Brothers of One Heart Part 1
In Kim Ji-won's hometown, this mountain is called "Eung-san" because it responds to whatever you say. The sound can travel very far.
When everyone was still young, whenever the junior sister was punished with confinement, Kim Ji-won would talk to the mountain. Each time Kim Ji-won spoke, the mountain would repeat her words, carrying them back to her. Even across several mountains, the sound could be heard perfectly.
The two chatted back and forth until the junior sister fell silent. Kim Ji-won knew she must have fallen asleep, so she tidied up and returned to the sect.
Hearing her angry words echoing back from the mountains, Kim Ji-won burst into laughter. All the emotions she had been holding back vanished instantly.
"Do all three reclusive sword sects have such Ying Mountain in their residences?" Kim Ji-won couldn't help but wonder. Now, the only place she hadn't visited was Yan Yu Lou.
The structure of Peach Blossom Spring resembles a cauldron. Kim Ji-won looked up and saw that the sky was vast, yet also bounded. A magnificent waterfall cascaded down from the edge of the sky. The waterfalls were not adjacent to each other. On the dark cliffs, the snow-white torrents reflected the sunlight and hung in a staggered pattern, like a carefully crafted decoration.
Among the rolling mountains, some are exceptionally tall, with clearly visible, enormous cave entrances near their summits. Kim Ji-won decided to choose the one closest to her and climb up to take a look.
~
Emerging from the narrow entrance, one is met with a long downhill slope. The pool water flows down the slope, creating a unique and expansive shallow area.
The constant flow of water has covered the stones in the shallows with a layer of moss. In the gentler parts of the shallows, the dark yellow of the moss can be clearly seen through the clear water. Where the slope changes, it often stirs up white splashes of water, scattering like pearls everywhere.
In the center of the shallows, a few small trees stood scattered about, their leaves sparse and withered. However, bathed in the light of the flowing water, they did not appear so desolate.
All the pool water below the cliff probably flows down through these shallows. Kim Ji-won took off her shoes and stepped down into the shallows. The moss wasn't slippery; instead, it gave a soft, smooth feel.
After flowing a long distance, the water converges at one point through a series of long, small waterfalls, forming a river that flows deep into the valley.
"It will probably split again somewhere in the valley and go its separate ways," Kim Ji-won thought to herself, watching the water flow.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the direction Kim Ji-won wanted to go. After watching the flowing water for a while, she continued towards the highest mountain peak.
The mountains are clear and the waters are beautiful, and swallows and orioles sing.
As Kim Ji-won walked, she strained her eyes to discern every distant mountain peak, fully enjoying the luxurious openness. Perhaps because of her lighthearted mood, Kim Ji-won barely noticed the passage of time, and before she knew it, she had already climbed past the mountainside.
The huge hole that she had seen from afar was now right in front of her.
There are four huge entrances in the four cardinal directions of the cave. Twelve small ventilation holes are also located on the cave's arched ceiling. Although it is a cave, it offers no shelter from the wind and is essentially no different from open wilderness inside.
Kim Ji-won made no attempt to conceal her footsteps, striding confidently into the cave. The white-haired old man in the center of the cave immediately opened his eyes and saw her.
At first, Kim Ji-won was glad that she had found the right place, but after a quarter of an hour, the old man was still staring at her blankly without asking a single question.
"Maybe I've just run into the most difficult person to communicate with," Kim Ji-won thought to herself.
The old man had a thin, petal-like mark between his eyebrows, but it wasn't a peach blossom petal. His eyes, which were looking at Kim Ji-won, were bright and piercing, but the edges of his eyes were red, as if he were suffering from some kind of illness.
Kim Ji-won racked her brains but still couldn't match the old man's appearance with those statues.
"Could it be that he's the one who fell?" Kim Ji-won wondered to herself.
"I observe the flow of your true energy," the old man suddenly spoke up, "you must be from the Hall of Longevity."
Kim Ji-won quickly bowed and replied, "Indeed. Junior Kim Ji-won greets senior."
"Do you know who I am?" the old man asked.
"This mountain peak stands out among the surrounding mountains, and the cave is higher than the peaks of the surrounding mountains. The cave has four large holes and twelve small holes, allowing wind to pass through from all directions without obstruction." Kim Ji-won said respectfully, "This junior dares to guess that you must be the 'Sword Demon' Senior Jia Dongye."
"Not bad, you're quite clever." Jia Dongye laughed, then asked, "Did you find your way here on your own?"
"I am ashamed to say that I did not know that you seniors were still in the Central Plains beforehand," said Kim Ji-won. "Fortunately, I met an all-knowing knight in Wuling that day, and I am grateful to him for guiding me here."
Kim Ji-won bowed again and said, "It is only because of this that I am honored to meet Senior 'Sword Demon'."
"Oh?" The old man raised his voice and said, "I've lived in these mountains for decades, and yet such an interesting person has appeared out here."
Kim Ji-won immediately volunteered, "If you're interested, I can take you to meet him."
"Didn't your master warn you that the three major sword sects should not meet?" Jia Dongye's face suddenly darkened, and he said threateningly.
"This junior would not forget," Kim Ji-won replied respectfully, her smile fading.
