Reborn Ouyang Ke: From The Condor Heroes to the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 43 Pegasus Ranch

Ouyang Ke sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes and concentrated. The Nine Yang True Qi flowed slowly along his meridians. With each cycle, the purple mist in his dantian became more concentrated, like clouds and fog, gathering but not dispersing.

As his mastery of the Nine Yang Divine Skill deepened, he increasingly appreciated its extraordinary nature. Not only did his internal energy grow ever stronger, but the speed at which he could replenish his qi was also astonishing; he rarely worried about running out of energy during combat. His lightness skill also benefited, becoming increasingly graceful and agile. Furthermore, it possessed healing, detoxifying, and disease-preventing effects, truly a peerless martial art that cultivated both internal and external strength.

The Nine Yang Divine Skill is also the natural nemesis of all cold and yin internal energies in the world. From Qian Duguan the other day, Ouyang Ke noticed another wonderful thing - the Nine Yang True Qi seems to have an almost spiritual insight into evil martial arts, and can faintly sense the strange aura that is difficult for ordinary people to detect.

Just as he was practicing his internal energy, the jade pendant hanging at his waist suddenly became slightly hot, and then began to shimmer with an unusual light.

The halo of light flickered, illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime, as if the jade pendant itself was absorbing and releasing true energy, echoing the Nine Yang True Energy within his body. The character "潮" (tide) on the jade pendant seemed to come alive at this moment, with flowing water ripples, layer upon layer, as if a thousand waves were surging.

Ouyang Ke, however, remained unperturbed, sitting still and letting the jade pendant move on its own. This jade pendant had often done this since he arrived in the Tang Dynasty, and he was already used to it.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze restrained and not revealing any sharpness.

The firebird perched on his shoulder, chirping softly as if asking if he was alright. Whenever Ouyang Ke closed his eyes in meditation, the firebird would quietly guard him like a caring family member, preventing any outsiders from approaching.

This time was no exception. Its small, coral-like eyes scanned the direction of the doors and windows warily until it was sure there was nothing amiss before it relaxed.

"Thank you, little guy." The first thing Ouyang Ke did upon waking up was to gently stroke the firebird's head with a smile.

The firebird nuzzled his fingertips before leisurely pecking at its own feathers. It first preened the feathers on its wings, then tilted its head and pecked at the down on its chest, busy as a bee.

Only then did Ouyang Ke notice the slight burning sensation at his waist and reached out to touch the jade pendant. The jade pendant felt warm and smooth to the touch, and was even brighter than before. Deep within it, countless points of light could be faintly seen shimmering, like twinkling stars, dazzling and radiant.

Since obtaining the jade pendant and being brought into this world by it, Ouyang Ke discovered that it could absorb his true energy. Fortunately, his Nine Yang Divine Skill was already quite advanced, and his energy recovery speed was extremely fast; otherwise, others might not have been able to withstand such consumption. Seeing that the jade pendant's absorption of true energy did not affect him and he could not stop it, he simply ignored it and let it be.

When I picked up the jade pendant today, it was noticeably brighter than before.

Ouyang Ke's heart stirred, and he vaguely had a guess.

Could it be that the jade pendant activates by absorbing internal energy as its "power"? Once enough energy is accumulated, he will be able to return to the Eagle Shooter?

Thinking of this, he subconsciously poured his true energy into the jade pendant. The Nine Yang True Energy surged into the pendant like a tide, making the character "潮" (tide) shine even brighter, and the ripples flowed faster. Half a cup of tea's time passed, but the jade pendant continued to absorb energy like a bottomless pit, showing no other reaction. Ouyang Ke gently shook his head, knowing this matter couldn't be rushed, and hung the jade pendant back on his waist.

Outside the window, the sun was high in the sky, its rays streaming through the windowpanes and casting dappled shadows on the floor. A few birdsongs drifted from the courtyard, their calls clear and melodious.

