A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 206 Fate and Origin
While Ning Caichen was resting at home, he saw the Shen family's carriages approaching from afar and immediately frowned. Ever since he helped Shen Xiu get rid of the evil spirits, he had been studying at the academy and trying to avoid contact with those Taoist people.

Putting down his work, Ning Caichen walked to the door and watched from afar. After a while, two carriages stopped at the door one after the other. Shen Zichuan lifted the curtain and stepped out first.

“Caichen”.

Seeing Ning Caichen's slightly solemn expression, Shen Zichuan sighed inwardly and immediately bowed. Ning Caichen returned the bow and asked in a calm voice, "Why is Zichuan here instead of resting at home?"

Shen Zichuan looked slightly embarrassed and was about to explain when Ning Caichen saw Yan Hongye getting off another carriage. His expression changed immediately, and he turned around to glare at Shen Zichuan.

“Caichen, I…”

Shen Zichuan's heart tightened, but seeing Ning Caichen's unpleasant expression, he ultimately said nothing more, only letting out a deep sigh.

“Young Master Ning, I am Yan Hongye. This is not the place to talk. Why don’t we get in the carriage and have a chat?” Yan Hongye glanced at Ning Caichen but still couldn’t see anything special about him. The only difference was that he had a lot of uprightness about him, which explained why he was not afraid of evil spirits and delusions before.

Hearing Yan Hongye's unyielding words, Ning Caichen's heart sank. He glanced at Shen Zichuan, realizing that the other party had already revealed his secrets. In that case, he had no other choice.

"Alright, let me explain to my mother."

"Please go ahead." Yan Hongye nodded, then turned and got into the carriage, leaving Shen Zichuan looking embarrassed, constantly waving his folding fan.

Before long, Ning Caichen came out and got into Shen Zichuan's carriage. The latter hurriedly got on as well, and the two carriages sped off towards the city gates, one after the other.

Not long after the carriage left, Ning's mother stepped out of her room and looked at the departing carriage with tears in her eyes. Cai Chen had just said a bunch of strange things. No one knows a son better than his mother. She knew that there was something strange about it, but she held back and did not expose him so as not to worry Cai Chen.

“Caichen”.

The carriage traveled without stopping, and after a short while, it arrived at Shili Pavilion. Yan Hongye was the first to get off and said to the carriages behind her, "Young Master Ning, Young Master Shen, you can get off now."

Upon hearing this, Ning Caichen and Shen Zichuan alighted from the carriage one after the other. After tidying his appearance, Ning Caichen bowed to Yan Hongye and said, "Miss Yan, please ask whatever you wish to ask. I will certainly cooperate. However, I would like to ask Miss Yan to promise me one thing: no matter what the outcome, I only hope that my mother will not be implicated."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zichuan felt a surge of anger and frustration. Seeing his friend's expression as if he were entrusting his affairs to someone, Shen Zichuan deeply regretted his actions. He wondered how he could have been so calculating. If he hadn't acted on his own initiative, things wouldn't have come to this.

"Young Master Ning, you can rest assured."

Yan Hongye gave Ning Caichen an appreciative look, then her hand flashed with spiritual light, and she threw several array flags in all directions. She completed the hand seals, and a light screen immediately enveloped the area around Shili Pavilion.

"Young Master Ning, do you have anything to say about the strange things about yourself?"

Although Yan Hongye learned some things from Shen Zichuan, it was not as good as hearing it herself.

"I also don't know where this so-called mystery comes from."

Seeing that Ning Caichen's expression didn't seem fake, Yan Hongye realized that he genuinely didn't know the origin of this thing. Whether the mystery was innate or imposed by external forces, it was enough to prove that he had an extraordinary background.

Thinking of this, Yan Hongye apologized and said, "Young Master Ning, as a disciple of Xuanxin, it is my responsibility to clarify the matter to avoid unpredictable consequences. Next, I need to examine your meridians and dantian. Please don't take offense."

Ning Caichen chuckled and said, "I am but a humble scholar with nothing of value. Miss Yan, please make your move."

As he spoke, Ning Caichen opened his arms, closed his eyes, and emptied his mind. The surroundings were quiet and serene.

Shen Zichuan stood there, gripping his folding fan tightly, looking at Ning Caichen and Yan Hongye with a complicated expression.

"excuse me."

As soon as Yan Hongye finished speaking, a talisman floated in front of her, and she began to form hand seals and chant incantations.

"Heaven and Earth are boundless, the profound mind and righteous law, exploring the spirit and peering into the divine, by decree!"

