Chapter 82: Perilous Dangers in the Wild and Untamed Forest

A gentle rain had just fallen over Blackwater County.

After the rain, the pale blue sky looked like a painting, with a few delicate clouds floating across its translucent expanse—vast, distant, and lonely.

Willows lined the riverbank, their leaves still vivid and fresh thanks to the southern climate, swaying gracefully in the breeze. Cool raindrops still clung to the willow leaves, sparkling and clear.

Luo Changning was in high spirits. He reached out to break off a branch of willow by the shore and held it between his lips, filling his mouth with the fresh fragrance of rain-kissed leaves.

Now, it was truly just the four of them—master and servants. After Ma Qingyun had escorted them to the Blackwater Wharf, he merely gave Su Meng a deep look before using his lightness skill to fly back to Qingyang County.

Boatmen who ferried across the Blackwater River made only two trips a day—one in the morning and one at noon. Now, with nightfall approaching, no one would dare attempt the crossing. After all, the Blackwater River was five hundred zhang wide, with deep and fast waters—not an easy crossing by any means.

Luo Changning and his companions were in no hurry to return to Miaonan Road, so they found a nearby inn by the wharf to rest for the night.

The innkeeper was skilled in mechanical contraptions, having fortified the entire inn to make it impenetrable. Safety was more or less guaranteed—provided the intruder was not a martial artist of the Innate Realm.

The next morning, after enjoying fragrant red-oil wontons at a street stall, the group boarded their carriage and embarked on the boat.

Most of the other passengers were merchants and peddlers. To accommodate them, the boatmen allowed carriages onboard for an additional fee.

For their own safety, Luo Changning and his three companions booked just two rooms—one for himself and Uncle Zhong, another for Su Meng and Qing Gu. As for the carriage, there was a designated area for it, with an attendant to care for the horses.

Luo Changning continued his meditation and cultivation on the bed in his room. Just a few days ago, he had successfully opened both ear acupoints; now, only the mouth acupoint remained.

Once he opened the last acupoint, he could begin his breakthrough toward the Innate Realm.

The soundproofing on the riverboat was poor—there were constant noises: water splashing, oars dipping, voices and laughter. Yet none of this disturbed Luo Changning’s meditation. It wasn’t that he possessed extraordinary willpower, but rather, after opening the ear acupoints, he could not only hear every sound within twenty meters but also isolate himself from all outside noise.

No matter how loud the sounds outside, not a whisper could reach his ears.

The autumn weather was always mild, and the Blackwater River was especially calm—no whirlpools or large waves in sight. The entire journey was smooth.

Though the boat was not especially fast, they reached a small town at the foot of the Wildwood Forest before nightfall.

The Wildwood Forest was a rather unique presence in the Kingdom of Qianwu. Although located in Xiangnan Province, it was not under the jurisdiction of the local authorities.

A poisonous mist perpetually shrouded the forest, impenetrable to lower-level martial artists. The woods teemed with venomous creatures and fierce beasts; the slightest misstep could bring disaster—if not ripped apart by beasts, one might succumb to poison. Though the forest contained many rare herbs and poisons coveted by martial artists, few dared to risk their lives for them.

Moreover, the tribes living within the Wildwood Forest would trade those resources with people from the towns below in exchange for daily necessities.

As such, the imperial court had never intervened much. Most of the tribes there were considered uncivilized savages, living off the land without paying taxes.

Merchants could acquire coveted herbs and poisons from these tribes at minimal cost, then sell them elsewhere for a handsome profit—no reason to risk their lives venturing into the forest themselves.

Of course, some martial artists still braved the Wildwood—for the challenge and the hope of finding even more precious treasures. If luck favored them, they might come upon a rare opportunity, greatly advancing their skills.

For these reasons, the small town at the foot of the Wildwood Forest had become a bustling hub.

How could it not thrive?

With nothing more than rice, vegetables, fruit, or clothing, one could trade for the very things martial artists dreamed of. Reselling them further afield meant an enormous profit.

Luo Changning had read about the Wildwood Forest in books long ago and yearned to see it himself. He knew, however, that with his current level of martial cultivation, he could scarcely withstand even the outermost poisonous mists. Unlike the tribespeople, who moved freely through the toxic air, he was far from immune.

In truth, Luo Changning cared less for the rare herbs and poisons than for this: it was outside the Wildwood Forest that Su Qinqin had found Luo Feng and brought him home.

He couldn’t help but wonder, if his mother had never come to Xiangnan Province and never taken his father back to Su Manor, would everything have turned out differently?

At the very least, Su Qinqin would not have gone mad with grief after Luo Feng’s death, her beauty withering away so soon.

But what had happened was beyond regret—fate had long decided it.

Who meets and who parts—these are immutable facts. In the face of destiny’s might, everyone can do nothing but submit.

Having come all this way, Luo Changning and his companions would not waste the opportunity. After reserving two rooms, they set out together to explore the night market, hoping to find some treasures.

The carriage, naturally, was left in the care of the inn’s staff.

Originally, Su Meng had not planned to join the festivities, but Luo Changning and Qing Gu, concerned for her safety—since she knew no martial arts—insisted that she come along.

Even though night had fallen, the town was lively. Vendors’ cries rose and fell without pause.

There were casual shoppers like Luo Changning, as well as merchants and peddlers who had traveled far to purchase goods.

Perhaps because winter was approaching, the tribespeople from the forest had brought out more herbs and poisons than usual to trade for supplies to see them through the cold months.

For Luo Changning, a country boy who had never left Qiuhe Prefecture, the abundance and variety before him was dazzling; he could hardly take it all in and felt almost comically overwhelmed.

Thanks to generations of accumulated wealth in the Su family, Luo Changning had the means to indulge himself. Without hesitation, he bought a large quantity of herbs—all much cheaper than elsewhere—and stored them in his space jade toad.

Many of the herbs he bought he did not even recognize, but he thought: just because they are useless now does not mean they won’t be needed in the future—better to be prepared.

At first, Su Meng had little interest in strolling through the market, but ultimately she could not resist the lure of herbs and poisons. She purchased no less than Luo Changning.

It made sense—Su Meng had studied medicine since childhood and naturally found these things fascinating.

Luo Changning had to admit, watching Su Meng’s delight, he felt a twinge of jealousy. Perhaps, in this world, the only things that could truly draw his aunt’s interest—other than himself—were these herbs.