Knife splashing

Chapter 192: The Long Road Ahead

when!when!when!
The melodious bell sounds echoed throughout Mount Huashan.

On the Qingkeping Mountain Road, Li Yan looked back with mixed feelings.

When his sword is completed, it will be the day when the abbot of Chunyang Palace passes away.

No matter how you look at it, it seems a bit unlucky.

At this time, they naturally did not dare to say any more nonsense and bring bad luck. After saying goodbye to Yu Fengzi and others, they hurried down the mountain.

Mount Hua is indeed the root of China.

Looking back, I realize how bizarre this trip was and many things still make me confused.

For example, the mysterious Maonu and Xiuyangong in the biographies of immortals.

One of them achieved immortality through taking medicine, and his divine power has been preserved until now and has not dissipated. The other one even knows the art of transformation, which is truly mysterious.

There is also the inexplicable Huashan Magic Lamp and the sudden arrival of Baidi Fuyuan, all of which seem to be shrouded in mist...

Wang Daoxuan once said that temples and Taoist temples are divided into three parts:

Those who live at the foot of the mountain embrace the mundane world, those who live on the mountainside are half mundane and half immortal, and those who reach the top of the mountain stay away from the mundane world and seek the truth with all their heart.

Perhaps one day when he stands high enough, these mysteries will be solved one by one, but for now, he still needs to roll around in the world.

Thinking of this, he clenched the Dust-Breaking Knife in his hand, looked towards the distant valley, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, the matter on the mountain is over, and the road to the rivers and lakes is long, let's set off early."

"Brother Lu, see if those idiots are still there at the foot of the mountain?"

Lu San nodded and blew a bamboo whistle to imitate the sound of an eagle.

In the gloomy sky, hawks were circling up and down.

When Lu San saw this, he frowned, "Those people are still guarding Yuquanfang, strictly checking people going up and down the mountain. They are really haunting."

Li Yan snorted, his eyes slightly cold, "In this case, we have no choice but to take action. Get ready and let's break through the barrier and get out of the mountain!"

There is no doubt that the imperial court's troops are difficult to deal with.

Unless you are a master figure who can move freely in the chaotic army, ordinary people and sorcerers, even if you have cultivated to the Dan realm and Gangjin, and your magic skills are also good, you will die of exhaustion when surrounded by so many people.

But for him, this matter is not unsolvable.

At this moment, the sky is gloomy, drizzling, and there is no sunshine at all.

In this kind of weather, summoning troops is not a problem.

At worst, we can summon a battalion of ghost soldiers, stir up a strong wind, and cause flying sand and rocks to dazzle their eyes, giving them the opportunity to break through the pass.

The criminal was arrested twice and a total of six Gangling Orders were obtained.

It's okay to use a way to escape.

Of course, he would not go on a killing spree. Using the ghost soldiers to escape and using magic to massacre court officials and soldiers are two different things.

Some of them are taboos. Once done, the Law Enforcement Hall will swarm in, and even the disciples of Taixuan Orthodox Sect dare not do it.

After all, he had seen the situation on the mountain. The Daxuan Dynasty was now at its peak, and the royal power still suppressed the divine power.

Soon, the three of them reached the foot of the mountain, lay on the rocks at the corner, and looked out.

Sure enough, there were a large number of soldiers patrolling outside the Xiyue Temple.

This is a place for sacrifices by the imperial dynasty, so they certainly wouldn't dare to let their soldiers in, but they guarded all the roads and strictly checked all the passers-by.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, winked at everyone, then held the certificate in his hand and prepared to break through.

But just as he was about to cast the spell, things took a turn for the better.

I saw two riders galloping towards me on the plain in the distance.

"Sir! Sir, slow down!"

The servant Zhumo was terrified and kept shouting behind.

Yan Jiuling was galloping on his horse in front, mud and water splashing everywhere, his brocade robe was covered with stains, but his eyes were unusually bright.

Although he was in a mess riding a horse in the rain, he was relieved when he saw the scene below the mountain. "Fortunately, I didn't miss anything."

"Stop!"

