Chapter 287 - A Return Visit to Tongguan Town (2/2)

Because of Ling Zhaowu, they didn’t walk very fast, and it took them a long time to get to the exit.

Ling Zhang was just about to crouch down to carry Ling Zhaowu on his back when Yuwen Tong shoved his traveling bag into Ling Zhang’s hand and squatted down before Ling Zhaowu. “I’ll do it. Uncle Ling, I’ll carry you.”

Ling Zhang’s other hand was holding Mr. Mu’s medicine chest, so naturally it was inconvenient for him to carry anybody on his back. He was a little worried that Ling Zhaowu might be unwilling.

But maybe because Yuwen Tong had managed to build trust with Ling Zhaowu during the past half a month, the latter didn’t feel afraid but just looked at Ling Zhang.

Ling Zhang said, “I’ll be right by your side. I won’t walk away.”

It was after hearing this that Ling Zhaowu obediently lay p.r.o.ne onto Yuwen Tong’s back to let Yuwen Tong carry him. Seeing Ling Zhang was indeed walking side by side with them, Ling Zhaowu gradually relaxed.

The exit was the dense woods that they had followed Ji Yanlai through to enter this place half a month ago. The complexity of this formation was beyond Ling Zhang’s grasp, and he could only recall a small part of the right route, which was not enough for him to get out of it on his own.

“I’ll lead the way. Donglin, Chaofang, you two bring up the rear. Keep an eye on Mr. Mu,” said Ji Yin.

Mr. Mu said, “Well, don’t underestimate me. Although my kung fu is lousy, I’m a quite strong man.”

But Ji Donglin and Ji Chaofang still acted as rear guard. Ji Yin was taking the lead. Yuwen Tong was carrying Ling Zhaowu on his back, Ling Zhang walking side by side with him, followed by Mr. Mu, Ji Donglin and Ji Chaofang.

The seven of them entered the thick woods, progressing along a path so circuitous as though they were going in circles.

Foliage of the tall, exuberant trees blocked the sun, making the path dark and brooding.

Ling Zhaowu was very frightened of this place and kept calling Ling Zhang’s name. “Zhang’er!”

So Ling Zhang directly carried the medicine chest on his shoulder and took Ling Zhaowu’s hand. “I’m here, Father. Don’t be afraid. We’ll be out of here soon.”

With his son holding his hand, Ling Zhaowu calmed down somewhat, slumped over Yuwen Tong’s back, curling up.

Getting through the woods took them a long time. In the suns.h.i.+ne, Ling Zhaowu looked somewhat better, but maybe because he’d been in nervous tension all along, he seemed rather groggy after relaxing his concentration.

When they had walked for about an hour after exiting the woods, Ling Zhang glanced at the sun overhead in the sky and suggested they stop to have some rest.

“It’s noon. Let’s stop and have a bite to eat.”

The others looked at Ling Zhaowu and then all nodded.

They had just left the Millennium Pavilion and still had their cooked food. This time, because of Ling Zhaowu, they had carried a ceramic wok. After heating the food, they had Ling Zhaowu eat some. Mr. Mu decocted some medicine and let him drink it. After the duration of drinking a pot of tea (approximately 10 minutes), Ling Zhaowu, leaning against a tree trunk, drifted off to sleep.

The others took advantage of this opportunity and quickly finished their lunch. When they had gathered up their stuff, Yuwen Tong, as he’d done previously, carried Ling Zhaowu on his back and they resumed their journey without more ado, planning to cover some distance while Ling Zhaowu was asleep.

…

After two days’ travel in the Sanguan Mountains, they reached Tongguan Town.

At first Ling Zhaowu had been quite scared. Halfway to the town, he’d kept quiet for a day, and eventually he’d appeared somewhat anxious and fretful, for the Sanguan Mountains had struck him as fearful and he’d wanted to get out. Fortunately, they’d been not far away from edge of the mountainous area.

As soon as they arrived at Tongguan Town, they quickly checked into an inn and settled Ling Zhaowu in a room.

It was Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong who had been taking care of Ling Zhaowu in the Millennium Pavilion during the past half a month, so naturally the two of them were able to handle it with ease, though they were now in a different place. They bathed Ling Zhaowu, helped him change clothes and then had him finish his supper and take his medicine. When Ling Zhaowu had fallen asleep in bed, Ling Zhang heaved a sigh of relief and found that his shoulders felt somewhat sore.

He had been quite tense as well, and it was after Yuwen Tong ma.s.saged his aching muscles that he fully relaxed.

“Sit here.” Ling Zhang had Yuwen Tong sit down, and then returned the favor by giving him a good ma.s.sage.

“Mr. Mu has also turned in. Donglin and Chaofang will take turns to check on your father tonight. You two may go to sleep now.” Ji Yin showed up.

“You should go to bed as well, Grandfather,” said Ling Zhang.

Ji Yin walked up to take a look at Ling Zhaowu and then went to sleep.

Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong quickly washed and then went to bed in the room next to Ling Zhaowu’s.

When they woke up, Ling Zhaowu was still sleeping.

“Let’s just spend the night here and set off tomorrow morning,” suggested Yuwen Tong.

Ling Zhang looked at him, appearing to have something to talk to him about.

Seeing this, Ji Yin and Mr. Mu went to Ling Zhaowu’s room to check on him, giving Ling Zhang and Yuwen Tong some privacy.

“We’ll be fine in Tanyang. Do you think you should go back to the capital city? It’s been such a long time since we left the capital city, I’m worried that there had been some unexpected occurrences,” said Ling Zhang.

Now that they had come outside, the placid life in the Millennium Pavilion was naturally past history, and there were many brutal facts they’d have to face up to. It’d been over half a month since the last time they’d received a message from the capital city. Ling Zhang was now deeply worried that there’d been some accidents that might cause the situation to go out of control.

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