Chapter 1058: Unbroken Past Twenty-Seven

Two days later, Sun Yiqiu, Li Dongdong, and Hu Yun were all at the entrance of the inn outside Tianniu Square, seeing off the scholar named Hong and the two elderly people.

Over the past two days, in addition to letting the two elderly people rest, the group also helped them go to the county office to inquire about household registration and check within the county. Hu Yun even requested the help of underworld officials to review the underworld records, searching for the elderly couple's daughter in Ning'an County. After a thorough search, while it couldn't be said there were absolutely no omissions, they essentially found no trace of her.

Today, the group was to fulfill their promise and send the two elderly people home. The scholar Hong was also about to leave, so he volunteered to take on this task, hiring a carriage to personally escort the two elderly people back home.

The carriage was already parked in front of the inn, and the two elderly people were being helped out by the group.

"Come, mind the threshold." "The stool is set."

"Please be careful when getting into the carriage, elders."

The two elderly people repeatedly said, "Alright," and then, one after the other, they got into the carriage. They settled onto the stools inside and looked at the four young people outside, their eyes welling up with tears.

"Good people, all of you are good people!" they exclaimed. "My wife and I will pray for you every day, wishing you long lives and peace each year!"

"Yes, yes," the other added, "we probably can't repay you in this lifetime. If there's a next life, we will surely repay our benefactors!"

"Without you, we might have died as strangers in a foreign land!"

As they spoke, the two elderly people, who had already settled in the carriage, tried to stand up and kneel. Sun Yiqiu and the others quickly stopped them, and the scholar Hong waved his hands repeatedly.

"No, no, you mustn't!" he said. "Elders, you are too old to perform such a great bow to us juniors. This would be too much for us!"

"Yes, it was just a small effort," another added. "Elders, please go back and live well; perhaps your daughter will find her way home!"

"Waaah..." they sobbed. "Yes, thank you, benefactors, for your kind words!"

The two elderly people were still weeping. The coachman waiting nearby shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly at their plight.

After comforting the elderly couple, the scholar Hong cupped his hands in greeting before Sun Yiqiu and the others.

"All good things must come to an end, Brother Sun, Miss Li, and Miss Hu Yun," he said. "I will surely escort the two elders safely back to their home and ensure they are settled. But with this farewell, I wonder when we shall meet again! Alas!"

Sun Yiqiu felt a little emotional. He considered himself and the scholar to be good friends now, and was very reluctant to part.

"Brother Hong, I am also very reluctant to see you go," Sun Yiqiu replied. "Brother Hong, you have great aspirations. When you achieve fame in the future, please don't forget your humble brother!"

"Hahaha, Brother Sun, you are my good friend; how could I forget you in the future?" the scholar Hong chuckled. "By the way, I see that Brother Sun also longs for the outside world. If there's a chance, why not travel for a bit, or even travel with me?"

"This..."

Sun Yiqiu was clearly very tempted, but after glancing at Li Dongdong beside him, he scratched his head.

"Let's talk about it if the opportunity arises."

The scholar Hong didn't press the matter. He then looked at the two women standing to the side. Li Dongdong had been secretly observing Hu Yun, thinking, "Why does this Miss Hu, dressed so neutrally, become more beautiful the more I look at her? Even I, a woman, am feeling drawn to her. It's a good thing Sun Yiqiu truly has no other intentions with her, otherwise I would have no confidence at all."

"Miss Hu Yun!"

The scholar Hong cupped his hands towards Hu Yun. Hu Yun, who had been standing silently since the two elders got into the carriage, merely glanced at him.

"Please speak, Young Master Hong."

"Uh, humble me, may I presumptuously ask," he stammered, "if you, Miss, have a favored gentleman?"

"My 'gentleman,' you say?!" Hu Yun cursed inwardly, her face stern as she replied.

"No, I do not. And I have no romantic feelings for Young Master Hong whatsoever," she stated. "I hope Young Master Hong will conduct himself with self-respect."

