Chapter 762 "I have a sword... Embroiderer, move aside, it's grumpy when it wakes up"

"What is Mr. Wu doing?"

"Want to learn again?"

No...no.

On the south bank of Shuangfengjian, at the summit of Nanfeng, Yuan Huaimin saw Wu Daozi take away the blank scroll he had prepared and start drawing on it. He asked a question in a low voice.

Wu Daozi replied with a smile, while Yuan Huaimin shook his head like a rattle-drum.

He paused, then couldn't help but ask:

"I am too stupid to learn it. I am just curious. Mr. Wu is painting towards the north bank. Is he going to paint that picture of offering auspicious omens and tributes for me?"

Wu Daozi chuckled and said:

"Pretty much, they were all given to the pseudo-Zhou and pseudo-emperors, but I'll be using this one later."

"However, are you still thinking about that picture of offering auspicious omens as tribute? Do you still want to be a leisurely minor official in this pseudo-Zhou? That's fine too. Just write down what I drew and make a copy when you get home. After all, this peaceful and serene scene won't be here again later."

Yuan Huaimin said with a troubled expression:

"Whether I become an official or not is not of much concern to me, but today's painting assignment was, after all, something Qiu Niang worked hard to get for me. Although I don't approve of her and don't want to accept this favor, I still have to remember her kindness and bring a painting back to complete the assignment."

He looked dejected and muttered to himself:

"After all, Qiu Niang promised me that she would do her best to protect Brother Lianghan's safety, and even said that as long as Brother Lianghan enters the main grotto, he will be safe... I hope she can do it. Putting myself in her shoes, I can't dawdle on the painting she asked me to do."

Wu Daozi glanced at his faintly dark circles under his eyes and immediately saw through it all:

"You're just afraid of getting beaten up by her. If you see her again, you'll have to explain yourself without a painting."

Yuan Huaimin: ...

Seeing his old face turn red quickly, as if he had been touched on a sore spot, Wu Daozi chuckled a few times.

The squinty-eyed old man turned back and, with his hands behind his back, examined the gradually completing scroll in front of him.

The entire painting is in the style of freehand ink painting.

The twin peaks in the painting are free of white mist, and the scenery on both banks is clearly visible. You can even see a dozen or so special official boats connected by iron chains on the river. There are many small figures on the boats dressed as generals of the Xuanwu Guard and female officials of the Censorate.

Inside the main grotto on the north bank, at the foot of the Donglin Buddha, on a high platform, the people on the platform are depicted with just a few strokes of his brush.

In addition, there is another special feature in the painting: on the towering northern peak behind the Donglin Buddha, not far from the summit, in the dense forest, there is a simple pavilion guarded by layers of female officials.

In the center of the pavilion, one can vaguely see the figure of an old man in a long robe, sitting cross-legged, with prayer beads in his hands and his head bowed as he plays the zither.

The lyre on my lap was very long, seemingly with only one string.

At this moment, Wu Daozi's gaze also fell on the simple pavilion and the old man playing the zither.

The pavilion on the South Peak where he and Yuan Huaimin were located was faintly visible across from the pavilion on the North Peak.

Wu Daozi looked away from the painting and gazed at the north bank. His view was obscured by the white fog of reality, but the place where his gaze fell was vaguely the spot where the old man playing the zither in the painting was.

Yuan Huaimin hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, glancing at the painting and then at the white mist that filled the river and obscured the view.

Wu Daozi pointed to the painting scroll and said with a smile:

"There are too many annoying things in the way today, all fancy and fussy. We need to move some of them. Little Huaimin, look, isn't it clearer now?"

It was discovered that Yuan Huaimin seemed to have also noticed the scene on the North Peak of the painting.

Wu Daozi introduced it casually:

"This is my old friend. Back then, when Emperor Gaozong passed away, I turned away and left, but he stayed. At that time, the false emperor Wei Zhao had not yet assumed power, and the Crown Prince Li was still alive. Perhaps he still held onto hope, but I am different. I understand Wei Zhao better than he does."

Yuan Huaimin was too timid to take the topic.

He glanced at the painting again, his expression somewhat complicated, and asked:

"How did Mr. Wu see that...?"

"It's simple, stand on high ground."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huaimin suddenly spoke up: "I am not afraid of the floating clouds obscuring my view, because I am standing at the highest level."

Wu Daozi paused slightly, stroked his chin, and squinted as he pondered: "This line of poetry is interesting, refreshing, and thought-provoking. It shows great skill. Little Huaimin, you're getting better and better..."

Yuan Huaimin waved his hand:

"I didn't write this poem. I heard it from Brother Lianghan. It's some of his drunken ramblings from the past. There are quite a few memorable parts, but every time I ask him about it after he sobers up, he denies it."

"In fact, Brother Lianghan's poetic talent far surpasses mine, but he is too modest and never admits it. His consistent style is to value practical work over literary talent."

Wu Daozi nodded: "Listen, he is indeed a good teacher and helpful friend. No wonder you protect him so much."

