Chapter 40#
All the People Rejoice Together#
The crescent moon in the sky dimmed in this instant, and falling raindrops soaked the bluestone ground. In the wind, Yan Wushu’s sleeves fluttered like spreading black wings.
He cast a glance below—more accurately, he looked at Shi Tang. The latter nodded slightly to him, and he shifted his gaze to Xiao Man before departing.
Qu Hanxing walked from the corridor into the courtyard, his tone full of emotion: “If this sword strike had fallen and directly destroyed the Dan’er beneath Minghua Qingguo, how wonderful that would have been.”
“If that were really the case, Minghua Qingguo would definitely have been destroyed. At that time, the grand array in the Imperial City would have sensed the danger and perhaps activated to deal with us,” Mo Juntian said calmly, standing beside him.
“I didn’t think it through,” Qu Hanxing tapped his forehead.
Xiao Man swept his sleeves and walked into the courtyard, stepping quickly outward: “Go notify the Garrison and the Sitian Monitoring Bureau.”
Wei Chuyun sacrificed the Cloud Boat.
The group boarded the Cloud Boat, while the Daoist surnamed Zhou concealed his form and flew on his sword above the clouds.
A quarter of an hour later, the personnel from the Sitian Monitoring Bureau and the Garrison arrived, departing from the west of Shenjing City toward Minghua Qingguo in the north.
It was the liveliest hour of the night market. Countless people crowded the streets and alleys to watch acrobatics and monkey shows. When the acrobats spat fire or led monkeys to jump through flaming hoops, thunderous cheers and applause erupted instantly.
On the other side of Shenjing City, dragon and lion dances began their parade. Adults held children on their shoulders, and young people led the women and children of their families into the streets and up onto pavilions to watch.
Prosperity was everywhere, but among those walking the streets, how many knew of the undercurrents hidden beneath the grand spectacle?
Xiao Man stood at the edge of the Cloud Boat, his eyes fixed on the lights below, and said in a heavy voice: “By tomorrow, the streets will be deserted.”
“We will definitely be able to resolve this.”
“If… I mean, if we can’t resolve it? At that time, we will be the people closest to the Dan’er.”
“I have envisioned that outcome, so I prepared a backup in advance.”
“Hmm?”
“Clang-clang-clang—” Qu Hanxing pulled a large stack of talismans from his Qiankun Ring. “Teleportation talismans obtained at a high price. Although they can’t teleport us directly back to Gushan, leaving Shenjing City is no problem.”
“You really are something.”
A transmission talisman flew from the Sitian Monitoring Bureau: “Be ready for battle at any time. There is news that people from the Qingkui Sect are coming to block us!”
Xiao Man and his party traveled above the clouds, while the leaders of the Sitian Monitoring Bureau and the Garrison galloped on horseback, leading a group of cultivators swiftly through the streets. Midway, sharp arrows suddenly pierced the air!
They didn’t shoot the people; they shot the horses. They used ordinary feathered arrows, aimed at non-lethal positions. The purpose was clear at a glance.
The riders immediately tightened the reins and then suddenly leaned to the side, falling onto the road along with their horses to avoid an impending stampede. They immediately abandoned their horses, drew their blades, and fought with the Qingkui Sect members emerging from the crowd!
The sound of weapons clashing, shouting, and the footsteps of people fleeing in panic were mixed together, and there were even children crying helplessly in the middle of the road.
Chen Mingli swung his sword and cut down a Qingkui Sect member, stepped quickly to pick up a child, and tossed them into the arms of a woman by the street. After doing this, he immediately returned to the fray to fight against the Qingkui Sect.
“How many of them are there!” Qu Hanxing asked urgently, seeing the conflict on the street.
“Thirty-one,” Xiao Man drew his bow and aimed at a spot.
After an arrow was fired, he corrected: “Thirty.”
Qian San suddenly felt his head ache: “Damn, why so many!”
Ma Wu: “It’s alright, they’re all in the Shouyi Realm. Let’s go down and help.”
Without him having to say it, Wei Chuyun had already maneuvered the Cloud Boat to descend. Except for Xiao Man, everyone jumped onto the street with their swords.
The Gushan disciples went to assist, but the situation showed no signs of turning around for a long time. People from the Garrison and the Sitian Monitoring Bureau died, and people from the Qingkui Sect died as well, but no matter what, they couldn’t break through the opponent’s defensive line.
As the battle progressed, several cultivators in the Guiyuan Realm even arrived from the Qingkui Sect, each holding a dharma tool and fighting one against two.
