novelhk Chapter 131 Hua Baifeng: Actually, I am the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny!
Chapter 131 Hua Baifeng: Actually, I am the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny!
Chapter 131 Hua Baifeng: Actually, I am the Heavenly Mountain Child Granny!
Dali Imperial City.
Emperor Duan Zhengming of Dali held two memorials in his hands. Looking at the composed Gao Shengtai and the distraught Duan Zhengchun beside him, he felt an urge to become a monk on the spot.
Everyone says that being an emperor means being surrounded by followers and enjoying endless pleasures, but that was the late emperor!
What kind of happiness did the Emperor of Dali have?
In the story that has yet to unfold, Gao Shengtai launches a rebellion, seizes the throne, and nearly dies from exhaustion. Before his death, he returns the throne to the Duan family, and the two families live in peace.
The Gao family stated that they had never rebelled and that they had always been powerful ministers. The Duan family countered that there had never been a rebellion in Dali, that they had always been emperors, and that they were loving and harmonious rulers and subjects. They argued that there had never been any attempt to usurp the throne.
Duan Zhengming didn't understand before why all of his ancestors had become monks. Monks spent their days eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures. How could it be as comfortable as being an emperor? Only after becoming an emperor did he realize that becoming a monk at Tianlong Temple was indeed more comfortable than being an emperor.
Having reigned as emperor for so many years, Duan Zhengming had no offspring, while Duan Zhengchun had only one son, resulting in the smooth succession of the Dali Duan family to the throne.
Duan Zhengming's throne can only be passed to Duan Zhengchun, and Duan Zhengchun's throne can only be passed to Duan Yu. Duan Zhengming wants to retire every day, Duan Zhengchun wants to chase girls every day, and Duan Yu has just turned twenty and wants to see the outside world.
Then, he actually went out!
The Duan family of Dali often traveled the martial arts world as a family of martial arts masters. When Duan Zhengchun was young, he traveled all over the country and left behind countless emotional debts.
The problem is that Duan Yu doesn't know any martial arts. He has hated practicing martial arts since childhood and doesn't know any martial arts at all. Not to mention the world-famous One-Finger Divine Skill, he doesn't even know the Dali Duan family's direct lineage sword technique. If he runs too far and gets killed by bandits, Duan Zhengchun will be in big trouble!
Duan Zhengming glared at Duan Zhengchun, "You bastard, all you know is how to chase women, you don't know how to educate your sons! Even if chasing women is one thing, at least have a few more sons! At least prepare two backups."
Duan Zhengchun broke out in a cold sweat under the gaze. No matter how thick-skinned he was, he knew what was important and what was urgent. He couldn't utter a single word in his defense until he found Duan Yu.
Duan Zhengming sighed, "Your Majesty, you will have to go find Yu'er yourself; I simply cannot leave!"
As he spoke, he handed the memorial to Duan Zhengchun.
Duan Zhengchun was shocked when he looked through the memorials.
The envoy from the Great Han Dynasty is about to arrive in Dali. Dali is requested to make preparations to receive him. The chief envoy is named Xu Qingya, a descendant of the Martial Saint, the Marquis of Jing'an of the Great Han Dynasty. He is highly skilled in martial arts, extremely intelligent, upright and righteous, and adept at suppressing bandits.
Gao Shengtai reassured him, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have inquired with the Han merchant caravan. Xu Qingya is upright, righteous, and chivalrous. He treats the people with kindness and compassion, and is by no means a mean or harsh person. Just treat him well!"
At this point, Gao Shengtai looked at Duan Zhengchun with a hint of resentment: "I have also heard that Xu Qingya's only flaw is that he is quite a womanizer and has countless lovers. If there were a princess in Dali, perhaps a marriage alliance could be formed."
"Cough cough cough~~"
Duan Zhengchun coughed awkwardly for a while.
There are indeed no princesses in Dali.
How could Duan Zhengchun possibly have the face to acknowledge the princess?
Even if he dares to admit it, Dali wouldn't dare to admit it!
Today you steal the Zhong family's wife, tomorrow you steal the Wang family's wife. Are you the Prince of Dali or Cao Mengde? How come your Dali princesses have the surnames Zhong, Wang, and Mu? A princess who marries into the Han Dynasty should at least have the surname Duan, right?
