Chapter Ten: My Surname is Hu, and My Given Name is Ge

“Are you Yu Ge?”

That day, Yu Ge was once again tinkering in Zhao Ziming’s courtyard when a clear, bright voice suddenly sounded from behind him. He put down the stone weights in his hands and turned around, seeing two young people, a man and a woman, standing at the entrance of the courtyard, sizing him up.

It was the young man who spoke. He was dressed in a blue fitted robe, his posture upright and clean-cut, giving off an air of sharp competence. When Yu Ge’s gaze met his, he offered a slight, courteous smile.

Yu Ge, however, frowned.

He recognized these two as the outsiders he’d seen on the street a few days ago—rumored to be from Qingyang Town, dozens of miles away. Lately, they’d been spending money in town searching for a guide who could lead them through the shortcut across the Red Cedar Forest.

Old Luo had mentioned these people before.

Yu Ge knew from memories of his former self that he had once passed through that very forest. The Red Cedar Forest was not haunted by ghosts, but its paths were tangled and easy to get lost in. If he hadn’t been chased by a starving lone wolf back then, he never would have entered it. For this reason, he had no desire to get involved.

“No, my surname is Hu, my given name is Ge,” Yu Ge replied, rubbing his wrist and giving the pair a calm glance.

The young man and woman were both taken aback, exchanging glances. Since they’d managed to find him, they clearly knew something about Yu Ge—but they hadn’t expected him to deny even his own name.

“Ahem, I’m here on business,” the young man continued patiently, “If you can guide us through the Red Cedar Forest, we will reward you handsomely.”

Yu Ge glanced at him. “If the reward is so good, why not ask someone else?”

The young man smiled. “I want an experienced guide.”

Yu Ge realized someone must have told him about his previous journey through the Red Cedar Forest.

“I don’t have much experience. If you have time, you’d be better off going north—the road is always safe, and there are plenty of towns along the way.”

“We’re in a hurry. Would you reconsider?” the young man persisted, still patient.

“I don’t have time,” Yu Ge replied, turning away to resume fiddling with the stone weights, clearly showing he wanted them gone.

Despite this rejection, the young man didn’t get angry. He smiled graciously, “We’ll be staying in town for another two days. If you change your mind, you can find us anytime.”

He then took the somewhat disgruntled young woman with him and left.

Yet just as the young man had taken only a few steps beyond the gate, Yu Ge suddenly chased after him.

“All right, I’ve thought it over!” he called.

The abrupt shift in attitude left the young man bewildered, unable to read Yu Ge’s temperament. Nevertheless, he gladly accepted.

What he didn’t know was that as soon as the pair had left the gate, a mysterious message echoed in Yu Ge’s mind.

Achievement triggered: “The World is So Vast”

Completion requirements: The world is so vast—don’t you want to see it? Sign in at five notable locations. Current progress: 0/5.

Reward: Unknown.

As he watched the constellation light up in his mind, Yu Ge knew he truly had to take this muddy path after all. Naturally, he hurried out.

After Yu Ge’s sudden agreement, the young man gladly arranged a departure time.

As for Yu Ge, he spent the next two days in a frenzy, almost overexerting himself to push forward the achievement “Strength Creates Miracles.”

The method of grinding achievements was something ordinary people could not comprehend.

Inside Zhao Ziming’s courtyard, Yu Ge, exhausted and collapsed like a heap of mud, sat on the ground with no pretense, his eyes fixed on the progress bar in his mind.

A little more training and the achievement would be nearly complete.

After resting a while, Yu Ge tidied himself and stepped out of the courtyard, just as Zhao Ziming returned.

Seeing Yu Ge about to leave, Zhao Ziming called out to him.

“Wait a moment, little Yu—I have something for you.”

Under Yu Ge’s puzzled gaze, Zhao Ziming went into the house and came out carrying a long, stick-shaped object wrapped in gray linen.

Ignoring Yu Ge’s curious look, Zhao Ziming handed the bundle directly to him, his face tinged with nostalgia and sorrow.

“This is the Ghost-Slaying Blade left by your parents. I hear you’re heading for the Red Cedar Forest. I won’t say much—you know the dangers, and it’s time you had this blade!”

At first, Yu Ge was bewildered as he took the long package. When he heard the name Ghost-Slaying Blade, he was amazed.

The Ghost-Slaying Blade.

Yu Ge had heard of it before.

It was a weapon crafted to slay demons and ghosts. Because of its rarity and the costly materials, it was something one could only hope to encounter, never guaranteed.

This blade could effectively counter supernatural creatures.

For the weakest ghost, the Mountain Spirit, an ordinary person stood no chance. But if one wielded a Ghost-Slaying Blade, even supernatural entities would be wary.

Due to its rarity, Yu Ge had never seen one before.

Now, feeling its weight and heft in his hands, he couldn’t wait to unwrap the layers of gray linen and reveal its true form.

A sheath of brown, aged leather, adorned with spiral patterns and a finely crafted hilt.

Yu Ge drew the blade. Cold, fierce light spilled from the sheath, mingled with an eerie chill, as if winter’s frost had descended.

The blade’s surface rippled like spring water, with waves of forging marks, the edge narrow and slender, preserved for years with no sign of wear. He was amazed—his iron dagger paled in comparison, reduced to mere scrap.

This stirred his curiosity about his parents.

“A fine blade, indeed.”

Yu Ge slowly slid the Ghost-Slaying Blade back into its sheath.

Zhao Ziming, his beard full and bristly, was pleased by Yu Ge’s reaction. “Of course. The Ghost-Slaying Blade is standard equipment for demon hunters—there’s nothing better.”

Yu Ge smiled. With such a blade in hand, his journey to the Red Cedar Forest would be foolproof. After all, he wasn’t venturing into the haunted valleys—there wouldn’t be so many ghosts.

At dawn the next day, Yu Ge packed his belongings, wrapped the Ghost-Slaying Blade anew, and headed to the town gate. The young man and woman were already waiting beneath the great tree.

Behind them were two horse-drawn carriages with blue canopies, each hung with oddly shaped red lanterns.

Yu Ge glanced at them, growing more suspicious of the pair’s identities. Such carriages, and the fine horses in front of them, were far beyond what locals could afford.

Still, it was a good thing—it would speed up their journey. Had they not brought carriages, Yu Ge would have suggested riding horses anyway.

After all, there was a fair distance to cover. To return safely to town, he needed to get the pair through the Red Cedar Forest by midday, then head back immediately. If he didn’t return before nightfall, he dared not imagine the consequences.

As for how the pair would survive the night shrouded in red mist, he had no way of knowing.

There were six people in the party—Siyun Hong, his sister, Yu Ge, and three guards.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the sky and the red mist receded like a tide, the two carriages surged forth, as if chasing the retreating crimson waves.