Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 92 She is just my sister

The sun hangs high in the sky, and the waves of the Baihe River gently ripple, shimmering like shattered jade spread out horizontally.

Zhou Yi looked around and listened quietly. All he could hear was the sound of waves and the occasional clear bird song. Nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.

I glanced cautiously at the woman's ankles; her calves were curled up and tucked into the water plants, and she was wearing shoes.

Having just met Shi Feixuan, he was afraid that another demonic witch from the Demonic Sect would appear.

That would truly be helping the demoness cultivate.

Zhou Yi took a few more steps closer, his expression gradually changing.

Weak breathing, and a menacing aura.

If you feel it carefully, you won't be wrong. It's the demonic energy that those old monsters researched, and it comes from the same source as the poisonous energy on Su Yun's body.

Her breathing grew weaker and weaker; she was dying.

After recalling the intelligence that Chen Laomou had gathered and combining it with the information collected by the Nanyang Gang, Zhou Yi pondered for a moment and then looked at the long sword in his hand.

If they were truly from the mortuary, they should have been harmed by the Empress Dowager.

Why does he exude such a menacing aura?

Internal strife?
That's normal, after all, it's an old tradition of the Demonic Sect.

Zhou Yi looked the girl over a few more times and knew she couldn't be faking it, but he still couldn't figure out her identity.

Thinking of the many doubts he had about the mortuary, he went to the riverbank.

He lifted her under his armpits and pulled her towards the shore.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

Zhou Yi called out twice and slapped her face twice, but she didn't respond.

He was seriously injured.

Fortunately, he had served as a 'physician' for the Nanyang Gang for many days, so he was naturally adept at dealing with this kind of evil poison.

He immediately turned the girl around, supporting the back of her neck with his left hand and placing his right palm on her central acupoint.

A stream of true energy is injected, then circulated to the Mingmen acupoint.

The convergence of these two acupoints can stimulate the mind.

This method was taught by the old physician Wu Dexiu, who was a descendant of Hua Tuo and a top medical master in Nanyang, Huai'an, and Xiangyang. If it weren't for the old physician Wu's treatment, Su Yun would have died long ago.

The girl possessed a pure and profound inner energy, far surpassing Su Yun's foundation.

Zhou Yi's ability to explore her acupoints and energy channels is tantamount to having glimpsed her cultivation methods.

After the evil poison in her central nervous system and life gate was cleared away, the girl breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Yi protected her heart meridian, pressed down with his palm, and she opened her mouth and spat out a mouthful of black blood.

They simply stabilized the injuries and did not provide further treatment.

"cough cough"

She coughed three times and spat out another mouthful of blood.

Seemingly regaining some clarity, she leaned against the rock behind her and opened her tired eyes to turn towards Zhou Yi's direction.

Those were a pair of deep blue eyes, with bright whites that should have been as clear as an oasis on the northern grasslands, but now they were dull and lifeless.

This loss of color is not just a response to physical pain.

There is an even greater sense of spiritual and soul loss, more desolate and sorrowful than the autumn wilderness.

She closed her eyes, as if checking her internal condition.

In an instant, he met Zhou Yi's gaze.

Who are you?

“Passerby,” Zhou Yi planted his fiery red longsword into the sand on the riverbank, “is this your sword?”

"Yes."

The girl touched her chest: "Your true energy is special; it's resisting the demonic energy of the Crimson Demon Hand."

She took a breath and said, "You should leave. When they catch up, you'll be taken into a coffin by Old Demon Zhou."

The girl's eyes were lifeless, and her face showed signs of depression.

After speaking, he looked at Baihe and quietly awaited death.

She was critically injured and powerless to resist the evil energy, which was slowly seeping into her heart.

suddenly
The passerby walked up to her, and before she could speak, he pressed her back and injected his inner energy into her.

This time, the true energy protecting the heart meridian was even thicker, and the evil energy was sealed around the heart meridian, remaining motionless.

She knew the strangeness of the Crimson Demon Fiend, and now there was a true energy that could perfectly suppress it. If that Old Demon Zhou were here, she wondered what his expression would be.

Why aren't you using your internal energy?

Zhou Yi squatted down and looked at her curiously.

"I've protected your heart meridian. With your skill level, you should have a chance to fight against the evil energy now. Why don't you struggle a bit?"

"You do not understand"

The girl only uttered three words, and seemed to have been touched upon a painful memory, her depression deepening.

“Let me guess,” Zhou Yi sat down, “you are one of the eight experts in Blackstone Mortuary, right?”

The girl acquiesced.

"Then you were ambushed and injured. This betrayal from your comrades hurt you deeply, didn't it?"

The girl turned her head and gazed at him with her exotic eyes.

"What do you want to know?"

"I'm quite curious about what's going on at Blackstone Mortuary. You don't seem to be a member of the Demonic Sect, so how did you end up with them?"

“I met them by chance while riding a horse in Yuguan, and then I traveled south to this place,” she added.

