Chapter 583: Heart at Ease, Expert

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Common Pursuit

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[Novel Title] Zongheng, Author: Fenghuo Xizhu Hou

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Common Pursuit

Fenghuo Xizhu Hou

An old man, known by a formidable nickname, spared the despicable official’s life. It wasn't out of a compassionate heart, but because Wang Shiwei promised a life for a life, willing to owe Elder Shen a debt that could be collected at any time with just a word. Everyone in Beiliang valued promises, and Shen Li, who had seen countless people, trusted his judgment regarding a straightforward man like Wang Shiwei, who was slow of speech but sincere. In any case, a minor county official, once he entered Fulushan, a veritable dragon's den, would not escape death. By not personally killing him, Shen Li wouldn't be breaking his word, and he would still gain the life of a simple man for free.

Subsequently, eight people on six horses galloped towards Fulushan under the cold moonlight. The county official was carelessly thrown onto a horse. Wang Shiwei, unable to ride, sat behind Liu Yu. Shen Li rode at full speed, not bothering with the pitiful county official who bounced and jolted on the horse's back, eventually falling off, covered in dust. Everyone had to stop their horses and throw him back on, but he still hadn't woken up.

Fulushan, located two hundred li away, was what people like Shen Li in the martial world called it. However, the woodcutters and hunters of Yanzhi County habitually referred to it as Jinji Mountain (Golden Pheasant Mountain) because it was home to many red-bellied pheasants, which were favored by the Beiliang dandies for cockfighting. Yet, it was rumored that remnants of a demonic cult had taken over Jinji Mountain, consisting of vicious bandits who killed without batting an eye. The place was desolate, and even old hunters dared not risk their lives there, which was why red-bellied pheasants near Yanzhi County were always in demand but rarely available. Fulushan's peaks stretched for dozens of li, with towering mountains, long rivers, and elegant scenery, boasting a rare abundance of greenery for Youzhou. What should have been a blessed land was instead turned into a murky, chaotic place by these bandits. Even from a distance in broad daylight, the mountain range exuded an eerie, chilling aura.

Yanzhi County had previously launched major bandit suppression campaigns, but after eighty strong men went in and only one madman returned alive, no one dared to provoke that misfortune again. A woodcutter who led government soldiers for money soon had his entire family hanged from tall branches, with large pieces of gold and silver stuffed into their mouths. The mountain path of Fulushan was narrow and rugged, barely wide enough for a single horse to proceed slowly. They entered the mountain at dawn. As the morning light grew stronger and the mountain mist gradually dispersed, the six riders found themselves without a clear path, relying solely on experience to ascend. By noon, their vision suddenly cleared, revealing a large expanse of white-walled, black-tiled buildings built against the mountainside. To the left of the buildings, a delicate waterfall, not grand in scale but full of charm, cascaded down. It was like walking into a notorious gambling house only to find the owner was a petite, exquisite young woman.

Shen Li turned back and smiled, "Wang Shiwei, this is the true Fulushan. Those outer peaks, though seemingly uninhabited, all conceal beacon towers, not much different from military fortifications. This mountain has over three hundred people, and whether young or old, male or female, they all possess some martial skills. Forget Yanzhi County, even if a Youzhou general wanted to enter, he wouldn't make it here without losing a thousand lives outside. Moreover, beyond this mountain lies another; three li from Fulushan, there's the Immortal Coffin Cave with over a hundred true men. Masters are as numerous as clouds. The master of the Sunken Sword Cave, who leads them, already had the 'Minor Grandmaster' realm before entering the mountain. His strength is only higher, not lower, than Zhang Juxian, the second-rank master of Fulushan."

Shen Li laughed heartily, retracting his gaze to look up the mountain. "What's the point of telling all this to a country bumpkin like you? Even if you started practicing martial arts today, you wouldn't master any tricks; mere brute strength won't make you a master. If you want revenge, then later on the mountain, you'll have to behave yourself and build relationships. After a few years, you can gather twenty or thirty brothers to descend the mountain, and a delicate Song family scion will be easy pickings for you to slaughter as you wish. There are plenty of rough men on the mountain who favor 'cut sleeves' (homosexual relationships), so you don't have to worry about your enemy dying too comfortably. Lord County Official, this old man knows you woke up a stick of incense ago. Stop feigning sleep; this last part was meant for you."

Xu Zhubo, the county official of Bishan, slid off his horse, rubbing his stomach. His internal organs were likely jostled and disoriented from the bumpy ride, and his face was pale. Wang Shiwei also dismounted, approached him, and apologized, "Lord County Official, I'm truly sorry, this sinner Wang Shiwei..."

