Liaodong's Local Specialties
The next morning, after the snow had cleared,
The sky outside the pass is rarely clear and bright.
The caravan had packed up early and was about to set off when they saw Master Ximen standing alone on one side of the camp, his long sword in front of him, his eyes slightly closed.
A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes.
A surge of powerful energy welled up from within him.
Its imposing presence is sharp and fierce, like the edge of a blade.
The snow around him was shaken off and sent flying into the air, scattering in all directions.
He slowly raised his right hand, channeling his inner energy.
With a soft hum, the longsword stuck in the snow trembled spontaneously.
An invisible Sword Intent spread out, and the originally ordinary iron sword suddenly became sharp and chilling, as if it could cut through the wind and snow with just a light slash.
Ximen Changhai stood up from the ground, his eyes filled with barely suppressed excitement.
Overnight, he finally grasped the true essence of Sword Intent.
This was precisely the realm he had longed for, yet had never been able to attain.
Beside the camp, Gao Yunyi had been standing Jingjing for some time, his gaze fixed on him.
Although he had already witnessed Murong Wudi's powerful Sword Dao, he was still amazed to see that Ximen Changhai had achieved such progress in just one night.
Their talent and aptitude are indeed extraordinary.
Upon seeing the figure of his senior, Ximen Changhai felt a surge of warmth in his heart, quickly sheathed his sword, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply.
"It's all thanks to your guidance last night, senior! I, Ximen Changhai, will never forget this kindness!"
He knew in his heart that this was no ordinary sparring match between swordsmen.
Senior Gao essentially opened a door for him that countless swordsmen longed for but could never obtain.
Therefore, his respect for Gao Yunyi rose even higher.
On the other side, Wang Shoucai had been waiting by the carriage for a long time. Upon seeing Gao Yunyi, he immediately bowed and bowed respectfully, his face filled with almost fawning respect.
"Young Master Gao had a long night, so I have prepared some hot tea and breakfast. Please come in and have your meal!"
Since witnessing the Sword Qi that could shatter a pine tree with a flick of the finger last night, Wang Shoucai had no other thoughts in his mind.
Such a person is someone to be respected, so how could one dare to even think of marrying off one's daughter to another?
At this moment, he treated Gao Yunyi as if he were worshipping a true god, speaking with extreme caution, for fear of offending him with any word.
Consequently, he didn't dare to even glance at Gao Yunyi again, let alone entertain any other fantasies.
The convoy headed north, and the road in the snow gradually became smoother.
Inside the carriage, Ximen Changhai sat cross-legged, his posture respectful, as if attending to a respected teacher.
He asked curiously, "Senior, why would someone of your stature travel so far to this harsh and cold place in Liaodong? May I ask what brings you north?"
Gao Yunyi slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the vast white snowfield outside the car window, his voice so flat it betrayed no emotion:
"Nothing serious, just traveling around, sightseeing, and checking out local specialties."
Upon hearing "local specialties," Wang Shoucai, who was standing nearby, immediately perked up.
He traveled extensively for business and knew the local products of Liaodong very well, so he immediately chimed in enthusiastically:
"If Young Master Gao is looking for good things in Liaodong, then you've come to the right place! This area beyond the Great Wall is harsh and cold, but it's also full of treasures."
"The old ginseng from Changbai Mountain, once aged enough, is a treasure capable of prolonging life. And the finest deer antlers, sable fur, and fox fur are all top-quality mountain products! If Young Master Gao doesn't mind, I'm willing to do my best to find you some of the finest ginseng, antlers, and furs!"
He spoke very sincerely and enthusiastically.
However, Gao Yunyi simply shook his head, his tone remaining flat. "The local specialties I want aren't these."
Ximen Changhai was slightly taken aback. "Then what does Senior want...?"
"Wild boar hide," Gao Yunyi uttered three words.
The carriage fell silent instantly.
Wang Changhai paused, blinked, thinking he had misheard, "Wild... wild boar hide?"
He felt a sense of bewilderment.
Although wild boar skin can be used to make leather, it is not a rare item compared to mink, fox, or ginseng, and it is not worth much money.
Why would someone as unfathomable as Young Master Gao travel thousands of miles to the harsh, cold land of Liaodong just to find a few pieces of wild boar hide?
This is truly... so unexpected.
He tentatively asked, "Is Young Master Gao referring to... the skin of wild boars from the mountains and forests?"
Gao Yunyi didn't explain further, only gave a soft "hmm," then closed his eyes again and didn't speak again.
Wang Shoucai was filled with doubt, but he didn't dare to ask any further questions. He could only keep pondering the words "wild boar skin" over and over in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
He couldn't understand why this Land Immortal, who could break trees with a flick of his finger, would covet the wild boar hides of Liaodong.
Silence fell over the carriage for a moment, with only the monotonous rumble of the wheels grinding through the snow echoing across the snow-covered plain.
After another half day of travel, the outline of a majestic city gradually appeared ahead.
The city walls were towering, the crenellations were imposing, and the banners on the city towers fluttered in the wind; this was Jinzhou Prefecture.
Upon arriving in Jinzhou Prefecture, Wang Shoucai's caravan reached its destination.
Gao Yunyi and Ximen Changhai, however, had to continue walking forward.
Wang Shoucai warmly invited the two men to his residence, firstly to fulfill his duty as a host, and secondly to repay the debt of saving their lives.
But he was decisively rejected.
Desperate to save his daughter, Ximen Changhai wanted to go to Changbai Mountain to find Thousand-Year-Old Mountain Ginseng.
As for Gao Yunyi,
This is because there are no wild boar hides in Jinzhou Prefecture.
So the two groups parted ways at the city gate.
Wang Shoucai was very disappointed. He offered Gao Yunyi still politely declined.
He dared not force it, so he could only bow repeatedly, expressing his gratitude profusely, and watch as Young Master Gao and Master Ximen turned and left.
Inside the carriage, Wang Zhirou lifted a corner of the curtain and watched the figure in the green robe walk further and further away, gradually disappearing into the snow outside the city gate.
Her eyes slowly reddened. All the secrets she had kept hidden in her heart, never spoken aloud, could only sink into the vast snowfield along with that receding figure.
She opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't utter the words. Instead, she swallowed them back down her throat softly and silently.
Gao Yunyi did not turn around.
He walked with his hands behind his back, trudging through the snow, in the opposite direction from the caravan.
Ximen Changhai walked alongside him for a while, then stopped at a fork in the road, clasped his sword, and bowed deeply.
"Senior, I must now proceed alone on the road to Changbai Mountain Ximen Changhai. I will forever remember your guidance, and will be ready to go through fire and water for you in the future!"
Gao Yunyi nodded slightly. "Mm."
Ximen Changhai bowed deeply, then turned and strode towards the eastern mountains, quickly disappearing into the vast snow-covered forest.
Gao Yunyi stood at the crossroads, watching the other person's departing figure with a calm expression.
His trip to Liaodong was partly to enjoy the scenery beyond the Great Wall.
Secondly, I wanted to see if a force that rose from the land between the White Mountains and Black Waters would also emerge in this world.
If it exists,
He wanted to nip that force that could overthrow the Central Plains in the bud before it lost its humanity.
Gao Yunyi withdrew his gaze and walked alone through the snow, heading deeper into the area beyond the pass.
Behind them stood the majestic city walls of Jinzhou Prefecture.
Ahead lay an endless, desolate snowfield.