He had searched high and low for it, only to stumble upon it by sheer luck.
Shan Chao had been searching the entire way, but he had only found out that the Casting Sword Village was located in Jiangnan. However, when he arrived in Jiangnan, he was unable to enter the village. The rules of the Wulin families were very strict. It was not easy for a foreign disciple like Shan Chao to inquire about them, let alone visit them.
Fortunately, the unlucky Chen Haiping had allowed them to meet the Casting Sword Village's Young Suzerain.
Fu Wenjie ordered someone to bring a carriage over and respectfully invited Shan Chao and Xie Yun into the carriage. He also lit up a stove in the carriage for them to dry their clothes.
The carriage jolted all the way out of the city. After a while, there were fewer people on the roadside and the scenery was beautiful. Shan Chao lifted the curtain and saw that not far in front of them, there was a huge manor with mountains on one side and rivers on the other.
The evening sun shone on the overhanging eaves and black roof tiles, making it look even more magnificent.
Although it was in the suburbs, there were dozens of empty carriages parked outside the manor. Shan Chao was suspicious. He frowned and looked carefully. He saw that many of the carriages had different symbols on them. He recognized the symbols of the Kongtong Sect, the Qingcheng Sect, and the Huashan Sect. There were also at least seven or eight that he did not recognize.
So many sects had come to visit the Casting Sword Village at the same time. Could it be that there was something big going on here?
Fu Wenjie sat in an even more luxurious and spacious carriage in front of them. When the main door was opened, the carriages filed in and stopped in front of the second door.
Immediately after, a servant came forward and lifted the curtain. He bowed respectfully and asked the guests to get out of the carriage.
Shan Chao jumped out of the carriage. He looked up and saw an open drooping flower gate. He thought that they had arrived and walked forward.
"Grandmaster, please wait!"
Fu Wenjie, who was being carried down from the carriage in front, hurriedly said, "This is not the main hall. The inner courtyard needs to be replaced with a sedan chair. The carriage cannot go directly to the door …"
Shan Chao was stunned.
The manservants exchanged glances behind him, with unconcealable ridicule on their faces. Where did this poor monk come from? He came to the mansion to ask for money, and didn't even know the basic etiquette of a big family?
Shan Chao smiled and touched the bridge of his nose. He said calmly, "I'm sorry. As a monk, I've let Young Suzerain laugh at my ignorance."
After saying that, he turned around and walked back. However, he saw that Xie Yun had also gotten out of the carriage. She stood beside the sedan chair and turned her head to the side to smile at him.
That smile contained a hint of encouragement and warmth that was hard to detect. Shan Chao's expression changed slightly. He saw that Xie Yun had already taken the maid's hand and turned around to step onto the green palanquin.
Xie Yun looked straight ahead and didn't even spare him a glance.
However, no one dared to act rashly in front of "Miss Long". Everyone subconsciously held their breaths. Even the maid didn't dare to look directly at Xie Yun's face. She only dared to lower her gaze and stare at the ground beneath his feet.
The green palanquin was carried by two more batches of people before it finally passed through the main hall of the Casting Sword Village and arrived at the inner courtyard.
Fu Wenjie hurriedly ordered the servants to prepare two good guest rooms for Shan Chao and Xie Yun. He invited them to bathe and change their clothes. He also ordered the kitchen to immediately prepare ginger soup to serve them. Only then did he bid farewell and leave.
With a splash, Xie Yun stood up from the steaming hot tub. He hastily dried his body. His bare feet stepped on the flower petals that he had thrown out of the water before he entered the bath and went behind the screen.
After a moment, he walked out. He was already wearing a light gray silk satin robe with a snow-white outer robe. He wrapped his long hair with a cloth and slowly wiped it. He said casually, "Come in."
The window opened silently. Then, three black figures jumped in and knelt on the ground.
The three of them were dressed in the uniform of imperial guards, and the one in the lead was Ma Xin!
"Commander, please forgive us!"
Ma Xin walked forward on his knees and bowed his head. "My brothers and I have been asking around for several days, but we couldn't find any information related to the snow lotus. Casting Sword Village recently held a banquet for the famous martial arts sects. There are many eyes and eyes, so it's quite troublesome …"
Xie Yun interrupted him. "What's the situation with Chang An?"
"The Yuwen General secretly sent people to hunt down Xin Chao monk. They almost caught up with you several times, but I took care of them one by one.
It's just that you haven't shown up in the capital for a long time. For the past half a month, there have been a lot of speculations. It's really difficult to cover up … "
Xie Yun nodded slightly and didn't say anything.
