Ein Reisender, der alle Himmel und unzählige Welten durchquert

Kapitel 4

"You'd better keep the gold leaf safe and don't use it carelessly," Lie Chifeng said, watching Ning Lang's hurried departure.

"Huh?" Ning Lang turned around, then obediently nodded, "Okay."

Once Ning Lang was out of sight, Ming Huayan stood up, reached out and stroked a white lotus outside the pavilion, and said with a faint smile, "He calls me 'Young Master Ming,' but you call me 'Hero Lie,' how interesting."

A breeze swept across the lake, causing the green lotus leaves and white lotus flowers to sway gracefully, their delicate fragrance spreading in the wind. The person in the pavilion, dressed in a blue robe, seemed like an immortal born from the lotus.

"Ning Lang? I wonder who he is?" Lie Chifeng asked from the side.

At that moment, a bird suddenly descended from the sky and landed on Ming Huayan's shoulder; it was a snow-white eagle.

Ming Huayan raised his hand, and the snow eagle landed in his palm. He took a small bamboo tube from the snow eagle's leg, then stretched out his hand, and the snow eagle flew away again. He took out a small piece of paper from the bamboo tube, unfolded it, and examined it closely. His expression was calm and serene, without the slightest ripple.

"I'm leaving." Lie Chifeng thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he got up, waved his hand, and walked out of the pavilion.

Ming Huayan turned around, a smile on his face that betrayed neither joy nor sorrow, and waved the note in his hand, “‘Lord Biyue’ has sent ‘Biyue Flower’ back to the Yingshan Guardian Palace with Qinghan.”

"What does that have to do with me?" Lie Chifeng didn't even turn his head, and kept walking.

"The abdication of the leader of the martial arts world is a major event in the martial arts world, how can you be so indifferent?" Ming Huayan smiled gently and sincerely behind him.

"Not interested." As the last word fell, Lie Chifeng's figure disappeared into the layers of lotus leaves.

"Is the only thing in this world that interests you is a knife?" Ming Huayan asked, looking at the empty space ahead.

After a moment, he lowered his head to look at the note in his hand, his hazy eyes gently closed, and his lips curved slightly, a smile purer and more beautiful than a white lotus. He spoke softly: "The people of the Demonic Sect are just a bit willful."

II. A Child Like a Blue Lotus (Part 2)

Yinghua has been in existence for forty-four years.

The most sensational event in the martial arts world was that Sui Qinghan, the "Lord of the Jade Moon" who ruled the underworld and was also the leader of the "Sui Sect," known as the Demonic Sect, returned the "Jade Moon Flower," a symbol of his status as a half-master of the martial arts world, to the Yingshan Guardian Palace. This act signified his voluntary resignation from the position of "Lord of the Jade Moon." According to the rules of the martial arts tournament, Lan Yin and Jade Moon advanced and retreated together. Ming Kong, the "Lord of Lan Yin," who had ascended to the position of half-master of the martial arts world with him, lost his power to lead the righteous path the moment Sui Qinghan returned the Jade Moon Flower.

The return of "Biyuehua" to Shouling Palace was like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing a huge uproar in the martial arts world. Everyone was shocked and delighted.

More than 160 years have passed since "Lan Yin Bi Yue" began to rule the martial arts world. The supreme ruler of the martial arts world has changed one after another, but apart from the first generation "Bai Feng Hei Xi" who founded "Lan Yin Bi Yue" and the second generation "Martial Emperor" Han Pu, no one has ever voluntarily abdicated. "Bai Feng Hei Xi" was able to retire in his prime because they regarded abandoning the throne as casually as walking on sandals and wealth as fleeting clouds. Throughout history, only two people have been able to dominate the chaotic world and command the heroes of the martial arts world before leaving gracefully. As for "Martial Emperor" Han Pu, he abdicated in his later years, having ruled the martial arts world alone for a full twenty years.

The supreme position in the martial arts world, the power of life and death, where heroes of the world bow before you—what glory, what honor! Who could resist such temptation? The positions of Lord of Lan Yin and Lord of Bi Yue have always been coveted by all, forged with blood and sweat, fought for with their lives. How could someone so talented voluntarily resign after sitting in this position for only five short years? Back then, when Sui Qinghan sought to seize the "Bi Yue Flower," didn't he also endure countless hardships and suffer countless wounds? Yet why did he return the "Bi Yue Flower" in his prime?

