A Clear Conscience

The atmosphere inside the Ancestral Hall on Supreme Mystery Mountain suddenly changed.

Hu Yueqiu knew her own state best. Faced with this change, she felt little panic or frustration, but rather a sense of relief and calm, muttering to herself, "Just as I thought..."

"Xiao Hu..." Hua Chunning felt a pang of pity and turned to Li Chengxuan, pleading, "Master..."

Li Chengxuan sighed and shook his head slightly.

[Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi] is [Fu Water Proper Qi], so naturally, one must have a perfect Manifestation to be able to Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao; even the slightest deficiency will not work.

Moreover, Hu Yueqiu's Manifestation were steadily declining.

Li Chengxuan did not offer any words of comfort to Hu Yueqiu, but instead asked, "Xiao Hu, how are you feeling now?"

Hu Yueqiu sensed it carefully for a moment, then replied softly, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, I feel that the Manifestation around me is like a full lake, the water level of which is receding day by day, returning to an unknowable place."

"Just as the disciples observed in Autumn Phenological Periods [Waters Begin to Dry Up], this is due to the timing of nature, and cannot be prevented by human effort."

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and continued, "What are your plans next?"

"If you wish to stay on the mountain and continue working as a steward in the General Affairs Hall, that is certainly possible."

"If you wish to descend the mountain to seek your fortuitous opportunity, I will not stop you."

Hu Yueqiu had already made up her mind. She knelt down and said, "This disciple is willing to descend the mountain to seek fortuitous opportunity and try my luck on the path to immortality again."

The next morning.

Everyone from Supreme Mystery Mountain turned out to see Hu Yueqiu off.

Liu Zhijian took out a Grand Mysterious Token and handed it to Hu Yueqiu: "Don't forget, you are a disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain. If you encounter any insurmountable crises in the future, you can use this token to seek help from the Immortal Alliance cultivators."

Hu Yueqiu took the Grand Mysterious Token and carefully put it away.

Hua Chunning then gave her some suitable medicinal pills.

"Looks like having a certificate is useless; these days, every civil servant has to take an exam to get in." Duanmu Ren shook his head inwardly and took out a small booklet, half with writing and the other half blank. "These are my recent insights and conjectures from reading the [Fu Water] Daoist Scripture. You might as well flip through it in your spare time; it might be of some help."

Hu Yueqiu had long heard of Duanmu Ren's exceptional wisdom and virtue, so she naturally wouldn't underestimate him. "Thank you, Senior Brother Duanmu."

Jiang Xiaoyu, unaware of the truth, still believed that Hu Yueqiu had simply gone down the mountain for training.

Although I felt a little reluctant to part with it, I wasn't particularly sad.

She also reminded Hu Yueqiu not to forget to bring herself a gift when she returned, and that she could also go to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to see the talking clouds.

Hu Yueqiu nodded in agreement, patted Jiang Xiaoyu's head, and smiled, "If Xiao Yu'er misses me, she can go to the mountaintop and ask the clouds to send me a message."

"Just remember to look for clouds drifting south."

"The place I'm going to is called Mirror Moon Lake, don't get it wrong."

After descending Supreme Mystery Mountain, Hu Yueqiu headed south.

Hu Yueqiu couldn't help but recall the Autumn Phenological Periods in the Grotto-Heaven observing the water level as Waters Begin to Dry Up, a time when she thought it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Now, my own Manifestation is constantly diminishing, yet this gives rise to a different feeling.

It truly is the will of Heaven; all we can do is lament our fate.

A month later, Hu Yueqiu had arrived in Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain.

Hu Yueqiu was only Registered Disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain, and he knew the importance of the matter, so he did not rashly go to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to pay his respects.

I was just passing by when I remembered Jiang Xiaoyu's request, and I took the opportunity to revisit Gathering Worthies Mountain.

Gathering Worthies Mountain has long since changed beyond recognition.

The mountain was solemn and dignified, with a strong sense of strict discipline, completely lacking the lively and casual atmosphere of the past.

Hu Yueqiu walked around for a while but didn't see any familiar faces.

