Chapter 551 - Teacher and disciple (1/2)

After all, anyone would know the wilderness was not entirely safe. As the saying went, one must be vigilant to not be harmed. If it were Ren Xiaosu, he would never offer others a lift.

Of course, not many people would hitch a ride from him either.

The middle-aged man said with a smile, “It’s along the way since we’re also heading to Stronghold 74. However, we need to make a stop at a remote place midway, so if you don’t mind that, we can offer you a lift to Stronghold 74.”

Ren Xiaosu was stunned. He broke out into a smile and said, “Sure, thanks.”

The young man in the front passenger seat also said enthusiastically, “Get in quickly then.”

Ren Xiaosu got into the backseat. He then heard some music playing from a cassette in the vehicle and wondered why the singer’s voice sounded so familiar.

Ren Xiaosu only managed to react a few seconds later. Wasn’t this Li Ran’s voice? Although he had never listened to her songs before, her voice was very recognizable.

In that instant, Ren Xiaosu did not know what to say. He had clearly escaped so he could avoid that woman. But now that he was outside, he still had to listen to Li Ran’s songs. She really was just like a lingering spirit.

During the journey, Ren Xiaosu realized the middle-aged man and the young man were not father and son. From the way the young man kept addressing him as his teacher, it seemed they were actually a master and disciple.

The two of them did not ask about his identity, nor did they ask why he was heading to Stronghold 74. It seemed like they were simply giving him a lift.

However, the middle-aged man had specifically mentioned they would have to make a stop at a remote place to handle some affairs. This made Ren Xiaosu very wary. What could be in a remote place? Very few people lived in the wilderness, so if they really turned into some remote place, could they be planning to lead Ren Xiaosu into a trap?

However, Ren Xiaosu did not say anything. Instead, he asked calmly, “May I know why the two of you are heading to Stronghold 74?”

The middle-aged man smiled and said, “Actually, we’ll only be passing by Stronghold 74. After dropping you off near the stronghold, we’ll be heading into the mountain range west of Stronghold 74 to pick some herbs. Now that very few people are living in those mountains, there will be plenty of treasures naturally growing there.”

Ren Xiaosu asked, “Do you mean the legendary Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?”

The storyteller told stories such as The Investiture of the Gods,[1] and in those stories, the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were herbs that were extremely helpful for cultivators.

When the middle-aged man heard Ren Xiaosu ask this, he said with a smile, “No, no, I was just referring to mountain products, common herbs that can help strengthen my disciple’s body.”

Ren Xiaosu nodded. From the sound of it, they were martial artists?

There was an old saying that went, “The poor study, while the rich learn martial arts.” That was because studying could change the fate of the poor, while those who were not rich had no way to practice martial arts since they could not afford the herbs and tonics to strengthen their bodies.

But were they really going to pick herbs in those forested mountains? Ren Xiaosu did not believe it.

In the afternoon, the off-road vehicle suddenly deviated from the main road and drove towards a more desolate wilderness. Ren Xiaosu sat quietly in the backseat and did not show any expression.

He thought to himself, ‘They might be making a move soon.’ Be it robbery or revenge, these two had probably been plotting this for a long time.

After the vehicle came to a stop, the middle-aged man placed his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Ren Xiaosu frowned. They actually had partners?

Following, there was a rustle in the woods nearby. Five honest-looking refugees emerged from it, and they said to the middle-aged man in surprise, “Old Li, you haven’t come here in a long time.”

“Enough talk, the medicine’s in the trunk. Hurry up and unload the items from the vehicle.” The middle-aged man named Old Li said with a smile, “We brought antibiotics this time. That’s something you guys lack most in the wilderness.”