Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 175 The Four Grandmasters' Parting in the Secluded Valley
After Xi Tianjun was placed in the coffin, there was another period of chaos in the Da Shi Temple.

The rebels of Duzun Fort, the followers of the Great Ming Zun Sect, and those Jianghu people who have attached themselves to them, who have been causing trouble along with Xi Yingyi in recent days, are being purged one by one.

They were as ruthless as they were when they slaughtered innocent monks and coerced various sects; now they were in a pitiful state.

Some people shouted with delight, especially those who had connections with the monks of Dashi Temple, who clapped and cheered.

For those living in Sichuan and Chongqing, Xi Ying's death was truly a cause for celebration.

This old demon possesses extremely high martial arts skills; ordinary people are no match for him.

Back then, he fought a major battle with Ba Dao Yue Shan over a minor grudge and lost by one move. Filled with resentment, he took advantage of Yue Shan's absence and brutally slaughtered his entire family. Now, his skills are even greater, and his methods remain cruel.

His death brought a huge sigh of relief to his neighbors, who no longer had to live in fear.

Therefore, everyone ate heartily at the funeral feast in the courtyard behind the Tianjun Pagoda of Dashi Temple.

Forces from outside Sichuan and Chongqing would occasionally peek towards the entrance.

After the Celestial Master and the others had a drink, he went out and never returned, leaving the three major powers of Sichuan and Chongqing to talk to each other.

I originally came to Chengdu to gather information, but I never expected to have this encounter.

Those gangs and families from Hanzhong finally understood why Li Yuanji had fled in such a sorry state.

Having witnessed the epic battle just now, let alone the severely injured Willow Leaf Blade Diao Ang, even if Jin Dazhuang, the leader of a major sect in Longxi, were here, the outcome would be the same.

Hanzhong, caught in the middle, was originally uncertain.

Any force present this time that glanced at Xi Tianjun's coffin would have made no further hesitation.

The people from Wudu, Longnan gathered at two tables on the outer side of the funeral courtyard.

Elder Su Qiaosong wiped the wine off his beard and said to Vice Leader Yang Zhicheng:

"The banquet in Chengdu is different from those in Longnan and Hanzhong and Guanzhong, which are further north. There were no eternal lamps, no meals served to the deceased, no mourning banners, and no sounds of condolence."

Yang Zhicheng came to his senses and sneered, "Of course we'll follow local customs. Do you think we should cater to an outsider like you? Besides, this is a wedding banquet for Xi Tianjun."

"The funeral banquet that Li Gui held for his son in Hexi was quite grand, but in my opinion, it was still far inferior to that of Xi Tianjun. He was personally sent off by the Celestial Master, and his name will be remembered for many years to come."

Elder Su grinned. He wasn't saying this to suggest a dark situation; it was just to set the stage for what was to come:
"Brother Yang, what are your plans?"

Yang Zhicheng's harsh voice, tinged with the smell of alcohol, immediately followed:
"After the banquet, let's go to the Sichuan gang. Let's not waste time making that trip and just settle things directly. We can talk to the gang leader later, and I think he will agree. All the gangs and factions in Longnan are loyal to Jianghuai and should follow the Celestial Master on the right path."

As the deputy leader, he faced some resistance in making this decision.

After speaking, he looked at everyone and asked, "What do you all think?"

Elder Su clapped his hands and laughed: "That's exactly right!"

"I second that! I second that!" A chorus of agreement erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Others who had a bad relationship with the Longxi faction said:
"If Jin Dazhuang continues to associate with Li Yuan, perhaps we'll have a chance to eat at his banquet."

"Haha, if that day ever comes, I'll give Master Jin face, forget about past grievances, and give him fifty coins as a token of my appreciation."

"..."

It wasn't just the Wudu Gang members who were discussing it; the Changhe Gang, Mingshui Sword Sect, and other major escort agencies in Hanzhong, as well as the Nanzheng Dadao Society, were all talking about the general trend.

Regardless of how long these sects and gangs have been established.

Anyone who can make a living in the martial arts world is not blind enough to miss the signs of trouble.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing, and that battle just now was more effective than hearing a hundred people preaching in my ear.

