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Aoxinchin smiled helplessly, realizing that with Wild Lilac looking so much like her, others would easily misunderstand their relationship.
"Listening Heart, Wild Lilac is my disciple; we just look alike," Aoxinchin explained.
"Are you sure she’s not your daughter?" Listening Heart asked, still skeptical. The resemblance was too striking; if they claimed no relation, nine out of ten people would find it hard to believe.
"Absolutely not!" Aoxinchin firmly denied, then invited everyone inside to sit down. Listening Heart followed Aoxinchin with mixed feelings, relieved that her brother Joy on the Eyebrows was not present: Ah, she wasn't her niece, and they had no blood ties—she could pursue her without worry!
Long Ba stepped back two paces to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wild Lilac. "I’m Aochun; what’s your name?"
The simple furnishings inside the house brought tears to Listening Heart's eyes. "Aoxinchin, you've suffered all these years. I had no idea it had been so hard for you; I never came to see you even once."
Aoxinchin comforted Listening Heart, saying, "Listening Heart, I don’t feel any suffering. In fact, it’s peaceful here, allowing my heart to calm down. I was imprisoned here by the Jade Emperor and shouldn’t have indulged in pleasures. It’s better that you didn’t visit; otherwise, the Jade Emperor would be angry with you and it would be detrimental."
"Sister..." Listening Heart felt even guiltier and was saddened for Aoxinchin. Once so proud and carefree as the Third Princess of Dragon Palace, she now seemed as subdued as a seventy-year-old woman. Alas, love had caused such troubles. Fortunately, she had managed to restrain her feelings when she first developed a slight affection for Yang Jian and hadn’t fallen into despair like Aoxinchin.
"Listening Heart, I'm very happy that you came to see me. Let’s not dwell on unhappy things. I want to introduce my disciple to you; this is Wild Lilac. She’s a wonderful child," Aoxinchin said while trying to call Wild Lilac over but noticed that she and Aochun were engrossed in conversation and seemed to hit it off well.
Aoxinchin paused for a moment and smiled: "They’re both young people!"
As someone who had been through similar experiences, how could she not see the affection in Aochun's eyes? If her disciple had feelings for Aochun as well, why not support them?
Aoxinchin smiled again and chose not to interrupt the budding connection between the two young people. She gestured for Bai Tang and Hua Man Lou to sit down.
"How did you two end up together?"
"Listening Heart" replied, "Not long ago, A-Chun fell ill. Thanks to Bai Gu Niang's intervention, A-Chun has recovered her health. Today, Bai Gu Niang is leaving, and I heard she came to see you, so I came along with her."
Aoxinchin nodded, "Bai Gu Niang's medical skills are extraordinary. When I was giving birth, it was extremely dangerous. It was her help that ensured both my child and I were safe."
"You had a baby?" Listening Heart exclaimed.
Aoxinchin realized she had misspoken and quickly denied it. However, Listening Heart had already keenly picked up a piece of clothing that Aoxinchin had made while missing her son. The material was provided by Bai Tang, and after it was finished, it was stored away for when Bai Tang came to visit her, to take it to Xun Huan.
Listening Heart held the clothing up in front of Aoxinchin and asked, "If you didn't have a baby, then who are these clothes for?"
Aoxinchin bit her lip and did not respond.
Listening Heart turned directly to Bai Tang: "Bai Gu Niang, tell me. Did my cousin give birth? Did you help her at that time?"
"This is the Third Princess's private matter; I cannot answer that," Bai Tang did not respond directly to Listening Heart.
Listening Heart slammed the table: "So none of you are going to admit it? Then I will go to the West Sea Dragon Palace. I can't believe Uncle and Aunt wouldn't know about their daughter's childbirth."
"Fourth Sister!" Aoxinchin grabbed Listening Heart's sleeve and sighed, "Don't go; can't I just admit it?"
Listening Heart sat back down in her seat: "Did you really have a baby? Where is the child?"
Mentioning her son brought tears to Aoxinchin's eyes: "Sister, look at my situation. Can a newborn survive in an environment like this? I asked Bai Gu Niang to send Xun Huan away to find a good family to adopt him so he wouldn't suffer with me as his mother."
The West Sea Shore was cold and damp; by nightfall, the sea breeze blew deep into one's bones. Not only children but even adults could hardly endure it.
Listening Heart flashed with regret, unable to see Nephew in person: "Why don't you tell Yang Jian? The child is his son. He can't possibly not recognize him!"
Aoxinchin lowered her eyes: "Why bother? Besides, as the Judicial Deity, he is so busy that he doesn't even return home. How would he have time to take care of a child?"
"Not anymore."
"Eh?" Aoxinchin was puzzled.
Listening Heart then recounted the fates of everyone she had heard from Long Ba. Upon hearing that Yang Jian was missing, Aoxinchin furrowed her brows but soon relaxed: "Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Yang Jian is powerful enough; no one can threaten him. He should be safe. You don't need to worry."
Listening Heart blushed: "I'm not worried about him! I'm worried about Chan'er. I haven't seen her since she left Huashan! I wonder how she is doing now!"
