Ji Yuan stood on the mountain path, his gaze fixed forward. After a glance at the expensive 'Yang Huo Zhao Lu Talisman' suspended in the air, he shifted his attention to the five young men and women.
There were three men and two women, all clad in embroidered robes and jade belts, with exquisitely crafted swords at their waists. They moved as if carried by the wind, appearing remarkably at ease even on the uneven dirt road.
A brief assessment revealed their extraordinary bearing. Coupled with their willingness to stroll through the mountains after nightfall, they were either martial artists or mountain cultivators, possessing considerable skill.
The young Daoist currently wished to avoid any contact with such individuals. In the wilderness, encountering fellow practitioners could lead to peaceful coexistence if one was lucky, or a deadly confrontation if unlucky. After all, murder and robbery were often the quickest ways to acquire wealth on the path of cultivation.
And he, traveling alone in the mountains, looked like a harmless lamb, its plumpness only to be discovered through trial.
Unfortunately, the steep mountain walls on either side offered no place to hide, leaving Ji Yuan with no choice but to brace himself and wait, hoping the situation wouldn't escalate into the worst-case scenario he anticipated.
Before long, the group of five approached. Upon seeing a young Daoist appear in the desolate night, they showed no surprise. Instead, faint smiles played on their lips, as if they had anticipated his presence.
"Wu Liang Tian Zun. I am a registered Daoist of the Great Yu Dynasty. Greetings, fellow Daoists."
Ji Yuan flicked his horsetail whisk and offered a Daoist salute to the group, immediately stating his registered status within the dynasty.
He dared not reveal his origins, lineage, or even the name of Qianyu City. Exposing one's identity when the alignment of friend and foe was unclear was a grave error for anyone traveling abroad.
He could only hope that the identity of a registered Daoist of the Great Yu Dynasty would inspire a modicum of apprehension, preventing them from taking direct action even if ill intentions lurked.
Indeed, upon hearing his words, the expressions of the five changed slightly. The dismissiveness in their eyes vanished, replaced by a serious appraisal of the young Daoist before them.
Within the Great Yu Dynasty, not just anyone could be registered. Even those who had achieved mastery in cultivation and belonged to Daoist temples with deep foundations found it difficult to become registered Daoists.
Only the most esteemed Daoist temples in major cities, or those recommended by local officials of rank seven or higher, could undergo the verification process, with the dynasty's Ming Jian Division making the final decision on registration.
Successful registration meant recognition by the Great Yu Dynasty, granting one a semi-official status. Though devoid of any power, registered Daoists received a meager monthly stipend and were permitted to participate in court-organized ceremonies such as prayers.
Most importantly, if a registered Daoist went missing, local authorities were obligated to dispatch officers to investigate. If foul play was suspected, the Ming Jian Division would directly intervene, apprehending the culprit and bringing them to justice.
"I am Li Mufeng, from Tianhe Prefecture, traveling with my junior disciples."
The leader of the group, a man, cupped his hands in greeting, his demeanor exuding an aura of effortless charm, like a spring breeze.
Behind Li Mufeng, the four other disciples offered perfunctory bows, their initial scrutiny of the young Daoist concluded. Their attention then drifted to the mountain walls on either side, which seemed to hold more interest.
Ji Yuan harbored no annoyance at their nonchalant attitude; in fact, he welcomed it. The less attention he received, the lower the risk of an unforeseen incident.
However, the presence of Li Mufeng caused him considerable unease. Far from feeling reassured by the man's genial demeanor, his entire body tensed.
His master's teachings often warned him to steer clear of individuals who were excessively amiable and prone to projecting an image of warmth and approachability, advising him to keep as much distance as possible, ideally on entirely different grounds.
While such people were often genuinely kind-hearted, those who harbored malicious intent beneath that facade were truly, profoundly wicked.
Therefore, adopting a "better safe than sorry" approach, he deemed it best to maintain a considerable distance.
"This humble Daoist is on an errand as instructed by my master and should not linger too long, lest my master and senior brothers worry. I shall not engage in further pleasantries, and I hope for your understanding regarding any impoliteness."
Ji Yuan said cheerfully, then began to sidestep, intending to pass by.
But the moment his words fell, the youngest girl among the five let out a cold snort. "What, are we ferocious beasts or mountain bandits that you cannot bear to stay a moment longer?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan broke out in a cold sweat. Without even needing to divine, he knew this encounter was unavoidable. The most troublesome situations when traveling were often caused by unreasonable young men and women.
He hastily waved his hands, repeatedly saying, "I dare not, I dare not," while his peripheral vision flickered towards Li Mufeng.
"We, senior and junior disciples, hail from esteemed righteous sects. How could we possibly commit any act that violates our sect's rules and moral codes against a mere young Daoist like yourself?"
The girl huffed indignantly, her face a mask of dissatisfaction and disdain.
Yet, as soon as she uttered these words, her companions' expressions shifted. Some clearly wished to reprimand her but, perhaps due to her status, swallowed their words.
Ji Yuan, after the girl's declaration, seemed to resign himself to fate. He closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, they were filled with a sense of helplessness.
The girl's statement was essentially a self-disclosure. Not every sect had the right to claim itself as an "esteemed righteous sect"; there were many nuances involved. And in Tianhe Prefecture, only one sect held that qualification.
Could it be mere coincidence that disciples of such a sect were found in the depths of an ancient forest, using a 'Yang Huo Zhao Lu Talisman,' worth ten taels of fine silver, as a light source?
Setting aside the fact that cultivators could see clearly in the dark by moonlight alone, the very purpose of such a talisman was to detect Yin energy within a radius of one to two li using Yang fire.
Coincidentally, Ji Yuan knew there was a place behind him teeming with Yin energy, a breeding ground for malevolent spirits.
A single coincidence might indeed be a mere accident. But when two or three coincidences occurred in succession, it was undoubtedly premeditated.
If their purpose was to vanquish demons and cleanse evil, then there was nothing to say, except to be wary of fellow travelers snatching the spoils.
However, if that was not their intention, then revealing their purpose would leave no room for maneuver. If one's own strength or backing was insufficient, one could only pray that the other party did not wish to stir up trouble.
"Young Daoist, why the haste to return? A fortunate opportunity awaits, and you will regret missing it."
Li Mufeng's eyes narrowed as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan sighed inwardly, preparing to refuse this unexpected calamity. Just then, he noticed three young men and women had spread out, blocking all his avenues of retreat and advance.
Apart from the girl, who seemed oblivious to the shifting atmosphere, the other four had subtly placed their hands on the swords at their waists, as if ready to draw them the moment the young Daoist shook his head or uttered a refusal.
There was no need for further explanation. With such a display, it was clear that the disciples of this esteemed righteous sect had plans that were far from honorable that night.
With no other recourse, Ji Yuan nodded lightly, his brows furrowed with a dark expression. He then deliberately feigned an attempt to conceal his terror.
Seeing this, Li Mufeng's genial smile returned. Besides the girl, the other three also smiled at that moment.