Chapter 825 Guo'er Presents Pill
The fire dispelled the darkness.
Thank you.
Ouyang Rong waved away the mosquitoes around him and took the wine gourd that Lu Ya handed him.
Lu Ya and Zhang Shixiu walked to the fire opposite Ouyang Rong and sat down.
It was late at night.
"No need, Junior Brother Lu, you drink it."
Zhang Shixiu waved his hand, politely declining the wine offered by Lu Ya. He then took out a compass from his sleeve and began to fiddle with it.
Lu Ya's face was expressionless, his eyes fixed on the fire. He would occasionally tilt his head back to drink, and he had already drunk most of the wine gourd in his hand.
Ouyang Rong looked at the two Taoist priests with very different styles.
Zhang Shixiu was a typical Zhengyi Taoist priest. As a direct descendant of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain, he was bound by many rules and regulations. He appeared to be abstinent from sex and alcohol, with an upright demeanor and clean clothes.
Just like the outstanding young disciples who are the face of a prestigious sect.
Lu Ya, on the other hand, appeared much more disheveled and casual. His Taoist robe was filthy, and he was drinking wine in large gulps. As for his lustful nature, we don't know for now, but judging from Lu Ya's usual low emotional intelligence and straight-man demeanor, he's probably still a virgin.
Ouyang Rong chuckled silently, finding the Taoist priests of Maoshan Shangqing more interesting than the well-behaved Taiqing Taoist priests of Longhu Mountain.
No wonder the junior sister said that the former is the face and the latter is the substance. In essence, the Sanqing Taoist sect is one, and they are all of the same generation of the Three Mountains Bloodline.
Lu Ya suddenly spoke:
"Brother Zhang, don't bother repairing it. I'll take it to Gezao Mountain and ask Uncle Wan to repair it."
Zhang Shixiu shook his head, still fiddling with the compass:
“This is something I, your senior brother, dropped. Li Congshan broke it. It’s all my fault, senior brother. I’ll fix it for you.” He paused and said in a low voice, “This was left to you by your master. Every piece you use is one less. I’m sorry.”
Ouyang Rong looked down and then noticed the compass.
It was retrieved from Li Congshan's corpse. Not long ago, Li Congshan used it to track them down, and the compass had already been crushed by this brute...
Lu Ya didn't look at Zhang Shixiu, seemingly in agreement. He looked past the flickering flames and at the paper, pen, and scroll beside Ouyang Rong, and asked softly:
"What was Young Master Ouyang writing just now?"
In the afternoon, Ouyang Rong took Shisan Niang and Wang Caozhi to purchase supplies for their journey north. The county town was far away, and it was already late when they returned to the camp.
After instructing Thirteen Sister and Wang Caozhi to rest, Ouyang Rong came alone to keep watch at night, and took out some talisman paper and spirit ink to prepare.
Although it was agreed that Ouyang Rong would keep watch at night, Lu Ya and Zhang Shixiu seemed worried and came over to sit with him as well.
Ouyang Rong also put the Peach Blossom Spring scroll into his pocket and silently folded up the several talisman papers with Kui Xing's table and divine inscriptions.
He waved his hand:
"It's nothing. I just had some inspiration at night, so I did some writing and drawing."
Lu Ya didn't pay much attention and just hummed in agreement.
Ouyang Rong stopped drawing the Kui Xing talisman and the red and black talismans, stuffed them into his sleeve. Being disturbed and unable to get anything done, he simply drank some wine and rested.
Zhang Shixiu asked, "Young Master Ouyang, are you really not going back to the capital with the Prince?"
Ouyang Rong smiled but didn't say anything.
Zhang Shixiu slowly nodded:
"This time, the Prince's family was able to escape and head north thanks to you. Everyone else was preparing to return to the capital to enjoy wealth and luxury and see the splendor of Luoyang. But Young Master Ouyang is different; he wants to stay in this corner of Jiangnan."
Lu Ya gestured to Ouyang Rong with the wine pot and offered him a cup.
The two clinked glasses and drank together.
