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

Chapter 45 Lu Miaozi

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Ouyang Ke was invited to the Flying Bird Garden by Xiao Juan, Shang Xiuxun's personal maid.

Located in the center of the inner fortress, the Bird Garden was Shang Xiuxun's residence on the ranch. It consisted of more than thirty houses of various styles, surrounded by high firewalls, and was a brick and wood structure complex.

Xiao Juan led Ouyang Ke into the garden through the back gate, walking along a winding corridor built alongside the houses. The corridor offered a continuous panorama of beautiful garden scenery, with houses of varying heights nestled among the trees, elegant yet tasteful, and well-spaced. Most wonderfully, because the manor was situated on high ground, one could frequently overlook the endless pastures below Pegasus City. In the slanting morning light, the green fields were lush and verdant, with cattle and sheep scattered among them, a scene of tranquil peace and serenity.

The servants and guards they encountered along the way all cast admiring glances at the two. News of their arrival had spread throughout the mountain city the previous night; the young master Ouyang, who had defeated the Turkic expert Ba Feng Han by the river, had arrived.

Seeing that the owner's personal maid was leading the way, everyone knew that the person who came was none other than Young Master Ouyang. Their eyes were filled with admiration, and no one stepped forward to stop him.

Ouyang Ke was not an unsophisticated person, but he saw that the main buildings, such as the hall, used both the mortise and tenon and the raised beam frame structure, coupled with the exquisitely carved beam and eave components and the gorgeous and varied hanging ornaments in front of the corridor, which were layered and had a strong sense of depth.

Against the backdrop of the garden, the overall effect is bright, airy, and secluded. He only glanced at it and knew that the layout must have been designed by Lu Miaozi.

It is because there is probably no one else in the world who can integrate gardens and architecture so seamlessly.

Passing through doors and courtyards, and along covered walkways, Xiao Juan finally led him to a sedan chair hall. She placed a cup of hot tea on a round table and said, "Please wait here for a moment, young master. I will go and inform the owner."

Ouyang Ke held a teacup in his hand, while the firebird on his shoulder looked drowsy. These past few days at the ranch, the little guy had been running wild. Last night, while Ouyang Ke was resting, it slipped out and roamed the fields to its heart's content, chasing countless rabbits and startling countless ponies.

At this moment, it had its head tucked in, its feathers ruffled, and its eyes half-open and half-closed, clearly still recovering from last night's wild play. Ouyang Ke gently shook his head, reached out and lifted it off his shoulder, cradling it in his palm.

The firebird felt the warmth of his palm, let out a soft "coo," and then closed its eyes again.

Ouyang Ke rose and walked to the west window. He saw a building on the other side of the garden and looked out the window; it was a study. The room was furnished with mahogany furniture, and the Four Treasures of the Study were placed on the table. The shelves against the wall were filled with antiques. Under the light of the palace lanterns, a couplet on the wall was particularly eye-catching, which read: "There is joy in the Five Relationships; there is no literature outside the Six Classics." The handwriting was neat yet elegant, with a touch of otherworldly refinement.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Shang Xiuxun finally arrived late. Today she had changed into a light blue long dress, her hair was styled in a high bun, and she was still radiant. However, there was a faint blue ring under her beautiful eyes.

I clearly tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep well.

Ouyang Ke stood up to greet him and said calmly, "Since the business owner is willing to see me, it seems he has already made his decision."

Shang Xiuxun glanced at him, her beautiful eyes losing some of yesterday's sharpness, replaced by something indescribable. She turned her face away, her tone indifferent: "It's not that I want to save that old man. It's just that he still owes the ranch a lot, and he hasn't paid it all back."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke smiled without saying a word. He naturally wouldn't expose Shang Xiuxun's arrogance.

Shang Xiuxun's gaze swept over him, and she said seemingly casually, "The old man's affairs at the ranch are still a secret. From now on, you must follow me and not wander off."