Yuguan, also known as Shanhaiguan.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Yi suddenly felt as if the clouds had parted and the fog had cleared: "The Great Ming Respectful Sect?"

The girl's eyes changed slightly, but her words remained emotionless: "You know so much."

With just this one sentence, Zhou Yi went through the identities of the Evil Emperor's four disciples and made the connection: "Was it Elder Zhou who invited you here?"

This time.
A hint of surprise finally appeared in the girl's deep blue eyes: "Who are you?"

Zhou Laofang is one of the five types of demons of the Great Ming Sect, and also Zhou Laotan's twin brother.

In this way, Zhou Yi's chaotic thoughts were completely sorted out.

These two brothers are ruthless and heartless; they joined forces to swindle the masters of the Great Ming Sect.

Those two bastards, I hope they don't attract the Great Venerable of the Northern Desert here too.

"I am the abbot of a small Taoist temple nearby. I have some background, but I'm not a big shot."

"lie."

The girl ruthlessly exposed: "There are not many people in the Central Plains who know the secrets of our sect. Since you can call out the name Zhou Laofang, you must have had contact with our sect."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "I've heard that your sect has the Great Venerable, the Good Mother, and the Atom, as well as ten top masters under your command, including the Five Bright Children and the Five Demons. May I ask which one you are, young lady?"

Seeing that he knew the Ming Dynasty's teachings like the back of his hand, the young girl's heart, which had already died, now did not want to die with doubts and not understand.

So he replied:
"I am the Wonderful Fire Bright Child among the Five Bright Children."

It turned out to be the Fire Maiden. Zhou Yi nodded secretly as he looked at the sword.

The girl said coldly, "The dead can keep your secrets. Tell me, who are you?"

"Have you ever heard of the Taiping Celestial Masters?"

These words reached the girl's ears, and her deep blue pupils widened slightly: "Taiping Hongbao, so it was you."

Hmm? Zhou Yi touched his nose.

Am I famous for this?

"It's all because of those rumors you spread that Old Zhou went to look through the Taoist classics. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to master the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique through the martial arts he taught with bare hands, and he wouldn't have had the Crimson Evil Demon Fiend. He wouldn't have sent his brother to find me."

She tilted her head in anger.

Betrayed by her fellow believers, her "doctrinal beliefs" have been shattered, leaving her without any spiritual support.

Now, on his deathbed, he has encountered the culprit again, and he is now completely depressed.

If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred to die without saying a word.

Seeing that she looked like she was at odds with him, Zhou Yi felt wronged and didn't want to take the blame.

“If you want to blame someone, blame Li Mi. He owes me a large sum of gold and wants to renege on his debt, so he spread rumors to harm me. You and I are both victims.”

“You’re a dead man. If I were lying to you, I wouldn’t need to reveal my identity.”

Huo Cha Nu pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.

"How could Elder Zhou, who was researching the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, have gotten in touch with you?"

Seeing her hesitation, Zhou Yi said again, "Tell me, maybe I can do something for you, such as letting you die peacefully and without pain."

The girl trembled slightly, staring blankly at the young man's face before her.

"He did it for the 'Sutra of Light' of our religion, the sacred text 'Sabulagam', and the most profound and unfathomable volume in the text 'The Sutra of Wisdom that Exhausts the Roots of All Dharmas'."

"The methods of cultivating evil spirits that Zhou Laotan described are mostly crippled, because people's spirits have problems. Those who lose their minds are incomplete and will forever become crippled."

"He wanted to use the Light Sutra and Sabulokan to control the evil spirit, to use the remnant of the Dao to cultivate the true Dao and the true demon, and then combine them with his body to complete the alternative cultivation of the other, and to cultivate the great method of cultivating the Dao heart and the demon."

Old Zhou's idea was shocking.

Zhou Yi pondered for a moment: "Does the young lady possess the 'Wisdom Sutra that governs all the roots of all laws'?"

“I am Wumingzi, not Yuanzi. How could the Great Venerable One transmit the Wisdom Sutra to me?”

Zhou Yi knew it was impossible, but still felt a pang of regret in his heart.

"You look so utterly hopeless because you were betrayed and ambushed by your own comrades?"

She stopped talking again.

Zhou Yi said calmly, "Betrayal, betrayal, and opportunism are nothing to the Demonic Sect. Don't you understand this when you're dealing with them?"

"The Demonic Sect is the Demonic Sect, and the Holy Sect is the Holy Sect. I have always believed in the words of the Good Mother. She said that the Holy Sect has no betrayal, only direction. The followers should go in that direction, find the roots that were once in Persia, and rule over all laws. In the end, it will be a pure land."

Her face turned deathly pale: "Unfortunately, this is wrong."

“Myo-li-ming-zi attempted to seize the secret method and escape, and Zhou Lao-fang captured Myo-li-ming-zi. I will also perish as the doctrine collapses.”

"The so-called pure land is not even as good as a pristine oasis in the northern desert."

