Chapter 458 The Sword Immortal is Just a Sidekick
The swing swayed back and forth.
The young woman in Confucian robes, with her eyes closed, lay sprawled out in the sun, swaying back and forth on a swing in the autumn breeze.
It's both warm and cool.
Ouyang Rong didn't call out to Lazy Little Ink Spirit. He looked around the courtyard but couldn't see his junior sister.
He turned and walked towards the main house.
"She's turning the pages of a book, don't knock."
"Flip through the book?"
Ouyang Rong turned around curiously and glanced at Miao Si.
The little one had sat up at some point, holding onto a rope thicker than her waist, swinging her short legs on the swing, tilting her head and looking him over, her voice lazy:
"Well, isn't it normal for someone to flip through a book when they have nothing to do?"
Ouyang Rong looked somewhat suspicious.
"This fairy is truly amazing. She told me to turn the pages of the book, and I did. If she were alone, who knows how long it would take her to figure it out. But she is quite clever. Even without this fairy, she probably wouldn't have been too slow."
"Hehe, this fairy didn't eat your ink for nothing, did she?"
"Why don't you just say that you're planning to advance to the sixth rank?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head, walked to the stone table in the courtyard, sat down, and waited quietly.
"You're so rude."
Miao Si swung on the swing, glancing sideways at him.
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Even fairies curse, right?"
"Wow, she's got a sweet tongue."
Miao Si lowered her head and counted on her fingers:
"Scholars cultivate their spiritual path, but it's not just about breaking through realms, using force to suppress others, or bullying the weak."
"Turning the pages of a book is not just about the path to promotion, but also about personal growth and seeking a fresh perspective..."
Under the rare, bright autumn sunshine, the young woman in Confucian robes spoke eloquently:
"From a scholar to a book reader, there is a difference of one word, but it is as different as heaven and earth. Many scholars in the world never reach this point, from youth to old age."
"The difference between a person who turns the pages of a book and a wise person is as small as a step, yet it is a world of difference."
"The renewal of one's state of mind must keep pace with the growth of one's cultivation."
"Unlike other schools of Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism all attach great importance to this point."
"Throughout history, those who have attained great realms among the three sects are all people with extraordinary mental states. Therefore, these three sects are the worldly sects, which can enter the world and the court, and are exceptionally allowed to gain power."
"Especially Confucian scholars."
"Seven hundred years ago, during a certain dynasty, there was even an unprecedented event where all the saints filled the court. Tsk tsk."
"A court full of saints?"
"They're all the sages and virtuous men in the court."
"And what happened next?"
"They learned a terrible lesson, and the Confucian school was severely weakened. Otherwise, there would have been no role for Buddhism and Taoism later on."
"Is that so? I've learned something new."
Ouyang Rong, sitting upright on the stone bench with his sleeves folded, nodded thoughtfully. Without asking any further questions, he looked up at the sky.
"Junior Sister, how long will it take you to flip through the book this time? Will you break through to the next realm when you're done?"
"I don't know. It's rare for her to get into the state of turning the pages. If she breaks through a barrier, it might take three or four times, or as few as two. It depends on her luck. Today is the first time."
"However, it is indeed rare for a young girl as young as her, with so few students, to have reached this level and become so engrossed in reading."
"Of course, my wife is making a fool of herself." Ouyang Rong was a little embarrassed.
“Eh~” The young woman in Confucian robes glanced at him sideways.
Ouyang Rong remained calm and composed, adjusting his cuffs.
“Ouyang Lianghan, you are actually more suited to the path of scholars.”
Miao Si suddenly spoke, shaking her head with a regretful tone:
"If you were in this state, you would have almost no bottlenecks. With your talent and mindset, turning the pages of a book would be a piece of cake. You might even break the record for the fastest book turning in hundreds of years. What a pity."
"If it weren't a pity, a certain fairy would have lost her life, and everyone would have been doomed that day."
"It's a little fairy, not a big fairy," she corrected.
"Aren't they all the same?"
"I always feel like you're insulting me when you call someone a fairy."
"There were no swear words."
"Don't even think about Hu Benxiangu." Miao Si muttered to herself, "You scholars are quite good at being tactful when you insult someone."
"Looks like he's been scolded quite a bit."
"Nonsense is the smartest, bar none!"
Looking at the little Mo Jing puffing out his chest on the swing, Ouyang Rong smiled and said, "You're quite proud of yourself."
Miao Si seemed to be in a good mood, humming a little tune and swaying her head. She glanced at the upright Ouyang Rong and said leisurely:
"I never knew you were a great swordsman. Your sword is quite cool. What's its real name?"
"The Legend of Sword and Fairy?"
"It's the cauldron sword that those Qi cultivators talk about. But isn't it just like the immortal sword in the book? It can fly around. Everyone in the world, even Qi cultivators, is just a mortal. You can fly on a sword, it's like a myth. How can you fight against that? It's really unfair."
