Life and death are unpredictable
After much deliberation, the painter Bai was reluctant to betray his master, but knowing that Tiangongfang was located here, he knew that even if the monk left, the temple couldn't be left behind. Since Gu Yi had already come looking for him, he could just grab someone and interrogate them to find out the truth. He lightly said, "It's the Meng family, the owners of Tiangongfang. Meng Jue, the third young master of Prefect Meng. You've met him before, young master. He's the one who sent you two here by carriage."
After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "Young Master Meng is an outer disciple of the Hidden World Sect."
Historically, inner disciples of martial arts sects mostly lived in seclusion within their sects, while outer disciples mostly lived among ordinary people, while also cultivating relationships with and managing influence in the martial arts world and the imperial court. However, the Hidden Sect used to be tranquil and detached, and its few outer disciples were recruited randomly, unlike Meng Jue who is now powerful and capable.
Gu Yi coldly said, "I won't hurt you. Tell Meng Jue to come out and see me."
Now that he has come here today, there is no reason for him to leave empty-handed; otherwise, the name Gu Yi would truly have to be reversed.
The painter smiled wryly, "Now that the name 'Floating Light Brocade' has been spread, Young Master Meng is probably already waiting for you at the Heavenly Fragrance Garden across the street. He will surely give you an explanation."
Tianxiang Garden, despite its name, is truly a place of radiant beauty. Although it is the dead of winter, hundreds of peonies and peonies are in full bloom, displaying a riot of colors and shades of pale yellow and pink. Illuminated by the lanterns and candles lit along the long corridor, they are even more enchanting and magnificent, a truly breathtaking sight.
Although the elegant painter was slightly disheveled at the moment, she still did not forget to be a good host and introduced the guests:
"The wonder of Tianxiang Garden is that even in the dead of winter, precious peonies bloom. For example, this white one is called 'A Handful of Snow,' this light pink one with a hint of snow white is called 'Auspicious Dew Cicada,' and this dark purple one is called 'Black Gold Imperial Purple.' The reason for this wonder is that the head of the family diverted hot spring water to the Tianxiang Garden, thus changing the local climate. In addition, during the coldest months of winter, there is a special greenhouse in the flower shed, where charcoal fires are kept burning day and night to protect the peonies. Therefore, peonies and peonies can bloom even in winter. However, due to the huge cost, a single book can cost tens of taels of silver on the market."
Gu Yi pondered for a moment, but made no comment. Knowing that Gu Yi disliked extravagance that went against the natural order and wasted too much manpower, A Qiu changed the subject, saying, "I originally wanted to buy one or two pots, but they're too expensive for me."
Only now did the painter's spirit return to its place. He smiled and said, "Miss, you are joking. If you find any you like, feel free to choose any ten or eight pots. You will not have to pay a single penny. If you are willing to leave your beautiful image at Tiangong Workshop, the owner will only worry about how to thank you. If I were to give you gold or silver, I would be afraid that it would be vulgar and disrespectful to you two."
Gu Yi stared intently at her for a moment behind the veil, then said nonchalantly, "Meng Jue originally said he wouldn't come, so why are you waiting here?"
The painter smiled wryly, "I only saw Young Master Meng's carriage at first. The steward solemnly told me to treat you two well and not to offend you. I don't know what the young master is thinking. But as I guess, the young master should have been not far away. When he heard the news from Tiangong Workshop about the 'Floating Light Brocade,' he immediately knew that you two were looking for Sect Master Li, so he ordered me to stop you as much as possible. Now my failure should have reached his ears, and it is normal for him to deal with it personally."
A Qiu recalled the bustling city where she and Gu Yi had met Meng Jue, which was not far from here. Even walking would not take long. She then realized what the painter Bai meant by "ten times close to the city".
