Zhang Jian’s gaze swept around this small temple, but the dozen or so strong soldiers by the fire were not disturbed; even the two strong ones on night watch were unaware.
"Did you hear any sound?"
Zhang Jian immediately asked directly.
The two strong soldiers hurriedly stood up upon hearing Zhang Jian’s voice.
"Young Master, what sound?"
One of the young strong soldiers seemed surprised; he was the young soldier who had been bickering with Hu Shan earlier, and Zhang Jian remembered others calling him Xiaoxie.
Seeing the other soldiers awaken in surprise, Zhang Jian frowned and waved his hand, feeling somewhat strange.
That sharp phoenix cry, he heard it clearly, it couldn’t be fake.
Zhang Jian recalled the story Zhang Yi had mentioned.
It was rumored that in Fengyang County, there was a Feng Shui Formation "Twin Phoenix Arrival" that had existed since ancient times, where a pair of phoenixes nurtured the earth veins in the Shuangfeng Mountain Range; every so often, a noble lady of extraordinary grace and beauty would emerge in Fengyang County.
This Feng Shui Formation might be around this Phoenix Nest Mountain.
Something astonishing might have been nurtured inside.
Treasure? Or something terrifying?
With thoughtful eyes, Zhang Jian glanced at the depths of the mountains, having no intention to explore.
Sometimes, less curiosity might be better.
With his current Dao Practice, any treasure related to the phoenix would be useless to him, so there’s no need to risk it.
If there truly was a phoenix inside, who knows what mood it might be in; if it’s bad-tempered, he’d only be inviting trouble.
Furthermore, Zhang Jian sensed something odd from this phoenix’s cry.
"Tweet!"
Almost instantly, Zhang Jian heard the phoenix cry again.
The cry grew sharper, carrying a sinister and hurried tone.
"Young Master, seems like there’s something..."
At this moment, Xiaoxie nervously glanced up at the dark mountain and instinctively moved closer to Hu Shan.
"I seem to feel it too!"
Several other strong soldiers also glanced around nervously.
Zhang Jian looked silently at these dozen strong soldiers, realizing they didn’t actually hear anything.
It seemed more like a psychological reaction now.
Zhang Jian raised his Spiritual Gaze and sensed a surge of fierce cold yin energy erupting from the mountainside as if a ’spiritual earthquake’ was occurring, with its aftershocks sweeping over, bringing chills to him.
This made Zhang Jian feel a sense of doom.
He thought for a moment and took out seven or eight Yellow Talismans, handing them to Hu Shan, Xiaoxie, and others.
"Stick these talismans around the temple. Remember, if any accident occurs, keep calm and don’t wander off!"
"Young Master?"
Hu Shan, the old soldier, vaguely sensed danger and couldn’t help but look at Zhang Jian, who gestured for them to stay calm.
When faced with such eerie events, Zhang Jian also felt uncertain.
After two consecutive phoenix cries, the small temple suddenly became oddly quiet. Zhang Jian noticed the chirping insects and ants around had disappeared, the tranquil atmosphere making one’s heart seem to skip a beat.
Zhang Jian glanced at the strong soldiers gripping their swords and then at his own hands, feeling slightly insecure.
But glancing at the large bundle of Thunder Talismans within his sleeve, a bit of security returned.
With a slight thought, his gaze turned to the depths of the forest. After just one look, a trace of smile emerged in his eyes.
However, the other strong soldiers seemed to face a great enemy.
The rustling footsteps emerged from the dark woods, along with a bit of distant firelight.
Soon, figures emerged from the darkness, a man and a woman who appeared to be a couple; the man carried a long saber and looked robust and red-faced, but his eyes were dark.
Behind him, a woman walked with her head bowed; she seemed graceful yet wore a headscarf, remaining silent.
The leading swordsman, seeing those in the temple, noticed their armors and swords, becoming wary but still clasping his fists and speaking loudly:
"Friends, are you from the Government Office?"
Pausing slightly, he continued: "My wife and I missed a place to lodge, sighting this temple’s firelight, we boldly came to disturb, only wishing for a sheltered place for the night without other intentions. If you could make room, my wife and I would be grateful!"
The strong soldiers cast their gaze upon Zhang Jian.
Now, they all breathed a sigh of relief, glad it’s human.
Known is definitely better than unknown.
Zhang Jian slowly stood, his sharp gaze fixed on the couple, his brows furrowed.
His gaze fell on the woman, feeling something familiar about her for some reason.
An elusive scent was caught by his Spiritual Sense.
Also, it was quite suspicious.
Thinking for a moment, he calmly said:
"I apologize, the temple isn’t spacious enough; it would be inconvenient. You both should seek shelter elsewhere."
Though a bit unkind, prioritizing his safety, Zhang Jian firmly declined.
Upon hearing this, the swordsman furrowed his brows and spoke in a deep voice:
"Sir, though you may be many, this temple should have room left. My wife and I have walked through the night and are truly fatigued, only asking for shelter, keeping out of your way. We are strangers crossing paths, let’s make friends?"
Despite his robust nature, his sincerity was evident.
Seeing his plea, Zhang Jian felt slightly hesitant, stepping towards the swordsman and lady.
Upon nearing, a strange expression flickered in the swordsman’s eyes.
The woman then raised her head, the scarf falling gradually, revealing a beautiful face like moonlit flowers, her gentle demure matching a virtuous woman’s pitiful demeanor, alluring as a night elf under the dark sky.
"Demon?"
Zhang Jian abruptly halted, finally catching that nagging sensation.
It’s not due to traveling at night.
In Jianghu, martial artists traveling at night isn’t abnormal.
What deeply unsettled him was that familiar scent.
This woman’s scent was remarkably similar to those two falcons.
And there was an underlying blood stench that resembled the scent from the demon corpses he struck with thunder earlier.
Piecing it together, Zhang Jian easily concluded their inhuman nature, coupled with her flirting, she seemed anything but decent.
This isn’t racial prejudice.
Almost as Zhang Jian uttered the word, he sensed a change in his surroundings.
A captivating beauty appeared before him, suggesting anything is possible!
But his hand swiftly sent six Thunder Talismans flying!