Chapter Fourteen: Yin and Yang
Night had fallen, and Xiaoyao Lang galloped swiftly on his horse, his mind blank, unsure of where to go, only wanting to escape this place of sorrow. Zui Mochou followed closely behind, and when they reached the gates of Longyang City, two small red horses blocked their path, forcing them to stop.
Upon recognizing Xiaoyao Lang, one of the gatekeepers hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master Xiaoyao, it's so late, are you still leaving the city?" Turning to the other two, he said, "Quickly lead your horses away, they're blocking Young Master Xiaoyao's path!"
Xiaoyao Lang saw a man and a woman. The man was about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, dressed in a light white outfit, and was dashing and handsome. The woman was about twenty-two or twenty-three years old, dressed in a black cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and was elegant, dignified, and composed.
Xiaoyao Lang heard the young man say to the guard, "I am Xie Yunfeng from the Murong family of Dongyue. I have important business to discuss with your city lord. Please allow me to pass."
The city guard said, "Why can't you listen to me? We won't stop you. Just hand over your weapons and you can enter the city."
Chunxiang said, "Weapons are for self-defense in case of emergency, how can I just hand them over like that?"
The guard shouted, "No, those carrying weapons are not allowed to enter the city. Get out of the way!"
Seeing this, Xiaoyao Lang declared boldly, "Guards, they are Lord Yi's friends from Dongyue. Let them in for now, and the Lord will certainly not make things difficult for you!"
Upon hearing this, the guard respectfully replied, "Yes, since Young Master Xiaoyao has granted you permission to enter the city, please proceed!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunfeng looked up at Xiaoyao Lang and said with a smile, "I am Xie Yunfeng, thank you, Young Master Xiaoyao!"
Xiaoyao Lang: "The person you're looking for is at the Yi residence. Just ask around up ahead." With that, he spurred his horse and rode out of the city.
Zui Mochou cursed, "You brat! Wait for me! Where are you going? You didn't say a word before riding off at breakneck speed!"
Xiaoyao Lang reined in his horse: "Isn't your goal to make me your apprentice?" He then looked at Zui Mochou.
Zui Mochou said happily, "That's right, that's right! So, do you want to learn martial arts?"
Xiaoyao Lang: "I can become your disciple! But it depends on fate."
Zui Mochou asked doubtfully, "Let's see how fate works?!"
Xiaoyao Lang smiled and said, "We part ways here tonight. If we meet again someday, I will be your disciple!" After saying that, he spurred his horse and rode away, leaving Zui Mochou bewildered in the wind. Not far away, Xiaoyao Lang called out again, "Old man! Thank you! We'll meet again someday!"
Seeing this, Zui Mochou felt a sudden pang of sorrow, and tears welled up in his eyes. These past few days, he had long regarded Xiaoyao Lang as his disciple. The two of them would banter and laugh together, enjoying each other's company. Now that Xiaoyao Lang had suddenly left, he felt a deep sense of loss.
Zui Mochou muttered to himself, "You brat! Fine, I'd like to see if we're meant to be!" With that, he rode away.
At the Dongyue Tianji Palace, Yu Linglong stood on the Wind-Welcoming Platform, her wise eyes gazing at the distant clouds. Her white clothes swayed in the wind, her graceful figure standing tall and elegant.
At this moment, Qiuxia arrived and said, "Palace Master, will Senior Sister encounter any trouble on her journey?"
Yu Linglong replied calmly, "Her departure seems to be due to lingering attachments and unfulfilled desires, a love affair that blossomed but bore no fruit, a love affair that is hard to sever ties with in the mortal world."
Qiuxia: "Actually, I really want to go down the mountain to find her, but I'm worried about the Palace Master. If Qiuxia leaves again, there will be no one left to talk to you."
Yu Linglong turned to her and said, "Qiuxia, whether it's cultivating the mind or martial arts, one should follow one's heart and accept fate in all things. I also want to go and find Chunxiang. Since you have the same intention, let's go down the mountain together tomorrow!"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Xia exclaimed joyfully, "That's wonderful! Palace Master!" She then rushed forward and hugged Yu Linglong tightly.
Yu Linglong blushed slightly and said coquettishly, "Qiuxia, what kind of behavior is this!"
Qiu Xia was taken aback, and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Qiu Xia was momentarily excited and offended the Palace Master. Please forgive me."
Yu Linglong raised her hand and said, "Alright, when have I ever blamed you!"
Qiu Xia chuckled and said, "Thank you, Palace Master. When will your cultivation reach the next level and attain sainthood?"
Yu Linglong said with a hint of worry, "I learned from the Emperor's Heart Sutra that if one is to cultivate martial arts, there are a few people in the world with special skills and bodies. If they have the opportunity, they can take a shortcut and reduce the hardships of cultivation."
Qiu Xia: "What kind of person is he?"
Yu Linglong: "A person of extreme yang and extreme yin!"
Qiu Xia exclaimed, "Then aren't these two types of people blessed by heaven?"
Yu Linglong: "That's not true!"
Qiu Xia asked in confusion, "Why?"
