Chapter 15 Fan Jianchun Discusses the Heavenly Plague: The Day the Three Parted from the Desert...
After the three parted ways in the desert that day, Liu Taohua returned to Xingfeng Xiaozhu.
It was a small courtyard nestled at the foot of the terraced mountains; it was her home.
Humming a little tune, she carried half a lamb chop in one hand and casually picked a foxtail grass from the roadside with the other. She strolled leisurely across a cobblestone path, pushed open the door, and a sea of flowers in the courtyard came into view.
At the end of the sea of flowers, a man was lying on a rocking chair with his eyes closed, idly fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan.
Liu Taohua said, "I'm back!"
The man jumped at the sound, the palm-leaf fan slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. He was halfway through a yawn when he was startled and said, "Oh my goodness! You've really scared me to death! My old arms and legs can't take such a fright!" With that, he picked up the palm-leaf fan, half-covered his face, and pretended to cry.
Liu Taohua shook her head helplessly and said, "You're really wasting your talents on this kind of flower."
Upon hearing this, the man immediately put down his folding fan and smiled, "Chao Chao, welcome home!"
Liu Taohua held up the lamb chop in her hand and smiled, "Father, I'm back."
The man slowly rose, and as he turned, a breeze ruffled a strand of hair at his temple. Despite it being summer, there was a gentle, refreshing coolness, like a spring breeze. His face was like jade, his eyes like peach blossoms, a single vermilion mole on his forehead, and a smile on his thin lips swept away all gloom. Dressed in a simple white robe amidst a sea of flowers, he looked from afar like a celestial being, a far cry from a mere gardener.
He jogged towards her, arms outstretched, as if to give Liu Taohua a big hug.
As Liu Taohua watched her elderly father approaching, she reached out and used a lamb chop to urgently stop him.
The man stopped, tilted his head to look at Liu Taohua, and complained, "Hey! What do you mean?"
Liu Taohua pursed her lips and said casually, "It doesn't mean anything, I just wanted you to get the lamb chops. I carried them for ages, they're really tiring."
The man said "Oh," grabbed the lamb chop, and turned to leave.
Liu Taohua chuckled softly, quickly caught up with him, and threw herself into his arms, saying coquettishly, "Father, Yan Chao is back."
The man held the lamb chop high, patted Yan Chao's head with a mixture of affection and helplessness, and said, "You child, you're so big now, yet you're still so naughty."
Yan Chao said, "I've missed you so much since we last met."
The man gently patted her back twice and said, "You still have the nerve to say you miss me? You'd rather send someone to deliver a letter than come home once."
Yan Chao raised her head, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Well, I'm back now."
The man gently pinched her nose, took two steps back, and observed her carefully for a while before saying with concern, "You've gotten even thinner since you went out... What happened to you...?"
"Alright, Dad," Yan Chao said, stopping him. He stepped forward, took one of his arms, and walked into the house, saying, "I was just missing you. Look, I even brought back some lamb chops so we can have some nourishment together."
The man said, "You're just good at saying nice things. You should be a bit chubby like your mother; girls don't need to be too thin, but they also can't be too skinny..."
Yan Chao said, "I know, I know!"
As soon as Yan Chao entered the room, he saw a book on the table called "The New Legend of Tianji". He didn't expect that this storyteller was so efficient.
Yan Chao said, "When did you start liking to read this kind of book? Didn't you always only read the medical books left by Mother before?"
The man said, "How would I know what my daughter has been doing outside if I don't take a look?"
Yan Chao didn't answer. She sat down in a chair, poured herself a cup of tea, and smelled it—it was the familiar aroma. She gulped it down in a few mouthfuls, stretched contentedly, and all her fatigue vanished. The whole action was fluid and seamless. Yan Chao exhaled and said, "How can you be so sure I'm in there?"
Upon hearing this, the man put his hands on his hips, raised his eyebrows, and said, "You are my daughter, Mingqi! How could I, as her father, not know my own daughter!"
Yan Chao nodded, picked up a book from the table, and wanted to see how the storyteller wrote about himself. But as soon as he opened it, Ming Qi snatched it away. Yan Chao was puzzled and said, "What, can't I even see myself?"
Ming Qi said, "Let me ask you first, how was your trip?"
Yan Chao thought for a moment and said, "It's meaningless..."
Ming Qi said, "Huh???"
Yan Chao said, "Don't be in such a hurry, I haven't finished yet."
Upon hearing this, Ming Qi sat down next to her, poured himself a cup of tea, sat up straight, and urged her, "Tell me quickly!"
Yan Chao said, "The appearance of the Heavenly Ranking has attracted the attention of the Three Realms. I thought many people would go, after all, this is a rare opportunity to rise to the top in one step. There is also the most popular Lord Chunshan. I thought that even if he did not appear in person, there would be many imposters. In the end, apart from me, only two people came."
