The Immortal's Past
Originally, the concept of ghosts and gods was considered absurd and unfounded in their minds. However, the fact that the great shaman and An Daoling spoke of it so confidently aroused their curiosity. They recalled the stories of gods and immortals that their elders had told them in the Yuefu (a type of folk song) when they were young, and their imaginations began to run wild, giving rise to all sorts of fantastical ideas about going to heaven and earth.
An Daoling chuckled and said, "If becoming an immortal were that easy, then eight or nine out of ten emperors throughout history would have become immortals."
A Qiu understood his meaning. This Lord Liyang had always resided in Jianzhang Palace. If he wished to grant someone immortality, that person could become an immortal. The first to rush over the threshold would undoubtedly be the emperors of Jianzhang throughout the ages. The concept of immortals was indeed ethereal and difficult to ascertain, and whether this Lord Liyang was truly the immortal described in ancient books was also highly debatable.
At least in the eyes of ordinary people, whether it is a martial artist like Shangguan Yuqi or a sorcerer like Bai Shi, they are all beings who possess the power to seize the creation of heaven and earth, almost like immortals. Otherwise, Shangguan Yuqi would not be called a sword immortal.
Lady Sun frowned and said, "I don't know much about palace affairs, but I have heard the elders of the Music Bureau talk about it in private. The abandoned palace of Liyang is not so easy to visit." She glanced at A Qiu, looking worried, and said hesitantly, "If anyone could get their wish to visit, the threshold of the abandoned palace of Liyang would probably have been worn down long ago."
A Qiu immediately recalled the fleeting look of horror on Qi Shang's face when Li Yang Shen Jun was mentioned. Qi Luo, on the other hand, was not very surprised. Perhaps, like her, having cultivated to the point of having a heart as still as water, unmoved by honor or disgrace, she had long regarded any danger, treacherous obstacles, poisonous snakes, and ferocious beasts as necessary tests.
The fact that Lord Liyang has existed in Jianzhang Palace for such a long time without becoming famous within the palace suggests that the threshold for this deity is not easy to cross.
An Daoling had probably not considered this matter beforehand. Upon hearing what his wife, Sun, said with a wry smile, "It was my plan that was not thorough enough. Indeed, Liyang Palace has not been an easy place to go since the time of our ancestors. Ordinary people would have to take a detour and not have enough time. I just thought that if A Qiu went, there would be no problem."
A Qiu wanted to ask An Daoling why he had such confidence in her alone, but An Daoling had already given the answer: "The story of the deity in Liyang Palace first arose because a palace servant offended this place and was eventually devoured by a demon, leaving only his bones. So everyone avoided this place until one day, a deity descended upon this place, and after that, no demons harmed anyone. Only then did the name of this deity gradually spread. But because someone had died here before, except for the very brave who dared to pray to the deity, the rest of the palace servants still generally avoided it."
He continued, "Moreover, the palace servants' private prayers and incense offerings are mostly ignored by the deity; it's merely people's wishful thinking. Otherwise, if every prayer were answered, people would flock to ask for advice, and the incense would flourish in the palace, which is probably not what the deity would want to see."
From his words, A Qiu somehow felt that An Daoling seemed quite familiar with this deity. But this was just her guess, and she couldn't ask him directly in front of Lady Sun and Cui and Zhang.
In fact, the so-called deities in the earliest folk cults were often not necessarily benevolent, and frequently harmed people and brought disaster. People worshipped and venerated them more out of fear than respect. A-Qiu had also heard Bai Shi mention this. As a shaman of the Zhuyou sect, Bai Shi did not specifically serve any particular deity, but traveled throughout the land, communicating with and transforming the power of all things through her own understanding and skill. Therefore, she could actually be considered an atheist.
Sun's wife said worriedly, "The gods are unpredictable in their moods, and it's hard to distinguish between good and evil. No one can obtain anything from the gods without paying a price. If A-Qiu goes, will there be any danger? Will we have to prepare sacrificial animals like cattle and sheep again?"
An Daoling looked at A Qiu, his kind eyes flashing with an indescribable light. He gazed at the distant Star-Picking Tower and sighed, "The sacrificial offering can be waived. Lord Liyang dislikes bloodshed. As for the price to pay for facing the gods, you must ask A Qiu yourself what you still hold in your heart that you are unwilling to give to anyone. After all, if the gods truly want something, it must be something that a person cherishes most and values most. It certainly cannot be gold or silver, nor can it be cattle or sheep sacrifices."
Upon hearing this, A Qiu's heart skipped a beat, yet seemed to freeze for a moment.
What was the most important thing to her in her life?
From a young age, she cultivated in the snow-covered back mountain of the Divine Weapon Hall. Facing the ancient and desolate white snow-covered mountains and the long, lonely wind, apart from the alternating sensations of cold and heat on her body and the occasional tiger or leopard leaping through the forest, there was nothing else in her field of vision that could make her feel any vitality.
The earliest memories of life are of a vast, empty, and pale ice field, with nothing of significance.
Perhaps because of this fundamental nature of her life, even after returning to Lanling Hall, she seemed to be laughing and joking with her fellow disciples, enjoying the warmth among them. But deep down, she still felt that nothing was worth losing, nor anything worth cherishing. Because she had no attachments in this world, she could easily achieve a detached calmness that transcended life and death.
Wan Qiqing once said that was the most perfect state of being an unparalleled, calm and undisturbed top assassin.
This is also why, among the three disciples of the sect, A Qiu is the most valued by Wan Qiqing, who regards him as having unlimited potential.
