Chapter 440: Friends

The carriage stopped at a place with pavilions and water pavilions. Pei Ye got off the carriage and followed Qi Qi Zhaohua inside.

In the courtyard, there were tall trees and autumn flowers. People in various costumes were coming and going. Pei Ye was overwhelmed. Not only were there novel styles he had never seen before, but some were obviously not in the Great Tang style.

Qi Qi Zhaohua handed over a small red wood plaque, and an attendant led them to climb the building. Pei Ye now knew why this building was called "Star-Plucking." It was built around the courtyard, and the hollow area was unimaginably large, forming a small garden with mountains and water.

Many light spots carried by lotus flowers rose from the small pond and flew towards the surrounding buildings on all sides. The guests stood on the building and picked them.

"Inside is the 'Clear Body Small Pill' refined by the Quanzhen Daoists. Eating it makes 'the orifices comfortable and the skin and body clear'. If you want it, wait for a moment in front of the railing, and you can pick one." Qi Qi Zhaohua said to him with her hands behind her back.

Pei Ye looked at it with some novelty: "Don't you need to spend money?"

"Once you enter the building, you have already spent money."

Seeing the youth's curiosity, the two waited for a moment on the corridor. Sure enough, several lotus flowers flew over. Pei Ye picked three, and the two and one cat took them. Their bodies were indeed cleared.

"Quanzhen's pills can often be seen in the Divine Capital." Qi Qi Zhaohua explained, "There are a great variety of pills. Sometimes if there are any problems with cultivation or the body, you might as well go to the Pill Building to take a look. If there are pills you want that they don't sell easily, just come to the Hall and say it."

"Oh, should I find Miss Xu?"

". It's better not to trouble the Benefactor with such small matters." Qi Qi Zhaohua choked for a moment and smiled, "You can come to find me. After you get familiar with it later, you won't need to find anyone."

"Oh."

"In addition," Qi Qi Zhaohua paused, "Just now when you were talking to the Benefactor, did you keep calling her 'Miss Xu'?"

"." Pei Ye was stunned for a moment, "No."

He also realized this point himself at this time. This was his way of addressing women of similar age, but in the conversation facing the woman just now, this form of address indeed disappeared from his mind subconsciously.

"Oh, if the Benefactor didn't say it, it's best not to address her like that." Qi Qi Zhaohua exhorted, and pondered for a moment, "In addition, there is no need to address her by her courtesy name on weekdays."

"Oh, good."

Qi Qi Zhaohua nodded and said earnestly with a smile: "Keep an appropriate distance from the Benefactor."

". Oh."

"When doing things in the future, it's also us people who communicate more."

Pei Ye didn't quite understand: "Which people?"

Qi Qi Zhaohua stopped her steps, pushed the door and smiled: "Didn't you say you 'have many friends in the Divine Capital'? Have you forgotten us now?"

Pei Ye looked at her in horror, but the door had already been pushed open.

In a single-room pavilion hall, four people were sitting on the floor, originally chatting casually. At this time, they all cast their gazes over.

They were all familiar faces.

Shang Lang. This young man was still flying with his brows and eyes, but he was no longer the heroic figure in armor and holding a spear. He was wearing robes and belts, with a high bun, and was very heroic and upright. During the few days in the Fenghuai County Office, when Zhu Zhu Gaoyang wasn't there, he accompanied him to practice sword.

Pei Ye was very happy to see him now, but didn't expect that Shang Lang's eyes were almost full of surprise.

Beside him, Sister Xing Zhi was holding a cup of clear tea and smiled at Pei Ye, raising her hand to make a gesture of handcuffing him, which was exactly the scene in the prison yesterday.

Pei Ye smiled embarrassedly. He thought that the parts of his prison-break plan involving spiritual energy operation were all from her hand, so he cupped his fists gratefully.

The third person was actually Fang Fang Jidao, who was asking someone beside him about something, his expression a bit restrained, but his eyes were bright.

