All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Seeing that he agreed, Zhang Cheng didn't say anything more and turned to go back.

He had only taken two steps when Duan Yanqing's voice suddenly came from behind him: "Wait a minute."

Zhang Cheng turned around. He saw Duan Yanqing standing there, leaning on his iron cane, his facial muscles twitching slightly, as if he was hesitating about something.

After a moment, he spoke: "You said... Dao Baifeng did this to get revenge on her husband?"

So, how is her relationship with her husband now? Are they doing well?

Zhang Cheng was stunned. Then, a thought popped into his head: Holy crap, there's a cow!

He sized up Duan Yanqing, pondered for a moment, and carefully spoke: "I guess you feel that you now have a chance to fully recover, so you have some ideas."

Duan Yanqing did not deny it.

Zhang Cheng scratched his head. "But I don't think you have much of a chance."

He spoke frankly: "Although their marriage was a political alliance, and because Duan Zhengchun was a womanizer, they had many conflicts. Dao Baifeng has even become a Taoist nun now—but they are still truly in love."

Duan Yanqing remained silent.

"I know you're still not giving up," Zhang Cheng said, looking at him. "Perfect timing. We're heading to the Prince of Zhennan's residence next. Come with us and we'll see what happens."

The two didn't say anything more and went back to reunite with Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling.

The two girls were standing in the same spot, looking in the direction they had left.

Zhang Cheng walked over and greeted the two children, "Alright, we're done talking."

Mu Wanqing looked him up and down, her gaze lingering on his chest for a moment: "Zhang Lang, are you... really alright?"

"It's alright." Zhang Cheng deliberately patted his chest. "I'm tough, I won't die."

Seeing this, Zhong Ling muttered under her breath, "Your chest was all dented just now, and now you're all lively and energetic... Brother Zhang, are you even human?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately drew an angry glare from Mu Wanqing.

Stared at like that, Zhong Ling, who considered herself to be able to bend and stretch, immediately slid to her knees, put her hands together, and smiled apologetically:

"I was wrong, I was wrong! Sister Mu, please don't glare at me. Brother Zhang is a good person, a really good one!"

Zhang Cheng found it amusing and raised his hand to interrupt their playful bickering: "Alright, stop fooling around. Let's take Zhong Ling home first, and then go to Dali City."

He summoned Black Rose, who picked up the two men, one in each hand, and placed them on the horse.

"You two lead the way on horseback. This old gentleman and I will follow behind."

"Huh?" Zhong Ling lay on the horse's back, somewhat confused.

However, Mu Wanqing had witnessed Zhang Cheng treating Yue Laosan's injuries and knew that the old man was probably also injured.

Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered that Zhang Cheng had mentioned "Boss Duan" when he was talking to Yue Laosan. And when Zhang Cheng left just now, he also called the old man "Boss Duan".

Thinking of this, she immediately realized that the disfigured old man in the green robe was the leader of the Four Evils.

Her experience in the martial world was still limited, and she didn't know exactly who the Four Evils were, let alone that the one who had just kidnapped Zhong Ling was among them. But knowing that the other party was the leader of the Four Evils was enough to make her wary.

She instinctively tightened her grip on the reins, but said nothing more. Zhang Cheng must have his reasons for keeping this person by his side. She trusted him.

For the rest of the journey, Mu Wanqing rode ahead on horseback, carrying Zhong Ling. Duan Yanqing followed behind, leaning on an iron staff and carrying Zhang Cheng on his back. The scene was incredibly strange.

On the way, Zhong Ling lay on the horse's back, looking back from time to time.

She looked at Duan Yanqing, her curiosity growing with each glance, and finally couldn't help but speak:

"Sir, you wield that cane with remarkable skill! It's faster than a horse!"

Duan Yanqing did not answer. But Zhong Ling was not discouraged and continued to ask:

"Sir, how did you get those scars on your face? They look terrifying!"

Mu Wanqing frowned slightly, about to stop her from talking nonsense, when Duan Yanqing spoke up: "It was left behind when I was attacked by a group of people when I was young."

Zhong Ling's eyes lit up, and she continued to ask, "Brother Zhang just called you 'Boss Duan'? Is your surname Duan?" "Yes."

"I remember you mentioned before that you use the One-Finger Divine Skill. Wow, does that mean you have any connection to the Duan family of Dali?"

Duan Yanqing was silent for a moment before saying, "There is some connection between us."

Zhong Ling said "Oh," and then started chattering on about other things. Duan Yanqing seemed to be in a good mood today, and even chatted with her casually.

Beizhuang was originally Zhong Wanchou's property, and it wasn't far from Wanjie Valley.

The four men and one horse arrived at their destination in no time.

Before me lies a clearing in the woods, where nine towering ancient pines stand side by side.

Zhong Ling ran to the fourth large pine tree from the right, parted the dense grass under the tree, and revealed a tree hole.

The entrance to the tree hole was narrow, but after going a few steps in, it suddenly opened up.

Zhong Ling skillfully found the mechanism in the darkness, pressed it, and a hidden door slid open in the side stone wall, revealing stone steps extending downwards.

The four of them walked down the stone steps for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and finally emerged from the passageway into a deep valley surrounded by steep mountain walls.

Zhong Ling turned around and smiled at the three of them, "Sister Mu, Brother Zhang, and old gentleman, why don't you rest in the valley for a while? I'll have someone bring you some changes of clothes."

These words quite intrigued Zhang Cheng. Mu Wanqing was alright; although she was covered in dust, she didn't look disheveled.

However, he and Duan Yanqing had fought fiercely with the masked man earlier, and their bodies were covered in blood and dust, making them sticky and uncomfortable to wear.

So he didn't stand on ceremony and said, "Thank you very much, Miss Zhong."

Where they came from, there stood an exceptionally thick ancient pine tree.

A large piece of bark had been peeled off the tree trunk, revealing the white wood beneath, on which nine characters were painted: "Anyone surnamed Duan who enters this valley will be killed without mercy."

All eight characters were pitch black, except for the character "杀" (kill) in the middle, which was written in cinnabar, as red as blood.

Zhong Ling ran to the big pine tree, took out a small wooden hammer from a hidden groove in the trunk, and tapped it three times on the spot with the character "Duan" written on it.

A short while later, a clear, girlish voice came from behind the pine tree: "Is Miss back?"

"Jinxi'er, it's me." Zhong Ling put the wooden hammer back in its place. "These are my distinguished guests. Please entertain them for me. And while you're at it, please bring a few sets of my father's clothes."

A young girl in a light green shirt emerged from behind a tree, bowed, and replied, "Yes, Miss. Please follow me."

Zhong Ling waved to the three of them, "I have to go see my mother first, and I'll talk to you later."

After saying that, she turned around and used her lightness skill to dash into the depths of the valley.

Led by Jin Xier, Zhang Cheng and his two companions arrived at a tidy house.

He went into his room and changed into the clothes that Jinxi'er had brought him. Although they didn't fit him perfectly, they were still acceptable.

After changing, they went to the main hall to meet Mu Wanqing and Duan Yanqing, and had some tea and snacks.

Just as we were sitting idly, Zhong Ling skipped in, her face beaming with joy.

"You've all changed your clothes?" Her eyes sparkled. "Then let's go!"