Chapter 94: Leaving Home
Although it was not her first time leaving the Celestial Dragon Sect, it was the first time Anji was using a horse carriage. Over the last three years, Anji had sneaked out of the sect with her father a few more times using the shortcut. However, her little trips to the village at the base of the mountain could not compare to this three-week-long travel to her shifu’s sect.
Sitting directly in front of her was her second brother, whom she had not seen in a year. Mingshen was now as tall as Gu Ying’s shoulder when he stood. He did not make much cultivation progress in the three years that Anji spent practising. However, he had grown to become more dignified than before. The thirteen-year-old teen dressed like a rich young master with a painting hobby. The folded paper fan he always carried around was created by himself. Anji loved the painting of the white cranes on it. Coincidentally, it was her older brother’s main martial art.
"Don’t hesitate to let big brother know what you want along the way,’ Mingshen grinned and patted his little sister on the head. "I make a lot of money now."
Anji had grown slightly taller in the last three years. She was no longer at her mother’s knees and was now almost as tall as her waist. The chipmunk cheeks that everyone adored were slightly slimmer now as she lost most of her baby fat. However, the little princess was still rather thin. It did not matter how many bowls of Granny Wang’s Chilli Oil Noodles she ate. Anji remained as thin as a stick.
True to his words, Mingshen’s business venture with his sworn brother Zhang Mou became very successful in the capital. Hong Nian Niang frequently sent expensive gifts to Anji, even from the capital, including rare medicine that would nourish her health. Her brother was often busy travelling but would also send little trinkets back to the Celestial Dragon Sect with stories about the outside world. Anji could only imagine what they would feel like. However, she could finally experience them for herself.
As the trip to the Mystical Qilin Sect would take a few weeks, Mingshen purchased a horse carriage for his younger sister’s first journey away from home. Gu Ying was great at riding horses because she was raised in the grasslands when she was younger. Hence, she took on the role of the carriage driver while the children sat inside, admiring the scenery while sharing snacks and chatting to catch up on the lost time.
"Are we going to stop by a riverside town?" Anji bounced in her seat, praising the chef’s snacks that were packed along with all her belongings.
Due to the minimalistic lifestyle of the Mystical Qilin Sect, Anji was not allowed to bring many of her belongings. Mingfeng agonised with tears in his eyesover the little cloth bag that contained everything Anji was allowed to bring. Even Wanting worried about Anji’s well-being under Yan Ping’s care when she wasn’t allowed to bring her winter coats. Doctor He wanted to pack a cabinet of different pills for his longtime patient but was met with rejection.
According to Yan Ping, everything else that Anji needed will be provided by the Mystical Qilin Sect. To avoid favouritism among her disciples, everyone who entered her sect must abide by the rules and use the same amenities until they have proven themselves. As for Anji’s weak health, Yan Ping swore to look after the sickly girl personally. Hence, there was no need for external interference.
Mingshen nodded. The Mystical Qilin Sect might be stingy, but he was not. It did not stop him from packing extravagantly for the trip just because Anji could not bring all those items up to the mountain. If there were any leftovers, Gu Ying could carry the rest up with her to the guest lodging in the Mystical Qilin Sect. The rules applied to disciples, not guests.
"Yes," he replied to his excited sister. "We will be staying the night there, but there are still a few more hours before we arrive. Do you want to visit the river market first or rest when we get there?"
Anji looked forward to experiencing the river market. She had never been on a boat before. Even riding in a horse carriage was a novel experience. Everything was new to her after leaving the mountain! Although Mingshen advised her to rest in the carriage to conserve her energy, Anji could not grow bored with the scenery of the countryside. They might be roads with only barley and rice fields as far as the eyes could see. However, Anji enjoyed seeing how the trees by the side of the road appeared to be moving backwards as the carriage moved forward.