"I just wanted to watch the excitement, but I ended up getting myself involved. I finally had a vacation, and I've squandered it all." Yan Chao couldn't help but sigh with regret when he thought about this. "However, I met two interesting people. They probably don't need to climb to the top, because they already are."
Ming Qi said "Oh?", took a sip of tea, and asked, "Are you talking about that handsome young man riding a donkey and that handsome young man with a fan?"
Yan Chao spat out a mouthful of water with a "pfft," laughed twice, and said, "My wonderful gentleman??? You didn't see wrong???"
Mingqi said, "Yes, that's right, it's called Miaoyin Langjun." After saying that, Mingqi even turned the pages of the book to show her.
Yan Chao read it several times and said, "Alright. The Jade-Faced Young Master is true, but this Wonderful Gentleman... could it be that this storyteller has some kind of dirt on him, which is why he gave him such a 'wonderful' nickname?"
Ming Qi said, "It seems you have a good impression of him."
Yan Chao smiled and said, "He's a good cook, but I think his brother is more interesting."
Ming Qi gently waved his palm-leaf fan, then suddenly leaned closer and said, "He's quite good-looking, isn't he?"
Yan Chao spoke frankly, saying, "That's right."
Ming Qi asked, "Are you interested in him?"
Yan Chao clicked his tongue and said, "What are you thinking! I just feel that he is more mysterious than the other one."
In her memory, he was always smiling, but the meaning behind it was elusive. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but when he looked at her, his smile always seemed genuine. She tried to see through that smile to understand him, yet he maintained a certain distance. Observing his various actions, it seemed he wasn't deliberately hiding anything, but rather expecting her to discover it for herself. Seemingly close yet distant, so mysterious.
Mingqi said "Oh~" and laughed, "So he's interested in you. I was wondering why you were willing to leave me, a lonely old man, because you went to find a beauty."
"......"
Ming Qi: "Tell me honestly, did you two know each other before?"
Yan Chao shrugged and said, "I don't remember."
Mingqi said meaningfully, "Maybe you two knew each other in a past life. Just like your mother and me, we hit it off immediately, as if we knew each other in a previous life." Mingqi was lost in memories, with a happy expression on her face.
Yan Chao looked at her father, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up. She often felt very lucky. Although she had never met her mother, she was not sad. Her mother had always been by their side, and her father had given her all his love.
Despite the regrets, she is already the happiest person in the world.
Yan Chao said, "Don't I have a fiancé I've never met? I'm quite curious."
Upon hearing this, Ming Qi immediately shook his head and said, "That's ancient history. The child is indeed good, but it was my rogue old friend who suggested it, and I didn't agree to it. If that child were to appear in front of me again now, I'm even less likely to agree."
Seeing that he spoke with such certainty, Yan Chao said, "Then you must remember what I said today. If he really shows up someday, remember to cover for me."
Mingqi patted his chest and assured him, "Then you can rest assured. But on another note, if you rise to a higher level in the future, you can't abandon this lonely old man like me."
Yan Chao pointed to the "New Biography of Tianji" on the table and said, "You are still a lonely old man. You know everything under the world without leaving your house, and you are happy and carefree. How can you be lonely? Besides, I am already the best I can be now. How much higher can I go?"
Ming Qi seemed to be deep in thought, and said in a low voice, "Yes, Chunshan Tower is indeed a good place."
Yan Chao looked at Ming Qi with a firm gaze and said, "No matter what happens, our family will never be separated."
Ming Qi chuckled and said, "From what I read in the book, you've experienced quite a few things along the way, and the final outcome is truly heartbreaking."
Yan Chao asked, "What's your opinion on this matter?"
Ming Qi said, "They wanted the two races to coexist peacefully, but now that's gone. How can that not be considered peaceful coexistence? Whether it's fate or destiny, problems are never caused by one person alone. Time moves forward, and relationships change. Otherwise, why would Wumu have attacked Yezi?"
Yan Chao said, "If they had known the outcome would be today, would they have made the same decision?"
Ming Qi said, "The ancestors of Yezi prophesied that the twins would bring disaster to Yezi, and indeed, the line ended in the generation of the twins. But behind this is that priest. He wanted to save his friends out of guilt, but in doing so, he missed the opportunity to save his own country. As a priest, neither Yezi nor Hegutai should have interfered. It's hard to say for sure."
"It's hard to say who's right and who's wrong, or whether it was worth it. Others' opinions don't matter; only the people involved can decide. Wasn't that the very thing you were determined to do when you left home?"
Yan Chao rested his chin on one hand, blinked, and said playfully, "Isn't that just like you?"
Ming Qi flicked her forehead and said, "You brat! You copy everything I do, don't you!"
