[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 19

Chapter 63 Planning Before Acting
Three miles west of the inn, beside a small stream.
The bright moonlight shone down, as if draping a silver veil over the trees and the rolling mountains stretching ahead. A faint floral fragrance mingled with the murmuring water vapor of the clear stream, creating a serene, dreamlike atmosphere.
Under the starlight and moonlight, two figures stood side by side by the stream, their robes fluttering in the night breeze. The man was dashing and handsome, the woman cold and beautiful, forming a breathtakingly beautiful scene against the backdrop of heaven and earth.
These two were none other than Song Shidao and the cold, beautiful woman who had entered the tavern at dusk.
The moment Yuan Yueze landed two zhang behind them, Song Shidao turned around.
The woman reacted slightly slower, but also turned her head in time, her large, hazy eyes scrutinizing the maskless Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze smiled at Song Shidao, then looked at the woman and teased, "How should I address this young lady? Should I call her sister-in-law?"
Under the bright moonlight, both Song Shidao and the woman blushed.
Song Shidao quickly changed the subject, pointing to a pile of large rocks scattered along the stream, saying, "Let's sit down and talk."
The three of them each chose a smooth rock and sat down casually.
Seeing Yuan Yueze's mischievous look, Song Shidao knew he had to introduce the woman beside him before getting down to business, and sighed, "This is Wenqing, surnamed Hou. And this is my brother-in-law, the well-known Yuan Yueze."
The two nodded to each other.
Yuan Yueze secretly thought that his second brother really had a soft spot for this kind of aloof and stunning woman. Then he asked, "How did you come up with the idea of impersonating Yue Shan? And how did you suddenly appear here? Also, this afternoon you seemed a bit shorter; was that just my imagination? Luckily, I heard your telepathic message."
Song Shidao replied, "I need to answer these questions one by one. Impersonating Yue Shan was a decision I made after discussing it with Aunt Meixian and the others."
Yuan Yueze said, "Then please tell me the reasons, Second Brother."
Song Shidao said, "The first purpose was naturally to win over Bashu. The second purpose was to prepare you for your future trip to Guanzhong. The third purpose was for Wenqing. As for the last purpose, well, it's just to hone myself."
Yuan Yueze gestured for him to continue.
Song Shidao explained, "Xue Ju of Western Qin is locked in a fierce battle with Li Tang. When you came out, you should already know that Li Shimin is holding back and not coming out, and is currently confronting Xue Rengao, right?"
Yuan Yueze nodded.
Song Shidao continued, "A few days ago, news arrived that after several dozen days of stalemate, Xue Rengao's army had run out of supplies, and his subordinates, who had always been defiant, surrendered to the Tang. Li Shimin, seeing the wavering morale of the enemy, devised a plan to lure Zong Luohou into a decisive battle at Qianshuiyuan, resulting in a crushing defeat for Zong Luohou, with thousands killed. The carnage was unimaginable. Then, Li Shimin personally led two thousand elite cavalry to Zheshu City, where Xue Rengao held a strong defensive position. Shortly after, various Tang armies arrived, completely surrounding Zheshu City. At nightfall, the defenders, taking advantage of the darkness, rushed down the city walls to surrender. Xue..." With no way to escape, Xue Rengao had no choice but to surrender with his troops, allowing Li Shimin to gain control of his more than ten thousand elite soldiers. Except for Xue Rengao, who was beheaded, the rest were pardoned. Now that Guanzhong was pacified, Li Gui was merely a petty clown; even if he broke the agreement, he could not cause any harm. Furthermore, with Cihang Jingzhai backing the Li family, the world followed suit. Zhang Long of Pingliang, Xiao Yu of Henan, and the local forces controlling Fufeng and Hanyang all successively submitted to the Li family. As for the fate of Bashu, it would likely be decided in the coming days. Shi Feixuan had probably already arrived in person; no one dared to... Negligence and inattention. After we parted, I arrived in Luoyang a few days later. I only stayed in Luoyang for one night, and after discussing things with Aunt Meixian and the others, I came out to inform you. You probably don't know much about the current situation outside. We'll discuss how to win over Bashu later. Father left two letters that day, one for Lord Jie and one for Fan Qinghui. I'll secretly deliver Father's letter to Lord Jie as soon as possible."
Seeing Yuan Yueze nod, Song Shidao said, "The second reason is that I impersonated Yue Shan and clashed with the Yin Gui Sect, and..." "Because Yue Shan has a grudge against my father, it's very likely that trouble will fall on you, especially since you are now seen as a powerful local tyrant. Yue Shan will be a good pawn for the righteous path. Aunt Mei Xian guesses that they will secretly help me deal with you at the right time. At that time, I will use this opportunity to infiltrate their ranks and steal some confidential information. Coming to Bashu, I can also take the opportunity to see if I can meet that Master Zhenyan. If I can learn the 'True Word Hand Seal,' it will not be bad for me to conceal my identity and improve my strength in the future."
"The third reason is for Wen Qing. You may not have heard of her, but you should know her older sister, Lady Hou. Do you remember her?"
Song Shidao paused here, and Yuan Yueze frowned, starting to replay the scene in his mind, carefully searching for clues about this 'Lady Hou.'
After a long pause, Yuan Yueze said, "Could it be Lady Hou, who wrote the poem, 'The snow on the steps never melts, I frown as I roll up the curtain. The plum blossoms in the courtyard seem to pity me, revealing a touch of spring on their branches first'?"
Upon hearing this, Hou Wenqing's pretty face turned deathly pale. She bit her lower lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes, and threw herself onto Song Shidao's shoulder, sobbing softly.
Song Shidao hurriedly comforted her.
Yuan Yueze shook his head and sighed deeply.
Who was Lady Hou?
During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he built numerous tall buildings and gathered thousands of beautiful women from all over the country to be imprisoned in the labyrinthine palace. Lady Hou was one of these thousands of palace women who never saw Emperor Yang in their lives. She eventually hanged herself, with a brocade pouch hanging from her arm. She could take three poems from it and find them.
After her death, her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her brocade pouch, containing poems of palace lament, caused Yang Guang endless grief, leading the eunuchs who had neglected their duties in selecting beauties to commit suicide. She was a rare beauty in history who received the emperor's boundless favor and became famous for her beauty and talent only after her death. Lady Hou entered the palace at about sixteen years old and committed suicide around the age of twenty-four. Thirteen of her poems survive, making her a precursor to the "Four Great Poets of the Early Tang Dynasty".
Unexpectedly, the cold-looking woman before him was actually the younger sister of the deceased Lady Hou. Yuan Yueze gazed at the moon and murmured, "The greatest bitterness in life is heartbreak, when the heart is broken, the pain is unbearable. Sourness seeps into the lungs and intestines, but can be turned over; pain sinks to the bone marrow, a thousand fathoms deeper. Her fragrant soul is gone, but sorrow remains; her jade-
like face is gone, but resentment is still deep. I try to mourn the wind and moon of Changmen Palace, sadly and coldly until now." Song Shidao also echoed with a sorrowful voice, "I hate the Creator and the Heavens, how could beauty not be preserved! Since they are as thin as cloud shadows, her face should not be as bright as the moonlight. Idly recalling the past is truly painful, reading the new poems is even more pitiful. It is said that the king is fond of beauty, but the palace has lost its little beauty."
After a pause, he continued, "I used to hate passionate people the most, always thinking they were just making excuses for their lust, but Xiaoze's appearance changed my mind. Although you have many wives, you do not mistreat any of them. But after all, there are still people in the world with selfish desires." "There are many, and in the future, monogamy must be implemented. Let me start!"
Yuan Yueze recalled Yun Jizi's advice to him and said with a bitter smile, "None of these are important. I think it really depends on how the person involved views the responsibility on their shoulders."
After a moment's thought, he said, "Wasn't it the Baling Gang's evil deeds that recruited beauties from all over the country for Yang Guang?"
Hou Wenqing seemed to be in a better mood after crying and said bitterly, "My sister is fourteen years older than me. When I was old enough to understand, my parents told me what happened. It was the evil deeds of the Baling Gang, and the accomplices at the time were the Chuannan gambling den in Chengdu. My father and mother were depressed and confused after my sister was kidnapped, and they died of illness when I was eight years old. In order to avenge her, I went to the 'Huangshan Sect' to study martial arts for ten years. After leaving the mountain, I inquired for two years and found out that my sister had already... Now that my master has come to Chengdu, how can I let go of this opportunity for revenge?"
Rumors have long circulated in the martial arts world that the Baling Gang not only searched for beautiful women for Emperor Yang Guang in the Central Plains and beyond, but also secretly engaged in the shameful act of trafficking women. While many believe this to be mere gossip, a small group, such as members of the Yin Gui Sect and those close to Yuan Yueze, are well aware that the rumors about the Baling Gang are entirely true. They manage to keep their human trafficking activities secret through two methods: first, they prevent others from knowing that the casinos and brothels belong to them; second, they specifically target remote areas, using coercion and enticement to buy young girls at bargain prices, then train them to supply brothels across the land. Previously, corrupt officials of the Sui Dynasty covered for them, but now, with the world in chaos, no one has the time to concern themselves with them. The gambling dens in southern Sichuan, seemingly unrelated to the Xiang family, are in fact the Baling Gang's operators in Sichuan, specializing in brothels and casinos.
Song Shidao placed his hand on her fragrant shoulder and said to Yuan Yueze, "Xiao Ze, don't laugh at my absurdity. Wenqing and I have only known each other for half a month. When we left Luoyang and headed south, I rescued her from the siege of the Baling Gang's experts on the north bank of the Yangtze River. After that, you know what happened."
Yuan Yueze remembered that Xiao He'er was also one of the victims of the Baling Gang. Song Shidao had been traveling the martial arts world for so long, and influenced by Yuan Yueze and the Shuanglong's personalities, he had become much more forthright. So he shook his head and laughed, "What's absurd about that? There's no logic to matters of the heart. Otherwise, how could there be the saying 'love at first sight'? This time, let's make a big scene in Chengdu. Sister-in-law, you can rest assured." "Although I had no prior grudge against the Baling Gang, now the hatred is entrenched, and they must pay a bloody price for their evil deeds." He
then added, "From what I understand, Second Brother, you intend to enter Chengdu in a grand manner as Yue Shan. But Yue Shan is aloof, so how will the Chengdu martial arts world know about this?"
Song Shidao laughed and said, "Naturally, through Zheng Shiru. With his influence, it can still serve a purpose of publicity!"
Yuan Yueze thought for a moment and understood: Song Shidao had likely been thinking about how to spread the news of 'Yue Shan's' return to the martial arts world, and the chance encounter with Zheng Shiru at the tavern was the perfect opportunity. So he asked, "Shi Feixuan should know that the real Yue Shan has long since died. How did you infiltrate their ranks to gather information?"
The implication was that Shi Feixuan had likely been ordered by her sect to visit Shi Qingxuan at Huanglong Phoenix Mountain and study the Immortal Seal Scroll. Shi Qingxuan was very likely to have told Shi Feixuan that the real Yue Shan was already dead.
Song Shidao said, "This is indeed somewhat difficult, but it won't stump me. When you saw me this afternoon, I used the Bone Shrinking Technique I learned from Wenqing. Although it consumes a lot of vital energy each time it's used, it's still very simple given the extremely fast recovery of the Longevity True Qi. Among the righteous masters, only Fan Qinghui has truly seen me. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't see me in person, so we don't need to worry about anything. Master Lu is already making me a human skin mask that's almost indistinguishable from a real one. I'll wear two masks when I face Fan Qinghui. I'm afraid that by the time I actually face him, the Li Tang dynasty will have already lost all its power."
When he mentioned Fan Qinghui, even the usually calm Song Shidao had a hint of disdain in his eyes, revealing the extent of the harm Song Que had caused his children in matters of love. Of course, the three Song siblings didn't dare to resent Song Que, so their target of hatred naturally became Fan Qinghui.
Yuan Yueze gave a thumbs up and said, "A well-thought-out plan is always good! I'll mainly deal with the cult, you'll mainly deal with the martial arts world, and Meixian and the others will mainly handle military and political matters. Tsk tsk, the division of labor is quite clear."
Song Shidao smiled wryly, "In order to prevent Zheng Shiru from suspecting my identity, I first made Sect Leader Zhu the target, and then used Master Lu's 'Escape One' theory as my own to deceive Zheng Shiru. I wonder if Master Lu will vomit blood when he finds out! Fortunately, I've read books, so I tricked him by using his father's name first."
Remembering that Song Shidao was also a semi-transmigrator, Yuan Yueze exchanged a glance with him and then laughed heartily together.
Hou Wenqing seemed to be infected by the two's boldness and showed a sweet smile.
After a long pause, Yuan Yueze looked up at the starry sky, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, and said, "As for how to win over Bashu, we'll have to take it one step at a time. I don't think my father-in-law's two letters will be of much use. If he were still alive, they would have some deterrent effect on them, but the key is that he's 'gone' now, so Second Brother shouldn't have too much faith in the letters he left behind. Also, you should be entering Chengdu soon, right?"
Song Shidao knew he was thinking of Zhu Yuyan, so he nodded.
As if suddenly remembering something, Yuan Yueze pulled out two cloth bags from his robes. From one of the bags, he took out a scroll and handed it to Song Shidao, saying, "This is Yue Shan's record of his insights on the Overlord Blade and the Sun-Changing Technique during the decades he spent in his later years, after losing all his martial arts skills. It also includes some criticisms of certain people. Originally, I didn't want it when Qingxuan left it to me, but I never expected that something I casually accepted that day would play such a great role. Second brother, take it and practice the Sun-Changing Technique. Also, I think second brother and sister-in-law should consider absorbing some of the primordial essence from the Evil Emperor's Relic. Currently, there is still more than 50% primordial essence in the relic. If each of you only absorbs 10%, it will be enough to take a big step forward."
