Chapter Eighty-Six: Borrowing Horses to Traverse Mountains and Rivers

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Zhong Ming hurriedly explained to Yu Bai, “Miss Yu Bai, I think you’ve misunderstood. I willingly lent my life to the young Taoist.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Bai tugged at Zhong Ming’s sleeve and whispered, “I believe you’ve been deceived by those two demons. The method of borrowing life harms you without benefit. Usually, those who borrow life have unusual destinies, with three flaws and five defects. He is borrowing your fate to extend his life…”

“I know all that, Miss Yu Bai. This misunderstanding can’t be cleared up in a few words. I truly volunteered,” Zhong Ming replied firmly.

Seeing his determination, Yu Bai snorted coldly and muttered, “Stubborn as ever.”

Then she turned and left the room. The bronze greatsword circled Zhong Ming hesitantly for a moment before vanishing into the ripples.

Zhong Ming had no time to pay attention to Yu Bai and quickly approached Zhang Daozhen’s side. “Old Dao, are you alright?”

Shaking his head, Zhang Daozhen coughed softly before saying, “I’m fine. It’s just the backlash from the formation—I’ve sustained some internal injuries. Go check if the blood in the bronze lamps has finished burning.”

Zhong Ming glanced back at the two bronze lamps. Only a thin layer of blood remained inside, but the burning was not yet complete.

A bitter taste lingered in his mouth as he frowned. “It’s not done yet. There’s still some left.”

“Fate is like this!” Zhang Daozhen sighed deeply, and the pain triggered another cough of blood.

Worried, Zhong Ming asked, “So, did the borrowing of life succeed or not?”

“It did, but my disciple’s fate only merged nine-tenths into yours. There remains a tenth linked to the previous incarnation. The true dragon’s national fortune from the former life cannot be severed.”

Zhong Ming’s brow furrowed tighter. “What consequences come from that missing tenth?”

“I cannot say for sure,” Zhang Daozhen admitted. “But it’s certain that both you and my disciple will face hardships. That tenth part of the national fortune will bring the ill luck of the dying true dragon nation upon you both.”

Hearing this, Zhong Ming was deeply troubled. It was all because of Yu Bai’s well-meaning but misguided actions that both he and Zhang Nianchen were now trapped in this predicament.

Zhang Nianchen beside him looked even more apologetic, repeatedly apologizing to Zhong Ming.

Zhong Ming waved him off. “This isn’t your fault. You had nothing to do with it. Take care of Old Dao first. I’m going out to see Miss Yu Bai.”

Closing the door behind the two master and disciple, Zhong Ming left the Li family’s small courtyard.

Just outside, he saw four or five people standing in the Sun family’s yard, including Old Sun and Sun Luolian, along with a few boys with missing teeth.

Old Sun spotted Zhong Ming and hurriedly waved. “Little Zhong, we’ve been looking for you. There’s been a major incident on our border!”

Just as one wave of trouble settled, another arose, filling Zhong Ming’s heart with frustration.

He suppressed his anger and asked, “What’s happened?”

Old Sun pointed to the southwest. “Look, Little Zhong, isn’t there a new green mountain over there?”

Following Old Sun’s finger, Zhong Ming looked up into the distance. Beyond the barren hill to the south, a towering peak abruptly rose.

The barren hill was merely a large mound, but that peak was a true mountain, far away yet clearly visible as soaring into the clouds, taller even than the great mountains of the Suiyun mountain range.

Staring at the green mountain, Zhong Ming’s brows knitted deeply, lost in thought.

If his guess was right, that mountain was the spiritual vein Yu Bai mentioned last night.

The spiritual vein was crucial to the interests of Baiyu Capital, and Zhong Ming understood its significance well. After a long gaze, he turned back and said, “Uncle Sun, tell the villagers that no one is allowed to approach that mountain. It belongs to Baiyu Capital.”

Hearing it was something sought by immortals, Uncle Sun agreed wholeheartedly and quickly sent the toothless boys to inform the villagers to gather in the courtyard.

Uncle Sun hesitated, rubbing his hands, then said, “I sent the boys to scout the hill. They said there’s mist all around it. From the village, it looks normal, but up close, the mountain is shrouded in swirling clouds and fog, making it hard to see clearly.”

Clicking his tongue several times, Uncle Sun continued, “No wonder the mountain looks so sinister—it’s been conjured up by the immortals.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Sun. As long as we don’t get close, nothing will happen.”

Reassuring him, Zhong Ming turned to head home, his mind still concerned about Yu Bai.

Seeing Zhong Ming about to leave, Sun Luolian, standing behind her grandfather with a worried expression, raised her hand to call out to him.

When Zhong Ming entered the courtyard earlier, she had secretly been watching him, her worry clearly etched between her brows.

Since Yu Bai’s arrival in the village, Sun Luolian had not smiled once in all these days.

Finally meeting Zhong Ming today, she bit her lip determinedly, resolved to ask him something clearly.

Taking a few steps to catch up, Sun Luolian forced a smile and softly called, “Brother Zhong, where are you going?”

