“The green hills remain unchanged.”
“The green rivers flow forever.”
“Although our time together with Young Master Jiang was brief, I feel as though we've known each other for a long time.”
On the verdant official road, the paths diverged.
Xue Changming and the others cupped their hands towards Jiang Wen, saying with considerable reluctance.
After waking up in the village that day, they informed the surrounding counties about the strange situation in the village. Later, the government sent officials to investigate and participate, so they didn't interfere too much.
They traveled towards Suzhou for another two days, and fortunately, nothing else happened along the way. The exquisite and delicate city in the distance was already within reach, and there were more merchants coming and going. Just stopping for a moment on the road, one could see all kinds of carriages passing by. An old man driving an ox was fully loaded with agricultural goods, a hardworking cart driver was pushing a cart forward with his children, and elegant young ladies laughed merrily, sending the scent of rouge from their carriages.
Occasionally, young ladies from wealthy families would lift the carriage curtains, and when they saw the group of rough men riding on horses, they couldn't help but blush with shyness. This was understandable, after all, after the great battle with the Thousand-Faced Demon that night, everyone's luggage had been soaked through, and they had been bumpy and tired along the way, so their attire was inevitably a bit scruffy.
However, these men were handsome, and even in casual clothes, they still possessed an extraordinary heroic aura.
Xue Changming and the others headed towards Yunze, while Jiang Wen was going to Suzhou to find someone. The group gathered at the crossroads to bid farewell with reluctance.
“This time, leaving the capital without permission, I'm afraid the Emperor already knows.”
After Xue Changming departed, Jiang Wen and Liang Yuan rode their horses towards Suzhou.
“Let's go!”
“There are very few people in the world who can cultivate the Righteous Qi Mantra, and my master only accepted me as a disciple because he saw that I had a connection with this cultivation method.”
“So, the Langhuan Academy doesn't focus on cultivators?” Jiang Wen asked, understanding somewhat.
“I understand naturally, don't worry. This lowly life is tough.” Xue Changming smiled self-deprecatingly.
“I see, but I'm very curious about what this Langhuan Academy is like?” Jiang Wen was quite curious. Although he had heard about Langhuan Academy from Changmingzi and Li Yunshang, he still had many doubts in his heart about truly interacting with disciples of such immortal sects.
“After you and I are done with our matters, we'll find some free time to go to Zhongzhou and take a look.” Jiang Wen playfully broke free and cupped his fist towards him. “Young Master Xue, you must also be careful on your trip to Yunze.”
After all, just hearing the name, one knows it is related to studying. Although the Great Qian Dynasty has immortal sects, it also adheres to feudalism. Liang Yuan is just a woman, so how could she join such a place full of Confucian scholars?
“I didn't expect that Miss Liang is actually a person who cares about the world.” Jiang Wen didn't mind when he heard this, but instead praised her. “Truly, women don't yield to men.”
As Xue Changming spoke, he closed the fan in his hand. He looked at the road behind him, his smile quite sarcastic: “It's just that some people are probably already unable to sit still. When I return from Yunze, I will repay kindness with kindness, and grievances with grievances, blood for blood!”
“So what if he knows? Can he take care of it?” Xue Changming laughed loudly. “The affairs of the world are chaotic, and the disaster in the Northern Lands alone is enough to give him a headache. My old ancestor is even planning to hold a competition to recruit a son-in-law for his daughter, and then there will be even more fun to watch.”
He then asked: “Miss Liang, did you come out of your sect this time for training?”
“No.” Liang Yuan shook her head. “I came to deliver something to an old friend of my master, but I got lost in the rain, so I met you.”
“Naturally. Langhuan Academy has inner and outer sections. The outer section is the academy, which is considered a sacred place for scholars in the Great Qian Dynasty. Many Grand Secretaries in the court are from the academy. The inner section is Langhuan, which is a place for cultivating righteous energy and seeking the right path. Although there are thousands of spells, they are all based on righteous energy. It's just a pity that since the death of the Langhuan Sage, no cultivator in the sect has reached the Celestial Platform for a thousand years.” Liang Yuan said, her expression full of emotion.
“Truly an interesting person.” Xue Changming smiled. “I have a feeling that we will meet again in the future.”
“People's hearts are restless, and the righteous path is declining. The hundred families of immortal sects have retreated into the mortal world, and demons run rampant. How many people in the world possess righteous energy?” Liang Yuan sighed. “Even among the disciples of the sect, how many are truly loyal and sincere? Enough, I actually spoke so much irrelevant topics with Young Master Jiang, it was my slip of the tongue.”
Xue Changming stood still for a long time, watching Jiang Wen leave. Only when his figure disappeared did he slowly withdraw his gaze.
“Brother Jiang, come to Suiyang City in Zhongzhou in the future. I will definitely treat you well, so that you know how famous the beauties and delicacies of Dongdi Zhongzhou are.” Xue Changming held Jiang Wen's hand and said reluctantly.
“Of course, I've heard of it.” Jiang Wen nodded. “The so-called Three Immortals and Four Sects, the Three Immortals refer to the Tai Shen Palace, the Zixiao Hall, and the Boundless Pavilion. The Four Sects are the Righteous God Dao, the Langhuan Academy, the Myriad Worlds Gate, and the Dan Ding Division. These seven great immortal sects are the strongest seven sects in the mortal world and the Sumeru Realm.”
After speaking, he reined in his horse and headed in the other direction with Lu Huaimin and the others.
“Sect… the sect is just a pure place.” Liang Yuan said. “Young Master should have heard of the Three Immortals and Four Sects.”
“Naturally, he is not simple. Even with my realm, I can't see through him, truly interesting.”
“… Young Master is joking. Langhuan Academy has only produced Sages, it doesn't deserve to be called one of the Seven Great Sects.” Liang Yuan shook her head and said. “If you're talking about the Tai Shen Palace, that can be considered a great sect. The academy is just a place for studying, although there are immortal secret techniques, few scholars know them.”
The two rode side by side, and Jiang Wen was very curious as to why this girl from Langhuan Academy had come to Suzhou.
“Then I wish Young Master Xue to find what you are looking for, farewell.” Jiang Wen patted the horse's rump and urged it forward. Together with Yan Gongli and Liang Yuan, they headed towards Suzhou, the pearl of the Southern Lands.
Their sleeves fluttered in the wind, and the horses neighed loudly. The heroic men rode spiritedly, galloping towards the distant land.
It can be said: A young man's ambition vows revenge for his family, one day he will become a marquis with ten thousand households. Iron horses and silver whips gallop across Yunze, only to melt gold and iron in the songs.
“I only hope for peace.” Liang Yuan said, she looked up at the increasingly close Suzhou, her expression filled with melancholy.
“Homesickness is a form of cowardice.” Yan Gongli, leaning in Jiang Wen's arms, said meaningfully.
There were no other words along the way. When the group approached Suzhou, Jiang Wen realized the prosperity of this city.
