Chapter 56 Demon Cult White Moonlight 11 Birthday Gift
Three days later, Ali and his group finally arrived at the foot of Piaomiao Peak.
Ning Huaiqing, Duan Yiwan and Ziweige were riding horses in front, while Ning Huaixiu was driving a carriage behind.
Worried that the bumpy road might injure Sui Qin who was recuperating inside, the carriage was not moving very fast and lagged behind Ning Huaiqing and the others by half a day.
Duan Yiwan grumbled unhappily, "We could have reached Piaomiao Peak by now, but we had to wait another half a day."
Ning Huaiqing pulled the reins and turned the car around: "There's a tavern over there. Let's rest there for a while."
Ali looked at Zhou Miaoqin and Yan Feng's expressions. They were tired after traveling for days. Wen Su's birthday was the day after tomorrow, but they had arrived early.
"We'll take a break too."
The group walked towards the tavern and sat down at a table.
The waiter came forward and said, "What would you like to drink, my five guests? We have a wide variety of fine wines and snacks."
Ning Huaiqing handed over a few silver coins and said, "Just a pot of tea."
Although he loves wine, this is not the time to drink.
The waiter was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect so many people to come, but they didn't even order a pot of wine. He took the money with a sullen face and said listlessly to the kitchen: "A pot of tea!"
The tea arrived quickly, but it was bland and tasteless, making it difficult to drink.
Ali took only one sip and put it down, tilting his chin to look at the distant mountain, which was surrounded by clouds and mist and rose straight into the sky. It was Piaomiao Peak.
Among the five major sects, Ziwei Pavilion has the best relationship with Piaomiao Peak. The reason is that several years ago, the then leader of Ziwei Pavilion saved the life of the leader of Piaomiao Peak. After that, the two sects gradually had close exchanges and have been friends ever since.
Although the relationship between the other major factions is not as close as this one, they have always helped each other. When one faction is in trouble, the other factions will send disciples to reinforce it as soon as possible.
It is precisely for this reason that the Divine Cult has been dormant for many years but has yet to launch an attack on the five major sects.
Although the strength of the Divine Religion has now surpassed the five major sects, once a war breaks out, it will be very easy to be attacked from both sides, which will be the biggest variable in this battle.
Ali lowered his eyes in thought.
But she didn't believe that the five major factions were united as one, and even if they were, she could still pry a hole in their relationship.
First of all, there are Ziwei Pavilion and Piaomiao Peak.
After these two major factions fell apart, the remaining factions were just a mob and not a cause for concern.
"Waiter, bring two jugs of new wine." A voice interrupted Ali's thoughts.
She looked over and saw two men with swords walking into the tavern. They were both wearing the same disciple uniform and were greeting the waiter.
"Alright!" The waiter took out two jugs of wine from behind his back. "You two young men haven't been here for a while."
"The day after tomorrow is our leader's birthday. All the martial arts sects will gather there. Right now we have so many things to do that we can't handle it all." One of them put the sword on the counter and said casually.
Another man took the wine jug and said, "We had to look for every opportunity to sneak down and take a breath."
The waiter laughed and said, "I see. These two jugs of wine have been reserved for you, young man, for a long time. I can't stop craving them just by smelling their aroma every day!"
The disciple who had spoken earlier held the wine jug and took a fierce sniff: "I really want to smell this!"
"I believe that the day after tomorrow, Piaomiao Peak will be full of distinguished guests. Sects such as Ziwei Pavilion, Cangwu Sect, Linfeng Villa, and Xiaotian Fist Sect will all come, right?" the servant asked again.
"Of course. Everyone knows the status of our headmaster in the martial arts world. Even before the invitations were sent out a month ago, many people took the initiative to send visiting cards."
The servant was fascinated by what he heard. "Everyone says that Ziwei Pavilion is the best sect in the martial arts world. In a few days, people like us will be able to see it with our own eyes. We want to see if they are as sage as the legend says."
The disciple holding the wine jug sneered, "I just wonder if the people from Ziwei Pavilion still have the nerve to come?"
"Junior Brother Sun, be careful with your words."
The disciple knew that he had spoken out of turn, so he said no more, and the two of them quickly left the tavern.
Zhou Miaoqin turned around and asked A-Li anxiously in a low voice, "Senior Sister Mu, what are they talking about? Why are people from Ziwei Pavilion too embarrassed to come here?"
Ali's eyes were heavy: "I don't know either. Maybe something happened in the pavilion while we were away."
Seeing Zhou Miaoqin's apprehensive look, A Li added, "Master Master and Master Wen have a very good personal relationship, so nothing will happen."
Ning Huaiqing also looked at her with worry in his eyes. Ali shook his head slightly, indicating that he didn't need to worry.
Duan Yiwan held the teacup quietly, her eyes moving between the two of them without leaving any trace, her heart filled with complex feelings.
Along the way, she saw Ning Huaiqing's care and protection for his companions. She once naively thought that she was different.
But Ning Huaiqing's avoidance of her these days deeply hurt her heart. Although she kept telling herself not to be discouraged, Duan Yiwan's sadness was growing day by day.
If Ning Huaiqing treated everyone like this, she could convince herself to continue to be nice to him, but as long as Miss Mu was around, there would be no room for anyone else in his eyes.
Although it was the same words and the same actions, she could see that he treated Miss Mu differently.
Just a glance and the two of them can understand each other.
