Chapter 279: Chapter 246: Return to Qingping Town Again

"Junior Brother, did you kill someone?"

"Yes." Lin Miao didn’t deny it, it was all clear. What point was there in denying it? Senior Sister Sun Youwei wasn’t blind; could she not see or hear?

"Senior Sister, there are some things I haven’t told you because I was worried... "

"Junior Brother, I understand, but I’m afraid that with too much killing, you might lose yourself." Sun Youwei said slowly.

She thought she couldn’t get past this hurdle, but found that once she knew, she wasn’t too upset and didn’t find it unacceptable either...

These people came to kill Junior Brother and her. If Junior Brother didn’t kill them, were they supposed to offer their necks to be slaughtered instead?

Moreover, these scoundrels were utterly wicked; even if handed over to the authorities, those officials were colluding with them, how could they convict them?

Previously, she was no stranger to Green Blade Sect deceiving Junior Brother into going to Shang Youwei’s home with the intent to ambush him.

If it weren’t for Lin Miao being with Han Chunyang, perhaps she wouldn’t see Junior Brother again.

Thus, she held great hatred towards Green Blade Sect.

What she didn’t expect was Lin Miao killing all those from Green Blade Sect who came tonight and even destroying the evidence.

At that time, she indeed felt extremely uncomfortable, but she still held back and didn’t stop him, thinking later on that Lin Miao must have his reasons.

Many things she only saw on the surface, unable to comprehend the underlying logic; Green Blade Sect repeatedly sought trouble.

They clearly wished to end their lives—this was a life-and-death struggle, so why should one be soft-hearted?

After understanding, she felt relieved.

"Senior Sister, you don’t blame me for killing them and destroying the evidence?" Lin Miao indeed worried that Sun Youwei might not accept this version of himself, as she was always kind and pure, refusing to accept someone who kills indiscriminately was understandable.

"Senior Sister just can’t bear to see you kill, not that she doesn’t understand the situation. Since these people wanted to kill us, you counter-killed them, how could that be wrong?"

Lin Miao let out a long sigh.

Luckily, Senior Sister didn’t have a ’saintly’ mindset, or else he wouldn’t know how to handle their future relationship.

"Senior Sister, I won’t kill in front of you anymore."

Sun Youwei involuntarily rolled her eyes; this promise was true, out of sight, out of mind. If these matters made her anxious and upset, then not seeing would be best.

In the morning, they tidied up, had breakfast, and set out.

The weather was hot, setting off early was wise, as they could find a place to escape the scorching sun at noon and rest.

Throughout the journey they didn’t encounter any thieves or scoundrels.

After all, those who roamed the paths knew there was one type of person not to mess with: those carrying weapons, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, with half-hidden faces.

Lianxin and Liansuo dressed like this, so any thief with even slightly opened eyes knew these solitary young women were not to be trifled with, messing with them might cost them their lives.

Martial women, they were much fiercer than ordinary men; they must be, to survive in the cruel world of martial arts.

With Mr. Xie leading the way up front, Lin Miao could naturally recline inside the carriage, resting on Senior Sister’s fragrant, soft lap, feeling utterly content.

On the main road, with his invention of shock-absorbing springs, the carriage drove smoothly, much better than the past’s jolts.

Unfortunately, it was uncertain when rubber tires could be used; that would likely take a long time.

Windows were open on both sides, the breeze from movement making the carriage interior not the least bit stuffy, even somewhat cool and comfortable.

"Master, there’s a tea shed ahead, should we stop for tea and rest?"

"Sure."

Having traveled for two hours straight, it was indeed time to rest, and the horses needed some fodder and water—they couldn’t just run without being fed.

"Boss, two bowls of cold tea, please."

"Alright, young master and miss, please wait!" The tea shed was run by a middle-aged couple, and there was a little girl playing at the door.

A family of three running this tea shed at a strategic spot on the main road, providing tea and simple food for travelers to rest and refuel.

They weren’t the only potential patrons; when they arrived, there were five or six other guests, some on horseback, others with carriages, and some walking with bundles relying on nothing but their own sturdy legs.

Most carried weapons for protection.

Walking in the wild, with no village ahead or shop behind, even a common person would find a stick for defense at hand.

One must guard against others, as you never know when you might encounter a good or bad person.

Two bowls of cold tea were brought over, and the hostess warmly asked, "Here’s the cold tea, does young master or young lady need anything else? We have some homemade rice cakes."