Seeing him riding towards them, the soldiers outside immediately drew their bows and drew their arrows.

"Be bold!"

Yan Jiuling shouted angrily. He no longer looked like a timid scholar as usual. He glared at the scholar and said, "I am Yan Jiuling, a Juren from Ezhou. I am here on the orders of the Governor Li. Do you want to rebel?"

Although he did not practice martial arts, he was filled with righteous indignation at this moment.

The soldiers who were blocking the road suddenly had a look of doubt and uncertainty in their eyes.

Seeing Yan Jiuling's extraordinary momentum, they quickly put down their weapons. The leading soldier asked with some guilt: "Do you have any proof?"

"Humph!"

Yan Jiuling dismounted from his horse, snorted coldly, and took out a blank piece of paper from his arms. There were a few lines of words written on it, and a bright red official seal on it.

But the soldier just asked casually, he couldn't recognize the words at all, he took a quick look, then bowed and clasped his fists and said: "Sir, please follow me."

Facing thousands of fierce and ferocious soldiers, Yan Jiuling showed no fear. He stiffened his neck and swaggered into the central army.

Li Yan and others naturally saw it as well.

Yan Jiuling was seen pinching his waist and cursing at a general on horseback. Although the general looked angry, he did not dare to say much. He clasped his fists, waved his hand, and quickly left with his troops.

Sharifei was amazed and said, "Well, this silly scholar actually has such momentum, incredible!"

After the soldiers left, Yan Jiuling remained where he was, turned his head and looked towards Huashan, his eyes full of worry.

Seeing this, Li Yan and others no longer hid and walked out quickly.

"Hahaha..." Yan Jiuling breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that they were safe. He ran over with a big laugh. The ground was slippery and he almost fell.

He didn't care. Despite his embarrassment, he still smiled and said, "I'm glad you're all okay. The river flooded on the way and collapsed the bridge, which delayed us for some time. I was so anxious that I thought I had missed the opportunity."

"Thank you, Brother Yan!" Li Yan clasped his fists with a serious look.

Although he had a way to break through, he also saw what Yan Jiuling did. While he admired him in his heart, he also remembered this favor.

"No problem, it's my duty."

Yan Jiuling didn't care. He looked at Huashan, then at everyone else, and suddenly sighed, "Everyone, are we going to say goodbye here?"

Li Yan smiled and said, "Without wine, what's the difference?"

"wait for me!"

After saying this, he rode out on his fast horse, ran to a nearby town to buy a jar of wine, and then hurried back and poured a bowl for everyone.

Yan Jiuling also felt very proud at this time, and he picked up the wine bowl and said with a smile: "Brother Li, we say goodbye today, and I don't know when we will meet again."

"But I believe that I will definitely hear your name in the martial arts world!"

Li Yan also held the bowl and said in a deep voice: "I am in Jianghu, and I will definitely hear the news that Brother Yan has passed the imperial examination next year."

The imperial examination in the Daxuan Dynasty was held every three years. Yan Jiuling passed the examination and will go to the capital to prepare this year.

The examination will be held around February or March next year. The reason for going up in advance is simply to make arrangements and meet with various teachers.

This is the trend nowadays. If you don't do it and have no roots or foundation, even if you don't fail the exam, you will be exiled to a remote place to be an official.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Li!"

Several people picked up the wine bowls, drank them down with gulps, and then smashed them to the ground.

Zhu Mo, who was standing by, was also infected and said, "Master Li, Uncle Sha, Taoist Wang, please be careful on the road."

"This Guanzhong is really not peaceful. The army dares to send troops without permission, and the knife-wielding bandits are so rampant. I heard that on the night of the Lantern Festival, someone even twisted someone's head off in the street. It was so scary..."

Li Yan and others suddenly looked strange.

Sharifi said happily: "Yes, yes, we are all good citizens, we dare not meet those bandits."

Yan Jiuling naturally knew what was going on. He smiled and said solemnly, "Everyone, see you later!"

"See you later!"

Li Yan and others also bowed.

In the drizzle, both sides drank wine to say goodbye.

One went north and entered the officialdom.

One went south and headed for the rivers and lakes...

