Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 849 The Bright Light Fades, Demons Lurk (Part Two)
Pei Ye glanced around the hall: "You all seem to recognize me?"

"The 'Yan' puppet recorded in the Tianshan Mountains was something we all learned and memorized when we were young, because the book says it was kept in the [Mu Wang Immortal Treasury], and seeing it means seeing traces of the Immortal Treasury." Yang Yifeng looked at the puppet, "But I have been memorizing its appearance for twenty years, and this is the first time I have actually seen it."

Ying Yuetian nodded slightly.

“Stepping and bowing, they are people. If you lift their heads, they sing in rhythm; if you hold their hands, they dance in time. They can change in a thousand ways, as they please.” Qunfei recited, resting his chin on his hand. “Back then, if you couldn’t memorize it, you had to copy it fifty times as punishment.”

Pei Ye looked up with some doubt, and Shi Zanxue spoke from behind the chair: "Legend has it that when King Mu of Zhou was in power, a strange man named 'Yanshi' came to pay his respects. King Mu asked him who was accompanying him, and Yanshi replied that they were puppets he had made, which were exactly the same as real people, which greatly surprised King Mu."

"This puppet could sing and dance, which piqued King Mu's interest. He summoned his favorite concubine to watch it with him. Unexpectedly, the puppet began to wink at King Mu's concubine. King Mu was furious, believing it to be a real person, and ordered the execution of Yan Shi. Yan Shi immediately disassembled the puppet, only to find that it was just a pile of inanimate objects like jade and leather, complete with liver, gallbladder, heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, tendons, bones, limbs, skin, hair, teeth, and everything else. When he reassembled it, it became as lively as ever."

"So, this is the legendary puppet?"

Qunfei turned his head: "Junior Sister Nan, look at its movements, don't they look a lot like your dance?"

“That is indeed the case with ‘Yanwu’.” A gentle voice said.

“The Sword of the Resurrection also carries this meaning,” Ji Jiuying, who had been silent until now, suddenly said.

Shang Yunning also said, "It is exactly as described."

Pei Ye looked at the stiff stone hairpin at the door: "But I wonder if you all have noticed... that it can think."

Shi Zanxue nodded slowly.

"When I first met Miss Deer, it transformed into her mother to find out about the 'Unsolvable Scripture of the Sword'; on the way here, it transformed into Miss Deer to beg me to release its control; now, seeing Miss Stone so close to me, it has transformed into Miss Stone's appearance again," Pei Ye said. "We can recognize it at a glance only because it is not yet fluent in human language, nor does it know how people should interact, but it can do all of those things. The only ability it cannot learn is to observe things, make judgments, and act, which is why it has left such a deep impression on me. Is there anything similar in the world today?"

After a moment of silence in the hall, Yang Yifeng turned his head and asked, "Junior Brother Gongsun, what do you think?"

Gongsun Jiming, who was quite young, had been leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, deep in thought. At this moment, he said, "All magical artifacts in the world, if they possess vitality, must be due to the vitality inherent in their materials, such as the material of an immortal dragon. However, vitality is different from spirituality. I think no one in the world can create spiritual objects out of thin air. But it's not that they don't exist—have my fellow senior brothers and sisters forgotten the famous swords?"

Pei Ye raised his hand, and a kingfisher flew in from the window and landed on the man's arm: "Brother Gongsun, look at this. It was made by the great weapon master Zai Haidong of Yangyi Tower. It is used to search for famous swords and can also understand some human language."

The kingfisher hopped and skipped on my arm, scratching its wing roots as it looked down.

Gongsun Jiming lowered his head and examined it for a while: "...Its exquisite craftsmanship is indeed the best in the world, but it is also a 'living' imitation. Its jumping and spreading of wings is because the master craftsman Zai simulated its posture when it was alive, not because it wanted to move; its ability to hear human speech is also because of the instructions recorded during its creation, and it cannot truly understand."

"What if it's just a counterfeit?"

"what?"

“This ‘puppet’,” Pei Ye said, “is not really ‘alive’ either. It can only observe and judge. According to the Tianshan Book, if you take it apart, it’s just a pile of dead things.”

Gongsun Jiming was silent for a moment: "This is beyond my understanding. At least in the world today, I don't think anyone can do it."

“But the puppeteer from four thousand years ago did it,” Pei Ye said. “I’ve seen more than one of these things. There was a bronze python several miles long in the Buried Star Tomb of the Lake Mountain Sword Sect. Later, in Kongtong, the Mirror Dragon Sword Sea, which was imitated by the Joyful Death Tower, also vaguely retained this ability… So there must be someone in the world who could do it… but he is already dead.”

