Shu Yifan was quite capable. Whether through fishing or trapping, he managed to pull a few fish from the river.

The three people and the cat spent the cold night by the cliff near the river, without shelter from the wind. They lit a fire, cooked fish soup, and talked about matters of the

jianghu

until late into the night, finally falling asleep.

Xing Wu’s snoring was loud enough to shake the heavens. Shu Yifan, however, stayed alert the entire night.

The next morning, the group used the remaining firewood to heat up the leftover fish soup from the night before, eating it with steamed buns for breakfast.

The swordsman rushed to the river to wash the bowls.

Only then did Xing Wu cup his hands to them. “Mr. Song, Sir Shu, and of course, Lady Calico, it’s been a pleasure meeting all of you. Since we’re all heading to Hezhou, how about we travel together? That way, we can move faster.”

The calico cat looked toward its horse, while Shu Yifan glanced at Song You.

“Your steps are so fast, as if you can travel a thousand li in a day. We’re afraid we can’t keep up.”

“It’s a simple matter!” Xing Wu laughed heartily and said, “This skill of mine is not just for myself; if Mr. Song is willing, I can help both of you speed up as well.”

He glanced at the calico cat, as well as the two horses nearby, one black and one red. “I’m not sure about the cat’s legs or the other animals, but I’m familiar with donkeys and horses.”

“I’m curious, how exactly does your method to improve speed work?” Song You asked with interest.

“Don’t worry, sir, it’s very simple,” Xing Wu said. “The simplest method is to use my divine travel talisman and elixir. After burning it in water and applying it to your legs, you’ll be able to travel three hundred li a day.

“If you’re willing to puncture your calves and release the dark blood within, you’ll become as light as a swallow and can travel five hundred li. If you’re willing to remove your knee caps, you’ll be able to travel a thousand li a day.”

“Truly fascinating.”

Since they had talked for an entire night and gotten to know him better, Song You, feeling more familiar with the straightforward and honest Xing Wu, said, “I have heard of such travel skills before, but they didn’t quite match what you’ve described. Since coming down from the mountain, I’ve never seen anything like it. May I ask where this skill of yours originated?”

Xing Wu laughed heartily again, looking quite pleased. He wasn’t afraid that they had bad intentions and began to tell them the origins of his skills.

It turned out that this was a family secret passed down for many years. Xing Wu had studied it for over twenty years before finally mastering it.

Other places also had some experts with similar abilities, who could walk fast, but they could only use it on themselves. Only the techniques passed down in Xing Wu's family were said to have been used by a small northern kingdom in the past. They could enhance the speed of others, as well as donkeys and horses.

However, the kingdom was destroyed, and the technique was lost. Now, it was said that some people beyond the Great Yan still practiced the skill, but their family was the only one left who could do it. And now, he was the last one left in his family.

After finishing his explanation, Xing Wu invited them to travel with him again, saying, “Mr. Song, Sir Shu, if you're worried, you only need to apply the elixir and talisman water on your legs, and you’ll be able to travel three hundred li a day. I’m also happy to travel with you both, to enjoy the journey together. Even if we move a little slower, it’s better than walking alone.”

Shu Yifan remained silent, still holding his sword.

Song You, on the other hand, gently patted his horse while saying, “I’d like to try your technique first. Would that be possible?”

“Of course!”

Xing Wu immediately retrieved a talisman from his bag, along with a bowl. He mixed a small amount of elixir into the water, and with the talisman in hand, he said proudly, “Don’t let the simple talisman fool you. I personally draw each of these talismans, and it takes half a day to draw one. And although the elixir may seem to come in a rough bottle, it’s quite difficult to refine.”

As he spoke, he shook the talisman. After just a few shakes, the talisman caught fire.

Xing Wu quickly pressed it into the bowl. The talisman burned completely in the water, but it did not extinguish. Instead, it continued to burn, creating bubbles in the water.

It wasn’t until it turned to ash that the water became a grayish-black sludge, indistinguishable from the talisman ash and elixir.

Xing Wu then instructed Song You to lift up his robe and pants and apply the gray-black sludge to his lower legs.

“You might feel your legs get very cold at first, growing colder and colder until it feels like they are frozen. After a while, there will be a sharp pain, but please bear with it. It will pass soon. Once it’s done, your legs will feel light and fast, and walking will be much easier.”

Xing Wu raised his head and looked at Song You, asking, “How does it feel?”

Song You's expression remained calm, and he nodded in reply, “It's very refreshing.”

Xing Wu observed him for a few moments, noticing that there was no unusual reaction, before saying, “You truly are no ordinary person!”

“How long can this last?”

“It depends on how you walk,” Xing Wu replied. “If you walk more slowly, it could last three to five days. But if you're running constantly, traveling hundreds of li a day, it will wear off in a single day.”

“May I give it a try?”

“Of course!”

“Then I’ll go for a walk,” Song You said, smiling as he glanced at Shu Yifan and Lady Calico. “Please wait for me here, I’ll be back shortly.”

“Understood!”

“

Meow

...”

Song You aimed in the direction he had come from and took a step forward.

Sure enough, he felt significantly lighter. Not only did his steps become faster, but each stride was also longer, allowing him to travel at least three times faster with the same amount of energy as before.

