Chapter 62: Cross-Country Marathon (1/2)

In Beiying’s Imperial City

After leaving the palace, the party took a break at Qi Wan’s inn. Qi Wan asked Gu Qingyu. ”Boss, where is the next stop?”

”Wait, let me see ...” Gu Qingyu held the Spirit Gem in her hand and closed her eyes gently. Yan Zun floated in the air and carefully sensed the Spirit Gem through Gu Qingyu.

His intoxicating voice rang beside her ear. ”Xiqian.”

”Yeah, Xiqian...wait, what did I just say?” Gu Qingyu surprised herself. ”Xiqian?”

”The Xiqian Kingdom is one of the four kingdoms here.” Qi Yichen explained while fanning himself. It was already winter, but he did not seem to mind. With his fan and his white robes, his scholar persona was immaculate.

”We just came from the east and now we're heading to the west?” Gu Qingyu threw her hands in the air, her sleeve flapped in the air. ”Ah! My life is practically a cross-country marathon! I have been crossing actual countries!”

Qi Wan looked dazed. ”What are you talking about, why haven't I heard anything like it before?”

”Hmph, there's more where that came from.” Gu Qingyu rolled her eyes. ”Golden one-liners produced by Zhu Fan! Yeah!”

”Then shall we set off as soon as possible?” Murong Zuoyu finally lost his patience and jumped into the conversation.

”Yeah, let's go, right now!” Gu Qingyu glanced at the horses outside. ”Are they all well fed?”

”One bite of whatever Qi Wan eats would be enough for them.” Jia Qizhe sat down casually. Qi Wan thought for a long while before he realised what Jia Qizhe had meant. Yet just when he was about to defend himself, Gu Qingyu dashed out like a gust of wind. ”Daisy! Darling! I have missed you! Come, give me a hug!” The dark horse immediately fizzled, as if it had been frightened.

”You missed me too, right? I know I know, I miss you too~” Gu Qingyu hugged Daisy, ”Don't move, let me hold you~ Oh my little Daisy, you are so thin!”

Qi Wan had a sullen look. ”Boss, I've lost weight too!”

”Let's go, Daisy!” Gu Qingyu unfastened Daisy, got on the saddle and shouted at the rest of the party. ”What are you all staring at? Let's go already!” The party snapped out of their confusion and went to their own horses.

En-route

Gu Qingyu snacked as they walked down the street on horseback.

”Why, are you still hungry?” Jia Qizhe watched her with a slight tug on his lips.

Gu Qingyu shook her head. ”No, I'm just bored.”

That's a good enough reason.

”If we go on like this, how many days will it take to get there?” Gu Qingyu turned around to look at Jia Qizhe and handed a small bag of snacks over. Jia Qizhe took the snacks and slowly took out a piece of it into his mouth. The level of elegance was so different from Gu Qingyu. ”On a quick horse, plus a few of us are experts. About ten days. ”

”Well, that's quick.” Gu Qingyu nodded. She could see the city gates in the distance, so she bought more snacks and tossed that whole bag to Qi Wan. ”Hold on to it for me, no eating.”

Qi Wan nodded helplessly. ”Ok, I won't.”

Gu Qingyu hmph-ed and went on.

At sunset, they came to the foot of a mountain.

Gu Qingyu leaned back as she tried to make out the mountain peak that reached into the clouds. ”Are you sure it's ten days, not ten years?”

”That's why I said, on a fast horse, with experts, ten days.” Jia Qizhe glanced at Gu Qingyu, his voice was charming as always.

”Well, it's getting dark, let's spend the night at the foot of the mountain! ”Gu Qingyu looked around. ”So, set up a grass shed? Or a tent?”

Jia Qizhe rolled his eyes silently. ”Little Yu'er, you know, a master like me, I can go up and back down this mountain in two hours. So what need is there for a grass tent?”

Gu Qingyu rolled her eyes. ”Fine! Since you're so good, then it's not too late after all. Let's go!”

”Really?” Qi Wan whined. They released the horses back to nature, and soon, halfway up the mountain, several people had to stop to catch their breath and wipe down their sweat. Well, only Gu Qingyu, Qi Wan, Qi Yichen, and Xiao Qi.

”There are a lot of demons at night.” Jia Qizhe sighed. ”That's why I suggested not to come up here so early, Little Yu'er. We should have waited till tomorrow morning.”