Embers of Sword

Chapter 66: Old Friends, Old Stories (Two in One)

"I haven't heard from Jiang Miaoyin for a long time."

After You Haiwang's banquet was over, Ye Qinglian found an opportunity and took Jiang Qihu to a remote and deserted place.

The two were alone together.

Ye Qinglian folded her arms and leaned against the window, the breeze from the river blowing her hair.

She looked into the distance and said faintly, "How is your sister doing lately?"

"Dasui Sword Palace is sealed off from the world, and Yuping Peak is locked up."

Jiang Qihu said honestly: "If you think about it carefully, we haven't seen each other for ten years... Throughout the year, we only contacted each other occasionally through letters, and she never even used the Ruyi Order sent to Yuping Peak."

"Did Jiang Miaoyin not contact the Jiang family for ten whole years?"

Ye Qinglian said with a hint of sarcasm: "This woman is even colder than I thought."

"Pooh!"

Jiang Qihu immediately retorted, "My sister is not!"

Ye Qinglian chuckled, then leaned against the window to enjoy the breeze, calmly feeling the wind.

She said that on purpose.

Just to see Jiang Qihu's angry and humiliated look.

In addition to the Chu and Jiang families, Qingzhou actually has other aristocratic families, but they do not have enough foundation and cannot be called "wealthy families."

The Ye family is one of them. The head of the Ye family was also one of the 108 garrisons of the northern border. He had a close relationship with the head of the Jiang family. The two were close friends, and the children of the family often interacted with each other.

Ye Qinglian and Jiang Miaoyin were both outstanding talents in their families. They were of similar age and often competed with each other when they were young, with Ye Qinglian always being the better one.

Later, Jiang Miaoyin was sent to Dasui Sword Palace, while she entered Baihua Valley...

Ye Qinglian has been practicing hard because there is always a person named "Jiang Miaoyin" in front of her.

Over the past few decades, every time she reached a new height, she would discover that Jiang Miaoyin was one step ahead of her.

In terms of appearance and looks, she was completely suppressed.

Jiang Miaoyin was known as the most beautiful woman in Qingzhou who could not be seen once in a thousand years, and a banished celestial being who was famous and envied by countless people in Da Chu... In the past, many people almost broke the threshold of Yuping Peak in order to see her.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."

Ye Qinglian shook her head and said seriously, "The incident in Lichao City is over. I want to meet Jiang Miaoyin. Can you help arrange it?"

"No, I can't arrange it."

Jiang Qihu waved his hands after hearing this: "You should know what kind of person the person in charge of Dasui Sword Palace is. Who in the world dares to offend the mountain for ten years? Even my master may not be able to step into the threshold of the Sword Palace. Miss Ye, are you overestimating me a little bit?"

Ye Qinglian was speechless.

"you……"

Jiang Qihu knew who Ye Qinglian was.

The two of them had a very good relationship since childhood, but later they practiced separately. Ye Qinglian always regarded her sister as her biggest rival.

After a pause, Jiang Qihu asked tentatively, "Do you want to ask my sister about the sword?"

Ye Qinglian hummed: "I want to know, in these ten years...what realm has she reached. In the Northern Hunting, I was defeated by her, and now I want to try again."

"I see."

Jiang Qihu smiled upon hearing this, with a hint of gloating in his words: "I can't help you with major matters, but I can still do my best to help you with minor matters. How about I give you one of the Jiang Family's Ruyi Orders, and see if you can contact her?"

Ruyi Ling?
Jiang Miaoyin didn't even contact the Jiang family to talk about herself.

Ye Qinglian sighed softly, feeling a little disappointed.

She originally had high hopes for Jiang Qihu, but she didn't expect that Dasui had been closed for the past ten years, and Jiang Miaoyin would cut off contact with the outside world so decisively.

"The reason why she is like this with the Jiang family..."

Ye Qinglian thought of the past and couldn't help asking, "Is it because of what happened with Xie Xuanyi back then?"

This question made the smile on Jiang Qihu's face gradually disappear.

"Um……"

He responded in a heavy voice, his eyes somewhat dim.

"It's not shameful that the Jiang family failed to save Xie Xuanyi."

