I Cheated While Cultivating

Chapter 375: Chapter 95: An Unexpected “Encounter

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Never would I have expected that, a year after my return to Yuanhe Prefecture City, the first reference to me would actually be this.

Zhou Heng was immediately embarrassed.

However, he also recognized who this person was.

It was a young girl, who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, with a beauty that could be described as “flawless as the moon,” exceedingly pretty.

She was none other than the legitimate daughter of Yuanhe Prefecture City’s Wang Family, Wang Xinyue.

“It really is you!” Wang Xinyue, after recognizing Zhou Heng, was extremely excited and cheerfully made her way to Zhou Heng’s side, slightly embarrassed, she said, “I apologize, sir, I, I was just too excited and called out your name directly.”

“Haha, that’s nothing, a name is, after all, meant to be called, um, but let’s skip the nickname,” Zhou Heng waved his hand and laughed, “How’s your old ancestor doing?”

During his last visit to Yuanhe Prefecture City, he had essentially saved the entire Wang Family, to whom he had done a great favor.

Back then, the Wang Family’s senior elder wanted to leave Wang Xinyue to serve at his side as a maid, but he had refused.

“The old ancestor is doing very well, it’s just that from time to time he mentions you, sir, saying that there is no way for the Wang Family to repay your great kindness, not knowing what to do, often feeling guilty and regretful,” Wang Xinyue said. “Sir, would you like to visit my home? The old ancestor would be extremely happy to see you.”

“If I have the chance, I will go,” Zhou Heng nodded lightly and said, “However, I’m here in Yuanhe Prefecture City to deal with some matters, so I won’t go over for now.”

“Is that so…” Wang Xinyue lowered her small head upon hearing this, somewhat disappointed, but then she still smiled and said, “Your own matters are more important, sir. After you’re done, may I come to invite you again?”

“Haha, that’s also fine.” Zhou Heng laughed and said.

He didn’t have a bad impression of the Wang Family, and since they had extended such a warm invitation, it wouldn’t hurt to join the excitement.

Moreover, Yuanhe Wang Family was a branch of the Xuanzhou Wang Clan, and the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer’s angular lodging was Wang Xueyuan from the longhouse of the collateral line of the Xuanzhou Wang Clan. Both he and his son Wang Xiuye had some acquaintance with Zhou Heng.

Although the relationship was a bit distant, it subconsciously elevated Zhou Heng’s favorability towards the Yuanhe Wang Family.

After parting with Wang Xinyue, Zhou Heng headed directly to Bai’s family pharmacy.

The reincarnation of Qingxia God was the daughter of Bai’s family pharmacy’s owner, the nine-year-old Bai Yuejian.

To find Qingxia God’s partially restored Divine Soul, one had to find Bai Yuejian.

But when Zhou Heng arrived at Bai’s family pharmacy, he found that only Bai Jingtian was managing the place, and he did not see the shopkeeper couple or Bai Yuejian.

Bai Jingtian was an apprentice of Bai’s family pharmacy and also the shopkeeper’s foster son, seventeen years old this year. Zhou Heng had given him some advice on matters concerning the Martial Path.

“Mr. Zhou, what brings you here?” Bai Jingtian was quite surprised to see Zhou Heng and quickly put down the prescription he was holding, stepped out from behind the counter, and welcomed Zhou Heng in.

“The shopkeeper and your sister are not here?” Zhou Heng glanced at the backyard and asked.

“They’re not.” Bai Jingtian shook his head upon hearing this and said, “A few days ago, my sister was fussing about missing grandma, and my father went with my mother to take her to grandma’s house.”

“Ah?” Zhou Heng had not expected things to be so coincidental, he pondered for a moment and asked, “When did they leave?”

“Two days ago, I guess,” Bai Jingtian, puzzled by the question, couldn’t help but voice his concern, “What’s wrong, sir? Is there some trouble?”

“It’s nothing.” Zhou Heng gently shook his head and reassured, “I just wanted to catch up with your father. Since that’s the case, I’ll stay in Yuanhe Prefecture City for a few days, waiting for their return.”

“`

“Alright.” Bai Jingtian said happily, his face beaming with a smile, “Then I’ll get the guest room ready for you. Oh, and I have some doubts about the martial path, could I ask you…”

“Haha, no problem,” Zhou Heng laughed, “By the way, which side is your grandmother’s family from?”

“Just to the south in Sanqiao Town, it’s only a bit over thirty li away,” Bai Jingtian replied without hesitation.

In that era, it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to travel long distances, and it wasn’t safe. Marriages usually didn’t happen over great distances, and a few dozen li was already considered quite far.

“Hmm, thank you,” Zhou Heng nodded slightly, and then with a thought, a strand of his divine soul flew out of the sea of consciousness, taking the treasured appearance of Laozi riding a bull to the south.

He was going to look for Bai Yuejian.

