After a long moment, Yan Dan finally let out a prolonged sigh. "This disguise technique is truly formidable, and this murder method is equally impressive."
Tang Zhou whispered, "At least now we know these events are inextricably linked to the Lord of the Divine Sky Palace."
"Even knowing that amounts to knowing nothing. Who is the Lord of the Divine Sky Palace? What does he look like? How old is he? What are his motives for doing this? We don't know any of it. Even if I saw his true face, I couldn't be certain whether it was a disguise or his real appearance. The only thing I know is that the Divine Sky Palace is located in a place called Mirror Lake Water Moon, and I'm afraid no one knows where Mirror Lake Water Moon actually is." Yan Dan said softly.
Tang Zhou smiled faintly. "Forget it, don't dwell on it. Now that things have come to this, we have no other options."
Yan Dan thought about it and realized this was indeed the case. If no one else was worried, she had even less reason to be concerned.
"Actually, the blood letter Miss Shen left behind said she wanted to sever the thoughts of the person who took her life. If that person is the Lord of the Divine Sky Palace, what thoughts did she want to sever?" Yan Dan pondered aloud.
Tang Zhou had already interjected, "Could it be the Seven Stars Divine Jade?"
Yan Dan smiled, "Brother, your reflexes have been much quicker lately. They say that those who are close to vermilion become redder, and it's true."
Tang Zhou smiled and shook his head, then slowly walked back with her.
Seeing that he had fallen silent, Yan Dan continued, "When I first met the Mountain Master, I had no idea how badly he treated me. After these twenty years of training, we're now evenly matched, with wins and losses splitting evenly. So, as they say, the more you suffer, the smarter you become."
"The Mountain Master you're talking about—that fish spirit you were with last time?"
"How do you know?"
Tang Zhou smiled faintly. "The monsters I've encountered before weren't even half as powerful as him. Such a level of cultivation is quite rare."
As he spoke, they had already walked back to the carriage. Liu Weiyang sat by the fire, the flickering flames reflecting off his face, making it appear somewhat melancholy. But a closer look revealed merely a blank expression. Yan Dan suddenly thought that Liu Weiyang's presence at this moment was coincidental—perhaps even back in Qingshi Town. While this was a bold guess, it wasn't entirely implausible.
She recalled what she had seen and heard about the Lord of the Divine Sky Palace in the secret passageway of the ancient tomb, then turned to look at Liu Weiyang and thought wryly, "How could this Young Master Liu be so dull? Comparing a saw-mouthed gourd to the impersonating Lord of the Divine Sky Palace was truly a disservice to him."
Yan Dan slowly inched closer and whispered, "Young Master Liu?"
Liu Weiyang turned and looked at her calmly.
Yan Dan couldn't help but flinch at his indifferent gaze, then asked cautiously, "Young Master Liu, are you also a cultivator?"
Liu Weiyang nodded slightly.
"Taoism is divided into two sects and four schools, with duties ranging from fasting and ritual to talismans, liberating souls, and alchemy. Alchemy is further divided into inner and outer alchemy, and each school further distinguishes between pure cultivation and yin-yang cultivation. Which one are you?"
Liu Weiyang slowly replied, "None of them."
"Huh?"
Liu Weiyang brushed off his sleeves and lay down to sleep.
Yan Dan suddenly felt foolish for attempting to question him.
The next day, as the sun rose, the group continued their journey.
"Young Master Liu, playing chess alone must be so boring. Why don't you let me play a game with you?" Yan Dan was mentally calculating how to lose him two or three pieces, coax him into a good mood, and then have him answer all her questions.
One cup of tea later.
"I was playing here, but my hand shook and I misplaced it..."
Tang Zhou glanced sideways.
Two cups of tea later.
"Sorry, my sleeve got caught. Let me review this part?"
Xu'er glanced sideways.
Another half cup of tea passed. Yan Dan stared blankly at the chessboard dominated by white pieces, and said slowly, "One more game."
As the sun set, Liu Weiyang picked up a chess piece between two fingers and dropped it onto the board with a decisive clatter. He then began to count his victories. Yan Dan collapsed dramatically, crying to Tang Zhou, "He's so cruel. He doesn't even leave me a single edge piece..."
Tang Zhou looked at her sympathetically. "Actually, my master and Brother Liu haven't won a single game in ten years, and you've only been playing for one day."
"Ten years? He was able to beat your master at chess when he was only ten?"
Tang Zhou paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I heard it from my master. I've only known Brother Liu for a year or two. But my master once mentioned that Brother Liu had achieved great success in his cultivation, so his appearance hasn't changed much. Perhaps he's not much different from ten years ago."
The next day, in the bumpy carriage, Liu Weiyang set out the chessboard and began playing chess with her.
Yan Dan gritted her teeth and moved over, saying firmly, "I'll play with you again."