Yan Chao chuckled twice and said, "Alright, alright! I learned a dish from that wonderful young man, and I specially bought lamb chops to make for you. Want to try some?"
Mingqi slapped the table with both hands, nodding excitedly, and said, "Great! Great! It's been so long since I've had your cooking!"
Yan Chao carried the lamb chops to the kitchen and followed Jiang Yu's recipe step by step. Her movements were methodical and orderly, showing that she was also a skilled cook. However, to be honest, Yan Chao admitted that she was not as good as Jiang Yu. She could do it, but she had not mastered it.
A steaming pot of mutton stew and fragrant baked flatbread were served. Ming Qi rubbed his hands together eagerly and said, "It smells so good!"
Yan Chao served him a bowl of soup and a flatbread. Ming Qi took a bite of mutton and a bite of flatbread, closed his eyes and savored it carefully. Suddenly, he was stunned and stared at the meat soup in front of him for a long time.
Yan Chao asked, "What's wrong?"
Ming Qi shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing, it just tastes familiar and reminds me of an old friend."
Yan Chao didn't speak, quietly waiting for him to continue. She knew that her father always had something to say when he thought of his old friends.
Ming Qi said, "Although he is the crown prince of a country, he has no airs of superiority. His cooking skills are the best among us. His wife was also impressed by his cooking skills back then. I never thought that after so many years, I could still taste such similar flavors. It really brings back memories."
Ming Qi's expression was calm, and he had a smile on his lips, but his tone carried a faint sadness.
He then changed the subject, saying, "I wonder how his children are doing these days. I haven't seen them for many years, they should... be doing quite well."
At this very moment, in Tiandu.
Mortals believe that immortals live in magnificent palaces and pavilions, surrounded by an ethereal aura, where they ride clouds and mist, commanding celestial beasts with effortless grace. These palaces and pavilions are splendid and exquisite, but their heights are so cold and lonely that they are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In reality, the structure of the Heavenly Capital is no different from that of the mortal realm. The Heavenly Capital is divided into an inner court and an outer court, separated by a waterfall cascading down from the heavens. Beyond the waterfall is the outer court, the residence of lower-ranking officials or ordinary fairies and celestial maidens. There is a market there called "Bright Moon Illumination." Because they have few worshippers or followers, they sell celestial items such as elixirs and magical artifacts there to earn merit for themselves. The Heavenly Court branch of Spring Mountain Pavilion is located here.
Within the waterfall lies the residence of the high-ranking officials. Pavilions, towers, and flowing streams, shrouded in mist, are filled with the sounds of immortals discussing scriptures and singing in groups—a scene of bustling peace and prosperity. Passing through a wide avenue, one arrives at its end, where a magnificent palace stands. A luminous pearl is inlaid atop its golden roof, radiating dazzling light that illuminates the entire Heavenly Capital, making it the very heart of the city. Beneath the golden roof, the three powerful characters "Tianjia Palace" mark this as the palace of Emperor Hanyue.
Upon ascending the ninety-nine immortal steps and entering the main hall, one finds several divine officials already seated inside. They had been silent until they saw the newcomer, at which point they began whispering amongst themselves.
"Why has this plague god come?"
Who is he?
"He's a plague god. But isn't he supposed to be stuck in the mortal realm, guarding his dilapidated garden? How come he's come up to heaven...?"
"Get away from him!"
"You guys are so noisy! Do you think the Heavenly Garrison is your home?!"
Someone uttered this chilling remark, and the murmurs subsided abruptly.
"Stop talking, the Emperor is still here."
For a moment, none of the gods dared to speak again. At the far end of the hall sat a martial god clad in a robe adorned with bright moonlight earrings—the very Emperor they spoke of. He was handsome, his eyes closed in meditation, his features slightly sharp. A continuous stream of spiritual energy emanated from him, enveloping the entire hall. Inhaling even a breath of the Emperor's immortal energy might boost one's cultivation, but everyone present remained focused and silent, not daring to even breathe loudly.
The newcomer stopped in front of the hall. He slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were extremely dark and deep, as if all things in the world were in his eyes. When you looked at him again, he was still solemn and dignified, but there was no sharpness in his eyes. Instead, he had a touch of roguish charm.
Han Yue spoke softly, "Liangxu, you're back."
The man bowed slightly to him, respectful yet distant, and said, "Your Majesty."
Tao Zhong, standing beside the Emperor, glanced up and was startled. The man was dressed in a blue robe, his long hair tied up with a crown, and he wore a headband. He exuded an air of royal nobility. More importantly, his appearance was six parts similar to Han Yue's.
Isn't that the young man leading the donkey we met down there?!
He was actually the God of Plague! The Emperor's son!
A note from the author:
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