Two days earlier, just when the Evil God Mokara Jia Ye attempted to descend, a great battle broke out in Fengzhou County City.

Bai Yuejian insisted on leaving, which was likely because the Qingxia God sensed something or had recovered some of her strength.

Although this direction might not be accurate, it still served as a clue he could follow to check it out.

His divine soul went to track, while his main body would stay here waiting for the rabbit.

He wouldn’t miss out on either.

…

Thirty li was almost like an ordinary person walking from inside their house to the outside courtyard for Zhou Heng now.

In just a moment, he, manifesting the treasured appearance of Laozi riding a bull, had already arrived at Sanqiao Town, thirty li south of Yuanhe Prefecture City.

The town was named for being next to the Yuanhe River and having three large bridges, thriving with water transport. It was a place where passing merchant ships would stop for repairs before entering Yuanhe Prefecture City, and it was quite flourishing.

To avoid shocking the world and causing disturbance, Zhou Heng didn’t land directly. Instead, he spread his divine sense above the town, searching for the whereabouts of Bai Yuejian’s family.

Even after searching the entire Sanqiao Town, he found nothing.

Bai Yuejian and her parents were not here.

“Did they really just run off like that?” Zhou Heng frowned, thinking, “Could it be that she has further awakened and is now trying to lift the vow I made with my Tao seeds?”

In fact, after learning that the Qingxia God was one of the Thirty-Six Gods who dominated the Dark Era, he was mentally prepared for this.

As a former ruler who had stood at the pinnacle of an era, the Qingxia God would not be so easily subdued by him.

Even though the Qingxia God’s revival was initially weak and her intelligence had been lowered by the Fooling Card, once she further awakened, she would surely try to free herself from the control of the Tao seed vow again.

“Moreover, her decision to have Bai Yuejian’s family leave and hide from me indicates she is fairly confident that she could rid herself of the Tao seed vow’s binds within a short period.”

“If she could not break the vow with the Tao seeds within a short period, she wouldn’t need to leave Yuanhe Prefecture City at all, nor would she have to deliberately hide from me.

“After all, if she couldn’t break free in a short time, she could just drag it out gradually. Leaving early like this and hiding from me only makes me suspect something’s amiss.

“But the Tao seed vow was made with her own seeds, so how could she lift it, and what method could she possibly use?”

Zhou Heng looked down at Sanqiao Town, at the people protecting each other, and suddenly thought of a possibility, “To lift the vow made with her own Tao seeds relying solely on her unrecovered strength would be difficult, but what if someone were helping her?”

As a former era’s ruler, once the Qingxia God reclaimed part of her memories and strength, it should not be particularly difficult for her to collaborate with some of the current powerhouses.

“`

“So, who is more likely to help her?” Zhou Heng’s mind flashed with the names of several powers.

The Thirty-Six Heavens were definitely the most likely; after all, the organization’s ultimate goal was to unseal the thirty-six gods and awaken them. It was only logical to engage in such activities.

However, the members of the Thirty-Six Heavens were predominantly Loose Immortals from the Eastern Sea, who disliked dwelling in the mortal world and usually resided overseas. The coastal regions were also monitored by Great Sects and major families, making it quite conspicuous for Loose Immortals to venture to the mainland.

This scenario was not well-suited for the Qingxia God to clandestinely plot to unseal something.

Besides, it was also possible that people from the evil paths had interfered, given that the incident at Yuanhe Prefecture City a year ago already showed the Thirty-Six Heavens mingling with evil path experts.

If they could harness the power of the Evil God from the evil paths, it might be possible to break the oath of the Dao seed.

Aside from this, Zhou Heng also thought of another possibility – that mysterious Celestial Man who tried to save Liu Gaoyang during the battle at Yuanhe Prefecture City.

At that time, Liu Gaoyang was almost certain to die under You Ziheng’s “Sword Out of Hongmeng,” yet suddenly, a Celestial Man wielding the power of the Green Wood Dao intervened from afar and saved him.

Later, Zhou Heng had asked You Ziheng and the inner seats of the Five Emperors about the possible identity of that Celestial Man, but even today, there was no definite answer.

Only a few suspects remained—

The hidden Celestial Men of the Five Elements Sect, the Celestial Men of the Qing Emperor Palace, the powerful Loose Immortals of the Thirty-Six Heavens.

“Could it be the Qing Emperor Palace?” Zhou Heng frowned slightly, turning his gaze in the direction of Huangtong Mansion City. If one were to head to the Qing Emperor Palace from Yuanhe Prefecture City, passing through Huangtong Mansion City would be inevitable.

“If it really were the Qing Emperor Palace, would the Qingxia God possibly pass through Huangtong Mansion City with Bai Yuejian and the others?” With this thought, his expression suddenly became excited.

