Le paysage est comme une peinture

Chapitre 10

The room fell silent. Jiang Zhilin looked as if he had been punched hard, staring at Shu Zhenzhen with a gloomy expression. Shu Zhenzhen, however, ignored him and turned to Guo Rencheng: "Mr. Guo, please hand over the real estate deeds and everything else."

Guo Rencheng could no longer restrain himself and lunged forward, striking Shu Zhenzhen squarely in the chest. Jiang Zhilin sneered, "Old Guo, have you forgotten the rules of the casino?" He raised his hand to seemingly block Guo Rencheng, but secretly struck Shu Zhenzhen in the back.

Shu Zhenzhen turned to avoid Jiang Zhilin's palm strike, her longsword in hand. In a single exchange, she sliced off Guo Rencheng's ear. Neither dared to fight again. Guo Rencheng, clutching his bloodied ear, went straight to retrieve the property deed.

"All irrelevant people, please leave." Shu Zhenzhen waved her hand, and everyone quickly withdrew. At this moment, Guo Rencheng brought the house deed, pocketed his silver notes and valuables, and dared not pack any other belongings. He took his family, and in less than two hours, everyone had left. The huge Hanjing Garden became empty, leaving only Shu Zhenzhen sitting alone at the table that had just been used as a gambling den.

Junyu left with the others, but instead of leaving, she quietly entered the loquat grove of Hanjing Garden. It was the season for loquats to ripen, and the grove was filled with bright orange loquats hanging from the trees. The grove was quiet and serene, with several thousand-year-old ginkgo trees nearby. Hanjing Garden was large and deep, with dense cypress trees on the hillside. Junyu strolled around for a while, and after Guo Rencheng's family had left, she quietly slipped out. Shu Zhenzhen was still sitting there, with the three gambling stakes and a stack of house deeds she had brought still on the table.

Shu Zhenzhen sat quietly for a while, and was about to get up when a clear voice suddenly came: "Wait, I'll take a gamble too."

As soon as she finished speaking, a monk in a coarse linen robe was already sitting opposite Shu Zhenzhen. His movements were incredibly fast and graceful; Shu Zhenzhen hadn't even seen how he entered.

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Chapter 14: The Fourteenth Chapter

Shu Zhenzhen was taken aback when she saw the monk's calm gait and the way his robes fluttered without wind, but she remained calm and said coldly, "Can a little monk gamble?"

"In a moment of desperation, I had no other choice." The young monk smiled, but his voice was very calm, showing no remorse for breaking the precepts out of "helplessness."

Junyu was even more surprised; this monk was actually Tuosang. She had witnessed Tuosang's skill in plucking flowers and leaves, and Shu Zhenzhen was no match for him. For some reason, she desperately hoped that Shu Zhenzhen could win the Cold View Garden. She was hiding behind a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, and although she was about to emerge, she hesitated for a moment and ultimately did not move.

Tuosang glanced over, seemingly unintentionally, and smiled slightly. Junyu knew he had been discovered, so she smiled back and walked out.

Shu Zhenzhen recognized the blue-robed youth she had seen before. She wondered how long he had been standing under the ginkgo tree without her noticing. Shu Zhenzhen glanced at him a few times, a hint of doubt flashing across her face, and said, "Young master, do you also want to gamble?" "I'm just here to watch. Please, both of you."

Tuosang gave her a meaningful look, then turned his gaze to Shu Zhenzhen and took out a copy of the "Marrow Cleansing Classic": "Do you think it's fair to gamble with this book on Han Jingyuan?"

Shu Zhenzhen had recently noticed signs of qi deviation on several occasions. The "Marrow Cleansing Classic" that Tuosang had brought out was the culmination of authentic internal martial arts techniques, originally a secret manual of Shaolin Temple, and could precisely cure her qi deviation symptoms. The young monk had seen through the flaws in her training in just one glance, which surprised Shu Zhenzhen even more. She dared not let her guard down for a moment: "Since it's a gamble, there's nothing wrong with it. Same rules as before, a single roll of the dice to determine the winner."

"No need for such a complicated process. Just roll two dice at the same time and compare the results." Tuosang smiled, casually picked up two dice, and threw them into the large bowl. "I'll trouble Young Master Jun to act as the middleman."

Junyu smiled. The dice clattered in the large bowl. Junyu lifted the lid, and the two of them each picked one. Tuosang spread it out without even looking at it; it was a small two.