"Oh, I see."
What's its name?
Ouyang Rong did not answer, his expression remained unchanged, and instead asked:
"Also? You've seen other sword wielders... um, sword immortals?"
"I haven't forgotten."
"How could you forget that?"
"After being awakened by Xiaoxuan, it seems like I've forgotten so many things."
"Hmm, I remember quite a few."
"Nonsense, I was just sleepy, not brainless."
"No wonder you know so much; it seems you've lived quite a long time."
"Hmph, it depends on who you compare us to. You humans are among the shortest-lived of the five insect races. According to a book I once read, in the ancient mythological era, you were...you were..."
Ouyang Rong tried to respond: "Standing like a lackey?"
"Pretty much." She waved her little hand: "Anyway, you're just going to get beaten up every day. Any random alien that comes to Kunlun South Abyss can boss you around arrogantly, and you're grateful and worship them like gods and immortals. If I had lived in that era, I would have been a great female immortal. It's a pity that the myths have disappeared now."
Ouyang Rong smiled and said, "You know quite a lot."
"Of course! This fairy is the goddess of ink!"
How long have you lived?
"I don't remember, it's been a long, long time, I just often slept..."
"Then how come your cultivation level is so low, and you were completely controlled by the Qi cultivators of the Imperial Observatory?"
"Well, it's a long story."
"Then let's get to the point."
"snort."
The young girl in Confucian robes stood up, leaned against the swing ropes, crossed her arms, and turned her head away.
"This fairy maiden is not very good at fighting, although she is quite good at running away. However, this time when she woke up, her original inkstone was worn out too much and became a little weaker. She needs to eat more ink to replenish herself and restore her former immortal power."
"Alas, it is truly a case of a dragon dwelling in shallow waters being mocked by shrimp, and a tiger fallen to the plains being bullied by dogs."
Seeing the little figure on the swing looking so old-fashioned, I sighed.
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, and Wen Xin corrected him:
"You can't fight, so what kind of divine might do you have? You can't call yourself a tiger fallen into the plains. At most, you're just a little more harmless."
"You're the one who's harmless, your whole family is harmless!"
"The fairy is swearing again."
"Pah, pah, pah, I'm not going to talk nonsense with you anymore."
Miao Si puffed out her cheeks, crossed her arms, and glared at him:
"Don't be so smug. Although I can't fight, the attendants and followers I used to have were all top-notch experts. As long as they can fight, they can subdue the enemy with a little effort. There's no need for me to take action."
"Attendants and followers? For example?"
"Don't compare. Hmm, you're fine. Apart from opening your mouth, you somewhat meet my criteria for choosing a follower. You were quite dashing when you recited poetry and drew your sword that day."
Miao Si turned around, her back to Ouyang Rong, raised her small hand, waved it casually, and a haughty voice rang out:
"Alright then, Ouyang Lianghan, I'll give you an incredibly fortunate opportunity. From now on, offer me one Hanlei Inkstone every day, and I'll reluctantly allow you to stay by my side. Hmm, let's go to your house first. From now on, you'll be my powerful follower. Remember, I never take on nobodies."
"..."
The more he listened, the more something seemed off... Ouyang Rong really wanted to ask the little ink spirit what the specific definition of the word "follower" was in his head.
Oh, so you and the number one in the world together make an invincible duo, right? He can be considered your follower.
Ouyang Rong's lips twitched, but he didn't expose the last bit of stubbornness of the prideful little Mo Jing.
"What do you think? Still not saying anything? You think one Hanlei ink stick a day is too expensive and you're unhappy?"
Before Ouyang Rong could answer, Miao Si's little face showed a troubled expression:
"Why have I been waking up to nothing but stingy paupers? Or is the market just bad right now... Never mind, considering you saved my life and were kind to Xiao Xuan, how about... one Hanlei ink stick every three days? Or half a week? I can't go any lower! Half a week it is. If I'm really hungry, I'll go out and find some unlucky guy to get the ink from..."
The young woman in Confucian robes stood with her hands behind her back, head held high, refusing to look at him, and muttered a slight modification to the conditions.
Ouyang Rong shook his head without saying a word. Seeing that his junior sister would be gone for a long time, he stood up and walked directly out of the courtyard without waiting for her to finish "flipping through the book" inside the room.
As they passed the swing, Ouyang Rong scooped up the young woman in Confucian robes and stuffed her into his sleeve.
"You... Ouyang Lianghan, you're so rude... mmm."
Ouyang Rong remained calm, rolled up his sleeves and took Miao Si away, leaving his junior sister's boudoir together.
"Let's go, I'll take you home. Hmm, from now on, your attendant will be next. Let's go back first, we won't bother you any longer, I have something to ask you."
"I'd like to ask for your advice!"
"Alright, please enlighten me, Fairy Maiden."
"Hmph, speak now, what is it you wish to ask?"
