Chapter 268: Seven Freaks Of The Bamboo Forest
On the Luo River riverbank, listening to Sun Yuanlang’s song full of mocking intent, Xu Xuanji’s face was extremely ugly. He coldly glanced at the crowd of Grandmasters and said: “Since everyone has safely returned, this seat can also withdraw having accomplished the task.”
After speaking, he led a group of Heavenly Master Dao followers away in anger.
After the Heavenly Master Dao crowd left, the Xiahou Brothers looked at the Pei Clan uncle and nephew, and said with no small amount of sarcasm: “All that effort for nothing…”
“This…” Pei Bang and Pei Yuqiu both looked disheveled and weary, and said with a bitter smile: “Same to you.”
After so many events, even the Grandmasters felt extremely fatigued. The Xiahou Brothers scanned the crowd and said: “Everyone go back to your own homes, back to your own mothers.” After speaking, they also led their own people away.
Earlier, the Pei Clan uncle and nephew had made quite an unsightly display, so at this moment they didn’t feel like saying much more. They cupped their hands toward the crowd, said with an embarrassed smile: “We’ll catch up later.” Then they went to join the Pei Clan disciples who had come not far away to meet them.
Left on the riverbank were Lu Xian, the two old eunuchs, Cui Xie, and Wei Yang. A rare smile appeared on Zuo Yanqing’s face as he said to the crowd: “Having survived this great ordeal, everyone will have good fortune ahead. Go back and properly seclude yourselves in cultivation to comprehend the Dao, mind less idle matters, and strive early to glimpse the Great Road—that is the proper way.”
“Mm.” The several Grandmasters deeply agreed. Before, they had only regarded the Innate Realm as legend, but this time they had personally witnessed and experienced the activation of an Innate Move. At this moment, they all firmly believed in that realm. Even without Zuo Yanqing saying it, they would go back and properly seclude themselves, striving to catch up to Lu Xian and Sun Yuanlang as soon as possible.
“Old Lu, don’t worry about what Heavenly Master Dao and Xiahou Clan might think,” Cui Dingzhi said with a smile as he looked at Lu Xian: “Our two clans will definitely help speak on your behalf and clear up the misunderstanding.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Xie Ding hurriedly chimed in: “Don’t worry about these mundane affairs, just focus on comprehending the Heavenly Dao.” As he spoke, he smiled somewhat lecherously: “Of course, you’ll have to give us more guidance in the future.”
“I knew your motives weren’t pure, you’re really too shameless.” Wei Yang laughed and cursed, then walked up to Lu Xian, deeply bowed, and said: “Brother Lu, how about I take you as my master?”
“Damn it…” Xie Ding smacked his head hard, inwardly cursing himself for being too stupid—why hadn’t he thought of that move? Integrity really harms people.
Only Mei Yu stood silently to the side. After all, the enmity between Mei Clan and Lu Clan was not easily resolved. But with Wei Yang stepping forward, what difference did it make from her taking a master herself?
“Everyone, no need for this.” Lu Xian felt a bit embarrassed, waved his hand and said: “I merely advanced one step ahead by borrowing everyone’s help, naturally I won’t be secretive. In the future, we’ll spar more and comprehend together.”
“Knew Old Lu had a benevolent heart, that’s why he receives the Heavenly Dao’s favor.” Cui Dingzhi was overjoyed upon hearing this and struck while the iron was hot: “Then let’s set a date, gather once a month, how about that?”
“Excellent!” Everyone happily agreed, and thus set the first day of every month to gather once at Lu Xian’s small bamboo forest, to spar on the Martial Arts Path and jointly seek the Heavenly Dao.
“Hahaha, Wei and Jin had the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.” Du Hui was also uncharacteristically enthusiastic: “We must not let the ancients have all the glory—we’ll be Great Xuan’s Seven Immortals of the Bamboo Grove.”
“Seven Freaks of the Bamboo Grove is more like it.” Mei Yu muttered, drawing hearty laughter from the Grandmasters.
After laughing, the crowd dispersed.
.
Lu Xian gracefully came before the Lu Clan disciples, and saw several stewards Lu Xiu, Lu Xin, and Lu Wei already waiting eagerly there.
