Chapter 18: The River of Stars Faces Peril at the Mountain Pass

On the forest path, ancient trees towered on either side, their majestic trunks making the two travelers beneath them seem as insignificant as ants. Sulan, in a fit of pique, was practicing her skills as she darted ahead, occasionally chasing after wild rabbits, while behind her, Jiang Yingying watched with a smile tugging at her lips as she observed Sulan’s exasperation.

“It’s simply infuriating! Just when you’re about to say something that’s tickling my curiosity, you clam up. You’ll be the death of me!” Sulan grumbled as she leapt agilely onto a tree, bounding after a squirrel in a flurry of leaves and motion. Ever since Jiang Yingying uttered that sentence earlier, Sulan’s pleas and cajoling had met with nothing but silence, leaving her to vent her frustration on the woodland creatures. She was convinced there was no one more exasperating in the world than Jiang Yingying.

Jiang Yingying cast another glance at the towering peak that seemed to pierce the clouds, then finally turned to Sulan and spoke, “Stop playing the restless monkey and come down. I have something to tell you.”

Sulan jumped down from the tree, protesting, “Don’t you dare start speaking in riddles again. It’s dreadfully annoying! What is it you want to say?”

Jiang Yingying replied, “From today on, the road ahead will be difficult. I lost a token when I escaped that day, and the thieves saw it. They likely know where I’m headed, so there may be ambushes along the way. I’ll need your help. Remember, helping me is helping yourself—only when I reach my contact and plead with him will he help save your little sweetheart.”

A triumphant grin spread across Sulan’s face as she placed her hands on her hips. “Of course! Just leave everything to me, Sister Yingying!”

Seeing Sulan’s overconfidence, Jiang Yingying stood with her hands behind her back and declared, “Since you’re so sure of yourself, attack me. If I move even a step, I’ll admit defeat.”

“Not this trick again,” Sulan exclaimed, eyes wide. “I’m not the little child I used to be—I’m much stronger now!”

“Enough talk. Take this as a test to see if you’re really capable of helping me.”

With renewed confidence, Sulan lifted her chin and laughed. “Here I come!”

She crouched low, pushed off with both feet, and leapt through the air like a tiger pouncing on its prey, aiming straight for Jiang Yingying. “Let’s see how you dodge this!” she thought.

But Jiang Yingying, hands still clasped behind her back, made no move to evade. Sulan’s attack, swift and powerful, was moments from landing when she realized, to her shock, that Jiang Yingying wasn’t dodging at all—was she paralyzed with fear? But it was too late to pull back. Jiang Yingying gave a cold snort, her body suddenly arching backward like a willow in the wind, though her legs remained rooted to the spot.

Sulan’s fierce lunge struck nothing but air as Jiang Yingying bent out of reach, and, unable to halt her own momentum, Sulan collided headlong with a large tree, seeing stars.

“What strength! You nearly sent that tree flying. Get up and try again—maybe you’ll knock that squirrel down for me,” Jiang Yingying mocked, looking down at the dazed Sulan.

Fuming, Sulan scrambled to her feet and launched a flurry of wild blows at Jiang Yingying, forgetting all the techniques she’d been taught—feints, shifts in stance, everything—relying solely on brute force, her arms strengthened by her inner energy.

Jiang Yingying finally brought out her right hand, aiming a punch at Sulan’s face. Sulan crashed to the ground, prompting Jiang Yingying to shake her head with a sigh—was this clumsy oaf truly gifted, or simply a fool?

Undeterred, Sulan staggered to her feet, blood streaming from her nose, and attacked once more.

This time, Sulan was more cautious, moving like an agile cat, barely skimming the ground as she approached. Just as she reached Jiang Yingying, she feinted, leaving an afterimage before throwing three rapid punches at her left side, each leaving a blur in its wake, before channeling all her strength into a final blow.

Jiang Yingying was pleased with the progress, but it still wasn’t enough. In a flash, she focused her inner power into her left hand and tapped Sulan’s elbow like a bolt of lightning. Immediately, Sulan felt her energy disperse, her punch losing all its force. Jiang Yingying spun and slapped Sulan so hard she spun through the air before crashing to the ground.

“You’ve learned to be sly, but you think that speed is enough to fool me? The rabbit you chased earlier was probably faster than you by a fair bit,” Jiang Yingying said.

Sulan steadied herself, her left cheek swollen and imprinted with a vivid red handprint. Ignoring the pain, she considered her options—attacking from the air hadn’t worked, nor had speed. Perhaps sheer force was the answer.

She approached, body tensed and coiled with inner energy, and charged with a roar.

Jiang Yingying regarded her impassively, waiting until Sulan closed in, then lifted her right foot and twisted, striking Sulan’s face and sending her flying several yards.

This time, Sulan’s face was truly battered, her left cheek distorted, but she still rose and glared at Jiang Yingying, her eyes filled not with anger, but with unyielding resolve.

Jiang Yingying was taken aback—the girl’s fighting spirit was remarkable. Even injured, she didn’t cry out, but only thought of fighting on. Impressed, Jiang Yingying said, “You’re so clumsy it’s infuriating. I’ll give you one more chance.”

With that, she tore a strip from her clothing and tied it around her eyes, standing in place. “Come on. I’ll blindfold myself. The same rule—if I move, I lose.”

