Unparalleled Master
Hanjiang's villa is located halfway up Hanshan Mountain, while Hanshan's residence is at the summit.
The same applies to the other sects; the elders do not live with their disciples.
"Bieyuan" (別苑) – these are the two characters on the stone archway.
The gate to the courtyard where Hanjiang stayed was inscribed with "Hanjiang Villa," making it seem more like a place thoughtfully built for a specific person.
The inscriptions were all done by the same person, so it's no surprise that it's Han Tian.
The courtyard at the top of the mountain was simpler than the one halfway up the mountain. There were sparse flowers and plants, no interesting pavilions, and the houses on all four sides looked the same, monotonous and rigid.
Han Tian emerged into the freezing cold: "You were looking for me?"
Han Jiang was taken aback and said, at a loss, "Hmm..." What kind of logic is there in the world for a master to welcome his disciple?
"Go inside and tell them it's hot outside."
The entire courtyard was enchanted with heat preservation. Although it was sunny in the courtyard, it wasn't particularly hot. Once inside the house, the temperature was even more comfortable, like having air conditioning on.
"Master, that person just gave me this..." Han Jiang showed off the black jade bracelet on his wrist, his tone hesitant and tactful, truly like a dutiful disciple.
"Did Aqi give this to you?" Han Tian asked, somewhat surprised. "Why would he suddenly give you a gift?"
"He said it was compensation for me, and he wouldn't let me tell you!" I'll tell you even if he tells me not to! Han Jiang always felt that Cang Jingqi had ill intentions, and this jade bracelet was even stranger.
Han Tian lifted Han Jiang's wrist and used his spiritual power to test the jade bracelet, saying, "It's a demonic artifact. I don't know exactly what it is. If it's uncomfortable to wear, I'll have him take it off for you another day."
"Demons!" A thought flashed through Han Jiang's mind, and memories of last night surged back. "Last night, those people were demons!"
Cang Jingqi was a longtime friend of Han Tian. Rather than questioning why he gave his apprentice a gift, Han Tian was more concerned about the rebellion.
He pulled up a chair for Han Jiang to sit down and said softly, "Really? The information we received indicates that the rebellion was started by a local bandit group in Anzhou, and their numbers continued to grow. Aqi also mentioned that demons were involved. Xiaoman, think about it carefully."
Han Jiang said, "There was a bald guy who said he had worked in the Demon Palace... They also mentioned the Second Prince. Who is the Second Prince?"
"Second Prince? He's the second son of the previous Demon Lord," Han Tian said. "Anything else?"
Han Jiang shook his head. It seemed that this was all the key information left. There was also some that Cang Jingqi had already told Han Tian. The Immortal Sect was investigating methods to transform people into demons.
"It's good that you can remember, Xiaoman. We'll talk about it when you remember."
"Master, you said Aqi is also a demon!" That person was indeed suspicious.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Didn't the demons participate in the rebellion?"
Han Tian laughed and said, "Xiao Man, have you misunderstood something? Humans and demons have coexisted for over a hundred years. The rebellion involved both humans and demons. Although Aqi is a demon, he is my friend. Also, how can you call him Aqi? You should call him Your Highness."
Ah Qi, Cang Jing Qi. Han Jiang suddenly remembered that he was the eldest son of the Demon Lord.
In other words, the second prince is his younger brother.
"I was in a hurry and forgot to address you properly, Master. Please forgive me," Han Jiang apologized.
Han Tian didn't take it seriously: "It's nothing."
Han Jiang felt increasingly uneasy. From Han Tian's tone, she could tell that Cang Jingqi had never given Han Jiang gifts before; there was definitely something wrong with Cang Jingqi.
She didn't see that person's face last night; when she opened her eyes, she only saw Cang Jingqi.
Two gusts of wind, one blowing in your face and the other coming from behind, indicate that there are two forces at play.
"Master, did His Highness see the man in black at the time?" Han Jiang asked.
Han Tian said, "As soon as Aqi arrived, the man had already run away. We didn't see the man in black."
How can you say you didn't see it when the two forces were clearly in a standoff?
Well, Master trusts Cang Jingqi so much, he certainly won't have any doubts. There's no point in me guessing from here. He's just cannon fodder who should have died long ago, so it's best to leave him alone.