Yuan Yueze did not absorb the primordial essence from the Evil Emperor's Relic because he was stubborn and insisted on cultivating Qi himself. Yuan Yueze had previously mentioned that Song Shidao should absorb some primordial essence, since his Qi cultivation speed was incomparable to Yuan Yueze's, but Song Shidao had refused at the time, seemingly unwilling to lose to Yuan Yueze.
Song Shidao understood Yuan Yueze's meaning. The enemies they would face in the future were likely to be even more formidable, so improving their strength was paramount. He nodded, then asked in surprise, "You wouldn't happen to be involved with Shi Qingxuan either…?"
Shi Qingxuan's reputation was renowned throughout the land, and even Hou Wenqing looked at Yuan Yueze with some astonishment.
Yuan Yueze awkwardly punched Song Shidao and said, "We're just friends, don't overthink it."
Song Shidao gave him a 'you're a fool' look, leaving Yuan Yueze helpless. He had no choice but to change the subject, taking a pill from another cloth bag and handing it to Hou Wenqing, saying, "I only have three pills left. I'll give this one to you, sister-in-law. I'll cleanse your marrow and refine your body later, and your cultivation will improve even faster."
Hou Wenqing was extremely embarrassed by Yuan Yueze calling her "sister-in-law" repeatedly, but she was still incredibly excited when she saw the pill, her hand trembling slightly as she took it. Yuan Yueze thought to himself that his second brother had probably revealed all his secrets.
Song Shidao asked with some concern, "Then you'll have to rest for a while?"
Yuan Yueze nodded, "Feng'er also needs to start practicing Qi cultivation again. I'm not in a hurry to go to Chengdu first; I can take my time and explore for a few days later." He
then explained his suspicions about the Dongming Sect to Song Shidao and Yuan Yueze, instructing them to observe carefully while in Chengdu.
After a few more casual words, he used his extraordinary power to cleanse Hou Wenqing's marrow and refine his body, passing on the Refining Essence into Qi Technique to the two of them. After each of them absorbed one-tenth of their primordial essence, Song Shidao and Yuan Yueze headed southwest overnight. Yuan Yueze, nearly exhausted, meditated for more than two hours before returning to the inn alone.
Entering the room, he saw Dugu Feng lying on the bed, transformed and sleeping like a fairy in spring. Yuan Yueze pulled her exposed arms and legs back under the thin blanket. The moment he lifted the blanket, the shocking sight of blood on the white sheets caught his attention.
After gazing blankly for a long time, sleepiness overcame him. Yuan Yueze flicked out the lamp and crawled into bed.
For the next few days, Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng spent almost all their time in meditation, walking only a few dozen miles each day. Until this day, the two arrived at a small hill, with the Daba Mountains stretching across the plains before them. Under the star-studded night sky, they resembled a massive, lowered barrier. If they traversed the winding mountain paths of the Daba Mountains, they could reach the land of Sichuan, known as the "Land of Abundance."
A mountain breeze blew, causing their clothes and long hair to flutter and rustle, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Dugu Feng said sweetly, "Big Brother's strength has recovered, and Feng'er is progressing well too. Let's hurry into Chengdu so we can help Second Brother Song and Sister-in-law as soon as possible."
Yuan Yueze laughed, "Finally, I don't have to carry you all the way anymore."
Dugu Fengqi asked, "Brother, did you say Feng'er is too heavy?"
Yuan Yueze laughed heartily and sped off towards the Daba Mountains.
In the afternoon, the two finally set foot on the treacherous and infamous plank road within the Daba Mountains.
This type of man-made, winding mountain road is mainly constructed by carving holes in the cliffs, embedding beams in the holes, and then placing wooden planks on top. Walking on it, with jagged cliff faces on one side and sheer drops on the other, the mountain winds make it feel even more precarious and unstable. Even the brave feel a sense of trepidation with every step; the timid find it difficult to move an inch. This was
Yuan Yueze's second time in Chengdu, but the last time he had walked along mountain paths, while Dugu Feng was experiencing this extraordinary scenery for the first time, and her mood was even more cheerful. Along the way, they saw countless wondrous sights, extremely pleasing to the eye. With the joy of sightseeing, the two admired the deep mountains and high ridges covered with wild trees and grasses, and the strange peaks and rocks. Spruce, fir, redwood, hemlock, and other fir trees, interspersed with ginkgo, fragrant fruit trees, and tung trees, create a constantly changing natural ecosystem. It's not only a paradise for birds, but also teeming with golden monkeys, macaques, takins, and tufted deer, teeming with life.
Around a bend, the scenery changes again. First, the roar of a waterfall thunders, and as the boardwalk widens, waves of mist wash over you. Amidst the misty mountains, a waterfall, like a dragon emerging from a cave, cascades down from a precipice, reaching the bottom as a turbulent torrent, then rushing along the mountainside—a breathtaking sight. The two were captivated, stopping to observe silently, feeling their spirits soar, merging with all things, transcending the distinction between inside and outside.
Man is nature, and nature is man.
After a long while, Yuan Yueze finally regained his composure and sighed, "During the reign of King Xian of Zhou, King Hui of Qin wanted to conquer Shu, but he didn't know how to attack from. So he ordered people to make five stone oxen, smear gold powder on their tails, and falsely claimed that the oxen could excrete gold. He then presented the oxen to the King of Shu. The King of Shu was overjoyed and ordered the construction of a plank road to welcome the golden oxen. The Qin army eventually attacked Shu along the Golden Ox Plank Road and destroyed the Shu Kingdom. Therefore, some people say that this road is the culprit that brought disaster to the people of Shu. Later, Zhuge Liang's 'Six Expeditions to Qishan' and Jiang Wei's 'Nine Expeditions to the Central Plains' also used this road to transport troops. It can be seen that the fault does not lie in the Golden Ox Plank Road, but in the people who caused it."
Dugu Feng continued, "But now I..." The plank road we built has been rerouted and rebuilt many times. The oldest Jinniu Road started in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, passed through Xiegu and Baogu plank roads into Hanzhong, then went west out of Mianxian County, passed through Yangping Pass into Sichuan, and passed through Qingchuan, Jiange, Zitong, and Mianyang to reach Chengdu. Now, the section from Hanzhong into Sichuan has been changed to cross Qipan Pass via Ningqiang, which should be the section we are standing on.”
Yuan Yueze looked at Dugu Feng incredulously and exclaimed, “Feng’er seems to have read quite a few books?”
Dugu Feng rolled her eyes at him, and was about to speak when she heard a faint, silvery laugh from afar, followed by the clanging of weapons.
Yuan Yueze recognized the owner of the voice, called to Dugu Feng, and the two ran forward.
The plank road was very difficult to traverse. Yuan Yueze felt that they were approaching the battle, so he and Dugu Feng climbed to the top of a small mountain and focused their eyes on the scene.
"Clang! Clang!"
On the narrow plank road dozens of feet ahead, Wanwan's Heavenly Demon Twin Slashes struck Shi Feixuan's Void Sword in a flash, deflecting the weapon that was only half an inch away from piercing her chest. Then, she gracefully took a small step back to the side, her sleeves shooting out the Heavenly Demon Belt, creating a dense net that prevented Shi Feixuan from pursuing her.
A strange blue light appeared in Wanwan's beautiful eyes, a phenomenon unique to the peak of the Heavenly Demon Technique.
Just from this block and retreat, Yuan Yueze could already see that Wanwan had made considerable progress. Wanwan's greatest skill lay in her ability to transform each of the two lightning-fast Heavenly Demon Twin Slashes into a seamless and unbroken Heavenly Demon Belt net in the blink of an eye—a technique so natural and flawless that it had reached a level of subtlety. What's even more remarkable is that she can reveal her inner intentions and emotions without reservation. Therefore, although it's only a few moves, and purely actions and sounds, it's as clear and distinct as a book written in the book. It's impossible to understand without witnessing it firsthand. Not
only are Wanwan's moves flawless, but her ability to seamlessly transition from extreme hardness to extreme softness is also impressive. If Shi Feixuan were to continue pursuing with the same sword techniques, she would definitely suffer losses. So, although she appears to be at a disadvantage on the surface, she can actually regain the upper hand at any time.
Unexpectedly, the two ribbons silently slithered back into her sleeves like nimble snakes. Wanwan revealed a look that was both reproachful and amused, giggling, "Sister, shall we call it a day?" With a
"clang,"
a flash of surprise crossed Shi Feixuan's eyes, but she still sheathed her sword, lightly brushing aside a stray strand of her bangs with her left hand, calmly smiling as if she hadn't lifted a finger, "Then Feixuan will take her leave."
Wanwan gracefully stepped aside, letting Shi Feixuan pass, her eyes fixed on the distant waterfall.
Shi Feixuan was heading towards Lichuan, while Wanwan was heading towards Sichuan.
Seeing the elegant and ethereal Shi Feixuan in her blue scholar's robes approaching, Yuan Yueze and his companion on the mountaintop immediately sealed their pores, entering a state of deep breathing. Better safe than sorry, especially when facing someone with naturally sensitive spiritual perception; extra caution was needed.
Long after Shi Feixuan disappeared, Yuan Yueze and his companion leaped down the mountain and stepped back onto the plank road. Looking towards the spot where Shi Feixuan had vanished, Yuan Yueze muttered to himself, "Why would she leave Chengdu? Has she already lobbied all of Sichuan?"
Just as he was lost in thought, Wanwan floated over. She first glanced at Dugu Feng with a complex expression, then smiled sweetly at Yuan Yueze and said in a coquettish voice, "Why did you come to Sichuan, my darling?"
Knowing he couldn't hide it from Wanwan, Yuan Yueze looked down at the mountain stream below, formed by a waterfall that cascaded down into more than ten pools of varying sizes, their bottoms filled with colorful stones that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. She smiled and asked, "Then why did you come to Sichuan?"
Wanwan rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze and walked forward without a word.
Yuan Yueze hurriedly followed with Dugu Feng and asked, "Wan'er, have you noticed anything wrong with Shi Feixuan?"
Wanwan pondered and said, "My skill has improved a lot. I didn't expect that in just a month or so, she would also make a breakthrough and show signs of entering the 'Sword Heart Clarity' stage."
Yuan Yueze shook his head and chuckled, thinking to himself, "What Sword Heart Clarity, Blade Heart Clarity? I wanted to ask Shi Feixuan about her purpose in coming to Sichuan. "
Then he thought again, Wanwan might have just arrived in Sichuan as well. The two of them had encountered each other on the plank road and started fighting, so he wouldn't get any information from her. He simply stopped asking.
The three of them walked forward together.

Chapter 064 The Hundred-Year-Old Divine Monk
(Because I prefer the Nine-Character Mantra hand seal in the original work, most of this chapter is from the original text.) The setting sun left only the last rays of its afterglow.
Song Shidao appeared in the woods outside a temple outside Chengdu. He saw ancient cypress trees reaching the sky, lush bamboo groves, a red wall surrounding a pagoda soaring into the air, and a magnificent temple building.
This was the location of the Great Stone Temple he had inquired about along the way.
Having been separated from Yuan Yueze and Dugu Feng for over ten days, Song Shidao and Hou Wenqing, busy fusing the essence of the 'Evil Emperor's Relic,' hadn't traveled quickly, only arriving outside Chengdu tonight. Each had their own mission, so they split up.
Quickly and carefully scaling the courtyard wall, Song Shidao felt the deathly silence he had sensed outside the temple become even more pronounced. His brow furrowed, and he casually removed his mask.
This famous temple was quite large, starting with the main gate, followed by the Heavenly King Hall, the Seven Buddha Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, the Sutra Repository, and so on—a complex, beautifully designed, and magnificent complex. Beside the rows of main halls, a tall pagoda rose majestically among thousands of bamboo trees.
The temple was completely dark, the atmosphere eerie and terrifying, like a ghost realm. Song Shidao thought to himself that even if all the monks had gone to bed, there should at least be some kind of lamps and incense. The biggest enemy of Da Shi Temple, 'Heavenly Lord' Xi Ying, died at the hands of Fu Junyu more than half a year ago. Logically speaking, Da Shi Temple should be thriving at this time.
Although puzzled, Song Shidao continued forward, sensing the tireless enthusiasm and spirit of those who built the temple under the call of religion. Every door, window, eave, and arch was carved with various patterns of feathers, flowers, and other motifs. Strange birds and beasts were sculpted on the temple roof, lifelike in their detail. Long corridors connected the halls, flanked by symmetrical rows of large stone pillars.
With each step forward, Song Shidao felt the lingering aura of death in the air grow stronger. His eyes scanned his surroundings intently, and sure enough, he discovered dried bloodstains covered in sand before a magnificent Arhat Hall. He bent down and touched the blood clots with his fingertips, instantly feeling as if struck by lightning; the terrifying sensation became more vivid, more concrete, and more intense.
Having mastered half of the "Sun and Moon Shining Heaven Great Law," the "Concentration Technique," and the "Longevity Technique," and absorbed one-tenth of the primordial essence of the Evil Emperor's Relic, Song Shidao's "Mind's Eye" had become exceptionally clear, and his "Unity of Heaven and Man" perception was also unusually sensitive. Within his "Mind's Eye
," a terrifying image appeared: a tall, imposing figure dressed in tight-fitting clothes, carrying a leather bag, with purple skin, long hair, and eyebrows, exuding an eerie aura, and having slaughtered hundreds of monks at the Great Stone Temple. The man's appearance was strange, his face cold and expressionless. What surprised Song Shidao most were the striking eyes beneath the man's thick eyebrows, radiating a sharp, evil, and cruel light, with a ring of purple light around the pupils—eerie and terrifying.
Withdrawing his arm, his Mind's Eye regained its clarity, and Song Shidao let out a long sigh. He wondered if this man had some connection to Xi Ying? What was his background? How could he so openly commit murder without any regard for the major powers of Chengdu? But after committing the crime, there was no need to clean up the scene. And since all the monks of the original Da Shi Temple were already dead, who was it that cleaned up this bloody mess?
Thinking this, Song Shidao stepped into the Arhat Hall, his breath catching in his throat as he was awestruck by the sight of countless statues filling the hall.
