Chapter 25 Time to Flee
The subsequent fate of the mining area no longer concerned Chu Xingchen, who was already far away.
After days of hurried travel, Chu Xingchen had returned to the ruined temple with his disciples.
Ning Qingqing, waiting inside the ruined temple, rushed out at the sound of movement.
Seeing the four people—especially the man Li Xingtian carried on his back—she instantly recognized her father despite his tattered clothes and emaciated frame.
Ning Qingqing immediately knelt and kowtowed to Chu Xingchen, weeping uncontrollably: "Thank you, Immortal Master... thank you, Immortal Master..."
Li Xingtian gently placed the man on his back before Ning Qingqing.
Ning Kun was unconscious—deliberately so by Chu Xingchen, who had no time for explanations during their escape.
Chu Xingchen cast a spell to awaken Ning Kun.
A light cough escaped Ning Kun as he slowly opened his eyes.
The first sight greeting him was his daughter's tear-streaked face.
Chu Xingchen spoke the moment Ning Kun regained consciousness: "I have no time for sentimental reunions between you two."
His words cut short whatever Ning Qingqing and Ning Kun were about to say.
Both turned their gaze to Chu Xingchen.
"I expect no repayment from you. Consider this a good deed. If Qingfeng Sect captures you someday, just don't reveal my involvement."
As he spoke, Chu Xingchen took out a water flask, rations, and some scattered silver pieces from his spatial ring: "You're at Qi Condensation Stage 2. Head east from here to find settlements. These supplies will sustain you until then. Use the silver to start anew—but flee far to stay safe."
"Consider this me seeing the rescue through. No need for words. Take these and leave now. Talk during your journey."
Ning Qingqing understood Chu Xingchen's meaning.
With matters settled, Qingfeng Sect's retaliation would surely follow.
Chu Xingchen couldn't protect them forever, but rescuing her father filled Ning Qingqing with boundless gratitude.
She kowtowed three times to Chu Xingchen, then helped her bewildered father up: "Rest assured, Benefactor. Even in death, Ning Qingqing will never utter a word."
Chu Xingchen turned away, his silence serving as dismissal.
"Father... let's go." Ning Qingqing whispered, "We can talk on the road."
Ning Kun hesitated, wanting to speak, but instead kowtowed deeply to Chu Xingchen before rising to leave with his daughter.
As Ning Qingqing and Ning Kun disappeared into the distance, Chu Xingchen spun around to face his disciples: "Move! We're relocating immediately! This place is no longer safe!"
Li Yingling wasn't truly surprised by her master's order.
Honestly, from the moment Chu Xingchen brought Ning Qingqing back, she knew they'd abandon this temple after completing the mission.
The small sect had its advantages—three people with packs was the entire sect.
They could go anywhere.
She cast a lingering glance at her newly finished wooden cabin and the freshly dug foundation pits for formations.
One built for nothing, one dug for nothing.
With a soft sigh, Li Yingling entered the cabin to pack her belongings.
Li Xingtian remained standing.
He had nothing to pack—he'd arrived with next to nothing.
Chu Xingchen shot him an annoyed glare: "If you have nothing to pack, help me pack up! Don't leave a single pot or bowl behind! I spent good money on those."
"Yes..." Li Xingtian obediently entered the ruined temple and began gathering the kitchenware.
Chu Xingchen swiftly worked to create misleading tracks around the area.
They'd originally settled here to avoid the Minister of War from the Black Tortoise Kingdom.
Now that minister was no longer a threat—he couldn't possibly summon a Nascent Soul expert anyway.
Below Nascent Soul, with Li Yingling's diligently practiced divine abilities and his flawless Golden Core cultivation, Chu Xingchen could rightfully claim invincibility.
But now the Qingfeng Sect posed a real threat—especially if their Nascent Soul Ancestor pursued them relentlessly.
Though Chu Xingchen was confident he could escape the Qingfeng Sect's Nascent Soul expert, he couldn't guarantee his disciples' safety with absolute certainty.
It was wiser to prepare for all contingencies rather than gamble with potential dangers.
After all, Chu Xingchen had planned to flee immediately after completing this mission from the very beginning.
He had grown uncomfortable living in this ruined temple long ago.
The location was poor too, with sparse spiritual energy. Chu Xingchen never intended to make it a permanent sect base anyway.
It was merely a temporary refuge. In this desolate place, having Li Xingtian delivered to his doorstep was already heaven-sent fortune.
He couldn't just stay here waiting blindly for the next fool to stumble upon him.
Thus, the moment he brought Ning Qingqing back to the ruined temple, he had already made up his mind.
Besides, he had fabricated the sect's origin as being from the Central Province. Even if Ning Qingqing revealed everything under interrogation, the Qingfeng Sect might not dare continue investigating under the threat of provoking a Central Province sect.
Trading a ruined temple address for a fortune in spirit stones was a bargain he couldn't refuse.
Li Yingling didn't have many belongings. She walked out carrying a small bundle.
"Master, where are we headed this time?"
After creating false tracks, Chu Xingchen looked at Li Yingling and asked: "Where would you like to go?"
Li Yingling suggested: "How about somewhere with beautiful mountains and clear waters?"
"Good suggestion. I'll remember that." Chu Xingchen nodded perfunctorily.
Li Yingling knew from her master's tone that her proposal had been dismissed.
At that moment, Li Xingtian emerged carrying a large bundle on his back: "Master, I've packed all the valuable items. It would be inconvenient to carry the cheaper things too."
Since Chu Xingchen's spatial ring was already filled with those blood-tinged spirit stones, these items had to be carried by the disciples.
So leaving some behind was acceptable.
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept over his two disciples.
Both were looking at him with expectant eyes.
He couldn't suppress a smile. Chu Xingchen had fled many times before—to lure promising disciples into joining him, he had to court death repeatedly.
Previously, he had always fled alone.
Now, his entire sect was fleeing with him. Chu Xingchen shouted:
"Good disciples! Let's go! Time to flee!"
A smile broke across Li Xingtian's face: "Yes, Master!"
Li Yingling's expression brimmed with anticipation: "Time to flee~"
——————
Yuzhou City.
"Sir, this house is excellent. It sits beside the Chuan-Yu River. The Lantern Festival will be held soon. Those lanterns will float down the upper reaches of the river, passing right by here. You'll be able to watch the beautiful lanterns drift by right from your doorstep."
A middle-aged real estate agent gestured toward the wide river nearby as he spoke.
He bent slightly and opened the gate of a courtyard house.
The agent's eyes scanned the three people renting the property.
One was an exceptionally handsome young man, though his clothes seemed somewhat worn. Throughout their journey, he had been the decision-maker while the other two followed obediently—clearly the leader.
Another was a stunningly beautiful young woman dressed in an elegant silk dress, carrying a small yellow bundle. She curiously surveyed her surroundings, much like a noble lady who had never left her secluded mansion.
The last man's appearance was less remarkable than the other two. He had remained silent throughout the journey, and the agent sensed a fierce aura about him.
Moreover, he carried a large bundle from which kitchen utensils were faintly visible.
The agent pondered briefly and concluded this must be a young nobleman traveling with his sister and a formidable guard for protection.
Throughout the tour, the agent had been extremely obsequious. This was indeed an excellent location with pleasant scenery and bustling streets nearby.
Patrol officers frequented this area, making security quite reliable. Aside from the high price, it had no real drawbacks.
Serving these esteemed clients well would earn him a commission equivalent to a month's hard work.
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