Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 842 The Boiling Copper City (Part 1)

Pei Ye wrote his letter, while Lu Yuque sat quietly beside him, mentally calculating her list as well.

Who would your father send letters to?
It was incredibly difficult to search through a list of unfamiliar names, especially since she didn't have any special methods for doing so and could only rely on her intellect.

In fact, she had no clues to prove that her father obtained the method from someone else, but Pei Shaoxia said that it was related to spiritual mystery, so if her father did not have any accumulation in this area, it was very likely that he obtained it from elsewhere.

My father's friends are not any special people. All the major and minor sects in Huazhou are led by my father. The surrounding ten states, such as Liuying, Lushan, and Meigu, are all familiar names. Some are stronger than my father, and some are weaker, but they are all about the same. No one should have the ability to solve this kind of thing.

Actually, it makes sense that they are not part of any sect.

The fact that all the sects are suffering from the same predicament of the Snow Lotus Sprout is why they have all come here to attend the meeting. If any sect has mastered a method and solved the problem, but keeps it hidden... there is no need to tell Father.

So who else could it be?
Lu Yuque looked down at the book "The Unsolvable Scripture of Sword Explanation" on his lap. Would the person who provided his father with the method contact him now that he knew he was alive?

"Miss Deer, are you still thinking about it?"

Lu Yuque snapped out of his daze, looked up, and saw that the paper and pen on the young man's table had disappeared; he didn't know when the message had been sent.

"Hmm." Lu Yuque put away the martial arts manual. "I'm sorry, Young Hero Pei. I've gone through all of my father's teachers and friends, but I can't think of anyone who could be the one."

"It's alright. Xilong Xianrentai is investigating this case; how can you expect to understand it just by thinking about it?"

“But if I can’t find a reason, I won’t be able to explain it to my friends in the martial arts world. Young Master Pei also can’t find a way to eliminate the Snow Lotus Sprout.” Lu Yuque carefully wrapped up the martial arts manual and put it away. “Now, the situation is so dire…”

She looked up and said, "The Heavenly City is just ahead."

“It’s not necessarily just about your martial arts manual.” Pei Ye smiled. “I have other leads to follow. Besides, the reason why the snow lotus buds stopped growing is definitely hidden in this martial arts manual. I may not be able to figure it out, but others may. Once we get into the city, we can ask the elders of Tianshan.”

“If Young Master Pei has other avenues to rely on, that would be best… Then let’s go, Young Master Pei. However, isn’t the matter of the Snow Lotus Sprout related to Tianshan? Should we show them the martial arts manual?”

“Even the mighty Tianshan Sect isn’t inflexible,” Pei Ye said. “There are still some people who are willing to stand with us.”

"Oh, I see. Is it Shi Zanxue?"

"One of them, I suppose."

"Who's left? Oh dear, it's raining."

"Hmm. This is the first time since I came to the Western Frontier."

Pei Ye walked out of the shed, with Lu Yuque following behind. The two fastened their cloaks, mounted their horses, and galloped towards the great city that was already visible in the distance, the number one city in the ten states.

May 19th. Eleven days until the Jade Pool Assembly.

……

Visiting the Heavenly City.

In late spring, a cold rain began to fall again, as fine as needles. Xu Shang closed her umbrella by the door and tapped the few remaining water droplets on the door frame. There weren't many people in the building yet.

She glanced back at Ji Zhuowu, who took the umbrella without saying a word.

"Peak Master Xu, please come in. It's been a long time. Is this the [Seventeen Peak Leader]? I've heard so much about you."

"How dare I? I have heard of your name since I was a child, and I have always admired your sword. It is only today that I have the honor of meeting you." Ji Zhuowu bowed deeply.

Xu Shang nodded and clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Senior. It's been several years since we last met, and you've become even more impressive. You've arrived quite early."

"I am all alone, and I have woken up to find nothing wrong." The old man's hair and beard were all gray, and he was dressed in a cloth robe and cloth shoes. The only thing that stood out was the sword he carried, which was intricately carved with gold and jade, with a precious scabbard and handle. As a result, he himself looked like a gray cloth wrapped around the sword.

