Chapter 303

【Lu Hua chuckles and asks in return, "What is a dragon? A dragon can be large or small, can rise or hide. When large, it stirs clouds and breathes mist; when small, it hides and conceals its form. It changes infinitely and is mysterious and unpredictable."】

【Hearing this, you cannot help but feel a trace of doubt in your heart: do dragons really exist in this world?】

【You look up at the bright moon in the night sky, and the clear breeze in the courtyard brushes your face, bringing a trace of coolness.】

【Lu Hua walks over from beside the sycamore tree, the clear moonlight spilling onto her, adding a bit of slenderness and mystery to her, her dress fluttering in the wind.】

【"There are many types of demons in this world. Apart from mountain spirits and wild monsters, poultry, pigs, and dogs, there are also fish, shrimp, turtles, and soft-shelled turtles in the rivers. They all seem to emerge from this, feeding on humans to strengthen themselves."】

【"However, have you ever seen a human turn into a demon?" She suddenly changes the subject, her tone carrying a bit more depth.】

【You shake your head, secretly pondering: the disaster victims in the Jiangnan Circuit are like a tide; if they could truly turn into demons, they would have long since breached the prosperous Above Bianjing.】

【"But if I told you that more than half of the demons in Ze Lake are transformed from humans, I wonder if you should be surprised or think it is empty talk?"】

【Your heart is shaken, but your expression remains as calm as water. The demons of Ze Lake are actually transformed from humans?】

【Isn't this a fantasy!】

【Lu Hua continues, "Think about the thirteen circuits of the Great Qi and the sixteen provinces of the Great Sui; they are vast and boundless, yet one has never heard of any talk of flood dragons."】

【"And this flood dragon suddenly appears in Ze Lake? A dragon is a legendary divine creature, not born of heaven or earth."】

【"Then where did the dragon come from?"】

【"Some say a snake becomes a python in ten years, a python becomes a boa in fifty years, a boa becomes a flood dragon in a hundred years, and then becomes a dragon in five hundred years. But this is all nonsense; humans do not have the ability to defy heaven and change fate, let alone these oviparous, crawling creatures."】

【Listening to Lu Hua's words, you think carefully and realize that only Ze Lake has legends of flood dragons. Even the demons causing trouble in the Jiannan Circuit—the Green Ox, Mountain Python, and Carp demons—self-proclaimed themselves as the Pingtian Great Sage, Flood Dragon Demon King, and Tongtian Bodhisattva.】

【But the only place that truly has a flood dragon seems to be Ze Lake.】

【Lu Hua laughs, "Since it is not born of heaven or earth, then how did the flood dragon come to be?"】

【"Naturally, it is humans raising this dragon, isn't it?"】

【You are slightly stunned and cannot help but blurt out, "Raising a dragon!"】

【This idea is too shocking, but coming from Lu Hua's mouth, it seems to be true.】

【Countless questions surge in your heart: who would raise a dragon in Ze Lake? And who could raise a dragon in Ze Lake? You must know that there are nine great demons in Ze Lake, each of them powerful, capable of rivaling the peak human cultivators.】

【The place where the nine great demons are entrenched has long since become a dragon's pool and a tiger's den, a forbidden land for humans.】

【You suddenly think of one place.】

【Lu Hua voices your guess for you.】

【"The Academy?"】

【You seem unable to believe it, yet you think of a certain place; back then, the Master entered Ze Lake but did not slaughter all the demon species.】

【The Second Master should have leveled Ze Lake with one sword, but was dissuaded by the First Master.】

【"You are curious about who is raising the dragon, right? Or rather, what is the purpose of raising the dragon?"】

【"In the ancient books of the Sanzhen Sect, the ninth patriarch, Peng Chuan, recorded a personal note during his lifetime, 'Peng Chuan's Personal Notes'."】

【"This patriarch of the Sanzhen Sect was the first to preach in the north before Patriarch Lu Chen. He was also called the Northern Patriarch. According to historical records, a man fell from the sky, named Peng Chuan, established a sect in the north, and once served as the Protector of Yancheng!"】