“What kind of leeks are they? They grow back so fast after being cut,” Qu Hanxing and Mo Juntian stood back-to-back. He spat out a mouthful of blood and couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Whoosh—
A sharp arrow grazed the top of his head. Looking back, he saw a Qingkui Sect member’s throat had been pierced.
Qu Hanxing hurriedly looked up: “Thanks, Brother Man!”
Xiao Man didn’t respond. He moved to a different position and continued to draw his bow.
“Why hasn’t Senior Zhou taken action?” Qian San, Ma Wu, and Zhao Liu formed a sword array to advance and retreat together. After killing several enemies, Qian San couldn’t help but ask.
Ma Wu said: “Senior is our highest combat power. The ones coming are just small fry. Of course we can’t send out the King!”
Qian San’s tone was indignant: “Senior Zhou has too much confidence in us!”
That being said, the sword moves in his hand didn’t stop.
“We can’t all be trapped here!” Chen Mingli fought his way to Wei Chuyun’s side and roared at him with bloodshot eyes.
Wei Chuyun immediately understood his meaning and asked: “If we withdraw, can you hold out?”
“We have to hold out even if we can’t. Do you really think we’re just for show?” It was the leader of the Sitian Monitoring Bureau who answered. While speaking, a talisman flew out, and his other hand quickly wrote a string of something in the air, seemingly about to set up an array in the street.
“Brother Xiao, Brother Wei, your team continue to Minghua Qingguo. We’ll stay here to support!” Zhao Liu said. “Once we’ve killed all these people, we’ll meet up with you.”
Wei Chuyun pondered for a moment and looked up at Xiao Man above. The two exchanged glances. Xiao Man came down to the street, grabbed Qu Hanxing and Mo Juntian, and took them back to the Cloud Boat.
The street gradually receded. Xiao Man called out to the void, “Senior Zhou.”
“I am here,” the Daoist surnamed Zhou appeared from the clouds.
Xiao Man looked at him: “To what extent will you take action?”
“I left a wisp of sword intent on the jade pendants they carry, enough to ensure their safety,” Senior Zhou said slowly. “Furthermore, it’s about time to use this matter to suppress the arrogance of Shenjing City.”
“Good,” Xiao Man understood his meaning and nodded.
Qu Hanxing recalled the battle just now and was speechless: “The highest level mobilized by Shenjing City was only the Upper Guiyuan Realm. This Imperial City… is too weak!”
“Not necessarily,” Xiao Man recalled what he had seen and heard in the Imperial City last night and shook his head. “If they hadn’t conspired so thoroughly and in such large numbers, a single Taixuan Realm entering Shenjing wouldn’t be a threat.”
“Just the remnants of an evil cult can turn the vast capital into this. Is this country about to end?” Qu Hanxing curled his lip.
Minghua Qingguo was a royal land, but it wasn’t near the palace. It usually had no purpose and was only opened during grand ceremonies. The guards weren’t very strict; a barrier overhead was its only defense.
The Cloud Boat traveled toward Minghua Qingguo. They didn’t encounter any more interceptions along the way. The Sitian Monitoring Bureau had made arrangements, so the barrier did not stop them.
The sword intent left by Yan Wushu earlier still lingered here, sharp and piercing. Upon approaching, a chill ran down one’s spine. Senior Zhou performed a gesture, so that those in the Baoxu Realm wouldn’t shiver. They circled around this place for a while and finally reached the bottom of the high platform.
This was likely a secret passage left behind when Minghua Qingguo was built. The road and the walls on all sides were extremely rough. Near the river, it was covered in weeds and moss. No lamps for lighting were hung on the walls. Obviously, no one had ever been scheduled to patrol or inspect this place.
Wei Chuyun took out a lamp.
This secret passage led deeper underground. At first, it was slightly narrow, but later it gradually widened. Judging from the marks everywhere, it had been newly dug.
The group moved forward cautiously. This secret passage was extremely eerie. The light from the lantern could only illuminate a small area, as if something were absorbing the light.
“Something’s not right here,” Wei Chuyun said.
Qu Hanxing didn’t care: “It’s normal for it to be not right. If it were right, it would be creepy.”
The group continued forward. In the secret passage, besides the sound of footsteps, there was only the intermittent sound of water droplets, coming from somewhere unknown yet sounding right by their ears.
“Speed up!” Senior Zhou said in a heavy voice. “Otherwise, we won’t make it.”
“Is there something here?” Xiao Man asked.
Senior Zhou: “The path is wrong.”
Xiao Man and the others simply started running. He calculated the time. After running for nearly a quarter of an hour, the narrow path suddenly opened up, and a very empty place that could be called a cavern appeared before them.
