NOVEL NEXT Chapter 134: The Present Situation
In the sixteenth year of Emperor Ming’s reign.
Emperor Ming personally took control, leading to intense conflicts with factions loyal to the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister. These clashes ultimately forced the Empress Dowager to commit suicide.
On their deathbed, the Prime Minister’s faction retaliated by allowing rebel forces to invade the capital, resulting in the massacre of imperial family members and high-ranking officials… Horses thundered through the palace grounds as blood flowed like rivers…
Historians named this event ‘The Long Blade Night’!
Following that night, the Great Liang imperial court collapsed dramatically, ushering in an era of regional warlords vying for power amidst rising Dragonfish rebellions!
Although Emperor Ming had died, with no clear successor, the era continued to be marked under Great Liang’s reign.
It is now the thirty-third year of Emperor Ming’s era.
In Three Origins City,
After casually placing Tai Sui within a hastily excavated immortal’s cave amidst the mountains, Fang Xi made his way to this city.
The once flying Dragon banner of Great Liang was long gone from Three Origins City, replaced by a dark golden flag emblazoned with the character ‘Liáng’ and its accompanying Dragonfish emblem!“King Liang?” Fang Xi silently uttered the name of this rising monarch from Ding Province, then chuckled softly as he entered the city.
Neither the city guards nor the pedestrians seemed to notice him, allowing Fang Xi to pass through the gates unimpeded.
“Did you hear? King Liang launched an attack against King Gui and achieved a great victory!”
“But I heard that King Liang fell into an ambush at Twin Dragons Mountain?”
“Hush… Don’t say such things! Be careful not to undermine military morale; it could cost you your head!”
As Fang Xi walked, snippets of hushed conversations reached his ears without any hindrance.
Clop-clop!
Occasionally, fully armed elite soldiers arrogantly rode their horses through the streets, intimidating pedestrians who dared not voice their anger despite their resentment.
In times of chaos, military power reigned supreme!
In times of chaos, military power reigns supreme!
The status of warriors significantly elevated, and as trusted personal guards to rebel lords, these tooth soldiers could commit murder with impunity, unchecked by any law.
Prices for goods skyrocketed across the market, food costs spiraling upward.
Recalling the countless destitute wanderers in the Outer City, desperate to find stability within the city walls, Fang Xi couldn’t help but sigh, “In troubled times, common folk fare worse than dogs…”
Lost in thought, he arrived at the location where Intervale Dojo once stood.
To his surprise, it was no longer a dojo but had been transformed into a large courtyard residence, guarded by soldiers at the entrance.
“What place is this?” Fang Xi’s eyes flickered as he casually intercepted an elderly passerby.
Initially, the old man felt irritated at being stopped, but upon seeing the young man dressed in azure robes with an extraordinary demeanor, he dared not dismiss him lightly. With respect, he replied, “This is the residence of Zhou Shenglong, General Zhou, a roving commander under King Liang…”
“And what happened to the original Intervale Dojo?”
“Intervale Dojo?” The old man looked puzzled for a moment before slapping his head. “Oh, that must be from several decades ago, right? Ahh… back then, the dojo was incredibly popular, attracting many nobles and influential figures… Unfortunately, its rise was swift, but so was its fall. Rumor has it, there was a bitter feud between the two main dojo masters leading to a violent clash. Many lives were lost, they parted ways, and subsequently, the dojo declined…”
“A feud between the two main dojo masters?” Fang Xi, recalling Qing Mu and Qing Sang’s brotherly bond, found this unlikely.
Yet, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his own naivety.
After several decades, how could people remain unchanged?
“Afterwards, when King Liang attacked the city, the successor of the declining dojo attempted resistance. Once the city fell, he was killed, and King Liang seized control of the dojo…”
Unaware, the old man revealed quite a bit more than intended. Realizing his slip, he hastily covered his mouth. Seeing no one around, he let out a sigh of relief.
“I see, thank you very much, sir.”
