Ever-changing, Part Five
They descended the mountain in a carriage provided by Xinyuan Temple. Pei Jiangxi and Lan Luoyu didn't rest long; they retrieved the carriage Lan Luoyu had left behind from the inn and set off for the capital. They didn't hire a driver; Pei Jiangxi drove while Lan Luoyu sat inside.
They hadn't gone far when Lan Luoyu also climbed out of the carriage and sat down with Pei Jiangxi.
"Are you bored?" Pei Jiangxi asked.
"Mm." Lan Luoyu looked into the distance. "I'll sit with you for a while."
“Okay.” Pei Jiangxi readily agreed.
Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, casting shadows on Pei Jiangxi's face. They continued forward, the light receding with each step. Emerging from the woods, they found themselves in an open field. As far as the eye could see, there was only a pale blue sky, a wide, earthen-yellow road, and endless fields on either side. In this vast expanse, it seemed as if only the two of them existed.
“Palace Master, Li Letian is indeed not chasing Ling Guang as you said, but heading towards Canghai Sword Manor.” Lan Luoyu turned her gaze away from Pei Jiangxi and looked towards the end of the road.
"Has news about Li Zizhan been spread?"
"They've all been dispersed. I've had a batch of replicas made, and now our people are carrying these swords and moving around the western frontier every day."
“Then there shouldn’t be any problems with Sword Manor.” Pei Jiangxi nodded. The horse hadn’t gone far when she seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, without any apparent reason, “Every time we’re together, it’s just about business. Don’t you find it boring?”
"No." Lan Luoyu lowered her head. "Ever since I was injured, I lost my martial arts skills and can no longer fight alongside my fellow disciples. I'm already satisfied to be of any use."
“You’re doing well.” Looking at the wide road ahead, Pei Jiangxi began to urge her horse to speed up. She grabbed Lan Luoyu’s hand with one hand: “These past few months I’ve been traveling around. If it weren’t for you taking care of all the affairs in the palace for me, Liuli Palace would have been in chaos long ago.”
Lan Luoyu raised her head to look at Pei Jiangxi, her eyes sparkling. After a moment, she lowered her eyes shyly and awkwardly returned to the original topic: "But if they walk like this, it's like they're going in circles. Given the current situation, it will be difficult for them to catch up with Liu Mengde who is walking ahead."
Has Liu Meng left the border?
"not yet."
"Pass down the order: men and women in pairs, imitating Ling Guang and Xin Ruien's appearances. Lead Liu Mengde in the wrong direction, slowing his progress," Pei Jiangxi, already prepared, immediately provided a solution. She then added, "Most importantly, once you're dressed, make sure the Beggars' Sect sees you. All our messages must be relayed to them through the Beggars' Sect."
"Do we need to make them meet inside the pass?"
“No, we must wait until we’re out of the pass,” Pei Jiangxi said. “There are no specific requirements regarding the location.”
"What should we do about the Misty Rain Pavilion?" Lan Luoyu's face still had some lingering redness as she cautiously asked, "Should we also delay Wang Wenfang until Miss Lin and the others arrive?"
How many people came out of the Misty Rain Pavilion?
There are nine people in total.
"That's the Lord, the Holy Maiden, and the Seven Sons of Misty Rain all out." Pei Jiangxi muttered, "It seems that the Lord is indeed very worried because one of the Holy Maidens is missing."
"The Holy Maiden is..." Lan Luoyu looked at Pei Jiangxi in confusion.
Pei Jiangxi did not answer Lan Luoyu's question, but said, "Apart from the master, everyone else at Yanyu Tower should be in pairs. Give Wang Wenfang and his partner the exact location and let them find it. They don't need to wait for Miss Lin."
"Understood," Lan Luoyu replied.
“There is something even more important than these,” Pei Jiangxi continued. “After these two things are over, you can no longer stay in Buwang Pavilion. I need you to go somewhere, which may be a bit arduous.”
"I have no problem."
"War will break out soon. Select some people from the palace who are clean and capable."
Should we also raise an army?
"No, you will lead a team to join the Canghai Sword Manor. I will have Boyu lead another team to follow the Beggars' Sect."
At this moment, Lan Luoyu's gaze drifted away, her attention drawn to something. She grabbed Pei Jiangxi's arm with her other hand and said, "Palace Master, stop for a moment."
Pei Jiangxi tightened the reins, and the carriage continued forward for a while before slowly coming to a stop.
Lan Luoyu kept her lower body seated, but twisted her upper body and leaned forward in front of Pei Jiangxi, supporting herself with her hands. She leaned out and called out to the back of the carriage, "Little sister."
Pei Jiangxi turned her head as well. The sky above them, where they had come from, was now filled with dark, heavy clouds. Even though the sky ahead was still a clear blue, it looked as if the clouds were chasing them.
"Little sister," Lan Luoyu called out again.
A woman and a little girl were walking along the roadside in the opposite direction from the two women. The little girl was carrying three net bags filled with bright yellow ducklings, which looked very cute. Hearing the call, the little girl stopped.
How much did you pay for your little duck?
The little girl pointed in the direction the two were walking and said, "The ring toss game is not far ahead."
