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Yuelai Inn is located deep in the alleys of the southern part of the city, overlooking a clear stream called Huanhua Creek. The inn's facade is unassuming, with white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves, giving it a simple and elegant feel. Two simple lanterns hang at the entrance, bearing the two characters "Yuelai" in vigorous calligraphy.

Upon entering the store, the environment was indeed serene. The front hall was decorated like the hall of a scholar's family, with several rosewood tables and chairs arranged in a pleasing manner. Several ink landscape paintings hung on the walls, and some porcelain and root carvings were displayed on the antique shelves. The air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and tea.

The innkeeper was a sprightly old man who seemed to be an old acquaintance of Shi Feixuan, and he quickly greeted her personally. Three superior rooms were soon arranged for her, all built by the stream, with views of the babbling water and the weeping willows on the bank, a truly beautiful sight.

As soon as Wanwan entered the room, she tossed aside her small bag and said sweetly to Yi Huawei, "Alliance Leader~ You rest first, Wan'er will go out for a stroll and see if there are any fun and interesting things in Chengdu!"

Yi Huawei knew exactly what she was thinking, and simply nodded slightly: "Go ahead, be careful."

Wanwan smiled sweetly, gracefully left the inn, and quickly disappeared into the crowd at the alley entrance.

Yi Huawei quickly washed up in his room, brushing away the dust of his journey. He was gazing out the window at the scenery of Huanhua Creek below, listening to the murmuring water, his mind at peace. Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Unnamed gentleman, are you inside?"

It was Shi Feixuan's voice, still clear and cold, but seemingly a bit gentler than usual.

"Please come in, Fairy Master."

The door was gently pushed open. Yi Huawei turned around and looked, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Shi Feixuan, standing at the entrance, had changed out of her lake-green scholar's robe and into a simple yet elegant woman's outfit.

She wore a flowing, moon-white dress with wide sleeves, made of the finest soft gauze, light and airy. The hem and cuffs were embroidered with delicate, sparse orchid patterns in silver thread, shimmering softly in the light, exuding both elegance and refinement. A light blue silk sash was tied around her waist, further emphasizing her slender figure and graceful posture.

Her once-groomed black hair, hidden in her hair bun, now flowed freely down her back, cascading over her shoulders like dark clouds. Only a small portion was loosely held back with a simple white jade hairpin, the rest flowing smoothly behind her. Her face was unadorned, naturally beautiful, like a lotus emerging from clear water. Her eyes, clear as autumn water, held an even greater gentleness and quiet beauty after shedding her male disguise. Yet, her ethereal气质 remained, as if a fairy from the moon had descended to earth, untouched by worldly concerns.

Shi Feixuan nodded slightly: "I apologize for disturbing you, sir. It is already late afternoon, and I imagine you are hungry. If you do not mind, I know of a restaurant nearby with refreshing and delicious dishes. Would you like to come along?"

Yi Huawei's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he regained his composure and smiled slightly: "You're too kind, Fairy Master. That's wonderful, it'll be a perfect opportunity to experience the delicious food of Chengdu."

The two left the Yuelai Inn and walked for about a hundred steps along the bluestone path beside the Huanhua Stream before they saw a three-story restaurant built over the water. The restaurant's signboard bore the three large characters "Huanhua Ju" in running script, brightly lit and reflected in the water, creating a particularly poetic scene. Although it was also full of guests, it was not as noisy and bustling as the restaurants on the main street, possessing a more refined and elegant atmosphere.

Upon entering the store, the waiter, seeing the two's extraordinary bearing, especially Shi Feixuan's stunning beauty, dared not neglect them and quickly led them to a private room on the third floor overlooking the river.

The private room was decorated with exquisite elegance. A zither and a sword hung on the wall, and a guzheng sat by the window. Outside the window, the babbling Huanhua Stream flowed gently, and the hazy night view of the city was visible in the distance. By now, it was completely dark, and the moon was high in the sky outside the window. Its clear light spilled onto the surface of the stream, creating shimmering ripples that reflected the warm lights inside the room, creating a unique and enchanting atmosphere.

