A man stands before the heavens, his sword emerges from the Emei Mountains.

Surrounded by undulating peaks and lush, verdant forests, Qingcheng Mountain resembles a city wall, hence its name. Because of its evergreen forests and winding paths, it enjoys the reputation of "Qingcheng, the most secluded place under heaven."

"Was Shao Yong really that miraculous?"

More than ten riders were traveling along the wide official road. In front of them was a horse with a dragon-like back and bird-like neck, with strong bones and muscles. This horse was named "Flying Cloud Steed". When it ran, it was as fast as lightning and was no less than the "Ferghana Horse".

Seated on horseback was an older man, seven feet tall, with long, thick eyebrows that covered his eyes, and three hairs on his left cheek that stood up when he was angry. A long sword with an ancient design hung at his waist. Beside him was a pure white horse, without any other blemishes. On its back sat a boy of about ten years old, with exquisitely handsome features. His face, as white as jade, had a coral-like hue, and his eyes were clear as water, yet they still held a clever and handsome quality that did not match his age.

Two riders led the way, followed by more than ten riders, both men and women, with peculiar appearances. Among them were women with naturally alluring charm, plump figures, yet restrained demeanor, appearing quite dignified. There were also long-haired, reddish-brown monks with imposing figures and faces covered in scars, making their original appearances unrecognizable, and a lean, withered old man.

When the young man asked this question, the man, with his outstanding demeanor and profound presence, replied, "Shao Yong was a Neo-Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty, as well as a renowned Taoist priest and poet."

"There are many such people among the Han Chinese."

"You are unaware of something," the man explained. "Shao Yong possessed extraordinary talent, capable of integrating and understanding profound insights. He was also a master of the I Ching, with a thorough grasp of the laws governing the operation of heaven and earth and the waxing and waning of yin and yang."

The boy was about to ask if it was a case of false advertising, but then he remembered his father's wisdom and extensive knowledge, and hesitated to speak.

The man continued, "Shao Yong studied the esoteric mysteries of the I Ching, including the Hetu, Luoshu, and the Fuxi Bagua. Historical records say that he had a profound and thorough understanding of everything from the changes of ancient and modern times to the nature of plants and trees, and that he possessed extraordinary wisdom and foresight."

"Is there really such a talent in the world?"

The man sighed and casually recited, "Heaven and earth multiply to form a single origin, suddenly the cycle of sixty years begins anew. At the age of twenty-eight, the world changes, I watch the withered flowers fade without a word."

"This poem seems to have a hidden meaning," the young man pondered, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"This is Shao Yong's 'Plum Blossom Poems,' in which Shao Yong used poetry to predict the future. This poem says that the fate of the dynasty is coming to an end."

The boy was about to blurt out nonsense, but reality entered his consciousness. Thinking about the current state of the world and the rumors he had heard from his father, he could no longer speak.

"After going through countless hardships, I finally found out that a descendant of Shao Yong was cultivating in Qingcheng Mountain. I climbed the mountain to visit him and asked him about the specific mystery of the poem."

"Father, you've worked so hard. When I grow up, I'll definitely lend you a hand."

"Good, good," the man said with a smile, looking very pleased.

"Let's go, quicken our pace, we can reach the mountain tonight." The man turned his gaze back from the distant sky and clouds, spurred his horse and pulled on the reins. "Flying Cloud Cone" roared like thunder, its hooves flying as it galloped away. The woman, the monk and the others followed closely behind, and in no time they disappeared into the lush green mountains.

……

"This Shao Yong was a master of the I Ching and a renowned scholar who was famous far and wide."

Su Mengqing was quite knowledgeable among the Emei disciples. She was lively, beautiful and kind-hearted. When Chen Yu and Yang An asked her, she said in a pleasant voice, "I heard from the escort agency that when he went out, he rode in a small carriage pulled by one person. He went wherever he pleased, and wherever he went, people would rush to greet him."

Chen Yu only knew that Shao Yong was one of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an, but knew nothing else about his life. Yang An didn't know who Shao Yong was either. Ji Xiaofu probably only had a vague understanding, and the three of them listened intently.

"That's not even the most impressive part," Su Mengqing said, keeping everyone in suspense.

"Junior sister, tell me quickly."

"Senior sister, Senior Brother Yang and I were completely engrossed in listening."

Su Mengqing smiled gently, "Let me tell you slowly. I learned about this from the clerk in charge of documents at the escort agency. He said that Shao Yong wrote a poem called 'Plum Blossom Poem,' which predicted the future."

Suddenly, Yuan Tiangang popped into Chen Yu's mind.

"Is it really true?" Yang An asked hurriedly.

