Not seeing

Wu Zheng, disguised as "Lin Chong," seized the opportunity while the waiter was tidying up the private room, slipped out, and went down the stairs.

With his heart pounding, he wanted to hurry, but then he remembered his benefactor Ding Second Brother Ding's words and forced himself to slow down, using breathing techniques to calm his racing heart.

Having arrived safely on the street, Wu Zheng relaxed considerably, partly because he had adapted to the situation and partly because he was sure no one was paying attention to "Lin Chong." He then determined his direction and headed towards the north of the city.

Nothing unusual happened along the way, but Wu Zheng strictly followed his benefactor's instructions, walking and stopping as he pleased, sometimes looking at goods that interested him, sometimes asking people for directions, just like the ordinary people coming and going.

About half an hour later, he arrived at Academy Street.

Phoenix Terrace Studio is located here.

This is also a building with a shop in the front and a Rear Courtyard, but it occupies a very large area, almost half a street. The gate is open, and there are places selling writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, as well as calligraphy and paintings by famous people. There are various schools for children to learn, and different classrooms for teaching knowledge such as Bronze Script.

Wu Zheng could hear the sound of reading aloud coming from inside the study just by standing at the street corner. He could see that some people looked dull, while others looked radiant. The study was filled with all sorts of colors, while the outside was gloomy.

Remembering his benefactor Second Brother Ding's words that there might be obstructors here, Wu Zheng became nervous again.

He kept reciting the Eight-Character Mantra taught by his benefactor in his heart:

"Neither too fast nor too slow, neither too hurried nor too hasty."

"Neither too fast nor too slow, neither too hurried nor too leisurely..."

After focusing his mind on these eight words, Wu Zheng controlled his emotions and walked step by step toward Phoenix Terrace Studio.

Many people enter this place, and many people leave, making his figure inconspicuous in comparison.

Occasionally there was a rustling of wind or the slightest movement, but none of this could disturb Wu Zheng, who was silently reciting the Eight-Character Mantra. He finally arrived at the entrance of Phoenix Terrace Studio, lifting his legs as if they were burdened with a thousand-pound weight, and stepped over.

Standing in the magnificent and brightly lit study, looking at the brightly colored Five Saints Sect Disciple, Wu Zheng felt completely at ease, experiencing warmth and security.

Huo Ran, he remembered his parents' tragic deaths, his frantic escape, the despair, pain, and confusion he felt then, and his curses against the heavens and the world.

All of this is vivid in my mind, surging and bubbling up, as if heading towards the long-awaited end.

Wu Zheng burst into tears.

He vaguely saw a bright young woman with a rosy face and colorful patterns approaching, looking both puzzled and concerned. He then heard the sound of reading aloud rising from inside the study once more.

"Dwell in the broadest dwelling place under heaven, stand in the most upright position under heaven, and walk the Great Dao under heaven;

"When you are successful, lead the people; when you are unsuccessful, walk your own path alone."

"Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, poverty and hardship cannot sway him, and power and force cannot subdue him; this is what makes a great man..." (Note 1)

Entrance of Academy Street.

Twelfth Madam Luo was squatting in front of a stall, comparing several ancient books that had been copied by others.

Ding Songyan, standing beside her, glanced at Phoenix Terrace Studio and smiled, saying:

"Wu Zheng's temperament is passable; he didn't make any mistakes."

He and Twelfth Madam Luo took a detour to the vicinity of Phoenix Terrace Studio, intending to draw the attention of any potential obstructors so that even if Wu Zheng performed poorly and appeared nervous, no one would notice anything amiss.

"Let's go." Twelfth Madam Luo stood up and turned to another street, with Ding Songyan walking alongside her.

The two strolled leisurely through the nearby Market, exchanging a few words every now and then.

The most crowded spot in the Market was occupied by a Storyteller recounting the legend of the Legend of the White Snake.

Twelfth Madam Luo paused and listened for a while, then suddenly sighed softly and muttered to herself:

"Those destined to meet will find each other even from a thousand miles away; those not destined will find it impossible to hold hands even when face to face..."

She turned her head to look at Ding Songyan and said with feeling:

"This is the best storybook I've heard in the last five years."

"Hmm, if you can maintain your current level of quality and finish your story smoothly, it should be able to compete."

Ding Songyan chuckled and deliberately bowed, saying:

"Thank you for your praise, Twelfth Madam."

"Don't be so smug. Everything has a beginning, but few things have an end. You haven't even finished half of your story, have you? Whether you can even finish it is another matter," Twelfth Madam Luo said with a laugh.

Ding Songyan chuckled:

"I'm thanking you for that first sentence."

The smile on Twelfth Madam Luo's face gradually disappeared, and her eyes widened slightly:

"You wrote 'The Legend of the White Snake '?"

"It is indeed I, a humble and unworthy man," Ding Songyan leisurely. "Back then, it was thanks to 'The Legend of the White Snake ' that I made a name for myself in Dingjiang Prefecture."

Twelfth Madam Luo re-examined this guy, recalling the Journey to the West storybook she had just read yesterday, and felt that the style was quite similar.

"Did you write those folk songs too?" Luo Mingyin didn't hide her curiosity.

"I heard them before, then made some adaptations, and someone else turned them into music," Ding Songyan replied vaguely.

Twelfth Madam Luo glanced sharply at Ding Songyan:

"Not entirely true."

Ding Songyan changed the subject:

"I recently felt that the flute was a better match for ' Madame White Under Qingcheng Mountain '."

Twelfth Madam Luo thought about it seriously for a moment, then looked into the empty space and said:

"Melodious and graceful, ethereal and refined, it is indeed fitting."

She discussed the matter with Ding Songyan with great interest. After tossing a few Copper Coin to the Storyteller, the two chatted as they walked toward the place where the village opera was being performed with gongs and drums.