The collapse of a person's faith is undoubtedly a terrible thing.

"If you were given another chance, what would you do?"

The girl gazed at the autumn colors along the riverbank and the flowing Baihe River: "I will ride a fat-tailed sheep, wander the grasslands, and never leave the northern desert."

Zhou Yi paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I've come to see you off on your final journey."

"By the way, I still don't know the girl's name?"

The girl's deep blue eyes reflected the waters of the White River: "My name is Aruina. My mother once said that it is a clear spring under the moonlight."

"Good name."

Zhou Yi gathered a breath of Heavenly Frost True Qi, instantly adding a strong wintery feel to the desolate autumn riverbank.

Aruina closed her eyes. "Taiping Celestial Master, what's your name?"

"I am Zhou Yi, also known as Yi Daoren, and I study the 'Laozi's Thoughts and What Is It's Like'."

Upon hearing his strange and amusing words, a faint smile appeared on the girl's pale lips as she lay dying.

A cold palm pressed down on my chest.

Aruina's vision grew increasingly dark. Her consciousness plummeted into an endless abyss.
Is this what death feels like?
……

The reeds rustle in the breeze, shattering the last rays of the setting sun. The reeds grow lush and green, shrouded in a thin mist.

Shaking. Slight shaking.
Aryuina felt a warmth amidst the endless cold, the last vestiges of the setting sun.

She slightly opened her eyes, and the first thing she thought of was...

Have I somehow ended up in the underworld?
But what I saw reflected in my eyes was the setting sun, distant mountains, and trees receding on both sides.

After waking up, my mind started working quickly.

Looking down, she realized she was being carried on someone's back. Memories of her past life flooded back, and she immediately understood.

However, she didn't speak or struggle immediately.

You can hear the sound of the Baihe River and the flapping of wings of birds flying in the air.

It was very quiet and peaceful; I felt like I had let go of many things in my heart.

Is this the Pure Land that the Good Mother spoke of?

As a master of martial arts, this was a novel experience.

"you're awake?"

Upon hearing this, Aryuina frowned and said, "Didn't you say you'd give me a ride?"

"That's right, but we're not there yet. If you can walk by yourself, I'll put you down now."

"Why did you save me? And how did you do that?"

"As I said, we are both victims, which makes me feel a sense of shared suffering. As for why I was able to save you, it's only because I practiced a martial art that specifically breaks through evil energy. This is why your life wasn't meant to end."

The girl remained silent for a long time, turning her head to look at the trees that were constantly receding.

"Do you Han Chinese have a saying that one should repay a life-saving favor with one's own body?"

"Actually, it's not that rigid. If you're not satisfied with the other person's appearance, you can be more flexible, for example, by saying 'I'll repay you in the next life.' Of course, even if you are satisfied, it won't matter, because I will still refuse."

Aruina pondered Zhou Yi's words:

"That's good. Firstly, it's different from the tradition of the Uyghurs. In our culture, a life-saving debt can lead to a sworn brotherhood or sisterhood. Secondly, I don't really like people like you."

What's wrong with me?

“There are many bandits and outlaws on the grasslands. With your build, you can’t protect your cattle and sheep, your horses, or even your woman in the northern desert. So, I’m not that interested in your face.”

Zhou Yi didn't mind at all: "That's perfect. Actually, I'm quite worried about my own charm."

Aruina was straightforward: "What do you intend for me to do?"

"According to your Uyghur tradition, you will become my distant cousin and start a new life under this identity, while also helping me look after the house, how about that?"

"Sure, but only for guarding the house. I might not agree to anything else."

"Of course."

"Let's make the money first," Zhou Yi thought to himself with a smile.

Asked again:
"Since you exchanged scriptures with Elder Zhou, it means you've seen the secret scroll of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, right?"

“I’ve seen it. I remember one of the diagrams depicting the practice very clearly. That’s exactly why he wanted to kill me.”

Aruina understood what he meant: "Once we reach your territory, I'll draw it for you."

Zhou Yi was overjoyed, but still felt it wasn't enough:

"May I borrow your 'Sutra of Light' for a moment?"

"The Scripture of Light was mainly practiced by Miaoli Mingzi, but he has been captured by Zhou Laotan. My talent is better than his, so Shanmu asked me to practice the 'Sabulokan'. However, this precious scripture of the sect has not been fully mastered. If you want to see it, I can retell it to you."

"But firstly, you don't understand the doctrine; secondly, you don't have a good mother to help you; and thirdly, the scriptures are incomplete, so reading them might do you more harm than good."

"Your Shattering True Qi is extremely special, and so is that..."

As she said this, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, but she quickly suppressed the smile that had not yet appeared: "Then what scripture do I have? It's no less than the Sabulokhan, so there's really no need to practice it."

Zhou Yi shook his head: "You mentioned before that the Great Ming Venerable Sect's scriptures are about refining the spirit within the acupoints. I just wanted to take a look at them."

This time, the girl didn't refuse.