The waiter served fragrant tea and a menu before respectfully withdrawing.

Shi Feixuan gently pushed the menu in front of Yi Huawei: "Please, sir."

Yi Huawei didn't refuse. He glanced at the menu, ordered a few of the signature dishes that sounded rather bland, and also asked for a pot of locally produced Qingcheng tea.

Shi Feixuan watched him order quietly, and after he finished, she said softly, "The dishes you ordered, sir, are all very elegant."

Yi Huawei smiled and said, "Sitting opposite the Fairy Master, wouldn't it be a real shame to order something spicy and spicy, something that makes you sweat profusely?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan's lips curved slightly upward, a barely perceptible ripple appearing before she regained her usual cool demeanor, though her gaze seemed to soften somewhat. She didn't reply, but instead picked up the teapot and gracefully poured Yi Huawei a cup of tea.

The tea was emerald green and clear, steaming hot, with a delicate aroma.

The two remained silent for a moment. The sounds of the stream outside the window, the faint strains of traditional string and wind instruments, and the soft laughter and conversation from downstairs further enhanced the tranquility of the private room.

Shi Feixuan sat upright, her gaze occasionally sweeping across the moonlight outside the window, and sometimes landing on the tea in her cup, as if she were pondering how to begin. Yi Huawei, on the other hand, calmly sipped his tea, as if he were truly just there for a simple dinner.

While waiting for the dishes to be served, the private room became quiet for a moment, with only the sound of a babbling brook outside the window and the faint sound of string and bamboo instruments in the distance, making the room even more tranquil.

Shi Feixuan sat upright, her posture as elegant as a lotus floating on still water. Moonlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting a soft glow on her moon-white skirt. She picked up the celadon teacup in front of her, her slender fingers like jade, and took a small sip. As the aroma of the tea filled the air, she looked up at Yi Huawei.

A hint of enigmatic amusement lingered in those clear, autumn-water-like eyes. Her lips curved slightly, and her voice, though soft, carried a touch of inquiry: "Sir, what momentous matter has brought you to Sichuan, so far away, that it requires your personal intervention?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei simply smiled calmly, his expression unwavering. He picked up the teapot and poured Shi Feixuan a cup of tea: "I'm just a free spirit. When I have nothing to do, I like to wander around, looking at the mountains and rivers, and observing the people. Sichuan has magnificent scenery and outstanding people; I should have come to experience it long ago."

He paused slightly, his clear gaze fixed on Shi Feixuan, and asked in return, "It seems that Fairy Shi is particularly concerned about this? What exactly do you want to know?"

Shi Feixuan gently pursed her red lips, her posture remaining elegant, yet she subtly adjusted her sitting position, her wide sleeves drooping slightly, revealing half of her jade-like wrist. Her beautiful face regained its usual composure, and she softly said:
"Please just call me Feixuan. It's just that even now, Feixuan still can't figure out what kind of person you really are. Feixuan considers herself good at observing people, but when facing you, I always feel like I'm looking at flowers through fog, unable to grasp your essence. You are like a bottomless ancient well, calm on the surface, yet you can never fathom its depths. It is this unfathomable depth that arouses Feixuan's curiosity, and I want to know what brings you to Sichuan this time."

Yi Huawei chuckled lightly, not answering directly, but instead asking, "Then what brings Fei Xuan to Sichuan this time?" Shi Fei Xuan paused slightly, her gaze hardening as if she were carefully choosing her words. After a moment, she said softly, "Sir, have you ever heard of the 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan?"

Yi Huawei raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

Shi Feixuan's expression gradually turned solemn. Although her voice remained cold, it revealed a hint of barely perceptible apprehension: "Shi Zhixuan is a peerless genius of the Demonic Sect in the last hundred years. He possesses the unique skills of both the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Path, and has integrated them to create a bizarre and powerful technique—'The Undying Seal Technique'."

