Since he was not fleeing for his life this time, Li Fuchan did not travel particularly fast. He also kept avoiding the streaks of light racing through the sky toward the Southern Border, stopping and starting along the way. By the time he reached the Northern Lands, three months had passed.
Once in the Northern Lands, his first order of business was to visit the foot of Black Mountain.
Everything was still as it had been in the previous simulation.
Except that this time, he had not intervened. Although his hints when he subdued the green and red snakes had convinced Xu Xuan to show his father his determination to seek immortality and pursue the Dao, for some reason Xu Xuan had thought better of it. He had secretly doubled back and investigated further.
He had discovered that Black Mountain stood deserted. There was no Black Mountain Old Demon anywhere, only bird droppings covering the ground.
This had made him reluctant to reveal his intentions lightly again. Xu Sansheng had also died somewhat later, and his funeral had only been held a month ago.
On his deathbed, Xu Sansheng had failed to see through Xu Xuan's ambition as he had last time.
Without Xu Sansheng's death to serve as that dose of healing medicine, the poisonous fire in Xu Xuan's heart had not been drawn out. He was now full of bitterness and hatred, scheming and calculating over his reputation.
Now dressed in fine brocade, Xu Xuan sat upright in the main hall, holding a cup of tea. He took a leisurely sip and asked, "Has Wen gone into seclusion yet?"
A servant immediately bowed and replied, "Reporting to the Household Head, the third young master entered seclusion yesterday."
At this, a faint ripple spread across the tea in Xu