While the funeral banquet was in full swing, many clan representatives from Hanzhong, speaking in Southwestern Mandarin, chatted enthusiastically with the people of the Ba League of the Duzunbaochuan Gang.

The grand opening ceremony of Xi Tianjun's palace had turned into a meeting to unite the forces of Hanzhong and Bashu.

Xie Wenlong, Fan Zhuo, and Feng Zhen were also extremely polite, frequently raising their glasses while leaning against Xi Ying's coffin.

The fact that the major powers in Hanchuan and Shunzheng have expressed their stance is enough to convey Hanzhong's attitude.

One was located in the core of the Hanzhong Basin, and the other was situated in the upper reaches of the Jialing River. They were the main areas of Hanzhong under the rule of the Sui Dynasty.

The power in Sichuan and Chongqing was also greatly encouraged, as they never expected things to go so smoothly after the turning point.

Once the two sides join forces, the Sichuan-Chongqing region will be completely secure.

Hanzhong is the only relatively convenient passage and the only route for people from the Sichuan-Chongqing region to go north out of the Qinling Mountains and into the Guanzhong Plain.

The Qinling Mountains are extremely steep and rugged. Most of the roads that traverse the Qinling Mountains, such as the Baoxie Road, Tangluo Road, Ziwu Road, and Chencang Road, converge in Hanzhong.

Controlling Hanzhong is tantamount to guarding the vital passage to the north of Sichuan and Chongqing.

With Hanzhong secured, Sichuan and Chongqing would be safe; without Hanzhong, Sichuan and Chongqing would be in danger. It was not only the key to the northern gate and the lifeline, but also the key to locking down Guanzhong.

Fan Zhuo and the others were overjoyed at the thought of the Grand Commander's secure control over the territory.

Yan Chongxian glanced at Fan Zhuo and then gestured towards the coffin.

Judging from his expression, it seemed as if he was saying: Xi Tianjun used himself as bait to lure Hanzhong, his death was worthwhile!

Aside from discussing the alliance, the rest of the conversation revolved around the wondrous martial arts techniques they had just witnessed.
"Go this way."

Shi Qingxuan led the way, telling Zhou Yi, who was staring at the Sutra Repository, to look away and continue walking towards the back of the Great Stone Temple.

This deep seat was probably not intended for entertaining people at the moment, and there was no time to set it up in the rush.

Therefore, the temple should be preserved in its original state.

The doors, windows, eaves, and arches are all carved with various patterns such as feathers and flowers. On the roof ridge, there are lifelike sculptures of strange birds and beasts.

After passing through several corridors, the sight before one's eyes takes one's breath away. Statues fill the hall like a forest, with dozens of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the center. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin, residing in the heart of the hall, is the most eye-catching. Not only is her appearance solemn, but the shape of each hand and the ritual implement it holds are also different, giving people a sense of great supernatural power.

"This is the Arhat Hall."

Shi Qingxuan looked at the rows of Arhat and Buddha statues on both sides. She was used to them and didn't think much of them. She glanced at Zhou Yi and saw that he quickly adapted.

He further explained:

“Master Zhenyan practiced his Tantric hand gestures here. Xi Ying’s secret methods, besides the stone statues underground in the Evil Emperor Temple, also show traces of these Arhat and Buddha statues, suggesting that he practiced here.”

Zhou Yi nodded and strolled into this world of gods and Buddhas, so different from reality, his gaze sweeping over the various statues in different poses, some seemingly real and others illusory.

The move Xi Ying just used did indeed involve the statues here.

The combat power this guy has shown is truly extraordinary.

Zhou Yi was deep in thought, and Shi Qingxuan did not disturb him.

Once he started walking again, he asked, "How does Xi Ying manage to keep his true energy outside his body from dissipating?"

"Yes, this is related to refining the spirit within the orifices."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but think that after Chuan Ying gained enlightenment in the Temple of the God of War, his primordial spirit left his body and wandered outside to see his own appearance clearly.

Guang Chengzi shattered the Vajra, and his primordial spirit pierced through the void.

In other words, it is not uncommon for one's spirit to emanate from outside the body.

"Xi Ying can project his spirit outward, which is something that most experts who can harmonize their spirit and energy can do. What's difficult is that he not only has ingenious ideas, but also uses secret methods to materialize his external spirit, forming bones, and then attaches his vital energy to the bones."

