"Without this bit of stuff, even if I don't starve to death, I'll be beaten to death by tomorrow."
Chen Ping said helplessly, sincerely.
He had no idea what sort of connection this suddenly appeared woman had with his former self or what kind of interactions they shared. He decided to play the pitiful card.
After all, portraying himself as a little pitiful couldn't go wrong.
Women, after all, admire the strong and pity the weak. As long as there's a connection to either, her attitude wouldn't be worse.
"Where's the silver I gave you?"
The figure from the tree swooshed, like an apparition, appearing right in front of Chen Ping with a speed he couldn't perceive.
A veil covered the lower half of her face, leaving only eyes as clear as autumn pools visible.
Her gaze paused on Chen Ping's injured leg, a complex expression flashed in her eyes, and she muttered to herself, "I knew it. With your nature, you definitely couldn't hold on to the silver coins. I've told you countless times, the world is in chaos, all living beings are in the midst of tribulations, we lack the ability, and we can't save many. Surviving is hard enough..."
After saying this, the woman shook her head again, "Forget it, even if I say it, you won't listen. Let's heal you first."
Under the faint moonlight, without knowing when, a Jade Zither appeared in her hand, and she gently brushed it...
Even though no sound of strings vibrating could be heard, Chen Ping was shocked. He felt an indescribable tingling and numbness throughout his body, with his blood spontaneously coursing vigorously.
At the same time, he vaguely sensed the air currents around him surging, an invisible, formless force converging from all directions, targeting his injured right knee.
In the silence, thunder was heard.
'The zither music is peculiar.'
Feeling the tingling, itching, and extreme comfort in his injured leg,
Chen Ping raised his understanding of this world once again.
'What kind of method is this? A Silent Zither gathering Vitality?'
His curiosity was like a cat scratching at him, yet he didn't dare utter a single question, afraid of exposing himself. After all, his leg was injured, not his brain. Making a mistake in common knowledge could lead to new complications.
After a short while, the woman's strumming stopped, and she covered her mouth, coughing a few times gently, her voice slightly hoarse, sighing, "When I asked you to learn martial arts, you were adamantly against it. Now, looking back, that wasn't necessarily a bad decision. The Jianghu is treacherous; it's best to live a plain ordinary life in this world."
"Are you injured?"
Chen Ping couldn't stop himself from asking.
Along with the fragrance carried by the wind, there was also a faint smell of blood, which became more pronounced after her coughing.
"It's nothing, just a few black dogs that can't hurt me."
The woman tilted her head slightly upward, her gaze imperious.
"But as for you, make sure you never reveal your identity."
Chen Ping's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
He felt awkward inside.
What kind of identity could I have?
I don't even know who I am, so how can I possibly expose myself?
Then, the question arises, what is a "black dog," something that can injure a woman as formidable as several stories high, and could they find their way to me?
"If they come knocking, can you possibly..."
Chen Ping tentatively asked, stepping forward, wanting to see the face beneath the veil, thinking that if this "old acquaintance," who seemed familiar with him, could live nearby, it would be much safer.
He wouldn't need to scheme with others, wouldn't have to sing for silver coins or beg. Then Chang Sansi and the Seven-Colored Hall probably wouldn't be a threat anymore.
"No way..."
As if startled, before Chen Ping could finish his sentence, the woman floated back two or three zhang, far away like a shadowy ghost.
She lowered her head slightly, her gaze shifting, and said urgently, "I'm your aunt, so don't let your thoughts stray."
Saying this, she seemed to realize her tone was too harsh, pulled out a medicine bottle, and threw it over, sighing softly, her tone softening, "There are three Jade Ginseng Pills here, they can nourish the muscles and bones, replenish the lost Qi and blood. Remember, never mention me to anyone, nor seek me out."
"I..."
Chen Ping almost couldn't stop himself from slapping his own face.
What?
Aunt?
Stray thoughts?
Alright, what a mess this former life has left.
Before he could figure out how to respond, the woman, as if caught by the wind, disappeared into the thick moonlit night, vanishing amidst several buildings.
Only a last message lingered in his ears: "After using the Jade Ginseng Pills, bury the bottle. Jiangzuo Situ Family is renowned for their divination, guard against them tracking you by it..."
Chen Ping took several swift steps, rushing out of the Locust Tree Mansion.
Looking into the distance, the city under the moonlight remained calm and peaceful, yet a faint mist arose, seemingly harboring infinite danger.
Just moments ago, he thought this was the "enemy," turns out it was an "old acquaintance." Relaxing with a sigh, he realized it was possibly a "lover."
What a situation.
But, in any case, it's unimportant. That unnamed woman expert said something that must be true: never reveal my identity.
But at least let me know, what do I need to hide? What's permissible to reveal, and what mustn't be exposed?
Chen Ping looked at the porcelain bottle in his hand, suppressing his confusion, ready to retrace his steps. Then he saw in the distance, amidst the shimmering waters and flowing moonlight, a plume of golden flames blazing furiously.
"Demoness, finally found you."
The voice roared like thunder, reverberating across half the city, louder than his words was a sharp, piercing cry, a gun singing like a dragon.
Under the blazing golden light, Chen Ping could see clearly, someone stepping onto the waves, brandishing a spear, stirring tidal waves.
That person wore black robes with golden embroidery, a red cloak billowing fiercely in the wind, though his face wasn't clear, his features seemed rigid, bearded like rings, exuding powerful might.
"If Xu Jing'an himself came, there'd be something to watch, but you, Liang Qi, are just so-so."
In a cold, moon-like detached female voice, a figure appeared sporadically, emerging in mid-air, the zither music exploded, a phoenix cry soared into the sky.
With the sound of the zither.
The spear broke, waves leveled, seemingly a great force descended from the sky, sending the man in black robes with bushy beard flying backward, spewing a mouthful of blood mist.
He plummeted headfirst into the river.
"The Nine Heavens Zither is indeed formidable, no wonder it's ranked third on the Earth List, take my brother's move too."
Two voices, ghostly cries, like wolves howling, shot forth from either riverbank, transforming into one black and one white streak, whistling to attack.
One in black, wielding a flag, as it waved, a fierce wind howled, driving people into chaos;
The one in white, holding a staff laden with tiny bells, their jingling was piercing and unsettling.
"The Brocade Guard truly collects scum, even the likes of Black Soul and White Crow from the Thousand Bone Forest; it indeed deserves destruction."
The gentle female voice sounded again, but not from the original spot.
Over the empty river, the black and white figures clashed like wind and thunder with nothing, both bodies sprayed with blood. A blackened, skeletal arm spiraled and soared into the sky.
"Seven-Stringed Invisible Sword, you've mastered the Formless Swordsmanship?"
A shrill scream echoed, and the black figure frantically retreated.
"Hmph, I'll spare you this time. If you pursue again, I won't be merciful."
The female voice resurfaced, now barely audible, clearly having retreated far away after exchanging those two moves.