Lu Ya revealed:
“Young Master Ouyang, besides my master, I also admire you. Last time, when the Prince’s mansion caught fire, I didn’t listen to you and held everyone back. I will never do that again. I will obey your orders.”
"Master Lu, you're too kind. I heard about your matter from my junior sister, and she said it was understandable."
Lu Ya still shook his head in shame.
Ouyang Rong turned his head and asked, "Is Master Zhang also heading north?"
Zhang Shixiu shook his head: "I'll escort you for a while, and once we reach the Longhu Mountain area, I'll leave. I'll have Junior Brother Lu escort the Prince back to the capital, as I need to return to the Celestial Master's Mansion to report back."
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked, "Is there a lotus pond in the courtyard of your Celestial Master's Mansion?"
"That's right. Where did Young Master Ouyang hear that?"
Ouyang Rong squinted:
"I heard my junior sister mention it. By the way, is it true that outsiders are not allowed to see this lotus pond?"
Zhang Shixiu thought for a moment, then nodded and shook his head:
“Of course not for anyone else. The Lotus Pond is of great importance and involves the feng shui of the Zhang family. However, if it is Young Master Ouyang, I can make an exception and take you in for a visit.”
"It's a matter of great importance, yet you trust me, an outsider, so much?"
"Young Master Ouyang is no outsider..."
After a pause, Zhang Shixiu whispered:
"However, Young Master Ouyang, you may look at the lotus, but you must not pick it, otherwise I will be punished. Although the lotus seeds do not have the effects that are widely rumored, they can still prolong life. I can apply for one from the Ancestral Hall at the end of the year and send it to Young Master Ouyang's residence for your aunt or other elders to take."
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips.
Zhang Shixiu asked curiously, "Is Young Master Ouyang going? You can come along."
Ouyang Rong suddenly chuckled, shook his head, tilted his head back to drink, and muttered to himself:
"I appreciate your kind offer, but I'll head back to Xunyang City to attend to my business first. I'll visit Master Zhang another day when I have more time."
"good."
Zhang Shixiu didn't say anything more, and said softly:
"However, we will meet soon. I will go back to Longhu Mountain and then come down to find you. I will also inquire about the location of Yunmeng Sword Marsh. However, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to find you."
"Yunmeng Sword Marsh is a secluded sect. Yunmeng Marsh covers a vast area, and few people know where it is. In the past, the Yue women were also elusive."
Ouyang Rong nodded: "Okay, thank you. I will wait for your news in Xunyang City."
"OK."
At this moment, Zhang Shixiu suddenly laughed and said, "It's fixed."
He gestured to Lu Ya with some delight, indicating the compass.
Lu Ya suddenly took out another compass from his robes and handed it to Ouyang Rong:
"Take one for each of you, it'll be convenient to keep in touch."
Ouyang Rong subconsciously said, "But this is your master..."
The expressionless Taoist priest waved his hand to interrupt: "It's alright, go back to Luoyang and return it to me."
Ouyang Rong nodded.
"This humble Taoist will teach you how to use it."
Lu Ya began to teach him carefully.
Ouyang Rong listened attentively.
A moment later, Cai Shou arrived and gestured to Lu Ya and Zhang Shixiu:
"The young lady is looking for you."
"yes."
The two Taoist priests left.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the rows of tents not far away.
Several tents still had their lights on.
For example, Liguoer and Rongzhen's tents.
However, the junior sister's tent had already been extinguished early, so she must have gone to sleep.
After Ouyang Rong left the banquet in the afternoon, he didn't see them again.
Parting is always painful. Ouyang Rong originally planned to bring this up before leaving the next morning, but at the banquet in the afternoon, seeing everyone enjoying themselves, Ouyang Rong felt that it was better to end the pain quickly than to prolong it, so he spoke up in advance.
Looking back now, it definitely affected the atmosphere.
Ouyang Rong sat alone by the fire, silent for a while, then lowered his head to study the compass.
Just then, a figure appeared.
It is Ye Weilai.