Before the man could finish, County Official Xu made a gesture as if to strike him but quickly withdrew his hand, sighing heavily. He gazed blankly at the tall mountain, wondering why it was named "Fululu" (Talisman). Liu Yu nudged his shoulder, and County Official Xu followed Wang Shiwei up the steps. The bluestone path was shaded by trees on both sides, making the midday heat bearable. As they ascended, they didn't see many sentries in plain sight. Shen Li, having escaped imprisonment, seemed to feel some emotion revisiting the familiar place, while Liu Yu whispered to the elder. Upon reaching a pavilion with upturned eaves halfway up the mountain, two white-robed youths carrying books appeared from the side of the mountain path. They had red lips and white teeth. Behind them, a white-haired, white-robed elder rode a yellow ox, exuding an even greater air of immortality as he sang, "Riding a yellow ox backward, hands hanging loosely in the spring breeze." This made Wang Shiwei mistakenly believe they were truly immortal recluses living in the mountains.

Standing at the top of the steps, Shen Li exposed the old immortal's true nature with a single remark, laughing, "Mountain Master Wei, what's the use of playing divine tricks on this mountain? This attire only serves to deceive and defraud outside the mountain. Still, among Youzhou's Ten Bandits, you, old Wei, rank before me. The moment you show your face, you'd be chased and killed by hundreds of government cavalry."

The old Mountain Master of Fulushan sneered, "Shen Li, 'King of Hell, Slicer of Hearts,' how would this old man dare to be listed among Youzhou's Ten Great Bandits alongside you? You're even called 'King of Hell,' more terrifying than a human butcher! If Brother Juxian weren't an old acquaintance of yours and once owed you a favor, this old man would never have let my apprentice get involved in this mess in Bishan County."

Shen Li twisted his right wrist with two fingers of his left hand, chuckling softly, "Wei Jin, neither of us is any good; we're two of a kind. It's a wonder the Sunken Sword Cave Master didn't tear that foul mouth of yours with his sword back then. Why don't you cherish it, old man?"

Perhaps one of Fulushan's leaders, the old man, glanced at County Official Xu in his sixth-rank official attire and the peasant Wang Shiwei, looking somewhat puzzled. His apprentice, Liu Yu, walked to the yellow ox and quickly explained the general situation. The old man nodded and then shook his head, leading the way up the mountain on his ox. The two white-robed youths, with their nimble footsteps, clearly possessed remarkable light-body martial arts. To be able to apprentice under Mountain Master Wei, one of Fulushan's top three masters, their innate talent and fortune must surely not be poor. Xu Fengnian appeared bruised and swollen. He deliberately concealed all his internal energy, making his body and breathing seem no different from an ordinary person. Wei Jin, after all, was not a true immortal, so he naturally couldn't discern the young official's true cultivation realm.

Xu Fengnian and Wang Shiwei were settled in a secluded residence. To their surprise, there were even two refined maidservants of average appearance to attend to their daily needs. Seeing how content they seemed, it was likely they were abducted and brought to the mountain at a young age. Whether their fate was pitiful or fortunate was hard to say, as life on the mountain, though not luxurious, at least guaranteed food and clothing without worry. Wang Shiwei waited for the curious maids to bring tea and food, then close the door and leave. The middle-aged man, originally the foremost constable of Qing'an Commandery, cautiously walked to the window, pressing his ear to the paper, and hearing no sound, finally returned to the table. He watched the county official gobble down his food. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Fengnian grabbed a greasy chicken leg and threw it at Wang Shiwei, cutting him off. Glaring in exasperation, Xu Fengnian cursed, "You son of a bitch, Wang Shiwei! You've made a dignified county official like me a prisoner! If I ever return to Bishan County, I'll skin and dismember you!"

Wang Shiwei caught the chicken leg and smiled wryly, "I hope Lord County Official can descend the mountain safely."

After eating and drinking his fill, our Lord County Official leisurely picked his teeth with a bamboo skewer, leaned back in his chair, and propped his feet on the table. Then, he and the chair tumbled onto the floor. Wang Shiwei suddenly turned and looked up, seeing a beautiful woman sitting on the roof beam, a knife across her lap. She grinned, revealing a pair of fangs. Wang Shiwei was horrified; he hadn't noticed anything amiss moments ago. If he had revealed any secrets to County Official Xu, he truly would have doomed this young official, who was a decent man and official.

