Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 68: Xiao Ci Awakens, Bloodline Evolution

This time, instead of taking detours, we will mainly travel on official roads and spend the night at inns whenever possible.

First, they had eliminated their pursuers and had no worries about their rear; second, they were afraid of running into terrifying beings like ghosts again.

It's safer to take the main road.

Shi Qifeng built a comfortable nest for Xiao Ci, woven from branches and vines, like a large bowl, where Xiao Ci, still fast asleep, slept.

Then a bird and its nest were placed in Chen Jin's book box, next to which was placed a wooden box containing the Kui Xing kicking the Dipper lamp.

The statue of Kui Xing cracked again, which pained Chen Jin and made him more cautious, since the number of times he could use his trump card had exceeded the limit.

Shi Qifeng was worried about Xiao Ci: "Sir, do you think Xiao Ci will starve if things continue like this?"

Chen Jin had no experience with this issue, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Probably not. Hmm, let's observe for another two days. If he still doesn't wake up, we'll have to resort to other methods."

Shi Qifeng had no better solution. After all, Xiao Ci was undergoing a transformation and evolution, and no one knew what she would experience. If he interrupted her rashly, it might cause negative interference.

Chen Jin changed the subject: "We should get a detailed map, so we don't get lost and not know where we are."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qifeng hurriedly said, "The matter of maps needs to be handled with care, especially large maps. If the government discovers them, we could easily be charged with a serious crime of espionage and treason."

Chen Jin: "..."

I never expected this.

In fact, geomantic maps are rare on the market. Even if they exist, they are limited to the local area and rarely depict other places.

The phrase "the world is vast" is often used to describe something, but just how vast is it, and how vast is it? Not to mention ordinary people, even many gentry and noble families cannot say for sure.

The geographical descriptions in the books will roughly mention the names of various prefectures and counties, but will not go into detailed information. The directions will also be just a rough indication.

Perhaps those prestigious families might have large maps depicted in their collections of books and classics, but they would never easily show them to others, let alone let them circulate.

Information is an extremely important resource, encompassing all kinds of information.

The old saying, "A scholar can know everything without leaving home," is certainly an exaggeration, because scholars obtain information primarily from books.

How many books you read and what kind of books you read determine your cognition.

But compared to the common folk in the countryside who only knew about the gossip of their neighbors, the scholar knew far more.

To learn more, you have to go out and travel thousands of miles.

However, traveling far from home involves enduring wind and frost, which places high demands on one's physical health. Those with weak constitutions are prone to illness and simply cannot travel long distances.

This wasn't a big problem for Chen Jin and Shi Qifeng, but the horses pulling the cart were exhausted and visibly weakened.

Judging from its condition, it's unlikely to make it all the way to the capital.

If there's no other way, we'll have to switch horses halfway through.

The journey was arduous, and food and drink were also a major problem, often requiring dry rations to stave off hunger.

Shi Qifeng was alright, but Chen Jin had visibly lost weight, though he was in good spirits and his eyes were calm and bright.

To improve their diet and supplement their nutrition, they would occasionally hunt along the way to catch birds and animals to eat.

On the third day, around noon.

The carriage stopped to rest under the trees by the roadside.

Chen Jin was gnawing on a hard, dry steamed bun, as was Shi Qifeng.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the books, followed by a hiss, and a small head poked out, looking around.

Xiao Ci is awake!

Shi Qifeng was overjoyed: "You're finally awake! If you hadn't woken up, my husband and I would have had to really prick you with needles."

Chen Jin looked up and saw that Xiao Ci, who had jumped out, had changed quite a bit. The most obvious change was in the feathers on her wings, which were black with yellow flecks, with several long feathers standing out. Even the top of her head was adorned with a tuft of golden feathers.

Is this still a crow?

After sleeping for many days, it was in good spirits, its eyes especially bright and lively. It flapped its wings a little shyly and asked, "Sir, Master Shi, have I become ugly?"

Shi Qifeng looked her over and clicked his tongue in admiration, saying, "Not ugly at all, you've become beautiful."

Compared to her appearance, Chen Jin was more concerned about Xiao Ci's inner changes, so he activated his spiritual vision to observe her.

Upon closer inspection, a wave of heat immediately washed over them. It turned out that Xiao Ci was surrounded by an invisible aura of fire, which, though indistinct, already revealed its extraordinary nature.

He then asked, "Xiao Ci, how are you feeling?"

Xiao Ci pondered for a moment: "I seem to have remembered something, but it's all a bit jumbled up right now, and I need to sort things out."

Chen Jin comforted her, "No rush, fly around first and see how it goes."

"it is good."

Xiao Ci immediately flapped its wings and soared into the sky, its movements swift and elegant.

Shi Qifeng shaded his eyes with his hand and exclaimed, "It flies so fast!"

A moment later, Xiao Ci landed and excitedly said, "I can fly higher and faster now, and my eyes can see much better than before."

Shi Qifeng laughed and said, "Xiao Ci, your voice has become more pleasant too."

Xiao Ci was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Really?"

He quickly realized that his voice had indeed changed.

As a crow, even though it can speak human language, its words are coarse and hoarse, carrying a sense of sorrow and sounding noisy, thus it is regarded as an omen of misfortune.

However, now the tone is much clearer, the sorrow has turned into magnetism, and it is no longer so unpleasant to listen to.

Overjoyed, they cheered and jumped for joy.

Chen Jin was genuinely happy for it.

After resting, we continued our journey.

Xiao Ci hovered high in the sky, appearing as a tiny black dot...

……

Maoxian County Government Office.

Magistrate Zhao sat in the courtroom as usual.

No one was in court, but he liked to sit here, looking down at those below from his elevated position.

He seemed to be waiting for something.

However, as dusk fell and darkness enveloped the entire courtroom, another day passed, and still no one returned.

Perhaps, it will never come back.

Magistrate Zhao frowned and began to ponder. He was puzzled and couldn't understand why Mr. Gu had failed.

Is the problem with Chen Jin?

Or perhaps, the Chen family made their move.

The latter is more likely than the former.

The loss of a valuable retainer enraged him, but he did not lose his temper.

Judging by the time it takes, if Mr. Gu fails, Chen Jin will have already traveled a great distance, perhaps even reaching the city. Sending someone else would be pointless.

As for the Chen family members who took their anger out on Datang Township?

It's even more meaningless.

Those few worthless peasants, whether they live or die, are of no importance. Trampling on them would only sully one's own official boots.

In the officialdom, sometimes rules are followed, and sometimes they are not; it all depends on who you are dealing with and whether there are any benefits to be gained.

It is said that merchants will not get up early without profit, and officials are even more so.

It's pointless to fall out with the main Chen family over some minor branch of the Chen family, jeopardizing one's career.

So, all we can do is wait. Wait for the provincial examination to end, wait for Chen Jin to slink back home...

　There was a common-sense error in the previous text: the examination venue for the provincial examination should be located in the prefectural city, not the city of the prefecture. So, I made a correction. It doesn't affect any plot development; I just changed the name. Everyone can understand that.

　　Feel sorry!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)