The moment the bushes were parted, a cry of alarm burst from the young man's mouth as he staggered backward several steps, nearly plopping down on his rear.
The young man called Tu Meng was pale with terror!
"What happened?" The members of the Heron Tribe, who had been watching intently, were startled. Several young men immediately drew the swords and blades at their waists, ready for anything.
"Don't be rash. Tu Meng, what's going on?" Ying Lu still had his wits about him and could see at a glance that the youth was physically unharmed—he simply seemed frightened out of his wits.
"Chief, there's an Immortal Master inside, but he looks—"
"Hmph! What about how I look?"
Before the young man could finish, the bushes flashed with brilliant green light several times before it suddenly vanished. Then, with a cold snort, a figure strode out from within.
Everyone, including the old man, froze and quickly focused their gaze.
The person who appeared before them was a white-robed figure of a man. His build was ordinary, and the style of his white robe was clearly that of an Immortal Master's attire. But atop his head was a peculiarly shaped green cowl that concealed his features. At his waist hung several bulging pouches, and strapped to his back was a wooden case roughly a foot long.
"I am Ying Lu, chief of the Heron Tribe. Greetings, Lord Immortal Master! May I ask the honored name of the Immortal Master?" Upon seeing the white-robed figure emerge, Ying Lu immediately dismounted and bowed deeply from a distance, not daring to show the slightest offense. The rest of the tribe dismounted and bowed as well.
"The Heron Tribe? Never heard of it. My surname is Han. I was cultivating a technique in there—what are you doing coming this way?" The white-robed figure swept his gaze over Ying Lu and his group, replying coldly.
"So it is Immortal Master Han. We truly did not know that Your Excellency was cultivating inside. We have caused great offense—please forgive us, Lord Immortal Master! May I ask which tribe Your Excellency serves as a retainer for? Perhaps this old man is acquainted with your tribe." The old man, seeing that this Immortal Master did not seem inclined to attack them, felt considerably relieved.
"I only recently completed my training and haven't yet taken up service as any tribe's retainer." The white-robed figure's eyes flickered slightly before he replied indifferently.
"Oh! So Your Excellency is a free agent. Since an Immortal Master has appeared here alone, you must be heading to the Tianlan Holy Temple as well. The Opening Spirit Day that comes once every twenty years—Immortal Master Han surely wouldn't miss it." Upon hearing that the other was unaffiliated, Ying Lu's mind stirred, and his tone grew even more respectful.
"That's right. I am heading to the Holy Temple. Are you making a tribute pilgrimage to the Holy Temple? But why isn't there an Immortal Master accompanying you?" The white-robed figure glanced at the carts behind them with a look of some interest.
"Our Heron Tribe is only a small tribe. We don't yet have a resident Immortal Master. That's why..." The old man explained respectfully, and upon seeing the other's expression, immediately judged that the claim of recently completing training was likely true. Otherwise, why would he show such curiosity?
At this thought, the notion that had been vaguely forming in the old man's mind moments ago suddenly intensified.
"Since it was unintentional, I'll let it go this time. You may leave." The white-robed figure hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand at them, clearly signaling for them to depart immediately.
Seeing the white-robed figure so easily let them go, Ying Lu—who had been worried about the other's unknown identity—suddenly made up his mind.
He did not leave. Instead, he took a deep breath, broke into a smile, and said to the white-robed figure: "Lord Immortal Master, since you are also heading to the Holy Temple, might you be willing to temporarily accept employment by our Heron Tribe? As long as Your Excellency escorts us to the Holy Temple, I am willing to offer twenty spirit stones for the service."
"Employ me?" The white-robed figure was taken aback, clearly surprised.
"Indeed. Since the Immortal Master is going to the Holy Temple anyway, why not travel with us? Without even a single Immortal Master to provide security along the way, this old man truly fears we won't make it to the Holy Temple safely. After all, the dangers on the road are considerable." The old man spoke with an earnest expression.
"Traveling with mortals like you would be far too slow. And only twenty spirit stones..." The white-robed figure did not flatly refuse, but neither did he immediately agree, appearing to deliberate.
"If the Immortal Master agrees, this old man is willing to go up to twenty-five spirit stones. I won't deceive you, Immortal Master Han—our Heron Tribe is truly small, and that is the absolute limit we can offer." The old man gave a bitter smile and said honestly.
"Twenty-five spirit stones is no small sum. But wouldn't you like to first ask what rank of Immortal Master I am before offering that price? For all you know, I may be merely a low-level cultivator at the second or third layer of the Qi Refining Stage, with no ability to protect your caravan." Upon hearing the amount, the white-robed figure actually chuckled.
"Heh heh! The Immortal Master jests. Although this old man possesses no Spirit Root, I once participated in the Sacred War in my younger days. Just from the spiritual light released during Your Excellency's cultivation, you absolutely cannot be merely at the second or third layer of the Qi Refining Stage." Ying Lu gave two dry laughs.
"Very well. Since you show such sincerity, I'll accompany you on this journey. But the spirit stones—I want half upfront, and the other half paid immediately upon arrival." The white-robed figure did not deliberate for long. After a brief moment of contemplation, he agreed.