Chapter 416: An Encounter in the Peach Grove

Although Zhang Xiaohua greatly envied his own talent, he was also very cautious with his own life. After mastering the first level of the “Guiding the Spirit”, he was in no hurry to cultivate the second level. Instead, for several days, he patiently recited the incantation of the first level, continuing to use it to temper his Pill Heart.

The Pill Heart within the Niwan Palace was already constantly rotating on its own, endlessly surging and emitting profound ripples. Now, it became even more stable, and the invisible core within grew increasingly solid. Needless to say, many of the hidden dangers from the “Jade Blood Refines the Pill Heart” were slowly being remedied.

By the time the second month of spring arrived, Zhang Xiaohua had already begun cultivating the incantation for the second level of “Guiding the Spirit”!

Additionally, Zhang Xiaohua had obtained a verdant jade slip from the library pavilion of the Piaomiao Manor. In his spare time, he had taken it out to examine it carefully. The restriction on it was extremely difficult to unravel. Zhang Xiaohua tried several methods but failed to break it, so he had no choice but to put it back into his money pouch for the time being. After all, he was already cultivating the “Guiding the Spirit”. If he tried to practice yet another technique, he would only bite off more than he could chew. It was better to focus on one for now. Moreover, he often paid attention to talismans and formations in his daily life—wasn’t that precisely to find a solution for the jade slip? He would simply wait for the right opportunity, and naturally, it would be unraveled.

Speaking of which, at noon that day, Zhang Xiaohua and his party of three, along with the Sibu Xiang Huanhuan, arrived beside a peach grove. The grove was filled with blooming pink peach blossoms, and as far as the eye could see, it was a sea of rosy clouds—truly beautiful. Although Zhang Xiaohua had his eyes closed, pondering over formations, Nie Qianyu and Little Orange had already pulled open the curtains of the carriage, and from a distance, they saw the scene and cried out, urging Zhang Xiaohua to stop the carriage in the peach grove, saying they wanted to drink wine and admire the flowers.

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua smiled. After all, Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were girls in their teens—the age of blossoming youth. If they remained unmoved by such a beautiful scene, that would be truly strange. Moreover, whether it was because Nie Qianyu’s wrist fracture was not severe or the medicine she used was particularly effective, she had already removed the splint a few days ago. Now, her wrist could move flexibly, showing no sign of trouble. Having discarded the splint, Nie Qianyu had somewhat regained her girlish liveliness. In a town they passed earlier, she had even added a wine cabinet and table to the carriage. Whenever the mood struck, she and Little Orange would share a few cups of osmanthus wine together.

Now, seeing the peach blossoms so red, it must mean the mood has arrived.

Zhang Xiaohua himself did not like to drink, but he did not stop the two either. After all, it was osmanthus wine—beautifying, nourishing, and good for the body.

So, the carriage stopped beside the peach grove.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Two beautiful ladies, the saying ‘The peach blossoms blush in harmony with a fair face’ is indeed true. You may enjoy the flowers for a while; I will stay nearby to keep you company.”

Nie Qianyu teased: “Brother Ren, you’re so boring. Sharing the beautiful scenery together is what makes it enjoyable.”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said: “All I know is that peach blossoms soaked in wine are most nourishing. As for anything else, I know nothing.”

“Pfft.” Nie Qianyu laughed aloud and said: “This peach blossom wine rivals even the legendary ‘Burning Zither and Boiling Crane’! Brother Ren, you’re amazing!”

She gave a delicate, fair thumbs-up, and Zhang Xiaohua’s little tail wagged happily.

Nie Qianyu slowly walked beside Zhang Xiaohua, standing on the carriage to look around. She said: “Brother Ren, is there any path leading into the peach grove ahead? Looking from outside, it never feels as good as being inside.”

Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Yes, about fifty or sixty steps ahead there is a small path that leads right inside.”

Nie Qianyu stood on tiptoe and raised her neck, as if she really saw a path leading inward.

“Well then, how about we enter from that path and enjoy the flowers inside the peach grove?”

“I have no objection. But I wonder if the owner would be happy about it?”

Nie Qianyu smiled: “The peach grove looks vast. If we enter, we will be like grains of sand in the sea—who would notice us? Besides, the owner of such a splendid peach grove must be a refined and cultured person. If we visit, he would surely welcome us warmly, not chase us away.”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled softly, saying nothing. Nie Qianyu’s reasoning was sound, but in Zhang Xiaohua’s mind, the first reason was the most practical.

Sure enough, not far ahead was a small path just wide enough for a carriage to pass through. Once inside the peach grove, they were immediately swallowed by the endless sea of blossoms, and no longer could anyone see the carriage or the people.

The carriage moved slowly through the peach grove. Nie Qianyu and Little Orange lifted the carriage and window curtains, sitting at a small table, each holding a small cup of pale yellow osmanthus wine. They sipped delicately, speaking in low voices, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Zhang Xiaohua remained as before, sitting cross-legged at the front of the carriage, his hands constantly forming seals—precisely a few of the three hundred sixty-five incantations from the Rabbit Talisman.

The carriage traveled farther and farther, delving deep into the peach grove.

Faced with such beautiful scenery and the faint stirrings of homesickness, Nie Qianyu and Little Orange actually became a little tipsy.

Just then, from not far ahead, the crisp sound of weapons clashing suddenly rang out. Zhang Xiaohua’s brows furrowed, and his divine sense immediately swept out, but he quickly withdrew it, his expression remaining calm and unconcerned.