The white-haired girl, wearing a thin nightgown, walked over and sat down next to him.
Ouyang Rong asked curiously:
"Why aren't you sleeping? There are so many mosquitoes outside, and you're dressed so lightly."
Ye Wei didn't answer, but sat down next to him, hugging her knees and burying her head deep in her arms.
Quietly.
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, then asked softly:
"What's wrong?"
Ye Weilai did not answer.
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment:
"Is Auntie asleep?"
"Just fell asleep."
The white-haired girl finally answered.
"Have you packed your luggage? Your luggage and your aunt's luggage, you two will be traveling separately."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong thought for a moment, then gave detailed instructions:
"Although Junior Sister and Lady Rongzhen bicker, they are both doing it for your own good. When you arrive in Luoyang, you can ask them for advice if you need anything. Regardless of whether you become the new Sword Master on the way, you will be staying in the Prince's Mansion. If you encounter a very difficult situation that is inconvenient to discuss with them, you can go to Her Highness the Little Princess and tell her that I asked you to find her."
"For important matters, you can talk to her. Her ideas may not be the best solution, but they won't be wrong either."
Ouyang Rong emphasized the last sentence.
Ye Weilai had already raised her head and was staring at him blankly.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the sky and nodded: "Go back now, and get some rest..."
Ye Weilai suddenly said:
"I don't want to be that Sword Master."
Ouyang Rong frowned immediately, then relaxed his brows a moment later:
"Alright, then I won't go. If you don't like it, you don't have to. Go and talk to your aunt, and we'll go back to Nanlong together..."
Ye Weilai reached out and touched the thick scholar's robe he was wearing, as if she was worried that he might be cold.
She whispered:
"I've already spoken to Madam."
"What did Auntie say?"
"The lady has agreed."
Ouyang Rong was taken aback and was about to speak when Ye Weilai slowly said:
“However, what Madam agrees to is that I will not return to Nanlong, but will go back to Xunyang with you. I want to go to Xunyang.”
Ouyang Rong frowned and stared straight at Ye Weilai.
Seeing this, Ye Weilai felt a pang of heartache. She reached out to touch his furrowed brows, her fingertips gently caressing them as if trying to smooth them out.
Ouyang Rong brushed her wrist away and said sternly:
"No, you go to Luoyang and try to become a sword master. Listen to me, no stubbornness allowed..."
She shook her head vigorously, speaking quickly through tears:
“I won’t go. I won’t be that Sword Master. I just want to stay with you. You always said it was dangerous. Okay, if it’s dangerous, I’ll go with everyone. I won’t stay behind as a burden and distract you…”
“But now that there’s no danger, why should I leave? That Sword Master doesn’t need me. Sister Caishou is fine too. Let her go. Even if Sister Caishou isn’t suitable, the Prince and Princess have plenty of loyal maids to try. They can give her a try. They don’t need me.”
"I just want to stay and keep you company."
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.
Ye Wei looked away and whispered:
“Unless Tanlang wants… to have someone like Nu’er, one of his own, as the sword master, even if Sister Caishou is suitable, she is not considered one of Tanlang’s own. In that case, Nu’er is willing to stay.”
Ouyang Rong immediately shook his head: "What are you saying? The luminous pearl was a gift from my junior sister and me to the prince. It's a matter of great importance, we can't be so petty."
Ye Weilai breathed a sigh of relief:
"I knew Tanlang was broad-minded. That's perfect. Let them come. With Princess Xiao, Sister Xie, and Sister Rong overseeing the selection, you can rest assured about the final choice."
She paused, then said in a serious tone, "Sister Xie and Sister Rong care more about Tan Lang's interests and the ownership of this cauldron sword than Tan Lang does."
Ouyang Rong was also speechless.
Ye Weilai lowered her head, sat down beside him, and held his arm tightly, refusing to let go.
The meaning is self-evident.
After a moment, Ouyang Rong let out a long sigh.
He patted Ye Weilai on the shoulder:
"It's not appropriate for you to come back with me..."