Ma Xin gathered his courage and looked up.
"Commander, if the Chang An can't cover it up, can we secretly tell the Empress the truth and ask her to help cover it up?
As long as the Qingning Palace issues an edict to let you go to the Eastern Capital Luoyang, all the suspicions will disappear … "
Xie Yun raised his hand and Ma Xin stopped abruptly.
"I originally speculated that in order to invite me to go to the capital with him to find the snow lotus, Yuwen Hu would definitely help me cover up the fact that I'm not in the capital. And the Shadow Guardian could pretend to be me, so Yuwen Hu wouldn't find out anything strange for at least 20 days."
"Then, in these 20 days, I have complete privacy to arrange the things in the plan."
Xie Yun sighed softly.
Ma Xin knew the meaning of his sigh. No one expected that Shan Chao would appear halfway and expose everything in front of Yuwen Hu. The Shadow Guardian couldn't be used as a pawn.
"Then why do you want to hide it from the Empress?"
Ma Xin was puzzled. "Why don't you just ask the Empress to issue an edict? You take the army to Hangzhou. How can this small Casting Sword Village dare to disobey the edict?
When you get the snow lotus and send it to Chang An to save the Crown Prince, the credit will still be yours. No one can take it away … "
Xie Yun smiled and shook his head. There was a trace of self-mockery in his eyes.
"Why do I want the credit?"
Xie Yun finally dried his hair. He put down the cloth towel and walked to the guest room's round table.
On the table, there were several exquisite desserts sent by Fu Wenjie. One of them was the fattest crab roe and crab meat, which was placed in a steamed roll, and then cut into small and neatly stacked flat pieces of gold and silver. Another one was honey fried noodles with crispy cheese, which was incomparably sweet and silvery white like snow. The chef called it sweet snow. Then there were Imperial Concubine Red, Jade Dew Balls, Crystal Dumplings, and other salty and sweet snacks. Probably thinking that a woman like Miss Long wouldn't be able to eat much, he sent three to five pieces of each, which were dazzling and exquisite.
Ma Xin saw it and immediately exploded.
"How can the Casting Sword Village be so rude? How can they have the nerve to serve such crude things to a guest?!
This poor Jianghu aristocratic family has the dog eyes of the sky. They actually look down on people! "
"Brothers, let's go. Follow me to the kitchen …"
Xie Yun sighed, "It's not bad. Let's just put up with it.
Throughout the journey, we ate tofu skin buns for half a month … "
Ma Xin burst into tears.
"It's all that wild monk's fault. He only asked for ten taels of silver."
Young Master Ma said, "When the Commander is done, we will definitely kidnap that monk and bring him back to the capital. We will cut him into pieces to relieve the hatred in our hearts!"
At this moment, there was a sudden noise outside the door. It was followed by a banging sound on the door. It seemed to be very urgent.
Xie Yun asked, "Who is it?"
— — Bang!
The door was suddenly pushed open. Before the loud noise could land, Ma Xin and the others jumped out of the window.
Then, a few servant girls in beautiful clothes rushed in. In the middle was an extremely beautiful girl. She was wearing a pink robe with thorny gold peony flowers. Her hair was adorned with gems and her shoes were adorned with pearls. Her hibiscus face was full of anger.
"Are you the woman who fell into the West Lake today?"
Xie Yun turned around and saw that the guards were completely gone. Only the window was slowly closing due to inertia.
Xie Yun turned around and sat down unhurriedly. She supported her forehead with one hand and looked at the little girl for a moment. Then, she suddenly became interested.
"Miss, you are …"
"You are the one who shamelessly seduced my cousin!"
The little girl flew into a rage. "You even slandered my cousin for flirting with you. Why do all the people in the West Lake have to flirt with you?!
You are an indecent woman! "
Xie Yun seemed to find it very interesting. She blinked her eyes and smiled.
"— — Miss Fu."
The little girl was stunned. Then, she stuck out her chest and said proudly, "You know me too?"
"Of course I know you."
Xie Yun couldn't help but laugh. "The number one beauty in Jianghu. You almost went to Chang An Imperial Guard Commander's Office. I … know you too well."
·
Fu Xiangrong stared at Xie Yun suspiciously. Xie Yun also looked at her with a smile and raised her eyebrows playfully.
"No wonder you threw a tantrum at the matchmaker. So this was the reason — — but that cousin of yours might not be a good person. Miss Fu, I'm afraid you have given your heart to the wrong person."
