Chapter 246 Though Dead, Still Alive (Friend) "This is the person you were talking about..."
When the two arrived at Jinling Ferry, it was already dusk.
Just a few days after leaving, Jinling Ferry, which was bustling with singing and dancing and grand sacrificial ceremonies last time, has now inexplicably fallen silent.
A few ferries were scattered around the port, and behind the dock, only a few restaurants had their doors half-open. The dragon and fish flags fluttering in the air were torn in several places and were flying crookedly in the wind, making the place quite deserted.
At the same time, a group of cultivators in blue robes crossed the river on their magical artifacts. Their robes were identical, with orchid patterns embroidered on the hems. They all looked hurried, and as they passed by Lin Feiran and his companion, a faint fragrance of herbs wafted through the air.
The medical practitioners of the Langhuan Sect.
Lin Feiran immediately recognized him. She subconsciously looked back and saw Ru Xian sitting leaning against the sword, slightly raising her eyes to look at the group of young cultivators coming down the mountain. There was neither nostalgia nor displeasure in her eyes.
He simply watched these people hurry towards Jinling Ferry, a hint of emotion in his expression.
The two of them hanging their swords here naturally attracted a lot of attention. The Langhuan Sect disciples who passed by all turned their heads to look at them. First, they looked at Lin Feiran with a look of inquiry in their eyes, and then they couldn't help but look at Ru Xian.
It wasn't that they recognized this former senior from the Langhuan Sect, but rather that everyone who saw him couldn't help but take a second look.
These young disciples no longer recognize him.
The disciples of Langhuan Sect are mostly aloof, intelligent, and quick-witted, but they don't like to talk to people. So they only glanced at her, didn't ask any questions, and flew away. If they hadn't seen such a beautiful face as Ru Xian, they wouldn't have stopped.
Lin Feiran was initially a little nervous and even quickly hid the Golden Orchid Umbrella. After all, she was now a "suspect in the Three Realms" and might be recognized at any moment.
Seeing the group leave quickly, she breathed a sigh of relief, but still couldn't help but smile and say, "They look just like you."
Ru Xian stood up, crossed her arms, tilted her head to examine the departing blue figure, then took a half step forward and pressed against Lin Fei's back: "Where does it resemble him?"
Lin Feiran still had some curiosity in her eyes. She tried to make that sidelong glance: "It's not the appearance, but a hint of charm, that kind of look that makes you look down on everyone."
When you first joined the Langhuan Sect, did you feel a sense of security, like coming home?
"No," Ru Xian denied, but then nodded. "But I did feel very comfortable there. Smart people don't tend to pry into other people's lives and they know their limits. They never ask about my past; they only focus on my studies."
Lin Feiran rode his sword forward, following far behind those people without getting too close. He then quietly straightened up a bit, propping up his languid body.
"Homework?"
She remembered that Langhuan Sect seemed to be the only sect that required written and pen examinations, but she didn't know any disciples from other sects before, so she wasn't familiar with it.
She asked curiously, "We all practice swordsmanship, what do you usually test us on?"
"Astronomy, geography, history, the principles of the universe, and the essentials of medicine—everything in the book is included in the exam."
The sound of pearls falling onto a plate came from behind my ear, close yet cool.
"And I will only be the leader of them all."
"That's amazing!"
Lin Feiran was somewhat surprised, but not unexpected.
The term "Langhuan" originally referred to the place where immortals stored their books, encompassing all aspects of the world. As their disciples, they naturally had to know and study everything. It was not surprising that with their exceptional talent, they became the best among them.
She touched her chin and said, "I love reading so much, should I have gone to Langhuan Sect in the first place?"
Ru Xian glanced at her sideways, her lips curving slightly: "With your temperament, this isn't suitable. The way you looked at people just now, as if you were concerned, would easily anger those arrogant young people."
Lin Feiran feigned a sigh: "My mother is right, the Taiji Immortal Sect is still the best fit for me. The disciples are friendly, the atmosphere is relaxed, and they are all sword cultivators."
Seeing the faint weariness on his face, her eyes flickered slightly. Then she shifted her shoulder and glanced at him sideways: "Does this look really anger you?"
He raised an eyebrow like a snowflake and touched her forehead: "No, I like it when you look at me like this."
As the two chatted, they flew close to the top of the ferry crossing on their swords. The fish-dragon flag gradually grew larger in their field of vision, swaying more distortedly in the wind. And below the flag, a tall and slender figure stood alone.