“The Qingkui Sect really knows how to find loopholes!” Qu Hanxing looked around and said.
Mo Juntian showed a look of disdain: “This also shows that the Cang Kingdom itself is not good enough, allowing people to find loopholes.”
A wind blew in the cavern. Xiao Man listened carefully and made a gesture for silence.
In the next moment, several figures appeared in the cavern. They were dressed similarly to the Qingkui Sect members who had blocked the way on the street earlier, wearing black robes with hoods covering most of their faces.
Seeing these people, Qu Hanxing immediately drew his sword: “I was wondering why we didn’t encounter any more blockers. It turns out they were waiting here.”
Xiao Man sensed the opponent’s realm and couldn’t help but darken his face: “They are all in the Guiyuan Realm.”
Senior Zhou stepped in front of the four and waved his hand back: “Stand back.”
Xiao Man and the other three stepped back to give room to Senior Zhou. But just as he struck with his sword, another figure flashed from the other end of the cavern!
This person was very fat, so fat that an ordinary chair probably couldn’t hold his buttocks. But his movements were light. Without even seeing how he acted, he effortlessly took Senior Zhou’s sword strike.
Then he landed, revealing a smile, the fat on his face shaking: “You are in the Taixuan Realm. What’s the point of fighting my group of subordinates in the Guiyuan Realm? Come, I’ll trade moves with you.”
As he spoke, a fierce punch was thrown!
Even the wind was biting. Senior Zhou’s expression tightened. He turned his wrist and raised his sword to block.
The two turned into two blurred shadows and fought. Aftershocks of energy came one after another, and rubble flew everywhere. Seeing this, Xiao Man stepped aside a bit and looked toward the other end of the cavern.
The way was still blocked; there were five Guiyuan Realm cultivators there.
And all of them were in the Upper Guiyuan Realm.
Xiao Man lowered his gaze and spent half a breath thinking. He looked at the other three and asked: “Do you want to try killing enemies across two realms?”
“It’s worth a try,” Wei Chuyun narrowed his eyes and gripped his sword hilt.
Qu Hanxing and Mo Juntian both said “Good.”
The four formed a sword array.
They were Gushan disciples and used Gushan sword techniques. The array they formed could naturally be called the Gushan Sword Array. Although it couldn’t compare to Gushan’s true grand array, it possessed some of its form and spirit.
The momentum was extremely fierce.
But in the end, they were at a disadvantage. After all, their opponents were five Upper Guiyuan Realm cultivators. In terms of numbers alone, they had already lost.
Xiao Man’s expression remained unchanged. He raised his palm, and a wisp of Phoenix True Fire ignited in his palm.
The temperature of the entire cavern rose in an instant. The corners of his plain white clothes moved without wind. His eyes were jet black, but the pattern on his forehead was bright red.
He held his sword in one hand and walked toward the five Guiyuan Realm cultivators opposite him. His movement seemed very slow, but in the next instant, he disappeared from sight. When he reappeared, he turned his hand into a palm and slammed it violently into the chest of one of his opponents!
How could an ordinary cultivator withstand the burning of Phoenix True Fire? In less than a moment, this person turned to ash. The other four Guiyuan Realm cultivators immediately retreated. Wei Chuyun and the others seized the opportunity to strike.
They regained the initiative in the attack, but the difference in realm was still a hard flaw. The four Guiyuan Realm cultivators exchanged glances, found a chance to escape, quickly changed positions, and also formed an array!
How could a sword array formed in the Baoxu Realm compare to a killing array of the Guiyuan Realm! Four Guiyuan Realm cultivators, four swords merged into one, pressing forward with endless killing intent.
Xiao Man ignited the Phoenix True Fire again, but the opponent was faster!
The sword light was about to fall.
Suddenly, Xiao Man remembered the scene in his previous life when he burned Xueyi Peak with Phoenix True Fire. Xueyi Peak in late winter was covered in white snow, and a fire suddenly rose, quite dazzling.
And at this moment, a brilliance also suddenly rose in the cavern, eye-catching and dazzling!
That speck of light shot out from between Xiao Man’s brows and expanded in an instant like a torrent, surging toward the falling sword strike. It dissolved it easily and then rushed toward the four Guiyuan Realm cultivators.
The sword intent lingering here gathered silently, condensing into dots of light, and pierced toward them violently.
The killing blade was invisible, sealing their throats as it passed.
It was clearly a scene of killing, yet it was magnificent and beautiful to the extreme.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Four sounds of bodies falling occurred at the same rhythm. Those who blocked their path all turned into ghosts.
