Hide in the world of gods and demons

Chapter 92 Departure
The crowd was divided into two distinct sides, clearly separated.

When Chen Li came out, Zhang Yan finally felt relieved.

Previously, he was almost scared back when he went out, and broke out in a cold sweat.

It's no wonder he acted that way.

Anyone who goes out late at night and sees a group of five people whispering in the shadows would feel uneasy. If they didn't see that the other person was also carrying a bag, they would stay put when they saw him come out.

He thought they were highway robbers.

Finally, he left his daughter at home and mustered up his courage to go up and inquire. He then learned that the other person was also waiting for Fellow Daoist Chen, preparing to migrate, just like him. Only then did he feel a little relieved.

They are all fellow Daoist Chen.

They are all the same person.

However, it is clear that the Fellow Daoist Chen in Zhang Yan's eyes is very different from the Fellow Daoist Chen in Zhao Lin's eyes.

One was an honest and upright talisman maker, just like him, with decent combat power; the other was a mysterious and unpredictable butcher who slew second-tier demonic beasts, slaughtered gangs and sects, and whose ferocious power suppressed the entire Green River Workshop.

After exchanging a few polite words, neither side could figure out the other's intentions, so they didn't say anything more, and their positions remained clearly distinct.

Zhang Yan only felt completely relieved after Chen Li showed up.

However, while Zhang Yan and his daughter were relieved, Zhao Lin and his group on the other side changed their expressions dramatically, their faces first showing vigilance, then confusion, and finally understanding.

The swords they carried were the same, their builds were the same, even the way they walked was the same. Without a doubt, the one in front of them was the real one, and the previous ones were all disguises.

"Big...brother!?" Zhao Lin called out tentatively.

Chen Li nodded and casually asked, "Why are you here so early?"

"We couldn't sleep for several nights, so we came over early," Zhao Lin said with a smile, certain of what was going on.

"Big brother!"

"Big brother!"

……

Upon seeing this, Gu Mengqing and the others quickly stepped forward to greet them.

There was also a female cultivator among them.

She wore a pale yellow robe and was about thirty years old. She was plump and, although crow's feet had appeared at the corners of her eyes, she still possessed the charm of a middle-aged woman, exuding a seductive allure.

Before Chen Li could ask, Gu Mengqing hurriedly said, "Brother, this is my wife, Lu Qian. Please trouble you to bring another one along."

No wonder this person, despite being at the sixth level of Qi Refining, is thin and dark-skinned, with a weathered and sorrowful expression; there must be a reason for it.

In their forties or fifties.

It's true that I'm finding it increasingly difficult.

“Okay, no problem!” Chen Li said.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, who are these people...?" Zhang Yan finally couldn't help but ask.

Judging from their respectful attitude, these people seemed to have a sense of awe.

It is clear that Chen Li is the master.

"They're people I met outside, they help me out, they're all friends," Chen Li said with a smile.

"Brother, you're really too kind to us. We're just following you around to make a living... This must be your wife, right? Hello, sister-in-law!" Zhao Lin said with a smile, being quick-witted.

Zhou Hong smiled, said nothing, and simply took Chen Li's hand gently.

The group quickly met again.

"Alright, it's getting late, and everyone's here. Let's get on with the conversation and get going." After chatting for a while, Chen Li said immediately.

……

Under the night.

The group walked and talked, laughing and chatting all the way.

They only stopped talking when they reached Yujia Street.

Many people have already come here.

They were all people preparing to migrate. As far as the eye could see, there were dense crowds everywhere. Most of them were gathered in groups of three or five, some leaning against the corner of the wall, some sitting on the ground. Everyone carried bulging bags, bundles, or sacks, like a large army rushing to the Spring Festival in a previous life.

No one dared to make a loud noise.

But the countless whispers combined still made the place incredibly noisy.

Chen Li found a member of the Yu family.

He presented a token given to him by the patriarch of the Yu family.

The Yu family member, who had initially been indifferent, immediately became enthusiastic, and soon the group was led to a private room in the Yu family mansion, where they finally found some peace and quiet.

With departure imminent, the Yu family was in a flurry of activity.

The courtyard was piled high with all sorts of luggage and goods.

Everyone was walking very fast, so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.

Even so, he still served everyone tea and pastries, and told them that he would come back to inform them before they left, and that they could just sit there comfortably. After bowing again, he quietly closed the door and left.

The pastries are exquisite and tempting.

Meticulously crafted.

The tea served was also of the finest quality, exuding a refreshing and delightful fragrance.

However, it was completely quiet.

As if suppressed by an invisible aura, no one dared to move for a moment. Everyone was somewhat restrained and even fell silent.

Such a scene, such courtesy, they, these rogue cultivators, had never encountered before.

