Chapter 400: Xie Family Banquet, Jin Ling Cave Heaven

Jiankang, Jiangdong, Xie Mansion.

Xie An wore a silk scarf, opened his lapels, sat on the case and held a Dao book to read carefully. Xie Lang of Jiangzuo had clear eyebrows and fine eyes, and his style was handsome. He looked like he was in his thirties, and his temperament was elegant. A person was serving beside him, about twenty years old, with a very strong momentum and phoenix eyes slanted. He was wearing the rain worker heavenly clothes of Chaotian Palace, and the white Daoist robe magic clothes had hidden spiritual light, obviously containing superior seals. He was playing with a Keting flute in his hand, which was made of spirit-root jade bamboo produced in the Keting blessed land opened by Cai Yong in Jiangnan in the past.

The wind is clear and the moon is bright. Blowing it on the building can bring phoenixes and startle dragons.

The jade pendants at his waist were arranged in a set; the upper, middle, and lower pendants, the standing huang, and the dangling beads were all crafted from top-grade spirit jade worth hundreds of Mount San talismans, and even strung together with jade pearls from overseas merfolk. Called "Bright Moon over the Vast Sea," it was also a top-grade magic treasure. The headband securing his hair, the hairpin in his topknot, and every small accessory on his person were all shimmering with brilliant spiritual light.

Xie An was immersed in the Dao book, suddenly interrupted his reading, put down the book, and sighed slightly: "Red Dragon is gone..."

Xie Lingyun beside him raised his head slightly and said: "When did Prime Minister Wang come to Jiankang? And why did he leave?"

Xie An said calmly: "Just now, Wang Dao came quietly by the Dajiang, but left gracefully, without entering the city, and Sima Shi was opposite him across the river. At that time, on the Dajiang, sword qi swept across three thousand feet, fell into the Nine Heavens, opened the heavenly gate, and punished the lawless. It can be called shocking, making both of them shocked..."

After speaking, Xie An sighed and said, "Although you are the 'fragrant orchid and jade tree' of my Xie family, you are not as good as Longxiang."

Xie Lingyun shook his head and said: "Grandfather, where am I not as good as him?"

Xie An glanced at him and said: "You found this Keting flute by dismantling the place where Cai Zhonglang traveled, right!"

Xie Lingyun was slightly surprised, put away the bamboo flute and said: "How did grandfather know? The world only says that Cai Zhonglang traveled to Wu County and stayed temporarily in Keting, in a dilapidated Daoist temple. He came at night to listen to the rain, suddenly woke up, followed the rain sound to take the bamboo from the house rafters, which was a strange species of bamboo, and was able to make the spirit treasure Keting flute, which was mentioned in the same breath as the Jiaowei zither. Later, Cai Zhonglang was killed by Wang Yun, and the Keting flute escaped, returned to Huiji, suppressed the Keting blessed land, and then the spirit treasure took root again, and grew jade bamboo spirit roots."

"Ordinary people would naturally say that this bamboo flute of yours was made from a branch of the spirit root, but they don't know that I visited many places, determined the location of the Daoist temple where Cai Zhonglang stayed in the past, dismantled it, knocked and tested the sound one by one, and spent a year to find a piece of strange bamboo that grew from the same root as the long flute made by Cai Yong in the past."

"Cuan Tong Ke Bamboo, all are good talents!" Xie An shook his head and said: "I not only know that this bamboo was dismantled, but also know that this bamboo came from the twenty-eighth bamboo under the west of the bamboo temple!"

Xie Lingyun was shocked, bowed and said: "Grandfather's divine calculation!"

Xie An shook his head and smiled: "It is not my divine calculation, but your actions are without measure. Do you think that Daoist temple was only found by you? I lived in seclusion in Huiji in my early years, and when I was friends with Wang Xizhi and Xu Xun, I also visited the ruins of my ancestors and found the bamboo temple in Huiji Mountain in the past. At that time, Wang Xizhi laughed and talked about the bamboo of Keting. We listened to the rain in the temple for three months and got nothing. I was already discouraged. One day, a strong wind blew, and there was the sound of bamboo in the Daoist temple. Yishao got this bamboo in one hour, and I sat withered for three hours before realizing the location of this bamboo. Xu Xun got nothing... Later, we saw the pillars and beams of the Daoist temple where this bamboo was located. If we wanted to take it, it would be difficult to avoid destroying the ruins, so we left happily!"

