Chapter 81 Yue Chuzi
"To gather information... that's fine, but I don't look quite like a martial arts expert. Hmm, let's take Liu Lang and A Shan with us."
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment, then nodded.
He then asked out of curiosity:
"But junior sister, what does 'Yue Chuzi' mean? Does it refer to a position like the leader of Yunmeng Sword Marsh?"
"Yes and no."
Xie Lingjiang shook her head and softly recited:
"In the land of Wu and Yue, there is an ancient saying that no one in the world can surpass the sword of the Yue maiden. This is the evaluation given to the first generation of Yue maidens by the Qi practitioners of the pre-Qin period a thousand years ago."
"The first Yue maiden, no one knows her surname and given name. All that is known is that she was an unnamed woman who came from the barbarian lands of ancient Wu and Yue, and loved to slay dragons in the desolate mountains and treacherous waters."
"Legend has it that she wielded a sword and slew all the evil creatures in the ancient Wu and Yue lands, enabling the ancient Wu and Yue people in the south to successfully cultivate this fertile land beneath our feet, thus leaving behind the legend of 'Yue woman slaying the dragon'."
"Ancient books also say that there were immortal mountains overseas at that time, and many of these immortal mountains were infested with demonic dragons. So she accepted the invitation of the immortals overseas and went there with her sword..."
"Regardless of whether these are true or false, in the end, it was the first generation of Yue Nu who opened up the Yue Nu Dao lineage and established the Yue Nu Sword Sect in Yunmengze, which is now Yunmeng Sword Marsh. She also used a special Qi cultivation technique to leave the mythical spirituality in the Wu and Yue land forever."
"This should be confirmed without a doubt; it is the origin of Yunmeng Sword Marsh, recognized by both worldly and otherworldly Qi cultivators."
"Later, Yue Chuzi became a kind of inheritance in Yunmeng Sword Marsh, which should also be considered a kind of immortality. Every generation of female cultivators in Yunmeng Sword Marsh would enter the world to find girls who inherited the mythical spirit of the first generation Yue Chuzi and bring them back to Yunmeng Marsh."
"Yue Chuzi is indeed the most important core inheritor of Yunmeng Sword Swamp, but not every generation of Yue Chuzi will necessarily become the head of female cultivators in Yunmeng Sword Swamp. The intricacies involved are actually quite complex..."
Xie Lingjiang hesitated for a moment. These were all things that her elders, who were Qi cultivators, had told her. Qi cultivators were actually a very small group.
Sometimes, in a large sect, only two or three people can reach the rank of a disciple. After reaching the rank, how far they can go depends on fate.
Therefore, some secret knowledge is usually kept very closed and will not be spread casually.
But seeing her senior brother munching on a pear and listening with great interest, she still said a little something:
"There is a Lady's Palace in Yunmeng Sword Marsh, which is similar to the Ancestral Hall. It is the highest decision-making place of the sect. The Yue women who can enter the Lady's Palace are all called Yunmeng Lady. Their numbers are very small, and they are ranked according to seniority."
"The First Female Ruler is the Lord of Yunmeng Sword Marsh, also known as the 'Yuanjun,' and is the common ruler of the thousands of islands and lakes in the nine-hundred-mile Yunmeng Marsh."
“Every virgin from Yue must enter the Queen's Palace. Although she is the first in line to inherit the throne, she may not necessarily become the Queen…”
"I heard that among the female monarchs of this generation, the first monarch has not yet been chosen. It seems that Zhao Qingxiu, the current virgin of Yue, is still too young, so my senior sister will temporarily take the lead."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "So this title of 'Yue Chuzi' is similar to something like the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Cult?"
Xie Lingjiang glared at him:
"What kind of 'holy maiden of the demonic sect' is she going to elope with a righteous outcast next? Have you been reading too many fictional novels about senior brothers?"
"Yue Chuzi is no joke. She truly wields her sword, a born swordswoman, pure and innocent, and cannot tolerate the slightest taint on her sword heart. It's one thing for you to say such things to me, but if you dare to speak so frivolously to Zhao Qingxiu, she'd probably pierce your heart with a single sword strike."
Seeing someone casually clutching the pear and 'begging for mercy,' she snorted, glanced out the window, and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Moreover, I heard that Zhao Qingxiu is just as her name suggests, with a cold and aloof personality. She never speaks to any man other than her senior sister, and is extremely mysterious, appearing and disappearing like a dragon."
Hmm, it sounds like a generic template for a cool and aloof fairy, but this one is already outdated.
Where can you find such a serious yet adorably naive junior sister?
The person nodded seriously: "I understand, I understand. If I see her, I'll keep my head down and avoid her."
Xie Lingjiang glanced at her senior brother's expression and couldn't help but chuckle.
For some reason, perhaps it was a lingering effect from the opera performance in the county government hall last time, every time her senior brother's face turned serious, she felt that he was even more serious than when he was not serious.
Xie Lingjiang chuckled and shook her head.
After that.
After packing up the food box, Ouyang Rong gave Xie Lingjiang some more instructions before leaving.
