Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 141 The Great Wind and Cloud Fairy's Rebellion

After the Kun Gang members left, Zhou Yi glanced at the letter again.

I had planned to stay at the ranch for a while longer, to discuss martial arts with Lao Lu, and to enjoy the moon and chat about food with Xiu Xun.

But now I can't calm down.

After having the intention to leave, he did not hesitate and went to the back mountain to say goodbye that afternoon.

Lu Miaozi remained relaxed and content, stroking his beard and smiling:

"The world of martial arts is turbulent, heroes vie for supremacy. Your youthful years were far more exciting than mine were back then."

“That’s not necessarily true,” Zhou Yi joked. “Sir, you are already famous for your erudition and talent. You also have a romantic relationship with Yin Hou, which is the envy of many.”

Lu Miaozi gave an awkward smile and waved his sleeve to chase him away.

And said:

"Come visit me again when you have time."

"Of course, I still miss Mr. Six Fruit Wine."

Zhou Yi said, bowing slightly to the old man, "Take care."

He gained a lot during this period; Lao Lu shared everything without reservation, which greatly broadened his horizons.

Lu Miaozi nodded with a smile, and as Zhou Yi turned to leave, she suddenly added a word of advice:
"Young Zhou, stay away from romantic entanglements, or you'll end up like this old man."

After Lu Miaozi finished speaking, Zhou Yi replied without turning his head:
"Don't worry, I will take this as a warning."

There seemed to be laughter mixed in with his words.

Lu Miaozi stared at the retreating figure, then burst into laughter and curses, tilting his head back and sighing towards the void:

"Brother Xiang, this kid is still not as good as you. You work diligently, while this kid only knows how to squander his talent."

As the sun sets and the moon rises, six glazed palace lanterns on the top floor of the Cuihuang Pavilion are lit up simultaneously.

At times, Shang Xiuxun would spend her evenings here, processing letters from various places, as well as business changes brought by the ranch's head steward and deacons.

Zhou Yi then sat down to meditate, enjoying the evening breeze.

She could see him as soon as she looked up.

After so much time, I seem to have gotten used to it.

Upon hearing that he was leaving, Shang Xiuxun was naturally reluctant to part with him; she did not have the carefree attitude of the old man in the back mountain.

His identity is unique; he has thrown himself into the struggle for the Qiankun Cauldron, and now the world is in turmoil, and the situation is unpredictable.

It's already unexpected that they've stayed here for so long, accompanying me every day.

I'm afraid even his strategist, who's away from home, will have a few complaints.

She knew the situation and, being the manager of the ranch town, was well aware of the amount of work involved, so she wouldn't offer any words of persuasion to keep her there.

"Stop staring at me, eat your food."

Zhou Yi pointed to the table and placed a few more small silver fish on her plate.

"Are you sure you want to leave tomorrow?"

"Correct."

The beautiful owner ignored the silver fish in the bowl, staring only at his face, and couldn't tell that he had any lingering feelings.

Suddenly he said again:
“There may be a major change in the Jianghuai region, and I must go there in person. However, I will write to you.”

Shang Xiuxun felt only slightly comforted.

She valued the sentiment expressed in the letter, but she also understood that no matter how long the letter was, it could never compare to having someone by her side.

When will you come again?

"I'll have to wait until I get to Jiangdu to find out."

After Zhou Yi finished speaking, he continued to serve her food and urged her to eat.

Miss Shang was a gluttonous foodie, but at this moment she felt the dishes were tasteless.

Thinking that she hadn't seen him for a long time, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Zhou Yi stopped eating and looked at her, and suddenly noticed that the beautiful woman's face under the lamp was filled with sorrow.

Move the chair closer and reach out to pull her.

The beautiful woman felt her wrist being gently grasped by a warm hand; she only needed to resist slightly to break free.

Given her seemingly smiling but actually aloof and distant nature, she would never be treated lightly by others.

However, he did not resist, willingly setting aside his pride and regaining the feeling he had when he was in the back mountain.

At that time, she was disoriented and lacked support.