This was truly an unexpected surprise for Pei Ye. He subconsciously looked at the woman beside him, but Qi Qi Zhaohua didn't have any special expression. When the scholar looked over, she smiled and raised her hand, then sat far away beside Sister Xing Zhi.

Pei Ye greeted Fang Fang Jidao, and when his gaze moved to the last person beside him, he was truly surprised.

Yan Yan Feiqing.

This clean-tempered Daoist was actually listed here. Fang Fang Jidao was gesturing somewhat stammeringly beside him, and he was frowning and thinking, his expression quite serious. When Pei Ye came in, he raised his eyes to look at him, which counted as a greeting, and continued to think deeply.

Pei Ye sat beside Sister Xing Zhi. Actually, it was his first time seeing this sorcerer in disheveled hair and casual clothes. That dashing and sharp aura turned into a loose and leisurely one. Her skirt trailed on the ground. She supported her chin and raised her cup with a smile: "Meeting for a cup of wine, to comfort the wind and dust for you."

Pei Ye straightened his cup and drank it in one gulp, put down the cup and said: "Thank you."

Sister Xing Zhi smiled and also covered her mouth with her sleeve and drank it all.

Pei Ye paused and asked curiously: "Official Xing, did you prepare this poem in advance?"

Sister Xing Zhi was stunned. Beside her, Qi Qi Zhaohua's mouth curved, and she immediately turned her head as if nothing had happened.

"." Sister Xing Zhi held the wine cup and was stunned for a while, then glanced at Qi Qi Zhaohua: "Oh... yes."

She put down the wine cup and smiled gently at the youth.

Pei Ye nodded repeatedly as if "it was indeed so" and smiled: "I thought so too! In the past, when reading storybooks, seeing them recite two lines of poetry when the atmosphere was right, I always couldn't understand—although I haven't read much, but even if I had read many poems, could I recite them just by saying so? Sure enough, they were all prepared in advance!"

"That... is indeed the case." Sister Xing Zhi lowered her head and poured wine for him again, "Why did Young Hero Pei ask this?"

"I'm learning." The youth sighed lightly, "In the past two months, I have always been parting with people. Some have said goodbye properly, and some have passed by in a hurry, and there was no time to say anything."

Sister Xing Zhi looked at him gently: "Just read more books when you have time."

Suddenly she remembered: "Do you recognize some characters now?"

". I've recognized many for a long time, okay!" Pei Ye felt quite ashamed of his past self, "In these two months, I've read almost a dozen sword manuals!"

"Hmm, hmm, looking at each other with new eyes after three days of separation." Sister Xing Zhi smiled and cleared herself, "It's Zhu Gaoyang who always speaks ill of you. I said long ago that recognizing characters isn't a big deal. Young Hero Pei can just make up for it when you have time."

Pei Ye was stunned: "Brother Zhu... how is he now?"

"Not how. That lingering injury of his... the sect also found some ancient and harsh secret techniques. Although the road is narrow, it's not that there's no way." Mentioning the man, Sister Xing Zhi was silent for a moment, then quickly raised her head and smiled, "But don't worry. With his temperament, he never takes difficulties and dangers to heart. Who doesn't have some bumps on the road of cultivation?"

Pei Ye nodded: "I saw you returned to the Divine Capital, so I guessed Brother Zhu should be fine."

". I indeed wanted to stay in Dongting, but he wanted me to come back to handle official business, saying he would come to the Divine Capital to find me later." Sister Xing Zhi picked up a snack, "It's been more than half a month, and I don't know when he will come."

"Is there any urgent matter in the Divine Capital? Is there any place you need me?"

"No, it's my own business."

Qi Qi Zhaohua grilled several fish slices and distributed them to them: "Official Xing is about to step into the Mystic Realm and is preparing to be promoted to Xing Zishou."

Pei Ye was surprised: "Congratulations, congratulations!"