Xie Lingyun was dumbfounded, lowered his head in shame and said: "Grandfather listened to the wind and got the bamboo, and abandoned the bamboo because of fear of destroying the pavilion and temple, which is far better than me!"

Xie An nodded slightly and smiled again: "Later, Yishao returned home and told Wang Chilong about this. Wang Chilong laughed when he heard this, and then said that he had also visited this place to find bamboo in his early years!"

Xie Lingyun looked up and exclaimed: "Then how many days did Prime Minister Wang get the bamboo?"

"Sitting and watching under the moon, without wind or rain, he got this bamboo overnight!"

Xie An stood up, his sleeves fluttering, took paper and pen, and said indifferently.

"Since you have already got the bamboo, don't do this posture anymore. Play a song for me!" Xie An spread out the paper, saw Xie Lingyun's face with shame, and raised his pen to instruct. Xie Lingyun then calmly restored his usual free and easy style. He held the flute horizontally and blew two empty sounds at the flute hole. The tone was hollow, and it was truly wonderful. When playing, the tune was desolate, with a long and desolate feeling, and also had the empty and ethereal artistic conception of clouds rolling and relaxing in the sky. Although the magic power was hidden, it still had the power to break people's heartstrings.

After a song was played, Xie Lingyun, who was immersed in it, saw that his grandfather had already written several lines of poems on the paper.

"How to get the leaning-on-heaven sword, crossing the sea to slash the long whale!"

"Waving the sword to decide the floating clouds, the princes all come west!"

"Three thousand feet of white hair, the sorrow is as long as this!"

It was exactly the few sentences of the Green Lotus Zang Zang Jian Ge that Qian Chen cast on the Dajiang. Xie Lingyun chewed slightly, thinking it was wonderful, and nodded slightly: "It is really extraordinary, and it even has a few points like my clear and elegant style, but it is a pity that it is only a remnant sentence..."

Xie An had already put down his pen, shook his head and said: "You are not as good as him."

Although Xie Lingyun did not speak, a trace of pride rose between his eyebrows, obviously not convinced.

Xie An then sighed and slowly told what happened on the Dajiang just now: "... The Ruxu River God was lawless, Wang Longxiang dared to draw his sword head-on, would rather break than bend, you can't do it; Li Taibai can decide the floating clouds with his sword, slash the dragon with five swords, you can't do it either. Such two people are truly the outstanding people of the Central Lands. That's why Wang Dao came quietly, but left gracefully."

"Send an invitation over, seven days later, I will hold a banquet in the Copper Sparrow Building, hoping that Longxiang and Taibai can both come!"

Xie An sighed: "The outstanding people of the world, are they within a few families and surnames? Jin Ling reopened this time, hosted by my Xie family, regardless of noble families, cold families, immortal sects, or Northern Wei, as long as the Dao method is excellent, all can enter."

…………

Sima Shi stood with his hands behind his back on the Jianzhang Terrace facing Xuanwu Lake in Taichu Palace. Behind him knelt the current emperor Sima Shao. The emperor's face was pale, kneeling on the cold stone slab. A cold wind blew, and he couldn't help coughing a few more times, his face flushed with a sickly flush. Sima Shi did not look back, sighed slightly and said: "You stand up!"

"Zangshan Laozu!" The emperor stood down like a child, respectfully lowering his head.

"Wang Chilong has gone! You are weak, so don't insist on staying here. I originally opened the furnace specifically for you to refine a Nine-Nine Returning Yang Warm Jade Pill, wanting you to survive this disaster, at least...

"It is just that I have failed you!"

Sima Shao said blandly, "To preserve the state, it must be done. For the sake of the Sima clan, we all possess a heart of jade-like sacrifice."

"It is just that, Zangshan Laozu, the names of Li Bai and Li Er are similar, and both appeared inexplicably, startling the world in a single day. Does the Central Lands really possess so many peerless geniuses?"