Ouyang Ke nodded: "Alright, please lead the way, Master."

The layout of the Pegasus Ranch is such that the owner's residence is on the left, the dining hall is behind it, and the back mountain is on the right. This back mountain is normally a forbidden area of ​​the Pegasus Ranch, and no one except the owner is allowed to enter without permission.

Since the time of Shang Qingya, this place has been a forbidden zone for maids and servants. They would deliberately avoid it on weekdays to avoid angering the ranch owner and being expelled from the ranch.

Led by Shang Xiuxun, the two slowly walked towards the exit of the back mountain.

After passing through a moon gate, Ouyang Ke discovered that there was a garden hidden behind the courtyard.

The most ingenious feature is the surrounding outer corridor that extends into the garden, greatly expanding the depth of the space and creating the visual effect of strolling among the flowers and trees. To the left is a lotus pond with a hexagonal pavilion in its center, connected to the shore by a small bridge. As the morning sun rises on the right horizon, golden sunlight spills into this tranquil back garden, making the dewdrops on the lotus leaves sparkle and shimmer—a truly breathtaking scene.

Ouyang Ke inwardly admired her, but refrained from saying more. Shang Xiuxun, on the other hand, remained expressionless, clearly having long been accustomed to this, and even deliberately choosing not to appreciate it.

Looking up at the steep cliff behind the garden, with the roots of old trees growing tenaciously in the crevices of the rocks reaching out and swaying gently in the wind, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but sigh, "Master Lu truly deserves to be called the greatest craftsman in the world. Just the atmosphere created by this landscape garden alone makes one want to stay here for a long time, which shows how powerful its influence is."

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiuxun remained silent, her expression still icy. Ouyang Ke understood that she still harbored resentment, so he said nothing more, and the two continued walking forward.

Unlike Shang Xiuxun, Ouyang Ke approached the journey with the mindset of a tourist, savoring the winding corridors and the ever-changing scenery. After passing through a bamboo grove, the sound of water filled the air.

At the end of the path stood a square pavilion overlooking a towering cliff, from which a waterfall cascaded down with imposing force. If not for the bamboo grove separating the pavilion from the view, the thunderous roar of the waterfall would have been heard from within the courtyard. The ingenuity of this design was truly breathtaking.

To the left, a gravel path connects to the pavilion, extending along the cliff edge into the depths of the woods, inspiring a desire to explore its hidden beauty. The two walked along the path, turning left and right, until suddenly the view opened up before them. On a terrace overlooking the cliff, a two-story building stood, its back against the precipice, in a perilous position.

Shang Xiuxun looked up at the building, hesitated for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "Old man, are you still alive?"

As soon as the words were spoken, an aged male voice came down from upstairs, carrying a hint of surprise mixed with a touch of caution: "It's been a year since the owner has set foot in my cozy home. Would you do me the honor of having a cup of fruit syrup with this old man today?"

Ouyang Ke could hear the expectation hidden beneath the surprise. But then, the voice let out a soft "Eh"—clearly, there was more than one person.

The next moment, an old man with a tall hat and wide belt suddenly appeared at the window and looked down. He was slightly taller than Ouyang Ke, and with his wide robe, he had an imposing presence that commanded respect.

But what's even more striking is his face—it's an extremely unique face, simple and ancient.

His thick, dark eyebrows extended all the way to his graying temples, but the other end joined together on the bridge of his nose, creating a striking contrast with his deep, hawk-like eyes.

The corners of his mouth and under his eyes were etched with melancholy wrinkles, giving him an air of desolation, weariness, and sadness. His nose was as straight and imposing as his back, and coupled with his naturally arrogant, tightly pursed lips and long, clean-cut face, he resembled a former nobleman who had once enjoyed all the riches and honors of the world but was now heartbroken and despondent.