This time, the mountain town was in good order, and the old man came back to life, which was quite different from the last time.

She felt even more shy, and her heart beat even faster.

But she also thought that if he made any further advances, she would bite him and run away, so that he wouldn't think she was a promiscuous woman.

But Zhou Yi just held her in his arms and went back to eating his food.

Shang Xiuxun relaxed a little, but then she thought of her mother.

Suddenly, he said, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Just ask."

She hesitated for a few moments:
"Both the Holy Maiden Cihang and the Demoness Yin Gui are women of unparalleled beauty. I've heard that you have a lot of dealings with them. Is that true?"

Zhou Yi said without hesitation:
"I've had some dealings with them. They are indeed as beautiful as Xiuxun, but that's because my martial arts are special. The two of them fought endlessly and wanted to use me as a training ground. If you want to talk about the relationship, it's mostly about martial arts."

"Really?"

"At least it's true for now."

"Pah, 'now' now!" Shang Xiuxun punched him angrily upon hearing this.

He then said, "You're so shrewd, how come you wouldn't lie to me a few times?"

Zhou Yi put down his chopsticks and reminisced:

"We met briefly outside Nanyang City, and then exchanged letters because of the Dangyang caravan, becoming silent friends. Even now, this friendship is very precious. I will not lie to you, nor have I ever lied to you."

Shang Xiuxun kept his words in mind, but said aloud, "What kind of friend is like this?"

She said that, but showed no intention of getting up. Zhou Yi bent his left arm and hugged her even tighter.

"Xiuxun, as we part ways, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Zhou Yi moved his right hand, creating a spatial ripple.

A white jade cup flew into his hand from a short distance away and was placed next to the cup in front of him.

I poured two glasses of Yunnan sweet wine.

Shang Xiuxun took the wine cup, and under the palace lantern, the two gently clinked their cups together and drank it all in one gulp.

Shang Xiuxun stopped talking and just savored the taste of the sweet wine.

She nestled in his arms and asked, "Is this wine sweet?"

"Of course it's sweet."

Her cheeks flushed, she looked incredibly alluring: "Next time you come, I'll treat you to an even sweeter wine."

Zhou Yi pondered seriously: "Are there even sweeter wines?"

The beautiful owner gave a soft "hmm" and hugged him tightly, clearly reluctant to part.

Zhou Yi put down his wine glass, feeling her affection. As the owner of the ranch mountain town, she seemed to lack a sense of security more than ordinary people.

Thinking of her elders' experiences, Zhou Yi's voice became even gentler: "Let alone sweeter wine, even if I only have the old wine, I will gladly return."

Shang Xiuxun remained silent for a moment:
"If you need horses during your trip to Jiangnan, just send me a letter."

Zhou Yi said, "Wouldn't that break your family's ancestral precepts?"

"Not bad, it's still business as a matter of principle."

"Oh?"

Shang Xiuxun didn't even look up: "It's not a free gift. I'll sell you a horse for one copper coin."

Zhou Yi clicked his tongue in amazement and exclaimed with a smile, "What a business genius! Even Fan Li and Zigong from the Spring and Autumn Period, and Lü Buwei from the Qin State, were far inferior to Xiu Xun when it came to doing business."

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiuxun smiled.

That night, the owner of the beauty salon did not leave Cuihuang Pavilion until close to midnight.

Zhou Yi returned to his fourth-floor apartment and didn't even have time to close his eyes.

He lit the lamp and worked at his desk until more than an hour later before finally lying back in bed.

Early the next morning.

Shang Xiuxun escorted him down the mountain alone, and brought him a pure white steed without a single blemish, named the Jade Lion Shining at Night.

It is the finest thoroughbred of the ranch.

Zhou Yi was preparing to take a boat down the river and declined the offer.

However, he took the two gourds of wine that were given to him without hesitation.

Standing atop the East Gorge city tower, I watched as the distant green shadows gradually disappeared into the morning mist.

As she was lost in thought, an elderly man, as tall and strong as a pine tree, walked up beside her.