The girl nodded gently, recalling the scene that had just occurred:
"The moment the monster of true energy appeared around him, even though I was standing far away, I could still feel a mental shock, which was very similar to the sound illusion technique of the Demonic Sect."

"That's not surprising."

Zhou Yi gave an example:
"For example, every martial artist tries to open their orifices and refine their spirit within them. Once they reach a certain level, the spirit within the orifices can be integrated with true qi or released outwards."

"At this time, you will regard this vast world as a huge aperture, and we are all in the aperture. When the spirit is cultivated to the extreme, it can shatter this world. When Xi Ying's secret technique is displayed, the spirit and the primordial energy resonate. Although his target is me, you are also in this aperture and can feel the fluctuation of the resonance of the spirit and energy, which is the so-called demonic sound illusion technique."

Although Shi Qingxuan wasn't very interested in martial arts, she found it all quite novel.

"Do you know?"

"Like this."

She clasped her hands together, mimicking Xi Tianjun's gesture of pressing his palms together.

Zhou Yi remained silent, and she couldn't help but laugh: "So even the wise and mighty Grand Commander Zhou has martial arts skills he doesn't know."

"So what? He's the one who lost."

Zhou Yi stared at the Thousand-Hand Buddha statue in the Arhat Hall, his sword-like eyebrows raised. He channeled his spirit from the Great Aperture at the top of his head, and his substantial spirit surged throughout his body, even more condensed than Xi Ying's spirit.

If a strike is launched at this moment, its power will naturally be immense.

But no matter how he imagined the appearance of the Thousand-Hand Buddha, it could not form the substantial spiritual framework that Xi Ying revealed.

The power of this move was undeniable, but he felt something was missing.

Suddenly, he understood:
"It is not enough to just use the Bhadrakalpa Sutra; one must use the Wisdom Sutra that governs the root of all dharmas."

The secret technique of the Venerable Sect that Xi Ying possesses is probably the Wisdom Sutra!

As Zhou Yi pondered, he paced back and forth, thinking about how the unique feature of the Zhijing martial art was its ability to transform the illusory into the real.

Turn the air and water into impenetrable walls.

This method is quite extraordinary. If the Great Venerable does not die and lives to the age of the three Grandmasters, he will definitely be a top figure in this world.

Furthermore, spiritual magic is easier to integrate with other secret arts.

As the leader of the evil cult in the northern desert, Da Zun is too honest when it comes to martial arts. When he encounters someone creative, he can immediately use the Zhi Jing to open source.

For example, the Shadow Assassin, by combining the Wisdom Sutra with a portion of the Undying Seal Technique, created a terrifying Black Hand Demonic Art.

Xi Ying is no slouch either.

But how did he get his hands on the Zhijing?
When they carried the coffin, they had already searched Xi Ying thoroughly, but he didn't have any secret manuals on him.

Thinking about this, it's hard not to feel a little disappointed.

Just then, I heard a clicking sound from a mechanism.

Shi Qingxuan opened a hidden door. Behind a Buddha statue against the wall in the Arhat Hall, a small stone chamber appeared. There was a dusty futon on the ground, covered with a layer of old ash, obviously no one had taken care of it for a long time.

She glanced inside, closed the mechanism, and the hidden door disappeared again.

After walking a few steps, another stone chamber was opened.

This time, Shi Qingxuan said "Excuse me," and Zhou Yi bowed slightly in response.

It was a decaying skeleton, in a meditative posture, formed from the remains of a high-ranking monk after his death, but it was unknown when it was left behind.

"Since the passing of the great monk of the previous generation, only Master Zhenyan remains as a master in Dashi Temple. But my mother said that this temple was once glorious and had many masters."

"In their later years, they secluded themselves in the Luohan Hall to study Zen, hoping to use the human body as a raft to cross the world and comprehend the mysteries of heaven and earth, but none of them succeeded."

Shi Qingxuan opened and closed repeatedly, and Zhou Yi had already seen six sets of remains.

Like the underground of the Evil Emperor Temple, it was both sorrowful and tragic.

The evil emperors are exploring the Temple of War, and the Buddhist monks yearn to save the world and attain Buddhahood; their goals are no different.