"Sure, bring two." Lin Miao nodded, just selling tea wasn’t enough to cover expenses; travelers who stopped for tea were mostly ordinary folks, so they needed to offer other food items; otherwise, they wouldn’t make much money.

"Master?"

"You all have some tea, eat something; we will likely stay at Tang Family Castle tonight," Lin Miao instructed Mr. Xie.

"Sir!" Liansuo and Lianxin, the two sisters, finished tending to the horses and approached.

"Sit," Lin Miao commanded, then asked the tea stall’s lady to bring over two more bowls of cooled tea and some rice cakes.

Sun Youwei, naturally young and beautiful, had gone out this time with Lin Miao having her cover her face with a fine gauze, specifically to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Even without Lin Miao’s prompting, she would have done this. She knew that many troubles were caused by her face.

The looks were inherited from her mother; what else could she do but use this method to avoid some unnecessary trouble?

Of course, most people, even if they saw her face, wouldn’t harbor evil intentions—only a small portion with wicked hearts would...

The couple made good rice cakes, with mixed sugar, they were soft and sweet; Lin Miao ordered a few more pieces, which would also make good snacks on the road.

Having paid, they continued their journey.

Along the road, they still encountered quite a few people—individual travelers as well as escort agencies transporting goods. During the day, the official roads were relatively safe, rarely encountering any robbery.

If the official roads weren’t safe, the responsibility would fall on the local defense government, subject to accountability if anything happened.

There are also local martial sects that, while enjoying privileges from the court, must bear certain obligations—that being the duty to combat and eliminate those robbers and bandits attacking travelers.

The presence of these people also impacts their own reputation.

Consider, within the range of influence of a legitimate martial sect, rampant banditry implies collusion with bandits; how else could this situation be explained?

Once determined as an evil sect, it would surely become the target of the righteous martial sects.

Thus, only in places without major sects, occupied by some evil sects, do you find such chaos and danger.

Generally, during the day, safety is relatively assured; but as for night, that’s hard to say.

The most feared are roaming horse bandits, rather than mountain king bandit fortresses in the forests.

The afterglow of the sunset.

Lin Miao’s convoy entered Tang Family Castle.

Once again staying at the official post in Tang Family Castle, his status now fully qualified him for the official post without charge.

However, he did not reveal his identity, instead entering as a regular passing merchant, paying for his stay.

"Benefactor, benefactor, is it really you?" The old post guard immediately recognized Lin Miao, even after nearly a year.

Yet Lin Miao’s face was remembered, shedding its youthfulness, becoming much more mature.

"Old sir, is your health good?" One purpose of Lin Miao staying at Tang Family Castle was to check on the old guard.

Now holding medical qualifications, he wanted to personally diagnose the guard’s wife during this visit.

"Good, good..." The old guard was slightly emotional, his eyes red.

"Old sir, is the lady all right?"

The old guard sighed deeply: "After taking the medicine you prescribed, she improved a lot, didn’t gasp for breath, could get out of bed and walk around; she even made it through last winter. But who would’ve thought, a cold spring came, she caught a chill and couldn’t make it through..."

This is indeed a very sorrowful tale.

Lin Miao, hearing this, didn’t know how to console the old guard.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know; please accept my condolences!" Lin Miao quickly apologized.

"It’s been months, I’ve long come to terms with it," the old guard said. "Benefactor, is the short sword I gave you still around?"

"It is, I just haven’t been to Li Jing, hence haven’t met the Qingye General you mentioned yet," Lin Miao explained.

"No problem, when the benefactor meets him, we’ll talk about it." Seeing Lin Miao take out the green fish short sword, a smile appeared on the old guard’s furrowed face.

"Do you have any messages for me to pass along?" Lin Miao asked.

"Not, none at all..." The old guard waved his hand.

"I’m heading back to my hometown, Qingping Town, and will pass Tang Family Castle again on my return; if you think of anything to relay, feel free to find me," Lin Miao called out.

The little sword given by the old guard had also helped him greatly.

Limited in amenities, though Lin Miao booked the best room at the official post, it was nowhere near as comfortable as at home.

Bathing was troublesome, requiring heated water; officials traveling would have servants handle this, naturally with servants heating water and providing service.

While the heating could be handled by Lin Mao or Mr. Xie, assisting his mentor in bathing was something Lin Miao had to do personally.

He somewhat regretted not bringing Yuzhu along, considering her a gentle young girl who had never traveled far; he decided not to have her accompany him.

Thus, he endured a hardship.

Sometimes, manners and customs break down bit by bit.