【You nod; the Sanzhen Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, and almost every few generations, a brilliant person emerges, such as the Heavenly Master who helped the Great Sui establish the nation, who once even sought advice from the Master on learning.】

【One Confucian, one Daoist, they also traveled to Mount Taishan, which was passed down as a beautiful story by later generations and often mentioned in poetry.】

【This Peng Chuan must be a pivotal patriarch of the Sanzhen Sect.】

【Lu Hua says leisurely, "It is said that this patriarch cast a great cauldron at the age of sixty-three. When the cauldron was completed, a dragon head with whiskers descended to welcome him. There was only a dragon head and no dragon body. Peng Chuan rode on it. The disciples all held onto the dragon whiskers, but the whiskers broke, and they all fell to their deaths. Only Peng Chuan flew away."】

【This story depicts that Peng Chuan cast a giant cauldron in the northern border region. When the cauldron was completed, a dragon head without a body appeared, and Peng Chuan rode on it. The disciples tried to follow by pulling the dragon whiskers, but the whiskers broke, and they fell from the sky.】

【Only Peng Chuan was left to attain the Dao and ascend.】

【Lu Hua also reveals a secret, "Back then, that patriarch helped the Great Sui establish the nation and met the Master. Besides seeking advice on learning, he also presented the classics left by the three patriarchs of the Sanzhen Sect to the Master."】

【"So, the world is bustling for profit. Why did the Master leave the Great Sui? It was an exchange."】

【You take a deep breath. There is no need for Lu Hua to answer who is raising the dragon; the answer behind it seems to be ready to emerge.】

【The person in this world who most wants to ascend, and the person closest to ascending, is this Master of the Great Qi.】

【Peng Chuan rode a dragon to ascend!】

【Is the Master raising a dragon for the sake of ascending?】

【Ze Lake is just the Master's dragon-raising pool!】

【Lu Hua says in a deep voice, "Heaven and earth are unkind, treating all things as straw dogs."】

【"One person attains the Dao and ascends, while ten thousand bones in the human world wither."】

【You have some feelings in your heart; attaining the Dao and ascending seems to be the greatest vision and the supreme pursuit of those who cultivate.】

【The Master has been searching for immortals in the East Sea for two hundred years and has not returned.】

【However, the most recent ascension in history with real historical records was during the era of that Prince of Yan.】

【Three people ascended in one day!】

【Empress Qianyuan, the Demon Dao Huang Dao, and Lu Yu of the Sanzhen Sect; their deeds are still being praised today.】

【Prince of Yan Lu Chen died of old age on Mount Zhongnan.】

【That is to say, three thousand years ago, in such a long time, no one else could ascend.】

【The Master wrote in the "Holy Words," "The Great Dao is like the blue sky, but I alone cannot get out."】

【Lu Hua looks at your thoughtful appearance and says, "Of course, you cannot come into contact with these things now, but I just mentioned it casually to let you understand that the demons in the world are actually not as terrifying as humans."】

【"As for how humans turn into demons and how they transform into flood dragons, I have not fully understood the mystery of this either. I fear it is another series of miserable human affairs."】

【You are becoming more and more curious about Lu Hua's identity; she seems to know a lot about these secrets, especially the history of the Sanzhen Sect, as if she knows it like the back of her hand.】

【Lu Hua laughs, "Of course, livestock kept in captivity will show their fangs after a long time, let alone the ferocious demon species of Ze Lake."】

【"The Master of the Great Qi has been gone for two hundred years. Even a docile rabbit will poke its head out, wanting to come out for some air."】

【Your heart stirs, thinking of the man in the black robe you mentioned today; he indeed came from Ze Lake.】

【Was he for the Academy?】

【Xie Hong and the Lu Hua before you, could it be that they came to Above Bianjing for the Academy?】

