Chapter 28: Cherishing Feathers

  In the depths of West Lake, a white figure murmured and curled up its head in its body to sleep in the snow, drowsily thinking, when will Grandpa come.

  On the top of Fei Lai Peak, an old monk with white hair and beard walked out of his meditation room, gazing at West Lake in the distance, and chanted a Buddhist mantra. This powerful thunder sound technique had indeed been mastered by him. How long did it take himself to reach this level? One year or two years?

  Such a state, even if one knows that he is gifted and has a connection with the Buddha, is enough to surprise oneself. However, this is ultimately just a technique. This is what is meant by "the Tao gives rise to the law, the law gives rise to the technique", without the Tao, relying solely on technique will not achieve the true result.

  Many people in the world possess virtues that are half-immortal and half-magical, most of whom have mastered one or two magical techniques, such as divination, exorcism, or talismans. Among them, the most famous ones are those who have developed their skills to the extreme, namely the swordsmen and sword immortals. But when the end of life arrives, all things will be destroyed, let alone magic?

  Wait a few more days, after finishing the food in the temple, it's time to go down the mountain and take a look at him. A disciple who can inherit his own mantle must have an extraordinary understanding and temperament, but someone with these two things will inevitably have their own independence.

  Xiang Fa is not easily moved by words like ordinary people.

  I had thought to cleverly lead him into a dream state, so as to make him suddenly enlightened, but unexpectedly she spoke and shattered the essence of this dream. However, since he is able to understand dreams, it's likely that one day he will also come to understand the truth that life is like a dream, it's just that he still lacks some experience, the question is how should he gain this experience?

  Xu Xian sighed, feeling his spirit clear and refreshed. The slight melancholy of parting had vanished, and as he gazed out at the guest boat, it had already disappeared into the thin mist on the lake's surface at dawn, leaving no trace behind. That person was now far away.

  Xu Xian's thunderous shout caused the bell to ring out, but others couldn't hear it. He knew that his Great Thunder Sound Technique had entered a new realm, perhaps it was time for him to go to Lingyin Temple to learn the remaining part of the Six Jia Secret Technique from Master Shifu.

  But now the most urgent thing is not this, but to go back and pack up things, and move back to live in the Qiantian Academy.

  Cai Feng woke up dazedly from her sleep, looked at the dim window and asked: "Qing Luan, what time is it?" Qing Luan responded with a sound, but Cai Feng didn't hear clearly and fell asleep again. This feeling of sleeping whenever she wanted was really not bad.

  She used to be on the painting boat, falling asleep in the middle of the night, and had long been accustomed to sleeping late and getting up late. She had a reputation as a flower queen, which was a good thing, but she couldn't even rest during the day, having to accompany those officials and nobles to tour gardens and admire flowers, without showing any signs of fatigue.

  Now I can finally think of nothing and sleep as long as I want. Making up for the lack of sleep in the past, although I've only been in this mansion for a day or two, but sleeping has taken up most of my time. Maybe, it's still because I want to forget that person!

  At this time, a black shadow lightly fell into the courtyard and walked towards Cai Feng's door. He wanted to rush in directly but hesitated for a moment and said: "Miss Cai Feng, I am Chu Jianxiong, please grant me an audience!"

  The sound entered the house, and Qing Luan immediately became aware. She got Xu Xian's permission to move the bed into Cai Feng's room, just like on the painted boat.

  Qing Luan hastily stood up and rebuked: "Chu Jianxiong, how dare you come here?"

  Cai Feng also came to her senses and knew that the visitor was not good, so she quickly put on her clothes. However, she calmly said: "Chu Gongzi, what brings you here at this hour?"

  Chu Jianxiong said: "I'm about to leave Jiangnan, but I just heard that you've been given to someone else. This is too humiliating, and I couldn't bear it in my heart. I want to ask you to leave with me." He had been hiding in the Taoist temple for a while, waiting for the rumors to pass before planning to cross the river to the north to make a name for himself, relying on his own skills, where he could stand firm anywhere. Everything else was let go, but there was one person who couldn't be let go.

  Qing Luan said bluntly: "You're now like a stray dog, and you still dare to say that Miss will follow you. When my brother Xu returns, you'll be dead for sure!"

  She said so with her mouth, but in her heart she was worried that her brother was just a scholar who couldn't even truss a chicken, and if he really encountered this Jianghu guest, he would be in danger of losing his life. And she herself wasn't a match for Chu Jianxiong, what could be done about it? At this critical moment, she both wanted to see Xu Xian and was afraid that Xu Xian would really come back.