Since his battle with Ba Feng Han, he has officially stepped into the martial arts world of the Tang Dynasty. Qian Du Guan's visit to gather information is proof that he has entered the vortex of the century-long struggle between the demonic sect and the Buddhist and Taoist sects.

He now possesses the qualifications to directly contend with established figures like Zhai Rang, Li Zitong, and Du Fuwei, but he is far from being able to be arrogant. The true masters standing at the pinnacle of the Tang Dynasty's martial arts world are naturally the three supreme grandmasters. Below them are the top figures in the demonic and Buddhist paths. Below that are the various powerful clans and rebel leaders.

Of course, there are exceptions. The Song Clan, which dominates Lingnan, is another force that transcends worldly affairs. Its leader, "Heavenly Blade" Song Que, is already a peerless figure who can be compared with the three grandmasters. This can be seen from the fact that the Demonic Sect's "Empress of Yin" Zhu Yuyan and "Evil King" Shi Zhixuan are unwilling to easily set foot in Lingnan.

Ouyang Ke can now be considered one of the most outstanding young figures in the world, but compared to the established giants of the Demonic and Buddhist sects who have been famous for decades, his foundation is still insufficient. Even his own uncle is probably quite different from the eight masters of the Demonic Sect.

To ensure that we can confront the masters of both the Demon and Buddha paths in the future, there are two urgent tasks: first, to heal our legs as soon as possible; and second, to find a cultivation method that can solidify our foundation.

However, he currently had no clue how to heal his legs. Although there were many capable and extraordinary people in the martial arts world of the Tang Dynasty, Ouyang Ke neither trusted them nor knew that ordinary methods could fully restore his legs. The demonic sects, Buddhist sects, and Taoist sects might have miraculous healing techniques, but to ensure his complete recovery without any future problems, at least top-tier experts like Zhu Yuyan and Shi Zhixuan would be needed.

That would be tantamount to prematurely exposing oneself, especially before one's martial arts skills have been fully developed. If one were to become controlled by others at that time, it would be undesirable.

Like the demonic sects, Buddhism and Taoism would surely be suspicious of his origins. Before he could protect himself, Ouyang Ke was unwilling to have close contact with them.

Unlike the world of Condor Heroes, the martial arts world of the Tang Dynasty is far more profound, with its demonic sects, Taoist sects, and Buddhist sects possessing all sorts of unbelievable secret techniques. For example, Xi Yao, the "Celestial Master" in the Tang Dynasty Trilogy, was able to unravel the mystery of his birth and regain his memories of his past life—such abilities far exceed what outsiders can imagine.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Ke calmed down and turned his gaze southward, as if he already had his own plan.

The three schools of thought—the Demonic Sect, Taoism, and Buddhism—cannot be contacted beforehand, but a suitable candidate has already been identified.

Three days later, he left a message for the maids in the mansion, saying that he was going to travel in the south and asked them to tell Jiang Ba and his wife.

Then, he quietly left Xiangyang with the firebird.

Southwest of Jingling County, the Zhang and Ju rivers, two tributaries of the Yangtze River, divide a fertile triangular plain. The two rivers flow gently, irrigating the fields on both banks before finally joining the main river. The climate here is mild, the soil fertile, and the produce abundant. The plain where the Flying Horse Ranch is located is particularly lush with pasture, surrounded by mountains on all sides, enclosing more than ten square li of fertile land, accessible only by two narrow passages to the east and west. This strategic location forms a natural barrier for the ranch.

A figure stood silently on the mountain path, arriving at a hillside overlooking the pasture. Looking out, the fields below resembled colorful carpets of varying sizes, their shades of blue, green, and dark blue blending together to form beautiful patterns that were truly breathtaking. More than a dozen lakes of different sizes dotted the grasslands like mirrors, their emerald waters vying with the verdant grasses for attention, shimmering with light—

The grassland is vibrant and full of life. From any angle, the grassland stretches to the horizon, where mountains rise and fall endlessly.