In the end, Xue Yang personally received Hu Yueqiu and explained the reason.

It's actually related to the unusual celestial phenomenon of Venus accompanying the moon.

As a member of the [Human Emperor] lineage, the Xue Household naturally held even greater faith in and reverence for extraordinary celestial phenomena.

Therefore, Xue Yang vigorously rectified the internal and vassal Lineage, including Gathering Worthies Mountain.

Gathering Worthies Mountain was originally a place where good and bad people were mixed together.

Xue Yang took drastic measures, killing some, imprisoning others, and driving away still others.

This is why Gathering Worthies Mountain is well-ordered and has a clean and upright atmosphere.

Hu Yueqiu suddenly realized what was going on, accepted Xue Yang's invitation, went to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to take a glimpse of Lingxia from afar, and then took her leave.

Perhaps influenced by Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, further south, whether cultivators or mortals, there is a sense of solemnity and reverence, as if the heavens are about to murderous intent intent, and the human world is naturally restrained.

If you continue south, your path will be blocked by a large river.

Hu Yueqiu stayed by the river for several days, receiving some nourishment from the [Kan Water] water, which slightly slowed down the decline in Manifestation.

It's only better than nothing, though.

Hu Yueqiu gathered nine kinds of herbs in the Grotto-Heaven.

Now, the losses are almost a month-long decline.

Hu Yueqiu calculated the distance and realized she could make it to Mirror Moon Lake.

On the great river, there was a burly, mute boatman who rowed his boat back and forth every day to ferry people.

A wooden sign stood on the boat, with several large, crooked characters written on it, "The Zhao Kingdom is rife with Evil Cultivator; those traveling south must take a detour."

Hu Yueqiu paid the money and boarded the boat to cross the river.

Upon reaching the other side, the other passengers disembarked, and Hu Yueqiu was the last to disembark, softly saying, "Senior Lei, how have you been?"

The mute boatman stared wide-eyed at Hu Yueqiu, looking her up and down, before waving his hands and shaking his head repeatedly.

Hu Yueqiu immediately understood.

This Senior Lei was once the Grand Preceptor of the Zhao Kingdom, renowned for his booming voice and his public-spiritedness.

He entered the Dao through Mixed Qi and was proficient in a technique called palm Palm Thunder. He was highly respected in the mortal world, but his name was unknown, so he was respectfully called Daoist Lei.

He was not only the first cultivator Hu Yueqiu came into contact with, but also the one who guided Hu Yueqiu on her path of cultivation.

It's just that, Senior Lei now ferries people across the river every day, he doesn't remember every single passenger, so it's perfectly normal that he wouldn't remember the unremarkable Hu Yueqiu from back then.

Hu Yueqiu then began to recount what happened back then.

After listening, Daoist Lei patted the boat pole in his hand, pointed to his gray hair, and simply smiled.

Upon hearing this, Hu Yueqiu didn't ask any further questions and prepared to turn around and leave.

"Evil Cultivator..." Hu Yueqiu glanced at the wooden sign on the boat, gripped the ancient sword in her hand, left a few pills as a token of gratitude, and headed straight south.

The capital of the Zhao Kingdom was in ruins and desolate.

Hu Yueqiu first went to the residence of the Princess who had helped her, only to find it deserted, with only a loyal servant guarding the gate.

The loyal servant did not recognize Hu Yueqiu, but cried out that the immortal master had committed evil deeds, seized the palace, slaughtered the imperial family, and forcibly abducted the eldest princess to be his slave.

Hu Yueqiu went to the palace with her sword.

The palace gates were wide open, and no one was stationed there.

Deep within the inner palace, several cultivators were drinking and making merry.

The concubines in the harem danced and played musical instruments, while princesses and noblewomen served tea and wine, enjoying themselves immensely.

As Hu Yueqiu stepped into the main hall, she immediately attracted the attention of several cultivators.

An old cultivator, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, sized Hu Yueqiu up and down. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Excellent! I never expected such a beauty! Fellow cultivators, don't try to snatch her from me!"