Duan Zhengming said helplessly, "Minister Gao, go and prepare for the reception. Imperial brother, take the four chief ministers to find Yu'er. I'll give you half a month. After half a month, you must return to the capital immediately."
Duan Zhengchun accepted the order and left.
The "Four Great Retainers" were not unique to the Murong clan.
From the perspective of origin, the original four great retainers were the Dali Duan family, who were "fishermen, woodcutters, farmers, and scholars." Each member of the royal family was protected by the four great retainers when they went out to train. Except for Duan Yu, Duan Yu had not yet trained the four great retainers and ran away on his own.
Thinking of this, Duan Zhengchun sighed.
The convoy of the Han Dynasty delegation.
Xu Qingya flipped through the map out of boredom.
Yin Susu said coquettishly, "My lord! The Heavenly Mandate Demons are good at using their beauty to their advantage, but not at attacking cities head-on. No matter how many maps you look at, you won't be able to find their lair. The Heavenly Mandate Sect's lair is either a brothel or a casino."
Cheng Lingsu gently objected, "Sister Yin, it's always good to be prepared. It's never a bad idea to take a look."
"I wasn't looking for the Heavenly Mandate Demon, but rather checking the map of Wuliang Mountain. I heard that there is a Wuliang Sword Sect on Wuliang Mountain, and in the forbidden area behind the Wuliang Sword Sect, there is a smooth stone wall that is a hundred feet high, called the Wuliang Jade Wall."
The founder of the Wuliang Sword Sect accidentally saw an immortal dancing with a sword on the Wuliang Jade Wall, comprehended the ultimate sword technique, and founded the Wuliang Sword Sect. The Wuliang Sword Sect later split into two factions, which competed every three years. The winner occupied the main sect and could go to observe the Wuliang Jade Wall, but they all gained nothing.
The claim of immeasurable jade discs is mostly a fabrication.
However, the smooth, mirror-like Bai Zhang Yu Bi must be very spectacular. Let's go for a stroll in Wuliang Mountain.
Lingsu, don't stay cooped up in the car reading all day.
The vast land of China boasts countless green mountains and clear waters; we should all admire this magnificent landscape together.
Cheng Lingsu pouted and said, "Brother Xu, you really have no conscience! I was worried you'd been bewitched by the Miao girl, so I studied medical books day and night, and you still scolded me! Has your conscience been eaten by Doubao? All you do is bully people!"
"Woof woof woof~~"
Doubao skillfully played the straight man for Cheng Lingsu.
Doubao: I eat bones, but I don't eat conscience!
Yin Susu slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "I've heard that when Miao girls meet someone they like, they'll cast a love spell on him, making him devoted to them. Lingsu, why don't you learn how to cast a spell? Cast a few love spells on your husband!"
Xu Qingya's face darkened: "The so-called love potion is nothing but a rumor in the martial arts world! Miao women have always been known for their passions, and countless Miao women have suffered heartbreak. If Miao women could cast love potions, where would all these lovesick men and women come from?"
Cheng Lingsu chuckled, "What a pity! I'd like to learn Miao Gu techniques! Brother Xu, I read in a book that there are dozens of Gu techniques. Some are good at attacking, some at killing, some can control poisonous miasma, and some can change temperament. Which one do you like, Brother Xu?"
Xu Qingya laughed and said, "I remember there is a kind of Gu worm called the Demon-Eating Gu, which can make people never feel full. No matter how much food they eat, their bodies will never gain weight."
Hua Baifeng retorted, "My lord, do you perhaps think that all the ladies are too plump and need to lose weight? It's one thing for others, but does Madam Cheng also need to lose weight?"
Since following Xu Qingya, Cheng Lingsu has been eating meat every day, her appetite far exceeding what she used to have, and she has become much plumper. However, the recent disaster relief efforts and the tireless work day and night have caused her to lose weight again.
Her thin and small appearance is truly pitiful.
Cheng Lingsu said resentfully, "Don't talk nonsense! I'm not a lady! Some people are heartless and fickle. They brought me out of the mountains and have me running around all day. If I eat a few more bites of their food, they complain that I've gotten fat."