"Disciple understands, disciple takes his leave." He slipped away.
Turning around, I bumped into a robust middle-aged man dressed in a red robe, even his beard and hair were red.
Elder Chifeng, Chicheng.
"Take your leave? Take your leave and then where are you going?" Chi Cheng blocked Han Jiang's path. "Elder Han Tian, are you just going to spoil her like this? I heard that a few days ago she sneaked off to the Vermilion Bird Pavilion in Jingzhou, got lost, and had Chi Jin bring her back!"
Han Tian silently stepped between Han Jiang and Chi Cheng: "It's fine for the kids to go out and play for a while."
Of the three gates under heaven, the Vermilion Bird Pavilion is the foremost. It is not only directly governed by the imperial court, but also has connections with government agencies and the military. Simply put, it offers the status and benefits of an official, but without being embroiled in official struggles, and also grants magical powers and freedom.
It truly is the dream place for every disciple of the immortal sect.
"Is the Vermilion Bird Pavilion a place you can just wander around in? Yet she went down the mountain and stayed in a teahouse listening to storytelling! I even saw her bring back a huge stack of books. Do you know what kind of books they were?"
Han Tian: "Just read a book, who cares what she reads—Xiao Man, do you have enough money to go to the teahouse?"
"Elder Hantian!" When Chicheng was angry, his beard twitched up and down, and his already protruding eyes became even more prominent, like a red carp, glaring at Hantian.
Han Tian was also good-tempered, calm and composed, and managed to stabilize the situation.
Han Jiang was blocked by Han Tian and couldn't see Chi Cheng's expression. All she could think about was her deep "admiration" for Han Tian!
She deserves a dozen such great masters!
"Lazy, indolent, and ignorant! How can you become a disciple of Hanshan? How can she inherit your mantle?"
Han Tian said, "I can live for many more years, what's the rush? Elder Chicheng, is there something you need from me?"
Han Tian changed the subject, his hand behind his back gesturing for Han Jiang to slip away quickly.
Chifeng snorted coldly: "What a coincidence, I'm here to talk to you about the selection of new disciples."
New disciple selection! Is Han Qi, the female lead from the original novel, coming? No, we have to stop her.
"Master, are you going to take on new disciples?" Han Jiang asked, peeking out.
"This is none of your business. Elder Hantian and I need to talk privately."
The other party rejected your chat request and told you to get lost.
Prevention failed.
I was kicked out of the house during the cold winter.
Undeterred, she peered through the window to listen for any sounds: That damned old man in red, he'd actually cast a silencing spell!
He feigned anger and stomped his feet twice, making a gesture of international goodwill.
"Han Xiaoman, what are you doing?" Cang Jingqi leaned against the stone archway.
"Shh!"
"So afraid of being discovered, yet you're eavesdropping?" Cang Jingqi deliberately raised his voice and shouted into the house, "Han Tian!"
Hanjiang silently gave two middle fingers!
"What is it?" Han Tian's voice came.
Han Jiang wore a pleading expression.
"Now you know to beg me? Why didn't you think of that when you were complaining to your master?" Cang Jingqi chuckled maliciously.
A smile that hides a dagger.
Ha, Han Jiang curses in his heart: If you laugh again, I wish you a happy death!
"I didn't complain; I just told my master it was the rule to accept the gifts," Han Jiang said, sounding troubled.
"So that's how it is. It seems I've put Xiaoman in a difficult position—" Cang Jingqi continued with a smile, "Han Tian!"
He called out "Han Tian" again.
Han Tian's impatient voice: "Cang Jingqi! Are you bored? Coming to my Hanshan and yelling!"
"I'll take your apprentice down the mountain for some fun!"
Upon hearing that it was related to Hanjiang, Hantian immediately opened the window and met Hanjiang's gaze as he stood by the window.
Both of them were embarrassed.
Han Tian said, "So Xiao Man is here too. Have fun, everyone. Buy whatever you want. Use His Highness's money first, and I'll pay him back later."
The previously agitated Han Tian seemed to have become a different person, his tone softening the moment he met Han Jiang.
"You only care about your apprentices and not your brothers, right?"
