Chapter 112: Repaying a Life-Saving Grace Tenfold

Besides the disciples of the White Cloud Sect, there were also people from the Clear Profound Gate and the Myriad Laws Church who had arrived here. That was why, when Long Aotian saw Zhou Qing earlier, he asked whether he had come to aid them or had other intentions.

Zhou Qing had heard of the White Cloud Sect, the Clear Profound Gate, and the Myriad Laws Church. In the Tianyue Kingdom, these three sects were revered as the three supreme schools of cultivation; whether ordinary folk, Taoists, or magicians, nearly everyone knew of them.

For the three revered sects to gather in this place, it was clear that what was happening in the Wildman Forest was no trivial matter.

Arriving at the riverbank, Zhou Qing noticed that not far from the river, there was a hollow amidst the hills, where several dilapidated houses stood. In front of those houses, people moved about.

As Zhou Qing conversed with Lin Yunxi, he gradually pieced together what had transpired here. After their exchange, the young girl Yun Ruo looked at Zhou Qing and smiled.

“Friend Zhou Qing, tomorrow we plan to enter the Wildman Forest. Are you interested in joining us?”

“Ah?” Zhou Qing replied noncommittally to this sudden invitation, but did not give a definite answer.

In his view, the matter in the forest was not minor, and since his cultivation was still shallow, he was reluctant to get involved in something unrelated to him—one misstep might cost his life.

“Yun Ruo!” Lin Yunxi called out to her junior sister upon hearing her words. “Friend Zhou is just passing through, and besides, the dangers in the Wildman Forest are unpredictable. Don’t involve those who have nothing to do with it.”

“It’s precisely because it’s dangerous and unpredictable that we want Friend Zhou to accompany us. You see, he’s young but already commands the power of water, so his cultivation must be considerable. With him and Senior Long Aotian, wouldn’t it be even safer entering the forest?”

“It seems the Master’s teachings over these years have been wasted on you.” Lin Yunxi sighed as she looked at her junior sister, then smiled at Zhou Qing. “Friend Zhou, my junior is inexperienced. Please pay no mind to her words. You are merely passing through, so it would be best to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.”

With those words, Lin Yunxi took her sister toward the houses in the hollow, while Long Aotian gave Zhou Qing a meaningful glance.

Seeing Zhou Qing quietly watching Lin Yunxi’s departing figure, Long Aotian spoke, “Friend Zhou, the matters in the forest are far too dangerous. You’d do well to leave here soon.”

From Long Aotian’s tone, Zhou Qing could sense something odd—not the kindly warning to leave, but rather a hint of sarcasm and provocation.

---

Zhou Qing paid little heed to Long Aotian’s words. He stood by the river, thinking carefully, and finally chose not to enter the river, but instead walked after Lin Yunxi.

His actions were not prompted by Long Aotian’s provocation, but purely by the desire to repay the debt from seven years ago when Lin Yunxi had saved him.

Though his cultivation was not high, after recently consuming a dragon’s core, he had already broken through to the Fasting Realm.

Moreover, he had another motive—he wished to gain a deeper understanding of the cultivators’ circle in this world.

Though he had entered the path of cultivation seven years ago, he had always lived in the Jinling County town. Old Daoist Wu was merely a wandering cultivator, and Zhou Qing had only spent a month with him, never learning much about the sects of this world.

Even as a wandering cultivator, one should still have some knowledge of the world of cultivation.

Judging from the words of the girl Yun Ruo, it seemed there would be quite a few people entering the Wildman Forest. If they were unafraid, why should he be?

Thus, with gratitude and curiosity as his motivation, Zhou Qing caught up with Lin Yunxi.

“Sister Yunxi, I have never forgotten your kindness in saving my life those years ago. Now that fate has brought us together here, and you are about to enter the Wildman Forest, let me accompany and protect you. Though my cultivation is not high, from what Friend Yun Ruo said, I feel I might still be of some help, so…”

“So you wish to enter the Wildman Forest with us?” Yun Ruo asked as Zhou Qing caught up to them.

Zhou Qing did not answer her directly, but nodded and directed his gaze to Lin Yunxi.

“Friend Zhou, this is no trivial matter. Do you know how dangerous that forest is? Many seniors from our three sects have entered the woods, but several days have passed, and not a single message has come out.”

After explaining, Lin Yunxi smiled again. “You need not dwell on what happened years ago. I merely happened to pass by and rescued you, and I never expected any reward.”

From Lin Yunxi’s words, Zhou Qing could sense her kind heart.

---

“My junior sister speaks true—the Wildman Forest is fraught with peril. Friend Zhou, you should not get involved. I advise you to stick to your original plan and continue your journey.”

Long Aotian, stepping forward, echoed Lin Yunxi’s words to Zhou Qing. This time, his tone was free of sarcasm and provocation, and was instead genuinely well-intentioned.

Zhou Qing could discern the shift in Long Aotian’s demeanor, and guessed that it was mostly on Lin Yunxi’s account.

“There is an old saying: ‘A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.’ Though I think that is a bit much, a debt of life must be repaid. Once this matter is settled, I will have one less burden on my heart. Beyond that, I have no other intention.”

Zhou Qing spoke these words both to reassure Lin Yunxi of his sincerity, and to make it clear to Long Aotian that he harbored no designs upon her.

“To settle this matter and have one less burden in your heart?” Lin Yunxi pondered Zhou Qing’s words, then bowed to him. “Since Friend Zhou is willing to risk entering the forest with us, Yunxi thanks you.”

“You are too polite, Sister Yunxi.” Zhou Qing raised his hand in return. “The term ‘friend’ is too formal—if you don’t mind, just call me Zhou Qing.”

With Zhou Qing’s decision to enter the forest, the four by the river proceeded together toward the ramshackle earth houses in the hollow.

There were about twenty houses there, half collapsed and the rest shabby but still intact.

Inside these dilapidated houses, Zhou Qing saw several cultivators—some practitioners of law, some of the Dao, men and women alike. From their attire, Zhou Qing could glean some understanding.

The magicians and abbesses of the Myriad Laws Church wore ceremonial robes; among them were both orthodox and secular practitioners.

The Daoist cultivators of the Clear Profound Gate: the men wore deep blue long robes, with matching belts embroidered in the center with the character for “Profound.” The women wore light blue dresses, with matching pouches at their waists, also embroidered with the same character.