Chapter 777 The Dragon in the Palm of My Hand, The Celestial Master's Admonition
Having guessed something, Yu Nianyuan frequently glanced at his seventh junior sister, who was drinking noodle soup with her head down, before turning his face away.
"Ah...ah..."
Hearing the soft voice of his seventh junior sister, he turned his gaze back and looked over.
Seventh Junior Sister was holding up another untouched bowl of noodles in both hands and handing it to her, looking rather silly.
Yu Nianyuan was silent for a moment, then his fair hand slipped out of his sleeve and took the bowl of noodles.
Zhao Qingxiu noticed that her second senior sister didn't seem to start eating right away. Instead, she took some noodles from her bowl and put them into the bowl that Zhao Qingxiu had already eaten most of.
Yu Nianyuan also helped her roll up her skirt sleeves and adjust the slightly loose blindfold ribbon before preparing to eat the noodles.
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head and silently sipped her noodle soup.
She ate quickly, and after putting down her bowl, she waited a short while before Yu Nianyuan also let out a long sigh and put down her empty bowl.
Zhao Qingxiu stood up and groped her way towards the room where the master bedroom was located.
Yu Nianyuan neither stopped him nor offered to help him up. He sat in his original spot in the courtyard, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
The two sisters seemed to have a tacit understanding in taking these actions.
A moment later, Zhao Qingxiu slowly walked out of the master bedroom, carrying a long cloth bag in her hand.
The rope at the opening of the cloth bag came undone, and the cloth slipped down, revealing a bronze sword hilt with dark red bloodstains on it.
Zhao Qingxiu returned to her second senior sister with the bronze longsword.
Yu Nianyuan glanced at the sky, put down his teacup, and didn't drink a drop of tea.
Let's go.
Zhao Qingxiu extended her palm.
Yu Nianyuan saw a dragon swimming in her palm, surrounded by purple mist.
Yu Nianyuan stared intently for a while, then stretched out his own palm and grasped the bronze longsword.
The moment the two women simultaneously grasped the bronze longsword.
Time flies.
It seems like shrinking the earth to an inch, or like a dream of wealth and glory.
Zhao Qingxiu felt as if she had opened her eyes again.
My own eyes have returned.
Her eyes were as clear as a mountain stream.
To restore sight.
But before her lay an abyss.
All around was the color of blood and the eerie green of bronze.
Many things are blurred.
However, some objects can still be seen clearly:
In the abyss ahead, evil dragons emerge one after another, twisted and terrifying, and the abyss is bottomless.
Above the abyss, a small bronze sword hangs upside down.
The sword was extremely blunt, covered in rust, yet dripping with blood.
It's unknown how much blood of living beings it has been stained with.
This wasn't the first time she'd seen him.
It has appeared in my dreams countless times in the past.
She used to think it was terrifying, but since moving into Tanlang's courtyard, being enlightened by him and protected by the mysterious purple mist, Zhao Qingxiu no longer felt it was so scary, and her heart felt somewhat calm and peaceful.
She looked down and saw a small purple dragon swimming and spinning in her palm, drawing circles and creating ripples, like pebbles skipping across a lake.
Zhao Qingxiu withdrew her clear gaze and looked ahead.
All that could be seen before me were the backs of female rulers.
Standing still, they vary in height and each has its own unique charm.
But the face was blurry.
This time, it wasn't the terrifying scene of Yue women falling into the abyss that I experienced in my dream before.
At this moment, the surroundings were calm and still, and the female rulers mostly stood still, seemingly gazing at the abyss ahead.
However, four of the figures moved.
The figure of a tall female ruler, her hair like golden flames.
The figure of a woman in white, barefoot and with bells tied to her feet.
In addition, there were two female rulers with elegant double-looped sideburns.
The two female rulers seemed to be similar in height, build, and movements.
The only difference is the direction of the slanted double sideburns on their heads; one is slanted to the left, and the other to the right.