The Tao Lord Jiang Tafa, who had suppressed the Qingxia God for thousands of years, was currently posing as an old gatekeeper at the Pure Yang Martial Arts Hall in Huangtong Mansion City.

If they were to encounter each other, it would truly be like “seeing a ghost alive.”

Even with such conjecture, Zhou Heng still couldn’t confirm the Qingxia God’s exact whereabouts. Searching the road to the Qing Emperor Palace now would most likely yield nothing.

The Qingxia God was unlikely to make the mistake of not concealing her tracks.

“If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped,” Zhou Heng said with a resigned smile, opting to ‘cheat,’ “Use the ‘Tracking Card’!”

“Tracking Card: The universe is boundless; track across ten thousand miles! Concentrate and describe the target you want to track in detail, and its exact location and current information can be tracked within a hundred thousand miles.”

“Track ‘Bai Yuejian’…”

“… Location: Huangtong Mansion City…”

…

Not long after Zhou Heng entered Yuanhe Prefecture City, a man left the city.

He appeared to be a man in his thirties. After walking far away from the city, he changed his appearance, soared into the sky, turned into a green rainbow, and flew towards Pingzhou.

His name was Yi Kangan, a Fifth Rank Grandmaster of the Qing Emperor Palace. He was ordered to come to Yuanhe Prefecture City two days ago to monitor the comings and goings of people in the city.

Especially to see if Zhou Heng would come.

If Zhou Heng did arrive at Yuanhe Prefecture City, he must report back to the Sect immediately.

Although Yi Kangan himself didn’t understand the significance of such monitoring, since it was a task assigned by the higher-ups of the Qing Emperor Palace and he was a disciple, he naturally had no reason not to complete it.

But he didn’t expect to see Zhou Heng so soon.

This made Yi Kangan somewhat anxious. Could it be that some major event was about to happen?

It was said that wherever Zhou Heng went, there was never any peace, often resulting in a major battle, with the outcomes usually being catastrophic. The lighter cases involved the death of Grandmasters and supreme figures, and in serious cases, the fall of Celestial Men and Tao Lords.

“This is crazy; who knows what’s going to happen?” Yi Kangan worried as he flew towards Pingzhou and secretly calculated, “After I return this time to deliver the message, I’ll apply for seclusion and not leave the palace.”

Thinking this, he increased his speed, eager to leave Yuanhe Prefecture City, a place rife with trouble.

He was completely unaware that not far off, an old man riding a bull was slowly flying over.

The elder had an ethereal presence, bathed in brilliance, and was saturated with the essence of the Dao – this was Zhou Heng’s manifestation of the Supreme Riding Bull embodiment.

Having confirmed that Bai Yuejian was indeed in Huangtong Mansion City, he had returned from Sanqiao Town. He planned to use this Divine Soul embodiment to go to Huangtong Mansion City to find the Qingxia God.

His true body remained behind in Yuanhe Prefecture City,

Although the essence of the Supreme Riding Bull was only of the Secret Six Rank, the Dao essence it displayed was profound and unfathomable, difficult to comprehend, so much so that no one would doubt if it were said to be the Divine Soul embodiment of a Celestial Man or even a Tao Lord.

It was most suitable for seeking someone like the ancient overlord Qingxia God.

It would be very effective.

Zhou Heng had not anticipated, however, that he would encounter a Fifth Rank Grandmaster full of Green Wood Power on his way.

“It seems that the Qing Emperor Palace really has a major suspicion,” Zhou Heng mused.

…

Huangtong Mansion City was as peaceful as ever.

The Pure Yang number one Martial Arts Hall continued to be the talk of the town, a favorite place to visit for travelers who also liked to inquire about Zhou Heng’s exploits when he trained there.

The old man calling himself Jiang Er was sitting in front of the Martial Arts Hall, leisurely fanning himself and watching the passing crowd as Xie Chong stood by his side, making tea.

On the nearby street, a family of three was in a hurry – a husband and wife with their nine-year-old daughter.

But upon closer inspection, it seemed like the girl was leading the couple, and the three appeared to follow the girl’s lead.

“Moon Viewing, where exactly are we going?” Bai’s shopkeeper couldn’t help but ask his daughter. He had felt that ever since they left Huangtong Mansion City two days ago, Bai Yuejian had been acting more and more strangely.

“Yes, we’ve already arrived at Huangtong Mansion City,” Bai’s shopkeeper’s wife also asked.

“To a safe place,” the young Bai Yuejian said with maturity beyond her years, scanning her surroundings, “I heard that Zhou Heng once sought to practice martial arts here….”

Suddenly, her voice halted, cutting off abruptly as if something had lodged in her throat. Her mouth gaped open in disbelief as she looked in the direction of the Pure Yang number one Martial Arts Hall.

Her normally composed face turned deathly pale, filled with terror.

“Jiang… Jiang… Jiang… you, are you…?”

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