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

Chapter 63 Nameless Valley, Encountering Mo Chou Again!

As dusk began to fall over Xiangyang City.

As dusk settles in, the streets are filled with the sounds of vendors calling out their wares, and the crowds are bustling with people.

A woman in green walked alone through the crowd, her steps slow, her gaze frequently sweeping over the shops on either side. She was exceptionally beautiful, with exquisitely beautiful features and skin as white as snow. Her jet-black hair was loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin, a few strands falling across her forehead, adding to her delicate charm. Passersby turned their heads to look at her, but she seemed oblivious, continuing to look around.

This woman was none other than Li Mochou.

After parting ways with Ouyang Ke at the foot of Mount Taibai, she returned to the Ancient Tomb, her mind filled with the image of him at their parting, making it impossible for her to find peace of mind in the tomb.

During this time, following Ouyang Ke's instructions, she found the mechanical inscriptions left by the ancient immortal Chongyang inside the stone coffin and successfully found the "Nine Yin Inscriptions".

She did not hide anything from her and told her master directly.

When her master first discovered the stone carving, he didn't pay much attention to it. However, after studying it for a while, his expression gradually became serious, and he instructed her that since her current skill level was insufficient, she should not force herself to practice any of the martial arts techniques depicted on the stone carving.

However, they did not stop her from practicing healing techniques and breath-holding exercises.

Of course, her master was unaware of Li Mochou's thoughts. She noticed that Ouyang Ke had a leg ailment, and perhaps the "healing method" on the stone carving could help him heal.

During her time in the ancient tomb, she could no longer be as calm as before, because she would think of him when she practiced her skills, when she ate, and even dream about him.

Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer.

While her master was in seclusion studying the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra," she secretly slipped out of the ancient tomb once again.

"Then I'll go to Xiangyang to see how his recovery is going, and then I'll come back."

She said this to herself before leaving. But she knew in her heart that this was just an excuse to deceive herself. From Zhongnan Mountain to Xiangyang, it was a long journey of thousands of miles. She traveled day and night, resting by the roadside when she was tired and eating a few bites of dry food when she was hungry.

The Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill was unparalleled in the martial arts world. She traveled day and night at an extremely fast pace, arriving in Xiangyang in less than ten days.

Once inside the city, she headed straight for the largest restaurant in the city, "Juxianlou".

Upon seeing a beautiful young woman arrive, the waiter hurried forward with a beaming smile: "Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"

Li Mochou didn't waste any words with him. She took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it on the counter, saying, "I'd like to ask you about someone. A few months ago, did a white-robed gentleman with mobility issues stay at your shop? He sometimes brought a small, fiery red bird with him."

Upon hearing "the fiery red bird," the waiter immediately slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Miss, are you referring to that young master Ouyang? I remember him, I remember him! That bird is quite magnificent, and it can even drink!" As he spoke, he stole a glance at Li Mochou, thinking to himself, "This young lady is so beautiful, could she perhaps have some connection with young master Ouyang?"

Li Mochou ignored his gaze and pressed on, "Where is he now?"

The waiter's smile froze. He scratched his head, looking troubled. "Miss, you've come at an inopportune time. Young Master Ouyang left Xiangyang several months ago. I don't know exactly where he went." He paused, then added, "However, when he left, he asked someone to buy a lot of dry food and water, so it seems he was going on a long journey."

Li Mochou's heart sank.

She traveled a long way to get there, only to find it empty.

"Did he say where he was going?" she asked, unwilling to give up.

The waiter shook his head: "No. That young master Ouyang always keeps to himself and never talks much with others."

Li Mochou bit her lip, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her. She turned and left.

Li Mochou left the restaurant and stood on the street, momentarily at a loss for where to go. She looked up at the lights gradually coming on in the twilight, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

If what he said back then was true, then that's certainly good news. But he's gone; where can she find him now?

Are you going to Jiangnan?

However, that place is quite far from Zhongnan Mountain. If they continue south, they may not be able to return to the ancient tomb in time. Even if Granny Sun wants to cover for her, she probably won't be able to hide it from her master.

Thinking of this, her thoughts became jumbled, and she wandered aimlessly down the long street. When she reached the city gate, she saw several hunters gathered together, drinking and chatting. She had no intention of stopping, but suddenly she heard one of them say, "Do you know that desolate valley outside the city? It's the place where the strange snake is said to be."

"I know, I know, that place is really eerie, anyone who goes in is doomed," another person chimed in.

The man lowered his voice and said, "You don't know, I went hunting over there the other day and saw a huge eagle in the distance, taller than a man. With one flap of its wings, it sent a wild boar flying three zhang (approximately 10 meters) away! The power was incredible—tsk tsk—"

"Nonsense, there's no such thing as an eagle that big!"

"I saw it with my own eyes! The eagle had yellow and black feathers all over its body, and a large, blood-red fleshy growth on its head. It was very fierce!" the man said confidently.

Li Mochou's heart stirred, and she stepped forward, asking, "Brother, where is that eagle you mentioned?"