Amidst surprise and speculation, there was also a hint of secret delight.

A new martial arts supreme is about to be chosen, and I might have a chance!

only……

Everyone began to have doubts again: Would "Lord Lan Yin" Ming Kong really give up his position as Lord? Would he be willing to give it up? What kind of actions would he take? After all, throughout history, only those who abdicated due to death had done so.

Just as everyone in the martial arts world was speculating whether Mingkong would voluntarily give up his position as the leader, news came from Yingshan: "Lan Yin Bi Yue" had been reunited and returned to the palace.

When this news spread, the martial arts world was in an uproar, and heroes rejoiced.

Mingkong actually sent the "Lan Yin Token" back to the Shouling Palace?! But no one cared about the reason he sent it back.

The first reaction of everyone who heard the news was that the leader of the martial arts world was about to be reclaimed.

This time, it's my turn! Everyone who considers themselves a peerless hero is eager to get started.

The Yingshan Palace was empty, awaiting its arrival. Heroes rose up to pursue it, and once again, a storm arose, waves surged, and countless heroes emerged, and countless lives were lost.

At that time, Lan Qi was reclining on the lap of a beauty, sipping the fine wine "Rouge Intoxication" and listening calmly to his subordinates' reports.

Ning Lang met a man at an inn who instilled some common sense about the martial arts world into his simple mind, letting him know about the rise and fall of the martial arts world, the vicissitudes of life, the ever-changing winds of history, and the heroes...

Whether he actually memorized them all is anyone's guess.

Although the entire martial arts world is in turmoil over "Lan Yin Bi Yue" and many people are eager to try their luck, there are also some people who live ordinary lives, watching the sunset and wild geese fly together, and appreciating the autumn water and the sky.

July arrived in the blink of an eye. Since the beginning of the month, many martial arts practitioners had been arriving in Huazhou, all heading towards Tianzhi Mountain.

Tianzhi Mountain is a famous scenic spot, with beautiful and moving ancient stories and picturesque scenery that has attracted many tourists for thousands of years. At the foot of Tianzhi Mountain, there is a "Changtian Manor". The manor owner, Qiu Changtian, is famous in the martial arts world for his "Mitian Palm" and is also known as the "Confucian Knight". This means that he is not only outstanding in martial arts, but also refined and talented. He is the leader of the righteous path of the martial arts world in Huazhou.

However, those heading to Changtian Manor at this moment were not after the "Miantian Palm".

The "Orchid's Blossom and Jade Moon" is known throughout the martial arts world as a symbol of supreme power. However, before becoming this symbol, it was a flower. It was a peerless flower cultivated over eight years by Feng Lanxi, the former king of Feng Kingdom, for Feng Xiyun, the queen of Feng Kingdom. It was a testament to that unforgettable love, the only tangible relic left to posterity from that legendary tale. But back then, it was a living, breathing flower that bloomed and faded; the symbol that became it was a jade flower carved from rare and exquisite jade. The true "Orchid's Blossom and Jade Moon" vanished with the departure of "White Wind and Black Breath." For over a hundred years, countless people have tried to cultivate one, yet the journey remains long and arduous.

In mid-July, people travel to Changtian Manor for a single flower in the manor.

More than twenty years ago, when Qiu Changtian married his beautiful wife, the two were a perfect match, their love deep and unwavering, envied by many in the martial arts world. Madam Qiu, also a member of the martial arts community, knew the origin of the "Orchid's Cause and Jade Moon" (兰因璧月). During their honeymoon, while admiring flowers and the moon with her husband, she lamented that the world would never again see such a couple as "Orchid's Cause and Jade Moon," just as there could never be another "White Wind and Black Breath" (白风黑息). Qiu Changtian, confident that his love for his wife was no less than that of his predecessors, vowed to cultivate an "Orchid's Cause and Jade Moon" to prove his devotion.

Feng Lanxi spent eight years cultivating the extraordinary flower "Lan Yin Bi Yue," while Qiu Changtian spent eighteen years cultivating it and finally managed to grow one. Regrettably, the flower bloomed nine years too late, as Madam Qiu had already passed away, and the flower was not "Lan Yin Bi Yue."