Seeing her smiling face warmed Zhong Ming’s heart, easing much of his irritation. He replied, “I had a misunderstanding with Miss Yu Bai just now. I’m going to find her and explain things properly.”

Hearing that, Sun Luolian’s smile froze. She whispered, “Oh, you’re going to find Miss Yu Bai… Brother Zhong, she’s been staying at your place these days. There are some rumors in the village. Don’t let them ruin your reputation.”

“Rumors like that?” Zhong Ming frowned and shook his head, sighing at the villagers’ penchant for gossip. He didn’t take it seriously. “If you meet those gossipy women again, stop them from spreading nonsense. It’s not good if it reaches her ears. After all, she’s a guest.”

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Hearing this, Sun Luolian could tell that Yu Bai and Zhong Ming had not yet reached the stage of romance. Her little face immediately brightened with a smile.

Obediently nodding, she happily said, “I’ll tell those gossipmongers to stop.”

“All right, we’ll talk more later. I have to hurry and find Miss Yu Bai.”

Watching Zhong Ming’s departing figure, Sun Luolian finally smiled genuinely. Hearing the name “Yu Bai” no longer felt as harsh as before.

Old Sun slowly walked behind his granddaughter and said softly, “Xiao Lian, Xiao Zhong is a good boy, and capable too. A man like him can’t be found twice on this border. If you really like him, we should hurry.”

“When the time comes, I’ll have someone arrange a match for you,” he added.

When the topic turned to marriage, Sun Luolian blushed and coyly replied, “Grandpa…”

Old Sun looked up to watch Zhong Ming’s figure fade away and said, “You’re no longer young. By next year, Xiao Zhong will come of age. It’s time to marry and settle down.”

Sun Luolian stared at his retreating back quietly, inwardly wishing time would pass faster so Brother Zhong could rightfully marry her.

...

As for marriage, Zhong Ming had never entertained such thoughts. Recently, he had been overwhelmed by strange and complicated matters, leaving no time for romance.

Arriving home, Zhong Ming found Yu Bai packing.

Though she was packing, Yu Bai didn’t have much—mostly just some rice and grain she had taken from his house.

Opening the door, Zhong Ming looked at Yu Bai, puzzled. “Miss Yu Bai, are you leaving?”

Yu Bai still looked flushed but snorted coldly. “I won’t stay here and mess around with you reckless fool who doesn’t value his life.”

The misunderstanding from earlier was still unresolved. Zhong Ming sighed and had to explain the reason for borrowing life.

After hearing the whole story, Yu Bai’s expression softened but she still said coldly, “Such sinister methods—don’t easily agree to things like this in the future. You are exchanging your life for someone else’s.”

Zhong Ming smiled. “I exchanged my life for the lives of over two hundred people in Yuni Village. It’s not a loss.”

Yu Bai’s expression shifted, and she looked at Zhong Ming once more with a strange glint in her eyes.

Still, she didn’t put down the sack of rice. Slinging it over her back, she said, “I’m borrowing some rice and your horse.”

“Are you really leaving?”

Zhong Ming saw no anger in her face now. She seemed serious.

He didn’t press further but stuffed a piece of meat into her rice bag and warned, “Miss Yu Bai, be careful on your journey. Don’t trust others too easily.”

This reminder brought back memories of their first meeting. Yu Bai gave him a white-eyed glance. “You think everyone in the world is as bad as you?”

Zhong Ming smiled. “Better safe than sorry when traveling.”

Yu Bai took the rice sack from Zhong Ming. “Don’t worry, I won’t go far. I’m heading to Suiyun Mountain. I’ll be back in a few days.”

Hearing this, Zhong Ming frowned deeply. He had to ask, “Miss Yu Bai, don’t you know the spiritual vein in the mountain is already compromised? That belongs to Baiyu Capital. If you enter now, you risk offending them.”

“I know.”

Yu Bai hesitated briefly before saying, “I have my reasons. The soul you brought last night is indeed a disciple of Kunlun. He said he was hiding in Suiyun Mountain searching for something extraordinary.”

Zhong Ming worriedly said, “They say humans die for wealth, birds for food. Everyone wants treasure, but risking your life for it is pointless.”

Yu Bai’s gaze was resolute. “I must go. That thing might solve the problem with my sword bone.”

Learning this concerned Yu Bai’s sword bone, Zhong Ming stopped persuading her. He knew he couldn’t stop her.

Since he couldn’t stop her, he decided to help her prepare thoroughly. He pulled her inside the house. “Miss Yu Bai, wait here. I’ll borrow something for you.”

With that, Zhong Ming hurried out.

Yu Bai sat on a small wooden stool, staring blankly at the door after Zhong Ming disappeared into the courtyard.

This village official was truly kind to her—not in the way of palace favor, but straightforward and helpful.

Yu Bai’s thoughts drifted. She recalled moments spent with Zhong Ming recently, feeling an indelible impression—a strange feeling she had never experienced with anyone else.

She sat dazed for a while before Zhong Ming returned, slightly out of breath.