Zhou Yi led her all the way to Wolong Mountain, along a quiet mountain path lined with ancient cypress trees.

“Bringing me back might not be beneficial for you; my actions would be tantamount to apostasy.”

“This is something that the Great Venerable and the Good Mother will never allow. You have found yourself an opponent that is difficult to contend with.”

Zhou Yi remained silent for a few moments, then suddenly said:

"This place is thousands of miles away from the northern desert. By the time the Great Venerable finds this place, it will be hard to say whether we will be able to contend with him then."

They were almost at Wuzhuang Temple when Yina struggled slightly and got off his back.

It turns out she can walk.

Zhou Yi smiled and casually picked a small chrysanthemum from Old Xie's fence.

"Chrysanthemums are beautiful in autumn, their petals glistening with dew. Congratulations on your new life."

She accepted it readily and said, "Thank you."

at this time
Hearing the commotion, Xie Jiyou, who was inside the house, peeked out to see which womanizer it was.

After catching a glimpse of the man and woman
Old Xie glanced in the direction of Wuzhuang Temple again, and the image of the Crow Taoist came to mind.

Master Xie felt that this person seemed much more capable than the Crow Taoist.

Zhou Yi greeted Uncle Xie and then led Aruina to Wuzhuang Temple.

Soon.
Two young Taoist boys came forward to greet them, and before they could ask any questions, Zhou Yi introduced them:

"This is Huo Mei, she will be staying at the temple from now on."

Zhou Yi did it on purpose, because the Uyghur girl always had a cold face.

Aryuina took the initiative to say to the two young Taoist boys, "My name is Aryuina."

Xia Shu greeted Yan Qiu with a smile: "Sister Huo."

The celestial master was feeling quite pleased with himself when he suddenly noticed the two young Taoist boys looking at him, and his expression immediately changed drastically.

He reached out and found that the duck he had bought in the city had vanished.

Then he remembered that he had left the duck on the riverbank when he was treating the Uyghur girl's wounds.

The regret in my heart was like a flood.

This is truly a case of a Uyghur girl moving into Wuzhuang Temple, and Zhou Xiaotianshi carelessly losing a fat duck.

"What's wrong with him?" A hint of doubt appeared on Ina's cold face.

Yan Qiu said, "The abbot has a benevolent heart and released several fat ducks into the countryside."

Xia Shu looked at the Uyghur girl: "This is called 'You can't have both Fire Sister and Fat Duck,' so you have to give up the duck for the person."

"Ouch~!"

The gentle breeze and the bright moon each ate a bite, and the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple restored his dignity.

As dusk fell that day
A man wearing a straw hat and carrying a long sword searched the banks of the White Water River and found a pool of blood containing deadly poison.

He bent down to examine it, frowning.

Ok?
The man in the straw hat's expression hardened as he noticed several items placed on a large rock.

After examining it, I put it in my pocket.

With no one around, the man in the straw hat shook his head and left, devouring a duck to soothe his stomach.
Day two.

Zhou Tianshi took a route along the Baishui River, then searched for the ducks among the wildflowers, but they were nowhere to be found. Instantly, demonic energy surged forth, its malevolent aura penetrating his brows and eyes. The old man sighed, "If I could see this, I would surely laugh heartily and open the coffin to invite him back."
Zhou Tianshi returned home depressed.

……

The Lion King was pruned by the Emperor on the fifty-sixth day.

Inside the Wuzhuang Temple, Zhou Yi held two scrolls in his hands.

One of the scrolls contains the Qi circulation diagrams for the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Method.

Zhou Yi had a very familiar feeling and couldn't help but take out the "Picture of the Emperor's Tomb".

That one depicts the Ren meridian, while this one, "Old Man Sighing in His Coffin," depicts the Du meridian.

Once the two are connected, they can work in parallel, circulating throughout the body.

The scroll drawn by the Uyghur girl was very important to Zhou Yi. After he finished practicing the Ren Meridian, he still felt that his efforts were not yet complete.

If one were to master this scroll, one's demonic powers would surely advance greatly.

However, there is a huge problem: circulating true qi through the Du meridian is not difficult.

but
Which acupoint to cultivate into a "qi aperture" is a very complex subject.

Like the previous illustration, this one also lacks the cinnabar dots.

The Great Emperor was inspired by the monks at Anshan Temple, which led him to discover the secret of the Tanzhong acupoint.

That was the research result of Professor Zhou.

Now that Lao Tan is no longer the guiding light, the Du Meridian has a total of twenty-eight acupoints. If the wrong acupoint is opened, there is a great danger of going into qi deviation.

Moreover, this is the Great Demon-Planting Technique of the Dao Heart, which greatly increases the danger level.

Zhou Yi didn't dare to try anything recklessly.

The Evil Emperor was indeed extremely wary of his four disciples.

The "Old Man's Coffin Picture" contains some methods for cultivating and circulating Qi, which can be considered a small consolation. Although one cannot generate Qi, one can still cultivate between the Ren and Du meridians to deepen one's true essence.