Lu Miaozi gazed eastward, but could no longer see the man. She turned to look at her daughter and couldn't help but say:
“Zhou is good in every way, so it’s hard for him to be as devoted as I am. Therefore, you should not be like Qingya and keep everything to yourself.”

Shang Xiuxun glared at the old man, too lazy to complain.

However, on the way back to the inner fort, I would think of my mother.

Naturally, people also thought of his scandalous affairs with those women.

With a slight furrow of her brows, she walked up to the fourth floor of the Cuihuang Pavilion.

As soon as she pushed open the door, she glanced at the bed and suddenly laughed.

This guy is usually so composed, but he left in such a hurry this time that he didn't even pack his bedding; it's still a mess.

She sometimes lives here and is extremely familiar with the ancient swords, calligraphy and paintings, and all kinds of decorations around her.

He was reaching out to fold the blanket.

Suddenly, I paused and looked towards the head of the bed. The landscape painting that had been hanging there had been taken down and replaced with another painting.

Look closely at the painting.
The background of the painting is a restaurant next to the inner fortress. A beautiful woman is holding a palm-leaf fan in the courtyard of the restaurant, smiling as she looks at a stove with meat simmering on it. The ground is messy, with a few mushrooms scattered on it and a wine pot lying askew beside it.

It was a picture of her simmering sweet wine chicken, but it didn't match reality, showing that he only guessed, didn't see it, and only drew it based on his imagination.

Although it didn't match the real scene, it made her feel very warm.

It seemed that he understood her feelings even without her saying anything.

This is another way to let her know.

The paintbrushes and paints on the pear blossom table had all been touched, and the silk she had prepared was used instead.

These were all purchased after she had seen paintings that she was interested in.

Then I thought of what the old man had said earlier: "You don't understand your mother, but he understands me."

There's no basis for comparison.
Zhou Yi descended from the East Gorge and encountered several members of the Giant Kun Gang who were waiting at the foot of the mountain.

He took out three letters from his pocket.

The two thinner envelopes were for Chen Laomou and Yang Zhen, while the thicker one was for my cousin.

Having received his instructions, the group respectfully withdrew.

Fortunately, his energy level far exceeds that of ordinary people, so sleeping a few hours less has little impact on him.

Wearing a bamboo hat, he headed straight for the Jushui Wharf and discreetly boarded a merchant ship.

There were many travelers coming and going, and before an incense stick could burn, the passenger boat sailed down the Ju River.

Zhou Yi sat at the bow of the boat, watching the boatman maneuver the sails and sing the boat-setting chant in a very loud voice.

Just then, several travelers who knew martial arts heard his shouts and used their light-footed skills to leap onto the boat.

After paying the boat fare, he sat down not far from Zhou Yi.

As the saying goes, "Departing from Baidi City amidst colorful clouds at dawn, I returned to Jiangling, a thousand miles away, in a single day."

Zhou Yi, facing the cool autumn breeze and amidst the rushing water, looked into the distance. Downstream of the Ju River lay Jiangling.

After entering Jiangling, we headed east along the Yangtze River, heading straight for Yangzijin.

I should have gone to visit Lao Du and Li Jingxu.

Once the matter of Jiangdu was on his mind, he decided not to delay any longer and would wait until he was less rushed on his return before making further plans.
……

Seventy-three days after Lu Miaozi was brought back to life.

A large army marched along the Tongji Canal from Liang County to Pengcheng County; it was the troops led by General You Hongda, who was in charge of suppressing bandits.

Since the rise of the righteous army of the Sui Dynasty, General Zhang Xutuo, who was in charge of quelling rebellions in various places, has never been defeated.

After the battle at Dahai Temple, the illusions of many daydreamers were shattered.

The Sui Dynasty is nearing its end!

General Zhang was defeated and became a stepping stone for Wagangzhai and Li Mi.