Liu Weiyang placed the box of black pieces next to her, offering her the advantage.
As the sun set again, Yan Dan stumbled to Xu'er's side, sobbing, "Your young master is too cruel! How could he play chess like that..."
Liu Weiyang picked up a white piece and tapped it gently on the board, saying slowly, "You lost three fewer pieces than yesterday."
Xu'er smiled faintly. "Miss Yan, my young master says you've improved. You know, Young Master Tang's master has been losing more and more pieces in recent years."
On the third day, in the bumpy carriage, Liu Weiyang gently lifted the lid of his teacup, blew away the floating tea leaves, and slowly took a sip. At this moment, Yan Dan moved forward resolutely and said firmly, "Let's continue today."
Liu Weiyang raised an eyebrow, looked at her calmly for a moment, and then calmly took out the chessboard.
As darkness once again overwhelmed the setting sun, even the dark and taciturn driver outside leaned in to watch. "Snap!" The last piece fell, and the chessboard was littered with captured stones. Yan Dan leaned over the low table, glaring at Liu Weiyang with resentment. The latter counted the pieces on the board, suddenly said "hmm," then counted again quickly, raised his head and said, "Continue tomorrow?"
Yan Dan clenched her fist and said without hesitation, "Okay."
On the fourth day, amid the bumpy ride of the carriage, Xiangdu City finally came into view.
Yan Dan only then remembered why she had started playing chess with Liu Weiyang in the first place.
...It seemed that she had strayed far too distant from her original purpose.
"I plan to go home first and come back to see my master in a few days. I won't go up the mountain with Brother Liu." Tang Zhou and Liu Weiyang exchanged bows in farewell, then turned his head to look at Yan Dan. "Let's go."
Liu Weiyang walked past Yan Dan and asked casually, "Is your foot better?"
Yan Dan immediately felt a phantom pain in her ankle, and a crisp, unpleasant "crack" echoed in her ears. She immediately said, "Much better." If she dared to say it wasn't good, would he "treat" her again like he did that day? In this way, no injury would become an injury, and a minor injury would become a major one.
Liu Weiyang nodded and walked away.
Tang Zhou said lightly, "As far as I know, Brother Liu should not be concerned about you."
Yan Dan replied, "I know. He is basically a saw-mouthed gourd. He either doesn't speak, or when he speaks, it must mean something else." When she said this, her expression turned strange. "Tang Zhou, tell me honestly, is your master's residence difficult to find, and is the mountain road very steep?"
Hearing this, Tang Zhou nodded silently.
Yan Dan immediately held out her wrist, a look of sorrow on her face. "Tang Zhou, please remove the restriction. Without magic, I can't do anything..."
"If you have magic, I'm afraid you'll scare my family."
"Then just don't take me to your house."
"No."
"Tang Zhou, people should be a little selfish sometimes. It's really too hard for you to go to such lengths to uphold justice and keep an eye on me..."
"It's not hard, really."
"..." Yan Dan felt profoundly depressed.
Xiangdu was worthy of being the capital of the old dynasty—its prosperity even rivaled that of the Southern Capital. The four main streets were lined with shops: teahouses, wine shops, temples and government offices, selling silks, jewelry, spices, antiques and rare treasures. The streets were bustling with people, and peddlers came and went, shouting their wares.
Yan Dan followed Tang Zhou through the bustling streets and turned into a quiet alley. A large house with a separate gate and courtyard stood before them. The red-painted copper-ringed gate was flanked by majestic stone lions. Above the lintel was a golden plaque with the words "Tang Mansion" inscribed on it. She looked at Tang Zhou with suspicion. "Are you sure? Is this your home?"
Tang Zhou didn't answer, but walked forward and knocked on the door.
Yan Dan thought of the servants of some wealthy families in the mortal world who also took the surname of the head of the family, and immediately understood. The red-painted gate creaked open, and a steward in brocade clothes stood behind the door. When he saw Tang Zhou, he immediately said, "Young Master, you are back? The master and the mistress have been thinking about you."
"..." Yan Dan became depressed again.
"Cousin, it's a good thing you're back. My aunt keeps talking about you every day, and my ears are almost callused." A young and bright voice came from behind, and a young man in gorgeous clothes walked past Yan Dan, smiling and punching Tang Zhou on the shoulder.
Tang Zhou smiled faintly. "I've been away from home a bit longer this time." He paused, then added, "You don't look like you just came from the academy."
The young man said sheepishly, "Cousin, don't tell my aunt and uncle. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon, and I have some friends who want to win a prize in the dragon boat race, so I went to the river to take a look."
"Don't worry, I won't tell, but you should wipe your face first." Tang Zhou turned his head to glance at Yan Dan, who was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Yan Dan immediately stepped forward.
The young man looked at her and smiled. "Cousin, who is this girl?"
