Chapter 283: Huang Yaoshi Afflicted by Love Flower, Qiu Qianchi Forced Marriage
In the early autumn morning, the eastern sky had just begun to show a faint glow, and milky white mist floated in the mountains and fields.
Zhou Yan squatted by the stream, cupped water to wash his face, and his figure disappeared into the forest.
Not long after, he emerged carrying two wild rabbits and a mountain chicken. With a few leaps, he arrived at the mountain cave where a campfire was burning.
Four people and six horses, they could take turns riding, but even so, after a whole night of traveling, it was time to stop and rest.
The flames crackled, and Yanbo Diaosou took the prey. The mountain chicken could be made into beggar’s chicken, and the wild rabbits were skinned, cleaned, and directly roasted. Zhou Yan sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to rest.
As soon as he closed his eyes, his consciousness was filled with flashes of swords and shadows.
On Dongting Lake, the Chief Escort of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, Jiang Kui, appeared like a heaven and earth net of sword shadows. Those sword styles shattered and reformed, then shattered again. In an instant, the sword qi technique comprehended from the Azure Sea Tide Sound appeared, followed by the Eight Techniques of the Dog Beating Stick Method.
Jiang Kui’s swordplay had an impact on Zhou Yan from the inside out. The sword qi technique comprehended from the Azure Sea Tide Sound was only at its initial stage, and the Dog Beating Stick Method was the same.
Zhou Yan never thought of carrying a bamboo stick on him again. He planned to integrate some of the insights he gained from Jiang Kui’s swordplay, along with the Eight Techniques of the Dog Beating Stick Method and the sword qi techniques, into his own swordplay.
He had been pondering this all along, but how could it be easy? Just integrating the “seal” technique’s force application method from the Dog Beating Stick Method into swordsmanship was a thousand difficulties.
After much contemplation, he began to meditate, and a bizarre scene unfolded in his mind.
If I could integrate the qi-guiding method of the Azure Sea Tide Sound into my swordplay, how would I open up new channels for qi circulation?
Zhou Yan fell into deep thought.
“Young friend…”
Yanbo Diaosou’s voice pulled Zhou Yan back to reality. He opened his eyes and saw that the wild rabbit and beggar’s chicken had already been roasted to perfection.
He sighed. Entering the martial arts world felt like an instant, but in reality, it had been the time it took to eat a meal. Never mind, he would focus his mind. After rescuing Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi, and reaching Funiu Mountain, he would go into seclusion for a period of time, and also cultivate the Nine Yang Manual to increase his Yang Qi and enhance his Internal Force.
Zhou Yan took the rabbit leg handed to him by Yanbo Diaosou, and while eating, he pondered how to enter Valley of Unfeeling, rescue people, escape, and withdraw.
…
A sound of “Strange” was heard on a hill tens of miles away.
The morning breeze dispersed the light mist, and looking down, the lush green trees resembled surging emeralds. Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong’s gaze fell upon Huo Gong Toutuo, Baoshu, and Zhou Botong.
“Father, why is the Old Urchin with Huo Gong Toutuo?”
Huang Yaoshi was also slightly taken aback, finding the scene before him unbelievable.
He had traveled north from Hundred Herbs Valley and accompanied Huang Rong to Snake Valley.
Even with Huang Yaoshi’s vast experience, he was shocked by the countless Pusi Snakes of all sizes in Snake Valley. He had seen the golden-scaled poisonous snakes raised by the medicine boys and thought such poisonous snakes would be rare in Snake Valley, but upon entering deeper, he saw them frequently.
However, Huang Yaoshi did not hunt them indiscriminately. He only collected dozens of snake gallbladders for the two of them to consume, and then left Snake Valley to search for the Great Eagle with Huang Rong.
After wandering around, they stumbled upon Huo Gong Toutuo and the Old Urchin.
Huo Gong Toutuo had seen Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others leave from the riverside wharf on the hill. He followed the Western Venom’s group, and the Old Urchin, unwilling to concede defeat, followed closely, saying they hadn’t finished their match.
They happened to run into Huang Yaoshi.
“Father, Huo Gong Toutuo and the Old Urchin are heading to Valley of Unfeeling. Shall we follow and see?” Huang Rong said excitedly.
One held a grudge, the other was considered a friend. Huang Yaoshi smiled and nodded, “Alright!”
Huang Rong was overjoyed, “Rong’er will definitely listen to Father more from now on.”
Huang Yaoshi smiled slightly, “Then spend more effort cultivating martial arts.”
Huang Rong pouted.
Huang Yaoshi sighed, “The world will soon usher in an era of flourishing martial arts and a surge of experts.”
“No matter what, Father is still the number one person in the world.”
“Huo Gong Toutuo, Master Ku Cheng, Qiu Qianren, and others are not much inferior to me. I expect Ku Hui is the same, especially Huo Gong Toutuo, who is gifted and a true martial arts prodigy. The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves before, and there are always new people replacing the old. Huo Gong Toutuo’s disciples are also extraordinary. Golden Wheel Law King, Zhang Sanqiang, and others are in their prime. Among the younger generation, there are figures like Zhou Yan.”
“And Rong’er.”
“Yes.” Huang Yaoshi smiled and walked forward, holding Huang Rong’s hand.
The sun was three poles high. Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, Yanbo Diaosou, and Hundred Herbs Immortal, leading their well-rested horses, galloped towards Valley of Unfeeling.
…
The bright moon shone in the sky, and people walked before a sheer cliff.
Zhou Yan, familiar with the route, led Diaosou and the other two directly to the cliff where they had rappelled down with ropes when they last visited Valley of Unfeeling. The autumn moon was like a plate, illuminating the surrounding scenery far and near.
