Mo Xi thought to himself: Qu Yao, as the head of a major martial arts sect, personally greeted them. To say he was this approachable would be an overstatement. He certainly wasn't after him and Luo Heng; it seemed Mu Fengting's identity was definitely extraordinary.
Mu Fengting smiled and said, "I am truly unworthy of the honor of being personally greeted by Sect Leader Qu." With that, he took out a bloodstone from his robes and handed it to Qu Yao. It was presumably a token to verify his identity.
Qu Yao accepted it, took the red seal from the table beside him, and gently pressed it onto the plain paper. Instantly, a fiery red phoenix appeared on the paper. It was actually Mu Yanzhai's mark.
Mu Fengting bowed again and said, "Thank you, Headmaster Qu, for agreeing to allow my humble abode to write a book about him."
Mo Xi thought to himself: This guy is actually Mu Yanzhai's editor. No wonder he knows so much about the martial arts world. He must have traveled all over the country to conduct interviews, which is why he is quite experienced in wilderness survival.
Qu Yao replied politely, "Of course, of course."
After exchanging pleasantries, Qu Yaocai turned to Luo Heng and said, "May I ask who this gentleman is...?"
Luo Heng said, "My name is Luo Heng. I have a request to make."
Before Luo Heng could finish speaking, Mu Fengting had already started talking. He was very eloquent and vividly described how he met Luo Heng at the "Jishantang" at the foot of the mountain and how he was moved by Luo Heng's sorrow and brought him up the mountain with him.
After he finished his long and eloquent speech, Mo Xi felt that it would be an outrage against heaven and earth if Qu Yao did not help Luo Heng.
That wasn't all. Mu Fengting continued, "Sect Leader Qu, I greatly admire your merits in helping the world and saving lives. I will certainly use my pen to promote your virtues so that people all over the world can emulate your kindness. Sect Leader Qu's enthusiastic assistance to Brother Luo will also surely earn the respect of the world."
Mo Xi secretly gasped. Mu Fengting was incredibly shrewd; he could flatter someone to the skies with just a few words. Qu Yao was already in a bind and had no choice but to help him.
Qu Yao said, "Please rest assured, everyone. I will do my utmost to help you."
Qu Yao finally turned to Mo Xi and asked, "This young lady came with you two. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Mo Xi took out the piece of black jade that He Qun had given her from her bosom, and respectfully presented it with both hands, saying, "I once met Senior He, the former head of your sect. Because I told Senior He about an old story, which resolved his long-standing inner conflict, Senior He was quite willing to mentor me. Therefore, he gave me his sword Cheng Ying and instructed me to use this piece of black jade as proof to come to Mount Shu to retrieve the sword."
After hearing in Fenglingdu that Chengying was the token of the Shushan Sect Leader's succession, Mo Xi had considered simply taking it without asking and leaving. However, after Mu Fengting's interference, she had now shown her face in front of Qu Yao, so stealing it was absolutely out of the question. Even if she succeeded, it would inevitably lead to endless troubles.
Therefore, she simply asked for it directly. Even if Qu Yao disagreed, as long as He Qun's token was there, it wouldn't be a mere empty promise. In the future, there would be a one in ten thousand chance of finding He Qun again, and the matter could be turned around.
Moreover, in her eyes, even if Cheng Ying was an unparalleled divine weapon, it was not worth getting involved with a behemoth like the Shu Mountain Sect for it.
To Mo Xi's surprise, Qu Yao didn't immediately refuse. After pondering for a long time, he said, "Miss, what you seek, Cheng Ying, is not only my personal possession but also a treasure of Mount Shu." Mo Xi thought there was no hope, but then he changed the subject and said, "However, Sect Leader He's martial arts are unparalleled in the world, and this black jade is indeed his sect leader's seal. It is clear that gifting the sword was indeed Sect Leader He's original intention. Sect Leader He holds a transcendent position in our sect, and I naturally cannot disobey his wishes." He paused, then continued, "In that case, Miss, please stay at Mount Shu for a few days while I discuss this with the elders before giving you an answer."
