TGCFNM -Chapter 75 Heading to Qingyang

Early the next morning, Zhang Dong had already harnessed the carriage horses. The innkeeper of Fulai Inn prepared dry rations and placed them inside the carriage.

After tidying up, Chu Ling went downstairs. Seeing the innkeeper, she smiled and handed him something. “Your Wan family branches should keep in contact with one another, right? Please deliver this invitation card to the Wan family’s eldest young master. Let it count as payment for the lodging.”

The innkeeper accepted it with both hands. “Lord Chu, may you have a smooth journey.”

Chu Ling nodded in return and led her group out first. Wan Sanjin lingered behind to add, “Please also tell my elder brother that I’m doing quite well out here.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Yang Huaishan was waiting outside. When he saw Chu Ling, he quickly stepped forward. “My lord, Shiming is running about on some matters and asked me to see you off.” As he spoke, he handed over a bundle with a smile—it contained fine tea leaves.

After Xiao Hua took it, she said, “My lord, I’ll get on the carriage first.”

Su He gave Yang Huaishan a slight nod in greeting before following her aboard.

Chu Ling looked at Yang Huaishan and asked, “What is it? Is the yamen still unwilling to reopen the case?”

“They’re willing to reopen it. Uncle Lu has also relented. But the most important witness—Shiming’s grandmother—will still need some time,” Yang Huaishan replied.

Chu Ling sized him up with a smile. “You’re staying behind?”

Yang Huaishan nodded heavily. “My lord, I’m staying. I want to see this case brought to a complete conclusion.”

“Very well.” Chu Ling waved her hand. “Until we meet again.” With that, she boarded the carriage as well.

Yang Huaishan stood where he was. After watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, he bowed deeply.

The official road was smooth all the way, and the carriage moved swiftly. However, there were no scattered low trees along the roadside to provide shade.

Chu Ling jogged alongside the carriage, her feet constantly practicing the footwork. A string of people followed behind her. Only Zhuifeng ran happily out in front, occasionally stopping to glance back.

Xiao Hua handled it with ease, already beginning to grasp some patterns. Zhang Dong was willing to endure hardship, and his progress was not bad either.

Su He and Wan Sanjin were about the same—neither better nor worse—but they had both started to get the hang of it.

As for Chu Ling, with Bai Su as her “cheat,” her speed had already begun to surge under Bai Su’s guidance. She was approaching a critical point; wind seemed to rise beneath her feet, as though she were about to take flight.

“The Seven Steps of Wind and Cloud is said to have been developed by the founding master according to the positions of the Seven Stars. At the same time, the airflow should move in tandem with each step. Circulate your inner energy through one full cycle, and your body will become as light as a swallow…”

Before Bai Su had even finished speaking, Chu Ling leapt—and unexpectedly shot forward a great distance. Startled, her feet went weak and she nearly stumbled.

Bai Su burst into laughter. “You learn fast, but your courage is small.”

Chu Ling laughed too, wiping away her sweat. This lightness skill practically defied gravity—her whole body felt as weightless as a flying swallow. The moment she succeeded, excitement surged wildly within her, and she immediately began moving again.

Wan Sanjin watched enviously and redoubled his efforts.

By the time night fell, Chu Ling could finally use her lightness skill with ease. She happily flitted about until she was too exhausted to continue, then slowly descended and walked over to the campfire.

Bai Su reminded her with a smile, “Don’t neglect your internal cultivation technique either. Meditate and practice every day—it will benefit you.”

Chu Ling grinned smugly and swept her gaze over everyone. “Lightness skills emphasize finesse. You have to seize that fleeting sensation. Brute force won’t get you anywhere.”

Wan Sanjin pounded his legs, looking aggrieved.

Su He suddenly stood up. After moving a few steps, he sprang into the air. Though he wasn’t as graceful as Chu Ling, he stepped onto a low tree to launch himself higher before landing lightly—successfully completing the move.

“I see. I’ve learned something today,” Su He said, then sat back down.

Zhang Dong scratched his head awkwardly. “I—I’m slow at learning internal cultivation techniques, so I can lift off a little, but I can’t fly very high.” After speaking, he demonstrated.

Xiao Hua’s eyes lit up. She tried it herself and discovered she could fly too. Immediately excited, she soared around for quite a while. “Sir! Sir! Xiao Hua can do it too!”

Chu Ling couldn’t hold back her laughter. Looking at Wan Sanjin, she said, “Advisor Wan, don’t be anxious. Tomorrow, continue running alongside the carriage and ponder it slowly—you’ll get it eventually.”

Wan Sanjin: “…” So infuriating!

After everyone finished their dry rations, Chu Ling said she wanted to walk off the meal and went out alone to stroll along the roadside.

Once she had moved away from the campfire, she looked at Bai Su. “Aunt Su’s method really is the best. It’s the only way we could master it in such a short time.”

“You had already entered the basics through meditation practice before. The top-tier martial arts techniques of the jianghu truly have their unique strengths,” Bai Su said with a sigh.

Chu Ling raised her head and gazed at the distant moon. “At least now we finally have a way to protect ourselves.”

“From now on, meditate at night and travel swiftly by day. Once enough time passes and your speed increases, you’ll be able to use lightness skill freely—like a hawk, swift as lightning.” As she finished speaking, Bai Su pointed to Chu Ling’s waist.

Chu Ling took out a roll of needles—the very ones Bai Su had asked her to buy in Wanzhou Prefecture.

“I’ll teach you the body’s acupoints. These silver needles can enter the meridians to save lives, and naturally, they can also harm. That is your true means of self-preservation,” Bai Su said, gazing at the needles with a trace of nostalgia.

Chu Ling twirled a needle between her fingers. Under the moonlight, it gleamed with a faint chill. “Aunt Su, I’ll study hard.”

Prince Rui had already taken notice of her. Though she didn’t know whether she would be drawn into the plot, it was always better to have another means of survival.

Besides, this trip to Qingyang was for the sake of confirming something.

Confirming this matter was extremely important to her.

The next day.

With no shelter from the sun, the bright morning light poured down. The few who had been sleeping rubbed their bleary eyes and slowly sat up.

Chu Ling, who had taken the last watch of the night, walked over and woke them. “There’s a stream ahead. Wash up, and then we’ll head to Qingyang.”

Wan Sanjin stood up and stretched lazily. “Sir, how about we rest one night in Qingyang before going on to Changzhou?”

Chu Ling urged, “Rest a couple more days if you must. Hurry and wash up.”

After everyone cleaned up and ate some simple dry rations, they set off.

Aside from Wan Sanjin, who continued running alongside the carriage, the others climbed aboard. Chu Ling told Zhang Dong to drive faster, determined to help Wan Sanjin master lightness skill as soon as possible.

Zhang Dong cast Wan Sanjin an apologetic look, then patted Zhuifeng on the rump. “Zhuifeng, run faster. When we get to Advisor Wan’s family inn, we’ll prepare the finest fodder for you.”

Zhuifeng let out a neigh and immediately broke into a gallop.

Wan Sanjin cried out miserably and hurried to keep up, running while shouting, “Slow down! Slow down! Wait for me—wait for me!”

“Stop talking and save your strength,” Su He called out with his usual deadpan expression.

Leaning against the carriage wall, Chu Ling laughed so hard her shoulders shook, tears streaming down her face.

Xiao Hua leaned out the rear window of the carriage, watching Wan Sanjin and sighing repeatedly. “Why just can’t Advisor Wan learn it?”

Su He replied, “Because he’s too busy running.”