Yu Linglong said, "Because these two types of people have a very small chance of survival at birth. Furthermore, there's a superstition that extreme yin and yang are both reincarnations of evil stars." She finished speaking with a hint of sadness.
Seeing this, Qiu Xia asked cautiously, "Palace Master, you wouldn't happen to be one of them, would you?" After saying that, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Yu Linglong said slowly, "That's right. I have an extremely Yin body. If it weren't for my master saving me back then, I would have been dead long ago."
Qiu Xia: "The old palace master? How did he save you?"
Yu Linglong: "My master gave me a hundred-year-old sulfur-flame Ganoderma, which saved my life."
Qiuxia: "Oh, then what is the Extreme Yin Body?"
Yu Linglong: "The body of extreme yin refers to a person with nine yin and one yang. The nine yin are: female body yin, stillness of movement yin, deficiency of qi yin, and coolness of blood yin. These four yin cause the five internal organs to be yin, and one yang is spirit. The nine yang are: male body yang, movement yang, vigorous qi yang, and hot blood yang. Similarly, the five internal organs are yang, and one yin is spirit; spirit is life."
Qiu Xia: "I see! Palace Master, then what kind of opportunity are you referring to?"
Yu Linglong: "Our ancestor, the Emperor's Son, once said in the Emperor's Heart Sutra: 'All things in the world follow the laws of nature; all worldly affairs will inevitably reverse when they reach their extremes; Heaven is the Dao, and the Dao is Yin and Yang. If Yin and Yang are deficient, Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate each other; if Yin and Yang are in harmony, Heaven and Earth will last forever.'"
Qiu Xia: "...Palace Master, what do you mean? Apart from the first sentence, which my master once told me, I don't understand a single one of the other sentences."
Yu Linglong: "All living beings in the world possess yin and yang. When yin and yang are deficient, living beings will dissipate. When yin and yang are in harmony, living beings can thrive and last."
Qiu Xia: "Palace Master, I understand! You mean that there needs to be someone with an extremely yang body to unite with you in yin and yang harmony!"
Yu Linglong blushed slightly and said, "I'd better focus on my cultivation. People like this are one in a million." As she spoke, she looked towards the distant sky.
Qiu Xia laughed and said, "Palace Master, that's not necessarily true. Aren't you one of them? Maybe you can find it!"
Yu Linglong said slowly, "What if I find him? I have no feelings for him, so how can I accept him against my will? Besides, even if I did have feelings for him, I am a cultivator and a martial artist, and it would be difficult for me to stay with him forever. If he leaves me alone under the flowers and the moon, wouldn't I be in pain?" After saying this, a sadness welled up in her heart. Yu Linglong turned around and sat down gracefully. Then, a song called "Red Dust Tribulation" resounded through the sky and spread in all directions.
Unbeknownst to Xiaoyao Lang, he had already reached Dongliulin Town, within the territory of the Ma Qian Gang. The Ma Qian Gang was able to establish itself in Longyang City mainly because its leader, Ma Kaitai, was a shrewd and calculating businessman who avoided offending anyone. Secondly, the Ma Qian Gang had a vast network of connections, with ties to almost every faction in Dongyue and Nanyang.
Seeing that it was getting late, Xiaoyao Lang casually found an inn to rest. He thought to himself, "Life is unpredictable. Whatever it is, I'll deal with it tomorrow. Why be so persistent?" He closed his eyes and, after a long while, drifted into a sweet dream.
At the main gate of the Yi residence, Xie Yunfeng and Chunxiang were waiting at the entrance when Yi Mingzhao walked out from inside.
Yi Mingzhao: "Please come in, both of you. My subordinates have informed me that you are from the Murong family of Dongyue. You must be relatives of Miss Murong."
Xie Yunfeng: "I'm sorry to bother you so late at night, young master!"
Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "Not at all, Miss Murong is now my younger sister's friend. Since you two are her relatives, you are naturally honored guests of the Yi family! Please come in!"
Xie Yunfeng: "Please, young master!"
Chunhyang: "Please!"
As Yi Mingzhao walked, he said, "I am Yi Mingzhao, the second young master of the Yi family. May I ask how you two should address me?"
Xie Yunfeng: "I am Xie Yunfeng!"
Chun-hyang: "My name is Chun-hyang!"
Yi Mingzhao asked with some doubt, "What is the relationship between those two and Miss Murong?"
Xie Yunfeng laughed and said, "She is my junior sister, and I am her senior brother!"
Chun-hyang: "I...I have nothing to do with her!" (A little embarrassed)
Yi Mingzhao hurriedly said, "Miss Chunxiang, please don't misunderstand. I was just asking out of curiosity. Friends are everywhere, and it is my honor to get to know you two."
Chunxiang: "Thank you, Second Young Master. Then Chunxiang will be troubling you!"
Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "It's too late tonight, and Miss Murong has already rested. You two have come from afar and must be tired. Why don't you rest early and we can meet again tomorrow morning?"
Xie Yunfeng: "That would be best! Thank you for making the arrangements, Second Young Master!"
Yi Mingzhao: "This way, please, you two!"
Xie Yunfeng: "Please!"
Chunhyang: "Please!"
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