Fu Xiangrong's tender face turned red. She said in a shrill voice, "What nonsense are you talking about?!
If you talk nonsense again, I'll drive you out! "
Xie Yun leisurely poured a cup of tea. Fu Xiangrong said angrily, "It has nothing to do with cousin. It's all because that person surnamed Xie is vicious and merciless. He looks like an evil ghost. In the capital, he is a big devil!
I know all about it! "
"You really know Commander Xie too well … …" Xie Yun said with a smile as she held the teacup.
Fu Xiangrong sized up the commoner girl in front of her. She only felt that "she" had beautiful eyebrows and beautiful eyes. She had a leisurely demeanor. That smile on her thin lips was simply an eyesore.
Miss Fu's anger rose from her heart. She couldn't hold back for a moment and harshly said, "I see that you're also not a good person. You most likely deliberately schemed against my cousin. You want to climb up the social ladder and enter my family!"
Xie Yun was currently holding the teacup and drinking water. Hearing this, she gave her a surprised and appreciative look.
That look irritated Fu Xiangrong quite a bit: "What are you looking at me for?
This young miss is prettier than you!
— — Cripple! "
"Xiang Rong!"
A loud shout suddenly came from behind her. Fu Xiangrong jumped in fright. Turning around, she saw Fu Wenjie being carried by people. Her face was filled with anger as she appeared in the doorway.
"Brother, I — —"
"What are you doing here? How can you be so uneducated?"
"I was clearly just … …"
With a light ding sound, Xie Yun put down the teacup and interrupted the quarrel that was about to break out at any moment: "Young Suzerain, please calm down. Miss Fu just spoke without thinking — — I wonder why Young Suzerain has graced us with your presence?"
Fu Wenjie looked at Fu Xiangrong with a slightly reproachful expression. The young girl couldn't help but want to retort, but she was quickly pulled back by her maidservant. She could only angrily snort.
"Miss Long," Fu Wenjie turned to Xie Yun with an apologetic expression. She cupped her hands in greeting while sitting on the bamboo chair: "Hai Ping has disturbed you and cannot be let off so easily. I want him to apologize to Miss and Master Xin Chao.
Right now, my humble home has already prepared a banquet. I wonder if Miss Fu would be able to attend — — "
"Brother!"
Fu Xiangrong immediately couldn't hold back: "Cousin is innocent. It must be someone who seduced him. That's why he was schemed against!"
"… … Quickly take Miss Fu away!"
Fu Wenjie was simply unable to restrain her anger. His younger sister's eyes immediately turned red: "Brother, you, you … … you've changed. You used to love me very much!
Ever since last year … … "
Fu Wenjie took a deep breath. Before he could get angry, the maidservants finally hurriedly took Fu Xiangrong away.
"It's all your fault!" Fu Xiangrong was still struggling at the door as he shouted at Xie Yun. He then turned around and ran away.
Fu Wenjie turned back with a worried expression: "Miss Long, please forgive me.
My mother has spoiled my younger sister since she was young. She has completely spoiled her … … "
Xie Yun quietly looked at him for a moment. She suddenly smiled and said: "There's no harm. Young Suzerain's words are too serious. There's no need to argue with a little girl."
Perhaps there was still a trace of strangeness in his tone. Fu Wenjie was somewhat baffled by his gaze. He subconsciously touched his face: "Miss Long, this is — —"
"It's nothing," Xie Yun stood up and said amiably: "Didn't you say that there was a banquet in the residence?
— — Lead the way. "
·
Casting Sword Village had stood tall in Jianghu for hundreds of years. The Old Village Head who had already passed away was the previous Wulin Alliance Master. Although he was gone, the tea had not yet cooled down.
Unexpectedly, this banquet, which only Xie Yun and Shan Chao were invited, was not held in the warm room or the inner hall. Instead, it was held in the main hall of Casting Sword Village with the main entrance, the ceremonial door, and the inner hall opened.
When they entered the main hall, they saw that the main seat was empty. Shan Chao was drinking tea in the guest seat. Chen Haiping was sitting obediently with his shoulders slumped.
Fu Wenjie invited Xie Yun to take a seat. He was also helped to the main seat. He sighed and said: "My cousin Haiping was born in a rich family. His elders cherished him very much. It was inevitable that he developed a frivolous and dissolute personality.
Today, we were sightseeing on the lake. I didn't expect that he would do such a preposterous thing … "
Xie Yun listened with a smile. She glanced at Chen Haiping from the corner of her eyes. Eldest Young Master Chen still had a wronged expression on his face. He probably thought that a fair and gentle lady was a good match for a gentleman. He didn't do anything wrong, so why was he wrong?
