Chapter 956 My benefactor, it's time to descend the mountain.
The atmosphere inside was quiet for a while.
The witty remarks of the crickets are obvious.
Before Ouyang Rong could react, Huang Xuan picked up a piece of dessert and held it to her lips, silencing the little black spirit.
Fang Shengnan looked at the little ink spirit on Huang Xuan's shoulder with a curious expression.
It was the first time she had ever seen such a little sprite, and she was very interested, so she couldn't help but reach out and touch it.
However, Huang Xuan gently stopped her. Miao Si was happily eating her dessert when she glanced at the unfamiliar Fang Shengnan with her eyes slightly raised, as if she was ready to bite her finger at any moment... Where did this little brat come from, daring to touch the tiger's butt of the goddess immortal?
Beside him, Ouyang Rong remained silent for a long time before pondering:
"The situation here is complicated, and some things are at a critical moment, so I can't go back yet. If anything happens in Xunyang or Luoyang, you can contact me by letter first..."
"I'll stay here tonight to rest, and we'll discuss it together when Miss Fang returns tomorrow."
"Unless there is a special need, we will proceed according to the above regulations. I will come down the mountain regularly every month to contact you."
At this point, Ouyang Rong didn't look at Huang Xuan, but turned to Fang Shengnan and said:
"Miss Fang, from now on I'll have to trouble you and Miss Fang to work together."
Fang Shengnan immediately nodded:
“Alright. My sister and I came here to help, which is also what our parents wanted. It is truly fortunate that we can help Young Master Ouyang.”
She had a smile on her face, didn't seem to find it troublesome, and what she said didn't sound like a polite lie.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly.
Although Fang Shengnan is impulsive and rash, she also has her merits. She is truly obedient and loyal to those she admires and respects.
Ouyang Rong then asked, "By the way, do you still have the Yunmeng Token on you?"
"Yes, I am."
Fang Shengnan nodded and was about to go and get it.
Ouyang Rong suddenly raised his hand to interrupt:
"No need, keep these safe. They will be your lifesavers in case of any emergency. You will need to prepare these in advance when traveling between Taoyuan Town and Xunyang City. Also, there is one more thing... the brush, ink, paper and inkstone are here, bring them to me."
Ouyang Rong reached out to ask for it.
Fang Shengnan immediately went to get her paper and pen, and subconsciously asked:
"Young Master Ouyang, do you mean that if we encounter people from Jianze, we should use the Yunmeng Token to surrender?"
"Um."
Ouyang Rong nodded, not looking at Huang Xuan who seemed about to say something but hesitated, and took the paper and pen, only to find that they were out of ink.
Fang Shengnan was about to go next door to get some points when Ouyang Rong stopped her.
"No need to look anymore, it's here."
Ouyang Rong handed the tip of the brush to Miao Si, who reflexively spat twice.
The brush tip was dipped in ink from the ink it had expelled, and Ouyang Rong, by the light of the candle, supported himself with one hand on the letter paper on the desk and began to write with lightning speed.
A short while later, under Fang Shengnan's curious gaze, a private handwritten letter was completed.
Ouyang Rong casually opened the Peach Blossom Spring map, rummaged through it for a while, and then took out a small, simple seal. He casually stamped it on a corner of the handwritten text before putting it away with satisfaction.
Ouyang Rong shook the still-wet ink on the letter and handed it to Fang Shengnan.
"Take this and keep it safe. Carry it with you at all times. This letter is stamped with an official seal. If the local officials or prosecutors in Jiangnan and Lingnan mistakenly detain you, just show them this letter and they will release you."
Fang Shengnan immediately accepted the invaluable guarantee from the governor. Even though she didn't understand the imperial system very well, she knew how precious a personal guarantee from a high-ranking official was.
Jokingly speaking, with this handwritten letter, she and her older sister are now honored guests in Jiangnan and Lingnan.
Because in the officialdom of these two southern provinces, everyone knows the name of Ouyang Lianghan, the governor of Jiangzhou.
This is why Fang Yiwu's family wanted to cling tightly to "Prefect Ouyang's" coattails, not just because the battle at Xunyang Grottoes had completely convinced them.
Especially now that the Xunyang Prince's family has returned to the capital and risen through the ranks, the members of the Prince's mansion, including the Xunyang Prince and Princess Anle, are extremely popular in Luoyang.
When the news spread, countless officials and scholars from the south regretted that when the Prince of Xunyang's mansion was first established, they were intimidated by the power of the Wei family and did not go to Xunyang in Jiangzhou to offer their services, send their visiting cards, and serve as advisors and strategists.
Meanwhile, the southern officials who were quick to seize opportunities and had already pledged their allegiance remained in their local positions while the Prince of Xunyang's mansion was too busy to intervene and relocate them. However, they tacitly agreed to lead the Jiangzhou Prefect Ouyang Rong, and letters of concern and gifts during festivals poured into the Jiangzhou Prefect's mansion like snowflakes, but Yan Liulang intercepted and dealt with them.
