CHAPTER 171: 165 MONSTERS

Walking is the ultimate test of one’s perseverance. And perseverance, for Guan Kunling, is something deeply ingrained in her very bones.

Exiting the small town, there was a forest ahead. The river near the forest rushed fiercely, and the trees were dense and intertwined. Guan Kunling glanced at the long sword in her hand, and Tian Sangsang’s warning echoed vividly in her mind. Reluctantly, she caressed the smooth blade, stepped into the forest, dug a pit with her bare hands, buried the sword within, and slowly covered it with soil.

"This sword, I give to you. May it be your steadfast support, your arm that protects you always." The master’s voice rang clearly, "To ensure peace and completeness for both of us, forever."

At the riverbank, Guan Kunling scooped a handful of clear water, meticulously washed her hands, tidied herself up, then picked up the bag Tian Sangsang had given her and continued her journey.

As her hand caressed the surface of the bag, a faint, serene smile lit up her exquisitely beautiful face. Inside the bag were three apples, seven or eight apricots, five or six plums, a long string of longan, a huge orange, five buns, and a box of pastries.

The master couldn’t bear for her to go hungry and had personally packed these for her.

Guan Kunling rinsed an apricot and took a bite. Her teeth left marks on the golden-orange fruit, and ah... So sour. Sour enough to make her teeth ache. By the time she finished the apricot, she had already reached the city. Naturally, for someone like Guan Kunling, whose inner strength allowed her to cover great distances with ease—sometimes walking, at times sprinting, occasionally utilizing Qinggong, or even dashing across rooftops—it hadn’t taken long to travel from the town to the city.

The city was far livelier than the town, teeming with variety. There were people riding bicycles, others pedaling tricycles.

A flicker of confusion passed through Guan Kunling’s cool gaze. These contraptions were truly bizarre, likely a form of transportation.

A small car suddenly roared past her, causing her to step back in surprise. Monster!!! Instinctively, she reached for her sword...

Where’s my sword?

Buried.

As the master’s personal guard, she had seen numerous skilled martial artists. But just now, that fast-as-wind monstrosity—she couldn’t discern even the slightest hint of inner strength. Its speed rivaled hers. However, as more cars continued to rush past her side, Guan Kunling’s expression shifted from astonishment and vigilance to composure and curiosity.

A young woman descended from one of these monsters, soon followed by a man on the other side. The two held hands as they walked toward a nearby shop.

Guan Kunling watched their retreating figures with a cool gaze and slowly strolled toward the monster, taking the opportunity to glance at the shop’s sign. The strokes of the name were crisp and straightforward; though not resembling the script from her land, they faintly echoed its shape. It was a store called "Department Store."

Her hand rested on the car. It stood still as a mountain, devoid of breath. Guan Kunling’s expression grew heavier. People could descend from this thing... So, it wasn’t a monster. It was likely akin to a carriage, meant to transport people. It had wheels.

Carriage wheels were made of wood. Yet here, the wheels were black.

Relieved internally, Guan Kunling pondered, now how does one board this? After walking so long, she was thoroughly exhausted.

Let this monster take her flying then.

︿(￣︶￣)︿

She fiddled with the door handle a few times but failed to open it. Meanwhile, a few other cars continued to pass by occasionally. One particular green vehicle moved steadily. It caught Guan Kunling’s bright gaze—it was distinctly unique. Perhaps, this was something reserved for someone like an Emperor—like her master.

Otherwise, why would this monster be so different from the others?

Guan Kunling dashed forward a few steps, with the wind beneath her feet. Agile as a cat, she leapt onto the back of the monster, and with a swift motion, vaulted lightly onto its roof.

"What’s going on?" Lu Chi’s clean, composed voice.

"Sir," the driver blinked apologetically, "It seems like someone was chasing us... but now they’re gone. I must have imagined it."

Lu Chi slowly turned to look behind them. There were only a few scattered cars and pedestrians on the street—nothing suspicious.

The suspicious figure that Lu Chi and his driver were envisioning was currently standing stock-still on top of the car, their slender form as steady as a mountain.

"Wow!"

"Someone’s on the car!"

"What is she doing on the roof..."

"It’s a woman. So bold."

"Amazing, she’s standing without fear of falling off."

"That woman is so beautiful, is this some kind of movie shoot?"

"Beep, beep—beep, beep—"

The car’s passage earned countless astonished looks. Pedestrians and drivers alike stared in disbelief, pointing fingers. Some cars narrowly avoided collisions due to the distraction—a chaotic, thrilling spectacle indeed.

Lu Chi, utterly unaware, suddenly looked out the window. Outside, people appeared startled, gazing fixedly at the middle of the road.

Had there been an accident?

Lu Chi tilted his head further and saw nothing amiss. Yet his driver seemed wholly focused, his sharp gaze fixed intensely in this direction.

Why did it feel like people were staring at his car? Though he was a Major, this wasn’t the first time he’d ridden in a military vehicle—it had never drawn this level of attention before.

"Stop here." Spotting a mall on the roadside, Lu Chi ordered a halt.

Li Qiong’er’s tastes had turned peculiar ever since her pregnancy. She craved sour things—the plums she’d been eating left her feeling sick, and now she was keen on apricots. But finding apricots in this area was difficult. Just imagining having to face her tantrums for failing to find them gave Lu Chi a headache. If it hadn’t been for her pregnancy... he wouldn’t have married this woman from an unsuitable background. But since he had married her, he was committed to making it work. He wasn’t someone who dallied between loves.

Rubbing his temples, Lu Chi opened the door and stepped out.

A light, fragrant breeze brushed past his face as something leapt down from his car. In the blink of an eye, a slender woman was standing right in front of his vehicle.

The woman had just descended from the car. Her back was to him.

The mystery was finally explained. When had she hidden on the roof? As a soldier, it was deeply unsettling that he hadn’t noticed even the slightest sign. Terrifying.

What martial arts or abilities could she have used? The driver was already on full alert.

"Who are you?" Lu Chi’s gaze locked onto her back, his pale, elegant face darkened with suspicion: "Why were you on my car? Where did you come from? What do you want?" As he spoke, his hand stretched toward her, but she evaded swiftly, leaving him grasping empty air.

Good. Very good. Where did this dangerous figure come from? Lu Chi’s hand moved instinctively to the gun hidden at his waist.

The figure before him clearly sensed his vigilance. She turned, her eyes glinting with a sharp, murderous intent. Those who block her path—die.

But the master had forbidden her from continuing her work as an assassin. Fine then, let’s reason it out first.

"I was traveling and stopped on the roof to rest. Sir, are you after money—or life?"

"I’m sorry. My life doesn’t belong to me, nor to you; my money, I have no intention of giving to you..."

Her arrogant yet calm demeanor suited her icy expression—she didn’t come off as conceited.

Lu Chi showed an expression as though he had seen a ghost—his pupils contracted sharply, his lips quivered as he spoke, "Jiaqi..."

Guan Kunling flicked her sleeve, preparing to leave.

"Jiang Jiaqi!" Lu Chi strode toward her, his face showing an edge of madness: "Are you Jiang Jiaqi?"

(Only three Chapters remain focusing on Kunling—these won’t be lengthy, and they serve as setup for later developments. After three Chapters, the perspective switches to the female lead. How about alternating between Kunling and the female lead starting tomorrow and settling into the main plot afterward? Does that work?)