Unorthodox Wuxia: While Others Practice Martial Arts, I Cultivate Immortality - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Inquiries

This world lacked entertainment, so once night fell, there was nothing to do. That’s why Yuan Zhao and Ah Qing entered cultivation mode early.

Under normal circumstances, the sisters cultivated in the same room. They sat cross-legged on the bed, hands resting on their knees, eyes closed, while their internal cultivation techniques circulated swiftly through their bodies.

The old wolf sat quietly at the side of the bed. It looked as though it was asleep, but in fact, it was silently absorbing the spiritual energy that emanated from Yuan Zhao.

Not only the old wolf—Ah Qing also unintentionally absorbed some of the spiritual energy into her body, which altered the internal power she cultivated using the Yin Yang Ode. It became both similar to and different from the original version.

The Tongxin technique and the Yin Yang Ode were from the same lineage. Yuan Zhao’s leaked spiritual energy was absorbed into Ah Qing’s body, and once refined by the Yin Yang Ode, it effortlessly fused with Ah Qing’s own internal power.

Time passed quietly into the depths of night.

The old wolf, who had been lying down, suddenly pricked up its ears. Then it raised its head and looked outside.

In the darkness, its glowing green eyes were eerily luminous, creepy at a glance.

Yuan Zhao, who merged into her surroundings while cultivating, instantly noticed the old wolf’s movement and opened her eyes to ask, “What is it, Old Wolf?”

“Woo~” the old wolf got up and let out a low growl toward the door.

At that moment, on the courtyard wall connecting Yuan Zhao’s house with Liu Dazhu’s, Wu Dazhuang and his son Wu Yong were climbing over, dropping silently to the ground.

Only—they weren’t jumping into their own courtyard, but into Yuan Zhao’s.

Once they landed, father and son crept sneakily toward the house.

Wu Dazhuang grinned wickedly, saying, “It’s so late, those two little girls must be sound asleep. Just sneak into their room, get into their bed. Once the rice is cooked, even if they cry, who will care? They won’t dare say a word!”

“Dad, you’re brilliant! Once I marry a pretty wife and learn Old Zhao’s skills, I’ll surely take good care of you and Mom!” Wu Yong said excitedly. “By then, I’ll have those two girls bringing you tea, doing laundry, cooking—just enjoy life.”

Wu Da Zhuang nodded in satisfaction. “Now that’s a good son. Not in vain did I sneak out to stand guard for you in the middle of the night.”

Unknowingly, they reached Yuan Zhao’s room door.

Just as they were about to quietly push the door open… it suddenly opened by itself.

In the dim moonlight, they saw a figure standing at the doorway. The sight shocked them.

“So it’s you two,” said the figure, it was unmistakably Yuan Zhao’s voice.

Wu Yong, realizing they’d been discovered, immediately reached out to cover her mouth.

But before his hand even touched her, a sharp pain tore through his abdomen—so sudden and intense that he didn’t even have time to scream before being sent flying.

Before Wu Dazhuang could react, he too took a solid punch.

Yuan Zhao knew exactly what their intentions were. She hadn’t held back—those strikes were lethal.

Just one blow was enough to knock both of them unconscious, their internal organs crushed and in shambles.

Yuan Zhao stepped out, grabbed them by their collars, and dragged them quickly outside.

Tianmen Town was quiet in the deep of night. Aside from the moonlight and starlight overhead, only the sounds of insects could be heard.

She dragged the father and son behind their home, to a patch of empty ground, and casually tossed them down.

Then she extended her right hand. With a soft “whoosh,” a small crimson flame sprang to life in her palm.

The flickering flame danced gently like it was performing. She flipped her palm, and the flame floated downward, landing on the two bodies.

Though small, the fire was scorching hot. As soon as it touched combustible material, it roared to life.

In mere moments, the father and son were reduced to ashes.

Yuan Zhao then washed the scorched ground thoroughly, erasing the last traces of their existence.

After finishing, she returned to her room.

Ah Qing opened her eyes and asked curiously, “Sis, where did you go?”

Yuan Zhao smiled, “Nothing, I was just thirsty and went to drink some water. Let’s keep cultivating.”

“Oh~” Ah Qing nodded and closed her eyes again.

***

Meanwhile, Liu Dazhu had been anxiously waiting at home for her husband and son to return. But no matter how long she waited, there was no sign of either of them.

Could something have happened? She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, worried sick.

As soon as dawn broke, she climbed up the courtyard wall and peeked into Yuan Zhao’s yard.