【Cloud Chariot and Feather Banner】 Xie Tingyu, the young man standing behind the chair should be his only disciple Lin Jingfeng.

Not only is he Ji Zhuowu's predecessor, but he is also Xu Shang's predecessor. For thirty years, he has roamed the Jianghu of Lianglong alone, and has grudges with Diancang and Kunlun. He should be said to be the strongest sword outside of the major sects of the Western Holy Land.

"I heard that Master Shi is also in the city, but he hasn't arrived today?" Xie Tingyu asked.

"Senior brother was unaware that you were here. It was only because I was free that I took on this task." Xu Chang smiled and looked to the other side, where a woman in an extremely beautiful blue dress sat quietly.

He stood alone, a sword of the same color resting on his lap, his black hair tied up, gazing down at the tea, as serene and upright as bamboo in the deep mountains.

"It must be Song Zhilan from Qing Sang Valley," Xu Chang thought. "His master hasn't arrived yet."

The man stood up and nodded without saying anything more. Xu Shang nodded back in return. Looking to the side, they saw the people from Diancang.

She paused for a moment, then clasped her hands in a respectful greeting: "Master Tie, Xu Chang greets you."

Tie Rusong, the youngest master of Diancang and one of the top three figures in the sect today, is the master of Tingjiang.

"Is the Master of the Colorful Mist Peak of Kongtong in person? I still remember the demeanor of my old friend Zhang Meiqing."

The man had bronze skin and dark eyes. His tone of voice seemed to lack any variation, and his temperament was equally hard and cold. He sat furthest away from Xie Tingyu, with an ancient sword leaning against his chair. The hilt was wrapped in white cloth, and the scabbard was the color of earth.

Behind him followed four or five young men and women, all seemingly outstanding members of the sect. They all looked ahead, but several gazes were also drawn to Ji Zhuowu behind the woman.

“When my late husband was alive, he would always admire and be amazed whenever he mentioned the story of the Master of the Lu Sword.”

Xie Tingyu smiled silently, then closed her eyes and remained silent.

Xu Shang neither went to Diancang nor sat down next to Xie Tingyu, but sat down next to Song Zhilan and put down the sword in his hand.

She looked down as the waiter came forward to serve tea, her index finger tapping silently on the table.

Since the disaster at Sword Belly Mountain, under the leadership of Immortal Platform, Lotus Heart Pavilion underwent a major reshuffle, with three out of the five seats being replaced. It has been one year and eight months since then. Xu Shang's handling of various affairs within the sect cannot yet be described as effortless.

With everything in disarray and nothing to do with the struggles outside, trouble inevitably found its way in.

"I heard there were seven bloody incidents in Tingzhou yesterday," Tie Rusong said. "They involve five sects, and the leader of Little Crimson Cloud Sect is dead. Does Peak Master Xu know about this?"

"I just heard before I came here that the sect's unique skills have also been stolen?"

"Yes, both 'Danzhu Gongjue' and 'Chixia Sword' were recently released."

"I heard it was before entering the city?"

"good."

"How can a sect leader be so..." Xu Chang pondered.

Tie Rusong said, "It is said that he came almost alone, and the members of the Little Crimson Cloud Sect are still in Yizhou. It seems that there is some..."

He suddenly stopped talking and turned to look at the building entrance.

A figure dressed in gold robes and jade boots walked in.

He was in his thirties or forties, with neatly trimmed hair and beard, and an imposing, dignified appearance. A sword hung at his waist.

Everyone recognizes this person: Fang Heng, the Golden Crow Palace Master of Kunlun Yanri Palace. Behind him are a man and a woman, presumably his two disciples.

"Greetings, everyone. It's been a long time."

"Greetings, Lord Fang."

"Palace Master Fang, how have you been?" Xie Tingyu smiled slightly.

