Martial Cultivator

As Chen Chao headed southeast, he soon encountered another problem. Since the person he was tracking was a cultivator whose cultivation realm was unknown, it became even more difficult to find his trail. If the cultivator chose to change direction and deviate from his original path, Chen Chao would have a hard time finding him; akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

As he pondered over this issue while traveling, Chen Chao felt a headache coming on. He even considered exposing his identity, mobilizing local wardens and constables to take action. However, after some thought, he suddenly slapped his forehead. The surrounding mountains and forests were filled with demons, who were highly sensitive to human blood vitality. Even if the cultivator deliberately concealed his aura, as long as he did not hide the aura of the mother and daughter, the demons would surely discover them.

Therefore, as long as Chen Chao questioned the nearby demons, he would be able to obtain that cultivator's whereabouts. However, getting the demons to talk was not an easy task. This was regrettable because Chen Chao was adept at dealing with these demons.

Hence, after several trips in and out of the mountain forest, Chen Chao virtually confirmed the direction in which the cultivator was headed. There was virtually no problem following that direction.

However, that cultivator's speed was too fast. Despite Chen Chao's best efforts, he could not catch up. Four days passed, and he still had not caught up to that cultivator.

At this moment, Chen Chao had ventured deep into White Deer Prefecture, moving farther away from Yellow Dragon Prefecture. Considering this back and forth, Chen Chao estimated that it would take him more than a month to return to Yellow Dragon Prefecture.

Since Chen Chao had already decided to do this thing, he definitely would not choose to give up just because of the additional time it would take. However, as time passed, he became increasingly worried about the safety of the mother and daughter.

On this day, as dusk approached, Chen Chao emerged from the mountain forest once again, his body already somewhat fatigued. Despite his weariness from days of intense focus and hurried pursuit, he still had not found any trace of the cultivator, which left him feeling disheartened.

Subconsciously, he reached for the hilt of the saber at his waist, looking ahead with furrowed brows, lost in thought.

……

……

Tianqing County

Having spent several days at his senior brother's house, Liu Banbi was now bidding farewell to travel Great Liang, where he intended to discuss swordsmanship with the sword cultivators of the Sword Sect and see if the sword cultivators of the world truly originated from the Sword Sect.

Zhou Gouqi did not try to keep his junior brother back, he just sent him to the door before saying, "Before you leave Great Liang and head north, it's better to visit Teacher once more. Just take it as conveying my regards on behalf of me."

Liu Banbi furrowed his brows, initially wanting to refuse. But after some thought, he nodded slowly. Then, he asked a question, "Senior Brother, when will you return to the Divine Capital?"

Zhou Gouqi seemed somewhat irresponsible as he countered, "Why do I need to go back?"

Liu Banbi grinned and said, "Can't stay here forever, right? Even if there's guilt in your heart, you can't just avoid seeing her, can you? Besides, are you not going to seek revenge anymore, Senior Brother?"

Zhou Gouqi replied somewhat despondently, "Let's not talk about that matter anymore. As for taking revenge, that's my own business."

Liu Banbi shook his head solemnly and said, "Senior brother, your words don't make sense. When the time comes, if you need this junior brother, just send a letter to the Northern Frontier. This junior brother may not be good at anything else, but I'm good at killing now."

Zhou Gouqi sneered, "So you don't plan to die on that Great Wall, but rather on some other mountain?"

Regarding this junior brother, Zhou Gouqi had high hopes for him. Moreover, this matter was his personal affair, he did not want to involve his junior brother in it too.

Liu Banbi said, "Teacher refrained from acting due to his status, but I'm different. I've long stopped studying, and no one can do anything about me. As for implicating the academy, that's out of the question."

Zhou Gouqi cursed under his breath, "Is your own life not important at all?"

Liu Banbi shook his head and said lightly, "Of course I'm scared to die, but as long as I choose how to die, what is there to fear?"

Zhou Gouqi inexplicably became angry and scolded, "Don't meddle in Your Father's business! You act like Your Father is incapable and need you, my junior brother, to stand up for me?"

Liu Banbi did not respond, he just suddenly turned around and shouted to the woman standing in the yard, "Sister-in-law, the food smells amazing. Senior Brother marrying you is truly a blessing earned from his previous life!"

The woman smiled gently and replied softly, "If you have time in the future, feel free to come again. There will be plenty of food."

Liu Banbi nodded with a smile, then turned to his senior brother.

"That kid used to live here?" Liu Banbi glanced at the courtyard opposite, his tone somewhat unhappy.

Zhou Gouqi nodded and said with a smile, "He's a good lad. He's smart and also really did things for the local civilians."

Liu Banbi snorted coldly, "It's a pity he's just a martial artist."

Zhou Gouqi smiled without saying a word.

Suddenly, Zhou Gouqi asked, "Can you find the Sword Sect?"

The most powerful sword cultivator sect in the world had been extremely low-key in recent years. Except for occasional disciples wandering the world, most other cultivators had no idea where the Sword Sect was located.

Liu Banbi smiled and replied, "I got lucky and happened to meet a sword cultivator from the Sword Sect in the north before. Although he didn't specifically tell me the location of the sect, there shouldn't be a problem meeting a sword immortal when the time comes."

After a pause, Liu Banbi continued with a smile, "Moreover, although that bunch of people from the Sword Sect are not troublemakers, if someone comes knocking on the door, especially a sword cultivator seeking a duel, if they refuse to meet, they'll lose face."

Zhou Gouqi snorted coldly, "I'm afraid that when you do find them, you'll realize you're just a frog at the bottom of a well the moment you draw your sword."

"Haha, if that's really the case, there's nothing to be sad about. If I'm not as skilled as others, just train more. After all, I'm still young and alive," Liu Banbi said. "Just asking for a duel, it's not a life and death match, so don't worry too much, senior brother."

Zhou Gouqi nodded and was not too worried. Those sword cultivators of the Sword Sect did not have a reputation for being bloodthirsty, so if it was just a duel, Liu Banbi should not be in danger.

Moreover, there had never been any grudges between the Sword Sect and the Great Liang Dynasty. Even if it was looking on the account of Teacher's face, it was unlikely that they would really have a life and death fight with Liu Banbi.

Liu Banbi clasped his hands and bowed, saying goodbye sincerely, "Senior brother, after we part ways now, I don't know when we'll meet again. May Senior Brother take care of yourself."

Especially the last few words, Liu Banbi deliberately emphasized his tone.

Zhou Gouqi had an ugly expression, "What the hell do you know, you old bachelor?"

Liu Banbi raised an eyebrow but did not argue. He simply turned around and strode away.

He did not immediately fly away on his sword, probably to avoid alarming the locals.

Zhou Gouqi watched his junior brother walk away into the distance. After Liu Banbi's figure disappeared from sight, Zhou Gouqi's gaze returned to the courtyard door across from him, and he sighed softly, "What's wrong with being a martial artist? If it weren't for reading all these books, I would also want to resolve grudges on the spot."