The statues were arranged in two groups, with dozens of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the center. The Thousand-Hand Guanyin, residing in the heart of the hall, was the most striking. Not only was her appearance solemn, but the shape of each hand and the implement it held were also unique, giving the impression of boundless supernatural power. Five hundred Arhats were arranged around the perimeter, facing the central statues, forming interconnected passageways. Song Shidao felt as if he had entered another divine world, different from reality. The statues beside him, illuminated by the moonlight, were exquisitely crafted, their colors vibrant. Whether standing, leaning, sitting, or reclining, each posture was different, lifelike, and vividly expressive, creating a scene that seemed both real and unreal.
When he arrived before the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue, he was surrounded by rows upon rows of Arhat statues, as if trapped in a maze of sculptures. The feeling was indescribable.
Looking to his left and right, he saw two Arhat statues, each about six feet tall, entirely gilded, lifelike, and with strikingly different postures. The one on the left was slender with a long neck, a gentle smile, one hand on his knee, leaning forward, the other scratching his back—a casual yet natural pose. The other, however, was a fierce Vajra with bulging eyes, his right fist clenched, full of muscle and spirit, powerful and vivid.
Standing between the two statues, Song Shidao first adopted the relaxed pose of the right statue, then transformed into the fierce Vajra pose, each movement perfectly lifelike. Bathed in the golden moonlight outside the hall, it seemed as if he had suddenly transformed into a guardian Arhat, or even as if one of the Arhats had come to life—a truly bizarre feeling.
When Song Shidao simulated the posture of a certain Arhat, he noticed that the true energy within his body seemed to flow naturally with the posture, bringing him immense comfort.
Since parting ways with Yuan Yueze, Song Shidao, who had traveled at various stops, had read Yue Shan's posthumous scroll at least ten times, memorizing its contents thoroughly.
Besides the particularly profound accounts of Yue Shan's life and events, the scroll mainly contained his reflections on the Overlord Blade Technique in his later years and his repeated deliberations on the yet-to-be-mastered Sun-Changing Technique, filled with a poignant sense of helplessness and sorrow. Though his ambitions were vast, time was not on his side; alas!
The unorthodox and ruthless forty-nine forms of the Overlord Blade Technique were completely unpalatable to Song Shidao; his attention was entirely focused on the Sun-Changing Technique. This strange technique was something he had exchanged for from an Indian ascetic monk in exchange for the secrets of the Overlord Blade Technique. Originally having an Indian name, Yue Shan renamed it the Sun-Changing Technique. If Yue Shan could master it, he would be reborn, completely transformed, his injuries healed, and his power restored in a short time. Unfortunately, he died without achieving anything, leaving behind only regret.
Through the scrolls, Song Shidao also met for the first time Bi Xiuxin, the senior sister of Fan Qinghui, the current abbot of Cihang Jingzhai, and the birth mother of Shi Qingxuan. She would visit Yue Shan periodically, often helping him to study the strange Sun-Changing Technique, and Yue Shan recorded some of her insights in the scrolls. In short, the Sun-Changing Technique can be divided into 'Six Stages of Accomplishment Cultivation,' gradually developing the potential of life through cultivating 'Qi, Meridians, and Wheels,' achieving oneness with heaven and earth, and seizing the creation of heaven and earth—its secrets are unfathomable. What
attracted Yue Shan most were the two phrases, 'Destruction before construction, defeat before success,' but unfortunately, despite experiencing both destruction and defeat, he gained nothing. Even the exceptionally intelligent Bi Xiuxin couldn't understand its profound mysteries. Song Shidao, however, grasped the key points on his first reading, thanks to his thorough study of the original text and his expanded meridians and miraculous longevity energy. It could be said that Song Shidao at this moment was no weaker than the original Xu Ziling.
After reading Yue Shan's posthumous manuscript, Song Shidao gained a deeper understanding of these Arhats. Yue Shan had quoted Bi Xiuxin's explanation of Buddhist hand seals. Bi Xiuxin pointed out that hand seals "externally connect to the universe, internally penetrate the five internal organs and the eight extraordinary meridians." These three simple sentences were enough to infinitely broaden one's understanding of hand seals.
In the past, when he fought, he would naturally combine various hand seals to unleash his internal energy, knowing only the action but not the reason. Only after carefully reading Yue Shan's posthumous manuscript did he learn of the so-called "three secret cultivation methods of body, speech, and mind." Hand seals are the most important link in the "body seal." The hand seals, counting from the little finger to the thumb, represent the five elements: earth, water, fire, space, and wind. The right hand represents wisdom, and the left hand represents concentration. The essence of the "Sun-Changing Technique" lies in cultivating the "qi, meridians, and chakras" within the body through the connection between the ten fingers and the internal organs, thus achieving the "Sixfold Accomplishment Cultivation." "Sun" refers to the Great Sun Tathagata, and "Sun-Changing" implies exchanging with the Great Sun Tathagata, subtly suggesting the profound meaning of attaining Buddhahood in this very life.
The most wonderful aspect of this secret method from India is its seamless integration with his own martial arts cultivation path. Yue Shan, accustomed to wielding the Overlord Blade, would find learning the hand seals incredibly difficult, like trying to observe a cow from across a mountain; moreover, changing his own habitual internal energy cultivation method is no easy feat. However, Song Shidao was adept at this, excelling in it. The
"qi, meridians, and chakras" in the Sun-Changing Technique refer to the five qi, three meridians, and seven chakras, a system of internal energy cultivation from India, which shares similarities with, yet is distinct from, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians of the Central Plains martial arts world. The Five Qi refer to the five types of Qi: the root of life, the ascending Qi, the level Qi, the pervasive Qi, and the descending Qi. These refer to the pathways of internal and external Qi through the three channels and seven chakras. The three channels are the central, left, and right channels. The central channel runs from the perineum to the crown of the head, connected by the spinal cord, equivalent to the Governing Vessel in China. The left and right channels both originate from the perineum, running parallel to the central channel and connecting the seven chakras. The seven chakras are equivalent to the acupoints in China, from top to bottom: crown chakra, third eye chakra, throat chakra, heart chakra, navel chakra, sacral chakra, and root chakra. The root chakra is the perineum in China.
Master Song understood these complex and profound methods of practice at a glance; only the question of practice remained.
The statues in this Arhat Hall were designed based on the portrait scroll of the holy monk Kumarajiva, thus subtly resonating with the Great Ritual of Changing the Sun. Kumarajiva was a highly virtuous and wise monk from India who came to China to spread Buddhism. He extensively studied Mahayana Buddhism, especially the profound meaning of Prajna emptiness, and his martial arts skills were extraordinary. However, he never taught martial arts, only Buddhist teachings. After arriving in China, he worked at the Xiaoyao Garden in Chang'an translating Buddhist scriptures.
Song Shidao withdrew from his previous posture and slowly walked to another Arhat statue, carefully examining it. This statue had six hands; two hands were extended to the left and right, palms together above the head. Two other hands were clenched into fists and crossed at the chest. The remaining hand was placed between the eyebrows, with the thumb touching the center of the forehead. The face showed a meditative state.
If it were before, he would only have thought it was a Buddha statue's posture, but now he knew that it was through different mudras that the three energies of the third eye chakra, heart chakra, and crown chakra were connected. The most brilliant part was that it clearly pointed out the relationship between the different mudras and the different chakras. There were nearly three hundred Arhats, more than ten of whom were multi-armed Arhats with over four hundred different mudras, none of which were the same. This sight captivated Master Song.
At this moment, the Sun-Changing Technique had become a basic introductory skill, or perhaps a key to unlocking a certain Buddhist secret. These Arhats were the true treasures. Unconsciously, he brought his palms together vertically, palms slightly hollow, like an open lotus flower. Then, he raised his palms upwards as if scooping water, then suddenly his hands reversed, fingers intertwined, creating various hand seals.
All thoughts returned to one.
In the ethereal, hazy, and profound moment, the separation between inner and outer completely collapsed. In the extreme stillness and emptiness, the Dharma wheel within his body turned one by one, the Longevity Formula, the Concentration Formula, and the Sun-Changing Technique merging into one through different hand seals.
Entering into me, I enter; man and heaven unite.
Master Song suddenly awoke, slightly opening his eyes. It was already broad daylight. That meant he had sat in the Arhat Hall for a whole night, but it felt like only a snap of the fingers—unbelievable. To describe it as 'awakening' was not quite appropriate, because he hadn't slept at all. It was an indescribable state of mind, completely different from his previous practice of the "Longevity Formula." His body felt relaxed and at ease, a stillness tinged with movement, as if time itself had stood still. He 'awakened' because he suddenly sensed a peaceful spiritual fluctuation.
Turning his head, Song Shidao was surprised to find a tall, imposing old monk in a grey robe standing about two zhang away. The monk was clasped in prayer, looking at Song Shidao with approving eyes.
This old monk showed no signs of old age; his beard and eyebrows were entirely white, his face solemn yet serene, and his nose was at least an inch longer than average, strikingly unique. His eyes were half-open, half-closed, his gaze introspective, giving the immediate impression that he was a highly accomplished master.
Song Shidao slowly rose, his gaze sweeping around. Seeing that the sun was almost at the top of the pagoda, he smiled slightly and said, "This junior greets Master Zhenyan."
The old monk, unhurried and composed, finally revealed a look of surprise.
※※※※※ "Achoo!"
Yuan Yueze sneezed, his nostrils itchy, and woke up. It turned out that Dugu Feng
, who was lying on top of him, was teasing him with the end of her hair. He pulled Dugu Feng close, pressing her down on him, and greedily kissed her luscious red lips. Caught off guard, Dugu Feng was captivated by his teasing, moaning softly, whether in pleasure or protest, it was unclear.
Although Yuan Yueze was utterly absurd, he wasn't used to doing this so early in the morning. He stopped and threatened, "Would you dare to mess around again?" Dugu Feng
giggled and said she wouldn't, and Yuan Yueze finally let her go.
Lying back on the mat, Yuan Yueze stared blankly out of the cave.
The two of them had only arrived outside the west gate of Chengdu last night, and at Dugu Feng's insistence, they had found a secluded little cave and spent the night indulging in their debauchery.
Dugu Feng leaned closer and whispered, "Brother, you seem troubled."
Yuan Yueze nodded, frowning, and said, "Ever since my battle with Liu Yu, my mind has been in turmoil from time to time. At first, I thought it was due to Liu Yu's evil aura, and that as long as I kept a clear mind, I would be fine once I completely expelled that evil aura. But after Elder Xiang helped me expel that evil aura, I found that my turmoil hadn't improved at all. Then yesterday, when I met Wan'er, I suddenly had a clue."
Dugu Feng also frowned slightly and tilted her head, saying, "Sister Wanwan seems a little different than before. This time when I saw..." She spoke very little, as if she were avoiding her elder brother. After traveling together for a short while, she took her leave, not answering a single question her brother asked. Could the clues her brother mentioned be related to her?
Yuan Yueze sighed and said, "I no longer care what Wan'er's purpose in coming to Chengdu is. I have a vague feeling that something might have happened to Yu Yan."
Dugu Feng exclaimed in surprise, "How could that be? With Sister Yu Yan's abilities, although she may not be the best in the world, it's impossible for anyone to kill her. If she wants to escape, unless Elder Xiang personally intervenes, no one can stop her, not even your elder brother."
Yuan Yueze nodded thoughtfully.
Dugu Feng continued, "Feng'er guesses it's because of Liu Yu's influence that eldest brother's state of mind has changed so drastically. That man is not only insidious and vicious, but also incredibly cunning. Even with Elder Xiang's more than two hundred years of life experience, he still fell into his hands, let alone others."
Yuan Yueze stroked his chin and said, "That makes sense. The only threats to us are Liu Yu and that Empress. I crippled Liu Yu, and now I don't know where he's hiding. That Turkic Empress in red has seemed to have disappeared for the past few months, which is puzzling."
Dugu Feng laughed, "Liu Yu is naturally looking for someone to perform the Soul Transfer and Essence Transformation Technique. If things go wrong, he might directly destroy his primordial spirit. And that Turkic Empress is indeed unpredictable. Elder Xiang also said he had never heard of such a person in the Turks."
Yuan Yueze sat up and said, "Let's not worry about them for now. Let's have a good meal and go into the city to meet with Second Brother and the other two."
Dugu Feng quickly nodded in agreement.
After breakfast, at the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Yuan Yueze paid his taxes and entered the city alone.
Dugu Feng, busy practicing her martial arts, discussed with Yuan Yueze and decided to stay in the cave outside the city for a few days to cultivate. This was partly to improve their strength, and partly to avoid drawing too much attention to themselves. After all, they had already shown their faces briefly in Shangyong City. Each of them only had two masks; Yuan Yueze wore one when he met Bai Qing'er in Xiangyang, and another when he helped Zheng Shuming in Shangyong City. For now, he could only wear the bronze-faced mask into the city. Even if he encountered Zheng Shuming or Zheng Shiru, he wasn't afraid of being recognized, as they didn't even know his disguised name.
Upon entering the city gates, he once again felt the peaceful prosperity and unpretentious wealth of the Shu people compared to the war-torn Central Plains.
His previous visit to Chengdu a few years ago, due to his limited experience, hadn't been as profound as this time. The first thing that caught his eye was the countless lanterns hanging outside the gates of shops and residences. The streets were bustling with people, all dressed as if for a festival, especially the exotic, brightly dressed young women.
Yuan Yueze then remembered that the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and he regretted not being able to spend it with his beautiful wife. He quickly chuckled and scolded himself for not prioritizing things and for letting his mind wander.
Following the route Song Shidao had given him, Yuan Yueze headed towards the eastern part of the city, the commoners' district. He stopped in front of an inconspicuous house and leaped through the window.
The room was simply furnished, with a note on a small table, weighed down by a teacup. Written in neat, elegant handwriting: "Shidao has gone to Dashi Temple. I'm going to cause some trouble for the gambling dens in Chuannan. A note from Wenqing."
