Chapter 1105: Chapter 615: Gaoliang Mountain (Double Chapter) (Part 2)

The sound of hooves trodden on the mountain path, the refugees following behind occasionally looked up, daring not to gaze for too long. The oppressive aura of the Iron Scale Army cast a shadow that was hard to articulate.

Upon turning out of the mountain path, the Iron Scale Army slowed its pace and halted in front of a village, causing the vast crowd of refugees to stop as well.

Qin Jingde rode his horse in a trot and circled the entire carriage for inspection, his eagle-like eyes discerning its unusual nature—though seemingly simple, the outer walls were aged in two layers, the sturdy shaft concealed a complex structure allowing easy maneuvering, and though the carriage appeared modest, its cabin was indeed deep, with ample internal space.

Hearing some movement inside the cabin, Qin Jingde leaned closer to uncover the curtain for a look.

A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat cast a glance sideways.

Qin Jingde’s expression suddenly shifted, tore at the reins, and circled away, some Iron Scale Knights detected the anomaly and cast inquisitive glances at him, but he rode back to his cousin, Qin Jingshan.

Through secret transmission, Qin Jingshan asked, "What’s the matter?"

"He looked at me once, with no trace of murderous intent, yet I felt I could die." Qin Jingde squinted and said, "From that gaze alone, he’s beyond Fourth Rank. Is he one of our Qin family’s tributes?"

Qin Jingshan furrowed his thick brows and said, "I can’t tell. He didn’t show any tokens, might be a secret sign, unsure of which branch he belongs to."

"Escorting refugees, certainly not from the Prince Mansion, they wouldn’t be so misallocated." Qin Jingde speculated, "His attire and appearance are unlike locals, and his energy does not resemble local sects, so it’s unlikely he’s from any branch. Could he be... from the Divine Sect?"

After speaking, he seemed thoughtful, pondering for a moment.

Qin Jingshan approached the man in the wide-brimmed hat, solemnly stating, "Where does this gentleman come from, and where is he headed?"

Chen Yi surely wouldn’t divulge his mission’s purpose and thankfully had prepared in advance with a plan, replying:

"Vacuum Home, Mother of Non-Birth."

Qin Jingshan visibly froze, surprisingly not a Qin Family member nor a Divine Sect person, but from the White Lotus Sect as a tribute.

Both the White Lotus Sect and Divine Sect are regarded by the government as Demon Sects; no matter what transpires undercover, openly they are allies. Thus, it follows that this person escorting refugees to Southern Border is justifiable, and hearing of the increasingly severe situation within the White Lotus Sect, perhaps this journey is to convey a message.

Thinking of this, Qin Jingshan clasped his fists and said, "If that be the case, I shall dispatch personnel to escort the gentleman. Is this journey headed to Gaoliang Mountain?"

"Indeed." Chen Yi nodded slightly. Although he had prepared a series of coherent and sealed words, it is wise to stop at the minimal required.

"When will the gentleman depart?"

Lost in contemplation, Qin Jingde rode forward, asking aloud. At this moment, his face displayed a gentle smile akin to basking in the spring wind.

"Now."

.........

The journey continued, day and night.

Under the escort of the Iron Scale Army, Chen Yi drove the carriage passing through Guiyang toward Gaoliang Mountain, crossing the Southern Border. Being a Martial Artist, countless days and nights without sleep posed little difficulty, and the stops for rest were few and far between.

The Iron Scale Army only swapped personnel once during the period—noteworthy for their extraordinary bravery and resilience. Previously, Chen Yi dismissed the Prince of Annan’s rumored uprising, yet witnessing in person, with the unification of various sects under that female Prince, along with three hundred years of ancestral legacy, waiting for opportune changes, raising troops for a campaign seemed possibly achievable.

The thought lingered, yet Chen Yi promptly suppressed them; these untraceable matters weren’t worth contemplating too deeply. The immediate priority was to safely meet Qin Qingluo and his daughter.

A few days later at dawn, the majestic silhouette of Gaoliang Mountain emerged from the clouds into view at the horizon’s edge. The supposed Demon Cave in the eyes of numerous righteous individuals approached closely.

