Chapter Fifty-Three: Wounded Wolf

“Mother, I’m going out to play.”

“No, don’t run off. I heard there are monsters near Gu County.”

“This isn’t Gu County, and anyway, what sort of monster could there be? If I meet one, I’ll just come back—I won’t let it catch me.”

“Wait… come back… You really are a handful.”

This was an ordinary family—not wealthy, but never forced to sell their children, and so could be considered well-off.

The girl who spoke was just over ten years old.

Her name was Xie Jingwen.

Taking advantage of her mother not yet coming after her, she slipped out the door.

With her hands behind her back, she skipped and hopped toward her usual playground.

But today, none of her playmates were to be seen; it seemed everyone was hiding at home. Most families were likely frightened by tales of monsters in Gu County, afraid their children might be taken.

“What kind of monster, anyway?” she muttered, pouting. After wandering about for a while, she found herself bored and decided to head home.

It was then she noticed someone in the distance, walking slowly, almost sluggishly.

Curious, she drew closer and was startled.

It was a middle-aged woman, perhaps fifty or sixty, older than her own mother, and exceedingly ugly—so thin she was little more than skin and bones.

“How long has it been since she’s eaten?” Jingwen wondered, patting her pocket and finding a few coins. She hurried over and called out, “Hey, here you go…”

The woman turned her head, her eyes deep and shadowed.

Startled, Jingwen patted her little chest to calm herself. “You scared me to death! Here, take the money—it’s enough for a bun.”

The woman said nothing, but suddenly reached out and grabbed Jingwen by the hair.

Pain seared her scalp. “What are you doing?”

Without a word, the woman scooped her up by the waist and ran toward the mountains, her speed astonishing.

“Put me down… put me down right now!” the girl screamed. “Are you a child-snatcher?”

A cold, icy voice rang out: “You wretched beast!”

There was a thunderous crash.

A massive boulder came hurtling down.

The woman froze in her tracks, threw the girl aside, and dodged to one side.

The boulder was as large as a millstone, rolling straight toward them.

Jingwen crashed to the ground, landing face-first toward the oncoming boulder; terror drained all color from her cheeks.

In that split second, a figure appeared in front of her.

He was dressed in white, bearing an air as ethereal as drifting clouds.

He pressed his hand down, and the massive stone fell into his palm as if it weighed nothing at all.

Jingwen stared, stunned, only to see another person in black robes rush out from the side.

“Sir,” the black-robed figure said, standing to one side.

The man in white turned around. His features were handsome, his skin fair and clear, eyes cold and sharp.

“We’ve been searching for you two around here for almost four days,” the man in white—Qingyuan—said coolly. “In those four days, seven more girls have come to harm. At last, today, we’ve found one…”

With a wave of his hand, he ordered, “Take her!”

Gu Cang drew his blade and leapt forward.

The gaunt woman, frail and awkward, managed only two exchanges before Gu Cang sliced off her hand with a single stroke.

The severed hand hit the ground with a thud—no blood, only withered skin.

She let out a howl—a wolf’s cry.

Gu Cang charged forward and brought his blade down, splitting her in two.

But from the remains, a wolf emerged.

It stood upright, fangs bared.

“So it is as I thought…” Qingyuan’s eyes sharpened.

Freed from its human shell, the wolf moved even faster, its claws and teeth a blur. Yet Gu Cang’s skill was far superior, his mastery of the blade evident. After several exchanges, he landed a glancing blow.

The wolf, cunning and quick, managed to evade fatal injury, suffering only a shallow wound. Realizing these two were formidable, it turned and fled into the mountains.

Gu Cang did not give chase, but gripped his blade, glancing at Qingyuan with a hint of a smile.

“Well done,” Qingyuan said with a rare smile. “Now, follow it, but stay neither too close nor too far—don’t let it notice, but don’t lose it either.”

Gu Cang grinned, blade in hand, and slipped after the wolf.

Qingyuan lowered his gaze to the pale, terrified girl and thought, I wonder if she’s been badly frightened. If she’s left with nightmares or other ailments, that would be unfortunate.

He reached out, intending to steady her with a wave of inner energy.

Seeing him reach for her, Jingwen quickly waved him off, crying, “Don’t kill me… please don’t kill me…”

Qingyuan gave a small smile. “I won’t kill you.”

Seeing she was conscious and alert, he withdrew his hand and said, “It’s dangerous out here. Go home, and don’t wander off.”

With that, he turned to leave, heading after Gu Cang.

“Wait…” The girl suddenly grabbed the hem of his trousers, her wide eyes imploring. “Can you do martial arts?”

“No,” Qingyuan replied.

“Liar,” the girl retorted, biting her lip. “I saw you catch that huge stone.”

Qingyuan frowned. “Let’s say I can. What do you want?”

Her face lit up. “Take me as your disciple, won’t you?”

Expressionless, Qingyuan replied, “No.”

“Why not?” she protested. “Don’t think I’m too young. I’ll be grown in a few years… I have great talent, and—”

Qingyuan cut her off. “Things aren’t as simple as you imagine. You’re still a child. Go home…”

“I may be young, but my heart is strong.” She suddenly hugged his leg, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’ve wanted to learn since I was little. Sure, I’m young now, but—”

“Hold on.”

Qingyuan frowned. He considered using his energy to gently push her away, but she’d only just survived a terror, and he didn’t want to harm her further.

Looking more closely, he was surprised by her delicate features.

He placed his hand atop her head, sending a thread of energy through her. To his astonishment, she possessed remarkable potential, and her bright eyes betrayed quick wit.

She truly is a good seedling, he thought. But I’ve already taken on Gu Cang—I can’t take another disciple, or my own cultivation will suffer.

He glanced up; Gu Cang was already far ahead.

Reluctant to linger, he said dismissively, “If you want to learn from me, you’d have to follow me right away. You’re so young—how could you leave your family?”

“Why not? I’ll come back after I’ve mastered my skills.”

“You…” Qingyuan said, “To study with me is a lifelong commitment—you may never return home in your lifetime.”

“I’m not afraid,” the girl replied with confidence. “I have great talent.”

“Even with talent, it’s a matter of decades.” Qingyuan frowned. “Go home, speak with your parents, pack your things, and have them bring you here.”

The girl paused, thinking carefully. Then she asked, “Master, will you wait for me?”

Qingyuan answered absently, “I will.”

Only then did the girl let go and run home. Halfway there, she turned back and called, “Master, wait for me!”

Qingyuan nodded.

She hurried away.

Watching her go, Qingyuan shook his head, then turned and followed after Gu Cang.