General Zhenkou curbed Li Mi's momentum. He, along with Qin Shubao and Cheng Yaojin, first thwarted Li Mi's plot, and then rallied the troops south of Xingyang, gathering nearly 20,000 scattered soldiers and more than 40,000 followers. They guarded the Tongji Canal, blocking the Wagang Army's pursuit, and Li Mi dared not invade again.

At this moment, a five-toothed warship is sailing downstream on the Tongji Canal.

Several burly generals stood on the warship. The one at the front had a white beard and a square, upright face.

“Hongda, if it weren’t for you, I would have died at Dahai Temple, and many brothers would have been implicated.”

“I often tell you that pursuing the enemy too far is a major taboo in military strategy, yet I have made such a big mistake. I’m really getting old.”

The old general gazed at the river, feeling only the desolation of autumn winds, his heroic spirit gone.

His tall frame was no longer as straight as it used to be.

The general beside him, with three scars on his brow and a fierce appearance, said:
"General, you flatter me. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. How can one defeat negate all achievements? Even if we reach Jiangdu, His Majesty will not blame us."

This was not what Zhang Xutuo was worried about.

He sighed and looked north: "The Li clan is going to rebel too."

"With the Xiaoguo Army gone, we are also gone. Coupled with the impact of the defeat at Dahai Temple, people are yearning for change. With the influence of the Li clan, Chang'an cannot be defended for long."

Those around Zhang Xutuo, including Qin Shubao, Cheng Yaojin, and Luo Shixin, were all somewhat dazed after hearing the news.

Even the Li clan is about to rebel.

They didn't respond, but You Hongda emphasized four words: "The Emperor is in Jiangdu."

Zhang Xutuo gave You Hongda a deep look and nodded.

“As a subject, I am entitled to the emperor’s bounty and should be loyal to him. I should have died at Dahai Temple, but now that I am still alive, let me stay in Jiangnan and do my part for the Sui Dynasty.”

He glanced at the group and asked, "What are your thoughts on the situation in Jiangnan?"

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao answered in unison, "The Jianghuai Army is the most powerful."

"Ignoring the martial arts world, the next major rebel groups are Xiao Xian, Lin Shihong, Shen Faxing, and Li Zitong. If the Song clan in Lingnan is like the Li clan, the danger in the south is no less than that in the north."

Zhang Xutuo looked troubled: "This Grand Commander of Jianghuai is a difficult person to deal with."

Luo Shixin asked, "Liyang has also been occupied by the Jianghuai Army. In addition, there are Qingliu, Liuhe, Tongan, Luzhou, and the counties south of the Huai River. With our forces, it is impossible to defeat them in one fell swoop in a short time."

Luo Shixin was exceptionally strong, yet he possessed an honest and upright character.

After listening, Zhang Xutuo shook his head and advised, "The land they occupy is secondary; the real challenge is this person."

Luo Shixin suddenly heard him let out a long sigh:

"Looking across all the rebel kings in the world, only he is trying to pick up what the Sui Dynasty has lost."

Before Luo Shixin could ask, Zhang Xutuo continued:

"Some people talk a good game but treat the people like fools, and they have no substance. Others do more and say less, and the people can feel it and naturally support them. Your Majesty's construction of the Grand Canal and the three campaigns against Goguryeo have broken the hearts of the people."

"Now, there is someone who is comforting them."

“I am not surprised that Lai Zheng, Yuchi Sheng and Gongsun Shangzhe have suffered consecutive defeats. This is because the people of Jianghuai do not recognize them as people who have come to quell the rebellion.”

"This kind of opponent is the most difficult to deal with."

Luo Chengqin and the other two naturally understood Zhang Xutuo's words.

General Zhang looked at You Hongda and asked, "Hongda, what do you think should be done about Jiangnan?"

"The Jianghuai Army should be placed last."

"Tell me the details."

You Hongda slowly said:
"We should first quell the rebellions of Li Zitong, Shen Faxing, Xiao Xian, and others. They are easier to defeat than the Jianghuai Army. Once we defeat them, it will not only boost our morale but also increase our troop strength. If we fight the Jianghuai Army, we will be harassed by these people and become a variable in the situation."

