Chapter 25 The Truth Comes Out (Part 3) Two figures are reflected in the mirror, one...
Daohe Palace, Elder's Hall.
The windows and doors were tightly shut, with only a single small candle burning. The light was too dim to illuminate the large, dark room, casting only a faint shadow at the end of the long table.
She sat stiffly like a puppet, the diffused yellow light spreading across her face, carving deep and shallow lines, making her appear gloomy and terrifying.
This person was Xun Fang. Since the night she fought with the thief, she had been sitting here alone for three days without moving.
She simply couldn't believe her eyes.
With a creak, the iron gate opened a crack, and the light flickered slightly, startling Xunfang so much that her pupils contracted sharply. She immediately raised her sword to face the newcomer, her face filled with fear.
"What are you doing?" The newcomer was none other than Taihui. He rubbed his temples in annoyance, took a sip of wine from the gourd at his waist, and finally suppressed his impatience.
"It's been three days, and rumors are spreading throughout the palace that the elders can't even catch the thieves. Public opinion can be overwhelming, so how can this last? I have now summoned my disciples. Whatever you saw that night, you must give an explanation."
After speaking, seeing the haggard appearance of the person in front of him, Taihui found it rather amusing. Even if a cultivator was old, he would still have white hair and a youthful face, and be full of spirit. How could he be so listless and sit there for three days?
Qingyu, too, was clutching that broken sword and staying indoors. Could it be that these people, having suffered such a blow, only dared to stay indoors?
Xunfang stared at him for a long time before slowly sheathing her sword and saying coldly, "Why should I explain to you? Elder Taihui is really a sycophant. I never saw you like this when I was an elder."
Taihui scoffed: "Likewise."
Hearing footsteps outside the door, he composed himself and bowed respectfully, saying, "Head Master."
The visitor was Zhang Chunhe. He returned the greeting to Taihui and said, "Go and appease the disciple first. I will talk to Xunfang and then come."
After Taihui left, Zhang Chunhe looked at Xunfang and said in a clear voice, "Even with limitless cultivation, there is no way to bring the dead back to life. Xunfang, she is already dead. Let bygones be bygones."
Xunfang shouted, "How can I get past this? If she hadn't destroyed my spiritual veins, how could I have fallen to this state? Even a scoundrel like Taihui dares to trample on my head?!"
Everyone says that her cultivation level dropped greatly because she was trying to slay demons and save people, but little do they know that she was injured by someone!
“Everyone has their own cause and effect.” Zhang Chunhe looked at her and sighed slightly. Knowing that there was no point in saying more, he stopped talking. “This time, the pilgrimage ceremony has been reformed. Cultivators from Zhaohai and Wenxin Realm can go to Chuncheng to participate in the Flying Flower Gathering. The winner will be able to see the Sage.”
Xunfang's expression changed drastically. She had been sitting in the Elder Hall for three days, and had no intention of going out to find out what was going on. Upon hearing this, she murmured, "See the Sage..."
Zhang Chunhe nodded, and the golden fire mark between his brows moved accordingly. He straightened the whisk on his arm and said in a calm voice, "It is said that the Ancestor of Medicine has not yet disappeared, and his spirit is still in the Pilgrimage Valley. If you can see him, the injury to your spiritual veins can definitely be cured."
He then took out a brocade box from his mustard seed pouch: "Your cultivation level has dropped significantly, so participating in the gathering at the next level shouldn't be too difficult. Take this pill at that time, and it will help you temporarily descend to the Questioning Heart Realm."
Xunfang's emotions were in turmoil. At this moment, she actually let go of the sword in her hand, letting it fall to the ground, and held the brocade box with utmost care.
She looked up, a sincere gratitude appearing on her slightly aged face, and she couldn't help but say, "Thank you, Senior Brother..."
Zhang Chunhe looked at her and said, “Master has been gone for a long time and has already passed away. Of the five disciples in the sect, only you and I are left now. It is only right that we help each other. I just hope that you will not dwell on the past anymore, otherwise it will not only damage your Dao heart, but also... attract some things that you do not want to see. You know the dangers of this matter.”
Upon learning that the spiritual vein could be saved, Xunfang's expression relaxed, and she said gratefully, "Senior brother, don't worry. Besides, I have already made a vow to lock my heart and will not say anything more. I will turn the page on this matter."
She carefully stored the pill in the jade pendant around her neck, turned and went out the door, heading towards the Taoist temple.
Zhang Chunhe watched her retreating figure and shook his head slightly. Of the five fellow disciples, this junior sister was the most foolish, but he had tried his best to help her. As for how far she could go, it all depended on whether she could find an opportunity in Chuncheng this time.
...
The news of the theft of the Golden Fire Pill had spread throughout Daohe Palace. It was said that the thief sneaked into Liuzhu Pavilion when no one was around, and was discovered by his master Xunfang. After a fierce battle, the thief was seriously injured and escaped.
The Golden Fire Pill is a minor matter, but stealing from the Dao and the Palace is of paramount importance.
At this moment, the disciples gathered in the temple and looked towards Elder Taihui on the high platform.
"Although the Golden Fire Pill is not a top-grade elixir, the theft of this spiritual medicine is a serious matter. It is not only the fault of the patrolling disciples for being careless and negligent in their guard, but also the responsibility of our own laxity. Therefore, the patrolling disciples and the duty masters will each receive fifty lashes of the Heart-Questioning Whip from the Supreme Hall. As for the thief, the master will seek out Fang to explain the matter."
A blue figure stepped out from the stage. She had a kind face and her hair was styled in a high bun. Although she looked a bit old, her beauty was still evident. She was Xunfang, the teacher everyone knew.
