From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 322 Old things
The wind was strong and the rain was heavy, causing the boat's awning to sway violently.

The woman in gray spoke in a clear, melodious voice, like a willow leaf sprouting in early spring; even in the face of high winds and raging waves, her voice was still audible.

Upon hearing the gray-clad woman's words, Meng Yuan realized that he hadn't been wrong after all; she was completely different from the simple and kind-hearted Xiang Ling.

Before Meng Yuan could say anything, Lin Yan had already stood up.

"Then let's leave for a bit." Lin Yan was always polite, and he even asked Meng Yuan, "Junior Brother, how long will it be?"

We'll have to wait until dawn at least!
Meng Yuan had a headache and wanted to pull his hand back, but Elder Miaoyin was like Xiangling seeing a boiled egg, and she just wouldn't let go.

With a little effort, Meng Yuan realized that he couldn't break free at all.

Meng Yuan didn't feel how much strength those fair and delicate hands had, but he just couldn't pull them back, as if they were being sucked in.

The more you try to stop, the closer you get to the other person, and the more unable you are to extricate yourself.

"Don't rush, let me see." Elder Miaoyin had a gentle smile on her face, which made her seem even more charming on the turbulent river.

This woman is actually a white fox; when she gets seductive, there's no stopping her.

For a moment, Meng Yuan really considered kicking Lin Yan and the others off the ship.

As soon as Meng Yuan regained his composure, he sensed wisps of subtle energy entering his palm.

Generally speaking, before reaching the fifth rank, martial artists mostly use Jade Liquid to activate their own techniques. However, once they enter the fifth rank and attain the true meaning, Jade Liquid also acquires various connotations depending on the techniques they cultivate.

The aura that Elder Miaoyin exhaled was surprisingly vigorous, but it was completely different from the jade liquid of martial artists. Instead, it seemed to have been drawn from the world.

In the past, when Meng Yuan was examined like this by Yingmei and Mingyue, he was always at their mercy. Even Wang Er was allowed to be looked over at as well.

But at this moment, when Meng Yuan faced Elder Miaoyin, even though he wanted to resist, even though he solidified his flesh and bones and tightened the jade liquid in his dantian, it seemed that the wisp of your aura entered his body and was very compatible with him.

The energy surged and circulated within Meng Yuan's body, carefully examining it, clearly seeking to find out the truth.

Meng Yuan was naturally not afraid, but he was also unwilling to suffer a loss. With a thought, the jade liquid entered the thread and entered along Elder Miaoyin's fair and tender hand.

In an instant, Meng Yuan realized that this high-ranking demon cultivator was not as gentle as he appeared on the surface; his heart was far more roguish.

Because she had revealed her jade liquid, Elder Miaoyin was completely unprepared and even seemed to be encouraging her, as if she wanted to test her own strength.

Sure enough, after trying it out, Meng Yuan realized that although Elder Miaoyin was as gentle as water, his strength and physique were probably no less than his own.

Meng Yuan had tempered his body several times and achieved great success. Although only a year had passed, his physical strength far surpassed that of people of the same rank, and he could even be compared with people of the fifth or fourth rank.

Great demons who cultivate demonic paths have always had long lifespans. Over such long years, nourished by heaven and earth and tempered over time, their bodies are naturally stronger than those of other paths.

However, the path of demon cultivation is arduous and cannot be achieved overnight. While other families can achieve something in ten years, demon cultivators need to spend hundreds of years or even longer.

This is why there are fewer and fewer demons cultivating demonic arts these days, while the paths of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and martial arts are becoming more and more common. In particular, martial arts and Taoism are the preferred paths for most demons.

However, it is said that in the endless mountains, those with extraordinary talent and exceptional comprehension are often guided into the path of demon cultivation by their senior demon clan members.

Meng Yuan had finally witnessed the magnificence of a great demon today, and he felt even more strongly that Elder Miaoyin was extraordinary. Regardless of how alluring and charming she was, there was no doubt that her body could withstand any temptation.