After quickly reading the note and slipping it into his pocket, Yuan Yueze vanished through the window.
The old monk stared at Song Shidao for a long while, then slowly said, "This is probably the first time we've met, benefactor. How do you know my name is Zhenyan?"
Song Shidao was somewhat embarrassed. He couldn't very well explain that he knew it from a book, so he could only guiltily change the subject, saying, "May I ask, Master, do you know who killed all the monks in Dashi Temple?"
Zhenyan replied, "I arrived here a few days ago and saw corpses strewn everywhere, but I don't know who committed the murders."
Song Shidao secretly thought that Master Zhenyan must have cleaned up the mess, and then asked, "As far as I know, only one person has some grudge against the virtuous monks of Dashi Temple. That person is ranked fourth on the list of the eight great masters of the evil path, and he is always very low-key and elusive." "The mysterious 'Heavenly Lord' Xi Ying, but he died more than half a year ago. Who could be committing evil here?"
Zhenyan clasped his hands together and said, "You even know about Xi Ying's affairs, I admire you."
After a pause, he continued, "After cremating all the bodies, I found a letter left by a venerable monk in a secret pavilion in the abbot's courtyard. He had already passed away more than four months ago. The letter said that he fought a fierce battle with Xi Ying, who came to the temple, and was about to die at Xi Ying's hands when four women suddenly appeared. One of them even used a miraculous sword-controlling technique to kill Xi Ying on the spot and then left. The venerable monk, however, died from his injuries and passed away after writing that letter."
Song Shidao suddenly realized what was going on. The story of Fu Junyu killing Xi Ying had been circulating for a long time, with all sorts of versions, each more exaggerated than the last, making it impossible even for people familiar with her like Yuan Yueze to tell which version was true. Furthermore, the truth about Fu Junyu taking Shan Wanjing and the other two women on an overseas trip remained a mystery. Only after hearing Zhenyan's explanation today did Song Shidao understand.
Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden 'boom' sound reached his ears. In that instant, Song Shidao's mind went blank; nothing else could be heard except for the sound. Even stranger, his entire spine's Du meridian seemed to vibrate in response to the shout, a sensation that was extremely pleasurable and incomparably strange.
Song Shidao looked at Master Zhenyan and said, "Could this be the Buddhist mantra that can subdue demons and monsters?"
Master Zhenyan said calmly, "You are truly all-knowing, benefactor. Do you know the key to this mantra?"
Song Shidao closed his eyes and said, "I guess the key is that the mudra formed by your hands, Master, through the special musical mantra, can vibrate the corresponding energy channels in my body, producing incredible effects."
Master Zhenyan showed a gratified smile and replied kindly, "You are truly a person of great wisdom and insight."
Song Shidao was somewhat embarrassed and quickly shook his head, saying, "Master, you flatter me."
Master Zhenyan smiled and said, "Not only do you possess great wisdom, but you also have an affinity with Buddhism and with Zhenyan. This morning, I came here and saw you meditating with your eyes closed among the Arhats and Buddhas, your hands naturally forming various mudras, finally settling on the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness). This gave me an insight, and I have not yet thanked you enough."
Song Shidao frowned and asked, "Is this the Abhaya Mudra?"
After speaking, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, opened his left palm, facing upwards, and rested the back of his hand on his knee.
Master Zhenyan nodded and said, "Are you interested in the hand gestures of Buddhism? Buddhism speaks of the Three Mysteries; would you like to hear them?"
Master Song was overjoyed, but remained calm, saying, "Master, are you going to impart Buddhist teachings to me? Although I have reverence for Buddhism, I have never had the intention to enter or practice."
Master Zhenyan said gently, "As long as one attains purity, that is practice; there is no distinction between entering and leaving. Being in this world is being beyond it; entering is leaving. An ordinary mind is the Buddha's mind. Do you know what meditation is? What is concentration?"
Having been influenced by Master Yuan Yueze for several years, Master Song had grasped much of the principles of Buddhism, Zen, and Daoist mysteries. He respectfully replied, "A single thought..." "Not rising is sitting; seeing one's true nature without disturbance is Zen. External non-attachment is Zen; internal non-distraction is Samadhi. External Zen and internal Samadhi, hence the name Zen Samadhi, instantly brings enlightenment, and one returns to one's original mind."
Master Zhenyan's eyes shone with a profound and unfathomable light full of wisdom as he exclaimed, "Well said! Over the past hundred years, I have visited 5,652 famous temples and monasteries both in China and abroad, and finally compiled all the mudras into the 'Nine-Character Dark Word Hand Seal.' Now, seeing that you, benefactor, have such a predestined connection, yet still have worldly thoughts and desires to express, you are truly an anomaly."
Master Song said, "Master, please forgive my rudeness. I believe that whether or not worldly thoughts arise will not affect a person's cultivation, just as there are monks who drink alcohol and eat meat who..." A being of great wisdom. As the saying goes, "Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart."
Master Zhenyan was taken aback, then clasped his hands together, his countenance solemn, and said, "From your words, I have suddenly gained some insight: the Zen that is currently circulating has more or less lost the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West, and the profound mystery of Venerable Kasyapa's 'holding up a flower and smiling, asking without answering'."
Seeing his sudden change in demeanor, Master Song followed suit and said, "Please enlighten me, Master."
Master Zhenyan said, "Bodhidharma's Zen is transcendent Zen, the pinnacle of mind and nature, a perfect unity of realization and Zen wisdom. Bodhidharma once faced a wall for ten years, never leaving his seat, his image imprinted on the stone wall. He..." His cultivation was profound, yet not deliberately cultivated; rather, it was natural, stemming entirely from his boundless wisdom and the unwavering dedication that followed. This reveals Bodhidharma's steadfast approach to meditation, and also the experiential nature and essence of Zen. Master Zhenyan
paused here, for after his enlightenment, he understood that each generation of Bodhidharma's disciples was inferior to the last, the profound meaning of Zen gradually distorted. His disciples only knew that "Zen secrets cannot be revealed, Zen secrets cannot be spoken, Zen secrets cannot be transmitted," mistaking mystery for enlightenment, emptiness for the Way, and the unattainable, unverifiable, and unknowable for ultimate knowledge, completely unaware that Zen has a path to follow and can be proven. They were all immersed in "self-realization and self-enlightenment," "sudden enlightenment and Buddhahood," completely forgetting that the essence of Zen emphasizes non-attachment, which means not clinging to anything.
Seeing Song Shidao staring blankly at him, Master Zhenyan revealed a warm and peaceful smile, and said calmly, "This old monk has little time left in this mortal world, and it will be difficult to find a destined person worthy of receiving the Nine-Syllable Mantra Hand Seal. Today, with your help, I have attained enlightenment, transcended reincarnation, and been reborn in the Pure Land. Knowing that you possess great wisdom, have an affinity with Buddhism, and are a benevolent person, I will pass on this Mantra Hand Seal to you, so that you may have more assistance when dealing with demons in the future."
Song Shidao asked doubtfully, "The Nine-Syllable Mantra Hand Seal can be used for cultivation... " "Why then is there the question of whether one can accept it or not?"
Master Zhenyan said, "The Nine-Character Mantra seems simple but is actually complex. Those who cannot accept it will become attached to it and neglect the essentials, thus failing to achieve anything in their lives. To be honest, before seeing you form the hand seals and meditate this morning, I never thought that the Nine-Character Mantra hand seals could be directly used in martial arts. Now, however, my worldly desires are greatly stirred. If you refuse, when I pass away tomorrow night, I may very well fail because of this."
After speaking, he put his hands together again, and the space he touched with his palms created a strange gravitational force, causing the space to distort slightly.
Song Shidao felt a chill in his heart and respectfully said, "Master, please speak."

Chapter 065 Casino Storm
It was almost noon when Yuan Yueze wandered alone on the main road. When he passed a street performance stall, he saw that it was surrounded by people in layers and became interested.
As he walked and looked around, he suddenly noticed two strange figures a dozen feet away.
Taking advantage of a moment when he looked down, Yuan Yueze glanced at them out of the corner of his eye and carefully examined them.
One of them had a sallow complexion, was thin and bony, and looked like he was about to die. His brows and forehead were covered with deep wrinkles of sorrow, but he was extremely tall, almost as tall as Yuan Yueze. His nose was high and curved, his lips were thick, and his eyebrows were unusually thick and black. The bright, clear eyes below his eyes were completely out of place with his sorrowful and tired face. They were as bright and clear as a child's, but deep in his eyes, there was a coldness and hatred that no child could have, which made people shudder. The blue robe he wore was unusually loose, with an awkward feeling of being ill-fitting. On his back hung a golden, gleaming, one-legged bronze figure, which should have weighed at least several hundred pounds, but it seemed as light as a feather on his back, completely unbearable. The other man, dressed in a tight-fitting, fast-paced outfit, carried a massive iron halberd on his back. With a hooked nose and deep-set eyes, he exuded an inexplicable air of wickedness, clearly not a benevolent figure. Most strangely, he wore a complete imperial crown, complete with tassels and a crown originally used by emperors.
These two men were walking towards Yuan Yueze, but their attention was fixed on a group of young girls watching acrobatics. Fortunately, Yuan Yueze was cautious; otherwise, if he had looked directly at them, they might have discovered his unusual nature and his location.
Following their gaze, Yuan Yueze noticed that the group of girls attracting their attention were indeed quite beautiful. They wore colorful ethnic costumes, vibrant in color. Most striking were the sleeves of their small-collared, diagonally-fastened garments, pieced together from five colors of fabric: red, yellow, green, purple, and blue. The hems were adorned with jewels. Over their long robes wore vests inlaid with purple-red and dark blue flowers. Long colorful sashes were tied around their waists, the ends of which were embroidered with floral and bird patterns using a coiled thread technique. In the dazzling display of colors, like celestial clouds transforming into radiant beauties descending to earth. One woman, slightly taller with exceptionally long legs and a sweet smile, somehow exuded a captivating charm that outshone all others.
The group of girls occasionally let out loud screams, seemingly cheering for the performer in the center of the crowd; they were indeed far more energetic and attractive than the shy women of the Central Plains.
Yuan Yueze's gaze swept over the group of girls for a moment before quickly returning to his original position, casually following the two people who had just left. He had already guessed the identities of the two swaggering figures a dozen feet ahead: the one carrying the one-legged bronze figure on his back was You Niaojuan, one of Xiang Yutian's four disciples, the leader of the Reverse Sect, and ranked last among the eight great masters of the evil path, known as "Reversing the Path." The one with the enormous iron halberd on his back was Ding Jiuzhong, one of Xiang Yutian 's four disciples and the master of Overlord Valley.
The Reverse Sect, Overlord Valley, Barehand Sect, and Bewitching Sect were known as the four major evil sects, each led by one of Xiang Yutian's four direct disciples. Yuan Yueze wondered how You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong had ended up in Chengdu and were hanging out together. He was even more puzzled as to why Zhou Laotan, the leader of the Barehand Sect, and Jin Huanzhen, the leader of the Bewitching Sect, known as "Beauty Lady," hadn't appeared.
He followed the two closely for a long time, until they arrived at a bustling commercial district on South Street in Chengdu. Brothels and gambling dens lined both sides of the wide street. Yu Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong swaggered into a large complex of buildings. Yuan Yueze looked up and saw a large red plaque with four characters: Chuannan Gambling House. He was secretly delighted.
Chuannan Gambling House was grand in scale. The main building complex consisted of three wooden structures along a central axis, connected by a corridor. On both sides of the corridor were ponds, rockeries, and potted plants. There were also more than ten smaller houses and courtyards, surrounding the three main halls like stars around the moon, all surrounded by high walls. The outer wall facing the main street was covered with lanterns, and Yuan Yueze thought that it would be as bright as day tonight. The entrance to the central hall was crowded with people, flowing continuously.
The entrance fee was actually a gambling tax levied on the local government. At a time when revenue was needed, the methods of taxation by local governments were varied and cleverly disguised. Generally, the entrance tax for casinos was collected directly by gambling officials dispatched by the government and then transferred to the government treasury, without going through the casino.
Since the Warring States period, gambling has been deeply entrenched in corruption, often leading to financial ruin and causing various social disorder and moral decay, hence the existence of laws prohibiting gambling. After Qin Shi Huang unified China, Li Si enacted laws banning gambling, with punishments ranging from "carving a whale on the face" to "beating the thigh." The Han Dynasty continued this ban. During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the rise of the aristocratic class led to lax laws, rendering existing prohibitions largely ineffective. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, political decay allowed officials and merchants to collude, promoting gambling and accumulating wealth together. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, this trend intensified, with local governments reaping increased revenue, leading to a situation of cooperation between officials and merchants.
However, gambling dens in southern Sichuan were different. Firstly, due to the unique geographical location of Sichuan, far from war and enjoying peace, the phenomenon of officials extracting commissions from gambling dens did not occur. Secondly, the Chuannan Gambling House was the largest casino in Chengdu. Its big boss, Huo Qingqiao, known as "Golden Abacus," was one of the most skilled gamblers in Sichuan, second only to local tyrants like Jie Hui, Fan Zhuo, and Feng Zhen. He also ran a brothel, holding a very high commercial position. Even Jie Hui respected them, so naturally, no one would dare to inquire about the Chuannan Gambling House's commission.
Given Yuan Yueze's high-class attire and extravagant spending, he not only paid the entrance tax but also received an astonishingly large tip. The eight burly men guarding the entrance immediately beamed with joy and ushered him into the designated VIP hall in the main hall—the same hall he had followed You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong into.
At this moment, each hall was filled with one or two hundred gamblers, but there was no feeling of crowding or stuffiness. Under the bright lights, the vast majority were men; although the women were a minority, they were all exceptionally beautiful, and some gambled even more fiercely than the men.
Adding to the spring-like atmosphere were the female attendants moving about in the gambling hall, all of them young and beautiful, with half-exposed breasts and jade-like arms, their eyes darting around seductively, exuding a captivating sexiness.
