Chapter 16: Shadows Dispersed, Wine Gone Cold, People Scarce, Fallen Leaves (Completed)

  Located on the northwest side of Dan Yuan Palace, the Zifu Xuantian Hall is majestic in structure, with its upper part connecting to the heavenly dew and its lower part joining the earthly pulse. It was where Yu Xuan True Person usually cultivated and comprehended the Tao. However, tonight, the Zifu Xuantian Hall was gloomy and oppressive, without a hint of clarity or celestial elegance.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren sat high on the Zi Jin platform, with a fiery red coral tree on either side, his jade-like face was stern and powerful, his eyes seemed to be closed yet not closed.

  One zhang before her, Yan Yun knelt down on the ground, quietly waiting for Yu Xuan's verdict.

  The cold moon quietly shifted westward, and Yu Xuan, the True Person, slowly opened his eyes. With each word and sentence, he spoke as if accompanied by a gentle breeze and drifting clouds: "How long has it been since you saw Ru Chen?"

  "Four years."

  "So how many times have you seen him in the past year?"

  "Twice."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren nodded slightly, closed his eyes and asked slowly: "You've seen so little, is it because you think that the innate talent of the Dust Heaven is not good?"

  Han Yan Dao said: "No, he entered the path late, but his natural talent is overflowing, far surpassing me."

  "So... is it because of Dust's poor talent?"

  "Not him either. He is elegant and refined, with excellent character and appearance. He has no sorrow or joy, and his spirit is as fragrant as orchids and musk, which is rare in people."

  Yu Xuan Zhenren's eyes opened again, this time his gaze was icy cold like frost, and he asked: "Then why did you ignore my orders?"

  Without raising his cigarette butt, he replied: "Before Ruoxuan went up the mountain, didn't Master Yuexian also give an order?"

  Yu Xuan's voice rose slightly, and he shouted: "Time has passed and circumstances have changed, how can it be the same? How can he compare to Ruo Chen?! Four years ago, I already told you that your affair with him would go no further, yet today you still bring this up as an excuse! Have you stopped putting my orders in your eyes? If so, then I permit you to change your faith and follow another, and fulfill the two of you!"

  Han Yan remained still on the ground, and after a moment, he let out a sigh and said in a soft voice: "Master, these two words 'fate' and 'stop', how can they be stopped just because of the four words 'to this point'? But Master has treated me with great kindness, Han Yan will never betray or disobey Master's orders again. Tomorrow morning, I will go find him."

  Yu Xuan Zhenren closed his eyes and remained silent, even the smoke he inhaled didn't prompt him to speak, and thus the Zifu Xuantian Hall fell silent.

  "Looking for him? Where did you go to look?" Yu Xuan Zhenren finally spoke up, his tone was much calmer, but still had a chilling intent: "Seventeen days ago, Ruo Chen had already gone down the mountain to practice, and went to Luoyang. You don't even know this, it's clear how close or distant you are from him! Yesterday, Jing Xiao Zhenren's daughter Zhang Yin also went down the mountain, and her direction was also Luoyang. What is her intention, I won't say it, but you should also know."

  Han Yan said softly: "Zhang Yin's appearance is good, but her temperament is arrogant and lacking in gentleness and charm, she can't be considered a beauty, Han Yan is not afraid of her."

  Yu Xuan Zhenren suddenly burst into anger, heavily slapping the armrest and shouting: "Not afraid!? Zhang Yin is now as alluring as a cloud, with an icy gaze that can freeze one's soul. She has already become a stunning beauty, even I have three parts of my heart moved! In just a short period of time, she has undergone such a transformation, it must be related to Su Xian who was suppressed under the Tai Xuan Peak. With your unrefined and inferior Ling Yu Sheng Yan Heart Method, you think you can compare with Su Xian's Tian Hu Secret Technique? What a great opportunity, yet you've ruined it!"

  Han Yan raised his head in surprise, saw Yu Xuan's face full of anger, and then lowered his head again, saying softly but firmly: "Then Han Yan will also go to Luoyang."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren spat out a mouthful of turbid air and said coldly, "No need. You go to the back mountain for quiet cultivation. As for the trip to Luoyang, someone else will go."

  Han Yan was startled and asked: "Who?"

  Me!

  A tall figure emerged from the shadows beside the temple and stood beside the Zixuanti of Yu Xuan, it was Huaisu.

  Green Tomb

  In the silence, a crystal clear water droplet fell quietly and bloomed into a small water flower on the book page. The water slowly seeped into the slightly yellowed book page, staining a small part of the text.

  A clear sigh echoed through the hall, breaking the silence within.

  He stood up, pushed open the door and came to the outside of the warm pavilion, leaning on the railing and gazing at the distant mountains that were hidden in the mist. Two lines of clear tears fell from his face, but he didn't wipe them away. He was already used to this inexplicable crying and didn't think much of it.