Shu Zhenzhen's expression didn't relax at all. After a long while, she finally opened her eyes, revealing a single dot. Instantly, Shu Zhenzhen's face flushed, her blood rushed to her head, and a despairing grayness filled her eyes. Her vitality seemed to vanish from her face in an instant. Her originally fair, baby-faced features suddenly aged more than ten years, and fine lines even appeared faintly at the corners of her eyebrows and eyes.

Junyu smiled, patted her back, and said softly, "Sister Shu, please sit down for a while and rest. I'll make a bet for you, how about it?"

Shu Zhenzhen felt her blood flow smoothly and her chest relax. Although she knew nothing about this unfamiliar boy, perhaps it was because his smile was too clear and his gaze too sincere, she nodded involuntarily. Looking at the three pieces of gambling money on the table, she said softly, "These are for you to use as your gambling capital."

Shu Zhenzhen had just won the Han Jingyuan Garden, but she had already lost it all, leaving her with only the three items she had brought. Jun Yu smiled and looked at Tuosang: "I will use these three items to gamble on the Han Jingyuan Garden and the 'Marrow Cleansing Classic' in your possession, Master. What do you say?"

Tuosang nodded and threw the dice. Junyu smiled and picked up one at random. Tuosang also picked up one. The two looked at each other and stretched out their hands at the same time. Junyu suddenly felt a great force approaching. She had already gathered all her inner strength, but now she felt as if the force was as heavy as the sea. There was not a breath of wind in the summer sky, but her blue dress fluttered slightly.

Shu Zhenzhen glanced at Tuosang, who remained calmly seated, while Junyu's blue robe fluttered lightly, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead. At this rate, Junyu would be seriously injured. Shu Zhenzhen was frantic. She felt an inexplicable fondness and trust for this young man, and he was gambling for her sake. However, she knew she couldn't intervene with her own strength. In her anxiety, she sweated even more than Junyu. The force grew heavier and heavier. Junyu felt a chill run down his spine, and his face grew paler. Suddenly, the immense force dissipated, and Junyu stumbled back two steps before regaining his footing. His hand loosened, and the dice in his hand turned to dust.

Jun Yu smiled brightly, looked at Shu Zhenzhen, and said apologetically, "Sister Shu, I am not very good, I have lost all of your betting money."

Seeing that she was unharmed, Shu Zhenzhen seemed relieved. Before she could speak, Tuosang had already let go of her hand, and the dice in his hand had turned into a pile of dust. He said indifferently, "Since there are no points, I am the dealer. I have lost, so I will not take what belongs to others." As he spoke, he tossed the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" over: "Young Master Jun, this book is yours."

Junyu knew that Tuosang's internal strength far surpassed his own, and that if they continued to fight for a while longer, he would definitely suffer internal injuries. For some reason, he withdrew his internal strength and shattered the dice. Tuosang was so young, yet his internal strength had reached a level where he could control it at will; it was truly astonishing.

Tuosang came from afar, seemingly determined to acquire Hanjing Garden. Junyu didn't understand why he changed his mind at the last minute.

Tuosang had already reached the outside of the pavilion when he suddenly stopped, turned around, glanced at Junyu again, and then drifted away.

Junyu glanced at Shu Zhenzhen, who was standing there dumbfounded, and handed her the "Marrow Cleansing Classic": "Sister Shu, here you go."

Shu Zhenzhen took the book "Marrow Cleansing Classic" and carefully examined the young man she had just met. A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes. "May I ask your name, sir?"

"My name is Junyu." Junyu smiled faintly. "Farewell, and may we meet again."

Shu Zhenzhen wanted to ask something more, but Junyu looked at her quietly. In the end, she didn't say anything. Junyu smiled, turned around, and left.

Upon exiting Hanjing Garden, a monk stood under a large tree not far away. It was Tuosang, who seemed to have come specifically to wait for her.

Junyu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer."

Tuosang gazed at her and smiled, "Junyu, you don't need to thank me. Under no circumstances will I be your enemy."

Junyu was startled by his intense gaze, her face flushed, and she unconsciously looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

Junyu steadied himself: "Why does Master also want Hanjing Garden?"

Tuosang said in a deep voice, "Because I'm looking for something."

Junyu gave a wry smile. He must be searching for something extremely important; otherwise, he wouldn't have traveled thousands of miles to try and acquire this famous garden in Sichuan. What exactly is hidden in Hanjing Garden? How could three groups of experts have come to gamble in a single day?

As he was deep in thought, Tuosang took out an exquisite jade bottle and handed it to him: "You just competed with me in internal energy, which consumed some of your primordial spirit. I also discovered that you have some internal injuries from before that have not been completely healed. I'm afraid that if left untreated, they will become a source of inner turmoil. Take this Snow Pill and take it."