The scholar Hong's initial excitement, visible after her first word, froze on his face. Sun Yiqiu and Li Dongdong felt as if they heard a heartbroken sound; one sighed, while the other secretly snickered.

"Is that... is that so?" he faltered. "I hope Miss Hu will find her ideal gentleman soon. And if by any chance you remember me, Hong, please..."

"Rest assured, Young Master Hong, I won't."

Hu Yun offered a strained, unconvincing smile, which still made the scholar stare blankly.

"Alright, it's getting late if we delay any longer," Hu Yun added. "Young Master Sun also needs to go back and help in the kitchen."

"How cold!" Li Dongdong and Sun Yiqiu both felt a little pity for the scholar Hong. However, despite his disappointment, he was still quite free-spirited.

"Indeed," the scholar Hong said, "I also have my own affairs and cannot stay here long, what a pity! Friends, let us part ways today. May we meet again if fate allows!"

"May we meet again!" he added. "Unfortunately, I wanted to visit the Temple of the Sage of Literature once more, but I've already set a time with the coachman. If Brother Sun has time, please pay respects on my behalf, fulfilling my duty as a scholar!"

"Rest assured, Brother Hong, I will definitely go. Have a safe journey!"

"It would be best if Miss Hu Yun could also join you in praying for me, hahahaha!"

"I'll do my best!" Sun Yiqiu promised. "It's settled then; don't forget your friend's request!"

Hu Yun swept a glance at the scholar, who quickly cupped his hands in return.

Everyone parted ways here. The scholar Hong and the elderly couple in the carriage waved together.

The carriage moved further and further away, and the scholar Hong's faint voice carried back: "The falling flowers long to follow the flowing stream, but the flowing stream has no desire for the falling flowers!"

After the carriage left, Li Dongdong couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Pfft, this Young Master Hong is truly amusing," she chuckled. "He's much better at pleasing people than you, you blockhead. Miss Hu, don't you agree?"

"I suppose so."

This marked the conclusion of a matter. The three left, chatting and laughing, and parted ways outside Tianniu Square. Just as Hu Yun was about to leave, Sun Yiqiu, after some hesitation, called out to her.

"Miss Hu, if it's possible, I still hope you can join us in going to the Temple of Literature to pay respects to the Sage of Literature and pray for Brother Hong."

Hu Yun turned and glanced at the two of them. Despite her appearance as a delicate woman, that glance was full of imposing presence, making both Sun Yiqiu and Li Dongdong feel a chill in their hearts.

"Alright, I'll go with you after my stall closes in the evening."

Sun Yiqiu let out a sigh of relief and quickly thanked her.

When Hu Yun returned to Jù'ān Pavilion, she suddenly noticed an extra person there. This person wore a pale yellow robe, with long, flowing white beard and hair, and was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea. The atmosphere in the courtyard was strange, with no one speaking.

Hu Yun gently pushed open the door and walked in with a strange expression.

"Uh, Master, what's wrong with you all? And who is this...?"

Hu Yun's words trailed off midway as she suddenly widened her eyes. Due to a significant change in presence and appearance, she hadn't recognized him at first. But now she clearly understood who the person sitting there was.

"Divine Lord?"

Although the expressions of the people in the courtyard were subtle, Hu Yun finally recognized who the visitor was. It was none other than Qin Zizhou, the Border-Roaming Divine Lord, who had also been missing for several hundred years and truly stood above all other deities in the Heavenly Realm.

Influenced by the Heavenly Realm's prosperity and the reverence of all mortals and even all deities, Qin Zizhou now appeared full of majesty in Hu Yun's eyes. Even without overtly displaying divine power, he was enough to inspire awe.

"Oh? It's that little fox."

Qin Zizhou nodded slightly. Hu Yun felt the atmosphere was off. She cautiously walked in but couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"What's going on here? Master? Lu Shan-jun? Jujube Niang? Ying Long-jun?"

The old dragon held his teacup, neither drinking nor speaking. Lu Shan-jun stood behind Ji Yuan like a statue. Jujube Niang went to Hu Yun's side, tugged her sleeve, silently telling her not to speak further. Ji Yuan, meanwhile, rested a hand on the table, stroking his chin.

