Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 204: Warmth of Qinhuai, Enlightenment at Longchang!

The chaotic gusts of wind that had been blowing up nine stories above the Lingnan mountain city finally subsided.

For the two masters, it was merely a test of their skills, but to onlookers, it was a heart-stopping battle.

The Song family members have always been proud of the Heavenly Blade, and this is the first time they have ever seen someone who can stand up to the clan leader head-on.

Back then, Song Que defeated Ba Dao Yue Shan and became famous throughout the world. For decades afterward, martial arts masters from all walks of life obediently avoided the Lingnan area where his influence was located.

Therefore,
Those who can escape from the Heavenly Blade's blade and survive, like Ren Shaoming of the Iron Cavalry, can carry this banner and make their name resound throughout the region.

Song Que didn't take these people seriously. He focused on honing his swordsmanship and declared himself the leader of Lingnan, which gave them the opportunity to rise up.

However, it's probably something that others wouldn't expect.

After the battle, Song Que had developed completely different ideas than before.

Song Zhi and Song Lu were talking to Zhou Yi, and then asked him to go in the direction of the Sharpening Hall.

As the local ruler, Song Que remained silent, only occasionally glancing at Zhou Yi.

As the Song family members behind him were cleaning up the mess, Song Zhi nervously glanced at his elder brother.

My brother's emotional state is very strange.

He was horrified to think, could it be that he suffered a hidden injury in the battle just now? Has the Celestial Master's martial arts reached such a level?
If Zhou Yi hadn't been there, he would have asked long ago.

Song Lu led the way, passing several stream bridges and moon gates, until they finally arrived at a rather elegant inner hall.

The Knife Sharpening Hall is located to the side of this inner hall.

This place is no longer a secret territory of the Song clan that ordinary guests can enter, because some of the arrangements around the inner hall involve clan secrets. For example, on the wall behind the screen on the right side of the entrance, there is a topographical and hydrological map of the Lingnan mountain city, and even the location of the granary is marked.

Now, it is openly displayed to Zhou Yi.

Song Lu stroked his long beard and introduced him to another topographical map of Lingnan.

Song Que went outside; he wanted to return the precious sword to the Sharpening Hall.

Song Zhi finally got his chance. He informed Zhou Yi, quickly caught up with Song Que, and hurriedly asked as he got close:

"Brother, are you injured?"

This is absurd. When was I injured?
The faint melancholy in Song Que's eyes deepened: "Why do you ask this?"

It seemed he wasn't injured, and Song Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had been overthinking things.

Fortunately, the Taoist priest wasn't that outrageous.

He gave an awkward smile and began to explain:

"The battle just now was beyond my comprehension. This Zhou Tianshi is truly worthy of his name and is more powerful than I imagined. Seeing my elder brother deep in thought, I am uncertain and somewhat worried."

Song Que gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I never thought I'd make you worry."

As Song Zhi walked towards the Sharpening Hall, he kept asking:
"Brother, if you unleash your ninth strike, are you confident you can defeat him?"

Song Que replied solemnly, "I don't know."

"But once a life-or-death strike is made, I have no control over it. Moreover, the feeling it gives me is very special. Even if I make this strike, I have no guarantee of victory."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Is my elder brother being modest?"

"After I mastered my swordsmanship and achieved perfect harmony between man and sword, I nurtured my sword for many years. However, the insights I gained from nurturing my sword in Lingnan over these years may not be as profound as the brief moment of battle just now. You see, my silence is what I've been thinking about."

A thirst for knowledge welled up on Song Que's handsome face:
"He is so young, how could he have accumulated such a level of martial arts skill in such a short time? It really puzzles me."

“Ning Daoqi, Bi Xuan, Fu Cailin and others have all honed their own path through long years of trials and tribulations. For example, I may not have bad talent, but at their age, I am far inferior.”

At this point, Lao Song felt a little frustrated.

Song Lao Er took a breath. Not bad? How can you call your talent not bad?

He is clearly a once-in-a-century genius in the Central Plains martial arts world.

As people live longer, they see all sorts of absurd things.