In this idyllic paradise, various kinds of livestock roam freely: white sheep, yellow or gray cattle, and horses of all colors, each resting leisurely, adding endless color to the entire pasture. In the northwest corner, at a higher elevation, stands a magnificent castle, backed by a sheer cliff and facing a winding river, a truly breathtaking sight.

"What a strategically important and dangerous place." The newcomer's gaze swept over the watchtowers and bunkers built in various dangerous and key locations, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.

At the exit of the gorge stood a fortified gate, in front of which a tunnel, three zhang wide and five zhang deep, had been carved across the gorge entrance. The tunnel was riddled with sharp spikes and could only be traversed by a drawbridge – truly a formidable fortress. Backed by a sheer cliff, the only entrance to the pasture was that gorge, but it had already been fortified with a series of tunnels and fortified watchtowers built in various strategic locations, virtually eliminating any possibility of a surprise attack. Even if a large army were to invade, facing such a treacherous terrain, the only option would be a direct assault. The pasture, relying on its natural defenses, could hold out for more than six months with sufficient supplies.

The figure finally understood why Pegasus Ranch had been able to remain untouched in this place for over 160 years without being touched by any force.

The newcomer was dressed in white, with a crutch under his arm, yet his elegant and refined demeanor was undeniable. He looked up at the Pegasus Ranch not far away, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This person was none other than Ouyang Ke. After leaving Xiangyang, he went straight to the Pegasus Ranch.

Unlike other martial arts forces, Pegasus Ranch never participates in the conflicts between the martial arts world and the imperial court. It maintains a low profile, always focuses on business, and stays out of trouble.

It is said that Shang Xiong, the first owner of the ranch who built the castle, was a military general at the end of the Jin Dynasty. At that time, Liu Yu replaced the Jin Dynasty and changed the name of the country to Song, and the world was divided. To avoid the ravages of war, Shang Xiong led his men and clansmen south and by chance found this secluded valley. He then settled down there and established a ranch.

From its establishment until the unification of China under the Sui Dynasty, over a period of 160 years, the Feima Ranch had seven owners, all from the Shang family, who held supreme authority. Other ethnic groups, such as the Liang, Liu, Tao, Wu, Xu, and Luo, migrated to surrounding areas over a century, forming nearby towns and villages. The majority of the residents of the two large cities on both banks of the Ju River, Yuan'an and Dangyang, originated from the Feima Ranch.

Pegasus Ranch is also the economic lifeline of this region, renowned for its high-quality horses. This is quite similar to the Dongming Faction, which sells weapons in Ryukyu.

Although they appear to be uninvolved in the conflicts of the martial world, their businesses span the entire globe. Now that the world is on the verge of chaos, both have become highly sought-after by various rebel armies. However, one is far overseas, and the other is easy to defend and difficult to attack, thus they can still maintain a degree of peace for the time being.

As the sun sets, the Pegasus Mountain City appears even more magnificent in the afterglow. The city walls are built along the mountainside, constructed of piled stones, winding and undulating with the terrain, creating a perilous landscape. Behind the city, exposed rock formations and rugged cliffs make it difficult for even birds to pass.

Beside the only drawbridge leading into the city, several men in tight-fitting clothes were already on guard. Their eyes were somewhat languid until they heard the rapid sound of horses' hooves in the distance, at which point their expressions sharpened, their right hands resting on the weapons at their waists, and their eyes fixed intently on the road ahead.

On the path not far away, a fine horse galloped towards them. On its back sat an elegant man in white, with what appeared to be a burning flame relentlessly pursuing him.

Seeing that a man and a horse were about to rush straight to the suspension bridge, the men quickly erected barricades, and some on the watchtowers drew their bows and aimed at the approaching figure.