As for the Song clan in Lingnan, since they have not rebelled, His Majesty can be advised to issue an edict to appease them. It is not too late to deal with the Jianghuai army after the remaining rebels are completely eliminated.”

His words made some sense, but Zhang Xutuo had a doubt.

You Hongda then asked, "General, are you worried that the Jianghuai Army is developing too rapidly?"

"Exactly."

Zhang Xutuo said with a serious expression, "This man is the greatest threat to the Sui Dynasty. Our speed in suppressing the rebels may not be as fast as his."

Luo Shixin, Qin Shubao, and Cheng Yaojin all looked at You Hongda.

Suddenly, he looked solemn and said in a low voice:
"If the General wants to engage in a decisive battle with the Jianghuai Army ahead of schedule, he probably won't get approval. Now that he's gone to Jiangdu and entered the palace, the first thing he'll face is the Yuwen Clan, the Dugu Clan, and the Xiaoguo Army. All three forces are seeking stability for the time being and not wanting to fight the Jianghuai Army. How can the General change that?"
If we are to act according to the General's wishes, I'm afraid we'll have to win against these three parties before His Majesty.

Zhang Xutuo understood this principle, but he still felt a headache coming on.

Thinking of going to Jiangdu first to see what the situation was, he was also worried about the great danger to the Jianghuai region.

That person's identity is too special.

Just as Zhang Xutuo was deep in thought, a fast horse suddenly arrived at the riverbank, and a master from the Golden Purple Camp leaped three zhang (approximately 10 meters) and jumped onto the boat.

"what's up?"

You Hongda took a step forward, and the man handed him an urgent report, presenting it with both hands.

"General You, this is an urgent message from Anlu County!"

You Hongda's expression changed.

It was given to Zhang Xutuo, who opened it and his breathing immediately became heavy.

It was written by Yu Jurong, the Prefect of Anlu:
"General, Nan Commandery and Jingling Commandery have already submitted to the Grand Commander of Jianghuai. Anlu is in grave danger!"

Anlu County is next to Jingling County, and to the north is Yiyang, which is already under the control of the Jianghuai Army.

This fish-like governor is practically ready to surrender the city.

We were just saying that the Jianghuai Army was developing rapidly, and now it's come true in an instant.

Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, and Luo Shixin then truly understood what Zhang Xutuo had just said.

They glanced at Zhang Xutuo; the general was hard-hearted enough to remain calm.

Now let's look at You Hongda.

After reading it, the general who quelled the bandits was even more composed than Zhang Xutuo. His face was calm and his eyes were clear. He had the air of someone who would remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him. He truly had the demeanor of a great general.

"How could Magistrate Yu have sent a letter to us?!"

The expert from the Golden Purple Camp said, "Another letter will be sent to Jiangdu."

Zhang Xutuo waved for him to leave, feeling that the future of the Sui Dynasty was bleak.

Even Prefect Yu knew that the message sent to Jiangdu would not reach His Majesty.

"Get to Jiangdu immediately!"

At his command, the army sounded the conch shells once more.

Zhang Jun's five large warships sailed down the Tongji Canal to the Huai River. As soon as they approached Xuyi, the entire army went on high alert, wary of the Jianghuai army attacking.

However, the Jianghuai Army did not send anyone to intercept them.

Compared to Gongsun Shangzhe, who was wiped out at Baima Lake, their group had a smooth journey, arriving in Shanyang and entering Hangou.

Wei Che of Yan County turned a blind eye, letting them go out of Gaoyou Lake and into Yangzijiang.
……

On Zhongnan Mountain, at Emperor's Peak.

As the autumn wind swept through, the forests were ablaze with color. Suddenly, two enormous stone walls appeared along the winding mountain path, each bearing a stone plaque inscribed with the words, "My home is in these mountains, where the clouds are so deep that I cannot see."

Several Cihang disciples carrying long swords returned from Chang'an. They passed through seven wooden doors and finally pushed open the dark red gate. Before them was a huge square, and behind the square was a large hall with the words "Cihang" written on it.

