Chapter 96: Sadness and joy
Xiaoyao Lang and Yu Linglong were in the same room, their passion uncontrollable. Their lips met, and their bodies intertwined. Xiaoyao Lang's heart was agitated, causing his internal organs to surge with yang energy. When Yu Linglong heard that he didn't respond to her calls, she sensed something was wrong. Without hesitation, she used two fingers to circulate her qi, instantly sealing Xiaoyao Lang's sleeping acupoint.
Seeing that Xiaoyao Lang was fast asleep, Yu Linglong put him aside and then sat cross-legged to meditate and regulate her breathing.
On the road to Qingshan, Yi Mingzhao and Ling Qichen abandoned their carriage halfway and rode swiftly to Baiyun City.
Ling Qichen: "Mingzhao, the horse is tired and we are exhausted. Let's rest here for the night."
Yi Mingzhao: "Alright. We've been rushing all this way, and it's the middle of the night, so they probably haven't caught up yet."
...
In the Murong residence, Murong Mingde was practicing his martial arts at dawn when Xie Yunfeng entered the courtyard.
Xie Yunfeng bowed and said, "Master!"
Murong Mingde, without ceasing his internal energy cultivation, said calmly, "Yunfeng, what is it?"
Xie Yunfeng: "Master, I have something I'd like to ask you to decide?"
Murong Mingde: "What is it?"
Xie Yunfeng: "Your disciple wishes to marry Miss Chunxiang!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Mingde stopped swaying, calmed his breathing, and said, "Miss Chunxiang is a good person, and you two are both of marriageable age. It's rare that you two are so in love. Since you want to get married, I will not object. You should also tell your master's wife about this, and choose an auspicious day to hold the wedding!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunfeng immediately knelt down and said gratefully, "Thank you, Master, for granting my request!"
Murong Mingde helped Xie Yunfeng up and said with a smile, "Silly boy, I have always regarded you and Xiao Sheng as my own sons. Now that you are getting married, I am naturally happy!"
At this moment, Yin Xiaosheng arrived, bowed to the two, and said, "Master! Senior Brother!"
Murong Mingde laughed and said, "Xiao Sheng, your senior brother is getting married soon, and you're not young anymore. Do you have someone you like? I'll make the decision for you!"
Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaosheng hesitated and stammered, "Master, your disciple... your disciple has come for this very reason!" As he spoke, he knelt down on the ground.
Murong Mingde looked puzzled and asked, "What happened? Tell me?"
Yin Xiaosheng: "I also have a girl I like, but we are currently thousands of miles apart. I would like to ask my master for permission to go and propose marriage!"
Murong Mingde helped him up, smiling as he said, "Really? Whose daughter is she?"
Yin Xiaosheng exclaimed excitedly, "It's Qingxue, the daughter of City Lord Yi from Longyang City in Nanyang!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Mingde looked at Xie Yunfeng. Seeing this, Xie Yunfeng hurriedly and respectfully said, "Master, Miss Yi is a very good person. She is gentle, refined, knowledgeable, and reasonable. She and my junior brother are also in love and have already expressed their true feelings for each other."
Upon hearing this, Murong Mingde laughed and said, "Since that's the case, I can't object. You should make your own preparations and go to propose marriage!"
Yin Xiaosheng said happily, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness!"
Murong Mingde laughed and said, "Alright, your marriage is settled, so I can rest assured! Go and tell your master's wife the good news!"
Xie Yunfeng: "Yes!"
Yin Xiaosheng: "Yes!"
After the two left, Murong Mingde sighed deeply, his heart heavy with worry. He was undoubtedly worried about Murong Hanchan.
Since returning to the Murong Manor, Murong Hanchan, who always preferred cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), has also changed into a qixiong ruqun.
Alone, she sat quietly under the pavilion in the garden, a zither on a stone table, facing the lotus pond, playing sadly.
The lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, emitting a delicate fragrance. Though the lotus flowers were exceptionally beautiful and refined, they could not compare to the elegant young woman in the pavilion.
