Changle’s room.
Liu Muye’s hand swept across the incense burner, and the fla within extinguished instantly.
Her every movent was like the drifting clouds in the heavens, carrying an ethereal grace untouched by the mortal world.
Si Snake considered himself well-versed in reading people, possessing eyes capable of seeing through anyone’s façade. Yet, as Liu Muye stood before him without the slightest disguise, he found her an enigma, utterly inscrutable.
Liu Muye pushed open the lattice window, and a fragrance of birdsong and blossoms wafted in.
Si Snake had never felt such tranquility and harmony near anyone’s presence before.
"Goddess, may I ask why you sought out?"
He could clearly tell the Miaojiang Goddess deliberately dismissed the others, leaving only him behind.
Liu Muye asked him, "Are your parents well?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she sighed softly, "I misspoke. For you to be here, they must have t with hardship."
Si Snake asked suspiciously, "Goddess, do you know my parents?"
Liu Muyan was drawn into distant mories, "They once carried you to Witch Mountain seeking a cure."
Si Snake grew even more puzzled, "I... have been to Witch Mountain? I’ve never heard them ntion this before."
The matter of his illness had never been brought up to him either.
And if they had sought aid from Witch Mountain, it ant he had been afflicted with a grave and rare condition.
Liu Muyan said, "You were born with severed ridians, dood not to live beyond a hundred days. Your parents traveled a thousand miles without rest, racing to Witch Mountain, willing to trade their lives for yours."
A flicker of intense shock flashed through Si Snake’s eyes.
His path in martial arts had always been smooth; he’d never imagined he was born with severed ridians.
Those with severed ridians could never practice martial arts in their lifeti.
"Was it you who healed ?"
Si Snake was even more stunned.
To cure severed ridians would require unparalleled dical skill.
It was said the Miaojiang Goddess could revive the dead; it seed the legends were not unfounded.
However, Si Snake thought of sothing, "A life for a life—why not go to dicine King Valley? Forgive as a junior for questioning your dical prowess, but Witch Mountain has rules against treating outsiders. If trading lives was involved, dicine King Valley would naturally be the first choice."
"A good question," Liu Muyan chuckled, "I asked your parents the sa question, but they didn’t say anything. I’m afraid that’s an answer you’ll have to seek on your own."
Si Snake sank into silence and contemplation.
Could there be so connection between his parents and dicine King Valley?
Si Snake thought of Mao Tu.
Mao Tu was the daughter of dicine King Valley’s Valley Master. The next ti he saw her, he might be able to ask.
"Goddess."
From outside the door ca Za Muduo’s voice.
"Co in."
Liu Muye said.
Za Muduo entered carrying a long box.
Liu Muye said to Si Snake, "This was left for you by your parents before they departed Witch Mountain."
Si Snake asked suspiciously, "Did they predict I would return to Witch Mountain after many years?"
Liu Muye smiled silently.
Si Snake gazed steadily at her, his eyes flickering with realization, "It was you who foresaw my return even back then."
Liu Muye did not deny it, gently stroking the dustless box, "I have never opened it. See if there’s anything missing within."
Si Snake could tell Liu Muye had ticulously safeguarded this item over the years.
He stepped forward and opened the box—a long sword and a family letter.
His parents’ hopes for him were neither about reclaiming all that was taken nor becoming anyone’s savior.
It was simply to let him roam the world with a sword, living a life free of burdens.
Si Snake gripped the family letter tightly, so much so that his hand trembled uncontrollably.
Liu Muye said, "You have your own path; you don’t need to live under anyone’s expectations."
Si Snake’s inner demons were suddenly shattered, his spiritual mind cleared. It was as if he had awoken from a long dream: "Thank you for your guidance, Goddess."
Za Muduo placed the box on the table and respectfully withdrew.
Si Snake placed the family letter back in the box, then looked at Liu Muye solemnly and said, "May I ask what you need to do for you?"
Liu Muye shook her head, "I don’t need you to do anything for , child."
...