The talisman transformed into a ball of crimson light, shining directly on Ning Caichen's brow. The crimson light traveled down his meridians from his brow, while Yan Hongye was concentrating intently, carefully sensing the condition within Ning Caichen's body.

Just as the crimson light reached Ning Caichen's dantian, a counterforce suddenly shattered it. Just then, Yan Hongye's face turned pale, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ning Caichen's body trembled, and a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. Shen Zichuan, who had been staring at Ning Caichen, changed his expression upon seeing this, exclaimed in alarm, and quickly ran to Ning Caichen's side.

"Caichen, how are you?"

Shen Zichuan was shocked to see Ning Caichen with his eyes closed. He touched his nose and found that he was still breathing, so he was relieved. He then turned to Yan Hongye and said in a harsh voice, "Didn't you say that everything was foolproof? How did Caichen end up like this!"

Shen Zichuan had been holding back his anger, and now he finally let it out. He didn't care what kind of expert Yan Hongye was. He was both shocked and ashamed that his friend had been treated this way, so his tone was naturally not very polite.

"Don't worry, Young Master Ning is fine. It was Hongye who acted rashly." Yan Hongye also looked ashamed and gave a bitter smile. She was afraid she had caused a great disaster. Who would have thought that Ning Caichen had a seal placed on him by her parents?

The force of the recoil had loosened the seal, and she feared she had inadvertently damaged her parents' seal. She dared not imagine what would happen in the future.

Thinking of this, Yan Hongye chuckled to herself, then took out a high-quality healing pill from her sleeve and fed it to Ning Caichen, helping him to digest it.

Yan Hongye looked at the worried Shen Zichuan and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Shen, the strangeness on Young Master Ning's body is not from evil spirits. It was Hongye who acted rashly. Remember not to spread this matter, otherwise it will be very detrimental to Young Master Ning."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zichuan was initially delighted, but then his heart skipped a beat. Seeing Yan Hongye's solemn expression, Shen Zichuan dared not ask any further questions and simply nodded.

"Hongye has important matters to attend to and cannot stay any longer. Farewell."

Yan Hongye was in a terrible mood. She had to return to Xuanxin Sect as soon as possible and ask her parents about Ning Caichen.

After giving a few more instructions, Yan Hongye transformed into a streak of crimson light and headed towards the capital.

Just as Yan Hongye touched the seal within Ning Caichen's body, Yan Chixia and Sima Sanniang, far away in the Forget-Love Forest, exchanged a glance with a change of expression. Then, the two simultaneously used their magic to unleash the "Mysterious Light Mirror" by utilizing the seal hidden within Ning Caichen's body.

Two beams of light, one red and one white, merged into one, transforming into a circular mirror that displayed everything that had just happened to Ning Caichen.

"Red leaves!"

Yan Chixia and Sima Sanniang were both shocked to see that it was their daughter Hongye who had made the move.

"How could it be Hongye?" Sima Sanniang withdrew her magic and looked at Yan Chixia.

"I don't know the specifics, Third Sister. You should quickly send a message to Hongye and ask what happened."

Yan Chixia was in a very bad mood. The joy he had felt from sealing the Yin World Nether Spring had vanished. He had just noticed that the seal within Ning Caichen's body had loosened considerably, and the timing was extremely critical. If Ning Caichen was indeed the Seven Lifetimes of Enmity, and the Yin Moon Dynasty found out, they would be doomed.

"Alright, I'll contact Hongye, Chixia, and Junior Brother Guxu right away. Let's inform them so the sect can be prepared," Sima Sanniang said tentatively.

Yan Chixia glanced at her, sighed inwardly, and finally said, "Alright, I'll send a message to Zheyun Mountain right away."

Upon hearing this, Sima San Niang felt relieved and immediately went inside to contact Hong Ye. Yan Chixia took out the communication jade talisman, activated it, sent a few words into it, and then shot it towards Zheyun Mountain.

To be honest, this whole mess was left behind by the couple. Now they have no face to ask Jin Guang for help and can only place their hopes on Gu Xu. Once Jin Guang finds out about Hong Ye's situation, his old and new grudges will resurface, and he will inevitably make things difficult for Hong Ye.

"It's hard to repay favors. Even if Junior Brother Gu Xu has a lot of face, he can't withstand this kind of drain. It seems we need to think of a way to earn merit."

Inside the wooden house, Sima San Niang finally managed to contact Hong Ye through the "Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman".

