Shen Qiao had thought that Yan Wushis injuries were not extensive, after this many days, even if not fully recovered, he should be mostly there.
Who knew that examining his ridians would reveal stagnant qi, blood coalescing, the appearance of flow obstruction: the injuries were more serious than before.
Could it be that Xuetings wugong had reached the realm of a calm surface, but into bone?
But if Xuetings wugong was really on this level, how could he have lost to Yan Wushi, and had his wugong nullified by the other?
Yan Wushi covered his mouth and coughed twice, gave this explanation: Its that these days Ive been busy with managing the affairs of Huanyue Sect, I needed to rein in the previously lost and scattered holdings, so havent had ti to treat my injuries, I didnt think they would turn worse.
Shen Qiao: This has to do with your health, how can you be so reckless?
Yan Wushi smiled, clearly didnt think it was anything: No problem, its not fatal, three to five days and I should be recovered.
Shen Qiao gave it so thought, from his robes he produced a small porcelain jar he set down on the table: You and I have neigong of Daoist and Demonic origins which counter each other, I cannot help you, but Xuandushan has many dicines passed down through the years, this is one I based off one of the prescriptions, and recently I had the pharmacy prepare it, if you trust it, you can take so, three tablets a day, to reduce injury.
Yan Wushi picked up the porcelain jar, it felt warm in his hands, still carrying residual heat from Shen Qiaos body.
With his thumb he stroked the smooth body of the porcelain jar, the motion carrying with it an indescribable ambiguity.
Shen Qiao didnt think on it too much, assud that he was suspicious by nature and didnt trust him, he would accept the dicine now and then throw it away when he was alone, but that would truly be a waste, needless to say the dicine contained several rare herbs, and had the potential to save a lot of people, so Shen Qiao added: If youre not going to take it then return it, the injuries are not that extensive after all.
And why wouldnt I take it? Yan Wushi found him looking at the porcelain jar, found it quite funny, so deliberately going against his wishes, he pulled open the stopper, poured out three tabs and put them in his mouth, then grabbed the plum drink in front of Shen Qiao, and swallowed.
I feel the congestion in my chest alleviated, imdiate soothing relief. Yan Wushi said as he held his chest.
Shen Qiao: It isnt a celestial cure.
Yan Wushi laughed: I was talking about the plum drink! Word has it that cultivators can even put their saliva into dicine, this plum drink youve drank from before, doesnt it have your saliva too?
In the face of such dirty talk, what could Shen Qiao say, even if he had heard so many shaless words all this ti, his face now still flushed a slight pink.
Yan Wushi, seeing him embarrassed and wordlessly rise to leave, held his hand back and said: Fine, fine, its the dicine that works not the saliva, when did you go to the pharmacy to have this prepared, how co I didnt know about it?
Shen Qiao, face solemn: Does this poor one need to report to Yan-zongzhu for everything?
Yan Wushi: Of course not, but I worry about you, I worry that you wont have enough money to spend, or that youll be tricked by soone.
Shen Qiao: It turns out that in Yan-zongzhus mind this poor one is really such a fool.
Yan Wushi thought, yes exactly if not a fool how could you be sold by to Sang Jingxing without your knowledge, but he said: No, since leaving the mountain, youve made gains everyday, Ive seen it, youre much smarter than before.
Shen Qiao resisted and resisted, but couldnt help saying: Yan-zongzhu doesnt look like soone with internal injuries, if you say a bit more, maybe youll recover faster!
Yan Wushi held back a smile: That wont do, without Shen-daozhang this good dicine, Im certain to recover a little slower. I heard that Yang Jian gave you a sum of money?
Shen Qiao: Thats right, that sum was for the construction of Xuanduguan.
Yan Wushi: Does that an youve decided to stay in Changan?
Shen Qiao: Thats still uncertain, I want to return to Xuandushan first to take a look, if I can resolve things there, and if Xuandushan wants to enter the secular world, then Changan could be a good location. I see that Yang Jian has the makings of a leader, does not appear the least partial or muddled, towards the Daoist sects he has been quite tolerant, perhaps the Daoist sects can welco this opportune chance to erge again.
Yan Wushi reminded him: Hes doing this to capture peoples hearts.
Shen Qiao smiled: I know, but theres nothing wrong with that, although Im of a Daoist Sect, I cannot confidently that say there are no scum among the Daoists, if a hundred birds sound, it would be a good thing for everyone, there would be no situation where a leader plunders the public coffers for the benefit of one sect, and leave the people with no way of getting by, Yang Jian has been heavily influenced by Buddhist teachings, but can still treat Ru sects and Daoist sects fairly, as I see it, that is the quality of a true leader of a nation. The most important thing is, if Xuandushan wants to enter the secular world, now is a good ti.
Yan Wushi raised his eyebrows: Dont you revere and worship Qi Fengge in all things, how co on this matter your opinion runs contrary?
Shen Qiao: That was then, this is now, when he was alive he never had this kind of opportune timing, if his respectful elderly person was still alive, he would definitely agree with .