This is a Foundation Establishment family.

Now, we are being treated as honored guests.

Even though it was just a case of benefiting from the situation.

"Eat up, what are you standing there for?" Chen Li said, breaking the awkward atmosphere. He picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth. The pastry was obviously made of high-quality spirit rice. It was soft and glutinous with a rich fragrance, and it was also mixed with various candied fruits and nuts.

It tastes sweet and delicious, leaving a lingering fragrance in your mouth.

"It tastes good, have a taste!" Chen Li picked up a piece and put it to Zhou Hong's mouth.

Zhou Hong blushed instantly, playfully patted Chen Li, and quickly reached out to take it.

Seeing Chen Li take action, the crowd relaxed.

Chen Li ate one piece and then stopped. Although the pastry tasted good, it was too sweet. He didn't know how much honey had been added, making it cloyingly sweet. One piece was fine, but it became cloying after eating too many.

He looked up.

Zhang Yan was holding a cup of spiritual tea, taking a leisurely sip, and letting out a contented sigh. He then carefully picked up a pastry, chewing and savoring it slowly. As he ate, he shook his head and sighed, his face full of intoxication, as if he were tasting the ultimate delicacy. He was even unaware that his beard was covered in crumbs.

As for Zhang Shuniang, who was sitting next to her, her eyes were shining as she ate, her cheeks puffed out, and she ate with great relish.

Even Zhou Hong was eating one piece after another, basically without stopping.

Is it so delicious?

"Why aren't you eating anymore?" Zhou Hong's attention was focused on Chen Li. Seeing that he had only eaten one piece and then stopped, she asked him.

"You can have mine, I'm already full, I can't eat anymore!" Chen Li said, making excuses.

"Then I'll save it for you!"

Zhou Hong took the small bag she was carrying and prepared to pack up the remaining pastries to take with her.

Chen Li was both amused and exasperated, and had no choice but to go along with her.

Everyone saw that Chen Li's side was like this.

Suddenly, all restraints vanished.

They stopped eating and began putting the remaining pastries into their bags. The amount of pastries served was quite generous; it would be too extravagant to finish them all at once. Wouldn't it be better to savor them slowly on the way?

Soon, all the pastries were gone.

Then one by one they began to enjoy the spiritual tea. Even Zhang Shuniang, who usually didn't drink tea, held her teacup properly, frowning after each sip, reluctant to put it down, looking completely unsophisticated.

Chen Li couldn't help but pick up his teacup and take a sip.

It's really tough!

"Brother, do you know where we're going this time?" Zhao Lin asked. "I don't know either, but a family like the Yu family, since they're migrating, must have a comprehensive plan for the long-term survival of the family. I imagine they're going to a safe place, free from the dangers of war," Chen Li said after thinking for a moment.

When I met the Yu family patriarch that day, I was so nervous that I didn't ask any of the important questions.

After all, it was the first time I had ever seen something like this.

Even if he is old and frail, even if he is kind and gentle, even if he is approachable.

The subtle, oppressive atmosphere that lingered even as he got closer still kept him from relaxing in the slightest.

“That’s true. We have limited vision and are not well informed about the outside world. How can we compare to a Foundation Establishment family like theirs, which is more comprehensive? Wherever we go, it’s better than staying here!” Gu Mengqing chimed in.

……

After sitting for nearly an hour, the cup of spiritual tea was slowly finished.

Finally, a member of the Yu family came in to deliver a message.

We can set off now.

The group filed out the door.

In the courtyard, a dozen enormous camel-like beasts snorted and spewed white smoke, their backs already laden with mountains of goods. More than a hundred men, women, and children from the Yu family were ready to set off.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, come, come over here!" Yu Cheng, the patriarch of the Yu family, greeted Chen Li with a smile, showing exceptional enthusiasm.

Chen Li had no choice but to hurry over: "Senior, what do you need me for?"

"My family is large, and many of the younger generation are incompetent. If anything happens on the journey, I will have to ask you to take care of me."

"Senior, you flatter me. Although I am of humble status and limited strength, since we have traveled together and weathered storms together, it is only natural that I would do my best to protect you when the time comes," Chen Li said, offering his eloquent words.

"Very good! You will surely be rewarded in the future. Fan Zhen, since you are acquainted with Fellow Daoist Chen, follow Fellow Daoist Chen to the back of the line!"

"Yes, Ancestor!" Yu Fanzhen hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"Yuansong, Fanwu, you two stay by my side," Yu Cheng continued to give orders.

"Yes, ancestor!"

"Yes, ancestor!"

Two people stepped forward.

One is middle-aged, and the other is young.

……

The middle-aged man was of average appearance, while the younger one was much more handsome, wearing a high-class robe that gave him an extraordinary air. Without a doubt, both of them were bloodlines valued by the Yu family patriarch.

