After crossing flat grasslands and passing through bushes, a large lake came into view. In the middle of the lake, a huge tree could be seen in the distance, but it was too far away to see clearly.
The clear lake water reflects the blue sky and white clouds, the lakeside meadows are lush and green, and colorful wildflowers sway in the breeze.
The place Bai Hao and Qin Nan entered was very close to the center of the lake, as if they knew their purpose and deliberately took a shortcut.
Walking along the stone path by the lake, the winding trail leads to a village.
The strange beasts here are not bound to human form, but maintain their original forms. Qin Nan recognized some of them, and some he had never seen before. However, they all seemed to be strange beasts without any special divine power. Because they had no ability to protect themselves, they sought protection here.
Without entering the village, Qin Nan walked along the lakeside path past the village and got closer to the giant tree in the middle of the lake. Only then did he realize that it was a banyan tree.
A "path" leading to the center of the lake also appears on the lake surface, with large lotus leaves arranged in an orderly manner, extending from the lakeside to the small island in the center of the lake.
The inner lake area of Lotus Leaf Road is covered with lotus leaves, covering an extremely wide area. However, because it is not the right season, there are no lotus flowers yet. But judging from the scale, one can imagine how spectacular it would be if the lotus flowers were in bloom.
Qin Nan looked at the lotus leaf path in front of her and was hesitant to take a step. She felt that the path was shaky and that she would fall into the lake if she stepped on it.
Seeing Qin Nan hesitate, Bai Hao raised his hand and pulled hard. To maintain his balance, Qin Nan stepped onto a large lotus leaf. He then found that the lotus leaf was quite stable, and his weight did not wobble at all.
Bai Hao: "Don't worry, you won't fall."
Qin Nan: "Is this really a lotus leaf? It's so sturdy!"
Qin Nan followed Bai Hao step by step, slowly treading on lotus leaves until they reached the center of the lake.
A huge banyan tree occupies two-thirds of the island in the lake, with a soft couch and two sets of tables and chairs under it.
A stone table and benches, with a black and white chess game set on it; a wooden table and chairs, with a tea set on the table, and tea boiling on a small stove beside it.
However, the Azure Dragon was not seen here.
Bai Hao led Qin Nan to sit down at the tea table. He brewed the tea, poured two cups, handed one to Qin Nan, and took one for himself to cool and enjoy.
Bai Hao: "He must have something to take care of. He'll be back after he's made some tea."
Qin Nan nodded, picked up the blue and white porcelain teacup, blew on it gently, and took a small sip.
He didn't know much about tea, nor did he know how to drink it. He usually just brewed tea with hot water without any particular method. This was the first time he had ever drunk tea that had been boiled like this.
It has a slightly bitter taste at first but not astringent, and a sweet aftertaste. It must be a good tea!
After sitting for a while, Qin Nan got up and stood under the tree. He was looking up at the banyan tree, whose trunk was as thick as twenty people could encircle, and lamenting his own insignificance, when he heard a voice coming from behind him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, I have some things to take care of."
Qin Nan turned around, and the newcomer was tall and imposing, dressed in a light blue and white silk brocade robe, his long hair neatly tied up with a jade crown, on which was inserted a jade hairpin of emerald green.
With arched eyebrows, deep-set eyes, skin as smooth as mutton fat, and a sharply defined face, he should have a haughty and aloof appearance, yet he wore a warm and gentle smile.
Qin Nan hadn't seen Qinglong for a long time, and this time, he was indeed very different from before.
In Qin Nan's memory, Qinglong was still young, both unruly and proud, living a free and unrestrained life, unafraid of heaven and earth.
Now he has lost his sharpness and gained composure; he has lost his arrogance and gained gentleness. I wonder what he has been through.
Bai Hao was standing with his head down, looking at the chess game. Hearing the voice, he looked up and turned around. "I never thought you would be willing to protect this mirage."
Meng Zhang walked over with a smile and nodded, "It certainly doesn't seem like something I would do."
Bai Hao: "So, because life is too boring, you're looking for something to do?"
Meng Zhang: "That's not wrong. Too many years become increasingly boring."
Bai Hao: "If it weren't for you and that person already... how could it be boring?"
Meng Zhang: "...It's enough to know; just say it out loud and that's it."
Meng Zhang's tone remained unchanged; he was very tolerant of people and things and rarely held grudges.
Meng Zhang: "This is... our first meeting? I never imagined it would be so long."
Qin Nan smiled and said, "What if it isn't?"
Meng Zhang asked in confusion, "No?"
Qin Nan: "It's nothing. I just remember a young man who once stood alone against natural disasters for the people of the country in the desolate northwest, but then quietly left."
Meng Zhang was stunned. This... was a very long time ago, and not many people knew about it. The person in front of him, whom he should regard as a cub, should not be among those who knew. How did he know?
Bai Hao remained calm. He truly had no idea what Qin Nan had remembered, what his true identity was, or how long he had actually lived. Why did no one remember him?
But Qin Nan refused to speak, so he had no choice but to let him be.
Meng Zhang: "It seems that he didn't tell me everything, or perhaps he doesn't actually know everything?"
Qin Nan: "I have come here to ask you for two things."
Meng Zhang smiled with interest: "Looking for that piece of brocade?"
Qin Nan: "Yes, in addition, we need to find a mirage beast to help repair a painting."
As he spoke, Qin Nan raised his hand, and the scroll appeared in his palm, floating open in the air. Because the scroll of Gucheng was no longer there, the scroll was now blank.
Meng Zhang: "The Mirage Scroll... He's really good at scheming, and you too, you actually believed what he said."
Qin Nan: "After all, I am my father's child. Without him, there would be no me. Everything is predestined and has a beginning and an end. Once it has started, it cannot be avoided that it will end."
Meng Zhang lowered his eyes and nodded. Ever since Su Kun asked him to borrow the wood seeds, he had been waiting. Knowing that there was some unusual activity on Xuanwu's side, he knew that Qin Nan would come to find him.
Meng Zhang: "I will take you to find the mirage beast. As for the brocade... you can go and get it yourself at sunset. You should know where it is. But I cannot go there, and neither can Bai Hao."
Qin Nan: "Yes, I know, so I brought a few crabapples and went to avoid the water. I should be fine."
Meng Zhang: "Alright, come with me."
After speaking, Meng Zhang walked around the banyan tree, raised his hand and waved, and a stone path appeared out of thin air on the lake, at the end of which was a door as clear as a mirror.
Meng Zhang went first, followed by Bai Hao and Qin Nan.
Bai Hao: "Are you going to be present at the market tomorrow?"
Meng Zhang: "No, it's no fun. Let Geng Chen go; he loves to join in the fun."
Bai Hao: "Tomorrow... will definitely be lively."
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhang stamped his foot: "Something bad will happen tomorrow?"
Bai Hao smiled and said, "A market? No way."
Looking at Bai Hao's smiling face, Meng Zhang felt uneasy. This little Bai Ze brat was too cunning. He might not like watching a spectacle, but he definitely liked creating one.
However, seeing that Bai Hao didn't want to talk about it, he didn't plan to ask any more questions. Instead, he sent a text message to Zhu Jiuyin from his wide sleeves.
Bai Ze is omniscient, and Zhu Jiuyin can foresee the future and the past. Although his knowledge is not as specific as Bai Ze's, it is still roughly possible. If trouble is going to happen tomorrow, he can prepare in advance.
Bai Hao raised an eyebrow, knowing that Meng Zhang was looking for Zhu Jiuyin. He smiled but remained silent. He was asking about the market, but there was nothing going on at the market. The problem was with Meng Zhang himself.
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