Actually, it's not too difficult to just take the token from your junior sister and go to a local post office she's familiar with to pick up a copy of a local martial arts newspaper.
Ouyang Rong could have asked Yan Liulang to do it for him, but since it was his junior sister who had asked him to do it, and he happened to be going to Penglangdu to inspect a batch of materials that Wang Caozhi and his group had brought, he decided to do it himself on the way.
After leaving his junior sister's courtyard, Ouyang Rong learned his lesson and didn't take the plum blossom path again, instead going through the main gate.
Along the way, it naturally attracted the attention of the servants of the Su family. Soon, Uncle Su hurriedly arrived.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming, my dear nephew?"
Ouyang Rong coughed and remained silent. He couldn't very well say that he came in through the back door of your daughter's courtyard, could he?
"Is Uncle's face... alright?"
Ouyang Rong couldn't help but glance at the red marks on Su Xian's right cheek and asked.
"Cough cough, it's nothing, just a grape trellis." Su Xian waved his hand casually, then sincerely suggested, "Nephew, please stay and have a seat. I'll have your Aunt Wei make some pastries."
Ouyang Rong glanced at the expectant expression on the face of the Su family patriarch.
It seemed he wanted to prove his status at home in person.
However, Ouyang Rong felt that no proof was needed.
Such warm hospitality speaks volumes.
He's figured it out after delivering meals these past few days. It seems that the Su family becomes harmonious as soon as guests arrive, right? This makes Aunt Wei lose face and restrain her politeness in front of guests, giving Uncle Su a chance to catch his breath.
No wonder they're so hospitable; Uncle Su must be having a tough time.
Just as Ouyang Rong was hesitating, Su Dalang's hurried figure appeared again at the end of the corridor.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming, Brother Lianghan!" the young man with dark circles under his eyes scolded.
"Isn't Dalang in class?" Ouyang Rong couldn't help but ask.
"I took a short leave. Brother Lianghan is a role model that my father and sister have always talked about. No matter how busy I am, I have to come and entertain him." The young man with dark circles under his eyes wiped his sweat as he rushed over, his face full of determination.
"..." Ouyang Rong and Su Xian.
This one is even more heavyweight.
Ouyang Rong thought he might as well try taking the shortcut back to Meiluyuan.
And so.
Ouyang Rong was abruptly dragged to the reception hall by the eccentric father and son of the Su family. After drinking two cups of hot tea, chatting for a while, and eating a large plate of pastries, he finally found a chance to catch his breath and got up to take his leave.
"Nephew, why don't you sit for a while and have some dinner with us?"
Su Xian glanced at the elegant and dignified woman beside him and asked with some regret.
"Yes, my dear nephew, please sit a while longer. The father and son really like you here," Wei Mei said with a smile.
Ouyang Rong shook his head and resolutely took his leave, saying that he had important matters to attend to in the afternoon.
Su Xian and the others naturally couldn't force them to stay, but Su Dalang, who had been skipping class and slacking off during the guests' visit, was clearly still not well-rested. He quickly came up with a plan and said to Su Xian and Wei Mei:
"Father and Mother, I have some questions about my studies and would like to ask Brother Lianghan for advice. Could I visit the Deer Garden next door?"
"..."
Although he was the top paper reader among the previous successful candidates in the imperial examinations, Ouyang Rong had no time to teach him.
However, seeing Su Dalang's panda eyes glistening with tears, and after being questioned by Master Su and Madam Wei, Ouyang Rong couldn't bear it and didn't refuse.
Finally, Su Dalang took half a day off and returned to Meiluyuan with Ouyang Rong.
On the gallery inside the Sika Deer Park.
Su Dalang was like Granny Liu when she first entered the Grand View Garden, looking around curiously.
Surrounded by a group of self-proclaimed master teachers and having rarely left the house, he now finds everything outside the Su residence novel and fascinating.
Like a boarding student who has just climbed over the wall at night, even if the place is a garbage dump, you have to take a deep breath and smell the fresh scent of freedom.
Su Dalang sighed, "Brother Lianghan, I will never forget your kindness today."
Hearing the clear sound of a wooden fish drum beside him, Ouyang Rong said without turning his head:
"No need to be so shameless. You can sit properly in the study and look through the books on the shelf. I have something to do and need to go out for a bit."
Su Dalang was taken aback: "Brother Lianghan, where are you going?"
"I'm going to the ferry to take care of some business. I probably won't be back for dinner. Brother Su, when it's time, remember to go back to the Su residence. Don't make Uncle Su and the others worry."
Ouyang Rong frowned, preemptively thwarting someone's attempt to freeload, and said in a businesslike manner.
"Alright then." Su Dalang sat down in a chair and said with concern, "Brother Lianghan, please be careful."
Ouyang Rong gestured to Wei Lai to pour tea, as he prepared to leave.
Su Dalang flipped through a book, then lowered his head and muttered to himself as usual:
"What a pity about that handful of silver beans I grabbed before leaving. I was planning to treat everyone, but it looks like I'll have to wait until next time..."
"Hey, what's Brother Lianghan doing?" He stopped muttering to himself.
