Embers of Sword

Chapter 95: Big Tide, Stars (Monthly Ticket Plus Update and End of Volume)
"The Ruyi Order has rung several times. Why don't you take a look at who it is?"

“No need to look.”

The rosy afterglow fell on the surface of the Lichao River, the whisk stood horizontally like a flying sword, and two figures sat on a screen covered with silver threads.

The young imperial teacher's clothes fluttered in the wind.

The long hair of Master Tang also fluttered in the wind.

Chen Jingxuan put the vibrating Ruyi Order inside his lapel.

The trivial matters in Qingzhou have been dealt with, and there are only two people who can contact him through this Ruyi Order.

The guy named Xie wouldn't contact me for no reason.

As for the remaining one, you don't need to pay attention to him.

"Isn't this not good?"

Master Tang raised his eyebrows and said in a suggestive tone, "I think that stupid tiger is very clingy. If you ignore him, he will inevitably gossip about me again when you return to the imperial city."

"I'm so sorry."

Chen Jingxuan quickly apologized: "I have asked Miss Ye to go and knock on the door."

"No problem."

Tang Fengshu waved his hand generously, "Actually, I don't care that much."

Of course, she heard the rumors in the imperial city.

Being angry is being angry...

But the reason for being angry was not because of these "rumors" that were all over the streets and alleys, destroying the so-called reputation of Taoism.

Maybe it’s because none of the stories in those rumors happened?

"Here, here you go."

Tang Fengshu suddenly took out a thin book from his arms.

Chen Jingxuan was a little surprised. The paper was rough, the handwriting was sloppy, and it looked a little familiar...

"This is?"

"I bought it in an alley in Lichao City a few days ago. It is said that it came from the Imperial City."

Master Tang laughed at himself and said, "It's probably about... the love story between the young imperial teacher and his Taoist friend?"

"???"

Chen Jingxuan was stunned.

He was too embarrassed to turn the page, so he could only close the book and sigh.

Jiang Qihu, ah Jiang Qihu, you are such an idiot. Why did you have to tell Qin Baihuang about those things that happened in the library?
His lifelong reputation was ruined in an instant.

"I read the story, it's well written."

Tang Fengshu said calmly: "I have to say that Qin Baihuang does have some literary talent, but unfortunately he has no sense of responsibility. No wonder the guy from Yuping Peak doesn't like him. He can only write some fancy love letters. How can he compare to Xie Xuanyi?"

"...I'll go back and settle the score with him."

Chen Jingxuan agreed deeply and said helplessly: "Isn't the work in the Equipment Refining Department enough for him to be busy? How can he have time to write these things!"

“I heard it’s quite popular.”

Tang Fengshu said leisurely: "The bookseller told me that this volume has been sold out, and everyone is waiting for the next volume of the story."

If nothing unexpected happens.

After the Qingzhou incident is over, Qin Baihuang will meet with Benhu again to have a drink, and it is time to publish the next volume.

"Master Tang."

Chen Jingxuan said seriously: "I promise you that this will not happen again. After I go back, I will investigate Qin Baihuang strictly... and restore the innocence of the Dao Sect."

"do not."

Tang Fengshu smiled and said, "I'm still waiting for the next volume. I like reading this story very much. Besides... there is really no need to be innocent. The Taoist sect has always been innocent, and so are you and me."

Chen Jingxuan was silent.

"Thinking about it carefully, I don't hate Jiang Qihu or Qin Baihuang."

Who is the annoying one?
Who else could it be?
"Master Tang."

The young imperial teacher who held destiny in his hands looked embarrassed. He pondered for a long time, and finally uttered that polite, courteous, and unfamiliar nickname.

On ordinary days, Chen Jingxuan rarely leaves the imperial city.

Today, I came here just in time to take advantage of the changes in Qingzhou.

He had a lot to say to Tang Fengshu.

"Master Imperial Master, do you remember that you owed me a promise?"

Tang Fengshu interrupted Chen Jingxuan.

She smiled sweetly: "This promise is very simple. I just want you to stay here with me tonight and listen to the sound of the North Sea tide."

