Chapter 861 Bamboo Hall
Lu Jinghong immediately fell silent, at a loss for what to do.
Suddenly, a snow-white sword light emanated from behind the courtyard wall covered in green vines.
Before the sword energy even reached their feet, it was already cutting their robes like knives, making a fluttering sound.
Lu Jinghong and Li Wan both took a few steps back, speechless.
I wonder why this great lady is in a bad mood.
A cold voice came from behind the courtyard wall:
"I'll say it again, for the last time: our sect has no hidden lord. That person has nothing to do with our sect, nor do we want to. Anyone who makes wild speculations is tantamount to insulting Jianze. I will teach him a lesson!"
"The candle in the snow is ringing out firmly," Xue Zhongzhu emphasized.
Lu Jinghong and Li Wan looked at each other in bewilderment.
Lu Jinghong's eyes were somewhat skeptical. Fortunately, the courtyard wall blocked his view, and Xue Zhongzhu and the others in the courtyard could not see his expression. Otherwise, he would probably have been "taught" a lesson.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Li Wan tugged at Lu Jinghong's sleeve. The latter, realizing what was happening, quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Yes...yes, Your Majesty! I was just talking nonsense and spreading rumors."
Xuezhongzhu remained silent for a while, seemingly lost in thought, as if asking Li Wan and the others, or perhaps talking to himself:
"Does everyone in the world view that person's relationship with us in this way now...?"
Lu Jinghong and Li Wan were somewhat puzzled by what they heard. There was clearly more to this story than met the eye, but they had learned their lesson and decided it was best not to pry into the gossip of such important figures…
If they were still in the secular mountains or in the north, they would certainly be considered to be of noble status. But in this secluded place, in the territory of a hidden sect, there is no law or order. Money, power, and even fame are useless. Of course, whoever has higher cultivation and bigger fists is right.
And the reasoning of this great female ruler in the courtyard is, of course, the greatest in the entire Jianze, and even one of the greatest in Yunmeng.
A candle in the snow softly asks:
"Did Third Junior Sister say where she's going?"
Li Wan shook her head:
"No, but someone came looking for my aunt before she left."
"who?"
Li Wan recalled:
"It was a female guest who asked a member of the clan to pass on a message to my aunt, saying that she was an old friend from Yunmeng. Hmm, I don't know if she is from your clan. By the way, a member of the clan saw that this female guest had a red gourd hanging from her waist."
Suddenly, the candle in the snow spoke:
"Fourth Junior Sister?!"
Li Wan shook her head:
"Perhaps so, I'm not sure. All I know is that after my aunt received this guest, she left that very night. She left in a hurry and didn't even leave a word of explanation. But by then, the trouble that plagued our five families had been mostly resolved..."
"After that, no one knew where my aunt went. Even when I and Jinghong went south to pay respects to our ancestors, she still hadn't returned."
The courtyard was quiet for a while.
Lu Jinghong and Li Wan waited patiently. Strangely enough, in such a wild place, especially by a lake, there should have been many mosquitoes.
Surprisingly, the two people who were near the courtyard did not encounter any mosquitoes or other insects that could bite them.
There was a faint, unusual fragrance emanating from the courtyard; I wonder if that's the reason.
As Li Wan and her son were somewhat distracted, Xue Zhongzhu spoke again:
"I understand."
The coldness in her voice softened slightly, and she said calmly:
"Lu Jinghong, right?"
"That is indeed me!"
"Do you know that the moment I saw you, I knew you were a member of my third junior sister's clan? Speaking of which, the bloodline of your Fanyang Lu clan is quite special. Both the men and women have handsome appearances, and most of them even have similar eyebrows and features. You can tell from your face that you are a member of the Fanyang Lu clan."
Li Wan laughed and said, "That's true. This matter is often talked about among the clans in Luoyang..."
The candle in the snow ignored him and continued in a cold voice:
"If only you were a girl. In any case, Jianze only accepts women and not men. This is an ironclad rule that has never been broken in the past thousand years. Not to mention Third Junior Sister, even I cannot go against it. This is not only a rule set by the first generation of Yue Chuzi, but also because the lineage of our sect is only suitable for women, so it is natural not to accept men."
"Although I cannot teach you Qi Refining Techniques, I can teach you swordsmanship. As the number one swordsmanship sect in the world, our sect never stagnates or acts selfishly in the swordsmanship. Our sect has always welcomed top swordsmen or sword prodigies from all over the world to come and challenge us. Whether it is the Peach Valley Sword Challenge held every five years or the Bamboo Hall that has been established for a hundred years, it is all for the purpose of promoting the swordsmanship, climbing the swordsmanship together with swordsmen from all over the world, and leaving more exquisite swordsmanship for future generations."
Lu Jinghong listened with great excitement, his mouth dry, and nodded vigorously: "What I want to learn most is swordsmanship, I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"
Have you ever heard of Zhutang?
"Yes, I have heard about it."