Upon seeing them, Xun Feifei slightly raised his hand, and Lin Feiran immediately descended on his sword, the two of them landing in front of him.
"How is your godmother?" Lin Feiran asked, sheathing his sword.
Xun Feifei bowed to Ru Xian, then casually placed the veiled hat on Lin Feiran's head and replied.
“Recently, many doctors and practitioners have come to the city. They have a lot of herbs to treat cold-related illnesses. Although they cannot cure the root cause, my mother has gotten much better after seeing them.”
He did not cover his face; the silver mask hung diagonally at his waist, revealing a hint of pale lips, seemingly no different from usual.
"Why are you wearing a hat?" Lin Feiran asked, puzzled.
"The scapegoat has taken the blame again. Given the circumstances, it's best to avoid him as much as possible." Xun Feifei tapped the edge of her veil.
Lin Feiran asked, both surprised and used to it: "What blame have I been taken for this time?"
Xun Feifei simply shook her head: "You'll find out soon enough. The city has been a bit congested lately, and the alleys are difficult to navigate. Please follow me along the main street."
He turned around first, taking a half-step ahead, his waist-length ponytail swaying behind him, but no longer as smooth and bright as before, instead appearing somewhat dull and lifeless.
As Ru Xian asked him about Ru Niang's recent situation, Lin Feiran's gaze involuntarily drifted to the sides during their conversation.
Jinling Ferry was a bustling place. The dock was indeed deserted just now, but the city was much better. The singing and dancing houses and taverns were still open. Although they were not as popular as before, there were still customers coming and going, so it was not deserted.
There were many carriages and royal processions on the main street, but there were even more medical tents set up by disciples of the Langhuan Sect, and ordinary people lying down everywhere, suffering from cold-related illnesses.
A chilling aura of frost and indifference mingled around them, making Lin Feiran shiver as she walked by.
She asked in confusion, "When I came here before, it was quite peaceful and quiet. How come it has changed so much in just a few days?"
Xun Feifei looked to the side and shook her head: "I don't know either. Some people in Jinling Ferry had contracted the cold disease before, and my mother was one of them, but I don't know how many there were."
The day after you left, they sprouted up like bamboo shoots after a rain. A few days later, the cold disease broke out, and the prefecture sought help from the main roads. Physicians and healers arrived one after another to treat the people.
Upon hearing this, Ru Xian glanced at Lin Feiran and asked, "Then what blame did she take?"
Xun Feifei smiled slightly, but it was very faint: "Now rumors are spreading that Lin Feiran took away the dragon, and Jinling Ferry is no longer protected, so the plague is spreading and everyone is in danger."
Lin Feiran paused, looked around, and pressed down her veil, thinking to herself: It's time to cover up.
The origin of the rumors was self-evident, and she was even somewhat used to it, not feeling angry. However, her gaze couldn't help but wander around, and seeing the withered and lifeless faces of these people, her heart sank slightly.
"I do not know any medicine and cannot help. Do any of the medical practitioners here have a solution?"
Xun Feifei shook her head: "You spread the prescription far and wide before, and many medical practitioners have studied it based on that prescription, but so far there has been little progress. It can only be temporarily suspended and cannot be cured."
The disciples of Langhuan Sect all say this is not an illness.
...
After walking along the relatively spacious main street and through the congested alleys, the group arrived at Xun Feifei's residence. Upon opening the door, they saw Ru Niang sitting in the courtyard.
Just before entering the door, she asked again, "How is that old woman next door, Granny Wang, doing these days?"
Xun Feifei glanced to the side and nodded, saying, "She is in good health and has not contracted the cold disease. However, some members of the secret sect came looking for her, but she chased them away with a hammer. At this time, she should still be resting."
Lin Feiran thought of the long bench that could transform into a dragon, and although he had questions in his heart, he had to suppress them for now.
Ru Niang had seen Ru Xian before, and now that she heard he was coming, she had Xun Feifei clean up the place early on, ready for anything.
She was exhausted and became sleepy after waiting for a long time. She couldn't help but fall asleep. When the three of them entered, she was still resting with her eyes closed, looking serene.
"After contracting the cold, my adoptive mother became more and more sleepy each day, and at this time, it is very difficult for her to wake up."
As if to confirm Xun Feifei's words, even when he bent down to pick up Ru Niang and move her to the bed, she still slept very soundly, showing no signs of waking up.
Ru Xian sat on the edge of the bed and placed his fingers on Ru Niang's pulse. His expression was not as relaxed as before. After a long while, he withdrew his hand and turned to look at Xun Feifei.