Yan Wushi: Oh, hearing you say this, this venerable one understands now.
Shen Qiao: What do you understand?
Yan Wushi: Things you want to do, youll say Qi Fengge will agree, things you dont want to do, youll say it was Qi Fengges wish when he was alive, either way hes dead and cannot jump out to contradict you.
He said this on purpose, but Shen Qiao gave no sign of embarrassnt or anger, instead he thought for a mont, smiled a little: What you said is also true.
As he smiled, his eyes took in his surroundings, shining and bright, refracting the light in the room, Yan Wushis gaze on him also montarily frozen in place.
Shen Qiao: He was the most understanding person, and would definitely understand how I feel now.
Yan Wushi raised his eyebrows, he didnt agree with Shen Qiaos tendency to spout off his shifus praise everyti he opened his mouth, but he considered himself very generous, and would not get stuck on particulars about a dead man.
It could be seen that although Shen Qiao was quite orthodox, he was not soone who was held back by convention, this was the exact reason Qi Fengge ultimately chose Shen Qiao out of his five disciples to inherit his mantle all those years ago.
Yan Wushi: Since youve already accepted the courts favour, even if in reality you are not under their command, in na at least theres a connection, therefore, this matter with Xuandushan is not entirely your own, given the current relationship between Huanyue Sect and the Sui dynasty, if Yang Jian knew you were headed to Xuandushan, even if I didnt say anything, he would ask to assist, for this journey Ill let Bian Yani go with you, his thods are smooth, it will be helpful.
He said this additional layer of reasoning, Shen Qiao didnt push back further, he nodded and said: Then I thank you.
Saying this, Shen Qiao paused, then said: You still have injuries, the next few days you should rest and recuperate.
Stop jumping around all over the place for no reason.
Yan Wushis smile grew wider: A-Qiao, are you worried about ?
Shen Qiao: No.
Yan Wushi: You lie.
Shen Qiao: Then why are you asking ?
Yan Wushi sighed: Although I am very moved, I am bound to disappoint, dont forget, that old bald donkey is still waiting for to deal with him, he was once the esteed Zhou dynasty guoshi, head of the Buddhist sects, how can I neglect him for too long?
I can see youre more than willing, Shen Qiao thought, but he latched onto the crux of the others words: You intend to kill him?
Yan Wushi, lazily: This venerable one intends to trade him for a huge advantage.
What huge advantage, if hes not willing to say, Shen Qiao knew he would not be able to get an answer, so didnt press further.
Several days later, on hearing Shen Qiao was preparing to return to Xuandushan, Yuan Ying was very happy, he ran over to ask when Shen Qiao planned to leave.
However, Shen Qiao hadnt been planning on taking him with him, as Xuanduguan was still under construction and needed oversight, Yuan Ying was certainly the ideal person for the job.
Yuan Ying, on hearing Shen Qiaos plans, his face fell from ten thousand hopes through to disappointnt, the prominent change was hard to see.
Shen Qiao was a bit surprised: Si-shidi, you want to go back to Xuandushan that badly?
N-, no. Yuan Ying found it hard to articulate, these past few days Yu Shengyan had been playing with him left and right, Yuan Ying couldnt outtalk the other, and although his wugong was stronger, Yu Shengyan hadnt lifted a finger, Yuan Ying was a honest kid, he couldnt raise his fist first to beat the other, also considering he was living under soone elses roof, he couldnt complicate matters for his Er-shixiong, so he had endured it all, in his mind he had already allotted Yu Shengyan a position as chief annoyance, if he saw him in the distance he would swerve to avoid him.
Shen Qiao clapped his shoulder: I know youre focused on cultivation, and dont care for other matters, but to oversee the construction of Xuanduguan, apart from you, I cant think of anyone else more suited, I will hurry back, and can only trouble you for your help.
Yuan Ying, hurriedly: Er-shixiong you, you go ahead, I will be certain to go to the site daily, and not worry, worry you.
Shen Qiao: Thank you, A-Ying.
Yuan Ying: Er-shixiong, dont say that, we are all disciples of shizun, but I am the most, most useless one, have never been able to help, Ive always felt very, very bad about this, its rare youre letting do sothing, I am more than willing!
After not seeing the other for so long, this Si-shidi who had been more than happy hiding behind others had grown up, Shen Qiao was very relieved.
Wrapping up affairs, Yan Wushi had departed one step ahead of him from Changan, and so after him, Shen Qiao and Bian Yani set off towards Xuandushan.
Bian Yani was a very interesting person, he did things in an interesting way, he spoke in an interesting way, he was also very perceptive about boundaries, and was nothing like Yan Wushis frequent transgressions that made Shen Qiao fu in embarrassnt, having him as company on this journey was a breeze, Shen Qiao was already easy to get along with, as others saw it, Shen Qiao was also a great companion, he didnt like to cause a scene, was more inclined to listen to what others had to say, in tis of danger hed be the most reliable support, everyone could only hope to have a friend like this.