Sister Xing Zhi signaled him to put it in his mouth while it was hot, and smiled vaguely: "The Mystic Realm is easy to talk about, but the quota for the Xing Zishou hasn't been decided yet."

Qi Qi Zhaohua scooped lotus seed soup into a small bowl for him, but her gaze was looking at the empty space and pondering: "You are originally the most excellent one, can someone still snatch it away—who are they?"

Sister Xing Zhi shook her head: "They are all from big sects. Orthodox Sect, Yangyi Building, Zheng family's direct lineage..."

Qi Qi Zhaohua took back the small bowl, ate the lotus soup with a spoon, but her gaze was looking at the empty space and pondering: "Okay, I will mention it to the Benefactor tomorrow."

Sister Xing Zhi pursed her lips and raised her cup upright, respectfully saying: "Troubling the Young Lady."

This toast was obviously not directed at Qi Qi Zhaohua. Pei Ye couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.

But seeing that these two had something to talk about, he turned his head back—and almost bumped into Shang Lang.

This young man didn't know when he had sat behind him cross-legged with a smile, looking quite intimate: "Is the journey smooth?"

"." Pei Ye opened his mouth twice, but didn't say the word "smooth", ". It's okay. Brother Shang, how have you been recently?"

But he saw Shang Lang take a breath, lower his brows and sigh lightly, drinking wine without speaking.

". What's wrong?"

"Sigh, nothing much. There are some things at home, and life hasn't been easy recently."

". Oh." The two clinked glasses and drank it all.

Shang Lang poured wine for him and suddenly said "Eh": "I heard you won the Autumn Champion of Bowang. That's truly amazing."

Pei Ye waved his hand: "Hahaha, hi! There's nothing to say." Pei Ye said, "Although the Sixth Life in the last round was said to be able to enter the Sword Academy, although I was only Fourth Life at that time, although I still had injuries..."

Shang Lang poured two more glasses of wine before listening to the youth finish, nodding forcefully: "I knew you were a genius long ago. When I was in Fenghuai, I said you would definitely win the championship!"

Pei Ye smiled and was somewhat puzzled: "Did you?"

"Definitely."

"Oh."

"Eh? Speaking of which, the reward for the champion should be quite generous, right?" Shang Lang asked curiously.

Pei Ye was stunned: "Ah, that can't be called quite generous... but there was a sword that was very good, and I have been using it."

"Oh, I suppose there are some others?"

Pei Ye was stunned for a moment. At this time, Fang Fang Jidao had already come over with a wine cup, being the one who saluted most uprightly: "Brother Pei, long time no see!"

Pei Ye also let go of his smile and held his arm: "Brother Fang, your spirit is really good. What have you been busy with recently?"

"I've been reading in the Imperial Academy for these two months." Fang Fang Jidao subconsciously glanced at Qi Qi Zhaohua over there, "The recommendation letter from the Hermit, you know."

Pei Ye was pleasantly surprised: "I'm also going to the Imperial Academy."

Fang Fang Jidao widened his eyes: "Ah?"

"Hmm."

". Oh." The scholar seemed to want to say something, but finally didn't, only saying, "Actually, I haven't gone to the Academy these days either."

"Hmm?"

The scholar held the cup and drank by himself, looking very hopeful but also eight parts worried: "I want to be admitted to the Heavenly Principle Academy... but I worry that my level is insufficient."

It was another unfamiliar name, but Pei Ye didn't intend to ask anymore at this time. He patted his shoulder: "If it's meant to be, it will be. If not, don't take it too much to heart."

Fang Fang Jidao shook his head and said earnestly: "The heart of seeking the Dao cannot be casual."

He smiled happily: "I just asked this little Yan Immortal many questions. His Dao learning is truly profound."

Pei Ye looked over. Yan Yan Feiqing was looking over clearly and raised his cup to him.

Pei Ye understood at this time that it was he who knocked him out and completed the disguise. He raised his cup and drank it all.