“What’s inappropriate about it? There are only two things for Tanlang to do when he goes back. I heard them all: one is to stabilize Xunyang City, and the other is to find Xiu Niang. Neither of these matters will be delayed. Both I and Madam accept Xiu Niang. We welcome you to go and find her. We’re not stopping you.”
"But you also have a better place to go."
Ye Weilai said softly, "Tanlang, that's not a better place, at least not for me."
Ouyang Rong said solemnly:
"This opportunity is very important to you."
Ye Weilai shook her head, her tone firm:
"You are more important to me."
Ouyang Rong was helpless:
"Don't try to fool me. Be serious. I'm serious. Listen carefully. Do you know why I've been telling you to study hard during your time in Xunyang City? Because these are the keys to a brighter future for you."
"Now a new key is placed in front of you, and you must make the most of it. Wei Lai, you are no longer a child. If you are behind other people your age, you will be behind in everything."
Ye Weilai tilted her head slightly and smiled quietly.
This caused Ouyang Rong to frown.
Upon seeing this, she immediately replied:
"My love, I feel that staying by your side is the fastest way. Yes, this is the destination I have always wanted."
"As for the other ladies, let them go if they want. I study and write so that I can keep up with you and stay by your side. That's my goal. Now that I can stay by your side, why go to the capital? This is the best I can do. Isn't that great?"
Ouyang Rong: ...
He was completely speechless.
Just then, a fish swam out from the woods.
It was the white sturgeon that Ouyang Rong sent to the woods.
Previously, Ouyang Rong had chased it into the woods because he disliked its circling and dazzling appearance.
He recently discovered that its bronze body seems impervious to swords and spears.
The white sturgeon swam out, and with it emerged a pale pink figure.
It is a farewell gift.
"Will it be okay for it to spend the night in the wild?"
Li Guo'er curiously examined the white sturgeon, pointed at it, and asked.
Ouyang Rong shook his head, looking at her with a questioning gaze.
The pretty girl with plum blossom makeup raised one index finger and turned a pouch around.
Her tone seemed casual:
"You two continue chatting, I'll just bring you a mosquito repellent sachet. I just heard from Lu Ya that you were getting bitten by mosquitoes here."
Ye Weilai shook her head, stepped aside, and gave her seat to Li Guo'er.
Ouyang Rong stood up and took the sachet:
Thank you.
Li Guo'er didn't leave; instead, she sat down and asked:
"Did I disturb you?"
Ouyang Rong glanced at her motionless sitting posture and twitched the corner of his mouth.
"No, just don't keep you from resting."
Ouyang Rong simply sat down.
Ye Weilai walked over and curiously examined the white sturgeon.
The girl and the fish started playing around.
Ouyang Rong and Li Guo'er sat on either side of the fire, gazing at each other quietly for a while.
Li Guo'er reached out first:
"Is there any more wine?"
"without."
He hid the wine behind his back.
Suddenly, Li Guo'er threw something out.
"It's yours."
Ouyang Rong caught it in mid-air and asked curiously:
"What is that?"
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a small pill box with the seal of Taiqing Longhu Mountain Prefecture on its surface.
He wiped the dust off his hands, opened the box, and saw two small pills lying quietly inside.
A lovely, emerald-green jewel with a delightful aroma.
One of them was entirely blackish-brown, with faint golden patterns, but it smelled incredibly foul.
The former looked very familiar, while the latter... Ouyang Rong vaguely recognized it.
"This is……"
He suddenly gripped the golden-patterned pill tightly as he spoke.
The Adam's apple moves involuntarily.
The strange, foul odor emanating from the pill stirred a restless energy within his dantian and meridians.
It's not that the spiritual energy in the dantian is stirring, but rather that the dantian and the eight extraordinary meridians are intertwined.
Ouyang Rong had seen the Black Dragon, one of the top-grade Qi-replenishing pills, and had even used two of them. However, even the Black Dragon could not achieve the effect of arousing the dantian with just its fragrance. It was a kind of craving that came from the deepest part of the bone marrow...
It's not just a simple qi-tonifying pill!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
