When they returned, Liu Kang was still fast asleep.
So she found a spot outside the door, took out her sleeping bag, and crawled inside to sleep.
After falling asleep, she found herself back in the original owner's childhood, each time as if she had experienced it all herself.
This time she stood in a place that was both familiar and unfamiliar—the back hill where she often went during her childhood.
The sun was shining brightly, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the air was filled with the fragrance of wildflowers.
She looked around, and the trees, streams, and wildflowers that had accompanied her through countless happy times seemed like treasures forgotten by time, standing there quietly.
As I walked along the familiar path, a strange feeling of emotion welled up inside me.
Every step seemed to carry memories of the past, those carefree days, those innocent smiles, all like photos sealed by time, emerging one by one in her heart.
Just then, voices came from the woods.
Curious, she went closer and discovered that her father and grandfather were burying something there.
She approached quietly, trying not to make a sound so as not to disturb them.
The father and grandfather looked solemn, each holding a wooden box and carefully digging in the soil.
"Dad, will no one discover our family's secret if we bury it here?" Li Huaifeng couldn't help but ask his father.
Xuanming Sect Master Li Wentian turned his head slightly, his expression becoming solemn.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, as if he were hiding something important in his heart.
He said slowly, “Huaifeng, this secret has been passed down through generations of our Xuanming Sect. No one knows it except the sect leader. However, the current situation has become very tense, and the world seems to be about to fall into turmoil. That descendant of the Jiang family actually dares to attempt to restore the previous dynasty. We must not be used by them, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable.”
At this point, Li Wentian's voice became low and serious, as if he realized that a huge crisis was approaching.
He continued, "Therefore, we must be careful and not trust anyone easily. At the same time, we must protect Xiaoxi and never let anyone know that she has the blood of the ancient clan."
His gaze was fixed on Li Huaifeng, his eyes filled with trust and expectation. Clearly, he hoped Huaifeng could understand and shoulder this responsibility.
This secret concerns the entire Xuanming Sect and its future fate; if it were to be leaked, it would cause endless trouble and danger.
Upon hearing this, Li Huaifeng's expression turned solemn. "Yes, Father. Jin'er and I will definitely not let Xiaoxi learn martial arts. We will let her live a carefree and ordinary life."
Li Wentian nodded slightly, quite pleased. He knew that although his son Li Huaifeng was young, he was resilient, loyal, and a trustworthy person.
After burying the box, they planted a sapling there.
She then left, and just as she was about to sneak up to take a look, she was caught.
"Xiaoxi, what are you doing here? Come on, let's go back." Li Huaifeng held her hand, his voice full of tenderness.
Later, for some reason, she forgot about it.
When I woke up, it was already bright outside, and Wan Yue was already making breakfast.
Li Xi was preoccupied with the appearance in her dream, and without even having breakfast, she went to Xuanming Gate again.
Upon arriving at the back mountain of Xuanming Sect, I followed the instructions in my dream to reach the place from my dream.
The sapling has grown into a ginkgo tree over ten meters tall, with lush branches and leaves, resembling a giant green umbrella.
She carefully began digging along the tree roots, and as the soil was removed layer by layer, the outline of a wooden box gradually came into view.
The surface of the box has been weathered and mottled by time, but the lock on it remains intact, as if time has left no trace on it.
After replanting the ginkgo tree, she sat down beside it, staring intently at the box.
I never expected that what happened in my dream was real. Was this also a memory that the original owner had forgotten?
With a single sword stroke, she cleaved the lock open, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the box…
Li Xi led Hongying to the top of the mountain.
Hongying urged the animals to search for useful clues, but they searched the entire mountain without finding any clues related to the jade pendant.
On the night the Xuanming Sect was massacred, the firelight scared away all the animals, so no useful clues were found.
Therefore, the three of them took Liu Kang back to the capital.
Li Xi brought the two jade pendants into the palace and explained everything to the emperor.
After listening to Li Xi's account, the emperor's expression turned solemn, and he remained silent for a long time.
"This jade pendant... I've heard my father mention it before." The emperor spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a sense of vicissitude. "It is said that this was a jade pendant given to a prince by the emperor of the previous dynasty. After the fall of the previous dynasty, members of the royal family either died or fled, and there has been no news of them since."
His grandfather became the founding emperor of the Jingyuan dynasty.
"Go back and rest first. You've worked hard these past few days. I grant you a five-day leave."
The emperor looked at Li Xi, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Li Xi bowed and withdrew from the main hall.
She also understood that what followed involved royal secrets, and it was not appropriate for her to get too involved.
Stepping out of the main hall, she took a deep breath of fresh air and felt much more relaxed.
Upon returning to his residence, Li Xi immediately instructed his maid to prepare hot water for a bath.
She had been busy with court affairs these days and had hardly had a proper rest. At this moment, she just wanted to wash away all her fatigue.
After bathing, she changed into light clothes and went for a walk in the courtyard. The sun was setting, and the afterglow bathed the entire courtyard, making it appear peaceful and beautiful.
"General, this is bird's nest porridge that the kitchen just cooked. Please drink it while it's hot." The maid Xiao Cui came over with a steaming bowl of bird's nest porridge.
Everyone in the mansion was from the families of the Hidden Sect brothers, so she felt much more relaxed when she returned here.
She didn't need to deliberately disguise her identity as a woman; everyone automatically called her General.
Li Xi took the bird's nest porridge, gently blew on it to cool it down, and then slowly savored it.
The delicate fragrance of bird's nest spread in her mouth, bringing her a sense of comfort.
"General, Young Master Qin has arrived," a servant whispered at the door, breaking the tranquility of the mansion.
A barely perceptible flicker flashed in Li Xi's eyes. She then put down the bowl in her hand and said softly, "Please invite him in."
Qin Yue walked into the courtyard, dressed in white, his steps were calm and composed, and a faint smile was on his face.
He saw Li Xi, and his eyes immediately softened.
His previously tense face gradually relaxed, and the corners of his mouth even turned up slightly.
He strode forward and gave a crisp military salute: "Greetings, General!"
After a while, she realized what was happening and quickly waved her hand, saying, "Brother Qin, don't joke with me. I'm just a nobody who runs errands for others."
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