Right then, Yuan Zhao happened to step outside, stretching lazily in the sunlight, her body glowing in the early rays.

The morning in Tianmen Town felt full of vitality. The tomato seedlings they had planted yesterday looked even more vibrant, their green leaves still dewy.

Noticing Liu Dazhu on the wall, Yuan Zhao smiled brightly and greeted her, “Oh hey, Auntie Liu, good morning! Climbing people’s walls first thing in the morning—you’re full of energy, aren’t you?”

Liu Dazhu, still worried about her missing husband and son, grew even more irritated when she saw Yuan Zhao’s cheerful face.

She muttered, “Little tramp,” under her breath and climbed down, sulking.

Having seen how badly her son got beaten the day before, she didn’t dare confront Yuan Zhao now.

Yuan Zhao didn’t take Liu Dazhu seriously. After washing up with Ah Qing, they practiced martial arts, ate breakfast, and then headed out together.

The old wolf stayed home to guard the house.

When Yuan Zhao thought she wanted to plant cactus along their courtyard walls yesterday, she hadn’t been joking.

The sisters arrived at Zhou Qing’s house, intending to borrow a cart.

At that moment, Zhou Qing’s young daughter, Little Bell (Xiao Lingdang), was sitting at the door reading a book intently.

“Xiao Lingdang,” Yuan Zhao called softly.

“Sister Yuan Zhao! Sister Ah Qing!” the little girl looked up with a sweet smile.

“Where’s your mom and dad?” Yuan Zhao asked.

“They’re inside!” the little girl replied, then turned around and shouted into the house, “Mom! Sister Yuan Zhao and Sister Ah Qing are here!”

Soon, a woman dressed in plain brown clothing came out—it was Zhou Qing’s wife, Jiang Yuhan.

Jiang Yuhan wasn’t particularly beautiful, and her complexion was darkened from years of living in the harsh climate of Tianmen Town.

Yet she radiated a gentle and scholarly air. Even in simple clothes and with only a wooden hairpin, her unique temperament could not be hidden.

It was said that Madam Jiang was originally a noble lady, born into a high-ranking official’s family in the imperial capital of Great Liang.

Unfortunately, after her father was implicated in a crime, all males over ten in the family were executed, and the women and children were exiled to the remote, harsh frontier.

On the way, her mother, sister, and brother all died from the grueling journey—crossing mountains and deserts.

By the time she reached Tianmen, she was critically ill and on the verge of death.

Luckily, Doctor Zhou took pity on her and saved her from the brink.

But good people often die young, just like the old physician Zhou and Old Zhao…

Later, Madam Jiang and Zhou Qing gradually developed feelings for each other and naturally became husband and wife. Now they have a son and a daughter.

Their daughter is Xiao Lingdang—full name Zhou Ling’er.

“Yuan Zhao, Ah Qing, what brings you here?” Madam Jiang asked as she wiped her damp hands on the apron tied around her waist. She had just been cooking breakfast.

Yuan Zhao replied, “Madam Jiang, we wanted to borrow your handcart.”

“Oh, that’s it? Sure!” Madam Jiang agreed readily. She turned her head and called toward the house, “Song’er! Bring the handcart out. Yuan Zhao and Ah Qing need to use it!”

“Okay… got it!” came a slightly hoarse voice from inside the house.

Soon, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy pushed out a simple one-wheeled cart.

The boy’s features closely resembled Zhou Qing’s, though softened by traces of Madam Jiang’s gentle temperament, making him less stern than his father. He was Zhou Qingsong, the son of Madam Jiang.

“Here you go, Yuan Zhao, Ah Qing!” Zhou Qingsong brought the cart over and placed it in front of the sisters.

Madam Jiang curiously asked, “Yuan Zhao, Ah Qing, what do you need the cart for?”

Ah Qing replied, “We’re going to get some cacti to plant in our yard.”

Madam Jiang immediately understood and smiled, “That’s a good idea. Safer, too, for two young girls to go out like this. I’ll have Song’er go with you to help.”

Yuan Zhao quickly declined, “No need, Madam Jiang. The two of us can manage.”

“Alright then, just be careful,” Madam Jiang said with a warm smile.

“Okay! Thanks, Madam Jiang. We’ll get going now,” Yuanzhao said.

With that, the two sisters pushed the cart out of town.

Cacti weren’t rare in Tianmen Town. They were everywhere outside the town.

Not long after the sisters left, a middle-aged man in gray travel clothes entered the town.

He had a weathered, rugged look—clearly a man who had spent years on the road.