The hunter looked up and saw a beautiful young woman. He was taken aback for a moment, then stammered out the directions to her. Finally, he advised her, "Miss, that eagle is not to be trifled with. You must not go."

Li Mochou ignored him and turned to leave the city gate.

Although she didn't know where Ouyang Ke had gone, the divine eagle that the hunter was talking about was piquing her curiosity.

If we can subdue that divine eagle, we'll have something to brag about when we see him in the future.

From Xiangyang City to that desolate valley, it was about fifty or sixty li. Li Mochou used her lightness skill to travel through the mountains and forests. The night breeze caressed her face, and the annoyance in her heart was gradually replaced by a kind of eager excitement.

"Once I capture that giant eagle, let's see if you still dare to look down on me." She thought to herself, and when she imagined the two of them meeting again and Ouyang Ke's dumbfounded look, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Under the moonlight, her figure flashed like a startled swan, speeding towards the desolate valley.

Less than an hour after she left, Ouyang Ke and his nephew Ouyang Feng also entered Xiangyang City.

Upstairs at Juxianlou, the waiter was tidying up the tables and chairs when he looked up and saw two customers enter, and he was taken aback.

The man at the front was dressed in black, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an extraordinary air. A small, entirely crimson bird perched on his shoulder, its head tilted, its coral-like eyes gleaming in the candlelight. Behind him stood a man dressed in snow-white, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his presence imposing and commanding.

"Esteemed guests, please come upstairs!"

Just as the waiter was about to lead the way, the young man in black had already walked to a seat by the window and sat down, smiling slightly. "No rush. Let me ask you, I stayed here a few months ago, do you remember?" The little bird on his shoulder chirped and hopped onto the table, tilting its head to look at the waiter.

The waiter looked closely and exclaimed with delight, "Young master! You're finally back! How could I forget? Your bird is quite magnificent. Also, a young lady just came to inquire about your whereabouts!" As he spoke, he glanced at Ouyang Feng, wondering if this young master's elder was perhaps his.

Ouyang Ke's brow twitched slightly: "Miss?"

"Yes, a young lady in a blue dress, she was very beautiful," the waiter said with a smile. "She asked where you had been, and I told her she was too late; you had left months ago. The young lady seemed quite disappointed when she heard that."

Ouyang Ke felt a warmth in his heart and asked again, "Where did she go? Do you know?"

The waiter thought for a moment and said, "Not long after that girl left, she seemed to be asking the hunters in the city about the whereabouts of a desolate valley. She said she learned from several hunters that there was a large eagle there and wanted to go check it out." He lowered his voice, "Young master, that desolate valley is no safe place. Won't something happen to that girl going there alone?"

The firebird seemed to understand, tilting its head and cooing twice, then pecking at Ouyang Ke's earlobe with its beak, as if urging him on.

Ouyang Ke frowned slightly. Ouyang Feng had already learned the secrets of the nameless valley from his nephew, and knew that there was a divine eagle there that was as intelligent as the firebird. Seeing that his nephew had a close relationship with this Miss Li, he was curious, but deliberately did not reveal it, and said lightly, "That girl is quite bold."

Ouyang Ke stood up and tossed a silver ingot to the waiter, saying, "Thank you." Then the uncle and nephew quickly went downstairs and headed straight for the city gate.

Under the moonlight, two figures darted away like the wind, heading straight southwest. The firebird perched on Ouyang Ke's shoulder, its feathers ruffled by the night wind, yet it remained spirited, its small eyes fixed intently ahead.

In the desolate valley, moonlight filters through the tree canopy, casting dappled shadows.

Li Mochou stood on a high slope, looking down at the open space in the valley. She had been there for half an hour, but had not found any trace of the eagle. Just as she was getting anxious, a low cry suddenly came from behind her. The sound was desolate and intense, making her eardrums ring.

She turned around abruptly.

Under the moonlight, a giant eagle stood proudly, taller than a person, its feathers were yellow and black, its beak was curved, and a blood-red fleshy growth was on its head. Its eyes were bright and piercing, staring coldly at her.

The Divine Eagle!

Li Mochou was overjoyed, feeling no fear, but rather a surge of competitive spirit. She drew her longsword and shouted, "You beast, take my sword!" She leaped into the air, her sword flashing straight for the eagle's head.

The eagle neither dodged nor evaded; with a flap of its left wing, a violent gust of wind swept out, deflecting Li Mochou's sword strike. She somersaulted in mid-air and landed steadily, secretly astonished: This eagle has incredible strength!

She dared not be careless, unleashing the Ancient Tomb Sect's "Heavenly Net Formation," her figure elusive, her sword light forming a net that enveloped the Divine Eagle. The Divine Eagle, however, did not engage her in a direct confrontation. It strode forward, charging left and right, its iron beak and sharp claws delivering each strike with the force of a thousand pounds.