Lu Miaozi's gaze slowly fell on Ouyang Ke. Seeing that he was dressed in white, with a crutch under his arm, yet still exuding an elegant demeanor, Lu Miaozi was slightly startled.

He hadn't even noticed the other person beside Shang Xiuxun in time; the young man's profound inner strength was evident. Suppressing his surprise, he smiled slightly and asked, "May I ask how this young friend is addressed?"

Ouyang Ke bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Ouyang Ke, greetings to Mr. Lu."

Facing this extraordinary figure revered by both Buddhism and Taoism, Ouyang Ke displayed the proper courtesy.

Shang Xiuxun's jade-like face remained calm, revealing no emotion. After a moment, she said coldly, "It is not I who have come to see you today, but this Brother Ouyang who wants to see you."

Hearing the undisguised coldness in her tone, Lu Miaozi was not surprised. She simply sighed softly, looked at Shang Xiuxun, and said with a sigh, "You really look like your mother."

Shang Xiuxun's tone suddenly turned cold as she said, word by word, "You are not allowed to mention Mother again. A person like you is not worthy to talk about her."

"I still don't understand why Mother would protect you until her death." She paused, her tone growing sharper, "Alright, when are you finally going to die?"

Lu Miaozi wore an expression of utter exhaustion and slowly said, "Does the Arena Master still wish me dead?"

Shang Xiuxun's tone was icy cold: "I only heard that you were injured by Zhu Yuyan and that you don't have long to live, so I came to see when you will finally die?"

For the first time, a look of emotion appeared on Lu Miaozi's simple and honest face. His gaze lingered on Shang Xiuxun for a moment before turning to Ouyang Ke, as if he had already guessed something.

Ouyang Ke said frankly, "Mr. Lu, there is no need to worry. I was the one who revealed this to the mall owner."

Lu Miaozi gazed at him for a long time, then sighed softly: "Indeed, I have less than two years left to live. Master, just bear with it a little longer, and I will depart this world."

Seeing Lu Miaozi admit it herself, Shang Xiuxun fell silent. Her eyes held a strange look, a mixture of hatred, resentment, and something she herself might not understand.

Ouyang Ke's voice broke the silence: "I have come to visit you today to ask you for advice on how to treat your leg ailment. Whether it is successful or not, I will help you heal your internal injuries."

"Help me heal?"

A strange light simultaneously shone in the eyes of both Lu Miaozi and Shang Xiuxun.

It turns out that after the death of the "Evil Emperor" Xiang Yutian, the Demonic Sect fell into internal strife and division. In the past thirty years, the most powerful sect in the Demonic Sect has been the Yin Gui Sect.

The "Evil King" Shi Zhixuan suffered from personality splits due to Bi Xiuxin's death and rarely appeared in the world. As a result, the "Empress of the Underworld" Zhu Yuyan became the leader of the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect.

This demonstrates the extent of Zhu Yuyan's demonic powers.

Ouyang Ke was about the same age as Shang Xiuxun, and although his martial arts skills far surpassed hers, he was still worlds apart from "Empress Yin" Zhu Yuyan. His offer to help Lu Miaozi heal his injuries as soon as he spoke naturally surprised the two of them.

Lu Miaozi stared at him intently for a long while. With his keen eyesight, he could naturally tell that Ouyang Ke possessed exquisite martial arts skills and profound inner strength, indicating that he must have an extraordinary background. He glanced at Shang Xiuxun and slowly said, "In that case, please, young friend, and the owner of the arena, first enter the old man's comfortable abode for a detailed discussion."

Shang Xiuxun coldly replied, "I have no interest. I've brought the person here. You can discuss your own affairs. Whether it succeeds or fails, it's none of my business."

As soon as she finished speaking, she left without looking back.

She took a few steps, paused slightly as if wanting to turn back, but ultimately did not.

Lu Miaozi watched her retreating figure, gently shook his head, and then turned his gaze to Ouyang Ke: "Young friend, please."

Ouyang Ke nodded and stepped into the small building.