Qu Hanxing’s hand holding the sword was shaking, and he was extremely excited: “Brother Man, you’re actually so amazing!”
“It wasn’t me,” Xiao Man said softly. It was the sword technique Yan Wushu had pointed between his brows that night when they were resolving the Buddha Niche seal.
Just then, the fat man who was fighting incessantly with Senior Zhou suddenly attacked Xiao Man and the others.
Senior Zhou’s reaction was extremely fast. Or rather, he had anticipated this person’s intention long ago. He flashed over to block him, threw the hammer Yan Wushu had given him to Xiao Man, and shouted: “Go!”
The fat man sneered: “I’m afraid by the time you get there, there won’t be any time left.”
“Go!” Senior Zhou said again.
Xiao Man and the others turned and left. Qu Hanxing found several Haste Talismans and slapped one on each person.
The speed of the group increased significantly. They didn’t encounter any crossroads along the way. They ran all the way, and after about a quarter of an hour, the path came to an end.
This was a platform. The Dan’er they had seen in paintings stood at the edge of the platform. Behind it, river water fell from a high place, splashing water several feet high, crystal clear.
The spiritual energy was extremely abundant, so thick it was almost impossible to breathe. The Dan’er had already been activated, surrounded by ghostly light.
“Didn’t that fat man say that even if we get here, there won’t be any time left?” Qu Hanxing felt it was inexplicable and glanced at the path they came from.
Mo Juntian walked to the Dan’er, looked at it carefully, and said: “Don’t mind him. He probably wanted to deceive us.”
Xiao Man also walked toward the Dan’er, but after taking two steps, he immediately retreated, stood still, and asked in a deep voice: “How long have we been walking!”
Qu Hanxing said: “Just about half a cup of tea’s time.”
“No,” Xiao Man said with his eyes downcast.
He heard the sound of a bell in the distance.
Dong, dong, dong… stroke by stroke it rang. Whether it was the force of the strike or the rhythm of the intervals, it was very familiar.
They had been in Shenjing City for several days and heard such a sound every morning.
It was the bell that rang when the Shenjing morning market opened.
But the opening of the market in Shenjing City meant—
“It’s already the second day now.” Xiao Man frowned. “There really was something strange about that path!”
“What?” Qu Hanxing was greatly shocked.
Mo Juntian pressed his arm, signaling him to listen carefully.
“…The Qingkui Sect really prepared thoroughly.” Qu Hanxing’s complex expression only lasted for a short moment, then he recovered his expression and waved his hand: “This is the morning market, not the evening market. Now that we’re in front of the Dan’er, do we just hammer it directly?”
“Senior Wu said so,” Mo Juntian said.
Qu Hanxing rolled up his sleeves: “Good, let’s smash it with one hammer blow!”
Xiao Man took the hammer from the Qiankun Ring and handed it to Qu Hanxing.
Qu Hanxing held it with both hands, took a deep breath, and then slammed it violently toward the Dan’er.
Dong!
A loud bang, and dust rose from all sides. But when things settled—
The Dan’er stood in its original place, motionless.
“Maybe I need to hit it a few more times.” Qu Hanxing chuckled, gritted his teeth, and swung the hammer again.
After the loud noise landed, a dent appeared on the surface of the Dan’er, but it didn’t break.
“Let me try.” Mo Juntian reached out his hand to Qu Hanxing.
Once, twice, three times…
Uncountable times, whether it was stabbing, splitting, hacking, or slashing, whether the four of them exerted force together or one of them held the hammer alone, they were always just a bit short.
Xiao Man stood in front of the Dan’er and sighed softly: “It’s just a bit short of being smashed. If only this hammer’s grade were higher, we could succeed.”
In the south of Shenjing City, flower floats from all over had been parked properly. Before dawn, Sister Qin urged everyone to get up and wash. But until they got on the floats, she hadn’t seen Xiao Man or Mo Juntian. She was so angry she had a headache and paced back and forth:
“Xiao’er and Xiaotian haven’t come yet?”
“Honestly, where did they go at a time like this!”
Shi Tang glanced in the direction of Minghua Qingguo, squeezed out a smile, and went to comfort Sister Qin: “Don’t worry, they’ll be back soon.”
But she heard a sneer: “Outsiders are indeed outsiders.”
Immediately, someone else said: “Fortunately, the sisters never counted on the three of you. Even if you don’t come, we can finish the whole dance of Furong Quexia.”
“Not good-looking, not good at dancing. To put it bluntly, they just followed us to Shenjing City to share the glory. Shameless bitches, given so much money for nothing.”
