Chapter 532: A Single Word Becomes a Prophecy |
At the peak of Changbai Mountain, at the outstandingly towering heights of the Martial Temple, sixteen dark iron-colored peak rocks sat surrounding like giants. At the instant the early sun pierced through the cloud layers, the sixteen mountain peaks were plated with golden rims in the blink of an eye.
Within the Heavenly Lake water spray turned and surged. A young man abruptly drilled out from the surface of the pool, raising his hand to wipe the water stains on his face.
He distinguished the directions a bit, swimming bare-chested toward the shore.
Not far away, a middle-aged man holding a bowl of steaming hot noodles squatted outside a thatched cottage on the shore, asking: "Biao-zi, this time how long did you stay at the bottom?"
[Translation note: Skipped website advertisement message]
Wu Hongbiao answered smiling: "Uncle Changsheng, I went down yesterday at the Hai hour (9-11 PM). I just came up."
Uncle Changsheng held the bowl clicking his tongue in wonder: "You truly cultivated to become a sea turtle. How could you stay at the bottom of the water for so long? Have you grasped the doorway (figured out the trick) to the Blade Intent at the bottom of the pool?"
Wu Hongbiao laughed heihei: "The Soldier Master's Blade Intent is too fierce; I still couldn't get close to its body... However, it actually didn't actively injure me either."
Uncle Changsheng shoveled a mouthful of noodles, only then saying indistinctly: "It's strange and bizarre. Why does this Soldier Master's Blade Intent at the bottom of the pool not hack you, only hacking me? Could it be that I grew up handsome, provoking jealousy in the Soldier Master's heart?"
Wu Hongbiao looked at the scattered thatched cottages by the side of the Heavenly Lake, solitarily walking towards his own one.
When passing by a thatched cottage, the cottage's door was pushed open from the inside. Zhu Yunxi walked out holding a long blade, offering him greetings: "Just came up?"
Wu Hongbiao smiled faintly: "Going to practice the blade?"
The two of them merely offered a greeting then brushed shoulders passing by, not speaking a single extra word.
At this time, a cloth-clothes middle-aged man came from the northern slope. Wu Hongbiao and Zhu Yunxi simultaneously stopped their footsteps, cupping their hands in a salute: "Mister Wu."
Mister Wu hummed an acknowledgement.
Wu Hongbiao curiously sized up Mister Wu: "Where is Mister Wu's Silent Mountain Blade?"
Mister Wu said casually: "A Princess Liyang came to the northern slope's Mountain Gate charging the mountain. Letting her take a look at the blade, to wake up her spirit."
Zhu Yunxi stared blankly for a second: "It's that Princess Liyang who went to the Ning Dynasty?"
Mister Wu nodded his head: "It's her. Also not knowing what road she detoured on, actually returning from the Goryeo side. No need to pay attention. What the Martial Temple's Mountain Gate lacks least is precisely ambitious people. She thinks relying on her perseverance she can move our Martial Temple, but what our Martial Temple lacks least is precisely perseverance and constant heart."
As the sound of the voice just fell, the thatched cottage door Zhu Yunxi had just come out from was pushed open again. Mister Wu immediately courteously and politely saluted: "Mister Yao."
Old Man Yao walked out of the thatched cottage with his hands behind his back, instructing: "Let her ascend the mountain. I have words to ask her."
Mister Wu stared blankly, instantly complying: "Alright, I'll go right now."
Princess Liyang stood beside the Mountain Gate stone tablet, quietly looking at that blade before her.
Jiang Pan explained behind her: "This is Wu Kezhi's Silent Mountain Blade. During ordinary days when the Mountain Chief is not at the Martial Temple, the Martial Temple is entirely managed by him making the decisions. This person reached Xiantian at eleven years old, and at fourteen in the Path-Seeking Realm descended the mountain and went to Goryeo, beating all the Practitioners over there completely."
"At that time Goryeo's No-Mind Sword Path produced a Genius named Jo Gyejong. At sixteen years old at the bottom of the sea he self-comprehended the Immovable Mind Sword Path. Afterwards the No-Mind Sword Path also sought a mountain, changing the mountain's name to Martial Apex Mountain, establishing a Mountain Gate. That Jo Gyejong resides within the Asking Sword Hall. Everyone says sooner or later there will be a day he asks sword of (challenges) the Martial Temple, taking away that 'Beidou of the World' inscribed board—"
Princess Liyang interrupted saying: "This palace knows the matters behind this. Wu Kezhi climbed the gates to test his blade. After one blade strike, Jo Gyejong entered closed-door cultivation for twenty-seven years, and to this day hasn't descended Martial Apex Mountain."