Although no one has ever seen the true appearance of "Lan Yin Bi Yue", one can tell from its appearance that it is a single branch with black and white flowers, white flowers with black stamens and black flowers with snow-white stamens. The petals are like crescent moons, with the radiance of jade and moonlight. It is elegant and refined, just like its owner.

The flower that Qiu Changtian planted was entirely white, with one flower per stem. Its peculiarity lay in its petals. Unlike the crescent moon of "Lan Yin Bi Yue," it was half-moon shaped, with petals one after another forming a full moon. Month after month, they connected to form a complete full moon.

The flower was later named "Ban Yin" by Qiu Changtian, meaning "half-like orchid, half-happy marriage." The beautiful hopes of the past turned into a desolate ending of loneliness.

However, although not "Lan Yin Bi Yue" (a famous Chinese idiom meaning "orchid in bloom"), its unique and delicate beauty has made the name "Ban Yin" (meaning "half-flower") widely known. Coupled with Qiu Changtian's passionate love for the flower, countless people have been moved by it, making it arguably the second most famous flower after "Lan Yin Bi Yue." With so many people liking it, many also want to grow one to display at home, both for enjoyment and to show off. Strangely enough, the transplanted "Ban Yin" always withers within five days, and the seeds, once buried in the soil, are like burying a pebble—no matter how much watering and fertilizing, they never sprout. Yet, the "Ban Yin" at Changtian Manor blooms every year, as beautiful as snow and the moon.

Every July, the "Half-Incense" flowers bloom, filling the entire Changtian Manor with their fragrance. Many people then come to the manor, ostensibly to admire the flowers. While the heroes and heroines of the martial world are often fraught with danger, some are also drawn to the beauty of flowers, and others simply seek to appear cultured.

It may have started as a "partial cause," but over time it has gradually changed its meaning.

No matter how much martial arts practitioners loved flowers, they couldn't compare to their love of martial arts. So, after admiring the flowers, they often lingered, seeking instruction from Qiu Changtian. Qiu Changtian, known as the "Scholar-Knight," excelled in both literary and martial arts. Those who sought his guidance not only failed to gain an advantage but also returned defeated. Some, however, were genuinely impressed and humbly sought his teaching. Given Qiu Changtian's character, virtue, talent, and martial prowess, he was willing to answer any questions frankly and encouraged younger generations to set aside sectarian prejudices and practice together. Many returned with significantly improved martial arts skills, and for a time, everyone considered it an honor to join Changtian Manor. Later, every July, many martial arts practitioners would spontaneously travel to Changtian Manor, partly to admire the rare and exquisite flowers, partly to receive guidance from seniors, and partly to encourage and improve their martial arts skills. The long July sky has become a small grand event in the martial arts world. Although it is not as grand and exciting as the Yingshan Martial Arts Conference, it is a leisurely and carefree place for people to make friends through martial arts, and it lacks the killing and bloodshed.

However, in the last two years, people coming to Changtian Mountain Villa have developed a different mindset, and there are even more young people among them.

July of the forty-fourth year of Yinghua.

As in previous years, Changtian Manor welcomed many friends from the martial arts world. At the foot of Tianzhi Mountain, many more inns and restaurants have opened in recent years, benefiting greatly from the manor's reputation. Every July, they are fully booked, with the staff working themselves to the bone and the managers dazzled by the gold and silver.

Although Changtian Manor is a martial arts family with no shortage of money or resources, the sheer number of martial artists who would stay and eat there every year would be too much for the Qiu family to handle. Therefore, Qiu Changtian explicitly stipulated that while everyone was welcome to come to Changtian Manor to admire the flowers and discuss martial arts, they were responsible for their own food and lodging. Thus, apart from a few people who received personal invitations from Qiu Changtian to stay at the manor, everyone else lodged in the inns and restaurants outside the manor. Martial artists could visit the outer manor to admire the flowers at any time, but the inner manor for discussions on martial arts and swordsmanship was only allowed on July 16th.

Finally, July 16th arrived. The main gate of Changtian Manor opened wide at dawn, and the manor's chief steward stood by the gate, waiting for the arrival of all the heroes of the martial world.

