Chapter 311: The Big End

One month later.

Wuchang Town.

"Let's take a look."

The loud ramblings of the peddler flowed in the sunlight. He shook the flower drum in his hand and walked through the streets carrying a bamboo pole.

"Holy Night Guardian, Holy Night Guardian – only thirty coins per piece. Back then, Elder Yuheng had personally created a mechanical armor to ward off evil and suppress disasters. No lies. You are not deceived. Come, come, come, don't miss the passing by."

Broken straw sandals trampled across the flagstones, and the shadow of the peddler was dragged long. Children ran past, laughing and holding either candied fruits or kites.

Suddenly, a girl with a ponytail tugged at the corner of the hawker's clothes. "Uncle, I want to buy a Holy Night Guardian."

The peddler put down his burden and picked one that was painted with peach red wood. "Hey, is this one good to look at?"

The girl nodded her head, "Yes! This is it!" Fearing that someone else might snatch it away, she hurriedly grabbed the mechanical armour that was as tall as her and fished out a copper coin from her pocket with great difficulty.

She was missing three copper coins.

The girl became a little anxious, "Aiya, I ran too fast, did it fall out on the way?"

She turned it over again, her patched bottom turned up. Still only twenty-seven cents. The little girl panicked, her eyes red, "Big brother, I've lost it. There are only so many of them. Can you just sell them to me like this?"

He rubbed his dirty hands together, "Girl, I already spent twenty-five coins on this Holy Night Guardian. If I were to give it to you, wouldn't I only earn two coins? After a day of walking, it's not even enough to pay for a meal."

"Then what should we do?" The girl began to wipe away her tears, "When I go home, dad is going to scold me again, wuuuuuu…"

Just as she was crying loudly, someone suddenly walked over and blocked the sunlight behind the girl.

"Young man, keep these silver pieces well."

A gentle and refined voice rang out, causing the girl to blankly raise her head. First, she saw a hand wearing a snow silk bracelet, then her eyes moved up and met the pair of jade-like eyes.

Mei Hanxue gently smiled and said, "This little girl is so beautiful. How can she shed tears for three pieces of money?"

"Ahh…" The girl was stunned.

Mei Hanxue crouched down and tried his best to be on the same level as her. Then, he handed over the peach red Night Guardian that had just been taken away by the hawker into her arms, his eyebrows furrowed as he said, "It's hard to buy a beauty's tears with a thousand gold coins. Girls' tears are the most valuable thing in the world. Next time, don't cry over such a small matter, hmm?"

Next to him walked another man with a similar face and a straw hat. His eyes were very pretty, emerald in color, but they were as cold as jade. At first glance, they didn't seem warm at all.

The man frowned and said, "You're almost done. She looks five or six years old."

Mei Hanxue laughed and stood up, "Brother, you are so boring. Beautiful women don't care about their age. Old women up to the age of eighty, children up to the age of five, fat and thin, each have their own good looks, you have to learn to praise them. Only this way would… Hey, why did you run away?"

His elder brother, Méi Hánxuě, did not even want to bother with him and turned to leave.

This time, the Mei brothers went to the capital under the orders of the Palace master of the Taxue Palace, Ming Yuelou, to congratulate the people of Shu on the restoration of Sisheng Peak. It was fortunate that Madam Wang had protected the people of the sect back then. Now that the calamity had subsided, the elders and disciples were all fine, their strength was still preserved.

As a result, in the cultivation world that had been reshuffled, Sisheng Peak was actually ranked in the top three, and did no longer have the reputation of being poor ad ridiculed by others.

"Young Master Mei, the Sect Leader is waiting for you at the Sword Dance Platform."

At this time of morning cultivation, the majority of disciples were practicing in the drill grounds. The sword dance floor was empty and quiet, and only a man dressed in luxurious clothing stood in front of a white jade fence with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at the misty red clouds that surrounded the mountain peak.

Mei Hanxue and his brother walked over. Their feet made a rustling sound as they stepped on the newly built grass.

Hearing the commotion, the man did not turn around but sighed, "You're here?"

"Here I am."

"I've been waiting a long time for you."

Mei Hanxue couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Ziming, why are you saying such things?"

He was still handsome to the point where he had an almost extravagant appearance, and his face still had the immaturity of youth. As he looked at the Mei brothers, the tension between his brows collapsed slightly, and his eyes revealed a trace of the blankness and naivety of the past.

"Ai, you guys don't know, I've been really tired these past few days."

When Xue Meng saw that there was no one around and the Mei brothers did not bring anyone with them, they immediately relaxed and let out a long sigh.

"Elder Xuanji has reminded me of the rules and etiquette seventeen or eighteen times a day. I've never learned this before. At this time, I don't even know how to speak. I can only open my mouth and say two words. Elder Xun Ji told me that this is called being concise…"

Mei Hanxue could not help but cover his mouth with his hand. "Pfft… Cough, cough."

Xue Meng glanced at him and said somewhat impatiently, "If you want to laugh, then laugh. Stop pretending to cough."

The elegant Young Master, Mei Hanxue, replied, "No, no. How can you make fun of Sect Leader Xue?"

"Don't you dare call me that. I've had enough."

Still as calm as ever, Méi Hánxuě said, "Bear with it. From today onward, you'll have to endure for the rest of your life."

"…" Xue Meng simply turned his head to look at the clouds at the peak of the mountain. "You've really succeeded. These are the most dejected words I've heard since the succession."

Méi Hánxuě: "…"

Xue Meng added, "There is no one."

"Hahaha." This time, Mei Hanxue really did clap his hands and laugh. After a moment of laughter, he said to Xue Meng, "Actually, there aren't that many rules for one to need to be the Sect Leader, right? Look at Guyue'ye's Jiang Xi — he lives a lot more comfortably."

It was a good thing that this was not mentioned. As soon as it was mentioned, Xue Meng's originally relaxed back tensed up again.

In a place that others couldn't see, under the luxurious sleeves embroidered with golden threads, his ten fingers couldn't help but tighten, and his heart was extremely unsatisfied.

Actually, he had just gone to Guyue'ye a few days ago.

Jiang Xi had been severely injured in the war, but it was fortunate that there were many miraculous pills and medicines in his sect. Furthermore, his disciples were all people who were well versed in medicine, so it wasn't that easy for his to retrieve his life. However, although his life was saved, his health was no longer the same as before. What was even more worrisome was that Jiang Xi's body had undergone some changes after being affected by the demonic energy.

"What will happen?" At that time, Xue Meng was standing outside of Jiang Xi's room and asking Guyue'ye's medicine serving elder.

The medicine elder replied, "I don't know. The demon gate has not been opened for thousands of years, so there are no records of cultivators infected with demon energy. For now, it seems like the Sect Leader is fine, but I'm not sure what kind of effect it will have on him in the future…"

Xue Meng's gaze was gloomy as he glanced inside the room once more.

The jade colored curtains were layered over and over again, covering the entrance. Not to mention Jiang Xi's current appearance, even the layout of the bedroom of Sect Leader Guyue'ye was unclear from the outside.

"Can you cure it?"

The elder shook his head: "I'm afraid it will be very difficult."

"…"

The anxiety in his heart grew more distinct. Closing his eyes, he said, "If you need anything, you can come find me at the Sisheng Peak's door at any time."

