretty girl home?!"
The man's voice was loud enough for the entire Peach Blossom Lane to hear. Almost simultaneously, the seven or eight households pushed open their gates, and nearly a dozen pairs of eyes focused on the doorway of the courtyard deep within the alley.
Chen Chao, about to open his door, paused mid-action, his mouth twitching in resignation.
As for Xie Nandu behind him, her cheeks turned slightly red, whether from the heat of the sweet potato or some other reason, it was hard to tell.