Ye Qinglian said calmly: "Under such a situation, who can avoid being dragged into it? Even the Sword Palace has not intervened... How can Jiang Miaoyin harbor resentment towards the Jiang family because of this? She can retreat for ten years, but can she retreat for a hundred years and never see her family members in her lifetime?"

"not like this……"

Jiang Qihu sighed and wanted to explain something, but in the end he swallowed it all back.

"In short, it's my fault."

He shook his head: "The Jiang family didn't let her down, it was me who let her down, and I was also let Xie Xuanyi down."

Back then, the Jiang family secretly took in Xie Xuanyi.

Originally, this matter was flawless.

Just wait for Xie Xuanyi to meditate for a while, his injuries will improve, and the crime of treason will be thoroughly investigated... maybe everything will be cleared up, or at worst the Sword Palace will be able to step in and put a stop to this "farce".

But the news leaked out.

Jiang Qihu could only watch Xie Xuanyi heading north with injuries.

After that, news came that the most talented young swordsman in the Da Chu Dynasty in a thousand years had jumped into the North Sea and died.

Dasui Sword Palace is closed.

Jiang Miaoyin hid in Yuping Peak and cut off contact with the Jiang family.

Jiang Qihu has always been reluctant to talk about the past...

Because in his opinion.

No matter how many mistakes you make, in the final analysis, they are all your own fault.

If I had been able to hide Xie Xuanyi back then, perhaps everything that happened next would not have happened.

Ye Qinglian still has something to talk about.

But looking at Jiang Qihu's back as he left sadly, she chose to remain silent and did not speak again.

She was not one of the people who experienced what happened back then, so she couldn't empathize with the feelings involved.

But there is one thing she understands.

There is everything in this world except "if".

Xie Xuanyi is already dead, no matter how much Jiang Qihu regrets, it is meaningless.

……

……

"Dong, dong——"

Jiang Qihu knocked gently on the door and, according to the agreed upon code, knocked on Xie Xuanyi's door.

After a moment, there was a slight click and the bolt loosened.

He pushed the door open successfully, bent down, and what he saw was densely packed talismans floating in the guest room.

How many large formations has this Jialiu set up?
The next moment, his eyes moved to the bed, and Jiang Qihu's expression became solemn.

Rays of emerald green light, trapped by the large array of patterns, danced like dragons and snakes, continuously entering and exiting Jialiu's skin.

Jialiu's face was a little pale. Although he was still wearing a hat, his clothes were torn by the strong energy.

"How is this going?"

Jiang Qihu spoke in a deep voice, and quickly rushed to the side of Xie Xuanyi, ready to lend him a hand to transfer vital energy.

"Don't come close."

He had just taken a step when he was stopped.

Xie Xuanyi lowered his voice, "This is... the poison of 'Yutu'."

Jade tea?

This is an extremely vicious soul poison. The soul of the person who is poisoned will be branded. Once the poison takes effect, the heart will feel severe pain...

Those who are struck by Yutu will, in nine cases out of ten, die due to the collapse of their sea of ​​gods!

"Isn't it the Hunhai Crackling Heart Gu?"

Jiang Qihu was stunned for a moment, and immediately realized what happened here: "Did the demon country give you a new poison?!"

"Um……"

Xie Xuanyi hummed weakly.

This stupid tiger has learned something from Chen Jingxuan and is indeed much smarter than before.

"Don't worry, I've already forced half of 'Yu Tu' out."

Although the poison of Yutu is dangerous, it is actually not that scary.

The poison of the Gu is just like that of snakes, scorpions and poisonous insects... There are many evil cultivators in southern Xinjiang who specialize in raising these creatures. For ordinary people, accidentally touching them could be fatal, but in the hands of the strange people in southern Xinjiang, these poisonous insects are just toys. The most feared thing about the poison of the Heart Gu is "unknown type".

If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, your life will not be in danger if you can identify the venom and take the right medicine.

This is the principle of heart poison.

To a certain extent, the "Jade Tea" poison bestowed by Venerable Longmu is actually not as terrible as the Hunhai Liexian Gu.

The Chaotic Sea Heart-Splitting Gu had already dyed Jialiu's entire heart lake black!

When the poison reaches the late stage, it is extremely difficult to cure the patient, unless the poison master personally takes back the heart poison.

Although "Yutu" is cruel, it is a brand new poison after all.

