After leaving the Taiwei Immortal Sect’s mountain gate, the mountain path descended steadily.
At first, wisps of cloud still wrapped around the Azure Jade Giant Pillars, casting the immortal sect behind them in a light that made it seem to float in the heavens.
They were still within the mountain-protecting formation.
The main gate’s restrictions forbade flying and magical devices, so even sect disciples had to travel on foot along the stone steps.
Still, a cultivator’s pace was hardly that of a mortal.
Luo Zhao and the others didn’t walk quickly.
Their robes brushed over the stone steps with barely a sound, yet their speed was astonishing.
Xu Ning had just achieved Qi Introduction, and while he managed to keep up at first, after a while he had fallen to the rear.
Shen Yi strolled leisurely beside him, toying with her hair ribbon as she walked.
Sensing that Xu Ning’s breathing had grown slightly uneven, she slowed her pace by half a step without calling attention to it.
Once Xu Ning caught up, she smiled and quickened her pace again.
“Half an hour more, and we’ll reach the rest pavilion at the foot of the mountain. Keep going!”
Xu Ning looked toward the end of the long stone steps.
The clouds thinned at the mountainside, and in the distance, he could already see several wheel ruts merging into the main road.
“We hire a carriage there?”
“Mm.”
Shen Yi’s expression was expectant.
“I rarely get to ride in mortal relay carriages.”
Luo Zhao, walking ahead, heard this and turned back with a smile.
“Don’t worry, Miss Shen. I know all about this.”
“There are always carriages and horses at the pavilion that run errands for the sect. We’ll just find them.”
He spoke naturally, as if he already had the entire trip arranged in his hands.
Xu Ning didn’t argue.
If someone else wanted to handle the logistics, he was happy to enjoy the convenience.
“Can those carriages carry all the spiritual materials on the way back?”
Luo Zhao paused for a moment, then chuckled.
“Brother Xu worries too much. They’re only low-grade spiritual materials, not some heavy ore.”
Xu Ning said, “Didn’t you say there were quite a lot of them?”
The smile on Luo Zhao’s face faded slightly.
“Brother Xu, this is your first time out. It’s normal that you wouldn’t know these things.”
His tone was still polite, but carried a hint of condescension.
“The herb manor has its own procedures. Wagons, ropes, and sealed crates are all arranged by someone else. We’re just escorting the shipment—we don’t need to push the carts back ourselves.”
Shen Yi glanced up at him.
“Brother Luo’s words do make sense.”
She said that, but at the same time, she quietly sent a wisp of spiritual energy to support Xu Ning’s steps, making his walking easier.
“But Xu Ning’s question isn’t wrong either. Being cautious never hurts.”
Xu Ning noticed that his steps had suddenly become lighter and shot her a grateful look.
Shen Yi curved her eyes at him.
That unabashed closeness was particularly grating to Luo Zhao’s eyes.
The group soon reached the relay station.
The pavilion was small, with gray tiles and a wooden eaves, and a faded banner stood before its entrance.
The banner flapped noisily in the mountain wind, bearing the words “Qinglu Relay.”
Several wagons were parked outside the station.
The drivers were mostly mortals.
When they saw the group descending from the sect’s mountain path, their previously casual demeanor quickly sobered.
Luo Zhao stepped forward first to negotiate with the station’s keeper.
He deliberately slowed his speech as he spoke, letting his sleeve drift up slightly to reveal the jade pendant at his waist.
When the station keeper saw the insignia of the External Affairs Division on his robes, he dared not show any neglect.
He quickly ordered his men to bring out the largest carriage.
The carriage looked spacious, with clean curtains, and could easily seat the entire group.
Luo Zhao turned back with a smile.
“What do you all think of this one?”
Xu Ning walked closer and gave it a look.
He reached out to feel the shaft, then glanced at the two horses in front.
Their coats were glossy and the reins were new, but one of the horses’ hind hooves landed slightly off-kilter when it stepped down.
Such an unusual display naturally drew everyone’s attention.
Luo Zhao frowned.
“What is Brother Xu doing?”
Xu Ning straightened up.
“This carriage looks good on the outside, but the shaft is old.”
“On a bumpy mountain road, I’m afraid it won’t be stable.”
The station keeper’s face stiffened.
Luo Zhao frowned at him, his smile beginning to falter.
“Brother Xu knows about carriages and horses too?”
“I’ve seen quite a few in town.”
Xu Ning’s tone was calm.
“The horse also has an old injury on its hoof. Fine for short trips, but if you push it for several days straight, it’ll go lame.”
The station keeper hurriedly forced a smile.
“You have a sharp eye, young master.”
“This horse did get hurt a few days back, but it’s already healed.”
Shen Yi let out a stifled laugh.
Luo Zhao’s smile froze for a moment.
Sun Buping walked over to the carriage, lifted the shaft with one hand, then looked toward the older wagon parked on the other side.
“That one has a lower chassis and thicker axles.”
Xu Ning looked over.
That wagon wasn’t as presentable as the one in front of him, and its compartment was older, but the floorboards were quite solid.
Xu Ning said to the station keeper, “If you can re-cushion this wagon and prepare two horses with steady footing, that’ll be enough.”
The station keeper instinctively glanced at Luo Zhao.
Luo Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth.
“Since Brother Xu is so knowledgeable, we’ll do as he says.”
“But one carriage alone would be too cramped.”
With that, he walked toward an even more luxurious carriage and turned to invite the others.
“Why don’t you all ride with me?”
