The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 541 Each Observes Their Own Martial World
A gentle morning breeze blew from the vast riverbank, rustling the newly sprouted reeds along the roadside and slightly dispelling the rising heat of the summer morning.

The carriage rumbled forward, the curtain swaying slightly. Lu Linxuan couldn't help but lift the curtain again to look out. The huge, dark blue outline of Jinling City was already faintly visible. As the carriage gradually approached, a long pavilion on the outskirts of the city, where people could rest and greet each other, came into view.

The cart tracks rolled over the ground where the rain from the previous night still lingered, leaving marks, but the carriage inexplicably came to a slow, steady stop at that moment.

The Imperial Guard driving the carriage nimbly dismounted, tossed the water bag to his companions on either side, and then walked away to talk in hushed tones.

Lu Linxuan was feeling puzzled, but when he lifted the carriage curtain again and looked out, he saw two figures already standing in the pavilion. As the carriage came to a stop, the two men stepped forward to greet him.

If seeing Li Xingyun walking out leisurely with an air of composure had already brought her some joy, it was only when she truly saw the person standing in front of Li Xingyun that her emotions surged uncontrollably. Her eyes widened instantly, her pupils contracted slightly, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Master!"

A trembling voice escaped his lips. In that instant, Lu Linxuan disregarded the presence of Princess Shangrao inside the carriage and hurriedly jumped down. He almost stumbled as he rushed toward the smiling Li Xingyun and the white-haired Uncle Yang. Forgetting all etiquette, he grabbed the latter's arm, his eyes quickly reddening and tears welling up, which he barely managed to hold back.

"Master! It really is you..."

Looking at the face before him, which had lost much of its childishness but was now as excited as the little girl in the Sword Pavilion back then, Yang Shuzi's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears. He raised his other hand and gently stroked Lu Linxuan's head, laughing, "You've all grown up, but you're still so impetuous."

Li Xingyun stood to the side, watching this scene, his nose tingling with emotion. But his gaze shifted, and he couldn't wait to look at the carriage.

At this moment, Princess Shangrao cautiously peeked out.

The moment she saw Li Xingyun standing outside the pavilion, all the worries of the past few months, the fear of being displaced, the burden of being a new mother, and the longing all seemed to find an outlet. Her eyes reddened, her lips trembled slightly, but she choked up for a moment, even subconsciously ignoring Uncle Yang standing next to Li Xingyun.

Li Xingyun strode to the carriage. He first carefully examined Shangrao, as if to confirm that she was truly safe and sound. A thousand words choked in his chest, but in the end, they all boiled down to one sentence: "Shangrao..."

He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace, repeatedly saying, "...It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright..."

Shangrao's tears finally fell, but she was smiling. She hugged him tightly, then seemed to remember something, quickly pulled away, carefully took the swaddled baby out of the carriage, and presented her to Li Xingyun. Wiping away her tears, she choked back a sob and said, "Look, this is... our daughter. His Majesty has named her Yong'an."

For a moment, Li Xingyun became somewhat awkward. He knew beforehand that Xiao Yan had bestowed a name and given jade to his daughter, but upon meeting her for the first time, he still couldn't help but feel an indescribable sense of panic and clumsiness.

Encouraged by Shangrao, he finally took the tiny baby girl from her arms, almost holding his breath.

The child was fast asleep, and Li Xingyun stared blankly at him, her head bowed, as if she couldn't believe it for a moment.

His arms were in an extremely awkward position, wanting to hold her tightly but afraid of disturbing his daughter's sweet dreams, so he could only stand there frozen.

“Yong’an…” Li Xingyun murmured the name, a surge of emotion mixed with immense joy, deep guilt and indescribable sorrow welling up in his heart, instantly bringing tears to his eyes.

He looked up at Shang Rao, then at Yang Shuzi and Lu Linxuan who were walking over, his voice hoarse: "She...she's so young..."

Looking at his clumsy appearance as a new father, Shangrao felt both sorry for him and amused. Just as she was about to tease him, her gaze fell on Lu Linxuan and Yang Shuzi, who had walked up to her. Knowing that the latter was Li Xingyun's respected master, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue and became a little nervous.