“If it were you, I wouldn’t need to beat around the bush. Ru Niang’s pulse is weak, her breathing is shallow, and she looks tired. These are the pulse signs of someone in their eighties. She’s aging very quickly.”
Xun Feifei stood to the side, silent for a long time: "Is there a solution?"
As if drooping his eyes, he took out a bottle of pills from his mustard seed bag and spread out golden needles: "There is a cure, but it cannot be cured completely; it can only be used to temporarily alleviate the symptoms."
He handed the pill to Xun Feifei, then turned around to get the needles and said to him, "Remember the order in which I apply the needles. Apply the needles to her once every three days. If the cold symptoms flare up, reverse the needle technique to help her expel the cold."
Xun Feifei's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she responded in a low voice.
After carefully memorizing the needlework technique, he bent down to tuck the blanket around Ru Niang. He rested his hand on the edge of the bed, paused for a moment, and then turned to look at the two of them: "Mother wanted to eat fish today, so I made some. Please wait a moment while I go to serve the dishes."
Ru Xian raised her hand first, handed him the golden needle, and said with raised eyebrows, "This scapegoat king is being chased by the Secret Sect. They should have arrived in the Demon Capital by now, and they will catch up with Jinling Ferry soon. We must leave immediately."
This was the first time Xun Feifei had heard Ru Xian say such a thing. He put away the golden needle and looked at her strangely, only to find that the words were not directed at him.
That's normal.
But... do lovers all talk like this?
Xun Feifei was not one to stand on ceremony. When he heard that the two had other things to do, he did not try to keep them. Just as they were about to leave, he hurriedly came out of the kitchen and handed the food box to Lin Feiran.
He said succinctly, "You must be tired from the journey, so eat something. The top layer is for the Lord, and the bottom three layers are all yours. Don't fight over the food."
Lin Feiran: "..."
She wanted to refuse, but Xun Feifei's cooking skills were so excellent that she had no choice but to swallow and accept it.
"I'm leaving," Ru Xian said succinctly. "If anything happens to Ru Niang, send word as soon as possible."
"yes."
The two left quickly. Xun Feifei watched for a moment before returning to her room, sitting back on the bed, and carefully wiping Ru Niang's slightly cold palms with a warm handkerchief.
A short while later, he suddenly realized something, paused slightly, and then appeared on the roof ridge in a flash.
In the sky, several esoteric Buddhist practitioners hurriedly arrived. Their cultivation was evident at a glance. They lingered and explored the area.
Xun Feifei looked at it for a moment, and suddenly a few black feathers appeared between his fingers. He threw the black feathers into the air, and a ripple like water spread out silently.
"A riot of colors dazzles the eye; let us search on our own."
He returned to the room and continued to wipe Ru Niang's palms, but his expression was not as relaxed as before.
In the sky, the esoteric monks who were originally investigating suddenly seemed to lose their way, their movements stopped, their faces full of suspicion, and they gradually stopped at Jinling Ferry.
...
Meanwhile, Lin Feiran and Ru Xian were heading west.
She couldn't help but ask, "Where does your friend live? Are you sure you can't find Tantric Buddhism?"
Ru Xian raised an eyebrow and smiled: "It's not that we can't find him, but that we can't pinpoint him. He lives in Rainfall City, and he's the only person in the city."
"Yuluocheng?"
“When it rains, Rainfall City will appear. There are as many Rainfall Cities as there are raindrops in the world, and he lives in one of them.”
Lin Feiran asked, puzzled, "Then how do we find him?"
Lin Feiran turned his head and saw that the two of them had crossed a lake in the rain as they walked from east to west. Suddenly, they pointed at the lake and muttered incantations. The next moment, a raindrop suddenly grew larger and opened its huge mouth like a city, swallowing the two of them.
Upon entering, it felt as if they were falling from a great height, with an intense sense of weightlessness. Just as the two were about to fall headfirst, Lin Feiran immediately flipped over to press down on the sword, reached out and grabbed Ru Xian, and landed steadily on the ground.
Before I could even look up, I heard someone clap their hands and exclaim, "What skill!"
She looked up and saw a handsome man with runes painted all over his face walking quickly towards her. He looked Lin Feiran up and down with a surprised expression.
He looked at Ru Xian: "Is this the person you were talking about, Lin Feiran?"
Author's note: I don't have many friends, actually I only have this one, which is enough to make me feel like a friend (X).
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