The woman looked to be in her early twenties, a short sword with a gold-wrapped sheath resting on her lap. She floated down from the beam to the floor, circled Xu Fengnian, and examined him from head to toe. On Fulushan, she had seen all sorts of desperadoes since childhood, but an official, a pathetic bug wrapped in official attire, was a first! She reached out, pinched Xu Fengnian's embroidered bird insignia on his official robe, and asked with a smile, "How high-ranking an official are you? What's embroidered on this?"

Xu Fengnian, feigning composure, replied, "To answer you, miss, I am a sixth-rank official, serving as the County Official of Bishan County, an auxiliary sixth-rank civil official. The embroidery is a heron."

The woman tugged at the official insignia, then reluctantly withdrew her hand, letting out a chuckle. "Snow-clad feathers, snow-white hair, a jade-green beak, often standing on one leg facing a boat window. It's an egret, I know that. How about you give me this official uniform? I guarantee your safety on Fulushan, what do you say?"

Ignoring Wang Shiwei's suggestive glance, Xu Fengnian's righteous declaration was profoundly ill-timed. He stated solemnly, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated."

Wang Shiwei sighed in dismay. The young woman slapped the official insignia on the petty official's robe, rolling her eyes. "Scholar, my foot! Humiliate, my ass! You sound as sanctimonious as Grandpa Wei, but do you have his martial skill? You, just wait for the 'fish scale peeling' punishment! You know what fish scales are, right? One cut after another, until you're scraped clean like a carp with all its scales lifted! Hmph, Brother Hou, the executioner on this mountain, his blade skills are only slightly inferior to my father's."

As she spoke, the woman raised her arm and made a chopping motion, mimicking a knife, then asked with a smile, "I'll give you one more chance. Are you taking it off or not?"

The woman was impatient. Seeing no reaction from him, she shouted, "I'll do it myself!" and quickly, with practiced ease, caring nothing for gender propriety, stripped off the official uniform, tossed it lightly over her shoulder, and happily skipped out of the room.

Xu Fengnian sat back down, poured Wang Shiwei a full cup of wine, and muttered, "She really is a female bandit."

Wang Shiwei said with quiet regret, "County Official Xu, you should have agreed to her."

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "I appreciate the good intention."

Wang Shiwei hesitated, moved his chair closer, and lowered his voice, saying, "To be frank, Lord County Official, I, Wang Shiwei, am actually a constable from Qing'an Commandery. I've been tailing Shen Li and his gang for a full six years. For the past half-year, I've used a 'ruse of self-inflicted injury' in cooperation with my old acquaintance Song Yu from Yanzhi County to set up this trap. I never imagined it would endanger you, Lord County Official."

Xu Fengnian asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll expose this?"

Wang Shiwei shook his head, "As long as I successfully reach Fulushan, my mission is complete. After that, it's up to Song Yu and County Captain Bai whether they can gather enough forces to suppress the bandits."

Hide replies 2nd Floor 2014-03-28 12:01:2014-03-28 12:01: On time2014-03-28 12:02: Pseudo-front2014-03-28 12:02: Interrupted

Wang Shiwei, full of worry, sighed, "However, in my opinion, victory is hard to predict. Originally, Song Yu and I estimated that a hundred elite armored soldiers plus three or four hundred constables from Qing'an and Yanzhi commanderies would be enough to storm Fulushan and eradicate this deep-rooted cancer in Youzhou. But along the way, the beacon towers are set up subtly according to military strategy, and the hidden sentry posts are very well-organized. What I fear most is that once the five hundred government troops finally enter the mountain, these villains from Fulushan and Immortal Coffin Cave might prefer to abandon their strongholds rather than engage in battle. Mountain bandits are easy to suppress, but roving bandits are hard to find."

Xu Fengnian asked curiously, "Constable Wang, with such elaborate planning, and even risking your own life, what do you hope to gain?"

Wang Shiwei paused, then smiled broadly. "Gain what? Lord County Official, allow me to boldly ask you: as an official in a region, shouldn't one bring prosperity to its people? I, Wang Shiwei, have been a constable for most of my life, and I've personally seen over sixty brothers die in the line of duty. If I truly scheme for anything, it's merely for peace of mind."

This time, it was Xu Fengnian's turn to be stunned. He then smiled in understanding, raised his wine cup, and said, "To you."

Wang Shiwei raised his cup, drank it in one gulp, and poured himself another. "This truly is good wine. Normally, with my meager salary, I can barely support my family; I certainly couldn't afford to drink this."