There was someone named Tiandao who lamented that his talent was far inferior to Tiandao's. Song Zhi was dizzy and, without noticing, Song Que had already put the knife back in its original place.

"Brother, what do you plan to do?"

Song Que knew what he was asking:
"Don't worry. Think about it: if the Celestial Master has such power, he won't be afraid of my Song family. But his willingness to come here in person to talk about our past relationship shows his sincerity. It is most appropriate for us to support him."

Song Zhi hesitated slightly: "I heard my third brother talk about his conversations with the Celestial Master along the way. I'm afraid the relationship between us is not stable enough."

Although Song Que did not express support for either of the two factions within the clan.

However, on the one hand, he ordered Song Zhi to recruit soldiers, conduct various training sessions, and prepare for battle.

On the other hand, it also means that the time is not yet ripe, and therefore one should remain inactive.

Lingnan can send troops at any time if it wants to.

Song Que was well aware of the situation in the outside world.

He gazed northward and said to Song Zhi, "If I am not mistaken, news related to the war in Jiangnan will soon arrive here, and then we can send troops."

As the saying goes, speed is of the essence in war.

"Once we send troops to cooperate, we can attack the three forces of Liang, Wu and Chu from the north and south, and pacify the south as quickly as possible."

"By then, the fate of the world had already been decided."

Song Zhi nodded: "Okay, I'll make the arrangements later."

Has Yuzhi returned?

"No."

Both leaders of the Song Clan frowned when this was mentioned.

Song Que's daughter went to find her second brother, Song Shidao, while Song Shidao became infatuated with Fu Cailin's eldest disciple, Fu Junzhuo, and fell in love with her at first sight.

He hasn't returned after all this time.

The son she valued most had become a sycophant.

Although Old Song showed signs of becoming a sycophant to Fan Qinghui, he could be cut off with the Heavenly Blade. Song Shidao, however, did not have that ability.

“I will send someone to bring them back.”

"No need, I will go find them myself."

Ok?
Song Zhi was quite surprised: "Brother, you're going to Lingnan in person? These two children are quite well-behaved; they just said you wanted them to come back and that you should send someone to deliver the message."

Song Que shook his head: "It's not entirely for them."

"I've lived in Lingnan for many years and haven't been able to keep up with the changes. Now the world is in upheaval, and I'm eager to go and see for myself."

"I see."

Song Zhi couldn't help but chuckle: "To inspire my elder brother to consider leaving Lingnan, that can be considered another achievement of the Celestial Master."

After exchanging a few more words, the two brothers went to the inner hall.

Song Que's face showed nothing, but Song Zhi's emotions changed drastically.

Zhou Yi, with his keen senses, guessed that they must have discussed it beforehand.

After Song Que arrived, Song Lu stopped introducing the local customs and culture. Zhou Yi and Song Que seemed to have a tacit understanding. After chatting for a few minutes, they couldn't help but talk about the battle they had just fought.

Song Lao Er and Song Lao San couldn't get a word in edgewise, so they just listened silently.

Silverbeard and Earth Sword were both prominent figures in Lingnan, but the conversation between these two martial arts grandmasters touched upon many difficult-to-understand areas of martial arts.

Even so, they still gained a lot.

Song Zhi, in particular, ignored everything his elder brother said and kept every word Zhou Yi said in his heart.

For a master swordsman, this may be his only chance in his life.

The conversation flowed smoothly, and the more they talked, the deeper the conversation became.

Zhou Yi looked at Song Que and asked the question he was most curious about: "What is the explanation for the Ninth Heavenly Question?"

Song Que said, "This will be the ultimate strike. Although it is extremely powerful, over the years I have only grasped a slight direction and it is difficult to extend it further."

The more he talked, the more curious Zhou Yi became.

Then I saw him with a solemn expression, muttering to himself: "Bright and dark, what is the purpose of time? Yin and Yang, the three elements combine, what is the origin and what is the transformation?"

Song Que seemed to be engrossed in his thoughts and suddenly fell silent.

Zhou Yi never expected that the ninth strike of the Heavenly Question would bring such good fortune.

No wonder Song Que has stayed away from Lingnan for many years, only raising his sword in the mountain city.

