221: Chapter 5: Little Mountain Master, Little Monk 221: Chapter 5: Little Mountain Master, Little Monk In the Dachu Dynasty, within the territory of Zhongzhou, petals were falling like a shower; the sound of horse hooves was unceasing.
It was the perfect season when the ice had melted, and the flowers were blooming in spring warmth.
A simple black carriage moved slowly along the mountain road.
The coachman wore a bamboo hat, yet he was a youth.
“Master…
young mountain lord, how much longer until we reach Great Chu Imperial City?”
Duan Zhao turned around, looking towards the carriage compartment.
“No rush, we’re nearly there,” Xie Xuanyi, who sat inside the carriage, eyes closed in meditation, said indifferently, “I estimate it will take another two or three days…
You can go even slower if you like.”
“Even slower?”
Duan Zhao said helplessly, “Aren’t you bothered by the bumpy ride?
Besides…
on this journey, I haven’t seen you take in any of the scenery.”
“Fool, looking at mountains and water, how far can you see with just your eyes?”
Xie Xuanyi opened his eyes and said with resignation, “You’re a cultivator, of course, you should use your divine thought to look.”
Even though it was daylight, a lamp was lit inside the carriage.
It was the “Viewing Mountains and Seas” from Pavilion Master Kuo Zeng of the Incense Fire House; once ignited with divine thought, one could see the feng shui and the flow of destiny within several miles of the surrounding mountains.
This journey to the Imperial City was not a straight line, but a winding path that followed the flow of destiny.
The Taoist “Observing Qi Skill” was famous throughout the world.
Xie Xuanyi had always been curious about this magic, but had never had the opportunity to learn it.
Now that he had the “Viewing Mountains and Seas,” he discovered many interesting things.
The flow of destiny in the mountains seemed to correspond with the rise and fall of towns, sects, and noble families below.
The largest flow of destiny within a hundred miles was undoubtedly from the Da Sui Sword Palace.
Mighty destiny radiated from the Sword Palace, brushing across all directions.
It fell into the small towns where Si Qi had deployed the Sword Qi command.
As these towns were close to the Sword Palace, their destinies had begun to prosper from decline.
A few days ago, he deliberately visited several households and, upon “observing” them face-to-face, found that the lifespans and destinies of these people at the foot of the mountain had been extended.
It appeared that the actions of the cultivators above could bring blessings to the ordinary folks below.
In return, these inconspicuous beings from small towns and cities would send their “good intentions” to the cultivators above through the means of “incense fire.”
Invisible wafts of incense fire wended their way skyward.
Although negligible at first, they accumulated into a powerful force over time.
This fact.
Reinforced Xie Xuanyi’s original idea that to reverse the waning momentum, the Da Sui Sword Palace needed to send a large number of disciples down the mountain.
The journey these past few days had been quite cumbersome, especially troublesome.
No wonder Duan Zhao had developed a bit of resentment.
“Regretting becoming this coachman?”
Xie Xuanyi asked, “This onerous task wasn’t assigned by me.
You could have stayed for peaceful cultivation on Lotus Peak, sparring more with Xu Nianning.
If you regret it, it’s not too late to go back now.”
“Better not…
That Mrs.
Xu is heavy-handed,” Duan Zhao said with a pained face, “After two months of sparring on Lotus Peak, I’ve almost lost a layer of skin.”
Hearing this, Xie Xuanyi chuckled and shook his head.
The past two months.
Xie Xuanyi himself had an epiphany in Xuanshui Cave Heaven.
Left with no other choice, Duan Zhao could only follow Huang Su and practice swordsmanship.
His little junior sister taught just as she lived life, straightforwardly…
no profound philosophies, for a Sword Cultivator there was just one word.
Fight!
As a result, Duan Zhao had to spar with Xu Nianning, wielding his heavy sword back and forth for two months.
He was not allowed to rely on the strength of a martial artist’s body.
They could only use the Sword Dao to determine the winner.
Under such circumstances…
victory or defeat was not at all suspenseful.
Although the boy was exceptionally gifted, he was several years younger after all.
Even if the restrictions were lifted, allowing Duan Zhao to utilize his Vajra Realm physique without revealing the secret techniques of Wangyou Island, he would likely still not be a match for Xu Nianning.
So, when he heard that Xie Xuanyi was preparing for a long journey, he shamelessly insisted on coming along, afraid that he would be left behind.
He quickly assured her that he could take care of all the trivial tasks along the way…
He had just bitten off more than he could chew at his young age.
Since Xie Xuanyi had already promised the Island Master of Wangyou Island, he would definitely take Duan Zhao with him on the long journey.
On the journey so far, with frequent stops and starts, more than ten days had passed.
Aside from inspecting the mountain’s destiny and validating the theory of incense fire, Xie Xuanyi had only one thing to do along the way.
And that was to instruct Duan Zhao in swordsmanship.
Although the pair did not have a formal title of ‘master-disciple,’ they already had the actual relationship.
Leaving aside the chores and bumps.
The two of them would behold each mountain they encountered, appreciate each body of water, and genuinely enjoyed a leisurely and comfortable life.
The territory of the Dachu Dynasty had many mountains and waters.
Perhaps due to the demise of Beihai Ling, when you used “Viewing Mountains and Seas,” you could see that the originally desolate Dachu Dynasty was now receiving a vast inflow of destiny.
The previously barren mountains and waters were now gaining much “charm.” In a few years, once this destiny truly fell upon the land, the primordial energy of the Dachu Dynasty would likely abound many times over.
“Alright, you’ve worked hard these past days.
You don’t need to take it slow anymore.
Let’s pick up the pace.
In about two hours, we should reach Caipu City,” Xie Xuanyi consoled with a smile, “Let’s have a good rest at Caipu City, and then continue our journey tomorrow.
This time we won’t take any detours and will head straight to Great Chu Imperial City.”
…
…
Although he said this, Xie Xuanyi couldn’t help himself and waited until he had finished observing the final stretch of sprawling mountain destiny.
By the time the two arrived at Caipu City, it was already deep into the night.
They casually checked into an inn.
With sufficient silver taels for the journey, there was, of course, no need to share a room.
Xie Xuanyi booked two top-notch guest rooms.
He intended to personally prepare a tub of hot water infused with medicinal herbs for Duan Zhao, but unfortunately, some people just aren’t that fortunate.
Before the hot water was even ready, the person in question had already fallen deep asleep, and in no time, began to snore like thunder.
Xie Xuanyi saw this, smiled helplessly, and returned to his own room.