Aoxinchin smiled slightly; she wasn't blind and could see Listening Heart's feelings for Yang Jian. Initially, she didn't have a good relationship with her sister-in-law, but Listening Heart, being her good friend, had become close with Yang Chan. Perhaps it was because Yang Chan was Yang Jian's sister.
"Bai Gu Niang, Playboy, thank you for coming to see me. Please help me deliver these clothes to Huan Er." Aoxinchin stood up and took a pile of clothes from the cabinet, placing them in front of Bai Tang, who waved her hand and packed all the clothes into her backpack.
Hua Man Lou took out a bottle and pushed it towards Aoxinchin: "Third Princess, this is the fire flower wine I brewed myself. Just a sip every night can ward off the cold sea breeze."
Aoxinchin gratefully accepted the bottle, feeling that the luckiest thing in her life was meeting three good friends like Hua Man Lou. Without Bai Tang and Hua Man Lou, there was also Lu Feng, who frequently sent her gifts and even gave her the hard-earned Peach of Immortality. Such kindness made her heart sweet, stirring emotions in her long-dormant heart lake.
"Bai Gu Niang, Wild Lilac has learned all my skills. This time, please take her with you when you leave!"
Wild Lilac, being clever and having consumed a Peach of Immortality given by Bai Tang, had transcended ordinary beings and become a Half-Immortal. Learning spells became much easier for her, and within just a few months, she had completely absorbed all of Aoxinchin's abilities.
Bai Tang sent Wild Lilac to learn spells from Aoxinchin, primarily because she felt that Aoxinchin was too lonely on her own. Thus, she said: "Let’s keep Wild Lilac here to accompany you; you are too lonely by yourself."
Aoxinchin shook her head slightly: "I have gotten used to being alone, I don't need her company. It is indeed too lonely here. She is a young girl and does not belong in this place. Besides, she has family; it is only right for her to go back and fulfill her filial duties."
Aoxinchin turned to look at the two who were happily chatting and smiled: "Moreover, I cannot delay this child's marriage prospects!"
Bai Tang tilted her head and smiled. Listening Heart was particularly delighted: "It has been a long time since we in the East Sea have celebrated a wedding."
Hua Man Lou laughed: "The Eight Prince and Miss Ding would make a lovely couple."
Without Liu Chenxiang attracting Wild Lilac's attention, the handsome and powerful young man Aochun truly caught Wild Lilac's eye. Which girl does not harbor feelings of love? Soon, the two began to like each other. When leaving the seaside, Bai Tang indeed took Wild Lilac away. The reason was not to promote the relationship between Wild Lilac and Aochun, but because Lu Feng had sent word to Hua Man Lou that he had mastered the skills taught by Kong Xuan. He would be returning from the Western Paradise. Both understood Lu Feng's feelings for Aoxinchin, so they decided to take away the potentially awkward presence of Wild Lilac, allowing the two to deepen their bond.
Wild Lilac initially thought she would be away from home for several years, but unexpectedly learned her skills in just a few months. Not wanting to return home early, she asked Bai Tang and Hua Man Lou about their plans to visit Qingcheng Mountain. She insisted on going along. Naturally, when she went, Long Ba had to follow as well, leaving Long Si to return alone to the East Sea.
The four of them first returned to Fei Fu Temple to rest for a night, and early the next morning set off together for the back mountain. The back mountain of Qingcheng Mountain, also known as Qingfeng Mountain, is referred to as the "Thirty-Six Peaks," but Qingfeng Mountain is actually the "Thirty-Seventh Peak." Standing halfway up the mountain, they saw six peaks shaped like lotus flowers, with the central peak resembling a cluster of stars surrounding the moon. Majestic and towering, the forested mountains were deep and mysterious, with varied forms and layers of peaks lushly adorned with greenery, often shrouded in mist, exuding an ethereal atmosphere.
"This place has quite an aura of immortals," Hua Man Lou marveled.
"Perhaps there really are ancestors living in seclusion here," Bai Tang laughed, recalling how she had heard many tales about Qingcheng Mountain from the Master at the temple, where numerous immortals were said to appear.
"Let's go explore Puzhao Temple! I heard that it is one of the 'Four Great Temples of Sichuan,' famous for its 'Universal Light Lanterns with divine power; thousands of Buddha Treasures surrounded by mysteries,'" said Long Ba, eager to please his beloved.
"Great! I love solving puzzles and uncovering secrets; let's go to the Thousand Buddha Treasure Tower," said Wild Lilac, pulling Long Ba's hand as they ran towards the temple. Long Ba kept his eyes on their clasped hands, his face blooming into a smile like a chrysanthemum.
After leaving Puzhao Temple, they headed towards Sanqing Palace, descending along a stone path beside sheer cliffs until they reached the crystal-clear and pristine Washing Heart Pool.
"Do you know the legend of Washing Heart Pool, Seven Children?" asked Bai Tang, testing them.
Hua Man Lou smiled and said, "I really don't know. Tang Tang asking this must mean you know?"