Li Xingyun noticed her unease and quickly adjusted his posture while holding the child. Then, he turned to Yang Shuzi, trying to calm his turbulent emotions, and solemnly introduced, "Master, this is Shangrao." He gently touched Shangrao's arm and said in a gentle tone, "Shangrao, quickly greet your master."

Shangrao quickly composed herself, suppressing the girlish demeanor she displayed when facing Li Xingyun, and respectfully curtsied to Uncle Yang, saying, "Shangrao... greets Master."

She lowered her head slightly, feeling uneasy, wondering how this elder, who was extremely important to Li Xingyun, would view her, the disciple's wife who had been forced into marriage by circumstances.

Seeing Shangrao's respectful yet barely concealed nervous demeanor, Yang Shuzi's gentle smile deepened, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out. He quickly offered a gesture of support and said softly, "Good child, no need for such formalities, please get up."

As he spoke, he casually took out a small object wrapped in a plain brocade handkerchief from his bosom and handed it to Shangrao, saying, "In this haste, I, as an elder, was unable to prepare a generous gift. This warm jade was acquired in my early years. Having carried it with me for a long time, it has become warm and lustrous. Wearing it in winter can ward off some of the cold. Consider it a keepsake, so please don't find it offensive."

Shangrao was flattered that this elder she was meeting for the first time had prepared a gift. She quickly accepted it with both hands, and found it to be warm and smooth to the touch. She looked up, her eyes full of gratitude, and bowed again, saying, "Thank you, Master. Shangrao likes it very much."

Yang Shuzi nodded with a smile, his gaze naturally turning to Lu Linxuan, whose eyes were still a little red but whose lips were smiling.

He no longer had the stern look he had at the Sword Pavilion; his eyes were gentle. Just as he was about to say something, Lu Linxuan seemed to know what he was thinking. She preemptively tugged at his sleeve with a hint of coquettishness and said, "Master, don't look at me. I'm no longer the little girl who begged for candy when I was a child. Now that I'm traveling the world, I can take care of myself. You don't need to spend money to prepare any gifts for me."

Yang Shuzi was taken aback upon hearing this, then looked at her now beautiful and radiant appearance, and couldn't help but feel a touch of nostalgia for the passing of time. In the end, he shook his head and sighed with a smile, "Yes, the little girl has finally grown up and no longer needs this small token of her master's affection." Although there was a hint of teasing in his words, there was more of a sense of relief.

Having said that, he said no more, but finally looked at the baby girl in Li Xingyun's arms.

He took two steps closer and carefully took out a small silver lock tied with a red string from his sleeve. The lock plate was polished smooth and engraved with simple auspicious cloud patterns.

"I heard that the Emperor bestowed upon this child the name 'Yong'an'?"

"Yes," Shangrao replied hastily.

“Peace and longevity, a good name…” Uncle Yang nodded and murmured, understanding Xiao Yan’s acceptance and magnanimity. He said no more, but gently tucked the silver lock into the edge of the swaddling clothes and said, “This longevity lock was personally cast and made by me with some silver I had saved up. It’s a bit simple, but it’s a token of my good wishes. I hope this little girl can inherit this name and live a peaceful and carefree life.”

Looking at the silver lock, Li Xingyun was also filled with mixed emotions. He glanced at Lu Linxuan, who, though he had never experienced Yang Shuzi's kindness before, was now deeply moved by it. He swallowed hard and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Master, what are you saying... This item is more precious than a thousand pieces of gold."

Uncle Yang simply waved his hand lightly, then looked at Li Yong'an's small face and smiled, "Her eyebrows and eyes are like yours when you were little. But her nose and mouth are more like her mother's; she's a pretty girl."

Just as the family reunion was easing, the curtain of a carriage behind them was lifted, and Xu Huan slowly stepped down. He deliberately waited for a moment before approaching unhurriedly so as not to disturb this hard-won reunion.