Although the Elder didn't know why Xue Meng and Jiang Xi were having such a thing, he vaguely felt that the relationship between the two was quite close. Thus, he politely bowed and said, "If that's the case, then I will thank Sect Leader Xue first."

Xue Meng waved his hand and once again cast his gaze towards that deep curtain.

Actually, he really wanted to go in and take a look at Jiang Xi, but the place where a sect leader would sleep in was even more mysterious than a woman's boudoir. What's more, Jiang Xi was still unconscious, so the rest of Guyue'ye's men could not allow him in. Xue Meng did not know what else to say, and said with a frown: "Sect Leader Jiang's Xue Feng, I have already sent it back to your sect's Elder Feng Jian. Remember to tell him."

"Yes." After a pause, he saw that Xue Meng was hesitating to speak, so he asked, "May I ask if Sect Leader Xue has any other orders?"

"… Forget it, it's fine. I'm leaving."

The elder was very polite. "Many thanks to Sect Leader Xue for coming here personally."

Although Xue Meng had been at loggerheads with Jiang Xi, that was when he was the Young Lord. Now that he was the Sect Leader, Guyue'ye's people naturally wouldn't neglect him.

Several elders and doctors accompanied him as he walked down the large hall. Guyue'ye had spiritual energy circulating all year round, so there were a hundred flowers blooming. Xue Meng looked over and saw that although there was a light snow falling on Rinling Island, there was still a field of luscious embroidery and flowers blooming in the clear and cold air. He didn't know what he was feeling in his heart.

He walked slowly down the porch, the boards creaking beneath his feet.

Suddenly, the beast's head at the corner of the roof rang a bell. Xue Meng raised his head and saw a young man around the corner, who looked similar to his age, walking towards him with two rows of sabers in hand. The youth had a handsome face and broad shoulders. In the morning light, his face exuded an indescribable sense of gentleness.

Even though Xue Meng's eyes were high at the top, he still couldn't help but look at him more than a few times.

"Sect Leader Xue."

Meeting on a narrow path, the young man stopped first and bowed. He was upright and not humble.

"…" Xue Meng stopped his footsteps. "This is…"

"Oh, this is a close attendant of the Lord Sect Leader. All these years, he has been assisting the Sect Leader in managing the internal affairs of Guyue'ye, and although he hasn't been showing his face very often, the Sect Leader still places a lot of importance on him." The elder smiled. It was obvious that he was afraid of this young man.

Xue Meng indifferently answered with an "En."

The youth saluted. Seeing that the other person was still staring at him, he raised his head and smiled.

At this distance, the moment he raised his head, Xue Meng could clearly see him. Although Xue Meng never paid too much attention to the appearances of others, he still noticed the youth's outstanding appearance. Especially his pair of eyes, which were bright and gentle, as if they were lit up by countless stars.

What a memorable face.

Xue Meng narrowed his eyes and began to size up the other party's appearance even more harshly. He even tried to find some flaws to compare him to. However, after looking back and forth a few times, he was still unable to find anything.

He was astonishingly handsome. He was young, reserved, gentle in appearance, tall in stature, and his skin was very delicate. He even seemed to be emitting a faint glow.

Such a young man should be listed on the cultivation world's young elites list, instead of being squeezed, working as a laborer in the depths of Guyue'ye's heart.

Xue Meng thought dryly.

A bright pearl covered in dust, Jiang Yechen was truly not a good person.

Being stared at by Xue Meng without blinking, the young man felt somewhat uncomfortable. However, he still asked politely and gently, "Sect Leader Xue, is something the matter?"

Xue Meng came back to his senses, "… "No, it's nothing."

But he continued to stare at him unabashedly.

Being close to the first tier, although highly regarded, it didn't have any status.

If Xue Meng didn't ask, the other party wouldn't tell him his name and would humiliate the ears.

The medicine elder was rather nimble, seeing that Xue Meng was curious about this young man, he introduced him with a smile: "Don't look at Sect Leader Xue's age, he is actually very young. In fact, Linling Island is extremely small, and his management is very outstanding, sometimes it makes us elders very ashamed."

The youth bit his lips as his face slightly blushed. He was a bit embarrassed as he replied: "Elder is too kind."

Xue Meng sized him up and became increasingly curious about this person. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of his follower carrying a lacquered wooden tray. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Are you going to Jiang Xi's place?"

"Yes." The youth was slightly startled as he did not expect Xue Meng to address his Sect Master directly by his name, but he quickly nodded his head with a smile.

This was a good opportunity. If he expressed his desire to accompany them, the other party should not reject it. This way, he could openly enter Jiang Xi's bedroom and take a look at how that idiot was sick.

Xue Meng cleared his throat and was about to say something when he heard the young man's gentle voice.

"I'm going to deliver the medicine to my foster father."

Xue Meng was stunned at first, then his face darkened slightly. "… What?"

The medicine concocting elder hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, I almost forgot to mention that he is the adopted son of Sect Leader Jiang."

Xue Meng, "......"

Several tens of times later, they saw several elders following behind the ashen-faced Xue Meng on the flying corridor of the Alkaid Hall. Unsure of what had happened, they nervously said,

"Eh? Sect Leader Xue?"

"Sect Leader Xue, what happened to you?"

"Is there something wrong?"

The newly appointed Sect Leader at the Sisheng Peak had a gloomy and infernal expression on his face. His soles embedded in the soles of his iron boots began to pace up and down the stairs with a loud clanging sound. He gritted his teeth with a face as ashen as mud – Of course, he didn't care whether Jiang Xi raised any little kittens or not. What did that have to do with him? He was just annoyed that Jiang Xi, who clearly had a capable son in the sect, still had the hypocrisy of a loner in front of outsiders, which made people feel sorry for him.

Shameless! How disgusting!

Mei Hanxue saw the abnormality in his face and asked: "What happened to you?"

"Nothing. I just suddenly thought of a completely unrelated person."

He didn't want to talk about Jiang Xi any longer, so he changed the topic and chatted for a while. Then, together with the Mei brothers, he went to the ancestral hall at the summit of the grave, giving a sweet fragrance to the heroes of the sect who had passed away.

As they entered the ancestral hall, Mei Hanxue discovered that there was a unique spirit tablet at the side of the altar. It was covered by a red handkerchief, and the words could not be seen.

"This is Mo Ran's place."

"…"

Xue Meng's expression was indifferent, making it difficult to guess his thoughts. "Other people say that he is dead, but I don't think so. After the big battle that day, I saw Shizun descending Mount Kunlun… It's clear that he went somewhere, but he doesn't want to bring anyone else with him."

As he spoke, he pursed his lips, his eyelashes drooping. "In short, I don't believe that he just turned into ashes like that."

"Xue Meng…"

Xue Meng turned his head away and looked at the daylight outside the door. "That dog Mo Ran has always been doing things his own way since he was young. He doesn't follow common sense."

"…"

"I know it's the same this time."

Mei Hanxue couldn't help but sigh when he heard his words, but he didn't intend to refute him.

The Mei brothers kowtowed to the benefactor and his wife, while Xue Meng stood to the side with his eyes closed. He did not say anything.

When the ceremony was over, Mei Hanxue stood up and patted his shoulder.

"Ziming, you will be a good Sect Leader."

Xue Meng opened his eyes and glanced at the black and white words on the spirit tablet. The incense burned and the dust drifted in the air. In the light green smoke, Xue Meng looked at his father's memorial tablet and calmly said, "It won't be any better than him."

"…"

"Let's go."