"Although the Bamboo Hall of our sect is located on the periphery and we are not authorized to enter some of the sect's secret areas, it is the only place where outsiders are allowed to stay. Foreign sword cultivators, regardless of gender, must meet the requirements in terms of character, temperament, and aptitude. Once they pass the test, they can obtain a token and enter the Bamboo Hall for three years of secluded cultivation. During this time, they can exchange sword skills and improve their swordsmanship. If they achieve great success, before leaving, they can go to the cliff and take a sword based on their own abilities."
Lu Jinghong nodded emphatically:
"I have heard of the great name of Bamboo Hall. Many admirable sword cultivators have emerged from Bamboo Hall, benefiting the world of swordsmanship."
Xuezhongzhu said with an unusually serious tone:
"This is also the original intention behind the establishment of the Bamboo Hall. True sword cultivators are not divided by gender. If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die content in the evening. The true way of the sword can never be monopolized by one family or one household, and my Yunmeng Sword Swamp is no exception..."
She changed the subject again, saying calmly:
"But I will not allow you to be directly admitted to the Bamboo Hall. This would be unfair to those sword cultivators who entered the Bamboo Hall through their own abilities and perseverance, and would be an insult to them."
"Even if you are a member of Third Junior Sister's clan, I believe that if Third Junior Sister were here, she would be the one to stand up and refuse, and would even be more demanding of you."
"Therefore, I am only giving you one chance to enter the Bamboo Hall. Remember, it is a chance. Otherwise, you would have already been eliminated by the three rules of our sect. Now, you have one chance to be selected to enter the hall."
"It just so happens that these two days are also the time for our sect to recruit a new batch of Yue women to join the sect. Those new girls will also be selected and will enter the various halls based on their abilities... You must have already encountered this when you first arrived."
"Your Majesty, I have seen them; they are all about the same age as me."
"Well, you have a chance to seize it yourself. If you want to stay, then rely on your abilities. Although you may have enough talent, just like your third junior sister, because of the special bloodline of your Fanyang Lu family... I will not give you any special privileges. Follow the procedures."
"In addition, there are a few boys among this batch of newcomers who will also participate in the Bamboo Hall's selection process. You will be with them. If you are fortunate enough to be admitted to the Bamboo Hall, remember to avoid arrogance and impetuosity. There are not many sword cultivators currently practicing in seclusion in the Bamboo Hall. Many righteous sword cultivators sacrificed themselves in the battle of the Star Lake Buddha... There are still some who are aloof, some with bad tempers, but some are very easy to talk to and willing to be seniors to teach others. Be discerning and learn from them, but don't disturb the tranquility of the hall."
Lu Jinghong took a deep breath and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting:
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I am already extremely grateful for the opportunity you have given me."
However, he looked confident and showed no signs of frustration; on the contrary, he seemed eager to try.
The candle in the snow gently shook its head:
"It wasn't me who gave you this opportunity; it was you who came south to pay respects to your ancestors. That shows perseverance and that you're someone who hasn't forgotten your roots... Besides, do you know why your ancestor came south to settle in Yunmeng three hundred years ago?"
Lu Jinghong was taken aback, then shook his head:
"No, I don't know. Weren't they refugees?"
Snow Candle murmured, "Escape... In Master's words, it is indeed 'difficult,' a calamity that has followed us generation after generation..."
She paused for a moment.
Outside the wall, Lu Jinghong and Madam Li overheard a faint, inexplicable pity in the tone of the powerful matriarch, though they couldn't discern who it was directed at:
"Fanyang Lu Clan, Fanyang Lu Clan... Alright, go back and prepare well. Remember, never disgrace your ancestors' glory, and don't be as clever and cunning as your mother. Remember the family traditions and virtues of Fanyang Lu Clan. If you complete your studies and become capable, don't let your aunt bear some things alone. You are a son of Fanyang Lu Clan, and you should fulfill your responsibilities... Go now."
Lu Jinghong only understood half of what he heard and was completely confused.
When Li Wan heard Xue Zhongzhu call her name, she looked slightly embarrassed and glanced around.
However, the wealthy woman, being middle-aged and experienced, naturally had a thicker skin and pretended not to hear.
After Xue Zhongzhu finished explaining, she asked somewhat timidly:
"Your Majesty, I wonder if I may stay? I am a woman... Of course, I don't mean to join Jianze, but I wish to stay by Jinghong's side and take care of him. I am separated from my father, and I have spent most of my time in Luoyang and haven't been able to spend much time with him. Now that his father has passed away..."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jinghong's expression was full of impatience. If it weren't for the presence of the eldest daughter-in-law, who had to be mindful of her mother's feelings, she probably would have already complained or even started arguing.
Li Wan glared at him, who seemed about to speak but hesitated. Then, she gave him a meaningful look, took out a pink handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and sobbed softly:
"I didn't know that Jian Zeyun didn't allow family members to come in... I already know I was wrong about what happened before, and I hope that Your Majesty will give me a chance to make amends."
