Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 112 A passionate heart leads to the downfall of the handsome Zhou Lang

Dongdu, Shajia.

There were many carriages parked in front of the mansion gate, and guests were arriving one after another, because the Sha family had another happy event.

The young master of the family is betrothed to a noblewoman from a high-ranking family.

The Sha family started out with mining and became famous for their hardware skills. Although they were not as well-known in the martial arts world as the Dongming Sect, they had more than a hundred weapon factories located throughout the Nine Provinces.

He was a powerful merchant who controlled the lifeline of the military industry.

The head of the family, Sha Tiannan, was known as the richest man in Luoyang, and many members of his family had served as officials for generations.

The woman that the young master of the Sha family married this time came from the Li family of Longxi.

Not only guests from Dongdu, but also friends from other places who had time came to celebrate the occasion.

For several days in a row, the Sha family was bustling with activity.

The old steward of the Sha family, along with several other stewards, greeted the guests at the entrance, all with smiles on their faces.

"Mr. Qi, please!"

An old man strode confidently into the building.

He was one of the Eight Scholars of Luoyang, named Qi Bazhou. He was arrogant and always seemed old-fashioned.

"Xiang Lao."

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar whispered in the old steward's ear:

"Kihachishu has been getting very close to Chiseiro lately."

The old steward didn't care at all: "Why bother with all that? As long as it's not Tomoyoshi who comes here in person, there's no need to worry about such a person's status."

The middle-aged scholar nodded slightly.

Times have changed. Although we are under the emperor's nose, there are countless powerful forces with ulterior motives.

Privately, they are deeply entrenched.

Even if we don't use such unpleasant words as "colluding" with various rebel kings, business still needs to be done.

Just then, two men with a military bearing strode in through the doorway.

"Greetings, Generals."

A manager greeted him with a smile.

The two men bowed with their hands clasped in greeting, their expressions polite and unpretentious.

The old steward recognized them and came forward, saying, "General Zhang, in the midst of your busy schedule, has arranged for the two generals to come here. The Sha family is truly fortunate."

The two soldiers smiled; everyone loves to hear nice words.

Qin Shubao took out a visiting card from his bosom: "The General is really too busy to come, so he had to ask us to make this trip. Please pass this on to my master."

Sha Tiannan's weapons business also involved dealings with Zhang Xutuo.

The two had a very good relationship, so it was only natural that they would send someone to offer their congratulations.

The old steward, Sha Ruixiang, accepted the invitation and invited them into the mansion for a drink.

The two of them waved their hands repeatedly.

Cheng Yaojin spoke in a rough and impetuous voice: "I just came from Xingyang and am about to head south to fight. Military orders are like mountains, and there is no time to delay."

The old butler sighed with regret but dared not try to persuade them to stay.

Just one more question:
"General Zhang seems to be heading north to Yan and Zhao. Why are you two generals going against the flow?"

Qin Shubao, knowing this was not a secret, told him:
“Meng Rang controls the Tongji Canal and the Huai River. This bandit already has 100,000 men. He must not be allowed to live.”

The old steward was quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the world: "Do you two wish to assist General Zheng?"

"No."

Cheng Yaojin chimed in, "Our journey south is to assist General Zhenkou on his mission."

With just these words, both the old steward and the middle-aged scholar beside him understood.

The two men in front of me are not very famous under General Zhang, and are far from being comparable to General Zhenkou.

You Hongda swept through the rebels in the three prefectures of Huaiyang, Huaian, and Runan, killing tens of thousands of enemies.

He pursued and killed a group of rebels from Pushan, quelled the bandits, and recovered grain, achieving remarkable feats.

His fame had already spread throughout the Central Plains, and his victory report reached the Emperor in the Eastern Capital.

"Then I wish you both, together with General You, success in quelling the rebels and clearing the Huai River."

Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin smiled, delivered their visiting cards, and headed south to find You Hongda.

The two had no meritorious service; they were just junior officers in the army.

I'm following General You this time, hoping to make a name for myself.

After all, General Zhenkou's victory report was almost comparable to that of General Zhang.

The key point is that his victory report was genuine, which made General Zhang value him even more.

At this point, he was already the most famous figure under General Zhang, second only to the commander-in-chief.
"Master Xiang, these are guests from Nanyang who came to offer their congratulations."

A manager led two strong men forward.

The text only mentions Nanyang, without specifying which gang, and Sha Ruixiang immediately thought of the Zhenyang Gang.

Master Hou mostly followed their lead in buying and selling weapons.

Before he could ask, one of the two men stepped forward.

He took out the visiting card:
"This was ordered by Yang Dalong to be delivered to the head of the family."

The change from Headmaster Hou to Big Boss carries a completely different meaning.

The old steward immediately became serious, accepted the visiting card with both hands, and thanked him repeatedly.

Although the Sha family was extremely wealthy in Luoyang, this Yang Dalong was also a powerful figure in Nanyang, commanding tens of thousands of troops and having many strong men under his command. He also controlled the source of the Han River and guarded a vital point in the Central Plains.