Fang Xi casually tossed him a gold coin, turned, and walked away.
The old man rubbed his eyes, confirmed it was indeed a gold coin, quickly tucked it into his pocket, and glanced furtively around like a thief…
At Baiyun Dojo.
Unlike Intervale Dojo’s dissolution, Baiyun Dojo had stubbornly taken root in Three Origins City. Despite facing sieges, Mu Piaomiao decisively maintained neutrality against all odds, ultimately avoiding retribution after the city’s fall.
“Even with my intervention, I cannot halt the decline of an entire dynasty…” Standing before the dojo entrance, Fang Xi gazed at the weathered signboard and couldn’t help but sigh.
“Who might you be? Are you here to seek martial arts training?” A disciple emerged, noticing Fang Xi’s exquisite cyan bamboo magic robes, and cautiously asked without showing any disrespect.
“I’ve come to visit some old acquaintances…”
With a sweep of his divine sense, Fang Xi located Mu Piaomiao lying on a wicker chair in the backyard. “No need for introductions, I’ll go directly…” His figure flickered, swiftly entering the dojo interior.
The disciple, unaware of Fang Xi’s departure, rubbed his eyes and then shrieked, “A ghost! Aaaah!!!”
Mu Piaomiao, with her silvery hair cascading over the soft chair, gazed up at the lush grapevine laden with ripe fruit.
For someone from ancient times, reaching sixty was considered a long and full life.
In her youth, she had endured much hardship. Thanks to the spirit pills provided by Fang Xi later on, she still maintained keen senses despite aging. However, deep within her lay sorrow for growing old and fear of impending death.
“Shimei…”
Suddenly, a figure in cyan robes appeared before her, softly calling out.
Standing there, he resembled a vibrant jade bamboo, exuding vitality - a lively energy unique to the young.
“Youth… truly wonderful…” Mu Piaomiao murmured, her face filled with longing. “It feels like I’ve gone back in time, seeing Da-shixiong once more…”
“Cough, Shimei, it’s really me,” Fang Xi gently reminded her with a cough.
Mu Piaomiao snapped out of her daze, touching her wrinkled face and then staring intently at Fang Xi. “Am I not dreaming?!”
“No, you’re not…” Fang Xi’s lips twitched, surprised by this unexpected side of his shimei.
Mu Piaomiao glanced at Fang Xi again and suddenly chuckled, “Are you his son? Or perhaps even his grandson? Don’t joke like this with Grandma…”
“Back in Blackstone City…” Fang Xi paused to recall a specific incident from their time during the Demon Tree calamity. He then mentioned an embarrassing event involving Mu Piaomiao, “You secretly snuck to the kitchen late at night and almost got beaten by Master Mu…”
“How could your grandfather reveal such things?” Mu Piaomiao felt slightly embarrassed but gradually, her expression shifted from certainty to confusion while looking at Fang Xi.
The identical appearance was understandable, but the aura, demeanor, and even a subtle sense of familiarity?
“Da-shixiong?” she cautiously called out.
“What can I do for you, little Shimei?” Fang Xi responded with a smile.
“Don’t say another word! I’m dying of embarrassment!” Mu Piaomiao picked up a nearby palm leaf fan and covered her face.
“Hahaha!”
Seeing his little shimei still as lively and charming as before, Fang Xi couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“You’re truly Da-shixiong? How can you be so young?” Mu Piaomiao asked, astonished.
“At the peak of martial arts, one can reverse aging, defy death…all these feats are effortless!”
Fang Xi stood with hands behind his back, exuding the demeanor of a grandmaster.
“Unfortunately, Shimei, my achievements have been limited, and I remain at the true force realm even now…” Mu Piaomiao sighed. Initially, Fang Xi had given her medicinal pills, but she chose to save them for nurturing future dojo masters instead.
This decision ensured the continuity of Baiyun Dojo’s leadership across generations, albeit at the cost of her own cultivation progress.
