Chapter 95: Extraordinary Talent

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Extraordinary Talent

Chen Yue had been listening quietly to the other three talk. Gazing at the distant merchant caravan, he said,

"If we keep tailing them like this, won’t it cause a bigger misunderstanding and hostility? What if they discover us and think we have ill intentions?"

Shen Dujiang thought for a moment and said, "Like Hu said, we won’t get too close. We’ll maintain a sufficient distance and just use the ruts and hoofprints they leave behind as a guide.

This is a public road, meant for everyone to travel. There’s no reason they should be the only ones allowed on it. We just happen to be going the same way."

Hu Shaoyu also nodded quickly. "Right, right, Boss Shen makes a good point. There are only four of us. No matter how cautious they are, they shouldn’t be too nervous about us."

Chen Yue listened to their analysis, glanced at the exhausted Lin Quan, and finally nodded. "Alright. We’ll do as you say—keep our distance and follow from afar."

Having made their decision, the four found a shady spot by the roadside to rest for a while.

After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they estimated the caravan was more than a li ahead. Only then did they get back on the road, following the fresh wheel ruts at an unhurried pace.

The four walked on in silence, their eyes constantly scanning the road ahead and the surrounding wilderness for any sign of movement.

The people in the caravan were all old hands of the Jianghu; they quickly noticed that the "tail" behind them hadn’t left, but was instead following them at a subtle distance.

A guard in charge of the rearguard hurried to the middle of the caravan to report to Steward Qiu Jin:

"Steward Qiu, those four people behind us haven’t left. They’re still following from a distance, about a li away. Should we... send someone to drive them off, or warn them to stay away?"

Hearing this, Qiu Jin’s brow immediately furrowed. His already sharp features grew even more grim.

He stroked his thin, wispy mustache, not making an immediate decision. Instead, he turned and walked toward a nondescript, blue-canopied carriage in the middle of the caravan. Speaking in a low voice through the curtain, he said:

"Mr. Yan, those four ’tails’ are still following. What are your thoughts...?" Qiu Jin’s tone was respectful and inquiring.

There was a moment of silence from within the carriage before a slightly hoarse male voice emerged. "What is the Cultivation of those four? Have the guards determined it?"

Qiu Jin looked at the reporting guard, who quickly bowed and replied, "Reporting to Mr. Yan, your subordinate observed their auras and gaits from a distance. Two of them are around the Refining Flesh Realm, and one should be in the Skin Refining Realm.

The last one has a weak aura and heavy footsteps, knowing no Martial Arts. Judging by their clothes and baggage, they do indeed look like refugees."

Yali’s voice sounded again, unhurried. "Steward Qiu, in your opinion, is there anything suspicious about the faces or behavior of those four? Do they seem like local bandits in disguise, or do they have some other motive?"

Qiu Jin carefully recalled the appearance and demeanor of Chen Yue’s group of four and said thoughtfully,

"At a glance, one has the air of a traveling merchant, the middle-aged man has the feel of the Jianghu about him, the young one is quiet and reserved, and the old one seems more like a commoner.

For now, I can’t tell if they’re bandits in disguise. But in this day and age, people’s hearts are unknowable. I can’t make any guarantees."

The carriage fell silent for another moment before Yali’s voice came again:

"In that case, there’s no need to drive them away for now. This is a public road, and anyone can travel it. If we force them away without any proof, we’ll just be making an enemy for no reason.

However, you need to assign more men to monitor their every move closely. Be especially vigilant when we make camp at night. If there’s any unusual activity, like if they try to get closer and spy on the caravan, report to me immediately."

"Yes! Your subordinate understands!"

The guard clasped his hands, accepted the order, and withdrew to relay Yali’s instructions. He also arranged for a few sharp-eyed guards to take turns watching their rear.

After the guard left, Yali’s voice lowered, speaking only to Qiu Jin beside the carriage:

"Steward Qiu, you were right not to let them get close earlier. There’s no harm in being cautious.

However, this area just experienced a great inauspicious omen like the Heavenly Dog Devouring the Sun. Anyone who managed to escape from the cities has some ability. As long as they don’t start trouble, we’ll just observe and react as needed."

Qiu Jin nodded, his expression softening slightly as he said in a low voice,

"Mr. Yan, your foresight is comprehensive. On this journey, we are also burdened with the important task of escorting *that item*. It is indeed best not to create extra trouble. It would be a great blessing if we can reach Celestial State Prefecture smoothly."

...

Chen Yue and his group were completely unaware of this exchange, but they could sense that the caravan hadn’t sent anyone to drive them off or warn them. They only noticed a few more gazes from up ahead.

The two groups formed a subtle, unspoken balance: so long as one did not bother the other, they could travel the same road in peace.

Just like that, the two groups, one in front and one behind, traveled peacefully on the wilderness dirt road for a full day.

The caravan’s pace wasn’t fast, as they had to accommodate the carriages, horses, women, and children. But their advantage lay in their clear route and large numbers, which inadvertently cleared the path for Chen Yue’s group of four behind them.

For Chen Yue and the others, this was the most ideal state for travel.

「In the evening,」 the afterglow of the sunset dyed the clouds on the horizon a dark gold.

The caravan ahead stopped in an open area backed by a low hill and near a stream. They began to set up camp and prepare their cooking pots for the night.

Shadows flitted about. The faint sounds of shouts, hoofbeats, and clattering wood drifted over as the smoke of cooking fires began to rise.