Yuan Yueze ignored all the alluring glances and followed the guide into the largest central VIP hall.
With just a slight aura, without even looking up, Yuan Yueze already knew the locations of You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong. However, he still raised his head, pretending to look for a gambling table.
To the left, a familiar figure came into view in front of a large gambling table. Yuan Yueze smiled inwardly and walked over.
Four people sat around the large table. Besides the dealer, the most conspicuous among the others was Hou Wenqing, dressed as a man. Her face was fair and her lips red, both delicate and youthful. Her hair was jet black and shiny, tied in a boy's bun, further highlighting her fair skin, making her extremely beautiful. However, she didn't bring her ancient sword with her.
The man on the left was around thirty-five years old, tall and thin, with a narrow face and a goatee, making him look like a hybrid of a horse and a goat. Sitting in his chair, he seemed to be trying to make his already hunched back appear more upright, his affected manner making him look more like a con artist. His clothes were expensive, made of high-quality materials and craftsmanship. His eyes were calm and sharp, as if constantly searching for weaknesses in others. The skin exposed outside his clothes had a strange sheen, a sign of long-term internal energy cultivation. His hands were long and neat, with only the first knuckle showing outside his sleeves; even in his exaggerated movements, they conveyed strength and agility. The other man was short and stocky, with an ordinary appearance. His small, squinting eyes occasionally flashed with a strange light, giving him an unpleasant air rather than intelligence.
The remaining one was naturally the dealer, and beside him was the stall owner.
Among the onlookers, a woman standing next to Hou Wenqing caught Yuan Yueze's attention. Her face was radiant, her bright eyes, set deep beneath delicate eyebrows, like two pools of strong, fragrant liquor, possessing a captivating allure and stirring the imagination. Beneath her delicate nose were soft, yet spirited, red lips, adding a touch of mischief. Most striking were her chestnut hair and brown eyes, instantly revealing her non-Chinese heritage. A pale yellow, form-fitting warrior's outfit accentuated her beautiful figure, brimming with vitality and energy, suggesting a wild spirit that would never easily yield to any man.
Hou Wenqing noticed someone approaching, turned her head, and a gleam of joy flashed in her eyes. She secretly gave Yuan Yueze a wink.
Yuan Yueze scanned the gambling table. He saw that Hou Wenqing and the tall, thin middle-aged man had a considerable amount of gold and silver, while the other two, including the dealer, were nearly penniless.
Yuan Yueze initially only intended to follow You and Ding, but halfway there he remembered the note Hou Wenqing had left. Eventually, You and Ding also came to gamble, and Yuan Yueze could use this opportunity to monitor them while searching for Hou Wenqing. Upon arriving at Hou Wenqing's side, he immediately bowed and said, "We meet again, how have you been?"
Seeing his poor 'acting,' Hou Wenqing chuckled inwardly and said calmly, "Brother, would you like to play a few rounds?"
Yuan Yueze inwardly cursed, "I know nothing about this stuff," but still pretended to be knowledgeable and asked, "How were everyone's 'victories'?"
The chestnut-haired woman looked Yuan Yueze up and down several times before speaking in a coquettish Chinese accent with a foreign accent, "This gentleman and this lady have just finished playing dice and backgammon. Young master, you've come at the perfect time. Next, they'll play 'fan tan,' and finally, they'll play pai gow. Would you like to join in?"
The 'gentleman' and 'lady' she referred to were naturally the tall, thin middle-aged man and Hou Wenqing. These technical terms made Yuan Yueze's head spin. While keeping an eye on You and Ding's actions, he calmly said, "Let me see first!"
Fan Tan, Pai Gow, Sic Bo, Orange Pu, Leaf Games, and other gambling methods were extremely popular in this era.
Fan Tan, also known as Tan Qian or Yan Qian, was played by a casino agent who would grab a handful of short bamboo sticks and quickly cover them with a bowl to obscure the amount. After bets were placed, the game would be played to determine the winner. The scoring involved removing the four ones from the sticks, leaving four numbers: one, two, three, and four. Betting on one number resulted in a payout of three, called "Fan." Betting on one number from two numbers resulted in a payout of one, called "Jiao."
Seeing Hou Wenqing's smug expression, Yuan Yueze suddenly realized: since Hou Wenqing had been determined to take revenge on the Xiang family all these years, there were only two things she would diligently study: martial arts and gambling skills. Everyone knows that the Xiang family of the Baling Gang makes a living from brothels and casinos. It's also very likely that Song Shidao passed on some of Lu Miaozi's gambling books to her during this period, giving her more opportunities to win against her opponents head-on. In this way, she can not only vent her anger but also dampen her opponents' arrogance.
As the gambling began, Yuan Yueze appeared distracted, feigning interest in the main table while actually focusing most of his attention on another table in the corner. You and Ding were frequently shouting and cursing, clearly engrossed in their game.
Hou Wenqing and the tall, thin man were evenly matched, but the dealer was suffering heavy losses, losing money in every round.
Time passed, and Yuan Yueze remained focused on You and Ding. The chestnut-haired woman tilted her head, looking at him curiously, and said, "What are you thinking about? Why aren't you concentrating at the gambling table? Observe their techniques; it'll help you prepare for the next round. As Sun Tzu said, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.'"
Even the onlookers' attention was drawn to the gambling table; no wonder Lian Rou was curious why Yuan Yueze was so distracted.
Yuan Yueze chuckled, secretly thinking that this foreign woman seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge about Chinese culture. He stared at her with interest for a while and asked, "Are you called Lian Rou? You seem to know quite a bit about Chinese culture."
The chestnut-haired woman was astonished and said, "How do you know my name?"
The Turks were a nomadic regime where might makes right. Due to the dispersed, mobile, and unstable nature of their economy, power struggles were constant, leading to their split into two major khanates during the Sui Dynasty.
The current Khan of the Eastern Turks was Jieli, who favored the Han Chinese strategist Zhao Deyan. "Tornado" Tuli Khan was his nephew. One of the "Three Grandmasters," "Martial Venerable" Bi Xuan, belonged to the Eastern Turks. With the decline of the Sui Dynasty, uprisings broke out everywhere, including the "Northern Alliance with the Turks" led by Liang Shidu and Liu Wuzhou, which allied with the Eastern Turks.
In comparison, the Western Turks were more low-key, perhaps due to geographical proximity. The Khan of the Western Turks was named Tong Yabghu. With the assistance of the Persian Yun Shuai, his power was threatening the Eastern Turks. Yun Shuai's daughter, Lian Rou, was adopted by Tong Yabghu and doted on; this was the girl before him.
Lian Rou's presence here suggested that Yun Shuai was likely in Chengdu. He and his daughter were merely scouts sent to gather intelligence on the Central Plains. The Western Turks' reach had finally extended to the Central Plains.
Yuan Yueze merely smiled faintly, his exquisitely crafted thin-film mask displaying a remarkably realistic expression, without answering her question, "Your Chinese is quite good. Why don't you gamble a few rounds?"
Lian Rou gave a charmingly smug look and said, "I'm just here to observe. I only know a little about gambling."
She then turned to look at the dealer, who was sweating profusely as he counted the cards on the gambling table.
Yuan Yueze ignored her, continuing to feign watching the gambling while actually keeping an eye on You Niaojuan and his companion.
Among the people at the table, the tall, thin man and Hou Wenqing were clearly the main players, while the short, stocky man was their accomplice secretly working with the dealer. However, in front of the two main players, they couldn't pull off any tricks.
The most common Fan Tan scams are "dropping the stake" and "flying the stake." Dropping the stake involves tampering with the stake, which can be split in two if necessary. Flying the stake involves magically moving the stake away. In either case, an accomplice is always there to "pry things up," using smoke or other methods to distract the victims, allowing the dealer to execute his tricks. Large casinos like the Chuannan Casino wouldn't normally use such underhanded methods, but temporary Fan Tan stalls set up on the streets often employ these kinds of scams. Today, the people at the table could only win by skill: the dealer would spread the stakes on the table, cover them with bowls, and the players would judge by sight and sound.
Another second bet was opened. The dealer gave a signal to the short, ugly man, who understood and excused himself. The stall owner also quietly left.
Just as the dealer was about to collapse after another second bet was opened, a gentle yet deep voice rang out: "Who do we have here? It's Miss Hou, renowned throughout Baling's gambling dens! Would you two be interested in a game with me?"
The men at the table looked up in response and saw three men emerging from the back hall. The middle man was about fifty years old, of average appearance, with a sallow complexion and a pallor—clearly the result of being drained by wine and women. He held a gleaming abacus in his left hand. When he saw Hou Wenqing, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. To his left was a burly man with a blank expression, bulging temples, and a sword at his side. The one on the right was a typical spoiled brat, his steps unsteady, his face pale, looking like he couldn't handle any nourishment.
A flash of fierce hatred flickered in Hou Wenqing's beautiful eyes, and she said calmly, "With the company of 'Golden Abacus' Huo Qingqiao, the big boss of the Chuannan Gambling House, this humble woman will gladly risk her life to accompany you."
The tall, thin man was more cautious; he rose, bowed, and sat down, still remaining silent. Everyone knew he would not back down.
Yuan Yueze secretly thought, "So this is the head of the Chuannan Gambling House. Huo Qingqiao must have come with ill intentions. Given his relationship with the Xiang family, it's impossible he doesn't recognize Hou Wenqing, who has always been at odds with them."
Huo Qingqiao glanced at the gambling table. The dealer had lost at least a thousand taels of gold in just a few hours. The Chuannan Gambling House had never been in such a sorry state. Even in the VIP hall, the average gambler's stake was only a hundred or so taels of silver.
After Huo Qingqiao sat down, he said, "I dare to offer a suggestion that could make the gambling even more exciting."
The other two nodded.
Huo Qingqiao said arrogantly, "Let's settle this with a small round of Pai Gow, with a stake of two thousand taels of gold per person."
It seemed he was not only confident in his gambling skills but also wanted to recoup all the losses the dealer had made in one go. Otherwise, today's events would become a laughing stock, and the reputation of the Chuannan gambling house would be completely ruined.
The tall, thin man simply smiled slightly, indicating that he had no objection. Hou Wenqing also slightly pursed his lips, indicating his agreement.
A flash of joy crossed Huo Qingqiao's eyes, but the spoiled young man behind him clearly had poor character and self-control, looking smug as if Huo Qingqiao had already won before the gambling even started.
Huo Qingqiao casually picked up the four dice on the table—three black and one white—and spun them around as if performing magic tricks. With a flick of his wrist, he rolled four sixes. Lian Rou, clearly unfamiliar with gambling, was dazzled and stunned. The others, however, remained expressionless, knowing that Huo Qingqiao was merely creating a stir. Huo Qingqiao glanced at Hou Wenqing and the tall, thin man still seated, then at Yuan Yueze standing beside Hou Wenqing, with whom he seemed quite familiar, and said calmly, "Is this friend of Miss Hou's? Would you be interested in having the four of us play a game?"
Yuan Yueze nodded but remained silent. Seeing Yuan Yueze nod, the frivolous young man behind Huo Qingqiao said smugly, "Judging from your attire, you must be extremely wealthy. Surely you wouldn't care about two thousand taels of gold!"
His words had cornered Yuan Yueze, and what was even more infuriating was the implication that Yuan Yueze was destined to lose.
Hou Wenqing's face turned cold. It seemed she already knew everything about Yuan Yueze from Song Shidao, and of course, she knew he didn't understand gambling. Before she could speak, Yuan Yueze preemptively said, "Life is like gambling; victory and defeat are fleeting, fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, and only the heart knows the outcome. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."
Huo Qingqiao was taken aback, suddenly realizing that this burly man, who had just seemed lazy, had suddenly become shrewd. A premonition that things had gone awry surged into his heart. Yuan Yueze looked at Hou Wenqing and said, "Could you explain the rules of Pai Gow to me?"
Huo Qingqiao breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly cursing this bastard for being just a pretentious guy, but his expression remained unchanged as he feigned generosity, saying, "Explaining it will take some time, so let me explain it to my friend."
Yuan Yueze raised his hand to interrupt him, saying, "No need for trouble. Just explain the winning hands and the general rules of the game; it won't take much time."
Huo Qingqiao's expression finally changed slightly: this guy was so mysterious and hard to understand. Yuan Yueze's words just now made his meaning quite clear: he only wanted to know the highest-ranking cards, and he was certain he would get them, thus winning the game.
Having no time to consider Huo Qingqiao's thoughts, Hou Wenqing, seeing that Yuan Yueze ignored her glances, understood his uncanny abilities and could only smile helplessly before offering a brief explanation.
Pai Gow is a game using 32 tiles, arranged in 21 patterns, with 9 odd patterns and 12 even patterns. It's typically played by 2-4 people. Each player receives six tiles based on the dice roll, with the dealer receiving an extra tile and playing first. Players then take turns drawing, melding, or discarding tiles. Winning hands consist of two suits plus one special tile, with the prize calculated based on the suit coefficients and the special tile's value. Of the 32 tiles, 11 pairs are called "civil tiles." The highest-ranking civil tile combinations are: Heaven (Red 6, White 6), Earth (Red 2), and Human (Red 8). Following these are Goose, Plum, Long Robe, and Bench. Ten tiles are not paired. Eight of these are "corresponding tiles" with the same value but different patterns, while two others are played alone. These are called "military tiles," with the highest-ranking military tile being "miscellaneous nine" (Red 4, White 5 or White 9). Following that are miscellaneous eight, miscellaneous seven, miscellaneous five, big head six, and so on.
There are several ways to play Pai Gow, one of which involves using two cards as a set. After rolling the dice, each player takes their own set based on the number rolled, and the cards are then laid face down to determine the winner. This is what Huo Qingqiao called "small Pai Gow." This type of game is quite popular among gamblers because it is simple, direct, and exciting.
Although Yuan Yueze was lazy, once he put his mind to it, his concentration was extraordinary. Relying on his exceptional memory, he understood it after only one explanation. Of course, he only understood the rules and a few sets of cards.