Han Tian ignored Cang Jingqi, gave him a sharp look, and closed the window.
"Let's go, Han Xiaoman."
The "Xiaoman" that Cang Jingqi shouted was completely different from the one that Han Tian said.
Her tone was clearly gentle.
"Going down the mountain?"
"I was just kidding. I'll send you to the Demon Palace to feed the fish!"
Hanjiang immediately turned around and was about to call out "Master" to the house, but the sound got stuck in his throat and he couldn't make it out.
Cang Jingqi said insincerely, "Alright, stop bothering your master. He's getting annoyed with you."
Who on earth is driving me crazy? Han Jiang couldn't speak, and could only glare at Cang Jingqi.
"Han Xiaoman, you never used to glare at me like that. What, did being struck by lightning make you bolder?"
Oh no! That was too obvious!
Han Jiang grumbled and shook his head, then walked down the mountain with Cang Jingqi.
Cang Jingqi withdrew the spell and let Han Jiang speak.
"Cang—Your Highness, I wasn't glaring at you. I just couldn't see clearly, so I widened my eyes a bit," Han Jiang said with a forced smile.
"Oh~" Cang Jingqi drawled, "By the way, what were you gesturing with your hands under the windowsill just now?"
Cang Jingqi held his middle finger straight up in front of Han Jiang: "What does this mean?"
"It means I like you. I like my master." Han Jiang put on a professional fake smile.
One sentence left Cang Jingqi speechless.
Both harbored their own ulterior motives, tacitly agreeing to end the conversation.
Han Jiang couldn't guess Cang Jingqi's intentions. If he discovered that he was not the original owner of the body, why didn't he tell Han Tian? If he hadn't discovered it, why did he bother to tease Han Jiang?
Or is it that he wasn't teasing anyone, and this was simply his usual way of interacting with the original owner of the body?
Hanjiang glanced at Cang Jingqi discreetly: He was in high spirits, his face beaming.
Cang Jingqi waved his folding fan, a faint breeze ruffling his hair, yet he still appeared content under the bright sun.
The Shishu Sect is located at the junction of four states, and the area at the foot of the mountain is an important crossroads, bustling with merchants and travelers.
"We're here. Go ahead and have fun." Cang Jingqi shrugged.
"Hey, didn't you say you'd take me down the mountain to play?" Even though Han Jiang hadn't agreed at the time, she was afraid Han Tian would find out she was eavesdropping, so she tacitly agreed to Cang Jingqi's words.
"Ah, what I meant was, I'll take you down the mountain, you can play by yourself."
This guy definitely did it on purpose!
Han Jiang suppressed her temper and said politely, "Your Highness, I didn't bring any money. Please show me around."
This is the truth, if I don't have money, how can I even play?
"Not good." Cang Jingqi, looking like he was enjoying the show, gave Han Jiang one last indifferent look before disappearing into the crowd.
Han Jiang rubbed his eyes in disbelief: Could he be invisible? How could he disappear so quickly?
Well, now only Hanjiang is left wandering around in this unfamiliar place.
Many people around were carrying bundles and swords; they were not travelers, but people who had come to participate in the selection of the Four Provinces Sect.
The three major immortal sects are on good terms with each other and take turns recruiting students every three years, with a nine-year cycle. This year it just so happens to be the turn of the Four Continents Sect.
The selection process at the Vermilion Bird Pavilion is rigorous, with only one out of a hundred people being accepted; the Maple Fire Reflecting Frost Pavilion is a mixed bag, with a very low entry threshold but no guarantee of admission, ultimately relying on one's own abilities.
Only these four prefectures are considered the best, and the largest number of people come from all directions to participate in each selection.
More importantly, there is no age limit for the election, and people from seventy or eighty-year-old seniors to three or four-year-old toddlers who have just learned to walk are all scrambling to register.
Of the seven elders of the Four Continents Sect, there's bound to be one that suits you.
However, people generally exclude Elder Hantian, and know that Hantian gained a beloved disciple nine years ago and has not accepted any new disciples since.
Han Jiang always felt like someone was watching him, not far away.
He had delicate features and wore simple clothes.
His eyes were bright and his appearance was otherworldly.
This is probably an important character in the book.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Han Jiang couldn't help but step forward and ask.
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