Then, laughing loudly, he stood up. "Who presented this to me?! This immortal master will reward them handsomely!"

Hu Yueqiu remained calm, took a step forward, and slashed with her sword.

The old cultivator only felt a flash of light before his eyes, then a dizzying sensation, and he inexplicably flew to the beauty's side, only to be kicked away and rolled to the side of a headless corpse.

A commotion immediately broke out in the main hall.

The concubines, princesses, and noblewomen of the imperial harem were both alarmed and secretly hopeful.

The other cultivators were filled with fear and trepidation.

"It's you..." The middle-aged cultivator sitting in the center of the hall carefully examined Hu Yueqiu, then stood up and stepped forward with a limp, smiling, "So it's Xiao Hu. I'm your Brother Wang. I took good care of you when we were at Gathering Worthies Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yueqiu glanced at the man and recognized him as the lame manager from Gathering Worthies Mountain back then.

The others were also familiar faces from Gathering Worthies Mountain.

It seems that these people were survivors of Xue Yang's purge of Gathering Worthies Mountain who had come to the mortal world to act arrogantly and domineeringly.

Hu Yueqiu didn't waste any words. Her ancient sword flashed like lightning as she unleashed the moves from the [Moon Palace Sword Canon].

The lame manager and his companions were merely cultivators practicing the New Method of Body Refining; how could they possibly withstand a sword Swordsmanship enhanced with sword intent?

In the blink of an eye, Hu Yueqiu had slaughtered countless people.

The lame manager, clearly stronger, ignored everything and fled. When he turned around and saw that Hu Yueqiu hadn't given chase, he was overjoyed.

Just as they were about to escape the main hall, a figure leaped out from the front, his hair and beard bristling, Palm Thunder!

It was none other than Daoist Lei, the National Preceptor of the Zhao Kingdom!

The next day.

Hu Yueqiu hung the corpses of the lame steward and others on the flagpole atop the city wall.

One purpose is to commemorate those who died unjustly among the common people.

Secondly, it served as a warning to future monks.

Before leaving, Hu Yueqiu used her ancient sword to carve two lines of large characters on the city wall.

Those who wreak havoc on the common people shall be executed by sword.

"Supreme Mystery Hu Yueqiu"

Hu Yueqiu left the capital of the Zhao Kingdom and casually found a small town to recuperate.

With the enhancement of sword intent, its killing power is naturally sharp and incisive.

However, Hu Yueqiu ultimately failed to enter the Daoist path.

The lame managers, though New Method Body Refining cultivators, were quite resilient to attacks.

Hu Yueqiu also suffered serious injuries.

A group of Evil Cultivator were committing atrocities in the capital, a fact known throughout the country.

Hu Yueqiu simply told a kind elderly couple that she had escaped from the capital, which convinced them, and she found a place to stay in the town.

This small town is located near the post road, and caravans come and go frequently.

The elderly couple ran a caravan shop, providing rest, food, and lodging for the smallest merchant caravans.

They were barely able to make ends meet.

However, due to the chaos caused by Evil Cultivator, caravans heading to the capital almost completely ceased to exist.

When news of the sword Evil Cultivator cultivator arrived, and the Imperial Preceptor Daoist Lei appeared to inspect various regions, the Zhao Kingdom's trade and postal services gradually resumed.

Hu Yueqiu had been used to doing manual labor since childhood.

Even though he was seriously injured and his Manifestation was constantly diminished, he was still Martial Dao master at the Meridian Unblocking Opening Realm.

They are capable of doing the work of at least ten people.

His skill in killing and cooking fish is especially highly praised.

Hu Yueqiu then settled down at the carriage shop, hiding his whereabouts.

First, he was impatient with the Princess and Daoist Lei's thanks.

Secondly, concealing the news of the injury serves as a deterrent to hidden Evil Cultivator.

A month later, the eldest princess ascended the throne and proclaimed to the world that Hu Yueqiu of Supreme Mystery Mountain was appointed as the guardian immortal master of the country.

Those Rogue Cultivator within the Zhao Kingdom either entered the court to receive official titles or simply went far away.