"But now the world is about to face a great calamity. I am constrained by my lack of strength and can only take the liberty of coming to this secluded paradise to ask you seniors to come out of seclusion and relieve the people from their suffering."
"Bullshit!" Jia Dongye cursed without restraint. "I can't stand your Changsheng Palace the most. You talk about patriotism and righteousness, but your hearts are full of scheming to kill people with borrowed knives."
“It is because of the blessings of my ancestors that I am who I am today. They are not people I can judge,” Kim Ji-won said humbly. “But my heart is set on serving the people, as clear as the sun and moon. I have come before you alone, prepared for the worst.”
"The three great sword sects, if they remain silent, they will be astonishing when they do speak." Jia Dongye snorted coldly, closed his eyes and said, "The Hidden Sword Sect, if it does not appear, will be unparalleled in the world. There is no one in this world that the Hall of Longevity cannot deal with."
The mountain wind swirled rapidly, billowing the robes of the two. Neither Jia Dongye nor Jin Zhiyuan moved an inch in this sudden, chaotic gust of wind.
"It's the Misty Rain Pavilion."
"That's just a grudge between your Changsheng Palace and Yanyu Tower. The victor is king and the loser is villain. What's the point of talking about the common people?" Jia Dongye said calmly. "Two swords fighting, yet you invite our Peach Blossom Spring to help you. Isn't that a disgrace to your ancestors?"
"What if the Blood Palace is also involved?"
Even on that wrinkled face, Kim Ji-won saw a fleeting moment of emotion.
After a long pause, Jia Dongye said nostalgically, "Xuanyuan can be considered a hero of his generation."
However, this subtle emotion dissipated in an instant. Jia Dongye said, "On Mount Mashou, Xuanyuan gambled away the fortune of the Blood Palace."
"Of the original four palaces, only a crippled old tortoise remains," Jia Dongye said disdainfully. "They're nothing special. Even if they re-enter the Central Plains, they'll just be scraps."
“Shortly before I arrived, someone caused a huge disturbance at Ping An Courtyard,” Kim Ji-won said. “That person stole Xuan Yuan’s sword heart.”
Jia Dongye opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the depths of Kim Ji-won's pupils.
Kim Ji-won looked at him and said, word by word, "Xuanyuan's head has been taken away."
"You saw it with your own eyes?"
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Jia Dongye tapped his knee repeatedly with his left index finger. After a long while, he said in a hoarse voice, "Take me to meet that all-knowing young man you mentioned."
~
As soon as Pei Jiangxi returned to Buwang Pavilion, she saw Han Yizhi with a cold expression. She was about to pretend she didn't see him and go into the inner room when, unexpectedly, Ayu ran over and grabbed her, saying:
"Little Jiang Xi, you're finally back. The Pavilion Master has been waiting for you all day."
Pei Jiangxi first showed a surprised expression, but in the end she had no choice but to smile wryly and walk over to meet Han Yizhi's gaze.
The two who were playing chess stopped and looked at Pei Jiangxi.
As they passed the chessboard, the white-haired, youthful-looking boy said gloatingly, "Let's see how you get out of this."
"Go play your game of chess," Pei Jiangxi glared at him and muttered under her breath.
Pei Jiangxi took small steps to Han Yizhi's side, took her hand, and asked kindly, "What's wrong, Yizhi?"
Han Yizhi pushed Pei Jiangxi away and said coldly, "Don't you know what's wrong?"
Pei Jiangxi obediently shook her head.
"Don't give me that," Han Yizhi said angrily, "Boyu's injury hasn't healed yet, don't you know that?"
“Of course I know.” Pei Jiangxi straightened her back and said seriously, “That’s why I told Boyu to take good care of himself.”
"Who made him travel so far on business while injured?" Han Yizhi frowned, staring intently into Pei Jiangxi's eyes, and questioned, "If it wasn't you, then it was me?"
"Ah!" Pei Jiangxi said with a look of sudden realization, "It's about balancing work and rest. I was just worried that Boyu would get too cooped up at home, so I let him go out for a walk."
Seeing that Han Yizhi was about to lash out, Pei Jiangxi quickly raised three fingers to the sky and said, "I swear, there is absolutely no danger this time."
Han Yizhi swallowed back the words she was about to say and asked, "Really?"
"Really," Pei Jiangxi replied quickly, her eyes filled with sincerity. "It's just helping to deliver a small gift."
“Besides, I’ve already spoken with Young Master Liu, and he’s agreed to go with me in the next couple of days.” Pei Jiangxi’s eyes darted around, and she said with a fawning expression, “Don’t worry, everything will be perfect.”
Hearing this, even the boy who had been enjoying the spectacle was taken aback.
"Is that so, young hero?" Han Yizhi asked.
Pei Jiangxi looked at the young man with a fake smile, her eyes wide open, and said, "I heard there is a peerless sword over there. Young hero, you can go and take a look."
Upon hearing the words "peerless sword," the young man's eyes lit up. But remembering that his secret was still in Pei Jiangxi's hands, he coughed and said, "Well, it's alright to go."
At this moment, Ah Yu, who was leaning against the door, nervously and excitedly called out to the house in a low voice, "Coming, coming."
Everyone turned to look, and Pei Jiangxi clapped her hands, as if everything inside the pavilion had returned to normal.
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