  Xu Xian had never revealed his true abilities in front of Qinglian, but that time he used his straight arm technique and the thieves fell into the water and died. Everyone thought it was just a strange occurrence in the water or the work of a magical spirit, but no one suspected Xu Xian.

  Cai Feng put on her clothes, but didn't get up. Instead, she said: "Cai Feng now thinks of herself as a married woman and it's not convenient to meet you. Please hurry up and leave, Chu Gongzi! If my husband comes back, I'm afraid there will be misunderstandings!" Her tone was extremely calm, but her heart was racing with anxiety.

  Pan Yu chose this secluded courtyard to help Xu Xian stay quiet and focus on his studies. Although it's not far from West Lake, there are people living nearby, but they're not close enough to be disturbed. Even if someone were to shout for help, it's unlikely anyone would hear them in time. And even if someone did hear, it might only provoke the person outside into further violence, so it's better to try to reason with him calmly.

  Chu Jianxiong's face turned green with rage, and he shouted: "Don't mention Xu Xian! I've made up my mind today. Miss, hurry up and pack your things, let's go!" He also thought that Cai Feng had already slept with Xu Xian, fearing that she was no longer a virgin, his heart filled with even more jealousy and hatred.

  But he said: "I will not despise you, when you are my wife, is it not better than being a concubine to others? Open the door quickly, otherwise I will rush in."

  This was the sudden arrival of the rolling bell, full city. Chu Jian's heart was even more anxious. He dared to come near only after seeing Pan Yu and Xu Xian go out. Otherwise, not to mention that Xu Xian was a godly figure, but Pan Yu's martial arts could also match him. If he waited for Xu Xian to return, who knew what changes would occur again. Hurrying several steps to the door, he prepared to force his way in.

  At this time, Cai Feng opened her eyes and gazed at Chu Jian Xiong with a faint expression: "Must you be like this, Young Master Chu?" Her face was without makeup, her long hair disheveled and unkempt, but her absolutely beautiful features immediately made Chu Jian Xiong's heart skip a beat.

  He put on a polite face and said, "If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me. I have always had good intentions towards you, as evidenced by my daily visits to your residence. Today is not the day for such formalities, surely with your intelligence, you won't make things difficult for me?"

  The green phoenix flew out from inside the door and launched a palm attack at Chu Jianxiong, shouting: "You dare not!"

  Chu Jianxiong was prepared, and also struck out with a palm. He clashed palms with Qing Luan, who let out a muffled groan and retreated into Cai Feng's arms. If they were entwined in combat, she could still hold on for a bit, but like this, a direct collision was far from

  Cai Feng hastily hugged Qing Luan and stopped her from going up, suppressing her anger and saying: "Chu Gongzi, is this the intention of your daily lesson?"

  Chu Jianxiong finally tore his face and said, "I have no choice but to do this. Today, whoever stops me from taking you away, I will kill him!" As he spoke, he grabbed Cai Feng's wrist with one hand.

  Cai Feng's heart knew that he couldn't outlast him, Chu Jianxiong spat blood from his mouth, and retreated back at a speed even faster than when he had attacked, no, flew back, and fell into the flower bushes in the courtyard.

  Xu Xian burst out laughing and said: "You can't break through my defense!" He strode towards the two women, his body shining with golden light, looking like a divine being.

  "Is he yours......?" The space between his eyebrows was filled with doubt. Perhaps there was also a hint of sourness, even if they had gotten along well and wanted to fulfill this woman's wishes, but as a man, it was always a bit uncomfortable.

  Cai Feng couldn't bear his suspicious gaze, and said: "I have nothing to do with him, you can believe it or not." She was innocent and would not tolerate being slandered.

  Qing Luan exclaimed in surprise: "Brother is so amazing!" He only saw Xu Xian make a gesture, and then a golden light burst out of his body, and that Chu Jianxiong flew back. His eyes shone with admiration for Xu Xian. It turned out that this brother was not only good at poetry, but also had such powerful martial arts skills.

  Xu Xian saw a blood stain on Qing Luan's lip and angrily said: "Was it him who did this? Cai Feng, no matter what relationship you have with him, I must take Chu Jianxiong to the authorities!" He turned around and walked towards Chu Jianxiong.

  Cai Feng's eyes were dizzy, too lazy to explain. It was just that the crisis of tonight had finally been resolved, and she expected this man not to have disappointed her expectations.

  Xu Xian walked over, but saw a black shadow flying out of the flower cluster. He hastily held up his seal, and saw Chu Jianxiong fleeing towards the outside wall. If he hadn't just withdrawn his Three Successes' power, he would probably have been shaken to death by now. At this moment, who dared to confront Xu Xian? They were all busy escaping.

