Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

This... is really an interesting cultural custom.

Jiang Ding tilted his head and thought for a long time before he realized that this was their nickname for him, just like ’Flying Tiger of Dongshan,’ ’Downhill Tiger,’ ’Mixed Gold Dagger,’ and the like—people who made a name for themselves in Jianghu usually had one.

But what about the Dream-Eater or Sword Demon, these simply don’t match him at all, and he has no idea on what they’re based.

”Young Master...”

Looking at the youth in blue clothes who had appeared before her in times of danger just as he had several months ago,

Gong Caiyu couldn’t help but have her eyes redden.

In such a short time, she had lost her father, her home, and just as she started to find solace in the Qixuan School her father left behind, suddenly, she had nothing again.

From a drone’s perspective, the gathering points of torches scattered, retreating into the distance.

Jiang Ding was silent for a long while.

He didn’t know how to comfort her, as any words would seem pale in the face of her experiences.

Perhaps this was the destined fate of the sons and daughters of Jianghu.

They set foot in Jianghu, fight and kill, seize exalted positions, live in luxury without producing anything, steeped in wealth— the only cost being that when they became weak or were targeted by stronger martial artists, they would become the plundered ones.

This is a world without strictly fair order.

”What are your plans?”

Jiang Ding asked softly, not wishing to pry.

”I… I want to go to Yuejing to see if I can save my mother,” Gong Caiyu wiped her eyes with her hand. ”Also, Uncle Ziteng gave me a treasure map, claiming it leads to a secret palace treasury set by the Ancestor Master. If I can find it, it might be possible to revive the Qixuan School.”

Secret palace treasury?

Jiang Ding didn’t believe a treasury set by a Xiantian or Master Realm martial artist could last a thousand years— it was probably just an excuse ’Iron Eagle Sword’ gave her to quickly flee the place.

”Well, we are headed in the same direction for a while, let’s travel together.”

Jiang Ding decided to accompany her on the road for some time.

”Alright.”

Gong Caiyu nodded vigorously.

...

After walking together on mountain paths for more than a dozen hours, passing through Donglingshan Mountain, they finally encountered a small town and walked straight into it without any attempt to hide.

This was a rather bustling town, located on both sides of the commercial route through Donglingshan Mountain. Travelers and merchants liked to rest here, and since the disappearance of Fierce Tiger Village, the population had increased even more.

The Donglingshan Mountain Range stretches across several southeastern states, and the only passageway between Dongzhou, where Dongling City is located, and Chizhou, is this mountain path.

Upon arriving here, they had entered the territory of Chizhou, which was relatively safer. At least the Zhendong Marquis could not simply dispatch a big army to pursue and kill them on a whim.

But they still could not relax their guard,

Not just from the big army, but also from Xiantian and above martial artists who pose a great danger and are even more elusive and difficult to escape.

”Young Master, how about this garment?”

”And this one?”

”This one…”

Inside the ready-to-wear clothing shop, Gong Caiyu tried on various outfits: garments made of hemp, attire suitable for a woman knight, ruquns, and jacket skirts.

Jiang Ding frowned.

The problem was, they were all white.

”Lady Gong, I suggest that the best attire is something simple, and the colors should be more in the commonly used shades of grey, blue, or green,” he said.

The matron of the clothing shop covered her mouth and chuckled, without coming over to interfere.

”That won’t do.”

```

Gong Caiyu spoke earnestly, ”Mother says that white reveals dirt so you don’t get sick, and besides, the life of a maiden is inherently short. No matter what, we must always maintain our beauty.”

In the end, she still chose a white Ju skirt. With two small buns and ribbons atop her head, her chubby cheeks round like a baby’s, and jet-black hair reaching her waist, she looked incredibly sweet and adorable.

The proprietress and many other customers in the shop couldn’t help but have their gaze drawn to her.

Gong Caiyu instructed them to pack up another white outfit of a different style, paid for it, picked up a white long robe for men, and said expectantly, ”Young Master, I think this outfit suits you very well. You’ll definitely look good in it...”

”One outfit is enough for me.”

Jiang Ding shook his head and turned to leave the shop. Outside the doorway, he silently regulated his breath, warming and nurturing the minor branches of the twelve major meridian pathways.

He didn’t agree, but he didn’t think it was wrong either.

The life of a mortal is fleeting, and those in Jianghu are often in danger. Who knows when one might fade from Jianghu? A culture of reveling in the moment to a certain degree has its own rationale.

After a long wait, Gong Caiyu finally came out. She wore a black veiled hat and didn’t say a word as she tried to place another hat without a veil on Jiang Ding’s head.

Jiang Ding looked at her.

Gong Caiyu’s body trembled, her small hand instinctively halting just before it could cover his head.

”You said it yourself!”

She still attempted to argue, ”When traveling in Jianghu, you need to hide your tracks. You are too eye-catching. Others will notice you right away.”

Jiang Ding pondered for a moment.

The events at Dongling City might spread. His current identity and appearance are indeed not suitable for use anymore. He wondered if the Rongshu Net had anything that could change his appearance...

Whack!

While he was thinking, a hat was placed on his head. It half-covered his eyes and would completely block the view of others if he slightly lowered his head.

”Look, it fits you well, Young Master.”

Gong Caiyu nodded, satisfied.

Without paying attention to her, Jiang Ding made his way through winding paths until he arrived at a bustling teahouse. He ordered a pot of tea and closed his eyes to rest his mind.

Gong Caiyu followed him step by step.

”The Zhendong Marquis has started a rebellion...”

”Impossible! He is a noble marquis, and his ancestors were one of the twelve generals under the great emperor. How could he...”

In the teahouse, this news was all people could talk about. The usually attentive topics like Jianghu heroes or changes in the Dragon and Phoenix List were no longer of interest to anyone.

Everyone looked solemn, speaking in hushed tones.

”How is it impossible? I just came from Dongling City. There were armies in black armor everywhere, marching out of the city non-stop. Even after several miles, the lines of soldiers had no end. Are all these troops just out for a stroll?”

”Out of the four cities in Dongzhou, besides Dongling City’s, those soldiers guarding the cities – have you not seen them? They pant just standing there, collecting city entrance fees!”

”I think it won’t be long before all five cities of Dongzhou will bear the surname Tang!”

Many Jianghu people turned pale.

”Isn’t that to say, we can’t stay in the whole of Dongzhou anymore?”

The recent memories of Dongling City and its counties aggressively hunting down itinerant Jianghu warriors had not yet faded.

Many spoke angrily, ”In my opinion, why should the Masters of Qingniugong bother investigating further? The fact that a large number of young talents on the Dragon and Phoenix List were attacked and captured was most likely the doings of Zhendong Marquis. The righteous path should join hands and put an end to him.”

”They probably don’t believe it. A mere Zhendonghou Mansion wouldn’t have that ability. It’s better to blow the whistle on this rebellion...”

The Jianghu people were all discussing fervently, suggesting various ideas.

These were the ones with homes in Dongzhou or business concerns there. Other Jianghu people started discussing another matter.

”Have you heard? One of the four great beauties of Jianghu, ranked eighteenth on the Dragon and Phoenix List, ’Bingli Fairy’ Long Xiuyun, and the nineteenth ’Clear River Fairy’ Chen Xi, will compete in martial arts at Chizhong Mansion in three days to vie for their position on the Dragon and Phoenix List.”

Beauty, martial arts competition.

These two words instantly attracted the innate attention of a large group of Jianghu individuals.