Sima Shi gazed deeply toward the direction of the Dajiang and said calmly, "Although there are suspicious points, the cultivation paths of these two are truly different, and even their foundations and realms are not the same."

"In the past, that Li Er cultivated the First Rank Inner Scene True Thunder Pill, witnessed by the true transmission of the Shenxiao Sect. When I exchanged blows with him, I could perceive that his pill qi was rigid, yang, and violent, like thunder-gang. As for that Li Taibai, although he appears to be a Core Formation True Person on the surface, he is actually in the Yin Spirit Realm, and the magic power he cultivates is pure sword qi. The Blue Lotus Zang Zang Jian Ge he uses has nothing in common with Li Er's, and his sword style is a thousand miles apart."

"He claims to be a successor of Taibai, and his sword style truly bears a trace of the Taibai Sword Sect."

"Let us just assume he is!"

Sima Shi sighed, then a trace of dissatisfaction arose as he said, "It is Yuan Chaoguang... I thought his temperament was steady and he could be entrusted with major affairs, becoming a pillar of our Sima clan. Who would have thought that as soon as I showed a little favor toward him, he would lose his composure."

The Emperor whispered in persuasion, "Even if Sima Yue is a bit frivolous, in terms of schemes and depth, he is still a leader among the younger generation. This time, designing for Wang Longxiang to kill a true god of the Heavenly Court is also a trouble for the Wang family, and there may be something that can be utilized!"

Sima Shi shook his head and said, "Wang Dao is a man who leaves no gaps. If that Rushu River God had truly died by his sword, perhaps it could have embarrassed the Wang family more. But Li Taibai killed that old dragon before Wang Longxiang could act, giving the Wang family too many opportunities to maneuver. Moreover, he did not use his own blade, causing the old dragon's lifespan to wither and his soul to be devoured by the backlash of time; even if the Heavenly Court holds him accountable, they will not be too harsh. Wang Dao's trip there is mostly to clean up the aftermath."

The Emperor sighed slightly, and the few idle words in the Taichu Palace vanished into the wind.

…………

Qian Chen's long hair was disheveled, his hands empty, and that tattered iron sword was nowhere to be seen. He carried a gourd, wore a coarse cloth Daoist robe, and his hair was tied up haphazardly with a wooden hairpin as he stood on the reef at the edge of the island, facing the Dajiang, which was somewhat chaotic after yesterday's great battle. The cultivators all around cast looks of awe, not daring to look directly at him.

Sima Yue had already withdrawn overnight; he could not stay here for even another moment.

Moreover, the rumors were now unfavorable to him, and he had to rush back to Jiankang to face the questioning of those restless brothers.

Wang Longxiang had been in seclusion to heal his wounds since that battle, and it was unlikely he would fully recover in just a few days.

And since gifting the sword that day, Sima Rui seemed to be completely convinced and filled with admiration for him. Not knowing what he had said to Ning Ning Shimei Si, she had written several letters, all quite excited: "Amazing! Yan Yan Shixiong! Even with a changed appearance, you can still perform feats that shake the world. Last night, in a single night, Li Taibai followed in the footsteps of Li Er and shocked Jiankang once again. Within the Imperial City, I have already heard five or six groups of people speaking of your awe-inspiring might, Yan Yan Shixiong."

"The funniest thing is that Sima Daofu also came, and in her words, there was an intention to compare you with your previous identity, Li Er, saying that someone like you is the model of the righteous path, far stronger than those lawless, arrogant, and rebellious Northern Wei brats!"

"She seems very proud that you and Wang Longxiang are friends. I wonder how her face will look when your identity is exposed in the future..."

"Yan Yan Shixiong, none of your magic treasures are suitable for showing, so why not accept the Taibai legacy sword sent by our sect's Little Nineteen? The sacrificial refining formula you wrote has been received; it is indeed marvelous. Did you really comprehend it in that brief moment while holding the flying sword? However, the Dragon God you killed was a Third Rank True God of the Heavenly Court, and furthermore, he belonged to the Earthly Deities, not under the jurisdiction of the human Emperor, so I fear there will be future troubles. I have already entrusted Father..."