However, the ultimate path of martial arts is elusive and difficult to pursue. Throughout history, among so many martial artists who were obsessed with martial arts, very few have succeeded in breaking through it.

Zhou Yi wondered, "Why is there a sudden shortage of masters in the generation of the Venerable Monk?"

"This is related to the long-standing conflict between different schools of thought."

Shi Qingxuan closed another mechanism:
"The emergence of Shi Zhixuan from the Demonic Sect has aroused the fear of the Buddhist Sect. The four great monks, working together, can only defeat him, but cannot capture or kill him. The Great Stone Temple once sent many experts to help, but most of them later stayed at the Jingnian Zen Temple."

"After the passing of several senior monks and eminent monks, only Master Zhenyan remained."

"Master Zhenyan is getting on in years. I wonder if he will return after this trip to the Eastern Capital."

She felt a little emotional, not because of Shi Zhixuan, but because she had spent two years at Dashi Temple and had developed feelings for the place.

Zhou Yi remembered that there was a great and holy monk in Wulou Temple in Chang'an.

That was Shi Zhixuan in disguise.

Could it be that the Evil King is using the same name to satirize the Great Stone Temple because of an old grudge?
After the three stone chambers were reopened, a broken urn of ashes appeared in the stone chamber behind the Thousand-Hand Guanyin.

The jar looks very new; it was obviously put in recently.

“The great and holy monk was cremated after his death, and these should be his ashes.”

Zhou Yi listened to her words and saw that the ashes were scattered everywhere.

And on the ashes, there was a brand new futon, and tea set was placed on a low wooden couch next to it.

Xi should scatter the ashes of this mortal enemy, and then sit and practice kung fu on the ashes?

Upon closer inspection, it really is true.

Shi Qingxuan had interacted with the virtuous monk before. After bowing respectfully, she entered the room, explored the area, and took out a box engraved with Sanskrit characters.

“These miscellaneous items wouldn’t be left in the Arhat Hall; they must belong to Xi Ying. Perhaps you’ll find something you’re looking for.”

Zhou Yi hummed in agreement, somewhat expectantly: "Open it and take a look."

Before studying at the Coffin Palace, Xi Ying had traveled to India for arduous practice, so it's normal that his belongings bear Sanskrit inscriptions.

Shi Qingxuan opened the box, and the thread-bound booklet that came into view had four characters written on it: "Purple Qi Heavenly Net".

Shi Qingxuan picked up the Purple Qi Heavenly Net and handed it to him. She flipped it over and found two other items: a letter in the middle and a stack of papers at the bottom.

The sealing wax on the envelope had been removed, but the letter was still there.

Take it out, unfold it, and you'll see only one sentence on top:

"The Heavenly Emperor has ingenious ideas; he will surely reach the summit one day."

This letter was not even signed.

Neither of them could glean any other information, only that Xi Ying had exchanged martial arts techniques with someone.

Looking at the stack of papers below and carefully reading the handwriting, Zhou Yi's eyes lit up.

Before heaven and earth took shape, chaos reigned like an egg. Then, the primordial energy began to separate, and light and darkness were distinguished.

"All things arise from the heart, and the light of the heart illuminates the universe. Close your eyes and look inward, not to observe the physical form, but to observe the bright and undimmed light of the source of your heart."

"..."

Zhou Yi stood still, reading until the very last page.

After a long while, he finally looked away.

"Is this the 'Scripture of Wisdom that Controls All Dharmas and Their Roots' that you mentioned?"

"Yes, but it's missing a lot. It must have been obtained by Xi Ying from the Great Ming Zunjiao."

"Then what use do you have for it?"

"it works."

Seeing his brows relax, the girl's smile blossomed from the corners of her lips, like spring water breaking through thin ice, clear and bright:
"That's good, at least the trip wasn't in vain."

Zhou Yi smiled at her: "Thanks to you this time, I didn't know there was such a place."

"No need to thank me," Shi Qingxuan said softly with a smile, her eyes crinkling. "You can keep owing me."

Zhou Yi suggested, "How about I teach you martial arts?"

Before she could refuse, Zhou Yi added, "If your skill level is high enough, you can stay young forever."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qingxuan merely gave a vague response, ignoring the remark and seemingly unconcerned with what he had said.

Zhou Yi had no choice but to leave after taking another stroll around the Luohan Hall with her.