The Sha family did not want to offend such a person.

In previous years, they had only nodding acquaintances with Yang Dalongtou, but today he took the initiative to offer congratulations to the Sha family.

The implications were not something a mere steward could fully grasp; they required the personal contemplation of Sha Tiannan, the head of the Sha family.

Sha Ruixiang was preparing to invite the two into his residence.

Unexpectedly, another man also took something out of his pocket and handed it over.

"This is a bamboo talisman written by Master Yi at the request of the Great Dragon Head, symbolizing the wish for protection from disasters and peace."

Sha Ruixiang had stumbled upon a blind spot in his knowledge, and he was slightly taken aback.

The middle-aged scholar standing nearby looked surprised and hurriedly stepped forward, taking the green bamboo strip with a talisman inscribed on it and tied with a red rope.

"The big boss is very thoughtful."

The scholar smiled and said, "I also thank the abbot for the talisman."

The two men smiled but didn't say much. Led by another steward, they entered the Sha family mansion.

The old steward took it from the middle-aged scholar, examined the green bamboo and red rope, and saw the delicate cinnabar patterns on it.

He was thinking about the name of Yi Zhenren.

The middle-aged scholar whispered, "Master Xiang, this person is the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple on Wolong Mountain in Nanyang."

"Oh?"

"Some time ago, I accompanied the Guanzhong Sword Sect to investigate a group of caravans. We entered Nanyang Jutan from Guanzhong and heard a lot about their names. This abbot has a very close relationship with Yang Dalongtou, and I've also heard that other major forces are related to him."

Sha Ruixiang felt that the bamboo talisman was heavier: "I usually handle worldly affairs in the mansion. Once I leave the Eastern Capital, I don't really know much about the Taoist sects and martial arts world in various places."

The middle-aged scholar explained it in more detail:

"This man has connections everywhere; there is nothing he cannot accomplish in Nanyang."

Add one more sentence closer to your ear:
"This applies not only to the living world, but also to the underworld."

"what?!"

Butler Sha lost his composure for a moment. He knew that the person beside him was an important advisor to the head of the family, second only to the chief, and was highly skilled in martial arts, never speaking nonsense.

"How can we concern ourselves with matters of the underworld?"

The middle-aged scholar shook his head: "This person does have the ability to communicate between the living and the dead. The old master of the Ren family in Sheqi was originally a corpse, but he was summoned out of his coffin by this person. Such spiritual mediumship is beyond the reach of the Tongtian Shenmu of Bashu."

"Even though it came from your mouth, it's so absurd that I can't believe it."

Old Steward Sha looked down at the bamboo talisman and suddenly felt that the cinnabar and black patterns on it had become more unpredictable.

"Martial arts training is a tempering of one's spirit and energy."

"Taoists often cultivate themselves through internal alchemy, possessing a unique spiritual nature. They also refine qi to transform it into spirit, which nourishes the internal organs. Naturally, they are different from ordinary martial artists."

The middle-aged scholar pointed to the bamboo talisman: "Taoist talismans are usually written on paper, but this person uses bamboo as a medium, so we can see some clues."

"Why?"

"Bamboo is a tool used by Taoist alchemists, and raw bamboo and barkless green bamboo are commonly used."

The middle-aged scholar was very knowledgeable: "During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there was a book called 'Thirty-Six Water Methods,' and the Golden Water method in it used this bamboo."

Butler Sha said, "Mr. You, I truly admire your talent and learning."

The middle-aged scholar suddenly smiled and said, "Master Xiang, I actually know something else."

“I met my friend Pan Shizheng a while ago. He told me that he had visited his master, Ya Daoren, at the ancestral temple and later learned that he had a senior uncle.”

Butler Sha's expression changed again: "Could it be that Master Pan's senior uncle is this Master Yi?"

"good."

"Alright, you stay here for now, I'll go deliver the visiting card to the head of the family."

Sha Xiangrui dared not delay any longer.

He knew Pan Shizheng; he frequented the martial arts world and often accompanied Ning Sanren.

Pan Shizheng's uncle?

In the Taoist community, wouldn't he be of the same generation as Ning Sanren, and perhaps even an acquaintance?

Sha Xiangrui also gained a considerable understanding of the ability to "communicate between Yin and Yang".

After entering the outer courtyard of the Sha Mansion, we passed through a series of pavilions and towers before arriving at the inner residence.

To the west of the inner courtyard was where the women lived.

On the high pavilion in the center of the west wing, a young girl leaned against the railing, half her face resting on her slender arm, revealing half of her pale wrist. She held some small object in her hand and gazed at the small bridge and flowing water in front of her.

She was slightly lost in thought, and then, as if thinking of something, a gentle and charming smile appeared on her exquisitely beautiful face.

"Hey! Hey!"

At that moment, a hand was stretched out in front of her and kept waving.