As per tradition, the gathering begins at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), when Qiu Changtian appears to meet with his fellow martial arts enthusiasts, sometimes inviting some of his close friends as well. In truth, the manor's gatherings aren't as serious and tense as outsiders imagine. It's simply a place where everyone sits together, chatting about their recent learning, difficulties encountered, and insights gained in martial arts. Some participants will then spar to test their skills, and everyone discusses, solves, and shares their experiences. Qiu Changtian never puts on airs as a renowned senior; he speaks gently, is erudite, and treats everyone equally, regardless of seniority, fame, or skill level. He readily answers any questions raised, and if he himself doesn't understand, he readily admits it. He also frequently shares his insights, which extend beyond martial arts. Those who attend every year will never forget his joyful display of a bamboo painting in the forty-first year of Yinghua, which he shared with everyone.

Today, starting from the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), martial arts practitioners who came to participate in the gathering entered the inner manor one after another, all hoping to secure a good spot so that they could see and hear more clearly. Once inside the manor, what they saw and heard was a sight to behold, and they couldn't help but secretly admire it.

What came into view was a vast garden, with waterside pavilions, rockeries, and winding corridors, all exquisitely arranged. But the most delightful surprise was the array of tables and chairs. Bamboo chairs swayed in the breeze in the waterside pavilions, stone benches were cool in the gazebos, reed mats were laid on the rockeries, small tables were stacked in the winding corridors, and several long couches lined the corridors. The snow-white half-flowers bloomed on the stone steps and wooden railings, standing gracefully atop the terraces and rocks, creating a scene that was both dazzling and pleasing to the eye.

Once everyone was seated, a different scene unfolded. Some sat side by side, some surrounded by three or five, some faced each other, and some leaned alone. Some were adorned with decorations, like round snow-covered moons, their beautiful faces radiant before and beside people.

At that moment, even these rugged and unrestrained heroes of the martial world felt a sense of refined elegance, as if they were in the moon and the moon was in them, with a gentle morning breeze and a faint fragrance, as if they were in a fairy garden. Their hesitation vanished, and they felt that being in such a place, facing a beautiful woman, with kindred spirits, drinking wine and talking about the heights of the sky and the depths of the sea, discussing the many romantic figures, was the ultimate beauty in the world.

Whose ingenious idea and skill is this? Everyone marvels at it.

In previous years, it was just a simple gathering of everyone in Neizhuang, never as unique as this year. Everyone was both happy and excited, happy about the special arrangement and glad they hadn't missed it.

This year's meeting will surely surpass previous years.

II. A Child Like a Blue Lotus (Part 2)

Time always slips away silently.

As the golden rays of the rising sun shone down, adorning the manor with a beautiful veil, it was nearly dawn. Most of the attendees had already arrived, and no one had stepped through the gate for quite some time. Just as the head steward was about to order the manor gate to be closed, two figures came running from afar.

Wait a minute!

Someone ran and shouted, and in no time they had reached the door.

"Luckily... we made it!" one of them said, panting as he leaned against the door. The other man wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled sheepishly at the guards. His breathing was steady and he showed no signs of fatigue, clearly indicating that his physical strength and internal energy were far superior to the man next to him.

"May I ask who you two young heroes are?" The head steward by the door greeted them with clasped hands.

"Thank you, thank you." The man who had been leaning against the door, panting, finally caught his breath, clasped his hands in thanks for not locking him out, and looked up at them with a bright smile, revealing two sharp canine teeth, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. His face, though not conventionally handsome, was exceptionally pleasing to the eye. The man beside him was slightly younger, with handsome features and a pair of bright, clear eyes that exuded a heroic air.

"We wouldn't dare," the servants quickly returned the greeting. The Qiu family, from the master to the servants, were all extremely polite to everyone.

"My name is Yuwen Luo, and this is my sworn brother Ning Lang. We would like to participate in Senior Qiu's 'Half-Cause Sword Debate,' I wonder if that's possible..." Yuwen Luo pointed to the door and looked straight inside.