This can be considered a significant step forward.

Zhou Yi pondered it carefully.

Now, the Twelve Primary Meridians contain the "Xuanzhen Guanzang" and the Ren and Du Meridians contain the "Tomb Diagram" and the "Coffin Diagram".

The two sides can be separated or combined, and the Taoist and demonic paths can be switched.

This is completely different from the Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Method, and I'm afraid even Lao Xiang couldn't do it here.

After frowning and pondering for a long time, Zhou Yi still couldn't figure out his own approach.

It can only be attributed to the mysterious relief in my mind.

When he was conflicted, he took out the precious book from his bosom, which was the "Laozi Xiang'er Commentary".

Immediately, he felt relieved and his worried expression disappeared.

Never mind, let's take a look at the Great Ming Sect's sacred text first.

He took out another volume of "Sabulokan" given to him by the Uyghur girl.

Although incomplete, it contains the true essence.

Huo Mei is a very approachable person. She doesn't hold back at all and even noted down her cultivation insights.

This is tantamount to exposing one's own weakness.

My dear sister
Master Zhou praised her and added another point to the Uyghur girl's score.

It is no exaggeration to call the Great Ming Zun Sect of the Northern Desert a heretical sect, as many of its followers have been fooled by the "benevolent mother."

The martial arts of the Sabulokhan are directed toward the human spirit.

Another wondrous technique besides the Root Wisdom Sutra is the "Heavenly Secret Essentials" that we see at this moment.

The so-called "top of the head" refers to the Baihui acupoint on the human body.

Right at the top center of the head.

Sabulokan used a secret method to open the Baihui acupoint, allowing the spirit to pour down from the top of the head like a waterfall, cleansing the other acupoints.

Thus, one can refine one's Qi and cultivate one's spirit in a proper way.

He appears mild-mannered, but is actually extremely irritable.

Baihui (GV20) is the gateway to the human body; if one is not careful, one may become mentally unstable.

According to the Uyghur girl, the lower-level "Sutra of Light" of the "Sabulokhan" has a similar practice method, but lacks the essence of the text.

No wonder the followers are so easily deceived by the "good mother".
Zhou Yixin acquired two new methods, and naturally studied them diligently every day.

More than half a month later, Zhou Yi touched the threshold of the Great Ming Venerable Sect's Heavenly Secrets, completely opening the seventh orthodox meridian, the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. At the same time, the demonic energy cultivated in the Ren and Du meridians also increased day by day.

The greater one's own power, the more at ease one feels.

But he did not slack off and continued to practice diligently. He only rested for one day before starting to practice the eighth meridian, the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian.

In the eyes of everyone at the Taoist temple, the abbot had become an ascetic during this period.
"Hahaha! I'm back!"

A long laugh broke the usual tranquility in front of Wuzhuang Temple.

Zhou Yi greeted them with a smile. Besides Lao Dan, there was another guest.

This man had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a kind and honest appearance.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi, his eyes lit up. Recalling their chance encounter, he immediately took three steps forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:
"A recluse from the earthen temple greets the abbot of Wuzhuang Temple."

Zhou Yi laughed heartily, "What idle person? Master Zhang is too modest. I remember clearly, it was a wild goose in the northern desert wind."

"I have only ridden in such a carriage once in my life, but I can never forget it."

Master Zhang clasped his hands in a fist and said, “I once admired a man, Xiahou Ying from Pei County, Sishui Prefecture.”

“If the abbot is to ride in a carriage, I, Zhang, would be very willing to do my old job.”

Zhou Yi understood his thoughts, smiled at Master Zhang, and did not reply.

But she stepped forward and pulled him inside to observe.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Zhou Yi patted Lao Dan on the shoulder again.

Shan Xiongxin handed the lance he had been carrying all the way to a burly man, a look of surprise flashing in his leopard-like eyes:

"Master Zhang is an exceptional equestrian, a true master of the trade, and has probably already reached the point of perfect harmony between man and horse."

"What surprised me even more was that when I first went to look for him, he ignored me, but as soon as I mentioned your name, Master Zhang started packing his bags."

"What's this called again?

The two young Taoist boys said in unison, "This is called virtue is never alone; it always has neighbors."

"Haha, almost there, almost there."

Shan Xiongxin was very pleased, as no one was more suitable than him when it came to training equestrians.

Old Dan brought back a strange person, but unexpectedly, after entering the temple, he encountered a stranger dressed in purple.

She appeared aloof, yet exuded the aura of a martial arts master.

Especially that fiery red longsword. Shan Xiongxin had good eyesight; after just one glance, he immediately looked at Zhou Yi with a smile.

"Brother Zhou, who is this?"

"Oh, she's just my sister, um, a distant cousin."

Zhou Yi said, "You can call her Miss Fire."

The Uyghur girl had already accepted this title, since she was usually in contact with only three people in the temple: one adult and two children.

The two young Taoist boys and Zhou Yi all called it that.