Chen Jingxuan was silent again.

He was confident that he could control the life of any one of the millions of people in Da Chu, but he could not control his own life.

A thousand words.

When it reaches your chest, it can only dissipate.

Chen Jingxuan uttered a word weakly.

"……it is good."

"Crash-"

The whisk passed over the North Sea and stopped.

The wave is rising.

Snow-white waves swept across the clothes of the Taoist female master, and several of them hit her cheeks. The sun set from the horizon, and stars were born. At the end of the North Sea was an endless void. The whole world returned here and the mirror image was reversed.

The vast sea surface is like a mirror.

The reflection shows two men and women who are apparently standing next to each other but appear to be alone.

……

……

Tonight is a sleepless night.

Some people survived the disaster and indulged in pleasure, spending money like water.

The receding tide of the North Sea arrived as expected.

After the rebellion was quelled, the number of tourists in Lichao City was more than usual.

The streets and alleys are decorated with lights, gongs and drums are beating, and fireworks are everywhere.
-
Some people drink to drown their sorrows, which only makes their sorrow worse.

Jiang Qihu was leaning against the Tide-Watching Pavilion, the jar of wine beside him was empty.

He talked about old times in a depressed mood.

Next to him, Ye Qinglian also got "drunk" for once.

At first she was just curious about what kind of person Jiang Qihu's sister was, so she asked her some indirect questions and got him to drink a little... Unexpectedly, Jiang Qihu started to talk a lot, and the more he drank, the more interesting the secrets he revealed, from bedwetting when he was young to Jiang Miaoyin's unrequited love for Xie Xuanyi, and how her most respected husband once missed an important event because of drinking.

Ye Qinglian was invigorated by what she heard and drank cup after cup without realizing it.
-
There are also people who lose sleep for no apparent reason.

Deng Baiyi tossed and turned.

She came to the courtyard to watch the fireworks. The mansion arranged by the Jiang family was very nice, far away from the downtown area, but the sound of gongs and drums from Lichao City could still be heard from miles away.

The sound of firecrackers could not be blocked by the courtyard wall.

The sound of fireworks blooming in the air and then falling.

Falling in the courtyard, one feels lonely.

The little guy Jiang Huang was sleeping soundly, and the old guy Deng Chicheng was also sleeping unusually soundly when he heard that they were going to move to the imperial city.

But Deng Baiyi couldn't fall asleep.

I will go to the Taoist sect to practice tomorrow.

Following a hermit master to practice cultivation was clearly his biggest wish in Yuzhu Town.

Now that her wish has come true, she just can't be happy.

"...Thank you, Zhen."

Deng Baiyi came to the courtyard, saw the tall and thin figure, and called out softly.

However, the young man in black, who was sitting cross-legged under a tree in the courtyard, did not respond.

Deng Baiyi walked around and came to the front.

Xie Xuanyi closed his eyes and breathed evenly.

"Are you asleep too?"

Deng Baiyi was a little disappointed. The courage she had finally mustered up dissipated a lot at this moment.

Deng Baiyi stood under the tree, pondered for a long time, and finally went back into the house.

After she closed the door, Xie Xuanyi slowly opened his eyes.

Tonight, the night is nice and the sky is full of stars.

And tomorrow will be the day of separation.

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and stood up. He stood on tiptoe and took down a lantern hanging on a tree branch. It was already late at night and the lantern had been extinguished.

A "chi" sound.

A faint flame flashed from his fingertips, lighting the lantern.

This strand of primordial fire was different in color from the previous twenty years of his life.

This is a new fire.

Looking back on this trip to Qingzhou, although it only lasted a few dozen days, it has left a deep impression in my memory.

Maybe it’s because my past days were a bit monotonous and boring?
Or maybe.

Because I have died once, I cherish the new life more.

Xie Xuanyi left the mansion silently. He decided to go alone to see this once-in-a-lifetime North Sea tide.

After he left, the mansion truly fell into silence.

Jiang Huang was sleeping soundly.