Xu Fengnian muttered to himself, "Hmm, your salaries should indeed be increased."

Wang Shiwei laughed heartily, "Lord County Official, I'll take that as a good omen."

Xu Fengnian took a small sip of the mellow wine and asked, "According to the 'King of Hell, Slicer of Hearts,' the Master of Sunken Sword Cave possesses Minor Grandmaster strength, and might even be a first-rank master. Zhang Juxian from Fulushan is also a long-renowned master. Putting aside the over four hundred bandits across both mountains, just these two alone would be enough to give the government soldiers a massive headache. Unless elite crossbow infantry from one of Youzhou's current four commanding officers are deployed, accompanied by a large number of experienced scouts to clear the path, even doubling the number of troops wouldn't guarantee success, let alone four hundred men. Master Wang, it seems to me that your plan, along with that young master Song who helped you with this elaborate act, will most likely fall through. What's more, you'll be kicked when you're down afterwards, and it'll be hard to say if you'll even receive your salary again."

Wang Shiwei, whose eyebrows were naturally downturned, drooped even further. He took a heavy gulp of wine, then clenched his fist and slammed it hard on his leg, his expression growing even more bitter. He muttered glumly, "I initially didn't know that besides Fulushan, Jinji Mountain also had a sect called Immortal Coffin Cave, nor did I expect there to be a major bandit there comparable to Zhang Juxian."

Xu Fengnian comforted him, "If Song Yu is a steady individual, Master Wang, you don't need to worry too much. Once the bandit suppression campaign in the mountains is hindered, the government will naturally know to increase troop strength. Moreover, such a monumental achievement, everyone will want a piece of it. Currently, the prominent military families in Youzhou are fretting over how to curry favor with the new Inspector and General Huangfu Ping. As soon as they smell blood, they will certainly spare no expense or effort to annihilate the Jinji Mountain bandits."

Wang Shiwei's eyes lit up, and he said with heartfelt admiration, "Lord County Official, what you say is absolutely right! I am truly ashamed of my inferiority! Heh, it's not false modesty, though I, Wang, can roughly be considered a third-rank martial practitioner, which allowed me to 'steal' the position of leading six hundred constables in Qing'an Commandery, I actually have a very clear understanding of myself. When it comes to being an official, I'm not even a ninth-rank. Compared to you, Lord County Official, the difference is like heaven and earth!"

Xu Fengnian teased, "Master Wang, are you flattering a county official who ranks even lower than you? Have you brought a pig's head to the wrong temple? Your official skills are indeed not that great!"

Wang Shiwei gave a thumbs-up and laughed heartily, his downturned eyebrows subtly lifting a few degrees. "Lord County Official, I'm a rough man, but no matter how you feel, I'm going to recognize you as my brother. You're just my type! If you and I truly make it out of Jinji Mountain alive, I'll definitely introduce you to that kid Song Yu. He reads a lot; with me, it's always more drinking and less talking, but you two will definitely hit it off."

Xu Fengnian clinked cups with the man, and both drained their drinks.

There were two pots of wine on the table, easily two and a half jin in total. While drinking to drown sorrows often makes one harder to get drunk, happiness makes one tipsy more easily. Wang Shiwei drank most of it and then, feeling drowsy, simply slumped onto the table and fell asleep. Xu Fengnian smiled, got up, opened the door, and walked out. Two maidservants were sitting at a stone table in the distant courtyard, a piece of colored Xuan paper spread on it. They were whispering to each other when they looked up and saw the young gentleman without his official uniform. They exchanged smiles. They were in the prime of their youth, with slender fingers like green onions holding cinnabar, and their attire was suitably cool for the weather. Not only were their fair necks exposed, but more importantly, their alluring bosoms, poised to emerge, could not be concealed. Perhaps the mountain food was too good; though young, both girls had well-developed figures that swayed without sagging.

Xu Fengnian approached and saw that what they were writing with fine charcoal pencils was actually Beiliang Women's Script, originally created by "Lady Scholar" Yan Dongwu. This script was unique, with all characters comprising only four basic strokes: dot, vertical, diagonal, and arc. As Yan Dongwu became the Crown Princess of the Liyang Dynasty, this women's script also became popular across the land, earning the title "Lady Scholar Style," gaining fame alongside Jin Lanting's Lanting Xuan paper from the Libationer of the Imperial College. Xu Fengnian reached out a finger to press on the coarse Xuan paper, about to decipher the writing, when a burst of noisy footsteps came from outside the courtyard. The two maids, who had been quite courteous to him, hastily put away their charcoal pencils and Xuan paper, then stood up to greet someone. A burly young man with a saber strapped to his side emerged from the courtyard gate, staring intensely at Xu Fengnian. He asked, "Are you Xu Qi? The county official from Bishan County?"