Even martial arts prodigies who dedicate their entire lives to exploring the mysteries of martial arts will likely find themselves with regrets, unable to fully comprehend the ultimate secrets of martial arts.

The interaction of Yin and Yang gives birth to all things. What is the origin and what is the evolution?
The question "Heavenly Questions" was truly difficult for Song Que to handle when placed in his sword.

"What advice does the Celestial Master have for me?"

Seeing that his expression was strange, Song Que asked decisively.

Zhou Yi hesitated for a moment, but still commented: "The span between the eighth and ninth strikes of the clan leader is too large, so it gives people the feeling of being facing an insurmountable chasm."

"To shatter the void with a single strike, one must ascend to the boundless realm of heaven and man."

"The harmony of Yin and Yang is even above that of Heaven and Man. It should be known that the ultimate Yin and the ultimate Yang return to oneness, which can shatter the void. The harmony of Man directly points to the essence, energy and spirit, which is the return of the three innate treasures to oneness. It is the ultimate harmony by tracing back from all things to oneness."

Zhou Yi said leisurely:
"Ordinary innate masters master innate true qi and combine it with their primordial spirit. However, it is difficult to cultivate the primordial spirit to the innate level, so it is only considered a preliminary mastery of the three in reverse two. Only when the primordial spirit, primordial essence, and primordial qi are all cultivated to the innate level can the three treasures be unified."

Song Que possesses exceptional talent and an unwavering commitment to martial arts.

At this moment, however, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

Amidst the surprise, a sense of understanding dawned on me.

He focused solely on swordsmanship, never having read the Four Great Classical Novels, and was unaware of such martial arts secrets.

As soon as Zhou Yi spoke, he realized that he had taken too big a step with his Tianwen Jiudao.

It seeks both the boundless Yin and Yang and the great harmony of the three realms.

This is something no ordinary person can overcome.

For him, it was nothing but a pipe dream.

No wonder he couldn't master it even after years of hard training; he could only fight with all his might.

As I carefully recalled Zhou Yi's words, the fog in my mind seemed to be lifted.

I even thought, "So this is what I, Song Queque, am lacking."

He sighed inwardly, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Zhou Yi.

But then another question arises:

"Back then, when my Song family ancestor and Xie family ancestor faced Sun En together, what level of cultivation did he possess?"

"He is the ultimate Yang without limit."

Song Zhi finally found a chance to speak: "I wonder what kind of methods such a person possesses?"

Zhou Yi's words were brief: "I have mastered the power of heaven and earth."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi and Song Lu found it both unbelievable and longing.

After pondering for a while, Song Que inquired about the great battle at Jingnian Temple that shattered the void.

After Zhou Yi explained in detail, even Song Que found it hard to remain calm.

Living in Lingnan for so long, he became like a frog in a well.

Song Que's desire to leave the mountain city grew stronger.

That evening, under Song Lu's arrangement, the Lingnan Song Clan held a grand welcome banquet.

Having witnessed the two men's fierce battle during the day, the Song family members displayed even greater enthusiasm amidst their awe.

Zhou Yi inquired about the whereabouts of the Second Young Master and the Third Young Lady, only to learn that they were already in Chang'an.

At the banquet, Song Zhi, as the representative of the Song family's pro-war faction, took the initiative to propose to Zhou Yi that he wanted to participate in the war in Jiangnan.

He was very sincere, indicating that he had already mobilized troops.

Zhou Yi hadn't brought this up before, but Song Fa took the initiative to speak, so it was a win-win situation.

Even without the help of the Song clan, Xiao Xian and his group won't be able to cause trouble for long.

However, their participation in the war will undoubtedly accelerate the process of pacifying the world.

Zhou Yi's tone became even more friendly, and during the banquet, he toasted and exchanged drinks with the Song family members, and the guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

He had planned to leave after finishing his business.

However, the Song family members were so enthusiastic that the next day, Song Lu, a local expert, led him to tour Yulin County.

Zhou Yi saw many seaside products made of coral, giant clam shells, and pearls, as well as some rattan woven utensils and gold and silver ornaments.