The Da Shi Temple area will be handled by Chief Fan and his team.

Zhou Yi returned to the Sichuan Gang headquarters first and meditated to regulate his breathing at his residence.

The killing of Xi Ying in this battle did not make him arrogant; on the contrary, it made him more cautious.

Before the fight started, no one expected Xi Ying to have this level of fighting power.

He meditated for three consecutive days, maintaining extreme stillness.

However, the outside world was already in an uproar.

The news of the Celestial Master slaying the Heavenly Lord spread throughout Sichuan and Chongqing, and the scene of their battle was vividly described by the martial arts practitioners present.

Many of those who were not present were initially skeptical.

The battle on the Heavenly Monarch Tower was beyond comprehension.

However, there were so many people watching the game that it was unbelievable, as so many people witnessed it firsthand and spread the word.

Only after analysis by some renowned figures in the martial arts world did people gradually understand the horror of this battle.

Gong Ping, the head of the Suishan Sect in Meishan County, was present at the time and revealed a startling piece of news:
"The Demonic Lord can condense his true energy into a god outside his body. Every strike triggers a mental storm, and his power reaches the heavens and the earth. He is already a martial arts grandmaster who is one with heaven and man."

"However, he encountered the Celestial Master and became the first martial arts grandmaster to be killed in a one-on-one battle."

These two short sentences ignited the Sichuan martial arts community, gaining widespread approval. The news then began to spread at an astonishing rate.

This time, it's not just suppressing the younger generation from rising to prominence, but it's also terrifying the older generation of top figures.

Some of the more serious and renowned figures in the martial arts world went to Duzun Fort to pay their respects to the Martial Arts Judge because of this incident.

Everyone knows that Jie Hui's relationship with the Celestial Master wasn't that good.

Furthermore, Xie Hui was once the foremost expert in Sichuan and Chongqing, and his insight far surpassed that of Gong Ping.

Not long after, a renowned figure from the Sichuan and Chongqing martial arts world brought out Xie Hui's words from Duzun Fort.

Jie Hui said:
"The landscape of the martial arts world has changed dramatically. The idea of ​​three grandmasters is outdated. The most basic definition in the world today should be four grandmasters. The Taoist Celestial Master should be discussed together with Ning Sanren, Wu Zun, and Yi Jian Master."

Jie Hui then spoke quite sternly to the renowned figures in the martial arts world:

"If we continue to view the current world and society with old perspectives, we are like frogs in a well, and we will be abandoned by the new era sooner or later."

As the former number one person in Sichuan, he himself is an example of being backward and vulnerable to attack.

I'm speaking from personal experience; you can't help but believe me.

Moreover, it is well known that he has a considerable grudge against the Taoist Celestial Masters.

Therefore, this martial arts judge not only avoids missing judgments, but also ensures that the judgments are absolutely fair and accurate.

The news that renowned martial arts masters from Sichuan and Chongqing had brought out the "Four Grandmasters" from Duzun Fortress made the already bustling martial arts world even more noisy.

Not to mention the travelers and merchants along the way, even the ants crawling across the Jianmen Pass mountain road would gossip about it.

After all, the names of the three grandmasters have resounded for many years.

For the first time, one person integrated all aspects of skill, martial arts realm, combat skills, and battle record into the group, and they were called the Four Grandmasters.

This will be a tremendous source of prestige that will spread throughout the entire land of Kyushu.

Some martial arts enthusiasts have asked, "Why isn't Tianya Mingyue Dao (天刀) included among the Five Grandmasters?"

The old man of the martial arts world would answer with a smile: "Although Tian Dao is strong, he harbored murderous intent but failed to kill the Demonic Sect's Heavenly Lord. In terms of battle record, he is inferior to the Taoist Sect's Heavenly Master."

As this immense prestige surged across Kyushu like a tidal wave, Zhou Yi had already left the Sichuan Gang and returned to Phoenix Mountain.

After days of rain, a bright and sunny day arrived.

The secluded forest cottage is lush and verdant, with mountains, rocks, tall flowers, and beautiful trees, full of vitality everywhere.

When the sun shines brightly, the heat intensifies.

