I am Just a Wild God, Why are You Kneeling Before the Heavenly Dao?

66: Encountering a ghost on the roadJust as Lin Chuping was racking his brain, pondering how to break the deadlock, two luxurious carriages were rushing towards Chang Sheng Village, fifty miles away.

There were escorts both in front of and behind the carriages, each riding a tall horse, looking majestic and imposing.

It was the third month of late spring, a time when grass should be growing and orioles flying, yet Shen Jianxing was huddled in the carriage, wrapped in a heavy fox fur, leaning against the soft cushions inside the carriage, his pale face devoid of any color.

With each slight bump of the carriage, he couldn’t help but cough twice, his slender fingers instinctively gripping the lapel of his robe.

”Young Master, have some hot soup.”

The maid, Xiaotao, lifted the curtain and handed in a steaming ginseng soup, her eyes full of worry.

Shen Jianxing forced a smile, his fingers trembling slightly as he took the teacup.

”How much longer until Chang Sheng Village?”

One sip of ginseng soup went down, the warm liquid sliding into his throat, yet it couldn’t dispel the bone-deep chill.

”Replying to Young Master, after we pass the mountain ahead, it will be another thirty miles.”

Outside the carriage, the captain of the escort team, Zhao Tieying, answered in a deep voice.

This man, in his early thirties, was dressed in a short, tight-fitting outfit, with a broad-backed saber at his waist; he was the leader of the escort team specially assigned by the Shen Family Master to protect the Third Young Master.

After another series of jolts, Shen Jianxing suddenly began to cough violently.

”Young Master, can you still hold on? The Young Master instructed you to take the last Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill if you couldn’t endure it any longer.”

Xiaotao’s heart also tightened upon hearing her Young Master’s coughs.

Those who could accompany Shen Jianxing this time were all his trusted confidantes, and they naturally knew his condition very well.

Chang Sheng Village, Lord Chuping, was the last straw their Young Master could grasp.

If this didn’t work either, then their Young Master would truly be without hope.

The mountain road was rugged and difficult to travel, the carriage wheels grinding overgravel with a grating sound that set one’s teeth on edge.

Shen Jianxing didn’t answer Xiaotao; he leaned back on the soft cushions with closed eyes, fully concentrating on controlling his trembling body.

The warmth of the ginseng soup had long dissipated, replaced by a chill seeping from the depths of his bones, like countless tiny ice needles moving through his blood vessels.

Shen Jianxing had to rely on distracting himself to barely hold on.

This time, his elder brother, excitedly returning from Chang Sheng Village, not only brought back two precious ”Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pills” but also hastily packed him up and sent him over.

Although Shen Jianxing didn’t know what his elder brother was up to, he followed his wishes.

His elder brother would never harm him.

The piercing pain continued, Shen Jianxing’s teeth clenching with a ’clack’ sound.

His mind was filled with his elder brother’s joyful face when he returned from Chang Sheng Village.

”Hold on, Shen Jianxing, hold on!”

”My elder brother wouldn’t lie to himself; perhaps there really is hope!”

* * *

Just as the sharp pain slightly subsided, the convoy suddenly stopped.

”Young Master, there’s something up ahead.”

Zhao Tieying’s voice came from outside the carriage, ”This place is very eerie; the horses refuse to move forward.”

Shen Jianxing forced his eyes open and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.

In the twilight, the two horses pulling the carriage were indeed restlessly pawing their hooves, their nostrils snorting heavy white mist.

The escort team’s horses were also restlessly agitated.

The mountain road ahead was shrouded in a thin mist, and the outline of a distant village was faintly visible.

”Go around.”

Shen Jianxing’s voice was weak but firm.

”We must reach Chang Sheng Village today.”

Zhao Tieying tightened his grip on the saber hilt, his Adam’s apple bobbing: ”Yes, Young Master.”

Before he finished speaking, a gust of cold wind suddenly swept through, making the carriage curtains flap wildly.

The mist, which had been like thin gauze, suddenly became thick as porridge, engulfing the entire convoy in an instant.

The horses neighed and reared up on their hind legs, several guards hastily stepping forward to grab the reins.

”Form ranks! Protect the Young Master!”