Chapter 47: The Four Travelers of Fuqing

Only then did the crowd see her clearly. She was a young girl, not yet past the age of puberty, with a well-proportioned figure, slender eyes, arched brows, and a complexion as clear as jade.

Those present possessed some level of cultivation and could discern that she was at the sixth level of Qi Refinement; thus, she was by no means an ordinary person. Comparing her to Zhao Chun’s youthful and innocent face, they realized she was a disciple of a major sect. Not wishing to invite trouble, they all fell silent.

As for those whose cultivation was lower than hers, they naturally could not perceive it. Furthermore, Zhao Chun wore simple clothing without any jewelry or accessories, and a cloth-wrapped dagger hung at her waist, making her look nothing like someone of high status.

The youths from the Fenyu Sect were also hesitant, not daring to snap back easily.

Seeing his momentum suddenly wane, one of the rogue cultivators spoke up again: "You don't even know how many people are on this deck, yet you insist that one of our brothers is a thief. Is this how the disciples of the Fenyu Sect act—without any sense of order or logic?"

Zhao Chun felt displeased. If these people had stuck to the facts to resolve the conflict, it would have been one thing, but every word they uttered seemed intended to implicate the Fenyu Sect disciples. Rogue cultivators and those from sects or clans usually lived in separate worlds, never interfering with one another. She had once heard Meng Han mention that there were cities in the Eastern Region formed by alliances of rogue cultivators, containing many Great Cultivators that were no less powerful than top-tier sects. Looking at these four rogue brothers, all of whom were at the fourth or fifth level of Qi Refinement and traveling together, Zhao Chun suspected they might have some connection to such a rogue cultivator city.

The leader of the rogue cultivators had copper-colored skin, a square face, and a high forehead. His cultivation was also at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, which was why the Fenyu Sect disciples did not dare to push the matter aggressively. His tiger-like eyes darted incessantly, eventually landing on Zhao Chun. Though he did not know her identity, he did not dare to offend her lightly.

This man was named Fang Xunzuo. Before stepping onto the path of immortality, he had been nothing more than a mountain woodcutter. He had stumbled his way to the fifth level of Qi Refinement and later befriended three other rogue cultivators. The four of them had sworn a blood oath to become sworn brothers. As the eldest in both age and cultivation, he had naturally become the leader. He was currently leading his brothers toward the Eastern Region, hoping to enter one of those rogue cultivator cities to seek his fortune.

Having weathered many storms over the past decades, Fang Xunzuo knew well that some people appeared simple and reserved on the surface while harboring great depth within. This young girl before them remained completely unmoved by the crowd's gaze; her eyes were sharp, her stance was as steady as a pine, and her aura was not that of a mortal.

Consequently, he only pressed the Fenyu Sect disciples, pointing out Zhao Chun's presence without actively involving her.

"She is five meters away, while you all brushed past us. If we are to discuss who might have been up to something, naturally, suspicion falls on you first!"

"Since you all say you only suspect us! Can you simply define a crime based on mere guesswork? Can you just harass us in broad daylight?" Fang Xunzuo had a silver tongue, which had earned him many advantages. Moreover, the Fenyu Sect disciples truly could not produce any evidence and were clearly in the wrong. Being young and lacking rhetorical skill, they were flushed with anger, their eyes glaring fiercely.

Having been called out, Zhao Chun realized that the two sides were arguing so heatedly that they had no intention of paying her further attention. Thus, she quietly slipped out from the center of the crowd and moved toward the onlookers.

"Do you recognize these two sides?" she asked, lightly tapping the arm of the person beside her.

The man was wearing a blue shirt and gray cloth trousers; he was a laborer on the ship, taking this opportunity to watch the commotion and avoid work. Hearing Zhao Chun's question, he rolled up his sleeves and said loftily, "I've traveled north and south for so many years; is there anything I don't know?"

"The Fenyu Sect is located in Zhenqiu in the Southern Region. Their former sect leader was a Condensing Yuan Great Cultivator, and they held considerable power in that area. Later, after the sect leader passed away, only Foundation Establishment cultivators remained, and the sect declined into a minor sect..."

He cleared his throat and continued, "As for those four brothers, they only gained some minor fame in recent years. Because they became known at Qing Lake, they gave themselves the elegant title of the 'Four Travelers of Fuqing.' The leader is the eldest, Fang Xunzuo. Beside him, the one with the long beard is the second brother, Xiao Quan; both are at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. The two behind them in open robes are Ma Chunli, the taller one, and Sun Zhicai, the shorter one, both at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Although their cultivation is not high, their techniques coordinate perfectly. It is said they can even hold their own against late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators."

Zhao Chun was accustomed to fighting alone, only briefly coordinating with Tu Cunshan when slaying the Black Moth, though Tu Cunshan had merely provided support while she handled the close-quarters combat.

She had not expected that the four rogue brothers could produce such remarkable effects through their coordination.

While she conversed with the laborer, the conflict between the two sides had reached a stalemate. The young Fenyu Sect disciples were tongue-tied and could not win the argument against the experienced rogue cultivators. They were itching to draw their swords, but there were rules on the large ship: private fighting was forbidden. Violators would not only be expelled from the ship but would also have to compensate for the delay in the journey. The latter was the more severe penalty; a single incident could cost thousands of Cui stones.

Fang Xunzuo and his companions seized upon the fact that the other side dared not strike, using provocative words while maintaining an air of righteous indignation, which only made their effect more potent.

Seeing that they could not win the argument, a girl in a bright yellow dress among the Fenyu Sect disciples turned around and said, "You! You speak!"

Her fingers were as white as jade—a beautiful sight, though it would have been better if she hadn't pointed them at Zhao Chun.

"You are also on this deck! Did you see them steal my Senior Brother's Water Jade Thousand Mountain Vase!"

Regardless of who was right or wrong, Zhao Chun had indeed not noticed the matter. She shook her head and said, "No."

The girl's willow-leaf brows shot up, and she cried out, "So you are in league with them as well!" Her hand reached out, intending to seize Zhao Chun's shoulder!

"Zhan Qian!" The leading youth, who was the Senior Brother she mentioned, stopped her. "Do not be rude."

He had a handsome face and elegant mannerisms. He nodded slightly toward Zhao Chun and said, "My Junior Sister has been in the sect for a long time and does not know proper etiquette. I hope Fellow Daoist will forgive her." He had also perceived Zhao Chun's extraordinary aura and, unable to sense her cultivation level, felt a sense of wariness.

Zhao Chun thought to herself that this Senior Brother was quick to intervene. Had he been two breaths later, she would have had to strike and snap the girl's arm before she touched her shoulder. The girl was only at the third level of Qi Refinement; a single twist would easily break her bone.

"I have been here since dawn. I only learned of this matter when the arguing started. If I didn't see it, I didn't see it. I am neither defending those four nor intentionally acting against you," Zhao Chun said, leaving it to the Fenyu Sect disciples to interpret.

Aside from the leading Senior Brother, the men and women behind him all looked indignant, having already mentally grouped Zhao Chun together with the Four Travelers.

"I have a method that might resolve today's matter!"

Fang Xunzuo stepped forward leisurely, his tiger-like eyes narrowing, leaving it unknown what he was planning.