Bai Tang smiled proudly, "Of course."
Hua Man Lou chuckled and clasped his hands together, "Then please enlighten us, Bai Gu Niang!"
"It is said that one year, a group of people claiming to be from the Ghost Nation suddenly invaded Qingcheng Mountain, acting tyrannically, extorting wealth from the people, and harming living beings. Zhang Shi angrily emerged from his cave to confront the Eight Demon Masters. After subduing the Eight Demon Masters, the demons expressed their willingness to turn over a new leaf. Zhang Shi then imprisoned the leader of the Eight Demon Masters by the pool at Haitang Stream, demanding that they cleanse their black hearts in the clear water before allowing them to reform and start anew. Later generations named this pool Washing Heart Pool."
Bai Tang continued to show off her knowledge, "Qingcheng Mountain is known as Ghost City. According to legend, when Pangu opened the world, he created a stream at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain, with bright and clear water that was fragrant and sweet. Later, Shu Zhong Gui Wang occupied Ghost City Mountain, hiding in the stream to consume human flesh, drink human blood, emit poisonous miasma, and discharge black water, committing all sorts of atrocities. This caused the stream to gradually turn from clear to black and from sweet to foul-smelling. The surrounding people either died or fled, unable to find peace. Upon learning this, Zhang Shi descended from the mountain to battle the ghost king. The ghost king was cunning and changeable; Zhang Shi fought him with both strategy and courage. Eventually, he captured him alive and restored the stream's clarity and sweetness. Later on, people named that stream Qingxi River."
Hua Man Lou said, "Zhang Shi's place of cultivation is in Qingcheng Mountain; many legends remain here. One such record is found in Du Guangting's Record of the Meritorious Deeds of the Various Temples on Mount Qingcheng from the Tang Dynasty."
Bai Tang asked curiously, "What kind of record?"
Hua Man Lou recited: "The True Scripture states: Within the great expanse are ten great caves; within them lie the essence of the sun and moon and three celestial bodies that illuminate the caves with light. Both scenes are golden cities with jade palaces where True Immortals reside. Qingcheng is indeed one of the five precious mountains with nine chambers... Its steep cliffs rise like battlements; stepping on clouds is called Red Stone City, also known as a nation. Different names for the same entity; it is merely one mountain. In ancient times during Han Zuo Ling Chi, humans and ghosts mingled, drums sounded toxic winds, killing living beings in succession. The Supreme commanded Zhengyi Zhenren and San Zhang Jun. From their pavilion where cranes sang, they promptly ascended this ridge, executing laws of clarity to cleanse forests and marshes. They traveled thousands of miles to uproot Ghost City’s market of demons, carving stones for altars dedicated to the sun and moon with sheep and horses as offerings; they commanded demon banners swearing oaths to gods and spirits who each took their turns day and night; with red brushes they painted mountains; in green cliffs they left traces of their brushwork recorded in scriptures..."
"Uprooting Ghost City’s market? Is this how Qingcheng Mountain got its name as Ghost City?" Bai Tang asked.
Hua Man Lou nodded, "It should be so."
"Bai Gu Niang! Playboy!" Wild Lilac and Long Ba cheered as they burst out from the jungle.
Wild Lilac held something in her hands and presented it to Bai Tang: "Look what we found!"
The two looked down to see a large ginseng that had already taken on a humanoid shape.
"Is it really an old mountain ginseng that's over a thousand years old?" Bai Tang exclaimed in surprise. The Qingcheng Back Mountain was rarely visited, and the herbs inside had not been harvested, each one having aged significantly.
"Not just a thousand years," Hua Man Lou, who was particularly sensitive to flowers and plants, replied. "This ginseng has likely accumulated at least three thousand years of essence. If given the opportunity, it could awaken its intelligence and transform into a human form."
"Is this the Ginseng Spirit?" Wild Lilac poked at the ginseng with her finger. If it were just ordinary ginseng, eating it would be fine, but if it had begun to gain intelligence and become a spirit, consuming it would be a grave sin.
"Not yet. However, Miss Ding should return it to the forest. This mountain ginseng has grown for three thousand years, which is no easy feat," Hua Man Lou pleaded on behalf of the ginseng.
"Ah! Alright!" Wild Lilac nodded and pulled Long Ba, ready to dash back into the forest.
"Wait a moment," Bai Tang called out to the two of them, taking the ginseng from Wild Lilac's hands and handing it to Hua Man Lou. "Since it only needs one opportunity, why not help it out, Seven Children?"
Hua Man Lou, who was a disciple of Floral Fairy and managed flowers and plants, infused a strand of his true energy into the ginseng. In the next moment, a flash of green light appeared, and the ginseng transformed into a six or seven-year-old boy who knelt on the ground, calling Hua Man Lou "Master," insisting on following him and serving him without leaving his side.
"Seven Children, you should keep him! His progress in cultivation will be greater by your side than in the forest," Bai Tang advocated for the Ginseng Spirit, receiving a grateful look from it. (To be continued)
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