Hou Wenqing's explanation was concise, ending in less than a quarter of an hour. Finally, she smiled mysteriously and deliberately raised her voice, adding, "The key to Pai Gow lies in the four words 'ruthless elimination.'"
The tall, thin man smiled with appreciation, while Huo Qingqiao's face turned somewhat ashen. The momentum he had built up earlier had long since dissipated, and Yuan Yueze's mysterious demeanor further disturbed his composure. Fortunately, decades of gambling experience allowed him to quickly regain his composure.
The four men sat down, and Huo Qingqiao became the dealer, the previous dealer now reduced to the dealer. Huo Qingqiao said to Yuan Yueze, "If you don't mind, please shuffle the cards."
This way, he could show that he wouldn't cheat, and also test Yuan Yueze's skills by shuffling the cards.
With a series of clattering sounds, Yuan Yueze clumsily stacked the cards neatly.
Everyone around, except for the other three men present, showed expressions of disappointment, with the young man behind him displaying utter disdain. The
tall, thin man and Huo Qingqiao both looked grave: although Yuan Yueze's shuffling was slow, he had interspersed a soft cough, and it was this cough that caused their 'ready hand' to fail, even disrupting their concentration.
Yuan Yueze, too, had been distracted by disrupting his opponents' minds, and he himself had only remembered the positions of seven high-value cards. Ideally, he would remember all thirty-two cards; if Yuan Yueze had focused entirely on shuffling, perhaps he could have done so. However, due to his cooperation with Hou Wenqing, Hou Wenqing could 'ready to win' without hindrance, as Yuan Yueze deliberately only allowed his coughs to reach Huo Qingqiao and the tall, thin man. Yuan and Hou had memorized at least fifteen cards.
Yuan Yueze smiled slightly and said to Huo Qingqiao, "How about Mr. Huo rolls the dice?"
Huo Qingqiao secretly groaned; Yuan Yueze had essentially turned the tables on him. Because his attention had been interrupted, he had only memorized a limited number of cards, and now, rolling the dice might very well be digging his own grave. He had originally been confident in his dice-rolling skills, but Yuan Yueze's interference greatly diminished his confidence. However, the current situation didn't allow him to back down, so he also gave a generous smile and nodded in agreement.
The onlookers naturally wanted to place bets as well. The casino handled this, managing all the odds and payouts. A win would be enough to make them happy for generations, but the stakes were enormous—two thousand taels of gold—where could ordinary people possibly afford that?
A smooth, delicate forearm suddenly reached onto the table. The betting stake was a jade hairpin gleaming with an eerie green light, and the bet was on Yuan Yueze to win.
Anyone with a discerning eye could immediately recognize the hairpin as a top-quality piece from the Western Regions, worth at least five thousand taels of gold.
Looking closer, the bettor was none other than Lian Rou.
At first, Lian Rou only thought this ruggedly handsome man was a wealthy person, and having seen many fine men, she didn't pay much attention to Yuan Yueze, only wondering why this stranger knew her name. However, her nature quickly drew her attention to the gambling table.
Until Yuan Yueze demonstrated his gambling skills, his arrogant confidence stirred an indescribable feeling within Lian Rou. This middle-aged man, though far from handsome, possessed an imposing presence and exuded masculine charm. Furthermore, his voice was pleasant, his words were gentle and refined, neither arrogant nor humble, and every gesture was elegant and captivating, yet also imbued with a mysterious air. This led Lian Rou to begin observing him closely. A strange feeling even welled up within her: Yuan Yueze was destined for a resounding victory in this round. As for why she had this thought, even she herself was unsure.
Born in an outer realm, Lian Rou was open-minded and unconcerned about the surprised looks she received from others; she only focused on Yuan Yueze.
Huo Qingqiao, his expression grave, tossed the dice onto the table.
Everyone held their breath, watching the spinning dice.
Yuan Yueze suddenly looked at the tall, thin man intently focused on the dice, his eyes flashing with a
powerful light. The man suddenly felt a sense of alarm; caught off guard by Yuan Yueze's gaze, his heart trembled violently. An unimaginable pressure, like a thousand-pound hammer, struck his heart. He felt his breathing become increasingly difficult, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
To prevent cheating, everyone's hands had to be off the table. However, beneath the table, Yuan Yueze channeled a stream of true energy from his toes, traveling up the table leg to the still-rolling dice. No more than five people in the world could do this.
The dice stopped, displaying twelve points: one, two, three, and six.
Huo Qingqiao and the tall, thin man looked horrified.
※※※※※ Master Zhenyan, with a solemn and radiant expression, calmly said, "The three secrets of Buddhism are body, speech, and mind, emphasizing both practice and thought. Body equals speech, speech equals mind, and mind equals body. Though named three, they are one. The human body is a precious raft for crossing the world, containing the secrets of heaven and earth. My Nine-Character Mantra hand seal communicates with the universe through the three secrets and the human body, achieving a state of unity with heaven and man, realizing one's true nature, and attaining Buddhahood in this very body."
Song Shidao listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
Master Zhenyan continued, "The Nine-Character Mantra is 'Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Zhen, Lie, Zai, Qian,' just nine characters, easy to remember."
Song Shidao interjected, "These nine characters must come from the 'Dengshe' chapter of the inner volume of the Daoist classic *Baopuzi*, written by Ge Hong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It says: 'Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Zhen, Lie, Qian, Xing.' These nine characters should be secretly recited constantly, and nothing will be insurmountable." The Buddhists borrow from Daoist texts; they truly value the spirit over the form. I admire them."
Master Zhenyan sighed, "The one truly worthy of admiration is you, benefactor. The wonder of the mantra lies in the application of the three secrets; Buddhism and Daoism are ultimately one family." Having said
this, his aura suddenly transformed into towering mountains, intimidating everyone. Without trembling even slightly, Master Zhenyan raised both hands high above his head, clasping them tightly like flower buds, his ring fingers pointing diagonally, fingertips touching, and
shouted, "Lin!" Seeing the excitement flash in Song Shidao's eyes, Master Zhenyan continued, "That was the Immovable Fundamental Mudra. Although there are thousands of mudras, Immovability is one of the nine basic ones. So today, although I have only taught you nine mudras, it is in fact equivalent to transmitting all mudras to you at once. Look."
He suddenly rose up, yet maintained the cross-legged meditation posture, his hands forming a series of mudras, ever-changing. Suddenly, he shouted, "Bing!"
making it clear that after demonstrating the more than one hundred variations of the Immovable Fundamental Mudra, he was now showing another basic mudra.
Song Shidao responded with a shout, his crown chakra heating up. As he sprang up, Master Zhenyan tumbled and landed far away, saying, "This is the Great Vajra Wheel Mudra, which can exorcise demons and cure diseases. As for how to use it to subdue demons and protect the righteous path, that depends on you, benefactor!"
Watching the master's hands endlessly conjure countless mudras, Song Shidao began to understand why Master Zhenyan still couldn't find anyone to pass on his teachings to. In truth, the subtleties could only be understood intuitively, not explained in words. Understanding was one thing, but explaining it was useless if one didn't.
Then, Master Zhenyan demonstrated the various other basic mudras one by one: the Outer Lion Mudra, the Inner Lion Mudra, the Outer Binding Mudra, the Inner Binding Mudra, the Wisdom Fist Mudra, the Sun Wheel Mudra, and the Vase Mudra.
Each basic mudra had hundreds of variations, and as Song Shidao watched intently, completely absorbed, he witnessed over a thousand different mudras. Had he not had the experience of studying in the Arhat Hall, he would have been utterly bewildered and confused. But now, he understood perfectly, his hands unconsciously forming different mudras wherever they pleased.
He was even unaware of the passage of time.
Huo Qingqiao knew he was already at a disadvantage, glancing at the equally solemn-looking, tall, thin man, before addressing Yuan Yueze: "May I ask your esteemed name?"
Yuan Yueze casually replied, "My name is Yue Siyan." Ignoring the strange expressions of the tall, thin man and Huo Qingqiao, he turned to the dealer and said, "Please deal the cards."
Lian Rou had also noticed the fleeting, sharp glint in Yuan Yueze's eyes. Her martial arts, being a direct descendant of Commander Yun, were certainly not low. From that restrained gaze, she deduced that the seemingly ordinary Yuan Yueze actually possessed profound skill. It was that one glance that had momentarily distracted the tall, thin man, preventing him from making any moves. She felt a surge of attraction and became even more interested in him.
Looking at the tall, thin man's sweaty, serious expression, she knew Lian Rou's deduction was entirely correct.
The man who had been the dealer and was now the dealer finally realized that Yuan Yueze was a master, thinking he had been feigning ignorance earlier. He hurriedly dealt cards to the four people.
Everyone craned their necks, watching intently. Although the surrounding area was noisy and the hall was filled with noise, this place was completely silent.
When each person had a card, Yuan Yueze suddenly stopped them, reached into his pocket and took out a fist-sized luminous pearl, placed it on the table, and stared at Huo Qingqiao with a piercing gaze, saying, "If Mr. Huo doesn't mind, I would like to add this luminous pearl, which is worth at least 15,000 taels of gold."
This time, even the faces of the onlookers showed shock, and Huo Qingqiao's face became even more ugly.
This was tantamount to saying that he had already won.
While Huo Qingqiao was still wondering who this guy surnamed Yue was, when he saw the large luminous pearl and heard Yuan Yueze's arrogant words, his composure vanished. Since Yuan Yueze sat down at the table, he had taken control of the game. But saving face was paramount, so he forced a smile and said, "Of course, but I don't have that much capital to wager right now."
He phrased it euphemistically, but it was clearly a sign of his unease.
Yuan Yueze said calmly, "If you can't wager gold and silver, you can wager other things, like this gambling den."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Wasn't this clearly a troublemaker?
Lian Rou's eyes gleamed with a strange light as she stared intently at Yuan Yueze. Just
as Yuan Yueze was about to speak again, Hou Wenqing lightly kicked him under the table, signaling him to stop.
Although he didn't understand her meaning, Yuan Yueze still smiled and said, "I was just joking. Let's consider this luminous pearl as five thousand taels of capital. What does Boss Huo think?"
Now that he had said this, if Huo Qingqiao still disagreed, he would be laughed at to death. With a heavy heart, he said, "Alright, let's continue dealing cards as Brother Yue says!"
The dealer dealt another card to each person, and after they formed a pair, Yuan Yueze took the first two cards, slammed them down with a loud bang, and then casually flipped them over, spreading them out on the table.
A deathly silence fell over the room, except for Lian Rou's cheer.
The flipped-over card was a pair of red ones, an Earth card. In the civil cards, no combination other than the Heaven card could beat it, giving it a very high chance of winning. The
tall, thin man also held out his right hand, revealing
a pair of red fours, a pair of fours forming a "flat eight," which, while not as good as Yuan Yueze's Earth card, still had a very high chance of winning. Hou Wenqing's card was a pair of red fours, a pair of fours, second only to the Heaven and Earth cards in the civil cards, also giving him a considerable chance of winning.
Huo Qingqiao sighed and helplessly winked at the dealer, who obeyed and revealed his cards. Huo Qingqiao's face turned pale, and the onlookers immediately began to jeer.
The dealer's card was a pair of red sevens, formed by three and four.
Red Seven is inferior to Plain Eight, and even worse than human and earth cards. The dealer not only lost, but lost terribly.
Huo Qingqiao's attempt to gamble backfired; he not only failed to recoup his initial investment and interest, but also lost nearly 20,000 taels of gold to Yuan Yueze, Hou Wenqing, the tall, thin man, and Lian Rou.
Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Yuan Yueze and the others collected their winnings and prepared to leave. A sinister glint flashed in Huo Qingqiao's eyes. He stood up, dismissed all the female servants, and cupped his hands, saying, "May I ask if Brother Yue still intends to reside in Chengdu? I would like to personally visit and seek your guidance another day."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
He could, of course, tell that Yuan Yueze wasn't from Chengdu, because he was a local strongman; who in Chengdu with any ability could escape his notice?
Judging from his words, he was still unconvinced, and his purpose in dismissing all the bystanders was all too clear. Yuan Yueze sneered, "I'm afraid you really want to find out where I live so you can hire some people to assassinate me and take back your money, right? It seems you might not want to let me go today, do you?"
It was already late, and the VIP room was empty except for Yuan Yueze, Hou Wenqing, the tall, thin man, Lian Rou, and a few people from Huo Qingqiao's casino.
These merciless words made Huo Qingqiao's face even colder. The frivolous young master behind him couldn't hold back any longer and took a few steps forward, shouting, "Don't think we don't know you cheated to win this round. You're shameless! Do you want me to take you down right now?"
With that, he drew a soft sword from his waist, its blade flashing coldly, and lunged straight for Yuan Yueze's back.
Yuan Yueze, who had already turned and headed towards the door, chuckled inwardly. Even someone as clueless about gambling as him knew the saying, "Nine out of ten gamblers are cheaters." Everyone was bluffing; the key was who could outsmart them. This spoiled brat's excuse for silencing him was so pathetic.
Without even looking, Yuan Yueze turned and delivered a kick.
This kick was incredibly slow, giving those present an indescribable feeling. Because those remaining were all people of considerable cultivation, yet they still felt that Yuan Yueze's movements were both slow and fast, making them unpredictable. What was even more terrifying was that what should have been a swift movement in the blink of an eye seemed to drag on endlessly. And what was most unimaginable was that everyone believed that although Yuan Yueze's attack was later and slower, he would definitely kick the spoiled brat before the soft sword pierced him. As someone
involved in the situation, how could the young man not understand the terror of this kick? To protect his manhood, he had no choice but to withdraw and retreat; he wouldn't do something as foolish as taking someone down with him. Just as he thought he had dodged the seemingly slow and clumsy kick and was preparing to launch his next attack, he felt a sharp pain in his groin. He screamed and was thrown backward like a broken kite, landing several feet away, his groin stained crimson.