She then turned her head to look at the beautiful, slender young woman beside her, dressed in gorgeous clothes.

"what happened?"

"What's wrong? You've been spacing out so many times."

The fifth young lady of the Sha family, Sha Zhijing, leaned closer. As a relative and best friend, she had already keenly sensed the other person's unusual behavior.

"Xiao Feng, are you thinking about some handsome man?"

After Sha Zhijing finished speaking, she noticed a slight change in the girl's expression. Although the girl quickly concealed it, Sha Zhijing saw it clearly.

"Xiao Feng, you've ruined it!"

She shouted it out exaggeratedly.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Dugu Feng smiled slightly and returned to normal.

Sha Zhijing sat down next to her, extremely curious: "It's really amazing, whose young master is he that the apple of the Dugu family's eye is thinking about so deeply?"

She listed them with a hint of excitement:
"I heard that Dugu Feng is obsessed with martial arts and has always been indifferent to human relationships. How could she change so quickly?"

"I remember two years ago at the end of the year, we went boating on the river to admire the lanterns. When you drew your sword, you scared away many talented men, and I lost my chance at finding a love."

"Say it."

Sha Zhijing stared at her and asked, "Who were you thinking about just now?"

Dugu Feng calmly flipped to a copy of Huainan Honglie:
"You've misunderstood. I was just thinking about a friend from the martial arts world."

"Pshaw, who would believe that?"

Sha Zhijing raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but say, "Alright, let's just consider each other friends. Who is it? It's not a problem to tell me, is it?"

"Um"

Dugu Feng hesitated for a moment, then a smile appeared on his thin lips: "No."

“His identity is a secret, and I must keep it a secret for him and not tell anyone.”

“Xiao Feng, you treat me like an outsider, let’s break off our friendship,” the Fifth Miss said heartbrokenly. “I misjudged you.”

She covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers to see the girl's reaction.

Seeing that she remained unmoved, they had no choice but to give up.

Then she walked to the stone table and poured herself a cup of tea: "It seems you really care, but I'm also really heartbroken."

Dugu Feng comforted her:

“My grandmother asked, but I didn’t tell her.”

“That’s too much,” the Fifth Miss shook her head repeatedly. “But what makes me even more curious is what kind of important person could be so important that you even have to be wary of your grandmother.”

"It's not what you think. I was just keeping it a secret for a friend."

Dugu Feng was reading "Tranquility and joy are human nature" when she picked up the corner of the page and began to turn the pages.

"Besides, he's not a big shot."

"Really?"

"Yes, when I first met him, his kung fu was far inferior to yours; he was just doing chivalrous deeds."

Sha Zhijing believed it; the way she spoke suggested she wasn't lying.

"All right."

"When will you be back from Jiangdu this time?"

"I do not know either."

Dugu Feng said, "Perhaps because she knew about the changes in the palace, Grandmother sent my uncle and second uncle down to Jiangdu first."

“But recently, trouble has broken out in Jiangdu with the Demonic Sect and the Longevity Technique, causing turmoil in the martial arts world. Many experts have gone to Jiangdu to investigate. My grandmother was worried that they would not have enough manpower in Jiangdu, so she asked me to go and take a look.”

"We can only return once things stabilize over there."

Sha Zhijing sighed helplessly: "You're such a busy person."

She wanted to complain about her two uncles, but she held back.

Dugu Feng knew exactly what she wanted to say, but was unwilling to convey her meaning in that direction.

"When you get to Jiangdu, please be careful."

"A lot of strange things have been happening lately."

Sha Zhijing said, "I heard that some famous martial arts masters went to Luoyang to hold some kind of martial arts discussion and never came back."

"If someone is looking for you, don't be fooled."

Dugu Feng closed the book; she knew more about this matter than Sha Zhijing.

Even members of the Dugu family have fallen into the abyss of evil.

With this thought in mind, she stood up, no longer wanting to stay in the Eastern Capital.

"Leaving now?"

"Yes, I had already set off, but after thinking of you, I turned back to say hello."

Sha Zhijing smiled, finally feeling the special treatment that comes with being an old friend.

"When your mysterious friend comes to Dongdu, you must introduce me to him."

"Let me see what kind of person he is."

"it is good."

Dugu Feng responded and then left the Sha residence.

If she wanted to go directly to Jiangdu, she should go to the Tongji Canal, go straight to Xuyi, turn onto the Huai River and go through the Han Canal, and finally reach Jiangdu.

However, after packing his bags at home, he was 'scolded' a few times by Grandma Dugu.

They then passed through Yique Pass and headed south, traveling southwest along the Wanluo Ancient Road.

This road goes through the Funiu Mountains and isn't easy to travel, but it's a short distance and you'll arrive quickly.
……

As spring approaches, several rounds of misty rain have swept over Wolonggang, bathing the green peaks in a downy tress and the ancient cypress trees in drooping branches.

It was a beautiful spring day.