Junyu had heard that Snow Pills were made from Tian Shan Snow Lotus and thyme. Tian Shan Snow Lotus and thyme both grow on the peaks of snow-capped mountains, making them difficult to collect and even more difficult to refine. In addition, forty-nine kinds of herbs and a Western magical plant called "elderberry" were added during the refining process. Legend has it that these Snow Pills were refined by a hundred-year-old monk in the Western Regions Holy Palace, and only three were made in total. They were a sacred medicine that people in the martial arts world dreamed of. They could not only detoxify and refresh the mind, but also bring the dead back to life and greatly enhance one's own power.

Such precious pills, yet Tuosang gave them away so casually. What surprised her even more was that she had just fought Tuosang, and thanks to his mercy, she hadn't suffered any harm. However, Tuosang's cursory examination revealed the root of her internal injury. It was after being ambushed by Zhu Gang, and although she had been treated by Mr. Nongying, she hadn't fully recovered when she witnessed the tragic deaths of Mei Mei and her husband. The grief she felt caused her heart to tear open, which aggravated her internal injuries, preventing them from healing.

She felt a chill run down her spine. The pulse of a man and a woman is completely different. Tuosang's medical skills are so superb. If she were to test him, wouldn't he discover her identity?

She was somewhat alarmed, but her expression remained calm as she solemnly returned the greeting: "This item is far too precious; I dare not accept it."

Tuosang said nothing more, simply handing the jade bottle to her like a stubborn child. Under that persistent yet earnest gaze, Junyu couldn't refuse and accepted the bottle. A deep smile appeared on Tuosang's face as he turned and left.

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Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen

In the evening, Junyu strolled out of the inn and headed towards the outskirts of Huanhua Creek.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the sword hut where Shu Zhenzhen lived. Jun Yu hid behind a tree and could hear the sounds of fighting coming from the back mountain. Jun Yu quietly looked over and saw a flurry of sword light in front of the cenotaph. Shu Zhenzhen was being attacked by seven or eight assassins, and the sword technique she was using was "Hand Playing Five Strings." Shu Zhenzhen had fought several fierce battles while gambling that morning, and because she had recently gone astray in her training, she was now struggling against powerful enemies and was in grave danger.

"Today I'll send you, you wretch, to the underworld to keep Lanxi company!" A sinister voice rang out, and a gaunt old man casually raised his hand, slashing down with a knife.

Shu Zhenzhen thrust out her sword with incredible speed: "Pang Ban, you evil spirit, you are still working for that old thief Zhu. Today, I will kill you to avenge my parents."

"Hey, now that Lancisi is dead, taking you down will at least give the Prime Minister an explanation. So prepare to die..."

Immediately, an iron caltrop was launched, striking Shu Zhenzhen's three major acupoints in three directions. Beside her, a sharp axe came down, followed by two gleaming longswords slashing at Shu Zhenzhen from the left and right. Shu Zhenzhen saw that she had no way to dodge, but the iron caltrop suddenly lost its aim. Jun Yu raised "Ni Jing" and, with a flash of cold light, rushed into the formation, stabbing several people in succession.

Pang Ban and the others had the upper hand, but now they saw this unknown youth suddenly appear. After taking a closer look, they felt that the youth looked somewhat familiar.

Pang Ban was one of Prime Minister Zhu's bodyguards. After learning that Jun Yu was the "Flying General of Phoenix City," Prime Minister Zhu showed Jun Yu's portrait to several trusted guards and secretly ordered them to kill him if they encountered him. The portrait Pang Ban saw was drawn by an artist at Prime Minister Zhu's request based on his description. Upon seeing it, he felt that the man in the painting was too handsome, like a beautiful young woman.

Prime Minister Zhu had only seen Junyu once in his early years at Qiansi Academy, when she was still young. After she came of age, he never saw her again, relying entirely on his memories from many years ago. Furthermore, the work of a fake painter added another layer of complexity. Therefore, although the painter he commissioned was a first-rate master of the dynasty, and the portrait was remarkably lifelike, it was still far removed from Junyu herself. Even though Pang Ban knew the portrait intimately, seeing Junyu in person was completely different from the painting, and he couldn't recognize her at all.

Pang Ban pondered the situation, but his men didn't let up. Even so, three more assassins fell to the ground. Seeing the situation was dire, Pang Ban gave a whistle, and the assassins immediately stopped, their movements perfectly executed.