Not as portrayed in legends or sketches, Gaoliang Mountain did not dwell in ominous eeriness; instead, it appeared ruggedly majestic, with lush, tall trees freely stretching, brushed with golden light from top to bottom.

Near Gaoliang Mountain, the women inside the carriage overheard some whispers carried by the wind during their rest.

The carriage was equipped with sound insulation talismans, blocking external listening, yet inside they could hear noises outside.

Throughout these days, the four women remained obediently inside the carriage without showing themselves, handling everything onboard, as Yin Weiyin had prepared fasting pills before departure, distributing them to the little lady and her maids, so they had no need to eat or drink, requiring little handling.

Upon learning the rumored Demon Cave was near, the little lady and her maids grew anxious while Miss Donggong showed her usual carefree curiosity, with only Yin Weiyin remaining composed.

To a female crown, regardless of Demon Sect’s alleged strength, it remains a Demon Sect, with an eternal divide between fairy and demon. Moreover, with Chen Yi beside them, Golden Boy and Jade Girl collaborating, regardless of chaos, it wasn’t terrifying.

By afternoon, reaching the town at Gaoliang Mountain’s foothill, just a few miles from the mountain gate, the Iron Scale Army halted, Qin Jingshan rode to Chen Yi’s side and spoke, "Gentleman, Gaoliang Mountain has arrived."

Chen Yi nodded briefly and replied, "Thanks to General Qin."

"No need for thanks, the mountain gate lies ahead, need us to accompany you?"

"No need, I shall drive myself."

"Then farewell."

Thus, Qin Jingshan turned his horse, and the rest of the Iron Scale Army retreated accordingly.

At this moment, Chen Yi unexpectedly asked, "General Qin, how will you handle those refugees?"

This sudden question caught many off guard yet inadvertently left a lasting impression. Qin Jingshan composed his response, but Qin Jingde stepped forward first, saying, "They’re escorted by personnel, likely to pass through Pingyi Guard into Nanwei in a couple of days, with arrangements in place, so rest assured, gentleman."

Chen Yi nodded.

This Qin Jingde... appeared somewhat proactive.

Throughout the journey, Chen Yi quietly observed everyone, mentally noting the subtle changes in Qin Jingde’s attitude before and after learning he was from the White Lotus Sect, seemingly becoming less vigilant while showing affinity.

A member of the Qin Family that can join the Iron Scale Army, intentionally befriending an outsider.

With Central Plains’ sects in chaos, Southern Border seemed turmoiled undercurrents...

Chen Yi masquerading as a tribute from the White Lotus Sect avoided many troubles, but perhaps for Southern Border’s concealed state, the White Lotus Sect’s identity was akin to a stone thrown into the water.

Is it for power struggles? Or conspiring with the government? Or entangling with the Divine Sect?

Chen Yi restrained his eyes.

No need to rush, a sit-and-wait approach suffices.

Qin Jingde gently clasped his fists and departed with a smile, displaying a rare gentlemanly demeanor uncommon in Southern Border, as did his contingent of Iron Scale Army.

A hundred steps past the town, Qin Jingde instructed his personal soldiers beside him, "You stay within town covertly observing, do not act rashly, nor get close, maintain a distance over a hundred feet, merely confirming he remains in town suffices."

These words weren’t hidden from Qin Jingshan, who voiced confusedly, "Jingde, what’s bothering you? Even should his identity be fake, Divine Sect members would verify it. Besides... he doesn’t seem fake to me."

Between brothers, formal titles weren’t needed, so names were directly called.

"Better be safe than sorry." Qin Jingde finished, chuckling, "Moreover, I don’t suspect him entirely, just intend to cultivate some connections for our branch, perhaps some day in the future our descendants might benefit."

Qin Jingshan sighed at this and said, "Then proceed as you see fit."

Qin Jingshan’s branch had a dwindling lineage with him as the sole child, hence relying heavily on the Prince Mansion, never forming cliques, unlike other branches differing since the Southern Border’s sphere was limited; failing to accumulate influence and resources means others encroaching upon their share, inevitably competing for power.

Thus, connections and networks became paramount, for as old sayings go, for noble families, outwardly they pass down culture and ethics, while internally they pass down networks and resources.

"Rest assured, I am prudent." Qin Jingde responded and rode on, his personal followers tightly following suit.