He not only looked at them, but also spent money to buy them.

Some of these items have a distinctive Lingnan style, which young women might like.

Knowing that everyone has different preferences, Zhou Yi bought quite a lot, while Song Lu just smiled and remained silent, only ordering someone to escort him.

I spent two more days in the mountain city of Lingnan, mainly exchanging martial arts insights with Tian Dao.

They each gained something.

When Zhou Yi took his leave, Song Que accompanied him all the way from Yulin to Cangwu.

This news spread rapidly throughout Lingnan, leaving many people astonished.

Even if Ning Sanren came as a guest, Song Que would only see him off to the gate of the mountain city, let alone to the city of Cangwu.

Tian Dao is the undisputed leader in Lingnan.

By taking this step, he demonstrated his attitude to the entire Lingnan region.

Even the Li and Liao ethnic groups, who were largely isolated from information, understood the immense weight of the title "Celestial Master."
"Brother, you've really put a lot of thought into this."

On the city wall of Cangwu County, Song Zhi sighed as he watched the white figure disappear into the distance.

Song Lu, who was standing to the side, kept nodding in agreement.

Song Que smiled and said, "Firstly, it's because of our shared history; secondly, it's because I value and appreciate him; and thirdly, it's because I'm assessing the situation."

Song Lu also agreed: "It's not surprising that the Celestial Master has such extraordinary talent, and that you, my elder brother, think highly of him."

Song Que responded and then said, "The war has begun. This time, we will act together."

Song Lu and Song Zhi were no longer surprised.

The elder brother's escort of the Celestial Master to Cangwu had already caused a great uproar, so it's not surprising that he personally participated in the war.
On his way back, Zhou Yi passed through Shen Faxing's territory once again.

He traveled through the city, inquiring about news along the way. He had already heard rumors that Jiangdu openly supported him, and Shen Faxing's defenses were tightening compared to when he arrived.

The Jiangdu army was originally intended to be an aid to the anti-Zhou alliance, but the news from Linjiang Palace dealt Shen Faxing a heavy blow.

He has now lost all interest in counterattacking Wu County and reclaiming Taihu Lake.

Emperor Xiao Xian of Liang also found himself in a predicament.

He had hoped to connect with the Song dynasty in Lingnan, but this escape route was now completely cut off.

On the day Zhou Yi returned to Jiankang, the Lesser Cold had deepened, and the air was even more chilly. Li Jing was leading his army to attack Xuancheng, and Xu Shiji was fighting Jiangxia again.

In the Jiankang city camp, only Xu Xingzhi was in charge, handling the battle reports from all over the north and south.

The military camp was bustling with activity, with people constantly coming and going.

Upon seeing his lord return, Xu Xingzhi first reported the recent situation with a joyful expression.

Then I asked about the Song Dynasty families of Lingnan.

Upon learning that Song Que had already dispatched troops, Xu Xingzhi exclaimed "Good!"

"Although Xiao Xian, Lin Shihong, and Shen Faxing are like withered trees and rotten stumps, or skeletons in a tomb, they command a considerable number of troops. Even if we can win, it will take us quite some time."

"Now that the Song clan is moving from south to north, this process will be greatly accelerated."

"Our lord has many soldiers and generals under his command. We can attack from both the east and the west, fighting on two fronts. We can also ambush a force on the north bank of the river, forcing all these people to the riverbank, leaving them with nowhere to escape!"

Xu Xingzhi made an estimate:
"I am certain that once the momentum is established, a large number of cities in these three territories will surrender immediately, and perhaps by the beginning of the year, there will be a result. This also aligns with the lord's wishes, minimizing the impact of this war on the civilians."

Zhou Yi nodded and asked with a smile, "Do you need my help?"

“Apart from Lin Shihong, there is no one else worthy of our lord’s attention.”

"However, I heard that this person has been in seclusion."

After Xu Xing finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed, and he lightly slapped his thigh, saying:
"There is one thing that requires the Lord's intervention."

Seeing that he was somewhat agitated, Zhou Yi figured it must be a very difficult situation, so he asked:
"Where did this expert come from?"

Xu Xing stepped forward and whispered a few words.