The White Painter was gentle and refined. Even though she had previously set up an array to capture people, A Qiu found it difficult to truly dislike her. So she couldn't help but ask, "Since the White Painter is a guest elder of the Hidden World Sect, she doesn't seem to be skilled in martial arts and has little experience in the martial world. Why would Young Master Meng entrust such an important matter as stopping the two of us to you, White Painter?"
The white-clad painter looked ashamed and said in a low voice, "I am indeed not a martial artist, but I have some skills passed down by my master. It is not difficult to trap ordinary martial arts masters and make them back down. But when I meet a master like you, who is close to the Tao, I can only say that I am no match for you."
Throughout history, whether it is Zen, martial arts, or any other art, the ultimate goal is to reach the summit and become the peak. If one's own level is still on the way up the mountain, then various illusions can confuse one, and countless detours can be explored at will. But for someone like Gu Yi, whose cultivation has reached the peak, looking back at the desolate place he came from, there is neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine nor gloom, and he can see through it at a glance.
Just as A-Qiu was about to ask her what family she came from, she heard her softly say, "We've arrived."
There stood a magnificent octagonal pavilion with flying eaves and brackets, constructed entirely of nanmu wood. It was built by the stream, with exquisite palace lanterns adorned with long tassels hanging from each of the eight corners. Inside, there were also lanterns with cranes, bronze figures, and peonies burning bright candles, illuminating the surrounding area for several meters as if it were daytime.
Even more eye-catching was the figure standing there, elegantly waiting. This gentleman was handsome and refined, the very same Meng Jue, the "Little Mengchang," whom they had met in the bustling market moments before, who had offered him his carriage. Upon seeing Gu Yi and A Qiu, he greeted them with a smile, cupping his hands and saying, "Greetings, you two. I was unaware that you were here to seek our sect leader; I apologize for any offense I may have caused."
Seeing his warm and friendly manner, A Qiu assumed that the two people in front of her were there to see Li Wujiu, unaware that the visitor was Gu Yi, the most outstanding young master in the Southern Dynasty. Knowing that Gu Yi would not engage in small talk, she said, "My young master is an old friend of Sect Master Li. Since Young Master Meng is a disciple of the Hidden World Sect, please lead the way."
Meng Jue already knew that the beautiful young woman in front of him was not only the top white silk dancer in the imperial court, but also the successor of the Heavenly Secret Order. He dared not be negligent in the slightest, but said with a wry smile, "Please forgive me, young lady. It is not that I am making excuses, but the sect leader's whereabouts are a top secret in the sect. I really dare not reveal a single word."
The moment he uttered those words, a murderous aura instantly filled the pavilion, sealing off this opulent space so tightly that it felt almost suffocating.
A Qiu had never seen Gu Yi so angry.
The Crescent Moon Sword whistled ominously, emitting a long, clear, and persistent sound. The sword light illuminated the pavilion, making it reflect the frost and snow, sending chills down the spine of anyone who looked upon it.
Meng Jue was also a trained martial artist, but under the oppressive power of the Carved Moon Sword, his knees buckled and he almost knelt down.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he hurriedly said, "Young Master, Meng Jue truly doesn't know. For the past year, Senior Sister has been in charge of all sect affairs, and we haven't seen the Sect Master in a long time. If this is even slightly false, may Meng Jue be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"
A Qiu pondered the phrase "over the past year" several times, thinking to herself that Xiao Chang'an's entry into the palace occurred within the last six months, so Li Wujiu was unaware of it.
If Xiao Chang'an wasn't sent by Li Wujiu at all, then the situation becomes completely out of control.
A thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly asked, "Is your senior sister powerful, with amazing swordsmanship, and skilled in using the Azure Phoenix Bell?"
As she spoke, the image of the woman in green on the suspension bridge across the chasm, who used the phoenix bells to create an array and was about to sever the bridge with her sword, came to her with decisiveness and left with great ease.
