Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 176 Luoshui Cangming Guest and Travelers of the Three Gorges

As dusk settled over the city of Yuzhou, the turbid waves surged and rolled like boiling water where the Jialing River met the Yangtze.

As Zhou Yi approached the Yuzhou ferry crossing, the lights on both banks stretched out like stars fallen to earth, reflected in the rippling water.

He rested for one night in Yuzhou and continued his journey the next day.

The boatman was slightly delayed, and by evening, an ancient city could be seen standing majestically on the north bank of the Yangtze River, firmly anchored at the vital passage for the eastward expansion of Sichuan and Chongqing.

This is Baidi City.

The riverside dock at the foot of the mountain is the noisiest place in this treacherous area.

Merchants took advantage of the last busy period before the autumn floods, when the water level was still high in late summer. Boats of all sizes crowded the shore, and many boatmen, their backs bare and bronze, carried heavy sacks and Sichuan-style brocade on the gangplanks.

The shouts were rough and short, and they reached Zhou Yi's ears from afar.

"Let it rain now. The rain has been falling heavily lately, and I dare not venture out at night."

Some passengers on the boats in a hurry went to inquire about night boats, while most people headed towards Baidi City.

The area near the town was bustling with activity, with many soldiers, boatmen, merchants, officials, and mountain dwellers moving about. There were also many vendors selling bamboo products, medicinal herbs, and dried fish from the Yangtze River Gorges.

As Zhou Yi approached Baidi City, his steps worn smooth by countless footsteps, a smiling man strode towards him.

"Brother Zhou, if you had come a few days later, you would have missed it."

Hou Xibai unconsciously quickened the pace of his hand waving the folding fan.

"That's alright. I'll be going to Dongdu soon, so why are you in such a hurry to give me the gold?"

"Eh~!"

Hou Xibai smiled and shook his head: "That's not right."

"Didn't the Holy Maiden Cihang return to Dongdu with the Buddhist sect? How come she's here again? Could it be that she came here specifically to evaluate the painting?"

"That's not true."

As Hou Xibai walked, he explained, "Actually, it's still related to you."

"tell me the story."

"When the people from Cihang Jingzhai returned to Dongdu, they visited Ning Sanren and talked about the affairs of Bashu. How could they forget about Master Yuan's prophecy? This matter caught Ning Sanren's attention, so Master Xianzi came again to deliver a letter to Master Yuan."

Hou Xibai added a twist: "However, after reading Ning Sanren's letter, Master Yuan politely declined the invitation from Dongdu."

Zhou Yi pondered for a moment. The Righteous Alliance was being pushed to the brink, so they had to ask Ning Daoqi for help.

"What other information do you know?"

"And the He Shi Bi jade."

Hou Xibai succinctly stated: "This time, no one wants you to obtain the He Shi Bi jade. The Eastern Capital is fraught with danger."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly: "Then I'm even more determined to get my hands on it."

Hou Xibai looked as if he had just expected it, and tapped his folding fan against his hand: "I, Hou, will accompany you."

"besides."

He then asked, "If Ning Sanren were to make a move, could you defeat him?"

Hou Xibai looked at him expectantly. He had heard the title of "Four Grandmasters" many times before.

Zhou Yi said, "Ning Sanren is old, I won't argue with him."

Hou Xibai laughed heartily after hearing this.

"By the way, I heard from Miss Fan that you said you would be returning to Sichuan in a few months. Brother Hou, were you moved by Chief Fan's beautiful daughter?"

Hou Xibai's expression was slightly complicated, but then he said with a touch of nonchalance:
"When it comes to being affectionate, I am far inferior to Brother Zhou. Caiqi and I only admire each other. Once the matter of the He Shi Bi is settled, I will indeed return to Bashu, not just to see Miss Fan, but because I am originally from Chengdu."

Even if you weren't here then, I could still keep an eye on the situation in Sichuan and Hanzhong for you.

Old Hou is a good friend.

Although I don't want to see him grow old alone, matters of the heart are a matter of personal choice, and there's no point in trying to persuade him otherwise.

"Come on, let me buy you a drink."

"Ok?"

Hou Xibai was slightly taken aback: "Aren't you going to see Miss Shi?"

"Why would I see her?"

Zhou Yi laughed and said, "Let me treat you to a drink first, otherwise I'll feel bad if I beat you again tomorrow."

Hou Xibai did not refuse.

