Chapter 665 The Secrets of the Cauldron and Sword! [Seeking Monthly Tickets!]
The night is like ink.
On the official road leading from the West Gate to Xunyang Grottoes.
The large groups of people in white robes and armor stood out conspicuously in the darkness.
"Blood Bronze..."
Ouyang Rong, dressed in a blue Confucian robe, rode alone at the front, glancing to the side and behind him at the large group of White Tiger Guard cavalry who followed silently.
He chewed on the word with a somewhat dazed expression.
Rong Zhen and Yi Qianqiu rode alongside him on horseback, remaining silent and giving him time to ponder.
Behind the three, from inside the carriage where the old musician was riding, came the sound of snoring.
The official road leading to Xunyang Grottoes was carefully repaired after Ouyang Rong took office as governor, with funds allocated from the Jiangzhou government. It was not very bumpy.
The old musician, who had been playing all day, slept soundly.
Ouyang Rong took a deep breath and asked the two women beside him who remained silent in a low voice:
"What is the unknown killing power contained within that great formation?"
Previously, Ouyang Rong had heard from Lu Ya and the Sanqing Daoist sect that there was a legendary array covering Jiangnan in Yunmeng Sword Marsh, and he also knew that Yunmeng Token was related to this array.
But unexpectedly, the formation could still function. It turned out that this Cloud Dream Token was equivalent to a sub-formation eye, and the material used to forge it, called Blood Bronze, was so special...
Suddenly enlightened by the secrets revealed by Rong Zhen and Yi Qianqiu, Ouyang Rong was overwhelmed with a thousand thoughts.
Many things that were previously overlooked or questioned are now connected like pearls by the thin thread of "Blood Bronze".
"I don't know yet." Rong Zhen shook his head.
Ouyang Rong took the blood-stained bronze dagger from Yi Qianqiu, examined it closely, and at one moment, squinted and speculated:
"Since the Yunmeng Token is sword-shaped and is the so-called array eye, then is the true array eye also a sword? And Yunmeng Sword Marsh is the number one sword sect in the world. Is this great array related to the legendary Ding Sword?"
Yi Qianqiu glanced at Ouyang Rong again and spoke:
"That makes sense, but for thousands of years, no one has known the details of the great formation guarded by Yunmeng Sword Marsh. All that is known is that Yunmeng Token is inextricably linked to it. This formation existed as early as the pre-Qin period, which is too long ago. We don't know if it is still useful."
"However, judging from the current situation, the Yunmeng Yue women dare to issue Yunmeng Tokens widely again, so it seems that this formation still has some use..."
Rongzhen nodded slightly:
"That's right. Those who have witnessed the killing power of this formation in the past are probably all dead. There are no specific records, and even Yunmeng Sword Marsh has always downplayed its existence. There has been no news about it for a long time."
Ouyang Rong suddenly spoke:
"Wait a minute, if it's related to the mythical cauldron and sword, then there's a question: did this formation already exist in the pre-Qin period?"
"If the records are correct, that's how it is. The first generation of Yue Chuzi lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. Yunmeng Sword Marsh was also born in the harsh and desolate mountains and rivers of the Wu and Yue regions at that time. This legendary array should also have been set up at that time. Being able to cover the entire Tiannan region, it is very likely the work of the Celestial Beings of Shenzhou..."
Ouyang Rong interrupted, "When was the first Ding Sword created?"
Rongzhen answered in a serious tone:
"The first cauldron sword was created during the Qin Dynasty and was called the 'Longevity Elixir'. It led to the death of the First Emperor and indirectly contributed to the fall of Qin a thousand years ago... It was from that time that the first cauldron competition among Qi cultivators began, and only then did the cauldron swords come into being."
Ouyang Rong's tone was decisive:
"The timing doesn't match up. This great formation has existed for much longer than the first cauldron sword."
Rong Zhen and Yi Qianqiu exchanged a glance.
The former nodded slightly:
"Indeed, very detailed. However, it cannot be ruled out that this formation of Yunmeng Sword Marsh is related to the [cauldron] that has not yet been transformed into a sword."
"This reclusive sect once possessed a [cauldron]. I wonder if the [cauldron] later transformed into a sword."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong pursed his lips, digested the information for a moment, then looked up and asked:
"But how did the Imperial Observatory know that the Yunmeng Token could mobilize the unknown killing power of this great formation? If there were records of it, why didn't they know the specific killing power of this formation?"
The two women fell silent for a moment.
Yi Qianqiu ignored him and rode ahead on his horse.
Rong Zhen was silent for a moment, then shook her head:
"Actually, the Imperial Observatory only recorded the function of blood bronze. The material of the Yunmeng Token is blood bronze. It was only recently discovered that these Yue women were distributing Yunmeng Tokens and confiscating them."
Ouyang Rong looked at Rong Zhen, his gaze sharpening for a moment.
The Yunmeng Token was first discovered in the Jiuzhou prison, after being severely tortured by the hero Zheng Jun. At the time, Rong Zhen did not mention this to him or Qin Yanqing. Now, looking back, it's no wonder that she reacted so strongly, insisting on searching the entire Xunyang City to catch everyone who was possessing it.
