There is a Bagua on Fengqin Mountain 2
Passing through the banyan tree gate and along the path enclosed by bamboo groves, the true color of the accordion is revealed only after the clouds and mist dissipate.
Surrounded by trees, the majestic Emerald Ink Hall, blending seamlessly with the mountain scenery, stands tall in the center, topped with a plaque inscribed with the three characters "Bi Shan Qin". Below, the hall's main doors are closed, and two large bronze cauldrons stand on either side, wisps of incense rising from them.
A breeze stirred, and a few leaves drifted onto the bluestone slabs, a scene of serene tranquility in the deep forest. Natural growth is everywhere here.
Just as Onikiri was wondering why this Fengqin Mountain was unguarded, the palace door slowly opened, and a voice came from inside: "A-Jun, you're back."
Huaiwen strode forward, stepped over the threshold, and greeted his senior brother Bai Yuqi: "Senior brother, I'm back."
Are you alright?
"I'm fine."
"Didn't Ling Shan Xuan Ye cause you any trouble?"
Huaiwen glanced down at the little white dog and saw that it was very calm and composed. Huaiwen replied jokingly, "Maybe he only sent lesser demons, so they couldn't find me so easily. I'm not in as bad shape as everyone says, that he really wanted to kill me. Besides, I'm back here now, so you don't need to worry, Senior Brother."
Bai Yuqi nodded, recalling the news that after Huaiwen went down the mountain, it was said that she had gone to Qimin Mountain to slay demons and was being chased by Xuan Ye. After Fengqin Mountain learned of this, it prepared to send people down to assist Huaiwen.
Before descending the mountain, they received a letter from Liu Min. It told Fengqin Mountain not to worry, that he would find a way to resolve the matter. It also said that their place of dealing with transvestites and Zuimenglou could use this opportunity to maintain contact, and there was no need to be overly concerned.
But as fellow disciples, they were still somewhat uneasy, so they sent out some scout birds to investigate. Fortunately, the scout birds returned with messages that everything was alright. Only then were they slightly relieved.
When Huaiwen heard Bai Yuqi say this, she guessed that Xuan Ye must have tampered with Liu Min's letter, but she wasn't angry. She hadn't wanted Feng Qinshan to get involved in this matter in the first place.
Moreover, judging from previous developments, Lingshan Xuanye didn't intend to kill her at all; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easily teased and turned into a puppy by her.
Just as Bai Yuqi was about to say something, he saw the Oni-slayer and the little dog following behind Huaiwen. He had heard Huaiwen mention the two little monsters before, and he could tell at a glance that they were harmless.
But he didn't recognize the little white dog, and it didn't look friendly. So he asked, "What's this?"
Huaiwen pointed to Onikiri, saying it was the little demon that had grown up with her. When she got to Xuanye, she unleashed her ultimate move: "This is the puppy I picked up. I gave it to you, Senior Brother..."
Huaiwen caught a glimpse of Xuan Ye's warning, and then she swallowed her words and said, "Look. Look at my puppy, isn't it cute?"
Bai Yuqi nodded gently: "Cute."
He crouched down to pet the puppy, but the puppy dodged him. Bai Yuqi's hand hung in mid-air. Huaiwen quickly explained that the puppy was a germaphobe and didn't like people touching it randomly.
Bai Yuqi frowned; this was the first time he'd heard of a puppy being so fastidious as to refuse to be petted. Huaiwen, however, was quite good at coaxing: "Senior brother, let's wait until we're more familiar before touching it. Let's go inside first. I want to know if Master has finished his seclusion?"
"Not yet," Bai Yuqi pondered. "Master's seclusion this time will probably last a while."
Huaiwen nodded in agreement without saying a word.
As the two walked inside, they gradually saw other people. Everyone was attracted to the puppy and wanted to pet it, but Xuan Ye kept dodging, pouting and tilting his head back, indicating that he was very angry.
Huaiwen could only pick him up and say to the senior students in front of him, "My puppy is a clean freak and shy, so now, only I can pet him."