For some reason, Yuan Huaimin felt a little lost and whispered:

“Mr. Wu, if you have the chance, you could get to know Lianghan. You always praise me for being aloof and say that it’s right not to associate with the corrupt officials. But Lianghan is very special. It would be great if you could meet him. He’s the kind of person that any aloof person would envy when they meet him.”

His eyes held a hint of reminiscence:

"The officialdom is corrupt, and he is surrounded by colleagues who are just going through the motions. But he goes against the tide and is full of energy. He has been like this since he first came to Xunyang City. Moreover, he is not the kind of person who puts on a show for others or for the superiors to evaluate him. I have observed him for a long time and I can see that Brother Lianghan really believes that he can do things and change things."

“I don’t know why he can always be so energetic and never disappointed. Compared to our so-called lofty ideals, Brother Lianghan is like someone who is lofty but not lofty, or even loftier than lofty. If he were to become a mountain, we wouldn’t be able to see such a person from our current position, whether we look up or down. That’s why we don’t know whether he is lofty but not lofty, or even loftier than lofty.”

Yuan Huaimin raised his head, and smiled, as if he had thought of something.

"Perhaps this is the person who can truly say, 'I am not afraid of the floating clouds obscuring my view, for I stand at the highest peak.' Just as he said, he has already stood very, very high. We are all below the floating clouds. Although, as it stands now, Brother Lianghan is only a local official, and today he is even in trouble..."

"But such a person cannot be contained in Jiangzhou or even Jiangnan Province. I am very much looking forward to seeing how far Brother Lianghan can go. Even if there is only one such person, it is a great thing. You will feel that the world is not so bad after all. Hmm, eat and drink as you please. If anything happens, Brother Lianghan is here."

Wu Daozi turned around and looked at Yuan Huaimin, the student who was laughing and sighing, and a hint of interest appeared in his eyes.

"Okay, let's meet sometime."

After a short while, Wu Daozi withdrew his gaze, his expression calm and composed. He shook his sleeve, from which emerged a yellow wooden root, resembling a piece of ginseng.

Wu Daozi twirled the beard between two fingers and handed it directly to Yuan Huaimin.

"Little Huaimin, here you are."

Yuan Huaimin asked in confusion, "What is this?"

Wu Daozi calmly said:

"There are only three whiskers of the Xuanhuang Earth Dragon that I have searched all over the southern rivers and lakes. I took one. Little Huaimin, didn't you want to save your lover and friend? Use this to help them escape."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Huaimin's spirits lifted. He carefully collected the root of the Xuanhuang Earth Dragon and, with a shameless grin, humbly asked for its guidance:

"Sir, how do I use this?"

Wu Daozi casually waved his hand:

"I have already infused it with spiritual energy. You can crush it and teleport a hundred miles away instantly."

Yuan Huaimin didn't quite understand, so he asked cautiously:

"What if it falls into the water?"

Wu Daozi's lips twitched slightly:

"The Xuanhuang Earth Dragon corresponds to the Earth Escape Technique. This dragon whisker is also an Earth Escape Technique, and it can only move to flat ground... You might as well worry about whether it will appear in someone's young lady's house."

Yuan Huaimin chuckled and scratched his head: "That's alright, I won't watch it. Qiu Niang is here, but Brother Liang Han might not be."

Wu Daozi chuckled twice.

Yuan Huaimin suddenly asked:

"By the way, since there's one here, where are the other two?"

Wu Daozi did not answer.

Yuan Huaimin paused for a moment, then asked with some concern:

"Mr. Wu should also pay attention to his own safety."

He paused, then lowered his head and said:

"It would be best to keep one for yourself, Mr. Wu. I heard from Qiu Niang that now that the Buddha statue over there is finished and well-prepared, there might be danger..."

Wu Daozi turned around, a smile playing on his lips:

"Little Huaimin, is it possible that if this Buddha statue isn't repaired, no one will want to come today?"

Yuan Huaimin was puzzled.

Wu Daozi smiled without saying a word, continued to grip his brush, and was about to paint when he suddenly turned his head.

Looking straight down at the mighty river.

"What happened, Mr. Wu?"

Yuan Huaimin looked at him with a puzzled expression.

They discovered that the previously unchanging white mist on the great river below was starting to move.

In a grove of trees on the south bank, blue lines shot straight up into the sky.

The next instant.

The white mist on the river split in two.

The river water began to boil with white mist.

Wu Daozi frowned deeply, his eyes wide with astonishment.

He suddenly turned his head and looked at the painting in front of him, his pupils shrinking slightly.

On the ink-wash style scroll, the image is even clearer.

A blue arc hovered above the great river.

Like a shooting star, it hurtled straight towards the Buddha on the north bank.

A sword cleaves the river.

Yuan Huaimin was dumbfounded.

Wu Daozi calculated with his fingers and his expression turned to surprise:

"Huh, which sword is this? And who is the rightful wielder? Are there such figures in the martial world of Tiannan?"

The hunchbacked old man was halfway through counting on his fingers when he suddenly clenched his fist, clapped his hands, and burst into laughter:

"Hahaha, Your Majesty, you still say you don't have any secrets up your sleeve! Could it be that you have a lover who's making such a fuss about something you can't share with others?"