"Master Ji," Qin Zizhou began, "you once tasked me with overseeing the Heavenly Realm. This old man has now accomplished that. I have always believed you were still in the world; I just didn't expect to wait so many years. I have said all I needed to say just now. I hope Master Ji will keep it in mind!"

Qin Zizhou drained the tea in his cup and sighed softly.

"The tea here is still the best," he continued. "For nearly a thousand years, I have become less like myself. I truly envy Master Ji for having such courage back then."

Hearing this, Ji Yuan stood up. He solemnly cupped his hands and bowed to Qin Zizhou. The latter, slightly stunned, also quickly rose and returned the gesture.

"It is I, Ji Yuan, who has wronged Lord Qin!" he said. "And thank you, Lord Qin, for your reminder today; I shall bear it in mind!"

"Master, you jest," Qin Zizhou replied. "Without Master Ji, there would be no present for all living beings in the world. As for me, there's no talk of apology; you never forced me. Alright, my presence here seems to be spoiling the atmosphere. Everyone, I, Qin, shall take my leave now."

Qin Zizhou returned the bow and stood up. He then walked out of Jù'ān Pavilion, his form directly dissipating at the entrance.

"Phew."

Hu Yun let out a small breath. Just having Divine Lord Qin stand there gave her an intense sense of oppression.

"What exactly just happened?" she asked. "Isn't Divine Lord Qin Master's good friend? Why was it so oppressive?"

Ji Yuan shook his head and sighed.

"Lord Qin supports the Heavenly Realm, revered by all beings as the Divine Lord of the Heavenly Realm," he explained. "He is now no longer his own master, bound by heaven and earth, and influenced by the collective desires of all beings."

Hu Yun paused for a moment, deep in thought.

After seeing Qin Zizhou, Ji Yuan understood. Qin Zizhou was revered as the foremost deity of the Heavenly Realm, worshipped by all beings. The collective desires of all beings, and even the wishes of heaven and earth from the three realms standing side by side, had deeply bound him. Even his appearance had changed, becoming closer to the Divine Lord 'imagined' by heaven, earth, and all beings.

The old dragon also couldn't help but sigh.

"I never expected he had been missing for so many years for this reason," the old dragon remarked. "If Master Ji hadn't left behind the Book of Heaven and Earth back then, Lord Qin might have even lost himself. Alas, but this was also his choice. It is precisely because of people like Master Ji and Lord Qin in this world that the three relatively stable realms can now exist, and the destiny of heaven and earth can be endlessly long!"

Hu Yun was no longer the naive little fox she once was. She had understood these words. Besides her shock, she also felt deeply moved, and then quietly asked Jujube Niang beside her.

"So Divine Lord Qin just came here to complain?"

Jujube Niang rolled her eyes at Hu Yun.

"How could that be!"

The old dragon shook his head with a smile.

"When Lord Qin learned of Master Ji's presence, he came immediately to warn him," the old dragon explained with a smile. "As the saying goes, 'He who abandons heaven and earth shall be abandoned by heaven and earth!' What do you say, Master Ji? Can you still be as carefree now?"

"Master, from now on, if anything arises, your disciple will handle everything," Lu Shan-jun said. "Although your disciple is dull, I have never neglected my cultivation and will surely be able to alleviate your worries!"

Lu Shan-jun stood beside them, bowing deeply to Ji Yuan and speaking solemnly.

Ji Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"You make it sound as if I, Ji Yuan, like to spend all day looking for fights," Ji Yuan said with a wry smile. "I barely have any magical power left. Even if I had the will, I lack the strength!"

"Master!"

"Alright, I understand."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he looked up at the sky, feeling a pang of regret for Qin Zizhou. What if he had given up the power of heaven and earth back then?

'Abandon heaven and earth? Am I, Ji Yuan, abandoning heaven and earth?' he thought. 'I am deeply attached to heaven and earth. I simply don't want to become some emotionless Heavenly Dao robot, for goodness sake. Seriously, do they need to hold a grudge against me?'