At this moment, Elder Miaoyin also tested Meng Yuan's strengths and weaknesses. She discovered that this boy's body was not only strong and resilient, but also had a sense of harmony and unity.

There was a faint fire within and without his body, circulating throughout his flesh, bones, and even his internal organs and dantian, as if constantly cleansing his body and isolating him from external disturbances.

Elder Miaoyin now understood why this young man had been able to break free from her charm spell in the blink of an eye. However, upon closer examination of the fiery intent, she still couldn't fathom its mystery.

However, regardless of the circumstances, this person possesses an exceptionally strong physique, making him no ordinary individual among the demon race, which is renowned for its physical prowess. Not only are demons of the same cultivation level unable to compare with him, but even fifth-grade demon cultivators would find it difficult to match him.

Elder Miaoyin clearly saw that even though she herself was at the fourth rank, her physical strength, both internal and external, might be slightly superior to her opponent's. However, if both were seriously injured, this person would definitely recover much faster than her.

Moreover, this person's body is in harmony inside and out, giving a sense of continuous vitality. In addition, with a strong physique, he must have great endurance, be good at enduring hardship, and be able to fight tough, hard, fierce, and prolonged battles.

Of course, Elder Miaoyin also witnessed this person's ability to endure hardship and tough battles at noon today. Moreover, he had an excellent mindset, was indomitable, and was adept at seizing opportunities.

Thinking of this, Elder Miaoyin's gaze towards Meng Yuan became even more alluring, her eyes carrying a complex mix of emotions, as if she were eyeing a delicious treat, or perhaps she was being seductive.

Meng Yuan had already sensed something was wrong. This Elder Miaoyin was indeed of demon race origin and knew nothing of etiquette. She stared at people intently, making no attempt to conceal the flirtatious intent in her eyes.

This is outrageous! Meng Yuan thought that if you were acting so recklessly when no one was around, it wouldn't be a big deal to have a go with you, but there are so many people around right now!
Suddenly, laughter was heard, and Elder Miaoyin finally let go of Meng Yuan's hand. But as Meng Yuan quickly pulled his hand back, she gently scratched the back of Meng Yuan's hand, followed by another burst of soft laughter.

Meng Yuan had never suffered such humiliation since he started out, but he couldn't retaliate at this moment. He simply kept this matter in mind for another day.

"Sister, it is indeed delicious." Elder Miaoyin's pink tongue peeked out slightly before retracting.

She merely touched hands with Meng Yuan, yet a blush rose to her face, her flush resembling the heat of a passionate battle.

As Elder Miaoyin spoke, she leaned closer to Meng Yuan and said, "He is a fine man. Although his virginity is gone, he can still leave behind a lineage."

"Elder, you jest." Meng Yuan finally understood who had instructed Cangshan Jun. He didn't argue, nor did he meet Elder Miaoyin's gaze. Instead, he looked at the woman in gray.

Lin Yan sat down next to Meng Yuan, and he looked at the gray-clad woman with great excitement.

The woman in gray did not reveal her identity, but the two men had heard of her before.

“She is Hua Suzhi.” Xuanjizi looked out of the boat awning, his mind wandering to the distant horizon as he saw the wind, rain and waves.

"Ancestor!" Lin Yan, who could swallow his pride the most, knelt down and said, "The medicine lady has been talking about you a lot!"

"Medicine Mother? Yuan the Medicine Mother? I don't remember her." Hua Suzhi leaned against the boat awning, her voice still crisp and clear, somewhat similar to Xiangling's.

Hua Suzhi rested her chin on her hand, sitting beside Elder Miaoyin. Her beauty was rare in the candlelight, but she was not overshadowed by Elder Miaoyin's delicate and charming appearance; on the contrary, she was even more captivating.

It's not just about temperament and appearance, but also about a sense of ease and composure, as if one can make the world their home regardless of others' opinions.