...

In a grove of trees on the south bank.

Wang Caozhi was anxiously waiting in front of a carriage.

The sound of armored soldiers' footsteps could be heard from outside the woods from time to time.

“Embroiderer, hurry up, this is my brother-in-law’s official robe. I’m not lying to you, there are words on it…”

"Never mind, you can't see, but believe me, it says 'escape' on it. Escape, do you hear me? Your brother-in-law is telling you to escape with me, no, to take me with you."

Inside the carriage, Zhao Qingxiu clutched a fragment of a crimson official robe in her hand, looking down as if "staring," her palm stroking the fabric, without uttering a word.

"Hurry up, it was my brother-in-law who told us to run. General Wei has already left, we can't stay any longer."

Zhao Qingxiu turned her head, seemingly looking towards the north bank.

Wang Caozhi looked anxious:

Why don't you believe me?

Suddenly, Zhao Qingxiu wrote:

I won't leave. Where is Tanlang? I'll go find him; he's in danger.

Wang Caozhi was at a loss, and then, as if struck by a thought, he continued to recite the incantation.

The next instant, "Wang Caozhi" looked up, seemingly glancing to his left and right.

"Embroiderer, you go first, I'm fine."

Ouyang Rong's familiar tone.

Zhao Qingxiu's little face lit up with surprise, and she babbled.

But then he hesitated, looking on with surprise and doubt.

Ouyang Rong frowned:

"No time to explain, this is called a séance..."

He paused, shook his head, and said calmly:

"Alright, don't move around here. Wait for me with Cao Zhi for a while. I'll be right there. I also have some things to take care of. I need to give Lady Historian an explanation."

Zhao Qingxiu was somewhat puzzled.

I was about to step forward and write down my question to him.

Ouyang Rong said in a gentle tone:

"Alright, stop talking now. Don't hold the sword box so tightly. Loosen your grip a bit; it's a bit temperamental."

Zhao Qingxiu tilted her head: "Huh?"

The young man who had been summoned by the spirit turned around and glanced silently at the direction of the Donglin Buddha on the north bank.

Zhao Qingxiu subconsciously loosened her grip on the violin case.

In front of her, the young man who had arrived in a flash spoke softly:

"Do you know [Emperor Wen]? Go and say hello."

Zhao Qingxiu looked sleepy, as if she thought the question was directed at her.

But in the next instant...

Blue sword energy shot into the sky from Zhao Qingxiu's arms.

Before her little face could change color.

An arc has already been released from the box.

As if it had been holding back its morning grumpiness, [Arc] circled around Zhao Qingxiu, seemingly patrolling and sizing up the new mistress.

Zhao Qingxiu's hair flew wildly; she couldn't see it, yet she saw it all.

A small red lotus seal lay in his arms, burning hot.

Just like her flushed little face right now.

The beautiful, mute, and blind girl slowly turned her head to face the calm young man and the azure arc to her right.

"Huh, huh?"

Zhao Qingxiu seemed to be calling out to her beloved in a daze.

Ouyang Rong, who had descended upon Wang Caozhi, said nothing and closed his eyes.

A blue arc hovered between him and Zhao Qingxiu.

Leaves fluttered all around, and those that passed through this sharpest object in the world were all cleaved in two.

In the next instant, [Craftsmanship] soared into the sky.

Like a blue moon slowly rising.

It shines on both sides of the twin peaks.

This arc suddenly rushed towards the main grotto on the north bank.

It crashed into the fog.

The river water boiled, and the myriad layers of white mist were sliced ​​open like steamed cakes on a street stall.

From the outside, the white mist on the river was split open, revealing first the golden Buddha head, which was the highest and had a benevolent expression.

This scene resembled a tall, imposing golden Buddha looking down at the tiny blue crescent moon with slightly lowered eyes.

The little guy was indeed grumpy when he woke up—and grumpy is still grumpy—it crashed into the main grotto of the Donglin Buddha with a thunderous roar.

Just as the craftsmanship soared to the heavens and cleaved through the river mist.

In the woods on the south bank, "Ouyang Rong" opened his eyes again, looking around blankly.

The person is back.

Wang Caozhi noticed that Zhao Qingxiu's small face was wide with disbelief, and the sword box in her bosom was open.

Zhao Qingxiu clutched something tightly in her arms, seemingly staring blankly at him, muttering incoherently, "Ahhh..."

She seemed disoriented, as if she had witnessed something unbelievable and was still processing it.

Wang Caozhi scratched his head:

"Miss Embroidery, what's wrong? I just lost consciousness, and I think I saw my brother-in-law come. Um, what did he do? Why are you crying..."

Tears streamed down Zhao Qingxiu's face, and she remained silent.

She was already crying so hard that her face was streaked with tears, and I felt sorry for her.

After a long while, the contemporary Yue maiden of Yunmeng Sword Swamp shook her head vigorously.

He held the sword case tightly.

(End of this chapter)