Fu Wenjie said a few more words. Then he coughed. The maidservants hurriedly brought in a soup from the kitchen. He glanced at it and waved his hand impatiently: "Just leave it there."
Shan Chao had a lot on his mind. Seeing this, he asked politely: "Young Suzerain, are you okay?"
"I just caught a cold. It's just that it's annoying to have to drink medicine every day." Fu Wenjie smiled and sighed. He asked: "Master, where did Miss Long come from?
Are you here to visit relatives and friends, or … "
Shan Chao was dressed in a monk robe and beads. He had a strong figure. Although he looked young and handsome, it was unavoidable that a monk walking together with a rare beauty would make people curious.
At that time, Shan Chao didn't know how to explain it. He simply said that he was a wandering monk in Chang An. He saved Miss Long from being pestered. When he found out that she was an orphan, he escorted her all the way back to her hometown to find her relatives …
Chen Haiping listened absent-mindedly. Suddenly, he softly said: "Eh?" and looked at Xie Yun.
This girl's movements were calm. Although she was sightseeing, she was leisurely and carefree. She didn't look like … an orphan who was kidnapped by a bully.
"You're still looking!"
Fu Wenjie was annoyed. He threw his chopsticks and said: "I haven't talked about you yet. How are you going to settle the account on the lake today?"
Chen Haiping was afraid of his cousin. He hurriedly stood up and begged for mercy. Fu Wenjie pointed at the tea on the table and said: "Why are you still in a daze? Hurry up and offer tea to the girl and apologize!"
Chen Haiping had no choice but to take the tea. He stood up and walked to Xie Yun. He coughed embarrassedly.
Xie Yun raised her eyebrows and looked at him. Chen Haiping inhaled and exhaled. His chest rose and fell for a while. Finally, he sighed as if he had given up. He bent over and handed over the teacup:
"I was rude today. Please forgive me and Master Xin Chao …"
Before he could finish his sentence, a maid suddenly rushed in from the door and said: "Young Suzerain, the Old Madame is here!"
Fu Wenjie hurriedly asked someone to help him up. Then, he saw a woman with white hair. Although she was old, he could still see the outline of her youth. She was surrounded by a group of maids. She crossed the threshold and walked into the main hall.
This was obviously the widow of the former Wulin Alliance Master. Before Fu Wenjie could say the word 'mother', she trembled as she walked forward and grabbed Chen Haiping. Then, she turned to Fu Wenjie and said reproachfully:
"I thought something big had happened. Why are you blaming your cousin?"
"We are in the middle of something big. What if this news gets out? What if that black-hearted person laughs at Hai Ping behind his back?"
Shan Chao: "…"
Xie Yun: "…"
Shan Chao was surprised. Xie Yun, who was sitting beside him, rubbed her hands in relief. She finally understood who taught Miss Fu her style.
Fu Wenjie immediately felt like his head was about to explode. He hurriedly gave up the seat of honor and invited his mother to sit down. Then, he awkwardly explained to Dan Chao and Xie Yun, "This … this is my mother. Today, she heard that the two of you are honored guests. So, please don't mind …"
Shan Chao's mouth twitched slightly. He was about to say something when Xie Yun interrupted him with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay. The Old Madame is right. Young Suzerain doesn't need to mind."
Fu Wenjie's expression suddenly turned red and white as if someone had stuffed an egg into his throat.
The Old Madame was obviously very fond of her son and her nephew. When she saw Fu Wenjie's medicine on the side, she immediately called for the maids to serve him. She also held Chen Haiping's hand and asked him about his well-being. She was worried that he would catch a cold. During this time, she glared at Shan Chao with hidden dissatisfaction.
Fu Wenjie said awkwardly: "To be honest, after my father passed away, the position of the Wulin Alliance was vacant. Therefore, the major sects have decided to hold a Wulin Alliance Assembly at the beginning of next month in Casting Sword Village to choose a new Wulin Alliance Leader. He will lead everyone to fight against the Shengui Sect that is invading the Central Plains Wulin from the North of Mo … Kongtong, Qingcheng and other sects have already sent representatives to stay in this village. That's why my mother …"
Xie Yun asked curiously: "Kongtong, Qingcheng and other sects are all quite far from Jiangnan. Why do they have to hold the Wulin Alliance Assembly at Casting Sword Village?"
No one noticed that Shan Chao's hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly. He seemed to be slightly suspicious as he glanced at 'Miss Long'.