The flowers and plants were lush, and giant trees reached the sky, with dense foliage and luxuriant branches, a beautiful scene.
“This Valley of Unfeeling can be considered a paradise on earth. Its scenery is as marvelous and beautiful as Hundred Herbs Valley,” said Yanbo Diaosou.
“Old man, Hundred Herbs Valley is far inferior,” Hundred Herbs Immortal chuckled, then changed the subject, “Such a place blessed by nature must have rare treasures.”
“Indeed. You will know once Immortal Hundred Herbs enters,” Zhou Yan replied.
After walking for several miles along the cliff, they reached the clifftop where Zhou Yan had entered the valley with Huang Rong, Mei Chaofeng, and others.
Zhou Yan found a pine tree, tied the rope securely, and rappelled down first.
The last time he visited Valley of Unfeeling was in early spring. Now, in autumn, he looked around. The grass and trees were emerald green, a stark contrast to the scene of blooming flowers.
Zhou Yan withdrew his gaze, shook the rope, and Liu Qingzhou, Yanbo Diaosou, and Hundred Herbs Immortal descended. The four of them walked in a winding path towards the depths of the valley.
Ahead of Zhou Yan and the others, a small boat docked at the end of the stream leading to Valley of Unfeeling. Huang Yaoshi and Huang Rong had already reached the depths of the valley along the mountain path.
It turned out that Qiu Qianren and others had arrived. The group was large, and the disciples of the valley used small boats to ferry people back and forth, leaving many boats by the stream. Huang Rong had traveled by water once before and remembered the route. Both she and Huang Yaoshi were skilled boatmen, and they effortlessly followed the route Zhou Yan had taken out of the valley to enter the depths of Valley of Unfeeling.
Huang Yaoshi observed the beautiful scenery along the way. Cranes roamed leisurely by the roadside, white deer played, and squirrels and rabbits showed no fear of humans. He thought, “What a rare and beautiful place.”
Suddenly, he saw Huang Rong arrive at a strange tree.
“Father, these flowers are very magical. They have a faint scent of wine when smelled.”
Huang Yaoshi walked over and saw that the tree was covered in small thorns, but the petals were incredibly vibrant, resembling hibiscus but more fragrant, and like camellias but more colorful.
Despite his extensive knowledge, he had never heard of such a flower tree. Huang Yaoshi, marveling at it, reached out to pick a flower.
“Father, be careful, there are thorns,” Huang Rong warned Huang Yaoshi. However, she herself let out a slight “ah” as a hidden thorn pricked her little finger while picking the flower.
She giggled, unconcerned.
The small thorns hidden behind the flowers naturally pricked Huang Yaoshi as well, but he didn’t pay it any mind. He picked a flower, sniffed it, and put a petal in his mouth. It was sweet and fragrant, like honey, with a slight intoxicating aroma that refreshed his mind. After chewing a few more times, a bitter taste emerged.
Huang Rong imitated him. Initially, she enjoyed it, but as the bitterness surged, she quickly stuck out her tongue and spat it out.
Huang Yaoshi, however, was somewhat lost in thought, remembering Feng Heng. He was extremely devoted to his wife. The beautiful trees and exotic flowers around his beloved wife’s grave on Peach Blossom Island were all rare species handpicked by Huang Yaoshi from around the world. This peculiar flower tree, if transplanted to A-Heng’s grave, would surely be something she would like. As Huang Yaoshi thought this, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his pricked finger. The wound was tiny, yet the pain was extremely severe, as if his chest had been struck by a hammer.
Huang Yaoshi frowned and looked at Huang Rong.
“What’s wrong, Father?”
“Were you pricked by the flower thorns, Rong’er?”
“Yes.”
“Did you feel anything unusual?”
“No.”
As they spoke, their attention wavered, and the sharp pain, which had come on quickly, also subsided rapidly. Huang Yaoshi secretly circulated his internal energy, finding no abnormalities.
“Strange,” Huang Yaoshi became even more curious about the flower tree.
“Father, let’s go. Ahead are the residences of the valley disciples.”
He would study it further when they left. Huang Yaoshi followed Huang Rong.
…
A lotus oil lamp cast a dim yellow glow on Qiu Qianchi’s face in the stone house. Her face was as cold as water, and her eyes stared coldly at Qiu Qianren.
“Where is Sister Yang?”
“No need to worry, she is fine.”
“I want to see her.”
Qiu Qianren frowned, “Don’t you think you should consider your own affairs first?”
“I have nothing to consider.”
“Your marriage to Valley Master Gongsun,” Qiu Qianren reminded her.
“I have already told Valley Master Gongsun that from now on, we will go our separate ways and not interfere with each other.”
“Preposterous! A formal marriage, just short of the wedding ceremony, and there are even gifts from the Crown Prince in Valley of Unfeeling.”
“But we haven’t married yet.”
“Nonsense.”
“Quite the opposite, Sister is very calm. Since leaving the Iron Palm Sect, I have always been lost, whether it was acting righteously and gaining fame, or living an obscure life as a wife and mother. Now, I finally have a clear idea of the path I should take.”
“What path?”
“Resist Jin.”
“Nonsense,” Qiu Qianren said angrily.
“Second Brother, do not be deluded.”
“I think you are bewitched,” Qiu Qianren said, flicking his sleeve and clasping his hands behind his back, his face grim. “Reflect well, and in a few days, you will wed Valley Master Gongsun. Valley Master Gongsun has traveled north and south of the Great River to find you. Where in this world can you find such a loyal and righteous person? The Valley Master’s appearance and martial arts are both a perfect match for you.”
“I would rather die than marry,” Qiu Qianchi’s voice was hoarse and resolute, as if squeezed from the depths of her lungs.
“As you wish.”
Qiu Qianren snorted heavily and turned to leave.