Lian Rou, having collected the money, was about to leave when she saw the casino patrons about to commit violence, so she stayed to watch the spectacle. She happened to witness Yuan Yueze's incredibly skillful kick and stared at him in disbelief.
Huo Qingqiao recognized the brilliance of Yuan Yueze's kick and didn't dare to be careless, but having been bullied so much, how could he tolerate it? Glancing at his nephew, who was crippled even if not dead, he painfully grabbed his abacus, let out a loud shout, and, along with another guard, leaped behind Yuan Yueze.
Suddenly, a dozen burly men wielding swords and looking menacing appeared at another entrance to the hall, rushing towards Yuan Yueze without a word.
Huo Qingqiao stood still, coldly scrutinizing Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze smiled disdainfully, his palms flashing as he made countless variations to meet the onrushing crowd.
A piercing scream echoed through the hall, and more than a dozen people were sent flying backward, collapsing stiffly to the ground, their fates unknown. The fact that
all of them screamed, yet only once, indicated that Yuan Yueze had struck them all simultaneously with a single move—a skill far from ordinary.
Huo Qingqiao had no time to consider whether he could defeat Yuan Yueze. While his opponent was recovering, he leaped forward, his golden abacus transforming into a golden disc, striking at Yuan Yueze's vital points.
This move, the 'Golden Jade Disc,' was indeed quite impressive.
Yuan Yueze remained nonchalant, his left hand behind his back, his right hand forming a sword shape with his fingers, striking the very center of the disc.
He used brute force against brute force. With
his strongest point of attack broken, Huo Qingqiao was utterly horrified. He had rarely fought in recent years, and his indulgence in wine and women had diminished his skills. His ability to thrive in Chengdu was solely due to his connections with various powerful forces.
Yuan Yueze continued his movements, about to rush forward again, when Hou Wenqing quietly stopped him and gently shook her head.
Although he didn't understand why Hou Wenqing would let Huo Qingqiao go, Yuan Yueze knew she must have her reasons. So he stopped and said to Huo Qingqiao, who was barely standing a few feet away with blood at the corner of his mouth, "I will be staying in Chengdu for a while longer. If Boss Huo wants revenge, you are welcome to come to the east of the city to find me."
After saying that, he and Hou Wenqing, whose faces were filled with gratitude, walked towards the door under the surprised gazes of Lian Rou and the tall, thin man.
Halfway there, Yuan Yueze remembered that he was supposed to be monitoring You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong, but he had been so focused on the gambling table that he had forgotten about monitoring them.
Thinking of this, he looked back.
The people at the other two tables had all disappeared at some point. There was no trace of You and Ding in the hall.

Chapter 066 A Mixed Bag
As they walked out of the Chuannan Gambling House, Yuan Yueze and Hou Wenqing realized that the sun had already set and a full moon was hanging in the sky.
The two barely spoke, simply strolling and admiring the local customs and culture of Chengdu.
It was nearing Mid-Autumn Festival, and the streets of the southern commercial district were filled with countless lanterns. Some hung outside shops and residences, while others were carried by passersby. Groups of children played with lanterns, their designs varied, ingenious, and dazzling.
Girls were dressed in their finest attire, the Qiang girls' elegant costumes adding a touch of exotic charm. Their laughter and playful chatter filled the bustling city gate avenue. The streets were packed with people, the constant crackling of firecrackers filling the air with smoke, creating a festive atmosphere. Many Qiang girls walked hand-in-hand, laughing, their eyes sparkling at Yuan Yueze's rugged features and imposing figure.
Yuan Yueze merely offered a faint smile, then looked up at the moon, its brilliance slightly diminished by the fireworks, a deep longing for his wives at home welling up within him.
Hou Wenqing was also deeply moved. If she hadn't met Song Shidao, her life might not have undergone such a dramatic change. Amidst the vibrant and festive atmosphere, a feeling of warmth welled up within her. She felt as if she were swept into this city, overflowing with the joy of life illuminated by lanterns and candlelight, moving slowly with the throngs of people. Multi-story buildings lined both sides, all adorned with lanterns and decorations, their gates wide open for all to enjoy. Wealthy families had even hired musicians and actors to perform, creating a scene of jubilation and decadence, a kind of unreal, intoxicating, and almost surreal feeling.
The two walked towards the west of the city.
Chengdu's streets were notoriously chaotic, winding and confusing. Apart from the main streets connecting the imperial city gates to the ten gates of the outer city, which ran east-west and north-south, the streets in other areas were mostly diagonal and winding, intricately interwoven, formed by the terrain. Yuan Yueze, who had visited Chengdu years ago, was disturbed by that lecherous man, and his family only stayed one night. In reality, he was still quite unfamiliar with Chengdu. Fortunately, Hou Wenqing seemed extremely familiar with the roads. Led by her, the two arrived at the rooftop of an abandoned house and sat down on the ridge. The western part
of the city was the Lesser City, connected to the southern part, a commercial district with shops and stalls, thriving in commerce. Salt and iron officials collected salt and iron taxes, while market officials managed the market and collected commercial taxes. Fortunately, everyone was currently engrossed in the festive celebrations, so after carefully checking to ensure their conversation wouldn't be overheard, Yuan Yueze finally felt relieved.
Then, Yuan Yueze recounted to Hou Wenqing everything that had happened on the road for nearly half a month since their separation, including his attempt to follow You Niaojuan and his companion, only to lose them.
After listening, Hou Wenqing remained silent for a long while before saying, "My master and I just arrived here yesterday. There's a lot of commotion in Chengdu right now. The Li Tang from Guanzhong, with Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, and Princess Pingyang, Li Xiuning, arrived in Chengdu a few days ago. I don't need to tell you their purpose; you can
probably guess. Also, you mentioned You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong, who also arrived in Chengdu around this time. Their purpose is unclear, but it certainly won't be anything good." Yuan Yueze nodded: "Next time I encounter You Niaojuan and Ding Jiuzhong, I will definitely kill them. As for the Li Tang, it's nothing more than recruiting them." "The surrender of Bashu is one thing, but although Li Shimin is being suppressed by the Crown Prince's faction in court, he is currently riding high on the momentum of his great victory over Western Qin. He should be the one sent here, not Li Yuanji."
Hou Wenqing clearly didn't understand these political matters and could only reply, "I don't know about these things. Two years ago, after I left my master's school and went down the mountain, I investigated the relationship between the Qingxiang family and the Huo family, and then began to focus on setting up many intelligence outposts in Baling and Chengdu. These intelligence reports were naturally gathered by them."
Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "No wonder she's so familiar with Chengdu."
Seeing that Yuan Yueze remained silent, Hou Wenqing assumed he was worried and comforted him, "If nothing unexpected happens with Shidao, he will soon deliver Uncle Song's letter to Duzun Fort. Don't worry, Li Tang won't easily obtain Bashu."
Yuan Yueze shook his head, saying, "These things aren't my concern. Why did you stop me from winning big against Huo Qingqiao or killing him, sister-in-law?"
Hou Wenqing smiled slightly, "Killing him isn't difficult, but now is not the time. I'm currently focusing on investigating their internal affairs, such as where their money is hidden and where their secret ledgers for buying and selling people are. I want to recover all their ill-gotten gains first, and then let their crimes be known to the world, making the Xiang and Huo families infamous for eternity. Moreover, I recently received information that the Xiang and Huo families seem to have a very strong force supporting them. You should remember the vicious look in Huo Qingqiao's eyes when we left the gambling den; he must have been confident he could retaliate against us."
Yuan Yueze lowered his head and remained silent.
Under his persuasion, Zhu Yuyan had completely severed ties with the Xiang family three years ago. Previously, because Zhu Yuyan was determined to make the Demonic Sect rule the world, she had to rely on the Xiang family's talent and resources to achieve her goal. In turn, the Xiang family could also thrive in the martial arts world with the protection of the Yin Gui Sect. But now that this alliance of interests had dissolved, who would have the power to help the Xiang family?
He couldn't think of anyone.
Not thinking about it was Yuan Yueze's personal principle.
He wasn't worried at all about Huo Qingqiao's retaliation; in fact, he even hoped that the person supporting the Huo family would come after him, so he could see who they really were.
Looking up at the bright, full moon, Yuan Yueze said with a sigh, "I suddenly remembered a poem written by a poet more than three hundred years later."
Hou Wenqing said, "I've heard Shidao mention some of these poems as well. Why don't you share your thoughts?"
Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in hand, I ask the blue sky. I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palace. I want to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces are too cold at such heights. I dance with my shadow, how can it compare to being in the human world? The moon turns through the red pavilion, shines low through the painted windows, illuminating my sleeplessness. There should be no resentment, yet why is the moon always full when we are apart? People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion, just as the moon has its phases of waxing and waning. Such things have always been imperfect. I only wish that we may all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart."
After a long silence, each lost in thought, Hou Wenqing stood up first and said, "This poet is truly talented. Well, I'm going back to my house in Taicheng. Shidao should come to your inn later."
To avoid suspicion, they would stay separately.
Yuan Yueze nodded, and Hou Wenqing left.
A while later, Yuan Yueze also got up and headed towards the inn where he had booked a room.
The road was bustling with activity, and the scene became even more lively as he turned onto a main street. Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums, people were performing dragon dances on the carriage road to celebrate the festival, and the sidewalks were packed with onlookers. The atmosphere was incredibly vibrant. If the atmosphere was already this lively before the Mid-Autumn Festival, then tomorrow night's scene would likely be several times more bustling.
Arriving at a noodle shop, he saw that the shop was wide open, with cakes and pastries displayed on the counter. The shop assistants were busy serving the crowds visiting the lantern festival. At this time, the lantern festival was in full swing, with a large group of over a hundred Yi men and women dressed in traditional costumes gathered in the street to perform songs and dances to add to the festivities, accompanied by deafening drumbeats and music.
Yuan Yueze arrived at the shop, tossed a silver ingot to the shop assistant, picked up a mooncake, took a big bite, and found it crisp and soft, sweet and salty, with a prominent ham aroma, oily but not greasy—truly a delicacy. He nodded and praised, "Keep the change. Hmm, not bad."
Seeing such a large silver ingot in his hand, the shop assistant hurriedly smiled and said, "This is a Yunnan ham mooncake, very authentic. Please enjoy it, sir."
Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "Why is it so lively before Mid-Autumn Festival?"
The shop assistant, having finished his work, chimed in, "Sir, you're not from Chengdu, are you? Although tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival, this lantern festival is jointly organized by Duzunbao, the Sichuan Gang, and the Ba Alliance, and will last for three days!"
Yuan Yueze smiled, thinking to himself that these three forces were ostensibly celebrating with everyone, but actually just trying to show their unity to the outside world!
He turned and looked at a magnificent temple across the street, somewhat mesmerized.
"Ah!"
A familiar soft exclamation came from behind Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze trembled slightly and turned around.
※※※※※ Duzun Fortress is located on the south bank of Wansui Pond in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, facing north, resembling a miniature imperial city. The entire fortress is built of stone bricks, giving it an aura of impregnability.
Song Shidao stood at one end of the drawbridge spanning the fortress's moat, gazing at the moon.
An hour ago, he bid farewell to Master Zhenyan and left Dashi Temple. Although he hadn't actually practiced the 'Sun Changing Technique' from Yue Shan's lost scroll, he felt a sense of transformation. He could even complete the second half of the 'Sun and Moon Illuminating the Sky Technique' that Yuan Yueze had told him, using his own wisdom. Of course, this second half might not be the same as the one used by Yan Fei, but it was certain that Song Shidao's second half would be the most suitable for him.
Even he himself didn't know that the moment he bid farewell to Master Zhenyan and stepped out of the gate of the Great Stone Temple, he had already mastered the supreme mental techniques of both Buddhism and Taoism, laying the foundation for his future status as a grandmaster in the Central Plains, unmatched by anyone except Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.
As for the Yuan Yueze family, due to their abnormal bodies that were neither human nor god, they were temporarily not classified as 'normal people'.
Song Shidao had achieved his greatest goal in learning martial arts on this trip. Next, he needed to personally deliver Song Que's letter to Jie Hui. He had just heard someone mention the arrival of Prince Qi of Li Tang and Princess Pingyang on the way, so he didn't rush back to meet Hou Wenqing, but came to Jie Hui immediately.
"It is truly an honor for our Duzun Fortress to have the Second Young Master grace us with his presence. Please come this way, the Fortress Master invites you."
A gentle voice pulled Song Shidao back to reality from his reverie.
The newcomer was a burly man in brocade robes, around forty years old, respectful and polite.
Song Shidao returned the greeting with a cupped hand and a smile, "How shall I address you, sir?"
The burly man replied respectfully, "I am Fang Yimin, the steward. You flatter me, Second Young Master. Just call me Yimin."
Song Shidao was known for his gentle and refined manners, and in the past year, he had made a name for himself in the martial arts world. Many admired his chivalrous spirit, and Fang Yimin couldn't help but secretly praise him upon seeing him today.
After exchanging pleasantries, Song Shidao followed Fang Yimin across the drawbridge and into the open gate of the fortress.
At the entrance was a stone screen wall, beyond which stood a tall stone archway inscribed with the four characters "Loyalty, Faith, Propriety, and Righteousness," leading to a straight stone-paved path lined with ancient pines and cypresses. Houses were nestled among the trees, creating a secluded and tranquil scene.
Fang Yimin smiled and said, "Our fortress lord only learned of the Second Young Master's arrival in Chengdu half an hour ago and has already sent someone to invite him. I didn't expect the Second Young Master to come in person."
Song Shidao said politely, "Uncle Jie and my late father have always had a friendly relationship. Since Shidao has come here, how could I not personally pay him a visit?"
In his heart, he was secretly glad that he had sneaked into Dashi Temple, otherwise he would have been discovered by Jie Hui's spies long ago. And the fact that he only mentioned Song Que and not the Song Clan in his words gave people the impression that he no longer had any connection with the Song Clan, which was very consistent with his identity as someone who had betrayed the Song family.