Bian Yani and Shen Qiao hadnt crossed paths too many tis before, he was used to navigating court, he had honed his observation skills of peoples inner workings, with soone like Shen Qiao who would never betray a friend, he was naturally very willing to make this new friend, as they say one more friend ans one more escape route, although Bian Yani had been raised singlehandedly by Yan Wushi, his character was not too far off from his shifu, but compared to his shifu, he was more adaptable, Bian Yani had also seen Yan Wushis intentions, so on the road he was purposefully very friendly, the two of them got along well.
The two of them had qinggong, and good steeds, if they travelled day and night, they could make the journey in three to five days, if they travelled by day and rested nights, it would be about ten days, if Shen Qiao had been travelling alone, he would have no trouble persisting through the night, but Bian Yani was with him, and he couldnt force the other to rush with him towards Xuandushan.
Ten and so days had passed, the two arrived in Xuandu Town at the base of Xuandushan.
Bian Yani seeing how lively the town was, couldnt help smiling: In these years Xuandu Town has flourished, I was here once several years ago, back then I dont rember there being as many people.
Shen Qiao had also not been here in a long ti, he looked around in every direction: Yes, the mountains remain constant, only the people pass through!
He grew up in the mountain, was very familiar with Xuandu Town, at the mont he was more affected than Bian Yani.
The two them had sat down at a teahouse and were resting and drinking tea, the waitstaff standing by heard their conversation, and ca over to interject: Im afraid this bustle isnt going to last long!
Shen Qiao: How so?
Waitstaff: Ay, the two of you must know the hectares at the base of the mountain belong to Xuandushans daozhangs, the previous zhangjiaos were considerate of how hard our lives were, rent was very low, we were very grateful, if this had not been the case, Xuandu Town would not have flourished until today, who knows what this new zhangjiao is thinking, a couple days ago they said they were increasing this years rent, and the new rent is exponential, how are we able to make it, the businesses here whether an inn or eatery, or teahouse like ours all have to pay rent, if its like this, who dares do their business here? Our storeowner said, after this month, well pack up our things and go back to our ancestral ho!
Shen Qiao: The new zhangjiao? Is it Yu Ai?
The waitstaff shook his head: I dont think his surna was Yu, its said he only ca into the position last month, before he was Qi-zhengrens eldest disciple
Shen Qiao: Tan?
Waitstaff: Yes yes yes, it was Tan!
Shen Qiao and Bian Yani exchanged a glance.
But I thought it was Yu-zhangjiao before, how co its beco Tan-zhangjiao? Shen Qiao pushed back the rising tempest in his chest.
The waitstaff shook his head: That I dont know about!
After saying these words, and seeing more guests enter the teahouse, he rushed away.
Shen Qiao slowly furrowed his brow: How is Da-shixiong the zhangjiao, where is Yu Ai?
Bian Yani said: We departed at the end of last month, and arrived in the early part of this month, its highly likely we missed news and ssages along our journey, we should look into this, Shen-daozhang neednt worry, it would not be too late to ascend the mountain after we understand the circumstances more clearly.
Shen Qiao: That might be for the best.
In order to figure out the situation, the two of them first had to find a place to stay, an inn frequented by rchants was a good place to overhear the latest news, Bian Yani was accustod to this thod, he brought Shen Qiao to an inn that was mid-sized, said to Shen Qiao: The rchants or jianghu people all have a particularity, unless theyre a high-born noble, otherwise no one will go to an extravagant place, instead this kind of setting, not good not bad, is likely to be selected by most travellers, itll be the best place for news.
Shen Qiao had no objections, he nodded his agreent.
Xuandu Purple Pavillion no matter how you looked was a prominent Daoist sect, ever since Yu Ai announced the opening of the sects doors, there had been intermittently nurous young people arriving to beg for a master, among them were so whose qianbei were jianghu wanderers, but were greatly diminished in their generation, there were so who had heard too many wuxia stories, aspired to beco a sword shadow figure, so of their potentials were quite good, but all of them without exception did not co from an esteed family, because if they were from a prominent clan, their family would arrange a better route for them, they would have no need to traverse a thousand li to beg for a master.
Just as Bian Yani said, they would also likely pick this not-good-not-bad inn as their hobase in town.
The main hall was crowded and noisy, Bian Shen the two of them entered, found a spot and sat down.
Coincidently, several young people with swords were seated beside them, they didnt even need to ask, the others had already started discussing the most recent jianghu happenings.
One of them said: Did you hear, Huanyue Sect zongzhu sent a formal challenge letter to Hulugu!
Shen Qiao had been about to pick up a cup, but hearing this he was caught off-guard, he froze.
The author would like to say:
Lao Yan: You all really thought this venerable ones brain short-circuited, that I would go annoy Hulugu for no reason?
Yu Shengyan (with utmost respect, waiting for his lesson): Dare I ask shizun what his reason is?
Lao Yan: Its fun.
Yu Shengyan:
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