The rest period was short, roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, before Wang Tianlin once again led the caravan onward.
Ling Feng noticed that the people in the caravan seemed to be growing more tense which was no surprise. As Ling Feng had traveled through the Endless Forest, he had encountered many demonic beasts, including several high-level fourth-tier ones. For this caravan, encountering even one of these fourth-tier beasts would likely result in a fierce battle.
Though they were just a day away from Iron Wolf City, this was precisely the time to remain vigilant.
“Little Feng, we don’t have any spare horses in the caravan, so you’ll have to share a carriage with my daughter,” Wang Tianlin said after a moment’s hesitation.
Before Ling Feng could respond, the spoiled young lady Wang Caiwei immediately protested, “No way! I don’t want to share a carriage with this beggar. Daddy, you can have Brother Bu Chen share the carriage with me and let this beggar ride Brother Bu Chen's horse.”
“My decision is final.” Wang Tianlin snapped at Wang Caiwei. “That’s enough. Little Feng, do you have any objections?”
Ling Feng shrugged indifferently. He could see that Wang Tianlin didn’t want his daughter to be deceived by someone like Bu Chen. Understanding the heartfelt concern of a parent, Ling Feng decided to go along with Wang Tianlin’s arrangement.
“No problem at all,” Ling Feng said with a light laugh.
“T-This is infuriating! Stupid daddy, mean daddy!”
Wang Caiwei glared at her father with intense resentment. She stormed into the carriage while fuming in silence.
Pursing his lips, Ling Feng followed her into the carriage.
Wang Caiwei glared at Ling Feng, her voice filled with venom. “Beggar, you better watch your eyes. If I catch you sneaking looks, you’ll regret it!”
Ling Feng didn’t bother to look at her. He had seen plenty of beautiful women before, but none as narcissistic as her.
With a sense of tension, the caravan continued on its way.
“Master, it's not surprising you took that boy in, but aren’t you being too kind to him?”
A man in a green robe at the front of the caravan asked Wang Tianlin.
"Hehe." Wang Tianlin smiled. “I may not have many skills, but I’m good at reading people. That boy is not simple.”
The man in the green robe frowned. To him, Ling Feng appeared to be just a young man with some body refinement skills, at best a decent genius given his peak Pulse Formation Realm aura. But how extraordinary could he be?
Inside the carriage, Ling Feng and Wang Caiwei fell into absolute silence.
Wang Caiwei looked down on Ling Feng and had no intention of starting a conversation. Given the opportunity, he will try to curry favor with me. When he does, I will humiliate him. Hmph!
But her plan fell apart. As soon as Ling Feng got into the carriage, he closed his eyes and began meditating, not moving or opening his eyes even once.
Seeing Ling Feng remain silent, Wang Caiwei, as the young lady, refused to lower herself to speak first.
Beggar, keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can keep it up!
She thought angrily, convinced that Ling Feng’s silence was just a ploy to attract her attention.
Some women believed that just because they had some beauty, all men must revolve around them.
Little did she know, Ling Feng had seen countless beauties and was unimpressed by her.
After a long time, Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes. Wang Caiwei seemed to have fallen asleep and leaned against the carriage, looking somewhat endearing in her sleep.
As night fell, Wang Tianlin ordered the group to set up camp. Traveling late into the night was unwise.
Soon, the temporary camp was set up. The squad leaders arranged for their team members to take turns keeping watch. After a long and tense day, everyone gathered around the campfire to share a meal.
"Brothers, you’ve worked hard. By noon tomorrow, we’ll be back in Iron Wolf City. Hey, I’ve decided to have a bonfire party tonight. Feel free to enjoy the good wine and food on the carts!"
Wang Tianlin was clearly in a good mood. Their caravan had just completed a big business deal in Lin City, and they had been away for almost half a year. They were finally almost home.
Soon, the bonfire was set up, and aside from those on watch, everyone gathered around it. The good food and wine were distributed. Though called a bonfire party, it was really just a chance for everyone to gather, chat in small groups, and talk about their families and homes.
The rough men laughed heartily while enjoying themselves immensely.
Ling Feng picked up a piece of dried meat and watched the genuine camaraderie among the men while thinking of his own grandfather.
The vast world seemed even bigger now that he had no family left. Even his only relative, his grandfather, was missing.
"Little Feng, are you missing your family too?" Wang Tianlin turned to Ling Feng with a gentle smile.
"Yes," Ling Feng nodded with a smile. Dwelling on these thoughts was pointless; the only clue he had was hidden in the Yan family’s second volume of The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Eastern Capital. Until he had enough strength, he could only let things take their course.
Wang Tianlin handed a roasted lamb leg to Ling Feng while smiling lightly. "Where are you from, Little Feng? I heard that in the ten counties of the south, Feiyuan City has many body refinement martial artists. Are you from Feiyuan City?"
"Where am I from?" Ling Feng took a few swigs from his wine gourd and looked at the night sky, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes.
Ever since he could remember, he and his grandfather Ling Kun had roamed the world.
He had no idea where his hometown was.
Suddenly, Ling Feng's pupils constricted slightly, and he said, "Senior Wang, this place is not safe."
"Hmm?" Wang Tianlin's eyes twitched, but he didn't sense anything unusual around them. He chuckled, "Little Feng, you might be too sensitive. Our people have thoroughly scouted the surroundings, and there are guards within a 300-meter radius. There shouldn’t be any problems."
As a Transformation Realm martial artist, Wang Tianlin's senses had detected nothing unusual. Ling Feng, merely at the Pulse Formation Realm, couldn’t possibly have keener senses than a Transformation Realm martial artist, could he?
"It's just my feeling. Senior Wang can choose not to believe it." Ling Feng smiled, the firelight casting a unique shadow on his face.
After pondering for a moment, Wang Tianlin decided to trust Ling Feng and immediately ordered the bonfire party to be canceled, putting everyone on full alert.
Wang Caiwei was flirting by the fire with Bu Chen, and upon hearing her father cancel the bonfire party, she flew into a rage. She pointed at Ling Feng and scolded, "You coward! Pretending to be an expert when you know nothing! How could you possibly sense any danger?
"My daddy kindly took you in, and now you're ruining everyone's fun. Tell me, what’s your real motive?" Wang Caiwei spat with disdain.
Wang Tianlin glared at his daughter, scolding harshly, "Girl, shut up! You don’t understand. Go back to the carriage!"
Never before had Wang Caiwei been so harshly reprimanded by her father. Tears began to stream down her face. "Fine, you don’t need me anymore because of this beggar! Let him be your son then! I-I won’t speak to you ever again!"
"Y-You spoiled, willful girl! Sigh!" Wang Tianlin's beard nearly stood on end with anger.
Bu Chen, seeing this, quickly approached Wang Caiwei and gently consoled her, saying, "Sister Caiwei, don’t cry. The master is just concerned for everyone’s safety. No matter what demonic beast comes, I’ll stand in front of you and protect you with my life."
Bu Chen's comforting words finally calmed Wang Caiwei down, and she stopped sobbing. She redirected all her anger toward Ling Feng, coldly saying, "That dirty beggar, always fear mongering for no good reason!"
"Yes, yes, Sister Caiwei is always right, haha!"
Bu Chen began to stroke Wang Caiwei’s hair, his insincere behavior making Ling Feng nearly vomit.
As Wang Caiwei was about to continue berating Ling Feng, a piercing scream shattered the night, reaching everyone’s ears.