books44 Chapter 1129: Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety are difficult to achieve
Chapter 1129: Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety are difficult to achieve
The setting sun casts its last rays on the desolate landscape, the wind howls mournfully through the sea of trees, the ancient city, its thousand-year history a testament to the vicissitudes of time and the turmoil of love and hate that surge like clouds and waves!
Ji Qingli was drunk, right there on the ancient city of Luowu.
Looking at the sea of trees and the maple forest, Ji Qingli herself didn't know why she was intoxicated.
Was it because of love? Love is over. Was it because of hatred? Hatred is gone. Was it because of myself? I don't know!
"I once had lofty ambitions, but I failed to live up to the times and the beauty of my beloved, haha..."
Ji Qingli tilted her head back and drank deeply. Under the setting sun, her long hair fluttered, her clothes stood in the cold wind, the wine filled her with sorrow, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Alas, half a lifetime of love and hate, I've seen through people's hearts, I've betrayed my beloved, yet I'm still not weary of the martial world!"
Young Master Ji Xuanyan gracefully landed on the city wall.
Ji Qingli was clearly stunned for a moment, then placed her hands on the city wall, feeling the vitality of spring in the evening breeze.
"Senior, shouldn't you be with the young master?"
"Hmph... It seems your heart has truly broken free from love, young master. Alas, from Jianying to Luowu, from mutual killing to mutual respect, Qingli, you have truly grown. Since ancient times, love has destroyed the human heart, and those who can overcome it have also refined their hearts!"
"Senior, and you? It seems you're also mentioned in that absurd pamphlet in Sword Welcome City, right?"
"Since it's known to be absurd, it's obviously nonsense!"
Ji Qingli shook his head and took a sip from the pot.
"Love arises from the smallest ripple, and develops into gentle waves. Senior, worldly romances and the storms of the martial world are both hidden unintentionally and formed without our awareness!"
Ji Xuanyan didn't care. Her feelings and love were not her own; her love was already trapped in Yinyan Residence.
"The Holy Envoy's soul is almost at Luowu, or perhaps it has already arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Qingli was startled and turned to look at Ji Xuanyan in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Ji Xuanyan's expression was serious, and she didn't seem to be joking.
"I do not know how?"
"The reason is simple: the Holy Envoy's arrival has nothing to do with you!"
Ji Qingli frowned in deep thought. The Ji family's Xingfa Ling had already moved into Yanquan and were under his control. Ling Shuang Valley's actions in Yanquan couldn't possibly be without his approval!
Ji Xuanyan smiled slightly and whispered:
"Have you discovered that there are far too many things about Ling Shuang Valley that you don't know? Ji Qingyang has also appeared in Yan Quan!"
Ji Qingli slowly sipped his wine, still unable to figure out what Ji Xuanyan was up to.
"The Holy Envoy's soul was dispatched from the Ji family's imperial city in the Central Continent. The family head should know, right? Didn't my second brother react at all?"
Ji Xuanyan turned to look at Ji Qingli, her expression somewhat serious!
"Twenty years have passed, and you've been intoxicated by wine, by love and hatred. You need to re-examine the Ji family and the martial world. Holding heavy troops and conquering the world, you should think about what you're after."
Ji Qingli felt that she was not drunk, but the more she listened to Ji Xuanyan, the more confused she became.
"I have received the order. All matters concerning Yanquan are to be handled by you, senior. Now that I am in charge of the Ji family's Star-Breaking Feather, I will naturally prioritize the interests of the Ji family and will certainly ensure that orders are obeyed without question. You can rest assured, senior!"
"Are my orders and actions always correct? In other words, are the instructions from Ling Shuang Valley always correct? Warfare is about advantage, danger, and deception. Once a mistake is made, it will lead to bloodshed and devastation!"
Ji Qingli shook his head; he truly felt drunk at that moment.
"Senior, please speak frankly. This wine from Luowu is truly intoxicating!"
"Xing Fa Ling is the sword of the Ji family, not the sword of Ling Shuang Valley. Go! In the first half of your life, you couldn't see through the mortal world. In the second half of your life, you still can't see through the martial world, and you certainly can't fail to see through the Ji family!"
Ji Qingli is really confused!
"Qingli, let's go!"
When Ji Jingtao arrived, he did not go forward, but bowed deeply from a distance!
"I've met senior!"
"Master, why are you here?"
Ji Qingli staggered toward Ji Jingtao; he was truly drunk!
Ji Xuanyan watched the two figures disappear into the distance, shook her head, and sighed softly:
"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to repay deep kindness and to balance loyalty and filial piety. Alas, what a pity! If you could break free from the shackles of your heart, you might truly be a sharp sword in the young master's hand!"
Ji Xuanyan did not leave; she actually placed two cups of tea on the city wall, as if she were waiting for someone.
As the last rays of the setting sun faded and twilight descended upon the ancient city of Luowu, five women slowly emerged from the maple forest outside the city.