The woman beside her also spoke up, her face bearing a warm and friendly smile: "Two copper coins, three rings."
"That's amazing!" Lan Luoyu exclaimed loudly, then turned to Pei Jiangxi and whispered, "So cute."
Waving goodbye to the mother and daughter who had just met, Pei Jiangxi continued driving forward.
The clatter of hooves continued, and the dark clouds still chased after them. "Palace Master, do you know? The world is completely different in the eyes of people who eat spicy food and those who don't." Lan Luoyu sighed, "I also want to live that kind of life for a day."
Pei Jiangxi subconsciously glanced back at the mother and daughter's retreating figures. "This day will come."
Is this a good wish? Lan Luoyu wondered.
“Okay.” Lan Luoyu took a deep breath and smiled broadly. This was the first time Pei Jiangxi had seen her smile like this in all these days. Lan Luoyu smiled, clasped her hands together devoutly, and closed her eyes. Her long, curled eyelashes shimmered in the sunlight.
Do you believe in Buddhism?
"I don't believe you," Lan Luoyu replied without hesitation.
"fool."
Ahead, a magnificent procession of carriages appeared, and joyful laughter could be heard from afar. They were approaching the capital.
*
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the south, Li Letian and He Zian braved the rain and plunged into the endless mountains, heading towards a place far removed from the city. Raindrops fell on the dense, layered leaves, but the two did not appear disheveled despite getting soaked quickly.
On this rainy day, the fresh air unique to the green mountains and trees rushed into their lungs through their nostrils. Although they had been walking for a long time, they felt neither mentally nor physically tired.
The mountains here are remarkable not only for their abundance but also for their unique shapes. Some mountains stand opposite each other with huge hollows at their tops, resembling a pair of weights; others are shaped like a woman's bosom; some are connected, resembling a camel's hump; and still others have one side covered in lush foliage while the other side is rugged with rocks, like a lion's head.
The colors in the mountains are breathtaking. Pink, purple, and white flowers bloom on the trees, while the leaves themselves are red and orange. The various colors complement and contrast each other, swaying neatly in the rain and mist. The rustling of the leaves eventually merges into a sound like waves.
Any one of these mountains, taken individually, would be a unique and spectacular sight.
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, an unpleasant smell and sound began to fill the air. Longswords were embedded in the ground and tree trunks, their blades still stained with congealed blood. These swords served as beacons, guiding their way.
A short distance further on, the two briefly emerged from the jungle. Looking up, the distant mist slowly dissipated, revealing a long, indistinct shadow between two towering peaks, resembling a dragon soaring through the heavens. Upon closer inspection, light could shine through the center of the shadow, making it appear as if it were merely the skeleton of a "flying dragon."
“It’s right there.” He Zi’an looked up. “I’ve been here once before.”
Li Letian swallowed hard but did not respond.
The two continued towards the "flying dragon." The closer they got, the more numerous the longswords, now devoid of their masters, appeared, almost carving a path through them. Li Letian and He Zi'an walked in the center of these longswords.
The rain intensified. Rainwater seeped through the leaves and lashed incessantly against the sword's edge. There was no one else in the woods, yet they felt as if they were on a battlefield with thousands of people.
When the "flying dragon" reappeared in sight, it had revealed its true form: an aerial corridor connecting two mountain peaks. At the summit, clusters of palaces sat nestled in the thin mist.
"As expected of one of the top sword sects in the world," He Zian exclaimed, "It is truly magnificent."
"I've seen similar displays before when I was a blacksmith delivering swords. It's nothing special," Li Letian added. "Although that sect's reputation isn't as high as this one."
"That's wonderful." He Zi'an didn't hold back his praise: "A place like this always makes you want to go and see it."
"Young heroes." A steady female voice rang out from the depths of the woods, interrupting their conversation. A woman with gray hair emerged from behind a thick tree trunk. There were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, but that was all; the color of her hair was far removed from the age her face suggested.
Li Letian was somewhat embarrassed.
Rong Xijiu remained calm, seemingly oblivious to Li Letian's words. She said, "Miss has been waiting for you for a long time, and specifically sent me to escort you both up the mountain."
"Thank you for your trouble, senior." The two bowed together.
*
Under Rong Xijiu's guidance, the journey became much smoother. It took about an hour to reach the summit.
The palace complex of Canghai Sword Manor is exquisite and magnificent. Every outer wall is adorned with inscriptions; the lower half of every door features reliefs of mythical beasts; the beams and pillars are carved with lions, flowers, and birds, and the caisson ceilings depict landscapes and celestial phenomena. However, the manor itself is somewhat deserted, which seems out of place with its grandeur. Occasionally, one or two disciples would pass by carrying buckets of water, and some could be seen kneeling inside the main hall, beside the railings, vigorously wiping the bloodstains that had stained the mahogany.
The three entered the main hall at the summit of the mountain. The hall was filled with large chests, some as tall as hips, several already opened and filled with gold and silver jewels. Some strings of beads had slipped from the edges of the chests to the ground, unattended and covered in dust.
Li Letian looked around and realized that he had fallen behind He Zi'an without even realizing it.