Down in the mountains, along the Baihe River, shepherds with rough bamboo flutes drive calves, and occasionally fishing boats emerge from the reeds, their wings wet with water, as cormorants catch a few large fish.

If you move down a little further, you can see three fishing rods.

An old man and two children, each wearing a straw hat.

About ten feet behind the three people was a large brownish-gray rock.

The young man in white sat on a large rock, holding a paintbrush, and painted the landscape with misty colors on the paper.

The waters of the Baihe River flow ceaselessly.

The young people on the shore remained in a state of "stillness".

Recently, a large number of martial arts practitioners have been flocking to Nanyang County.

Someone spread the rumor that Champion City possessed the ultimate martial arts secrets.

Some scoffed at it, some avoided it like the plague, but there were also those who were long stuck in a bottleneck and were obsessed with breaking through it.

In the outskirts of Nanyang, there are also many martial arts practitioners.

There was such a person, who was also appreciating the natural landscape painting on the banks of the Baihe River.

then
Zhou Yi, who was painting, naturally attracted his attention.

He stepped behind Zhou Yi and stood silently for nearly half an hour, watching him finish the last stroke.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

He praised it twice, his voice melodious and loud.

Zhou Yi glanced back and saw that the young man was tall and straight, handsome, holding a folding fan, and dressed as a Confucian scholar.

The fan was not unfolded, but twirled lightly and freely in his hand.

"Ink-wash landscapes, ordinary as they are, what is so wonderful about them?"

The dashing scholar said:

"In your painting, the stream flows from distant mountains and secluded valleys. Where it meanders and turns, a small boat is moored by the reeds. Inside the boat, a hermit in loose robes and a wide belt is gazing into the distance from the side of the boat."

Hmm. With each stroke of the brush, there seems to be the sound of wind rustling through clothing.

"This is the beauty of vividness."

Zhou Yi smiled and asked, "Is it really that good?"
This guy knows what he's doing. He moved from Zhou Yi's left to his right, considered it for a moment, and then said:

"The most wonderful thing is the interplay between reality and illusion, you see."
The near-shore rocks are lightly tinted with ink, gradually blending into the mist. The distant mountains are rendered with indigo, their outlines blurred, "their shape like a dragon soaring through the clouds," seemingly merging with the sky.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi blurted out "Ode to the Goddess".

As the elegant scholar finished speaking, he waved his fan, and a series of pictures of beautiful women appeared on the fan.

Among them was Shen Luoyan, whom Zhou Yi had met before.

He already knew who this person was.

"Brother, your painting has no heavy ink or color in any place, yet it is profound in its elegance and deep in its simplicity."

He exclaimed, "It's as if it has led me into the idyllic world of the Wei and Jin dynasties, where one could watch wild geese fly home and play the five-stringed zither."

"Is it really that good?"

"Indeed, this painting is priceless to those who appreciate the landscapes of the Wei and Jin dynasties."

Zhou Yi was overjoyed:

“Young Master Hou, I will sell this painting to you for five hundred gold coins. You can keep the remaining five hundred gold coins as a way of thanking you for recognizing my love for the landscape.”

Hou Xibai was slightly taken aback when his identity was revealed.

However, it's not surprising that he glanced at his own fan.

Many people in the martial arts world can recognize a person by their fan.

Only a romantic young man could paint so many beauties on a fan.

Hou Xibai clearly wouldn't be the "philanthropist Hou" that Zhou Yi saw him as.

He smiled and said:
"I presume that the painter is Master Yi Guan?"

After exchanging identities, Hou held his own.

One person holds a paintbrush, and the other holds a paper fan; they greet each other with clasped hands.

An old man and two children fishing in the distance gave the amorous young man a somewhat disdainful look.

This guy arrived with a "wonderful" voice that scared all the fish away.

"Young Master Hou, you've come looking for me?"

"No."

Hou Xibai said, "I have heard of the abbot's name and have wanted to visit him, but I have not done so. Today I came here after someone, but I lost him."

"I was feeling down and standing by the river to enjoy the scenery and relieve my worries when I happened to meet the abbot, which brought me a glimmer of hope."

As for the painting...

Zhou Yi pressed further: "Five hundred gold coins?"

Hou Xibai looked at the young man before him and found it amusing:

"I admire this painting, but I can't buy it."

"Oh?"

"The abbot has the air of a paradise, loves to paint landscapes, and lies in the high mountains and forests, with an elegant and lofty style. Hou loves to paint beauties, cherishes flowers, and walks in the red dust of brothels, which is vulgar and tasteless."

"Therefore, I, Hou, am drawn to the mundane world but not to the beauty of nature."

The implication is that you shouldn't force someone to do something they can't.

Zhou Yi, however, persisted: "Brother Hou, there are beauties even amidst mountains and rivers."

"If that's the case, what's wrong with offering five hundred gold coins?" Hou Xibai chuckled.

He was joking, of course; as long as he didn't agree with the other side's argument, he wouldn't lose.

Although it was only their first meeting, Hou Xibai treated it as a contest between fellow painters.