Li Mochou's sword energy was like a rainbow, yet she could never strike the Divine Eagle's vital points. The eagle was not only incredibly strong but also extremely skillful; its advances and retreats, its twists and turns, even hinted at martial arts techniques. The more she fought, the more alarmed she became, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"This beast, could it really know martial arts?" she wondered to herself, but she refused to retreat.

Just as they were about to fight again, a familiar voice suddenly came from the valley entrance: "Mo Chou, stop!"

Li Mochou's heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look. Under the moonlight, two figures stood side by side, one in black and one in white, none other than Ouyang Ke and an unfamiliar old man. The small red bird on Ouyang Ke's shoulder could no longer contain itself; it flapped its wings and took flight, circling once in the air and emitting a clear chirping.

Upon hearing the firebird's cry, the Divine Eagle turned its head and let out a low groan, the fierce glint in its eyes lessening somewhat.

Li Mochou quickly leaped to Ouyang Ke's side, pointing at the Divine Eagle and saying, "This eagle is incredibly powerful! You've come at the perfect time; help me capture it!"

Ouyang Ke shook his head and chuckled: "Mo Chou, what brings you here? And why did you fight with Brother Eagle?"

The firebird landed from the sky, perched on Ouyang Ke's shoulder, tilted its head to look at Li Mochou, then at the Divine Condor, and made a "coo" sound, its eyes seeming to say: Why is it you again?

Li Mochou said, "I went to Xiangyang to find you, but the innkeeper said you left several months ago. I was planning to go back, but then I heard from a hunter that there is a divine eagle in this valley, so I decided to come and tame it. Didn't you say that you need to be capable to win the heart of the firebird? If I capture this eagle, let's see if you still dare to look down on me."

As she spoke, she glared at the firebird. The firebird turned its head away haughtily, ignoring her.

Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks, Ouyang Ke felt a surge of warmth in his heart. This girl had traveled a long way to find him, only to find him empty-handed; she must be disappointed and resentful. Seeing the several scratches on her clothes from tree branches, clearly from traveling day and night, his heart softened even more.

"Your martial arts skills have indeed improved considerably." Ouyang Ke nodded. "It seems you haven't wasted these past six months."

Li Mochou's eyes lit up upon hearing his praise, and she was about to say something when Ouyang Feng coldly said from the side, "This eagle is no ordinary creature. It is already remarkable that you, at such a young age, have been able to fight it for so long. However, you are still far from being able to capture it."

Li Mochou was taken aback, intending to retort, but upon looking at Ouyang Ke and seeing him shake his head slightly at her, she reluctantly snorted and sheathed her sword. The firebird seized the opportunity to fly to the top of the Divine Eagle's head, circling it once, as if mocking her.

The divine eagle ignored the firebird and merely pecked at its own feathers with its beak.

Ouyang Ke turned to the Divine Condor and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Brother Condor, this young lady is my friend. I apologize for any offense I may have caused earlier."

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The Divine Eagle tilted its head, glanced at Li Mochou, then at Ouyang Ke, and let out a low cry. The sound wasn't anger, but rather helplessness. It turned and strode into the valley, but after a few steps, it turned back to look at Ouyang Ke, signaling him to follow.

The firebird flew back from the eagle's head and landed on Ouyang Ke's shoulder. It pecked at his earlobe with its beak and made two "coo-coo" sounds, as if to say: This big guy has a bad temper.

Li Mochou gazed at the retreating figure of the Divine Condor, feeling both ashamed and a little wronged. She whispered, "Brother Ouyang, I..."

I came all this way to find you, and you just left without even saying a word beforehand.

Ouyang Ke said, "This is a long story. Come with me, and I'll tell you slowly."

He turned to Ouyang Feng and said, "Uncle, this is Miss Li Mochou."

Ouyang Feng nodded, glancing at Li Mochou a few more times. This girl had an extraordinary bone structure, excellent aptitude, and a good foundation in martial arts; she was indeed a good match for Ke'er.

He's just a bit stubborn, but that's what young people are like—

A faint smile appeared on Ouyang Feng's lips.

"Let's go," Ouyang Feng said, uttering only two words.

The three people and the bird walked under the moonlight towards the sword tomb in the valley. The firebird circled twice above Li Mochou's head before landing back on Ouyang Ke's shoulder, seemingly still not very affectionate towards her.

Li Mochou wasn't annoyed; she just smiled. She knew that this little guy recognized people, and she had to take it slowly.

A night breeze swept by, carrying the unique crispness of the valley. Li Mochou walked beside Ouyang Ke, stealing glances at him. In the moonlight, his profile was sharply defined, his black robes making him appear even more composed, a stark contrast to the white-clad man in a wheelchair from months ago, yet still unsettling her.

She lowered her eyes, but a sweet feeling welled up inside her.

"Finally—I've found you," she murmured to herself.

The two walked slowly side by side into the desolate valley, and before long, the three of them disappeared into the endless moonlight.

P.S.: My drafts are running low, so I'll be updating only once a week from now on. I might try updating twice a week on weekends.