Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 182 Before the Journey West
In the southeast of the capital, there is an ancient neighborhood called "Longqu".

Further down the alley, you'll find the legendary secret place left behind by the previous dynasty.

It was an ancient pavilion hidden underground, with a nine-tiered deep well and a hundred mechanisms, where sunlight rarely reached and it was as dark as night all year round.

This is the archive of the former dynasty, which has been passed down for thousands of years.

It is said that this archive has existed since the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty, and contains secret scrolls of the old dynasty, lost legal codes, and forbidden records, all of which were personally controlled by the emperors of successive dynasties.

It does not belong to any sect or school, nor does it belong to martial arts or literature, and it is not subject to the review of the laws and regulations of the current dynasty.

Only those who have mastered the "Secret Seal of Inheritance" can open this pavilion.

Now, with the Emperor's Soul Diagram shattered, the old imperial power collapsed, and the new laws established, that secret seal has fallen into Chu Ning's hands.

It was noon, yet the sky was as dark as dusk.

The Longqufang area was eerily quiet, with damp and cold stone steps, as if etched with centuries of silence from which no one had ever visited.

The door to the secluded pavilion stood silently in the dim light, as if waiting for someone destined to uncover the old secrets.

Chu Ning, accompanied by Xie Mingli, slowly stepped down the secluded steps.

He knew she was pregnant and didn't want her to go through any trouble or danger.

But Xie Mingli insisted on going with him, and with just a few words, she silenced all his attempts to dissuade her:
“The journey to Yipin Pavilion is fraught with danger. I would have been guarding the mansion then; but today, it is the perfect time to travel together and uncover the secrets of the old scrolls.”

Her words were simple, yet her resolve was firm.

Chu Ning had no choice but to let her accompany him. He kept her by his side at all times, secretly channeling his lightning energy into his palms to keep her alert and protect her aura from the old energy of Youge Pavilion.

The stone gate resounded, and all the locks rattled in unison.

A faint light flowed, reflecting the ancient seal script on the stone gate:

"The hidden scroll is the key to unlocking the heart of the vow seal."

Chu Ning extended his palm, the thunderous intent containing the oath seal, and slowly pressed it into the pivot of the stone gate.

"Click——"

All the locks were unlocked, the stone gate opened, and a ghostly fire slowly ignited from within, its blue light flowing and swirling, the scrolls like a forest, and the old souls seemed to sleep.

Chu Ning tilted her head slightly and said in a low voice:
"This place is now open, Mingli, do not come near me."

Xie Mingli nodded slightly, raised her sleeve to cover her nose, and exuded a leisurely aura.

The two stepped into the secluded pavilion side by side, surrounded by countless scrolls, as if entering a sea of ​​time.

Chu Ning walked to the Thunder Platform in the center of the pavilion, unfolded the first scroll of "Master Seal Secret Scroll", and flipped through it with his palm. His lightning sense slowly probed into it like silk threads.

Xie Mingli was not to be outdone. She took a copy of the "Records of the Assistance to the Throne" from the east shelf, sat quietly on the side table, and turned the pages with ease.

Her gaze swept across the area with the sharpness of a hawk, trying to glean any useful clues.

Although most of the records were still routine entries about government affairs and the appointment and removal of officials, Xie Mingli quickly noticed a few unusual things.

One record cryptically mentions: "The Yipin Pavilion has been undergoing frequent changes in recent years. The books in the pavilion have never been shown to the public, but their collection of scrolls has repeatedly appeared during discussions of the regency, as if there is some unspeakable secret."

Another annotation, written in fine handwriting, reads: “This morning outside Kaifeng Prefecture, I saw a first-rank envoy from the Imperial Secretariat visit me at midnight. He looked flustered and spoke incoherently, which makes me suspect that he is related to the mystery left over from the previous dynasty.”

Knowing that she was carrying a child and should not travel far, she did her best to share the responsibility of checking the files.

Even a single fragment of a note or a line of a side note could provide a clue to the secret he sought.

Chu Ning caught a glimpse of her slightly furrowed brows out of the corner of her eye, knowing that although she was not seriously injured, she still needed to rest. A thought stirred within him.

He said softly, “If you feel tired, take a rest. I can investigate on my own.”

Xie Mingli kept turning the pages, and smiled faintly: "You have your clues, and I have my obsessions."

Her voice was gentle, yet her resolve was firm; she loved him, trusted him, and was willing to walk alongside him through every chapter of his life.

Chu Ning glanced at her, his expression calm, but he sighed softly in his heart:
—Though she never wielded a weapon, she never lagged behind in the face of wind and frost.