Upon seeing her approach, Li Xingyun quickly introduced Xu Huan to Uncle Yang while composed himself and said, "Master Xu."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Yang quickly composed himself and solemnly cupped his hands to Xu Huan, saying, "I have yet to thank Master Xu and Celestial Master Zhang for their care and concern for my unworthy disciple Xingyun and the impetuous girl Lin Xuan. They have suffered less hardship in the martial world and have been well taken care of by you two. I thank you for that."

Xu Huan bowed slightly, accepting the greeting with composure, and said softly, "Mr. Yang, you are too kind. Young Master Li and Miss Lu also have a connection with my Celestial Master's Mansion. Providing them with some assistance is simply our duty and nothing to mention."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Li Xingyun, "Moreover, Zifan has received much help from Young Master Li in Bianliang and Yangzhou. It is only natural for young people to support each other and return favors. I should also thank Young Master Li for protecting Zifan."

Upon hearing this, Li Xingyun quickly bowed slightly and said, "Master Xu, you flatter me. Brother Zhang has been very sincere to me. What I did was merely my duty as a friend, and it was nothing insignificant."

Xu Huan nodded slightly, saying no more, and then said, "Young Master Li, we happened to meet Zifan on the way here. He was ordered to go south to pacify Changsha, and his journey was urgent, so we only had time to exchange a few words. He asked me to tell you that he is doing well and everything is going smoothly. I hope you will not worry about him. We can meet again in the future and have a good drink together."

"Thank you for informing me, Master Xu, that Brother Zhang is well. I am relieved," Li Xingyun nodded.

Having said that, Xu Huan realized he was being superfluous, so he kindly added with a smile, "Gentlemen, it must be a long time since we last met. I'm sure you have a lot to say. I won't bother you any longer and will go into the city to settle down first."

Everyone understood her good intentions and did not try to persuade her to stay. After a brief farewell, Xu Huan boarded the carriage again and, accompanied by several disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion and the Imperial Guards escorting Lu Linxuan, headed towards Jinling City.

As the sound of the carriage faded into the distance, only this real family remained inside and outside the pavilion.

Yang Shuzi watched the carriage disappear at the end of the road, then slowly turned his gaze to the faint outline of Jinling City in the distance. He remained silent for a moment, as if pondering something, before turning to Li Xingyun and Lu Linxuan and saying:

"Seeing that you two are well, especially Xingyun who has settled down and started a family, I have no more worries. After entering the city to meet the Emperor, I will also ask for my leave and embark on a long journey."

The slight relief on Li Xingyun's face instantly froze, and he said in astonishment, "Why the rush? Jiangnan has just been pacified, and it has been so difficult for us, master and disciple, to reunite. Why don't you stay a little longer? At least... let your disciple fulfill his filial duty..." Shangrao was also hesitant to speak. Having been escorted to Jinling by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, she had thought that after experiencing so many ups and downs, Li Xingyun would at least be able to spend some time peacefully with his master, whom he regarded as a father, and enjoy family life.

Yang Shuzi looked at his apprentice, raised his hand to stop him from saying anything more, then looked at Lu Linxuan who was not speaking and shook his head, gazing at the willow branches swaying in the wind around the pavilion.

"It's not that I'm in a hurry. It's just that after going through this cycle of life and death and many events, I feel more and more that if one still has the strength, there are some things that should be done in time. The Emperor has ordered me to compile medical books to help people in the world, which is my wish for the rest of my life. So I should take advantage of my good eyesight, good hands, and good legs to travel to more places, save more people, and record more prescriptions. It would be good. In this way, I will not waste what I have learned in this life, and it is also a kind of compensation for the past."

Upon hearing these words, Li Xingyun knew perfectly well that his master's mind was made up, and he knew that he should not refute him under any circumstances. So all his words could only turn into a sigh, and he silently lowered his head.

Lu Linxuan listened silently to the conversation, but suddenly remembered the words of the young emperor at Yueyang Tower.

The hesitation lasted only a moment. As if she had made up her mind, she suddenly raised her head and said, "Master, if we are going on a long journey, I want to go with you!"

Upon hearing this, the group was instantly stunned, and all eyes turned to her.