Not long after they entered the city, Zhou Yi noticed that someone was following them, and the number of people was increasing. Hou Xibai frowned.

"Brother Zhou, please stay a little longer."

"It doesn't matter."

Zhou Yi pulled him back, and the two entered a wine shop. After giving instructions to the waiter, they had just sat down when hurried footsteps came from afar.

After the waiter brought over a jar of Jiannan Shaochun liquor, he hurriedly put down the wine bowl, making a clattering sound, and quickly hid inside the shop.

By this time, seventy or eighty people had gathered outside the wine shop.

They were all composed and carried weapons; many of them were highly skilled.

Seeing this, the onlookers quickly moved away.

A lean old man with a goatee and a long sword slung across his shoulder walked out from the crowd. He glanced at Zhou Yi's back, then turned his stern gaze to Hou Xibai.

Could it be that Old Hou's philandering has caused trouble?

Before Zhou Yi could speak, the old man spoke first: "You have quite the nerve, young master, to linger here after being recognized by my disciples."

Even if Hou Xibai were to encounter seventy or eighty people normally, he would find it difficult to sit still.

But at this moment, he appeared completely calm and composed, which made those who were surrounding him suspicious.

"You're the one who's afraid, aren't you?"

Hou Xibai looked at the burly man in black martial arts attire behind the old man. Beside the burly man was a beautiful woman, and the two of them were staring at Hou Xibai.

"Are Alliance Leader Jiang and Vice Alliance Leader Zheng also helpers that Sect Leader Xiang sought out?"

Before Jiang Ba, the leader of the Great River Alliance, could speak, his wife Zheng Shuming replied:

“Our Great River Alliance is united as one. No matter which one of us is in trouble, the others will lend a helping hand. Young Master Hou is highly skilled in martial arts, but you should kill or injure our members first. Then we will deal with you together, which is in accordance with the rules of the martial world.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi roughly guessed what it was about.

Hou Xibai said, "Enough with the nonsense, where is Chen Buyun?"

A young man stepped forward from behind Xiang Qingliu: "This young master is here!"

He roared, "Hou Xibai, you killed two of my sworn brothers. Today I will make you pay for this in blood!"

Hou Xibai picked up his wine glass, took a big gulp, and gave him a disdainful smile:
"Your blood debt must be repaid, but who will restore the innocence and dignity of those women? Killing your two lecherous brothers was merely acting on behalf of Heaven. You've come at the right time; today is your turn."

Zhou Yi had dealt with people from the Dajiang Alliance before, during the attack on Qingliu City.

Li Taonian, the deputy leader of the Qingjiang Sect, also contributed.

At this moment, the old man was none other than Wu Dingfeng Xiang Qingliu, the leader of the Qingjiang Sect, who was known for protecting his disciples.

I just didn't expect the protection to go to this extent.

Hou Xibai glanced at the people surrounding him. Besides the two leaders of the Great River Alliance, there were also experts from various gangs such as the Qingjiang Sect, Cangwu Sect, Jiangnan Society, and Mingyang Gang.

Jiang Ba, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: "May I ask, Young Master Hou, why were the people from our alliance who came to you later also crippled and injured by you?"

"They associate with lecherous scoundrels; is it not merciful of me to spare their lives?"

Hou Xibai turned his gaze to Xiang Qingliu's face: "It's a shame that you are still the head of a sect. You indulge your disciples and not only do you not punish them for their evil deeds, but you also protect them. I'm afraid you will not be able to preserve your reputation in your later years."

"you--!"

The old man was so angry that his nose twisted in disbelief.

Chen Buyun, standing to the side, said, "Master, don't waste words with him, just kill him!"

"Yes, kill him!" Two more people stood up beside Chen Buyun to voice their support.

Xiang Qingliu glanced at his disciples, but was choked by Hou Xibai's words. At this point, he had no choice but to draw his sword.

No one from Dajianglian expected Hou Xibai to be so audacious.

Before Chen Buyun could finish speaking, a folding fan rushed towards him with a whooshing sound. Before Chen Buyun could even thrust his long sword out, the fan struck his chest, causing him to cry out in pain and spit blood backward.

"You dare!"

Xiang Qingliu shouted angrily and thrust his sword at Hou Xibai, but in his haste, he missed his target just a foot away.

He unleashed his Flower-Wandering Body Technique, weaving through the crowd, only to be instantly withdrawn by Hou Xibai.