"I'm fine. Senior Xie, you're really beaming with joy." Fang Heng glanced at him expressionlessly. "..." Xie Tingyu chuckled softly, "I've always been open and honest about my emotions. Fang Heng, on the other hand, has been acting suspiciously since entering the city. I wonder what you've been up to in private?"

"What Kunlun is busy with is none of your business to ask."

Xie Tingyu lowered her eyes and drew her sword, Fang Heng raised his hand, and the building wall seemed to groan as if it could not bear the weight. Xu Shang frowned and pressed her sword down... "Are you two going to make a move?" a clear voice rang out.

A woman of exceptional temperament, extremely young, tall, with flowing wide sleeves, wearing an iron mask, carrying a spear on her back and a sword at her waist, entered as if bringing a blizzard into the room.

"We need to make sure we've both brought our own unique skills. Otherwise, it'll be a pointless fight," she said coldly.

Fang Heng and Xie Tingyu glanced at her, then looked away and sheathed their swords.

Shan Xishi, the third master of Longhe Sword Manor, also known as "Snow Claws and Starry Eyes".

This person wasn't someone I hadn't seen in a long time; I had never seen them before.

Xu Shang glanced back at Ji Zhuowu, and the man shook his head.

Kunlun wouldn't offend this person, and neither would Xie Tingyu.

Throughout the entire Western Region, Qing Sang Valley and Longhe Sword Manor may not be outstanding, but they are at least two unique entities.

If the East Sea Sword Furnace monopolized nearly 70% of the sword-making business among the martial arts sects of the Tang Dynasty, then at least in the western inland region, the Dragon Crane Sword Manor could still rival it.

Backed by the Tianshan Mountains, with Qilian Mountains to the east and Kunlun Mountains to the south, and relying on the abundant and refined gold of the westernmost region, they have developed an ancient and mysterious art of metallurgy. They have lived in the high and cold mountains for generations, and almost never show their faces no matter how turbulent the world is.

But things are clearly affecting them now as well.

The two of them took their seats.

Kunlun, Diancang, Kongtong, Qingsang Valley, Longhe Sword Manor, and Xie Tingyu's lineage. The six families sit here, almost divided into six corners.

“When I arrived, there seemed to be unrest in the north of the city again.” Shan Xishi looked slowly at everyone. “I think you all don’t need to hide anything. If anyone has any information, please speak frankly.”

"I was originally going to ask the manor lord that question—your esteemed sword manor is located at the foot of Tianshan Mountain, haven't you heard any news about it?" Tie Rusong said.

Shan Xishi frowned slightly: "We are four hundred miles away, and I don't know what it's like on the Tianshan Mountains."

“Then no one will know,” Tie Rusong said. “Perhaps, as Master Ye said, this is a change of heaven and earth that no one can stop.”

"In any case, we should first restore order." Shan Xishi paused for a moment, her starry eyes sweeping across the scene. "Whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one, once the riots start, there's no going back."

After a brief silence in the building, Xu Shang raised her glass and said, "This is the best advice, and Kongtong also agrees."

Tie Rusong replied, "Of course."

Fang Heng smiled and said, "Of course, no one wants to see this disaster happen—although some people are indeed overjoyed."

Xie Tingyu chuckled twice more: "Striving for power and profit, expanding territory and annexing others, colluding with powerful families—isn't Kunlun the most enthusiastic in all of this? At this moment, they're spouting high-sounding platitudes, but they've probably already chosen their prey—if I remember correctly, isn't Huazhou Jiandu under Kunlun's control? Who's next?"

The building was completely silent.

Tie Rusong slowly rubbed the cup. Xu Shang pursed her lips. Shan Xishi frowned and looked at Fang Heng.

“Huazhou is eight hundred li away from the foot of Kunlun Mountain…” Fang Heng stared at him coldly, “I really suspect that my sect’s Little Red Cloud Sect Leader was killed by you, Xie Tingyu.”

Just then, two soft knocks sounded as the umbrella gently tapped on the threshold.

Everyone turned their gazes in that direction and fell silent for a moment.

The woman gently shook the water droplets off her umbrella. She looked somewhat tired, but still had a slight smile on her face as she looked into the building.