This place is not a branch of the Eastern Capital, but rather the location of the Cihang Jingzhai Mountain Gate.

These female disciples, with their long hair tied up, arrived in front of the Cihang Hall and saw a nun in a gray robe looking up at them. They all quickened their pace.

The nun looked to be about thirty years old. Her black hair had all fallen out, making her face appear more defined. She was as beautiful and ethereal as a mountain, making one forget the mundane world.

“Master of the vegetarian restaurant.”

The disciples of Cihang greeted each other.

"How is the situation in Chang'an?"

An older disciple with a steady voice stepped forward: "The major factions in Chang'an all support the Li clan."

Fan Qinghui nodded slightly, and the disciples then dispersed.

Her gaze swept across the square, then turned to the interior of the main hall.

She shouldn't have needed to worry about things in Chang'an, but...
Her most prized disciple seems to have run into some trouble; it's hard to know whether to be happy or worried.

After my last trip to Nanyang, I went into seclusion upon my return.

On that occasion, Fan Qinghui simply thought that her disciple was simply walking around in the mortal world and had achieved the effect of refining his mind, and didn't pay much attention to it.

but
This time, however, she could no longer ignore it.

The trials of the mortal world cannot be so swift.

Given her knowledge of the Sword Manual, how could Fan Qinghui not have guessed?
Such a profound and unforgettable love can only come from earthly bonds. The love in the Cihang Sword Manual is the ultimate love and the most intense emotion.

Refine your heart with emotion, and ultimately sever it.

Only in this way can one master the sword manual, achieve a state of mental and physical tranquility, and remain undisturbed by external influences.

Only those at this level can enter the thirteenth chapter of the Sword Manual, the Secluded Cultivation.

It was a kind of solitary meditation that hovered on the edge of death; the slightest distraction would cause one's life essence to explode and one to die.

After some thought, Fan Qinghui stepped into the depths of the main hall.

During this time, she kept thinking about what kind of person could make Fei Xuan refine her heart to this extent.
No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible.

Even when I encountered Song Que, the Heavenly Blade, and Xie Hui, the Martial Arts Judge, I didn't encounter such a situation.

She was somewhat worried that her disciple, who never needed any supervision, might have gone wrong in his training.

Fan Qinghui walked to a quiet courtyard. Under the ginkgo tree in the courtyard, there was an ethereal fairy who seemed otherworldly.

Perhaps hearing her footsteps, Fairy Cihang opened her clear eyes.

A white shadow reflected inside vanished in an instant.

"Master."

Shi Feixuan was about to get up to greet her when Fan Qinghui had already sat down.

"Feixuan, are you troubled?"

"My disciple has two questions."

Fan Qinghui gestured for her to continue.

"Has our sect made any mistakes in its choices?"

Fan Qinghui shook her head: "This has long been proven. By adding fuel to the fire, we can resolve the hostility and strife in the world, allowing countless people to benefit from it and suffer less."

She added:
"You need not doubt this matter. Your actions are certainly for the benefit of all living beings. You must believe in the patriarch."

When Fan Qinghui mentioned "patriarch," Shi Feixuan's heart tightened, and she hesitated to speak.

Fan Qinghui knew her thoughts and smiled gently: "You are exceptionally talented. Although your skill is not as good as mine, your realm may be above mine. But even the most talented person makes mistakes. No one will blame you for these mistakes."

Shi Feixuan said apologetically, "Master, I have a question."

"How can the Dao embryo be formed?"

Fan Qinghui said, "When the sword heart is clear and cuts through everything, the innate spirit becomes pure and immaculate, and one can then form an innate Dao embryo from the acquired state. Only in this way can one enter the closed-door cultivation. If the cut is not thorough enough, even if one reaches the closed-door cultivation state, there will be no chance of success."

"Does spiritual purity mean forgetting about cultivating the mind?"

Seeing the slightly flustered expression on Shi Feixuan's face, Fan Qinghui gently patted her hand:
“I understand your feelings. That entanglement of love and hate is human nature and it is not easy to cut it off, but this is precisely where the wisdom of the patriarch lies.”