Surprisingly, it was Princess Shangrao who reacted first. She was so shocked that she almost dropped her child and hurriedly grabbed Lu Linxuan's sleeve with one hand: "Linxuan, why are you doing this? The world is dangerous, and we have to live a life of hardship. You are a young woman..."

Lu Linxuan grasped Shangrao's hand in return, shook his head, and stared intently:
“Sister-in-law, I know you’re worried about me. But since I came down from the mountain, although I’ve experienced a lot, I always feel like a piece of duckweed, and I’ve never really followed my own heart to see what this world is really like.”

"Now that the world is about to be at peace, I also want to go and see it, to measure this land with my own eyes and my own feet, and to act with the chivalry in my heart with the sword in my hand..."

Upon hearing these words, Li Xingyun remained silent for a moment, then gently squeezed Shangrao's hand, signaling her to calm down. He then looked at Lu Linxuan, a wry smile tinged with emotion on his face.
“Junior sister has grown up and has her own ideas now. How can I, as her senior brother, not support her? Just remember, no matter what, this place will always be your home with your senior brother and sister-in-law. Go, go and see the world of martial arts you want to see.”

With Li Xingyun's support, the last trace of hesitation in Lu Linxuan's eyes vanished. She turned to look at Uncle Yang, her eyes filled with expectation and a hint of nervousness, afraid of being rejected.

Li Xingyun also looked at Yang Shuzi, as if seeking his consent.

Before Yang Shuzi could speak, Lu Linxuan couldn't help but interject, "Master, please take me with you! I'm no longer the little girl who only caused you trouble in the Sword Pavilion! I can take care of myself, and I can help you gather herbs, identify medicinal plants, and record medical records and prescriptions. I will never be a burden to you!"

Looking at his now graceful disciple, Yang Shuzi glanced at Shang Rao, who was worried but hadn't spoken up to stop him, and at Li Xingyun, whose expression was calm but supportive. He finally shook his head with a stern face, but then, as if he couldn't hold back, he burst into loud laughter.

"Alright, alright," he said with a smile, tinged with a hint of teasing, "You've really grown too big for your britches, and your master can't control you anymore. But following this old man won't bring you fine clothes and sumptuous food, only coarse tea and simple meals, and you'll be trekking through mountains and rivers. Have you thought it through? If you complain about the hardships and fatigue, your master will kick you out..."

Seeing his master agree, Lu Linxuan's face instantly blossomed like a spring flower, and he smiled through his tears, nodding vigorously and saying in a clear voice, "I've thought it through, I'm not afraid of hardship! Master, you can rest assured!"

Seeing that the three of them had already made up their minds, Shangrao, despite her reluctance and worries, knew that she could not change Lin Xuan's mind. However, looking at her aunt who was about to part ways, she felt sad and sighed softly, her eyes reddening again.

Seeing Shangrao's sorrowful expression, Lu Linxuan was also filled with feelings of parting and longing. He immediately stepped forward to hold his sister-in-law's hand and offer her some words of comfort.

But just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar on the official road. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a fast horse galloping along the road, its hooves kicking up some wet dust.

The knight on horseback was dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, with a wide-brimmed hat covering most of his face, while the lower half of his face was covered by a dark cloth, revealing only his eyes.

When the group looked over warily, the rider reined in his horse and stopped a few steps away. He then scanned the group, looking them up and down.

Before Li Xingyun could ask any questions, Lai Qi first took off his straw hat and casually hung it beside the saddle. Then, he untied the cloth covering his face.

When they saw that the man's face bore an almost uncanny resemblance to Li Xingyun's, both Lu Linxuan and Shangrao were taken aback.

It was a fake Li.

However, unlike what he had seen on the city wall of Jinling a few days ago, now there was a scar on his left cheek that started from his eyebrow and ran diagonally across his temple, ruining his originally handsome features. This made it impossible for anyone to mistake him for Li Xingyun, even if they stood together.

This scar seemed to completely sever him from the "fake Li" of the past.

He ignored Shangrao's wide-eyed stare and Lu Linxuan's surprised expression, and just sneered at Li Xingyun, who was slightly frowning.