Half because of the sword competition? The steward and the servants were taken aback. Although many people came to participate in the competition every year, no one had ever named it. Although the master was very talented, he had never thought of it. This young hero Yuwen came up with a name as soon as he arrived. However, the name "Half because of the sword competition" sounded pretty good.

"Anyone who comes is a guest, there's no reason why we shouldn't welcome them." The steward waved his hand, inviting the two inside.

"Ning Lang, hurry, let's go in." Yuwen Luo immediately pulled Ning Lang and strode in.

Upon entering the garden, the two couldn't help but admire the beautiful scene of people and flowers complementing each other.

"Good, good, good! The flowers are exquisite, and the people are heroes. We are truly worthy of each other's praises." Yuwen Luo exclaimed repeatedly, "I was right to choose the name 'Half-Cause Sword Debate'."

Hearing the sound, all the heroes in the garden looked towards the entrance, only to see two unfamiliar young men. They didn't have anything particularly eye-catching about them, so they all turned back after a quick glance.

"Brother, it seems like the place is full." Ning Lang felt uncomfortable being stared at by everyone. He glanced around the courtyard a few times and saw that there were no empty seats left.

“Hmm…” Yuwen Luo glanced around, then suddenly his eyes lit up, “There’s another, even better place.”

"Where?" Ning Lang craned his neck to look again. There were indeed no empty seats in the garden, except for the small pavilion in the center of the courtyard, which was still empty. But no one had sat there, so it must have been reserved for the owner.

"Come with me." Yuwen Luo beckoned and walked away. Ning Lang, though puzzled, followed.

“Isn’t this a spot where no one is around, and it’s the best view?” Yuwen Luo pointed proudly at the artificial hill in front of him.

"Is this... alright?" Ning Lang looked at the artificial hill and then at Yuwen Luo.

“Of course.” Yuwen Luo nodded affirmatively. “This artificial hill is at the far east end, and it’s just for decoration and not very high. We can climb up here and have a clear view of the entire garden. Isn’t that great?”

“But…” Ning Lang hesitated.

Yuwen Luo leaped onto the artificial hill, sat down, looked around, and indeed could see the entire garden clearly. He beckoned to Ning Lang, "Come on up."

Seeing that he had already sat down, Ning Lang also jumped onto the artificial hill and looked around. As he had said, it had the best view. Not only could he see all the heroes in the garden, but he could also see half of the houses in Changtian Villa.

"Wow, there are so many people here, many of them are famous figures in the martial arts world. No wonder Tianzhi Mountain and Ying Mountain have been ranked on par in recent years." Yuwen Luo carefully scanned the heroes in the garden and couldn't help but sigh.

"Do you recognize them all, brother?" Ning Lang's gaze swept across the faces of those heroes, but he didn't recognize a single one of them.

"I don't know them." Yuwen Luo's gaze brightened with each person he glanced at.

"How do you know they're all celebrities?"

“Even if you haven’t seen them, you’ve at least heard of them.” Yuwen Luo turned around and glared at him. “As your brother, I’ve sworn to write a history of martial arts that will be passed down through the ages. How could I not know these famous figures in the martial arts world? Not only do I need to know them, but I also need to understand their backgrounds, sects, habits, and thoroughly study their martial arts skills and character. Otherwise, how can I write a history of the martial arts world that future generations can only look up to but never reach!”

"Oh." Ning Lang nodded.

Yuwen Luo turned his gaze back to the famous figures of the martial arts world, taking out paper and pen from his robes as he said, "It's shameful for the younger brother of a future great historian of the martial arts world to know nothing about its affairs, you know? So now it's necessary for me to supplement your knowledge with some of the most basic common sense of the martial arts world. First of all, you need to be able to recognize people. Speaking of which..." He turned his head back, "Ning Lang, I'm going to test your knowledge. Tell me, what are some of the famous sects in the martial arts world?"

Upon hearing this question, even Ning Lang, with his simple mind, blushed a little. "Brother, although I lack experience in the martial world, I still know a bit about the sects." After all, he came from Qianbi Mountain.

"Answer whatever I ask you." Yuwen Luo tapped Ning Lang's forehead with his pen. "The eldest brother is like a father, you know? You have to listen to me." He had always been the youngest in the family, and now that he finally had a younger brother, how could he not discipline him properly and enjoy being the older brother?