Although he and Ouyang Rong did not have a clear superior-subordinate relationship, a faction claiming to be former members of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion was forming in the southern officialdom. This faction, seemingly headed by Ouyang Lianghan, was keeping a close eye on the movements of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Governor's Office.
They weren't in a hurry about promotions or transfers. After all, even a veteran of Longcheng like "Prince's Son" and his chief strategist hadn't been immediately transferred to the capital, so why should they be in a rush? They would at least be ranked after "Prince's Son"...
Fang Shengnan knew the value of this handwritten letter and carefully put it away.
Ouyang Rong glanced at Miao Si, who gave a light snort, crossed her arms proudly, and took the initiative to introduce herself:
"Moreover, this fairy's ink is somewhat special. Normally, the words written on paper cannot be seen. Only when placed in sunlight or candlelight, and held up for about ten breaths, can they become visible."
"It was a little trick to prevent Xiao Rongzi's letter from being confiscated by those troublesome Yue women, which would only implicate you and get you chopped into mincemeat. Heh, you know how much those little vixens hate Ouyang Lianghan, the top corrupt official in Jiangnan, especially that Zhi Shuang..."
When Ouyang Rong looked over, Miao Si shut her up and stopped talking. She turned her head and tugged at Huang Xuan's sideburns, curiously examining the lotus crown the latter was wearing.
After doing all this, Ouyang Rong turned around and said to the clear-eyed girl in the dark blue Taoist robe:
"Xiao Xuan, go back to Maoshan or Longhushan first. Junior Sister is right. Don't go to the capital. It's not the right time yet. As long as your Senior Brother Lu is there, that's fine. After you return to the mountain, continue your cultivation. By the way, did you learn that lightning technique from Longhushan?"
"Um."
Huang Xuan nodded first: "When I was staying in a hut by the lotus pond, a Taoist master who loved fishing taught me how to do it."
Miao Si praised, "Not bad, not bad at all. Xiao Xuan's lightning technique was truly impressive."
Huang Xuan looked at Ouyang Rong with a guilty expression and said:
"I was a bit foolish and accidentally hurt my benefactor."
"It's alright, Xiao Rongzi is quite resilient. This little bit of lightning isn't even enough to tickle him. Xiao Xuan, you don't know, last time at Xunyang Grottoes, several bolts of heavenly lightning that even the Celestial Masters of Longhu Mountain were afraid of came, and we rewarded Xiao Rongzi with them..."
Huang Xuan couldn't help but look at Ouyang Rong.
The latter nodded calmly:
"Since you have the opportunity to study at the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, make the most of it and go back first."
Huang Xuan, who always listened to Ouyang Rong, dimmed the light in her beautiful eyes.
She lowered her eyes, paused for a moment, and shook her head:
“My benefactor, Sister Xie wrote to me, telling me not to go to the capital, but also not to return to the mountain. Sister Xie sent me to find you, probably because she wants me to stay by your side and assist you.”
At this point, she suddenly raised her face and said:
“My benefactor, I have recently learned some minor skills. I don’t want to be a burden to you like I was back in Xunyang. Perhaps I can be of some help to you, okay?”
Ouyang Rong, however, insisted on shaking his head:
“Not for now, Xiaoxuan. You’ve worked hard to escort Miss Fang and the others here. I don’t have anything important to do here. You can leave the rest to Miss Fang and Xiufa. You have more important things to do. Go back to the mountain and wait.”
His tone was as unquestionable as ever.
Huang Xuan stood frozen in place, without uttering a sound.
The two of them just stood there.
The atmosphere immediately caught the attention of the usually carefree Fang Shengnan, who also noticed something was amiss.
She hesitated, but seeing Young Master Ouyang's calm yet resolute expression, she swallowed her words.
Fang Shengnan was familiar with this expression of his. Back in Xunyang City, after the young master was taken away by the Second Lady, he personally went to find her, killing anyone who stood in his way. It was a similar expression to him... It was a powerful will that said, "I must do what I have to do."
Ouyang Rong glanced at the graceful young Taoist nun with a sword in front of him.
Suddenly, I realized that although Xiao Xuan had changed a lot over the years of cultivation, there was one thing that remained the same as before.
That is, once they've made up their mind about something, they refuse to turn back. They're as stubborn as an ox, only focused on the grass in front of them and never bothering to look back.
This personality has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage, of course, is perseverance and unwavering determination. As for the disadvantages, they are, as they are now, a real headache.
Compared to Lu Ya's initiative to send Huang Xuan to the capital, it is uncertain whether the junior sister's decision to ask Huang Xuan not to come carries the same deeper meaning as Ouyang Rong's.
However, Ouyang Rong was indeed worried that Huang Xuan was getting involved in the world of fame and fortune in Luoyang too early.
Similarly, if Ouyang Rong stayed in Taoyuan Town, he wouldn't have time to take care of her, so it would be better for him to go back to the mountains.
