Chapter 28: Millennium Ganoderma

  "I won't take revenge anymore!" Gao Xiuer suddenly hugged Liu Ziqiu tightly and said loudly, "I don't want you to go on adventures again!"

  From nearly suffering public humiliation, to later narrowly escaping death, even now she still has lingering fears, often waking up with a start in her dreams. As for her past recklessness, Gao Xiuer is deeply regretful.

  "No, this vendetta will definitely be avenged." Liu Ziqiu comforted, "But don't worry, I'll wait until the day when the time is ripe. The Great Sui Empire will soon be in chaos!"

  Actually, Liu Ziqiu and Yang Guang didn't have any grudges. This time he got hurt was still the result of his own "provocation". In Liu Ziqiu's heart, Yang Guang couldn't be considered a foolish ruler, as he repaired the Grand Canal, built the Eastern Capital, and initiated the imperial examination system, all of which were unprecedented achievements. Unfortunately, Yang Guang acted too hastily, triggering a peasant uprising, so he could only be considered a tyrannical ruler. If they could get rid of this tyrant, it would also be avenging the suffering people who had been suffering for the world.

  Before arriving in this world, Liu Ziqiu had already forgotten how many secret missions he had carried out. Each time the difficulty was no less than this one, but he wasn't fighting alone. Apart from his comrades who shared life and death with him, there were also supports from various departments such as intelligence, equipment, logistics, etc.

  The defenses of Xiyuan are actually quite lax, and in his eyes, they are even nominal. However, with his own strength alone, it is ultimately difficult to resist the entire Great Sui Dynasty. Once something happens, he can only escape to the ends of the earth. Therefore, he has already begun to consider accumulating enough power first.

  Gao Xiuer thought of something and said, "Lang Jun, when I was in the palace, there was a younger sister who understood astrology. She also said that the national fortune is difficult to last forever. Let's advise the foolish ruler to cultivate virtue and avoid disaster. Are you also familiar with astrology?"

  "I won't be watching the stars." Liu Ziqiu was taken aback, and couldn't help but ask: "What's your sister's name?"

  Yuan Ziyen.

  "Is her surname Yuan? What's her relationship with Yuan Tiangang?"

  Gao Xiuer shook her head and said, "I've never heard her mention that before."

  "Never mind, let's just ignore him." Liu Ziqiu thought for a moment, unclear about the situation, and simply put on an air as he said, "Come, today I'll teach you the sixth inner power move, 'Big Python Shakes Its Head'!"

  Gao Xiuer waved her hand and said, "No! Grandfather Sun said that your body still needs rest, even if I want to learn, it's not urgent for the time being."

  "No big deal, I'll just practice my skills, it's also good for recovering from internal injuries." Liu Ziqiu stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, his hands clasped behind his head, and suddenly said, "Right, let's call him Mr. Sun from now on. The three words 'Sun Grandfather' always make me think of that monkey."

  "Monkey? Which monkey?" Gao Xiuer was somewhat perplexed.

  "What! You actually said that I, an old man, am a monkey!" Sun Simiao suddenly rushed out from behind the house and said, "You little guy, if it wasn't for me saving you, you would have been dead long ago. You don't know how to repay kindness, yet you speak ill of me behind my back. I'm already an old man with many years on my head, being your grandfather wouldn't be a loss for you."

  Liu Ziqiu hastily withdrew his stance, cupped his hands and said: "Mr. Sun is a renowned divine doctor from ancient times to the present, it's an honor to be under your guidance, I'm grateful for that. However, when I hear you being called 'Grandfather Sun', I couldn't help but want to laugh. When I was young, I heard a story about a monkey who often referred to itself as 'Grandfather Sun'. But don't underestimate that monkey, it's incredibly powerful, can transform into 72 different forms, knows the past and future 500 years ahead of time, can go to heaven and earth, and is all-powerful!"

  Sun Simiao seemed to be thinking: "I know who you're talking about now?"

  "Who is it?" Liu Ziqiu and Gao Xiuer asked in unison.

  Liu Ziqiu felt strange, Journey to the West tells the story of Tang Sanzang's scripture collection, how did Sun Simiao know. Gao Xiuer was thinking, if she could also learn such a powerful and vast skill, taking revenge would be easy.

  "I have an old friend who is skilled in divination and can predict future events." Sun Simiao said with a smile, "The monkey is the same as the ape. You must be referring to Yuan Tian Gang!"

  It's Yuan Tiangong again! Liu Ziqiu couldn't help but take a closer look at Sun Simiao, and saw that his hair was all white, but there wasn't a single wrinkle on his face, with a full face of rosy complexion, having a bit of an immortal air about him. Could it be that he's also a divine stick like Yuan Tiangong?

  "Never mind, I won't bother you about it." Sun Simiao stroked his long beard and smiled, "Just tell me, was what you just practiced the long-lost Five Animals Play?"

  Liu Ziqiu slightly sensed something was amiss and asked: "Mr. Sun, why are you asking this?"

  Sun Simiao sighed: "The Wuqinxi and Mazhishan created by Hua Tuo in those years saved countless people, but unfortunately they have all been lost. This is indeed the two greatest regrets of my life."

  Liu Ziqiu shook his head and said, "What I practice is not Wuqinxi."

  "Grandpa, I'm good at the Five Animals Play. Let me show you later." After listening to Liu Ziqiu's explanation, Gao Xiuer also felt that the three words "Sun Ye Ye" were a bit strange, so she directly called him Grandpa.

  Sun Simiao exclaimed with great joy: "Ah, wonderful! It turns out that my little granddaughter is talented!"

  "Little granddaughter?" Liu Ziqiu was full of doubts and asked, "When did you learn the Five Animals Play? You even asked me if I was practicing the Five Animals Play that day."