“Hongye, don’t ask any more questions. No matter where you are now, go to Zheyun Mountain immediately to see your Uncle Gu Xu. Once you arrive, tell him everything you did. This matter is too complicated. Your father and I probably can’t help you much. Instead, we might implicate you.”

Yan Hongye felt a pang of pain in her heart upon hearing this. It was all because she had been too rash and acted without verifying the facts. Although her parents had not blamed her, this matter was no small thing and she would inevitably suffer some consequences.

"Mother, I understand. Take care." After saying a few more words, Yan Hongye turned around and headed towards Zheyun Mountain.

At the same time, Gu Xu, who was refining the "Soul Purification and Mind Cleansing Mirror" on Zheyun Mountain, had a sudden thought. He looked at the jade talisman that was shooting from the distance, reached out and caught it in his hand. After examining it, Gu Xu's eyes flickered slightly, and he sighed.

"Fortunately, Ning Caichen is not a true couple who have been estranged for seven lifetimes, otherwise even if I had the greatest influence, I would not have been able to speak up."

After thinking it over, Gu Xu realized that Yan Chixia and his wife had done their part in guarding the Yin World Nether Spring, and Yan Hongye was also exceptionally talented. If she succeeded in her cultivation, she would be a pillar of the sect. After much deliberation, Gu Xu took out another communication jade talisman, recorded the information in it, and then activated his magic power. The jade talisman shot towards the capital like lightning and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Although Ning Caichen is not a sworn brother of the Seven Lifetimes, he is a sibling of the Seven Lifetimes, so he must not be an ordinary person. Perhaps we can find a way to completely solve the problem of the Underworld Spring from him."

A thought flashed through Gu Xu's mind, and he felt that this was very likely. After all, the Seven Lifetimes of Enmity had a close relationship with the Heavenly Demon Star, and the Netherworld Spring was a passage opened by the Heavenly Demon Star himself. Gu Xu did not believe that there was no connection between the two.

"Every drink and every bite has its destiny. Yan Hongye's unintentional act has provided me with a possible path."

Gu Xu was only about 50% certain whether this matter would succeed or not. He would only be able to determine whether it would be successful after meeting Ning Caichen and collecting a trace of his aura to deduce it.

Using the Thousand-Mile Travel Talisman, Yan Hongye arrived at Zheyun Mountain several days later. The dark clouds had disappeared, replaced by a clear and bright sky.

Three miles away from Zheyun Mountain, Yan Hongye had to stop because there was a formation blocking her way.

"Uncle-Master Gu Xu, your junior disciple Yan Hongye requests an audience." Yan Hongye stood high in the sky and shouted into the air.

"Come in." A gentle voice entered her ears, and then she saw a passage appear in the array in front of her. Yan Hongye immediately bowed in thanks and her figure transformed into a streak of red light, flying towards the highest point.

Upon reaching the highest point, Yan Hongye saw a towering figure with an aura as vast as the sea and a form as majestic as a mountain standing there. Although she had never seen Master Gu Xu's true face, Yan Hongye could recognize this person solely from his otherworldly aura.

"I've often heard my parents talk about this martial uncle. Seeing him today, I can see that he truly has an extraordinary bearing and unfathomable cultivation. No wonder even proud people like my parents admire him so much."

"Junior nephew Yan Hongye greets Uncle Gu Xu." Yan Hongye dared not look at him for long and hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"Yes, I know about your situation. Your master needs someone to oversee things here. If you have nothing else to do, you can help your master oversee things for a few months."

A surge of profound energy lifted Yan Hongye up. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she replied, "Yes, Martial Uncle."

Gu Xu nodded, and then his figure instantly transformed into a streak of light and disappeared. Yan Hongye's eyes narrowed sharply upon seeing this, and she was extremely shocked.

"Thousand-Mile Light-Soaring Technique!"

Within the Xuanxin Orthodox Sect, very few people have even begun to learn this superior escape technique, let alone master it. Legend has it that once this technique is perfected, one can reach the ends of the earth in an instant, and go anywhere in the vast world.

Yan Hongye took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, released her senses, and then meditated silently.

After leaving Zheyun Mountain, Gu Xu reappeared in Jinhua City. As soon as he entered the city, he sensed two faint demonic auras. With a thought, he walked towards the source of the demonic auras.

Inside a study at this moment, Shen Zichuan and Ning Caichen were selecting writing materials.

“Caichen, this purple wolf hair brush is a top-grade brush, perfect for writing. And this snow-frost paper is soft and suitable for both writing and painting. And this gold-sprinkled ink…”

Shen Zichuan gestured to the shop owner to bring out the best items while introducing them to Ning Caichen in a very ingratiating tone.