He was traveling the world and encountered such a rare event for the first time, so he was very engrossed in it.

Just as Zhou Yi was about to give a scathing rebuttal, he suddenly heard footsteps.

With Hou Xibai's skill, he naturally heard it as well.

Just then, a girl in purple walked towards the riverbank. Hou Xibai was stunned by her deep blue eyes, but was met with her cold gaze, and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

When he was heartbroken, he would raise the beauty fan.

"Young Master Hou, I am also skilled at painting beautiful women. How about we use her as the subject of our painting?"

Aryuina did not leave immediately after hearing his words.

Hou Xibai turned his head, feeling that his authority was being challenged.

"it is good!"

Hou Xibai took the drawing paper from Zhou Yi.

With his abilities, he could sketch the entire picture of a beautiful woman with just one glance.

In the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, the two finished their painting.

Hou Xibai looked at his work. The beauty in the painting was lifelike, with unparalleled beauty and exotic charm. Especially her cold and deep eyes, which made Hou Xibai fascinated even when he looked at his painting.

"Young lady, please have a taste."

His voice was full of confidence.

However, Aryuina walked past him indifferently and took away Zhou Yi's painting.

Zhou Yi's painting is not of people, but of a crescent moon and a clear spring.

"You two know each other, right?"

Hou Xibai asked calmly.

Zhou Yi nodded: "Yes, but she is someone who follows her own heart and will not show favoritism."

Hou Xibai is a romantic person, and considering her temperament, he chose to believe her.

"Girl, where did I go wrong?"

Aruina is gone, leaving only one sentence:

"He painted my heartfelt feelings, while you only paint the form. No matter how well you paint it, it's just an empty shell."

Zhou Yi watched her painting disappear into the distance, then turned to look at Hou Xibai:
“Young Master Hou, there are beauties even amidst the mountains and rivers, am I wrong?”

"It makes some sense."

Hou Xibai said, "However, you know her better than I do, and that's where I lose."

Zhou Yi did not deny it.

At this moment,

Light footsteps echoed again from the distant paths.

quickly
The footsteps passed along the path, through several blooming wild peach trees, and over the dewy grass, until they reached the banks of the Baihe River.

The moment she appeared, the blooming peach blossoms paled in comparison.

Her clear, beautiful eyes held a touch of gentleness, so bright and captivating. A long sword with black patterns hung at her waist, and a black fur coat with trim was draped diagonally across her body; a wisp of heroic spirit pierced through the misty spring air, exuding a noble and aloof charm.

Especially that last smile, like ice melting and snow thawing, indescribably gentle and beautiful.

Hou Xibai was even more heartbroken.

Because that smile wasn't meant for him.

The amorous young master, famous throughout the martial arts world and the object of countless women's dreams, is not only going to be defeated by his good looks today, but also seems to be going to lose miserably.

He recognized the person who came.

"Miss Dugu."

"You actually know me."

Hou Xibai noticed her slight surprise but didn't have time to explain: "I wonder what the relationship is between Miss Dugu and Abbot Yi?"

“Friend,” Dugu Feng replied.

Hou Xibai nodded slightly. A skilled swordsman rarely lies.

Zhou Yi remained silent, letting Hou Xibai continue.
"Mr. Hou is currently discussing painting with Master Yi, and hopes that Miss Dugu will treat him fairly."

He introduced himself and explained his reasons, which Dugu Feng found very interesting.

She thought for a moment longer:
"I can only speak for my own feelings; my ability to judge paintings is actually limited."

Hearing her say that, Hou Xibai nodded repeatedly.

This one is clearly more impartial than the girl in purple from before.

Zhou Yi took half a step forward:
“Young Master Hou, I will paint first this time, and you can watch from the side.”

"Is the Abbot so confident?"

Zhou Yi smiled but said nothing. After picking up his paintbrush, he painted a scene in front of Hou Xibai that made him frown deeply.

An old locust tree, a collapsed tombstone, a decaying spirit banner, and rows of grave mounds.

The whole scene was eerie and terrifying; anyone could tell it was a mass grave.

Let alone aesthetics
Showing this painting to a young girl would be a complete eyesore.

but,

When Dugu Feng saw the chaotic graveyard, she couldn't help but smile: "Young Master Hou, you don't need to write anymore."

She looked at the painting, lost in memories, without lifting her head:

"You've already lost."

"..."

Hou Xibai rolled up Zhou Yi's landscape painting: "I'm going to find someone who appreciates this landscape painting. Please wait for me for a while, Master."

Zhou Yi nodded and said:
"I've heard that Li Mi, the Duke of Pushan, is fond of landscape painting. Brother Hou, you might want to ask him about it."

Before leaving, Hou Xibai said, "I did not lose because of my painting skills, but I still admit defeat today."

"Brother Yi is more affectionate and more romantic than I am. The title of 'Amorous Gentleman' should be given to you."