【The Academy now still has three masters: the Second Master is seriously ill, the Third Master is self-imprisoned in the Academy, and the Fourth Master is the Prime Minister in the imperial court.】

【A flood dragon enters the capital, Xie Hong returns to the residence, and Sanzhen sect members come to the Great Qi.】

【You exhale, truly feeling a sense of "the mountain rain is coming, and the wind is filling the building."】

【Lu Hua looks at you, seemingly seeing through your thoughts. She smiles and says, "What are you afraid of? This Xie family probably won't fall. It's good to enjoy the shade under a big tree; with the Xie family here, you don't need to worry."】

【You nod; the storms outside are external, but one's own self is the foundation. Continue to cultivate.】

【You lean against the sycamore tree to practice "post-standing," feet spread and shoulders aligned, knees bent, rhythmically striking the big tree, slowly exhaling turbid air between breaths.】

【Before long, you feel drenched in sweat, fine beads of sweat appearing on your head, your whole body's muscles and bones aching and numb.】

【Lu Hua looks at your disheveled appearance and says, "Compared to primordial spirit cultivation, your martial arts cultivation is far too slow."】

【"It's mainly because your frame is too weak. Building a foundation is not done in a day. You already have a bit of post-intent in these few post-standing skills; it counts as having entered the door."】

【You are sweating like rain, and Lu Hua teaches you a few more martial arts breathing methods to relieve your qi, blood, muscles, and bones.】

【Lu Hua manipulates your arms, letting one of your legs stretch out and rest on the stone table.】

【"These are a few tendon-stretching moves. You need to practice them after boiling your qi and blood, otherwise, if your whole body's qi and blood are congested, it will delay things if you correct it later."】

【You learn the method Lu Hua taught, and sure enough, your swollen meridians are relieved, and your qi and blood are much smoother.】

【"Although Sima Ting wrote down the problems and experiences he encountered during his cultivation one by one, he didn't know that you, a concubine-born son, don't have his conditions."】

【"Practicing martial arts is not like soul cultivation. Practicing martial arts requires building a foundation from a young age. At your age, it counts as..."】

【Lu Hua clicks her tongue, "Wasted!"】

【You can only smile helplessly; you haven't practiced your muscles and bones since you were young, and now these few posts are exhausting all your efforts.】

【Lu Hua takes out a jade bottle, places it on the table, and says, "This is the Dragon-Tiger Tendon-Fetal Elixir."】

【"There are twenty pills inside. When you practice the post, hold it in your mouth against your upper jaw; it has the effect of strengthening bones."】

【"Your body has reached its limit today; too much is as bad as too little."】

【"Also, do not practice the Demon-Slaying Sword when I am not in this courtyard. I won't be responsible if you provoke something."】

【Lu Hua leaves after speaking.】

【You only see a trace of a dark shadow leaving like smoke.】

【You look at the jade bottle on the table; this Lu Hua has helped you time and again despite being a chance acquaintance.】

【You silently pick up the jade bottle, feeling grateful in your heart. To escape this cage of the Xie family, these things are indeed necessary.】

【You walk back into the room, your mind shifting. After your primordial spirit broke through to the third realm, your five senses have long been sharp.】

【You look toward the room where Sister Wu Tong sleeps; just now, you seemed to feel the sound of someone turning over in the inner room.】

【You are thoughtful and return to your room.】

【The next day, it is the same as usual: reading, writing, and practicing martial arts.】

【Sister Wu Tong adds a plate of lean meat to the dishes she makes every day, and you eat it all clean.】

【The Dragon-Tiger Tendon-Fetal Elixir left by Lu Hua is surprisingly effective; you clearly feel you can persist for longer.】

【For the next three days, the little courtyard is calm and waveless, and you cultivate with all your heart. Lu Hua comes to the little courtyard every night and sometimes chats with you for a few sentences.】

【Sometimes, she wears a plain white Daoist robe, sits on the bare branches of the sycamore tree, rests her chin on one hand, and watches you cultivate quietly.】