Yi Qianqiu waved his hand and said:
"Let's assume it's related to the Dingjian sword, and prepare for the worst."
"Can."
Ouyang Rong nodded, examined the blood-stained bronze dagger for a moment, and asked directly:
"General Yi, when you first arrived at Xunyang Grottoes, you secretly discussed important matters with Lady Rong and Deputy Supervisor Song. Was it because you seized this item?"
Ouyang Rong gestured to the Yunmeng Token in his hand:
"So you recognized it back then?"
Yi Qianqiu, wearing the silver tiger mask, rode his horse steadily, his tone calm:
"Yes. Lady Rong is right. Governor Ouyang is indeed intelligent and has a keen sense of smell. I was too polite that day. Please forgive me, Governor."
Ouyang Rong asked casually:
"Commander Yi, have you seen the Blood Bronze before and know its special function?"
She wasn't a member of the Imperial Observatory, but merely the commander of the White Tiger Guard, a simple warrior. How could she possibly know about "Blood Bronze," a top-secret information of the Imperial Observatory that even a prefectural governor wouldn't know?
Yi Qianqiu turned his head and met Ouyang Rong's gaze, who was still asking questions.
The silver tiger mask gleamed brightly in the moonlight, almost blindingly so.
Ouyang Rong looked directly at her without flinching.
Yi Qianqiu spoke:
"The White Tiger Guard is one of the four Imperial Guards. As a fourth-rank White Tiger Guard Lieutenant General, I know more secrets than the Governor. When the Governor returns to the capital to report on his duties, he can try to be promoted to the Imperial Guard. At that time, he will know no less than I do."
"Oh, really?"
Ouyang Rong's gaze toward the two women held a rather meaningful quality.
They didn't seem to know much about the grand formation in Yunmeng Sword Marsh, but they knew a great deal about Blood Bronze. They were extremely wary and cautious of the Yunmeng Token, which was made of this material.
He turned his head, intending to press Rongzhen for answers.
Something suddenly popped into my mind.
Ouyang Rong silently closed his mouth.
The three of them remained silent as they escorted the old musician back to Xunyang Grottoes.
Ouyang Rong discussed the Pipa Gathering at Xunyang Tower with Rong Zhen, then took his leave.
Upon returning to Xunyang City, Ouyang Rong headed straight for Xingzifang.
This time, instead of entering the quiet courtyard, they went directly to Chengtian Temple and found Yuan Huaimin relaxing in a rocking chair in the courtyard.
"Where are the things?" Ouyang Rong asked as soon as he entered the door.
"What is that?" Yuan Huaimin asked curiously, secretly hiding a straight wooden stick behind his back.
Ouyang Rong's expression turned serious: "The original scroll of Tao Yuanming's 'Peach Blossom Spring'."
Yuan Huaimin breathed a slight sigh of relief: "So that's what it was. You should have said so earlier."
Under Ouyang Rong's frowning gaze, Yuan Huaimin ran back into the house and brought out the original scroll of "The Peach Blossom Spring".
Ouyang Rong didn't open it, but looked down and examined it carefully.
Yuan Huaimin also noticed this; his friend didn't even look at the contents of the original scroll, but instead gently stroked its wooden scroll handle.
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked, "Isn't the bronze axle that the Taoist priest Wu asked you for back then very similar to this thing?"
"This is?"
Yuan Huaimin stared intently at the thing Ouyang Rong had pulled out, his expression one of surprise.
This is a bronze short sword.
"Let me see." He took the Yunmeng Token, examined it, and nodded slightly.
"The materials are very similar... wait, aren't these the same kind of things? They're all bronze artifacts..."
Ouyang Rong remained calm and said, "This thing seems to be called Blood Bronze."
"Blood Bronze?"
Ouyang Rong observed Yuan Huaimin's curious expression, which didn't seem feigned.
He then recalled something Yuan Huaimin had mentioned: Rongzhen's reaction was very calm when she learned that Wu Daoshi had taken the bronze axle.
This at least reflects one thing: Rongzhen knew at the time that this item was Blood Bronze.
Secondly, this matter does not seem to be too serious, or rather, no serious consequences have been found so far.
Looking back now, the Blood Bronze Sword wasn't actually the Cauldron Sword, and the fact that it was intercepted by someone else wasn't a major oversight.
Didn't you see the Yunmeng Tokens from Yunmeng Sword Marsh being distributed everywhere? This means that in addition to needing a special formation, there is also a specific way to use Blood Bronze.
Two bronze shafts alone are not very useful.
With this thought in mind, Ouyang Rong recalled what Xiao Mo Jing had mentioned before.
On the battlefield of Yuanjia's Northern Expedition, a sword aura of sky blue, like a rainbow, appeared from the sword of the "Humble Scholar." According to Xiao Mojing's memory at the time, before that, the Liu Song national teacher brought this scroll of "The Peach Blossom Spring" from the palace overnight.
In other words, this authentic scroll of "The Peach Blossom Spring" is not the [Humble Scholar] himself, but it is still closely related to the [Humble Scholar], at least... one can utilize its sword energy!
