Chapter 1298: A Single Thought Expands the World [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Springtime is here, the scenery is bright and clear, and the blue waves ripple.

In the misty rain, there stands a private school.

The rhythmic ringing of the bell echoed in the courtyard. A group of restless children stared expectantly at the teacher. The teacher smiled and put down his book: "I know you're all eager to return. Come back in three days, and I'll check your homework one by one."

The children, with their hair in buns, grinned as they grabbed their schoolbags and lined up to wait at the door with a few old women from the private school for their parents to take them away.

The area was relatively safe, and the students all possessed the aptitude for cultivation and were not afraid of ordinary dangers. However, given their age, the teacher was concerned about them going to and from school alone. The students on duty stayed behind to tidy up, while the other children bowed and said goodbye to the teacher.

The master also gave his wife a holiday.

The private school then quieted down.

The Master lay on a reclining chair in the courtyard, dozing for a while, when he heard a rustling sound beside him: [Hmph, where did this little thief come from?]

A tall, muscular shadow fell from the eaves.

This man, dressed as a fisherman, possessed a commanding presence; his mere presence made the space feel cramped. If a nearby resident came by, they would recognize him as the boatman who regularly rowed his boat upstream, his favorite pastime being fishing, though he rarely caught anything throughout the year. Some commoners who traveled between the two banks to make a living, unable to afford the boat fare, would offer a few small fish as payment.

We caught some fish today; they're really plump and delicious.

Did you catch it?

Whether it was caught by fishing or slapped onto the shore by me, it's all going to be scaled, gutted, and boiled anyway.

The teacher pointed his palm-leaf fan toward the small kitchen of the private school.

The boatman, carrying the fish, grumbled and cursed.

His fishing skills were terrible, but his cooking was quite good: "Last time I visited Zheng Qiao's grave, a new restaurant opened in the town at the foot of the mountain. Their signature dish was this sour fish soup. I tried it, and I must say, it was really delicious, so I learned how to make it."

Would someone teach you their life-sustaining recipes?

[Hmph, who am I?]

Is your life more important, or the recipe?

Besides, the chef at this restaurant learned his skills elsewhere for free; he's just profiting from the information gap by taking advantage of the fact that locals don't travel much and are unaware of other places. The boatman felt no remorse for this and didn't think he had done anything wrong.

The Master took a sip: "It's acceptable."

The boatman said, "I met an acquaintance today."

The Master did not ask who the acquaintance was.

The boatman, quick as a flash, grabbed several plump, fresh fish slices with his chopsticks: "Hey, I gave him the wrong directions."

The Master asked, "Aren't you afraid of being punished?"

The boatman glared at the sky with his tiger-like eyes and said, "That's rebellion against Heaven and cruelty to the people! I'm going to beat the drum and report him!"

The Master neither agreed nor disagreed with this.

The pot of sour fish soup was empty before the guests arrived.

The wooden door of the private school was knocked on, knock knock knock.

The teacher put down his chopsticks and said, "You clean up."

[A pampered lady who never lifts a finger...] The boatman muttered to himself, resignedly cleaning up the leftovers and making room for the others. He could tell who was outside the door even through the courtyard wall.

The teacher opened the door, and standing outside was a young man dressed in simple, close-fitting clothes, wearing wooden clogs, a bamboo hat slung over his shoulder, and an inconspicuous knife at his waist. At first glance, he looked like the most ordinary wandering swordsman in town.

As evening fell and fog rolled in, the young man's clothes became damp with moisture.

The Master looked up at him, and paused in surprise.

After a moment, he stepped aside to make way for the other party to enter.

Why are you here?

The young man followed behind her, glancing at the simple layout of the private school out of the corner of his eye, and replied, "The world is now at peace, and I have nothing to do, so I came here to find a way to make a living."

What can you do here with me?

[Perhaps the students are lacking a martial arts instructor? It'll be fine if they're out of power, but if they're in the court, they'll definitely need to learn martial arts for protection.]

Regardless of the size of the court assembly, brawls often break out.

Without some skill, it's easy to end up bedridden.