Shan Xiongxin muttered to himself, "I think calling her 'Ice Girl' would be more appropriate."

After he finished speaking, a gaze swept over him from the side.

"Let's still call her Fire Girl, it's not a mistake."

Old Dan was a smart man, and he immediately realized that this was someone not to be trifled with.

Zhang Chi entered the Wuzhuang Temple and, guided by the disciples, first offered incense.

Since he insisted on doing so, Zhou Yi naturally did not object.

After the incense offering was finished, they were invited into the main hall. Two young Taoist boys served tea, and Zhou Yi chatted with them about his journey from the earthen temple.

There were not many unexpected events along the way, but upon entering Nanyang, we encountered a certain incident.

It turned out that Zhang Chi had run into an acquaintance.

"I met Chen Ruiyang, the deputy leader of the Dangyang caravan, when I was in the northern desert. We weren't really good friends, but we did business together, so we had a business relationship."

“They bought fine Turkic horses from the Northern Ba Gang near Yuguan, and also did fur trading.”

"Later, I experienced a great war between the Turks and the Khitans. At that time, the grasslands were extremely turbulent, so I withdrew from the northern desert and cut off all contact with the Dangyang caravan."

Zhang Chi revealed a hint of reminiscence:
"I haven't been in contact with them since then. I heard they've been doing business in Dangyang and Fuyuan, and they've become even more successful, expanding to Nanyang."

Zhou Yi pondered.

The Dangyang Horse Caravan is the force to which the Pegasus Ranch belongs.

Not long ago, Shang Xiuxun, who possessed a blessed land and cave, had a conflict with the Jingshan Sect. He came to Nanyang to negotiate with the leader.

This is how the Jingshan Sect was finally subdued.

The Jingshan Sect is an old acquaintance, and like the Yangxing Society, they owe him ten shops.

"It's rare to meet an old friend in a foreign land."

Zhang Chi nodded in agreement, "We didn't recognize each other when we first met. We looked at each other and then called out each other's names."

“He has more to worry about than I do, and he looks much more weathered. I told him that his business has grown big, but he complained that it was hard to establish himself in Nanyang.”

Zhou Yi asked, "Has Chief Chen mentioned the specifics?"

"No, it was just a brief meeting, we didn't have a proper conversation."

Zhang Chi laughed and said, "Actually, he was trying to recruit me by striking up a conversation when he saw me here. Back when I was traveling in the northern desert, I had a little reputation."

"I think you could talk to him again."

Seeing his confusion, Zhou Yi didn't keep him in suspense: "They have some conflicts with the Jingshan Sect, and I want to know the inside story."

“That’s easy, I’ll go find him at the caravan right away,” Zhang Chi said hurriedly, getting up to leave after agreeing.

Zhou Yi quickly pulled him down; how could anyone order someone around like that?

Their return has made the temple much more lively again.

For three consecutive days, Zhou Yi did not allow him to come down the mountain, and treated him well with plenty of food and drink.

By the fourth day, Master Zhang couldn't sit still any longer. Since Shan Xiongxin was practically a Nanyang native, he accompanied him on his business.

With this connection to the Nanyang Gang, Zhou Yi had much more freedom to act.

The name "Taipingdao" (Way of Peace) has always carried connotations of chaos, which Yang Dalongtou (the leader of the Taiping Sect) was determined not to tolerate.

But now that we know the true character of this Taiping Cult Leader, we won't condemn him outright.

With the crisis at Blackstone Charity Estate resolved, Wuzhuang Temple can now operate openly.

Zhou Yi also hopes to live an upright life; no one likes someone who hides and runs away.

Five days later, as winter approached, they returned from the city.

Chief Chen was out and had just returned, which caused the delay.

“The conflict between the Dangyang caravan and the Jingshan faction is indeed significant,” Zhang Chi sighed. “This is a big business deal, and the Jingshan faction will not back down.”

"Tell me."

Zhang Chi had worked his way up in the northern deserts, and he described it in great detail:
"The use of sheepskin in Nanyang is quite significant. Putting aside daily necessities such as fur coats and felt clothing, the soft, hairless hides can be used to make wine bags, while the hard hides can be used to make armor and equipment for carriages and horses, such as shaft pads and saddles."

"These items were made by many merchants in Nanyang, and then sold as finished products to the surrounding areas, which is related to many businesses such as security escort agencies and caravans."

"The Dangyang caravan's methods in the northern desert far surpass those of the Jingshan sect. The Jingshan sect cooperates with other caravans and is not considered the originator. But the Dangyang caravan is the originator itself."

Zhang Chi grinned: "When the people from the Jingshan Sect went to the northern desert, the three gangs and one faction of the Northern Frontier looked down on them."

“The Pegasus Ranch is different. They have countless fine horses and their business extends to the Turkic Khaganate. They have connections with the grassland tribes under the rule of the Turkic Khan. With this backing, the Dangyang caravan can speak with authority in the northern border region.”

