Chapter 8

The carriage began to move, the man in the driver’s seat directing the group towards the import city. “We are leaving for Chun Hai. Do all of you know the city's layout?” Ru Zhaozhi questioned. Ru Zhaozhi must not be one of the disciples in the training process with Wo Zhedong, since he wasn’t a part of the leading family by his familial name. However, Ba Yihan wouldn’t treat the young man any differently. It seemed Ru Zhaozhi at least wanted to become stronger to protect people, unlike Ba Yihan.

Ru Zhaozhi took out a piece of talisman paper from his own bag as a result of the silence in agreements. Oh, we were supposed to bring magic items? Dammit. Ba Yihan didn’t worry all too much, since he was a great swordsman. That was one of his best points. Swords and their associated moves. Magic and cultivation was less of were thing, sicne they took time and practice. Something Ba Yihan wasn’t a fiend for. But, he was here to learn.

Ru Zhaozhi began painting the piece of talisman paper in water, dampening the parts he wanted to. He was creating a dreaming talisman, obviously the fact he then tossed the talisman into the air, which it flew up with a gust of wind to the ceiling, the stream of air keeping it in place. Then, an opaque map appeared on the table. Because it was a dreaming talisman, Ba Yihan knew he was hallucinating. Though, Ru Zhaozhi didn’t do it for malicious intent. The map seemed to be a beach area, but Ba Yihan soon realized what it was.

“Chun Hai is known for two things. One is the boats, sailors, and captains that come through. And the second is imports from around the Earth. The outline looks like this.” Ru Zhaozhi settled his hands on the wooden table all four of the disciples stood around.

Tai Xinbing hummed before pointing to the small piece of green towards the middle of the bustling city from a sky view. “And this? Why is there a random outstretch of grass?” Tai Xinbing asked, and Ru Zhaozhi had to lean over to see what he was talking about.

When he did, he laughed. “Ah, it’s a memorial ground. Chun Hai has one man that has wealth that towers over everyone else.” Ru Zhaozhi then looked over at Yue Mingkun, who had his hand parted to look out through the curtains. “Mingkun-Shidi. Do you have any questions about Chun Hai. We must know the outline of the city or else we will get lost.” Ru Zhaozhi asked, his hands going from the wooden table to his lap.

Yue Mingkun still had an attitude, and he huffed at Ru Zhaozhi’s question. “Shidi?” He asked, his voice pitched up as if he was insulted. Well, in Ru Zhaozhi’s defense, they were all at the same level.

Ru Zhaozhi placed his palms together to kiss and bowed his head towards Yue Mingkun. “I apologize. That was ill-fit for the situation.” Ba Yihan watched Yue Mingkun roll his eyes and turn out to watch the trees once again. Liu Bai He Clan disciples always apologizing and being polite… get a backbone.

Not like Ba Yihan was going to say anything, or scold Yue Mingkun for his rudeness. He was arguing with Wo Huangchun, though it was as if he was talking to a brick wall since Wo Huangchun didn’t show the same irritation back. What’s wrong with you? Hm, you need a scolding from Wo Anxuan, she will definitely get you back into your rightful spot.

“People’s lives are all on the line. Please remember that.” Tai Xinbing spoke politely to Yue Mingkun, who didn’t shower this man with a single glance. Tai Xingbing sighed, but Ru Zhaozhi just laughed and patted Tai Xinbing.

Temperance, kindness, and reflection. That was basically Liu Bai He Clan’s catchphrase. And Ru Zhaozhi was showing all three of those. “Let’s get back on track, hm? People are dying, and it must be someone with spiteful intentions. Do you have any ideas of what this could be, Ba Yihan?” Ru Zhaozhi asked, turning to look at Ba Yihan, who was looking at the other three men.

Ru Zhaozhi’s hair was in a top bun, braided in different spots to add variety. Ba Yihan looked back at the hologram of Chun Hai before nodding. “Could it be a wandering corpse? They feast on dead bodies, so it could kill people.” Ba Yihan reasoned, and Ru Zhaozhi followed where Ba Yihan’s eyes were going to Chun Hai’s layout. “Wandering corpses? That’s demonic energy. Wandering corpses could be the culprit, but the deaths could be predicted. Wandering corpses are unpredictable, even with traces of virulence energy.”

Demonic energy. Ba Yihan, as well as all the other disciples in the carriage, didn’t know anything about the evil form. Its premise was to kill, not to protect like normal cultivation. That is why it was outlawed long ago. No one uses it, and it should have been forgotten for centuries. Ba Yihan knew Ru Zhaozhi was right. Which was disappointing, especially for someone who was a lover of wandering corpes.

“We should look out for any clues. Who knows, it might be a wandering corpse that has not been killed. Their lifetimes are practically infinite.” Tai Xinbing sighed with worry.

Yes! Wandering corpses still in!