Xue Meng waved his hand, turned around, and left.

In the solemn ancestral hall, the small piece of lacquer wood did not have the name of a dead person written on it according to the rules. The Mei brothers looked at each other, sighed, and followed Xue Meng's footsteps.

A pinch of incense ash fell.

The youngsters had already gone far away, but the dark altar still burned the three incense sticks they had left behind. Behind the faint light, the wooden tablet cut down Xue Meng's handwriting:

The grace of the father is irreplaceable,

Loyalty is beyond reach.

And at the bottom of the tablet, there was another inscription carved with four words that made it hard to laugh. However, the Mei brothers knew and Xue Meng also knew that if Xue Zhengyong's spirit in heaven saw these four words, he would laugh heartily.

The lamp flickered, illuminating the elegant cursive script, which was formed by Xue Zhengyong's calligraphy. Each stroke was an unintentional flow.

—

Xue Lang was very beautiful.

That night, Sisheng Peak was hosting a banquet to entertain the Taxue Palace's envoys.

Due to the close friendship between the two sects, this was considered a private banquet and was not something that could be viewed by outsiders. But even so, there were still rumors circulating around.

It was rumored that the newly appointed Sect Leader Xue had gotten a bit drunk after drinking three cups and two cups of light wine. Sect Leader Xue liked to mutter to himself when he was drunk. That day, he had mumbled a bit too much. Sometimes he would cry for his parents, sometimes he would hate his brother, sometimes he would moan and mumble about his Shizun. Sometimes he would call some attendant 'Shi Mei'.

That day, his mouth was full of their names.

But none of them came, except for Mei Hanxue.

Deep in drunkenness, in the lanterns, he rested his head on his arm and looked out from the crook of his arm at Mengpo Hall.

For a time, he saw a lively and joyous clamor.

Xue Zhengyong and Madam Wang were toasting each other, while Shi Mei and Mo Ran were wrapping dumplings around them. When the crowd quieted down and everyone turned around, they saw Elder Yuheng wearing a bright red cloak. He was shaking off the snow on his oil-paper umbrella as he walked towards them.

"Sect Leader, you're drunk."

In his ears, there was a vague sound of someone calling him, but Xue Meng did not answer.

Afterwards, someone sighed and covered him with a layer of cold clothing. He didn't know who that person was, whether it was Elder Xun Ji, Elder Tanlang, or someone else.

Afterwards, that person touched his head and said, "Young Lord, you're drunk."

He made a vague sound, but the tears began to flow, and he curled his head into his arms. It was already late in the night, the cups and plates were in a mess, and his spirits were in disarray. Xue Meng did not speak anymore, nor did he pull anyone else to cry and make noise — he was trying his best to quickly grow into a leader.

Perhaps in another year he would not be so easily drunk. After a few more years, even if he was drunk, he wouldn't speak nonsense again. In the end, no one would be able to easily see the tears of Xue Ziming, Sisheng Peak.

Gradually, he would become a tree that supported the entire cultivation world. The years when he cried and drank to his heart's content would become the memories of the future when Sect Leader Xue and his juniors chatted and laughed.

Every generation passed like this, and when Xue Meng passed away, the past of his generation would be brought up again, but no one would be familiar with it anymore.

Those young and beautiful years might eventually casually disappear into the distance, eventually turning into a sentence on Xue Meng's folding fan, "Xue Lang is very beautiful."

After the Mei brothers returned to the Taxue Palace, a few days later, the cultivation world announced an important matter.

"After New Year's Eve, the Taxue Palace of Kunlun will form an alliance with Sisheng Peak. The two sects are of the same mind, and there is no distinction between the upper and the lower cultivation world, but please a new dawn in a peaceful world. Sect Leader Ming Yuelou and Sect Leader Xue Ziming have come together to see the world and prove their sincerity."

The moment the announcement was made, waves rolled across the thousand layers.

Some praised, some did not understand, and some were silent — they could see that this new contract might shake the world in the next ten, twenty, or even faster years. The so-called upper cultivation world and lower cultivation world would slowly begin to blur their boundaries.

"Is this a good thing?" someone asked curiously after the tea break.

His companion took a sip of the cold snow fragrance in the bowl and shook his head. He said: "Who will know about the future? In the past, Nangong Changying had gathered the nine great sects to form the upper echelons of the cultivation world, and he wanted to make the places controlled by these sects become a paradise. Everyone is not paying tribute, but the result is not satisfactory. It seems that a decision is wise and correct, but it still has to be given time to prove…"

"Sigh, that's true."

"However, at least for the time being, there won't be another incident involving Guyue'ye. He shouldn't be able to beat the combined forces of Taxue Palace and Sisheng Peak."

"I can't say for sure. Judging from Jiang Xi's personality, he doesn't want to be subservient to others…"

"Forget it, forget it. Why do you care so much? Let's take it one step at a time, we have to live our own lives."

"Hmm, this snake gall is pretty good at stir-frying melon seeds." The customer raised his voice and shouted towards the outside, "Lady Boss, give me another jin!"

During the winter and spring months, most of the wounds in the prefecture slowly healed. The villages and towns that had been destroyed in the war were rebuilt with the help of the various large sects.

There had been people who had lost faith in the darkness, but fortunately, the human heart was not immutable.

Perhaps one day, the silence would erupt into a roar, and the abyss would burst into sparks. Those who applaud blindly will stop, those who cringe will open their mouths, those who are gentle will be tough when the threat comes, and those who contradict will stand out in front of lies.

Everything was changing. A new city was being built on the ruins. However, right and wrong could not be distinguished so clearly.

However, this was nothing. A person might never be able to truly understand anything, even themselves.

One of the simplest examples —

You have eyes, but have you really seen your own face?

"Good! Let's do another part!"

Linyi's old land, under the old locust tree, a review was completed.

"Chu Xianzun is truly a good person…" The old woman wiped away her tears as he listened. "I wonder where he has gone to now…"

"Mo Xianzun is the one who is truly wronged… Sigh…"

Another half a year old little girl smashed the candied fruits in her hands. Her eyes were sparkling black, and her face was full of tears when she heard this. As she was sobbing, she suddenly turned her head towards her companion beside her and said, "Wuu wuu, I don't like the story of Big Brother Nangong and Big Sister Ye."

His companion was stunned. "Why?"

The girl said while wiping away his tears, "They're all dead."

The boy muttered, "It's not like Ye Wangxi is dead…"

The girl cried even more miserably. "You don't understand. All of you boys are stupid. She must be feeling worse than death. Wuuuuuuu…"

The boy was at a loss for what to do as she continued crying. He scratched his head for a long time before saying, "Ai, don't cry anymore. How about this, have we come here to play? I'll be Nangong Si, you can be Ye Wangxi, and we'll make up our own stories… Aiya, don't cry, don't cry."

In order to please his friends, the boy picked a palm-sized leaf to cover half of the little girl's face.

"Then, take your head. We're here to get married ~"

The little girl blinked her eyes and then burst out laughing.

It turned out that pain and suffering could be rewritten in the eyes of a child. Everything would gradually become relaxed. Their love and hate would slowly become a legend of the Jianghu. Under the locust tree, they would be slowly told stories by storytellers one after another.

With you and I a lifetime of ups and downs, life and death, honor and disgrace, the guests two or three tears, the whole hall cheers.

