Chapter 61: The Murong Family

  Under the sunlight, Ji Changkong wore a white qipao and galloped freely.

  He sprinted with all his might, still maintaining the realm of having me. All the fluctuations in the surrounding yuan force could not escape his heart's perception. One by one, the Western Heaven Immortals hiding in the dark were avoided by him a step ahead, and they couldn't form a siege against him at all.

  His internal energy flowed into his legs, and he felt like he had endless strength throughout his body. His running speed got faster and faster, and in the midst of dodging and jumping, he was always able to accurately pass through the gaps between the tree branches.

  He looked around cautiously with the white Qingya on his back, worried that he would be blocked by the Western Tian Shi along the way, and feared that the Western killer, the two demons would appear, and was frightened all the way.

  Gradually, she found that Ji Changkong, who didn't seem to be particularly profound, was somehow able to avoid the Western Heaven's cultivators at critical moments, as if he had foreknowledge. Bai Qingya was perplexed and couldn't understand how Ji Changkong managed to do it.

  Half a time later, Ji Changkong carried Bai Qingya on his back, crossing the dense forest, and suddenly stepped onto a flat pipe.

  A team of merchants from the State of Shuiyun, with heavy loads piled high on their horses, were traveling at a leisurely pace. Among these merchants, some were clearly also heavenly warriors, with cold and stern expressions, warily watching Ji Changkong as he hastily ran along the official road, fearing that they might be green forest bandits.

  "Slow down!"

  Bai Qingya suddenly let out a soft cry and stretched out her hand to gently pat Ji Changkong's shoulder.

  She suddenly stopped in her tracks and stood still in the middle of the official road, turned around and looked at Bai Qingya, asking: "What's wrong?"

  Bai Qing's face turned red, and she slightly tilted her head back to avoid eye contact before responding, "The merchant caravan ahead is from the Murong family of Tianshui City. The Murong family is a prominent clan in the State of Yunshui, so there must be formidable Sky Warriors escorting the caravan. If you follow them, the Western Region's Sky Warriors will not dare to recklessly pursue and kill."

  "Oh."

  The princess nodded slightly and slowed down her pace, following the merchant caravan in front of her at a steady speed.

  Before going out, Ji Changkong had listened to Ji Yusheng's detailed explanation of the world situation and knew that the Murong family in Tianshui City was doing silk business, and Yunsi Pavilion, the largest clothing store in Shuizhong Country, was opened by the Murong family.

  The southern Yi region is rich in sericulture, and the Murong family's merchant caravans often pass through Qingyan Mountain on their way to the southern Yi region to exchange salt, porcelain, and other goods for southern Yi silk and beautiful jade. They use the silk to make luxurious clothing that they sell at Yunsi Pavilion.

  The merchant group that dares to cross the Yun Meng Great Swamp to head to Nan Yi, naturally has something to rely on. There are powerful Tian Shi escorting the merchant group, which is not strange at all.

  "You, can you put me down first?"

  Bai Qingya's face turned red, her bright eyes shining with a flowing light, and she whispered softly into Ji Changkong's ear.

  She was on Ji Changkong's back, her head against his nape, and as she spoke, the fragrance of orchids wafted from her breath, immediately rushing towards Ji Changkong's cheeks and drilling into his mouth and nose.

  Until this time, Ji Changkong only realized that carrying Bai Qingya on his back was somewhat inappropriate. With the temporary absence of the Western Territory's threat, Ji Changkong's tense nerves relaxed in an instant, and then he immediately felt the softness and plumpness of Bai Qingya's chest, as well as the beauty of her long legs.

  "Uh... sorry..."

  Hurriedly putting down Bai Qingya, Ji Changkong's face was awkward, and he pulled away from Bai Qingya, afraid that she would get angry.

  "No, don't blame you." Bai Qingya seemed to be afraid to look at Ji Changkong, and casually glanced around, saying: "Those Western Heaven cultivators who were chasing us should be the dark followers of the Mani evil sect. Their cultivation levels are high and low, but they are definitely far inferior to the Five Demons, and they will not dare to continue killing us on the official road."

  "Isn't the doctrine of Manichaeism in the Western Regions about purity, brightness, great power and wisdom? In the Western Regions, Manichaeism has always been renowned for its good reputation, how can there be such evil creatures as the Blood Demons?" Ji Changkong asked curiously.

  "The Manichaeans worship the sun, and their doctrine does indeed emphasize purity, light, power, and wisdom. However, this is only a superficial doctrine. In reality, the Manichaeans have always been divided into two parts. The Holy Mother Yulan is only the nominal leader, under whom there are four great kings of purity, light, power, and wisdom. But apart from her, the Manichaeans also have a Dark King, under whom there are five demonic heads: fear, greed, hatred, bloodlust, and darkness. Under these five demons, there are dark servants who are unknown to the world. They are responsible for eliminating enemies of the Manichaeans and doing unspeakable deeds."