Junyu didn't chase after them, but quickly went to check on Shu Zhenzhen. He then discovered that Shu Zhenzhen's lips were purplish-black and one arm was swollen to a great extent, clearly indicating that she had just been hit by a deadly poisonous hidden weapon.

Junyu immediately took out the "Snow Pill" and gave it to Shu Zhenzhen. A moment later, Shu Zhenzhen suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood, and her face turned from black to green and then to red and white.

Seeing that she was alright, Junyu stopped and smiled, "Alright, Sister Shu, it's nothing."

Shu Zhenzhen recalled her sword moves just now and looked at her with surprise and suspicion: "Junyu, who exactly are you?"

Junyu glanced at the cenotaph beside him and said frankly, "Lancisi's daughter."

Shu Zhenzhen looked at Junyu's dark, jade-like eyes with barely suppressed excitement, and after a long while, she turned to the cenotaph: "Sister Lan, Sister Lan, you can rest in peace now."

Junyu smiled slightly, and the two went to Shu Zhenzhen's courtyard, lit candles, and listened to Shu Zhenzhen tell the story of what happened twenty years ago.

Twenty years ago, the legendary Lan Xisi built a hermitage in Huanhua Creek and mastered the famous "Five-String Hand Dance." She then set out from Sichuan with her sword, preparing to challenge the martial arts tournament held at Shaolin Temple on Mount Song. On her journey, she passed by "Hanjing Garden."

Hanjing Garden is the most famous garden in Sichuan. For some unknown reason, rumors suddenly spread throughout the martial arts world that the garden contains the ancient artifact "Donghuang Bell," which has been lost for a thousand years. Legend has it that Donghuang Bell can open the gate to the heavens, is powerful enough to destroy the world and devour all heavens, and whoever obtains it will rule the world.

The Shu family, the owners of "Hanjing Garden," was already small in number. After being besieged by dozens of groups of unknown martial arts figures, the father and brother of Shu Zhenzhen, who were the only sons in two generations, were killed, leaving only Shu Zhenzhen and her mother to escape with their lives.

That night, after Shu Zhenzhen and her mother escaped, they were encountered by Zhu Da Gongzi, the prime minister's son, who was searching for treasure in the garden. He killed Shu Zhenzhen's mother and was chasing after Shu Zhenzhen when he was stopped by Lan Xisi, who happened to be passing by.

Although Young Master Zhu was the son of a prime minister, he had received excellent martial arts training from a young age. Unfortunately, he encountered Lan Xisi, and only thanks to Lan Xisi's unwavering belief in "never killing a single person" did he escape with his life. Even so, Lan Xisi hated his vicious pursuit of a little girl and crippled his martial arts as a minor punishment. Afterwards, Lan Xisi settled Shu Zhenzhen in and left her half of the "Hand-Playing Five Strings" manual, teaching her how to protect herself.

In the battle of Mount Song, although Lan Xisi defeated the heroes, she was also seriously injured and did not succeed to the position of leader of the alliance. She disappeared without a trace, and it was rumored in the martial arts world that she had died from her injuries. Shu Zhenzhen searched for her for many years without any news, so she built a cenotaph for her and practiced swordsmanship diligently in the house she left behind. After many years, her swordsmanship became highly proficient.

Back then, Young Master Zhu's injuries were not serious, far from fatal. In fact, under the protection of the Prime Minister's guards, he even participated in the martial arts tournament held at Mount Song. Unexpectedly, after the tournament, he returned to the capital and became bedridden, eventually falling seriously ill. Prime Minister Zhu sought out renowned doctors everywhere, but to no avail. This lingering illness lasted for over half a year, until Young Master Zhu died in despair. At the time, Prime Minister Zhu only had this one son. Although Young Master Zhu did not die directly at the hands of Lan Xisi, and even left a dying wish not to seek revenge against her, Prime Minister Zhu was unwilling to let the matter rest. For many years, he harbored resentment towards her, and after searching for Lan Xisi without success, he repeatedly sent people to Sichuan to search for Shu Zhenzhen. Fortunately, Shu Zhenzhen was quick-witted and later mastered swordsmanship, thus saving her life.

Since Lan Xisi disappeared and Shu Zhenzhen went into seclusion, "Hanjing Garden" has become an abandoned garden. Many martial arts figures have not been able to find anything out, and gradually, the rumors about "Donghuangzhong" have been buried. In the last ten years, it has been occupied by the rising Red Spear Society and renovated as its old stronghold.

As they talked, the night deepened. Seeing that her poison had been completely cured, Junyu said, "Sister Shu, please rest well for a few days. I'm waiting for a friend, and I'll come to see you another day."

