Chapter 28: Changfeng Prefecture

A few days later, Jiang Heng and Han Jie traveled together by flying boat to their mission destination, Changfeng County.

Changfeng County was a moderately sized county city within the Qi Kingdom, which fell under the territory of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect.

With demonic cultivators appearing on their own turf, no matter what the reason, the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect could not simply stand by and do nothing.

This mission’s reward was exceptionally generous and did not require collecting any items for submission, essentially a pure profit. Yet, for some unknown reason, very few were interested in the task, and in the end, only Han Jie claimed the bounty.

Jiang Heng raised this question, and Han Jie smiled faintly, revealing the reason.

The reward was rather mediocre—stuck in a limbo that made it unattractive.

Those capable of handling it easily dismissed the so-called reward, while those who valued it faced great risks.

Before Jiang Heng could ask a second question, Han Jie voluntarily explained why he accepted the mission.

“Based on the clues gathered, the features of these demonic cultivators resemble an old enemy of mine, so I’m taking this opportunity to investigate.”

Jiang Heng suddenly understood.

As for who this enemy was or the cause of their grudge, she did not ask.

Though their relationship was quite good, she instinctively felt such matters were best left unspoken until Han Jie was willing to share.

This tact and unspoken understanding pleased Han Jie greatly; the more he looked at Jiang Heng, the more he liked her.

As the city walls of Changfeng County came into view from a distance, Han Jie stopped the flying boat in a concealed forest.

With a flick of his sleeve, he transformed into a weary traveling merchant, leading a mule laden with packs.

Jiang Heng followed suit, taking on a similar appearance as a woman merchant and conjuring a mule as well.

Han Jie chuckled softly, “Put your mule away and ride on mine. With two mules, we’d stand out too much for small-time merchants like us.”

Jiang Heng blushed slightly, quickly dispelling her illusion and obediently following his instructions.

Han Jie reminded her, “From now on, I’m Han Dazhuang, and you’re Han Xiaomei. We’re siblings, got it?”

Jiang Heng responded solemnly, “Yes, Senior Brother Han.”

Seeing Han Jie raise an eyebrow, she corrected herself, “Understood, Brother.”

Han Jie nodded and, holding the mule’s reins, headed toward the city gate.

He deliberately refrained from using magic, and Jiang Heng did the same. By the time they reached the gate, there was nothing suspicious about them.

Their hair was tousled, faces flushed, and their clothes dust-streaked and worn, fitting the image of small-time merchants peddling trivial goods.

The city guards glanced them over impatiently and extended their hands.

Han Jie cautiously produced a few copper coins, reluctantly placing them in the guard’s palm.

The guard pushed him inside roughly, loudly calling for the next person.

Jiang Heng admired Han Jie, thinking that before entering the sect, he must have had considerable worldly experience.

His hesitant, almost pained gesture in handing over the coins was so vivid—it was as if he were a completely different person from usual.

Once inside the city with their mule, Han Jie found a very cheap inn to rest.

There wasn’t even a stable for animals; their mule had to be tied to a large tree outside.

Jiang Heng glanced at the flea-infested, foul-smelling bed and the puddles of filth on the floor, instinctively holding her breath.

Indeed, no matter how harsh the cultivation world might be, it could not compare to the hardships of the secular world.

Her cave abode was desolate, but at least clean and tidy—lonely, but free from other faults.

This inn might not harm her physically, but it was enough to deal a heavy blow to her spirit.

While packing, Han Jie smiled and said, “Cultivation isn’t just about sitting in a cave meditating. Occasionally, you need to venture out and gain experience. Seeing more things is beneficial for tempering your mind, which helps when you breakthrough later.”

Jiang Heng gradually resumed breathing and admitted, “You’re right. I’ve been too delicate.”

Seeing her pale complexion, Han Jie finally cast a cleansing spell, removing the bugs, garbage, and stagnant water.

Once the window was opened, the foul stench dissipated, leaving only disorder and dilapidation, which was somewhat bearable.

Han Jie told Jiang Heng, “Over the next few days, you blend in with the women and gather information about the demonic cultivators. Be careful not to reveal your identity or raise alarm. I’ll inquire among the men.”

Jiang Heng nodded.

At first, gathering information did not go smoothly.

Jiang Heng’s lack of worldly experience was evident. The few rare encounters she had were brief and casual, never truly engaging.

When she tried to initiate conversations, she came off awkwardly. The women, surprised and wary, quickly excused themselves.

With no better option, she stopped pushing and quietly hid among the crowd, listening to their chatter.

Gradually, she caught on and devised a plan.

One day, Jiang Heng was washing a basin of dirty clothes by the city moat, with a small basket of soapberries nearby.

Slowly, a few women who were also washing clothes gathered around her, laughing and chatting as they found suitable stones to scrub on.

Though Jiang Heng was unfamiliar, her deft movements and similar attire kept her from attracting undue attention.

“The river’s water has risen quite a bit these past few days. Looks like that storm ten days ago really helped,” one woman remarked.

“Yeah, I washed clothes on that rock the other day,” another pointed to a large stone half-submerged by the river, sighing, “Maybe in a few days it’ll recede again.”

“No other places have had rain; their rivers are dried up. Changfeng County’s river water actually rose. At least the crops won’t suffer; no one will starve next year.”

“The place isn’t just lucky—the governor here is wise and capable,” another added.

Jiang Heng noticed this too.

On the way here, neighboring counties were suffering terribly; even official roads were cracked and broken.

But Changfeng County appeared blessed with favorable weather; the surrounding hills were lush and verdant.

What puzzled Jiang Heng more was that where demonic cultivators appeared, the atmosphere should be eerie and the people miserable.

Yet Changfeng County was bustling and prosperous, with ample supplies and smiling faces everywhere—nothing like a place ravaged by demonic corruption.

It seemed as if some divine protection was upon them, making their lives a hundred times more comfortable than elsewhere.

Lost in thought, Jiang Heng was suddenly nudged gently on the arm by a woman beside her.

“Girl, you’ve got plenty of soapberries. Can I borrow some? A gust of evil wind just blew my berries away, but I’ll bring you a bunch later.”

Jiang Heng smiled, “Take as many as you like, sister. It’s not like they’re valuable.”

Of course, the wind was no accident—it was a little trick Jiang Heng had arranged.

The woman laughed and agreed, and with this small bridge, their conversation began to flow.

“You don’t look like a local girl. When did you arrive in Changfeng County?”