The little girl and the little child were shading their leaves as they paid respects to each other. They were childhood friends, and they were looking at each other with sweet expressions on their faces as they shouted:

"First bow to the heavens and earth…"

"Second bow —"

Under the old locust tree walked a black-clothed Taoist priest with a pretty face. At her waist was an old faded quiver with no arrows in it.

After the war ended, the world was peaceful.

Inside the quiver embroidered with flowers, there was a little milk dog curled up with the tip of its golden claws, looking at the outside world with a wuuuu sound.

The black-clothed Taoist stood under the tree and watched the two kids playing house with a lazy smile. Suddenly, she thought of something and walked over, handing the little girl a red handkerchief.

"Huh?" The girl was stunned, "What is this? Who are you?"

The black-clothed Taoist did not answer, but only smiled and said: "Why is the wife with a leaf on her head? Come here, this is for you."

The handkerchief was old, soft, and of good texture.

On the corner of the wall was embroidered the word "Si". How many years ago was it? It was slightly damaged, and this was when she was crying in fear in the illusion world. Nangong Si had taken it out to wipe her tears.

The little girl took the handkerchief and looked at it. Suddenly, a smile blossomed on her face.

She raised her head and said, "Thank you elder sister."

"…"

The black-clothed Daoist was startled, and then her eyes began to shine with stars and light.

After so many years, there weren't many people who could recognize that she was a girl. Furthermore, there was the Sound Changing Spell that she would never be able to dispel.

This little fellow's eyes were truly bright.

She smiled and shook her head. She straightened her body and patted Naobaijin plush head in the quiver. "Let's go. What are you looking at?"

Naobaijin: "Awoo woo woo!"

The wind began to blow and the leaves of the locust tree rustled.

The storyteller was talking about the battle at Mount Jiao. At that moment, all of them were crying.

She did not cry anymore. She straightened her back and walked alone towards the distant mountains. The sweet voices of a little girl and a little boy sounded behind her.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

She just so happened to walk out of the shade of the locust tree at this time. The piercing sunlight brushed against her face, and for some reason, she smiled until her eyes curved. Her heart was filled with joy and sweetness.

It had been such a wonderful time as a child, she thought. It had been so easy for the Alliances to kneel down and kowtow nine times.

After walking a distance, she suddenly heard loud footsteps. "Big sister! Your handkerchief!"

She didn't look back, but gave a relieved wave of her hand, looking like a hero.

Naobaijin eyes were open, and she looked at her blankly, as if to ask her: "It is something left by A-Si, do you not want it?"

She laughed, her eyes gentle. "No."

As she said this, he looked towards the hazel and unruly grassland, where a myriad of things were born in the spring. Unsurprisingly, she saw the figure of Nangong Si standing beside her, still with his wild and unruly expression.

He was a bit arrogant, but also a bit calm.

He said, "I know you're here."

Nangong Si's phantom frowned, as if to reprimand her.

She said gently, "Don't be angry. They are here to pay respects, and lack a cover."

"…"

"So I gave them your handkerchief."

Nangong Si still did not seem happy.

"A handkerchief in exchange for a good marriage, just smile."

The sun was shining brightly. Nangong Si forced a smile, but it was even uglier than a grimace.

He laughed along with her, his eyelashes drooping. When she raised his eyes again, the shadow of Nangong Si had already disappeared. But she knew he would come back.

It wasn't a ghost or an illusion.

He was in her heart, so she could always see him.

— He was always the most handsome when he was in high spirits.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve of the year. According to the rules of the cultivation world, the mourning of parents could be removed. Thus, on the eve of New Year's Eve, Xue Meng was finally crowned as the Sect Leader of Sisheng Peak.

On that silver night sky, Xue Meng was talking about ceremonies. He was wearing a jade crown, a Sect Leader's ring, silk and silk yarn. He was wearing nine layers of clothes on both the inside and the outside.

He stood in the majestic Regal Pill Heart Palace with a jade-like face and a handsome yet mature appearance.

If one were to look closely, he would more or less be able to discern the shadow of Jiang Xi in that pair of eyes. However, his surname would never be Jiang, and he would never want to be like Jiang Xi.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader Immortal."

The Xuanji Elder led his disciples to bow first.

The disciples who were at the peak of the mountain knelt down in succession, and the guests who had come to congratulate them also lowered their heads in salute.

His voice rumbled like thunder, resounding through the mountain peak that was shrouded in clouds of smoke.

"Congratulations, Sect Leader Immortal."

The flowers bloomed brightly in the night sky, as if announcing the beginning of the golden age that belonged to Sisheng Peak, and the darkness of last night, warm and warm, would never come back.

Xue Meng smiled. His black eyes were very deep and very calm, but they were not very bright.

He raised his glass and drank with the others.

He would never act the way he used to. He would never make those ridiculous and ridiculous mistakes again.

Mei Hanxue sighed from his seat and closed his eyes, "This kid… he is finally going to become Nangong Liu."

"Be careful."

Mei Hanxue glanced at his brother. "I'm not saying that there's something wrong with him. I'm talking about his position today."

"That's not something you should talk about." The elder brother said coldly, "Also, since the beginning of the banquet, twenty-six girls have come looking for me. Take off your mask, I've had enough."

Mei Hanxue immediately scrunched his face into a frown.

After the banquet had ended, because there were too many guests, it was difficult for the people at Sisheng Peak to take care of them. Thus, they could only arrange for disciples to be divided into groups to receive the corresponding Sect Leader, Elders, and disciples.

Everyone went back drunk, each having their own thoughts.

Xue Meng returned to his room.

He was not drunk today, Elder Tanlang's Awakened Wine Soup was more effective than anything else.

He sat down and somewhat tiredly rubbed his brow, wanting to take off the heavy ornaments on his body. However, after looking at himself in the bronze mirror for a while, he felt that his entire body was covered with pendant and did not know where to pick it.

Xun Ji knocked on the door and came in.

"Sect Leader."

Xue Meng looked dispirited. "Hm?"

"This is a gift form from each sect. I forgot to bring it to you." Xuanji passed a thick stack of golden red booklets to him, "Remember to read it carefully. Think carefully about the compensation."

Xue Meng felt more and more tired. "Got it."

"Also, Sect Leader Jiang said that he wants to meet you alone."

"… I won't see him."

He had always been at the Sisheng Peak and was the last one to observe the expressions of all the Elders. He sighed and said, "Then I'll reject him in a while."

"Anything else?"

Xuanji said, "No more."

Xue Meng actually hoped that he would say that he had something else to say, so it would be best for him to tell him directly, 'Two mysterious guests have suddenly come from outside and want to see you.' However, he did not do so.

Xun Ji left, closing the door to the Sect Leader's bedroom.

In that huge room, Xue Ziming stood alone. He stood there for a long time, then he finally walked to the table, lit up the lamp, and looked at those thick gift slips.

The list of gifts was arranged according to the order of gifts. The wealthy Guyue'ye was naturally in first place, and the list was filled with extravagant treasures such as "Flamedoor" or "Spirit Whale Bead".

However, Xue Meng was not in the mood to read too many of these treasures. He quickly flipped through the booklet in an attempt to find the names of Chu Wanning and Mo Ran — many rogue cultivators would send gifts even if they didn't come. This was an extremely important day in Xue Meng's life. If Mo Ran did not die, if Chu Wanning was still in the martial arts world, then they would have received news of his ascension to the throne.

