Chapter 405 - Porter

Outside the southern city of Linzi lies Mount Longing, where legend has it that a general once rode his horse in haste, only to die suddenly there.The general’s name is unknown, yet the mountain’s name is passed down through generations.

It seems that one who could die from exhaustion on a hurried journey was no Famous General.

For reasons unknown, this mountain gradually became a graveyard, with many graves relocated here.

Because of its some renown, being laid to rest here supposedly under the watch of generals, not just anyone could be interred, making it quite a decent burial ground.

The final resting place chosen for Xu Fang, a family head from five hundred years ago, was located here.

No wonder they say there are so many people in Linzi.

Leaving the city, though one could fortunately avoid rubbing shoulders with others, there were still many types of people on the official road, including sightseers and traveling merchants.

After about the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, the number of people on the road visibly thinned out.

Jiang Wang paused for a moment and said, “You go on ahead, I’ll catch up later.”

Xu Xiangqian didn’t ask why, simply acknowledging, he continued walking forward.

While Jiang Wang, touching his Longsword, turned around decisively toward a porter.

The porter, carrying a load of stones, stepped aside, and Jiang Wang sidestepped two paces along with him.

Only then did the porter look up and say in an authentic Linzi accent, “Mister, I can’t move aside any further, please go ahead.”

Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his smile was quite simple and honest.

“I’m afraid you can’t keep up,” Jiang Wang said.

“What do you mean keep up?

I’m just carrying these stones up ahead.

I’m not going the same way as you,” the porter retorted.

Looking at the porter, he seemed to be in his thirties or forties.

However, if one were to wash away the wax-yellow of his face and tidy up his scruffy beard, he could look at least ten years younger.

Jiang Wang stared at him and asked, “How do you know you’re not going the same way as me, how do you know…

where I’m headed?”

The porter was taken aback but quickly replied, “You’re accompanying that funeral procession, you’re surely heading to Mount Longing.

No need to think twice about that.”

Jiang Wang’s gaze fell to his feet, indicating for him to look at his own boots: “I’ve seen those boots of yours a dozen times now.

What’s the matter, can’t bear to change them?”

It was then the porter realized where the problem lay.

He had not expected the one preparing his disguise to make such a rookie mistake, but now was not the time to dwell on it.

Trouble.

That thought emerged in his mind.

Without another word, he threw down his load, aiming both the carrying pole and two baskets of stones directly at Jiang Wang.

Boom!

The loud explosion at such a short distance showed the force behind the throw.

Jiang Wang simply drew his sword from the scabbard, and the cold light flashed instantly.

The carrying pole broke in two, and the stones scattered to each side, as if possessing their own will, all avoiding Jiang Wang.

In that moment, Jiang Wang strode forward, his sword tip aiming straight for the porter’s vitals.

Crack!

The porter clapped his hands together, miraculously trapping the blade between his palms, then forcefully twisted it aside while throwing a ferociously powerful straight kick.

Jiang Wang did not dodge; he merely twisted his sword slightly, and the fierce Sword Qi immediately burst forth in a swirling fashion.

To save his hands, the porter was forced to let go and retreat.

Seizing the moment, Jiang Wang slashed his Longsword downward, aiming to cut the porter’s leg which hadn’t been fully withdrawn.

However, a burst of Soldier Slayer energy surged from the porter’s leg, enveloping it and rising sharply, seemingly prepared for a hard clash with Longing.

This straightforward and fierce combat style was indeed that of a military cultivator.

With judgment made in his heart, Jiang Wang’s swordplay turned into a lifting slice, once again aiming at his opponent’s throat.

And the porter, with a glint of cold light in his eyes, raised his left hand to shield his neck while his foot unhesitatingly stabbed towards Jiang Wang’s chest.

It had the ruthless intention of trading a hand for a life.

Like a lightning bolt, Jiang Wang pressed on the porter’s lower leg, and he leaped, spinning in the air to deliver a direct whip kick!

Crack!

The whip kick detonated the air itself, connecting squarely with the porter’s arms raised to shield his neck, pushing down hard, inward.

It yanked his arms along, slamming into his right cheek, sending his entire body flying.

All this transpired within a blink of an eye, as swift as lightning, leaving no chance for any hand seals.

In terms of strength, this tracker disguised as a porter was not weaker than Xi Munan, who once held the seal of Jia City’s City Lord, and was considered exceptional even among those in the Ascending Dragon Realm.

But to the present Jiang Wang, such prowess was far from sufficient.

It is said that the porter, after being kicked away, immediately somersaulted back to his feet; however, Jiang Wang was already close at hand again, within striking distance.

This was a range within which evasion was difficult and life and death could be determined instantaneously.

“Don’t force me to go too far,” Jiang Wang said.

Like a bucket of cold water thrown over his head, the porter instantly calmed down.

Even in Linzi, killing an unidentified person who was tracking him was not without justification.

And the gap in strength had been clearly demonstrated in their brief exchange.

Compared to those hot-headed youths rushing headlong into battle, an opponent’s rationality was always a relief.

Jiang Wang sheathed his sword, asking indifferently, “Who sent you to track me?”

Clamping his jaw, the porter responded, “I can’t say.”

“Not willing, or unable?” Jiang Wang thought for a moment, “From the military, Wang Yiwu?”

He couldn’t help but curl his lips, believing he had caught a handle on Wang Yiwu—a fortuitous gain from this trip, “Using military orders for personal business?”

“Not at all!” the porter rebutted, “You are not from Qi, and your origins are unclear, yet you mingle in Linzi.

We have an obligation to guard the Capital City and every reason to investigate you.”

Wang Yiwu indeed was not so careless as to leave loopholes.

This was an initiative by the military which could be deemed entirely within protocol.

But at times like these, even without reason one should muster bravado, let alone with reason.

“Let’s not mention that my Baron title was granted by the Emperor himself.

Even the Emperor has seen me at Donghua Pavilion and acknowledged my merits.

You doubt me?

Doubt the Emperor’s discernment?”

Jiang Wang’s cold gaze was fixated on him, nearly inscribing ‘what are you worth’ on his face, “Which army do you belong to?”

“We were just investigating…

we didn’t do anything,” he said.

“Then do you know what relation Wang Yiwu has with Zhongxuan Zun, and what relation I have with Zhongxuan Sheng?

Are you aware of how fierce the competition for the position of Family Head is between Zhongxuan Zun and Zhongxuan Sheng right now, and how many interests are involved?” Jiang Wang bombarded him with questions.

The porter’s face, even under the waxy yellow makeup, showed signs of uncertainty, “I didn’t…

think that far.

I was just following orders.”

Jiang Wang eyed him, his fingers tapping lightly on the sword hilt.

The porter remained silent as well, waiting for his decision.

After a while, Jiang Wang spoke, “Wipe your face clean; let me remember who you are.”

With this person’s level of cultivation, he was certainly not just an ordinary soldier in any army.

It was highly suspect that Wang Yiwu’s side had sent such a person to follow him; it seemed more than mere tracking.

Killing him outright would be foolish for Jiang Wang.

Pressured by Jiang Wang’s sword-like gaze, the porter, without any space for hesitation, reached up and wiped his face.

As the waxy substance came off, even the beard vanished.

What appeared was an average face of a young man with good complexion, likely only in his early twenties.

Jiang Wang’s judgment firmed, as he only said, “We’re heading the same way now, right?”

Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward Xu Xiangqian’s direction, utterly unconcerned that the porter might take the chance to flee.

Because they both understood that fleeing was futile.

The young man, still in his porter garb, hesitated for a moment but eventually took a step and followed behind Jiang Wang.