Walking now felt almost like running. Lady Calico took a few steps, reaching the edge of the stone path, stretching its neck and staring at him.

Before long, Song You’s figure disappeared from sight.

Lady Calico stood up on its hind legs, trying to stretch its neck even further to see. But when it couldn’t, it simply sat down, licking its paw, and waited obediently.

After a short while, Song You returned. “How do you feel?”

“This technique of yours is truly miraculous. If the army knew about this, they might invite you to be their military advisor,” Song You said.

“Haha, to be honest, I’ve heard of Chen Ziyi from the North. He’s a hero of the world, a legendary general. I’m actually heading north to join the army, to put my skills to good use!” Xing Wu replied. “But even with this technique, it’s not entirely without limitations. I wonder if the army would value it.”

“It’s a divine skill.”

“Ha ha! Would you like to join me?”

“...” Song You thought for a moment before apologetically declining, “Thank you for your kindness, but I am currently traveling the world and cannot rush my journey. I must apologize for having to turn down your offer.”

“Traveling and cultivating?”

“Something like that.”

“I envy you.”

“There's no need to envy. Your skills are also worthy of my admiration.”

“Such a shame...” Xing Wu shook his head. “It’s rare to meet the two of you, yet I must continue alone.”

“You are open and generous; no doubt, friends are waiting for you ahead.”

“May your words be true.”

“Your Divine Speed Talisman and elixir are truly remarkable. Coincidentally, I also know a few techniques for exorcizing demons,” Song You said.

He added, “The northern region you’re heading to is in chaos, and I’ve heard there are many demons on the road. I’ve brought a few talismans with me—one to ward off evil and another to drive away ghosts. I’d like to give one to you and exchange the other for a Divine Speed Talisman and elixir. Would that be possible?”

“Oh!” Xing Wu was overjoyed when he heard this. “Of course, I’d be more than happy to!”

He reached into his bag and pulled out a Divine Speed Talisman and an elixir. Song You also took out two talismans from his pouch. The two exchanged their items, both pleased with the trade.

“Haha, I missed Changjing, but encountered the two of you instead. It is quite a fortunate turn of events,” Xing Wu said, putting his bag back on his shoulders and bowing with a smile. “Then I will take my leave. I will reach Hezhou today.”

“Safe travels.”

“

Meow

!”

“Your skill is impressive, but you should know, the northern region is not only chaotic with demons but also with humans,” Shu Yifan said. Having observed him for the entire night, he had gotten a sense of this man’s character. His tone softened as he continued, “Your open and generous nature is certainly a good thing, but once you leave Angzhou, when you meet people again, please be more cautious.”

“Thank you, I will keep that in mind.”

With that, Xing Wu resumed his journey, stepping back onto the road.

Just like when he arrived, his speed was as fast as the wind. He had probably removed his kneecaps, though how removing his kneecaps made him faster, nobody knew. In any case, at his current pace, he could probably travel a thousand li in a day. If no storms or rain interrupted his journey, he would likely reach the central part of Hezhou before nightfall.

“Truly, there are countless extraordinary people in this world.” Song You smiled and shook his head. He put away the Divine Speed Talisman and elixir in his hands and said to those around him, “Let’s move forward.”

“Alright.” The three—one person, one cat, and one horse—set out once again.

The river's water level had risen slightly compared to yesterday.

As they walked along the river, the mysterious figure ahead was long out of sight. However, they weren't in a hurry, taking their time as they strolled. They watched the water and the fish swimming up to the surface to blow bubbles.

Leaving Changjing, the cities and villages on the road were visibly poorer and more desolate. This disparity was normal, though—the prosperity and wealth of this era mostly stemmed from exploitation.

The astonishing affluence of Changjing was built on the exploitation and oppression of the surrounding regions, and even the whole country. The continuous flow of resources from hundreds and thousands of li around was what kept the great city functioning properly. The further north they traveled, the more desolate it became.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Several days later, on a mountain road…

The cat was curled up inside a saddlebag on the horse, its small head peeking out, watching the outside world. The Daoist moved slowly, walking steadily.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from ahead.

“

Clop clop clop

...”

A swordsman in gray rode a black horse, galloping back.

“

Neigh

!” The black horse slowed and came to a stop in front of the Daoist.

“Sir.”

“How far is Huaichang County?”

“I did not make it to Huaichang County, but on the way, we encountered someone who said it's still about forty to fifty li away.” The swordsman looked up at the sky. “It’s getting dark; we won’t make it today, but I encountered some villagers ahead, so there must be a village. Perhaps we can find a place to stay for the night.”

“There’s no rain tonight, so camping in the wild won't be an issue.” Song You said, “However, our food is nearly finished. We could also look for some supplies in the village.”

“The food I brought hasn’t been finished yet!” Lady Calico said.

“Mmhmm!”

The swordsman in gray dismounted and continued leading his horse forward.

Indeed, the sky darkened rapidly. Shu Yifan was trying to discern the road ahead, faintly recognizing the place he had asked about earlier, though the villagers he had spoken to before had already gone home by now.

The swordsman, agile as ever, leapt lightly with his sword, not needing to use his hands to climb. In just a few steps, he landed on a large tree beside him. From his elevated position, he scanned the surroundings and eventually saw some smoke rising behind a mountain.

“There’s smoke over there.” The group headed in that direction.