However, the next moment, the horse stopped abruptly, its hooves halting completely, without the slightest tendency to surge forward. Horses must gradually slow down to come to a stop while galloping; this horse's ability to suddenly halt its pace at the height of its speed was truly unprecedented. The men were dumbfounded, immediately realizing the newcomer's exceptional horsemanship.

The ball of fire that had been closely following the man in white landed swiftly on his shoulder. Only then did everyone realize that the ball of fire was actually a small, adorable red bird, entirely crimson, emanating a faint, exotic fragrance.

Seeing the newcomer's distinguished bearing, the middle-aged man leading the group dared not be negligent and bowed, saying, "May I ask who you are, sir?"

The man in white smiled calmly: "My name is Ouyang Ke, and I have come to pay a visit to your ranch today."

"Ouyang Ke?"

The group of men in tight-fitting clothes guarding the suspension bridge all paled. The middle-aged man who was leading the group looked at them with admiration and cupped his hands, saying, "Could you be Young Master Ouyang, who defeated the Turkic Ba Feng Han earlier?"

Ouyang Ke smiled slightly: "Could it be that there are other people with this name as well?"

"I wouldn't dare!" The middle-aged man quickly cupped his hands in greeting, ordered his men to move the barricades aside, and stepped aside to lead the way. "Please, young master."

Although only a few days had passed since Ouyang Ke's battle with Ba Feng Han, the news had already spread throughout the land through various channels. Feima Ranch, not far from Xiangyang, naturally received the news early on. The man guarding the bridge dared not delay; he immediately invited Ouyang Ke into the city and ordered someone to quickly report to the ranch owner.

Upon entering the city, a wide, sloping road extended upwards, leading directly to the inner fortress where the landowner resided at the highest point. Houses stretched along both sides, connected to the slope by side streets, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of a mountain town. The road bustled with people and vehicles, resembling a thriving metropolis. Children played in groups, and Ouyang Ke's eyes lit up with wonder, marveling at the existence of such a blessed place.

The buildings are all rugged and simple, constructed of piled stones, yet grand in style. Along the way, there are numerous bell towers, archways, and gates, their unpretentious simplicity revealing the heroic spirit of the city's builders.

The inner fortress is even more grand in scale, with five main halls and pavilions, as well as side halls and corridors. Large and small buildings are arranged in an orderly manner within the fortress, adorned with gardens, flowers, trees, small bridges, and waterfalls, making it elegant and charming.

Ouyang Ke couldn't help but exclaim, "Your ranch has truly broadened my horizons!"

The man in sturdy clothes who was leading the way said with a hint of pride, "Our ranch's mountain town may be small, but it has everything you need, with shops galore, and it's in no way inferior to Jingling."

Ouyang Ke nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with this statement.

Before long, he was led to a small hall reserved for distinguished guests. A maid promptly served hot tea, which Ouyang Ke accepted, waiting patiently.

Although the hall was small, its layout was unique and its decorative style distinctive, making it unforgettable at first glance. Ouyang Ke thought to himself that the layout and furnishings in this hall must have been the work of the world's number one all-rounder, and he immediately became interested and began to examine it carefully.

A landscape painting hung in the hall, its brushstrokes light and airy, conveying a profound and distant atmosphere. Beside the painting hung a couplet: the first line read, "One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things," and the second line, "Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows Nature," was written with vigorous strokes, possessing a touch of otherworldly elegance. Ouyang Ke nodded slightly; this "Number One All-Round Talent Under Heaven," Lu Miaozi, truly lived up to his reputation.

Lost in thought, I heard a soft footstep outside the hall.

The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, but light and rhythmic, clearly indicating that the person approaching was a woman, and one with considerable martial arts skills. Ouyang Ke withdrew his gaze and gently placed the teacup back on the table.

PS: Next up is the Longevity Secret plot, and then the legs will be healed. I will never design the plot like this again. People say they will abandon the book, which ruins my mood.

It won't take too long, please be a little more patient!

>