After Zhou Yi accompanied Shi Qingxuan to the valley for the first time, they walked two or three hundred steps and saw a pool at the source of the stream. The stone walls on both sides above were steep but only five zhang high, so they were not considered dangerous.

A white wave, like a waterfall, flows down the rock face into the pool and then downstream.

There are many maple trees above, which provide shade from the scorching sun.

Several gray sparrows hopped and jumped around, a rock slid down, and the pond splashed with a loud thud. They cried out in alarm and flew far away.

Shi Qingxuan casually took off her shoes, revealing a pair of slender feet as clear as jade, and freely placed them into the cool pool water. The water rippled, blurring the reflection inside.

When do you plan to leave Chengdu?

Zhou Yi was sitting on the stone wall on the opposite bank. When he heard her speak, he jumped down to her side and sat down casually.

"Just these two days."

"What about the *Zhi Jing*? Aren't you going to continue practicing it?"

"That's the Great Ming Sect's most treasured manual, and it's incomplete, so I can't master it that quickly. It's so quiet here, I really like it. If I had no other concerns, I would definitely stay longer. It's a pity I have to rush to Jianghuai."

Shi Qingxuan nodded slightly: "I heard from Caiqi that this time not only Bashu, but also Hanzhong will lean towards you. It's time to have a good talk with your strategist."

"Hanzhong was an unexpected bonus, but my trip to Jianghuai this time is partly because I've been away from there for a long time, and partly because I have some things to arrange, so it has nothing to do with Hanzhong."

Shi Qingxuan laughed: "Are you worried that others will say you're a hands-off manager?"

"No way."

Zhou Yi gathered his energy and flicked it at a water bamboo by the pool, knocking down many bamboo leaves: "I've been fighting all over Sichuan and Chongqing, and I haven't been idle at all. There are places where I'm needed, but there are places where I don't need to go."

He reached out and grabbed a few bamboo leaves.

"You can play music too?"

"of course."

The girl couldn't help but concentrate, her gaze fixed on him as he put the bamboo leaf in his mouth.

just
The sound produced by blowing it was garbled and lacked even a pleasant melody, let alone any "tune".

Shi Qingxuan instantly understood his intention.

Then she took out a bamboo flute and parted her cherry lips slightly.

When the breath was poured into the seemingly ancient bamboo flute, time seemed to freeze. The chirping of insects and birds, the sound of the mountain wind and the rustling of the forest all seemed to hold their breath and fall silent in an instant.

Only the faint sound of the flute remained, flowing silently between heaven and earth.

At first, the sound of the flute was like a drop of clear dew that quietly slipped down in a secluded valley under the moon, gently dripping onto the lake of the listener's heart.

The tone was ethereal and untouched by any dust, like a gentle stream formed from moonlight.

As Zhou Yi was listening, he suddenly noticed that the sound of the flute was low and melodious, as if it were weeping and lamenting.

Like a lover's whisper, it carries an unbreakable tenderness and longing, and every turn of the story tugs at the heartstrings.

It wasn't deliberate sorrow, but rather a natural understanding from the depths of life of the fleeting nature of beauty and the impermanence of life, flowing naturally from the sound of the flute.
Zhou Yi is not proficient in music, but that doesn't stop him from having a very keen ear.

After Shi Qingxuan finished playing her piece, seeing his slightly sad expression, she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at me like that? Was my flute playing not good?"

"No, it's just too good."

Zhou Yi spoke frankly: "I'm thinking, what should I do if I want to hear this heavenly music again after I leave this valley?"

"Why don't you come with me out of Sichuan and I'll take you to see the Jianghuai region?"

Shi Qingxuan smiled and shook the flute in her hand: "If you want to hear it, come back to Bashu and find me. But you can't just use a child's drawing to fool me again."

After speaking, she picked up her bamboo flute again and played another tune, "Jiangdu Palace Moon".

This was completely different from what Fan Caiqi had heard at home.

Only after listening to the exquisite flute music did Zhou Yi understand why she was famous throughout the world for this art form.

Thinking of the music I heard at Linjiang Palace, I couldn't help but lie down against the stone wall, feeling a surge of emotions.

"Old Yang, you can't even compare to me in listening to music."

Upon hearing "Old Yang," one knows he is mocking Yang Guang.

After playing this tune, Shi Qingxuan put away her bamboo flute.