……

Chang'an City, inside Hua'e Tower.

Ye Kulang got drunk and woke up, woke up and got drunk again. The 10,000 taels of silver he had just obtained were also spent at an alarming rate.

There is a beauty in my arms and wine jugs clinking under my feet.

Looking at the note brought by Manager Wan, Ye Kulang shook his head slightly, then twisted the paper lightly with his fingers, and the paper instantly turned into ashes.

"Leaving? Leaving is good..."

"The road must always be taken step by step."

He took a gulp of wine and came to the window with his chest bare. He looked at the prosperity of Chang'an with a dazed look, as if he was recalling how he looked when he first came here...

In the Qingyuan Building in the distance, Zhao Wanfang also clenched the note, then stood up and went to the elegant pavilion next door.

"Master, I am ready. Let's go to the capital now..."

Inside the Chang'an Palace, Li Kongqing looked at the note that had just been delivered, sighed slightly, and looked into the distance.

On the side, the Prince of Chang'an was checking official documents. He turned his head and asked, "Kong Qing, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. My mother's apprentice left without even saying goodbye. I'm afraid my mother will be sad."

"Sir, I want to go home tonight and have dinner with my mother."

"It's a filial duty, of course." The Prince of Chang'an nodded, thinking: "Is it the one who killed someone in the street during the Lantern Festival?"

"Ah."

"It's better to avoid dealing with such quacks. Also, has Yue Fa Chong left as well?"

"Just left the palace."

"Humph, this person is extremely utilitarian. Although he wants to preserve his lineage, he is not qualified to drag the palace into this. As for Luo Faqing, he is quite interesting. You should pay more attention to him in the future."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Outside the Chang'an Palace, on Shengyefang Street, Yue Fachong, dressed in a plain white Taoist robe, slowly walked away holding the hand of a child.

"Master!"

The little boy suddenly looked up, looking chubby and asking doubtfully, "Why don't you avenge my father?"

Yue Fa Chong glanced at him calmly and said, "This is his own fault. I have already told him not to come to Chang'an, but he still insisted on doing so. This is what he deserves."

"And you, once your father dies, the Qiao family will surely fall. If you want revenge, you have to rely on your own abilities. If you don't have the ability, just sweep the floor in the mountains."

"Yes, master."

The child nodded vigorously, his eyes full of determination.

Yue Fachong smiled indifferently, turned his head to look at the Chang'an Palace behind him, and strode away without any more attachment.

After leaving the Chang'an city gate, his eyes suddenly focused and he looked forward.

The child next to him was very smart. Seeing this, he looked up and saw a Taoist priest in a black robe in the distance, who was also leaving holding the child's hand.

"Master, who is that?"

"It's a Taoist priest named Gu Chenzi from the Law Enforcement Hall."

Yue Fa Chong didn't know what he was thinking of. He sighed slightly and lowered his head and said, "Remember, that is Taixuan Orthodox Sect, the leader of Xuanmen."

"Revenge is nothing. If you are really capable, let my Shangshan Sect become the orthodox sect of Xuanmen. Then no one will dare to bully you anymore."

"Yes, master."

Gu Chenzi, who was far away, held the child's hand and also warned him, "Although Senior Brother Luo Mingzi has established himself in the capital, it is not a good place. There are many people with higher qualifications than you. Don't cause trouble for your master."

"Ah."

The child nodded timidly.

It was Zheng Xian’s son who was rescued by Li Yan and his men.

……

Outside the city of Xianyang, at the entrance of Shangyi Village.

Manager Wan looked at Donkey Zhao and became extremely angry.

"You stubborn fellow, are you really going to hide in Guanzhong for the rest of your life? Your father is afraid that you will cause trouble, but with your personality, how could you possibly cause trouble?"

Zhao Luzi smiled innocently and touched his head.

Shopkeeper Wan shook his head speechlessly, "Brother Yan said when he left that if there is anything, we must find a way to inform him, and he will rush back no matter where he is."

"Although he is ruthless, he is a man of his word. It is not easy to make a few friends who keep their word in one's life."

"Ah."

