Médecine traditionnelle chinoise

Chapitre 149

"Tsk, what a load of nonsense."

She had just stepped into the stirrups when she heard someone say something disdainfully. She turned her head and saw Jiang Ji, the leader of the "Broken Wind Flow" sect.

"What are you looking at?" Jiang Ji said with displeasure, "What have you done to deserve becoming the leader of the martial arts alliance? The martial arts world is getting more and more casual these days, it's all so absurd!"

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but agree when she heard him say that.

"Father, say less!" Jiang Cheng stepped forward and stopped him.

"Did I say something wrong?" Jiang Ji was still dissatisfied.

All around was completely silent. Xiao Xiao remained in that mounting position for a while before suddenly laughing and saying, "Senior Jiang, you've already left that town. Why not take this opportunity to make a comeback?"

Jiang Ji looked at her and frowned.

"When the world is in chaos, bring order to it. When the martial arts world is weak, revitalize it. I would also like to see what kind of martial arts world Senior Jiang envisions."

After finishing his short story, he mounted his horse and gave Jiang Ji a sweet smile. Then he set off to patrol the streets.

Jiang Ji watched her leave, his previously tense expression suddenly relaxing. He smiled and said softly, "That girl is quite interesting..."

...

Sitting on horseback, watching the cheering crowds lining the streets, the repeated shouts of "Martial Arts Alliance Leader" brought a smile to her face.

What is right? What is wrong? What is strong? What is weak? It seems we can no longer tell the difference!

...

By the time he finished surveying the entire city, it was already evening. Xiao Xiao let out a heavy sigh, frowned, and rubbed his aching back.

When she looked up, she smiled at the person who appeared before her.

Lian Zhao stood at the end of the street, seemingly having waited for a long time. He was dressed in dark green clothes, unarmed, yet exuded a formidable and heroic air that made people afraid to look him in the eye. However, in his expression, there was a familiar gentleness, just like when they first met.

When Hiko and Oniu saw the scene before them, they smiled at each other and then ordered everyone to leave.

A moment later, only Lian Zhao and Xiao Xiao remained at the end of the street.

Lian Zhao stepped forward, extended his hand, and smiled, "Tired?"

Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously. She gripped his hand, used it to dismount, and then said pitifully, "I thought patrolling the streets was so impressive, but it turns out it's a tough job!"

Lian Zhao reached out and took the reins of the horse, laughing, "From now on, you'll ride in a sedan chair on your inspection tours."

"Okay," Xiao Xiao replied without hesitation.

The two couldn't help but look at each other and smile.

"Let's go for a walk," Lian Zhao said, pulling her along.

Xiao Xiao nodded and followed him.

The street was covered with a layer of golden fallen leaves, rustling with each step. The air was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, a rich and intense aroma that seemed to seep into the body, filling every inch of the body.

Xiao Xiao unconsciously smiled as she approached Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao smiled and gently put his arm around her.

Xiao Xiao was feeling happy, but a small worry disturbed her peace of mind. After a moment's thought, she finally spoke, "Lian Zhao... I just heard Lord Ye say that the Emperor will weaken the power of the 'Nine Princes' in the future... You..."

Hearing her say that, Lian Zhao nodded, "Hmm... I've also noticed this since this audience with the Emperor. I'm afraid the Lian family will be going on more and more expeditions in the future."

When Lian Zhao said these words, there was a hint of heaviness in his voice.

Xiao Xiao understood what it meant to send a general far away to the frontier and never use him again. She couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. The battlefield was no child's play; life and death hung in the balance. But she also knew that for the Lian family, a man dying on the battlefield was the greatest honor. She couldn't change anything; all she could do was turn to him and gently hold him.

Her actions made Lian Zhao feel a little shy. But soon, he smiled, tightened his grip on her arm, and whispered, "I promise you... every time, I will win..."

This was a promise, and he would certainly keep his promise. She smiled slightly and nodded at his chest.

A moment later, Lian Zhao released his embrace, looking worried, and said, "By the way, Xiao Xiao, my aunt wants to see you."

Xiao Xiao was slightly surprised, but she already understood a bit of what was going on. She looked at Lian Zhao and nodded solemnly.

...

Not far outside Lin'an City, there is a lake with weeping willows planted along its banks. As autumn deepens, a gust of wind blows, and the willow leaves fall like golden dust, carpeting the ground. The setting sun lazily casts its light upon the lake, shimmering with the same hue as the fallen leaves.

Normally, this place is bustling with tourists, but at this time, it is exceptionally quiet.

As Xiao Xiao and Lian Zhao approached the lake, they spotted Lian Ying in the distance.

When Lian Ying saw them arrive, she went to greet them. Her expression remained cold even when she saw Xiao Xiao.

"Come with me," she said to Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiao's heart tightened, and she glanced at Lian Zhao.

Although Lian Zhao was nervous, he still nodded to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao calmed herself down and followed Lian Ying's steps.

She took a few steps and saw a person standing under the willow tree by the lake. It was none other than Lian Zhao's uncle, Zhu Chenyan.

"You are ultimately the disciple of the Ghost Master," Lian Ying said slowly. "Whether it's resentment or hatred, it must be resolved."

After hearing this, Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and walked forward. She had been prepared for this, so she felt no fear.

Lian Zhao watched her walk over, his brows furrowing slightly, his expression extremely tense.

Hearing footsteps, Zhu Chenyan turned around and smiled, "Miss Zuo."