Her gaze swept over the disciples, as if confirming each one's identity. Qiu Tong's heart pounded like a drum, her throat tightened, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, and fine sweat kept beading on her forehead.
Although she used Qingdan that night and the person Xunfang saw was not her, she still had bruises on her neck. If she were to be thoroughly investigated, she would certainly not be able to escape punishment!
Qiu Tong nervously glanced at the person beside her. Wei Changzai stood upright, but his eyes were unfocused, clearly lost in thought. She couldn't help but lean closer to him, and her heart calmed down.
Qiu Tong's heart skipped a beat. Qing Dan wasn't omnipotent; there were cultivators who could see through her. What if Xun Fang had happened to see her true face that night...?
"This thief is none other than Lin Feiran, who recently fled down the mountain!"
An uproar immediately erupted.
Qiu Tong's eyes were filled with astonishment. Tai Hui stroked his beard and pondered, while Wei Changzai's eyes flickered slightly before she finally focused her gaze on the high platform.
Zhang Chunhe, who was not far away, shook his head and turned to leave.
*
Because it was so unbelievable and she was completely stunned, Qiu Tong couldn't even remember how she got back to Ninghe Residence.
After careful consideration, she realized that since her rebirth, everything had been exactly the same as in her previous life. However, ever since she got rid of Lin Feiran, everything she had experienced had been like a runaway horse, not only impossible to control but also dragging her along on the ground.
Did getting rid of Lin Feiran really have such a big impact?
Qiu Tong couldn't understand it.
Ultimately, apart from the fox clan's turmoil in her previous life, which caused her some trouble, she didn't actually suffer too much. She spent her days either angry that Wei Changzai didn't love her, or going on missions with him, filled with sweetness, and rarely paid attention to anything else.
Would someone who already has so little cunning become more cunning after being reborn? Obviously not.
In the past, Wei Chang would help her analyze things, but now she can't tell him everything, since their relationship hasn't reached that point yet.
Who can I talk to about this agonizing question?
While Qiu Tong was secretly troubled, she was suddenly pulled by the person next to her. She looked up and happened to see Zhang Chunhe standing in Ninghe Residence waiting for them.
The fine sweat on his forehead suddenly flowed even more profusely.
Zhang Chunhe looked her over and smiled, "I heard from Changzai that your cultivation was hindered and you were injured when you forcibly broke through your realm. Are you alright now?"
Qiu Tong stepped forward and bowed, shrinking her neck as if afraid he would see the bruises on her neck: "Thank you for your concern, Master. My injuries have healed completely. I can return to my dormitory to rest today and will not bother Senior Brother Wei any longer."
Zhang Chunhe smiled and nodded, saying, "There's no need to be so reserved. It's a good thing that you care about your fellow disciples. I won't say anything more. But there are no shortcuts in cultivation. Just wait patiently and there's no need to rush."
Things have really changed; even Zhang Chunhe is trying to comfort her.
...Wait, she has already been reborn this time, and she hasn't even had a chance to displease him yet, so why should she be stuck in the past and confine herself to her previous life?
Perhaps Zhang Chunhe wasn't as heartless as she thought?
She raised her eyes and suddenly asked, "Your Excellency, is the Golden Fire Pill considered a precious elixir in the palace?"
Zhang Chunhe explained, “It’s not particularly precious, but it’s not cheap either. The Golden Fire Pill contains a branch of Fusang wood, which is the habitat of the Golden Crow. It has a strong fire element. Fusang wood only grows in the Pilgrimage Valley, so it is considered rare. However, this medicine has no other use besides dispelling cold, so it is not very valuable.”
Qiu Tong lowered her eyes, let out a soft breath, and heard her heart pounding like a drum. She said, "To be honest, a relative of mine is suffering from a cold. Could I ask you to sell me some of it?"
After a long silence, she looked up and saw a kind expression on Zhang Chunhe's face. He nodded and said, "It's fine, but you don't need to pay. You can exchange it for the mission of exorcising monsters down the mountain. Fifteen items will get you one Golden Fire Pill."
This is how all disciples obtain pills, so there's nothing wrong with that statement. It's just that her pills were replaced with the less valuable Golden Fire Pills.
No wonder Consort Wei always said that his master was soft-hearted in his previous life; it seems she was prejudiced.
Qiu Tong was overjoyed and wanted to tell her mother about it immediately, so she hurried to the disciples' dormitory manager after saying goodbye.
If Lin Feiran were here, he would surely tell her that there is no such thing as losing a sesame seed and gaining a watermelon in this world; it's all just a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
But those involved in such matters are often blinded by their own perspective.
After watching Qiu Tong leave and bidding farewell to Zhang Chunhe, Wei Changzai turned to go back to his room, but instead went straight past the main house and pushed open the side room door.
Few people know that he never lived in the main house, preferring to live alone in a corner.
The door was wide open, and light and shadows flickered inside.
Twenty-four extremely smooth bronze mirrors hung from the beams, with half an inch of opening at the top. Sunlight refracted through the mirrors, illuminating the room in a half-light, half-dark manner.
The wind that rushed in shook the high-hanging bronze mirror, and the room became instantly dark and difficult to see. Wei Changzai was already used to it. He knelt between the alternating light and dark, with lamps burning all around him. He rolled up his sleeves and scooped up a spoonful of silver water from the wooden bucket and poured it onto the mirror.
In an instant, a burst of light erupted.
The twenty-four bronze mirrors simultaneously reflected two indistinct figures, one in black and one in white, sitting opposite each other with their palms clasped together.
Author's Note: These three chapters serve as important setup and transitions, and I've tried to keep it as concise as possible. Lin Feiran and the others will appear in the next chapter, so please don't leave! TT
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