Meng Jue smiled wryly and said, "The Azure Phoenix Bell belongs to our master. Our eldest sister uses it to manage the affairs of the sect. If you have ever encountered a woman with the Azure Phoenix Bell and high martial arts skills in this southwest area, she is most likely our eldest sister."
She interrupted, "It sounds like this year, your senior sister forged an imperial edict to control the Hidden World Sect, and your disciples went along with it, condoning and protecting her. If your master's old friends came looking for someone, you would cover it up and send them away. Why did you do this?"
As she asked this question, she caught a glimpse of the white-clad painter standing below the flower steps, not having left, but seemingly listening attentively.
Gu Yi unleashed his sword energy but remained silent.
Meng Jue finally succumbed to Gu Yi's sword aura and collapsed palely onto the balustrade in the pavilion, saying dejectedly, "We know the situation is strange, but Senior Sister has never been a bad person. Alas, even before the sect leader's accident, she always managed the affairs of the sect. In the past ten years, the Hidden Sect's status in the southwest has risen steadily, and it has become the leader of the martial arts world in the southwest. To be honest, Senior Sister has made great contributions."
A Qiu immediately sensed the flaw in the statement and shouted, "What exactly happened to your sect leader?"
Meng Jue smiled wryly and said, "This is just my guess. Young master and young lady should already know that I am just an outer disciple. I usually focus on managing my family and sect's businesses, and I rarely practice martial arts. I have not seen the sect leader much in the past. This is just my guess based on some spiritual communication information."
A Qiu said, "Then tell us what you have guessed." She emphasized her words and said coldly, "Even though the Hidden World Sect has not been prominent in the past, it is still a famous sect with hundreds of years of history. If anything happens to the sect leader, the righteous martial arts world will definitely investigate to the end, and the young master will not let it go in the imperial court either."
Meng Jue began to show fear, saying, "I heard from other disciples that a year ago, the sect leader was challenged by an outside expert. After that, the outcome, whether he was victorious or not, and whether he was alive or dead, were unknown. All information within the sect was kept secret." He carefully said, "...In my estimation, the sect leader has most likely perished. Otherwise, if he had won, why would the sect keep quiet about it?"
Before he could finish speaking, Gu Yi had already grabbed A Qiu by the waist and strode out like a storm.
Meng Jue dared not delay and quickly followed behind, saying repeatedly, "See the young master and young lady out!" He glanced at the painter Bai standing below the steps and winked at him, saying, "This young lady couldn't walk far just now, so we'll trouble the painter Bai to drive you both back."
The White-Haired Painter bowed in acknowledgment. She walked swiftly, following Gu Yi and A Qiu out of the gate of Tianxiang Garden. The carriage embroidered with the character "Meng" was already waiting by the roadside. The White-Haired Painter said softly, "Please get in the carriage. The Hidden World Sect has failed to properly entertain its guests. Please allow me to escort you back as an apology."
Gu Yi never stood on ceremony; he picked up A Qiu and bent down to get into the carriage.
The painter took the driver's seat, whispered to the driver where he needed to be taken, and then whipped his horse to go.
The air in the car became incredibly heavy. Gu Yi sat motionless, while A Qiu leaned against his chest, feeling as if a thunderbolt was gathering within him.
A Qiu couldn't help but recall Zhao Lingying's words, "The Junior Tutor has few friends, but many enemies." Of all the people A Qiu had met who could be considered Gu Yi's friends, only Emperor Xie Lang and her sworn brother Li Chongyu were truly close. Both of them seemed to know Gu Yi's background and were doing their utmost to cover it up for him.
Gu Yi didn't have many friends, but he valued them highly. Now that Li Wujiu's fate was unknown, even though his appearance had changed, he had lost the desire to tease her.
At this moment, apart from them and the painter Bai outside the carriage, there was no one else. The painter Bai then spoke, "Young master and young lady wish to find out the whereabouts of Sect Master Li. If you have any clues, or if you are going anywhere, please take Bai Shi and her party with you."
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