Chapter 125: Winds of Change, Roots of Home
The night had settled over Qingmu, quiet and cool, the air filled with the faint scent of woodsmoke. Most of the villagers had retired for the night, but I was still awake, crouched next to the cart as I double-checked the supplies. We would be leaving soon, continuing the long journey back to my home village. If Lan Sheng wanted to be present in the village before the Iron Claw sect could cook up a scheme, we'd need to speed things up.
I hadn’t expected to stay in Qingmu this long, and part of me was eager to get back on the road, away from the looming threat of sect politics and Shan Huai’s bruised ego.
I tightened the ropes on a bundle of hay and sighed. Despite the victory, my mind was restless, running through the events of the past few days. Sure, I’d won, but it wasn’t the kind of victory I could take lightly. They wouldn't forget the embarrassment I'd caused them.
Damned cultivators and their obsession with face... But then again, I was partially to blame for taking advantage of it.
I glanced around, the silence of the village only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves in the night breeze. The shadows seemed longer now, stretching out from the trees like old memories.
As I was about to secure another bundle, a soft voice called out from behind me. “Elder Brother Kai.”
I turned to see Hua Lingsheng walking toward me, his usual bright energy somewhat subdued in the dim light. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he wore a slightly awkward expression, like he had something important to say but wasn’t sure how to approach it.
“What are you doing up this late?” I asked, standing up from the cart.
He smiled sheepishly. “The villagers wanted to give you something. It took them a while to prepare it.”