  Xu Xian put away the seal, and with a flat hand, he conjured up the majestic Chu Jianxiong. Chu Jianxiong's heart was racing wildly, his years of experience in the Jianghu battles told him that this was a life-or-death moment, he gritted his teeth to endure the internal injury, twisted his body, and suddenly felt a scorching heat on one side, followed by a wave of intense pain.

  Xu Xian's empty sleeve stirred up a blaze of fire that shot into the sky, transforming into a sea of flames that illuminated the heavens. As the east began to dawn, the power of the sun was at its most majestic, and this sea of flames also had a layer of golden light infused within it.

  This move was once used by Xu Xian when he first broke out, but later forgot it. It wasn't until the night of rapid awakening that he remembered he had created a new move. Just now, because Chu Jianxiong and Er Nu were standing on the same line, and this move is a standard large-scale indiscriminate killing technique, Xu Xian couldn't use it, which was a bit regrettable. That's why he had the opportunity to use it again.

  Chu Jianxiong's sword fell to the ground outside the wall with a loud "thud", but thanks to his years of fighting instincts, he was only grazed by Huo Yun and did not die on the spot. Even so, his body suffered severe burns, and he felt a surge of heat flowing through his meridians that refused to dissipate. The pain in his body further fueled his ferocity, and with a mournful howl, he shouted: "Xu Xian, I will kill you!" Yet, in the end, he chose to flee.

  In his heart, he thought, one day, one day, he would avenge this grudge. But for now, he couldn't stay in Jiangnan anymore.

  How badly was Chu Jianxiong injured, I wanted to go around the wall to chase him, but I was afraid of falling into his "borrowing a tiger's might" plan. But it was certain that he would be disfigured, with the medical technology of this era, if he got infected again, it would be a fatal blow. However, in this world where internal energy existed, it was difficult to determine Chu Jianxiong's current state. I couldn't help but think of Yu Xuanji, if only she could help me calculate his fate!

  He turned his head to Qing Luan and said: "Are you okay?!" But saw the two women staring at him with their eyes wide open, Xu Xian asked: "What's wrong?"

  He didn't know how terrifying the supernatural phenomenon he had just performed was to Cai Feng and Qing Luan, only to see him wave his hand, and a large piece of flame appeared. Xu Xian helped Qing Luan wipe off the blood from her lips: "Stupid girl, it's just some unorthodox and inferior magic tricks, nothing to be afraid of."

  Xu Xian's casual movement brought Qing Luan back to her senses, and she blushed, saying: "Brother, you're too amazing!" This made Xu Xian feel somewhat elated.

  Although this place is remote, it is still in the city, and there are people living around. Here, it's bright and fiery, finally startling others. These people only peeked at the door, Xu Xian opened the door to see the four neighbors, briefly mentioned his own spell, only said that Chu Jianxiong was the culprit, asking people to go to the government office to report, hurry up and capture the thief.

  After dispersing the onlookers, Xu Xian finally let out a sigh of relief and secretly lamented that he had come at just the right time. For now, there was no choice but to take the initiative and strike first, suppressing his fear and stirring up his hatred. With a loud shout, he summoned all his strength and struck out with both palms, sending Xu Xian flying. A whirlwind suddenly arose in the small courtyard, and an ordinary person would have been unable to stand upright in it, let alone withstand being slapped by him.

  Xu Xian felt a bit helpless, he had just sent all the talismans to Pan Yu, and now he really didn't have any attack methods that could be used. The "Lin" character technique did have an attacking effect, but it was still mainly for defense. Seeing Chu Jian's fierce attack, he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in his heart. Holding the unmoving Ming Wang seal, he shouted "Lin!", for the first time perfectly combining this seal method with the true words.

  Chu Jianxiong saw a mysterious smile on Xu Xian's face, feeling uneasy in his heart, but at this moment he went all out and couldn't hold back.

  Forcedly withdrew three successful forces, in preparation for unexpected events. However, both palms still fiercely imprinted on Xu Xian's body.

  Above, no, it should be on top of Xu Xian's body, a layer of golden armor appeared.

  Chu Jianxiong was very confident in this move, a giant stone would shatter, let alone flesh and blood.

  Even if some dharma doors are available, what's the use? The five organs will still rupture and one will still die.

  But it felt like hitting a mountain wall, and the mountain stood still naturally.

  There seemed to be a sound of golden iron ringing out.

  Chu Jianxiong spat out blood and retreated at a speed even faster than when he had attacked, no, flew back, falling into the flower bushes in the courtyard.

  Xu Xian burst out laughing and said: "You can't break through my defense!" He strode towards the two women, his body shining with golden light, like a god.

