Yin Yin and Ling Long had been following the stream, yet the path seemed endless. They had walked for so long, but still hadn’t seen a single road leading up the mountain.

However, the scenery along the way was truly beautiful. If it had to be summed up in a single sentence, it would have been, ‘Hundreds of steps along the banks, fragrant grass bittersweet, fallen petals fluttering in profusion.’

“Yinyin, look at the trees by the roadside.”

“Trees?” Yin Yin followed Ling Long’s gaze. “What about them?”

“These trees, they’re all planted in a pattern— one peach tree, one apricot tree, alternating.” Ling Long looked at the lush trees lining the road, his gaze deep.

“Ah, I see. So in the spring, the path would be filled with blooming peach blossoms, and in the autumn, rows of golden ginkgoes!” She hadn’t expected ancient people to already have such an understanding of urban planning!

Ling Long turned his head and gave Yin Yin a sidelong glance. “I was just trying to say that these trees were deliberately planted by someone.”

“……So?”

“There should be people living around here.”

“……”

She really shouldn’t have expected Ling Long to say anything romantic.

But then again, could there really be people living at the bottom of this cliff? Who would live in such a place?

According to the third law of novels, beneath every cliff lives a hidden master.

Yin Yin suddenly felt a little awkward. Was the next step supposed to be discovering some martial arts manual, and then Ling Long would master a peerless technique?

And after that, they would become a legendary couple of the martial world, living a life of carefree wandering?

……Stop right there.

She believed Ji Ting definitely wasn’t a Jin Yong fan and wouldn’t write such a wuxia-style plot.

After walking for about an hour, Yin Yin finally began to feel her strength failing. Ling Long helped her sit by the river and picked a few wild fruits for her.

Yin Yin took a bite of the fruit in her hand. It tasted sweet and sour, very refreshing.

“What kind of fruit is this?” She asked, biting down with a loud crunch.

“No idea. There’s a lot growing by the roadside.” Ling Long bit into one as well. Hmm, not bad.

Yin Yin noticed the fine sweat beading on Ling Long’s forehead, and her heart sank. They had been walking for a full hour and still hadn’t seen the end of the path. This wasn’t a sustainable plan.

Plus, they had fallen from a cliff. Although the protagonist’s aura had spared them from death, they had still sustained injuries. Especially Ling Long. He had been poisoned, his body weak, and his combat ability greatly diminished. As for herself, she was basically useless in a fight to begin with.

If they ran into danger, things wouldn’t end well.

Ling Long clearly had the same concerns, but he kept his face composed. He couldn’t let his worry show and make Yin Yin even more anxious.

“If we keep following the river, we’re bound to find someone who lives nearby.” Ling Long said softly, gazing at the gently flowing stream.

“Mm.” Yin Yin nodded. There really wasn’t any better plan. But still…… “Ling Long, why did you fall down too?”

“……I slipped.” Ling Long answered, his expression subtly shifting.

Yin Yin raised a brow. Oh ho, Xiao Ling’er was being tsundere^[1]presenting as unfriendly and blunt, but warm and tender inside.

“But why did Du Qianqian push you off the cliff?” Ling Long frowned, looking at Yin Yin.

A chill ran down Yin Yin’s spine. “That…… I’m not sure. Maybe her hand slipped?”

Ling Long: “……”

“Anyway, just don’t have any more contact with Du Qianqian, understand?” Ling Long handed another fruit to Yin Yin. She took the dark red fruit and nodded. Did this mean Du Qianqian was now on Ling Long’s blacklist?

That was great. Oh yeah!

Alright, she admitted she was being petty again.

……

Just as Yin Yin was about to bend down to wash her face with the river water, she caught sight of a figure on the opposite bank.

“There’s someone!” She exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Ling Long’s sleeve.

Ling Long looked up as well. Sure enough, there was a man carrying a bamboo basket on his back. The man seemed to notice them too and waved in their direction.

He waded directly across the river. The water wasn’t wide or deep, and before long, the man was standing before them.

“Do you two need help?” The man asked. He had a simple, honest-looking face with thick black eyebrows. He looked like someone who could easily win others’ trust.

“We fell from the cliff and are looking for a way up the mountain.” Ling Long replied.

The man studied them both, then said thoughtfully, “I can see you’re both injured and not in the best condition. Climbing up the mountain like this wouldn’t be safe. Why don’t you come to our village and rest for a bit? Once you’ve recovered, you can try heading up again.”

“A village? There’s actually a village down here?!” Yin Yin was stunned. She had expected to meet a reclusive master, but instead, they had stumbled upon an entire hidden village!

The man chuckled warmly. “Judging by your clothes, you’re from a wealthy household in the capital, right? Our village is small and not many people live there. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Not at all, not at all!” Yin Yin shook her head eagerly. Finally, rescue! Ling Long, however, furrowed his brows ever so slightly. He had never heard of any village existing beneath Yundai Valley.