Zhou Yi was both surprised and delighted: "Really?"

Xu Xingzhi smiled wryly and said, "How could I dare to lie?"

Zhou Yi smiled, patted his shoulder, and then slipped away.
……

The north wind, carrying a chill, came from the north and swept straight into the south.

On the Qinhuai River, the water is as still as black jade, reflecting the gray sky. The willows on the banks have lost their green, and their bare branches are covered with ice beads, which tremble gently in the wind from time to time, making a soft, clear sound.

Listening to the unique melody of this harsh winter, Zhou Yi arrived at the banks of the Qinhuai River.

There are rows of houses along the shore, in an excellent location.

You can enjoy the scenery of Qinhuai River at any time, and see the towering boats and lanterns. It has both the grandeur of the South and the warmth of everyday life.

There is a garden here where water and rocks complement each other. It was originally owned by Guangshen and was managed by Chen Ling, the garrison commander of Danyang.

The Danyang Palace was never built, but these gardens remained. Being royal relics, no one dared use them, so they belonged to Zhou Yi.

After passing the dock and walking several hundred steps along the riverbank, we finally arrived.

Far away.
He then felt a gaze fall upon him.

It was a four-story pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, offering views of the Qinhuai River.

Upon seeing the figure next to the beauty upstairs, Zhou Yi quickened his pace and leaped up.

Upon seeing him arrive, the man immediately looked away.

Zhou Yi leaned closer to look at her, and she turned her head away several times.

In short, just ignore him.

Her blue dress and long black hair draped over her shoulders fluttered in the wind, her long eyelashes dancing, yet they did nothing to disturb the pair of bright eyes below. They always seemed ethereal and calm, her pretty face expressionless, with only a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, which she concealed perfectly.

Therefore, it is difficult to discern her emotions.

"Qingxuan".

"Qingxuan."

Zhou Yi called out twice with a smile, and she finally spoke:

"Who are you, young master? How dare you be so presumptuous. We're not even acquainted. Why are you addressing me like that?"

As Shi Qingxuan spoke, her eyes swept across the room, and she gently bit her rosy lips with her pearly teeth.

Zhou Yi sat down next to her, and this time, she didn't move away.

He pressed his advantage, taking a small hand and saying, "I had planned to go to Sichuan to find you as soon as things in Jiangnan were over."

"You're just spouting nonsense; you're probably lying."

"No, I'm not lying to you."

Shi Qingxuan didn't give him a chance to continue: "I haven't seen someone named Zhou Yi for a long time. Actually, he's not a good person and not worth remembering. I've long forgotten about him."

When she said the word "forgot," her eyes sparkled, and she glanced at him sideways, her eyes full of life.

Zhou Yi didn't say anything, but turned her small hand over and placed something he carried with him in her hand.

Shi Qingxuan's eyes brightened slightly.

It turned out to be an exquisite bamboo flute. She picked it up and examined it closely:
"It was your strategist who revealed it, and then you bought it casually in Jiankang City, right?"

Zhou Yi turned serious and repeated the words of the old musician in Yulin Market:
"The making of Lingnan bamboo flutes is extremely particular about the bamboo material. First of all, the thickness should be moderate to avoid a muffled or floating tone. Local Gui bamboo with fine texture is the first choice. Gui bamboo is dug up from the root and selected with dense bamboo veins and good texture. Therefore, the high notes of the Southern flute are powerful and vigorous, and the low notes are sad and deep."

"This flute was hard to come by."

"It was only after my great battle with the Lingnan Heavenly Blade that I gained the Song Clan's approval, and that's when I asked Song Lu to take me to Yulin to purchase it from one of his old friends."

"I've been carrying it with me all this way, and I was just about to deliver it to you in Sichuan."

"If Qingxuan doesn't believe me, she can go to the city's markets and see for herself. There's no way you'll find the same thing here. I just returned to Jiankang, and when I heard your news, I was overjoyed. I didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before rushing over here."

Zhou Yi sighed softly, "I never expected that Qingxuan would forget me. This is a great tragedy in my life. I might as well jump into the Qinhuai River."