Deng Chicheng and his servants in the next room were also sleeping soundly.

Deng Baiyi was the only one sitting at the desk, with her chin supported by one hand, staring through the thin paper window at the hazy shadows of the trees that lit up and then extinguished again, in a daze. …

……

On the second day, the Deng family's men gathered on the banks of the Lichao River in Lichao City.

Deng Chicheng, who had slept soundly all night, was full of energy. For him, leaving Yuzhu Town was the most risky decision he had made in his life in decades.

It is also the most correct decision!
He looked around at the sparsely populated convoy in which he had come.

Now this team has "grown and expanded". It not only has several servants who followed the Deng Mansion all the way east, but also practitioners from the Jiang Family, the Imperial City Bureau, the City Lord's Mansion, and Taoism.

the reason is simple.

The female leader of Tianxiazhai wants to recruit Deng Baiyi as her subordinate.

The saying "a father's honor depends on his daughter" is nothing more than this.

This trip to the Imperial City became extremely safe with the escort of these forces.

"My daughter will join the Taoist sect in the future, so please take good care of her."

"Master, please accept this as a token of your appreciation."

Deng Chicheng took out the carefully prepared silver notes and visited the young Taoist priests in Taoist robes one by one.

Those young Taoist priests were so young that they had never encountered such a thing before and they stepped back in fear.

The Taoist sect is too big.

Tianxiazhai is a holy place for spiritual practice just as transcendent as Lianhua Peak!

Deng Baiyi followed Master Tang to practice...how could it be their turn to take care of her?
"Dad, what are you doing?"

Deng Baiyi, who arrived a step late, felt a headache when he saw the scene by the river and hurried forward to grab him.

She hadn't slept all night.

Although this is nothing for practitioners.

But after the disaster in Lichao City, she stepped forward and formed a fire array to extinguish the tide. The story was spread by Taoism, and the Lord of Lichao City came to visit her early in the morning... and asked Deng Baiyi to give him a favor before leaving, so that he could show his hospitality.

The intention behind this is quite simple.

As the city lord, he naturally cannot curry favor with Master Tang, but being able to establish a good relationship with Master Tang's disciples is also a good fate.

Deng Baiyi was still inexperienced in the world and failed to decline the offer, so she could only go to the City Lord's Mansion for morning tea.

Never imagined.

When she rushed back, this was the situation.

"Didn't we agree to head south at noon? Why are you leaving so early in the morning?" Deng Baiyi was helpless.

"It's the same at noon and at noon. Aren't you afraid of delaying your work?"

Deng Chicheng smiled awkwardly.

When he woke up and saw that his daughter was gone, he hurriedly called the servants to pack up things.

In his view.

This trip to the Imperial City was to enjoy a peaceful life. My daughter had already fulfilled her filial duty. If the news spread to Northern County, I wonder how many people would envy and be jealous of her.

Bai Yi has now become a "master" serving under a great figure in the Taoist sect, and must be very busy.

Our group of people don't know anything and would just be a burden if they stayed here.

It’s better to leave early to avoid delaying important business.

"I don't have any business."

Deng Baiyi knew who her father was, so she quickly nodded to the frightened little Taoist priests and apologized.

"Even if you don't care about my seeing you off."

“…I should meet Xie Zhen.”

Deng Baiyi said seriously: "I was able to join the Taoist sect not because of me, but because of him."

"Thank you, Master..."

Deng Chicheng scratched his head and said helplessly: "There is no one here this early in the morning."

Xie Zhen is missing.

"He said he would come and give us a ride."

Deng Baiyi said unhappily, "We had agreed on noon, but you insisted on morning. How can we see him?"

So the group was suppressed by Deng Baiyi.

Wait until noon.

Sure enough, the sound of a sword was heard by the river. A long sword of ordinary material came along with the river tide, flew very low, and finally fell slowly.

"Thank you, Master. You are truly a benefactor!"

Deng Chicheng was the first to step forward, "Thank you for saving my life, thank you for your blessing!"

His knees weakened and he was about to knock down something.