Chen Yue’s group also stopped behind a small hill about two hundred *zhang* from the caravan’s camp. The view from here was decent; they could vaguely see the light from the caravan’s bonfires while maintaining a safe distance, and the hill provided some cover.

Their luck was good today. Although they didn’t find any wild rabbits, they had managed to kill a half-grown wild boar that was drinking by the stream with a few well-aimed stones.

In these sparsely populated wilds, game was plentiful.

Hu Shaoyu deftly skinned, gutted, and butchered the wild boar. The meat, marbled with fat, was skewered over the bonfire to roast. Grease dripped into the fire, CRACKLING.

The rich aroma of meat, mixed with a bit of coarse salt that Hu Shaoyu had sprinkled on, instantly filled their small camp, making one’s mouth water.

Compared to the dry rations and cold food most of the caravan was eating, Chen Yue and his group were having a sumptuous dinner.

After the satisfying meal, Chen Yue didn’t lean back to rest and chat like Shen Dujiang and Hu Shaoyu, nor did he wrap himself tightly in his clothes to sleep early like Lin Quan.

He got up, walked to a relatively flat, open area, took a stance, and slowly began to practice the Great Vajra Palm.

The force of his palms was steady, the moves ancient and unadorned. Although he didn’t circulate his Gang Qi, every movement carried an extraordinary momentum, looking especially focused in the deepening twilight.

Throughout the day, whenever the caravan stopped to rest, Chen Yue would seize the opportunity to practice his various Cultivation Techniques.

He would either practice the Great Vajra Palm to temper his Palm Force, the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield to hone his muscles, bones, and Qi Blood, the Vast Firm Essence Technique to nourish his Inner Breath, or the Heart Nourishing Technique to clarify his Heart Spirit.

And while they were on the move, he didn’t waste a moment either, often taking out a Secret Manual or a Pill Formula from his robes to read and ponder as he walked.

With the caravan ahead to lead the way and serve as an early warning system, Chen Yue, though still needing to devote a portion of his attention to his surroundings, no longer had to be as constantly tense as when he traveled alone. He could now invest more energy into his own cultivation and accumulation.

Hu Shaoyu and Shen Dujiang sat around the bonfire, poking the flames with sticks while watching Chen Yue, who was engrossed in his cultivation in the twilight not far away.

Although it wasn’t the first time that day they had seen Chen Yue practice with such urgency, a sense of wonder and admiration still couldn’t help but appear in their eyes.

"To have such unfathomable cultivation and combat power at his age..."

Shen Dujiang lowered his voice and sighed to Hu Shaoyu, "It’s definitely not a fluke. This temperament, this diligence... it already surpasses ninety-nine percent of the Martial Artists in the world. He truly doesn’t want to waste a single moment."

Hu Shaoyu nodded in deep agreement. Gazing at Chen Yue’s quiet and focused silhouette, he said in a low voice,

"There may be those with extraordinary Talent, but the ones who can maximize that talent are always people of great willpower and perseverance. On this journey, whenever there’s been a spare moment, Chen has been either practicing his skills or reading a book. I’m humbled by his diligence."

On the other side, Lin Quan, wrapped in a thin blanket given to him by Shen Dujiang, leaned against the hill. His gaze upon the practicing Chen Yue was also complicated.

The firelight danced on Chen Yue’s young yet resolute face. His steady demeanor and fluid Palm Technique gradually overlapped with the memory of the quiet apprentice from Huichun Hall, only to diverge again.

’This was just the pharmacy apprentice I casually gave a few pointers to. How did he become such a terrifying existence in such a short time?’

’What in the world happened?’

However, having lived for more than half his life, Lin Quan knew that some things could be asked, while others had to be kept buried in one’s heart.

Chen Yue had saved his life and brought him out of a perilous situation. That was enough.

As for Chen Yue’s secrets, they were not for him to pry into. All he could do was mind his own business and not cause Chen Yue any trouble.

The night deepened. The bonfire crackled.

Chen Yue lowered his palms and stood still, slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air. A bright light shone in his eyes.

A full day of travel and cultivation had not left him tired. On the contrary, thanks to circulating the Vast Firm Essence Technique and the appropriate training, his condition was now optimal.

He walked back to the bonfire and nodded to Shen Dujiang and Hu Shaoyu. "I’ll take the first watch tonight. Boss Shen, I’ll trouble you with the second."

"Alright. Rest easy, Chen," Shen Dujiang replied.

Chen Yue smiled faintly. After finishing a set of the Great Vajra Palm, his Qi Blood was simmering gently, and his muscles and bones felt limber.

He didn’t stop to rest. With a flicker, his body left a faint afterimage in its place as his real form drifted several *zhang* away like a wisp of smoke. In the limited open space around the hill, he began to practice the Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step.

His footwork was light and agile, at times like willow catkins drifting on the wind, at others like a swift swallow skimming the water. He weaved and turned within a tiny space without the slightest hesitation, as if he had become one with his surroundings.

Chen Yue’s mind was focused, carefully feeling the subtle connections between the force, angle, and Qi Transformation of each step.

Recently, Chen Yue had been putting immense effort into his Body Technique. This was not only because the experience bar for his Vertical Cloud Thousand Layer Step was nearly full (Perfection 5983/6023), but also because he had come to a profound realization: in this world fraught with danger, a solid set of escape skills was incredibly important!

Sometimes, if you can’t beat your opponent, you at least have to be able to outrun them!

A Body Technique wasn’t just an extension of one’s offense; it was the number one priority for self-preservation!