Old Friends Reunited

Xu Qi'an was always a steady person. His mind raced, and he didn't waste any time speaking, asking in a deep voice:

"Imperial Advisor, do you love me?"

Luo Yuheng covered her mouth and chuckled softly, speaking tenderly and affectionately:

"My love, we have been cultivating together for many days now, so we are already dao companion. If I didn't love you, why would I be cultivating with you?"

The Imperial Advisor's death has become more serious. Xu Qi'an felt heavy-hearted, but outwardly maintained a tender expression, saying:

"Chu Yuanzhen and Master Hengyuan have arrived. They are both my friends. I'll go out to greet them."

Luo Yuheng said, "I will go with you."

After saying that, she lifted the blanket, revealing her cleavage.

"No need. If you go, how will they feel at ease?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Yuheng did not press the matter further, giving him a smiling glance without saying a word.

Xu Qi'an felt inexplicably uneasy, so he quickly dressed, left his room, and went to the inn's lobby.

It was past dawn, the sky was overcast, candlelight was lit in the lobby of the inn, and wisps of steam rose from the backyard as the cook prepared breakfast.

"Knock knock!"

Xu Qi'an knocked on the counter, waking up the shop assistant who was dozing off at the table, and said:

"Book another guest room."

The waiter asked in surprise, "Why is that?"

He had a good memory and recognized the blue-robed guest as someone who had checked into the inn near dusk earlier that day.

Why would one person book two guest rooms? Is it because they have too much money?

Xu Qi'an's face turned cold. "Enough with the nonsense."

Seeing this, the waiter said no more, collected the money, registered the room, and gave Xu Qi'an the room key.

After carefully putting away the key, Xu Qi'an replied to Li Miaozhen:

[Three: I'm at Tongfu Inn. After entering the city, walk about a mile along the main road, and you'll see it.]

He tucked the fragments of the Earth Book into his pocket and sat in the most conspicuous spot facing the inn's main entrance.

After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan appeared, crossed the threshold, and entered the inn.

"Brother Chu, Master Hengyuan, it's been a long time. How have you been?" he greeted with a smile.

He looked at Li Miaozhen one last time, and the opening line of Li Lingsu flashed through his mind. "It's been so long since we last met, I've missed you terribly. Although I'm gone, my heart is always with you."

"Feiyan, the heroine, is still as charming as ever! Where is my concubine, Susu? Is she taking good care of me?"

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she reverted to her previous opening remarks, which echoed Xu Qi'an's character.

Li Miaozhen recognized the familiar scent and naturally rolled her eyes. "Fine, the paper doll will sleep with you tonight."

Although Su Su had lotus seeds, she had not yet regained her physical body. Xu Qi'an roughly knew some of the reasons. The sun was one factor, but more importantly, once the beautiful female ghost regained her human form, her corresponding Law Technique and methods would cease to exist.

This is the price one must pay to become a fully-fledged adult.

Therefore, the female ghost had not yet made up her mind.

The four exchanged a smile, Xu Qi'an stood up at the opportune moment, leading the three upstairs to his newly booked room.

He took out his key to unlock the door, lit the candle, and retrieved two jars of yellow wine and four large bowls from the fragments of the Earth Book.

"This is the wine I collected during my travels. Have a taste."

"Good wine!"

Chu Yuanzhen was a connoisseur of wine. After taking a small sip, his eyes lit up. "It tastes even better when it's warmed up."

"A true expert."

Xu Qi'an smiled.

So they asked the waiter to bring a small stove, lit a charcoal fire, and warmed some wine while chatting.

Xu Qi'an recounted in great detail his travels since leaving the capital, from Yongzhou to Leizhou, and then back to Yongzhou.

Along the way, I'll talk about whatever comes to mind, big or small.

"Your experiences remain as rich and varied as ever."

Chu Yuanzhen held up a large bowl, took a sip of wine, and said with a smile, "So, the princess is now considered your confidante?"

Li Miaozhen's beautiful eyes narrowed suddenly.

Don't bring up things you shouldn't talk about. Xu Qi'an lowered his head and drank.

Chu Yuanzhen laughed:

"To be honest, I haven't seen the Princess Consort's true face yet, but I know that even the Imperial Advisor, purely in terms of appearance, would probably be inferior to her. There are thousands of women in the capital, but only a few can truly amaze people."

"The Princess Consort of Zhenbei, the Imperial Preceptor, and His Highness Huaiqing—there are only three of them."