Hu Yueqiu's injuries had almost healed, so she bid farewell to the elderly couple at the carriage shop and continued on her way.

Ten Thousand Swords Manor is the power base of Ximen Feixue, the leader of the righteous path in the martial arts world and the master of the martial arts alliance.

When Hu Yueqiu first started out as a chivalrous swordsman, he offended a powerful outlaw and was hunted down. He only escaped death thanks to the protection of Ximen Feixue.

Later, the two exchanged sword techniques, risked their lives together, and killed most of the villains on the list of evil people in the martial arts world, creating a legendary tale in the martial arts world.

If we were to discuss the relationship between Hu Yueqiu and Ximen Feixue, it would be no exaggeration to say that they were true friends who would risk their lives for each other.

Back then, people in the martial arts world even regarded the two as a divine couple.

Ximen Feixue seemed to share the same idea.

Unfortunately, Hu Yueqiu aspired to the Immortal Dao and was unwilling to see their friendship suffer, so she simply left without saying goodbye and drifted away.

Now that he has returned to the Ten Thousand Swords Manor, Ximen Feixue naturally complains incessantly.

Just like before, Hu Yueqiu listened in silence.

"Alas... Back then, you left without saying goodbye to seek immortality and enlightenment, causing a great uproar in the martial world. In truth, I also laughed at your wishful thinking."

Ximen Feixue, now middle-aged, glanced at Hu Yueqiu and sighed, "I never expected you to actually get what you wanted, and even accomplish such a great feat."

To intimidate cultivators, Hu Yueqiu hung corpses on the city walls and inscribed their names.

Unexpectedly, it caused a sensation in several neighboring countries.

Even Ximen Feixue had heard about it.

Hu Yueqiu made no attempt to hide anything and frankly stated, "Actually, I failed in my quest for immortality and am preparing to return to my hometown to recuperate."

Ximen Feixue was stunned, his face filled with disbelief. "Even with your talent, you can't cultivate the Immortal Dao?!"

Hu Yueqiu thought of her senior brothers and sisters on Supreme Mystery Mountain, and then of her own ever-decreasing Manifestation, and shook her head with a wry smile, saying, "Brother Ximen, you jest. What talent do I have?"

Ximen Feixue couldn't bear to touch on Hu Yueqiu's painful past, so he changed the subject and advised, "Why go back to Mirror Moon Lake?! Can that place really be considered your hometown?! Why not just stay at the Ten Thousand Swords Manor?"

"Baixiaosheng has announced the top ten villains in the martial arts world, all of them extremely vicious and wicked."

"Now is the time for us to return to the fray!"

Hu Yueqiu shook her head in refusal, smiling but saying nothing.

Ximen Feixue knew Hu Yueqiu very well. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Could it be that you haven't given up yet?!"

Hu Yueqiu remained calm, saying only, "Why should I give up? It's just that the road ahead is long and arduous."

Ximen Feixue was full of admiration and strongly urged Hu Yueqiu to stay longer.

Then he widely distributed invitations to heroes, preparing to hold a martial arts tournament to announce the return of the Autumn Moon Sword to the martial world.

Hu Yueqiu, having traveled a long way, finally had a chance to rest and recuperate, so she stayed at the Ten Thousand Swords Manor.

However, I didn't sleep well at night.

Even though it's not the right season, I can always faintly hear the mournful chirping of cicadas.

Having grasped the essence of sword intent and attained a degree of clarity in sword mind, Hu Yueqiu naturally wouldn't ignore this sudden, impulsive feeling.

"Does the cicada sense danger and chirp as a warning...?"

Hu Yueqiu then seized an opportunity to leave Ten Thousand Swords Manor and gather information.

With the arrival of the Azure Cloud Sect, the Old Method and fortunes have been revived, and cultivators who were originally far removed from the mortal world are increasingly showing their presence.

As the leader of the martial arts alliance, Ximen Feixue even organized a Immortal-Seeking Society, which explored famous mountains and rivers and searched for cultivation Cultivation Method.

