Chapter 96.1: A Remarkable Person Who Sent a Coffin a Thousand Li; Sudden Enlightenment Amid the Surging Tides of a Thousand Rivers! (I)

Wu Jing had died. He passed away peacefully and left no regrets. His only wish was for Lu Changsheng to send him back to his hometown for burial, so that he could be laid to rest where he was born.

Lu Changsheng had a fine coffin specially crafted for Wu Jing. However, merely placing the body inside was not enough. Within a few days, the corpse would inevitably rot and begin to stink. Medicinal herbs had to be added to slow the process of decomposition and prevent such foul stench.

Lu Changsheng himself was a physician and naturally understood which medicinal herbs were required. Miaoshou Garden also cooperated and actively supplied the necessary materials.

News of Wu Jing's passing gradually spread, and many people came of their own accord to pay their respects. Some even traveled from far away. They were all people Wu Jing had once treated. From high-ranking officials to ordinary commoners, all wept openly in mourning.

After another ten or so days, Lu Changsheng decided to set out. He found a carriage and modified it slightly before placing the coffin inside so it would not be exposed to wind or rain. After all, this was a long journey. Wu Jing's hometown was in Qianjiang Prefecture[1]. It was very far from Nanyang Prefecture.

Lu Changsheng planned to drive the carriage himself and personally escort his master back to Qianjiang Prefecture. At the speed of a horse-drawn carriage, the journey would take ten days to half a month.

On the day of departure, from Miaoshou Garden all the way to the city gates, people lined both sides of the road to see Wu Jing off. The line did not stretch for several

li,

but it was more than enough to show Wu Jing's immense influence in Nanyang Prefecture.

At last, the carriage left the city. After departing Nanyang City, Lu Changsheng felt a deep calm settle over his heart.

Old Wen was gone, and now, his master Wu Jing had also passed away. The two people he cared about most in this life were no longer around. Now, he had no remaining attachments.

He could go wherever he wished across the vast world before him. Yet Lu Changsheng maintained a calm state of mind throughout. He drove the carriage very slowly.

With Great Hero Zhuang holding the fort within Nanyang Prefecture, the region as a whole was considered very safe.

Even though Lu Changsheng traveled alone, he did not encounter any bandits. Once he left the borders of Nanyang Prefecture, however, things became drastically different.

Just a few hours after leaving the border of Nanyang Prefecture, Lu Changsheng noticed a thick stench of blood in the air. Immediately afterward, he saw many corpses on the road ahead. He also heard injured people crying in anguish.

Lu Changsheng drove the carriage forward at an unhurried pace. Soon, he saw a caravan ahead accompanied by many guards. Most of the bodies lying on the ground were bandits. Clearly, the bandits had attempted to block the road and rob the caravan, only to be repelled after a fierce clash with the guards.

The caravan's guards noticed Lu Changsheng traveling alone and driving a single carriage. They realized that the carriage was carrying a coffin. The sight was undeniably strange. At once, the people of the caravan grew tense, their eyes fixed tightly on Lu Changsheng.

However, Lu Changsheng paid them no attention. He ignored the corpses strewn across the ground and simply followed the road straight through.

As the carriage grew more distant, a burly man within the caravan suddenly spoke. "Miss, we should set off at once and follow that carriage ahead."

"

Hm

? Uncle Dong, his background is unknown. Do you not always say that we must be cautious in jianghu? Why do you want to follow a stranger of unclear origins?"

Uncle Dong took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "Miss, tell me this—is this world chaotic or not?"

"Of course, it is chaotic!" the young lady replied at once. Along the way, she had already encountered no fewer than three groups of bandits. Of course, this world was extremely chaotic.

"Exactly. Despite war spreading across the world and bandits running rampant, that man still dared to set out alone with a single carriage, even hauling a coffin. Do you think he's ordinary? Based on my experience in jianghu, someone like that is most likely an expert.

"If we follow him, we may encounter far fewer troubles. Even if trouble arises, he will deal with it first."

The young lady's eyes lit up. She understood that Uncle Dong believed the carriage driver was an expert, someone whose great skill gave him the courage to travel alone at such a leisurely pace. Following such an expert would surely help them avoid many troubles.

The young lady made a swift decision, saying, "Let's set off immediately and follow the carriage ahead. However, do not follow him too closely. Keep a distance of one or two

li,

lest we provoke the man."

"Yes, Miss."

Thus, the caravan also set off at once. Over the next few days, the caravan indeed encountered no trouble at all. However, as they followed behind the expert, they would always see corpses scattered along the roadside.

So Uncle Dong's guess is right after all. The man ahead truly is an expert! He handled the trouble that appeared all by himself!

the young lady thought.

After traveling for three consecutive days, Uncle Dong looked ahead, and his face changed slightly. "Miss, ahead should be Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain is Liu Qi's territory.

"It is said that Liu Qi obtained a divine art and cultivated it to the peak of the Organ Refinement Stage. He even had the fortune to undergo blood replacement once and has almost stepped halfway into the Divine Strength Realm.

"Every time we pass through that area, we have to pay for a safe passage. [2] That expert ahead is strong, but if he encounters Liu Qi, there might still be trouble. I want to ride ahead and warn him."

The young lady nodded and said, "Yes. Go and warn him. Invite him to travel together with our caravan as well. At worst, we will pay silver for a safe passage so he can smoothly pass through Eagle Mountain. There's no need to take unnecessary risks."

Over the past few days, the caravan had benefited from the man's presence, so they didn't wish to see him encounter any danger.

With that, Uncle Dong urged his horse forward and quickly gave chase.

1. 千江 (Qianjiang) means "thousand rivers" in Chinese. ☜

2. Historically, travelers in imperial China often paid a protection fee or "tolls" to bandits or local powers controlling mountain to secure safe passage. ☜