His words seemed directed at everyone, but Luo Zhao’s gaze never left that slender figure in white.
Liu Manqing and Sun Buping exchanged a glance.
The former smiled and took half a step back.
“I won’t impose on Brother Luo.”
Sun Buping was more direct.
He reached out, took the reins of the horse the attendant led over, and swung himself into the saddle.
“I’ll ride.”
Xu Ning took out his remaining silver, about to hand it to the keeper, when Shen Yi reached out and stopped him.
“This is a mission expense. How could you pay?”
Luo Zhao had been somewhat displeased, but at those words, he immediately smiled.
“It’s just a bit of carriage fare. I’ll cover it.”
He pulled a Qi Nourishing Pill from his sleeve and held it between his fingers.
The moment the pill appeared, the station keeper’s eyes lit up.
Shen Yi glanced at it and let out a soft tut.
“Brother Luo is so generous.”
The words were light, but Luo Zhao caught a hint of admiration in them.
For a mortal relay station, one Qi Nourishing Pill could be exchanged for a small fortune in gold and silver.
Using it to cover carriage fare was indeed extravagantly flashy.
Luo Zhao’s smile didn’t waver.
“We’re away from home. It’s just for convenience.”
Xu Ning looked at the pill, then said calmly, “The keeper probably can’t make change for a Qi Nourishing Pill.”
The station keeper’s expression turned awkward, and he looked nervously at Luo Zhao.
That reaction made Luo Zhao’s mouth twitch.
When had he ever mentioned change?
Liu Manqing said softly, “Perhaps we could charge it to the External Affairs Division’s account and settle after returning to the sect. That way, the station won’t be put in an awkward position.”
That line offered a way out.
Luo Zhao waved his hand magnanimously and smiled.
“No change needed. It’s just one pill.”
Shen Yi leaned close to Xu Ning and whispered, “You’d better not waste things like that.”
She was so near that her hair brushed against his sleeve as she spoke.
Xu Ning shifted half an inch away, feeling a little uncomfortable.
“Junior Sister, I only have a few scraps of silver on me. I couldn’t waste anything even if I wanted to.”
Shen Yi curved her eyes in a smile and didn’t tease him further.
In the end, Luo Zhao took a separate carriage for himself, while Sun Buping picked a horse with steady footing.
Liu Manqing glanced at Xu Ning and Shen Yi, then smiled and inclined her head.
“Then I’ll impose on the two of you.”
Xu Ning naturally had no objection.
He was about to invite her into the carriage first when Shen Yi suddenly grew excited and insisted on trying her hand at driving.
She turned and sat down at the front of the carriage.
“Junior Sister…”
Shen Yi looked back and blinked at him.
“Don’t worry. I’ve watched the driver do it.”
Xu Ning was at a loss for words and could only nod to Liu Manqing first.
Liu Manqing chuckled softly, lifted the hem of her skirt, and climbed into the carriage.
Xu Ning followed after her.
Only Lu Hanyi remained standing in place.
Luo Zhao had just settled into his own carriage when he immediately lifted the curtain.
Seeing her left alone, his eyes brightened.
“Lu Xianzi, if you don’t mind—”
Lu Hanyi only gave him a single glance before looking away.
With a calm, indifferent expression, she walked toward Xu Ning’s carriage.
The rest of the sentence died on his lips.
Seeing her so dismissive, Luo Zhao could only smile wryly and let the curtain fall.
That true disciple of Cold Sword Peak truly was so cold that no one could get close.
Inside the carriage, Xu Ning was leaning over to adjust the seat cushions.
Hearing footsteps, he instinctively turned his head and found himself face-to-face with Lu Hanyi’s icy expression.
“Ah, Lu Xian-shi?”
Without a word, Lu Hanyi chose the seat closest to the window and closed her eyes to begin regulating her breathing.
The clear signal that she had no interest in conversation left the other two in the carriage momentarily stunned.
Xu Ning hadn’t expected Lu Hanyi to choose the same carriage as him.
Given her unbothered attitude, he couldn’t very well say anything.
It wasn’t like he was the one paying for the carriage.
Liu Manqing’s gaze flicked between the two of them, then she said warmly, “This works out well. More company on the road—it won’t feel so dull.”
Neither of the other two responded.
The horses soon broke into a brisk trot.
After affixing the Spirit Travel Talisman, their speed became astonishingly fast.
Shen Yi truly did know how to drive.
Through the hanging curtain, they could hear her humming a tune from up front, apparently quite pleased with her new task.
But the atmosphere inside the carriage was cold enough to be awkward.
Lu Hanyi sat leaning against one side, her expression remote, making no move to speak.
Xu Ning sat quietly as well.
Liu Manqing smoothed her skirt, then looked at Xu Ning and initiated the conversation.
“Brother Xu seemed very practiced when inspecting the carriages.”
Her tone was gentle.
“Did you handle such matters back home as well?”
Xu Ning nodded.
“I lived in town for the past few years. When hiring carts to transport medicine, I’d occasionally help take a look.”
Lu Hanyi’s eyes remained closed, as if she wasn’t listening to their conversation at all.
Liu Manqing’s smile stayed unchanged.
She nodded.
“I see.”
“Speaking of which, Brother Xu—do you still have family at home?”
Xu Ning’s fingertips paused on his knee.
Beyond the curtain, the sound of hooves pressed over the gravel on the official road.
After a long moment, he looked out at the mountain shadows receding in the distance.
“There used to be.”