But thinking about how many unreasonable things there were about Hua Jian, she found it a little more understandable.
When someone has enough unreasonable traits, the usual unreasonable things start to seem reasonable in comparison.
Although it might sound a bit off, with how much Shiqi knew about Hua Jian now, she could actually understand if Hua Jian carried a Nightwalking Spirit Garment around for the purpose of committing mischief.
After finishing their preparations, the next two days of travel went smoothly for the three of them.
Along the way, they only ran into four or five cultivators out hunting in the wild, and there were no conflicts.
The regions occupied by major powers were resource-rich, but that didn’t mean there was nothing good elsewhere.
These cultivators were hoping to find treasures overlooked in the cracks between resource areas.
It was difficult and the odds were low, but it wasn’t impossible.
It was a gamble, and among so many cultivators, there would always be some willing to take that risk.
From these cultivators, Hua Jian learned news about the previous resource area.
As she suspected, the experts of Hei Long Gang had also gone deep into the mountains like the Gang Wolf Legion, leaving only second-tier members to guard this resource area.
The closer they got to Hei Long Gang’s territory, the tighter Linglong’s frown became.
By the time they truly entered this new resource area, Linglong’s brow was furrowed so tightly she looked like a granny.
“Something’s wrong with the aura here.” Before Hua Jian could even ask, Linglong raised her hand and grasped at the void beside the three of them.
A wisp of black aura was caught in her hand.
Looking at the black mist, her tone grew extremely grave, “I sense a very violent aura in here, it’s somewhat like…”
Linglong sorted out her words in her mind and asked Hua Jian, “Do you remember those people from Huiyue City?”
Back in Huiyue City, the Magic Path force that clashed with Wanhuagu— their symbol was the Black Dragon Tattoo.
And now, the aura Linglong sensed was surprisingly similar to that Black Dragon Tattoo.
If her senses were right, it meant the Magic Path had already reached into the Northern Mountains, trying to obtain something from it.
“You mean the Magic Path?” Of course Hua Jian remembered those Magic Path members who fought Wanhuagu.
So according to Linglong, there was also Magic Path influence here in the Northern Mountains?
And they’d even formed a considerable force here? Was the Hudaosi blind, or what?
“If not absolutely necessary, Hudaosi won’t enter the Northern Mountains for large-scale searches. Besides, the relationship between Hei Long Gang and the Magic Path may not be deep, so it’s understandable they haven’t been discovered,” Linglong added in defense of Hudaosi.
The Northern Mountains ultimately belonged to the Spirit Beasts. Without proper justification, if Hudaosi entered carelessly, the powerful Spirit Beasts might see it as an intrusion.
As for ordinary cultivators, they could come and go as they pleased; they didn’t have much backing, and their strength alone couldn’t harm the environment of the Northern Mountains.
In fact, it could be said that these scattered cultivators took less from the Northern Mountains than they left behind.
They actually contributed positively to the prosperity of the mountains.
“What are you talking about?” Shiqi listened from the side, completely confused, only knowing that the two girls were discussing something important, but unable to understand at all.
What was Huiyue City? What’s this Magic Path all about?
And was this Hei Long Gang actually part of the Magic Path?
“It’s all in the past. Not long ago, she and I dealt with some people from the Magic Path. The aura here is similar to that group,” Hua Jian explained simply.
After listening, Shiqi’s expression grew complicated. She didn’t even know how to comment on Hua Jian’s experience.
A thousand words condensed into one sentence: “You two are really amazing.”
Thwarting the Magic Path’s schemes, uncovering the truth hidden by great clans—why did this sound so much like a storybook plot?
“I’d rather have fewer such experiences,” Hua Jian shrugged. “Other people go through a plotline and gain a few soulmates, but I get nothing out of it…”
You want soulmates? Shiqi looked at Hua Jian in horror. How could Hua Jian say such strange things?
You’re a girl—how are you going to find female soulmates!
“Why are you looking at me like that? Isn’t that always how those storybooks go? When feelings run deep, there’s even a breakup night… Ouch, why’d you hit me again?!”
Halfway through her speech, Hua Jian’s head was knocked again by Linglong.
She immediately glared at Linglong, feeling wronged. Did she say anything wrong?
Aren’t those storybooks always like this? Even if the female lead disappears in the next volume, they still do what needs to be done.
That’s called consensual emotional exchange—it’s very pure, okay?