The Master paused: "You've resigned from your official post?"

"I wanted to resign, but my petition was rejected, and the Emperor was furious." The young man sighed, his usually resolute face now filled with pitifulness. "I was demoted here. On my way to my new post, I encountered a heartless boatman, and all my belongings sank into the water. Now I'm penniless and have no choice but to seek refuge with you, Master… I hope you will have mercy on me and grant me a place to stay and a thin garment to cover myself."

The Master said, "That boatman is hateful."

The young swordsman said: "Indeed hateful."

A string of fish bones flew out from the kitchen, almost grazing the young man's cheek, and with a thud, completely disappeared into the pillar behind him.

The boatman shouted at the scholar, "Get out of here!"

Then he yelled at the young swordsman, "You get lost too!"

What a heartless and despicable couple!

The moon was high in the sky. After washing up, the teacher sat in her study preparing lessons, her delicate hand supporting her forehead, her damp white hair falling in front of her eyes. Just as she was about to tuck her hair behind her ear, a hand touched it first. The warm, broad palm quickly dried her hair with martial energy. She pointed to the seat next to her, indicating that the young man should sit down and use her as a cushion, as her back was aching from sitting for too long.

Are these your students' assignments?

【Um. 】

[Your handwriting is better than mine.]

The teacher chatted with him casually, saying, "She has talent, but unfortunately, her temperament is unpredictable. Of all the children in the private school, she's the most mischievous. She often leads the pranks on the other teachers, but she also has a silver tongue; she can easily charm anyone with just a few words."

As she spoke, she let out a deep sigh.

"It's only now. If we went back ten or twenty years, someone her age would already be being arranged marriages, destined to be someone's wife. She wouldn't be running around like a monkey, never still," the teacher said. "You can't hit her, and you can't scold her..."

[You are her husband, how can you not hit or scold her?]

The Master smiled and turned around in the young man's arms. Under the young man's puzzled gaze, he cupped the young man's right palm in his hands and placed it on his flat stomach. He smiled without speaking, ignoring the young man's questioning look. The Master leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Guess who she looks like?"

Young Swordsman: 【！！！】

Cold comes and heat goes, autumn harvests and winter stores.

The private school sent off batch after batch of students.

Some serve as officials in the court, while others indulge in worldly pleasures in the wilderness.

Only the teacher remained in the private school, and occasionally a few friends would visit. Life was uneventful. She sometimes thought about leaving the school and going to more distant places, but for some reason, she lost the idea every time she saw the swaying shadows of the trees peeking in from outside the courtyard wall.

A single thought can expand the vastness of the universe...

She shielded her eyes with her fingers, watching the sunlight filter through them, a sliver of light falling on her face, and she vaguely felt a sense of familiarity.

Knock knock knock!

The wooden door was knocked on again.

The teacher thought it was an old friend visiting, but when she opened the door, she saw a stranger. She looked at the person warily; their clothes were unlike anything of the present, more like something from decades ago. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she abruptly opened her eyes wide.

The wind stopped, the clouds dispersed, and the sunlight broke through the misty rain.

Immediately following was a dizzying spin, and my vision was distorted by darkness.

[Cough cough—] When she regained consciousness, she heard what sounded like people arguing around her, and the argument was very heated.

[Shao Shaomei, you...]

You'd better hurry up...

"...Both of you get out!"

Then came a series of crackling sounds, people were pushed and shoved away, and the noise gradually subsided. She felt a burning pain in her throat, as if a cold blade and warm fingertips were tracing across her skin, and then something sharp pierced her skin, followed by the pulling sensation of threads through her flesh... Every now and then, a vibrant energy would fill her entire body.

Fang Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Mei Meng's neck wound had been treated, and her heart pulse was no longer as weak as it had been at the beginning. However, Fang Yan had no idea whether she would wake up or whether there would be any aftereffects. Outside the tent, Liao Jia and Luan Xin were still arguing.

The two were just one step away from taking the case to their lord.

Their conflict is actually not complicated.