"Don't, don't, don't"

Zhou Yi repeatedly refused, sighing, "Since ancient times, those who are deeply in love have only ended up with regrets."

"How can I bear such a title?"

Hou Xibai left and embarked on the path beside the Baihe River.

The usually carefree and romantic young man now looked somewhat forlorn as he gazed at his retreating figure from afar.

"This person's identity is mysterious. No one knows his origins, but he seems to have inexhaustible wealth. He is determined to visit famous courtesans all over the world and is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting."

As the girl spoke, her gaze swept across his face:

"I heard that his martial arts skills are unfathomable. He paints beautiful women on his fan, and every time he meets a woman he likes, a new portrait will be added to the fan. He has never encountered any setbacks while traveling in the martial arts world."

"Did you do this on purpose?"

Zhou Yi told the truth: "I was just organizing my thoughts and painting on the side. He came to me on his own."

As for his identity...

"He is from the Flower Sect. Although it is a demonic sect, he is a decent person."

Upon hearing the words "Flower School," Dugu Feng felt a sense of surprise, as if a secret had been uncovered.

He then looked at the mass grave in the painting and laughed, "It has a rich history, doesn't it?"

"clever."

Zhou Yi gave a compliment.

No need to make up reasons or explanations anymore; it's very easy to talk.

Xia Shu and Yan Qiu ran over from a distance, calling out "Sister Feng".

After they greeted each other, Zhou Yi told them to continue fishing.

“I read your letter last time, where you said you wanted to send the bamboo slips from Emperor Ding’s tomb to a Taoist friend?”

“Yes,” Zhou Yi said, “After all, you were the one who trained them, so we have to ask for your opinion.”

"You can decide for yourself."

“Last time I encountered a big problem, you had Chen Laomou bring the Zhang family to help me a lot, and I have always wanted to thank you.”

The girl smiled, her voice still gentle: "It's good that your trouble is resolved, no need for thanks."

"No, you come up the mountain with me."

Zhou Yi said earnestly, "Today, I will definitely give you a surprise."

Dugu Feng responded.

She glanced at the person next to her, then looked away, a smile playing on her lips.

Noon.

The little phoenix received treatment that is unique in the world.

She sat in front of the stove, gazing at the stewed duck in the pot.

After taking a bite, I recalled someone roasting a pheasant in the mountains two years ago, and thus gave a very fair assessment:
"The Taoist master's duck-cooking skills are better than those of roast chicken."

Yan Qiuxia, who was having lunch with them, was very curious and asked where the second half of the sentence came from. Aruina, who was sitting next to them, was also listening.

So, Dugu Feng brought up the matter of Cangyan Mountain.

The dangers involved are simply omitted.

Zhou Yi felt a pang of emotion, recalling how he was being chased by Lao Ma back then.

After the meal, the people around them dispersed, and the two began to talk about serious matters.

Zhou Yi then realized that Little Phoenix was going to Jiangdu and had made a special detour to his place.

"for you."

Dugu Feng handed him a small booklet that looked like a secret manual: "This is the surprise I was talking about. I hope it will be useful to you."

Zhou Yi flipped it open and took a look.

Calling it a martial arts manual is inaccurate; it's more like a training manual.

She glanced at the girl beside her, then took out the Huainan Honglie book she always carried with her, her face calm and composed.

"But it was written by your grandmother?"

She nodded.

“My grandmother became a martial arts master at the age of sixty. This is her experience over the next thirty years. She has many training records, and I think this part is useful to you, so I’ve included it.”

"It contains the essence of my family's Biluo Hongchen."

Zhou Yi was surprised: "Grandmother agreed?"

Dugu Feng glanced at him sideways, her gaze slightly evasive, and she even tilted the Huainan Honglie in her hand slightly.

"You...you stole it?"

The girl didn't speak and turned her back.

Zhou Yi gently poked Grandma Dugu's back with her practice notes.

The little phoenix then said:

“My grandmother wanted to know who you were, but I didn’t tell her. She wouldn’t give me the answer, so I had to steal her Biluo Hongchen with Biluo Hongchen.”

“Grandmother is still soft-hearted. If she really doesn’t agree, I won’t be able to steal it.”

Zhou Yi changed his mind before he could finish speaking:

"I will go to the Eastern Capital to pay my respects to her."

After saying that, he opened it and started reading.

Grandma Dugu switched from cultivating the Eight Extraordinary Meridians to the Twelve Regular Meridians. Even when she used her cloak and staff techniques to fight a group of people, it still felt like she was fighting alone.

This was while she was ill.

Just by considering that he only used the methods of the Dugu family, one can tell how high his martial arts skills were.

Zhou Yi had fought against Er Mei before and knew the difficulty of fighting two against one, let alone facing a group of people attacking him.

Hearing the sound of pages turning, Dugu Feng came closer.

She explained in a low voice, "This fully describes her secret methods for cultivating the body's vital energy."

"Place your true energy in the Yellow Court and Golden Furnace of your Dantian to refine it, and then connect it with the Guanyuan and Tanzhong points to complete the four-stage cultivation of the Dantian."