……

"Is that Yu Fanwu your brother?" Chen Li asked Yu Fanzhen.

“It’s just that we’re of the same generation. I’m from the fifth branch, and he’s from the eighth branch. We’re very distant from each other,” Yu Fanzhen said. Seeing Chen Li’s confusion, she explained, “The number of branches is counted from the ancestor’s side. By my generation, it’s been four generations.”

This relationship is indeed quite distant.

Chen Li couldn't imagine living in such a large family; the various seniority titles alone would make one's scalp tingle.

However, this patriarch of the Yu family is truly...

He married eight wives.

It's estimated to be far more than that.

It's disgusting just to think about it.

hei tui!

"And did you think that the young man was named Yu Fanwu?" Yu Fanzhen asked with amusement.

She was unaware of Chen Li's resentment towards her ancestor, otherwise she wouldn't have given him such a friendly look.

Chen Li paused for a moment, then asked, "Uh, isn't that right?"

That's what he thinks.

“The older one is Yu Fanwu, and Yu Yuansong is from the Yuan generation. They are both a generation younger than me, so they should all call me Aunt.”

The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing.

Zhou Hong couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, and her fingers twisted haphazardly.

Looking at Yu Fanzhen, who came from a Foundation Establishment family and possessed a gentle, refined, and extraordinary temperament, he felt inexplicably inferior.

"Let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Yu Fanzhen, and this is Fellow Daoist Zhang Yan..." Chen Li introduced them one by one. When he introduced Zhou Hong, he noticed something and smiled, "This is my wife, Zhou Hong!"

In an instant, Zhou Hong felt a warm current surge in her heart, soothing all her unease, and she smiled and said, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yu."

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

……

Before long, this huge team set off.

Chen Li and his group were at the very back of the procession, not at the rear of the entire group, but at the rear of the Yu family's group. Behind them was a long line of independent cultivators, estimated to number three or four hundred.

Of the more than 10,000 independent cultivators in Green River Village (perhaps now less than 10,000), those who could afford to pay a mid-grade spirit stone fee were probably only a few times that number. These people were also the essence of the entire Green River Village.

Almost all of them possessed the strength of the mid-stage Qi Refining realm, and there were even more than ten of them at the late-stage Qi Refining realm.

The procession was noisy and bustling, moving in a grand and imposing manner through the streets and alleys.

Many independent cultivators opened their doors and stared blankly as the massive procession passed by, their expressions unreadable.

However, some clever ones either took the opportunity to blend into the group or followed quietly behind, like a drop of water entering the sea, without causing a ripple. The Yu family didn't pay much attention to these people; as long as no one reacted, they pretended not to see them.

More than an hour later, the group left the market and crossed the wilderness. Just as they were about to enter the forest, a Yu family cultivator loudly ordered the group to rest for a while.

Soon, a bird-shaped magical artifact from the Yu family's ranks flew into the night sky and disappeared into the darkness, seemingly scouting the situation ahead.

Chen Li couldn't help but turn around and glance at Green River Square behind him.

Unfortunately, the distance was too far, and it was still dark.

The entire Green Riverfront was pitch black, with only some blurry and indistinct outlines visible.

This is the place I've stayed in since I came into this world, for over a year now.

This is the hellish place he constantly hates and curses.

do not!

In fact, it wasn't just Chen Li; almost everyone was turning around and looking back frequently.

It's hard to leave one's homeland. Many people stay here for more than ten or twenty years, losing their youth, getting wrinkles, and turning their hair white.

And how many decades does one have in a lifetime?

"Father, why are you crying?" Zhang Shuniang asked.

Zhang Yan quickly wiped his eyes: "It's just some sand in my eyes, it's nothing!"

Where is the wind coming from?

Shut up, you brat.

"Alright, stop meddling in everything." Zhang Yan blushed, annoyed and angry.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the bird-shaped magical artifact returned.

The group set off again and entered the forest.

The journey from then on was not as smooth as before.

As if they had caught a whiff of human presence, less than half an hour later, a commotion arose at the rear of the group, as if someone had spotted a demonic beast trailing in the distance and following them.

Despite these minor troubles, the team showed no signs of stopping.

Gradually, more and more monsters fell behind the group, from one to two, and by the time it was fully light, they had become three.

"Are you scared?" Chen Li asked Zhang Shuniang with a smile, whose face looked a little strange.

Zhang Shuniang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "A little, Uncle, can you defeat the monster?"

Everyone laughed.

Upon hearing this, Yu Fanzhen couldn't help but smile.

"Don't be afraid, little girl. These few monsters aren't even enough for your Uncle Chen to kill," Zhao Lin said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)