The speakers were the lead dancer of Xiuwu Hui and her supporters. Shi Tang’s face turned red with anger: “How can you say that! If not for them, you would probably have reached the Western Paradise by now!”
The lead dancer gave another laugh: “Even cursing people to death is said so delicately. Do you really think you’re some noble young lady?”
Not long after, the bell for the opening of the Shenjing City market rang. Xiao Man and Mo Juntian were still nowhere to be seen. Sister Qin ignored Shi Tang and talked to the people of Xiuwu Hui about changing the dance.
Shi Tang looked at their figures and wanted to leave.
But suddenly, loud noises came one after another from the north of the city.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
It came from the direction of Minghua Qingguo, and even the road in the south of the city vibrated. Many people fell on the floats, and a barrage of curses rang out.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
The sounds continued. Shi Tang clutched the Buddhist beads around her wrist, a sense of foreboding arising in her.
Yesterday, Yan Wushu had sought her out alone once.
At that time, she was wandering in the courtyard of the post station. Yan Wushu appeared before her suddenly without even a greeting and said to her: “Little girl, could you please lend me the Buwen Bell.”
Shi Tang was still surprised by his appearance and heard Yan Wushu add: “Of course, it might not be used.”
“That’s the item Xiao Man and the others are required to find for their mission. What do you want it for?” Shi Tang asked in confusion.
Yan Wushu: “To use it to upgrade the grade of a dharma tool.”
“Then won’t the Buwen Bell be gone?” Shi Tang’s eyes widened.
“It might not be used,” Yan Wushu smiled. After a pause, he said: “It’s related to destroying the Dan’er.”
Shi Tang knew the function of the Dan’er. Hearing this, she hesitated for a moment and asked: “But if I lend it to you, how will Xiao Man’s mission be counted?”
“I am their elder. I have the final say on whether their mission passes this time,” Yan Wushu brushed his sleeves and said with certainty.
“Really?” Shi Tang was still skeptical.
“Really,” Yan Wushu said.
Shi Tang’s eyes darted around. After thinking for a while, she said: “Then swear that if the Buwen Bell is really used, you are not allowed to judge their mission as a failure. Not only that, but you must also give them a good evaluation.”
“Alright, I swear,” Yan Wushu nodded.
Cultivators take promises very seriously. If they swear to heaven and break it, they will surely suffer heavenly punishment. Seeing him like this, Shi Tang turned toward the begonia tree:
“Fine, I’ll give you the token of Xijiangyue.”
“No need to give it to me,” Yan Wushu shook his head. “When you feel it’s needed, give it to Xiao Man.”
The scent of night osmanthus that filled the courtyard was still in her nose. Shi Tang thought to herself that they had hit it so many times without stopping, so they must need to use the Buwen Bell. At that moment, she didn’t think much more, grabbed the corner of her skirt, and jumped straight out of the float.
An angry curse immediately rang out behind her: “Outsiders, indeed outsiders!”
Shi Tang didn’t care what the people of Xiuwu Hui said. But she accidentally stumbled when she landed. Seeing that she was about to fall, fortunately, someone by the road reached out to help her.
“Little girl, even if you’re in a hurry, don’t jump down from such a high place.” The person who helped her was Shen Juan. He said to Shi Tang with a smile.
“Thank…” Shi Tang stepped back and looked up to thank him. When she saw his face clearly, she was slightly stunned. It was the person who had bought the deer-antler mask one step ahead of her that night. This person was extremely good-looking, his peach blossom eyes curved like fans and full of smiles, making it hard for her to find words to describe him for a moment.
But that wasn’t the main reason Shi Tang was stunned. She had been with Xiao Man and others for several days and had more or less learned how to distinguish between cultivators and ordinary people. This person before her was very likely a cultivator. Although dressed in black, his temperament was extraordinary. Shi Tang thought he probably wasn’t a remnant of the Qingkui Sect. A thought flashed through her mind.
“Young master, are you a cultivator?” Shi Tang lowered her voice and asked cautiously.
Shen Juan also lowered his voice and replied cautiously: “You have a good eye, miss.”
“Then could you please do me a favor?” Shi Tang held out both hands, gesturing as she spoke, “I’ll give you a reward, as much as you want!”
Shen Juan said with a smile in his voice: “Tell me what the favor is first.”
Shi Tang said: “Send me to one, two, three… three places!”
“A small matter, no reward needed,” Shen Juan nodded.
“Go to the post station first!” Shi Tang said very urgently.
She thought this person would fly with her for a while like Xiao Man did. Unexpectedly, as if her voice had just landed, they arrived in the courtyard of the post station.