Fan Qinghui recounts the past of the sect:

"Back then, the First Ancestor was in love with Xie Tiao, the first generation of the Demonic Sect's Evil Emperor. She read the Record of Reflections on the Demonic Path. Later, due to differences in the lineage, they broke off their relationship. The First Ancestor entered the Buddhist order and had an epiphany while meditating in seclusion. This is how the Compassionate Sword Manual came about. She also practiced in the same way. So, just like what you have done, you should be resolute in your mind, forge the sword and sever your heart. There is no need for any more confusion."

Shi Feixuan nodded slightly.

Fan Qinghui suddenly asked, "Is the person who's causing you distress that the young Taoist master from Nanyang?"

"Ah."

Shi Feixuan responded, and her expression seemed perfectly normal to Fan Qinghui.

"He is indeed a brilliant and talented person, no wonder he attracted you, but it's a pity."

"However, he is extremely suitable for cultivating the mind."

Based on her experience, she guessed: "I see you've improved again, you've probably slain him almost completely."

"Ah."

With deep regret, Shi Feixuan said, "But I failed to kill him completely."

"It's alright, nothing can be accomplished overnight."

Fan Qinghui comforted her, saying, "You are still young, yet you have already achieved so much. You are the most talented person in our sect since the First Ancestor. Perhaps your achievements will surpass those of the First Ancestor."

After saying that, she stood up:

"You don't need to help with the affairs of Chang'an for now. Continue your seclusion. When you emerge from seclusion, you can go to Sichuan and Chongqing."

Before Shi Feixuan could ask, Fan Qinghui gave an explanation:
"The world situation is changing so rapidly that it is unpredictable, and everything must be planned in advance."

As soon as she finished speaking, she left the quiet courtyard.

The fairy beneath the ginkgo tree also breathed a sigh of relief at this moment:

"Shi Feixuan, Shi Feixuan, you have done the worst thing you could have done."

When Cihang Saintess rebelled for the first time in Cihang Jingzhai, she patted her chest and felt extremely guilty for deceiving her master.

Perhaps Master really was wrong?

If I find the right path, will it benefit my master and the sect?
She found this reason to make herself feel better.

Shi Feixuan closed her eyes. The last time she returned from Nanyang, she hadn't experienced it this deeply.

I returned to Zhongnan Mountain from Dongdu Zhaiyuan this time in order to find peace and quiet, but I didn't expect it to become more and more unsettling.

The impression of that person is deeply ingrained in my heart, and I can't erase it no matter what I do.

Clearly, they have entered a different state of cultivation that is not recorded in any sword manual.

If Fan Qinghui saw the captivating demeanor of the ethereal saintess at this moment, she might suspect that the saintess had gone mad.

Meanwhile, a sentence echoed in Shi Feixuan's mind:

'You're using me for practice, but even Master Fanzhai might not understand it.'

Brother Dao, you're right, Fei Xuan hasn't forgotten you either.

She stood up from under the ginkgo tree, frowning as she thought of something extremely difficult.

Eastern Capital, Sichuan, Chang'an.
……

Twenty li west of Jiyin County, in a dilapidated temple, a bonfire was lit in the evening.

An old man sat a little back, while two young men in front of him were roasting chicken wings by the campfire.

There was a large group of people around.

A young woman smiled at the two of them and said, "Be careful, don't burn them."

"Don't worry, Sister Fu," the two said in unison.

Kou Zhong smiled ingratiatingly: "If I roast the chicken wings, will your Sister Fu be willing to teach me the Yi Sword Technique?"

Xu Ziling nudged him with her elbow: "Don't talk nonsense, okay?"

Fu Junzhuo wasn't angry; on the contrary, she found the two boys quite compatible. They had been chattering away the whole way with the large group, which was quite amusing.

"Senior sister, those two guys are full of lies, don't be fooled by them."

Fu Junyu, the second disciple of Master Yijian, said coldly from the side.