Jiang Pan said in a small voice: "Now it's not called Martial Apex Mountain anymore, it's called Toddler Mountain. Altered by Wu Kezhi."
Princess Liyang said faintly: "The 'World Walkers' of the Martial Temple descending the mountain, their very first matter is precisely taking Goryeo Practitioners to test their blades and test their swords... it can also be considered a tradition. But such sharp blades and swords, actually cannot be utilized for me. What a pity."
Wu Kezhi's voice transmitted over from within the clouds and mist: "It's not that the Martial Temple cannot be utilized for people. It's merely that within this world, there is still no one qualified to wield this sword."
Princess Liyang abruptly raised her head, looking at the figure of Wu Kezhi slowly emerging from within the clouds and mists. And the Silent Mountain Blade before her hummed and trembled. With a qiang sound it flew out from the stone steps, returning to Wu Kezhi's side and hanging in suspension.
Princess Liyang deeply inhaled a breath of air, cupping her hands in salute: "Mister Wu."
Wu Kezhi turned his body ascending the mountain: "Follow me. Mister Yao wants to see you."
Princess Liyang subconsciously looked at Jiang Pan eye-to-eye. Mister Yao?
They only knew within the Martial Temple's Mountain Gate there was the Mountain Chief, Mister Wu, and Mister Changsheng. Since when did a Mister Yao multiply over?
Princess Liyang didn't think any more, stepping on the stone steps walking into the clouds and mist. Waiting until reaching the mountain peak, the scenery abruptly became clear and open. She looked from afar at that square of Heavenly Lake like a mirror, surrounded and guarded amidst the sixteen peaks. Unexpectedly for a time her heart was intoxicated.
An aged voice interrupted her train of thought: "Female doll (Little girl), come."
Princess Liyang returned to her senses. She only saw before a thatched cottage in the distance, Old Man Yao sitting on a section of wooden stump waving his hand at her. Behind Old Man Yao also stood Liang Gou'er, Liang Mao'er, and Zhu Yunxi.
She stepped forward saluting once more: "Are you perhaps Mister Yao?"
Old Man Yao waved a hand towards Wu Kezhi: "Go busy yourself."
Wu Kezhi cupped his hands bidding farewell.
Bizarre luster flashed past in Princess Liyang's eyes: "In past days I have never heard Mister Yao's esteemed name. A lack of respect. This little lady—"
Old Man Yao unhurriedly interrupted saying: "Those whose capacity is insufficient have many resentments. Those whose prestige is insufficient have much anger. Those whose knowledge is insufficient have many anxieties. Those whose 'Dao' is insufficient have many schemes and techniques... Female doll, do not use your schemes and calculations on this old man's body. Being somewhat frank and sincere is stronger than anything."
Princess Liyang slightly nodded her chin: "Yes."
Old Man Yao stared fixedly at Princess Liyang's two eyes: "In the battle of Chongli Pass, there once was someone who used Sword Seed to sever and remove Yuanheng Lizhen's facial features... You were also outside Chongli Pass that day. Do you know who this person is? Think it through properly before answering this old man. If you cannot answer it up, I will simply kill you right now."
Princess Liyang's heart sank. So it turned out the Martial Temple permitting her to ascend the mountain, was still to pressingly inquire into the matters of the Sword Seed Pathway?
She stood on the original spot remaining silent for a very long time, subsequently gritting her teeth: "Replying to Mister Yao, this subordinate truly does not know the situation... this subordinate is a weak woman. On that day escorted by the Ning Dynasty's Baron of Wuxiang County proceeding to Chongli Pass, I never once saw the battlefield."
The side of the thatched cottage quieted down.
Princess Liyang's heart was apprehensive and uneasy, her fingers gripping tightly onto her cuffs.
In the next moment, Old Man Yao unfurled his brows: "I will further ask you. Proceeding to the Ning Dynasty all along this route... did you once encounter danger?"
Princess Liyang slightly wrinkled her brow, not knowing what the other party asked this matter to do.
She pondered for a moment, speaking of all her observations and experiences along the route after leaving the Upper Capital. Yet deliberately avoiding the matters of Chen Ji and Zhang Xia, in order to prevent speaking too much and leaving behind omissions and flaws.
Old Man Yao after finishing listening shook his head: "Why not mention the Baron of Wuxiang County?"
In Princess Liyang's heart bronze bells dramatically rang out.
Why did this Mister Yao deliberately single out and mention Chen Ji? Was it that the Martial Temple already had doubts and suspicions, or a casual mention?
She said calmly and steadily: "That Baron of Wuxiang County is greedy for wealth and lustful for beauties. Not only taking the opportunity to demand and extort money and wealth from me before being willing to escort me to the Southern Dynasty's Capital City, but also wanting me to pledge myself with beautiful colors (my body)... This kind of filthy and vile petty person, is not worth mentioning."