A ghostly fire burns quietly, and an old scroll murmurs softly.

The two, one the master and one the assistant, searched side by side through the dust of time, as if stepping into a place of ancient intrigue, seeking a way out of the predicament.

Deep within the scroll rack, Chu Ning's fingers moved slowly, then suddenly paused.

The Record of Suppressing Evil in the Former Imperial Rule —

He took the scroll and unfolded it; the handwriting was dark and black, like nails, and there were still traces of old blood on the pages.

He scanned the text line by line until his gaze suddenly stopped on a certain section.

"Lei Wanjun, former head of Qingyang Benlei Martial Arts School. In the past, during the Benlei Soul Protection Battle, he led his troops out of Xiling to protect the 'soul seal suspect' and escape far away."

"His daughter, Lei Jingjing, holds the position of Foreign Envoy of the First Rank Pavilion and has been traveling in and out of the Vast Sea Secret Realm for more than six years."

"There is no record of re-entry in recent years, suggesting that he is staying in the cabinet."

Chu Ning's expression changed instantly, and his fingertips slowly tightened, almost crumpling the pages.

He murmured something, as soft as a breeze, yet with a dull tremor:
"Lei Jingjing... is actually from Yipin Pavilion."

Hearing this, Xie Mingli turned to look at him, her brows furrowing slightly.

Before she could speak, Chu Ning slowly closed the book, his voice deep and slow: "Lei Wanjun... my benefactor from years ago."

"To protect my sister, he gave up his position as the head of the sect, passed on the Thunderclap Seal to me, and escorted my sister away from the Wang family's pursuers."

“He once said that he would give me his only daughter in marriage.”

Chu Ning lowered his gaze, seemingly recalling the letter his sister had sent him. The letter was filled with words of peace, but it did not mention Yipin Pavilion at all.

"I thought that after he helped my sister escape, he would hide in the mountains; I never expected... that he would enter that pavilion."

"And his daughter actually became a foreign envoy in the cabinet."

He paused slightly as he spoke, his fingers tightening slightly between the pages.

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingli's eyes flickered slightly, hidden behind her long eyelashes.

She didn't speak, but lowered her eyelashes and gently stroked her lower abdomen, her fingertips seemingly slowing down for a moment.

A glimmer of light rose in my heart—it turns out that when our lives were intertwined, there were other promises that remained unfulfilled.

However, she quickly regained her composure, raised her eyes as usual, gazed into Chu Ning's eyes, and quietly waited for him to finish speaking.

"I thought that after he helped my sister escape, he would hide in the mountains; I never expected... that he would enter that pavilion."

"And his daughter actually became a foreign envoy in the cabinet."

He looked again at the three words "Lei Jingjing" on the scroll, and in an instant, old favors, old agreements, and old doubts came rushing back, as if a thousand threads were tangled together.

Xie Mingli finally spoke in a low voice, her tone calm but not frivolous:
"If she is indeed in the pavilion, then she is someone we cannot bypass on this trip."

Chu Ning nodded slowly, her expression composed, but her eyes remained icy: "Yes, I must see her."

After he finished speaking, the scroll slowly unfurled, a slight rumble of thunder sounded, and the pages were sealed.

He turned to Xie Mingli and said softly, "This line might cause some complications."

Xie Mingli glanced back at him, her voice soft yet firm:
"It's alright. I'm here for you."

Deep within the secluded pavilion.

A faint blue flame flickers, the scrolls stand like a forest, and the shadows are as dark as ink.

Chu Ning flipped to a scroll of "Boundary Maps: Fragments," his fingertips lightly brushing the spine to sense the areas untouched by the thunderous intent. Suddenly, he came across a scroll of "Illustrations of the Vast Seas: Ten Thousand Years of Broken Silk," its ancient scrolls revealing flowing sand-colored pages, as if the sandstorms of a thousand years still lingered within.

Chu Ning whispered, "It should be this scroll."

Upon hearing the sound, Xie Mingli shifted slightly, standing beside him, her sleeve concealing her breath, her gaze fixed on the scroll.

As the scroll is opened, a faint light flickers, and the sand patterns on the scroll's core ripple and undulate, like waves of sand rushing towards you from the desert.

The image contains a hidden line of vermilion seal script:
"Across the vast sea, a floating pavilion is hidden in the eye of the wind, casting no shadow by day and appearing as a starry platform by night."

He closed his eyes and concentrated, and a wisp of lightning quietly probed into the scroll.

In an instant, fine ripples suddenly appeared on the scroll, like ripples on water. Then, a strange resistance came, as if the lightning breath was being pulled and dragged by an invisible giant hand, making it difficult to advance even an inch.

