parentshiftbook Chapter 55: Crossing the Ghost River Again
Chapter 55: Crossing the Ghost River Again
Knowing that the chaos caused by the demons would not subside anytime soon, Zhang Ping decided to retreat to the prefectural city.
After all, Songping County is too small. It would be difficult for him to collect materials here, and it wouldn't be of much help to his cultivation.
Moreover, there are still many assets left behind by the martial arts school in the prefectural city waiting for him to take over.
Besides, Quan Hongyan and Qin Hu have not been seen since they were separated during the last attack.
I originally thought we would run into each other in Songping County, but after asking around, I found out that the two of them had never been here before, so they must have gone to the prefectural city.
Back in the courtyard, he told Fu Huiying about his idea.
After listening, Fu Huiying nodded:
"I'll listen to you. This afternoon, Da Shan also sent word that the demons left Lingchuan County, slaughtering the remaining elderly and weak in several towns along the way, and are now heading towards Songping County. However, I heard that they were stopped halfway by experts from the Demon Extermination Bureau."
She patted her chest, relieved.
"I thought everything was fine, but after hearing what you said, I'm afraid we can't stop it."
"Then we'll go to the prefectural city with the team in a few days." After discussing it, Zhang Ping made the decision.
Actually, whether he decides or not doesn't matter much. He doesn't know many people at the martial arts school. Qin Hu and Quan Hongyan aren't there. He owed Wang Dashan some favors from the school, but he's repaid them by breaking through the Demon Realm. Even if those people stay, he'll still take Fu Huiying with him.
Over the next few days, Zhang Ping made a point of walking around Songping County to observe the situation. The panic caused by the demons seemed to have eased somewhat, likely because news had come back that the experts from the Demon Extermination Bureau had stopped the demons, calming the fear in many people's hearts.
However, there were still people fleeing, and groups left the county town every day, making the streets visibly deserted.
Five days later.
A large group left Songping County and headed towards the prefectural city along the Guitian River route. Besides most of the members of the Sitong Martial Arts School, the group also included members of the Tianxing Martial Arts School who had escaped from Lingchuan County.
As they joined the group, Mao Xiangrong glanced at them twice, his eyes filled with malice. Zhang Ping, however, kept a watchful eye on him.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The magnificent scenery of Guitianhe once again appeared before Zhang Ping's eyes.
He stood on the riverbank, a look of emotion on his face: "I didn't expect that I would have to cross the Ghost River again so soon." After sighing, he turned his gaze to the right, looking at Ghost Cloud Mountain shrouded in dark clouds in the distance.
The heart of the mountain was obtained from Ghost Cloud Mountain and sealed in the altar by a longsword.
"I must come back to explore Ghost Cloud Mountain again if I have the chance in the future," he thought to himself.
If I'm not mistaken, Shanze was once a powerful demon who roamed the Ghost River. After being defeated, his heart was sealed on Ghost Cloud Mountain. As for why this was done, the reason is unknown. But Ghost Cloud Mountain is definitely not as simple as it seems.
As Zhang Ping was thinking, Wang Dashan walked up behind him and patted him on the shoulder:
"Zhang Ping, now that your master is missing and the martial arts school is severely weakened, what are your plans now that you're in the prefectural city?"
The martial arts school had fallen on hard times and could no longer protect its disciples. Wang Dashan's expression darkened.
Several people had told him along the way that if their master didn't return by the time they reached the prefectural city, they would leave the martial arts school. He didn't blame them; everyone has to plan for their own future. He was already lucky that everyone wasn't kicking him while he was down.
Zhang Ping turned around and replied, "I haven't decided yet, we'll talk about it later."
"Is that so? Okay, if you're willing to stay, the position of second senior brother at the martial arts school will be yours." Wang Dashan made a few promises before walking away to arrange the crossing.
Watching his retreating figure, Zhang Ping shook his head. He didn't have a clear destination yet, but Fu Huiying would definitely follow him. The martial arts school's assets, barring any unforeseen circumstances, would also be transferred to Fu Huiying's name. Then, contacting Lu Wanrou might allow them to establish themselves in the prefectural city.