"Snake! Why did you take so long to co back? What did the Goddess say to you? Did she secretly teach you martial arts? Huh? Where did that box co from?"
As soon as Si Snake entered the room, Ji Li began chirping incessantly.
Everyone sighed and facepald.
No reasonable person would doubt why he was nicknad "chicken"; his na truly suited him.
"Just so personal matters."
Si Snake answered.
He had no intention of recounting his conversation with Liu Muye to the others, nor did he wish to disclose his connections to Witch Mountain.
Lu Yuan and ng Qianqian were content, one sipping tea and the other enjoying flower pastries, while Luo Shan was sprawled on the ground studying the Purple Dream Grass.
Everyone showed sensible restraint.
Everyone except... the ever-inquisitive Ji Li.
"Snake! You actually have personal matters with the Goddess? Could you be her secret illegitimate child? No, wait—illegitimate grandson? Speaking of which, how old are you this year?"
Si Snake silently walked over to sit beside Chen Long.
Chen Long glanced at him with admiration.
Truly resilient; if it were him, this noisy chicken would have t its demise countless tis by now.
"If you want to go ho, walk your path with conviction."
"Do I even have a path left to walk?"
"If you resolutely move forward, there will always be a way."
Si Snake’s gaze fell into a daze.
Chu Grand Marshal had passed away. Did he truly have a path left to tread?
Za Muduo brought a spade to excavate the Purple Dream Grass.
As the successor of the Luo Family, Luo Shan considered it an extraordinary honor to personally unearth it.
"Worth it, worth it. Even though I didn’t discover it myself, nor can I take it away, just to unearth it with my own hands feels like receiving a divine blessing."
Luo Shan was thoroughly satisfied.
Lu Yuan cast him a sidelong glance, "Were you always this superstitious?"
Luo Shan responded reverently, "It’s not your fault; ignorance breeds fearlessness. Once you understand the significance of Witch Mountain, you’ll appreciate my reverence for the divine."
Lu Yuan snorted softly.
ng Qianqian fed him a bite, "Husband, here’s so fried dough to calm your irritation."
Chen Long interjected, "Fried dough makes you irritable."
Lu Yuan retorted, "I like it."
Chen Long remarked, "Oh, that one fell on the ground; she picked it up to avoid wasting it."
ng Qianqian trembled visibly.
Her brother’s a traitor!
After Za Muduo carried off the Purple Dream Grass, Luo Shan reluctantly redirected his gaze and began discussing serious matters with the group: "Actually, I have so news to share."
"Speak."
Lu Yuan urged.
Luo Shan scoffed, "You look like you’re begging for trouble. Makes want to stay silent."
Chen Long said, "Your discernnt is comndable."
ng Qianqian whispered hesitantly, "Brother, I want to hear it though."
Chen Long placed the Sword Box on the table, threatening Luo Shan, "Spit it out."
Luo Shan: ... Switching gears so quickly?
"Fine, fine. I’ll tell you."
His attempt to keep people guessing had failed.
Oh well, even his Pri Minister father had been defeated by Lu Yuan; losing face in front of him wasn’t worth worrying about.
"The Thousand chanism Pavilion has moved from Lingshan."
Ji Li exclaid in shock, "Moved again?"
Chen Long asked, "When did this happen?"
Luo Shan replied, "Shortly after you and Yu Zichuan brought the twins back from the pavilion. However, this ti they didn’t escape to another secluded paradise; instead, they’ve made a grand reappearance."
Ji Li was confused, "What do you an? Did they return to the Western Regions?"
"No," Luo Shan said, "Southwest King Qin declared himself emperor, established the nation of Liang, and appointed the Pavilion Master of the Thousand chanism Pavilion as State Preceptor, putting him in charge of the Great Liang Astronomical Bureau. The Pavilion Master’s daughter is about to marry the Crown Prince of Great Liang; the wedding invitation has even been sent to Miaojiang."
Lu Yuan asked, "What surna does King Qin bear?"
Luo Shan smiled, "What a coincidence, the sa as yours, Lu."
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