“I have already asked the Emperor for my leave and will depart immediately. I will certainly complete that matter before you do.”

Li Xingyun frowned slightly again as he looked at the scars on Li Yi's face. He paused for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Li Yi, although Jiangnan has been pacified, the situation in other regions is not entirely peaceful, especially in Jiangxi. There may be defeated soldiers and bandits in the mountains and fields. Now that your martial arts are weakened, traveling alone would be too dangerous. Perhaps..."

"No need for you to worry." The fake Li interrupted him directly, a mocking smile on his face, but beneath that mockery, there seemed to be something else. "I am now, unfortunately, very unlucky. As for how to achieve my goal, I have my own methods. You should think more about yourself and how you can complete the task entrusted to you by the Emperor before I do."

He seemed to have only come to convey this message. After speaking, he gave Li Xingyun no chance to speak again. He simply put his straw hat back on, pulled the reins sharply, turned his horse around, and without any hesitation, galloped south along the official road. Soon, only a receding figure and the gradually dissipating dust remained.

Watching the departing figure disappear into the distance, Shangrao turned pale with anger and couldn't help but stomp his foot: "How could this person be so ungrateful! Xingyun, you kindly invited him, and he..."

Lu Linxuan also looked puzzled. Like Shangrao, she knew very little about the grudges between the fake Li and Li Xingyun. She only vaguely knew that the two were now recognized by the emperor and included in the imperial clan, so they were considered brothers.

Seeing that Li Xingyun showed no intention of explaining, she suppressed her curiosity and did not press him about the fake Li. Instead, recalling their earlier conversation, she looked at Li Xingyun and asked, "Senior Brother, what he said earlier was that the Emperor entrusted both of you with the same task? What exactly is it?"

Li Xingyun stared in the direction where the fake Li had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he explained, "The Emperor has ordered that the two of us must, within a few years, persuade one of the seniors who has been living in seclusion in the Twelve Caves of Raojiang to come out of seclusion."

"The Twelve Caves of Raojiang?"

Lu Linxuan's face immediately showed worry. She subconsciously looked at Yang Shuzi, but saw that her master's expression was calm and he did not try to stop her. He was obviously aware of the matter.

But after a moment's hesitation, she voiced her concerns: "I've heard that the place is rife with miasma and the Gu arts are bizarre and extremely dangerous. Who is this master that the Emperor himself issued an edict ordering the two of you to go and invite him? Senior brother, do you still have some old ties with the Twelve Caves?"

Li Xingyun shook his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "The Emperor didn't specify who it was, only that it was an elder of his, living deep within the Twelve Caves. He ordered us to use whatever method we had to bring him out."

He pondered for a moment, then comforted him, "Presumably, he is a reclusive and extraordinary person. Since the Emperor has not set a strict deadline, this matter is probably not that urgent."

Hearing the words "raojiang," "mist-ridden," and "dangerous," Shangrao felt a pang of anxiety. Forgetting his earlier displeasure with the fake Li, he quickly grabbed Li Xingyun's sleeve and said urgently, "That place sounds dangerous! Xingyun, I want to go with you! More people means more protection."

Seeing the worry and fear on her face, Li Xingyun gently took her hand and comforted her, saying, "Don't be anxious or afraid. The Emperor has given us several years, which shows that this matter cannot be accomplished overnight, nor does it necessarily require a life-or-death struggle. My primary purpose in going is to 'invite' him, not to force him. If Li Yi wants to claim the credit for arriving first, let him be. I have no intention of competing with him for the order of arrival. We..."

He meant to say, "We can discuss this further," but before he could finish speaking, he seemed to suddenly remember something extremely important. His expression changed abruptly, and he unconsciously raised his hand and slapped his forehead hard.

"Oh no, something's wrong! Something's wrong!"

He cried out in a low voice, annoyed, "The Emperor entrusted me with the Longquan Sword, making me hold it as a token... Li Yi... how can he go to the Twelve Caves without a token? And how can he gain the trust of that senior?"

When this question was raised, the group fell silent for a moment.

A moment later, Li Xingyun's loud cursing finally rang out.

"I rely on it!"

(End of this chapter)