Whiiw!
Hearing Qian Renjue's orders, the reins in Dugu Bo's hand immediately tightened, and the carriage gradually came to a halt.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Ling Yuan Douluo asked, instantly alert.
"Sister Ling, what lies in the direction behind us?"
"The Spirit Hunting Forest?"
Qian Renjue frowned and asked.
"Your Highness, please wait."
Realizing the matter wasn't simple, Ling Yuan quickly pulled out a map and checked.
"Your Highness, 100 miles northeast of Nouding City, there is indeed an area where the Empire raises spirit beasts."
"Alright, dismount immediately," Qian Renjue said, his eyes flashing coldly.
He swiftly carried Xiao Wu in his arms and stepped out of the carriage with large strides.
Ling Yuan followed closely behind.
"Your Highness!"
Dugu Bo respectfully saluted.
"Senior Dugu, no need for formalities. Do you remember the carriage we passed earlier?"
Qian Renjue jumped to the ground, looking back at the road they came from.
The sun had just risen, and the air was filled with a refreshing breeze.
"Of course, I remember,"
Dugu Bo nodded, puzzled as to what could be so mysterious about a carriage driven by an ordinary coachman.
Qian Renjue raised his hand to store the carriage and gave an order:
"Sister Ling, Senior Dugu, both of you inspect the surroundings."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Ling Yuan Douluo didn't hesitate, picking a direction and dashing off.
Dugu Bo searched the opposite way for a moment.
Xiao Wu clung to Qian Renjue's neck, curiosity brimming, "Your Highness, was there something on that carriage?"
"Hmm, two people," Qian Renjue nodded slightly, scanning the surroundings with his Eyes of Insight.
Earlier, if he had only seen a six-year-old skinny child, he wouldn't have acted so decisively.
However, he had also spotted a middle aged man with corpse-like face.
In just a few breaths, Ling Yuan and Dugu Bo returned.
"Your Highness, there's nothing suspicious around,"
Ling Yuan reported.
"Hmm,"
Qian Renjue nodded and looked toward the Spirit Hunting Forest.
"Sister Ling, we'll change our course and follow that carriage to the Spirit Hunting Forest!"
Ling Yuan Douluo hesitated for a moment but quickly agreed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Ugh—"
Suddenly, Qian Renjue felt a strong force embracing him, accompanied by a soft fragrance, causing him to grunt.
His waist tightened as Ling Yuan Douluo held him close.
"Why are you doing this, Sister Ling?"
Qian Renjue asked, confused.
"Your Highness, I'm taking you along to make sure you can keep up,"
Ling Yuan Douluo said, her face slightly flushed. She held Qian Renjue tightly, her soft body pressing against him.
With Xiao Wu in Qian Renjue's arms, the scene resembled a family of three.
Qian Renjue's expression turned slightly uncomfortable.
"Sister Ling, I can walk on my own," he said, feeling uneasy.
"Ah!"
Xiao Wu exclaimed, worried that Qian Renjue would use her as a shield to Ling Yuan's bosom and hurriedly shouted, "Your Highness, don't push me away; I'll suffocate!"
"…"
Dugu Bo stood nearby, unsure where to look, focusing on the jade on his shoulder, his gaze flickering.
He immediately retrieved his Wishful Treasure Pouch.
...
The carriage swayed as it traveled.
The initial excitement wore off, and the child who occasionally lifted the curtain to peek outside finally settled down.
The carriage echoed with his voice.
"Let's call it 'Twenty-four Moonlit Bridges'."
Tang San, dressed in his school uniform, smiled. This name was a small memory from his previous life.
"It's a nice name, though a bit long," a stiff face nodded in approval. The person wore a heroic outfit, though it seemed out of place.
"Thank you, Teacher,"
Tang San said with respect, fiddling with the belt in his hand, embedded with 24 jade stones, known as a storage-type spirit tool.
He had initially wondered why his teacher had bought so many things, including a large amount of white radishes, which seemed excessive for a spirit hunting trip.
Now, he realized his teacher had been well-prepared.
"Hmm,"
Yu Xiaogang nodded and explained, "It's simple to use. Just inject your spirit power into one of the jade stones, and you'll sense the space inside."
Master and apprentice chatted happily in the carriage, completely unaware that two figures were stealthily following them.
...
Though the journey of 100 miles wasn't short, it wasn't particularly long either. By noon the next day, the carriage arrived at their destination—Spirit Hunting Forest.
The carriage stopped, as did the two figures following behind.
Dugu Bo held his Wishful Treasure Pouch, and two beams of light shot out.
As soon as they appeared, Qian Renjue activated the Sea God's Heart, concealing them. His purple eyes focused on the two who had just stepped out of the carriage.
"Your Highness,"
Ling Yuan gently took Xiao Wu from Qian Renjue's arms and silently followed his gaze.
In original manhua, the forest was serene and peaceful, with fresh air and few people.
But the scene before him outside the Spirit Hunting Forest resembled a bustling marketplace.
Buildings, or rather, shops, lined the area, with shouts echoing from every corner.
Even Xiao Wu couldn't help but look around.
"Your Highness, are we going to follow them?"
Dugu Bo asked, puzzled.
"Yes, quietly,"
Qian Renjue nodded.
With the Seagod's Heart still active, they followed closely behind.
Dugu Bo remained confused; he couldn't see anything special about those two.
The Spirit Hunting Forest was jointly held by the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire, and it was guarded by imperial soldiers.
To enter, one needed a permit from the Spirit Hall, which required at least three noble sponsors.
Following Tang San and Yu Xiaogang through the steel gates, they entered the forest, and the noise outside disappeared, leaving only the fresh air.
Qian Renjue kept a close distance, close enough to hear Yu Xiaogang's teachings to Tang San.
"Xiao San, we're about to go deeper. From now on, don't stray from my side,"
Yu Xiaogang's once lifeless eyes suddenly gleamed as he clasped his hands and spread them downward.
"Come out, Luo San Pao!"
With a puff, a pale purple aura burst from his palms.
Two yellow spirit rings appeared beneath Yu Xiaogang's feet, clearly indicating they were century-old spirit rings.
Before them now stood a peculiar creature.
"Haha, Your Highness, that guy's spirit looks so ugly. It's neither a pig nor a dog. Is this what they call 'worse than pigs and dogs'?"
Xiao Wu, still stuck between Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan, couldn't help but laugh at the sight before her.
Qian Renjue chuckled as well.
"If that's how you want to see it, it's not entirely wrong," he said, amused by Xiao Wu's remark.
Even Ling Yuan, despite her usual calm demeanor, slightly agreed with Xiao Wu's comment.
The creature summoned by Yu Xiaogang looked like a dog but had the size and bulk of a pig, with dull purple fur, drooping ears, large, clear, yet foolish blue eyes, and short, stout legs. A bulge on its head was mysterious.
Dugu Bo, however, squinted as he recognized the man before him.
He glanced at Qian Renjue but chose to remain silent.
--
(This is the ranking based on how good the novel is)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can read:
1. 190 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto
2. 530 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Complete)