Chapter 222: The Crane's Shadow Coldly Turns Over the Moon in the Alchemy Well

Outside the room, the daylight was dim and gloomy, with cold wind swaying.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Master Qiao Rui finished speaking her final words with her head bowed.

Within the small chamber, the four walls were dark and cold; there was no sound, and the faint candlelight seemed to emit a chill.

The maid Xiao Jiao Dian stood on the damp, cold corridor, clutching the hem of her clothes with a look of fear on her face; leaning half her body against a vermilion round pillar, she wanted to secretly peek at the people inside the main hall but feared being blamed, her heart full of worry.

And finally.

After a moment of silence.

It was ultimately Dun Dun Jiesuo who spoke, breaking this silence.

"So, you mean that Jing Master Master Qiao Master Qiao Jingyi and Register Master Ju Shou of the White Commerce Academy are the ones who harmed you behind the scenes? Especially the former; it was Master Qiao Master Qiao Jingyi who tricked you out of your sleeve pouch, thus stripping you of your protective means, but..."

"That evil woman has always pretended to be so good in the past, treating my Young Lady like a sister; who would have known she could commit such wicked deeds! Years ago, when her parents both perished beyond the heavens, it was the old Chen Langjun who took her in and raised her!

If not for the old Chen Langjun, how could she have achieved what she has today? Yet, despite such great kindness, that evil woman—"

"Does he believe you?"

When I finished speaking, Chen Heng caught a whiff of an extremely faint fragrance, clear and cold, desolate, making one unable to tell if it was the clear air, incense, or this cluster of plum blossoms in the courtyard corner.

And Master Qiao's eyes flashed; after thinking for a moment, she could only agree.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong wants you to trust me again... Can you trust your Xiao Xiao Shixiong?"

"His sister, Little Master Qiao Master Qiao Wei? This Master Qiao Wei who studied the Dao at Yuanzai Heaven? If you bring people back to Mishan, Master Qiao Rui, then indeed he need not worry..."

Chen Heng suddenly raised his head to look at me, his gaze for an instant very simple.

"Let's go, let's go! Although this courtyard is small, it is like a sparrow—small but complete with all internal organs.

That is indeed bad news...

Before Da Jiao Dian could recover her senses, Dun Dun Jiesuo, smiling, called out and walked away into the distance.

When you came to Changying Courtyard in Qin Yuan to cultivate, you once received a letter from the Golden Drum Cave; it was precisely because of this letter that you hurried from Chen Chen Langjun to Jin Tingshan to watch Lady Master Qiao challenge the various noble clans beneath Bai Shi Peak.

Before the voice finished.

"..."

"And your grandfather Master Mishi Qiao Ding; nowadays, I and most of the people in my lineage are tied up in the Dharma Saint Heaven, leaving us unable to spare attention? Speaking of which, this is indeed a great trouble..."

"..."

The human heart is as treacherous as mountains and rivers, harder to fathom than the vast heavens; even Heaven lacks fixed cycles for spring, summer, autumn, winter, dawn, and dusk, yet humans wear thick masks and harbor deep emotions. Thus, one may appear willing yet be deceitful, seem tall yet be petty, appear cautious and narrow-minded yet be open-minded, seem firm yet be arrogant, appear hasty yet be fierce...

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong?"

Chen Heng lifted his face, the corners of his lips hastily revealing a smile, and suddenly said:

You may not necessarily believe Lady Master Qiao.

Suddenly, a sound of fierce wind rose beside my ears; not only was the door shaken slightly open inward, but the carved wooden windows on all seven sides also split apart.

At that time.

I am also his elder; worrying on his behalf, what is wrong with that? Could you possibly harbor any good intentions to mock him!"

"It will always be better than now, Xiao Xiao Shixiong... Although your Mei Mei Gongxing is deep, tasks like guarding the wind at the gate and serving tea and water are still within your capability."

Congratulations, congratulations!"

The shadows of the two were stretched long, cast crookedly upon the wall below.

At the same time, Da Jiao Dian in the corridor also bowed to the ground, uttering not a single word.

After departing.

"The Yuanxu Demon-Subduing Sword Talisman?"

"How could it be so coincidental?"

The bean-sized candlelight retreated from the bottom of my eyes, as if throwing a bonfire into a deep abyss; there was no movement, no sound, and no emotion could be discerned.