Her hair was as black as light clouds, and her skin as white as frost and snow. She was truly a rare beauty, her face radiant.

【Anxiang】Stone Hairpin Snow.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting." The woman smiled apologetically. "I met Senior Li Fengzhao on the way, which caused a slight delay, so we came together."

"The fairy has just arrived in the city this morning and has already invited us to meet. Her selfless devotion is evident to all." Fang Heng clasped his hands in a salute, but his gaze turned to the person behind him. "Senior Li Fengzhao, have you come in person?"

Under everyone's gaze, an old man stepped out from behind Shi Zanxue. His hair and beard were all white, and he was over sixty years old, but his eyes were clear. He clasped his hands in greeting to the surrounding people and said, "This old man greets all the heroes."

Everyone returned the greeting.

Li Fengzhao, the master of Xiaoyun Mountain, also known as "Liuyun Longque".

Even though Tianshan's Anxiang invited them with the name of the Eight Steeds and Seven Jade, and even though Ye Wohan made the Yaochi Alliance and things changed drastically, this was the first time Tianshan had contacted the top sects in the Western Region, the people who came were still mostly from the younger generation.

Only Li Fengzhao, one of the two masters of Yunshan, attended the meeting in person.

“This morning, Li went out of the city and captured the person who killed the Little Crimson Cloud Sect Master. He is right outside the courtyard,” Li Fengzhao said. “It is the Plum Valley Master, Zhao Long.”

Tie Rusong paused in his swirling cup, then looked up, his gaze sharp: "Lord Li..."

Mei Gu was considered a disciple of the Diancang School, and Tie Rusong's shock seemed genuine.

Fang Heng looked at him in silence.

"This junior does not doubt the mountain lord, but does he have any solid evidence? In the current situation, there are many who are taking advantage of the chaos." Tie Rusong stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

“He has admitted it himself.” Li Fengzhao nodded. “The snow lotus in Plum Valley does indeed appear to have consumed martial arts manuals from other schools.”

"..."

Fang Heng remained silent for a moment: "Then, in Master Li's opinion, how should this matter be handled?"

Li Fengzhao said solemnly, "In my opinion, it should be handed over to the Immortal Terrace."

Tie Rusong said, "Palace Master Fang, after Diancang investigates, if he is indeed guilty, he should naturally pay for his crimes in blood."

"A blood debt must be repaid in blood; killing someone is an act of justice, a rule that has existed in the martial world since ancient times." Fang Heng turned to look at Tie Rusong. "What I mean is, what happens next?"

Tie Rusong frowned: "What after?"

“Master Tielu,” Fang Heng said calmly, “the Little Crimson Cloud Sect Leader is dead, and the Martial Scripture has been devoured, leaving no inheritance and effectively disappearing.”

"..."

"I'll ask you again, after killing Zhao Long, what about Diancang and Meigu?" He looked at Tie Rusong, "And what about the 'Six Plum Secret Swords'?"

Tie Rusong understood, and he stared intently at Fang Heng: "What does Palace Master Fang think we should do?"

"Temporarily handed over to Kunlun."

"wishful thinking."

"Does Master Tielu mean that Plum Valley has devoured Little Crimson Cloud, and the Six Plum Secret Swords have been completely transformed, requiring only the death of one Valley Master? Afterwards, will the people of Plum Valley simply enjoy the fruits of their labor and prosper?" Fang Heng maintained the same tone. "Then, after leaving today, can Fang Heng do the same? How many martial arts manuals can this frail body bring to Kunlun before his demise? Ten? Twenty?"

Tie Rusong gripped the hilt of his sword: "Palace Master Fang, you want the Six Plum Secret Sword, but you won't even donate your 'mere body' in exchange for the secret teachings of the two sects? Diancang is not shameless enough to ask Plum Valley to hand it over."

“Why are you two in such a hurry?” Shi Zanxue said in a clear voice, looking around. “In the face of danger, we should remain calm. Tianshan hopes that all sects will work together to overcome this difficult time.”

(End of this chapter)