  "Is he yours......?" The space between his eyebrows was filled with doubt. Perhaps there was also a hint of sourness, even if they had gotten along well and wanted to fulfill this woman's wishes, but as a man, it was always a bit uncomfortable.

  Cai Feng couldn't bear his suspicious gaze, and said: "I have nothing to do with him, you can believe it or not." She was innocent and would not tolerate being slandered.

  Qing Luan exclaimed in surprise: "Brother is so amazing!" He only saw Xu Xian make a gesture, and then a golden light burst out of his body, and that Chu Jianxiong flew back. His eyes shone with admiration for Xu Xian. It turned out that this brother was not only good at poetry, but also had such powerful martial arts skills.

  Xu Xian saw a trace of blood on Qing Luan's lips and angrily said: "Was it him who did this? Cai Feng, no matter what relationship you have with him, I must take Chu Jianxiong to the authorities!" He turned around and walked towards Chu Jianxiong.

  Cai Feng's eyes were dizzy, too lazy to explain. It was just that the crisis of tonight had finally been resolved, and she expected this man not to have disappointed her expectations.

  Xu Xian walked over, but saw a black shadow flying out of the flower cluster. He hastily held up his seal, and saw Chu Jianxiong fleeing towards the outside wall. If he hadn't just withdrawn his Three Successes' power, he would probably have been shaken to death by now. At this moment, who dared to confront Xu Xian? They were all busy escaping.

  Xu Xian put away the seal, and with a flat hand, Chu Jianxiong's sword was suspended in mid-air. Chu Jianxiong's heart sounded a loud alarm, his years of experience in Jianghu battles made him feel that this moment was a matter of life and death. He endured the internal injury, twisted his body, and then half of his body felt hot, followed by a severe pain.

  Xu Xian's empty sleeve stirred up a blaze of fire that shot into the sky, transforming into a sea of flames that illuminated the heavens. As the east began to dawn, the power of the sun was at its most majestic, and this sea of flames also had a layer of golden light infused within it.

  This move was once used by Xu Xian when he first broke out, but later forgot it. It wasn't until the memories of that night with Jia Kuai came flooding back that he realized he had created a new move. Just now, because Chu Jianxiong and Er Nu were standing on the same line, and this move was a standard large-scale indiscriminate killing technique, Xu Xian couldn't use it, which was a bit regrettable. That's why he had the opportunity to use it again.

  Chu Jianxiong's sword fell to the ground outside the wall with a loud "thud", but thanks to his years of fighting instincts, he was only grazed by Huo Yun and did not die on the spot. Even so, his body suffered severe burns, and he felt a surge of heat flowing through his meridians that refused to dissipate. The pain in his body further fueled his ferocity, and with a mournful howl, he shouted: "Xu Xian, I will kill you!" Yet, in the end, he chose to flee.

  In his heart, he thought, one day, one day, he would avenge this grudge. But for now, he couldn't stay in Jiangnan anymore.

  How badly was Chu Jianxiong injured, I wanted to go around the wall to chase him, but I was afraid of falling into his "borrowing a tiger to scare away a monkey" plan. But it's certain that he's disfigured, with the medical technology of this era, if he gets infected again, it's likely to be fatal. However, since there is still internal energy in this world, it's difficult to determine Chu Jianxiong's current state. I couldn't help but think of Yu Xuanji, if only she could help me calculate his fate!

  He turned his head to Qing Luan and said: "Are you okay?!" But saw the two women staring at him with their eyes wide open, Xu Xian asked: "What's wrong?"

  He didn't know how terrifying the supernatural phenomenon he had just performed was to Cai Feng and Qing Luan. All he saw was that with a wave of his hand, a large piece of flame appeared. Xu Xian helped Qing Luan wipe away the blood from her lips and said, "Don't be stupid, girl. It's just some unorthodox and inferior magic tricks, nothing to make a fuss about."

  Xu Xian's casual movement brought Qing Luan back to her senses, and she said with a blush: "Brother, you're too amazing!" This made Xu Xian feel somewhat elated.

  Although this place is remote, it is still in the city, and there are people living around. Here, it's bright and fiery, finally startling others. These people only peeked at the door, Xu Xian opened the door to see the four neighbors, briefly mentioned his own spell, only said that Chu Jianxiong was the culprit, asking people to go to the government office to report, hurry up and capture the thief.

  After dispersing the onlookers, Xu Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief and silently praised himself for coming at the right time.

  Otherwise, wouldn't that be letting this little Chu get her way? Seeing Qingyun again with a lively and energetic appearance, I finally felt at ease. Then I said: "Girl, help me pack up these things."

  "What's with the collection?" Qing Luan asked strangely.

