Chapter 100 Xian Ming secretly meets the Golden Moss Rat
"Father! Father!" Zeyuan strode into the Youlong Palace. "Your son has something to ask you to confirm!"
Chao Xi, brushing off the blood from his clothes, walked from the bedroom to the main hall. Looking at Ze Yuan, who stood upright before him, righteous and awe-inspiring, as if about to reprimand him, he said disdainfully, "What are you doing? Shouting like that!"
"Father!" Ze Yuan stepped forward, but then noticed the unusual scent on Chao Xi. He frowned slightly and took a step back. "Father...you?!"
"What is it? Speak quickly!" Chao Xi shook her long robe, sat in the main seat, and wiped the bloodstains remaining on her fingertips.
Looking at his father's appearance, Ze Yuan roughly understood what his father had just done. Even if he had been kicked out back then, after taking charge of the Wuji Dao for some time, he had gained some ability to distinguish right from wrong.
Although he was beginning to feel disgusted by his father's actions, he was still his father, and he couldn't criticize him too much. Besides... the reason for his return this time wasn't his daughters...
“Father, there’s a missing passage in the Wuji Dao. Do you know where it is?” Zeyuan asked bluntly.
"The passage? You're asking me?" Tide suddenly slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You are the Heavenly Lord of the Dao! You govern the Boundless Dao! The passage is lost, and you come to me for help?! What kind of logic is that!"
Zeyuan quietly looked at Chaoxi, the father who had once given him great support, but now seemed somewhat embarrassed and angry.
"Father, you really don't know?"
"I don't know!" Tide replied.
"Then... what happened to the flood on the Immortal Mountain?" Ze Yuan asked, staring into Chao Xi's eyes.
Chao Xi only paused for a moment, her expression unchanged. "A flood at the Immortal Mountain? What does that have to do with the passage?"
“Father…” Ze Yuan stepped forward and asked in a low voice, “Did I say… that the floods and the passageways are related?”
Chao Xi's pupils dilated slightly as she looked at Ze Yuan. "Ze Yuan, don't forget, everything you have now was earned by me!"
Chao Xi's evasive attitude confirmed Ze Yuan's judgment.
Zeyuan lowered his head slightly, "Father, I will never forget everything you have done for me! That's why I must strive even harder so as not to waste your efforts! However, the multidimensional passage is an essential path for reincarnation in the Wuji Dao, and you have severed two of these paths, causing chaos in the reincarnation of all worlds! This..."
Chao Xi stood up and held Ze Yuan's shoulder. "Ze Yuan, I am your father. I would never harm you! Everything I have done is for your sake!"
"Father, how did you plan for your son? By disrupting the Wuji Dao? Or by taking advantage of the flood? Do you know how much the destruction of the Immortal Mountain's hall has affected the people of Shiyuan Village?!"
“Zeyuan, innovation! Only through innovation can there be new things! How can you achieve great things if you are so soft-hearted?!” Chaoxi said earnestly, looking at her son who was becoming more and more mature.
"So, did you also achieve great things through ruthlessness, brother?!" Ze Yuan asked, his eyes wide.
Tide sighed and said, "Silly child! Don't be fooled by Xuanfeng's usual upright and incorruptible appearance! You have no idea what he has done! Destroying Changyong Shiyuan was his idea! His mind is so deep, how can you see through it?!"
Chao Xi patted Ze Yuan's shoulder heavily. "Ze Yuan! You're just too naive! That's why I'm so worried about you!"
Looking at Chao Xi's eyes full of tenderness and affection, Ze Yuan's heart softened instantly.
“Father,” Zeyuan softened his tone, “I understand your good intentions! But why provoke the Immortal Mountain? My elder brother has nothing left! Only the Immortal Mountain…”
Tide sighed, frowning as she said, "You're so naive, don't you even use your brain?! Xuanfeng's existence is a threat to you!"
"But... Your Majesty, I have heard that the southwestern branch was the most affected by the floods, and the ten mountains under Lord Qinggan's control suffered the most damage!"
"Ugh, it's all because of that idiot, Thorn..." Tide said angrily, but then swallowed the rest of her words. In any case, now was not the time to admit that the passage was related to her.
"What happened to Qiangji?" Zeyuan seized on the key point and asked with wide eyes, "The flood...was it caused by Uncle?!"