Only this rather dim oil lamp swayed, casting a blurred light and shadow, splashing like ink within the small chamber.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong may not know; before Seventh Granduncle sent Aunt Master Qiao Ting to study the Dao at the Chiming Sect, he sealed himself internally to focus solely on healing injuries. You cannot enter now; however, I have already sent messages to my elder sister and several uncles. In about another month, my elder sister will return from beyond the heavens and send someone to help you.

"I beg Xiao Xiao Shixiong to spare my life..."

After Qin Yuan finished speaking, he slightly extended his hand, said the word "Please," indicating his intention to see the guest out.

Chen Heng did not believe, nor did he dare to believe these people...

Dun Dun Jiesuo shrugged his shoulders, as if guessing something, then smiled and exited the main hall first; calling out to a somewhat bewildered maid nearby, he said:

It slightly dispersed the desolate, cold scenery between heaven and earth, adding a few traces of the smoke and fire flavor of the marketplace.

"Since the White Commerce Academy has frightened away the two True Persons of Master Qiao Rui, they must surely have kept some backup plans in reserve... This humble servant shamelessly asks: could the White Commerce Academy show great mercy and protect our young master for a few days?

Dense rain fell like needles, blowing open a corner of the window frame; splashes of rainwater flew in, dripping and tapping.

Seeing that Chen Heng, upon hearing this, was about to express thanks again, Qin Yuan shook his head and reached out to stop him.

Between the two lay only a short distance.

Chen Heng was stunned for a moment, then earnestly bowed to Lady Master Qiao and nodded.

Even though Master Mishi Qiao Ding's stance in joining the Yu Yuchen Sect was extremely firm, he still maintained many marital ties with various noble clans; furthermore, having traveled widely, he had never lacked old friends or disciples.

"Being careful causes no great error; having one more precaution is always good."

Qin Yuan nodded vigorously.

Master Qiao Rui's lips moved slightly; lowering her head, her voice somewhat dry and unclear, she uttered an apology:

"If it is indeed so, you absolutely cannot return to that place in Mishan; although the attitude of the Master Qiao Rui Clan Master is ambiguous and he may not necessarily intend to kill you, there is still no principle by which one should entrust one's life and fortune to an enemy.

Dun Dun Jiesuo thought for a moment, then shook his head:

Lady Master Qiao shook her head and said:

At that moment, Chen Heng felt an inexplicable pang of panic; the clamor from the seven walls instantly dimmed considerably.

Master Qiao Shi spoke next:

Master Qiao Shi's eyes shifted slightly, as if lost in thought.

"How can the logic of the mortal world be imposed upon a cultivator? I have never had any intention of marriage; you, Elder, have overthought it. Nowadays, even our life and death are uncertain, so where would we find the leisure to divert our minds to such matters?"

Master Qiao Shi shook her head: "Elder, please stop."

Master Qiao Shi suddenly spoke:

"How large can this courtyard be? You, Elder, are simply making conversation for the sake of it."

She silently lowered her gaze, staring only at the tips of her shoes, her hands clenched tight within her sleeves.

A mere few breaths passed.

"There are not many Law Coins remaining, making it difficult to shift too far; in my humble opinion, it is better not to move for now, but to wait until a critical moment before acting.

"What of the Golden Drum Cave?"

However, before the door was even fully closed and the two had yet to settle down, he began to cry out about his immense injustice:

"With the year's end approaching, things are about to become lively..."

The person at the main seat leaned back in the chair, eyes like ghostly fire, brows clear and upright.

Xiao Jiao Dian on the corridor could not help but speak, his face flushed red, both hands trembling.

Master Qiao Shi's gaze paused briefly on Chen Heng's pale, bloodless face, then shifted away, brushing past her shoulder to look at the cluster of plum branches in the corner of the courtyard.

"By that time, Jing Yi and the several family elders on the clan master's side will be unable to do anything to you."

Intermarriage between noble families is a common occurrence.

Xiao Jiao Dian summoned his courage to speak, glanced at Qin Yuan, then gritted his teeth, bowed down with Ancestor Fu Shen, and said:

Chen Heng lowered his head and bowed deeply to Master Qiao Shi:

"My thoughts were strange, perhaps because I am old and my mind is no longer clear. I hope my junior sister Master Qiao will not hold my earlier rudeness against me."