Xu Qingya reached out and gently pulled Cheng Lingsu into his arms, then kissed her red lips.
Lao Jiu looked down at Dou Bao'er: Although you don't need to do backflips, I need to carry the weight!
Doubao looked up at Tangdun: "One of us did a backflip and the other carried the load. Only you can enjoy yourself in peace. All the benefits go to the bird!"
Tangdun'er: The eagle spreads its wings, its spirit sweeping across the world!
After appeasing Cheng Lingsu, Xu Qingya went to ask Hua Mancong for leave, saying that he would lead the caravan forward while he went to find a place to play for a few days, and then go to Dali Royal City after he had played enough.
Hua Mancong: Are you speaking human language?
Cheng Lingsu quickly smoothed things over: "Brother Xu has found traces of the Heavenly Mandate Sect traitors. We'll go to Wuliang Mountain to search for them. Lord Hua, could you please have the delegation travel a little slower? We'll use falcons to deliver messages and arrive in Dali City at the same time, so it won't waste any time."
Xu Qingya looked at Cheng Lingsu with a teasing smile. Even the most honest child in the family had learned to use public office for private gain, and could lie without batting an eye, speaking in a high-sounding manner.
Hua Mancong would never approve a leave request from anyone else.
Cheng Lingsu asked for leave, and Hua Mancong had no choice but to approve it!
"Lord Xu, I've calculated the time; you have approximately five days. Please make the most of your time!"
"Don't worry, five days is enough! Are you married yet? I can stop by the Five Poisons Sect on the way and find you a Miao girl. Let me tell you, Miao girls have especially beautiful makeup, and their little feet are so white—"
Before Xu Qingya could finish speaking, Cheng Lingsu forcibly dragged him out. Hua Mancong rubbed his face, thinking to himself, "With this face of mine, if I go to Miao territory, who knows how many love potions I'll be poisoned with? I can't afford to offend a Miao woman."
Hua Mancong and Hua Manlou are full brothers, born of the same parents and mother, and are close in age. Hua Mancong is the sixth child, and Hua Manlou is the seventh. The two are quite similar in build and appearance, but have different temperaments.
Hua Manlou's temperament is even more gentle and refined.
Hua Mancong possesses a scholarly air that is also sharp and incisive.
As for Hua Manzong and Hua Mantang, Hua Manzong has the sharpness of a soldier, while Hua Mantang is a goofball.
With Hua Mancong's good looks, if he wandered around a large Miao village a few times, he might actually be bewitched by the Miao women with 108 love potions. His appearance is too handsome and his temperament is too outstanding.
Miao region is certainly not lacking in handsome men, but it lacks gentle, refined, and learned handsome men. Hua Mancong is a well-read scholar and a Jinshi who passed the imperial examination. Even Li Xunhuan, the Little Flying Dagger, can only be considered his equal.
The only pity is that Hua Mancong is in love with Shen Feiyan, the daughter of Shen Rong, the prefect of Jinling, and is currently in a state of unrequited love, having no interest in romance whatsoever.
Five days off, don't waste them!
The group quickly changed their clothes and rode away.
Before departing from the capital, Xu Qingya went to Liu Qingci's stable to select a fine horse for each person.
Yin Susu rode the Jueying.
Hua Baifeng rode a yellow horse.
Qin Nanqin rode a swift steed.
-
Cheng Lingsu was physically weak and could not ride a spirited horse or withstand high-speed gallops. Therefore, Cheng Lingsu's mount was Xu Qingya's old wine.
Old liquor is naturally good at bearing weight. Cheng Lingsu only weighs a little over 80 jin (40 kg), so for old liquor, drinking two jin (1 kg) of liquor during rest is enough to replenish her weight.
A fine horse can carry a burly man in heavy armor, wielding a spear, across the battlefield. Even disregarding the weight of the general, the weight of the armor and weapons is not much different from that of Cheng Lingsu.
Yin Susu teased, "My lord, it is said that Cao Mengde killed three sages with one cannon shot, one of whom was his peerless steed. If Yang Yan were to throw a tantrum and start a rebellion one day, would I also—"
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Thousands of miles away, "Incompetent Yang Yan" sneezed several times, and then continued to discuss the recruitment of new members for the Dragon Guard Manor with Beitang Xin'er. As Xu Qingya's reputation grew, heroes and good men flocked to the Dragon Guard Manor, but there were inevitably some scum among them.