There is nothing to lose, and nothing to cherish.
Suddenly, A Qiu's whole body trembled violently, and some previously vague clues suddenly became extremely clear in his mind in that instant.
That's why her achievements as an assassin surpassed those of her two senior brothers, Gongyi Xiu and Moyi Mingyue. Clearly, they had entered the sect earlier than her, and their talents were also extremely high.
She was unaware of her two senior brothers' past and, tacitly, never asked.
But ever since she heard the name of Lady Huachi, Mo Yi Bishuang, in the imperial court, she had already understood most of the background and origins of her second senior brother, Mo Yi Mingyue.
She had never questioned the way her eldest brother, Gongyi Xiu, behaved like a noble young master, so different from the simple and unassuming way the assassin lived. She simply assumed it was his nature. But now she suddenly remembered that Gongye Fusu, the head of the wealthiest family in Dayan, had frequently inquired about "Duan Shaoan," a man from the Duan family of Qinghe whose background and appearance matched Gongyi Xiu's.
In a flash, she suddenly understood something.
The difference between her and her two senior brothers is that they all had families, relatives, and friends before entering Lanling Hall and being accepted as disciples by Wan Qiqing.
But the origin of her life was a blank.
With nothing to cling to and no emotions to hold onto, one can easily attain the tranquil and fearless state of mind required by the assassin.
At this moment, a sentence from Wan Qiqing from back then suddenly came to mind.
The "Pine and Snow Sunset" amidst the glow of the setting sun is the most magnificent and breathtaking view at Lanling Hall.
On her first mission, she swept through the enemy ranks like autumn leaves, beheading three high-ranking officials in one night. Then, she calmly retreated from the battle and rushed back to Lanling Hall to report to her master.
Wan Qiqing's Songxue Hall was a place she had visited countless times since childhood, and she was already very familiar with it.
But now, having returned in triumph, she sees things with a different perspective.
The sunset glow was like blood. Threads of light seeped into the mountains and rivers, into the people and land ravaged by war.
She simply brushed aside the vague, complex feelings in her heart, allowing her mind to return to a state of crystal clarity, and strolled up the steps.
Every time she faced her master, Wan Qiqing, whether it was to test her skills or simply to give a reply, she would always make sure she was in her best condition and would never let her guard down.
Because every word and action of the Master has profound meaning and is also an unintentional test.
The sudden sound of a flute rang out as she stepped onto the highest step of Crane Peak.
It seems to carry an ancient sigh, and is filled with a sense of helpless sadness. Every note is so lively and profound, leaping from the peaks, as if sketching a picture that is ever-changing, profound and enduring. Sometimes it is the deep feelings of a woman in a secluded boudoir with a high gate and embroidered doors, and sometimes it turns to the melancholy mood of standing alone in a boat on a small bridge and flowing water in the misty rain.
A-Qiu suddenly realized that his thoughts had been drawn away by the sound of the flute, and his mind was shaken. He immediately returned to his senses and calmed his mind.
Upon listening again, the sound of the flute no longer stirred her emotions; it was merely a fluctuating melody.
She walked very slowly, step by step. Each step she took was intentionally or unintentionally placed during a gap in the sound of the flute.
The air seemed to thicken, and the sound of the flute no longer seemed to flow so easily and freely, instead carrying a hint of stagnation and stiffness.
The distance from the mountain gate of Heyi Peak to the gate of Songxue Hall where Wanqiqing resides is not very long. In the past, she could easily reach the outside of Songxue Hall with just a few leaps.
But today, this stretch of road took her half an hour to walk.
The mountain peak was usually guarded by white-robed disciples, but today it was deserted, with only the sound of flutes rising and falling, drifting through the mountains.
As she walked step by step to the outside of Songxue Hall, her forehead was covered with a fine sheen of sweat, and her face was faintly flushed.
Even when she was surrounded and fighting for her life, she never showed any sign of exhaustion.
The two senior brothers, Gongyi Xiu and Moyi Mingyue, stood on either side of the main gate of Songxue Hall, both with solemn expressions and silent. It seemed less that they were waiting for her and more that they were waiting for Wan Qiqing inside the hall to make some important decision.
After experiencing a dreamlike life-or-death battle in the distance, and having traveled thousands of miles back, and then endured the test of the flute, when he saw his two senior brothers again, even with a heart of stone, A Qiu could not help but feel a warmth and intimacy as if he had been reborn.
Just as she was feeling joyful and about to call out, Gongyi Xiu and Moyi Mingyue sensed something at the same time and simultaneously cast a sharp, warning glance at her.
Gongyi Xiu remained calm and quickly pointed into the courtyard.
It was just a fleeting movement, almost as fast as lightning. Gongyi Xiu immediately lowered his hand, as if nothing had happened.
Ah Qiu immediately realized: This test is not over yet!
As expected, sensing that she was slightly relaxed, the sound of the flute immediately rose higher, like water bursting through a dam, surging into her eardrums.
Gongyi Xiu and Moyi Mingyue simultaneously covered their ears.
The moment A-Qiu heard the change in sound, he didn't even have time to think about or perceive the sudden surge of emotions in the flute music. He immediately swung his right hand out instinctively.
The gleaming "Assassination of Qin" slid along her forearm, swiftly cutting through the air.
"cut."
She spoke softly, and the sharp light of the blade, "Assassinate Qin," cut several seemingly random arcs in the air.
What is cut off is the direction of the sound flow.
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