  Cai Feng Dao: "Husband, Xu Gongzi, I and Chu Jian Xiong are indeed unrelated, Qing Luan can testify to this!" This time, the word 'husband' still didn't come out.

  Qing Luan hastily recounted what had just happened.

  Xu Xian said seriously: "I'm not that I don't believe you, and I think it doesn't matter if I don't believe you either. I'll be back at the book institute tonight as we agreed. Now that you're free, you can come and go freely. If you lack silver money, you can take it from me. I just want you to know that although I, Xu Xian, am not a gentleman, I don't want to force you into anything either!"

  Cai Feng, however, raised her head and said: "I admire Mr. Xu's broad-mindedness very much. But now if you move back to the academy, how will people look at me? Will I be seen as having been insulted by a thief or having an affair with that thief? And what if that thief comes back again? How can we two weak women resist?"

  It is said that the phoenix cherishes its feathers, but if the colorful phoenix does not cherish her own reputation, even if Qing Luan's martial arts are ten times stronger, it would be difficult to protect her chastity in that romantic arena. Now that she has finally redeemed herself, how can she bear to be tainted with a bad name?

  "Xu Xian hesitated for a moment."

  Cai Feng said, "I understand Mr. Xu's intentions. From now on, you will live in the east wing at night, and I will live with Luan'er in the west wing. In front of outsiders, we can pretend to be husband and wife, but in our daily lives, we are just friends. How about that?"

  "Alright then!"

  Having a courtyard of one's own in the previous life is also considered one of the heart's desires. The reason for deciding to leave was not wanting people to regard him as a hypocrite who indulged in beauty but pretended to be noble, especially Qing Luan. Now that he can get Qing Luan's recognition, how could he possibly pretend to be elegant? He only acts with a clear conscience.

  Cai Feng's heart skipped a beat, and she continued: "If Master Xu wants to perform the rites of Zhou Gong in the future, please excuse me for not being able to accompany him." She was actually trying to get Master Xu to promise not to take advantage of her again. However, this moral principle, she didn't expect Master Xu to agree to it, after all, she had already submitted herself to him, and he thought it was only natural that he could do anything to her.

  Xu Xian bitterly smiled and said: "I never planned on going through any formalities with you anyway!"

  Cai Feng happily said: "That's settled then, Master Xu is indeed a man of his word, Cai Feng didn't misjudge him." She felt that tonight was truly a blessing in disguise. Being able to thoroughly clarify her relationship with Xu Xian also eliminated one of the worries in her heart, it could be considered an unexpected joy.

  Before she met Pan Yu, her greatest wish was to find a quiet place to settle down with Qing Luan, and there were no men in that dream.

  Knowing that she had met Pan Yuzhen and the idea of surrendering to him, but Pan Yu was ruthless, which hurt her heart, making her disheartened and marrying Xu Xian was also a desperate move, accepting everything he could accept and couldn't accept.

  However, Xu Xian's attitude surprised her, and she even suspected that he was pretending to be concerned about Pan Yu's opinion, but everything that happened this morning made her realize that Xu Xian was indeed speaking from the heart.

  "What a strange man," she muttered to herself, yet full of gratitude and appreciation. Because of this man, she could finally live the peaceful life she had always wanted.

  It's hard not to think of all sorts of scenes when I met Xu Xian, and it seems like I've been in contact with Xu Xian many times.

  The delicate and deep feelings of "First Snow Trial Nine Machines", at that time, I didn't pay much attention to the person standing next to him, if only I knew it was you.

  On Lantern Festival, he smiled as he put the priceless gemstone into his palm, ignoring others' gaze.

  The grandeur and abandon of "Looking out at the Tide in the Snow" - he departed with a bow, seemingly uninterested in his own painting. Perhaps he was also slightly annoyed!

  The majestic and stirring atmosphere of "Under the Red Cliffs, the Riverside Immortal" still lingers in his memory. Even now, thinking back on it, he can recall the good times when he drank wine with fishermen and sang. Now thinking about it, perhaps it was also him who stirred up the waves and saved the people in danger on the boat!

  If it weren't for that person, if the one who wrote "Nine Machines" was you, I might have fallen in love with you without hesitation. But once I've fallen in love, it's too late, even if I knew it was you who created "Nine Machines", the emotions I've invested can no longer be easily changed.

  Thank you for giving me time, thank you for not tearing apart the wound in my heart.

  Just give me enough time, although I don't know how long it will take, the wound will definitely heal! At that time, maybe I can wholeheartedly love you and be a qualified wife, even if it's just a concubine. But you won't hurt me like ordinary men do, right?

  In short, thank you!