Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1425 - 1422: Ruins

"Brother Lin, could it be that the Outer Pavilion Disciple, who is too old to leave Qingshuang Pavilion, took up a position at Qinglan Garden to spend their later years within the sect?" Yun Xiaotian wiped breadcrumbs from his mouth and speculated.

The Ghost also nodded in agreement, "It’s very possible. ’Once a teacher, always a father,’ is a saying that might only hold meaning for our younger generation, but the older generation truly lives by it throughout their lives."

"Why don’t you consider her a peerless master?" Lin Tian interrupted their sentiments, speaking in a very peculiar manner.

"You must have watched too much television." The two spoke in unison.

Lin Tian glanced at the two, chuckling, "Speaking in unison with such silent mutual understanding, I suspect you are not possibly brothers?"

Upon hearing this, the two froze, exchanged a glance, and saw a peculiar light in each other’s eyes. Lin Tian tapped the table, laughed, "Stop gazing at each other affectionately now, doesn’t it feel odd for two grown men? Just don’t interfere with us, whatever she might be."

"Probably not. By the way, it’s already dark, why aren’t we arranged to meet Master Tang yet?" The Ghost checked outside the window, puzzled.

"Here it comes..." Lin Tian said out of nowhere, leaving the two confused until the sound of footsteps and a knock on the door followed after ten seconds.

The group got up to open the door, and outside was a young woman in a typical office outfit with skirt, black stockings, and high heels, conveying competence along with a touch of beauty. Lin Tian recognized her; she was the lady they encountered at the entrance, a staff member from Qinglan Garden.

"The three of you, Miss Wang asked me to come for you." The young woman said plainly with a formal expression.

Lin Tian paid no mind, gestured with a wave, signaling the Ghost and Yun Xiaotian to step out together. This time Lin Tian didn’t bring a safe; this is Qingshuang Pavilion where theft is unlikely to occur.

The group descended the wooden pavilion and left the courtyard, seeing Wang Wanxi already waiting at the crossway, but strangely, she stood alone with no sight of the female steward.

Before they could inquire, the young woman nodded after leading them there, turned around, and left, leaving Lin Tian and the others standing at the crossway.

"Aunt Wang, what’s going on? Aren’t we supposed to meet the Pavilion Master? Why didn’t we see Steward Shen Danxi?" Lin Tian frowned slightly, expressing some displeasure which was directed at Qingshuang Pavilion.

Wang Wanxi understood his feelings, saying, "I know you’re eager to meet Miss, but the Ancient Martial World has its rigid rules. Even though I’m a member of an Ancient Martial Family, I have to abide by them. Similarly, if someone from Qingshuang Pavilion visits the Wang Family, they must follow our rules."

Just as she finished speaking, a woman emerged from the left garden—it was Shen Danxi. As an Ancient Martial Artist, her keen hearing likely caught Wang Wanxi’s words, yet her unchanged expression betrayed no hint of her thoughts.

"Miss Wang, we can leave now." Shen Danxi spoke directly, still not glancing at Lin Tian and the group, seemingly focusing solely on Wang Wanxi.

Lin Tian also didn’t mind; as long as they could enter Qingshuang Pavilion, her attitude was irrelevant. Led by Shen Danxi, the group left Qinglan Garden, exiting through the archway, finding a business car already parked outside.

Shen Danxi took the front passenger seat. After Lin Tian and others got in the back, she instructed the driver, "Drive."

Under the evening sky, Tang City was a bit quieter, more tranquil. Watching the mix of skyscrapers and ancient buildings outside felt like traveling through time.

Tang City, an ancient place with a long history, yet in the wave of modernization, its classical essence fades slowly. The city walls are now just a tourist spot, and one day, they might disappear too. Perhaps, only under nightfall can Tang City revisit that bit of archaic serenity.

The business car moved away from the city gates, Lin Tian sensed they were heading up the mountain. Tang City is built along the mountain river; one side is the river, the other is the mountain, destined for the vehicle’s path up the highest point in Tang City.

Beyond skyscrapers, the buildings along the road gradually became shorter, then sporadic multi-story villas, eventually just sporadic artificial gardens.

Finally, signs of civilization disappeared, turning into wild forests; Tang City’s construction goes as far as mid-mountain, beyond which lies the wilderness.

After a winding mountain road and around a corner, a cluster of structures suddenly appeared ahead on the mountain top—buildings despite Tang City’s modest elevation, not settled easily here.

Under moonlight, an ancient architectural ensemble faintly emerged, composed of several connected towers that looked like temples or Daoist temples, yet upon close inspection, none of them quite matched.

The entrance to the towers featured a pavilion-style gate with two large lanterns hanging on each side, casting a soft glow. No wonder these buildings were hidden from view down the mountain; the lights were too dim and forest overshadowed. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lin Tian got out, following Wang Wanxi to the entrance, looking up to find an old plaque he overlooked due to nighttime gloom.

"Qingshuang Pavilion."

The plaque bore the words "Qingshuang Pavilion," surprising Lin Tian, the Ghost, and Yun Xiaotian; they thought reaching Qingshuang Pavilion was too simple?

"Have we arrived at Qingshuang Pavilion?" Lin Tian couldn’t hold back asking.

Wang Wanxi shook her head, smiled, "Of course not; strictly speaking, this is merely Qingshuang Pavilion’s relic, a mundane attraction. For Tang City residents, Qingshuang Pavilion is history, leaving only these few buildings now. It’s no different from structures you’ve seen on Emei Mountain or Wudang Mountain, sometimes open for visitors."

"No way..." Lin Tian and the others were dumbfounded; merely a relic, where then was the real Qingshuang Pavilion?

Seemingly recognizing their confusion, Wang Wanxi explained further, "Several hundred years ago, this indeed was Qingshuang Pavilion’s Mountain Gate; back then there were too few people. Now, as Tang City expands to the mountain top, could Qingshuang Pavilion still be here? The genuine Qingshuang Pavilion lies deeper within the forest."

Before Lin Tian could query more, Shen Danxi had already opened the grand gate, gesturing Wang Wanxi in without opposing her explanation, indicating its truth.

Lin Tian and his companions exchanged looks, all seemingly feeling as though they’d stepped into historical time travel.