“Young master, you’re really… amazing!” Shi Tang was dumbstruck. She didn’t forget the purpose of her trip, bowed to Shen Juan, and quickly ran to the begonia tree to take out the token.
Returning to Shen Juan, she said: “The next place is Xijiangyue.”
Shen Juan: “Okay.”
In less than a blink of an eye, the shop she had been to once appeared before her.
“Young master, you’re truly divine! You’re just like the heroine who saved me back then!” Shi Tang exclaimed, went in with the token, and brought back the Qiankun Ring Xiao Man had given her.
Shen Juan came to her side and asked: “Alright, where is the third place?”
“Beneath Minghua Qingguo,” Shi Tang said.
Then she heard Shen Juan say: “There’s a barrier there.”
“Ah? You mean…” Shi Tang realized and a look of disappointment appeared on her face. But that look didn’t last long. She remembered Qu Hanxing had given her a teleportation talisman.
Maybe she could use that.
While she was thinking, Shen Juan spoke again: “But it can’t stop me.”
It turned out this guy only said half of what he meant just now.
In another finger-snap’s time, the scenery around Shi Tang changed for the third time. She found that this young master really went all the way, sending her directly to a place only a few feet away from Xiao Man and the others.
Xiao Man and the other four were gathered around the hammer, all looking miserable.
Shi Tang took a step toward them, remembered she hadn’t thanked him yet, but when she turned around, the person was gone.
Cultivators are mostly kind-hearted after all, Shi Tang murmured to herself.
Xiao Man noticed Shi Tang not far away. At first, he thought he had seen wrong. After confirming, he said in surprise: “How did you get here?”
Qu Hanxing also looked over: “Wait, how did you get here?”
“I met a very amazing hero on the way!” Shi Tang gestured a tall image and ran to the group, handing the Qiankun Ring to Xiao Man. “Let’s not talk about that. I’m here to bring you the Buwen Bell. Didn’t you say it could be used to upgrade the grade of a dharma tool? I think it might come in handy.”
Xiao Man and Qu Hanxing exchanged glances and then looked at Wei Chuyun and Mo Juntian.
They all understood each other’s looks: “Use it. It was originally a sacrificial vessel, and its purpose was to be used to upgrade the grade of other dharma tools.”
Just then, Senior Zhou came out of the cave with his sword and arrived at the platform. There was blood on his sword, he was injured in several places, and he looked a bit tired.
“This is the item you were required to find for your mission,” Senior Zhou glanced at the group and said softly.
“Senior Zhou, did you win against that fat man?” Qu Hanxing greeted him with a smile. “Do you need some medicine? Come, sit down and rest.”
Senior Zhou waved it off and didn’t mention the matter.
Qu Hanxing added: “Senior Zhou, the mission said we had to find it, but it didn’t say we had to take it back!”
“Senior Zhou, please bear witness for us. This dharma tool, its name is the Buwen Bell. Now, we have found it.”
He addressed him as “Senior Zhou” repeatedly, his tone carrying a sense of entreaty. Senior Zhou nodded: “Good.”
“Thank you, Senior Zhou!” Qu Hanxing cupped his hands in greeting.
“But there’s a problem.” Xiao Man took out the Buwen Bell, holding it in his hand across the mass of spiritual energy. In his other hand was the hammer Shen Juan had hinted at finding. His tone was serious. “This sacrificial vessel, how do we feed it to this?”
Everyone fell silent. For a moment, there was only the sound of rushing water.
“To upgrade a dharma tool using a sacrificial vessel, it needs to be done in a specific device,” Wei Chuyun said.
Shi Tang then asked: “Can it be bought on the market?”
“It is possible…”
Before Wei Chuyun could finish, Shi Tang pulled his sleeve. “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go! I brought a lot of money with me, enough for sure!”
It wasn’t a matter of money, but it needed to be bought in a special place. They were unfamiliar with Shenjing City and didn’t know where to start. Wei Chuyun pursed his lips and thought that the palace would definitely have it, and maybe they could borrow it. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Senior Zhou say: “I’ll do it.”
Xiao Man had seen how Yan Wushu refined dharma tools. Knowing Senior Zhou’s intention, he went forward and handed the Buwen Bell and the hammer to him, bowing: “Thank you, Senior Zhou.”
Senior Zhou accepted his bow and added: “But it will take quite a bit of time.”
“If there’s not enough time, we’ll find a way to delay,” Xiao Man said.
They each found a place to sit. Senior Zhou drew an array with his finger, then drew some spiritual energy from the Dan’er, which was hammered and dented, and began to refine the dharma tool.