But the lingering feeling still lingered in Zhou Yi's mind.

Suddenly, she said again:
"Last time I heard you talk about the Ten Mile Madness. You've been traveling around the martial world. Have there been any other things that left a deep impression on you?"

It was as if she was exchanging a song for his story.

Zhou Yi casually recounted an interesting story about the unity of man and horse, and the god of the chariot.

After finishing his speech, he remarked with considerable emotion:
"Over the years, there are actually some things that I remember most vividly, including one that happened somewhere in Sichuan and Chongqing."

Shi Qingxuan's curiosity was piqued: "Where in Sichuan and Chongqing?"

Zhou Yi pondered for a moment and said, "In a dark underground river."

Suddenly, a hint of shyness flashed in Shi Qingxuan's eyes. Her gaze lowered, like the wings of a startled butterfly. She subconsciously bit her lower lip, her pearly teeth lightly tapping against her lips, leaving a faint crescent-shaped mark.

Then there was a "whoosh" sound.

Zhou Yi felt a chill on his face, and his clothes were damp in several places.

Shi Qingxuan used her delicate feet to scoop up water from the pool and splash it onto Zhou Yi, but her own clothes got even wetter.

"Qingxuan, what are you doing?"

She smiled and turned around, saying, "Who told you to tease me with those words?"

After this brief incident, Zhou Yi became serious again and recounted his thrilling first battle against the Wooden Taoist.
……

Two days later, at noon.

Before the secluded forest cottage, Zhou Yi looked at the gravel path ahead, then glanced at the sun, and got up from the bamboo chair under the eaves.

The girl in blue stood to the side, remaining expressionless, a faint shadow forming between her brows.

When she looked at Zhou Yi, she still maintained that lightness.

"Qingxuan, I should go now."

"Okay, take this."

It was a familiar-looking wine gourd; upon closer inspection, it was exactly the same as the gourd in the Green Bamboo Cottage.

The exquisite wines that Zhou Yi smelled when he first arrived in Chengdu came from here.

I took the gourd; it tasted the same as always.

"Will this wine still be available when I return to Chengdu next time?"

Shi Qingxuan smiled and said, "As long as it can be bought, it will be available. If you inform Lord Jie, then there will never be a shortage."

Zhou Yi felt a little reluctant to part ways, yet also felt that she owed him a lot.

Knowing her personality, he exchanged a glance with her, nodded slightly, and then turned and left.

Shi Qingxuan did not chase after them, but simply stood at the door of the wooden house.

This reclusive fairy, who lived a life detached from worldly affairs and possessed her own unique interests, felt a touch of melancholy as she watched the white-clad figure disappear into the distance, her mind filled with a flurry of thoughts.

As he walked away, I felt an emptiness I had never felt before.

No one but her mother could give her this feeling.

The world is vast, will he ever return?
With a heavy heart, Shi Qingxuan watched the white figure disappear and took out her bamboo flute. She knew many pieces, but she chose "Jiangdu Palace Moon".

This is the third time this piece has been played recently.

Each time, it's a different emotion.

Flowers shed tears at the passing of time, birds startle at the sorrow of parting; the melody is closely related to human emotions, hence this piece, "Moon Over the Jiangdu Palace," is quite different.

Before it was even halfway through, the sound suddenly stopped.

Outside the valley, a white-clad figure, who had disappeared, approached from afar. He moved quickly, and his features became clearer and clearer.

In the blink of an eye, they were back in front of the wooden house.

Shi Qingxuan placed the flute behind her back, holding it with both hands, and stood under the eaves: "Why are you back again?"

Zhou Yi joked, "Qingxuan, there's a mistake in the melody."

"There's no mistake," she said, her voice a mix of reproach and delight.

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "Actually, I was originally going far away, but I was attracted by your flute playing. Please finish playing this piece, and I will leave after you finish."

After saying that, he sat down on the bamboo chair.

Shi Qingxuan glanced at him, then picked up her flute and began to play again.

However, she played this tune for a very long time.

After she finished playing "Jiangdu Palace Moon", she did not stop, but started playing the next piece, "Jiangdu Palace Moon".

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi met her gaze.

He stood up and, risking being hit on the head with the bamboo flute, lifted her up and sat her down.