Su Jia Dalang looked up, his face full of doubt, at the young county magistrate who was blocking the light from his book.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go! This is our chance." The latter nodded.
"..." Su Dalang.
...
Ouyang Rong admitted that he hadn't really explored Longcheng County properly before.
He had no idea that such a bustling restaurant was located on this busy street next to Penglangdu.
Ouyang Rong was only familiar with Yuanming Tower before, but the latter was positioned as the most luxurious and elegant place in Longcheng, frequented by officials, merchants and scholars... Looking at it this way, it seems that being an official for too long has made him a bit corrupt and not close to the people.
Right now, Ouyang Rong has brought Su Dalang, Yan Liulang, and Liu Ashan to this restaurant.
The plaque above the door reads "Yunshui Pavilion".
Ouyang Rong looked inside and saw that, apart from tea, meals, and lodging, the business seemed to be quite extensive.
According to my junior sister, the owner of Yunshui Pavilion also has a background in the martial arts world, but he is not from Longcheng. Yunshui Pavilion has branches in many prosperous prefectures and counties in Jiangnan Province, and Longcheng is no exception.
Yunshui Pavilion is a lively place with guests from all walks of life, making it a great place to gather information.
Ouyang Rong, dressed in a snow-white casual suit, led Su Dalang and the others into the building. Seeing that the first floor was crowded and noisy, they went straight to the second floor, where the view was better, and found a table by the window to sit down.
He summoned a maid and casually ordered a pot of fine Longjing tea and some local spicy dishes. Since someone was paying, he was getting a free meal and drinks.
The maidservant smiled and politely withdrew.
"Brother Lianghan, didn't you say you were here on business? What are we doing here?"
Su Dalang frowned and looked around, then turned around and asked with a serious expression, "Strange, why are the girls here barely clothed?"
"..." Ouyang Rong and Yan Liulang and others.
"Brother Su, please keep your voice down."
Ouyang Rong was speechless. It was just a little bit of his legs and arms showing. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss?
He looked around. Perhaps the second floor was more upscale, and since his group seemed to be relatively wealthy, the waitresses serving them were indeed a bit different from those downstairs, being slightly more 'generous'.
However, he is not even half as wealthy as his junior sister.
Ouyang Rong didn't even lift his eyelids, but after thinking about it carefully, he nodded slightly.
Indeed, even considering Su Dalang's conservative family upbringing, the attire of the maids at Yunshui Pavilion was somewhat unusual compared to the Yuanming Tower that Ouyang Rong had visited.
Could it be... that there is flexible employment?
The layout of Yunshui Pavilion is quite impressive.
With a sigh, Ouyang Rong temporarily left his seat, leaving Yan Liulang and the others to look after Su Dalang, who was looking around curiously like a baby, while he went downstairs to the counter.
Coming over to freeload off Su Dalang's afternoon tea was just a side thing; the main purpose was to get a copy of a local gossip newspaper for my junior sister.
Instead of foolishly running downstairs to the lobby and eavesdropping, which is too inefficient, this spacious Yunshui Pavilion would naturally have a business selling information about the martial arts world.
Ouyang Rong took out the token from the counter and exchanged a strange slang phrase. Ouyang Rong was then led to the third floor by a shopkeeper.
Then they were invited into an elegant room and sat for a while. They took a small bamboo tube from a charming woman and shook it. It seemed that there was a scroll of paper inside.
Without looking at it for long, Ouyang Rong put away the small bamboo tube, politely declined other services, and went downstairs. But as he was walking up the stairs, he caught a glimpse of a slender figure in green, disappearing around the corner of the stairs below.
This is……
How did she end up here?
Ouyang Rong was taken aback; that was his first reaction.
He immediately gave chase.
However, the stairs were crowded, and people naturally cursed at Ouyang Rong who was rushing down. Ouyang Rong apologized, but he pushed his way down without hesitation, chasing all the way to the first floor, just managing to catch a glimpse of the blue figure disappearing in the direction of the kitchen on the first floor.
When he walked to the kitchen, he looked around and found that there were only the restaurant's chefs and waiters serving dishes, but no sign of the figure in blue.
Amid their questioning gazes, Ouyang Rong circled the kitchen twice but still couldn't find anyone.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Ouyang Rong looked apologetic and prepared to turn back.
He doubted he was seeing things.
After all, shouldn't the mute girl with the missing finger be at the Beitian Nursing Home right now? And that old Taoist priest with the poisonous sores too? How could the former possibly be here?
Hmm, is it because he misses home so much that he can't forget the person he first met at the Pure Land Palace...?
The young magistrate, who was about to leave the kitchen, suddenly turned around, walked through the kitchen again, and pushed open the innermost door.
He looked out and saw an empty alley with only overturned trash cans and a few disheveled beggars, including a pitiful beggar with empty sleeves... but there was no sign of the mute girl.
Ouyang Rong let out a breath and shook his head.
...
This chapter is 4,000 words long. There's one more chapter, which should be posted around 4 AM! Brothers, get up and read it tomorrow morning!
(End of this chapter)
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