“How are the others doing?” Fang Xi thought about Zhang Mingding and Lily…
“The old ones aged, and some passed away… Not many from our initial group remain.” Mu Piaomiao put down the palm leaf fan. “However, Zhang Mingding lived up to his exceptional talent, aided by your guidance and the medicinal pills… He later broke through to True Force, becoming a martial artist. After traveling the world, he aimed for the Zongshi realm and has since gained a renowned reputation as a great hero. It’s just unclear if he achieved the Zongshi title yet.”
She shared updates on several more individuals.
For mortals, thirty years encompass two generations, filled with inevitable cycles of birth, aging, sickness, and death…
Finally, she added, “Lily moved out of the dojo, and I bought her a nearby courtyard house to live in. She… has had a difficult life and never married…”
Mu Piaomiao herself remained unmarried as well, dedicated to overseeing her father’s dojo.
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.
Just then, a burly man strode in from outside. “Old Master, one of the disciples claimed he saw something eerie outside, so I came to check… Hm? Who might you be?”
The man stared at Fang Xi with a puzzled expression, unsure how an outsider could be present in the dojo.
Mu Piaomiao glanced at Fang Xi, noticing his lack of objection, and promptly introduced him, “This is your great uncle-master… Hurry, go offer your respects!” Then turning to Fang Xi, she added, “This is the current owner of Baiyun Dojo - Mu Baizheng! Baizheng, show your respect immediately.”
“Great uncle-master? Sect uncle, I’ve met all your fellow sect brothers, so could it be…” Mu Baizheng scratched his head, feeling increasingly suspicious about this seemingly effeminate newcomer.
Fang Xi, however, was not inclined to engage further and simply flicked his finger.
Boom!
Invisible true astral energy manifested, forcing Mu Baizheng to his knees and causing cracks to appear on the floor beneath him.
“Ah… True Astral Energy externalized?!” Recognizing its significance, Mu Baizheng, astounded yet perceptive, hastily bowed in reverence. “Great Uncle-Master, greetings! Could you be a Zongshi?”
According to legends, only Martial Saints could externalize their True Astral Energy. However, achieving such finesse without any visible effort was truly extraordinary!
“Well-behaved!”
Fang Xi smiled warmly and casually rewarded Mu Baizheng with a bottle of first-rank Blood and Qi Pills.
Mu Baizheng accepted the bottle, opened it, and immediately recognized the familiar medicinal aroma, his expression shifting dramatically. He swiftly tucked the bottle away as if hiding stolen goods, heart pounding rapidly.
He remembered this scent well!
As an orphan taken in by Baiyun Dojo, Mu Baizheng had average talent but excelled in his steadiness and honesty. Later, his sect uncle bestowed upon him a medicinal pill, enabling him to break through to the realm of True Force martial artists. This distinguished him among his fellow disciples, ultimately leading to his appointment as dojo master!
The pill from that time carried the same fragrance! Despite being typically reserved, he couldn’t resist feeling an urge to prostrate himself again before Fang Xi…
This was the exact scent of that medicinal pill from years ago! Despite being a straightforward person, Mu Baizheng felt an overwhelming urge to prostrate himself again before Fang Xi…
“Shixiong, what brings you back this time?”
Mu Piaomiao gestured for Mu Baizheng to stand aside, his expression turning serious.
“To settle some worldly matters. By the way, how is Yuanhe Mountain faring outside the city?” Fang Xi casually asked.
“Over a decade ago, King Liang rose to power, sweeping across the jianghu. He personally visited Yuanhe Mountain seeking the secret manual for the ‘Yuanhe Five Thunders Hand.’ With the old grandmaster Linghu having already passed away, there was no one to stop him, and he breached their gates…” Mu Piaomiao recounted.
“How… Could it be that even my reputation as the Supreme Grandmaster holds no sway anymore?” Fang Xi seemed somewhat taken aback.
“The Supreme Grandmaster?” Mu Piaomiao rolled his eyes. “We’re mere mortals here. You’ve been gone for thirty years; how much of your prestige could have remained?”