Pei Ye paused for a moment: "Are there any records about that puppeteer?"

“Very few,” Shi Zanxue said. “In fact, he is almost never mentioned in the records of King Mu, but based on the clues, this person may have always been by King Mu’s side.”

Qunfei said, "Why don't we take it apart and see? Maybe there's a human brain inside."

"Can it be put back in the suit?"

"Um……"

“We probably can’t dismantle it.” Pei Ye smiled. “I tried on the way here. This leather is very difficult to cut, and once you cut it open, the internal tendons and bones are also very tightly interlocked… What I mean is, we can smash it, cut it, and tear it apart, but we can’t ‘dismantle’ it.”

"That's it."

"Does the Heavenly Mountain Book say what to do after seeing it? Can it lead to the [Mu King's Immortal Treasury]?"

Ying Yuetian shook his head.

Qunfei said, "Seeing it means that the legendary [Mu Wang Immortal Treasury] has been revealed to the world. This was already extremely shocking news for Tianshan."

Pei Ye smiled, then said seriously, "It's here to find the 'Unsolvable Sword Sutra.' Perhaps the key lies in this martial arts manual. May I ask, Senior Xi Baodu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, will you be able to arrive tomorrow?"

"We should arrive by tomorrow night."

"That's good."

Everyone in the hall stared at the doll. Pei Ye finished his tea and stood up: "In that case, we will not disturb you any longer. If Senior Xi Baodu finds a way to suppress the Snow Lotus in the 'Unsolvable Sword Sutra' tomorrow, we will gather all the sects in Yetian City and announce it. The calamity of the martial world can then be temporarily relieved."

Ying Yuetian nodded: "I hope so. Does Young Master Pei have any plans for tomorrow?"

"I suppose we should continue visiting everyone," Pei Ye said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "If you have nothing else to do, you are welcome to tour the city and visit others. I think there's no shortcut to this before the Snow Lotus Calamity is contained; we can only do our best to maintain the status quo."

Ying Yuetian nodded: "Young Master Pei is right."

Pei Ye picked up two melons and fruits, then clasped his hands in a salute again: "Then I, Pei, will take my leave first."

"Young Master Pei, please take care."

Farewell.

"See you tomorrow."

"Wishing you a pleasant night."

"..."

The man left, the two doors slammed shut, and his footsteps faded into the distance, leaving the doll behind.

The people in the hall looked at each other, and then Qunfei suddenly whispered, "'It saw that Miss Shi was close to me...'"

Shi Zanxue squinted and glared at her.

The crowd laughed.

Ying Yuetian said, "This young hero Pei is indeed as Junior Sister Shi described, chivalrous and righteous. But he was clearly sent by Li Jian, acting on orders from the Immortal Platform."

She looked at Yang Yifeng: "What do you think, Bajun?"

Yang Yifeng also stopped smiling: "He is indeed an outstanding inspector, very calm, very perceptive, and also a chivalrous person."

Shang Yunning said, "My evaluation is higher."

"Higher?"

"Hmm," Shang Yun Ning said, "If it's suitable, I agree."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

“I haven’t found anything suitable yet,” Cen Pu said.

“Same,” Ning Xuanyan said.

"Don't look at me, I don't think anyone else will do." Jiang Suming sighed softly, holding his sword. "I never wanted to be the Lord of the Western Court in the first place... but I'll follow the decision of my senior brothers."

Qunfei glanced at the group, then turned to Shi Zanxue, gently tapping the handle of his fan: "Junior Sister Shi, look at them. Aren't you going to put in a good word for Young Hero Pei?"

Shi Zanxue smiled as she picked through the fruits, seemingly unconcerned: "It's only the first time I've met her."

"What about Nandu?"

"I think maybe the senior brothers are hostile towards Young Hero Pei."

"..."

Qun Fei laughed: "That's how men are."

"Junior Sister Bai, what about you?" Bai Huazi replied lazily, "I'm fine with anything. I actually like farming too. But just a heads up, this person is a womanizer."

“Being lustful isn’t a flaw, is it?” Qun Feizhi laughed on the table. “Anyway, all the senior and junior sisters are so beautiful, and once you become Qi Yu, you’re not allowed to find another man.”

"You like him? Don't drag everyone else into this, okay?" Ji Jiuying suddenly said angrily.

Qunfei widened his handsome eyes: "I have always loved all of you senior and junior sisters."

Bai Huazi looked at Shi Zanxue, who was watching the show: "Aren't you going?"

Shi Zanxue, biting into an apple, asked, "Where to?"

"Cut your nails."

"...Haven't I disciplined you in a long time?" Shi Zanxue said seriously.