"Shut up!" Tide covered Zeyuan's mouth. "You silly child! Why do you always try to pin the blame on yourself! The flood has nothing to do with us, understand?!"
"Tide Lord!" The Golden Moss Rat darted into the hall from outside. "Your subordinate has important news to report!"
Tide glanced at the golden moss rat covered in moisture and said to Zeyuan, "Zeyuan, you've finally come back, come inside and rest!"
Ze Yuan glanced at the golden moss rat, slightly puzzled, but since Chao Xi had already told him to leave, he had no choice but to obey Chao Xi's arrangement and retreat into the hall.
"What is it?!" Chao Xi asked in a low voice after seeing Ze Yuan walk away.
"Tide Lord, they really are trying to divert the floodwaters towards Yin Guoyuan! Luckily, Yu Ji Lei is here, so downstream, the floodwaters have already breached the cliffs on both sides, blocking the river channel! Now, the floodwaters are flowing back in, and the water level is rising very quickly!"
“Very good!” Tide sat down comfortably.
"Tide Lord, Lord Sea Tide asks, when will you stop?" the Golden Moss Rat asked in a low voice.
"Stop?" Tide sneered. "Since they can't handle it, and Mother Yi doesn't want to get involved, then let them learn a lesson! Ideally... they'd all be destroyed!"
“But…” the Golden Moss Rat hesitated, “There are people in the Nine Suburbs Mountain who can see the Fish Princess’s Tears. If the Fish Princess’s Tears are discovered again, I’m afraid…”
"What's there to be afraid of? So what if they find out? Just let the thorns stand a little higher!"
"Should we... ask Miss Red Pearl again?" the Golden Moss Rat said cautiously.
Tide's expression changed, and she said slowly, "Golden Moss Rat, you really don't trust me? Or... do you trust Red Pearl too much?"
"Your humble servant dares not!" the golden moss rat replied, bowing low.
"Go down!" Tide glared coldly at the Golden Moss Rat. "Report back when you've flooded the Vermilion Bird Palace!"
The golden moss rat's eyes widened, and it answered in a low voice, "Yes!"
Hongzhu was on the verge of death; she was too weak to open her eyes or even tremble.
Am I really going to die like this? Ridiculous…
"Hongzhu?" Zeyuan looked at Hongzhu, who was slumped in the bedroom, in surprise. "It's you?!"
Red Pearl's hope was rekindled; I must live!
With all her might, she opened her fiery red eyes, desperately looking towards her last glimmer of hope, "Ze...Yuan...save me..."
...
"Xianmingjun! The person has arrived!" Longjing reported in a low voice.
"Please come in quickly!" Xianming, dressed in a light blue and white robe, with her hair half-tied up, sat cross-legged at the tea table, a slight smile playing on her lips as she gazed at the entrance of the Nevernight Lodge.
A young man dressed entirely in black, wearing a veiled hat, hesitated before stepping into the Never-Night Pavilion, bowing deeply. "Immortal Tea Lord, may I ask what business you have with me, Immortal Tea Lord?"
"Golden Moss Rat, sit!" Xianming said, pointing to the opposite seat with her wide sleeves and her fair fingers.
The gloomy veil could not hide the radiant whiteness of the fairy-like fairy. The golden moss rat, watching the fairy's every move, finally understood why the tide would occasionally sneak into the Nevernight Lodge.
"This humble servant dares not!" the golden moss rat replied, bowing low. "Immortal Tea Lord, what is it you wish to ask?"
Xianming smiled slightly and said, "No rush, the water hasn't boiled yet! Please have a seat!"
"But... I have important matters to attend to, I'm afraid..."
"When does the tide plan to stop the flooding?" Xianming asked while picking at her tea with a tea needle.
The golden moss mouse was startled, lowered its head, and did not answer.
"You want to... destroy Jiujiao Mountain, don't you?" Xianming said calmly.
The golden moss rat was shocked. He couldn't understand why Xianming was so calm and unhurried, as if he were talking about someone else's business. That was his own son's territory!
"If you want to destroy Jiujiao Mountain, why are you in such a hurry?"
Xianming gently lifted the small kettle, pressed her wrist slightly, and the steaming hot water poured onto the white, jade-like Sancai cup, making the lid rattle.
"Please sit down if you don't mind!" Xianming gestured for him to sit.
Longjing straightened the futon and nodded to the golden moss rat.