A pink, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and long, flowing black hair, were enough to accentuate her beauty. Her handsome face was rosy, with flawless, porcelain-like skin. Thick, sharply defined eyebrows and rosy lips were captivating. Her long, thick eyelashes and round, bright eyes now revealed a hint of sadness.
Murong Hanchan's fingers moved nimbly, and the song "Butterflies Flying Together" resounded throughout the garden. The strings resonated with sorrow, resentment, and anger.
At this moment, Murong Mingde walked over slowly. Knowing that Murong Hanchan was in a bad mood, he stepped forward and asked softly, "Hanchan, ever since you returned home, you have been sullen all day long. You have played this piece over and over again. Why are you so unhappy?"
Murong Hanchan stopped playing the zither and replied softly, "Father knows best why his daughter is unhappy, so why ask again?"
Murong Mingde sighed and said, "Hanchan, have you ever thought about this? You're my only daughter, and I'm in a difficult position. What would I do if something happened to you?"
Murong Hanchan said softly, "Do you think that by marrying your daughter to Shangguan Qinghuan, she will live a peaceful life? Do you think that the Murong family will be safe and sound? You are wrong. If they want to get rid of the Murong family, it's only a matter of time. A marriage can't change anything!"
Upon hearing this, Murong Mingde was furious and said angrily, "How can you say that? If they wanted to get rid of me, they would have done it long ago. Why wait until now? For the sake of the Murong family, you have no other choice."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan shouted angrily, "Stop talking!" Instantly, she forcefully picked up the zither with both hands, and with a cry of "I will not marry!", the powerful sound of the zither rang out, and the unparalleled waves of the zither struck the pool, causing the water to surge up to a height of eight feet.
Upon seeing this, Murong Mingde sighed and said, "You... sigh..." before turning and leaving.
Murong Hanchan's tears slowly flowed down her cheeks. Who could she tell about the sorrow in her heart?
...
In the Xiantian Sect, the sect leader Shangguan Yanxin took Shangguan Qinghuan to the back courtyard of the secret pavilion.
Upon seeing the pavilion, Shangguan Qinghuan exclaimed in surprise, "Father! How come I didn't know that there was such a place hidden in the Xiantian Sect?"
Shangguan Yanxin: "This is where your grandfather lived. After your grandfather passed away, his fellow disciple Fu Xiuming lived in seclusion here."
Shangguan Qinghuan said, "My grandfather's fellow disciple is still alive today. He must be over a hundred years old!"
Shangguan Yanxin: "Don't talk nonsense like that. Once you're here, you won't have a choice anymore. He will teach you martial arts. As long as you study and practice diligently, you will be able to transform yourself in time."
Shangguan Qinghuan said slowly, "I understand."
The two entered the pavilion and, through the bamboo curtain, could vaguely see Fu Xiu sitting cross-legged on the ground, practicing his martial arts.
Shangguan Yanxin, who was outside, respectfully said, "Senior, I have brought my dog here. From now on, I ask that you patiently train my dog."
Fu Xiuming said calmly, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave."
Shangguan Yanxin bowed and said, "Yes! This junior takes his leave."
After Shangguan Yanxin left, Fu Xiuming asked indifferently, "Tell me about your internal energy cultivation method."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qinghuan heard Fu Xiuming's voice, which was low and crisp, like a woman's voice. She replied, "Yes! Concentrate your mind and strengthen your essence, gather your qi in your dantian, use your intention to guide your qi, and transform it into energy in all directions. Guard your true essence, let your qi mix in your dantian, use your intention to guide your qi, and combine your strength. Circulate your true essence, guide your qi to both dantian, gather and continue your qi, and let the source flow again."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xiuming said calmly, "This is the Heavenly Gate Internal Energy Cultivation Method, which is of intermediate level. It seems I no longer need to teach you the method." After saying this, he got up, lifted the curtain, and walked to Shangguan Qinghuan's side. He then whispered, "How long have you been practicing this internal energy cultivation method?"
Shangguan Qinghuan: "More than three years."
Fu Xiuming: "It's been three years. Your internal strength must be quite good. Try hitting me with your palm."
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