"The so-called ancestral aperture is located in the heavens and on the earth, and the sun and moon gather in the west and east at the Tanzhong point."

"The ancestral aperture is heaven, and the Tanzhong aperture of life and death is earth."

“When you cultivate the fourth level of the dantian to the tanzhong, you will have mastered the earth. Then, when you cultivate the ancestral aperture, you will have heaven.”

"In this way, one can manage both the mind and the body, thus achieving the dual cultivation of mind and body. Even ordinary external true qi can be transformed into innate true qi once it reaches this stage."

"This is the secret method of my Dugu family in the world of immortals and mortals, the method of returning to the innate from the acquired and refining the spirit from the innate essence."

Zhou Yi didn't finish reading it, but felt a jolt run through his body.

The confusion I've been feeling lately has suddenly been resolved.

“Little Celestial Master Zhou,” Dugu Feng said softly, and couldn’t help but warn, “This skill must never be passed on to outsiders.”

Zhou Yi looked up and met her gaze.

At that moment, a faint blush appeared on the girl's face, making her extremely beautiful.

He felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

I found someone who truly cares for me.

Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her slender, fair wrist.

Startled, the little phoenix dropped the Huainan Honglie sword from its hand.

Before she could break free, Zhou Yi pulled a book from his pocket, took her hand, and placed it in her palm.

"Forget about Huainan Honglie, look at this one."

"See for yourself, but don't tell anyone else."

His voice was solemn, and his expression was solemn.

Dugu Feng looked at the book; there was nothing written on it.

This is because it is a new compilation by Zhou Yi, with a few additions following the "Random Thoughts".

"what is this?"

Zhou Yi said, "You often hear me talk about profound knowledge and resources. This is the most profound knowledge and resources, but it is only a part of it. The rest has not yet been found."

"The deepest foundation of a foundation."

"Yes."

Zhou Yi added, "This item is related to the War God's Manual, and its mysteries are unfathomable."

"I originally planned to find all of this before giving it to you, but I couldn't resist and am giving you this surprise ahead of time."

“Your talent is no less than anyone else’s. Perhaps you can master this skill and break through the martial arts limitations of the Dugu family, surpassing your grandmother.”

Upon hearing the words "War God's Record", Dugu Feng knew just how precious this thing was.

I wanted to decline, but then I saw the look in his eyes.

He swallowed those words again.

She looked away with her gentle gaze: "I won't let anyone else see it."

"I know."

Zhou Yi smiled and picked up Grandma Dugu's notebook: "You really managed to keep it from your grandmother. You're quite something."

"Your identity cannot be revealed."

The little phoenix pointed around and said, "Grandmother's ideas are different from mine, which will add variables for you. If the army attacks Nanyang, you will have to go through the pain of Yongqiu again."

"You don't need to see my grandmother for now."

She thought of something and smiled, "Wait until you play the Northern Desert Ballads. Once she sets her sights on the staff, you can run away."

"Okay, fine."

Dugu Feng stayed at Wolonggang for three days, mainly discussing the methods of cultivating both body and mind with Zhou Yi.

After that, she left in a hurry.

The two uncles of the Dugu family have gone to Jiangdu; we must hurry and keep an eye on them.

Zhou Yi did not try to stop them; if this delay caused trouble for the two of them, it would be terrible.

It cannot be kept, but it can be given away.

He ordered two fine horses to be brought over, and Zhou Yi took Little Phoenix all the way from Nanyang to Tongbai Ferry in Huai'an.

During this time, they spent the night in Pingshi.

Until we waved goodbye at the pier.

For the first time, this most aloof man in the Sui Dynasty experienced a sense of loss.

Zhou Yi stood at the ferry dock, watching the ship sail away into the distance.

"Since ancient times, those who are deeply in love have only ended up with regrets."

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out at the ferry crossing.

Who else could he be but a romantic young master?

"Brother Hou, how come you appear and disappear so mysteriously?"

Hou Xibai said, "I have a natural ability, like being able to sense where a peerless beauty is and thus encounter her."

"Unexpectedly, I've run into Mr. Zhou here again, indulging in his romantic pursuits."

Ok?
Zhou Yi squinted at him, while Hou Xibai gently waved his folding fan: "You shouldn't have mentioned Li Mi, otherwise I wouldn't know your identity."

"Because I ran into a Taoist priest who said that Li Mi owed you a large sum of money."

Zhou Yi changed the subject: "Where's my painting?"

"It's already sold."

"what?"

Zhou Yi was slightly taken aback, then put on a smiling face: "Is what Young Master Hou said true?"

The wealthy young man said nonchalantly, "I have already sent five hundred taels of gold to Wolong Mountain."

Five hundred gold coins could buy hundreds of fine horses in the northern desert.

Zhou Yi felt delighted:

"Many people owe me money, but only you, Brother Hou, have paid it back so quickly."

"No wonder he's a rich young master."