In the main seat of the hall, the young woman was dozing off, one hand supporting her head. Upon hearing the noise, she immediately opened her eyes, got up, and went to greet the three.
The young woman cupped her hands in greeting to He Zi'an, who was striding ahead, and said, "This must be Alliance Leader Li. I am Li Najiong, the head of Canghai Sword Manor. Please forgive me for any shortcomings in our hospitality during this extraordinary time."
"I've long admired your name." After returning the greeting, He Zi'an smiled and said, "I am not Alliance Leader Li, this is."
Li Letian then looked at the young woman. It was a feeling that left him speechless, far surpassing the sensations of the aerial corridors and palaces. His heart tightened, and his whole body went numb.
"I was being presumptuous." Lee Na-kyung looked sincerely at Lee Letian with her heterochromatic eyes. "Please don't take offense, Alliance Leader Lee."
“Master Li, you said these are ‘critical times’,” He Zi’an said worriedly. “Brother Li and I have seen quite a few longswords in the woods along the way. Has something happened at the manor?”
"After my father disappeared, there were many people who wanted to take over the Sword Manor," Li Najiong said calmly. "The manor also had a traitor who colluded with outsiders, so it was in a bit of a mess. But now it's basically all been resolved."
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
“The owners of these treasure chests are also the owners of those swords.” Lee Na-kyung swept her right hand horizontally, showing the two the treasure chests in the hall. “After my persuasion, they decided to repent and sent these jewels. Actually, these jewels were not my original intention.”
"I didn't expect even the Canghai Sword Manor to suffer such a disaster." He Zi'an breathed a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, it's all been resolved."
Lee Na-kyung led the two out to the tea room of Canghai Sword Manor. "There are still some sects that need to be addressed, but all the disciples have been sent out these days. So I had to send the wet nurse to pick you up."
"Thanks to Granny," He Zian replied, "otherwise we might not have arrived yet."
Lee Na-kyung stopped and waited for the two at the entrance of the skywalk. She gestured for them to go first.
"I have already received Leader Lee's proclamation regarding the uprising," Lee Na-kyung said. "Actually, you didn't need to come in person. The emperor's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and now that he is dead, it is the perfect time to restore him to the throne. I think if my father were still alive, he would definitely support it as well."
“It’s not just about raising an army.” He Zi’an hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Hero Li’s appearance in the Western Frontier, I wonder if you’ve heard of it, young lady.”
Lee Na-kyung visibly wavered, her movements pausing briefly. "Perhaps it's just hearsay. These days, many people say they've seen my father."
“We have reliable information about the Beggars’ Sect,” Li Letian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
“If possible, we would like to ask the Lord of the Manor to accompany us to the Western Frontier.” He Zi’an carefully chose his words. “The Alliance Leader and I are going to rescue a young lady. If we can travel together, we can each get what we need and look out for each other.”
"What kind of sect could make you two hesitate?"
"Blood Palace".
"The appearance of Master Li in the Western Regions may also be inextricably linked to the Blood Palace." This was a fabrication by Li Letian. Not only Li Na-kyung, but He Zi'an also did not doubt the truth of his statement.
Lee Na-kyung stopped and looked at the rolling mountains.
Inside the cochlea, there were sounds of rain, wind, and the varying breathing of the three people.
He Zian and Li Letian followed her gaze. It was the first time they had seen the entire view of this place.
Each of these mountains, taken individually, would be a unique and spectacular sight. Yet, they've all come together. The peaks cluster together, and these distinctive mountains, when gathered in one place, lose their individuality. Looking out, these peaks stretch as far as the eye can see, like layers upon layers of ripples on the Xiang River during a storm, indistinguishable from one another.
*
Chen Changji's letter:
Greetings.
As you predicted, a chaotic battle broke out in Black Mountain after the conference. Thanks to you, we were able to prepare in time. Don't worry, I've returned to Wenqu City from Black Mountain, and everything is fine.
I wonder how you've been lately, and where you are?
Let me tell you what happened after you left. Li Letian lived up to expectations and became the new leader of the alliance. After these days of chaotic battles with the imperial court, the various sects and factions are more united than ever before, raising the banner of heading north. However, the actual leader is not Li Letian, but the Beggars' Sect.
The world is about to descend into chaos, you must take care of yourself.
Oh, by the way, Li Letian confessed his feelings to Miss Xin. I bet you didn't know that. You once asked us if there was anyone you needed to protect. I think Miss Xin must be the person Li Letian wants to protect.
Miss Xin was kidnapped by the villains of the Blood Palace. Li Letian entrusted my elder brother, the young hero surnamed Su, and the leader of the Beggars' Sect to manage affairs on his behalf, while he himself hurriedly headed towards the Western Frontier. He did this to protect the person in his heart; this was the original purpose of our gathering, so I had no right to stop him.
As I write this letter, it's still dark. I had a nightmare last night. It was a rather eerie dream, and it reminded me of some things that bothered me. It was about Wuling City.
You asked if there was anything we needed to protect. After careful consideration, I've found the answer. I think I should also do my part. Before the war breaks out, I will go to Wuling City again. If you are there then, we'll meet again.
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