“The spiritual energy here is very abundant, so we should be able to make it,” Senior Zhou reassured everyone.
Shi Tang had been worried all night. Leaning against the wall, she fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes. She didn’t know how long she slept, only that she was very hungry when she woke up.
Xiao Man took out a small porcelain bottle: “Bigu Pill. It doesn’t taste good, but it wards off hunger. Do you want some?”
“As long as I’m not hungry!” Shi Tang nodded repeatedly and then asked: “What time is it now?”
“Around the hour of Shen,” Xiao Man had been paying attention to the sound of the drums outside.
Shi Tang fell asleep again.
Qu Hanxing meditated for a while, got up and paced, went to Senior Zhou, looked at the hammer, and then went to the Dan’er. He took out an ordinary hammer and gave it a hit.
This cycle repeated. After a long time, he couldn’t help but ask: “What time is it now?”
Xiao Man’s brow furrowed slightly: “It’s the hour of You.”
After a while, scattered cheers came from deep underground.
Mo Juntian stood up abruptly: “The festival has begun!”
At the same time, a fine clicking sound of gears engaging came from within the Dan’er!
Qu Hanxing was closest to it and was so scared he scrambled away: “Is this… is it going to explode!”
As if to confirm his words, more sounds came from inside the Dan’er.
Xiao Man looked at the other side and said in a heavy voice: “Senior Zhou, how much longer!”
“One hour,” Senior Zhou replied.
“One hour is enough for all the performance groups to parade through the street…” Qu Hanxing was pacing in a panic. Finally, remembering the teleportation talismans he had as a backup, he hurriedly took them out and distributed them to everyone.
During the wait, time always passed very slowly, and anxiety undoubtedly deepened this feeling.
Xiao Man took his Buddhist beads back from Shi Tang. Reciting the Heart-Clearing Mantra, he moved them one by one, forcing himself to be calm. Senior Zhou drew more spiritual energy from the Dan’er, trying to speed up, and after a moment, said: “Fifteen minutes.”
But the clicking sound of gears engaging continued to come from within the Dan’er. The sound was crisp, yet it fell like a drumbeat on everyone’s hearts.
“Can we set up a silence barrier over it?” Qu Hanxing kept scratching his head.
Senior Zhou shook his head, his tone helpless: “An ordinary barrier can’t do anything to it. Unless the Grandmaster comes himself.”
Xiao Man pursed his lips, made a decision, stood up, and said: “Why don’t we make the people on the street silent.”
“Unless the festival stops. But that old emperor is unwilling to stop it,” Qu Hanxing had a face full of sorrow.
Xiao Man said calmly: “People in this mortal world always like to cheer when they see acrobatics or plays. The more strange and unusual the thing, the more praise and applause it gets. But if someone performs music and dance, they will remain silent during the performance.”
Then he looked at Shi Tang: “Miss Shi, could you please do me a favor?”
“Tell me,” Shi Tang also stood up.
Xiao Man looked at her without blinking: “We go up there. I’ll play the flute, and you dance.”
“But we can’t get back on the floats anymore,” Shi Tang thought it was difficult.
“Have you forgotten where we are?” Xiao Man smiled slightly.
Her eyes lit up: “Minghua Qingguo!”
But a moment later, she remembered something and was quite disappointed: “But… their attention isn’t over here. If we just perform a dance, it’ll be hard to attract people over.”
Xiao Man: “I’ll solve that problem.”
“The mystery on that passage has been dispelled,” Senior Zhou reminded them.
Xiao Man bowed in thanks and took Shi Tang with him, flying away on the wind.
Only when they reached the surface did they realize that the entire Shenjing City seemed to be ignited, immersed in brilliant light and color. Everywhere was dazzling. Flower floats moved slowly, and the people on them were dressed in various ways. Flower petals and colored paper fell like a continuous rain.
The streets were deserted as everyone crowded the parade route, and the air was filled with clamor.
Performing on the main avenue was a circus. They brought bears, elephants, and tigers. These alone were enough to shock ordinary people, not to mention the animal trainers leading them in performances.
Minghua Qingguo in the north was unnoticed. Xiao Man led Shi Tang up and asked her in a low voice: “Are you ready?”
Shi Tang coughed: “I’m ready anytime! But will it really work?”
“Believe me,” Xiao Man laughed and then added: “But I’d like to borrow something from you.”
“What thing?” Shi Tang asked.
Xiao Man lowered his eyes, revealing a hint of shyness: “Is there any leftover from the mask you bought last time? I don’t really want so many people to see my face, so I want one.”
“I happen to have one left,” Shi Tang nodded with a smile.