Hou Xibai smiled and said, "I think Brother Zhou is a rare and wonderful person in the world. Gold and silver are not worth anything. Let's be friends with Brother Zhou."

"I've decided to be friends with Brother Hou."

Zhou Yi had already outlined a grand plan in his mind: Hou Xibai would help him sell paintings and make money.

Just one hundred paintings can represent ten thousand horses.

"Brother Zhou, please don't ask me to sell my paintings anymore. I've asked several friends, and the highest offer they've made is only ten gold coins."

"This five hundred taels of gold was something Hou himself reluctantly admitted to."

Hou Xibai had already guessed what he was thinking and quickly revealed the secret.

Zhou Yi's grand plan falls apart: "Worth a thousand gold pieces?"

"That was just a polite remark."

Hou Xibai added, "I've been traveling around Nanyang lately, and I often visit Brother Zhou to chat."

"Welcome."

After saying this, Hou Xibai took his leave.

Zhou Yi said to his retreating figure, "By the way, Brother Hou, actually, selling the painting for ten gold pieces would be fine too."

Hou Xibai did not turn back, but walked even faster, even using the advanced martial arts of the Flower School.

Zhou Yi laughed.

This guy is quite interesting.

Before long, a few people arrived at Tongbai Ferry. Some looked after the horses, while others rowed the boats.

Zhou Yi went to Yiyang again.

He delivered the ancient bamboo slips containing the Wen Shi Zhen Jing to Song Yin Zi and stayed overnight at Qing Song Guan.

Without pausing for a moment, Zhou Yi refused his junior apprentice Lu's offer and returned directly to Wuzhuang Temple.

He did not practice his skills on the day he returned.

For the next three days, I accompanied Old Man Xie fishing.

All matters concerning Nanyang City were entrusted to Lao Dan, Chen Laomou, Qiu Wenzhong, and others.

With their cooperation with Yang Dalongtou, and with Xiangyang and Guanjun temporarily refraining from action, a period of extreme tranquility ensued.

Zhou Yi entered the temple for seclusion, where he practiced his skills after resolving his doubts.

The demonic energy stored in the Tanzhong, Tian Ding, and Zhiyang Daqiao points was completely refined.

Use pure true qi to refine the spirit within the body.

At this point, we have moved beyond the initial exploratory stage and, drawing on the years of experience of a master, have taken a significant step forward.
……

The years do not live, the seasons flow.

Spring and summer pass by, and autumn arrives in the blink of an eye.
The already turbulent Sui Dynasty was once again ignited by a piece of news—this news came from Yanmen.

When Yang Guang was on a northern tour of the Great Wall, the Turkic Shibi Khan led his troops to conquer thirty-nine cities of the Sui Dynasty and besieged Yang Guang at Yanmen. The Turkic arrows had already reached the emperor's doorstep!

Yang Guang trembled violently, embraced Prince Zhao Gao and wept, his eyes swollen.

In despair, he promised his soldiers: "Strive to defeat the enemy. If you can survive, you will not worry about wealth or honor while on campaign. I will ensure that no official will tarnish your achievements."
Sui armies from all directions marched north to provide relief, with Sui generals Luo Yi and Xue Shixiong leading the troops ahead.

Li Erfeng was appointed Right Commander-in-Chief and accompanied Li Yuan on his expedition.
With the help of Princess Yicheng, Yang Guang was finally able to escape from Yanmen Pass in September.

When the emperor returned to the eastern capital, his prestige plummeted.

In order to raise troops to support the emperor, uprisings broke out again in various places.

At this moment, Dou Jiande became the dominant force in Hebei, while Zhai Rang and Li Mi wanted to occupy Xingyang and gathered their troops to fight a decisive battle with Zhang Xutuo.

Shen Luoyan invited the Immortal of the South Sea three times, and the leader of the South Sea Sect sailed west across the sea.

The two great masters of the Eagle Faction, Liang Shidu and Liu Wuzhou, were shocked by Yanmen Pass and completely sided with the Turks.

On the north bank of the Huai River, General You Hongda, the commander of the bandits, dispatched Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin, each leading an army, to fight a bloody battle against Meng Rang! Blood stained the Tongji Canal red.

The Three Dragons of Yangzhou, the Taoist Master of Quanxing, hid on a large ship from Goguryeo and sailed across the sea.

Xu Kaishan, the leader of the Beima Gang, crossed the grasslands and passed through Yuguan Pass to head south.

The Indian martial arts master Fu Nantuo left the Dragon King, crossed the Bohai Prefecture, and headed south in search of the secret to immortality.

In the Champion's Coffin Palace, the four great evil sect leaders laughed wildly, when suddenly the coffin palace underwent a strange change, and more than a dozen people broke out of the coffin.
Time flies and ages us all, on Mount Wolong.
The young man in white sat upright at the summit, drinking wine in the wind. His temples were frosted with white, and his youthful years were tinged with the air of vicissitudes.
……

(End of this chapter)