The senior students teased the puppy, saying it was too delicate to insist on being held in their arms and that puppies should be allowed to roam freely to be raised properly.
Huaiwen stroked the puppy in his arms and replied, "But my puppy needs to be raised; he won't have to suffer."
The puppy in his arms wagged its tail happily, and Huaiwen was delighted. The senior students could only sigh at Huaiwen's loving nature and how lucky the puppy was.
After saying goodbye to their senior brothers and sisters, Bai Yuqi and Huaiwen continued walking forward. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Huaiwen first tentatively asked, "Senior brother, I have something I want to ask you."
"What's up?"
Huaiwen glanced around again and lowered his voice, "Um...do we have a master's wife?"
Bai Yuqi was caught off guard by the question and it took him a while to react: "Where would we have a master's wife? When have you ever seen Master have feelings for a woman?"
Huaiwen remained skeptical; she wasn't sure if Bai Yuqi knew about the ghost. After all, in her opinion, she wasn't the only one on Fengqin Mountain unaware of its existence.
To avoid causing trouble, she decided to search for it herself and wait for her master to come out of seclusion.
Why do you ask that?
Huaiwen smiled and explained to Bai Yuqi, "After I returned to the temple, I watched a play that told the story of my master's love and hatred. So I came to ask if it was true."
Bai Yuqi smiled upon hearing this explanation and instructed Huaiwen to return to her room to rest before continuing her cultivation the next day. He also reminded her that neither Demon Slayer nor the puppy should linger.
Huaiwen nodded sincerely and bid farewell to Bai Yuqi. Of course, she knew she couldn't stay any longer. She would investigate the matter as soon as possible, then send the Demon Slayer back to the Human and Demon Bureau and the Demon King Xuan Ye back to Luofu.
Despite the dog's disdainful gaze, Huaiwen and the others walked along the path toward her residence on Fengqin Mountain.
Huaiwen's residence was more secluded than those of his fellow students, but it had the advantage of quietness and privacy. The cabin in the woods was surrounded by bamboo groves, making it peaceful and comfortable.
"You live here all by yourself?" asked the little dog Xuanye.
Huaiwen nodded and pushed the door open to go inside. She then heard the little dog Xuanye say, "It's a bit far from everyone."
Huaiwen brushed off the dust and replied with a smile, "It's a bit far, but I like it here. By the way, are you hungry? Want something to eat..."
Before Huaiwen could finish his question, he saw Xuan Ye transform back. This time, Xuan Ye didn't hide himself anymore; it was the same person Huaiwen had seen at Zuimenglou.
Onikiri was stunned by the beautiful appearance, speechless. Huaiwen looked at her two little demons and shook her head. She sat down, not missing an opportunity to tease Xuan Ye: "How many appearances does the City Lord have?"
Xuan Ye looked around the room: "I haven't counted them."
"Huh?" Huaiwen blinked and asked, "Then which one is your original body?"
Xuan Ye smiled faintly and asked in return, "What do you think?"
Huaiwen didn't answer, but she knew the answer.
Oni-slayer was completely bewildered. They asked Huaiwen why he called him Lord Xuanye, and why he asked how many skins he had. They also asked what he meant by asking about his true form.
Huaiwen felt she had made a mistake for the first time, but she remained calm and composed, saying lightly, "Because he is the Lord of Luofu, Lingshan Xuanye."
This terrified the Oni-Slayers and Oni-Kiri. They stood in front of Huaiwen, their mouths bubbling with nervous tension, uttering incoherent words. The gist of it was that they wanted to protect Huaiwen and prevent Xuan Ye from harming anyone.
Xuan Ye ignored the two crying brats. He leaned against the wall, looking out the window at the unobstructed view of the scenery outside, and seemed to feel a sense of natural healing.
Huaiwen reached out and patted Onikiri's head with both hands to calm it down: "It's okay, he's been with us all the way, he didn't hurt us, did he?"
Onikiri nodded, but the fear in his expression hadn't faded. Huaiwen lowered his voice and whispered in the ears of the two little demons, "Don't be afraid, I will protect you. Also, don't tell anyone yet."