The plaque above the main gate bears the three characters "安乐窝" (Peaceful Nest), the calligraphy simple yet evoking a sense of tranquility and peace. A wooden couplet hangs on the two pillars facing the entrance: "In the morning, one should tune the zither; in the evening, one should play the se; old friends arrive, new friends arrive." The calligraphy is elegant and refined, yet powerful and vigorous.

This hall is an architectural style with four-sided halls. Through the latticed windows on all four sides, the precipitous cliffs covered with vegetation behind and the swaying bamboo around it are faintly seen into the hall, making the mahogany furniture appear even more substantial, unadorned, leisurely, and natural. At the corner of the room, there is a nanmu wood staircase leading to the upper floor.

Ouyang Ke climbed the steps. The upper floor was divided into two rooms by a screen, one with a round table and square chairs, and the other was probably the master's bedroom.

Lu Miaozi stood in front of the table and said softly, "Young friend, please sit down and try my Six Fruit Juice."

Wine pots and cups were already laid out on the table, their aroma filling the entire pavilion. Under the light of two hanging palace lanterns, besides the tables and chairs, there were only a few essential pieces of furniture, all made of rosewood, exuding an elegant and noble air.

The firebird, which had been dozing in Ouyang Ke's arms, instantly woke up upon smelling the alluring aroma of the wine. With a "coo," it scurried out of his arms and landed on the small table. Its coral-colored eyes first sized up Lu Miaozi, then it gently pecked at the table and cooed softly twice. Its demeanor clearly indicated that it was ordering Lu Miaozi to pour it more wine.

Seeing this, Lu Miaozi was secretly amazed, a smile playing on his lips. He wasn't surprised and proactively filled the firebird's cup. The firebird let out a satisfied chirp and immediately perched on the rim of the cup, pecking and drinking to its heart's content.

Even though Lu Miaozi was a man of great experience, this was the first time in his life he had ever seen such a sentient bird. He couldn't help but shake his head and praise, "Young friend, this bird is truly fascinating."

Ouyang Ke smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, sir." Although he said this, his eyes were full of affection as he reached out and gently stroked the firebird's feathers.

The sound of the waterfall could be faintly heard in the distance, like silk threads, adding a touch of tranquility to the quiet little building.

Ouyang Ke poured himself a full cup, and without hesitation, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. The fruit wine was mellow and refreshing, and most remarkably, its aroma was rich and harmonious, leaving a lingering aftertaste. He couldn't help but exclaim, "This wine is truly a rare treasure of heaven and earth!"

Lu Miaozi revealed a hint of pride and said lightly, "This wine is made from six kinds of fresh fruits: pomegranate, grape, orange, hawthorn, plum, and pineapple. It goes through more than ten processes, including selecting the fruit, washing, crushing, discarding the pits, soaking, extracting the juice, fermenting, blending, filtering, and aging. Then it is stored in wooden barrels and buried underground for three years to mature. In the past thirty years, you are the only person besides Qingya and her mother who has tasted its flavor."

Ouyang Ke put down his wine cup, his expression turning serious: "Sir, your character is refined, which I naturally admire. However, my promise from earlier still stands, and I am confident that I can heal your internal injuries."

A strange light suddenly appeared on Lu Miaozi's simple face, and he asked with slight surprise, "Young friend, is it true?"

Ouyang Ke smiled slightly: "If I weren't confident, I wouldn't have come to visit today." He paused, his gaze falling on his leg, "I know you are omniscient, sir, and I only ask that you help me heal my leg ailment. Regardless of success or failure, I will help you heal first."

Lu Miaozi's gaze fell on his legs. Just now, when Ouyang Ke climbed the stairs, he used a crutch to walk, and his movements were incredibly fast, showing no sign of inconvenience.

But upon closer inspection, Lu Miaozi couldn't help but frown—the injuries to his legs were far more serious than he had anticipated.