CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 52: LEAVING THE CITY (PART 2)

West Gate of the City.

Lin Zheyu carried a backpack, tucked a waist bag, and walked out of the city leisurely.

Along the way, he sensed many eyes on him.

In the alley at the city gate.

An old man carrying a vegetable basket walked out from the alley.

His steps were unsteady, as if his right leg was somewhat impaired.

The old man didn’t see Lin Zheyu’s figure, and as he walked, he stumbled and accidentally bumped into him.

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

The old man hurriedly apologized.

His eyes were flustered and fearful, as if worried that Lin Zheyu would blame him.

"Sir, are you alright?"

Lin Zheyu helped the old man up and did not blame him.

"I’m fine, I’m fine, really sorry for bumping into you just now." The old man said apologetically.

"It’s alright, just be careful next time."

Lin Zheyu waved his hand, letting the old man leave.

As he watched the old man leave, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Interesting."

"They’ve prepared quite thoroughly, seems like it was long planned." Lin Zheyu said to himself.

Just now, the old man pretended to accidentally bump into him, then imperceptibly extended his right hand to grab the corner of his clothes, smearing a strange white powder on it.

This powder had a very faint scent that would be difficult to detect without close inspection.

"Xing’s arrangement?"

"Is this their tracking method?"

"In Songyi City, the only one known to target me is that guy, Xing."

Lin Zheyu pondered silently.

He glanced at the white mark on his coat’s corner with the corner of his eye but didn’t remove it.

Regardless of whether it’s Xing, as long as someone is targeting him, they should be dealt with together.

Lin Zheyu’s displayed strength was only at the Bone Forging Realm, and he didn’t believe someone would send a Qi Blood Realm martial artist to assassinate him.

That would be like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito, overkill.

As long as it’s not someone from the Qi Blood Realm, he could easily kill them.

...

"The White Xin Powder has been applied to that kid, mission accomplished."

The old man walked over a hundred meters forward, walked into a fabric shop, and said to the middle-aged man inside.

"Very good, well done, go collect your reward."

The middle-aged man said with a smile.

In his hand, he held a small animal covered with gray fur, resembling a mink or a rat.

The man reached out and scratched the little creature under the chin, causing it to squeak.

"Once stained with White Xin Powder, there will be a faint scent left behind in the places passed within an hour."

"Now, no matter how fast your lightweight skills are, or how great your hiding ability, you can’t escape."

The middle-aged man said in a low voice.

The small creature in his hand was called a Wind-chasing Grey Mink, known for its keen sense of smell.

They like to eat a plant called White Xin Grass and are highly sensitive to its scent.

Many people train Wind-chasing Grey Minks for tracking purposes.

...

Outside the city, no refugees could be seen anymore.

In the cold winter, the outside world was icy, and the refugees with no way out had turned into dead bones in the fields.

Lin Zheyu took out a map, identified the location of Lion Valley, and headed southwest.

Lion Valley was a mountain valley thirty miles away.

The valley was surrounded by lofty mountains, and only a few remote paths led there, making it impossible for the unfamiliar to find a way into Lion Valley.

In Lion Valley, poisonous insects and fierce beasts roamed, and powerful exotic beasts existed.

Without someone familiar with the environment inside, entering would be extremely dangerous.

Many who could no longer survive turned bandit and gathered in Lion Valley.

Here, Lion Valley served as a natural barrier, capable of blocking armies from besieging them.

"These villages and fields have all become desolate."

"Better to live as a peaceful dog than a person in troubled times. Ordinary people suffer too much in chaotic times."

Along the road, many villages had become empty.

The fields were overgrown with weeds, all left uncultivated.

"Oh, there are still people living there."

After walking about five more miles, Lin Zheyu finally saw signs of life.

It was a cluster of large courtyard houses, forming a village. The houses in the village were tall courtyards, built with a mixture of mud bricks and stones, like fortresses.

The layout of these houses was extremely clever, just suitable for defense during times of war.

"This must be the Ma Family Manor Xie Jiang mentioned!" Lin Zheyu thought to himself.

The entire Ma Family Manor practiced martial arts, and villagers made a living mainly through ironworking and hunting.

This was a powerful village; from the eighty-year-old elders to the toddlers, all practiced martial arts.

Moreover, the Ma Family Manor was highly united with many skilled fighters.

Lin Zheyu looked from a distance, seeing several men patrolling outside the manor, though their clothes were somewhat tattered, patched in places.

Although the manor survived, their condition wasn’t favorable either.

Outside of Songyi City, many large villages that survived were seen by Lin Zheyu, three so far.

He even saw practitioners of the Refining Internal Organ Realm among the patrols.

He continued forward.

Lin Zheyu didn’t take the main road, opting for secluded, difficult paths instead.

After advancing about another two miles, he stopped in a secluded dense forest.

He took off the coat marked with powder, threw the coat into the grass on the side, and moved to hide in another patch of grass.

...

Outside Songyi City, a group of people galloped past on horses.

After running three miles, they stopped.

The middle-aged man beside Xing Jinglong took out a Wind-chasing Grey Mink, let it sniff the air, and it squeaked, eager to dart forward.

"Young master, it’s just ahead," the middle-aged man said.