Luan Xin wanted to first copy Mei Meng's perfected Scholar's Way, and then copy Liao Jia's later, increasing the progress by 2. Liao Jia naturally refused; if he allowed Mei Meng to complete the perfected ritual, his own perfected ritual would fail! Luan Xin used his unpleasant brain to process these messages, and looked at Liao Jia with a resentful gaze.

It turns out that Liao Jia and Mei Meng's perfect lives cannot coexist.

Fang Yan felt a strange sympathy for Mei Meng, who was still struggling between life and death, and said, "Her condition has stabilized; just send someone to take care of her from now on."

Lü Jue said, "I'll do it."

Fang Yan looked at him, hesitant to speak.

The Lord agreed to rescue Mei Meng for her remaining value. Once the value is in hand, the question of how to deal with her becomes awkward.

Killed?

Saving and then killing someone would create discord between Lü Jue and his lord, and even if Lü Jue didn't hold a grudge, he would certainly cause trouble for Liao Jia and Luan Xin. No one could guarantee that this potential threat wouldn't explode in the future, unless Lü Jue was also abandoned. To sacrifice Lü Jue for a half-dead Mei Meng? Lü Jue was a low-key man, but as one of the elders, he held considerable prestige in the army. How could they explain his death to the outside world?

Keep it?

Such a person is not useful, and others will not agree to it.

They will most likely have no choice but to remain imprisoned.

Feeding one mouth doesn't require much food.

Lu Jue was unaware of Fang Yan's thoughts, but he was extremely grateful to Fang Yan. Without Fang Yan's all-out rescue, Mei Meng wouldn't have been able to be saved. Seeing his obvious emotions, Fang Yan couldn't help but pull him aside and whisper a reminder: "General, have you considered how to handle this person in the future? Think it through carefully, and don't cross her line."

We must not put our lord in a difficult position.

Only then was the Lord willing to leave room for Lü Jue.

Please advise.

Fang Yan expressed his thoughts, and Lü Jue remained silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Thank you."

Imprisoning them is indeed a win-win solution.

With the current turbulent situation, a constant stream of events will overshadow Mei Meng's affairs, causing her presence to fade. Those who were defeated, like Wu Xian, are doing quite well now that the limelight has passed.

Compared to life...

Freedom may be secondary.

Fang Yan said: "As long as you know what's going on, that's fine."

The scholar's physique was indeed far superior to that of ordinary people; even with such severe injuries, she only remained unconscious for six days. She was awakened by the morning light falling on her eyelids on the seventh day: [Where am I?]

When Lü Jue returned, Mei Meng, several sizes thinner than before, sat on the bed, her white hair withered and her eyes dull and lifeless. She only reacted when he entered. Before Lü Jue could even feel overjoyed, she asked indifferently, "Where am I?"

Lu Jue suppressed the sour feeling rising in his throat.

The Lord has entrusted you to my care in my camp.

[Taking care of me?] Mei Meng had just woken up, her mind a complete blank, but she knew she shouldn't be alive. [Why did you save me?]

Lü Jue's lips moved, revealing the truth.

Mei Meng's tense muscles relaxed instead.

[I see, not surprising.] She was saved because there was something to gain from her being alive; this reason reassured her. [My ritual to perfect my life failed again, so Liao Shaomei succeeded? Now that you've used me, has Shen Jun given any instructions on how to deal with me?]

[It means, I'm handing you over to me.]

[Is this up to you to handle?]

Lü Jue placed the warm medicine aside: 【Yes, Madam!】

"Hehe, Madam...which Madam? Is it Madam Mei Mengmei, or Madam Lü, the wife of Lü Jue?" She seemed to have thought of something, and a charming smile, as always, appeared on her face. Even without makeup, her natural beauty was undeniable.

Lu Jue embraced her with satisfaction, burying his face in her neck and shoulder, taking deep breaths, as if trying to imprint her presence deeply into his soul.

You can be whichever you want!

Lü Jue sat up straight and looked directly into her eyes.

[Lü Shousheng.]

Mei Meng smiled and beckoned to him with her finger.

Lu Jue's eyes brightened, and he smiled as he moved closer.