Mo Xi was surprised that Qu Yao was so easy to talk to. Seeing that there was still hope, she naturally agreed politely.
Since none of the things the three of them sought could be accomplished in a short time, they all stayed.
Writing books and biographies
( ) Sunrise over Red Mountain.
The first rays of dawn fell upon the golden summit, towering above the churning sea of clouds, instantly creating a dazzling display of gold and silver, like silken threads weaving brocade. The vermilion palaces stood silently amidst the pristine snow. Clouds drifted all around, and the surrounding peaks seemed to float on the sea.
It is just as the saying goes, "A red sun rises above the clouds, and the towering red cliffs come into view."
Mo Xi practiced swordsmanship amidst the flowing clouds of this celestial platform. Whenever the wind was calm and the waves were vast, his swordsmanship was as slow and graceful as flowing clouds and water, or as fierce as a storm or a galloping horse when the clouds and mist were rising and the peaks were hidden.
The clouds around her surged and swirled, the wind howling in her ears. For a moment, she felt utterly alone in the world. The rapidly rolling, thick clouds made her feel as if she were charging through a thousand armies, or struggling to stay afloat in a surging tide. Gradually, Mo Xi's movements merged with the ever-changing, raging sea of clouds, rising like a dragon emerging from the sea, receding like a towering wave.
When she calmly withdrew her power, it was as if the clouds and mist had dispersed, and the world seemed to fall silent in an instant. The sky was vast and clear, and everything just now seemed like an illusion. She herself had become a speck of dust in the world again, ready to be swept away at any moment.
It had been a long time since he had felt so exhilarated. Knowing that his recent epiphany had elevated his sword intent to a new level, Mo Xi wore a genuinely joyful smile.
On the way back, I saw Mufengting standing under the eaves from afar, I don’t know how long he had been waiting.
Early in the morning, this guy was in such a good mood that he actually came to ask her to go on a trip together.
However, since they had nothing else to do, and since they were already at Mount Shu, it would be a waste not to fully appreciate the magnificent scenery of this sacred mountain. After having breakfast, the two headed towards the "Jade Pool Terrace".
They moved with effortless grace, traversing the narrow mountain path, their bodies enveloped in flowing clouds like white ribbons or flowing fat. The only thing visible was the stone steps beneath their feet. Even with their exceptional martial arts skills, they dared not be careless, walking slowly along the mountain wall, lest they slip and truly ascend to immortality. Mu Fengting deliberately walked on the outer path, instinctively shielding the path with his arm and body whenever the mountain path turned. Mo Xi naturally noticed this, thinking: "Unexpectedly, this man has quite the manners. If he were participating in outdoor polar sports in modern times, he would certainly make a good teammate."
After rounding another bend, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before you. A vast, five-colored pool, set against an endless sea of flowers, is breathtakingly beautiful. At the edge of the flower field lies a sheer cliff, and in the distance, atop the snow-capped mountains, rises the radiant golden summit of Mount Shu.
The pools are arranged in a stepped fashion, composed of countless embankments of various shapes and sizes, rising and falling in layers. The water in each pool is a different color, varying shades of blue or green. The source of the pools must be a hot spring, hence the quiet flow of the water amidst the snow and ice, with a thin mist swirling above it.
"Jade Pool Terrace" is indeed unlike any ordinary place in the mortal world.
As they continued forward, the flower forest presented a completely different scene. A vibrant tapestry of emerald green, crimson red, and pure white unfolded before their eyes. Soft, drifting snow rested atop the green trees and red blossoms. Upon closer inspection, each red flower was encased in layers of ice crystals, blooming proudly amidst the snow. Everywhere was a wondrous sight: white snow weighing down green branches, and ice crystals encasing red flowers. Walking through this "fairyland" in search of flowers amidst the snow, one couldn't help but feel ethereal and let their thoughts soar. The deeper the two ventured into the forest, the stronger the cool, rich fragrance became.