The golden moss rat then knelt obediently opposite Xianming, head bowed, not daring to look directly at her.
Xianming glanced at the reserved Golden Moss Rat and smiled. He slowly opened the cup lid, poured the glossy black tea leaves from the teaspoon into the cup, then raised the teapot high and pressed his wrist down sharply, causing boiling water to rush into the tea leaves, awakening the dormant tea aroma.
A rich aroma of rice wafted through the air, invading the golden moss rat's nasal cavity.
The golden moss rat frowned slightly. How strange, it was just the aroma of a pot of tea, why did it have such an inexplicable sense of oppression?
Xianming lifted the gaiwan, filtered out the first brew of orange-yellow tea, then opened the lid and poured boiling water down from a height. The tea leaves in the cup spun rapidly under the impact of the water flow, slowly unfurling their leaves, and the rich tea aroma suddenly became even more mellow.
Xianming poured a cup of amber-colored tea for the Golden Moss Rat. "Golden Moss Rat, have a taste!"
The golden moss mouse lowered its head slightly and carefully picked up the small teacup with both hands.
The steaming aroma of tea assaulted his nostrils once more. He took a small sip, and the bursting fragrance of rice, mixed with the majesty of a cliff, instantly overwhelmed him. He wanted to resist this invasion, yet he was unwilling to fight back.
"Is this tea to your liking?" Xianming asked with a smile.
"I... am not very good at appreciating tea," the golden moss-covered rat replied softly, holding its teacup. "I only know that this tea... is very delicious!"
“This tea grows on rocky cliffs,” Xianming said, taking a sip of the tea and smiling. “The taste is a bit strong, so I don’t drink it often. However, there’s one thing I really like about it… Although it grows in a harsh environment, and although it’s just a weak tea tree, it can absorb the essence of the rocks and the spirit of heaven and earth to produce such a powerful aroma! This indomitable spirit, which can withstand pressure and even prevail over it, is something I greatly admire!”
The golden moss rat didn't understand what Xianming was trying to say, so it put down its teacup and looked at Xianming.
Xianming, unhurriedly, poured some more tea for the Golden Moss Rat. He raised his eyes and looked at the Golden Moss Rat, "Golden Moss Rat, your situation is very much like this tea."
The golden moss rat's eyes widened in surprise.
"But... you haven't found a way to release the fragrance yet."
The golden moss rat's eyes widened again.
Xianming slowly suppressed her smile and asked, "Golden Moss Rat, do you think the decision to attack the Immortal Mountain was right?"
The golden moss rat's eyes widened in shock.
“You’re a smart person, you should be able to understand the stakes involved. Xuanfeng has ruled the Wuji Dao for thousands of years, what kind of traps and conspiracies hasn’t he seen? Can such a childish flood really stump him? Mother Yi has created countless world origins and governs the birth and reincarnation of all things. Even if she doesn’t act now, who knows, she might settle scores with us later!”
Xianming took a sip of tea. "Golden Moss Rat, although we are on different sides, you are loyal to him, and I also hope he can be safe and sound. Naturally, I will not stand by and watch him cut off his own path. Whoever gave him this bad idea is harming him! The way out now is not to provoke Xuanfeng and waste our energy, but to preserve our strength and make ourselves stronger! Even if we have any plans, we should think them through carefully!"
The golden moss rat didn't move, but its heart was pounding.
"Golden Moss Rat, let's protect him together," Xianming's eyes sparkled, "okay?"
The golden moss rat clenched its fists, head down, pondering Xianming's words.
Xianming smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I was too rash. I was just worried that he would believe slander, so I invited you here hastily and listened to me ramble on. If you're busy, then go ahead and do your work!"
The Golden Moss Rat stood up and bowed deeply to Immortal Tea, saying, "Immortal Tea Lord, this humble servant takes his leave!"
Xianming also stood up and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"
The golden moss rat crouched low and withdrew from the Nevernight Lodge.
"Immortal Tea Master! Will this work?" Longjing asked softly, watching the golden moss rat's departing figure.
"I don't know," Xianming said, looking at the extra mountain peaks under the gloomy sky. "Xuanfeng has already started his game. We should help him if we can, clearing away obstacles for him. As for whether it will be useful, we can only wait and see, and leave it to fate..."
Xianming sat down at the tea table again, gently lifted the boiling teapot, and poured it into the tea leaves.
Crack! A thin crack appeared in the gaiwan.