"To have even one of them is truly a blessing in life."

People have different aesthetic standards. Chu Yuanzhen is a wandering knight, a scholar, and a swordsman, which respectively correspond to beauty, talent, and swordsmanship!

It was this woman.

Ah, I'm sorry, they're all fish in my pond. Xu Qi'an knew the Imperial Advisor was at the same inn, so he didn't dare to delve deeper into this topic.

"It's too early to say. Perhaps our Prince Huaiqing has also secretly fallen for Xu Yinluo."

Li Miaozhen gave a sarcastic hum, not dwelling on Huaiqing's topic, because in the Holy Maiden's view, a woman as noble, aloof, and talented as Huaiqing could not possibly be interested in the philandering and lecherous Xu Qi'an.

Even if there is some attraction, it will only remain attraction.

"Where are the others, and what have we done with them?" Chu Yuanzhen asked.

"I've taken them into the pagoda. We fled here in haste yesterday, and the Imperial Preceptor and I have been busy healing our wounds."

He added to himself that dual cultivation was also a form of healing.

"Is Li Lingsu also inside the tower?" Li Miaozhen asked.

Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan looked over. They already knew that number seven was Li Lingsu, the person who had been hunted down by her "enemy" and had been missing for more than a year.

Xu Qi'an nodded, giving an affirmative answer. After considering it for a moment, he said:

"To conceal my identity, I didn't call myself Xu Qi'an, but Xu Qian. My character is a transcendent master who has lived for hundreds of years, a terrifying figure who can easily defeat the supervisor in a game of chess, and an unfathomable senior master."

He believed me without a doubt and treated me with utmost respect and awe, only daring to criticize me in his heart.

Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, and Hengyuan initially thought it was quite normal, as Xu Qi'an's travels in the martial world were primarily based on secrecy. However, as they listened, the three owners of the fragmented Earth Book looked at each other in bewilderment and then fell silent.

Lord Xu's old habit has relapsed.

It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature.

Haha, how would Li Lingsu feel if she knew the truth?

After saying that, Xu Qi'an got straight to the point:

"As the saying goes, secrets can't be kept forever. The Holy Son will find out my identity sooner or later. I have no idea how to deal with this. Do you gentlemen have any suggestions?"

Li Miaozhen quickly raised her hand and suggested:

Why let him know? It's better to keep it a secret for as long as possible, rather than making things awkward for both of us.

Chu Yuanzhen recalled the two-bedroom apartment he had dug out with his feet by a campfire in the northern wilderness, and said in a serious tone:

"Miaozhen's words are very true."

"You think the Holy Son's death wasn't enough? You want everyone to witness his demise? You two wicked seeds!" Xu Qi'an shook his head solemnly.

"No, that would be too unfair to the Holy Son. He would feel like the whole world is bullying and deceiving him."

Chu Yuanzhen's expression was serious. "Ningyan, that's a one-sided view of yours. First of all, you had a reason for concealing your identity. Secondly, the Holy Son is a magnanimous person and won't feel that we've bullied him because of this."

You don't even know him

Xu Qi'an said no, no, that's immoral.

Li Miaozhen said, "That's fine, that's good."

Xu Qi'an said I'm not the kind of person with such a perverse sense of humor.

Chu Yuanzhen said that none of us are like that.

Finally, Xu Qi'an reluctantly accepted the suggestions of his two companions, saying:

"That's settled then! Please cooperate with me and don't expose my identity."

Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen nodded in satisfaction.

"Amitabha!"

Master Hengyuan, who witnessed all of this, felt that he was out of place with them because of his kind heart.

"By the way, why is the Imperial Advisor in Yongzhou?"

Li Miaozhen asked the question that had been lingering in her heart for a long time.

Ah, Xu Qi'an's heart sank suddenly as he realized the problem.

The cultivation methods of the Human Sect have the aftereffect of karmic fire backlash, a fact that Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, and Chu Yuanzhen, Registered Disciple of the Human Sect, are well aware of.

Emperor Yuanjing cherished the idea of cultivating with Luo Yuheng because fortune could extinguish karmic fire.

Even more fatally, the holders of the Earth Book fragments now know that he possesses great fortune.

Xu Qi'an held the large bowl, took a sip of wine, and quickly glanced at Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen out of the corner of his eye as he looked down.

Chu Yuanzhen toyed with the large bowl, gently swirling the wine, appearing relaxed and leisurely. But if one wasn't mistaken, his back had just subtly straightened.

Li Miaozhen leaned forward, staring intently at him.