Xu Fengnian nodded.

The young man's lips twitched as he sneered, "What a coincidence. You're to be the main course for our celebration banquet – the 'fish scale peeling.' You reek of alcohol, so it seems you've already had your last drink. Let's go! If your legs are weak, let those two women in the courtyard help you. I'm an easygoing fellow, so on the way, feel free to grope them. As long as you keep moving, stripping off their clothes and touching them all over won't be a problem."

The two maidservants turned pale and lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the young saber-wielder, who was notorious on Fulushan.

Xu Fengnian asked a rather redundant question, "Can't I just... not die?"

Behind the young man were several armed retainers, also carrying sabers. They looked the part, appearing fierce and intimidating. In a small town, with their physique and appearance, they would be highly sought-after thugs by minor sects and gangs. After all, local brawls often relied more on intimidation than actual fighting; being able to subdue opponents with a mere glare, without fighting, was considered best. The young man gestured with his chin, no words needed. A tall retainer with sleeves rolled up to his shoulders stepped forward and seized Xu Fengnian's shoulder. Just as the burly man was about to show this frail scholar a thing or two, a delicate shout came from behind him, "Ironhead, stop!"

Hide replies 30th Floor 2014-03-28 12:01: Damn it!2014-03-28 12:02: Tea egg suppression2014-03-28 12:02: On time.2014-03-28 12:02: Frog mirror2014-03-28 12:02: Front2014-03-28 12:02: Really got put in solitary!1 more reply,

The young saber-wielder reluctantly turned his head, saw the graceful figure, and called out softly, "Miss."

The woman with the gold-wrapped short sword revealed her small fangs, "Brother Hou, junior sister, you know to call me junior sister, right?"

The young man said nothing. The woman pointed at Xu Fengnian, "I have something for him to do. Don't kill him yet."

A golden snub-nosed monkey leaped onto the young saber-wielder's shoulder. He rubbed the monkey's head and frowned, "Miss, kill this person quickly. This is the Mountain Master's order, and your subordinate dares not defy it."

The young woman giggled, "On Fulushan, my father is the boss, and I, well, I happen to be *his* boss. So, whose orders should you follow? Brother Hou, if my father asks later, just say I stopped it."

Likely familiar with this unwritten rule on the mountain, the saber-wielder indeed departed with a wry smile.

The woman looked at Xu Fengnian and asked with a smile, "How good is your handwriting? If it's acceptable, help me write a letter. Consider it repayment for saving your life, and, well, for that official uniform too."

Before Xu Fengnian could say anything, the woman began ordering the two maids to bring the Four Treasures of the Study. As soon as a brush with a deep tip, made of sheep's hair, was dipped in good ink, she impatiently snatched it from a maid and offered it to Xu Fengnian. Xu Fengnian took the brush, which was a Beiliang specialty made from yellow goat tail bristles. Scholars from other regions often disparaged it as "Beiliang dross," detesting its soft and boneless quality; almost no great calligraphers from the Central Plains throughout history chose this brush for their work. After Xu Fengnian sat down, he gently rolled the brush tip in the inkstone again. Once the ink's consistency on the brush tip was just right, he suspended his arm and looked up, asking, "What should I write?"

The woman paused, then exclaimed with delighted surprise, "Oh, look at your posture! A true master reveals himself the moment he makes a move. You're an expert, absolutely an expert! I've really found a treasure!"

Xu Fengnian continued to wait.

The woman chuckled, then also sat down, dismissing the two maids. She looked around, then lowered her voice and said, "As for what's in books, I only know how to memorize some things by rote. If I truly have to put brush to paper myself, it's useless. Besides, my handwriting... it's a little unsightly. But Brother Lu, on the neighboring mountain, is very learned, and he doesn't like crazy women who brandish swords and spears; he prefers gentle and cultured ladies. The only time I secretly went down the mountain, I almost died outside, but thankfully I bought a few 'talented scholar and beautiful lady' novels. I was so envious of 'swans carrying letters' that I specifically raised a few carrier geese, just waiting for someone with beautiful handwriting to appear! You've come at just the right time. Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

Xu Fengnian, who should have been rampaging and killing on Fulushan by now, grumbled, "Have you decided what you want to write or not?"