The four female rulers, like Zhao Qingxiu who had opened her eyes, were somewhat lively, unlike the "lifeless" female rulers around them who were staring at the abyss ahead.
They turned around, seemingly looking at Zhao Qingxiu, and walked over.
Zhao Qingxiu tried to speak, but found that she couldn't make a sound.
It seemed that it wasn't just because she was mute; all the female rulers around her were silent.
This was completely different from the last time she broke through her realm and became "Dream Lady" in a dream in the quiet courtyard.
This time, the entire abyss was completely silent.
It's like stepping from a dream into real life.
The atmosphere was deathly still and solemn.
Just then, the tall, blonde queen walked straight up to Zhao Qingxiu, seemingly looking down at her. Suddenly, the tall queen reached out and touched Zhao Qingxiu's eyes from a distance.
Zhao Qingxiu stared blankly, her mouth agape.
I wanted to call out "Senior Sister," but no sound came out.
A phantom figure, resembling a candle in the snow, suddenly embraced her.
The blonde queen was tall and imposing, making Zhao Qingxiu appear incredibly petite in her arms.
Zhao Qingxiu didn't move anymore.
She didn't try to hug him back, because she had a purple dragon in her palm and her hands were hanging empty, making her feel a little awkward and helpless for a moment.
The white-clad lady beside her, the lady with double hairpins on the left and the lady with double hairpins on the right all lowered their heads and looked at Zhao Qingxiu's palm.
A moment later, the tall, blonde queen released her embrace and turned her gaze to the trapped dragon writhing in Zhao Qingxiu's palm.
Immediately, in front of Zhao Qingxiu and the others, she silently spread out her right hand.
There is a palm-sized dragon, its entire body snow-white.
...
Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
The ruins of the inner courtyard, next to the artificial hill.
Lu Ya, Cai Shou, and Shun Bo temporarily retreated from the field.
After the young man in the scholar's robe finished recounting the Dragon-Slaying Technique, Xie Lingjiang, Li Xian, and their family fell silent.
Judging from everyone's expressions, Ouyang Rong knew their hesitation and misunderstanding.
They looked at the sword box in Xie Lingjiang's arms with some difficulty.
Li Xiandao:
"My lord, let's discuss this matter after we return to the capital. Let's leave Xunyang now; it's not a good place to stay any longer."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong slowly withdrew his gaze from the Moonlight Sword in his hand.
He glanced around at the still-burning ruins and nodded slightly.
"Alright, let's evacuate Xunyang City first. This matter isn't urgent. We'll discuss it in detail once we reach a safe place on the way."
Li Xian and the others understood the meaning behind his words. It seemed that he wanted to leave Xunyang City with them temporarily, unlike when he served as the magistrate of Longcheng, where he stuck to the rules and stubbornly guarded his fiefdom... The expressions on everyone's faces showed either relief or joy.
Ouyang Rong weighed the Moonlight Longsword in his hand, then sheathed it. This time, he didn't return it to Xie Lingjiang, but instead held it in his arms and walked to the side, saying, "Junior Sister, come with me."
Xie Lingjiang glanced at her senior brother's back, then exchanged a look with Li Xian and the others before following him.
The two siblings walked away as Guo'er watched them go.
We arrived at a secluded spot.
Xie Lingjiang couldn't help but ask:
"Is Senior Brother really going to offer up the Cauldron Sword?"
Ouyang Rong chuckled: "Junior Sister can't bear to part with him?"
Xie Lingjiang hesitated for a moment, but finally parted her lips slightly: "Judging from the expressions of Uncle Li and the others, they must feel very remorseful towards Senior Brother. As Father said before, it is not appropriate to be too grateful for some favors."
Ouyang Rong remained noncommittal, turned around, and extended his hand to Xie Lingjiang.
Xie Lingjiang handed over the sword case.
Ouyang Rong didn't answer immediately, but suddenly said:
"What are you hiding for? Come out."