There are even rumors circulating in the martial arts world that the Immortal-Seeking Society once ambushed and killed a cultivator from the north.

"Could it be that my sworn brother is gathering allies to force me to hand over my cultivation Cultivation Method?" Hu Yueqiu frowned in thought, then sighed, "Or perhaps he'll simply kill me and divide the inheritance?!"

"Indeed, the world of martial arts is fleeting, and people's hearts are fickle." Hu Yueqiu naturally wouldn't risk his life, nor did he want to be killed unjustly. So he left a letter containing some common knowledge about the cultivation world, along with two pills for Meridian Opening, and once again departed without saying goodbye.

The closer I get to home, the more timid I become.

Despite having mentally prepared herself and knowing there was nothing to fear in her hometown, Hu Yueqiu still felt uneasy.

Hu Yueqiu did not go straight home, but instead visited the private school teacher in the neighboring village first.

The private tutor was bedridden, delirious, and barely clinging to life.

His family had even prepared a coffin and mourning clothes, just waiting for him to breathe his last.

Hu Yueqiu paid a visit with the proper respect due to a disciple.

Back then, when I audited classes and secretly learned from others, I did indeed suffer a lot of insults and reprimands from the private tutor.

However, teaching people to read and write and receiving tuition fees was not only a matter of course, but also the foundation upon which private tutors made a living and supported their families.

If the private tutor were truly ruthless, he would have a hundred ways to drive away a destitute fisherman's daughter who had broken the rules.

Judging by both their actions and their intentions, all the private tutors were their benefactors.

"Honorable guest, please take a look." The private tutor's son, already stunned by the gold and silver Hu Yueqiu casually handed out, racked his brains but couldn't recall when his father had ever tutored any nobleman. He sighed and said, "My father no longer recognizes anyone; he's on his last breath. The village shaman says the old man has lingering attachments, which is why he refuses to die."

Hu Yueqiu nodded slightly and bowed to the dying old man on the bed. "Sir."

The private tutor, already delirious and with a crooked mouth and eyes, struggled to turn his head and open his eyes upon hearing Hu Yueqiu's voice. His cloudy gaze stared straight at Hu Yueqiu, gradually clearing as he asked in a trembling voice, "You... you are... the little fisherwoman of the Hu Household?!"

The private tutor's son was astonished, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Hu Yueqiu respectfully replied, "Sir, you have not made a mistake."

The private tutor gradually came to his senses, even getting up on his own, and looked at Hu Yueqiu, saying, "In my life, I have accomplished nothing in my studies or the imperial examinations, and I have achieved even less in teaching. My only consolation is that I have never done anything wrong or been a villain."

"The only thing I regret most is that I once spoke harshly and mistreated an orphaned girl seeking education because of a little money. This is my deepest hatred, and I will never be able to let it go until my death."

"Why do you say that, sir?" Hu Yueqiu was taken aback upon hearing this, and tears inexplicably streamed down her face. "I still remember your kindness to this day."

"Whether it's a final burst of energy before death or an afterlife hallucination, it doesn't matter anymore." The private tutor became increasingly lucid, his gaze fixed intently on Hu Yueqiu as he asked, "Are you still willing to study and learn to read with me?"

Hu Yueqiu did not hesitate and bowed respectfully. "This student is willing, please teach me, sir."

"Good!" The private tutor got up and went to the dilapidated school, took out the dusty primers, and began to teach word by word.

Hu Yueqiu no longer needed to hide outside the window to eavesdrop or watch. She could sit comfortably at the old desk and earnestly start learning from the beginning.

The private tutor remained very strict, often loudly reprimanding Hu Yueqiu for making mistakes.

Hu Yueqiu was no longer the naive child she once was, and with her clear mind and pure heart, she learned very quickly and was scolded and reprimanded less and less.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The private tutor had done his utmost, imparting all the knowledge he had acquired throughout his life.

The last class has ended.

The private tutor put down his pointer and books, looked at Hu Yueqiu with satisfaction, then laughed loudly three times, saying contentedly, "In my life, I have no regrets!"

Having said that, he passed away with a smile.