He returned to his seat unscathed and drank again.

His martial arts skills were already quite good, and after obtaining the Immortal Seal Technique, his strength increased even more.

For a moment, no one gave chase.

The two leaders of the Great River Alliance showed unusual expressions.

They then looked at the white-clad figure sitting opposite Hou Xibai. This person seemed even more composed than Hou Xibai, never turning around to look at them, and was probably a formidable character as well.

In addition, this matter was not honorable, and if it weren't for Xiang Qingliu's influence, they would not have been willing to get involved.

"My son!!"

Behind Xiang Qingliu, Elder Chen of the Qingjiang Sect held a sword in one hand and embraced Chen Buyun with the other.

Despite channeling his internal energy, he couldn't stop Chen Buyun from taking his last breath.

"Kill, kill him!"

Elder Chen roared, and two elders who were on good terms with him, along with several disciples who had come to his aid earlier, charged forward.

Seven swords, imbued with murderous intent, slashed towards their table.

Hou Xibai didn't need to make a move, but the people around him were stunned. The seven long swords were fixed four feet away from the man in white, unable to move forward or backward. It was as if there was an invisible wall in the air, and the energy and sword energy they released were like mud oxen entering the sea!

Alliance Leader Jiang and Vice Alliance Leader Zheng stared at the figure still drinking, a thought flashing through their minds.

Even Xiang Qingliu, who was usually very protective of his own, became much more sober at this point.

"Click click click~!"

The seven swords shattered simultaneously and rolled back.

After a scream, the broken sword fragments rushed into the body of the swordsman, instantly shattering his protective aura. The seven people, including Elder Chen, were thrown backward and died on the spot!

The experts from all factions of the Great River Alliance dodged and weaved, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost.

Who...who is this person?!
They focused their attention on him, and Hou Xibai stood up, picked up a jar of wine, and poured wine for the white-clad man sitting opposite him.

Clearly, his identity is far from simple.

Hou Xibai said with a hint of apology:
"Grand Commander, please don't spoil your enjoyment."

"will not."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Eliminating evil casually only enhances the drinking mood."

"Come on, do it."

Just a few words were enough to make the faces of the Dajianglian members turn pale.

They looked at the young man in white and felt a chill run down their spines.

Yes, it's the Grand Commander!
Wasn't Hou Xibai supposed to be all about womanizing in Sichuan and currying favor with the daughter of the Sichuan gang leader? How come he's so familiar with this one!

No wonder he is so confident.

Even if all the experts from the Great River Alliance were to arrive at this moment, they still wouldn't be enough.

These gangs, who make a living off the Yangtze River, have essentially found a powerful backer after a powerful backer.

Everyone was sweating profusely, and even the notoriously short-tempered Xiang Qingliu stood frozen in place.

Jiang Ba and Zheng Shuming swallowed hard, quickly stepped forward, clasped their hands together, and bowed deeply.

"My wife and I are blind and did not know that the Grand Commander was here. We have offended you greatly and hope that the Grand Commander will forgive us."

The other gangs and factions followed suit, hurriedly apologizing:

"Please forgive us, Grand Commander, we had no intention of offending you!"

This sudden scene left the onlookers dumbfounded.

The Great River Alliance had always been helping the Jianghuai Army, and Zhou Yi was very clear about the composition of this alliance.

Looking towards Jiang Ba, the Alliance Leader Jiang didn't even raise his head.

"Alliance Leader Jiang, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Ba quickly composed himself and said, "We came here after the Poyang Society. We just happened to meet Young Master Hou here. Our sect leader had a feud with him before, so we accepted the invitation to help him out."

The leader of the Poyang Society was originally Cao Shiqi, but he was killed a few months after his uprising, and Lin Shihong took over as the leader.

Now that Jianghuai and Lin Shihong are at odds, Dajianglian and Poyanghui have also become adversaries.

Zhou Yi looked at Xiang Qingliu: "Where is Li Taonian?"

Xiang Qingliu sighed and replied with a cupped hand: "He is currently in Danyang County, cooperating with Military Advisor Xu and Generals Li and Xu to attack Jiankang."

Zhou Yi said calmly:
“Your junior brother is capable, but you have no principles and are not suitable to be the sect leader. Why would you protect such filthy rats? When you return to the sect, you should hand over the position of sect leader to Li Taonian as soon as possible. Otherwise, if you continue to act in your way, your Qingjiang Sect will be destroyed by me sooner or later.”