The girl couldn't hold back any longer, lightly tapped him with her hand, and burst into laughter.

"You've made up another captivating story, far better than those storytellers. But I like this flute."

She gestured to indicate the length of the flute.

"Hmm, the length is just right, I can use it to hit you on the head, you unfaithful man."

Shi Qingxuan held the flute to his head, then smiled and put it away, how could she bear to part with it?

She raised an eyebrow slightly: "Does anyone else possess this?"

No, it's just you.

"Who would believe you?"

She said she didn't believe it, but her eyes were full of smiles, and her previous ethereal aura vanished instantly.

Zhou Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Qingxuan, why did you suddenly come to Jiangnan?"

She fiddled with her bamboo flute, glanced at him, and casually said, "Take your time thinking about it. Anyway, I'm not thinking about you."

After saying that, she tried a few notes.

Then, a piece called "Jiangdu Palace Moon" was played.

For a musical master like her, melody is the best way to convey emotions.

As Shi Qingxuan played, she would occasionally meet his gaze.

She had just acquired this Lingnan flute and, seemingly not quite mastering it, managed to play a cheerful tune on the Jiangdu Palace Moon flute.

It was afternoon when Shi Qingxuan glanced at the sky and suddenly put down her bamboo flute.

Thinking of what Zhou Yi had just said, he asked:
"You've just returned to Jiankang. Have you had lunch yet?"

"No."

“Come on,” Shi Qingxuan said with a smile, taking his hand. “It’s my treat.”

"This isn't Sichuan, this is Jiankang. It's my turn to treat you."

"No, I want you to owe me that."

Zhou Yi had no choice but to comply with her wishes. Shi Qingxuan had been here for many days and had already learned about some of the restaurants and shops along the Qinhuai River.

Because when I was in Sichuan, I saw that Zhou Yi liked to eat fish from the Jinjiang River.

So I took him to a riverside restaurant that was good at cooking perch.

Zhou Yi spent more time in Jiangnan than Shi Qingxuan, but he didn't really stroll around the Qinhuai River much.

So, he was quite intrigued to see the sashimi.

Suddenly, a line of poetry came to mind: "This journey is not for the perch sashimi, but for the famous mountains of Shanxi."

The perfect wine to pair with it is Jinling Chun. As the saying goes, "Three thousand guests in jeweled shoes grace the hall, while a hundred bushels of Jinling Chun fill the wine jar."

These are all things that Li Bai liked.

This time, after trying it, he found it to be truly delicious. Especially after traveling all the way back from Lingnan, suddenly sitting down by the Qinhuai River, with Qingxuan bringing him a sense of tranquility, made him appreciate the taste of the perch even more.

Shi Qingxuan inquired about matters in Lingnan.

Zhou Yi ate while talking to her.

The girl initially sat opposite him because she had already eaten.

She sat down next to him in no time, holding the small celadon wine jar covered with a small red cloth in both hands, and poured wine for him from time to time.

Watch him eat, listen to him talk.

She clearly loves being with him like this, and no longer pretends to be angry like before.

Zhou Yi suddenly grabbed her hand halfway through his sentence: "Qingxuan, don't leave this time."

Shi Qingxuan then put the chopsticks back into his hand:

"What are you thinking? Of course I want to go back to Sichuan."

"I only heard about the situation in Dongdu and Jiangnan, and I knew you would be traveling between the two places. If I came to find you, I would have to cross the Bashan Mountains. I didn't want to delay your business, so I came to see you. Once the war is over, you won't have any excuse."

“If you hadn’t come looking for me then, I would have practiced the Cihang Jingzhai sword technique and refined you away.”

She gave Zhou Yi a 'fierce' look, but a smile played on her lips.

Zhou Yi could tell that her skills had improved.

"There's nothing much to learn about Dini's kung fu. I'll teach you, and I guarantee you'll stay young forever."

"Oh~~ You won't like it anymore when you get old, right?"

"of course not."

"what is that?"

"I cannot allow time to take you away from me."

Shi Qingxuan's bright and pretty face held a sweet smile. She hummed in agreement and then said, "You're so annoying. You're the only one who can talk so nicely."