The candle in the snow pondered for a moment:
"It is possible, but Jianze has many rules, and outsiders are prohibited from entering many places. Don't wander around. Also, if you lie again today, I will no longer consider the relationship between Third Junior Sister and the Lu family of Fanyang. You'd better watch yourself."
Li Wan shook her head vigorously, her face streaked with tears, and in an instant, she burst into tears of joy:
"Yes, yes, I will definitely not do it again. Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty."
We've talked a lot tonight, and I wonder what memories it's stirred up. I'm a little distracted.
"Alright, you may leave."
"yes!"
Lu Jinghong and Li Wan turned around together and went down the mountain.
On the mountain path, the middle-aged Yue woman stood waiting under the moon. The two followed her again, returned the way they came, boarded the raft, and left the small island.
The raft traveled back to the original island along the same route.
Halfway there, the middle-aged Yue woman, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke:
"Boy, what's your relationship with the Third Lady?"
Lu Jinghong, who was deep in thought, turned around and clasped his hands in a gesture of helplessness:
"It is my aunt."
The middle-aged Yue woman glanced at the young man's somewhat effeminate features and slowly nodded.
There are indeed quite a few people in Jianze who are familiar with the appearance of the three ladies.
Lu Jinghong touched his face with a worried expression.
Turning his head, he offered his advice with an air of righteous indignation:
"I will be participating in the preliminary selection at the Bamboo Hall tomorrow, and I will enter based on my own abilities. You and the goddesses do not need to take care of me because of my relationship with the Third Lady. So-called family ties are all external things. We should strive for success based on our own abilities!"
Middle-aged Yue woman: ...
Li Wan tugged at her narcissistic son's sleeve, signaling him to be quiet.
The graceful woman stepped forward and greeted them:
"Your Excellency, I've heard that the Third Lady was previously in charge of some thatched cottage. May I ask what this place is?"
After saying this, she pursed her red lips, took out a money pouch from her sleeve, and silently handed it to the middle-aged Yue woman's sleeve.
The middle-aged Yue woman glanced at her, then took a step back, silently refusing.
You'll find out later.
She didn't say much, turned her head, and continued to move the raft.
On this return trip, perhaps the wind at night was blowing in the same direction, making the journey faster.
Around midnight, the raft arrived at the original island.
"Go find an empty courtyard to live in."
The middle-aged Yue woman pointed to the dimly lit bamboo grove, uttered a single word, and then departed.
They didn't give Lu Jinghong and Li Wan a chance to ask any more questions.
It is unclear whether this was the rule or a deliberate disregard for the feelings of the "Three Ladies".
Li Wan remained calm as she led her son across the beach and into the bamboo forest.
"Miss Song?"
Lu Jinghong's gaze was drawn to a figure to her right, and she stopped in her tracks.
Li Wan, who was choosing a courtyard, frowned and turned around, only to find that Lu Jinghong had disappeared.
They walked that way.
The noblewoman had no choice but to patiently follow him. When she arrived in front of Lu Jinghong, he was talking warmly with Song Zhian and Yu Xiaoniangzi.
"Miss Song, why are you still out so late?"
Song Zhian glanced at Li Wan, who was walking behind her, and explained softly:
“I saw that Brother Liu just arrived and probably hasn’t had dinner yet. Luckily, Sister Yu had some leftover pastries, so I just sent some over.”
"Oh, I see."
Lu Jinghong didn't pay any attention and looked directly at Song Zhian, who was speaking softly.
Li Wan glanced at the pastry box in Yu Xiaoniangzi's hand:
"We, Jinghong and I, are also hungry..."
Lady Yu sucked on two fingers and shook her head like a rattle drum:
"We're done eating. Brother Liu and the others aren't eating, but Sister Song and I finished."
Song Zhian looked somewhat helpless.
A moment later, she politely bid farewell to the mother and son.
Lu Jinghong's eyes were still fixed on the direction Song Zhian had left, but Li Wan had already walked to the front of a courtyard.
She had just seen two familiar figures in the courtyard and closed the door.
"Is that Brother Liang?"
After a brief silence inside, Ouyang Rong and Sha Ergou came out and looked at the mother and son outside the courtyard.
Lu Jinghong reluctantly withdrew his gaze and walked over, giving Ouyang Rong a polite fist salute:
"Brother Liu."
Since they had come in together, they were acquaintances. Although the young man was dull, he was sensible and easy to get along with, so Lu Jinghong greeted him.
Ouyang Rong also returned the greeting in silence:
"Young Master Lu."
He then turned to ask, "What is it, Madam?"
Li Wan smiled and said, "You haven't rested yet. By the way, is anyone in the courtyard next door?"
Having said that, he took something out of his sleeve.
"No one's here," Ouyang Rong replied, glancing down at the purse before refusing to take it. "Madam, you're too kind. It was nothing."
Li Wan continued to hand over the money pouch, shaking her head apologetically:
"It's good that no one's here. I'd like to stay. It's just a small token of my appreciation, Brother A-Liang, please accept it. By the way, I'm a bit weak, and Jinghong isn't good at housework or rough work..."
(End of this chapter)
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