Precisely at this time, Zhu Yunxi suddenly opened his mouth: "Nonsense, Chen Ji is not that kind of person!"
Princess Liyang was stunned and dumbfounded.
She looked at Zhu Yunxi, and again looked at Old Man Yao. Always feeling she herself had discovered some incredible matter.
Ultimately it was still Old Man Yao who couldn't keep his face taut. Cursing and swearing at Zhu Yunxi he said: "Other people's shrewdness and depth of mind are all grand seas. That bit of shrewdness of yours is so shallow it couldn't even raise a turtle. Didn't you see this old man getting words out of her? Scram to the side. As expected, whatever kind of Master teaches whatever kind of disciple; a pair of people lacking a mind's eye (foolish)."
Liang Gou'er became displeased: "Old Master, cursing him is fine. What are you cursing me for?"
Old Man Yao said angrily: "You also scram. Mao'er also scram. Seeing you guys brings up anger."
Princess Liyang said hesitatingly: "You guys—"
Waiting until the bystanders moved far away, Old Man Yao only then turned his head to look at her: "Take what you know, matters related to Chen Ji, and speak them out one by one."
Princess Liyang remained silent for a moment, continuing with a beautiful and gentle smile: "Alright."
This time, she took how she and Chen Ji encountered each other, and how she was coerced and seized by Chen Ji, speaking it all out in careful detail. Even her own thigh being injured by Chen Ji using feathered arrows was also spoken together with it.
Seeing Old Man Yao listening earnestly, she simply spoke again of the matter of Zhang Xia charging the White Tiger Hall for Chen Ji. Following this was after leaving Baidadan City, the matter of Chen Ji proceeding to Tiger Back to rescue colleagues, and being carried back by Zhang Xia braving death once more.
Old Man Yao stroked his beard, sighing: "Sinful affinity (ill-fated relationship)."
Princess Liyang was bewildered: "Why does Mister Yao say it is a sinful affinity?"
Old Man Yao sneered coldly: "What is a sinful affinity? Two people with paranoid and stubborn dispositions stacking their lives together. One enduring and refraining, one unyielding and fierce. Entangling and twisting together. Becoming unable to succeed yet also unable to break it off. This is precisely a sinful affinity."
Princess Liyang shook her head: "What Mister Yao says is not correct. I actually feel they instead are the most well-matched. With Chen Ji's disposition, he must have a person who cannot be pushed away, cannot be beaten into scattering, right by his side... only that will do."
Old Man Yao sized up Princess Liyang full of interest: "You... you actually intimately understand Chen Ji quite well."
Princess Liyang smiled faintly: "Mister Yao. He and I, good or bad, also hold a relationship of having passed through life-or-death together."
Old Man Yao gave a scoffing laugh: "Yours is a relationship of your life being saved by him. Continue speaking. Speak of other matters."
Princess Liyang sought a patch of grass opposite Old Man Yao and sat down, slowly recalling: "Returning to Changping, the Court of State Ceremonial made things difficult for him. Unwilling to let him transport the coffins entering the capital from Guangning Gate and Anding Gate. But he didn't want to endure this mouthful of air (this grievance) ... No, if it was his own matter, perhaps he would have endured it. But not letting those dead colleagues of his walk through Anding Gate, he simply didn't wish to endure it anymore..."
One person spoke, one person listened. Speaking from early morning until noon. Princess Liyang finished speaking of everything she saw with her own eyes, along with the things she had inquired about also spoken together with it.
Persisting until her mouth was parched and her tongue dry, Old Man Yao slowly stood his body up, lowering his head to look at Princess Liyang: "Charging the Mountain Gate was in order to seek helpers?"
Princess Liyang curtsied: "Correct. Inviting the Martial Temple to assist me."
Old Man Yao turned his body walking toward the thatched cottage: "The Martial Temple will not help you. But I can bring those three muddle-headed eggs along to take a trip with you."
Saying so, he waved his hand towards the three people in the distance: "Descend the mountain. Going to do proper business."
Princess Liyang suddenly asked behind Old Man Yao: "You are陳 Ji's closest relative, right? Just now sending those three people away, was also not wanting them to guess that Chen Ji cultivated the Sword Seed Pathway. Old Master, I previously said to Chen Ji, from now on he would precisely be my greatest backer. Didn't expect, A Single Word Becomes a Prophecy."
Old Man Yao turned his head back to look at her: "You had best let this matter of the Sword Seed Pathway rot inside your belly. The reason you can be alive right now, is also because you didn't speak this matter out."
Princess Liyang smiled performing a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting: "Following orders."
(End of this chapter)