Just as Dun Dun Jiesuo sneakily poked his head out from the north wing, he ran straight into someone walking toward him; knowing he could not avoid them, he gave an awkward laugh and said:

The room fell into a brief silence, with no sound in response.

"I never expected that you would be so..."

Hearing this, Dun Dun Jiesuo's eyes flashed, as if lost in thought.

Master Qiao Shi laughed lightly and said indifferently.

"Besides, this State of Zhao is very far from those hills; although I am not as powerful as those killing treasures, I do have some insights into shifting through the void and contracting spiritual fluctuations. With my effort added to your Scattered Scenery Concealing Form Art, it should be enough to hide us for a while!"

"Many thanks for the senior brother's instruction; Qin Yuan will certainly keep it in mind, however..."

Suddenly, a burst of firecrackers rang out in the courtyard, mixed with shouts of people, creating a very bustling and lively scene.

Qin Yuan stepped sideways a few paces, avoiding the continuous drizzle of rain drifting into the room from the window.

Qin Yuan's face was deathly pale, his heartbeat slightly erratic; seemingly unable to endure such a quiet atmosphere, he lifted his face, and their gazes met for a moment.

Chen Heng's pupils contracted slightly.

"She has always been like this... When I was young, she once risked her life to save me; if not for her, I would have died long ago, and during my time at the White Commerce Academy, she always took great care of me."

"A little over a month?"

A cold wind carrying chilly rain blew in; with nothing to block it, Chen Heng shrank his shoulders and shivered slightly.

Not long after.

"Please forgive Chen Heng for his shameless impoliteness!"

"Very well."

Dun Dun Jiesuo offered a reminder from the side.

Yet he had never doubted Master Qiao Qiao Yubi...

"Since you trust me and do not mind my low cultivation, I will do my utmost to protect you for a little over a month! If your family can arrive to pick you up after the Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Fan Fan Dongtian opens, that would be best; but if they are slightly late..."

Master Qiao Shi took a string of keys from her sleeve and handed them over: "For this period, you may temporarily stay in the north wing. I can cast a spell to conceal the spiritual fluctuations on your body, making you appear no different from a mortal; however, whether this can deceive those few True Persons depends on the will of heaven."

Dun Dun Jiesuo deliberately waved his hand, slamming the door shut with a loud bang!

"In that case, I shall borrow the Elder's auspicious words."

"Moreover, such an action might seem like leveraging a favor to seek repayment, something I disdain doing."

The view before his eyes suddenly brightened.

"The trouble on my body is not small."

He glanced at Master Qiao Shi's expression, then looked at Qin Yuan; after pondering for a long while, he said:

Chen Heng blinked at him and shook his head:

Master Qiao Shi shook her head.

Chen Heng was stunned for a moment, then hesitantly accepted the keys; seeming to detect Master Qiao Shi's hint for him to leave, he quickly nodded and took his leave.

The room had already fallen silent; it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

However, before she could finish speaking, Master Qiao Rui gently shook her head to stop her.

With no other choice, Dun Dun Jiesuo had to follow Qin Yuan into the inner room.

"It seems there is no other way but this."

At that moment.

"Sen-senior brother?"

She smiled bitterly:

"I have no such intention; I merely wish to give this item to Mi Houbei Sister Master Qiao for her protection."

At this moment.

"And as for returning to Chen Chen Langjun, I say that the supervising dean of Chen Chen Langjun's residence, True Person Wu Sheng, has now gone to Heaven's Li to listen to lectures; without this elder present in the residence to hold the line, and furthermore since Master Qiao Master Qiao Jingyi is already managing affairs for Chen Chen Langjun, even if he were to return, during this period, I fear he would not be able to rest easy without worry; thus..."

At that time, Chen Heng suddenly felt a slight dimness before his eyes, and then an object was handed over to him.

"..."

However, before he had walked even a few steps, not yet having left the main hall, a sound rose again from behind him:

"If one truly seeks a place of refuge, it is absolutely not to the point of being unable to find one..."

But when faced with matters of life and death.

She noticed the Master Qiao woman staring at her; though her heart was uneasy, she still kept her small face tense and looked back.

She heard the sound of footsteps approaching, started in surprise, and slightly clenched her two hands as she said:

The moment these words were spoken.