As soon as they saw Lu Xian arrive, the several stewards led the Lu Clan disciples in a thunderous kneel, their eyes brimming with hot tears as they tremblingly said: “Welcome Vice Sect Master safely returned.” Although they hadn’t gotten close, they had all perked up their ears to listen, knowing Lu Xian had already reached Half-step Xiantian, and all were excitedly boiling with passion.
The Lu Clan was about to be different!
“All rise.” Lu Xian expressionlessly glanced at the clan members, then fixed his gaze on Lu Xin and said: “Have you seen Yun’er?”
“This…” Lu Xin’s eyes were deeply sunken, his expression haggard, beard disheveled—he had barely slept this past month. Upon hearing this, he hoarsely said: “No sighting…”
Before the words finished, a shout came: “Father!”
Lu Xin shuddered all over, abruptly turned back, and saw his worrywart son sprinting toward him along the riverbank.
“Yun’er…” Lu Xin was so excited he forgot etiquette, immediately leaped up, and stumbled deep and shallow steps toward Lu Yun, scooping him into his arms with a tear-streaked face and great laughter: “As long as you’re fine, otherwise how could your father go on living!”
Lu Xiu, Lu Wei, and the others watched the father and son embrace, all feeling a pang in their hearts… They had personally seen Lu Xin these past days, soulless and mad-like in searching for Lu Yun.
They could completely understand Lu Xin—if they had such a good son, they would surely lose composure the same way.
Soon, Lu Xin calmed his emotions, a bit embarrassed as he hurriedly released his son, and lowly said to Lu Yun: “Quickly pay respects to your uncles, they’ve all been very worried about you.”
Lu Yun hurriedly saluted Lu Xiu and the others. Once he finished, three figures darted out from behind the stewards, instantly hugging him tight, crying and laughing incoherently.
Naturally it was Lu Bai, Lu Song, and Lu Lin. These days they had also abandoned their cultivation, following the elders day and night camping in the wilds on Mount Mang. The difference was, the elders were searching for Lu Xian, while they were for Lu Yun…
“Let go, I can’t breathe…” Lu Yun patted Lu Lin’s arm, signaling him not to choke his neck.
“Alright, no more fooling around.” Lu Xiu coughed and said to the four little ones: “Let’s hurry back to the capital, the Clan Leader and others are still waiting eagerly.”
“Yes.” The four brothers obeyed, finally behaving, but Lu Bai and the other three wouldn’t let Lu Yun off, insisting he recount his underground palace adventure experiences.
But when boarding the carriage, Lu Xian called Lu Yun over, so Lu Bai and the other two reluctantly let him go and boarded another carriage.
On the carriage back to the city, master and disciple had both changed into clean clothing, though the scars on their faces couldn’t be erased for the time being.
But none of that mattered. Master and disciple looked at each other, both feeling as if a lifetime had passed.
Originally, Lu Xian had some words for Lu Yun, but at this moment he didn’t want to speak. He gently patted Lu Yun’s shoulder, and master and disciple smiled at each other—everything was unspoken.
.
On the opposite bank of the Luo River, Sun Yuanlang came treading over the waves.
As soon as he reached shore, he saw the Saintess in a black skirt and black veil over her face, leading a group of followers who had already been waiting respectfully for some time.
Seeing Sun Yuanlang arrive, the Saintess brought the little maidservant forward and presented a crane feather robe.
“Welcome Sect Leader safely returned, congratulations to Sect Leader on great progress in divine skill!” The followers knelt and shouted in unison.
Sun Yuanlang’s face was icy cold as he donned the crane feather robe, then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood…
“Master…” The Saintess hurriedly supported Sun Yuanlang.
“I’m fine.” Sun Yuanlang waved his hand and faintly said: “We’ll talk in the carriage.”
The followers then escorted the Saintess and Sun Yuanlang onto the carriage, which slowly headed east.
In the carriage, the Saintess said with anger in her voice: “That Xu Xuanji is truly shameless, striking while Master’s cultivation hadn’t recovered!”
“I’m not injured.” But Sun Yuanlang’s tears flowed down, heartbroken as he said: “I’m heartbroken over the Imperial Seal…”
“What happened to the Imperial Seal? Was it taken?” The Saintess, having followed Lu Yun’s suggestion and not rashly crossing the river, but instead joining the welcoming followers on the right bank of the Luo River to wait for Sun Yuanlang, naturally didn’t know what had happened on the opposite shore.