This is not domineering or unreasonable. On the contrary, there is no sense of violence in her dark eyes and demeanor. Instead, there is a sense of indifference, yet also a cunning and wisdom that sees through the ways of the world.

Hua Suzhi looked Lin Yan up and down, then said, "I think I heard someone mention that she's a good girl. You should treat her well."

"Yes!" Lin Yan knelt down with a thudding, then excitedly pulled out a letter from his bosom. "Ancestor, please sign this. I'm afraid the Medicine Mother won't believe me!" Seeing that Hua Suzhi remained silent, he quickly explained, "The Medicine Mother hasn't bred a child yet, and she keeps telling me she wants a divorce. I really have no other choice."

"Sister, why not help this marriage? It would be a good deed." Elder Miaoyin covered her mouth and smiled. Seeing Lin Yan's gratitude, she said with a smile, "I love helping people find a match."

Hua Suzhi had no temper. She immediately took out a pen and wrote a few words on the letter Lin Yan had taken out: Get married soon and stop wasting your life!
"Thank you for your imperial brush, Ancestor!" Lin Yan knelt again, joyfully blowing on the ink, clearly feeling that the trip had been worthwhile and even a complete success.

Looking at the words left by Hua Suzhi, Meng Yuan couldn't help but think of the first time he met Xiangling, when Xiangling had said the same thing to him and Tie Niu.

"Elder Hua, I have long admired your name." Meng Yuan then bowed.

Hua Suzhi still rested her chin on her hand, a slight smile on her face, and moved her chin slightly towards Meng Yuan as a greeting.

"I wonder if the elder has found Senior Brother Li Weizhen?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"He'll be here soon." Hua Suzhi looked at Meng Yuan and asked, "Are you waiting for him too?"

“I only met Senior Brother Li Weizhen once, and at that time I didn’t know he was a master. But recently I’ve been hearing about him, so I can’t help but be curious,” Meng Yuan said.

"Ancestor, is Li Weizhen really that tall?" Lin Yan asked curiously.

“Excellent.” Hua Suzhi nodded slightly.

"How tall?" Lin Yan pressed. "How tall can a fourth-rank martial artist be?"

“That’s hard to say.” Hua Suzhi smiled upon hearing this and continued, “Up close, it’s just a humble tiled house, no taller than a roof. But the more carefully you look at it, the more detailed you look, the less you can see. Then one day, standing at a distance, you see it as boundless and limitless.”

Hua Suzhi freed her other hand and pointed outside, "Martial artists may look short, but on the day of the competition, they will always be a head taller than others."

"Old Taoist priest with a bull's nose." Elder Miaoyin smiled and said, "No matter how happy you are that your sister is praising your disciple, don't forget the bet."

"This old Taoist has always kept his word." As Xuanjizi spoke, he finally opened his eyes. He looked at Miaoyin and asked, "Elder, it's not about the Western Buddhist Kingdom, but you've come to ask Jingxu for help. Has something gone wrong with your Demon Kingdom's One-Eyed King?"

"You don't need to know." Elder Miaoyin smiled charmingly, revealing no flaw.

"When will Senior Brother Li Weizhen return? Is he really going to face the Arhat Wusheng?" Meng Yuan looked at Hua Suzhi, but in the end, he didn't dare to ask her about her grudges and entanglements with Li Weizhen.

"What is the Arhat of No Birth?" Elder Miaoyin scoffed. "Whether Li Weizhen has real skills or not still needs to be tested by the Arhat of No Birth."

As she said this, Elder Miaoyin looked at Meng Yuan and said in a gentle tone, "Just like when I examine you."

How can these be compared? They risk their lives, we just show off our style!

Meng Yuan ignored them, fearing that they would bring up the matter of borrowing seed again, and lowered his head to pour tea for everyone.

After everyone had drunk their tea, Elder Miaoyin inquired about the battle that had taken place at noon that day.