  Every time tears flow, he doesn't feel sad, but only the vicissitudes of life and the rise and fall of a hundred generations. He stands with his hands behind him, letting the mountain wind blow up his robe corners and wet his whiskers. Since waking up, he has been staying in this Shadow Cold Pavilion, chanting scriptures at dawn, practicing Taoism at night, eating wind and drinking dew, not taking any worldly food or drink, nor taking a step out of the pavilion. Every time he cries for no reason, he will stand by the railing like now, gazing at the distant mountains and floating clouds.

  The soft footsteps came up the stairs of the warm attic, each step with a different rhythm. This chaotic rhythm should have been annoying to listen to, but on the contrary, it only made people feel empty and transparent, just like this elegant and refined Qingcheng.

  Yinfeng turned back and returned to the warm pavilion, where he met Xū Xuān Zhēnrén who had just ascended the building.

  Xuán Xuán Zhēn Rén sat down calmly and asked: "Yīn Fēng, another month has passed, how is your comprehension of the Golden Records of the Supreme Emperor?"

  Xu Xuan Zhen Ren had seen this scene of chanting with tears streaming down his face many times before and was already numb to it.

  Yinfeng also sat down beside the table, smiling and saying: "I just finished reading the first volume. It's strange to say that the content of this Huangjinlu Zhengce doesn't have anything extraordinary, it's just plain and detailed. But the comments between the pages are quite different, every sentence has deep meaning, you need to think carefully to understand. This is indeed strange."

  Xu Xuan Zhen Ren said: "The Supreme Emperor's Golden Record is the essential canon of our Daoist family, although it is profound and mysterious, but not unique to my Qingxu Palace. However, the annotations in these four volumes of the Supreme Emperor's Golden Record were written by Qingling Zhenren himself, which is the supreme method for ascending to immortality. My Qingxu Palace stands out from among the myriad cultivation methods because it relies on the flying immortal key points written by Qingling Xianren."

  Yin Feng nodded and opened the Huang Jin Lu, pointing to a page: "There is still one place I don't understand, I need your guidance."

  "It doesn't matter if I say it."

  Thus, an old man and a young boy sat discussing the Way, completely without distinction of noble and humble, elder and younger. Unknowingly, the moon rose in the east and set in the west, the sun rose and fell.

  After discussing this doubt, it was already dusk. During this time, the wind had unknowingly shed many tears. The tears flowed without any warning signs, flowing during deep thought, flowing during grand discussions, and even flowing while smiling.

  Sighing with a gentle breeze, he stood up and walked out of the warm pavilion, once again leaning on the railing to gaze at the sunset.

  The setting sun is like blood, accompanied by a fierce and biting cold wind, with an unspeakable desolation and bleakness.

  Xu Xuan Zhen Ren sat comfortably in the warm pavilion, continuing to read the Golden Records of the Previous Emperor. He knew that at times like these, Yin Feng would often have some epiphanies, and the things he came up with would also be quite enlightening for him.

  "I'm going down the mountain." Yinfeng said lightly.

  Xu Xuan's long eyebrows moved slightly as he asked, "Why?"

  "Go see some people, and also go kill some people."

  "Whoever you see, kill whoever?" asked Xū Xuán Dào Zhǎng.

  "It will be known when the time comes."

  Xu Xuan Zhen Ren nodded and said: "If that's the case, then you can go down the mountain. When will you set off?"

  "It's now."

  Xu Xuan True Person didn't make much of a farewell, only handing over the four volumes of Qingling True Person's annotated Shang Huang Jin Lu to Yin Feng, saying: "These four volumes of Shang Huang Jin Lu, you can slowly study them on your journey."

  Yinfeng said: "No need, I'll take a look when I return to the mountain later."

  Having said this, he shook his sleeves and went down the mountain, disappearing into the distance.

  Xu Xuan Zhenren sat calmly in the warm pavilion, until the sky was completely dark, before lightly clapping his palms. Not long after, two middle-aged Daoist priests wearing deep blue robes entered through the window and knelt down in front of Xu Xuan Zhenren, their manner extremely respectful. They appeared to be very lean and agile, with a hint of murderous aura on their bodies. Xu Xuan Zhenren also sat up straight, his eyes seemingly open yet closed, before humming a sound after a moment, putting on an air of dignity.

  "What instructions does the True Man of Mysterious Origin have?" asked two Taoist priests in green robes, who were kowtowing on the ground.

  "Zhe xū wǎng zhǎng lǎo shuài shí èr míng dé lì dì zǐ, jí kè xià shān, àn zhōng bǎo hù yín fēng." Liǎng míng qīng yī dào shì zài xíng yī lǐ, lǐng mìng ér qù.

  After they left, the aloof and distant demeanor of Zhenren Xū Xuán instantly vanished without a trace. He stretched his limbs and muttered to himself: "Alas, I'm old, I'm old. Every time it rains, my whole body aches, and yet I still have to maintain the proper etiquette. The things left behind by our ancestors aren't all good, after all!"