From this perspective, the Blood Bronze and its corresponding formation are indeed closely related to the Cauldron Sword, and the killing power it can mobilize is very likely the sword energy of the Cauldron Sword.
Therefore, Yi Qianqiu's speculation was correct. The killing power of the great array covering Tiannan that Yunmeng Ling could mobilize should be regarded as the power of the Dingjian. This is not an exaggeration and should be taken seriously.
Ouyang Rong suddenly said:
“Brother Huaimin, there was a reason why you were beaten by Commander Yi last time.”
Yuan Huaimin was taken aback.
"Let me borrow this original painting again."
Ouyang Rong took the "Peach Blossom Spring" which had lost its Blood Bronze version and turned to leave.
Yuan Huaimin was left completely bewildered.
...
"Your Excellency, why is the Second Lady not here?"
"Second Junior Sister has left first."
"You're leaving now?"
"I have an important matter to attend to, so I'm going to Jiangzhou first."
"I see."
At the entrance to a stone hall in the basement of Snowwood Manor.
Wei Shaoqi stood at the door with an elegant demeanor, while Du Shuqing tidied up her things inside the stone room.
Xuezhongzhu came to find them alone.
Wei Shaoqi glanced at the Yue women passing by; they were all packing their things, preparing to leave.
Inside the stone hall, Du Shuqing picked up a wrapped scroll of "Peach Blossom Spring" again.
This was returned to them personally by the two women, Junyu Nianyuan, a few days ago.
In fact, Wei Shaoqi already knew the attitude of this great female ruler at that time.
"Shuqing and I will certainly do our utmost to help you." He clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Having temporarily dismissed a certain Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Xuezhongzhu walked forward with his hands behind his back, his voice clear and cold:
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Wei. Let's go, it's time for us to set off before those government lackeys catch our scent and come looking for us."
Wei Shaoqi coughed violently for a while, and finally coughed up all the cough.
He covered his mouth with a handkerchief, took a deep breath, glanced down at the handkerchief, and then calmly tucked it into his sleeve.
"It's alright, it's our honor to be able to help the Queen."
The candle in the snow stopped, its back to the wall, and stood still.
"I haven't asked yet where you got this bronze axle. It looks quite old, and the small characters engraved on it are from the Southern Dynasties, right?"
Wei Shaoqi was silent for a moment, then said softly:
“The Yuan family from the south of Chang’an City.”
"The Yuan family of Chang'an?"
Du Shuqing interjected in a muffled voice:
"They were once members of the Northern Wei imperial family."
"The Northern Wei royal family?"
Upon hearing this word, Xuezhongzhu sneered:
"So these remnants of the Xianbei barbarians are still around. Chang'an and Luoyang are truly a place where all sorts of demons and monsters gather."
Wei Shaoqi's expression also showed some emotion as he pointed to the "Peach Blossom Spring" painting and said:
"Yes, Guanzhong is the center of the world, a place where heroes gather and all rivers flow... However, if it weren't for this, does the Great Lady think that a family descended from the previous dynasty's royal family could be so easily accepted by the upright and virtuous men of Guanzhong?"
Xuezhongzhu sneered and questioned:
"Since it was offered up, why wasn't the pseudo-Zhou court taken away? Instead, it fell into your hands."
Wei Shaoqi gently stroked the scroll and softly unfurled it.
A paradise on earth leaps off the page.
The middle-aged scholar, his handkerchief stained with blood, pointed at the scroll and said with a smile:
"Because the mediocre descendants of the Yuan family of Northern Wei and those incompetent officials in the pseudo-Zhou court do not know the true mystery of this thing, nor do they know the use of the blood bronze, especially this bronze axle made by Tao Yuanming. The tricks of the Imperial Observatory are nothing but imitations."
Xuezhongzhu glanced at the scroll rod, his tone indifferent:
"Wasn't Tao Yuanming also just imitating Dong Shi?"
Wei Shaoqi firmly shook his head:
"It's different. Tao Yuanming was no ordinary man. As the legendary sword master of the 'Humble Scholar,' he was not just a name without substance. Even if he was the thief in the words of the Great Queen, what he did was still worthy of respect. He had the merit of establishing a school, which made the future Ding Sword no longer just the Ding Sword of a few individuals, but the Ding Sword of an entire nation."
"He truly devoted himself to the Southern Liu Song dynasty, but the Southern Liu Song dynasty did not live up to his efforts."
The person listening in front of the candle in the snow frowned and gave a cold laugh:
"The six dynasties, including the Liu Song dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, also failed to live up to the expectations of our clan."
"Perhaps."
Wei Shaoqi nodded slightly, his eyes recalling:
“Even a remarkable person like Mr. Wu greatly admires Tao Yuanming, and it is thanks to Mr. Wu’s discerning eye that Tao Yuanming’s ‘Peach Blossom Spring’ was able to see the light of day again.”
A candle flickers in the snow.
"Mr. Wu?"
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(PS: Waaaa, guys, please vote for me with monthly tickets~ or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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