This Daoist who was famous all over the world always had a quite clear and quiet temperament. His hair was not messy at all, and his clothes and boots were always the cleanest and neatest.

They had chatted for several days on the road and it was like this. But the road was lonely, and meeting at a wine banquet, several people had chatted enthusiastically for many rounds, but this person was still cold and clear, as if he had escaped from this atmosphere, truly having the mysterious aura of a Daoist.

Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled: "Zhang Xiaoyan is our number one fighter. If you have anything to do in the Divine Capital, just call him."

Pei Ye turned his head in astonishment, but saw Yan Yan Feiqing nod and say lightly: "Just call me."

"."

At this time, Shang Lang leaned over from behind and interrupted: "There's no need to trouble Zhang Xiaoyan Immortal for general matters. Calling me is the same—friends in need should help each other, right?"

Pei Ye didn't pay attention to him. For him, since he knew this jujube Daoist was one of his own, he immediately had many things about the sword he wanted to talk about. He carried his cup and walked over, leaving only Shang Lang looking at his back, wanting to speak but stopping.

This gathering lasted for two hours. Everyone chatted casually about different topics. Pei Ye also gradually saw that the other four should be working together on weekdays. Only Fang Fang Jidao seemed to be purely reading and cultivating scriptures, and was called over today because of him. Actually, he wasn't very familiar with the others.

Another discovery made him somewhat silent.

While chatting, Pei Ye suddenly frowned, his voice paused, and he tilted his head and slowly moved his head beside him.

Suddenly clear.

Moving his head out, wine smell.

Moving his head in, clear smell.

Back and forth several times, Yan Yan Feiqing frowned at him, and he also frowned at Yan Yan Feiqing.

—This person actually carried a True Qi bubble with him!

". Aren't you tired?"

"I prefer to be clean."

When the cups and plates were in a mess, the six people came to the corridor, picked the Dan lotus, and continued to chat. When the words ended, they said goodbye to each other.

When Sister Xing Zhi parted, she handed a big box to Pei Ye. Pei Ye opened it with some surprise and was stunned for a moment.

Inside was everything that had been confiscated by the Immortal Terrace—the mountain feather, the jade tiger, the dragon ring, the copper sparrow plaque... He remembered that sentence "You can use the snow sword less" and thought it was best not to show off the jade tiger.

He closed the box, thanked them, and parted with everyone. Shang Lang looked at him several times and wanted to speak but stopped, which made Pei Ye feel somewhat inexplicable, but he finally just sighed lightly and left somewhat lonely.

Finally, only Pei Ye and Qi Qi Zhaohua were left leaning on the railing. Although Pei Ye's body was weak, he still had True Qi to resolve the wine, but the woman had truly drunk two cups.

The moon was in the middle of the sky, and the guests in the building were much sparser. The view between the railings was truly good, with the bright moon above, the clear pond below, and the autumn wind blowing through the corridor. Both of them were somewhat lazy.

"Having friends coming from afar, isn't it a joy!" Qi Qi Zhaohua sighed lightly, "Long time no see, Young Hero Pei. I'm truly happy today."

Pei Ye nodded and smiled too. Chatting with this friend was always very comfortable. She saw things clearly and her mind was bright. Pei Ye still remembered being enlightened by her when he was confused about his feelings for the young girl, and also remembered her inviting him to come to the Divine Capital several times.

"Yeah," he said, "We haven't seen each other for two months. Everyone has things they are doing, and being able to chat with each other is really much more comfortable."

"If you are familiar with the people, the place isn't new."

"That's true." Pei Ye turned his head to look at her, "Then what about you, Miss Qi? I remember you came to the Divine Capital and stayed for two years a few years ago. Had you decided what to do then?"

Qi Qi Zhaohua was quiet for a while, looked up at the moon, but said: "You only chatted with the Benefactor for a few sentences. I suppose you are still mostly strangers."

Pei Ye was stunned: ". Yes."

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xs007zhuikereadw23zw ===== CHAPTER 441 =====