Fang Yimin led him across a stone bridge spanning a clear stream that meandered from the northwest. In front of him, in the center of Duzun Fortress, the buildings were magnificent, with brackets and flying eaves, painted beams and carved pillars. In particular, at the foot of the stone steps of the main hall, there was a majestic and lifelike giant stone lion, each ten feet tall, which added a strong sense of mystery and majesty to the main hall.
Fang Yimin stopped at the door, bowed, and said, "Please come in, young master. I'll take my leave."
He then bowed and retreated back onto the stone bridge, disappearing into the distance. Just
as Song Shidao was about to step forward, a deep voice came from inside: "Nephew, please come in."
He climbed the steps and reached the door. Just as he was about to push it open, the door was pulled open from the inside.
What came into Song Shidao's view was Xie Wenlong's face, which looked as bitter as a gourd, but his eyes gleamed with a joy completely incongruous with his expression.
Song Shidao was about to bow when Xie Wenlong quickly helped him up, patted his shoulder twice, and left without saying a word.
Song Shidao walked into the hall, somewhat bewildered.
In the meticulously decorated main hall sat a man of imposing stature, exuding an aura of domineering arrogance. His dark skin, cold expression, high forehead, and straight nose, combined with his square face, created a rugged, resolute, and stubborn presence, commanding respect.
This man was none other than Xie Hui, the powerful and influential lord of Duzun Fortress, renowned throughout Sichuan.
Upon seeing Song Shidao, Xie Hui revealed a rare smile and rose to greet him.
Song Shidao bowed deeply before taking his seat.
Xie Hui sized Song Shidao up and down, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes before a satisfied smile appeared. "Nephew," he said, "your reputation has grown considerably in recent years. Such progress in just a few years is remarkable. His achievements will surely surpass those of Brother Song." The
"Brother Song" he referred to was, of course, "Heavenly Blade" Song Que.
Hearing Song Que mentioned, Song Shidao's expression darkened, and his hand, reaching for a teacup, froze in mid-air.
Jie Hui smiled somewhat awkwardly, "I misspoke, please forgive me, nephew."
His gaze then swept over Song Shidao's hand, a fleeting look of surprise in his eyes. He exclaimed in astonishment, "I never imagined that at such a young age, your cultivation had already reached the Celestial Realm! Truly remarkable!"
Song Shidao looked at his own hands, which, though usually slender and fair, had become translucent and lustrous, like jade, radiating a luminous quality beyond the mundane. He gently shook his head, "Uncle Jie, you flatter me. I've come today for only one matter." With
that, he took out Song Que's letter from his robes and presented it with both hands.
Jie Hui was taken aback, casually taking the letter. He glanced at the handwriting on the envelope, his expression becoming complex.
After a long pause, he sighed deeply, "What do you think Brother Song would write in this letter?"
Song Shidao replied, "How dare I read the letter my late father wrote? He gave me this letter before his duel with Master Fu. Unfortunately, I didn't understand its meaning at the time. Only later did I realize that my late father was already prepared to die."
As he spoke, his expression grew more somber, and his voice became increasingly hoarse.
Xie Hui gently comforted him, "I know you are known for your benevolence, righteousness, and filial piety, but Brother Song has passed away. Don't be sad."
Song Shidao nodded, and after regaining his composure, Xie Hui stared at the envelope on the table and asked, "What do you think of the current state of affairs in the world?"
Song Shidao looked at Xie Hui, surprised, and said, "Uncle should know I have no interest in such matters."
Xie Hui said, "Of course I know, but since you come from a distinguished family, I naturally want to ask for your opinion."
Song Shidao cautiously replied, "Since ancient times, the struggle for the world has revolved around the major cities near the Yellow River and Guanzhong. It seems that only three people will ultimately prevail: Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, Yuan Yueze of Luoyang, and Dou Jiande of the Xia Dynasty. The other forces, no matter how much they struggle, will at most become regional overlords."
He addressed Yuan Yueze by his name, indicating that their positions were vastly different and their conflict was irreconcilable.
Jie Hui showed no surprise, only praisingly saying, "What my nephew said is exactly what I was thinking."
Song Shidao then said, "I still don't understand why you asked this, Uncle."
Jie Hui looked out the window, calmly answering a question that seemed unrelated: "Nephew, are you aware of the recent changes in the situation in Jiangnan?"
Song Shidao shook his head.
Jie Hui said, "We received urgent intelligence just the other day. Li Zitong used a counter-espionage tactic to sow discord between Du Fuwei and Shen Lun, and secretly borrowed 50,000 troops from Xiao Xian. After Du Fuwei and Shen Lun were both severely wounded, he decisively defeated Du Fuwei on the Yangtze River."
Song Shidao thought to himself, "I really haven't heard this news. But didn't the Twin Dragons kill Li Zitong long ago? How come Jiangdu hasn't fallen yet, and Du Fuwei and Shen Lun have suffered a crushing defeat?" But he didn't reply, simply listening quietly.
Xie Hui continued, "If I'm not mistaken, Brother Song's letter must involve the crucial moment in the struggle for supremacy, and the choice between Ba and Shu."
Xie Hui didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: Song Que had always supported the Han dynasty's rise to power, and this letter was likely Song Que's 'ultimatum' to Xie Hui, warning him to consider the potential gains and losses before choosing which side to support. Currently, the Li Tang dynasty had sent high-ranking officials to Shu, clearly to garner support from Ba and Shu. Therefore, the choice of Duzun Fortress, the leading power among the three major forces in Ba and Shu, became paramount. Xie Hui naturally wanted to support the Li Tang. After Li Shimin's great victory over Western Qin, if they also gained the support of Ba and Shu, the Li Tang would become a powerful force like Qin in the late Warring States period, possessing abundant resources and military supplies in the south and the natural barrier of Hangu Pass in the north. Their strength would multiply, and their chances of conquering the world would naturally increase. However, Song Que would never support the Li family, with their non-Han ancestry, to rule the Central Plains. Therefore, his letter would likely prompt Xie Hui to consider supporting other hegemons, such as Yuan Yueze or Dou Jiande. Among these options, supporting Yuan Yueze is naturally the best choice.
Since Song Que has already vanished, why does his letter still exert so much pressure on Jie Hui?
Yuan Yueze and Song Shidao didn't take Song Que's letter seriously because Song Que was gone. But Jie Hui is different. Precisely because he personally witnessed and experienced Song Que's ruthless methods, he has harbored an inexplicable fear of him for decades. Since Song Que could leave a letter for Jie Hui in advance, he could naturally also instruct his successor, Song Zhi, on some related matters. For example, if Bashu chooses to support the Li Tang dynasty, then the Song clan will cease business cooperation with Bashu. This would not only be a blow to Jie Hui but would also plunge him into an abyss of no return. It should be noted that the Song clan are professional sea salt traders; once their business ceases, Bashu will naturally suffer a salt shortage. Once the people know that this is because Jie Hui chose to support the Li Tang dynasty, they will naturally hate Jie Hui, and his reputation will be completely ruined.
Moreover, all Jie Hui wanted was to follow a good emperor and enjoy a good life, which is why he was hesitating.
Song Shidao said, "Uncle shouldn't have any reservations. If I were you, I would definitely choose to support the Li Tang dynasty. Everyone knows that."
Jie Hui was taken aback and said, "Why don't you persuade me to support Yuan Yueze? In my opinion, this young man is not much worse than Li Shimin."
Song Shidao said disdainfully, "What is there for me to admire in a person who is scheming, malicious, selfish, cold-hearted, and lustful?" Jie
Hui chuckled and said, "I always thought that you and Yuan Yueze were just having a minor disagreement. I didn't expect that your differences were so great!"
Looking at Jie Hui's cunning smile, Song Shidao suddenly realized: Jie Hui had been acting all along. He was just trying to prove the true relationship between Song Shidao and Yuan Yueze. At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief. He was really good at acting. His clenched teeth just now made anyone think that he hated Yuan Yueze's promiscuity.
Jie Hui sighed in disappointment, "Nephew, do you know where Yu Hua is?"
Song Shidao feigned ignorance, "Uncle, what do you mean? My elder sister has been married into the Jie family for several years now. I'd like to see her later." Jie
Hui scrutinized Song Shidao for a long time, then his eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light. He said coldly, "Yu Hua has been missing for several months. Reliable sources say she's in Luoyang now, and she's even been forced into a relationship with Yuan Yueze."
Song Shidao trembled violently and exclaimed, "What!"
※※※※※ Standing behind Yuan Yueze was Li Xiuning, who covered her mouth with her hand, staring at him in astonishment.
Even on this night when all the girls were dressed up like butterflies, her beautiful face and elegant figure still made her stand out like a crane among chickens.
She had lost some weight, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. She wore a noble, pale yellow robe with white flowers embellishing the round neck. Her fair, almost white skin made her large, beautiful eyes appear like deep, bright stars in the night sky. She seemed even more captivating than she had been months ago. There was
a familiarity mixed with a strange feeling that even Yuan Yueze couldn't quite define.
Suddenly, the surrounding laughter and chatter seemed to vanish. Although the streets were teeming with festival-goers, the two felt as if they were the only ones in the world. Although they were separated by hundreds of people and passing carriages, nearly three zhang away, there was no barrier between them.
It was an indescribable feeling.
Behind him followed a maid and four burly, sword-wielding guards. They all stared at the usually composed Li Xiuning with bewildered expressions.
A bad premonition rose in Yuan Yueze's heart, but he still forced a faint smile at Li Xiuning and continued to admire the distant temples and monasteries.
After a moment, Li Xiuning came to her senses, lowered her head, pressed her forehead, said a few words to the maid beside her, and the group hurriedly turned and left.
※※※※※ Song Shidao walked out of Duzun Fort and let out a long sigh. He had no time to appreciate the beautiful night view and lively lantern festival of Chengdu. While pondering, he hurried towards the place he had agreed to meet with Hou Wenqing.
Jie Hui learned about Song Yuhua's presence in Luoyang from Li Yuanji. In order to gain his trust, Song Shidao naturally dared not 'play with fire' by probing why Jie Hui trusted Li Yuanji so much, but he felt that there must be a hidden reason. Jie Hui was able to tell Song Shidao such a secret matter simply because he saw Song Shidao's hatred and disdain for Yuan Yueze. On the other hand, he could also use this matter as a major reason to not support Yuan Yueze and instead support Li Tang. Thinking deeper, Jie Hui might still be scheming against Song Shidao, hoping to use Song Shidao's current fame to deal with Yuan Yueze. After all, his daughter-in-law being deceived by someone else is a huge disgrace to Duzun Fort. Jie Hui can exploit Song Shidao's apparent hatred for Yuan Yueze's philandering to his advantage.
Song Shidao was thankful for the charade he'd staged with Yuan Yueze years ago; otherwise, he wouldn't be in this predicament today. If he had, Bashu would certainly have chosen to support the Li Tang dynasty, which wouldn't have been good for the unification of the Central Plains, and the people would likely have suffered for several more years.
Song Shidao inwardly chuckled, realizing Xie Wenlong was also a master of acting. When Xie Hui mentioned Song Yuhua's situation, recalling his encounter with Xie Wenlong upon entering the hall, Song Shidao had initially suspected Xie Wenlong of betraying Song Yuhua, but after Xie Hui's detailed explanation, he realized otherwise. Song Shidao also understood why Xie Hui had sighed repeatedly and shown disappointment upon seeing him—it was because Xie Hui was comparing Song Shidao to Xie Wenlong. Naturally, Xie Hui, who hoped his son would succeed, would be disappointed in him. However, to continue the Xie family line, both sides had to compromise, allowing Xie Wenlong to marry Lian'er, but only as a concubine, because only the father and son knew about Song Yuhua's disappearance within the entire Duzun Fortress. Song Shidao finally understood why Xie Wenlong's face was filled with sorrow yet his eyes held joy at the door.
Lost in thought, Song Shidao suddenly felt a sense of unease, stopped abruptly, and disappeared behind a house in the darkness. He saw a tall figure, dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carrying a leather bag, streak across the sky like a shooting star. The
aura of death emanating from that person was extremely sinister and terrifying. Even with his pores closed, Song Shidao could sense the man's high level of cultivation. From the leather bag on his back, Song Shidao recognized this man as the purple-skinned man who had murdered the monks of Da Shi Temple. So, he cautiously followed.
The man weaved through narrow alleys and streets, quickly leaping over walls to reach an ordinary-looking house. He swiftly circled the walls, finally jumping onto the roof, surveying the area several times before disappearing inside.
Song Shidao followed. Even if someone else possessed martial arts skills comparable to him, they probably couldn't track him so easily, relying almost entirely on instinct, leaving even a skilled opponent unaware of his presence. He was even more surprised by his opponent's caution. Had he been too reckless, he would surely have escaped his notice. If they were to fight, Song Shidao's chances of winning would likely be slim.
After secretly rejoicing, Song Shidao seized the opportunity and, without hesitation, scaled the wall and entered the backyard of the house, moving to the back and focusing his energy on his ears.
Judging from the faint aura
emanating from inside, Song Shidao was greatly alarmed. There were at least five people inside, each a master. Through his keen spiritual sense, Song Shidao even vaguely sensed that two of them were definitely more powerful than him. He heard a voice from inside say, "There's no problem with Fatty An anymore. I just spoke with him. We can use them to do things for us openly. Prince Qi and Grandmaster Uncle can put their worries aside."
Song Shidao thought the speaker must be the one who had just entered the house carrying the leather bag. He was surprised that Li Yuanji was inside and colluding with such a wicked person. He was even more surprised at who this 'Grandmaster Uncle' really was. As for the "Fatty An" he mentioned, it must be the Lotus Master of the "Heavenly Lotus Sect" among the six sects of the Demonic Path, and one of the eight great masters of the Evil Path, "Fat Jia" An Long. So who exactly was the person who just entered the room? Could even a cunning person like An Long be manipulated by him?
With too many doubts, Song Shidao couldn't think too much about it and could only continue listening.

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