Suddenly, Twelfth Madam Luo's expression changed slightly. She quickly turned her body to the side and went straight into the nearest alley.

Ding Songyan frowned slightly, puzzled.

After looking around and finding nothing unusual, he quickly followed Twelfth Madam.

Twelfth Madam Luo returned to the direction of the Prince Kang's Residence along the quiet streets without saying a word. Ding Songyan did not ask any questions either, but just walked silently beside her.

Phoenix Terrace Studio.

As Yu Chongyuan, with his sharp eyebrows, peach blossom eyes, and high, straight nose, stepped through the gate, he saw his junior sister Zhang Yingbo rushing towards him.

This young Great Grandmaster usually conceals his "All the World's Colors Gather," yet he still attracts many affectionate gazes.

When Zhang Yingbo approached, the color on his body had not diminished in the slightest.

Handsome men and beautiful women, all stunningly beautiful, created a breathtaking scene that captivated the eye, leaving no room for even a hint of jealousy.

"Our senior brother has someone seeking refuge; things don't seem so simple," Zhang Yingbo to Yu Chongyuan, tilting his head slightly and lowering his voice.

Yu Chongyuan nodded slightly, without asking any questions on the spot. He chatted casually with his junior sister about other things without showing any emotion, and walked slowly towards the inner courtyard.

Not long after, he met Wu Zheng, who had shed his disguise, in a Quiet Room.

The shadow of a famous tree instantly excited Wu Zheng:

"Master Yu!"

He knelt down on both knees, about to kowtow and beg for protection.

Yu Chongyuan a wide-sleeved robe, reached out his hands and steadily supported him.

"I dare not accept such a great gift."

"My friend, please explain things clearly first."

Wu Zheng himself and carefully recounted his parents' experiences, the enemy's martial arts techniques, the origins of the name He Jin, and the family's Martial Arts.

"The legacy of Fire Virtue True Lord Wu Hui..." Yu Chongyuan turned his gaze to his junior sister beside him.

Zhang Yingbo nodded slightly, indicating that he had tested the other party's background and that it was indeed the technique of Fire Virtue True Lord Wu Hui. That "Rightless Blade" was quite extraordinary.

Yu Chongyuan muttered the words "fire virtue" to himself, then thoughtfully asked Wu Zheng:

How do you know that one of the Martial Grandmaster who is hunting you is named He Jin?

People who do this kind of dirty work can't possibly give their names.

"In response to your question, it was my savior who told me," Wu Zheng replied frankly. "They are a pair of reclusive masters who do not wish to be involved in worldly affairs. They specifically instructed me not to reveal their whereabouts. Please understand, sir."

Yu Chongyuan nodded:

"You can stay in the study for now; no one will bother you. Once we've figured out what happened and confirmed what you went through, we can discuss the follow-up. How about that?"

Yu Chongyuan was willing to take him in, Wu Zheng was once again overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes reddening as he cupped his hands and said:

"Thank you very much, Master Yu."

After the two finished their conversation, Zhang Yingbo asked curiously:

"Young Master Wu, was it also a disguise created for you by those reclusive masters?"

It's incredibly amazing!

Yu Chongyuan watched calmly, without interrupting or probing.

"Yes." Faced with Zhang Yingbo's fiery red and vibrant appearance, Wu Zheng couldn't say anything more.

After leaving the Quiet Room, Yu Chongyuan patiently waited for his junior sister to bring it up herself.

Zhang Yingbo said with sparkling eyes:

"Senior Brother, Wu Zheng's previous disguise was quite mysterious and magical. It was clearly just a simple disguise, yet we all regarded him as someone else until he himself pointed it out, at which point it Huo Ran different."

Yu Chongyuan asked a few questions about the details, seemingly lost in thought, and muttered to himself:

"A person from the Emperor Terrace?"

Entering the Rear Courtyard of the Cheap Wine Shop through the side door, Twelfth Madam Luo, who had been silent the whole way, sat on the swing, which swayed gently without any wind.

Ding Songyan glanced at her, then went into the Main Room and the East Wing Room, carefully inspecting everything before returning to the courtyard and saying:

"Those people came by, but they didn't touch anything. I don't know anything about your room."

He carried both the Facial Mask and the letters with him at all times.

Twelfth Madam Luo turned her head to look at Ding Songyan, her eyes vacant as she replied:

It's alright.

Ding Songyan didn't bother the Manager. He boiled some water and brewed tea at the stone table in the courtyard.

He didn't make any loud noises, nor did he deliberately try to be quiet; he did it just like he had been doing normally these past few days.

After he finished drinking a pot of tea, Twelfth Madam Luo, who was sitting on the swing gently, moved her eyes slightly, as if she had finally come back to life.

The Manager sighed softly, looking at the tea set on the stone table, and said:

"I almost ran into someone I didn't want to meet."

Ding Songyan hummed in agreement:

If you don't want to run into it, then don't.

He couldn't find any outstanding figures around the Market, which he could only attribute to his own lack of understanding.

Twelfth Madam Luo fell silent once again.

Only after Ding Songyan finished another pot of tea did she purse her lips and ask with a deep gaze:

Have you ever had the experience of wanting to forget someone but finding it hard to, wanting to get close to them but resisting from the bottom of your heart?

Ding Songyan was stunned for a moment, lost in thought for a long while, before smiling bitterly:

"Have."

Twelfth Madam Luo had never expected him to answer, nor did she want him to answer. Upon hearing this, she paused for a moment, then curled the corners of her lips into a self-deprecating smile and said:

"I can't tell."

Just like how others can't tell that you have this past.

Ding Songyan and said:

"Back then, I was young and full of enthusiasm."

Note 1: Quoted from Mencius, Book 2, Part 2

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