Phi-Fic Chapter 731 The Path of Stealth, First Steps into Howling Wind
Chapter 731 The Path of Stealth, First Steps into Howling Wind
Two days later, at the Black Wind Ridge military camp, in the cave where the secret teleportation array was located.
Liu Yunxi was feeling much better and came personally to see the two girls off. She held Lin Muxue and Lin Wei's hands, giving them countless words of advice, her eyes red, but she tried hard not to let the tears fall.
"Mother, don't cry, we'll be back soon." Lin Muxue wiped the tears from her mother's eyes.
Lin Wei also said, "Auntie, please take care of yourself."
After taking one last look at her mother, Lin Muxue resolutely turned around and stepped onto the teleportation array with Lin Wei. The array activated, flashing light that engulfed their figures.
When the light faded, the two found themselves in a desolate mountain wilderness a thousand miles away. This was a backup teleportation point that Lin Wei had set up long ago, and it was very well hidden.
“We are now on the edge of the ‘Sunset Mountain Range,’ three days’ journey from Howling Wind City.” Lin Wei took out a map and quickly identified the direction. “In order not to attract attention, we will be hiking from now on, and we should change into more ordinary clothes.”
As they spoke, the two women took out clothes from their storage bags and quickly changed inside the cave. They carefully put away their iconic leather armor with cross and five-pointed star patterns, and changed into simple cloth dresses. Although their stunning beauty was still undeniable, at least the unusual leather armor wouldn't draw attention to them. They also temporarily removed the rings from their faces, leaving only barely noticeable traces.
Lin Wei changed into a light blue dress, which made her look more serene; Lin Muxue, on the other hand, wore a pale yellow dress and remained lively. The two tied their hair up simply and carried a small backpack, looking like two ordinary rich girls going on a trip.
"Alright, let's go." Lin Wei straightened her skirt, but her eyes remained alert.
For the next three days, the two traveled at a brisk pace. Lin Wei was familiar with wilderness survival and could always find the safest and fastest routes, avoiding wild animals and potential patrols. Although Lin Muxue had also received training in the military camp, she was still slightly inferior in terms of wilderness survival experience, and spent most of her time following behind Lin Wei, diligently learning.
Along the way, they encountered some pedestrians and caravans, and heard a lot of news about the Lin family's main branch and Xiaofeng City.
"Have you heard? It seems the main branch of the Lin family is preparing for something big, and they've mobilized quite a few people."
"What big moves could they possibly make? Isn't it just that the patriarch, Lin Xiaotian, wants to further consolidate his position and suppress those disobedient collateral relatives?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you want to die? The Lin family has many informants!"
"Speaking of which, back then, Lord Lin Yue... sigh, what a pity, such a good person..."
"Don't mention it, it's a taboo subject. They say whoever brings it up will have bad luck."
These fragmented pieces of information gave the two a preliminary understanding of the tense atmosphere in Howling Wind City, further strengthening their resolve to go. The fact that Lin Yue's name remained taboo spoke volumes.
On the evening of the third day, a magnificent city finally appeared on the horizon.
The city walls, dozens of feet high, were entirely constructed of massive, dark blue-green stone blocks, appearing impregnable. Banners fluttered atop the walls, bearing the golden wolf-head emblem, gleaming majestically in the setting sun. The city gates were tall and imposing, with a constant stream of people entering and leaving, mostly merchants and ordinary citizens. The soldiers guarding the city wore uniform armor, their sharp eyes scanning each person entering the city. The checks weren't particularly strict, but they were certainly not lax.
This is the core of the Lin family's main lineage, Xiaofeng City.
"We've finally arrived." Lin Muxue gazed at the towering city walls, her heart filled with mixed emotions. This was her father's home, and also her nominal "home," but she had never set foot here before. At this moment, it felt more like a den of dragons and tigers to her.
"Don't be nervous, relax," Lin Wei whispered, while secretly observing the guards at the city gate. "Remember our identities: cousins from a remote branch, visiting an elder from the main branch. Keep your reason natural and don't talk too much; too much talk will lead to mistakes."
"Hmm." Lin Muxue took a deep breath, trying to calm her excited and nervous feelings, and temporarily suppressed her longing for her father and her hatred for her enemies, Lin Xiaotian and his son.
The two of them slowly approached the city gate with the flow of people.
"Halt! Anyone entering the city, register your identity and pay the entry fee." A burly guard stretched out his arm and stopped them.
Lin Wei stepped forward, a perfectly timed, slightly shy smile on her face, her voice softening considerably: "Brother, we are from a collateral branch of the Lin family in Qingxi Town in the south. We are... we are relatives who have come to seek refuge with the main branch." As she spoke, she took out a small wooden plaque carved with a simplified Lin family crest from her sleeve. This was a token she had prepared long ago, enough to prove their identity as a collateral branch.
The guard took the wooden plaque, glanced at it casually, and then looked at the two stunningly beautiful girls in front of him. A hint of amazement and greed flashed in his eyes, but seeing that although they were dressed plainly, they had an extraordinary demeanor and clear eyes, and did not seem to be daughters of ordinary families, he did not dare to be too presumptuous.
"A relative? Which relative?" the guard asked routinely.
"It's...it's Steward Lin Zhong. We're his distant cousins." Lin Wei gave a name she had learned through Shadow Pavilion's intelligence: an old steward of moderate status within the main branch, relatively timid but still possessing some conscience, who was said to have held Lin Yue in high esteem back then. Choosing him was a well-thought-out decision by Lin Wei; it wouldn't easily arouse suspicion and would facilitate their subsequent actions.
"Lin Zhong?" The guard frowned, seemingly trying to recall the person, then waved his hand. "Alright, one silver coin per person for the city entrance fee."
Lin Wei quickly took out two silver coins from her purse and handed them over. The guard took the money, casually scribbled a couple of lines on the register, and then let them into the city.
Passing through the heavy city gate, a bustling and prosperous atmosphere immediately greets you.
Howling Wind City truly lives up to its reputation as the core city cultivated by the Lin family's main branch for many years. Its streets are wide and clean, lined with tall and majestic buildings, bustling with shops, and teeming with traffic and pedestrians—far more prosperous and lively than Black Wind Ridge. The air is filled with the aromas of various foods, spices, and a faint smell of horse manure, creating a vivid urban scene.
However, beneath this bustling facade, both Lin Wei and Lin Muxue keenly sensed an invisible oppression. The patrolling soldiers were significantly more numerous than in other cities, well-equipped, and with serious expressions. While pedestrians on the streets wore smiles, a hint of wariness and unease lingered in their eyes. Occasionally, one could see individuals dressed in opulent attire, exuding arrogance, swaggering past with their guards, causing the surrounding populace to give way, daring not to utter a word of complaint.
"It seems that the rule of Lin Xiaotian and his son here is indeed unpopular," Lin Wei said to Lin Muxue in a low voice, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
"Mmm." Lin Muxue nodded, but her small hands clenched involuntarily. The more prosperous this place was, the more she thought about the suffering her father might have endured and the hardships her mother had endured abroad, and the more intense the hatred in her heart became.
"Stay close to me, don't look around, let's find Steward Lin Zhong first." Lin Wei composed herself and, based on the information provided by Shadow Pavilion, identified the direction, leading Lin Muxue towards a relatively civilian area of the city.