Chapter 226 - 224: Acceptance
"It’s a long story, I will tell you more once we return." There were many people around, and Song Changming didn’t explain much.
There were also quite a few Da Han martial artists here, who kept staring at him.
Just now, Song Changming single-handedly killed the master of the Cloud Mist Whale, instantly reversing the battle situation at the foot of the mountain, making quite a splash.
Even Nan Chen Guang, who had just slaughtered across all sides, and a group of Hidden Sect disciples were all overshadowed by Song Changming in the end.
Many people had already guessed Song Changming’s identity.
Some did not know where Song Changming hailed from, and upon asking, realized.
"He is the one who previously displaced the Young Master Jianya from the top of the Earth List!"
"My goodness, his strength is indeed formidable; it was him who took down that Cloud Mist Whale just now!"
"It seems Zhuji Pavilion’s judgment is indeed apt, daring to place him at the top of the Earth List is well-founded..."
"But how is he so young, the Earth List indicates he’s over thirty years old, yet he looks like he’s barely in his twenties?"
"Never judge a book by its cover; some people are just like that, perhaps due to their martial arts practice, consuming exotic fruits, or simply naturally not showing age, quite normal..."
"I see..."
"Brother Song, thanks to you just now." Li Pu approached and expressed to Song Changming.
"I merely went with the flow, it was nothing." Song Changming waved his hand, speaking modestly, not at all complacent.
In fact, he also thought it was nothing.
Compared to that battle when he first stepped into that mountain and faced the White-eyed Corpse Puppet, taking down the old man on the Cloud Mist Whale was indeed not difficult, even rather easy for him.
"I’ve long heard of Brother Song’s famed name, resounding like thunder, and today, indeed, extraordinary!"
"I am Kong Yuanhui from Dong Cang Prefecture, pleased to meet you."
Gradually more Da Han martial artists approached, each extending their interactions with him.
In the past, he kept a low profile in Wangyue County City, seldom showing his face, and people were unaware of his whereabouts, hence had no encounters.
Now that Song Changming had made an appearance, naturally, they would seek to acquaint themselves with the top of the Earth List, Song Changming.
From afar, Nan Chen Guang glanced at Song Changming but did not approach.
The two had interacted previously.
In the past, although he appeared indifferent, seemingly unconcerned with matters outside of martial arts.
However, ultimately, he was also young, possessing a competitive spirit.
Upon learning the Earth List’s top was overtaken, naturally, he felt dissatisfaction and resistance.
Until Song Changming revealed his strength, only then did he suppress his dissatisfaction.
At least inwardly, he acknowledged Song Changming indeed qualified to be his opponent, even feeling a faint pressure before Song Changming.
Were the two to truly compete, presently, he wasn’t completely confident of winning against Song Changming.
"Give me a few more years..." Nan Chen Guang slowly released his clenched fist, turned his gaze away, and departed.
A group of swordsmen from Sword Cliff followed in his wake, disappearing into the great fog.
In the distant fog, numerous Da Han strongmen returned after pursuing foreign invaders.
"Vice Pavilion Master!"
"Master!"
Seeing Fairy Yuehan descending with a group of mountain gate elders, Liu Yan’Er and other Wangyue Pavilion disciples promptly paid their respects.
"Hmm." Fairy Yuehan scanned the disciples, confirming the casualties, her gaze lingering a moment longer on Liu Yan’Er, confirming she was unharmed, before nodding.
"Clean up the battlefield, bring the remains of the fallen disciples back to the sect..." Fairy Yuehan began instructing the aftermath.
Nearby, once Song Changming confirmed Liu Yan’Er was safe, he no longer lingered, and departed first.
A day later, Song Changming continued advancing through the fog.
In this great fog, finding the right direction was not easy.
Without keen senses, one might easily get trapped within this fog, endlessly circling in place.
"Awake?" Song Changming suddenly spoke as he walked.
The little girl on his back rubbed her eyes, drowsily about to yawn, suddenly hearing Song Changming’s voice, she shivered and fell off.
Song Changming continued his pace, walking forward.
Gradually his figure was about to merge into the fog, disappearing from sight, only then did the girl react, immediately getting up and jogging to catch up.
She timidly looked at Song Changming, without saying a word.
"This is the direction to Da Han." Song Changming said.
"Mm..." Su Qingqing responded with slight nervousness.