Zhao Luzi nodded seriously.

"What a boring ass."

Shopkeeper Wan was helpless and said, "Also, I asked someone in Xianyang City to find you a marriage partner. How about..."

"No no no!"

Zhao Luzi's face turned red and he waved his hands quickly, "No need, Uncle Wan, I'll find a way myself."

After saying this, he fled.

Looking at the other person's leaving figure, Manager Wan looked helpless.

After leaving Shangyi Village, Zhao Luzi walked faster and faster, and in less than half an hour, he returned to the mountain temple on the mountain.

The originally messy mountain temple has now been cleaned up. A woman is humming a little tune and weaving reeds into a mat.

She had a fair face and was very pretty. Although she was wearing coarse clothes and doing the work that only a peasant woman would do, her delicate hands looked a little rough, but she was calm and composed, as if she was picking flowers in a garden.

Seeing Zhao Luzi, she smiled and said, "You're back?"

"Ah."

Zhao Luzi nodded silently, hesitated for a moment, and said: "I asked, and the situation in Chang'an is still a bit tense..."

The woman blinked. "Do you really want me to leave?"

"This, no...I..."

Zhao Luzi suddenly felt a little flustered and started to stir garlic in his mouth.

The woman chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't leave."

As he spoke, he looked towards Chang'an City, a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes, "I never want to go back to that place. Everyone is scheming against each other, and living in fear. Here, at least I can sleep peacefully every day."

"Ah."

Zhao Luzi hummed and scratched the back of his head.

Although he couldn't speak, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

"fool."

Seeing this, the woman laughed again, her eyes full of tenderness, "From now on, don't call me Miss Feng. Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. From now on, I will be called Zhao Fengshi."

Zhao Luzi hummed again.

"You only know how to do it?"

"Ah."

"What a fool..."

……

Xianyang City, Zhang’s Martial Arts School.

Today is Zhang Yuanshang’s 60th birthday.

Although he is a low-key person, as the president of the Xianyang City Shenquan Club, he sometimes has no choice as to how he celebrates his birthday.

At this moment, the entire martial arts hall had already been decorated with lights and colors, and the disciples were busy preparing for the banquet. They also invited a troupe of actors from Chang'an.

Holding the note sent by Manager Wan, Zhang Shitong walked through the bustling crowd and quickly came to the backyard.

In the yard, Zhang Yuanshang was squatting on the steps like the old farmer, puffing out smoke from his pipe.

Zhang Shitong hurried forward and said with his head down, "Father, Li Yan is gone, and nothing happened."

"What kind of accident could happen to him!"

Zhang Yuanshang snorted in annoyance, "I can see that this kid is wilder and more likely to cause trouble than his father. He has caused so many troubles in Guanzhong. What else can he do if he doesn't run away?"

"Where did they go?"

"I heard they were going to Ezhou, and they should have reached Manchuan Pass by now."

"Ezhou? You have to pass through Yunyang Prefecture on the way. That place... Oh, forget it. This guy is the kind of guy who only takes advantage and never suffers any loss. Let him go."

Seeing that Zhang Yuanshang was upset, Zhang Shitong whispered, "Father, you invited both families here. What if they..."

"What could possibly happen?"

Zhang Yuanshang glared at them and said, "Today is my birthday. No matter how angry they are, they have to hold it in. It would be better if they could talk it out. They all have families and jobs, and they just want to make a living."

"He's just like that kid Li Yan, killing people over a disagreement!"

"Everyone is almost here, let's go."

Having said that, he stood up, patted his butt, and left the backyard.

The front yard was already filled with noise and bustle.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang!"

"I've met President Zhang!"

Seeing Zhang Yuanshang coming, everyone hurried forward to greet him.

Zhang Yuanshang laughed it off, trying to please everyone, and the atmosphere in the martial arts hall was harmonious.

On the stage in the distance, the old actor's desolate and heroic voice sounded:
"The universe rises and falls, the wise and the foolish are drunk and awake, the rise and fall of the past and the present, I sit on a cold night with swords and flowers, my heart is strong, but it is a foreign land again..."

(End of this chapter)