  The fine rain outside is like silk, falling continuously without stopping. This storm, who knows when it will subside.

  The vast land of China is in the same winter, but the north is flying snow, the southwest is falling rain, while in a nameless valley, it is the red plum and green willow of Jiangnan's spring scenery.

  "Master of the valley, have some tea."

  In a warm pavilion nestled in the valley, surrounded by mountains and water, an elderly man with a stern face sat cross-legged. Behind him, four beautiful maids were fanning him, while a finely dressed woman had just brewed a cup of clear tea and presented it to the old man.

  The old man took the tea cup, tasted it slightly, and then put it on the table in front of him. With his right hand middle finger, he gently tapped the table surface. His hands were as delicate as jade, well-maintained, looking like a young woman's hands. He continued tapping with his finger until the seventh tap, when he suddenly stopped.

  A faint rumble of thunder came from afar, and even the clear tea in the cup rippled slightly.

  The bamboo curtain at the entrance of the warm pavilion was opened, and a young female disciple rushed in, saluting: "Master Gu, Shifu Dance has already completed her training and left the pass."

  She had barely finished speaking when Yun Wu Hua stepped into the pavilion, knelt down on one knee and said: "Thank you, Master Gu, for your guidance!"

  Compared to five years ago, Yunwu Hua's appearance had not changed in the slightest, and she even looked slightly younger. Her black hair was casually scattered on her shoulders, and her black shirt had many damaged areas, faintly revealing the snow-white skin underneath. However, although she was kneeling carelessly, her killing intent was so thick that it almost couldn't be dispersed, so despite her tattered clothes, not a single hint of excitement could be sensed from glimpsing at her, but instead, one would feel as if they had seen an unsheathed sharp sword.

  The old man smiled and nodded, apparently very satisfied with Yunwu Hua. He said: "Originally, you were supposed to be punished for a year of quiet cultivation, but unexpectedly, you made rapid progress, meditated for five years, and actually cultivated the sixth level of the Minghe Sword Record. The situation is critical at the moment, so I used the Seven Records of Awakening Bell to help you pass the last test. However, relying on external forces is not as good as cultivating perfection yourself, so you still need to practice hard to make up for this flaw. Since you have already passed the test, the Tianquan ancient sword will be handed over to you again. When you return to the mountain after completing your task, you don't need to return it either."

  The old man's left hand beckoned lightly, and the Tianquan ancient sword hanging on the wall behind him came out of the wall and fell gently in front of Yunwu Hua. The old man had already given this sword to her.

  Yunwu Hua grasped the Tianquan ancient sword and inserted it into his back, his face as calm as an ancient well without a ripple, not showing any joy. However, the woman serving tea beside the old man flashed a sharp light in her eyes, apparently filled with jealousy and hatred.

  Yun Wu Hua knelt down on one knee, without lifting his head, and only asked: "What instructions does the master of the Unknown Valley have?"

  The old man took another sip of tea and said slowly, "Five years ago, the Daoist sect's stolen fairy, now has his skills perfected and is on his way down the mountain to Luoyang, named Ji Ruochen. I don't know what those few old foxes in the Daoist sect are thinking, they actually let him travel alone. Dance Flower, go bring him here."

  Yunwu Hua responded with a sound, and without seeing her make any movement, she slid out like a flowing cloud and water, out of the Jing She Warm Pavilion, and then rushed to the sky, not even slightly resting or staying.

  That woman saw Yun Wu going far away, and then hummed a sound, saying: "Valley Master, you are really biased, even the Tian Quan Gu Jian was given to her! It's just robbing someone, you personally took action, isn't it easy to capture?"

  The old man said: "What do you know! I'm sitting here motionless, it's to intimidate those old guys, so they won't act rashly. That's why only Pai Wuhua was sent to snatch people."

  The woman refused to give in: "But the Tianquan sword has been given to Wuhua, what about our Susu?"

  The old man chuckled and said: "After Su Su has practiced the Dragon Tiger Tai Xuan Jing, why isn't it stronger than a magic sword?"

  "What if I still can't master it?!"

  The old man pondered for a moment, gazed lovingly at the woman and said: "In another half month it will be Su Su's day of release from her vow. I'll exhaust my remaining spiritual power to protect her through this final trial."

  The woman had just turned her anger into joy, and she coaxed him with soft words, flattering him until he was overjoyed. Seeing the old man's enthusiasm was extremely high, she leaned against his chest, biting his ear and whispered: "Master Gu, I think Dance Huahua has grown up to be such a talented person, why don't you... take her in too?"

  The old man furrowed his brow and said hesitantly: "This... is probably not quite right."

  "What's wrong with that? If she becomes Seventh Sister, then we'll be family and I won't have time to be happy. Is it... are you afraid of not being able to handle it?"

  The old man burst out laughing and said, "You think you can deceive me with such a simple trick? This matter requires careful consideration. Let's talk about it later. However... the third madam is indeed virtuous."

  The woman said softly: "No, it's the heroic Lord Gu."