Xie Lingjiang's sleeve was quiet for a moment, then a small cloud of ink mist suddenly rose, followed by a small head popping out of the sleeve. Dressed in Confucian robes and a female Taoist priest, the small, dark eyes first glared at Ouyang Rong, then looked around, as if to confirm that it was safe, before hurriedly climbing out of Xie Lingjiang's sleeve.
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips, took the sword box, and placed the Moonlight Longsword inside, storing it together with the newly discovered Crimson Lotus Sword Seal... Li Xian was right about something he just said: it's not advisable to stay in Xunyang City for long. This place is too close to the powder keg-like Xunyang Grottoes. Let's get away first and then talk about the "best strategy to slay the dragon".
He glanced up at Miaosi.
The little girl was looking around, and seeing that no one was around, she patted her flat chest, breathed a sigh of relief, and then shouted at Ouyang Rong:
"Little Rongzi, why are you only coming to the rescue now? Do you know how dangerous it was just now? The worst sidekick in history, bar none."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"I know you lay in your junior sister's warm sleeve the whole way, tossing and turning, unable to sleep soundly. It was indeed dangerous, and you almost didn't get any sleep."
"...?"
"Little Rongzi, you deserve to die the most, without a doubt!"
Xie Lingjiang stopped the little black spirit who was baring her teeth and claws, preventing her from jumping over and scratching her senior brother's face.
Ouyang Rong ignored him indifferently.
Miao Si huffed and puffed:
"Why would I lie to you? I was scared to death just now! The meeting between that pair of Shangqing Taoist masters and disciples was terrifying. And that old guy was a dead man, so lifeless! Goodness, even the dead are here to do their bidding. These Shangqing Taoists are ruthless to others, but even more ruthless to themselves, let alone to our Mo Jing clan..."
"Fortunately, this fairy is incredibly clever and her cultivation is unparalleled in the world. She immediately held her breath and didn't reveal the slightest flaw. Hehe, otherwise she would have been discovered and dragged back to the Shangqing Ancestral Hall. This fairy doesn't want to go there. I heard that some pitiful ink spirits are treated like cattle and horses there, starving for two meals every three days. The Taoist priest is the most heartless, even worse than Xiao Rongzi, without exception."
Ouyang Rong glanced at him: "Do you know the methods by which dead Taoist priests can be brought back to life?"
"Nonsense." Miao Si waved his hand: "Isn't it just the Shangqing's ultimate technique, the Divine Decree? It just so happens that we need a talisman drawn with spiritual ink to use it. That's why the Three Pure Ones Ancestral Hall is eyeing us. Humph."
Ouyang Rong, of course, knew that the little ink spirit was suffering terribly, but he teased her with a smile:
"Aren't you the best at raising prices on the spot? They need spiritual ink. Keep up your arrogant attitude in front of me and threaten them. They will have to be treated with courtesy and protected by the Three Pure Ones."
"Treat us with courtesy my ass. Try feeding us bitter incense every day and having a bunch of expressionless Taoist priests produce spirit ink non-stop for twelve hours a day. To put it nicely, they call it making friends. To put it bluntly, they treat us ink spirits as their private property."
She paused, then muttered to herself:
“If Xiaoxuan were there, it wouldn’t be a problem to go together, but I’m always afraid that Xiaoxuan will be led astray by them and end up with a cold and serious face. Xiaoxuan has been showing this tendency before, becoming a bit old-fashioned and proper.”
Ouyang Rong listened attentively and nodded, saying:
"It sounds like the Three Pure Ones are the true home for you ink spirits, the place where you can truly shine. It seems you've been living too well with me and my junior sister, with overly plentiful meals."
Miao Si said firmly, "No, even if I go to the Confucian Academy and follow a bunch of old scholars from the Confucius Temple, I will not go to the Three Pure Ones. I hate Taoist priests who don't bathe the most. They don't even wash their hands before drawing talismans. Isn't that guy surnamed Lu one of them? He's so slovenly."