Shi Qingxuan put down the flute and looked up at him.

The light in his eyes was like gathered starlight, as if it were only to illuminate that tiny thing in that small space.

To Zhou Yi's surprise, before he could speak, the girl in front of him trembled slightly, glared at him playfully, then wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Just like that day in the underground river.

The warmth was completely different, and the sensation between their lips and tongues gave them a deeper experience.

After a long while, Shi Qingxuan pushed herself up with both hands and separated from him while slightly panting.

She stared at Zhou Yi, pursed her lips, and said in a clear voice, "You've already had your way with her. You're satisfied now, so there's nothing left for you to miss. Go on your way."

Zhou Yi said with a hint of innocence, "Qingxuan, how could you make me sound so heartless?"

"The Grand Commander is a romantic and passionate man. A passionate man is not saddened by parting, but he is always a heartless guest in this world."

Although she lived in a small valley, she seemed to have a very clear understanding of things.

"Perhaps I'm an exception, and I'm not what you said."

The girl ignored his words and softly revealed her feelings:

"I had heard about you before, and after learning who you were, I should have kept my distance from you and stayed far away from you."

"It's my fault for being so curious, and it's also because you're so talented. Everything you do is so captivating that I couldn't stop myself and ended up being fooled by you too."

Shi Qingxuan looked at him and winked playfully.

Zhou Yi was amused by her charmingly naive demeanor: "It's a bit unfair to accuse someone. I've always been sincere. I've never lied to anyone."

The girl covered her mouth and laughed: "That was a genuine lie, okay? I know you're sincere to everyone."

"but."

"But what?"

Shi Qingxuan smiled lightly: "But I'm confident I can forget you. As long as you don't come to Chengdu for a long time, I guarantee I won't know who this bad guy Zhou Yi is."

Zhou Yi took her hand and said, "Come with me out of Sichuan."

"No."

Shi Qingxuan's bright eyes sparkled with a smile: "Even if you really become emperor, I will still be here."

"Qingxuan, the mountains are far away."

"Aren't you the best in the world at lightness skill?" She smiled and hugged him, leaning against his chest. "Then practice your lightness skill even more."

Zhou Yi realized he couldn't persuade her, so he quietly embraced her.

After a while, Shi Qingxuan left his embrace.

"Hurry up, you still need to catch a boat, it's not safe to be late."

Zhou Yi instructed, "I'll come here whenever I have time. You can also send someone to tell me, and don't forget."

Shi Qingxuan smiled but didn't reply.

This time, she accompanied Zhou Yi all the way to the eastern foot of Phoenix Mountain.

Watching the white-clad figure truly disappear, Shi Qingxuan returned to the secluded valley, feeling utterly disappointed.

For some reason, she started rummaging through the small house.

She took out the martial arts manual left by her mother, the same one she had shown Zhou Yi before. In the past, she only learned lightness skills, but this time, for some reason, she became interested in reading the martial arts manual.
Zhou Yi left Phoenix Mountain with a sense of loss and returned to Chengdu to visit the Sichuanese business community.

He has already made arrangements for the affairs of the three major forces, and Xu Xingzhi will also send people over later, so there is no need to elaborate.

Unexpectedly, Hou Xibai had already left.

When Fan Caiqi saw Zhou Yi, she also looked disappointed.

"Grand Commander, this is a letter that Hou left for you."

Zhou Yi removed the sealing wax and looked at the letter.

"Miss Fan, are you thinking about Hou Xibai?"

"Yes!"

She was a little angry: "This kid just left like that, saying he'd be back in a few months. I don't know if he's telling the truth. I want to go look for him, but my dad won't let me go out."

Seeing Zhou Yi deep in thought, Fan Caiqi tentatively asked:
"What instructions does the Grand Commander have for me?"

Zhou Yi did not linger with the Sichuan gang. He traveled down the Jinjiang River, leaving Chengdu before dark, heading south to Luzhou County, and then entered the Yangtze River.

As the saying goes, "Setting off from Qingxi at night towards the Three Gorges, I long for you but cannot see you as I descend to Yuzhou."

Zhou Yi stood at the stern of the boat, gazing at the moon over Phoenix Mountain. He had left Shu County and was heading straight for Yuzhou.
……

(End of this chapter)