“Longjing,” Xianming put down the teapot and looked at Longjing, whose face was resolute, “it seems you have to go!”
Looking at the cracked lidded bowl, Longjing clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed, replying, "Yes!"
...
Su Yuyao stared at the gap in the tree branches. Where was the Fish Princess's Tear? Where was it hidden? Had they taken it back? But the rain hadn't stopped, and the Empress and the others hadn't returned, which meant the situation was still at a stalemate. Taking back the Fish Princess's Tear at a time like this? That didn't make sense…
"Miss Yao'er! How do we save Jiujiao Mountain?!" Baihu asked in confusion.
Su Yuyao stared at the dense curtain of rain in the distance, then looked at the Qi shield protecting Jiujiao Mountain above her head.
"Feng Zhan! Take me to see the Qi Shield!" Su Yuyao said.
“Okay!” Feng Zhan responded loudly.
He closed his eyes, suddenly exerted his strength, and two pure white wings gradually unfolded behind him.
puff!
Suddenly, a large, black, hooked mouth appeared on Feng Zhan's face.
puff!
Suddenly, a tuft of feathers resembling a large umbrella sprouted from Feng Zhan's head!
Pfft!
With a surge of energy, Feng Zhan fluttered his wings, raised his tiny claws, and walked step by step toward Su Yuyao, saying in a sharp voice, "Miss Yao'er! Let's go!"
Su Yuyao looked up at the snow-white cockatoo, which was a head taller than her, and exclaimed in surprise and excitement, "Fengzhan! You're a parrot?! I thought you were a crane!"
Feng Zhan's white cheeks flushed slightly. He lowered his body, flapped his wings, and gestured for Su Yuyao to come up.
Su Yuyao smiled, climbed onto Feng Zhan's back, and said to Baihu and Zangmao, "You guys wait here for me, I'm going up to take a look!"
As Feng Zhan flew higher and higher, Su Yuyao got closer and closer to the Qi shield. She carefully observed the rain outside through the Qi shield, searching for the shadow of Yu Ji Lei in the dense raindrops.
Feng Zhan carried Su Yuyao to the edge of the Qi barrier, where the torrential rain blocked her path like a wall.
"Sister Yao'er! The rain is too heavy! We can't fly out!" Feng Zhan cried out in a shrill voice.
"Feng Zhan, what's that place over there?" Su Yuyao asked, pointing to the spot where Yu Ji Lei had appeared.
"There's nothing in this direction!"
Su Yuyao frowned and thought for a moment, then asked, "Isn't there a canyon here that leads to Yingguo Garden?"
"Ah! There is a canyon, but it's blocked by huge rocks. As for whether it leads to Yinguo Garden... I don't know..."
That must be it! That's the canyon leading to Yinguo Garden! Yu Ji Lei was monitoring that area, controlling the direction of the torrential rain and flood, which is why Grandpa Langzhi was in danger!
But where did Yu Ji's tears go?
Su Yuyao rode the phoenix and flew down along the edge of the Qi shield.
I never expected this! They don't seem to want to back down. Are they really going to fight to the death? What exactly is their goal? Could it be... Xuan Feng?
A deafening, continuous rumbling sound came from afar, and Su Yuyao looked in the direction of the sound. It turned out that the canyon where the children had once fought was now being battling the torrential rain! The huge impact crashed against the deep canyon, producing a deep roar!
Feng Zhan was so shocked by the torrential rain in the canyon that he couldn't speak...
"Feng Zhan, I'm here! Don't be afraid!" Su Yuyao sensed Feng Zhan's fear and said softly.
Where exactly is Yu Ji's Tears?
Su Yuyao closed her eyes, calmed her flustered mind, and carefully cast a divination.
The torrential rain is represented by the Kan hexagram, and the valley by the Kun hexagram. The main hexagram is Bi (Water over Earth), the hour is You (5-7 PM), and the fourth line is moving, resulting in the changing hexagram Cui (Lake over Earth).
The hexagram for Ze is Dui.
Dui represents the west. The west? Just now, Yin Guoyuan's direction was west, but there was nothing there!
Dui Huan represents a young girl, a young girl? In Jiujiao Mountain, the only ones who can be called young girls are me and Bai Er!
Me? Me!
Could it be... that Yu Ji Lei is also looking for me?
Su Yuyao suddenly raised her head...
...
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