"The Jingshan Sect only occupies the geographical advantage of Nanyang and is a local powerful clan. If they were to go to the northern desert, and if they knew about the Dangyang caravan's connections, they probably wouldn't dare to travel outside Yuguan."

Zhou Yi sighed inwardly, feeling a longing for that blessed land.

Even if we were to risk everything to unearth Yang Gong's treasure trove now and arm 30,000 troops, it still wouldn't be as rich as theirs.

My home has a grassland, this is the beautiful owner of the grassland, showing off her nouveau riche style.

"So, the Jingshan Sect is unwilling to let the Dangyang caravan establish itself here."

"Exactly."

Zhang Chi then said:

"Unless the Dangyang caravan hands over their goods to the Jingshan Sect and the two sides cooperate. This sounds good, but according to Chen Ruiyang, Sect Leader Ren is a cunning person. Because he knows they have connections, he is ruthlessly driving down the price."

"The Dangyang caravan wanted to do business in the surrounding areas by relying on Nanyang and refused to back down. Of course, there was also the issue of saving face."

"This matter is difficult to resolve at the moment."

Zhou Yi had already realized that if it weren't for Yang Dalong keeping things under control, the two sides would probably have already started fighting.

"Any further developments regarding the Dangyang caravan?"

"Have."

"A large batch of goods will enter the city next spring. It remains to be seen whether the Jingshan faction will concede or take the goods head-on."

Spring is still some time away.

If Sect Leader Ren continues to be stubborn, Yang Zhen will be in a difficult position. He is unwilling to offend Pegasus Ranch, and he cannot allow chaos to break out in the city.

If one sides with outsiders, it will also be detrimental to the alliance of the major powers within the city.

After chatting with Master Zhang for a few more minutes, Zhou Yi put the matter aside for the time being.

After returning to the temple and deliberating for a while, he wrote a note, put it in a brocade pouch, and asked someone to deliver it to Old Man Chen.

Putting everything else aside, we need to find a way to get those ten shops back first.

Debts that are not settled can easily become bad debts.

I wonder if this Headmaster Ren of the Jingshan Sect is a truly benevolent man.

Hmm? Ren?
Zhou Yi had a bad feeling. He suddenly thought of Old Master Ren. Fortunately, Master Ren didn't have that title.

I stayed on Wolong Mountain for another half a month.

The most carefree person in the temple must be the Uyghur girl; for her, this temple is probably a true paradise.

In her spare time, she even took the time to teach scriptures to the two young Taoist boys.
As the year draws to a close and the deep winter begins, the weather grows increasingly cold.

Nanyang is nestled against the craggy cliffs of the Funiu Mountains to the north and embraces the vast expanse of the Yangtze and Han Rivers to the south, giving it a unique winter charm.

This is Zhou Yi's first winter in Nanyang, and he is nearing the end of his life.

On the day of the Great Snow in the lunar calendar, the Yu River in Nanyang was flowing rapidly, and the ice was just beginning to form. Fishing boats were moored on the shore, and cormorants perched on the masts.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM) on this day, Zhou Yi was meditating and practicing his skills in the temple when he suddenly felt a stirring in his mind.

Ti Zhanlu went out of the temple and practiced his swordsmanship on a cleared open space outside.

After practicing for a while, he handed the sword to Yan Qiu.

"Senior brother, where are you going?"

Zhou Yi laughed and said, "I'll go for a walk down the mountain path."

I went to check on Uncle Xie, but he wasn't home; he must have gone winter fishing.

This old man is very addicted to fishing. If he were to go to the Beipan River, he could probably become a "caveman" (a person who lives in the mountains).

Zhou Yi never forgot the kindness shown to him. Now, Uncle Xie is living a more comfortable life than before and no longer has to worry about daily necessities.

He was quite knowledgeable, and the two young Taoist disciples often visited each other. The old man and the two children could play together, so he was never lonely.

Judging from the old man's appearance, he was much more energetic than when Zhou Yicai met him.

He was thinking of taking a trip to the Baihe River, and if the Air Force made a fool of himself, he would laugh at him, and then head towards Nanyang City.

But they had only gone halfway down the mountain path when they heard faint footsteps coming from below.

Zhou Yi looked closely and saw that the snow on the Tongbai Mountain road had just stopped yesterday.

Suddenly, a young girl emerged from the mountain path, dressed in a black fur coat with frosty sleeves, and wearing light boots, treading on the remaining snow as she climbed the mountain steps.

Her hair was tied back in a bun, adorned with a bamboo hairpin, and a sword hung at her waist with a cold iron sheath decorated with dark patterns, revealing her to be a swordswoman of the martial world.

However, its pure and beautiful appearance makes even the snow scene pale in comparison.

The girl didn't look up, holding a book in both hands, her gaze fixed on Zhou Yi as if she couldn't see him.

But the higher she climbed, the more she couldn't suppress the smile on her face, and she was about to break down.