Leaning slightly forward, Shi Feixuan continued, "This person's temperament is complex and difficult to discern; he is both righteous and wicked, and his actions are entirely based on his own likes and dislikes. His martial arts skills and intelligence are among the best in the world. Whether it is our Cihang Jingzhai or the various sects of the Demonic Sect, Shi Zhixuan is an extremely troublesome scourge. Just by observing how he was able to overthrow the Sui Dynasty without shedding a drop of blood, causing the world to fall into pieces, one can understand how formidable he is."

She sighed softly, a complex look flashing across her eyes: "If it weren't for Senior Sister Bi's sincerity that moved his soul back then, causing the 'Undying Seal Technique' he created by combining the strengths of the righteous and evil schools to have a flaw that should never have appeared, the situation in the world today would probably be very different."

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei's lips curled into a playful smile: "The Undying Seal Technique... just what kind of evil art is it? Is it really as rumored, granting immortality upon mastery? How does it compare to the Yin Gui Sect's 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' and the Demonic Sect's 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Great Art'?"

Shi Feixuan calmly replied, "What kind of cultivation method in this world can truly grant immortality? Clinging to the idea of ​​a permanent physical body is unwise." She then changed the subject, asking in return, "Have you ever heard of the Four Schools of Buddhism?"

Yi Huawei nodded slightly: "Tiantai, Sanlun, Huayan, Chan Buddhism."

"good."

Shi Feixuan's eyes flickered slightly: "Shi Zhixuan is not only proficient in the secret arts of the Demonic Sect, but he has also infiltrated the Buddhist sect and secretly learned the secret techniques of Master Jiaxiang of the Sanlun Sect and the Fourth Patriarch of the Zen Sect. He is a rare genius in the history of martial arts. No matter what kind of strange skills or secret manuals are in his hands, he can always integrate them, find new paths, and reach a higher level."

She gazed at Yi Huawei and said solemnly, "In the history of martial arts, perhaps only you, sir, are qualified to be compared with him."

Yi Huawei was slightly taken aback, then chuckled: "Fei Xuan is too kind."

Shi Feixuan shook her head and said, "I'm not being polite. You are an unbelievable miracle in the martial arts world today." She paused and continued, "Leaving aside the power of the Undying Seal Technique, just look at how the four great Buddhist monks joined forces to hunt down Shi Zhixuan, determined to take back his martial arts. They besieged him three times, yet he still managed to escape wounded. That alone shows how terrifying it is."

Seeing that Yi Huawei seemed unconvinced, Shi Feixuan sighed softly: "If you think the Four Great Monks' martial arts are ordinary, then you are very wrong. The reason they are not well-known in the martial arts world is simply because they are true recluses and never get involved in worldly affairs. Therefore, they are not as famous as Ning Daoqi. Back then, when Master Jiaxiang and the Fourth Patriarch joined forces with Master Zhihui of the Tiantai Sect and Venerable Dixin of the Huayan Sect to hunt down Shi Zhixuan, even the Yin Gui Sect was terrified and dared not interfere or get involved in the slightest. This shows how powerful the Four Great Monks are."

With a distant gaze, Shi Feixuan seemed lost in memories: "Shi Zhixuan's terror lies not only in his martial arts, but also in his wisdom and cunning. He can move freely between the Buddhist and demonic sects, absorbing the strengths of both, and creating a martial art that is unparalleled in the world. This talent is rare throughout history."

"Shi Zhixuan's Undying Seal Technique is said to be able to resolve the energy of life and death, turning death into life and life into death, which is extremely mysterious. Those who fight with him are often unknowingly controlled by his technique, their internal energy flow is sluggish, and they may even be used by him instead."

Shi Feixuan's tone grew serious: "What's even more terrifying is that he is cunning and adept at exploiting people's weaknesses, often able to defeat his enemies with a few words."

