Wuxia: Starting Off With 60 Years of Inner Strength

The bridal procession wasn’t moving very fast.

Jiang Ran and the others had no trouble keeping up.

But the longer they followed, the more they felt the group ahead didn’t seem to be made of living people.

At first glance, their movements and posture were no different from that of ordinary people.

But on closer inspection, one could see their joints were very stiff.

Their legs were rigid. While there were bending motions, the range was minuscule.

And their movements were unnervingly uniform.

It was as if after receiving some command, everyone began to perform the exact same action.

When they had stopped to look earlier, they had all turned back in perfect unison.

And when they departed, their movements were just as uniform, without a single superfluous action.

Most importantly... aside from the sound of gongs and drums, Jiang Ran hadn’t heard a single breath or heartbeat from them the entire time.

’Could it be... a group of dead people?’

Jiang Ran stroked his chin, muttering to himself.

Luo Qingyi’s brow furrowed.

"Young Master, the dead cannot move."

Jiang Ran nodded in agreement.

As a Transmigrator, he supposed he should believe in ghosts and gods.

After all, if a modern man like him could transmigrate into this kind of martial arts world, why wouldn’t he believe in ghosts and gods?

But Jiang Ran just didn’t believe...

Especially in the martial world, it was better to believe in the wickedness of man than in ghosts and otherworldly phenomena.

"Who knows if there are..."

At that moment, Li Tianxin couldn’t help but mutter in a low voice:

"If we really keep following them, what do we do if they lead us somewhere strange and sinister?

"Jiang Ran... you’re a great martial artist, so dealing with people is obviously no problem for you.

"But if we’re up against demons, ghosts, or monsters, that’s another story."

Ruan Yuqing kept her eyes lowered, saying nothing.

She just gripped her sword tightly, looking as if she were ready to draw it at the slightest provocation.

"Even if this path leads to King Yan’s court, I’m going to satisfy my curiosity today."

Jiang Ran said with a laugh,

"Whoever is behind this is clearly no ordinary person.

"This could be a big catch. Let’s see what’s going on first... But you all should stop following."

"That’s out of the question."

Ruan Yuqing stated flatly,

"I remain by your side to ensure your safety. How could I abandon you and let you face the danger alone?"

Li Tianxin sighed.

"Fine, fine, you’re all so brave. I’ll go with you too, then..."

The Great Mister, meanwhile, was like an invisible man.

He stood to the side, not even bothering to take notes.

Just watching, waiting...

With one group in front and one behind, they journeyed on. The further they went, the more remote and hidden the surroundings became. The trees grew progressively denser, their canopies blotting out the sky and sun until not even the moonlight could get through. It was about to become so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

Fortunately, they had the eerie green light and the unceasing sound of gongs and drums ahead of them.

Jiang Ran and his group were thus able to avoid losing them.

After walking like this for quite some time, Jiang Ran estimated they had traveled at least another three miles of mountain road.

The sound of the gongs and drums ahead suddenly stopped.

Everyone looked up to see that deep in the forest, there was a large clearing where a small town had been built.

The town gate was wide open, allowing passage.

Looking up, they could see two large words: Eternal Town!

"Eternal Town... like Eternal Hell!?"

Li Tianxin’s face paled slightly. "Jiang Ran, you’re not actually thinking of going in there, are you?"

Jiang Ran was silent for a moment.

They could enter the town. The only problem was, they weren’t from here.

He was afraid that the moment they set foot inside, it would cause a stir.

The only good thing was that there was currently no one in the town.

Lanterns hung from every house, the flames within glowing with that same eerie green light.

The bridal procession marched straight ahead, directly into Eternal Town.

At the same time, cries suddenly erupted from the eight-bearer sedan chair:

"What is this place?

"Help... Help me!"

It was a woman’s cry, her voice filled with panic and fear.

What stunned Jiang Ran the most was that when her voice cried out, he suddenly heard a heartbeat from inside the sedan.

It was as if the occupant of the sedan had been a corpse, but upon crossing that threshold, they had suddenly come to life!

"What’s going on?"

Jiang Ran’s brow furrowed, and he turned to ask,

"Are there martial arts for feigning death, like suspended animation?"

"Of course there are..."

Ruan Yuqing answered Jiang Ran while trying to keep her composure, her eyes fixed on the two words "Eternal Town," her brow tightly furrowed.

Jiang Ran mulled it over for a moment, then looked toward the Great Mister.

"Great Mister, have you heard of this place?"

The Great Mister shook his head slightly.

"I have never heard of it."

"Are you lying to me?"

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.

The Great Mister gave a dry laugh. "I truly have never heard of it, and I have no idea what is going on. While the Ink Pavilion knows many things, it is impossible for us to have everything within our grasp. Otherwise, I wouldn’t need to be following you around, now would I?"

Jiang Ran knew he wasn’t going to get a straight answer from the Great Mister.

After a moment of deliberation, he said,

"I’m going into town to investigate. I have no idea what I’ll find in there, so you should all stay back."

After speaking, his body flickered. The others only saw his form flash a few times before he vanished, reappearing a moment later just outside the walls of Eternal Town.

Luo Qingyi followed Jiang Ran without a second thought.

The Great Mister also followed closely behind.

Then it was Li Tianxin and Ruan Yuqing’s turn. But this time, before Li Tianxin could even say anything, Ruan Yuqing had already flown off in pursuit.

Li Tianxin gritted her teeth.

"Why is every single one of you so stubborn?"