【On the fourth day, Physician Hua An finds time to come to the courtyard and brings you a few pieces of fresh lean meat; it is from a year-old pig raised in Hua An's home that was slaughtered, and he sent it to you.】

【Although Hua An is sending a gift, you still let Sister Wu Tong give him silver, but Hua An refuses repeatedly.】

【Sister Wu Tong is helpless, trying to stuff the silver into Physician Hua An's hand several times, but it is always thrown back by him with a light laugh.】

【"I don't want the money," Hua An laughs. "Young Master Guan writes so well, just reward me with a few characters."】

【Hearing this, you agree readily, grinding ink and spreading paper, waving your brush, and writing some festive and auspicious words for the end of the year.】

【Hua An takes the paper, examines it carefully, and a flash of appreciation crosses his eyes, but he doesn't pay too much attention to it; this was just an excuse to decline the money.】

【Hua An mentions one thing!】

【The teacher invited by Lady Yuan to enlighten you, Mr. Dong Shao, died at home from drunkenness a few days ago. He was only discovered by neighbors the day after he passed away, and his body was already cold.】

【Sister Wu Tong is even more stunned, recalling the robust appearance of the old Mr. Dong Shao when he visited in the first half of the year, and cannot help but feel a bit of sighing in her heart.】

【Hua An only sighs at the impermanence of life, "Dong Shao had no children, only an adopted son in his thirties who hasn't started a family yet."】

【That adopted son works as a long-term laborer at the Xifeng Tower and rarely comes home.】

【Hua An prepares to leave, and you instruct Sister Wu Tong to take fifty taels of silver from the courtyard for Hua An, asking him to help send it to Mr. Dong.】

【Although Sister Wu Tong loves money, hearing your words, she doesn't hesitate at all, taking out fifty taels of well-wrapped silver and handing it to Hua An.】

【"This... Young Master Guan."】

【Hua An looks at the heavy silver in his hand and says, "It's a bit too much."】

【You shake your head and say, "I still remember the kindness of Mr. Dong when he gave me the calligraphy scroll back then, and I must repay it now."】

【"Mr. Dong was an upright person and lived a poor life all his life. I fear he had few savings over the years, otherwise, why would his adopted son still not have started a family or career at the age of thirty?"】

【"This money can be considered for his proper burial."】

【Hua An nods, a flash of admiration crossing his eyes, and says solemnly, "Young Master Guan is truly a benevolent gentleman."】

【"Hua An will certainly not fail the task."】

【You watch Hua An's departing back, a thoughtful look in your eyes.】

【Hua An perhaps does not know that the Dong Shao in his eyes is not just an ordinary corrupt Confucian.】

【Zhang Yuan once told you privately that Dong Shao was brilliant in his youth and almost became a proud student of the Second Master.】

【Just by the calligraphy scroll he gifted you, which contains a few true meanings of the Second Master and helped you quite a bit, one can know that he is definitely not a simple character. How could he suddenly die at home?】

【There is something fishy about this.】

【Days pass slowly.】

【More than half a month later, you are still cultivating diligently in the little courtyard, without any slack, only feeling progress every day.】

【Lu Hua still comes every day.】

【Xie Yuan comes twice during this period; he is full of joy, it seems practicing martial arts is much more interesting than reading.】

【On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, a light snow falls in Above Bianjing, and a thin layer covers the courtyard.】

【Two days later, the snow becomes more intense, flying everywhere, and overnight, the world seems to be left with only a piece of pure white.】

【The snow on the ground accumulates thicker and thicker, and the ground in the little courtyard has long been covered by white snow, leaving only a silver-clad scene.】

【Sister Wu Tong has also changed into a thick cotton-padded jacket, and a warm stove is lit in the room, with waves of warmth diffusing, dispelling the severe cold of winter.】

【Sister Wu Tong pushes open the door and laughs in surprise, "Young Master, it's snowing!"】

(End of chapter)