Whispers of a Lonely City Beyond the Heavens – Chapter 29

Ch 29: Fleeing Overnight

Zhang Tianxun had originally started calling Long Fu “Brother,” but now, seeing Long Fu constantly protecting the Long Family, he felt a surge of irritation and reverted to calling him “Brother Long Fu.” Naturally, this was a jab, implying that Long Fu, after all, was still someone’s servant.

Long Fu fell silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh. “Since that’s the case, there’s indeed no point in saying more. Take care, Brother Zhang.”

He glanced at Long Yang, picked up the pot of orchids, and walked away. Long Yang hurriedly followed him out. Chu Jun, spotting Long Fu emerge, was startled—clearly, he hadn’t noticed anyone entering earlier.

“Keep guarding this place,” Long Yang instructed Chu Jun.

Chu Jun froze for a second before quickly nodding.

Once they reached the street, Long Fu walked a short distance further before stopping. It was late at night, and the homes lining both sides of the street had already extinguished their lights.

“Uncle Long, Senior Zhang holds deep preconceived notions about the Four Great Families. Please forgive him!” Long Yang apologized on Zhang Tianxun’s behalf.

“I’m afraid it’s not just preconceived notions,” Long Fu said, his expression grave. “I now suspect he harbors a deep grudge against the Four Great Families.”

“What!” Long Yang exclaimed, utterly shocked.

“Over a year ago, six people ventured into Shenlong Mountain and were discovered by the Heavenly Soldiers stationed there. I heard they were injured and leapt off a cliff. Their bodies were unrecognizable, but only five were found. Zhang Tianxun might be the one who escaped. The timing matches when he came to me seeking medicine.”

“Uncle Long, if that’s true, why would Senior Zhang go to the Long Family Mansion to ask you for medicine?”

“The Heavenly Soldiers guarding Shenlong Mountain are the Emperor’s personal guard. Back then, though he bore hatred, it likely hadn’t yet extended to the Long Family.”

“So why does he suddenly hate them so deeply now?”

“It’s obviously because of the Emperor’s decree banning the mountain.”

“That was the Emperor’s will. Why would he hate all Four Great Families for it?”

“For such a major decision, the Emperor couldn’t act solely on his own judgment. It had to be deliberated by the Four Great Families.”

Long Yang felt as though a heavy stone had settled in his chest.

Were the Four Great Families truly like the Tian Family—using martial force to monopolize the world’s spiritual medicine? For some reason, he didn’t want to believe it, or at least he hoped the Long Family wasn’t like that. But the facts seemed to suggest otherwise.

Xiao Hei nestled against Long Yang’s leg.

The night had deepened, and despite it being June, the breeze carried a chill. There were no stars in the sky. Perhaps a heavy rain was falling in the mountains, sending cold air down through the wind.

“Zhang Tianxun can move now. You should leave this place quickly,” Long Fu said, interrupting Long Yang’s thoughts.

“Ah… Uncle Long, I have one more request, but it’s really hard to bring up.”

“I guess you want me to go into the mountains to gather Rain Spirit Grass,” Long Fu said. “If that’s the case, don’t bother asking. If I defy the Emperor’s decree, it would bring great trouble to the Long Family. Even if no one found out, it would still be disrespectful to my master.”

Long Yang felt a slight pang of disappointment but couldn’t press further.

“This afternoon, you were right,” Long Fu said with a faint smile tinged with self-mockery. “I am, after all, still a servant of the Long Family.”

“Uncle Long, you may not yet be free of a servant’s status, but your soul is absolutely not that of a servant—never has been.”

“Ha, soul? That’s an interesting way to put it. Are you a Westerner?” Long Fu nearly laughed aloud. The orchids he held swayed slightly in the breeze.

“Uncle Long, it doesn’t need mountain water to grow, does it?” Long Yang finally couldn’t hold back the question.

“It grew in the mountains, so it’ll still prefer mountain water.”

“I see.” Long Yang clasped his fists, filled with gratitude. “Uncle Long, goodbye.” Then he crouched down and hugged Xiao Hei. “Xiao Hei, be good. Goodbye.”

“You don’t need to say goodbye to it,” Long Fu said. “From now on, it’ll follow you. The road ahead is treacherous, and it might be of help.”

“What!” Long Yang patted Xiao Hei’s head, so overjoyed he nearly jumped.

Long Fu turned and left. Long Yang and Xiao Hei watched him disappear around the street corner.

Not daring to linger, he hurriedly took Xiao Hei and rushed back.

Zhang Tianxun asked, “Why were you gone so long?”

“Senior, I checked the street. There are no patrols or anyone snooping around. It’s late now—if you can move, we should leave,” Long Yang said, choosing not to mention what Long Fu had revealed.

Sun Jiacheng said, “Right, let’s head to Lake Heart Island. If Big Brother can walk, we’ll follow Long Yang’s plan and leave openly. Even if Tian Weihu’s men spot us in the shadows, they won’t dare act.”

“Good. Long Fu’s skills are profound—I’m much better now and can manage a walk.”

Zhang Tianxun stood, picking up the Flying Frost Sword. “But we’re not going to Lake Heart Island. I’ve thought it over. I have a hiding spot in the northern suburbs of the city. Tonight, I’ll take the two kids there first. Seventh Brother, stay in the city and investigate their mountain ban arrangements for me. Once you’ve got the details, come find me. I’ll leave a mark at the North City Gate to guide you.”

Sun Jiacheng hurriedly said, “I should stay with you, Big Brother. I can arrange for someone else to investigate.”

“No. They can’t speak with the Prefect and won’t get access to such secrets. Seventh Brother, just listen to me—we’ll meet up tomorrow.”

Sun Jiacheng didn’t dare argue further. Wei Wei had already packed two knapsacks, and she and Long Yang each took one. The group said their farewells in the courtyard and split up.

Zhang Tianxun moved through the night like a swift wind, forcing Long Yang to exert himself fully to keep up. Seeing her grandfather much improved, Wei Wei was delighted. She carried her floral knapsack and skipped ahead cheerfully. Xiao Hei stayed by Long Yang’s side but occasionally darted ahead to Wei Wei, leaping and playing.

“Senior, moving this fast—won’t it worsen your injuries?” Long Yang asked.

“For now, it’s fine,” Zhang Tianxun replied, giving Long Yang an appreciative look. “Yangyang, though you lack internal force and can’t claim mastery of light body skill, you move quickly and steadily—better than most martial artists, just not quite up to a cultivator’s level. It seems carrying water for Long Fu has done you a lot of good.”

Long Yang suddenly understood: no wonder Long Fu had said not to spill the water from the buckets—there was this hidden purpose.

Birds of a feather flock together. Long Fu might seem aloof, but he’d shown such care to a stranger like himself. The Mistress of the Long Family must be a truly kind person too. How could the Long Family be the type to hoard the world’s spiritual medicine? Was Zhang Tianxun’s view of them right or wrong?

This question left Long Yang deeply perplexed.

At the North City Gate, Zhang Tianxun passed straight through the gate’s arch without stopping to leave any mark.

Worried he’d forgotten, Long Yang quickly reminded him, “Senior, aren’t you going to leave a mark for Master Sun?”

“That was a lie,” Zhang Tianxun sighed, his pace unwavering. “My Seventh Brother is too sentimental. If I didn’t come up with a way to send him off, he’d insist on following me.”

Long Yang’s heart stirred. He suddenly realized: Sun Jiacheng was his Seventh Brother. That meant there were six others. It seemed Long Fu’s guess was right—Zhang Tianxun truly was the one who’d escaped from Shenlong Mountain.