Taxue Palace, Huohuang Pavilion, Wubei Temple…

Page after page.

The itinerant cultivator turned the pages of his personal gift several times over.

But no.

In the end, Xue Meng leaned back against the cushioned mahogany carved chair, wearily rubbing his brow.

No.

His Shizun, his… It was as if his cousin had completely disappeared from the martial world after the great battle that day.

Outside was a jubilant atmosphere, the sound of fireworks, and the Sect Leader at the Sisheng Peak locking himself up in his room, his eyelashes slowly becoming moist.

He really could not accept the deceit that Chu Wanning and Mo Ran had placed on him. He could not get along with them without any grudges, but no matter what, he still cared about them from the bottom of his heart.

When they were building the sacrificial temple, everyone told him that Mo Ran was already dead, but he was stubborn. He said that if he wanted to see someone who died, he wanted to see their corpse.

He tried his best to understand them, but he still couldn't get over it. When he thought of the things they had hidden from him, he felt so stifled that he couldn't even breathe.

He also knew that because of this reason, Chu Wanning and Mo Ran might never return to the Sisheng Peak – there was no taboo between Shizun and disciple that could truly be accepted.

But at least send him a letter…

At least tell him he was safe.

Xue Meng took a deep breath and raised his hand to cover his trembling eyelids.

Suddenly, a faint sigh came from outside the window. Xue Meng froze for a moment, then abruptly stood up and rushed over.

Dazzling fireworks rose and fell on his face. He looked left and right, but no one was there. However, there was a long and narrow brocade box hanging from a peach tree outside the window.

Xue Meng trembled as he reached out his hand. His entire body tensed up as he opened the embroidered box.

At this moment, a firework rose into the air, shattering thousands of stars in the middle of the night.

In the sparkling and translucent flowing brilliance, Xue Meng saw a narrow curved blade, which was newly forged. It had a long body and a silver handle. The crystal looked at and sparkled brilliantly…

It was a reforged Longcheng!

Xue Meng seemed to be in a daze as he held the embroidered box in his arms. He then directly jumped out of the window and rushed to the back garden while shouting, "Shizun!"

In the empty and lonely backyard of the Sect Leader, what responded was the whistling of the wind.

He called out frantically, "Shizun! Mo Ran!"

"Come out!"

The night breeze was cool and damp and cold on his cheeks, and he ran blindly among the flowers, his robes and arms scratched by the branches of the trees.

"Come out!"

In the end, his voice started to whimper.

No one could be found anywhere. Xue Meng stopped his footsteps, slowly lowered his body, and curled up on the ground as he muttered, "Come back…"

The faint sound of leaves blowing could be heard. Xue Meng shivered as he looked in the direction of the melody —

Then he saw them, but those two people had already gone too far and had stopped at the eaves of the Heaven-Piercing Tower. Behind the solemn corner of the flying beast, two figures that could not have been more familiar in the past leaned against each other. The sleeves of his robe fluttered as he sat on his knees with the holy weapon Jiuge. He was cultivating while leaning against the night clothes. At his fingertips, he held a bamboo leaf and played a song.

"Under the bright moon I visit my old friends, both our faces reflecting red in the lanterns.

Once the phoenix sings, the spring dawns, endless rivers and mountains are peaceful.

Burying the brewed drink having no one to drink with

After years separation, returning to meet brother again.

Why do people need to accompany one another so often in life, when the east wind can carry love?"

The melodious zither whistle echoed in the moonlight, drifting towards the vast sky.

After the celebratory ending of the song, there was a flash of golden light and Chu Wanning's Candle Dragon was summoned. The two of them jumped onto the back of the dragon and flew away on the wind.

Later on, Xue Meng found two letters with similar characters in the brocade box. One was from Chu Wanning, and the other belonged to Mo Weiyu.

Mo Weiyu's letter was very long, telling the various stories that followed, telling him many of his previous secrets, and also explaining that because they still did not know what the people thought of them, they were not willing to rashly appear and drag down Sisheng Peak. As for this new Longcheng scimitar, it was something that he and Chu Wanning had managed to obtain in the past few months. Perhaps they could use it.

On the other hand, Chu Wanning's letter was much shorter, and there were a few lines of script on it.

Sect Leader, Yuheng felt guilt in his heart, thus he had no face to meet his disciple. The road ahead will be long so cherish it. The saber hilt of Longcheng was embedded with a Night Flower, it could accompany a Sect Leader for a lifetime. In the future, if Sect Leader wanted to take the thin and weak power of Yuheng, they could write to him as they pleased.

That night, Xue Meng stared at the two words "Sect Leader" for a very long time.

He did not come back to his senses until late at night, when the wine was all over the place and the silence was complete. Thinking that from now on, he might never hear his Shizun call out his name again, and he could only hear the Sect Leader being called, he felt that he had never been so tired of the many rules and regulations of this world.

But at least Chu Wanning was still there, as was Mo Ran. Perhaps they would be separated by a thousand li in the future, or perhaps they might not even see each other for several years. However, in the end, they were still able to share a portion of the world's moonlight.

At the foot of the mountain, the town of Wuchang.

Two men in hooded cloaks came out of the night and walked to the bustling night market. They found a lantern stand and sat down.

One of them, a tall and slender man, said, "Boss, I want a clear soup, thin slices of beef, thin slices of mutton, tripe shutters, crispy meat, fried meat, crystal fish slices, hibiscus prawns…"

The other person said flatly, "That's more or less enough. We can't afford to eat it."

"Then, how about another pine nut mandarin fish and two jars of soy milk?"

"…" That person pursed his lips, "Don't order anymore."

These two fellows were no other than the two who had just given gifts to Xue Meng, Chu Wanning and Mo Weiyu.

"Then, let's have another serving of the sweet root of the osmanthus flower." After Mo Ran finished speaking, he smiled, "Do you know how to do it?"

The waiter was very eager: "It would never have happened, this is a dish from the Jianghuai region. However, Mengpo Hall at Sisheng Peak often does it, so we at the foot of the mountain also learned a little. Oh yeah, we have a great hero menu here. Would the two of you like to take a look?"

Chu Wanning frowned, "… What menu?"

"Great Hero recipe! Don't you two know?" The waiter proudly introduced, "A few days ago, there was a huge disaster. The two cultivators that took care of this disaster were at the Sisheng Peak. Heh, everyone in the restaurant right now can cook special dishes, which is exactly based on the taste of those two cultivators!"

As he said this, he took out two bamboo chops from his waist and enthusiastically handed them over to Chu Wanning and Mo Ran.

"What about this? It's the menu for Chu Xianzun." Afraid that they wouldn't understand, the waiter continued to explain with excitement, "It's rumored that Chu Xianzun likes to cook slightly burnt things, so we have some scorched pills, fried potions, and boiled vegetables with burnt tofu. Oh, right, this squirrel fish would also cook quite a bit of it."

Chu Wanning: "…"

To suppress his laughter, Mo Ran poured himself a cup of tea and drank it.

However, as he flipped through another 'Mo Ran-Xianzun Cuisine', the tea in his mouth nearly burst out.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

The waiter was a little panicked, "Aiya, esteemed guest, what happened to you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Cough cough…" Mo Ran pointed at the bamboo sign and asked, "What are you guys doing? Why would Mo Xianzun have something like the haitang sweets on his menu? I've never even heard of it."

"According to legend, Mo Xianzun likes sweet things."