She didn't refuse, of course. She took his cup and poured him more wine. She didn't say anything about turning him into a spirit, but told him to keep eating while she finished telling the story of Lingnan.

Zhou Yi talked for a long time, starting from Lingnan and then moving on to Dongdu.

For example, the story of the nine-headed worm.

When Shi Qingxuan paid the bill and the two left the restaurant together, the story was not yet finished.

Zhou Yi stopped speaking and glanced at the Qinhuai River.

There was an elderly man in his sixties staring at him. He was wearing thick clothes, his hair was neatly combed, and his head was tightly wrapped in a black headscarf.

How could the old man forget Zhou Yi, a person who left such a deep impression on him?

"Know him?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yi responded softly, and the two of them leaped onto the deck of the riverboat.

"Master, are you well?"

Just like before, Zhou Yi slightly cupped his hands and greeted him with a smile.

Master Bai's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't expected Zhou Yi to board the ship, let alone that he would have such an attitude.

For a moment, I didn't know how to address them.

And so, just like before, he bowed and said, "Young hero, it's been a long time. I'm doing well."

The search for Shi Long in Jiangdu was fraught with difficulties, and it was only with the help of Shi Long's friends, Master Bai and Tian Wen, that they finally found his residence.

Goodbye now
This old scholar looked even older.

Zhou Yi noticed that there was a doctor carrying a medicine chest beside Master Bai, and couldn't help but ask:

"Master, you have come here to seek medical treatment and treat people."

"Yes."

He responded and continued:

"When Tian Wen was managing the temple in Shilong last time, he took off his clothes after sweating, and ended up catching a cold from the cold winter wind. Several doctors in Jiangdu saw him but his condition did not improve, so they asked this old doctor Zhang for help, as he is skilled in this kind of illness."

"I see."

Zhou Yi was also planning to go to Jiangdu when he heard about this, and said, "I'll go with you to take a look."

what?
Master Bai was taken aback.

Zhou Yi assumed he knew who he was: "Tian Wen and I are friends, so why don't you go and see if there's anything wrong with it?"

The old doctor stroked his white beard, glancing at Zhou Yi every now and then.

Master Bai seemed slightly dazed, and then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

They followed the Qinhuai River into the main channel of the Yangtze River, heading east to Yangziji, and arrived in Jiangdu with favorable winds and currents.

After entering the city, they hailed a horse-drawn carriage and headed straight for Tian Wen's house.

Along the way, Zhou Yi talked to Master Bai about the Three Dragons of Yangzhou.

He was very familiar with these three people and had heard rumors about them.

However, it was far less detailed than what Zhou Yi described.

When Zhou Yi arrived at Tian Wen's home, he intended to catch up with the old scholar, but the old scholar kept his eyes closed and his forehead was burning hot.

He then used his internal energy to treat Tian Wen's pulse before Dr. Zhang could.

Fortunately, it's not a serious illness.

After he was treated with the Longevity Qi, he was then treated by the old physician Zhang, and he should be fully recovered in a few days.

However, it's not appropriate to talk to Tian Wen right now.

After exchanging a few words with Master Bai, he left amidst the thanks of Tian Wen's family.

Not long after Zhou Yi left, the Tian family was shocked when the old doctor asked a question out of curiosity.

"Brother Bai, was that the Celestial Master just now?"

Master Bai nodded: "Yes."

Tian Wen's son, Tian Jinnian, was horrified. He was quite tall, but he shrank back, shrinking half a head, and stammered, "Uncle Bai, you...you mean, the person who channeled my father's inner energy, he's a Celestial Master?! The one mentioned in the Linjiang Palace's proclamation!"

"It's him."

The Tian family was at a loss for words, and they never expected that Tian Wen would know such a person!

I had never heard him say that before.

"Is there any hope for my father?"

Dr. Zhang coughed and said, "Originally, after dragging on for so long, it was uncertain whether he would survive. When I first arrived, I only needed to glance at Mr. Tian to know that his condition was serious and there was probably no hope of recovery. But now, after taking a few doses of medicine, he should get better."

He clicked his tongue in amazement: "I've heard that the Celestial Master can reverse Yin and Yang, and it's true."