Kou Zhong grinned and said, "Second Sister Fu, your precious sword was lost at sea, and we forged a new one for you. How can you not remember our kindness? When we meet Boss Long, we'll have him forge a cold iron blade for you. Second Sister Fu will be so happy she won't be able to stop smiling."

Fu Junyu glared at them angrily: "I lost my sword because of you. If you say another word, I'll cut your tongue out."

Kim Jeongjong, the martial arts master of Goguryeo:
“These two lads are cunning, but they have some skills. When we go to Wagang Village, we’ll put them in the boiler room to work as blacksmiths first, and then bring them back with us.”

Shi Long remained silent, watching everything unfold.

Surrounded by a large group of Goguryeo experts, escape is not an option for now.

Not long after leaving Ryukyu, they encountered a major naval battle, then boarded a large Goryeo ship. After several twists and turns at sea, they were discovered by a Goryeo master.

He honestly returned to Pyongyang with them, and under the guise of politeness, met Master Yijian. Then he returned to the Central Plains with them.

I wonder what kind of trouble will arise this time I go to Li Mi's place.

Shi Long didn't think much of it and just let things take their course.

suddenly
There was a sound coming from the door panel beside him, and the tall, imposing young man who had been unconscious above him finally woke up.

Today, while passing by the moat, we saw this young man floating on the water. He was pulled out by Kou and Xu, and then brought here.

The Goguryeo people didn't bother with it and just let them be.

I thought this young man was going to die, but I didn't expect him to be so resilient and actually survive.

“Xiao Zhong and Xiao Ling, the person you picked up has moved.”

Kou Zhong was overjoyed: "I knew he wasn't dead. See? I wasn't wrong."

Xu Ziling glanced around and said, "You're pretty good."

They stuck the chicken wings into the fire, and at that moment, the dashing young man opened his eyes and saw them immediately.

"You're finally awake, kid. It wasn't for nothing that I carried you all the way here."

“Xiao Ling, he also uses a sword.”

How did you get knocked into the water?

"..."

Ba Feng Han was in a daze when he heard a lot of noisy chatter.

Two figures flickered before my eyes, then finally settled, and I could see their faces clearly.

With her strong and unwavering willpower, she instantly regained her senses and remembered what had happened before.

He originally came down from Yuguan Pass, intending to seek out and challenge the masters of the Sui Dynasty.

I still want to see for myself who this "number one among the younger generation" is.

After passing the level, the first person who attracted his attention was a short, fat man carrying a coffin.

The other party said something absurd, like inviting him to be placed in a coffin.

So he drew his sword and engaged in a fierce battle with him.

The battle ended in a crushing defeat. The short, fat man's methods were quite terrifying. He was seriously injured in the battle, and if it weren't for a group of bandits interfering, he probably wouldn't have had a chance to escape.

Using the technique of merging man and horse, they fled all the way to Taiyuan County.

Once his injuries healed, his skills improved again.

I had just left the pass when I ran into a man surnamed Qiu. After a few words, we had another big fight.

This person was also extremely fierce; he infused the person with demonic energy, and the person nearly died.

Interestingly, this man surnamed Qiu had many enemies, and a group of men in black arrived.

Ba Feng Han remembered clearly that all these men in black were filled with demonic energy and were all experts.

Although he failed to gain fame and suffered two defeats, with his strong will, this was nothing to him.

While recovering from his injury, he headed south.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Jiyin County, we passed a large river and saw a dashing middle-aged man with graying temples hurrying along the road.

Influenced by his opponent's temperament, Ba Feng Han's fighting spirit intensified after their two defeats.

But just as the fighting spirit arose, he felt a blur before his eyes. Then his vision blurred, and he lost consciousness, unsure whether he was alive or dead.

Upon closer reflection, a chill ran down my spine; I realized I had stumbled upon a terrifying person.

Why is this Sui Dynasty different from what I heard?
Ba Feng Han frowned, ignoring the two strange boys, and looked around. He could already sense the aura of a group of experts.

What did this guy do for Ba this time?

……

(End of this chapter)