Mo Ran: "…"

"He also likes haitang blossoms." The waiter was like the All Knowing Scholar of the Jianghu as he explained, "So our Lady Boss created this Haitang Sweetheart Soup by herself. The sugar on the table here is 30% more than what you would normally get for dessert, so it's bound to be so sweet that your tongue will go numb!"

"… Can you still eat that?"

The waiter smiled and said, "Why can't I eat? I sold it very well." Would it be better for the two guests to have a serving of Mo Xianzun and Chu Xianzun? The two cultivators both liked to eat. Let's taste if you don't lose out, and let's taste if you don't fall for the trap."

Chu Wanning felt a headache coming on, "No. I don't like it, thank you."

Mo Ran smiled and said, "Actually, I don't like eating sweet foods that much."

"Sigh, what a pity." The waiter scratched his head regretfully. He seemed to really admire the new dishes in the restaurant. He could even hear the mutterings from afar, "They are the favorite dishes of the world's heroes…It's not good for me to have a taste…"

Chu Wanning: "…"

Mo Ran: "Pfft."

"What are you laughing for?" Chu Wanning glanced at him, "Is it that funny?"

"No. I'm just happy. If I'm happy, I can smile even for a small matter."

He turned his head to look at the bustling crowd on the street. After the storm had subsided, the world seemed to be alive again, the women picking up pinkie jewelry and buying New Year's Eve red paper wares, the men drinking and chatting in front of the bright night stands, the lantern light shining on their leisurely faces, the atmosphere warm, even the grease on their cheeks not so irritating.

A group of children ran over, screaming and laughing. No one knew what kind of game they were playing, one child wearing a mask, the other group running like rabbits in front of them, constantly shouting, "Don't let him catch you! Hahaha, don't let him catch you!"

Mo Ran held his chin in his hand, a gesture he had always been very handsome with even a hint of loveliness in it.

He suddenly sighed with satisfaction. "That's great."

As he spoke, he raised his head to look at the bright lights on Sisheng Peak, and then he repeated, "This is great."

Chu Wanning said, "… Not too good. What you just heard, Xue Meng was calling us."

"…" As expected, Mo Ran was silent for a moment, but he still smiled, "But if we really do stay, he will be troubled again."

"I know," Chu Wanning replied.

As the dishes were served, Mo Ran continued to eat while muttering, "In the end, Xue Meng is still somewhat childish. Actually, it's for the best right now. If we go back to Sisheng Peak, trouble will follow. Furthermore, he might tolerate me for one or two days. In another month or two months, why don't we try?"

Chu Wanning bit off a piece of peanut, making Mo Ran feel wronged.

"He'll throw me out."

Chu Wanning suppressed his laughter as he knocked on his head with the chopsticks on his back, "You are the one who is childish."

"Really. When the time comes for him to chase me away, I wouldn't be able to avoid him. The sect leader's order, ah… I'm scared to death."

Chu Wanning couldn't hold it in anymore, he laughed lightly, "Don't mess around. Why would he chase you away? It's clear that we don't want to stay, so don't leave this to him."

"Fine." Mo Ran scratched his head and grinned, dimples flashing. He then deeply said, "Shenmu-Jun, whatever you say is correct."

Chu Wanning said, "Let's eat. We'll go home after dinner."

They were now hiding in the depths of the Nanping Mountains. The two had lived there ever since Mo Ran had returned to his body. He was not deliberately hiding from the world. He merely felt that the world had walked halfway through, and that it just so happened that he would pass by this place. Thus, he decided to rest in that paradise.

Everything was just right.

After picking up a piece of meat, Mo Ran's eyes curved into a smile as he said, "Actually, I was in the wrong."

"Hmm?"

"I really don't want to go back."

"You're afraid he'll blame you?"

"No." Mo Ran smiled and rubbed his nose. "I'm afraid that he will call me Shiniang."29

Chu Wanning: "…"

Mo Ran's eyes were very gentle, pitch-black and slightly purple as their luster flowed, but the purple seemed very good-natured now. He sighed and said, "A generation has passed."

"Eat!"

Mo Ran obediently lowered his head to eat. He behaved as if two fluffy dog ears had emerged from his head and hung down in a soft and tame manner.

However, Chu Wanning was clear that it was not that he did not want to return to the Sisheng Peak. Actually, he, himself, Xue Meng, and the others all wanted to reunite, but time was killing everyone. Sometimes, those ignorant, frivolous years would pass, but no one could force themselves to come back.

All of them understood this logic. It was only because Mo Ran feared that he would suffer, that he would take full responsibility and make him laugh.

"Speaking of which, I've never asked you about it properly. On the day of the war… How did you know you'll be back?"

After thinking for a while, he said, "… Would you blame me if I told you the truth?"

Chu Wanning looked at him with his bright eyes, "What do you think?"

Mo Ran rubbed the back of his neck and laughed with his head lowered, "Actually, after the Devil Realm's Gate opened, I also felt a kind of spiritual energy flowing through my body… However, back then, I was still the will of Taxian-Jun. I felt dizzy and I didn't think too much about it."

"Yes."

"At the last moment, when it was about to disappear, I suddenly remembered something."

"…"

"At that time, I was betting on something. Maybe I'm the same as Song Xingyi, who's from the Butterfly-Boned Beauty Clan." Mo Ran said, "According to the history books, as long as the demon's body isn't broken, their soul is complete. Is it that easy to be reborn? So I thought. If I am, then as long as I insist on returning to my body, I should be able to come back to life."

Chu Wanning slightly frowned, "Before this, I had always felt that the Demon's soul being able to return to its own body was a legend." He paused and then asked, "Then why didn't Song Qiutong come back to life in the past?"

Mo Ran said helplessly, "Even if a demon wants to revive, the desire to survive must be very strong."

"…"

"That feeling… Well, it's like falling off a cliff and giving me a lifeline. The rope was covered with oil, and if he wasn't careful, he would fall into the abyss. I have to hold on tight to the rope and climb up, not letting go for a moment, before I can return to my body."

"Wanning, I've been thinking about coming to find you." Mo Ran raised his eyes and looked at him, "That's why I came back."

The lantern above his head swayed, Chu Wanning looked into his pitch-black eyes, and felt as if his chest was extremely soft. He still wasn't used to this feeling of weakness, so he quickly turned his face away.

"Actually, there is another very important reason."

"Hmm?"

"The Butterfly-Boned Beauty is a half demon. This method of rebirth will not work on us before the devil gate is opened." Mo Ran said, "It is because we have absorbed the demonic energy and gained the strength — or else we would still be human beings. Furthermore, the heart of my body has already been destroyed. After obtaining the devil aura, I felt that the power contained in it was much stronger than that of a Spirit Core. That's why I thought that I might be able to use it to reverse the situation."

"That's why when you let me go, you were not sure if you could be reborn…"

Mo Ran looked at the other party's slightly narrowed eyes and realized that he had said the wrong thing. He could not help but panic as he lightly coughed to change the topic. "Ai, this fish is not bad."

Chu Wanning would never fall for his trick and stared at him, "If you don't come back in the end. When I got to the Nanping Mountain, what would have seen would have been an ice-cold corpse."

"…" Mo Ran couldn't take it anymore. He lowered his head, bit his lips, and was silent for a moment. Then, he raised his head and said, "That's right."

"…"

"I can't bear to see you die. Whether I am alive or not."