Seeing him busy running around, Ning Caichen hurriedly said, "I'm just buying some ordinary paper and pens. I don't need such expensive things, and I can't afford them anyway."

Ning Caichen's resentment towards Shen Zichuan had lessened considerably over the past few days. Seeing Shen Zichuan lower himself so much, Ning Caichen couldn't bear it and immediately tried to ease the tension between the two.

Shen Zichuan was delighted to hear this and said with a smile, "Of course, you should use good paper and pen for writing. How can ordinary paper and pen do justice to your excellent handwriting and painting skills, Caichen? No need to say more, consider this payment for your painting for me. Boss, pack all of these up for me, and also get me one copy of each of the new books. Send them to this place later."

Shen Zichuan made the decision in one word, called the shop owner over, wrote down an address, and then the overjoyed shop owner patted his chest and said, "Young Master Shen, rest assured, I will definitely deliver it on time and in perfect condition."

Seeing this, Ning Caichen shook his head. Shen Zichuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Ning Caichen did not refuse.

"Caichen, let's go. I heard that a good chef has come to Fumanlou. He makes excellent dishes. Let's go and try it. It's on me."

As he spoke, Shen Zichuan pulled Ning Caichen out of the study. However, as soon as they stepped out, they did not notice two women entering. Shen Zichuan immediately stopped, but Ning Caichen suddenly stumbled. Just as he was about to bump into Nie Xiaoqian, Ning Caichen felt a gentle breeze push him aside and stand steadily.

"I was impetuous, please forgive me, young ladies." Ning Caichen hurriedly apologized to Nie Xiaoqian and Xiaoxue. Shen Zichuan, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly apologized as well.

"Young master, there's no need for such formalities. It is I who am apologizing."

Nie Xiaoqian blushed slightly as she looked at the handsome Ning Caichen. She had been so focused on talking to Xiaoxue about the storybooks they had read that she hadn't looked ahead and almost embarrassed herself.

Ning Caichen was taken aback upon hearing this. Just then, Shen Zichuan apologized to Nie Xiaoqian and the other woman again and hurriedly pulled Ning Caichen away.

"Caichen, what just happened?"

Shen Zichuan could see it clearly: Ning Caichen was about to collide with the other party, but suddenly bounced back, which was really abnormal.

"I don't know either, I just felt like there was an external force pushing me away."

Ning Caichen was also puzzled.

"Is it that thing on your body?"

"Impossible. The thing on my body only reveals itself when there is a threat. Even if I bumped into it just now, nothing would happen. It shouldn't be that."

Shen Zichuan frowned upon hearing this. He had not been very clear about these supernatural matters before, but it was only after Daoist Chu explained them to him that he realized how serious they were.

"If you can't figure it out, then forget it. Let's go eat at Fu Man Lou."

Ning Caichen shook his head upon hearing this, and was about to leave with Shen Zichuan when a handsome figure blocked their way.

Shen Zichuan was startled, thinking someone was causing trouble. He looked closely and immediately stopped in his tracks.

Ning Caichen looked at the handsome Taoist priest in front of him and said respectfully, "May I ask what advice you have for me?"

"You are Ning Caichen."

"Yes." Ning Caichen didn't know the man's purpose, but he still answered seriously.

"I am from the Xuanxin Sect. I have important matters to discuss with Young Master Ning. I wonder if it is convenient for me?"

Upon hearing the words "Xuanxin Zhengzong," Ning Caichen's expression immediately changed. He secretly lamented that he had just sent one away a few days ago, and now another one had arrived, and it seemed even more difficult to provoke.

"Daoist Master, Fu Man Lou is not far ahead. Why don't we go there?" Shen Zichuan hurriedly came to Ning Caichen's rescue when he saw Ning Caichen's unpleasant expression.

"Very well, Young Master Ning, rest assured, I will not do anything to you. If those two little demons had been caught by you, they would have probably revealed their true forms on the spot."

"So it was the Taoist priest who helped me just now. I was rude."

Ning Caichen was horrified; the two women were actually monsters. Shen Zichuan's heart raced even faster upon hearing this; he had actually encountered monsters in broad daylight—it was terrifying!

"Taoist Master, please." Shen Zichuan said respectfully, and with a gesture of his hand, the three of them headed towards Fumanlou.

After reserving a private room and ordering several signature dishes, Ning Caichen asked, "What brings you here, Daoist Master? May you speak frankly?"

(End of this chapter)