Chapter 114: Encounter with the Prison Wagon on the Road

In the mountain mist and ravine, after passing through a cave nestled in the middle of the towering peaks, Kuang Zhen led Tianming and Xiaoying onward. Following a brief, tender moment between Tianming and Xiaoying, they soared once more. This time, they did not fly using the sword technique, as that would take longer and risk drawing attention from the righteous sect below.

A roar echoed!

Just as Tianming and Xiaoying descended beneath the mountain peak onto the righteous path, a fierce roar of a primal beast sounded from behind them. Amid the beast’s call, there were also faint sounds of commotion—many voices, it seemed.

On the path below, a ferocious and massive tiger-type primal beast dragged a huge cage behind it. Inside the cage lay, stood, or sat many people—men, women, old and young alike. Flanking the cage on both sides were two figures clad in black, with two more trailing behind at the rear.

Perched atop the fierce tiger was a middle-aged man exuding a steady, ruthless aura. Beneath him stood two burly, bare-chested men, standing respectfully and motionless, their eyes unwavering.

...

“Everyone, wake up! It seems some people have fallen from the mountain!”

“Could they be here to rescue us?”

Outside the cage, the seven guards wore grim expressions, their breaths held as they remained alert. Inside, however, the captive group was filled with joy, their eyes eagerly fixed on the three figures who had descended from the sky with their backs turned toward them, as if they were the light piercing through darkness.

“Maybe...” A thin scholar inside the cage murmured doubtfully.

“This is wonderful! Finally, rescue! I never want to stay in this cursed place again!”

Hearing the scholar’s words, a sharp-witted young man near the cage’s edge beamed with delight, laughing as he jumped excitedly.

“When we get out, I’m definitely going to feast,” said a simple, good-natured youth who had been slumped on the ground, now licking his lips.

“Ha! Who’s stopping you? Once I’m free, I’ll become even stronger!” another retorted.

“I don’t think so. There are only three of them, and one is a frail woman. Probably just passing by,” said a young man who had been sleeping in a corner, lazily opening his eyes and shaking his head after scanning the scene outside.

“Sigh, what a blow to morale. Who knows why these dark cultivators captured us?” Upon hearing the young man’s words, the surrounding captives’ spirits visibly sank. One young man, staring at the blue sky and white clouds, looked weary, as if each second stretched to an eternity.

*Cough cough!*

“Yunsheng, stop complaining. Let fate take its course. When the time is right, things will turn around...” An elderly man with white hair, after coughing a few times, lifted his aged face to speak softly.

“Turn around? Hmph. Just stay put and obediently sacrifice yourselves for the continent’s conquest. These three rescuers are nothing but a foolish dream!” A black-clad man near the cage sneered disdainfully at the three newcomers, patting the cage.

“Feng Zeba! Don’t jump to conclusions. Go ask who they are and what their intentions might be. If they are just passing through, leave them be,” said another voice sharply.

The commotion at the cage seemed to have already alerted the young man in the crimson robe atop the fierce tiger. He glared fiercely at the speaker, and as the black-clad men lowered their heads, he pointed ahead and ordered sternly.

“Yes, Lord Jiang Cheng!”

Upon hearing the command, Feng Zeba trembled and bowed deeply to the crimson-robed youth.

...

The crimson-robed youth nodded slightly, then closed his eyes and entered a meditative state, no longer observing his surroundings.

Seeing this, Feng Zeba had no complaints. He carefully rose and approached the three newcomers, a trace of caution flashing across his face.

“Who are you? Why have you suddenly fallen from the mountain and blocked our path?”

Seeing one of the black-clad men approach, Tianming showed no fear. He remained calm and still. Heng Cheng, cloaked in black robes and hat, revealed little about himself, while Xiaoying stayed close to her master, Young Master Chu Yun.

“Chu Yun! Heh, these two are my personal maid and bodyguard,” Tianming said after a moment of thought, raising a hand to restrain the restless Heng Cheng, shaking his head gently, then turning to Feng Zeba to answer.

“Chu Yun? Don’t know that name. I don’t care who you are; just move aside quickly!” Feng Zeba muttered, unable to place the surname Chu, waving his hand impatiently.

“Oh? Don’t know? Well, you seem rather bold. But I wonder who these people you’re escorting are, and by whose orders you act. To not even recognize me, Chu Yun, yet brazenly enter Blackwater Town’s territory from the righteous path.” Tianming’s face darkened as he nodded heavily, then looked toward the prisoners in the cage and asked gravely.

“Uh...” Feng Zeba was caught off guard by the youth’s sudden anger and took a fearful step back, momentarily speechless.

...

“What are you standing there for? Call your leader over to speak!”

Kuang Zhen, hidden beneath a black robe, glanced at the crimson-robed youth atop the beast. Hearing Tianming’s words, he showed no surprise but turned his gaze sharply toward Feng Zeba, rebuking him in a low voice.

“Y-Yes, sir!”

Already intimidated by the imposing presence of the finely dressed youth, Feng Zeba trembled even more at Kuang Zhen’s harsher tone. He hurriedly bowed and scurried toward the great tiger beast.

...

“Lord Jiang Cheng, they...” Feng Zeba began.

“No need to say more; I heard everything. Step back!” Before Feng Zeba could finish, the crimson-robed youth on the great tiger opened his eyes, which shone with a dark, elusive light. He waved his hand dismissively.

“Yes, Lord Jiang Cheng.”

Seeing the crimson-robed youth’s reaction, Feng Zeba dared not say another word and withdrew respectfully.

“Interesting... I wonder if this young master is truly from the Chu family. If so, please forgive our earlier discourtesy. I am Jiang Cheng, a hall master under the Dark Heaven Immortal Protector. We are currently escorting slaves captured from the Central Divine Continent and have no time for idle chatter.”

The crimson-robed youth’s gaze shifted sideways, his dark eyes softening into a smile as he respectfully addressed the finely dressed youth leading the three.

“Slaves from the Central Divine Continent? Captured? What use are they? Judging by the ragtag group in that cage, I doubt you could fetch a good price for them even if you sold them,” Tianming sneered, shrugging.

“Heh, Young Master Chu has a keen eye to see through that. But this is confidential; forgive me, Jiang Cheng, I cannot disclose more to you!”