What she took out from her dharma tool was exactly that deer-antler mask. Xiao Man was slightly surprised. “You didn’t send it home?”
Shi Tang touched the antlers on the mask and explained: “These antlers are too long. I was afraid they’d break if I put them in a box, so I didn’t.”
“Thank you.” Xiao Man had already learned the identity of the person who wanted to give him this mask that night. Without hesitation, he took it and covered his face. Then he took out a bamboo flute, placed it to his lips, and played it softly.
The flute sound was crisp.
It was like mountain spring water, dripping and soaking into the heart. it was like birdsong in the forest, chirping clearly and purely.
The sound was pleasant and clean.
The sound of birds flapping their wings came from the sky. The winged ones came from all directions, circling and flying, surrounding Minghua Qingguo.
Their feathers were bright and colorful, and under the rendering of the lights, they looked like colorful silk woven by immortals in heaven.
The first to notice this scene was a child held on her father’s shoulder. She tugged her father’s hair and patted her mother, pointing her hand toward Minghua Qingguo: “Dad, Mom, look, it’s so beautiful over there!”
The second to notice was a young master on a high pavilion who was drinking with someone. He was stunned for a moment, then put down his wine cup and stood at the railing.
The family of three looked over together.
The person beside the young master looked over.
The people crowded in the streets and alleys looked over.
The entire Shenjing City looked over.
They saw someone in white playing the flute on Minghua Qingguo, attracting a hundred birds to celebrate. His face was covered by a deer-antler mask, but his sleeves fluttered, making him look like a banished immortal.
A beautiful woman danced to the music, spinning her sleeves and treading lightly. The birds came under her feet, forming a bridge. She seemed to be dancing on the legendary Magpie Bridge.
Everyone was shocked and then held their breath, fearing to disturb this dreamlike scene.
Time passed bit by bit, brushing over Shi Tang’s rising and falling sleeves, gliding away from Xiao Man’s bamboo flute, and receding silently.
Shi Tang closed her eyes, and Xiao Man closed his eyes. Neither of them worried, because worry was useless.
A quarter of an hour was just a cup of tea, or a stick of incense.
Let the fragrance of that tea spread, let the smoke rise, and then let all the brilliant lights of this city burn away the expectations, tension, worry, and joy.
The flute sound was melodious, and the dance was graceful.
Lamp light filled the city, making the moon in the sky lose its color, but it could not dim the grace of this place.
The passing time gathered into a line, becoming a stroke in the endless history.
The moment the tea fragrance and smoke dissipated, the lamp wicks popped and the candle flames flickered.
The music ended.
The dance stopped.
The people within the Imperial City did not disperse.
Just as those sleeves fell, just as that night wind circled back, and just as those eyes opened, a world-shaking sound came from beneath Minghua Qingguo!
BOOM—
The river water surged, the crowd screamed, and the shadows of flowers and leaves all over the city trembled.
Then the waves receded, the screams vanished, and the flowers and leaves settled as the wind calmed.
The birds chirped and bowed to Xiao Man before flying back in all directions.
Shi Tang was panting, her chest heaving violently. She looked around, rushed to Xiao Man, and hugged him tightly. Her voice was choked, and she almost cried: “Thank you, Xiao Man, thank you!”
Xiao Man had never been treated like this, especially by a girl who had been angry at their first meeting and said “men and women should not touch.” His face turned slightly red, but he didn’t refuse Shi Tang’s gesture and patted her back gently: “We succeeded.”
“I’ll host the celebration feast! At that restaurant in the east of the city, and it’s on me!” Shi Tang let go of Xiao Man and wiped her face with her sleeve. “Let’s go find Qu Hanxing and the others!”
Xiao Man said “Mhm” and took Shi Tang away from Minghua Qingguo.
The three—Qu, Mo, and Wei—had already been brought to the surface by Senior Zhou. Qu Hanxing was waving his hammer and greeting them. Xiao Man smiled and went over with Shi Tang.
Shi Tang grandly repeated what she had just said. Qu Hanxing immediately clapped his hands and said “Good.” Wei Chuyun sacrificed the Cloud Boat. But just then, Xiao Man’s expression suddenly changed.
“What’s wrong?” Wei Chuyun’s attention had been on him and he quickly noticed Xiao Man’s abnormality.
Xiao Man lowered his gaze and slowly raised his hand, making a grasping motion in the air.
Only the wind landed in his hand, but Xiao Man knew that he had grasped more than just the wind.
There was also a premonition.
He didn’t know where it came from, but it had appeared, making him clearly perceive that Yan Wushu was in danger.