"You were able to suppress the Red Lotus Karmic Fire without sustaining any injury or pain, which shows your extraordinary abilities." Elder Miaoyin seemed to be very fond of Meng Yuan, her beautiful eyes never leaving him, and she said with a charming smile, "It seems you have already gained something. Are you going into seclusion?"

“Exactly,” Meng Yuan replied.

"How long will you have to face the wall?" Hana Suzu asked.

"It could take anywhere from seven days to more than a month." Meng Yuan had carefully considered this.

"It's alright." Hua Suzhi shifted her gaze slightly to Meng Yuan and smiled, "Li Weizhen will arrive once you emerge from seclusion."

Upon hearing this, everyone on the ship felt a sense of anticipation. Li Weizhen, after much urging, was finally about to draw his sword.

"There will be a gift from the pangolin in the future, so please don't refuse it, young friend," Elder Miaoyin suddenly said.

“This…” Meng Yuan had a headache.

"Hey, stop pretending!" Lin Yan nudged Meng Yuan when he didn't respond.

"..." Meng Yuan could only say, "Thank you in advance, Elder."

Elder Miaoyin smiled broadly, as if she had witnessed something delightful.

“Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Hua hasn’t yet thanked Meng Feiyuan for taking care of your goddaughter on your behalf,” Xuanji suddenly said.

"Thank you so much, little friend!" Hua Suzhi actually expressed her gratitude. "I'm so grateful that you've taken care of Xiangling for me!"

Meng Yuan realized that Xiang Ling's tone of voice was learned from Hua Suzhi, but Xiang Ling was too lively and liked to gesture when she spoke, while Hua Suzhi seemed a bit lazy.

For a moment, Meng Yuan felt that this was like a mother and daughter. The daughter was playing wildly and invited her mother to play with her, but the middle-aged mother just pretended to agree and play for a while. In fact, she was just coaxing the child. As soon as the child turned away, she immediately lost interest.

When Hua Suzhi spoke of Xiangling, it seemed as if she was recalling some past events.

The wind and waves outside subsided slightly, and the awning boat continued to rise and fall with the waves, but it no longer rose and fell high.

There was the sound of rain outside the covered boat, and birdsong in the distance. The howling wind gradually subsided, the rain lessened, and the sound of rippling water could be heard.

"Xiangling is so noisy, always chattering away. I coaxed her to live in Laobiekeng, but she still came to Peach Blossom Ridge to find me every few days. I had no choice but to trick her into going to school for a few days. She would come to me as soon as she learned something and insist on repeating it to me. Later, I arranged a marriage for her, hoping she would become more clever, but she didn't realize that the fox demon was a fraud." Hua Suzhi finally smiled when she talked about Xiangling. "In the end, I only managed to escape because I met that scoundrel."

At this point, Hua Suzhi looked at Meng Yuan and asked with a smile, "It rained at Peach Blossom Ridge that day, and I saw you from afar. I heard that you recently started a poetry club called the Old Turtle Pit Poetry Club, and it's doing very well?"

"It was Xiangling who started the poetry club, and she recruited all the people." Meng Yuan also smiled.

"She is naturally innocent and truly has the makings of a poet. It's just that she's a bit too foolish, joining the society without charging membership fees." Hua Suzhi rested her chin on her hand, her smile unchanged. "Bring me your Old Turtle Pit Poetry Society's poetry collections and manuscripts sometime so I can take a look and learn from your example."

“She burned paper money for you on the back mountain of Chongxu Temple, and she also burned several volumes of her poetry collection. She kept saying that if you saw what she looked like as a poet, you would be very pleased!” Meng Yuan said.

"Aside from being a little silly, she has no other flaws," Hua Suzhi said, her gaze shifting slightly towards the outside of the boat awning, lost in thought.

The wind and rain outside have stopped, there are no stars or moon, and the vast river carries the small awning boat adrift.

The boat drifted on the river, swaying gently, not knowing when it would stop.

The dark clouds in the sky dissipated, the stars and moon gradually emerged, and the distant sound of the bell from Lanruo Temple added to the desolate atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)