"...This scroll contains a restriction, it's probably not ordinary." Chu Ning murmured softly, lightning crackling in his palm, but it was suppressed by that strange force.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw that the star map on the scroll was slightly shifting. The originally static image was like a cascading galaxy. Amidst the churning clouds, a vortex-like phantom image of the eye of the storm appeared, as if it wanted to devour all eyes.

Suddenly, a barely audible hum came from deep within the scroll, as if some ancient being was whispering. The sand in the tent moved without wind, swirling lightly and making strange spirals.

Xie Mingli's expression changed slightly. She suddenly turned her head and a hint of coldness appeared in her eyes: "This place... has an unusually dangerous aura, as if there is a soul-devouring power hidden within. We are not someone we can easily venture into the eye of the storm."

Chu Ning looked up at her, his gaze deep and intense. The flickering light from the scroll illuminated his handsome face, adding a touch of menacing intent.

He slowly withdrew his lightning aura and said in a low voice, "The journey to the Vast Ocean is likely far more dangerous than the rumors suggest. The 'eye of the storm'... is probably a death trap."

The atmosphere inside the pavilion immediately became tense. Even without a breeze, the two men felt a chill in their hearts. The shadow of their journey to the Floating Pavilion in the Vast Ocean quietly loomed over them, as if an invisible threat was already lurking.

Xie Mingli gazed intently and said in a low voice, "The Floating Pavilion is actually hidden in the eye of the storm; no wonder we can't find it."

Chu Ning nodded slightly, his fingertips slowly stroking the edge of the tattered silk, the thunderous energy seeping into it like silk threads.

The scroll is incomplete, but its meaning remains intact; Lei Yiming entered the heart of the scroll, and the undulating terrain of various regions on the scroll gradually became clear, as if the shape of a star platform was reflected in the sea of ​​souls.

Xie Mingli watched his movements quietly, knowing that he was not only searching for the map, but also memorizing its meaning to avoid losing the map along the way.

After a long while, Chu Ning slowly withdrew his palm, and the image of the desert appeared between his soul imprints.

He gently rolled up the scroll again, tucked it into his pocket, and his gaze grew even more profound.

Xie Mingli asked in a low voice, "Would you be able to lead the way?"

Chu Ning looked at her, her gaze softening, and said in a low voice, "Though it is only a fragment, it is enough to guide us on this journey."

He paused, then said, "However, this road is difficult to travel. The Star Platform is hidden in the eye of the storm, and there may be strange phenomena protecting the pavilion. We must be extra prepared."

Xie Mingli smiled gently, her eyes sparkling: "Since you are going ahead, I will guard the rear."

Chu Ning gazed at her, his eyes slightly narrowed, but he remained silent, silently memorizing a single sentence:
—Though this journey is fraught with peril, I vow to protect one person's safety from behind.

The eerie fire gradually died down, the rolled-up cloth was put away, and no more words were spoken in the secluded chamber.

The two walked out of the steps side by side, without a sound in the wind, their minds made up.

—Now that the path has been embarked on, the road ahead must be secured.

When I returned to the courtyard, it was getting dark and quiet. The wind blew through the bamboo shadows, making the slender branches sway slightly.

Xie Mingli sat on the veranda, her head bowed as she arranged the legal documents on the table. Her expression was calm, yet a hint of weariness lingered in her eyes.

Chu Ning stood at the bottom of the steps, looking at her, his heart tightening slightly.

She is currently only at the seventh rank of cultivation, which is already top-tier in the capital, but the situation is unstable and undercurrents are surging.

Moreover, she was carrying their child, and there were potential dangers that even the most cautious person could not always guard against.

He pondered for a moment, then took out a communication talisman. A faint light flashed at his fingertips, and three swift streaks of light shot out into the air.

Zhao Tianyu, a general guarding the northern border; Han Xu, the deputy head of the Benlei Martial Arts School, known for his ruthless methods; and Shen Yan, famous for his wisdom and strategy.

These three men were trusted confidants whom he and Mingli could entrust with their lives and fortunes, and they were also the pillars of strength that could deter all the villains in the world.

In less than half a month, three very different figures had entered this quiet little courtyard one after another.

Zhao Tianyu was the first to arrive. He was still wearing his heavy black iron armor, the gaps between the armor plates still bearing traces of the roughness of the northern winds and sands and the slight marks of frost. His steps were heavy and deliberate, each stomp resounding.

