Stranger Danger-Chapter 1324: Old Friends In Trouble

“But of course. No place is as comfortable as home.”

Yi Pin stroked his beard smilingly. “You’re not planning to leave again anytime soon, right?”

Ye Qing nodded. “Yeah. I’m planning to catch some actual rest and properly acquaint myself with my new power.”

“Good. You’ve been walking the path too quickly. It is good to slow down and properly gather your strength for the next leg.”

Yi Pin nodded. “Besides, your fame is at its all-time high right now. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. The tree that stands out in the forest faces is most likely to be destroyed by a storm. It would be wise to keep a low profile for now.”

“I understand.”

Ye Qing smiled. This was exactly why he had returned to Bei You.

One, he wanted to consolidate his new power and organize all the martial arts he had grasped so far.

Two, he wanted to lie low for a bit.

His latest feats had been too stunning and unbelievable, and he had never been more famous than he was now.

Fame had always been a double-edged sword. It hurt both oneself and others.

For as many people who admired and revered him, there was an equal number of people who loathed him and viewed him as a thorn in their sides. Be it for fame, revenge, or self-interest, these people had every reason to want him dead.

Although the current him no longer needed to fear the threats they posed, there was no need to actively seek out trouble either. It would be wiser to lie low and wait for the storm to pass.

As for why he chose to lie low in Bei You, that was because Bei You was his domain, of course. Oh, it wasn’t his yet, but it would be very soon.

He had plans to make Papersmith the figurehead. He would quietly consolidate all the forces in Bei You and put them under his control.

This way, he would be able to perceive any threat toward him and mount a response immediately.

“As long as you know what you’re doing.”

Seeing that Ye Qing was confident, Yi Pin dropped the subject and beckoned the young man to sit with him. The two men then chatted idly about nothing while drinking their time away. It was a great time.

For the next three or so months, Ye Qing would stay at the Temple of Divination. He did not go anywhere else. Everyday, he would practice, teach Li Longxiang martial arts, or drink with Yi Pin. Occasionally, he would tour the city listening to interesting tales of jianghu and tasting fine local delicacies. It was a free, relaxing life.

Ye Qing loved this life. There were no conflicts, no life and death. There was only freedom and peace.

Unfortunately, just when Ye Qing thought he could keep this up indefinitely, an unexpected news broke the tranquility of the Temple of Divination and threw a wrench into his plans.

Faceless[1] had sent him a message through the Longing Leaf. The content of the message was very simple. Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang, Chu Nianjiu, Lin Yuhuai, and more Luo Shui Pacification Bureau members have disappeared without a trace while investigating a Stranger incident at White Horse county. The only proof that they were still alive was their lit Soul Lamps.

There was no other information. Faceless was still investigating.

Still, Ye Qing knew that his period of leisure had come to an end.

He had basically lost all contact with Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang and the rest of his Pacification Bureau acquaintances after leaving the organization. However, just because he lost contact with them did not mean he had cut ties with them, much less forgotten the favors he owed them.

When he first joined the Pacification Bureau, he had received much help and care from them. Gu Suitang in particular was his first ever teacher.

Back then, if Fang Xiaoman and Gu Suitang hadn’t stayed their hand, there was no way Faceless could have effortlessly destroyed his Soul Lamp and faked his death.

One could even say that the current him would not exist if it wasn’t for them. freeweɓnøvel~com

Unfortunately, he never found a proper time or opportunity to pay them back for the favor. Not only that, he had dragged them down on many occasions.

For example, it was well known that he shared a good relationship with Fang Xiaoman and Gu Suitang. Naturally, the duo received many criticisms and challenges after his impromptu departure from the Pacification Bureau,

Besides that, after his murder of Chu Wangsun and Fang Muyun was exposed, and his seekers had failed to find him and take him down, they had chosen to vent their frustrations on those who were close to him. If not for the fact that the Pacification Bureau was semi-independent and extremely protective of their own, his friends and acquaintances might have been killed by those who held grudges against Ye Qing already.

Even so, Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang, Chu Nianjiu, Lin Yuhuai and more definitely did not have a good time in recent times. They were often criticized and pushed out by others. The promotions they received for their sterling merits were decidedly disproportional, if they even got one.

None of this was his fault, but he was definitely a key factor in their woes.

That was why he could not look away from their plight; pretend that he didn’t owe them anything.

He could not ignore their plight. He must set out and save them.

Of course, there was a possibility that this was a conspiracy. That was why he bade Yi Pin goodbye as soon as he received Faceless’ message.

Yi Pin did not try to stop Ye Qing after hearing his reason. He knew he had no right to.

Ye Qing might be indifferent and lax about many things, but not bonds and relationships. If he owed someone a favor, he would repay them tenfold. If he owed someone a vengeance, he would repay them tenfold as well.

Take himself for example. Strictly speaking, he hadn’t actually known Ye Qing for long. He definitely hadn’t done the young man many favors either. Despite this, Ye Qing was still willing to risk his life and save him from the Kunlun Ruins.

And now, the colleagues who were much closer to him and made everything he was today, were in danger.

How could Ye Qing possibly ignore their plight?

Frankly, he would be disappointed if Ye Qing had made the “wise” decision to ignore them.

In life, there were things a noble character must do and mustn’t do.

“Go. Be careful.”

That was all Yi Pin said as he patted Ye Qing on the shoulder.

“I will.”

Ye Qing smiled. “At my current level, no one can kill me unless I’m actively wanting to die, so don’t worry. Also, please inform Longxiang about my departure.”

“Mm. Take care!”

“You too, my friend!”

......

White Horse was a county under Luo Shui’s jurisdiction. Unlike the other counties of Luo Shui who mostly relied on farming to make a living, White Horse was famous for their horse trade.

White Horse neighbored a mountain range named “Lion Forest”. As the saying went, live near a mountain, live off a mountain. Lion Forest was home to a Blood-class Stranger[2] called the White Jade Lion. Shaped like a lion and a horse, it could be ridden like a horse after it was tamed.

That was why many of White Horse’s citizens made a living via taming and selling White Jade Lions. A White Jade Lion had smooth, white fur and a handsome appearance. It could also travel hundreds of kilometers in a day. Therefore, it was very popular with the rich and noble.

This was why White Horse was famous and wealthy despite being located in a remote region.

Unfortunately, every human and animal had suddenly disappeared from the county. Yes, even the pigs, the horses, the cows, the sheeps and more. As a result, the county was now completely empty.

There were no signs of fighting or struggle. There were no blood, corpses, or anything that suggested even a hint of violence. They were just... gone.

Thus was what Ye Qing saw when he first arrived at White Horse.

1. Faceless is literally getting more screen time than Kungfu Frog and Wawa. Shame. ☜

2. Oh em gee it’s been so long since we heard blood anything. ☜

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om