Fu Wenjie didn't find anything strange: "Miss, you have asked a good question.
Actually, the reason is not complicated. It's because the Wulin Alliance has always had a rule: the new Wulin Alliance Leader will inherit the relics of the previous Wulin Alliance Leader. The most important of these relics are the Long Yuan and the Tai 'e Swords … "
Shan Chao's attention was immediately drawn back. He suddenly turned to Fu Wenjie.
"… The Long Yuan symbolizes high virtue and the Tai 'e symbolizes power. The two swords are called the World Sword. Legend has it that whoever obtains them will obtain the world. After my father passed away, these two ancient swords have always been sealed in this village. That's why this Jianghu Alliance Assembly was chosen to be held in this village."
Fu Wenjie paused and asked curiously: "What's wrong with Master Xin Chao?"
Shan Chao slightly narrowed his wolf-like sharp eyes. The two swords, which were tightly wrapped in rags along the way to the south, were crossed on his back.
"… Young Suzerain," he asked slowly. His steady voice was mixed with a trace of undetectable vigilance:
"Is there any possibility that these two swords could be forged by someone?"
In a flash, the mother and son of the Fu family looked slightly unnatural.
"It's impossible. Master, you're overthinking."
Fu Wenjie lowered his head and picked up the bowl of medicine. He smiled and said: "The Long Yuan and the Tai 'e Swords are both famous swords with ancient divinity. Each of them will recognize its own master. If someone uses them without permission, they will immediately let out a sword whistle. The sound will shake the surrounding area. How can a forged sword have this characteristic?
Therefore, there's no need to worry. "
"Then are the Long Yuan and the Tai 'e Swords still in the Casting Sword Village?"
Fu Wenjie did not expect Shan Chao to interrogate him like this. He was stunned for a moment before answering: "Of course." He immediately picked up the bowl of medicine and took a sip.
Xie Yun was still smiling slightly. She glanced at Shan Chao from the corner of her eyes.
The side of the black-clothed monk's face had the unique depth of the Mobei Dynasty. The bridge of his nose was straight, his lips were slightly pursed, and his jaw was firm and angular. The tight lines extended to his strong neck and Adam's apple.
Because his eyesight was too good, there was a hidden light in his eyes. He glanced at the faces of Fu Wenjie, Madame Fu, and Chen Haiping one by one.
Chen Haiping did not know what was going on. Madame Fu was a little uncomfortable. She picked up her chopsticks and picked up some food for her son.
Shan Chao said coldly: "I have one more thing to ask."
Fu Wenjie put down the bowl and subconsciously swallowed his saliva: "Master, please go ahead …"
"Young Suzerain, do you know about the snow lotus flower water used to forge swords? Where can you find it?"
Fu Wenjie forced a smile. This time, he waved his hands and shook his head. He even seemed to be begging for mercy: "What is snow lotus flower water?
I really don't know. "
·
The banquet finally ended in a stiff atmosphere. Although it couldn't be said to end on bad terms, from the old madame's cold face and Fu Wenjie's absent-minded expression, the word 'divorce' was actually close.
Shan Chao originally wanted to leave after the meal. However, it was already very late. Fu Wenjie did not want to leave, so he went with the flow and agreed to stay for the night.
Chen Haiping, on the other hand, was quite happy. If this annoying monk didn't leave, Miss Long naturally wouldn't leave either. If Miss Long didn't leave, then he could still see her tomorrow. Perhaps after tonight, Miss Long would change her mind and suddenly be willing to marry him tomorrow.
At night, the golden autumn moonlight shone through the window lattice, brushing against the jade hook and ice silk. The night breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus.
Xie Yun got up from the couch and casually tied her hair. She put on her robe and pushed the door open. Sure enough, she saw a black-robed figure sitting on the railing outside the guest room. Under the moonlight, the corridor was dark and winding.
"Master, why don't you go and rest?"
Shan Chao suddenly woke up from his contemplation. He put down the Seven Star Long Yuan wrapped in a rag in his hand: "… Miss Long."
Xie Yun stood in the empty courtyard. She crossed her arms and looked at Shan Chao for a moment. Suddenly, she teased him with interest:
"Master, you are sitting alone in the middle of the night. I wonder if you are thinking about someone. Is it Buddha or a little girl?"
Unexpectedly, Shan Chao did not immediately explain or refute. Instead, he was silent for a long time before he shook his head and said: "No, I am thinking about someone."
He paused and slowly said: "The one in Chang An City … Xie Yun."