NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68: Turning Back, Is That Person Amidst the Dark Lanterns?
Chapter 68: Turning Back, Is That Person Amidst the Dark Lanterns?
Lin Fengmian stood in the crowd in the distance and watched Wen Qinlin and Zhou Xiaoping leave.
Although he wanted to follow them for safety, he couldn’t be the one to get in the way.
Lin Fengmian sighed and turned back to the inn, feeling lonely.
The entire city was brightly lit with flower markets and lanterns, with many people walking in pairs or families enjoying the cool evening.
As he walked through the city, he was alone, thinking about Xia Yunxi.
He felt a complex mixture of emotions as he thought of her, the girl who was deeply attached to him.
Although it was Luo Xue who had left her, not him, he still had not taken her with him.
He had escaped from the Joyful Union Sect, but would the sect punish Xia Yunxi and the others?
He didn’t know why the Joyful Union Clan was treating him so special, and he hoped that it wouldn’t affect them.
As long as Liu Mei and the others made up a story that he was dead, she would probably be fine.
Given the current situation, Lin Fengmian couldn’t possibly go back to find her; it would be like walking into a trap.
With that in mind, he couldn’t help but sigh, hoping that she was safe and sound.
Looking at the bustling night market, Lin Fengmian shook his head. He had hoped to be able to turn around and find her amidst the dim lanterns.
However, even though he hadn’t met Xia Yunxi, he had attracted the attention of many city girls who looked at him with admiration.
Lin Fengmian had to turn down several girls who sent their maids to ask his name, finding it amusing.
When he was in Ningcheng, he didn’t receive this kind of treatment. It seemed that his charm had increased after his trip to the Joyful Union Sect.
Early the next morning, the three of them left for Luofeng City.
On the way, Lin Fengmian asked, “Do you two know where to find the Heaven Patrolling Guards?”
Wen Qinlin looked at him in surprise and asked, “Brother Lin, are you looking for the Heaven Patrolling Guards? What for?”
Zhou Xiaoping also looked at Lin Fengmian thoughtfully.
Lin Fengmian made up an excuse, “It is for the sect matter I mentioned yesterday, I need to report to the Heaven Patrolling Guards.”
Wen Qinlin nodded and said with a smile, “Brother Lin, you might not know this, but there are patrol towers in every port city and country. You can find the Heaven Patrol Guards in Luofeng City.”
Lin Fengmian was overjoyed and said, “I see, I was indeed ignorant.”
Wen Qinlin was used to Lin Fengmian’s lack of knowledge in the cultivation world and said with a smile, “Brother Lin, just travel more in the future, and you’ll naturally know everything.”
Lin Fengmian nodded and didn’t ask any further questions.
The three of them flew towards Luofeng City, laughing and talking. Thanks to Lin Fengmian’s guidance, they didn’t take any detours.
Wen Qinlin and Zhou Xiaoping piloted a flying boat and took Lin Fengmian with them at lightning speed. It took them only two days to reach Luofeng City, much faster than Lin Fengmian traveling alone.
Luofeng City, the largest port city near the Dongwang Mountain Range, covered an area of nearly 30,000 mu, it was built along the coast, and was grand and imposing.
The city had a population of several million, making it a large city in this sparsely populated area.
As they approached the city, they saw many cultivators flying by on flying boats.
The cultivators here were not as reticent as those in other places, and they flew directly to the city gate before landing.
The city’s residents seemed unperturbed, and they went about their own business, unlike those in other cities.
Many cultivators flew overhead, some on flying swords, some on flying boats, and some floating.
According to Wen Qinlin, the most important thing here was to keep a low profile, because you never knew if you might offend some hidden expert.
Lin Fengmian agreed, as he had just seen a seemingly ordinary cultivator levitate, whose cultivation was probably unfathomable, at least at the Nascent Soul stage.
Seeing his nervousness, Wen Qinlin said with a smile, “Brother Lin, there’s no need to be too nervous. There are specialized patrol cultivators in the city. As long as you don’t provoke anyone, no one will bother you.”
Lin Fengmian relaxed after hearing this and asked, “If a demonic cultivator comes here, will everyone attack them?”
Wen Qinlin shook his head and said, “Unless it’s a demonic cultivator with a notorious reputation on the extermination list or someone who’s causing trouble here, no one will act.”
“Brother, isn’t it our duty as righteous cultivators to exterminate demons and protect the Dao?” Zhou Xiaoping asked curiously.
Wen Qinlin’s expression was complex, his gaze profound, and he said, “Demonic and righteous paths are just different philosophies. Who can claim to be immaculate?”
“Not all demonic cultivators are evil, and not all righteous cultivators are good. Right and wrong are not determined by that.”
Lin Fengmian looked at Wen Qinlin in surprise, not expecting him to say such things. It seemed like he had some stories as well.
However, this was disappointing for Lin Fengmian, who had hoped to use the city’s Heavenly Patrol Guards to buy some time when the Joyful Union Sect caught up.
Zhou Xiaoping frowned and said, “So when we went to Dongwang Mountain to stop the Joyful Union Sect demonesses, did we also have to catch them in the act?”
Wen Qinlin said with a strange smile, “No need. There are no rules in the wilderness, only the law of the jungle.”
“Don’t say demonic cultivators, even if it’s a fellow righteous cultivator, if you have absolute confidence in covering your tracks, you can kill and plunder.”
Lin Fengmian and Zhou Xiaoping looked at him in surprise, as if they were seeing him for the first time.
“Brother, is that true?” Zhou Xiaoping asked incredulously.
Wen Qinlin nodded and said, “Of course it’s true. So, Junior Sister and Brother Lin, even among righteous cultivators, don’t trust too easily when you’re outside.”
“Cultivators compete with Heaven, demons, and humans. Sometimes humans are much more terrifying than demons. I don’t want you to learn that lesson the hard way.”
“As the saying goes, a fall teaches a lesson. But some mistakes, once made, leave no second chance.”
Lin Fengmian pondered for a moment, then bowed solemnly and said, “Thanks for the advice, Brother Wen, I have learned.”
Zhou Xiaoping seemed half-believing, but she seemed to have taken the words to heart.
The three of them landed far away and went into the city.
Wen Qinlin introduced Luofeng City to Lin Fengmian as they walked towards the large docks where many airships took off and landed.
Wen Qinlin and Zhou Xiaoping were obviously not visiting for the first time, but Zhou Xiaoping still seemed very excited.
The city was thriving, and no one was flying overhead. Lin Fengmian asked curiously.
Wen Qinlin explained that flying was forbidden in Luofeng City, and doing so would trigger the city’s array attacks.
Seeing the large docks with airships constantly taking off and landing, Lin Fengmian was astonished and asked, “Where are these airships going?”
Wen Qinlin explained, “Everywhere. Some very large airships even cross domains, but they are relatively rare.”
“Aren’t there any domain-crossing teleportation arrays?” Lin Fengmian asked curiously.
Wen Qinlin laughed and said, “Domain-crossing teleportation arrays are not something ordinary people can afford. The cost of one teleportation is enough to take an airship dozens of times.”
“And teleportation arrays are not available everywhere, only in a few major cities. Airship docks are spread all over the world, making them the current mainstream mode of travel.”