"Don't stick your head out yet, don't let outsiders see you..."
"Then don't touch this fairy!"
"I bumped into it by accident, sorry..."
"You're so rude!"
Soon, Ouyang Rong returned to the carriage with the little ink spirit that was muttering in his sleeve, and together they went back to the mansion in Huaiye Lane.
Back in the study of Yinbingzhai, he dismissed Ye Weilai and the other maids.
Ouyang Rong released his brilliant idea.
As the young woman in Confucian robes stood on the desk, looking around, Ouyang Rong casually asked as he went to retrieve something from the bookshelf:
"You don't seem to like Taoist priests very much."
"It's not that I don't like it, it's that I hate it."
"Why? Have I offended you?"
"They're even more rude than you, and they all have such sour faces, talking nonsense. They like to live in the mountains, but they don't know what's so great about the mountains. They're even less interesting than bald monks. At least bald monks know to go to the city. Their temples are built in a grand style, and there are many worshippers and fools in the bustling city. There's plenty of fun, so at least they're not boring. Unlike the Taoist temples in the mountains, why don't they go out of business?"
Remembering a certain expressionless young man in a Taoist robe, Ouyang Rong chuckled and changed the subject:
"I haven't asked yet why the fairy is dressed so inappropriately."
"It's all because I'm in Xunyang City. I woke up here, but the literary atmosphere here is a bit strange and doesn't quite feel right."
"What does your eccentricity have to do with what you're wearing?"
"It's very important. This fairy can't just change her clothes whenever she wants. There are rules, hmph."
"Then I won't wear it."
"You're so vulgar."
Miao Si put her little hands behind her back and paced back and forth on Ouyang Rong's desk, occasionally kicking a curled corner of a book and obsessively trying to flatten it.
Anyway, after seeing it, Ouyang Rong felt that it might be a habit inherited from when he was making inksticks and had them pressed against the corners of books in the scholar's room.
She was humming:
"However, I never expected that after sleeping for so long, I would end up in such a new world. The chaotic world where the Han and non-Han peoples were mixed together has been unified by the Sui Dynasty. The three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism have begun to merge, especially in Xunyang City, where the cultures of the three schools are converging... Tsk tsk, so this is what I wore when I transformed into human form."
"Luckily, he's wearing a Taoist hat, not a bald monk."
"You, you're asking for it."
"You seem to know quite a lot about scholars."
"Hmm, it seems to have been about three hundred years ago. At that time, I followed a group of northern gentry and scholarly families south to this Jiangnan region. Back then, there was no such thing as Jiangnan. It wasn't called Jiangnan Road. It was called Wuyue Land. It was very poor and remote. Hmm, along the way, I met many northern noble families who inherited and flaunted the Han Chinese style. Later, some of them even became more powerful than the emperor."
"However, I slept for too long and forgot many things and many people. I only have a vague impression of them."
"You mean the migration of the elite south?"
Miao Si didn't answer, scratched his head, and suddenly asked:
"By the way, is the Xie in Xie Lingjiang the Xie of Chenjun Xie clan?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"I knew it. No wonder they are of the same lineage. I remember there was a talented woman from the Xie family of Chen County. I met her. Perhaps she was not as beautiful, but she was more talented. It's a pity that she passed away..."
"So, it seems you really did have a lot of followers?"
"Of course! This fairy used to have a little follower who could compose a poem in seven steps, and her literary talent wasn't much worse than yours, who could kill a person with a single step a day... Wait, no! What... what is this? This booklet you pulled out, what are those words on it? This fairy isn't seeing things, is she?"
"The True Teachings, the supreme teachings of Shangqing, don't you recognize it, Your Excellency?"
"Of course I recognize it, but... but how do you have a Taoist priest's thing?"
"Why can't I have one? My assistant is a little more studious. If I find a book, I might as well study it since I'm just killing time. It's not illegal."
"This isn't about breaking the law, you...you're acting strangely!"
"What's wrong? You're just stuck in your preconceived notions. Didn't I already say that the three sects of this world have merged? I'll merge with them too. Hmm, I've heard that the most scarce resource for talisman drawing is a rare spiritual ink. Fairy, do you know where this spiritual ink comes from?"
Miao Si, who had been pacing around the table, suddenly froze. A moment of silence fell over the table, followed by a weak voice:
"Um... is it too late to leave now? This fairy misses Miss Xie so much... could I go back for a bit..."
Ouyang Rong remained silent, but his smile grew even more amiable and friendly.
Not long ago, the arrogant and domineering little Mo Jing revealed a smile that was more like a grimace:
"Young Master Ouyang, could you... could you please change your attendant?"
The handsome young man, acting as her little follower, casually slipped a booklet into her hand, which she had nowhere to hide from, while simultaneously hooking his fingertip and patting her little head:
"My lady immortal, please."
"..."
(End of this chapter)
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