Liu Qingci didn't know how to select candidates, so he could only entrust the task to Yang Yan and Beitang Xin'er. Yang Yan was responsible for conducting background checks on these people, while Beitang Xin'er was responsible for the screening. Only those who passed both tests could join the Dragon Guard Manor.
There were also some female warriors from prestigious families who wanted to get close to Xu Qingya under the guise of becoming maids or cooks, but unfortunately, Hua Baifeng completely blocked this path, and they didn't even have a chance to stage an accident!
Who is Hua Baifeng?
A demonic witch carefully cultivated by Yu Luosha.
Hua Baifeng got into the car and immediately welded the gate shut!
Not a single one of them will get up here!
You think you're worthy to compete with your great-aunt for food?
"Dali boasts four scenic wonders: the wind of Xiaguan, the flowers of Shangguan, the snow of Cangshan Mountain, and the moon over Erhai Lake. Dali enjoys a warm, spring-like climate year-round, with flowers blooming in abundance, among which camellias are the most famous. If you come to Dali and don't see the mountains and fields covered in camellias, you've missed out!"
Xu Qingya prepared a "travel guide" and talked about the scenery incessantly, unlike that half-baked guy with a perm who actually thought Duan Yu had never seen snow!
Yin Susu said, "No wonder! Every time my elder brother comes to Dali to deliver goods, at least 70% of the time it's barter, exchanging salt for tea, mainly Pu'er tea."
Cheng Lingsu leaned against Xu Qingya's chest, feeling his warmth. She had no strength left and sighed softly, "Brother Xu is right. Staying cooped up at home all day is truly a waste of this beautiful land."
Qin Nanqin chimed in, "There are rules to being a maid. Being able to serve by the Marquis's side is the greatest fortune of my life. Marquis, is that lush mountain range ahead Wuliang Mountain? It is indeed beautiful!"
Hua Baifeng smiled smugly, thinking to herself that she had sealed this path shut, no matter what kind of seductive vixen from the Demonic Sect or what kind of fairy she was.
No one, female knight-errant, is allowed to get on the bus.
Cheng Lingsu asked, "Brother Xu, everyone says that girls are as beautiful as flowers. Tell me, what kind of flowers are we?"
Remember to tell us the story behind it!
Xu Qingya laughed loudly: "What's so difficult about that? If we speak well, will the ladies offer a reward?"
Yin Susu said, "The reward is one bite for each person!"
Xu Qingya looked at Yin Susu first: "The most suitable flower for Susu is the azalea. The azalea is also known as the rhododendron. When it blooms, it is bright and passionate, like a raging fire, just like a witch who dares to love and hate, passionate and unrestrained in her feelings."
Then, Xu Qingya looked at Cheng Lingsu: "Lingsu was originally a hermit in the mountains. She had both a desire to live in seclusion and a benevolent heart to help the world. She was gentle but unyielding in the cold. The flower that corresponds to Lingsu is obviously the chrysanthemum."
Next was Qin Nanqin: "Nanqin corresponds to pear blossoms, pure white and gentle, soft and humble. It is as gentle as water, warming people's hearts, yet it can bloom defiantly in the cold, possessing a unique and resilient spirit. Nanqin, is that suitable?"
Finally, looking at Hua Baifeng, he said, "As for Baifeng, Baifeng corresponds to the privet flower. The privet tree is sturdy and its virtuous heart does not wither in the cold of winter. I already know Baifeng's heart. In life after life, I must not betray the affection of this beautiful woman."
Xu Qingya proudly opened his arms and gently pointed to his cheek. Yin Susu, without any shyness, took the initiative to lean in and kissed him on the left. Qin Nanqin and Hua Baifeng followed suit. Cheng Lingsu was a little shy, but couldn't resist the urging of the crowd, so she also kissed him.
"Let's go admire the Boundless Jade Disc!"
Xu Qingya spurred his horse and rode straight towards Wuliang Mountain.
Wuliang Mountain is a magnificent scenic spot in Dali.