They were indeed somewhat suspicious.

Just as Xu Qi'an was thinking of an excuse, there was a knock on the guest room door, with two "thump-thump" sounds.

"I'll go open the door!"

Xu Qi'an took the opportunity to get up, walk to the door, and unlatched it.

As expected, a stunningly beautiful woman with a radiant smile stood at the door; it was none other than the Imperial Advisor, with whom he had shared a bed the previous night.

"What is she doing here? Please don't keep calling me 'Xu Lang'," Xu Qi'an said, a chill running down his spine. He stepped aside and forced a smile.

"Please come in, Imperial Advisor."

Luo Yuheng nodded slightly and stepped over the threshold into the house.

"Imperial Advisor!"

Li Miaozhen and the other two quickly stood up and performed the Daoist salute.

Luo Yuheng smiled brightly, nodded slightly, and glanced at Chu Yuanzhen: "Not bad, your cultivation has improved again. Have you thought about how to advance after the fourth rank?"

Chu Yuanzhen shook his head with a wry smile.

She then looked at Li Miaozhen: "You've reached the mid-stage of the fourth rank, and you can reach the peak of the fourth rank within a year. You've already surpassed your senior brother, Li Lingsu."

Both Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen felt that the Imperial Preceptor was different today, seemingly lacking his usual aloofness.

Luo Yuheng looked at Xu Qi'an and said with a smile:

"I came to Yongzhou to explore the underground palace outside the city. Xu Yinluo told me that the owner of the underground palace was the ancestor of humanity from ancient times."

Chu Yuanzhen, who had personally experienced the underground palace exploration, suddenly understood.

I couldn't help but recall the dangers involved, and sighed:

"Actually, if Ningyan hadn't brought Miss Zhong into the tomb, we might have been able to bring Lina out directly from the outer perimeter."

Li Miaozhen had never been to a tomb with them before, but she was familiar with the subject and nodded. "Did you find anything?"

Since it concerned the Daoist School, she took it very seriously.

Luo Yuheng smiled and said, "I haven't had a chance to go yet."

Xu Qi'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief, surprised by the Imperial Advisor's understanding. He thought to himself, "Could this be the legendary thing: when a woman falls in love with you, she will think of you in everything?"

Why do you keep our relationship a secret?

Suddenly, Xu Qi'an received a telepathic message from Luo Yuheng.

He glanced at the Imperial Advisor without showing any emotion; the latter smiled knowingly, looking at him with a meaningful expression.

"It's all because you're a shark! If you could get along well with the other sisters, would I be so cowardly?" Xu Qi'an was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. But in return, you shouldn't make things difficult for me, right?"

What does the Imperial Preceptor mean by this?

"Xu Lang, I'm giving you one day to sever ties with Mu Nanzhi and Li Miaozhen. Return to the capital tomorrow and then sever ties with other women. If you continue to be ambiguous with other women, I will be very troubled."

"This, this..."

"Yes, I understand Xu Lang's predicament."

Luo Yuheng's voice transmission was filled with tenderness and love:

"If it's inconvenient for you, then I'll personally clear your name. Mu Nanzhi can just retire at the Imperial Academy of Music from now on."

Are you a devil? This personality is a yandere! Cold sweat broke out on Xu Qi'an's forehead.

At this moment, Luo Yuheng said, "I'll go back and meditate first. We'll go to the underground palace in Yongzhou City together this afternoon."

Li Miaozhen and the others bowed and said, "Yes!"

After Luo Yuheng left, Li Miaozhen said:

"Take out the pagoda. Xu Qi'an, Xu Qi'an? I'm talking to you."

Xu Qi'an suddenly snapped out of his daze and let out a blank "Ah".

Li Miaozhen frowned and said, "What are you staring at? I need to see Li Lingsu."

"Oh oh."

Yes, quickly find that scumbag and ask him how to handle this situation. Xu Qi'an acted swiftly, even somewhat urgently, as he took out the Floating Pagoda.

The dark golden pagoda, no bigger than a palm, hung in mid-air. Suddenly, its doors opened, sucking everyone inside into the room.

Inside the tower, on the first floor.

Li Miaozhen and the others looked around. In front of them stood a golden Buddha statue, over ten zhang tall. On either side of the Buddha were nine Bodhisattvas with indistinct faces, and behind the Bodhisattvas were Arhats.

These sculptures are tall and majestic; compared to them, humans are as insignificant as ants.