“But you’re a girl…”
So what if I’m a girl? Girls can like girls too. Shiqi, you’re too old-fashioned.
People like you can’t even get on the ship of a new era.” Hua Jian patted Shiqi’s shoulder, her tone sincere.
“Look at you, crossdressing, suffering, full of tragic backstory—if you were in those storybooks, you’d definitely be qualified to be a Stage Protagonist.”
Stage Protagonist? The Stage Protagonist who has a breakup night with you? Shiqi’s thoughts were led astray by Hua Jian’s earlier words.
For a good girl who’d always lived in the north of Central Continent and received a proper education, what Hua Jian just said was too shocking.
“So you mean you’re the main character, and I’m… the side character?”
“Something like that. Too bad I’m being watched closely by another protagonist, so I can’t respond to your affection.” Hua Jian nodded seriously, then pointed at Linglong, looking extremely regretful.
Even if Linglong weren’t around, Hua Jian wouldn’t just get involved with random girls, but that didn’t stop her from talking big.
She didn’t have the guts for action, but she had plenty of bravado.
Linglong nearly covered her face in embarrassment. She knew Hua Jian was just spouting nonsense.
But Shiqi didn’t know. She took Hua Jian’s words seriously.
“Who would have feelings for you!” she yelled, annoyed.
“Don’t say that—anything is possible…”
Hua Jian had only spoken halfway when a few dark shadows suddenly jumped out in front of them, blocking the path.
“Who’s making such a racket here? Don’t you know this is Hei Long Gang territory?!”
Four figures appeared to block their way. The man at the front glanced at the three and a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes.
Two frail little girls and a skinny kid who looked like a bamboo pole? Anyone dares come to the Northern Mountains these days, huh.
Judging by appearances isn’t right, but these three really didn’t look like they had any fighting strength.
They were neither tall nor strong, and didn’t exude any sense of intimidation.
Especially Hua Jian, dressed in fine, exquisite clothes as if she were out on a picnic—obviously some sheltered young lady with no worldly experience.
Wearing that kind of outfit in the Northern Mountains? In a few days, she’d be bitten all over by poisonous bugs and flee the mountains in tears.
“We just want to pass through to the deeper parts of the mountains, and don’t intend to linger here.” Hua Jian decided to use courtesy before force, gauging the attitude of these people.
But she’d already made her assessment and felt it was unlikely they could get along peacefully.
Just from their opening words, she could tell these people were pure villains. Good people wouldn’t talk like that to strangers.
Sure enough, after hearing Hua Jian’s words, the group immediately burst into mocking laughter.
Pass through? “Pass through” wasn’t in Hei Long Gang’s dictionary!
You either used strength to get through, or you obediently turned back—there was no third option.
“You want to pass? Fine, beat us and you can go!” The burly man with a black dragon tattoo on his right arm laughed loudly.
Hua Jian shook her head and sighed.
“This is what you asked for.”
She raised her hand and pointed lightly at the four. “Linglong, go.”
Boom!
The burly man who had been laughing suddenly widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at the white-haired girl who’d instantly appeared before him, and the delicate pink fist already deeply embedded in his stomach.
So fast!
The next moment, he flew back as if hit by a wild beast, smashing several trees before falling silent in the forest.
“Not good, they’re tough… ah!”
“Damn it, we need to… urk!”
“Stop, stop, I… ow!”
These Hei Long Gang cultivators were incredibly weak. Linglong really only needed a single punch for each, not one more.
After four punches, the four road-blocking Hei Long Gang members were already lying on the ground clutching their stomachs, rolling in pain.
Linglong hadn’t used lethal force—she didn’t think these four were Magic Path members, because the Magic Path wouldn’t be this weak.
These people were more like cannon-fodder members recruited into Hei Long Gang by the Magic Path, likely completely unaware of the secrets within their own gang.
For these people, Linglong felt a bit of punishment was enough; killing them outright would be too cruel.
“Can we pass now?” Hua Jian smiled as she walked up to the men writhing in pain, crouching down to ask.
She’d originally thought to step on their heads while asking, but on second thought, that seemed like it might be a reward for them, so she held back.
Maybe there were perverts among them—no way she’d let them enjoy it.
The four Hei Long Gang members couldn’t even speak. Linglong’s punches weren’t meant to kill, but absolutely meant to hurt.