He held a sword and handed it to Yu Bai. “Miss Yu Bai, your sword is broken. Take this for now.”

Yu Bai drew the slender sword from its scabbard. It seemed specially made for a woman, decorated with vine and petal patterns. The blade was inscribed with the characters “Hundred Flowers.”

The Divine Sword Hundred Flowers, once wielded by Hua Jieyu, was renowned and even listed among the Divine Weapons.

“Our village is small, and no one uses swords. There aren’t many good swords here. I borrowed this from another household for you to use temporarily.”

Yu Bai sheathed the sword and smirked. “Such a sword is rare even on my Sword Cliff and still not a good one. Compared to that, your saber must be the best in the world.”

Zhong Ming laughed awkwardly. He had never seen the weapons of immortals and didn’t realize the Hundred Flowers sword was such a divine weapon.

“It’ll do for now,” he said with a smile.

Taking the sword and carrying the rice sack, Yu Bai led Zhong Ming’s old horse, Firecloud, out of the yard.

Zhong Ming accompanied her to the village entrance. As the energetic girl rode toward Suiyun Mountain, he reminded her, “Be careful in everything!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll return safely. I, Yu Bai, will not break my word. Borrowing your horse and sword, I will return them!” she called back, waving from horseback.

The horse’s hooves splashed muddy water as they trotted along the narrow path.

Standing on a stone at the village entrance, Zhong Ming whispered, “May you return safely.”

The sun shone brightly, marking the first parting between the youth and the maiden.

...

After the old horse disappeared into the distance, Zhong Ming reluctantly withdrew his gaze. Thinking that such a beautiful girl would be out of sight for days made him somewhat regretful.

With a sigh, Zhong Ming was about to return to the village when he suddenly saw a radiant light emerging from Suiyun Mountain, coming from the direction Yu Bai had taken.

The light quickly approached, landing before Zhong Ming.

A melodious pipa tune sounded in his ears. The newcomer’s wide robes fluttered in the wind, exuding the bearing of an immortal. It was Feng Ning, who had been missing for several days.

Feng Ning landed gracefully. The jade pipa slowly shrank and vanished into his back.

His face bore a joyful smile, eyes gleaming with delight as if he had found a treasure.

Seeing Zhong Ming, Feng Ning’s smile broadened. Before landing fully, he called out loudly, “Mr. Zhong, have you been waiting for me to return?”

Zhong Ming didn’t want to mention Yu Bai entering the mountain and simply smiled in reply. “I just happened to be watching the scenery at the village entrance. Feng Sir, have you finished your business and returned from the mountain?”

Nodding, Feng Ning said, “I gained quite a lot this trip, thanks to your help, Mr. Zhong.”

“Feng Sir, you’re too kind. Teaching the first piece and borrowing a place to stay isn’t much help,” Zhong Ming said politely.

After a few polite exchanges, Zhong Ming asked, “Did you see a troop of cavalry when you entered the mountain?”

“You mean General Yang and the Fine Scale Cavalry? They should be arriving soon,” Feng Ning answered.

The Fine Scale Cavalry’s reputation was so great that even this immortal from Southern Han had heard of them.

Hearing that Yang Yanlang was finally returning to the city, Zhong Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Yang Yanlang left, Zhong Ming had borne all the border troubles alone. At first, before acknowledging Yang Yanlang as his uncle, he didn’t feel it much—handling everything himself was normal.

But after accepting him as uncle, Zhong Ming felt a bit dependent since few people could share his burdens.

Quickly saluting, Zhong Ming said, “Then Feng Sheng, please return to the village first. I’ll wait here for my uncle’s cavalry.”

Hearing Zhong Ming’s address, Feng Ning was surprised. “Yang Yanlang is your uncle? Mr. Zhong, you’re truly a man of hidden talents!”

Waving his hand, Zhong Ming gave a dry laugh without answering. He never boasted about such things.

Unexpectedly, Feng Ning pulled him aside and said, “No rush. The Fine Scale Cavalry is weary from travel and slow on the march. They won’t arrive until the afternoon. You can come to greet them then.”

So the two walked toward the village. Feng Ning was in a good mood and talkative.

“Has Feifei troubled you these days?”

Feng Ning flung back his wide sleeves and walked with his hands behind his back.

Surrounded by company, Zhong Ming maintained the elegance of a scholar, walking with his hands behind his back and smiling. “Feifei is fine. She’s clever and can take care of herself. I haven’t helped much, definitely not troubled by her.”

Feng Ning smiled approvingly. “That’s good.”

Their casual chat ranged from Feng Mufei to music and the spiritual vein of Suiyun Mountain. Feng Ning seemed unreserved, as if he could share anything with Zhong Ming.

Zhong Ming thought to himself: Why not take this chance to bring up Li Wangye’s matter?

With that in mind, he quickly diverted the topic and cautiously asked, “Feng Sir, I have a favor to ask. I wonder if you can help?”

Pausing slightly, Feng Ning stopped and turned with a smiling gaze. “Speak, sir. Feng Ning will consider before deciding.”