Qian Chen picked up the Celestial Master's decree that had been sent along with the letter.

It was a decree ordering him to slay the evil dragon that had stirred up floods on the Dajiang, dated four days ago—the same time as the decree Wang Longxiang had received.

On it was stamped the official seal of Celestial Master Tao.

No justification for slaying the Dragon God, right? I'll write one for you right now.

Having supplemented this procedure, Qian Chen was now a meritorious official who had received orders from the Dao Academy to quell the water disaster of the Dajiang, and he now had a legitimate name. Thinking that the Dao Academy had already backed up this decree, Qian Chen had thus received, four days later, a decree from the Dao Academy issued four days ago! What, you say this is a forged decree? It is clearly a mistake on the part of the Dao Academy; the official decree was not delivered to Qian Chen in time, but the document was indeed issued four days ago.

Ning Ning Shimei also wrote to say that Celestial Master Zhang had also been entrusted by the Wang family, and with Celestial Master Tao secretly assisting, they had now persuaded Sun En, and the three Celestial Masters were preparing to jointly submit a memorial to impeach the Rushu River God.

This time, even though it was already dead, they would cancel its divine name and denounce it until it was thoroughly disgraced!

"Father said that your name, 'Taibai Sword Sect,' was used brilliantly. Originally, that Dragon God's faction had quite a bit of influence among his allies in the Heavenly Court, and there was even an intention to overturn the verdict for him. But the Taibai Sword Sect is extremely overbearing in the heavenly realm, and since it died from the exhaustion of its essence due to the backlash of its own divine curse, those forces were forced to retreat and dared not obstruct any further."

"There are still people from the Taibai Sword Sect in the heavenly realm?" Qian Chen was momentarily surprised: "I had originally said that if it couldn't be handled, I would attach a spirit seal decree 'As per the Supreme Edict'! I am also someone who can write a decree on the spot!"

"Ning Ning Shimei also wrote to ask, since true dragons are the wealthiest and the divine path is precious, what good things did you get after killing the old dragon!"

Qian Chen felt heartbroken at this thought: "It turned to ashes and smoke, leaving nothing behind!"

"No dragon scales, no dragon blood, no dragon pearls, no essence. Except for the fact that the Dajiang can produce dragon-blood perch in the future, and the dignitaries of Jiankang will have a treat, I earned nothing. I even lost a sword! I had the heart to ransack its dragon palace... but that dragon palace seemed to be in the Yin Earth and was taken down to the Nine Netherworlds along with it. It was a bargain for those demons and monsters!"

After breathing in the innate purple qi of the day, Qian Chen returned to his small courtyard, only to find someone waiting there. Not only had they brought generous gifts, but a letter with elegant handwriting was also presented with the gifts.

Opening it casually, he saw it was from the Xie family.

Xie Anshi had personally written the invitation, asking him to attend the Copper Sparrow Pavilion gathering seven days later. At that time, the young talents of the Jiangzuo aristocratic families and immortal sects would all be present to discuss the profound and the Dao, and to make a few friends. Moreover, this gathering also involved the ancient ruins beneath Jiankang City—the Jin Ling Cave Heaven. He hoped Li Taibai would accept the invitation.

"Xie Anshi is also an interesting person. In the letter, he doesn't engage in the usual obfuscation of the aristocratic families, but tells the truth. You say I might not be interested in an aristocratic banquet, but if you mention a Cave Heaven secret realm... sigh! That is very interesting!"

Qian Chen smiled slightly, put away the letter, and said to the family member who delivered it: "Since it is an invitation from Lord Xie, this junior will certainly attend."

The family member was full of etiquette, and his cultivation was also properly at the Penetrating the Law level. He bowed slightly to Qian Chen and then took his leave.

Qian Chen watched his direction; he seemed to be turning toward Wang Longxiang's place.

"Jin Ling Cave Heaven... at this timing, the Xie family wants to reopen the Jin Ling Cave Heaven." Qian Chen stroked his chin and pondered: "It seems the Wang and Xie families have reached some kind of tacit understanding to exert pressure on the Sima family. I don't even need to investigate; they are pushing me toward the truth!"