After entering, he scanned the surroundings, clearly searching for something.

He wandered the town for a bit before sitting down at a small tea stand.

After ordering a cup of rough tea, he asked the man sitting across from him, “Brother, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?” the man frowned.

The traveler pulled a long piece of paper from his coat and unfolded it, revealing a unique symbol.

If Yuan Zhao had been there, she would have immediately recognized it, it was identical to the design embroidered on her headscarf used to wrap money.

“Has a security escort team come through Tianmen Town recently? The escorts wore headscarves embroidered with this symbol. It was about half a year ago.”

The man replied impatiently, “Half a year ago? Who remembers? I don’t know. Never saw it.”

The traveler looked disappointed and continued asking around, but no one had seen the escort team.

He went to restaurants, markets, and inns, asking merchants and locals alike, but got the same result everywhere—no one had seen them.

With no leads, the man had no choice but to leave Tianmen Town and head to the next town.

As he was leaving, he happened to pass Yuan Zhao and Ah Qing, who were returning with a cart full of cacti.

But he didn’t know Yuan Zhao, nor that she was the person he was looking for. So he passed right by the two girls without a second glance.

Ah Qing turned to look back at the man. “Sis, that guy doesn’t look like he’s from our town.”

Yuan Zhao smiled, “So what if he’s not? We get travelers all the time.”

Ah Qing chuckled, “True. He kinda looked like a wandering swordsman though. Super cool!”

The sisters didn’t think too much of the encounter and chatted happily on their way home.

But when they reached their gate, they found their neighbor Guan Xiaoniu pacing anxiously at their door.

The old wolf was sitting at the entrance, staring at Guan Xiaoniu intently, as if ready to pounce if he came any closer.

Noticing their return, Guan Xiaoniu greeted them with excitement, “Sister Yuan! Sister Qing! You’re back!”

His overly intimate greeting gave the sisters goosebumps.

Who even are you? Calling us that like we’re close or something?

“You need something?” Yuan Zhao asked coldly.

Blushing, Guan Xiaoniu held out half a pound of mutton. “Sister Yuan, I bought some meat. Let me cook lunch for you. Do you have spices at home? If not, I can buy some right away!”

Yuan Zhao was utterly confused.

Wait, you’re planning to cook in my house? Are you okay in the head?

She walked past him directly. “No need. Keep the meat for yourself. We’re not short on food.”

“Exactly!” Ah Qing added, “Don’t tell me you’re trying to hit on my sister? I’m telling you—dream on!”

Since their grandfather passed, Ah Qing had grown especially hostile toward anyone eyeing her sister.

With Guan Xiaoniu’s thoughts exposed, he turned beet red with embarrassment.

Still, dreading the idea of continuing to live as a guest at his uncle’s house, he rushed forward to block Yuan Zhao’s path.

“Sister Yuan, let me help! I’m strong!”

As he spoke, he reached for the cart Yuan Zhao was holding.

Ah Qing quickly stepped between them, “Back off! Or don’t blame me for getting rough!” She raised a tiny fist in warning.

“Sister Qing, step aside—I’m talking to your sister!” Guan Xiaoniu reached out to push her away.

“My sister doesn’t want to talk to you!” Ah Qing shouted. She pushed him, and Guan Xiaoniu stumbled and fell to the ground.

Ah Qing sneered, “A weakling like you dares to go after my sister?”

With that, the sisters pushed the cart into the yard. The old wolf followed behind, mimicking Ah Qing’s snort with a “hmph,” tail raised high, swaying confidently into the courtyard.

Creak~~

The gate shut behind them.

Guan Xiaoniu stared at the closed gate, his face cycling between purple and green.

Still holding the half pound of mutton, he trudged dejectedly back to his uncle’s house.

As soon as he walked in, Aunt Zou grabbed him and asked, “Well? How’d it go? Did you succeed?”

Guan Xiaoniu bit his lip and said nothing, just shook his head.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zou flew into a rage.

“Those little sl*ts! Just two orphan girls with no one to rely on, acting all high and mighty? Our Xiaoniu is a gift to them!”

While she was muttering curses, her daughter-in-law Wu Xiaohui walked in.

Seeing the meat in Guan Xiaoniu’s hand, she said with a sarcastic sneer, “Wow~ Did the sun rise in the west today? Our family’s actually getting meat from the nephew?”

She grabbed the meat from his hands and weighed it disdainfully before walking away, leaving both Guan Xiaoniu and Aunt Zou fuming, but too afraid to speak up.