Seeing that Chu Wanning's eyes were slightly red, it seemed as if he was in pain but also wanted to get angry, Mo Ran stretched out his five fingers and held his hand on the table, rubbing it in his palm.

In the limelight, he said in a slightly hoarse voice, "I know that I might have lied to you, but even if you hate me and blame me for it, I can't just sit by and watch you die."

As he spoke, he suddenly closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling.

"I've seen it for two lifetimes."

Chu Wanning's tensed back gradually eased, and his clenched knuckles gradually lost their strength. However, his eyes were still red and moist.

Steam rose from the pot, and tiny bubbles of soup bubbled in the oven. In this hard-to-come-by world of fireworks, Mo Ran was holding Chu Wanning's hand, interlacing his fingers.

He said, "I thought, if I really guessed wrong, I can wait for you. Ten years, or even tens of years. If you become immortal, then even hundreds, or even thousands, of years would suffice."

"…"

"The world if the livings is still very good, Wanning, I don't want you to die with me."

Suddenly, a boiling bubble burst within the pot. Some boiling water splashed onto Chu Wanning's wrist. Of course, these sparks of hot water didn't hurt, but he reflexively retracted his hand and lowered his head.

After bowing his head, he felt that he should be more at ease. Thus, he mustered up the courage to raise his head and glared at that renegade disciple who did not know what was good for him.

Mo Ran was amused by his actions. "What's wrong? Sometimes staring at me, sometimes staring at the table."

Chu Wanning wanted to say something, but at this time, Heaven-Piercing Tower's clock chimed. It floated down from the mountain peak and echoed throughout the bustling night market.

"Crap."

After counting the hour, Chu Wanning's face changed slightly. The time for change had arrived…

He suddenly stared at the man sitting in front of him. Seeing that the man who had been smiling earlier had suddenly closed his eyes, he became anxious —

Ever since Mo Ran had been revived, every three days at the zi hour, Taxian-Jun's conciousness would take over his body, and would only disappear late the next night.

The reason for this was probably because the soul of Taxian-Jun had been separated from the other souls for a long time. It was difficult for the consciousness to merge with the soul, so even if the soul had already fused, it could still change its personality.

Sure enough, a moment later, when Mo Ran opened his eyes again, the radiance in those eyes had already changed.

The Emperor Taxian-Jun slowly raised his handsome face. It was obvious that he was the same person, the same body, but there was still a bit less righteousness in his expression.

Taxian-Jun's mouth opened and closed. He laughed arrogantly: "Um… After not seeing me for three days, did you miss me?"

"…"

He lowered his head and looked at the dishes in front of him, as well as the pot that was half-eaten. Finally, the picky gaze of the previous Emperor of the world fell upon the dilapidated wooden chairs on the street and the oily dining table, which was obviously very cramped.

— Those items that were common to Mo-zongshi.

To him…

"Waiter! Get the hell over here!"

"Mo Ran, take a seat!"

All of a sudden, it alarmed the surrounding customers. They all turned around, and someone exclaimed, "Ah! Is that Chu-zongshi?"

"Eh? It seemed as though Mo Xianzun and Chu Xianzun were here as well? Wasn't he dead? Who can rub my eyes? I'm not blind, right?…"

"You're not blind, I saw it too."

A little girl screamed, "Ah! It's really Mo Xianzun!"

The commotion attracted the attention of passers-by. More and more gazes fell on them. Some of them even recognized them. Chu Wanning pulled over the table with a dark face, still shouting, "The table is so shabby, how can we eat? Are you sure you're not mistaken!" While there were still no more people rushing over, Taxian-Jun called out his Imperial Sword and fled in panic.

Only when he was high up in the sky did he finally heave a sigh of relief.

The moon was bright and clear, and he had survived a disaster.

Everything was going well – if it weren't for the fact that Taxian-Jun was still behind him grumbling angrily, he would have asked unhappily, "What's so good about Mo Xianzun?"

"…"

"A bunch of troublesome commoners! Why do they only remember Mo Xianzun?"

"…"

"The one repairing the Black Tortoise Spirit Formation was this Venerable one!"

"…"

"This Venerable one was the one who saved their lives!"

"…"

"This Venerable one was the one who stopped the flood!"

Chu Wanning glanced at the man who was gritting his teeth in anger. Suddenly, he felt that he was really petty, even to the point of being jealous of himself.

"What are you looking at?" When he suddenly saw Chu Wanning's smiling gaze, he was stunned for a moment. Then, he narrowed his eyes in annoyance and pretended not to care, "Even you? You are also mine!"

Chu Wanning was caught off guard and he shouted angrily, "Don't move!" Indeed, the sword beneath his feet swayed slightly, but he was quickly stabilized by Taxian-Jun's Devil Aura with just a casual wave of his finger.

Taxian-Jun covered him up in his black gold cloak and snorted unhappily, "What are you afraid of? If I am here, how could you fall to your death?"

As he spoke, he activated the Imperial Sword Technique. In the moonlight, the sword shadow was like a black whirlwind, flying towards the Nanping Mountain…

Deep in the night, they were just like an ordinary couple.

They went home.

Later on, people would occasionally see the figures of Mo-zongshi and Chu-zongshi in the cultivation world, on the rivers and lakes, but they came and went without traces, like a glimpse.

Later on, there was another rumor spreading through the cultivation world. Legend has it that there was a blind doctor that traveled through the northern part of the Jiangnan Desert. He always wore a bamboo hat and a veil. No one had ever seen his true appearance. The only thing he knew was that the blind man had extraordinary medical skills. He had trekked to the ends of the earth, helping to rule over tens of thousands of people without taking a single cent from them.

The most famous story about the doctor was this: There was once a group of teenagers in the town who were kidnapped by cultivators when they were young. They were scalded to the point that they turned into human-shaped bears, which are still difficult to cure. The doctor who was practicing medicine came to this place and heard about this. He actually used the skin on his wrist as a medicinal guide to cut off the flesh in exchange for the healthy young men. The people in the town were filled with gratitude as they asked for his name.

The doctor had said that he was only a sinner.

After many years, the great battle that year had become a series of old and yellowed books and rumors, to the point where the children of the past had all been drawn. The young people of the past were mostly married, and the heroes of the past had already grown white hair.

Another year passed.

At Sisheng Peak, the Sect Leader, Xue Ziming, took in a rogue child as his direct disciple and treated him as his own. This little fellow was naturally familiar with everyone, and he was completely unafraid in front of the infamous Sect Leader Xue. He kept pestering Xue Meng with questions all day. One day, the little guy came over and asked him out of curiosity, "Shizun, I heard a lot about the past when everyone was talking about Shizu30 and Shishu31. Are they still in contact with Shizun?"

At that time, the first generation lord, Xue Ziming, stood by the window and looked out at the blossoming peach blossoms. He said calmly, "Occasionally."

The little guy was quite eager. "Then why didn't you invite them back?"

"…"

"The rooms of the Red Lotus Pavilion and Shishu's are both empty. No one else has ever stayed there." The young disciple pulled on Xue Ziming's wide sleeve. "Honored Shizun, call them back. I've heard the evaluation a few times already. It's said that Shizu and Shishu are great heroes that are hard to come by…"

Xue Meng turned his light brown eyes and looked at the little guy in the spring sunshine with a little smile. "Do you also want to be a hero in the future?"

"Of course!" The little disciple puffed up his cheeks, looking full of ambition. "Shizun, how can you have a useless disciple? I want to do a big job!"