Snap—

A loud slap rang out, and his face was turned away.

Mei Meng coldly replied, "Are you awake now?"

Lu Jue wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his tongue pressed against his burning cheek. Mei Meng chuckled: "I admit, I still have feelings for you, but you ultimately don't understand me. No matter how much I love you, I won't escape one cage and jump to another..."

I've had enough of these fancy, expensive flowerpots!

Lü Jue lowered his head and remained silent.

Mei Meng sighed and said, "Give me one of these: a white silk ribbon, poisoned wine, or a dagger. Don't worry, I won't cause your lord any trouble."

My physical body binds me, but with a single thought, the world expands; I can break free from it.

Lü Jue: [You should drink your medicine first.]

Mei Meng didn't argue with him.

He picked up the medicine and drank it all in one gulp.

The herbal decoction had a calming effect, and when she woke up again, she was no longer in the camp, but in a small thatched hut in the mountains.

[Lu Jue?]

【He's not in now. 】

An unfamiliar female voice came from outside the door.

Mei Meng looked up at the woman leaning against the doorframe and immediately recognized her: "How should I address you?"

Shen Tang grabbed a small stool and sat down: [Anything is fine.]

Mei Meng pursed her lips, unaware of Shen Tang's purpose.

Shen Tang said, "Once you leave this thatched hut, you'll be free. However, 'Mei Jinghe' is dead, killed on the front lines and buried alive at the foot of the mountain. You're a smart man, so don't make things difficult for me."

Mei Meng looked up at her in surprise.

Shen Tang's avatar, Wu You, had dealt with Mei Meng before and had never seen her show such an expression, finding it somewhat novel: 【Surprised? You sought death in this battle; living is the opposite of what you wanted. Now that you're dead, you cease to exist. From now on, you can be called whatever you want, just not 'Mei Meng,' understand? Most importantly, don't let me see you on the battlefield again.】

Mei Meng took a long time to regain her composure: 【Okay.】

[It would be best to keep your word, otherwise, Lü Shousheng might not be able to withstand the next beating.] Shen Tang initially did not intend to set Mei Meng free. Although he would not lock her up, he would send her to the capital to keep an eye on her. However, Lü Jue came to plead for her late at night.

Being obsessed with love is such a headache.

Shen Tang did not miss the surprise in Mei Meng's eyes.

She said, "He vouched for you with his martial prowess."

Mei Meng broke his promise, ruining his future.

Shen Tang: [My Lady, take care.]

Mei Meng didn't know when she left.

Standing outside the thatched hut, lost in thought and enjoying the breeze, she was jolted awake by a fish tail the size of a palm. Annoyed, she looked up and saw a one-armed man squatting on the fence: "I told you, you'd be a sight to behold. After all this, you're still alive."

Even Zheng Qiao would slap her thigh and cry foul after seeing this!

After a long pause, Mei Meng said, "You're still alive?"

"Pah, let's not talk about such unlucky things. If it weren't for my Martial Spirit Totem having plenty of legs, I wouldn't have only lost one arm!" Qi Cang spat, looking in the direction Shen Tang had left. "A ruler of a nation infiltrating the enemy camp as a spy, shameless!"

Did she let you off the hook?

"What else? The battlefield is the battlefield, and the aftermath is the aftermath! I escaped death by my own skill. If she's not satisfied, she can go settle accounts with Gong Xi Chou." Qi Cang said this with a hint of pride on his face. His one arm hadn't caused him much trouble; he still had his martial energy avatar, which had both hands and feet, so it didn't affect his daily life. But, ultimately, it wasn't very aesthetically pleasing.

Go back and find a traditional Chinese medicine doctor to help his arm come out.

|ω`)

He has retired to the mountains and forests.

Mei Meng's life, just like her name, ultimately broke free from the illusory cage and returned to the heavens.

PS: The arrangement for Mei Meng is most likely a coincidence, restarting the academy where the banquet was held years ago, to teach and nurture students. Qi Cang, fishing as a boatman at the foot of the mountain, secretly rejoices as he sees students running and playing on Zheng Qiao's grave.