Every spring and summer, the mountains and fields are covered with bright red azaleas and white camellias, with towering peaks and the sound of rustling pines, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Xu Qingya and the others arrived a little later. Most of the azaleas had already withered, and the milky white camellias dotted the green pine trees, creating a unique charm. Even the rugged rocks were covered by flowers and green trees.
Only when you get close can you see the bizarrely shaped boulders and towering cliffs.
Some resemble tigers crouching in the jungle, glaring fiercely; others look like eagles raising their heads, staring intently into the distance. Among them is a huge footprint, said to have been left by a top master.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains. In addition to Buddhist scriptures, several sets of Buddhist martial arts were also introduced. The most famous of these was the Tathagata Palm, the number one palm technique of the Ten Directions Zen Forest and the ultimate skill of the Ancient Sword Soul that fought all over the world!
About 150 years ago, a master martial artist and a master skilled in the Tathagata Palm exchanged blows. They fought fiercely for three days and three nights, and during the battle they became close friends, discussing martial arts, exchanging Buddhist teachings, and revealing their true feelings.
Several years later, this top master created the "Heavenly Crippled Divine Skill" based on the essence of the Tathagata Palm and a fragment of a leg technique he found from somewhere. It was accompanied by the Heavenly Crippled Kick, which was known as the most destructive leg technique.
Legend has it that the footprints near Wuliang Mountain were left by this peerless master. Many people once lived in seclusion here to study his unique skills. Later, they discovered that these rumors came from the Wuliang Sword Sect, whose purpose was to get them to rent houses here and make a lot of money from the rent.
In view of this, the Wuliang Sword Sect's internal competition for the Wuliang Jade Wall was also considered a fabricated lie to inflate its own prestige. The so-called Wuliang Jade Wall was just a stone wall, and there was no immortal dancing with a sword.
The Wuliang Sword Sect's martial arts are quite exquisite in terms of moves, but their internal energy and sword techniques are crude and unsophisticated. Not to mention compared with the Central Plains sword sects, even in Dali, they are only second-rate sects. To put it bluntly, they should open up the Wuliang Jade Wall and vigorously develop the tourism industry!
It might attract a large number of tourists!
These past few days have coincided with the grand competition between the East and West branches of the Wuliang Sword Sect. All the disciples have gone to Sword Lake Palace to participate in the competition, leaving the defenses of the back mountain very weak.
When Xu Qingya and the others arrived at Wuliang Mountain, they found a group of people blocking the way at the foot of the mountain. The leaders were two female disciples dressed in black robes with the unique patterns of Lingjiu Palace embroidered on them. Xu Qingya had an idea and called Hua Baifeng over, asking her to deceive the disciples of Lingjiu Palace.
Hua Baifeng was naturally not afraid. She adopted an arrogant and haughty posture and walked over with her chest out and head held high.
The disciples of Lingjiu Palace were used to being arrogant and looked down on everyone. When they saw an outsider arrive, their first instinct was to have someone attack them. But when they saw Hua Baifeng's face clearly, they felt like they had seen a ghost and hurriedly tried to kneel down.
"Your subordinate pays respects—pays respects—"
"I am the direct disciple of the Child Granny!"
Hua Baifeng secretly transmitted her voice, revealing her remarkable internal strength, and the two disciples immediately knelt down.
Hua Baifeng was baffled, thinking to herself, "Are all the disciples of Lingjiu Palace fools? How can anyone believe such a lie?"
If anyone else had said those words, the disciples of the Spirit Palace would have rushed forward to fight to the death. But since Hua Baifeng said those words, they would never dare to doubt her based on her face alone.
Even Hua Baifeng didn't know that her appearance was 80-90% similar to that of Wu Xingyun, the Heavenly Child Granny, except that Wu Xingyun had white hair while Hua Baifeng had black hair.
These Lingjiu Palace disciples, who served as envoys, were all elites of the Lingjiu Palace. Having seen Tianshan Tonglao, they subconsciously believed Hua Baifeng after comparing the two women's appearances.
Hua Baifeng asked, "What are you doing? The Child Granny ordered you to collect the tribute, but you've come to participate in the martial arts battle. What, have you grown too big for your britches? The Child Granny's orders no longer apply!"
"Young Master, we would never dare!"
The two disciples kowtowed in terror, begging for mercy.
Hua Baifeng: Hehe!