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange, however, were quite displeased. They frowned and said: “Brother Ren, why are there sounds of weapons clashing here? Could it be another vendetta from the martial world? Such a scene spoils the mood—it’s hardly the act of a gentleman.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “The martial world isn’t all blood and vengeance. It might just be a friendly sparring match. Besides, to have one’s bones buried in such a splendid peach grove is also a kind of fate. Isn’t there an old saying, ‘To die beneath the peach blossom tree is a romantic end, even for a ghost’?”

“Bah!” Nie Qianyu spat lightly and said: “Brother Ren, you’re the worst! Always twisting the classics. It’s clearly, ‘To die beneath the peony blossom is a romantic end, even for a ghost!’”

Her little face was flushed bright red, though it was unclear whether from the wine or from embarrassment.

The sounds of clashing weapons drew even closer. Zhang Xiaohua asked: “Ladies, would you prefer to go elsewhere to enjoy the view, or perhaps try something different?”

Nie Qianyu pursed her lips into a smile and was about to reply when a delighted voice called out from the distance: “Oh, what a coincidence! Zhou Tai, there’s a carriage passing by over there, just right to be our witnesses. What do you think?”

Another sharp voice called out as well: “Perfect! Let them bear witness, so you’ll admit defeat willingly. Don’t try to deny it after today!”

Zhang Xiaohua remained composed, while Nie Qianyu stuck out her tongue and said: “It’s too late to leave now. Brother Ren, it seems you’ll have to play the hero of justice this time.”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and said solemnly: “That’s where you’re completely mistaken.”

“Huh?” Nie Qianyu was quite surprised. “You mean you don’t plan to get involved?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied in a deep voice: “It’s not about being an embodiment of justice, but an embodiment of fairness. Sigh, as if I’m not tired enough already, and now I’ve come all the way here just to be someone’s witness.”

Nie Qianyu whispered: “That one called Zhou Tai, his name sounds familiar. I think he’s the young master of the Flying Fish Gang. His reputation is neither good nor bad—he’s always lived on the rivers and lakes, so why has he come ashore now? Let’s go take a look.”

At this moment, Little Orange was already a bit tipsy, slumped to the side, watching the two of them without saying a word, naturally unable to offer any opinion.

Ever since Zhang Xiaohua’s carriage had appeared, the sounds of clashing weapons had stopped. Just as Zhang Xiaohua had said, it turned out the two were simply sparring. But as the carriage drew closer, Nie Qianyu could see more clearly: in a spacious clearing within the peach grove, two groups of people were standing, each clad in bright armor with gleaming weapons. If not for the fact that only the two young men at the front held weapons, Nie Qianyu would have thought it was a full-scale brawl between martial sects.

Seeing a carriage slowly approach, with a young man seated upright atop it and a girl in her teens standing beside him, both groups were somewhat surprised.

The slender, tall young man in a purple robe, holding a longsword—seventeen or eighteen years old—frowned and said to the youth before him: “Yuan Guoliang, the people in this carriage don’t look like they know martial arts. How can they judge fairly for us?”

The other young man, dressed in white, with a sturdy build, thick brows, and big eyes—also about seventeen or eighteen—smiled and said: “Brother Zhou, that’s exactly the point. It’s precisely those who don’t know martial arts who can be the fairest judges.”

Zhou Tai was puzzled and asked sharply: “What kind of logic is that? Please enlighten me, Brother Yuan.”

Yuan Guoliang laughed and said: “It’s just because they don’t know martial arts that they won’t be biased by their own perspective. And it’s also because they don’t know martial arts that they won’t know what counts as a win or loss. Only when both sides acknowledge the outcome will they know who has won or lost, right?”

Zhou Tai clapped his hands and said: “They say Yuan Guoliang of Mirror Lake is clever and resourceful. Seeing you today, the rumors are true. If it’s a matter of schemes, I admit defeat. But today we’re competing in martial arts, and this is a matter of great importance. Please, Brother Yuan, show me what you’ve got.”

Yuan Guoliang was all smiles as he cupped his hands and said: “The feeling is mutual. I’ve heard your name, Brother Zhou, for a long time and have always wanted to witness your Flying Fish Seventy-Two Styles. Now is the perfect opportunity for a good exchange.”

“Brother Yuan, I’ve also admired your Surging Waves Fifty-Three Moves for a long time. It’s a great chance for me to learn and improve.”

Seeing the two young men boasting, Zhang Xiaohua felt like just walking away, but Nie Qianyu quietly said: “That Yuan Guoliang is the second son of Old Master Yuan of Mirror Lake. He’s known for his excellent sword skills and is quite famous in the southern martial world. But he, too, has always made his living on the water. Why have they all come ashore today?”

Zhang Xiaohua shrugged and thought to himself: “I’ve only just heard of these two’s reputations—how would I know much about them?”

By now, the carriage had already come up beside the two groups. Yuan Guoliang and Zhou Tai walked over, and Yuan Guoliang cupped his hands in greeting, saying: “I am Yuan Guoliang of Mirror Lake, and this is Zhou Tai of the Flying Fish Gang. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

Zhang Xiaohua leapt down from the carriage and returned the greeting with a cupped fist. “I am Ren Xiaoyao, just a humble scholar, traveling here and there with my younger sister. Just now, I heard you mention wanting me to serve as some sort of judge, but I do not quite understand. I hope you two can enlighten me.”

The way he nodded and swayed, he only lacked a folding fan to complete the look.

On the carriage, Nie Qianyu covered her mouth, struggling to hold back her laughter. She secretly resolved that the next time they reached a town, the very first thing she would do would be to buy Ren Xiaoyao a gilded folding fan.

To not have a folding fan was truly an injustice to his scholarly airs!