Although the old man had a bad temper, he didn't dare to argue at this moment: "Yes."

"Alliance Leader Jiang and Alliance Leader Zheng, you should also take care of yourselves."

Zhou Yi remained calm and showed no anger, but the two alliance leaders were inwardly apprehensive.

Jiang Ba and Zheng Shuming apologized again, then dragged the corpse and led their men away.

They came in with great force, but left in a rather disheveled state.

While drinking, Hou Xibai told him what had happened.

It turned out that Elder Chen of the Qingjiang Sect had spoiled his son, who then associated with lecherous scoundrels and ruined the reputation of a respectable woman.

Hou Xibai killed the two lecherous thieves, and Chen Buyun caused this trouble by relying on his status as a disciple of Xiang Qingliu.

Zhou Yi knew about this and, after hearing the story, asked, "How could you bear to let those who were causing you trouble go unpunished?"

Hou Xibai said, "I've killed the ringleader, and I'm only missing Chen Buyun. Although the Great River Alliance isn't a major alliance or faction, they have a lot of manpower and are also working for Jianghuai. I have to consider your situation."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Brother Hou is a true friend, but next time, don't hesitate, just kill people like that."

Hou Xibai didn't mention Zhou Yi's attitude, but he greatly admired it.

The two then toasted each other and drank several cups in a row.

The news spread like wildfire. When the martial arts practitioners watching the commotion in front of the wine shop spread the word that the Celestial Master was traveling to Baidi City, the entire "Eastern Gateway of Sichuan and Chongqing" was in an uproar.

This is thanks to the "Four Grandmasters" mentioned by the martial arts judge.

The other three are older and don't visit each other often.

This one is different.

Zhou Yi had intended to treat everyone, but unfortunately, he couldn't pay for the drinks.

Because the shop owner absolutely refused to accept it.

After the two left, the shrewd wine shop owner hung up a sign with the nine-character mantra: "The Celestial Master drinks Jiannan Shaochun here."

That evening, inside the Tongfu Inn, Zhou Yi saw a clear, bright moon.

"Tomorrow will be a good day, perfect for traveling."

"It's also suitable for painting."

Hou Xibai replied, then added, "Master Shi's residence is not far from here. Why don't you go and pay her a visit, Brother Zhou?"

"It's night, let's forget about it."

"The news is spreading like wildfire in the city. Master Shi probably already knows you're here. I'm afraid if you don't see me tonight, Brother Zhou will use that as an excuse when we have our duel tomorrow."

Seeing Hou Xibai's serious expression, Zhou Yi laughed heartily:
"Brother Hou, don't judge a gentleman by your own petty standards. And let me tell you something else."

"Oh? I'm all ears."

Zhou Yi pointed to the moon in the sky: "If you are sad and heartbroken tomorrow, come back here. Maybe you will have a chance to heal your wounds."

“Okay.” Hou Xibai replied with great interest.

"..."

That night, Hou Xibai prepared the silk, brushes, and paints.

That night, the people from Dajianglian set off overnight, returning to Jiangnan with uneasy hearts.

That night, the Holy Maiden Cihang sat by the window, her tea growing cold and cold, waiting for no guests, accompanied only by the solitary lamp.

That night, Master Zhou went to bed very early.
……

The Qutang Gorge roars with its twelve rapids; the roads here have always been difficult. It's a pity that human hearts are not like water, easily stirred into waves on calm ground.

The next day, the sky was bright.

Linjiang Wharf, heading east upstream.

As dawn broke, the mountains of Chijia and Baiyan appeared in the distance like giants clapping their hands, splitting the Kuimen Pass in the middle.

The wealthy young man displayed his extravagance by chartering an entire speedboat.

He was in high spirits, his steps were light, and he fanned himself with a beauty fan all the way.

This trip not only included a journey through the Three Gorges with Taoist masters and the Holy Maiden Cihang, but also a victory in painting, which helped ease my worries.

All the joys of life are found here. "Hahaha~!"

Before even boarding the ship, the wealthy young master let out a loud laugh, attracting the attention of many. He waved his folding fan lightly, displaying considerable charm.

Zhou Yi stood by and smiled without saying a word, giving him more opportunities to show off.

At the foot of Baidi City, on the north bank of the river, a person was strolling along.