As soon as he stood still, his sharp, hawk-like eyes swept across the entire scene. His piercing gaze seemed to penetrate people's hearts, carrying the iron will and fortitude forged in the crucible of battle. He said in a deep voice, "Miss, this humble general has come on orders!" His voice was not loud, but it sounded like the clash of metal, each word striking the ground.

Han Xu followed closely behind.

His muscular physique was tightly wrapped in a dark, tight-fitting outfit, as if he had blended into the deepening twilight. Only the long, black, gold whip coiled at his waist, like a snake, reflected a cold, hard gleam in the dim light.

His face was cold and stern, his thin lips were tightly pursed, and he exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay. His eyes swept across every corner of the courtyard like a blade, revealing an undisguised murderous intent.

Finally, it's Shen Yan.

A sky-blue brocade robe with cloud patterns accentuated his jade-like figure, and his steps were unhurried, like a refined gentleman visiting a friend under the moonlight. He held a plain jade-shaped fan in his hand, waving it before even opening it, a gentle smile playing on his lips, his eyes warm and gentle. He nodded slightly to Chu Ning and Ming Li, exuding an air of scholarly elegance.

Chu Ning's gaze, sharp as cold lightning, slowly swept over the three figures before him, figures capable of stirring up a storm. His voice was calm and even, yet contained an undeniable, absolute will:
"I must set off immediately for the Vast Ocean. The new chapter of the Soul Law has just been established and its foundation is not yet stable. There must be demons and monsters lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to stir up trouble, intending to tamper with the fundamentals and disrupt the foundation of my laws."

"Ming Li will be stationed at the central command, guarding the capital and protecting the government." He turned his gaze to the woman beside him, his expression filled with unspoken trust. "General Zhao, Master Han, and Brother Shen Yan, the three of you, each fulfill your duties, protecting her every step of the way. Her safety is the safety of the new government, and it is the cornerstone of the overall situation!"

Zhao Tianyu took a sudden step forward, his black armor clanging loudly. He clasped his hands together as if cast in iron, his voice booming like a bell, resolute and unwavering: "Please rest assured, General! I swear here that as long as I live, the city will stand. If the young lady suffers even the slightest harm, I will offer my head to you! Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will ensure her safety!" Every word carried the weight of the northern wind and snow and the unwavering resolve of a military order.

Han Xu said coldly, "Anyone who dares to make the slightest move will die on the spot."

Shen Yan gently shook his folding fan and smiled, "As long as the law is in place, I am in place; if she is unharmed, I am unharmed."

Chu Ning nodded slightly, her gaze returning to Xie Mingli.

He stepped forward and took out an exquisite ancient bell, silver-blue in color, wrapped with ribbons, with a faint sparkle of lightning flowing through its core.

"This is the Spirit Bell."

"The extraordinary treasure left behind by the traveler from beyond the boundary can conceal one's aura and simulate the spiritual energy of any realm between the tenth and first rank, making it difficult for outsiders to discern the truth from the falsehood."

"If something unexpected happens, use it to protect yourself and avoid being seen or heard by the enemy."

Xie Mingli took the bell, her fingertips slightly cool. She looked up at him, about to speak, when Chu Ning took out another long box.

The box was opened, and a cold light shone forth, as if the first frost of dawn had broken through.

The Broken Snow Blade lay quietly in its box, its blade as white as snow, its killing intent still lingering.

Chu Ning drew his sword from its sheath, his fingers slowly tracing the spine of the blade, and whispered:
"This sword accompanied me through the Northern Border, the Soul Shattering Prison, and the Emperor's Soul Slaying Map. I sealed three killing intents within the sword."

"The Silent Annihilation can break through the encirclement of all things; the Tribulation Response can reverse the trend and strike; the Oath Thunder, when it strikes, can shatter the soul."

"If you encounter a desperate situation, do not hesitate, all three techniques can protect you."

Xie Mingli gently stroked the blade, her fingertips trembling slightly, sensing the hidden killing intent and determination within.

She looked up at Chu Ning, her voice gentle yet firm: "Don't worry. Even if the sky falls and the earth collapses, I will uphold these laws and protect this place."

Chu Ning's gaze darkened slightly as he stared at her for a long time before finally whispering, "Protect him, and protect yourself too."

Xie Mingli smiled slightly, holding the bell and knife in her palm, her eyes clear: "I understand."

The wind rustled through the bamboo grove in the courtyard.

Chu Ning stood under the corridor and glanced at her again, his gaze deep, as if he wanted to etch her current appearance into his heart.

This parting may end in uncertainty, with no return date in sight.

But he knew that with her there, he could take a step forward with peace of mind.

"The stability here depends on your protection; only when I feel at ease can I move forward."

(End of this chapter)