Xiao Xiao's heart tightened when she saw the scar on his eye. She timidly began to speak, "Aunt..." but stopped abruptly, unsure of how to address him.

Zhu Chenyan didn't mind. He gently raised his hand and stroked the willow tree beside him.

"This is the best time of year, with willow leaves turning golden and the lake bathed in the glow of the setting sun. I used to come here often to go boating and fishing..." Zhu Chenyan said, his tone filled with pleasure.

Xiao Xiao was filled with melancholy. "In the past"...the golden willow leaves, the sunset glow on the lake, such scenery, for him, was now only a memory.

Zhu Chenyan lowered his hand and said calmly, "Then you shall exchange a few moves with me."

A slight shock. Zhu Chenyan is blind; this decision seems rather...

However, Zhu Chenyan remained calm and composed, and assumed a fighting stance.

Xiao Xiao knew that if she continued to run away and avoid the conflict, the grudges would remain grudges forever, with no chance of resolution. Today, regardless of the outcome, she needed to fight for her future.

Xiao Xiao also struck a pose.

Zhu Chenyan waited a moment before launching his attack.

With a slight raise of her hand to defend, she launched a kick at his lower body.

However, to a small surprise, Zhu Chenyan, despite being blind, easily defended against her attack. He even had energy left over. Such martial arts skills were definitely not weak.

Knowing she couldn't lose, Xiao Xiao mustered her strength and locked his wrist.

Zhu Chenyan paused slightly, then pulled his arm back to avoid the attack.

She leaned forward, suddenly appearing in his arms, and reached out to grab his throat.

Her move, which seemed certain of success, was easily blocked. Slightly surprised, she felt her wrist being seized. Looking up, she saw Zhu Chenyan's hand aimed directly at her eyes.

She gasped and closed her eyes.

However, that hand only gently covered her eyes.

"Are you scared?" Zhu Chenyan asked with a smile.

Xiao Xiao didn't say anything, he just nodded.

"Knowing fear brings compassion," Zhu Chenyan said slowly. "The Ghost Master is dead. Standing here is Zuo Xiaoxiao, the leader of the martial arts alliance..."

The warmth of her palms traveled through her eyelids, and Xiao Xiao felt a lump in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.

Zhu Chenyan withdrew his hand. The little girl's eyes lit up, and when she opened them again, the afterglow of the setting sun shone brightly, mingling with her tears.

Zhu Chenyan smiled slightly, turned around and left.

When Lian Ying saw him coming over, she went forward to meet him and took his hand.

Zhu Chenyan smiled, placed his hand over hers, and said, "Let's go."

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a thousand emotions, but she remained silent. After a long while, she looked up at Xiaoxiao, finally smiled, and nodded.

Xiao Xiao was so moved that she couldn't speak.

After the couple had walked away, Lian Zhao stepped forward and approached Xiao Xiao. His eyes were gentle, and his smile was tinged with tears as he softly said, "Let's go eat."

The tears that Xiaoxiao had just stopped started falling again for some reason. She choked back sobs for a long time before finally managing to say, "Egg..."

Lian Zhao was slightly taken aback, but quickly smiled and nodded.

"Hmm. An egg."

...

end

As September passed and the weather grew cooler, the many conflicts in the martial arts world gradually subsided.

During this period, a variety of news emerged, leaving people speechless.

For example, when Wei Ying, the third son of Heroes' Fortress, regained his position as fortress lord, some members of the clan questioned whether he had persecuted his brothers and murdered the three heroes. Wei Ying neither defended himself nor clarified the matter, allowing the clan members to hurl insults at him. But even so, with the help of Taiping City and the support of his fellow martial artists, Wei Ying's position as fortress lord was unshakeable, and the dissenting voices gradually diminished and eventually disappeared.

For example, after the Qi family lost their place of seclusion, they decided to move to Taiping City. The lord of Taiping City initially refused, but after much deliberation, considering the saying "The Qi family's renowned soldiers are worth more than a thousand pieces of gold," he finally agreed. Zhao Yan, the head of the Qi family, had made enemies with some martial arts sects, but under the prestige of Taiping City, no one dared to seek revenge rashly.

For example, after the alliance between the two seas in the southeast, they immediately widened the sea routes and reclaimed the islands that Japan had taken. With the support of the imperial court, they monopolized the maritime and grain transport, and for a time they were unparalleled in their power and dominated the seas.

For example, the "Broken Wind Sect" absorbed the "Mysterious Spirit Path," "Xiufeng Village," and "Qufang," creating a new sect in the martial arts world. Its power was unprecedented. However, its actions were secretive, and it didn't even have a proper name, so people in the martial arts world called it the "Holy Sect."

There are also some messages that do not belong to the martial arts world.

Jiyu Manor was previously involved in a tragic case of kidnapping and murdering young girls, but the case was later overturned. Now, Shen Yuan, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, is in charge, restoring the manor's prestigious reputation as the head of all craftsmen. Rumors circulate that she has a close relationship with the notorious bandit Yin Xiao. The various entanglements between them remain unknown.

The most shocking news, however, was that on the eighth day of the eleventh month, Lian Zhao, the eldest son of the Divine Arrow Lian family, married Zuo Xiaoxiao, the leader of the martial arts alliance.

On that day, everyone in the martial arts world who was known by name rushed to the capital, Lin'an, to witness the ceremony. The scale of the event was breathtaking.

After Xiaoxiao finished the wedding ceremony and sat in the bridal chamber, the sounds of the surrounding crowd still echoed in her ears.

She lowered her head and chuckled to herself.