Su Mengqing said, "At first, I didn't believe it either. But the gentleman recited a few lines: 'The vast gates of heaven open eternally, how many return, how many come? Though the mountains and rivers are beautiful, they are not intact; I do not believe that gold is the source of disaster.' These four lines refer to the 'Jingkang Incident,' and 'gold is the hidden source of disaster' refers to the Jin Dynasty established by the Jurchens. Isn't that strange?"

"Could it be a coincidence, or just taken out of context?" Chen Yu blurted out.

"I didn't know that," Su Mengqing smiled. "Now I understand why the incense at Shangqing Palace is so popular. Even though the master at Shangqing Palace only knows a little of what Shao Yong has learned, pilgrims from all over the country still come in an endless stream."

"That's true." Yang An's expression became much more devout when he looked at Mount Qingcheng.

Chen Yu didn't completely believe it, but ultimately felt it was quite interesting, and if the opportunity arose, it would be good to burn incense and get to know it.

The four of them talked all the way to the foot of Qingcheng Mountain. Chen Yu looked up and saw stone steps winding into the depths of the forest. On the side of the mountain, a surging waterfall rushed down with amazing force, forming a clear pool at the foot of the mountain.

Flowers reflect on the new forest bank, clouds part to reveal the waterfall. Chen Yu thought to himself, "What a beautiful scene."

At the foot of the mountain, there are teahouses and restaurants for tourists and pilgrims to rest. Yang An said, "Why don't we have some tea to quench our thirst? We can ask later if we can leave our horses here."

"Very good," Ji Xiaofu said.

The four men dismounted, and the restaurant staff greeted them, leading their horses to the stable.

"Young man, we're going up the mountain, could we leave our horses here?" Yang An asked.

"One or two days is no problem, but for longer periods, we'll charge for fodder."

"Sure," Yang An nodded.

"Please come, gentlemen."

The restaurant was spacious, with twenty or thirty diners and pilgrims sitting inside. Most of them looked travel-worn, and several tables of diners carried swords and knives. Yang An could tell from their strong, hedgehog-like aura that they were no ordinary people from the martial arts world.

The four men entered, and the men at the other tables glanced at them before continuing to eat.

Yang An found a table by the window, and the four of them sat down around the wooden table.

The waiter brought out a pot of tea and asked what she wanted to eat. Su Mengqing had obviously been to Qingcheng Mountain many times and knew the delicious food in the restaurants at the foot of the mountain. She ordered four dishes as if they were her own, namely bamboo leaf cake, braised pig's trotters with dried bamboo shoots, stewed pheasant with poria cocos, and Luohan tofu, along with a pot of sake.

In just a moment, the waiter, with a smile on his face, placed all the dishes on the casserole dish.

Su Mengqing said warmly, "Senior sister and junior brother, please have some of this stewed pheasant with poria cocos."

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister." Chen Yu smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'White pine roots bear poria cocos, which grows like ginseng after a thousand years.' This dish is good for the spleen and stomach."

"Well said. I have also seen similar statements in our medical classic, the Lotus Precious Book."

"Senior brothers and sisters, please come first," Chen Yu greeted.

"it is good."

Unlike those on Mount Emei, the four of them were not bound by many rules and regulations. They passed around cups and drinks, and their warm conversation and the clinking of glasses rose and fell.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves thundered, and in an instant, Chen Yu, Yang An, and the others looked over and saw a magnificent horse with a dragon-like back and bird-like neck, its bones straight and its muscles strong.

"What a magnificent horse!" Su Mengqing exclaimed.

Chen Yu's gaze fell on the brown-haired monk riding behind him, and his pupils contracted slightly.

Could it be the Bitter Monk? The man was Prince Ruyang, and the boy beside him was Wang Baobao.

Su Mengqing and Ji Xiaofu quickly looked away, but Yang An stared intently at the ancient-looking longsword hanging at the man's waist.

Chen Yu glanced at Yang An, then at the longsword the man was wearing, and a message suddenly popped into his mind.

During the battle at Wan'an Temple in the martial arts world of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," Miejue mentioned to Zhou Zhiruo that after Gu Hongzi's duel with Yang Xiao, he fell seriously ill on the way back, and the Heaven Sword was obtained by the government and presented to the imperial court. Emperor Yuan then bestowed the sword upon the Prince of Ruyang. After learning of this, Miejue infiltrated the Prince's residence alone and retrieved it.

Could it be that Yang An, who joined the Emei Sect earlier than Ji Xiaofu and Su Mengqing, recognized the sword the other was carrying?

Chen Yu thought back to the fact that he had never seen the Heaven-Slaying Sword since he entered Emei. When he encountered Miejue in the Xiang River, she was also unarmed, which made him even more certain.