  "I forgot to tell you, he saved both of our lives. I've already acknowledged him as my grandfather." Gao Xiuer made a silly face, but then pouted and said in a spoiled tone, "I've been practicing Wuqinxi since I was little. If you had lied that day, I would have seen through your deceit and kicked you out! Hmph, it's good that you're honest!"

  Liu Ziqiu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. This little girl wasn't very old, but she had a keen mind. It turned out that her questions the other day already contained hidden probes, and he almost fell for it.

  "It's still my granddaughter who is good!" Sun Simiao stared at Liu Ziqiu with a smile, "Little guy, if you want to marry my granddaughter, you must first pass my test!"

  "Grandpa!" Gao Xiuer blushed and turned her head away with a "tsk".

  In Liu Ziqiu's eyes, Gao Xiuer was still just a little kid. He didn't have that kind of idea and it wasn't convenient to say so clearly, so he could only clasp his fists and say: "Sir, you saved my life with great kindness, I will definitely repay you in the future. Now that Xiuer has learned the Five Animals Play, it can be considered as fulfilling one of your wishes, but as for the Ma Zhuo San, I really don't know about it."

  Sun Simiao suddenly reached out and grasped Liu Ziqiu's pulse, exclaiming in surprise: "Huh? Your body is indeed different from others, it seems to be fine now. Well, since you don't know about the Ma Bo San, I won't force it. You need to help me with something else."

  "What's wrong?"

  "On this mountain peak, there is a thousand-year-old lingzhi mushroom, go help me pick it."

  Gao Xiuer raised her head and saw that the mountain went straight into the clouds, she couldn't help but tense up and hastily said: "Grandfather, his body hasn't recovered yet, let alone this mountain..."

  "Hmph, girls are outgoing, not a bit false!" Sun Simiao deliberately flicked his sleeve and said, "I didn't ask him to go now, it should be almost enough after a few more days of recuperation. Besides, in order to save him, I spent a lot of precious medicine, he should compensate me."

  Liu Ziqiu also looked up at the mountain top, suddenly full of ambition, nodded and said: "Good, I'll go!"

  ……

  Seven days later, Liu Ziqiu felt that his body had almost recovered. Despite Gao Xiuer's dissuasion, he packed up and wanted to climb to the top of the mountain to pick lingzhi for Sun Simiao.

  That day, taking advantage of Sun Simiao's words, Gao Xiuer had already made her intentions clear, and from then on, she naturally stuck to Liu Ziqiu.

  Gao Xiuer's beauty made Yang Guang, who had seen countless women, unable to forget her. Liu Ziqiu didn't have the same self-control as Liu Xiahui, and couldn't help but hold hands, kiss, and do everything else except cross the final line.

  In this era, it's all about the three matches and six evidences, but in Gao Xiuer's heart, she has long been Liu Ziqiu's woman. No matter what requirements Liu Ziqiu puts forward, she will not refuse. The one who really reins in his horse on the precipice is Liu Ziqiu.

  Girls of Gao Xiuer's age are getting married and having children everywhere. But Liu Ziqiu couldn't get used to this, in his eyes, Gao Xiuer was still a little girl, if he crossed the line, he would feel like a criminal. Because he was afraid that one day he wouldn't be able to hold back, Liu Ziqiu wanted to leave urgently. He wanted to leave for a while and let his emotions calm down.

  ……

  It was already deep autumn, and the mountain path was covered with thick fallen leaves. On both sides of the forest, you could occasionally see green and red unknown wild fruits, dotted among the yellow leaves, which were very beautiful. A small squirrel suddenly jumped onto the middle of the road, raised its fluffy big tail, and stared curiously at Liu Ziqiu, this unexpected guest.

  The autumn atmosphere was strong, the beautiful scenery was boundless, and Liu Ziqiu's heart was filled with joy. He couldn't help but think of returning to the mountains and forests, and becoming a divine couple with Gao Xiuer. The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves and shone on his face, and Liu Ziqiu suddenly came back to himself.

  There are still many things to do. Promised to teach Gao Xiuer boxing, promised to help Sun Simiao collect medicine, promised to avenge Wang Guizhi, promised to save people for Han Shiyan, and most importantly, he is still thinking about returning to modern times one day. Don't give up, don't abandon. The conviction that has been cultivated through years of training reminds him not to be discouraged at any moment.

  As he turned a bend, Liu Ziqiu looked back and only then realized that this was not the place where they had jumped off the cliff that day. No wonder no government soldiers had come to search for them. Looking at Sun Simiao's slender figure, he also didn't know how he had managed to get this big fellow back here.

  Continue to move forward, and there is no road. However, rock climbing is also one of Liu Ziqiu's daily training projects, let alone he still has flying claws, plus the help of mountain vines and rocks protruding from the gaps, the journey is still relatively smooth. Along the way, there have been several encounters with danger, which were eventually resolved by him one by one.

  After much difficulty, they finally climbed to the top of the mountain, only to find a huge boulder in front of Liu Ziqiu. On top of the boulder was a large crack, from which a small, half-withered pine tree stretched out stubbornly. At the base of the pine tree grew a magnificent lingzhi mushroom.

  This rock is as high as seven or eight zhang, and the surrounding area is smooth like a mirror. It's already difficult to climb from the mountain, let alone bring a long ladder and other objects. Fortunately, Liu Ziqiu had a flying claw, which he threw with force three times, finally landing on a pine tree.

  Liu Ziqiu pulled the rope, inching his way up, and the half-dry pine tree made a "creaking" sound. Just as he was only three or four feet away from the top of the rock, the pine tree finally couldn't bear Liu Ziqiu's weight and snapped with a loud "crack".