Xie Xuanyi concentrated his mind and focused it on his dantian. The [Immortal Fountain] was truly a divine object. A drop of pure water was suspended in his dantian. The "Jade Tea" poison that was about to penetrate into his lungs was driven out, and a scene that seemed extremely intense to the outside world occurred.

Countless green poisonous gases were squeezed out of the skin, but unwillingly penetrated into it.

So back and forth.

Xie Xuanyi deliberately set up a large formation to prevent the poison from leaking out.

At this moment, he had no time to care about outsiders. He waved his sleeves to signal Jiang Qihu who had entered the room to stay away.

Jiang Qihu listened to the advice and stopped interfering.

He stepped back, looking at the talismans floating in the sky and Jialiu who was now shrouded in emerald green light. The dancing emerald green light seemed fierce, but its aura gradually weakened.

After half an incense stick, the poison of Yu Cha was completely forced out of the body.

The poison of the heart Gu, without a host, will soon disappear on its own... Watching the ball of green light that completely enveloped Jia Liu gradually disappear into thin air.

Jiang Qihu felt emotional, wondering where this kid came from.
He actually forced the Jade Tea poison out of his body...

Recalling the previous banquet, Chu Man deliberately leaked the report.

Jiang Qihu couldn't help but ask, "Jia Liu, are you really the Tan Yi Wei special envoy arranged by the master?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi let out a breath of foul air.

After a battle with Yu Tu's poison, his heart has not yet returned to calm.

Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi looked at the stupid tiger in front of him with a complicated expression.

Sure enough, was my previous praise a little too early?

but……

The identity of the Tanyiwei special envoy is indeed useful.

Xie Xuanyi rubbed his brows and said calmly: "Master Jiang, you and I are just carrying out the secret mission together. If there are some problems, don't cross the line."

Unsurprisingly.

After showing a lukewarm attitude, Jiang Qihu believed it to be true.

He suddenly realized and muttered to himself: "No wonder the master trusted you, no wonder the master asked me to take care of you."

Xie Xuanyi chuckled and didn't explain much.

This is good, it can save a lot of trouble.

"Jia Liu, no, Xie Zhen..."

Jiang Qihu spoke again, thought for a moment, and apologized in a deep voice: "Brother Xie, I apologize for offending you before."

He previously thought that Jialiu was just a spy from the demon country.

But look at it now.

This Xie Zhen seemed to be an "important person" arranged by the gentleman after careful consideration, but he just deliberately gave him an unpleasant identity.

Meeting in the mansion is a play performed for oneself.

The gentleman knew that he was clumsy and could not keep secrets.

Some things are inconvenient to tell, so just perform them for yourself.

"It doesn't matter."

Xie Xuanyi reminded: "Master Jiang, don't think too much. You and I just need to carry out the mission and act according to the arrangements of the Imperial Master."

"That's natural."

After untying this knot in his heart, Jiang Qihu began to like Xie Zhen much more.

Recalling the scolding in the car earlier.

Jiang Qihu felt more and more guilty. He took out his bag and said, "Xiao Xie, I'm really sorry for what I did to you before. I hope you will accept this little gift of apology."

"Master Jiang, that's not necessary."

Xie Xuanyi sighed and stopped talking immediately.

This idiot, why is he still the same as always, opening his heart to others so easily.

Jiang Qihu was rejected and felt helpless.

He took out a pill from his waist bag and said seriously: "No matter what, please accept this 'Soul-Replenishing Pill'. Although Jiang has not experienced the poison of Yu Tu, I think it must be extremely bitter. Taking this pill can heal your soul..."

"In that case, Xie will accept it."

Xie Xuanyi really couldn't refuse and could only accept the Soul-Mining Pill.

He noticed that Jiang Qihu was still staring at him, and for a moment he felt a little uncomfortable.

After he brought up the identity of "Tan Yi Wei Special Envoy"... Jiang Qihu's attitude towards him became much better.

But now it's a little too close.

Xie Xuanyi smiled bitterly.

Thinking about it carefully, it is better to treat each other coldly and not get along with each other. At least I can have peace and quiet.

"Master Jiang."

Xie Xuanyi said solemnly: "The handover of the demon country has been successfully concluded... Venerable Longmu did not suspect anything."

"Oh? That's good news."

Jiang Qihu also told all the information that happened at the rooftop banquet.