The figure broke through the vast expanse of misty waves, clearly a human form, yet without a trace of worldly dust.

A river breeze stirred, tugging at the pale blue sleeves of her robes, creating an effect reminiscent of flowing wind and swirling snow. Her garments fluttered like white butterflies in flight. Combined with her ethereal beauty, she truly exuded a transcendent aura.

"Young Master Hou."

"Brother Tao."

Shi Feixuan's ethereal voice rang out, and her clear, beautiful eyes moved to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi gave a slight bow, glanced at her once, and then looked away.

"Miss Shi, please."

The three boarded the large ship and headed east.

The scenery here is superb, and soon you will see the majestic Qutang Gorge.

The river suddenly narrows at this point, and all the thunderous force is contained within a single line.

While enjoying the scenery, they talked about the events of the previous evening when the Yangtze River was joined together. Shi Feixuan also mentioned the changes in the Eastern Capital.

It was clearly a topic that Zhou Yi was interested in, but once he entered the Three Gorges, he was more interested in seeing the scenery than in people.

As Shi Feixuan spoke, Zhou Yi looked up at the towering cliff.

The ochre rocks are as red as blood, and the ancient plank road hangs precariously on the cliff, making even monkeys and apes hesitant to climb.

As the boat sailed along, the sky seemed dark and the sound of the waves was deafening, with spray splashing and hitting the portholes.

I felt a sense of exhilaration; no wonder Li Bai left behind a famous poem like "Departing from Baidi City amidst colorful clouds at dawn."

“Brother Zhou, the scenery is magnificent. Further ahead lies the Wuxia Gorge shrouded in clouds. Why not finish the painting before the clouds descend?”

"bring it on."

Shi Feixuan saw Zhou Yi nod and was very excited, wanting to know what he would draw.

Zhou Yi sat on the deck and said to Hou Xibai before he started writing, "Brother Hou, you should be mentally prepared."

Hou Xibai was confident and responded with only a smile.

"Master Fairy, can you be fair?"

Zhou Yi then looked at Shi Feixuan, and from an angle where Hou Xibai couldn't see, her thin, red lips curved slightly into a smile:

"Both of you are top-notch painters in this era. Unfortunately, Feixuan's ability to judge paintings is limited, and she always mixes in personal feelings. If her evaluation is not good, please do not blame her."

"Feixuan will do her best to be fair."

When she speaks, her eyes are clear and deep, and combined with her flawless face, she gives people a feeling of natural beauty.

Hou Xibai trusted him completely and said with a smile, "The most precious thing is sincerity. Miss Shi is judging according to her own heart, which is extremely fair."

Zhou Yi nodded: "Let's begin."

Both of them were completely absorbed in the painting.

The constant calls of monkeys along the banks of the Three Gorges offer a unique and delightful experience.

This is the ultimate showdown between a failed art student and a top-tier poet.

To be fair, Shi Feixuan didn't watch them paint, so she admired the scenery of the Three Gorges and occasionally glanced at Zhou Yi.

This is perhaps the moment that Cihang Shengnu has been looking forward to during her time in Sichuan.

Hou Xibai already had a draft in mind, and he drew it very quickly.

Zhou Yi's heart is filled with mountains and rivers; he only uses ink to render them, and his speed is only fast, not slow.

The two put down their pens almost simultaneously.

To be able to paint on a boat traveling through the Three Gorges requires an absolute mastery of fine details.

"Please take a look, Miss Shi." Hou Xibai unfolded his painting.

The figure in the painting wears a light green silk sash around her waist, her graceful figure seemingly about to ride the wind. Her face is flawless, her beauty as ethereal as a celestial being, her eyes deep and serene, containing both compassion and wisdom.
Hou Xibai's technique for painting beauties can be described as divine.

Few in the world can resist it.

Zhou Yi sincerely commented: "Good."

Hou Xibai laughed and said, "Brother Zhou, are you going to admit defeat now?"

Zhou Yi slowly unfurled the painting: "If Fairy Master wants me to admit defeat, then I have no choice but to accept it."

Shi Feixuan fixed her gaze on his painting.

That is the Luo River.

The Luo River flows from the vast expanse, and where its course turns, several dark green peaks slant into the sky, their waists quietly swallowed by the pale clouds.

A stone path meanders along the water's edge, with a lone wild goose flying across the river. At its end stands a single-arched stone bridge, its surface covered in moss. Beneath the bridge, the water flows silently, leaving only a clear and tranquil expanse.