The two little monsters nodded obediently. They trusted Huaiwen completely and believed everything he said.
"You've been here for five years."
Huaiwen and Onikiri simultaneously raised their heads to look at Xuan Ye, listening to him continue, "But there's only greenery outside."
This time, it wasn't just Onikiri who was stunned. Huaiwen's heart was also inadvertently stirred. Her gaze met Xuanye's, and this time it was no longer filled with doubt and probing, but with joy and tenderness.
The path to immortality is inherently arduous; endurance is an inevitable consequence, and only through such endeavor can one reap rewards. Huaiwen cultivated in this forest, year after year, keeping company with the mountains and forests, watching the verdant green change from light to dark, and then from dark to light, in an endless cycle.
Xuan Ye strode over, his expression extremely sincere: "A-Jun, would you like to come with me to see the vibrant world outside?"
Huaiwen's eyes shone brightly. She followed Xuan Ye's body and looked out the window, where the emerald green seemed to flow. Finally, she met his sincere gaze with the same sincerity: "Perhaps it will happen when that flowing emerald green no longer invades my heart."
Xuan Ye understood. He was slightly disappointed, but quickly recovered and sat down on the couch: "No rush, we have plenty of time."
Huaiwen pursed her lips, trying to hide her smile, but couldn't. She then got up to find something to do: "What should I eat?"
That night, Onikiri cooked a meal over a wood fire in the courtyard, looking quite professional, but actually doing it rather carelessly. To encourage the two little demons, Huaiwen took out his treasured bamboo incense.
When Huaiwen returned, he found that Xuanye had taken over from Onikiri as the head chef and cooked a delicious dish.
Isn't this a pleasant surprise?
Therefore, it was time to celebrate. The wine was poured into crystal glasses, and Huaiwen gestured for them to try it. Oni-slayer and Oni-kiri took a sip and felt like they were about to faint from the aroma of the wine, but they resisted the urge to drink more, their small eyes peeking out as they awaited the Demon King's opinion.
You should know that the wine at Zuimenglou is famous.
Will this homemade wine please the discerning demon king?
"Is it good?" Huaiwen's eyes darted around, she was looking forward to it.
Xuan Ye savored the taste, and amidst Huai Wen's anticipation, he licked his lips and said slyly, "You try it first."
This made Huaiwen think there was something wrong with the wine he brewed. He quickly picked up the wine glass and took a sip, and the wine spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"It hasn't gone bad. It tastes just like the ones I brewed before, and it's delicious." She looked up at Xuan Ye, her face full of doubt.
Xuan Ye seemed to be bewitched, reaching out to wipe Huai Wendi's lips. He smiled triumphantly and confidently: "I can tell it tastes good just by looking at you."
Demon Slayer's Demon Slayer was screaming inwardly, as was Huaiwen.
"Eat your food." Xuan Ye withdrew his hand and calmly served Huai Wen some food.
Huaiwen wiped his mouth again, stared at Xuan Ye, and couldn't help but say, "City Lord, you... are so skilled."
Is it right for you?
Huaiwen ignored his words and instead said, "The owner of Zuimenglou is indeed as the world says, a man of great shrewdness and tact."
Xuan Ye shook his head in denial: "They don't need me at all. I only need you."
"Afraid that I'll become your master?" Huaiwen asked deliberately, a smirk playing on his lips.
Xuan Ye slyly turned the tables on him: "So, are you going to do it?"
Huaiwen instinctively replied confidently, "Sure."
A melodious and ethereal tune echoed through the mountains and forests. It was the Organ Mountain singing. This was the first time the Organ Mountain had played this year, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in its exquisite music.
Right now, the music playing on the harp was wonderful, and Huaiwen was slightly excited and wanted to share her feelings with everyone. But when she turned her head, she saw Xuan Ye looking at her with a smug expression, and even the Onikiri next to him had stars in his eyes.
In that instant, Huaiwen realized the consequences of his subconscious answer.
She planned to brush it off, refilled her glass, raised it again, and shouted brightly, "A beautiful day, let's drink together!"
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