"A demon cultivator sneaked into Lichao City and is setting up a battle array?"

Xie Xuanyi raised his eyebrows.

This information is quite interesting.

The Bai Ze Secret Realm is about to be unveiled. Even if some low-level cultivators from the Demon Country have escaped, what kind of formation can they set up with their strength?
Da Chu and the Demon Kingdom are separated by a natural moat. Is it possible to summon the "Sun-Swallowing Great Lord" to Lichao City?

Even if a large formation could really be established, even if Great Sun-Swallowing Venerable had ten thousand guts, he would not dare to come.

This is Da Chu, although the Taoist Sword Palace is closed to the world.

But if a great master from the Demon Country passes through, the top powerful people in the entire Da Chu will hear the news and take action!

My master alone is enough to make Sun-Swallowing Great Venerable never return...

"The intentions of the demon nation are unclear for now."

“According to King You Hai’s intention, after the secret realm is revealed, the three families’ disciples will be the first to enter the river.”

Jiang Qihu said in a deep voice: "The Lichao River has been completely blocked. The Ocean King Ye Qinglian and I are stationed on the river. If there is any change, we can respond at any time."

Xie Xuanyi nodded.

These three are all powerful people in the Yin Shen realm.

It is indeed the safest approach for them to stay in charge.

"Judging from the current situation, the Bai Ze Secret Realm will be revealed in the next few days."

Jiang Qihu said in a gentle voice: "You should have a good rest. When the secret realm is opened, you will have to go down again."

"Don't worry, Master Jiang."

Xie Xuanyi smiled.

"One more thing..."

After Jiang Qihu explained everything, he did not leave.

He stared at Xie Xuanyi's bamboo hat for a long time, hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Is your surname really Xie, and your name is Xie Zhen?"

Xie Xuanyi was stunned.

He was silent for a few breaths, then said softly, "Not bad."

Some lies have to be told.

Even though he didn't want to hide anything from Jiang Qihu, now was definitely not the time to recognize each other.

Jiang Qihu asked again: "Is it the Xie from Jiangning Xie family?"

"There are too many people with the surname Xie in the world."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "Not everyone is so lucky to be born in Jiangning."

"Too……"

Jiang Qihu's eyes were a little dim. After the conversation with Ye Qinglian, he couldn't stop thinking about the past.

Do not know why.

He always felt that this young man named Xie Zhen was very similar to Xie Xuanyi back then.

Obviously the face, body shape and age don't match.

But the words between the lines, the tone of voice... all made him feel inexplicably familiar.

This was also the reason why he had lost his temper in the carriage earlier.

Xie Zhen really exists, reminding Jiang Qihu that the mistakes he made in the past have not disappeared.

"Master Jiang."

Xie Xuanyi saw Jiang Qihu's sadness, but decided to speak anyway: "Why are you asking these questions?"

"nothing……"

Jiang Qihu held his forehead with his hand, smiled bitterly and said, "I always feel like you are an old friend."

"Are you talking about Xie Xuanyi?"

Xie Xuanyi casually tore the window paper.

Jiang Qihu suddenly raised his head.

He stared at Xie Xuanyi's bamboo hat. He knew that the young man in front of him was wearing a mask and was disguised.

Although we have only known each other for one day, it is presumptuous to make such a request.

But he still wanted to ask Xie Zhen to take off his hat and reveal his true face.

"I've heard about his story. He has a good relationship with the Jiang family."

At this time, Xie Xuanyi spoke up: "If Xie Xuanyi hadn't died, he should have achieved the Yang God realm. At the age of over 30, he has achieved the Yang God realm. Does this make him the youngest great swordsman in the history of Da Chu?"

"It counts, of course it counts!"

Jiang Qihu raised his eyebrows and said subconsciously: "Entering the Yang God realm before the age of forty, Da Chu and Nan Li, for a whole thousand years, no one has been able to do it!"

Speaking of which.

He paused.

Yes...If Xie Xuanyi hadn't died, he would have been over 30 years old.

Jiang Qihu looked at the young man in front of him again.

He shook his head, muttering to himself.

Am I crazy?

The young man in front of me looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. How could I have mistaken him for Xie Xuanyi?
　Today, two chapters are combined into one. I wonder if your reading experience will be better~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)