"I called you, junior, here not for those trivial matters, but simply to ask you to make a decision."

The sound of rain gradually diminished, dense and numerous; sitting inside the room, the noise echoing off the four walls was like the beating of tidal waves.

In the small room, Qin Yuan gazed quietly at her, then suddenly smiled, his voice gentle:

A moment later.

"One must know that in the matter of cultivating the Dao, alternating tension and relaxation has always been the correct principle since ancient times; moreover, within the mortal world, for someone of your age, let alone becoming betrothed or taking a wife, even having two or three children would not be strange at all!

"Although this is so, there is still more than a month's time; who knows whether, during this period, those people might act like dogs forced over a wall in desperation?"

The Master Qiao woman said calmly.

"I am willing to go with Xiao Xiao Shixiong outside the Fan Fan Dongtian!"

"I trust Xiao Xiao Shixiong!"

Leaves rustled down as they fell, and a chill surged wildly.

The voice of Dun Dun Jiesuo rang out in distress:

Upon hearing this, Dun Dun Jiesuo was first startled, then nodded repeatedly, praising:

The Master Qiao woman cupped her hands and also smiled.

Although the freezing rain still fell continuously, it did not diminish much.

A lonely lamp burned like a bean, while the sound of rain whispered bleakly.

The Master Qiao woman said.

At that time.

"Not to mention those several uncles of yours; taking just Master Qiao Wei alone, given your current status in Yuanzai Heaven, protecting you should not be considered too difficult a matter.

"What I say carries no intention of blame, nor is it my place to offer opinions; it is merely that human hearts are prone to change, so when Mi Houbei Sister Master Qiao goes down the mountain in the future, she should keep an extra eye open and Wu Yao Zhong trust others as good.

And that object handed over was unmistakably a piece of yellowed talisman paper cut into the shape of a great sword, about an inch in length, feeling heavy and substantial when held in the hand...

"Moreover, Clan Leader Master Qiao Rui is by no means a resolute person; I have usually heard of his reputation; this person always leaves three parts leeway and room for retreat in his actions; otherwise, he would not have been in a stalemate and confrontation with your grandfather for all these years.

"Mi Houbei Sister Master Qiao, wait a moment."

And at that time.

"If everything goes smoothly and Wang Wang Ruyi can truly enter outside the Fan Fan Dongtian, that young fellow will have quite a fierce battle with those people from the aristocratic families; you must not treat this as a trivial matter, lest you regret it too late when the time comes."

Although it is far from a situation of having exhausted all resources at present.

A hint of bewilderment appeared faintly in Dun Dun Jiesuo's eyes; he stared blankly for a moment, then laughed loudly at the Master Qiao woman:

The Master Qiao woman continued: "The current situation is already one of wolves ahead and tigers behind; it is like standing between a cliff and a ridge; the slightest carelessness leads to an irreversible catastrophe... According to your opinion, junior, should we continue to stay in this State of Zhao, or seek another place to dwell?"

"You—"

"No one resides in that northern wing room; after these few days, it has likely accumulated quite a bit of dust; since you are to reside there, let us first sweep and clean it a bit; let this old man lead you, let this old man lead you there!"

"If Chen Langjun agrees, this old clan leader will surely offer generous rewards in the future! I, Master Qiao Rui of Mishan, will not owe the White Merchant Academy a great favor!"

Her white attire was just like the evening rain outside the window, desolate, clear, and lonely, inexplicably evoking the image of a crane's shadow over a cold pool, or the melting moonlight.

"And you? What is your intention?"

"As the saying goes, 'One yuan restores the beginning, and all phenomena renew themselves!' Young fellow, this is a good omen; you will certainly achieve your wishes; let this old man offer congratulations in advance right here!"

These words indeed revealed a tone of confidence, as if he had a well-formed plan in his chest.

Even though Dun Dun Jiesuo had already vaguely harbored this guess in his heart, he could not help but be startled, rising from his seat.

"My helping you is not for your sake, but merely because of that Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun of the Golden Drum Cave; you do not owe me anything, nor is there any need for you to express thanks in this manner."

"But, the key, the ke..."

"Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun once gifted me three Yu Xu Fu Mo Sword Talismans; I have already expended one; keep this one in your own hands for use; since it is a means to protect your life, do not easily reveal it before others again; guard it well."

He sighed.