After leaving the Yellow Dragon River, Fang Ming walked through the forest.
The river route had ended earlier than planned. The Shuttle Swordfish had destroyed the raft, and the current had carried the broken bamboo away. Fang Ming did not continue along the bank.
River beasts were troublesome.
Mountain beasts were also troublesome.
But at least on land, he could choose his direction.
Inside Bookworm Gu, there were maps and caravan records he had copied from the clan library. They were not complete, but they were enough for this area. If he continued west from the riverbank, he would eventually meet an old mountain road. A caravan usually passed through that road during this season.
The exact day was uncertain.
Caravans could be delayed by rain, beasts, bandits, or profit.
But Fang Ming had no better choice.
Traveling alone through Southern Border was not wise. Rank three cultivation was strong, but it was not enough to look down on the wilderness. A poisonous insect, a hidden Gu, a beast pack, a demonic Gu Master, or even bad terrain could become fatal if one was careless.
A caravan had guards, scouts, supplies, and information.
It also had goods.
A lone Gu Master could gather some resources by himself, but not all.
Strength had a cost.
Gu worms had to be raised.
If he wanted to keep moving, he needed trade.
Near evening, Fang Ming saw smoke rising between the mountains.
He slowed his steps.
After crossing a slope, he saw a small hamlet in a mountain basin.
The hamlet was surrounded by short stone walls. Several guards stood near the entrance, holding wooden spears. Farmers were returning from the fields with hoes and baskets. Smoke rose from low houses, carrying the smell of cooked grain.
This was not a clan village.
There were no strong Gu Master auras inside.
Only mortals.
A place like this could not threaten him.
Fang Ming walked directly toward the gate.
The guards noticed him quickly. Their expressions became vigilant, but they did not shout. In the wilderness, those who could travel alone were rarely ordinary people.
When Fang Ming approached, one older guard cupped his fists carefully.
"May I ask if respected guest is a lord Gu Master?"
Fang Ming released a trace of Rank three aura.
The two guards' faces changed at once.
Their bodies stiffened, and the younger guard almost dropped his spear.
"Lord Gu Master!" the older guard hurriedly lowered his head.
Fang Ming withdrew the pressure.
"I am passing through. I want to ask about the caravan road."
The older guard did not dare delay. "Please wait, lord. I will call the village head immediately."
Not long after, an old man hurried out of the hamlet. His hair was white, and he leaned on a wooden cane. Behind him followed several nervous villagers.
The old man bowed deeply.
"This old man is the village head. May I ask what lord Gu Master requires?"
"Does the caravan still pass through this road?" Fang Ming asked.
The old man quickly replied, "It does. Every year, a caravan passes by our hamlet. We trade grain, leather, mountain herbs, and some ore with them."
"Has this year's caravan passed?"
"Not yet, lord."
Fang Ming's gaze moved slightly.
The village head continued, "According to past years, it should arrive in three to five days. But this year, the roads have not been peaceful. There have been more beasts in the mountains, and the river has also become dangerous. The caravan may be delayed."
"Which direction does it come from?"
"From the southeast road, lord. After resting here, it usually goes north around the mountain ridge, then toward the larger trade road."
This was close to Fang Ming's memory from the maps.
He nodded.
"I will stay here until the caravan arrives."
The village head's expression tightened, but he quickly lowered his head. "It is our hamlet's honor."
Fang Ming took out a small primeval stone fragment.
"I will not stay for free. Prepare a quiet room and simple food. Do not disturb me unless the caravan arrives or danger approaches."
The village head accepted the fragment with both hands.
"Yes, lord."
The villagers moved quickly.
For mortals, a Gu Master was already an existence above them. A Rank three Gu Master was even more distant. They did not know exactly what Rank three meant, but the aura from earlier had been enough to make their hearts tremble.
In Gu Yue village, Rank three only gave Fang Ming a seat among elders.
In this mortal hamlet, it was enough to make everyone lower their heads.
The village head arranged a small house near the inner wall. It was clean enough, and the roof did not leak. Fang Ming did not ask for more.
After entering, he shut the door.
The room became quiet.
He sat down and opened his Pouch Gu.
The important things were still there.
Primeval stones.
Gu food.
Maps.
Several tools.
Sealed Gu containers.
Fang Ming checked the feeding supplies one by one. There was enough for the short term.
The caravan was a moving market. It could sell Gu food, buy materials, carry information, and bring him into contact with Gu Masters from outside Qing Mao Mountain. Among those people, there might be Gu worms, skills, instincts, or talents worth copying.
Night slowly fell.
Outside the house, the hamlet became quiet. Mortals lowered their voices when passing nearby, afraid of disturbing him. A dog barked twice in the distance, then was quickly silenced by its owner.
Fang Ming opened the map and looked at it under the dim light.
The caravan road was close.
If the village head was not mistaken, he only needed to wait a few days.
After that, he would no longer be a Gu Yue elder fleeing a dying mountain.
He would become a traveling Gu Master among many others.
Fang Ming folded the map and closed his eyes.
Qing Mao Mountain crises should be starting soon.