Xie Xuanyi flicked his fingers and released a wisp of vital energy to support it.

"No need for such a grand ceremony—"

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said, "Instead of thanking me, you should thank yourself for giving birth to a good daughter."

Although his knees were held up, Deng Chicheng still kowtowed in the air.

Xie Xuanyi had not expected this to happen and sighed in his heart.

Deng Chicheng knocked only once, and then he felt a surge of power, and then he couldn't knock a second time no matter what he did.

He looked at Xie Zhen with a complicated expression.

He thanked the young man from the bottom of his heart.

Xie Zhen didn't like to talk about the things happening in Yuzhu Town, so he didn't mention a word about it.

He is very clear.

The reason why Mr. Xie said this was that he was too detached and didn't care about repaying his gratitude.

His daughter had been in Yuzhu Town for twenty years, and had lived a mediocre life. If she hadn't met her benefactor, how would she have had the opportunity to practice, how would she have had the opportunity to practice formations, and how would she have had the opportunity to join the Taoist sect?
"Go."

Xie Xuanyi waved his hand, indicating that Deng Chicheng's kindness had been received and there was no need for further courtesy.

Deng Chicheng knew that his benefactor liked quietness and was willing to come to Lichao River to see him off, probably out of Bai Yi's consideration.

He left slowly without making any noise, but before leaving, he gave his daughter a gentle hug.

The Lord of Lichao City and others were standing by the river, watching the convoy leave.

See you off.

Not only the Deng family was sent gifts, but also Deng Baiyi.

Today, everyone from the Deng Mansion went south to the imperial city.

Deng Baiyi also wants to go south, but she wants to follow her "master" Tang Fengshu to practice Taoism.

The river tide is surging.

A man and a woman were dozens of feet apart, staring at each other in silence.

After a while.

Xie Xuanyi spoke.

"Remember the formations I taught you, but just remember them. Do not pass them on to others no matter what."

"After you go to the Taoist sect, you need to practice your mental skills again. Tianxiazhai's mental skills are good, but the one I taught you is also good... If you have time, you can practice both."

"Although you like sword immortals, it would be a great thing if you could become a great array pattern master."

Word by word.

Xie Xuanyi spoke slowly.

Deng Baiyi listened very carefully, but these instructions were not what she wanted to hear...

The young woman, dressed in plain white, put on makeup today to hide her haggard look.

Deng Baiyi clenched his teeth and his chest heaved.

During the trip to Qingzhou, she kept saying that she didn't want to leave.

But separation came.

The three words "I don't want to leave" are as heavy as a thousand pounds.

She knew that there were some things that she couldn't say even if she mustered up the courage...

Then it will be difficult to tell in the future.

Deng Baiyi took a deep breath and said sadly: "But Xie Zhen, I don't want to leave."

The wind blows by the river.

On the other side of the distant North Sea, Tang Fengshu, who was returning alone, was sitting on his whisk, feeling the sea breeze. He suddenly patted the whisk and stopped at the farthest point where he could see the riverside.

In front of those people who were seeing him off by the river, Xie Xuanyi sighed softly.

He walked forward a few steps, stretched out his hand, and wiped the tears from Deng Baiyi's cheek.

"All good things come to an end."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head and said, "Don't cry. Your makeup will be ruined if you cry, and it won't look good."

Deng Baiyi stared blankly at the young man in front of her.

"If I remember correctly, when we were in Yuzhu Town, you said that you wanted freedom, that you wanted to be free from being trapped in Beijun, and that you didn't have to care about other people's opinions..."

Xie Xuanyi said softly, "I'm sorry, I can't give you this freedom. But she can."

Deng Baiyi was shocked.

The far end of the river.

A whisk was placed on the surface of the river, shaking out thousands of scales of light.

The female host, whose green shirt was stained by the tide, stood on the whisk, with her hands behind her back, silently watching the scene.

"Deng Baiyi, go to Tianxiazhai and practice well."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "When we meet next time, you will be a sword fairy, the kind that can fly in the sky."

……

……

(Volume 1: New Fire, end.)
(End of this chapter)