“What’s the name of your village?” Ling Long asked, subtly pulling Yin Yin closer to him.

“It’s called Baishui Village, not far from here.” The man replied, pointing behind him. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Wang Dachui^[2]Sledgehammer King.”

Yin Yin: “……”  =口=

“……Your name is Wang Dachui?” She asked, wiping her face.

Wang Dachui looked puzzled. “Is something wrong with my name?”

“No……” Yin Yin forced a smile. “I just really didn’t expect it to be Wang Dachui.”

Wang Dachui: “……” So what exactly was wrong with his name?

Since Wang Dachui showed no signs of martial cultivation and climbing up the mountain right now was indeed impractical, Ling Long decided to follow him with Yin Yin.

“I came today to fish. The fish in the Baishui River are especially delicious. If you don’t mind, you can try my wife’s cooking tonight.” Wang Dachui said warmly, leading the way.

“Yes, please!” Yin Yin was truly starving. Since morning, all she’d eaten was a few wild fruits. “Thank you so much!”

“No problem at all.” Wang Dachui laughed heartily, waving his large hand.

After a few turns, a small village appeared before them.

“There really is a village.” Yin Yin stared in disbelief at the peaceful settlement ahead.

“This way, please. My home is over here.” Wang Dachui led them into the village. The villagers all had kindly faces and smiled at Yin Yin and Ling Long as they passed.

“Hey, Dachui, where’d you find those two immortals?” A middle-aged woman hanging laundry in a courtyard asked with a smile.

“I found them by the river while fishing. They’re from the capital. You can tell that they’re so well-raised.” Wang Dachui grinned, showing two rows of bright white teeth.

Yin Yin found his words strangely unsettling. Was he planning to cook them or something?

Wang Dachui’s house was across from that woman’s, a modest home with dried carrots and small fish hanging in the yard. Smoke curled up from the kitchen chimney. Someone was clearly cooking inside.

“Xinghua, I’m home!” Wang Dachui set down the basket and walked toward the kitchen. “Look, I caught lots of fish.”

“Back so early today?” A woman peeked her head out of the kitchen window. She was an ordinary village woman with yellowed, slightly rough skin, but her manner was warm and friendly.

Upon seeing Yin Yin and Ling Long standing in the yard, she blinked in surprise, then quickly wiped her hands and came out.

“Dachui, how could you bring guests without telling me? I didn’t prepare anything!” She scolded gently.

Yin Yin smiled apologetically. “No need to be formal. We’re the ones imposing.”

“Nonsense.” Xinghua took the basket from Wang Dachui and set it aside. “We rarely have visitors here, let alone such honored guests. Of course, we must treat you well!”

She led them inside. The furnishings were simple, with a bed, a table, and a few stools. After seating them at the table, Xinghua poured tea.

“This tea is made with water from the Baishui River. It tastes very good.”

Yin Yin took a sip of the steaming tea and sighed from the bottom of her heart. “So good!” Ling Long also took a sip and nodded approvingly.

Xinghua’s eyes crinkled as she smiled and sat across from them. “You’re both injured. Did something happen?”

“To be honest, we fell off the cliff at Yundai Valley. We’re trying to find our way back.” Yin Yin explained.

Xinghua nodded. “You must be blessed, falling from that height and still surviving. How fortunate.”

“Hehe……” Yin Yin gave an awkward smile. Thank the protagonist’s halo for that.

“How about you stay at our place for now? Once you’ve recovered, my husband can take you up the mountain.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

“Not at all. We’d be honored to host you!”

Yin Yin glanced at Ling Long, who thought for a moment and then said, “Then we’ll impose on you for a few days.”

Xinghua beamed. “Oh, don’t say that. None of the young men in our village is half as handsome as you, young master.”

Yin Yin: “……”

See? Face value matters, folks.

“Ah! The food’s still on the stove! Please excuse me.” Xinghua stood and hurried back to the kitchen.

With Wang Dachui chopping wood outside, only Ling Long and Yin Yin were left in the house. Yin Yin couldn’t help but glance around.

“What are you thinking?” Ling Long asked, sipping his tea.

“……They’re very hospitable.” Yin Yin muttered, swallowing nervously. “Too hospitable.”

“I think so too.” Ling Long set his cup down. “This village isn’t as simple as it looks. At the very least, I’ve never heard of Baishui Village before today.”

A hidden village beneath a cliff. It was a little too perfect.

“We shouldn’t stay here too long. Let’s recover and leave as soon as we can.”

“Mm.” Yin Yin nodded, just as she noticed a curtain in the house being lifted. A small girl peeked out.

Ling Long followed her gaze. The girl stood there blankly at first. Then her eyes brightened when she saw Ling Long. From her soft pink lips, she spoke just two words, “Leave, quickly.”