Volume 4 Chapter 78

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Volume 4 Chapter 78: Conversation

Back then, Xu Qingfan led the people of Jiuhua Mountain to participate in the cultivation world’s Newcomer Comparison, where they faced the schemes of disciples from the "Liuhe Gate." Among those disciples, Deng Tianao and Chou Xuan left the deepest impression on Xu Qingfan.

Deng Tianao was the mastermind behind the schemes against the Jiuhua Mountain group and secretly practiced the cruel mystical technique "Purple Room Carriage." In the end, Xu Qingfan saw through his plans, but due to subsequent chaos, he forgot to expose him.

Compared to Deng Tianao, Xu Qingfan had a much better impression of Chou Xuan, perhaps because of Chou Xuan’s calm demeanor or his perseverance in practicing the "Great Method of Heaven and Earth." According to Deng Tianao, Chou Xuan was the greatest genius of the "Liuhe Gate" at the time. Although he started cultivating thirty years after Deng Tianao, his skills were already comparable.

Somehow, Xu Qingfan found himself being chased by the "Liuhe Gate." He thought it might be related to the sudden upheaval at "Liuhe Gate" decades ago.

Noticing Bai Lianye leading a group over, Chou Xuan smiled slightly and asked Bai Lianye calmly, "General, care for some tea?"

Xu Qingfan couldn’t tell if it was his imagination, but after noticing the group’s arrival, Chou Xuan seemed to pay him more attention before nonchalantly continuing to drink his tea. Since the four strands of Spirit Qi within Xu Qingfan were particularly well-concealed, he was always confident in his ability to stay hidden. However, knowing that Chou Xuan practiced the "Great Method of Heaven and Earth," capable of observing anything and everything, Xu Qingfan began to doubt.

"Could Chou Xuan really have discovered my identity?" Xu Qingfan wondered secretly.

Seeing Chou Xuan safe and sound, Bai Lianye seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He slowed his steps, walked up to Chou Xuan, and said with a wry smile, "A troubled heart is not suited for tea."

Accompanying Bai Lianye to Chou Xuan were Counsellor Liu and Zhang Long, whose high status in the general’s palace was evident, prompting Xu Qingfan to wonder what Zhang Long had done over the years to earn such trust from Bai Lianye, while Xu Qingfan and other guards waited outside the small courtyard.

Chou Xuan asked with a smile, "Why is your heart troubled?"

Bai Lianye replied with a wry smile, "Sir, you’ve often mentioned leaving lately and disappeared several times without explanation; how can we be at ease?"

Chou Xuan sighed softly, and after a brief silence, he slowly said, "This time, I indeed must leave."

Upon hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Bai Lianye and the others were taken aback. They hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay, but Chou Xuan showed no hesitation. Smiling, he said, "The general has likely guessed it by now. My enemies have found my general location during this time and have been sending stronger and stronger people to investigate. If I don’t leave, my enemies might come personally. If I’m caught, I could endanger the general and others, which would be a great loss. So, it’s best for me to leave."

Hearing Chou Xuan’s decision filled Bai Lianye and the others with regret. Though they still wished for him to stay, they had no grounds to continue persuading him. They uttered hopeful words like "maybe they haven’t found you," yet even they couldn’t convince themselves.

Chou Xuan merely smiled silently as he listened, his face showing a hint of warmth. After everyone had finished their pleas, he shook his head firmly and said softly, "For years, I have wandered the Shenzhou Continent to escape my enemies, but thanks to the general, I’ve enjoyed a peaceful life here for over ten years. However, our time together has come to an end, and it’s time to say goodbye. My mind is made up. Please do not try to persuade me further. Let’s share this cup of tea, and whether we meet again depends on fate."

Listening to Chou Xuan’s calm yet resolute words, Bai Lianye and the others sighed softly, knowing they could no longer ask him to stay. They sat quietly beside Chou Xuan, filled with the sadness of parting, and drank tea together.

Finally, although Bai Lianye and the others were unwilling to part, the tea became flavorless in their mouths. Thinking of Chou Xuan leaving after finishing this pot of tea, they slowed their movements. Even though Chou Xuan said his mind was set, they still subtly tried to persuade him, but Chou Xuan only responded with a silent smile.

The pot of mild tea was finally consumed. Under everyone’s gaze, Chou Xuan slowly stood up, gave them a polite nod, and turned to leave.