Bai Huazi took a step back and looked at Shang Yun Ning: "Then you can go."

Shang Yun Ning's usually calm and collected face rarely showed a noticeable expression. He remained silent for a few moments before saying, "I...I probably can't do it."

"More or less," Bai Huazi said, turning her head. "Or how about Senior Brother Yang?"

Yang Yifeng's eyes widened: "I can't do that!"

He then said seriously, "Junior Sister Bai, have you secretly bought some swear words book recently?"

Bai Huazi looked down at the two of them and said, "I mean, you two can spar with him."

"Oh."

"Oh."

……

……

Pei Ye followed the servant upstairs to the bedroom that had been arranged for him.

The room next door was lit with candles. Pei Ye glanced inside and saw that Lu Yuque was still engrossed in his studies. He knocked on the door, and soon the sound of footsteps approached. The door opened, and a woman looked at him with surprised eyes.

"I'm back. I live next door. Just call me if you need anything," Pei Ye said.

"Yeah. I understand."

Pei Ye handed her the fruits in his hand: "The Eight Steeds and Seven Jade have all arrived. You should be able to see them if you walk downstairs in the next day or two. Except for one named Bai Huazi, the others should be quite easy to talk to."

On the way, the woman was very curious about the legendary Eight Steeds and Seven Jade, and she always discussed with him the personality, appearance, and martial arts of each of them.

Lu Yuque smiled: "Okay!"

"Okay. I'm going inside now. You should get some sleep too. Xi Baodu will be here tomorrow night."

"Yes! Thank you, Young Master Pei."

"Give me back my kitten."

"……All right."

Pei Ye turned and left, and Lu Yuque closed the door. Then he looked back at the door for a while, picked up the kitten, and went back to his room.

Without lighting any candles, Pei Ye lay back on the bed and lifted the kitten by the neck: "Call me master."

"Fool."

Pei Ye laughed, "Why did you choose me to be your Master back then?"

"Because I didn't have a chance to get to know Ming Qitian and Zhu Gaoyang."

"I've been under surveillance for half the day," Pei Ye said, resting his hand on his pillow. "Xi Xi is right, power always comes with pressure."

"Want me to eavesdrop for a bit?"

"I'm not that kind of person."

Pei Ye looked up at the roof beam.

The topic of the Lord of the Western Court was hardly mentioned today, but Pei Ye was well aware that the atmosphere surrounding it had always been there.

Both sides were well aware of the situation, maintaining the politeness of acquaintances while advancing their business collaboration, because bringing up this topic upon their first meeting would certainly be abrupt and awkward.

The Eight Steeds and Seven Jade should be the people in Tianshan who are most inclined to accept a Western Court Lord. Their titles and positions are derived from this, they bear such responsibilities, and they follow the traditions of the Western Court.

Even so, no one would be willing to bow down to a stranger upon seeing them.

Pei Ye didn't really want to be anyone's superior. These outstanding individuals from Tianshan were rare talents, and Pei Ye actually hoped to be friends with them freely. If he could simply inherit the position of Xiting without having to deal with people, that would be the best outcome.

Unfortunately, it's impossible.

Pei Ye thought about it for a moment and put the matter aside. No matter what the Eight Steeds and Seven Jade thought, the most important thing at the moment was not this.

As the night passed, countless more lives were lost to swords in the western borderlands.

He thought of Diancang, Kunlun, Luyuque, Yijian Nanzong, and some other shadowy figures beyond that. His mind sank in and he opened [Zhiyi].

The previous message was, "Go to sleep early. I plan to go to Huazhou tomorrow to check on the case of the massacre of the entire family."

"Are you there?"

Two breaths: "Here."

Then came the question: "Where are we?"

"I arrived at Yetian City today and just finished meeting with the Eight Steeds and Seven Jade."

“I received your message from the Immortal Platform. It says that you are carrying a sword to help the orphan girl and are heading to Yetian City. Let anyone who dares to block your way stop you.”

In the end, no one dared to.

"They would probably all flee at the mere sight of the enemy."

"XiXi, I have a question for you."

"Ah."

"The western border is really in chaos right now. How did you handle the mess in Shenjing back then?"

"..."

"Ok?"

“The capital city is different from the western border, the imperial court is different from the martial world, and my methods are definitely different from Young Master Pei’s.”

"That's what I said..."

“The moment you ask that, I know you already have your own ideas,” Li Xizhou sent a smiley face with three strokes. “You’re just pretending to get some support.”

"Haha."

"Since you're going to the Western Regions, whatever it's like, you should just go with your own ideas."

(End of this chapter)