Zhou Yi walked up with a smile and saw that the girl was reading a book of scriptures, namely the "Huainanzi".

"Girl, you're holding your book upside down."

"That's a lie, there's no such thing."

Her voice was so gentle, a faint smile playing on her lips. Without raising her head, she asked again, "Is there a Wuzhuang Temple on this mountain?"

"Yes, but the abbot is not at home. You won't find him even if you enter the village."

The girl clasped her hands together and looked at Zhou Yi with great dissatisfaction:

"Master Zhou, are you trying to kick him off the mountain?"

Zhou Yi slowly recounted, "I have been practicing my skills in the temple these past few days, but today I suddenly felt mentally disoriented, as if I heard the clear sound of a phoenix, which is why I left the temple."

"Therefore, the abbot is not at home, naturally in order to welcome guests."

"No, it should be 'welcome friends'."

Dugu Feng smiled and said, "I want to congratulate you on finding such a peaceful place. I just passed by the river and saw many beautiful sights, which really calmed my mind."

"However, I have come here with ill intentions today, and I am afraid I will make things difficult for you."

"Oh?"

Zhou Yi blurted out, "You don't want to have a sword fight with me, do you?"

"Absolutely."

Dugu Feng said, "Let's go and take a look at your Wuzhuang Temple first."

Without Zhou Yi leading the way, Dugu Feng went straight up.

What do you mean?
Zhou Yi didn't understand, but after walking for a while, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

Try to understand what Little Phoenix means.

It seems they're going to have a sword fight.

As luck would have it, there was also a swordsman in the temple.

Ha ha
Did they know each other before, or were they even rivals?

This is interesting.

Zhou Yi's expression changed slightly. He thought quickly and used the sacred text of the Great Ming Sect, "Sabulokan," focusing his mind on the secrets of the heavens to accelerate his deduction.

But I still can't figure out what will happen.

The girl beside him always maintained a hint of mystery.

After walking several hundred steps, the Wuzhuang Temple came into view.

Wuzhuang Temple has a unique atmosphere in winter, lying quietly on the hillside, enjoying its own tranquility.

The white cranes in front of the pavilion, covered in snow, appear even more ethereal.

At this moment
Two young Taoist boys emerged from the temple. Xia Shu and Yan Qiu were visibly surprised when they saw Dugu Feng.

They all looked at Zhou Yi.

Yan Qiu asked, "Senior brother, who is this sister?"

Before he could finish speaking, Xia Shu interrupted, "Silly, Senior Brother already said it, this must be Sister Feng."

Dugu Feng smiled gently and stepped forward to greet them: "You are all so talented. The Old Master really knows how to choose disciples."

She wasn't just saying that for show.

Xia Shu and Yan Qiu have been studying scriptures in the mountains and have not participated in the conflicts of the martial arts world, so they naturally have a Taoist style.

at this time
Dugu Feng raised her eyes and saw a person walking out of Wuzhuang Temple.

She was dressed in purple, with clear, deep blue eyes that gave her an exotic look, and carried a fiery red longsword.

One of them is the unparalleled genius of the Dugu family.

One of them was Miao Huo Ming Zi of the Great Ming Zun Sect.

The two met unexpectedly, and both were swordsmen who loved to fight.

As the phoenix and fire clashed, a surge of sword intent arose!

Shan Xiongxin, who was in the temple, sensed the commotion here, as if sword energy was being generated!
So he strode forward.

This is outrageous! Who dares to come knocking on our door?!

Old Danbao's eyes burned with fighting spirit, and he was about to shout at the Taoist priest, "Take my spear!"
He walked to the entrance of the Taoist temple and saw two figures, one in black and one in purple, standing in the vast expanse of snow, their sword energy drawn but not released, as if they were facing off.

They immediately went silent and almost suffered a setback.

Looking at Zhou Yi again, he thought to himself that Brother Zhou was indeed no ordinary person.

Clearly, this chaotic situation is beyond his ability to resolve; it will likely require the intervention of the Holy Maiden Cihang.

In front of Wuzhuang Temple, Zhou Yi stood calmly between the two men, stepping firmly and saying:
"Gentlemen, put away your sword energy. Are you going to tear down my little temple?"

"If you want to fight, go outside and fight."

His voice was quite authoritative.

The two were slightly taken aback, and each withdrew their sword energy.

"This is my distant cousin, Aryuina."

"This is my close friend, Dugu Feng."

The two nodded slightly, acknowledging that they had met.

Dugu Feng asked with some curiosity, "When did the Celestial Master acquire a cousin from another land?"

"This is a long story. Let's go inside and have some tea to warm up first, and then I'll explain in detail."

Zhou Yi, with his open and honest demeanor, displayed the qualities of a gentleman, and invited Little Phoenix and Fire Girl into the main hall.
The statue of Huang Lao Er in the main hall was watching all of this.
……

……

……

PS: ('-'*ゞYe Bu Neng Mei, thank you for the monthly tickets from all the readers~!)

(End of this chapter)