Seeing this, Song Changming kept silent.
Walking for a while, Su Qingqing clutched her empty and protesting stomach, feeling dizzy from hunger.
Yet she still arduously kept up with Song Changming’s pace, occasionally falling behind, then quickly jogging to catch up.
Afraid Song Changming might walk quickly and leave her behind.
Soon, the two arrived at a somewhat familiar little river.
The girl was captured by Song Changming here.
Song Changming casually shot a few streaks of Powerful Qi at the river, causing some large fish to explode onto the shore.
A fire was built, and the fish were roasted.
The girl watched eagerly as the fish turned golden, spices sprinkled on top, filling the air with fragrance.
Her stomach rumbled rebelliously.
Song Changming put a piece of steaming fish into his mouth; the taste was quite good.
Then he tore off a piece of fish with a bone, skewered it on a stick, and handed it to the little girl.
Delighted, she took the food and started eating it in big bites.
Being taken to this Land of Great Fog, every bit of food was precious.
Following those Corpse Refining Sect Members, with irregular meals, made her cherish every piece that could fill her stomach.
"Thank you." The girl held the fish bone in both hands, looked up at Song Changming, and said softly.
After eating and drinking their fill, Song Changming found a place to rest for the night.
Another day passed, and near the edge of the great fog, Song Changming took a step forward.
The world before him opened up vastly.
After staying in the fog for so long, he realized the beauty of the blue sky and white clouds.
It felt like being trapped in a small box and suddenly seeing daylight again.
The girl squinted, not used to the brightness, shading her eyes from the direct sunlight.
After a while, she slowly lowered her hand, staring blankly at the scenery before her.
Tears burst from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks.
After more than two years, she finally left the seemingly endless Land of Great Fog.
Many emotions welled up in her heart.
"Father, Mother, Qingqing misses you, I really want to go home..."
Seeing Song Changming about to walk away, Su Qingqing hastily wiped away her tears, her eyes red, quietly following Song Changming once again.
Song Changming observed the changing surroundings.
"The fog seems to have receded some."
The withered and shriveled vegetation around was the best evidence of the fog’s coverage; he also remembered that the spot he initially entered the fog should be further ahead.
This was a good sign.
Only when the fog receded would Wangyue Prefecture truly emerge from this Outer Domain invasion, returning to stability and safety.
Arriving at the original spot, even before he could put his fingers to his mouth to whistle, his large horse, which had been roaming outside, galloped over from afar.
Clearly, it had already spotted Song Changming first.
Song Changming mounted the horse, looked back at the little girl, and brought her onto the horse as well.
They galloped for dozens of miles, arriving outside a county city.
"I’ve brought you here; the county city is temporarily safe, and you can live here in peace."
As he spoke, Song Changming took out a money bag from his body, "Use this money for now."
He didn’t have the heart to leave the child to die in the fog, so he took her out, settled her in Wangyue Prefecture, and provided money to help her initially meet the basic needs of food and warmth.
If she wanted to visit a martial arts school and learn skills, the money in the bag was more than enough.
As long as she was clever, she should be able to survive in this county city.
As for what she wanted to do in the future, it had little to do with him.
To reach this point was already a great kindness from Song Changming.
The girl sat on the horse, head down, silent.
Song Changming noticed her little hand clutching his sleeve more tightly, reluctant to let go.
Rubbing his forehead, Song Changming sighed lightly, "What do you want?"
"Please, please take me in..." Under the cloak, the girl weakly pleaded.
"I don’t lack manpower by my side, taking you in brings me no benefit." Song Changming stated coldly.
"I can serve tea, fetch water, do laundry, cook, one meal a day is enough, and I have these eyes, surely I can be of help to you..." Her tone showed slight urgency, clearly fearing that Song Changming would abandon her.
"Why must you follow me?"
"You, you’re very strong, you can protect me, and I hope to learn skills from you in the future, I, I want to go home!" As Su Qingqing spoke, the words "I want to go home" were the clearest and loudest, almost a cry.
Song Changming listened in silence, looked back at her trembling little figure, and finally gently flicked the reins. The horse continued forward, not leaving her behind.
"Remember what you said: serving tea, fetching water, doing laundry, cooking, and your eyes, they can only be used if I allow it." Song Changming said slowly on the horse.
"Yes." Su Qingqing looked at the broad back before her and agreed.