The person in the lead had a light veil covering their face, their hair piled high, thin eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, and a frosty look in their eyes. They wore a light blue gauze dress that danced lightly in the wind.
"Ji Xuanyan, the mistress of Yongqing Prefecture, greets Lan Yishu!"
Although Ji Xuanyan spoke politely, she did not move.
"Do we really need to be so distant? You shouldn't have asked me to meet you!"
The woman in blue contradicted herself.
"Your Highness Xuan is new to the martial world and does not know its limits. Her actions are somewhat arrogant. I urge Lan Yishu to restrain her to avoid bringing trouble upon herself!"
"Hmph, we are both subjects, and Your Highness is the ruler. What talk of restraint? Princess Xuan is acting on the Empress's orders to roam the martial world. It is only right that we protect her!"
Ji Xuanyan's eyes were filled with a smile.
"This is not your duty in Yongqing Prefecture. I advise you to keep an eye on your apprentices, or at least stop trying to harm mine!"
A cup of tea flew down, and the four women behind the woman in blue gauze drew their swords to meet it. The four swords struck out simultaneously, just in time to catch the cup of tea.
The aroma of tea wafts through the air, and wisps of steam rise gently!
"Yunshuiyao's Qingmingzi, ah, it's been so many years since I've had it. Your disciple, bearing the dual lineage of the royal family and its innate talent, should naturally prioritize the interests of the royal family. This cup of tea is my toast to the young master!"
With a flick of her hand, the woman in blue gauze sent the teacup back the way it came.
Ji Xuanyan unleashed a hidden burst of energy to meet the attack.
"Young master enjoys wine, I advise you to buy a good one!"
Outside the ancient city wall of Luowu, amidst two beams of dark yellow light, a cup of clear tea remained suspended, untouched.
"Intoxication cloud the mind, while the aroma of tea awakens the spirit. It's time for the young master to change. As his subordinates, we should give him more choices!"
The woman in blue gauze emitted a beam of light from her other hand and pushed it towards the teacup.
"The choice we made should be for Her Highness Xuan, not for the Young Master. The Young Master's choice comes from the Thirteen Feathers of the Ji Family, not from the Ji Royal Family!"
Ji Xuanyan used her true energy to keep the teacup suspended in place, neither retreating nor advancing!
"Now that Young Master and Princess Xuan have entered the martial world together, there is no longer a distinction between the Thirteen Feathers of the Ji Family and the Ji Royal Family. We will face the world of martial arts together. As for the affairs of the Ji Family, it is not something you or I can say. Young Master and Princess Xuan will handle the balance themselves!"
"Young Master and Princess Xuan are both young and their minds are not yet mature. As their master, it is our duty to lend a helping hand and show them the way forward!"
"Ignorance is bliss. What this world needs is not scheming and fighting, but courage and killing. Whether it is the world of martial arts or the Ji family, they all belong to them. You and I are both old!"
The teacup shattered, water splashed everywhere, and it was still warm.
Ji Xuanyan frowned deeply and shook her head.
"Alas, take care of yourself. Too much wisdom leads to breakage, too much strength to crumble. This applies to people, and it also applies to the martial world!"
"Rumors circulate that there is a powerful formation outside the ancient city of Luowu, and it seems that these rumors are true!"
"Yan girl, who is this? The Ji family is truly full of hidden talents!"
Above the ancient city of Luowu, a faint light flashed, and the Lord of Luowu, sitting in a rattan chair, appeared out of thin air.
Ji Xuanyan was slightly taken aback. The Lord of Luowu had obviously just arrived, so how could Lan Yishu know about it before her? That shouldn't be the case!
"Junior Ji Xuanyan greets Granny Sheng!"
"I am the lord of Luowu. Since the Ji family has been disrespectful first, Luowu Ancient City will not be polite!"
As soon as the Lord of Luowu finished speaking, many people flew out from the ancient city of Luowu and instantly surrounded the five women in blue gauze.
Ji Xuanyan was somewhat confused, so she chose to wait and see.
"Hmph, Lord of Luowu, we both know very well who was rude first. The Ji family has someone willing to protect the ancient city of Luowu, which you should cherish. Do you really think that a small Wanfeng Forest Mountain and Water Dragon Trapping Formation can withstand the Ji family's military might? You couldn't even kill two young people, and you still don't know how to reflect on your actions? You've lived for a thousand years in vain!"
Ji Xuanyan and the Lord of Luowu both changed their expressions in shock!
The Lord of Luowu's killing intent intensified. She had been searching for someone who had investigated the formation of the Ten Thousand Maple Forest, but she never expected that this person would actually crack the secret of the Ten Thousand Maple Forest in just a few days.
Lord Luowu, fearing that the true secret of the Ten Thousand Maple Forest formation would be revealed, let out a cold snort:
"Kill her!"
"Senior, no!"
"Senior, no!"
Outside the ancient city of Luowu, two people simultaneously spoke up to stop them!