A lone figure stands at the bridgehead, only his back visible; he is dressed in white, as white as snow, gazing into the distance against the wind.
The Luo River meanders gracefully, like an indescribable woman, while the white-clad figure on the stone bridge admires it. This silent painting, however, seems to stir a heartbeat within Shi Feixuan's heart.

It's as if my innermost thoughts can be understood by others.

Upon seeing her expression, Hou Xibai's face immediately changed.

He looked at Zhou Yi's painting again and saw five more characters: "Guest of the Luo River and the Vast Sea".

This landscape painting is quite evocative, but in terms of its appeal to women, it is probably not as attractive as my own "Ode to a Beauty".

but
Upon regaining consciousness, Hou Xibai keenly sensed that the Holy Maiden Cihang was experiencing tremendous emotional fluctuations, which would be nothing to ordinary people.

But she is Shi Feixuan.

Hou Xibai's heart sank suddenly. Could it be...?
"In this deep blue-green where ink and water blend, it seems as if the underlying color was already painted when heaven and earth were first created. Perhaps this is the realm that Feixuan is pursuing."

"Young Master Hou, I'm so sorry."

Zhou Yi felt that the saintess was going a bit too far at this moment.

When you express your apology, at least take your eyes off the painting and give Lao Hou an apologetic look.

Hou Xibai looked at Shi Feixuan, then at Zhou Yi.

He recalled the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, where a little vixen had caused him a crushing defeat.

At this moment, on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Hou Xibai had a similar feeling.

The monkeys' cries on both banks could not be stopped; the sentimental young man was utterly helpless.

Hou Xibai sighed, "Brother Zhou, you have won."

Zhou Yi sincerely comforted him, saying, "It's just about painting, Brother Hou, don't be too sad. In my heart, your painting of a beautiful woman is already the pinnacle. No one in the world can rival you when it comes to painting beautiful women."

"Ugh"

Hou Xibai sighed again: "A painting that cannot be appreciated has no soul; it's like a flower on paper that can't emit any fragrance."

"Brother Zhou, let me calm down first. I will come to the Eastern Capital to find you later."

Zhou Yi was about to reply "okay" when he suddenly realized that something was wrong with his words.

"Plop~!"

The boatman was startled, and Zhou Yi and Shi Feixuan were also taken aback.

Hou Xibai took the painting and leaped into the Three Gorges River.

Watching Hou Xibai swim towards Baidi City, Zhou Yi called out to him, but Hou Xibai only waved back, his mind made up.

"Miss Qin, couldn't you be a little more tactful?"

Shi Feixuan continued looking at the painting: "Brother Dao, I'm not biased towards you; I really like this painting. By the way, is this you?"

She pointed to the white-clad figure on the stone bridge in the painting.

"No."

"Was he admiring the Luo River?"

"No, he's just a fisherman checking if there are any fish in the water."

Zhou Yi ruined the entire atmosphere, but Fairy Luoshui was not disappointed and sat with him at the bow of the boat.

After passing through the perilous Kuimen Pass, one suddenly enters the Wuxia Gorge. The mountain scenery gradually becomes secluded, deep, and beautiful, with thousands of peaks vying for verdant green and ten thousand ravines piled with clouds.

The Goddess Peak stands gracefully amidst the mist and haze, appearing and disappearing like wisps of smoke.

As the saying goes, a goddess's life is but a dream, and a young maiden's dwelling has no lover.

Zhou Yi's gaze was fixed on the gradually changing mountain scenery.

"Did Master Fanzhai know you came to see me?"

"I don't know."

She gazed intently at the river's waves, her expression distant and wistful.

“Ning Sanren sent a message to Daoist Yuan, so I didn’t need to escort him. But Feixuan thought that Daoist brother might still be in Chengdu, so she took the initiative to go. Actually, I’ve wanted to talk to Daoist brother for a long time, but my master has always been by my side.”

"Just ignore her."

Zhou Yi patiently persuaded, "The fact that you came to me means that what I said before was correct, that Master Fan's training method is wrong. This shows that what you've heard since you were a child may not be right either. You can't be a good little fairy, you have to be a little rebellious."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan did not refute his words.

In the cultivation of the Cihang Sword Manual, the methods left by the patriarch were indeed flawed.

She is on a completely different path, yet she is making rapid progress.