Sure enough, after walking a short while, a grove of wintersweet came into view. Wintersweet is also known as "cold guest" or "early plum." It blooms before spring, preceding all other flowers, flowering before its leaves, with flowers and leaves on the same branch but never appearing together. Thus, Xie Xie of the Southern Dynasties wrote: "Welcoming spring, it blooms early, alone, unafraid of the cold. Fearing to fall behind all other flowers, no one will notice its special beauty." This poem, however, takes a different approach. While everyone praises the wintersweet for its noble character and its ability to withstand frost and snow, it is actually there to stand out and attract attention.
Mu Fengting exclaimed, "The wintersweet here is truly the finest in the world." Seeing Mo Xi's interested expression, he continued, "Among the varieties of wintersweet, 'Su Xin' and 'Qing Kou' are the most precious." As he spoke, he glanced around and quickly broke off a branch with a pure white heart and pure yellow petals. The flower was half-open and drooping, resembling a "hanging golden bell," and handed it to Mo Xi, saying, "This is 'Su Xin.' If you place one branch in a vase, its fragrance will fill the room. Please take this branch back and put it in a vase, Miss."
Although Mo Xi didn't know what this fellow was up to, he had been quite protective of him along the way, so he smiled slightly and silently accepted the branch. Mo Xi thought to himself: Winter plum blossoms resemble plum blossoms in shape, so if one were to prune the branches to take a similar form, it should "beauty lies in its curves, for straightness lacks grace; beauty lies in its leaning, for uprightness lacks beauty; beauty lies in its sparseness, for density lacks charm." Winter plum blossoms themselves value old rather than young, closed rather than open. And this branch in his hand was just right in every way. This fellow truly has a sharp eye.
The two continued walking, and Mu Fengting pointed to a flowering tree and said, "This kind of flower is slightly larger, with yellow outer petals and purple stripes on the inner petals; that's called 'Qingkou'." He seemed to suddenly remember something and said happily, "I'll pick a few winter plum blossoms to take back and cook. Miss, you'll be coming at sunset. Wouldn't it be boring to eat alone?"
Mo Xi asked curiously, "Can winter plum blossoms be used in cooking?"
Mu Fengting nodded and smiled, saying, "The Compendium of Materia Medica states that wintersweet flowers are sweet and slightly bitter. After picking the flowers, frying them, soaking them in water, rinsing them clean, and seasoning them with oil and salt, they make a delicious food that also 'relieves heat and generates fluids'." He paused, then added with a smile, "But don't worry, young lady, the dish will only contain the flowers, not the fruit." Seeing Mo Xi's puzzled expression, he laughed, "Young lady, you may not know, but the fruit of the wintersweet is commonly called 'earth croton,' and it can be used as a laxative."
Mo Xi suddenly realized and couldn't help but chuckle. In her heart, however, she was calculating: the Jade Pearl was meant to protect against high-level poisons, but she wondered if it could withstand something as base as croton oil. If it couldn't, wouldn't she be in serious trouble? But since he had said so, it shouldn't be that bad. She nodded and agreed to keep the appointment.
When the two returned via the same route, the sacred mountain of clouds presented a completely different scene. When the clouds were rising, they seemed to be surging across the peaks and valleys, even though they were clearly clouds themselves; when the clouds dispersed, thousands of white clouds instantly disappeared into the thousands of peaks and valleys. In an instant, the wind and clouds dispersed, but the mountains remained standing as before.
Mu Fengting couldn't help but sigh, "The world is ever-changing, just like the clouds before our eyes; what matters is one's heart." He paused, then sighed again, "I helped Luo Heng because I was moved by his sincerity. But I feel truly bad that you've troubled me, young lady. I'll make it up to you with a meal." Mo Xi shook her head to indicate it was alright, smiled slightly, and thought to herself: Indeed, how many vows of eternal love in this world have turned into the vicissitudes of life in the blink of an eye? Luo Heng's heart is truly rare.
――――――――――
Sunset melts gold.
A brilliant orange sky floats above a sea of clouds.
Mo Xi had longed for such a scene ever since she read the line, "The sun shines on a red agate, the scenery sinks into a thousand acres of blue glass." Now that this scene was right before her eyes, she only felt even hungrier.
She made no attempt to conceal her footsteps, and Mu Fengting personally came out to greet her. The two sat down together.