The Tian family mansion will not only be unable to find peace at this moment, but will also find it difficult to forget what happened today for a long time to come.

Zhou Yi left the Tian family, intending to find Dugu Sheng to learn about the specific situation in Jiangdu, but suddenly changed his mind.

He walked along the bustling street for a long time, remaining silent.

"You have something on your mind?"

"No, it's just that when I saw some old friends, I suddenly realized that the traces of time were even more obvious on them."

"Of course, that's true for the vast majority of people. Someone like you is like a drop of water in a great lake."

Shi Qingxuan glanced at him: "Could it be that this feeling can be connected to martial arts?"

Zhou Yi nodded.

Seeing this, the girl suddenly realized: "Now I understand why you have achieved so much."

"Oh, why?"

Shi Qingxuan had intended to praise him, but suddenly changed her mind and smiled gently: "Because you like to overthink."

Just then, Zhou Yi stopped in his tracks.

They happened to arrive at the gate of the Shilong Dojo, which had already closed down. It used to be a very popular place, the number one martial arts training center in Yangzhou.

The wind moves silently.

Zhou Yi led Shi Qingxuan all the way to the deepest part of the dojo.

Because Tian Wen and others often came here to tend to it, there were not many dead leaves and no weeds, so it did not look like an abandoned place.

In the spacious courtyard, there is a deep well.

A little further inside is a tea room.

Zhou Yi had tasted the "Immortal Brew" made by Shi Long, a recipe passed down from the tea master of Guangling.

The layout of this tea room is very much in Shilong.

I found a clean futon, faced the courtyard, and sat cross-legged.

Instead of immediately channeling his inner energy, Zhou Yi chatted with Shi Qingxuan about the "He Shi Bi" and the stellar illusions created by the cosmic energy within it.

During the process of cultivating his primordial spirit, Zhou Yi's swordsmanship has changed.

At this moment, Shi Qingxuan was a good listener. Whether she understood or not, she would not interrupt Zhou Yi's rhythm out of curiosity, thus allowing him to continue speaking.

The Wisdom Sutra of the Great Ming Zunjiao elucidates the principles of illusion and reality.

The title "the source of all laws" is derived from the ability to materialize various thoughts and ideas through the spirit, thereby creating all laws and making the illusory real. This is an extreme test of a person's wisdom, that is, the cultivation of the primordial spirit.

Zhou Yi had not read the last three pages of the Secret of Wisdom, yet he comprehended the principle of illusion and reality.

He already had a clear path.

The discovery of the He Shi Bi jade, with its immense and awe-inspiring illusion, accelerated this process.

The Wind God Without Shadow can transform into the wind among the stars, while the Blazing Fire Sword Aura is like a shooting star; they are both among the myriad laws.

To make the illusory appear real requires a more authentic feeling from the primordial spirit.

Zhou Yi felt that something was missing in his understanding of that enormous illusion.

That is the passage of time.

This may be the biggest flaw in the Starry Illusion.

Talking
He entered into a deeper level of primordial spirit cultivation.

Shi Qingxuan noticed that Zhou Yi had closed his eyes, so she stared at his face for a long time. She wanted to touch his hair, which was ruffled by the west wind, but she was afraid of disturbing him, so she could only wait by his side.

Fortunately, she had a bamboo flute.

Without Zhou Yi watching over her, Shi Qingxuan's eyes revealed even more affection.

She already liked these kinds of instruments, especially since he had gone to the trouble of bringing them back from Lingnan.

Zhou Yi was immersed in meditation. He didn't know when, but with his eyes closed, he could feel the light in front of him getting brighter and brighter.

The seemingly insatiable ancestral aperture between the eyebrows suddenly and naturally completed the release of qi, achieving the incomparably profound cultivation of both body and mind!

Based on the innate foundation, a process of 'returning from the acquired to the innate' was carried out. The profound true energy, the longevity true energy, and the demonic energy of the Dao heart surged into the ancestral aperture from the orthodox and extraordinary meridians in an instant. The three true energies merged into one in the ancestral aperture.
……

(End of this chapter)