The woman, completely unreserved, replied, "Nope!"

Xu Fengnian placed the goat hair brush on the ancient inkstone, holding his breath and concentrating.

The woman looked like she was racking her brains. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she finally looked deflated and tentatively asked, "How about you just casually write a few dozen characters for me?"

Xu Fengnian opened his eyes and stared at this young mistress of Fulushan.

The woman glared and loudly declared, "What are you looking at? If I didn't need something from you, I'd have had Brother Hou drag you off for a thousand cuts already!"

As an experienced old constable, Wang Shiwei was a light sleeper. Startled by the woman's voice, he quickly rushed out of the room and was relieved to see his like-minded friend, County Official Xu, safe and sound. Despite her seemingly silly speech and behavior, the woman glanced sideways at Wang Shiwei and tutted, "Your footsteps are very light, aren't they? Weren't you, Wang Shiwei, just a simple peasant with brute strength? Is Shen Li harboring ulterior motives, or has this old fox been completely deceived by you?"

Wang Shiwei maintained his simple, honest smile and said nothing.

Xu Fengnian calmly asked, "Are you going to write your love letter or not?"

The woman quickly said, "Of course I'll write! Brother Lu just met a new 'fox spirit' who recently arrived on the mountain. If I don't act now, it will be too late to regret it!"

Xu Fengnian wore a gloating expression. "A fellow disciple pines for his junior sister, the junior sister fancies a handsome young man from another sect, and that young man is infatuated with some other unknown woman. Don't you people have any new tricks?"

The woman's eyes widened. "This is also written in those 'talented scholar and beautiful lady' novels? Why have I never read it?!"

Xu Fengnian smiled confidently. "Is the 'fox spirit' you speak of perhaps more amply endowed than you, exceptionally dignified when not smiling, but undeniably more alluring than you when she does? And not just the man you like, but many others are equally smitten, so much so that they'd not only want to get into her bed but even drink her bathwater?"

The woman glanced down. Whether the world was peaceful, she didn't know, but her own 'peacefulness' (referring to her chest) was certainly true. Growing even more deflated, she sighed, "Alas, you've hit the nail on the head. You truly are very learned."

She looked up, narrowing her eyes. "Your martial arts are far inferior to that man named Wang, but your mind is much sharper. I can turn a blind eye to his affairs, but you must promise me this: after you finish writing the love letter, you will become a teacher on this mountain for ten years. After ten years, whether you stay or leave is up to you. How about it?"

Xu Fengnian smiled. The woman, who felt everything was under control, inexplicably felt a fleeting illusion.

Then, in an instant, the atmosphere became light and relaxed. A white-robed boy entered the courtyard and said in a clear voice, "My master invites Miss to the 'Falling Water Well' to listen to the zither."

The woman withdrew her hand an inch, scrutinizing the county official with a suspicious look, then gave a self-deprecating grin. She reached out again to grip her gold-wrapped short sword and said to the scholar-official, "Let's go. Leave the writing for now, no need to rush. We'll go listen to the zither first."

Xu Fengnian stood up and gave Wang Shiwei a slight nod, signaling him not to worry.

The white-robed boy led the way. Xu Fengnian walked with the saber-wielding woman, whose name he still didn't know, along the bluestone path. She was casually telling him a story: there was once a skilled wandering swordsman who came to Fulushan for revenge. After enduring many hardships and overcoming numerous dangerous obstacles, he ultimately died.

No sooner had she finished this rather dull story than Xu Fengnian saw the cascading waterfall. Where it plunged, there was a massive bluestone, so instead of forming a pool, it had carved out a deep well.

The white-robed old man sat by the well, with two incense burners emitting wisps of smoke.

The white-robed boy, holding a whisk, began to recite the opening passages of the Zhang family's sage texts.

The old man slowly raised his hands, one high, one low.

In this moment, Xu Fengnian watched expectantly and listened attentively.

Then, the seemingly immortal old man suddenly pressed his hands onto the zither strings. Following that, he began shaking his head and wildly, erratically striking the instrument.

Xu Fengnian stood frozen, his mouth twitching, caught between laughter and tears. He could only genuinely utter two words: "A master!"

Hide replies 88th Floor 2014-03-28 12:02: Here!2014-03-28 12:02: WTF, more?2014-03-28 12:04: Bring it on2014-03-28 12:04: Front row:Reply to Daiwang Bu Xunshan: On time.:Can you show your face?1 more reply,

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