"Brother Dao, I heard my grandmaster say something; may I ask you about it?"

Zhou Yi thought of the old nun: "What good things could she possibly say? Tell me."

Shi Feixuan first recounted how Abbess Yixin said he belonged to the Demonic Sect, and then she presented her own viewpoint.

then
“My grandmaster said my ideas were too simplistic. Yang Guang changed a lot before and after becoming emperor, causing the people to suffer from chaos. I, Jingzhai, have a responsibility to restore order to the world. Is there anything wrong with what my grandmaster said?”

"Of course."

Zhou Yi scoffed:
"She speaks so grandly, but it's really all for the sake of the orthodox tradition. If she believed in the so-called Mandate of Heaven, why did she go down the mountain? She could have just gone with the flow. Does the world only need her to save it? If that's the case, is it still called Mandate of Heaven? Or is Cihang Jingzhai Mandate of Heaven?"

Zhou Yi's tone was flat:

"Since she has shown murderous intent towards me, it means that she herself believes that the so-called destiny has changed. Why not adapt to the change? If the Buddhist sect were to support me now, wouldn't the world be pacified in the shortest possible time?"

"So, is she still acting in the name of the common people?"

"She just thinks she's right and wants to convince others."

“That approach won’t work on me. Fate is something you have to take into your own hands.”

Shi Feixuan listened quietly, then pondered.

Ever since the Cihang Sword Manual opened a gap, she began to receive things beyond what her master taught her.

Especially when it came from Zhou Yi's mouth.

I wanted to continue listening, but Zhou Yi became too lazy to talk anymore:

"No amount of arguing will help; we have to fight. Let me tell you in advance, whether it's your so-called Grandmaster Yixin or the foundation of another sect, if you cause me trouble, I'll have to find someone to back you up."

"If you can't persuade them, I'll beat them to death. Then, because you used me for practice, they'll probably both love and hate me, and that will be a real pain for you."

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan felt quite conflicted and looked at him intently: "Brother Daoist."

Zhou Yi shook his head at that flawless pretty face: "I have never been a soft-hearted person."

Shi Feixuan remained silent for a while:
"Grandmaster Uncle has decided to take out the He Shi Bi jade. If you go to the Eastern Capital, many people will definitely come after you. Leaving aside others for now, there is one person you need to be extremely careful about."

"Who?"

"That is... the Indian sorcerer monk, Fu Nanda."

She remembered that Zhou Yi had shown her an improper Indian sutra, and her pretty face flushed slightly.

"During the time that the holy monks were in Sichuan, with the help of Li Mi, Fu Nanda broke into Jing Nian Chan Monastery and took Master Bu Tan away. Later, Master Bu Tan returned and said that after exchanging Buddhist teachings and martial arts with Fu Nanda, the evil monk's spiritual yoga skills had greatly improved, so he released him."

“Li Mi is your mortal enemy. He treats Fu Nanda as the national teacher and has recruited many experts from the Western Regions, the South China Sea, the Mongolian Plateau, and Goguryeo, all for the purpose of dealing with you.”

Zhou Yi frowned slightly after hearing this: "So, there are quite a few obstacles to me getting the He Shi Bi jade."

"Ah."

Shi Feixuan nodded gently: "And some of the seniors in our sect also harbor deep malice towards you."

Zhou Yi looked at her fair and delicate face and suddenly said:

"If I can't get the He Shi Bi jade, how about you steal it for me?"

Shi Feixuan paused, staring at him intently, her ethereal voice slightly hurried: "I'll help you steal it?"

"Can't you?"

Zhou Yi stared at her intently: "You should know that this is not only helping me, but also a win-win situation. If you give me the He Shi Bi, your sect's seniors will not be able to cause any trouble, and will also avoid being killed by me."

"At the same time, this can also help you break free from long-standing mental constraints."

"You've been using me as a training ground, hoping to break through the Sword Heart Clarity. You need even stronger mental and physical strength, which means the ultimate emotion and love. Love and affection don't come from nothing. If you don't do something for me, how can you achieve a strong effect in refining your mind?"

"Although this violates the taboos of Cihang Jingzhai, it will benefit any aspect you care about."

Zhou Yi reassured him, "Besides, I'll keep it a secret for you; no one will know."