Yi Huawei frowned and asked, "What did Fei Xuan mean when she said that Shi Zhixuan is also a great scourge to the Demonic Sect?"

Shi Feixuan replied, "Because Shi Zhixuan is determined to unify the demonic path, he poses a certain threat to the leaders of the various sects of the demonic sect. Empress Zhu Yuyan is extremely wary of him. If it weren't for Uncle Bi breaking his immortal seal, Zhu Yuyan probably wouldn't have been able to maintain her supreme status as the number one person in the demonic sect."

Yi Huawei spoke up: "Feixuan knows this person so well, but what connection does Cihang Jingzhai have with him?"

Shi Feixuan's eyes dimmed slightly, and after a moment of silence, she said, "To be honest, Shi Zhixuan and my sect do have a connection. Back then, he infiltrated the Buddhist sect, not only secretly learning martial arts, but also interacting with some of our seniors. As for the details, I'm afraid I can't say more." She raised her eyes and looked directly at Yi Huawei: "Sir, is your trip to Sichuan this time related to Shi Zhixuan?"

Yi Huawei remained noncommittal, only smiling slightly: "The world is vast, and all land belongs to the king. Since I founded the Heavenly Dao Alliance, I naturally have to care about the affairs of the world. No matter how strong Shi Zhixuan is, he is just a commoner."

Yi Huawei's voice was calm and even, yet it possessed an air of dominance over the world, as if the "Evil King," who struck fear into the hearts of both the righteous and the evil, was nothing more than an ordinary person in his words.

Shi Feixuan gazed at him, her eyes shimmering slightly, as if touched by the absolute confidence contained in his calm demeanor, or as if savoring the deeper meaning in his words.

With delicate hands, she lifted the teapot and refilled Yi Huawei's cup with emerald green tea. Her movements were fluid and graceful, possessing a natural, rhythmic beauty. The gentle murmur of the water and the wafting aroma of tea added to the tranquility of the elegant room as her flowing white sleeves danced in the breeze.

"Sir founded the Heavenly Dao Alliance, which swept across half of Jiangnan in a few months, integrating the martial arts world in the south, restraining powerful figures, and eliminating bandits, bringing some peace to the people."

Shi Feixuan's voice remained clear and cold, yet it carried a hint of barely perceptible admiration: "Such achievements are truly beyond the reach of ordinary people. Feixuan has traveled the world and seen places ravaged by war, with people displaced. Only under your rule, sir, have they been able to catch their breath. For this alone, sir, your merit is immeasurable."

She paused slightly, her gaze like a clear stream reflecting the moonlight outside the window and the lights inside, looking directly at Yi Huawei: "However, the world is not just the martial arts world. What are your ambitions, sir? I am foolish and hope that you can enlighten me."

This was the test of the most outstanding successor of Cihang Jingzhai in this generation, and also the mission she shouldered in this chaotic world—to find the true dragon, help him end the chaos, and restore peace. She had previously met Li Shimin and thought he might be a suitable candidate, but the "nameless" gentleman who suddenly appeared before her, with his methods, martial arts, and the speed of his expansion of power, far exceeded everyone's expectations, and had already become a variable in the game of the world that no one could ignore.

Yi Huawei picked up his teacup and took a small sip. The unique, refreshing sweetness of Qingcheng tea spread across his tongue.

"Where do you aspire to go?"

Yi Huawei repeated, a faint smile playing on his lips, his gaze returning to Shi Feixuan's stunning face: "Feixuan, what do you think is the cause of this chaos in the world?"

Shi Feixuan paused slightly, then pondered for a moment before saying, "Emperor Yang was tyrannical and indulged in extravagance and debauchery. He launched three campaigns against Goguryeo and commissioned the construction of the Grand Canal, exhausting the people's resources and causing widespread resentment and the rise of numerous warlords. Powerful clans carved up the land, and ruthless warlords vied for control, leaving the common people in unbearable suffering." (End of Chapter)