Duan Yiwan was filled with jealousy, feeling the pain and ache. Her hand unconsciously grasped the Biyue Sword, and suddenly she felt the flame pattern on the hilt.
This Jade Moon Sword was given to him by his grandfather's good friend. The pair of swords made by Master Cui Ling, with unique flame patterns engraved on the hilts, all belonged to his grandfather's good friend.
After getting drunk, the two old men joked that the future owners of the two swords should pair up and combine the two swords, which would be a wonderful story.
Not long ago, she overheard a conversation outside her parents' room.
Seeing that she was so wild and wanted to run away every day, her mother wanted to arrange a marriage for her and put her mind at ease early.
My father then mentioned the jokes between the two old men. It seemed that my grandfather's good friend was also from a famous martial arts school, so the two families were well matched.
However, since my grandfather passed away, the contact between the two families has become much weaker, so my mother planned to ask someone about it before making a decision.
After hearing this, Duan Yiwan felt like she was struck by lightning. She had no intention of listening to the rest of the words. She immediately ran back to her room, packed her bags, and slipped away from Cangwu Gate that night.
Duan Yiwan stroked the flame pattern again and again, feeling regretful.
If she knew that the other sword was in Ning Huaiqing's hands, why would she run away from home just because she didn't want to be forced into marriage by her parents?
*
Everyone waited for another hour and finally saw Ning Huaixiu appear in a carriage. They stood up and walked towards the mountain gate at the foot of Piaomiao Peak.
A disciple from Piaomiao Peak was already waiting outside to greet the guests. Upon seeing them approach, he bowed and asked, "Are you here to congratulate the Sect Leader on his birthday?"
Ah Li also returned the greeting and handed over the invitation: "Yes, the three of us are disciples of Ziwei Pavilion. We are here on behalf of our master to wish the master of your sect a happy birthday and present a gift."
The disciple who greeted the guests was startled for a moment, but quickly recovered. "You are the senior sisters and brothers from Ziwei Pavilion. The master has prepared rooms for you to rest. Please come in."
Ah Li pretended not to notice the hesitation and disdain in his eyes and said to Ning Huaiqing and the others, "We have to visit Sect Leader Wen later, so we'll be leaving now."
After saying this, the three of them left with the disciple who came to lead the way.
Ning Huaiqing watched her go away, then stepped forward and said, "We are from Linfeng Villa, and we've come to congratulate Master Wen on his birthday. However, the invitation is in my father's hands..."
The disciple smiled and said, "You are Young Master Ning Huaiqing, right? I had the honor of meeting you once in my early years. Sect Leader Ning has also sent a letter. Please come in, Young Master."
He glanced back and saw Ning Huaixiu standing beside the carriage. It seemed that there were still people on board who had not yet appeared. "Are the people behind you all from Linfeng Villa?"
Ning Huaiqing nodded.
"Then please come in. A disciple will lead you to the side rooms to rest."
Ali and the others who had gone up the mountain before them quickly packed up their things and came to the hall of the head of Piaomiao Peak with the birthday gift that He Wenqing had given them.
They didn't have to wait too long and were soon welcomed in.
Ah Li brought Zhou Miaoqin and Yan Feng forward, and the three of them knelt on one knee, clasping their hands in front of them:
"Juniors Mu Qiu of Ziwei Pavilion, Zhou Miaoqin, and Yan Feng, have come here on the orders of the Sect Master to pay a special visit to Sect Master Wen of Piaomiao Peak. Our entire sect respectfully wishes Sect Master Wen a long and prosperous life!"
"It's the young man from Ziwei Pavilion, get up quickly." A deep voice came from above.
Wen Su was a white-haired old man who looked very kind. He stroked his gray beard and looked at the three people with a smile.
Ali and the others thanked him and stood up.
She stepped forward and bowed, her tone humble: "Because the headmaster is in seclusion right now, I can't come to personally wish Headmaster Wen a happy birthday. He specially sent the three of us to deliver birthday gifts. I hope Headmaster Wen will forgive me."
Zhou Miaoqin handed the brocade box in her hand to the disciple beside her, and the disciple then handed it to Wen Su.
Wen Su glanced at the box and said with a smile, "Brother Wenqing, you're too polite. It's just a birthday, what's the big deal? How is your leader these days? Did you all have trouble coming all the way here?"
"Master, everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Master Wen." Ali replied without missing a single word. "To be able to celebrate Master Wen's birthday and witness the senior's elegance, how can I say it's hard work?"
Wen Su nodded, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes. "That's good. When we were young, we were just like you, wandering the martial arts world with only one sword and a group of friends. Now, I wonder if it's because we're getting older that we're no longer able to do some things."
A Li lowered his head slightly, very respectfully: "There is a saying in the martial arts world, 'A master is like a pine tree, the older he gets, the stronger he becomes'. You are now at the peak of your martial arts, so why talk about old age?"
She paused. "The headmaster often taught us to learn from your sect and improve each other. It is the masters' vision that the two sects become as close as one."
Yan Feng on the side suddenly glanced at her.
Wen Su, who was at the head of the group, smiled and stroked his beard: "Yes, of course we have to be as close as one faction."
Seeing that the things had been delivered, after a few greetings, Ali and the other two withdrew together.
She found out on the way that the box did not contain any birthday gift at all, but rather He Wenqing's request for Wen Su's help.
However, although it is called an invitation, everyone will naturally have different opinions when hearing it.
Sure enough, as Wen Su looked at the slowly closing palace door, the smile on her lips disappeared.
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