  "Manichaeism not only worships light, but also controls darkness! In the Western Regions, Manichaeism was able to become the largest Tian Shi sect because of the magical powers of Mother Yulan, but the King of Darkness is also a great contributor. Many Tian Shi sects in the Western Regions that opposed Manichaeism were eliminated by the King of Darkness and the Five Devils. It can be said that without the King of Darkness, Manichaeism would not have become the largest Tian Shi sect in the Western Regions!"

  Bai Qingya lowered her voice and told Ji Changkong about this secret of Manichaeism.

  Miss Changkong listened to Zhong Lijie, Zhong Li Hui and Yu Zilu discussing the overall situation of the world. She also heard Ji Yusheng and Ji Wanyun talk about some worldly affairs, but she had never heard this secret about Manichaeism before. After Bai Qingya finished speaking, Miss Changkong pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: "That Bloodthirsty Demon, why did it target your father?"

  "I don't know, maybe it's because my father offended them at Qingyan Mountain." Bai Qingya shook her head, seemingly unwilling to discuss the matter further. She pointed to the front, where the Mu Rong family's merchant caravan was, and smiled: "The Mu Rong family is wealthy and influential, Cloud Silk Pavilion makes a fortune for them every year. Mu Rong Yan is one of the three young geniuses in the Water Cloud Country. If we follow them, we'll definitely be able to enter Tian Shui City safely."

  "Haha, Miss Bai is too kind!" A bright and clear voice suddenly came from the front of the Mu Rong family's merchant group. Mu Rong Yan, dressed in brocade clothes and holding a jade ruler, suddenly stopped his Flame Horse and turned to look at Bai Qingya.

  "Mu Rong brother, it's been a long time. I really didn't expect to see you in the merchant caravan." Bai Qing smiled and suddenly reached out to grab Ji Changkong, walking towards the Mu Rong family's merchant caravan. Pointing at Ji Changkong, she introduced: "This is my cousin, Bai Hui. My father and the Western Domain's killer demon had a fierce battle, I couldn't help much and got injured, so I could only retreat with my cousin. Just now, we were thinking of borrowing the Mu Rong family's reputation to temporarily avoid the dark followers. I hope you won't mind, Mu Rong brother."

  Ji Changkong was taken aback, opening her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Bai Qingya's gaze, and could only acknowledge the identity of Bai Hui, with some confusion in her heart as to why Bai Qingya insisted on giving herself a title of younger brother.

  "What?! Mu Rongyan shouted, furious: "The Manichaeans dare to do evil in my territory! Miss Bai, where is your father now? I'll go with Uncle Jia to help him right away!"

  "Thank you, Murong brother, for your kind intentions." Bai Qingya shook her head and frowned, "I got separated from my father, but I think he's better off without me as a burden. Those dark followers who chased us will probably avoid your Murong family's merchant caravan, so there's no need to be too polite, Murong brother."

  "Your respected father is a top-notch expert of the Moon Flower Sect, naturally not afraid of the Bloodthirsty and Double Devils. However, Miss Bai has been injured now, so it's safer for her to be with us. If Miss Bai doesn't mind, I hope she can come to our Murong family's merchant caravan. I guarantee that before Miss Bai's injuries are healed, no one will be able to harm her again." Murong Yan extended the invitation warmly.

  Bai Qingya hesitated for a moment, smiling and politely declining: "No need, we're not far from Tian Shui City now. My brother and I will hurry along the official road, there shouldn't be any problems."

  Murong Yan warmly invited a few more sentences, seeing that Bai Qingya really had no intention of joining them and did not force it. He called for someone to bring over two fine horses and handed them over to Bai Qingya, saying: "We'll be up ahead; if anything happens, Miss Bai just needs to call out loudly."

  With that, Murong Yan patted the Flame Horse under him and continued on his way at a steady pace, occasionally turning back to look at Bai Qingya with concern.

  "It's safer for you to be with them. I see that Murong Yan is very enthusiastic about you, why did you refuse?" Ji Changkong asked strangely as he flipped onto his horse.

  "Debts of gratitude... are the hardest to explain, once incurred, they must be repaid sooner or later. I'd rather owe you a favor than owe him!" Bai Qingya said with a smile, lowering her voice.

  Ji Changkong was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more, and rode horseback alongside Bai Qingya.

  Five days later, the two followed Mu Rong's merchant group and finally arrived at Tianshui City. After returning the two fine horses to Murong Yan, Bai Qingya took Ji Changkong and entered Tianshui City directly.

  ……