Ouyang Rong walked over, grabbed her, and flicked her forehead:
"You actually picked one?"
"Let go of this fairy! Little Rongzi, what are you doing? Thank you for saving me!"
As if offended, the little ink spirit's eyes widened, and it started baring its teeth and claws again. Ouyang Rong ignored it and turned to ask Xie Lingjiang:
"Junior Sister, do you still have the three tubes of spirit ink left over from the one I gave you for self-defense?"
Xie Lingjiang shook her head a little embarrassedly:
"It's all used up, Senior Brother. We didn't actually use it much on the way to Mount Lu. It was only when Master Yuan appeared and I helped him deal with those five mid-level water bandits that it was used up. Master Yuan taught me a few tricks on the spot. He said that apart from the direct lineage Taoists of their Three Pure Ones Ancestral Hall, mid-level and above Confucian Qi cultivators are the ones who need spiritual ink the most."
Ouyang Rong waved his hand: "It's alright, it's fine since you used it. It's actually a good thing that you were able to use it. This is how things should be done in special times. If you're going to be stingy and frugal, I'd have to criticize you."
Xie Lingjiang looked at her senior brother with gentle eyes and tilted her head, saying, "Senior brother, the old Celestial Master is a good person. He didn't ask me about the origin of the Spirit Ink. Miao Si's worries are probably unnecessary."
"If he were truly as mysterious as you all say, with his brilliant ideas hidden in your sleeves, of course they wouldn't escape his discerning eyes. It's just that she's being dramatic, thinking she's hiding very well. Little does she know that people become kinder as they approach death, and it's just that the old man doesn't bother with her."
After speaking, Ouyang Rong turned his gaze to the young female Taoist priest in Confucian robes who pretended not to hear him and whose eyes were glaring at him.
"What are you looking at? Produce some more spirit ink."
"Fine, I'll give birth! Why are you being so fierce!"
Unexpectedly, Miao Si nodded decisively, said the most cowardly words in the fiercest tone, and then turned around and crawled into Xie Lingjiang's sleeve.
Ouyang Rong grabbed her and stuffed her into his sleeve.
"Where are you going? Get it from me, I need it as soon as possible."
As he spoke, Ouyang Rong took out the "True Teachings" from the sword box, tore off two withered yellow pages from the back, and then pinched out a clean wolf hair brush with two fingers. He took them out together and put them in his sleeve for future use.
A disgruntled voice came from within her sleeve: "Little Rongzi, there's a difference between men and women!"
Ouyang Rong nodded: "With your physique, is there any need for 'different'? Besides, I am a gentleman, and I advise you to be less wary of gentlemen."
"It is you Confucian gentlemen who need to be most vigilant! Hmm, you didn't live in Jiankang City of the Southern Dynasty back then, so you don't know the perverted ways some of these high-minded scholars play."
Ouyang Rong exclaimed in amazement: "It seems you have had some experiences. The female immortal has quite a rich past."
"Nonsense! This fairy maiden only heard it from others! The only downside to reading a lot of books is that they easily taint your eyes. Sometimes this fairy maiden wishes she were illiterate. Those guys should compensate this fairy maiden!"
Ouyang Rong ignored her and pressed her little head back into his sleeve.
"Protest denied. Lingmo, let me know when you're ready; we urgently need you."
A certain rebellious little ink spirit muttered a few words, made a fuss for a while, and then obediently went to produce spirit ink.
Despite being a bully at home, Miao Si is quite sensible when it comes to crucial moments. If her follower is eliminated, wouldn't she be bullied by outsiders?
Ouyang Rong prepared to take Xie Lingjiang back.
At this moment, Xie Lingjiang spoke:
"By the way, Senior Brother, before Master Yuan left, he left you a piece of advice."
"What proverb?"
Ouyang Rong stopped, somewhat puzzled.
Xie Lingjiang began to recount the story in a soft voice, repeating her exact words.
Immediately, she noticed that the senior brother's calm expression gradually turned serious.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