He was just testing the waters, thinking that Shi Feixuan would say something nice to refuse.

did not expect.
The serene and profound saintess before him was like a snow lotus untouched by dust suddenly blooming. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Brother Dao, you're so naughty."

“You clearly didn’t give her anything, yet you instigated Feixuan to steal things for you.”

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "This is just a backup plan."

"If I really need your help, I'll teach you a secret method for cultivating the Dao embryo after it's done."

Shi Feixuan's slender, dark eyebrows were relaxed and free, revealing a knowing understanding of the ways of the world. She smiled and said:

"Brother Dao, after I return to Dongdu this time, I will seriously consider what you said and observe the actions of my grandmaster and the others. Feixuan will have an answer."

Zhou Yi revealed a hint of appreciation:
"Think for yourself, don't listen to others. I have my own selfish motives, and so do your grandmasters. Otherwise, there would be no fighting in this martial world."

After exchanging a few words, the two stood at the bow of the boat and admired the magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges.

Before the Wu Gorge ended, the sound of the Xiling Shoal was already faintly like muffled thunder.

Here, the river becomes turbulent again, with jagged reefs lurking beneath the surface. The treacherous sections of Huangniu Gorge, Dengying Gorge, and Kongling Shoal follow one after another.

A white dog followed by a yellow ox, the rapids as dense as bamboo joints. The road traverses treacherous terrain, where people continue the sorrows of the past and present.

Shi Feixuan looked back at the Yellow Ox Rock, feeling as if Xia Yun had galloped past like a horse. Her gaze swept over the ancient plank road and then moved to the white-clad youth beside her.

Then the painting was unfolded.

A stone bridge becomes a boat, the Three Gorges become the Luo River, the white-clad youth's gaze is always fixed on it, the dark green mountains and rivers are imbued with color, causing the calm lake in the heart of the Luo River Fairy to be stirred by many waves.
Thousands of miles of Jiangling to return in a day.

The boat was going too fast.

At Jiangling Ferry, Shi Feixuan changed her route and headed north. As she was leaving, she suddenly had a thought: "You are going to the bustling city, while I remain before the old peak."

A strong river breeze stirred, causing strands of her dark hair, hidden beneath the jade hairpin, to flutter before her ethereal gaze.

"Brother Dao, will we have another chance to travel to the Three Gorges together?"

"some."

Zhou Yi smiled and drifted eastward along the gradually calming river, leaving Shi Feixuan with only her back view.

Amidst the misty moon over the twenty-four peaks, a figure in white descends upon Yangzhou.

The Holy Maiden Cihang withdrew her gaze, becoming detached from worldly affairs once more. She carefully put away the painting and headed north to the Eastern Capital.

And at this moment.
The wealthy young master swam back to Baidi City along the Three Gorges. Even when You Niaojuan was being chased by the Empress Dowager and jumped into the Three Gorges, he didn't swim as far as he did.

The leaves of Baidi City are sparse and tall, the sound of the cold pestle has ceased, and the night monkeys cry.

Hou Xibai, what a tragedy.

Even the most impartial fairy master doesn't seem to be so impartial after all.

At the riverside dock, Hou Xibai suddenly remembered Zhou Yi's words: "If you are heartbroken tomorrow, come back here."
He was soaking wet and was heading towards Tongfu Inn.

Unexpectedly, a beautiful woman carrying a lantern was walking along the riverbank.

Hou Xibai was startled: "Caiqi?"

"So, you lost, didn't you?"

Fan Caiqi teased, "You'll never win a painting contest against the Grand Commander in your entire life."

"What can Caiqi teach me?"

Fan Caiqi didn't mind his wet arms. She put her arm around his right hand and said as they walked, "You're so stupid. If you all drew me together, you would have won."

Hou Xibai said, "Caiqi thinks so highly of me, how could I possibly surpass Brother Zhou?"

Fan Caiqi was very honest: "I can't beat any of them."

Seeing Hou Xibai's even more disappointed expression, she chuckled mischievously and said, "What's wrong with that? If everyone were like Grand Commander Zhou, the world would be in chaos."

"Moreover, he holds grudges, so being with him is not easy."

Hou Xibai shook his head and smiled: "Don't say that. Brother Zhou is very easy to get along with, but it's true that he holds grudges."

The two laughed as they headed towards Baidi City. Meanwhile, Commander Zhou, still on his night boat, sneezed and immediately began to speculate about which debtor had been gossiping behind his back.
……

(End of this chapter)