Chen Jing returned home, where Li Huaxing had already woken up and was practicing her sword in the courtyard.
Chen Jing watched for a while through the thin mist as Li Huaxing practiced his sword. Chen Jing knew that this younger brother had never liked sword practice before; he preferred drawing, drawing imaginary worlds, and the stories in picture books.
Chen Jing walked over and pointed out, "You need to pay more attention to your center of gravity when you thrust."
Li Huaxing then noticed Chen Jing standing nearby. He sheathed his sword and took a breath.
"Brother Jing, so early?" Li Huaxing wiped his sweat.
Chen Jing shook his head: "I'm going out later."
He handed the two boat tickets to Li Huaxing.
“This is…” Li Huaxing exclaimed in surprise.
“This is the boat ticket, and this is the money I have left. Take these with you, take your sister, and leave here by boat,” Chen Jing said.
"Are we going outside?" Li Huaxing was initially delighted, but then hesitated. "Brother Jing, aren't you coming?"
“I will go out, but not now. Once you get to the outside world, find a place to stay first, and I will come to find you.” Chen Jing handed over most of the cash in his wallet, leaving only 3 Blue Sun Coins, 6 Blue Moon Coins, and 9 Blue Star Coins in change.
"What's it like outside? Will you be able to find us then?" Li Huaxing asked worriedly.
Chen Jing had already checked the tickets. The Flying Fish would first stop on Zhou Tian Island for a day, and then its final destination would be the dock at New Song City.
“Someone will pick you up at New Song City. If not, find a place to stay first. I heard New Song City isn’t very big. I’ll try to find you there,” Chen Jing said.
"How will we live when we get there? I heard there are no ruins or monsters outside, so we won't be able to be hunters," Li Huaxing said.
"We'll talk about that then. I'm a cultivator, are you afraid of going hungry?" Chen Jing laughed.
"Yes, I won't go hungry, and I won't get beaten up..." Li Huaxing said, "Brother Jing, don't worry, I will take good care of my sister, just like you. Look, I've been practicing my swordsmanship diligently these past few days, and I've even refrained from painting."
Chen Jing suddenly felt a pang of sadness and said, "When you get there, you can paint if you want. I heard the ship is setting sail this afternoon, so you need to hurry and take your sister there. Don't bring too much stuff, just a change of clothes. I've checked, the ticket includes food and lodging."
"Sigh, I should have bought you some new clothes, but I haven't had the time..." Chen Jing said, looking at Li Huaxing's shabby, worn-out, dusty, and patched clothes.
Li Huaxing's only slightly better piece of clothing was issued by the hunting team, which he rarely wore except when going out hunting with the team.
"It's alright, it's good to save a little, it's good to save a little. The outside world might also be spending money," Li Huaxing comforted her.
"Have you taken care of both the Hunters and the Black Hand gang? You just joined the gang, wouldn't it be bad to leave like this?"
Chen Jing replied, "I've already taken care of things with the hunting party. I still have some matters to attend to with the Black Hand gang, but I'll come find you once I've finished them."
"Hmm." Li Huaxing nodded. "What is it? Can you tell me? So we won't worry so much."
"It's just a minor safety matter. I'm not a particularly powerful cultivator. Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Don't worry," Chen Jingkuan reassured him.
Li Huaxing nodded: "Then I'll go in. Do you want to say hello to your sister? She's been very worried about you."
Chen Jing thought for a moment, then went inside and saw Wan Tong boiling medicine at the stove.
"Brother Jing, so early!" Wan Tong said with delight, her voice soft yet full of strength.
Her expression was much better than before, more radiant, as if the bleak memories hadn't left a mark on her heart. Her body also seemed less emaciated, unlike a sapling that might fall at any moment in the wind.
Chen Jing smiled:
"You two use the same words when you greet each other."
Wan Tong seemed to be infected by the smile: "You haven't smiled in a long time. Has something good happened? Something about you and Sister Tao Ying?"
...Little sister, how old are you? Why are you so gossipy?
Chen Jing's lips twitched: "You're overthinking it. I got a ticket to go outside, so I can leave this city."
Wan Tong was clearly shocked by the news. She asked cautiously, "Do we really have to leave? I think life is pretty good now. Uncle Zhang is a good person, Sister Tao Ying is a good person too, and you and Brother Hua Xing have jobs and can earn money. I can also help Sister Tao Ying take care of Uncle Zhang and earn some money in return. We'll live in the fledgling area again, right? The streets and houses there are very beautiful..."
Chen Jing shook his head: "We still have to leave. Listen to me."
He couldn't explain it clearly, saying that a disaster might break out in Ash City, or that some forces were plotting a horrific blood sacrifice against the entire city; saying these things would only harm them.
But Chen Jing didn't want to lie to his sister, nor did he have the heart to weave lies in front of his family.
Wan Tong fell silent. Chen Jing knew she was a very smart girl.
She said, "Alright then... Are you leaving today?"
"We're setting sail this afternoon. You don't need to bring too much stuff; the ship will provide food and lodging. I've also given Huaxing some money, and someone will pick you up when you get there," Chen Jing said.
Wan Tong nodded: "What about Uncle Zhang?"
“I’ll talk to Sister Tao Ying and tell her to find someone else,” Chen Jing said. “You all have to leave this afternoon.”
"Aren't you coming with us?" Wan Tong asked sharply.
"You guys go first, I still have some things to do, I'll come find you when I'm done," Chen Jing said, feeling like an old general on a stage repeatedly sticking flags on his back.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com