Both Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen were Buddhist School, yet they felt a sense of awe for no apparent reason.

"Amitabha!"

Hengyuan clasped his hands together, his expression devout.

On the path leading to the golden statue of Buddha, four people sat cross-legged: Zen Master Jingxin, the blind Jingyuan, Miao Youfang, the host of the dragon energy, and Li Lingsu, who was devoutly clasping her hands in prayer.

Li Miaozhen chuckled and exclaimed:

"Li Lingsu, your Divine Ability powerful junior sister has come to your rescue."

The Holy Son's ears twitched as he heard a familiar voice, and he was slightly moved.

He immediately opened his eyes, stared straight at Li Miaozhen, and exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Sister?"

Li Miaozhen scrutinized him and teased, "It's been a year since I last saw you, and you're still so energetic. I thought you were going to be drained dry by women."

Li Lingsu snorted, "After a year apart, Junior Sister hasn't improved at all; she's still so frugal with fabric."

Xu Qi'an suddenly understood why Li Miaozhen chose not to help him when he was dying; it turned out that personal grudges were also involved.

Li Lingsu then looked at Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan and smiled:

"How shall we address you, fellow Daoists?"

Li Miaozhen pointed at the swordsman in the blue robe. "Number four!"

Then, pointing at Hengyuan, he said, "Number Six!"

"Cough cough!"

Li Lingsu coughed forcefully, signaling to her junior sister with her eyes not to reveal the matter of the Earth Book fragments.

At the same time, they looked at Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan with great surprise, never expecting to see two other holders of the Earth Book fragments here.

That doesn't make sense. Back then, the holders of the Earth Book fragments were in a relationship of mutual wariness and mutual assistance.

How come the holders have become friends in less than a year?

What exactly happened while I was away?

Well, even if he just uses code names, Xu Qian wouldn't understand.

Thinking to herself, Li Lingsu greeted Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan with clasped hands, and then introduced them:

"This is Senior Xu Qian, a man of high moral character and great prestige, chivalrous and upright, possessing both the demeanor of a great hero and the composure of a senior."

"I am able to meet you all here thanks entirely to Senior Xu's help."

After he finished speaking, he noticed that Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, and Hengyuan were looking at him as if he were an idiot.

No, it's more complicated than looking at an idiot, especially that hateful junior sister Li Miaozhen. Her face turned red, her snow-white neck turned red as well, and the muscles in her neck twitched slightly.

"What are you laughing at?" Li Lingsu asked, frowning.

I wasn't laughing.

Li Miaozhen said calmly.

Chu Yuanzhen interjected at the opportune moment, saying sincerely, "To be honest, we are old acquaintances of Senior Xu, and only a few people in the capital know of his existence."

Just as I expected. Xu Qian, a transcendent expert capable of playing chess with the Imperial Supervisor, has a mysterious identity, but those at a higher level would certainly recognize him. Li Lingsu nodded, looking as if to say, "Just as I predicted, I already guessed it."

"Fellow Daoists, although I have known Senior Xu for a long time, I still do not know his background."

Li Lingsu privately transmitted her voice to her junior sister and the two holders of the Earth Book fragments. "Do you know who he really is?"

Chu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then replied telepathically, "Xu Qian has some connection to the royal family, but I cannot disclose his specific identity."

"Some connection to the royal family." Li Lingsu suddenly realized, and transmitted her voice:

"Hey, I knew it! He has a very close relationship with the Bureau of Astronomy, is in charge of collecting dragon energy, and is also involved with the Princess Consort of Zhenbei."

Li Lingsu's pupils dilated, and she transmitted her voice:

"Could it be... could it be that he is the Prince of Zhenbei?! But wait, didn't the Prince of Zhenbei die long ago in the northern border region?"

He was out of touch with the world, but he knew about the death of the Prince of Zhenbei.

Li Miaozhen's cheek muscles trembled, her lips were tightly pressed together, and she could hardly contain herself.

"What are you laughing at?" Li Lingsu frowned.

"I didn't laugh," Li Miaozhen denied.

"You clearly have it, I've put up with it for so long," he snapped.

While they were whispering to each other, Xu Qi'an had already arrived in front of Miao Youfang, scrutinizing this host of dragon energy.

P. S.: I had a meeting this afternoon, which delayed my writing time. This chapter was a bit rushed, but it's close to 5,000 words, so it's not too bad.

I'll correct the typos later.

Okay, I'll continue writing the next chapter, but the update time will probably be very late. You're all long-time readers, so I don't recommend waiting.