Watching Chou Xuan depart, Bai Lianye and the others stood up as well, slightly opening their mouths, unsure of what to say. They watched as Chou Xuan’s figure faded from their sight until it suddenly disappeared.

As Chou Xuan left, Xu Qingfan felt a stirring in his heart. While everyone was caught off guard by Chou Xuan’s sudden disappearance, he quietly slipped away too.

…

After Chou Xuan used his magic to leave the general’s palace, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he stood silently in the sky, watching the general’s palace below. Although his eyes were closed, one could still sense the sadness contained within them.

It seems that over the years, Chou Xuan has indeed formed a deep bond with the people of the general’s palace.

After a moment, Chou Xuan sighed softly and was about to turn away when his expression suddenly changed. He felt a gentle breeze rising in the sky, slowly circling around him. The breeze was light, but it contained a strangely powerful energy.

Eventually, the breeze gathered more intensely in front of Chou Xuan, transforming into a human shape.

"Taoist Friend Chou Xuan, it has been a long time," said the newcomer, clasping his hands to Chou Xuan. His voice was gentle and peaceful, giving Chou Xuan a vaguely familiar feeling. It was Xu Qingfan, who had just quietly left the general’s palace with Chou Xuan.

Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Chou Xuan was slightly taken aback. Although he remained cautious, he felt a sense of relief. He had thought it was someone from the "Liuhe Gate" chasing him, but there was no hostility in Xu Qingfan’s words.

Although Xu Qingfan’s appearance hadn’t changed much over the years, Chou Xuan, having focused on cultivating the "Great Method of Heaven and Earth," could not see with his eyes but discerned through Divine Sense. Xu Qingfan’s Spirit Qi had changed so much over the years that Chou Xuan couldn’t recognize him. Chou Xuan’s expression was a bit awkward as he clasped his hands and asked Xu Qingfan, "Please forgive me, Taoist friend. My eyes cannot see. May I ask who you are? Have we met before?"

Hearing Chou Xuan’s words, Xu Qingfan smiled and replied, "I am Jiuhua Xu Qingfan. More than fifty years ago, I met you a few times during the Newcomer Comparison."

To fulfill Liu Huaxiang’s last wish, Xu Qingfan revealed his true identity for the first time after descending the mountain. He knew that only by being upfront about his identity could he gain Chou Xuan’s trust.

When Chou Xuan heard Xu Qingfan reveal his identity, he was taken aback. The Spirit Qi fluctuation from Xu Qingfan now was vastly different from fifty years ago. However, the tone and voice were undoubtedly Xu Qingfan’s, though there was now a trace of maturity and weariness in his voice after all these years.

Chou Xuan’s face showed a look of realization as he apologized to Xu Qingfan, "So it is Taoist Friend Xu. I must apologize for my forgetfulness. I sensed a powerful presence nearby and thought it might be an enemy, so I left quickly to avoid involving General Bai and others. Little did I know it was actually Taoist Friend Xu."

Hearing Chou Xuan’s words, it was now Xu Qingfan’s turn to feel awkward. So Chou Xuan had indeed noticed his presence and left the general’s palace hurriedly because of him.

Ignoring Xu Qingfan’s awkwardness, Chou Xuan continued to smile as he asked, "I wonder why Taoist Friend Xu was hiding in the general’s palace? Over the years, your cultivation has advanced significantly, almost reaching the Real Golden Core Stage. Although General Bai’s Mansion holds many treasures, I doubt they would catch your interest, would they?"

This sentence was subtly probing, indicating that despite Xu Qingfan revealing his identity, Chou Xuan still remained cautious.

Xu Qingfan responded with a wry smile, "Explaining my purpose in the general’s palace is complicated. Let’s talk about you first. Earlier, you mentioned being pursued by enemies for years. Why is that? Are we talking about the Liuhe Gate as your enemies? Isn’t that your sect? Is there anything I can help with in this matter?"

Chou Xuan’s face showed a hint of confusion at Xu Qingfan’s words, prompting Xu Qingfan to add, "I once found the body of a cultivator wearing Liuhe Gate robes in Fencheng City. Nearby, I sensed Spirit Qi fluctuations from your spellcasting. That’s why I made this guess."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s explanation, Chou Xuan hesitated, but eventually, he slowly recounted his experiences over the years to Xu Qingfan. Xu Qingfan then understood that Chou Xuan being hunted by his sect was largely related to him.