He sighed and looked away.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the rest area on the riverbank, and soon profanities erupted, threatening to escalate into a physical fight.
Zhang Ping immediately went over to check.
"Mao Tianyu, what do you want to do!" As soon as I got closer, I heard Fu Huiying's angry voice.
"Madam, I was just trying to give you some pointers, don't be ungrateful..." In the open space created by the crowd, Mao Tianyu crossed his arms, glanced at Fu Huiying smugly, and spoke in a flippant tone.
"Hmph!" Fu Huiying's eyebrows shot up. "Don't give me that! Do you think I don't know what your Tianxing Martial Arts School is up to? Trying to seize our assets? Let me tell you, our properties in the prefectural city have already been mortgaged to Magistrate Xiao! Want them? Go ask Magistrate Xiao!"
"What?" Mao Tianyu's face stiffened, then he sneered, "Madam, who are you trying to scare with this little trick? Magistrate Xiao's daughter is in the ranks. If she hears this, you'll be in deep trouble!"
He simply didn't believe that the Sitong Martial Arts School could have gotten close to Magistrate Xiao. If they really had that connection, how could they be in such a sorry state?
Before he finished speaking, Zhang Ping stepped out from the crowd.
"Mao Tianyu? You want to die? I'll grant your wish." He looked at him coldly, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't forgotten about Lingchuan; the other party had colluded with the An family to frame him, almost handing him over to that pervert in Anqing. He had always remembered it, but hadn't had time to think about it recently.
"Zhang Ping!" Fu Huiying breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him arrive, and loosened her grip on the hem of her clothes.
"It's you?" Mao Tianyu recognized Zhang Ping and immediately burst into laughter, his eyes turning ferocious. "Ridiculous! You dare to be arrogant with just a mere Skin Tempering Realm cultivator? Things are different now. Did you think I would still hold back?"
Zhang Ping wanted to kill him, but didn't he also want to kill Zhang Ping? That punch broke his hand bone that day, causing him to lose face in public. Now that Chongxin was no longer protecting him, he was going to teach this arrogant brat a lesson!
With a sinister laugh, Mao Tianyu threw a punch! His blood and qi surged, revealing him to be at the peak of the Skin Tempering Realm, just one step away from the Flesh Refining Realm.
"Die!"
Wang Dashan, who had rushed over, saw Zhang Ping in danger and was about to step forward to stop him when he was stopped by a disciple of Tianxing Martial Arts School: "Want to make a move? Get past me first!"
Wang Dashan was blocked and was so anxious that he was furious.
The onlookers, some with their arms crossed and others with their hands behind their backs, all wore expressions of watching a show.
On one side is the son of the Tianxing Martial Arts School's master, who is about to break through from the late stage of the Skin Tempering Realm to the Flesh Refining Realm;
On the other side was an inconspicuous disciple from the Sitong Martial Arts School, whose qi and blood showed almost no fluctuation. This meant he was either a recent novice in the early stages of the Skin Tempering Realm, or simply an ordinary person who hadn't even reached that stage!
Most people already know how it will end.
However, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Ping showed no panic whatsoever in the face of this vicious punch, and his eyes did not even move.
He simply raised his right hand slowly, the movement seemingly slow, yet he precisely grasped the fist that Mao Tianyu was throwing.
Bang!
The moment his fist was clenched, Mao Tianyu's surging blood and qi suddenly dissipated! His forward-moving figure abruptly stopped as if nailed to the ground!
The immense recoil caused his face to flush red, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat.
The onlookers were all stunned.
What's going on?
A person whose qi and blood are almost imperceptible actually caught a full-force attack from a late-stage tempering martial artist with one hand.
Many people were still in shock, and some observant people noticed that even at this moment, Zhang Ping still hadn't released any qi or blood!
This completely overturned their understanding!
"What happened?"
"Why does he look so pale and weak?"
"Did they just hold it off with brute force? Or did Young Master Mao let them pass?"
The crowd was filled with surprise and doubt, and they began to discuss it in hushed tones.