Compared to the other two mountains, the number of people in the Shangqing Sect's Ancestral Hall of Maoshan was already very small. The number of disciples in the Ancestral Hall, such as Lu Ya and Huang Xuan, could be counted on one hand.
There are only a few of them.
Lu Ya is currently in Luoyang, following Li Guo'er.
If Huang Xuan also went, and everyone went down the mountain, what if something happened to them together with Lu Ya in the future... then the people from Xunyang Prince's Mansion who went down there in the future would not be able to explain to Master Yuan.
Huang Xuan was the last disciple that Lu Ya accepted as his final disciple by the deceased Celestial Master Yuan, which was of great significance. In a sense, it was the Celestial Master entrusting his orphan to someone else.
Ouyang Rong's face remained calm.
Miao Si glanced at their expressions, then chuckled and tried to smooth things over:
"How about we go to sleep first..."
Her small mouth gradually closed as Ouyang Rong's calm gaze fell upon her.
Miao Si turned her head away, and under Ouyang Rong's direct gaze, pouted and muttered:
"Oh well, whatever. If you don't want to sleep, then don't. You only live for a few decades anyway, so whatever you do, just tough it out..."
No one paid any attention to these words.
Although the female immortal is a bully at home and always acts arrogantly towards Ouyang Rong, she still has the air of a fairy maiden.
However, when it came to crucial moments, and on any matter that Ouyang Rong would take seriously, she almost never confronted or refuted him directly. Instead, she actively avoided his sharp edge... even appearing somewhat overly obedient and timid.
Therefore, this little ink spirit, who usually seems the most careless, is actually the one who knows what's important the most.
He never crossed Xiao Rongzi's bottom line, and his word was law on important matters.
In the ensuing silence, Huang Xuan suddenly spoke:
“My benefactor, do you still remember what you said to me when your senior brother and Sister Xie asked me to choose a lineage at the Xunyang Prince’s Mansion?”
Ouyang Rong turned his gaze back to the young Taoist nun in front of him, whose eyes were sparkling. After thinking for a moment, he spoke:
"What did you say?"
Her once-coveted, intelligent eyes were exceptionally beautiful, now tinged with a naive and innocent charm under the candlelight.
She read it softly:
"One cannot become a mature person without experiencing poverty, and one will remain naive without experiencing setbacks."
Ouyang Rong was slightly taken aback.
“My benefactor should still remember, right? You once said that no matter where I go in the future, I should always look back and see that original intention I had… This is one of the two sentences you gave me.”
Huang Xuan chuckled softly, seemingly pleased, and said in a light, melodious voice:
“When I was young, I was poor and spent my days with my father in the chaotic and impoverished streets of Xingzifang. I experienced all kinds of hardships and never lacked anything until I met you, my benefactor… I went up Maoshan, entered the ancestral hall, worshipped the True Lord, cultivated the Great Dao, and obtained precious teachings… After that, my days went smoothly, which made me a little overwhelmed.”
The young Taoist nun's voice was soft and ethereal, as if it were beside his ear, yet also as if it were from afar:
“My benefactor, I have been cultivating the Tao on the mountain for many years. Every time I break through a level, I am praised by my teachers, seniors, and fellow disciples like snowflakes falling. But when I return to a quiet place, I often get distracted and can’t help but think about whether I have done what you told me to do in the last sentence: “Without setbacks, one remains innocent.”
"That day, I climbed Mount Longhu and entered the mansion to study. I observed the lotus flowers by the pond and pondered the Thunder Magic. I sat there for three days in meditation. It was summer, and the pond was hot and humid. My heart was restless when suddenly a torrential rain came down. The lotus flowers in the pond swayed in the breeze. After a while, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. The water was calm and the sky and water were one color. The lotus flowers, washed by the rain, were fresh and bright, graceful and elegant."
Her usually aloof face was blank, her clear, dark eyes seeming to be filled with reminiscence:
"What a beautiful sight, like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without any artifice. Just then, someone came up the mountain to deliver a letter to Luoyang. After reading the letter, only one voice remained in my heart, like a lotus in a pond, like a clear blue sky after a wash, free from all distracting thoughts."
"My benefactor, do you know what that sound is?"
Huang Xuan turned her head, her eyes fixed intently on Ouyang Rongwen.
Just by looking into her eyes, he understood everything she meant.
But Ouyang Rong remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.
Huang Xuan suddenly smiled, slightly diminishing the aloof and ethereal quality that naturally graced her small face. Her voice was as light and melodious as a nightingale's:
"It's time to go down the mountain, it's time to go down the mountain, it's time to go down the mountain."
The young nun nodded for each of the three sentences she recited.
In front of her benefactor, she still habitually tilted her little face up to look at him and smiled:
“My benefactor, I have mastered the Thunder Technique, but not the Heart Technique. It is time for me to descend the mountain. As you said, one will remain naive without experiencing setbacks.”
Ouyang Rong fell completely silent.
Silently gazing at those innocent and carefree eyes under the lamplight.
Those eyes seemed to speak volumes, trying to persuade him.
(End of this chapter)
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