Tang Zhou casually said, "My junior sister Yan Dan."
Yan Dan couldn't help but wonder idly: He now calls her his junior sister to his family. Once he reaches the master's door and meets the real junior sister, who will she become? Could it be his cousin?
The young man stared at Yan Dan intently, his mouth slightly open in shock. "Cousin, I asked you before what your junior sister looked like. You said at that time that she had a face as black as charcoal, was strong enough to lift a tripod, and was known as the female Jinwu of the Dai War. This, this Miss Yan is really very different from what you said..."
Yan Dan couldn't help but think that Tang Zhou's words were truly vicious.
Tang Zhou coughed lightly. "This is my cousin Jing Ling."
Yan Dan half-lowered her head and said sweetly, "Young Master Jing." She could swear to heaven that she would follow the rules of conduct expected of mortal women—not showing her teeth when smiling, and not looking up at men directly. As a result, Jing Ling blushed and stammered back, "Miss Yan, you, you don't have to be so formal, just call me Jing Ling."
Tang Zhou turned around and glanced at her meaningfully.
As Jing Ling quietly slipped back to his room, Yan Dan whispered, "Humans and demons are on different paths. If we were to have an affair, we would be struck by lightning. I would never have any intentions towards a mortal."
Tang Zhou smiled and said, "Is that so?"
"Miss Yan, are you Abbot Qiu's disciple? Life in the mountains is probably too hard for a girl like you, isn't it?" Madam Tang picked up her chopsticks, selected a piece of fish, and placed it in Yan Dan's bowl. She was obviously from a wealthy family, with a fair complexion and a dignified look in her eyebrows and eyes. The teardrop mole at the corner of her eye added a touch of charm to her appearance.
Yan Dan glanced at Tang Zhou, who remained silent, his head down, eating his meal. She could only bite the bullet and lie. "The Taoist temple is nestled in the mountains, and the roads are difficult to navigate. Getting in and out isn't easy. But my master said that when a great mission is bestowed upon you, you must endure some hardship. Only by enduring what others cannot endure can you achieve the highest level of achievement."
Uncle Tang nodded in satisfaction. "Well said."
"Where are you from, Miss Yan? Do you have any family?" Mrs. Tang smiled, looking at her tenderly.
Yan Dan couldn't help but lose herself in that gentle gaze, when a sudden realization struck her: According to mortal customs, if a man's parents asked about a woman's family and where they lived, they would either be preparing to offer a betrothal gift or adopt her as their daughter. Either way, she probably couldn't afford it.
"I don't know if there are any other people in my family. It was my master who brought me back, and it has been a long time."
Mrs. Tang was startled and immediately said, "Look at me, why am I asking this for no reason? Miss Yan, don't be sad. Birth, old age, sickness and death—we can't escape them."
Yan Dan smiled obediently and said softly, "I know, and my family is just far away. We will be reunited one day." As soon as she finished speaking, Mrs. Tang's eyes suddenly turned red. She wiped the corners of her eyes with the silk scarf in her hand, reached out and touched Yan Dan's head. "You child..."
Yan Dan just felt that the other person's hand touching her hair was too gentle, and she blurted out, "Very much like mother..."
Mrs. Tang smiled through tears, looked at her for a long time with loving eyes, and slowly said, "Then can I be your mother?"
Yan Dan was stunned.
Tang Zhou put down his chopsticks, with an expression on his face that was hard to tell whether it was shock or something else. "Mom..."
"My child has a good nature. Although he is a little impulsive sometimes, he is still quite considerate in dealing with people. He likes to keep some things in his heart, but he is just embarrassed to say them out loud."
Yan Dan muttered in her heart: From the time we met until now, verbal battles, sarcasm and veiled attacks are commonplace, and he is absolutely not embarrassed to say them out loud.
Tang Zhou could not help but interject, "Mom, it's getting late, and my junior sister is tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
Mrs. Tang immediately said, "Yes, yes, I forgot—you just came back after a long journey. Xiao Cui, take Miss Yan to the guest room and ask someone to prepare hot water. You should take a bath and go to bed early." The last sentence was directed at Yan Dan.
Yan Dan still smiled obediently. "Thank you, auntie." She wanted to jump up and run away immediately, but she stood up and said her farewells before slowly walking out of the hall.
When she walked outside the hall, she heard Madam Tang's gentle voice coming from inside: "Although Miss Yan's background is not suitable for you, her character and appearance are impeccable. I think you like her very much."
She could swear to the sky, or swear a poisonous oath—she really didn't mean to hear this sentence. But although her magic was gone, her ears and eyes were still sharp. This voice had reached her ears, and she had no choice. She looked at the restriction on her wrist and couldn't help thinking that she had better find a way to escape quickly, otherwise if she continued, the relationship between demon and human would truly bring down heavenly lightning.
Previous/Next
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