Shu Zhenzhen nodded: "You go ahead with your work, we'll meet at Hanjing Garden another day."

Five days later, Meng Yuanjing rushed back.

During his trip to Mount Qingcheng, he met Zhu Yu but did not see his cousin. After handing over the token, he had no interest in watching the martial arts tournament. When he inquired with Zhu Yu, she coldly said that Shi Lanni was in Chengdu and had not come to Mount Qingcheng with him. Therefore, Meng Yuanjing immediately rushed back and searched everywhere for his cousin's whereabouts, hoping to bring her back to Jiangnan.

Junyu recalled Shi Lanni's terrifying experience of being auctioned off last time and immediately said, "Yuanjing, you should go find her quickly. She's all alone in this unfamiliar place; I hope she's not in any danger."

Meng Yuanjing nodded and immediately went to the area around Chengdu to search for his cousin, while Junyu went to Hanjing Garden to look for Shu Zhenzhen.

Junyu arrived at Hanjing Garden, but the gate was locked with a copper lock, and no one answered his knocks. Junyu leaped onto the wall and looked around. The vast Hanjing Garden was silent, with only occasional crows and magpies startled from the ancient trees around it, before returning to silence once more.

Junyu leaped down the wall, passed several pavilions and towers, and then crossed a rather large artificial hill. Ahead lay a very spacious open area, paved with large, specially made bluestone slabs. These slabs were grouted with a unique blue-green paint, so at first glance, they appeared as a single, continuous boulder. The main hall, which should have been brightly lit, was now completely shrouded in darkness by a large banyan tree that would take three or four people to encircle. Around the large banyan tree, a smaller grove of banyan trees blocked out the surrounding light, so that even as the sun slowly set, the area was already as dark as night.

With a whoosh, a strange bird fluttered from the banyan tree and flew into the air. Junyu stopped and said loudly, "Come out, everyone."

A burst of wild laughter, accompanied by the whistling of hidden weapons cutting through the air, came from all directions towards Junyu. Beneath these audible hidden weapons lay a silent "rain of flowers".

Junyu leaped into the air, covering a distance of three zhang (approximately 13 meters), leaving the thick branches of the banyan tree motionless in the breeze.

The twenty-odd men in black who had surrounded them all were momentarily stunned. At that moment, dappled moonlight shone through the leaves, creating an indescribable sense of desolation despite it being the height of summer. In the center of the bluestone slab, a young boy stood quietly, a smile on his face.

The leader was Pang Ban, whose eyes revealed an extremely malicious yet expectant look.

Junyu laughed: "Pang Ban, why do you still want to come and die?"

Pang Ban chuckled wickedly: "What an arrogant brat! He's truly surpassed Lan Xisi in skill."

Junyu said calmly, "You flatter me, you flatter me."

Pang Ban said, "You have a road to heaven but you don't take it, you have no way to hell but you come here by yourself. Now that Lan Xisi is dead, taking you down will be a great achievement..." Before he could finish the word "achievement", he pounced like a big bird, and more than twenty assassins followed with their swords, forming an encirclement.

These twenty-odd assassins had unfamiliar faces, suggesting they were Pang Ban's newly dispatched reinforcements to annihilate Jun Yu. That day, after leaving the Sword Pavilion, he immediately intensified his investigation and learned that the young man was none other than the "Phoenix City Flying Commander," and he plotted to make a great contribution before the Prime Minister.

Seven weapons attacked Junyu simultaneously. A faint red light flashed, and the surrounding air suddenly became still. Seven shrill howls seemed to gurgle out from their throats at the same moment. On the ground, the seven assassins rolled around in agony. Each of their kneecaps had been cleanly sliced off. Although they were not in mortal danger, they would never be able to use their weapons again.

The remaining dozen or so men ignored him, and several different sharp blades attacked Junyu almost without pause. Pang Ban leaped a few steps, roared, and suddenly a puff of green smoke rose from his palm. Pang Ban was a renowned master of poison. Junyu recognized the danger and quickly held his breath. Without retreating, he leaped straight up, aiming for Pang Ban's head. Pang Ban hurriedly withdrew his palm, but even with his lightning-fast dodge, a large chunk of his tall hat was still sheared off.

At this moment, Junyu leaped up again, landing right behind Pang Ban. The seven or eight sharp blades that were originally attacking her suddenly attacked the flustered Pang Ban. However, Pang Ban remained calm in the face of danger, rolled on the spot, and everyone quickly withdrew their attacks. Pang Ban glared and roared, "If that brat gets away today, none of us will survive."

"I'm not running, everyone catch your breath first."