"A promising future doesn't necessarily mean you have to accomplish great things." Xue Meng said, "If you can live a proper life, you won't bully the weak, won't bow to the strong, won't honor yourself in circumstances, and won't be discouraged in adversity… Also, be careful and reserved to judge a person or a matter, and be compassionate. When you reach the age of eighteen, you will be a great hero who will stand at the top of the world if you say that you have a clear conscience."

"…"

"What's wrong?"

The little guy was still young, after all. When Xue Meng turned around, he found that the little guy was already yawning.

Seeing his Shizun staring at him, he forced himself to stop yawning. The corner of his eyes were wet with tears, but he still tried to straighten his back, as if deep in thought, and nodded his head.

He looked just like a young phoenix when he was young.

Xue Meng held back his laughter and pretended to be serious as he asked, "Did you remember?"

He quickly said, "I'll remember."

Xue Meng asked again, "Do you understand?"

"Listen… I don't understand…"

After a while, he said in an aggrieved tone, "Shizun, you're talking too much…"

Xue Meng did not reprimand him. After thinking for a while, he lifted his hand and patted his head. "Forget it. It's really too much."

"Heh heh."

"If you want to be a hero, then remember one thing."

The little disciple hurriedly straightened his back and listened attentively. He probably thought that Xue Meng wanted to tell him some particularly powerful technique or meaning. His clearly defined black and white eyes were wide open.

The sunlight flowed onto Xue Meng's face. As the shadows of the flowers flowed, Xue Meng smiled.

—

"Don't make rash assumptions about others. This is the highest dignity a man can bestow upon himself."

Then he bent down and picked up the confused little fellow and led him out of the house and to the end of the garden. From here, the peak of the mountain towered, and the Red Lotus Pavilion was hidden in the clouds. Through the floating clouds on the ground, one could see from afar the flourishing towns and rivers at the foot of the mountain.

With the wind blowing, the young disciple's fatigue completely disappeared, and he stopped yawning.

After all, he was still so young and childish. A flower and a bird could easily win him over.

Xue Meng stood next to him by the carving fence. They gazed at the scenery for a while before asking, "What do you see?"

The little guy did not understand. "The house. Water… And fog…"

Xue Meng smiled as he listened. His personality was getting more and more amiable, easily angering him seemed to be a distant matter.

What the children saw were houses, and what he saw was the rise and fall of the Wuchang town. From the once shabby town to the now crowded town, it was much more lively than in the former cultivation world.

What the child saw was water, he saw rolling Forgotten Stream. Sometimes, he even thought that a monk was standing by the river with a Soul Lamp in his hand. He solemnly said, "Benefactor Xue, let's go to the Underworld…"

What the child saw was mist, and what he saw was the scattered souls of life, floating around on Sisheng Peak all year round.

His father and mother were among them, and later he would always see them, on the Sword Discourse, in the back garden, in Mengpo Hall, on the Bridge of Helplessness, even when he closed his eyes. In fact, other than the three souls and seven souls, there was probably another kind of soul. That kind of soul was only born in the hearts of loved ones — when you thought about them, they would come to your side.

Xue Meng held his little disciple in his arms, staring at the distant Frosty Heaven Palace in the mountain. Many of his family and friends had once stayed in this place.

Speaking of which, last year, Elder Jielü had grown older and died in a snowstorm in early spring. Elder Xuanji had also left two years ago. Everyone said that he had done too many good deeds. If Yanluo had called him out earlier, then he might have been able to decompose his corpse and become an immortal. Xue Meng, one after the other, saw the deaths of these elders from their initial hysteria to their later peace — or perhaps helplessness.

When Xue Meng was able to leisurely sort out Elder Xuanji's funeral, he would also reminisce about his past self. But this was only a memory of his past; he would no longer be addicted to the past and would never be able to extricate himself.

He was the leader of a faction and also a disciple of Yuheng. He had to keep a close eye on the situation.

"Shizun?" A small tender hand was shaking in front of him, bringing Xue Meng's consciousness back. "What is Shizun thinking?"

Xue Meng smiled and said, "I was just thinking about the past."

At the mention of the past, the little fellow became a little excited and tried to continue on with the previous topic, "Shizu and Shishu…"

"Actually, they come back every New Year's Eve. This year, you will be able to see them."

The little guy curled his lips, a little unsatisfied. "But why is it New Year's Eve? Why didn't they stay? I heard that Shishu is extremely formidable, so when he slashed out —"

Xue Meng lifted his hand and poked his head. "Your head would fall off."

The little disciple stuck out his tongue, but he wasn't afraid.

Xue Meng seemed very serious. "Really. Your Shishu is a bit… After all… split."

"Eh? Split?"

Xue Meng nodded. "I'll bring you to see him this New Year's Eve. However, you will only be able to stay until the time is right. After the time is over, you must leave."

"Why?" The child's eyes widened in curiosity.

Xue Meng said, "… Unless you want to call him His Majesty."

"Ah…" Even more confused, the little disciple who had just been introduced blinked his eyes. He wanted to ask again. Xue Meng was like thinking about something that he couldn't recall. He simply put him down and rubbed his eyebrows empty-handed. He had a terrible headache.

I haven't seen shizun's distress since the beginning of my training. The little fellow can't help but be more interested in the legendary Shishu who was "split" and pursued Xue Meng to ask directly:

"Shizun, Shizun, Shishu, He-"

"Don't ask."

"Shizu, he…"

"Don't ask."

"Shizu and Shishu…"

"Go back and copy books!"

"Wow, Shizun, you are so fierce…"

In the clear sky of Shu, the pure sunshine falls on the Shizun and apprentice through the branches. The wind blows through Xue Meng's clothes, over the young apprentice's young cheeks, over the magnificent Sisheng Peak, over the green grass in front of the hero's grave.

The wind blows overnight across thousand of miles of rivers and mountains. It brushes the blind who help the people with his medicine, the brothers who appreciate plum blossoms on the snow plains, the girl who drinks by the dragon soul pool of Mount Jiao, and the couple who returned to seclusion in Nanping Valley. Wherever we go, the rivers and mountains are still the same, and the Haiyan River is clear.

The fate of countless people is intertwined with each other. Although they can't stop at the banquet to rejoice with wine, have a good dream and never wake up, there will always be fragments left by relatives, close friends and loved ones in a person, whether they are alive or dead, whether they have left or not, and these fragments will always follow us like a shadow.

With a clear wind, the haitang tree in front of Heaven-Piercing Tower is blooming brilliantly, which is no different from yesterday. The period of misery has passed, everywhere each has its own home, and now everything is peaceful.

Xue Meng raised his head to look at the same towering majestic pagoda.

He seemed to recall something, laughed and took his apprentice's hand and went to the Loyalty Hall, the school which is first under the heaven.

At this moment, it seemed as if he had heard the melody of both master and apprentice singing leisurely on the Heaven-Piercing Tower when he had took over the Sect Leader's position years ago. The melody went through the long river of years, and now it blows away like snow behind today's Sect Leader Xue.——

Under the bright moon I visit my old friends, both our faces reflecting red in the lanterns.

Once the phoenix sings, the spring dawns, endless rivers and mountains are peaceful.

Burying the brewed drink having no one to drink with

After years separation, returning to meet brother again.

Why do people need to accompany one another so often in life, when the east wind can carry love?