Sulan didn’t know what trick Jiang Yingying was playing, but she was determined to regain her pride. Her form shifted as she advanced, fists flying.

Blindfolded, Jiang Yingying listened intently, and as soon as she heard Sulan’s movement, she swung her hand—not touching Sulan, but sending a blast of energy that hurled her away. The sensation was similar to when Zhou Chen had sent her flying, but different. Zhou Chen’s technique felt like being pulled through the air, while this was a forceful gust from Jiang Yingying’s hand, slamming into her chest like a runaway carriage. Both blows sent her flying, but the power was worlds apart.

Jiang Yingying removed the blindfold and asked the dizzy Sulan, “Well?”

Sulan gaped in awe. “Sister, how did you do that? You didn’t even touch me!”

“The marvel of inner force is subtle. Until now, you’ve only used it to strengthen your body, gain a little strength and speed. Projecting it outward is the true path forward.”

“Then teach me! I’ll work hard, I swear!” Sulan exclaimed eagerly.

“Naturally. I only wanted to remind you that you’ve been training for a short time. Don’t let arrogance blind you. You’re still far from ready.”

Sulan nodded firmly, realizing that she had indeed become complacent these past days, thinking herself transformed and blaming Jiang Yingying for being overly cautious. Yet, she couldn’t even make her move a single step, let alone capture her as others had in the past. If she wanted to help, she needed real skill—she still had a long way to go.

Humbled, Sulan earnestly sought guidance. Jiang Yingying, seeing her sincerity, taught her with genuine effort. Sulan’s unique constitution meant her progress was astonishingly swift, and Jiang Yingying was repeatedly amazed by her growth, half-convinced the heavens felt sorry for such a fool and so compensated her in training. Even so, Jiang Yingying couldn’t help but envy her.

The two made their way out of the forest, traveling for several more days. As they went, the roads grew busier. Jiang Yingying instructed Sulan to buy a veil in a village and to pose as mother and son. If they had to speak with anyone, Sulan was to do the talking, while Jiang Yingying feigned muteness.

They pressed on without rest, finally arriving outside a town called Youma County, where they noticed many black-clad men patrolling, and now and then a few black-robed riders emerging from the city and heading off in various directions. Sulan asked, “Should we go around?”

“No. There are too many of them outside the city, and I’d stand out. We must find a way to slip in. The more people, the less likely we’ll be noticed.” Standing outside the city walls, Jiang Yingying instructed Sulan, “Once we’re through Youma County, in three days we’ll reach our destination. Remember, be careful in the city. We’ll hire a cart. You’ll tell them I’m ill and we’re seeking a doctor.”

Sulan agreed and went to find a cart. Once he’d gone, Jiang Yingying took a delicate porcelain vial from her bosom, poured out a single grain-sized pill, and placed it in her mouth without swallowing. She tossed the vial aside—it contained only that one pill.

Before long, a rickety ox-cart creaked to a stop before her. There was a shabby compartment at the back, and Sulan emerged, looking embarrassed. Seeing Jiang Yingying’s frown, he quickly explained, “It took ages to find one. Most drivers refused to take a sick passenger, but this kind old man agreed.”

The driver was an elderly man with a head of silver hair, dressed in coarse homespun with a sheepskin vest over his shoulders. He greeted Jiang Yingying, his voice booming, “Hop on. Spring’s here, but the air is still dry and cold. Why are you dressed so thinly, miss? That boy’s got energy to spare, but you look unwell—don’t let yourself catch a chill.”

His words startled Jiang Yingying—she realized she hadn’t considered everything. They both wore only thin clothes, relying on their inner energy to ward off the cold, but ordinary folk wouldn’t dress this way.

Though anxious, there was nothing to be done. Jiang Yingying signaled Sulan to sit in the back and said to the old man, “Sir, to be honest, my son and I have suffered daily beatings from my husband. Yesterday, I couldn’t bear it and fled, but my face was scratched. We’re returning to my mother’s house, but we’re afraid my husband’s men will stop us at the city gates. Please, help us slip by the guards.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve been coming to Youma County for years. I know all the gatekeepers—they’ll let us through, no trouble,” the old man replied, lowering his voice, though it still sounded as loud as most people’s normal speech.

He glanced at Sulan. “This lad’s about ten or so, and you’re not young yourself, yet your voice is so clear and sweet, like a young maiden’s. Strange, that.” The old man seemed to be making conversation, but his words made Jiang Yingying break out in a cold sweat. Sulan only grinned foolishly and said nothing.

Fortunately, the old man didn’t press further. Soon, they reached the city gates. Youma County’s walls were old and in disrepair, with patches of crumbling plaster everywhere. Even the great gates were rusted and faded.

Normally, only a few officials would stand guard, but now there were a dozen black-clad men assisting them, interrogating every woman who tried to enter, ignoring the men. Older women were only glanced at, but younger ones were scrutinized. Any man who protested was promptly beaten with cudgels.

The ox-cart rolled through the gates. The guards waved it on without inspection, and Jiang Yingying felt a surge of relief—she hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

Nearby, a black-clad man asked the officials, “Why didn’t you check the old man?”

One replied offhandedly, “Old Qin’s a fixture in town, works at the End of the World Inn. We eat there all the time. He’s no problem.”

The black-clad man scowled. “Nonsense! Anyone could be smuggling someone in.” Then he turned to the cart and shouted, “Stop right there!”