The sun was setting in the west, gradually sinking into the ground from the western horizon, and the little red light shining on the willow trees gradually extinguished.
Ji Ping'an watched Qi Hongmian leave.
Little did he know that at this moment, Wei Huayang witnessed the same scene in the same state.
He was just a little melancholy and lost.
"Oh, after living for a thousand years, I still feel uncomfortable because of a short separation." Ji Ping'an laughed at himself:
"There is really no progress."
He shook his head and threw away those distracting thoughts about men and women... Compared to ordinary people, practitioners have a longer lifespan, and it is not difficult to find them across distances.
So I don't feel so sad about "parting". Anyway, the Beast Control Sect is not far from Yuhang.
Unlike ordinary people, in this era of slow traffic, breaking up is the last look... This is why so many poems in Ji Ping'an's memory have the theme of "homesickness".
"There are still things to worry about next."
Ji Ping'an sighed, his expression became serious, and he mentally planned the "meeting" in the evening.
…
after dinner.
Ji Ping'an, Yu Yu, Huang He and Mu Yaoyao entered his room, sat around the table, and started a discussion about the next plan.
"Tsk." When the candles on the table lit up, illuminating the four faces, Yu Yu, who was holding his arms, was the first to attack. He slapped his little hands on the table hard, his little face tensed:
"How many things are you hiding from us? Why did you provoke Qi Hongmian?"
They didn't know the specific details yet, but they only remembered that in the morning, Ji Pingan took Zhao Yuanyang and muttered, and then the little girl took the order and left.
Then there was the story of how Qi Hongmian came to Pei Mansion and left again.
The old god Ji Ping'an was here, and he had already prepared an explanation for this.
In the version of the story he gave, it was during his visit to the Pei family that he noticed that there was doubt about the identity of the girl "Mochou", so he looked for an opportunity to meet her alone.
The other party paid for some information in exchange for his help in setting up a bridge and helping him return to the sect.
Then, he selected some information that could be made public and shared it.
After hearing this, Yu Yu was still a little unhappy and said:
"You should discuss such a big matter with us, or contact my master or something."
She felt a little pity that such a previous Master was let go just like that... You Qintian Prison can't keep him, but our Taoist sect can.
Ji Ping'an ignored her and said, "This is a matter for our Qin Tian Jian."
Yu Yu choked for a moment, his face turned white and red, and he was speechless. Then he suddenly realized:
The four of them are not a whole. As a Taoist, I really have no position to criticize others.
It's just that everyone has been hanging out together for a long time, so she gradually ignored the boundaries and couldn't help but said weakly:
"Then...I'm thinking about you too. It's a pity."
Ji Ping'an shook his head and said:
"It's no pity. Even if I don't stay, they can still find a way to get the sect back. Instead, it's better to earn a favor and get it back. You can't just detain the person and arrest her, right? And she is Xu Yuanyun."
Huang He and Mu Yaoyao blinked at the same time, and immediately recalled the scene when a group of people in Muyuan gathered together and listened to Xu Xiurong's narration of "The Legend of Yuan Yun".
Expressions become connotative.
Yes, given the relationship between the Master and the Imperial Master... helping her would do more good than harm to Qin Tianjian.
"..." Ji Ping'an pretended to be indifferent and said:
"Besides, the risk is actually not that big. The power of the Beast Control Sect comes from the 'pet beast', but there is only one 'Fire Phoenix'... so the Beast Control Sect cannot produce more divine treasures all at once. Or Guan Tian, Xu Yuanyun can contract a well-level pet beast at most after she returns, but this will have to wait until her cultivation level improves."
Yu Yu thought for a while and felt that this was the truth, so he remained silent.
Huh... Ji Pingan breathed out silently and said seriously:
"We have a meeting tonight to discuss the next course of action. You already know the situation. Nowadays, the secret of the 'Reborn One' is almost open to the public in all major sects. At least the core disciples already know it, such as the Pei family. The wealthy families also understand it more or less.
Including our Qintian Prison and your Taoist sect, various sects have begun to send teams towards Lanzhou... All of this is releasing a clear signal. With the entry of major forces, we will try to be sneaky and pass the investigation The difficulty of finding the reborn is increasing..."
"In other words, it's okay in other state capitals, but it will be more difficult in Yuhang City. Overly obvious things like the Four Holy Sects spreading their faith, distributing practice techniques, and killing people with curses will disappear or become more hidden.
But at the same time, those reborn people will become more and more anxious. They will also rush to improve their strength as much as possible before the major forces enter the market. "
Yu Yu's head was as big as a bucket after hearing this, and he said:
"So? Are we not going to continue investigating and collecting intelligence?"
Ji Pingan said:
"We still need to investigate, but our purpose and methods need to change. First of all, judging from the existing information, the reborn people don't know the secret of 'The Return of the Stars', but the Four Saints may have more information, so If you want to investigate the secrets of the starry sky, searching for the Four Holy Cults is a long-term mission."
The three of them nodded like chickens pecking at rice, agreeing with this judgment.
Ji Pingan said:
"Second. From intelligence analysis, Kyushu may face some changes in the near future. These reborn people are striving to regain their strength. We must also act urgently. Strengthening our own cultivation is one aspect, but at the same time, we may win over allies and weaken enemies. More effective.”
He sighed deeply:
"Back then, I was as strong as Zhenren Liyang, but he was also surrounded by enemies and died of exhaustion on the boundary mountain. This is the limitation of personal power. Unless someone can break the divine treasure and become the legendary 'Red Dust Immortal', otherwise, it is necessary to win over allies , this is also the reason why the former Imperial Master and the first generation of God Emperor were able to successfully rule the world."
Huang He suddenly said:
"Young master, what you want is to win over the reborn people who are relatively friendly to us, like Master Xu Yuanyun, to help them regain their strength. At the same time, continue to look for the reborn people like the Four Saints who are hostile to us, and take advantage of their weakness to Eradicate it... In this way, when changes occur in the future, our ability to resist risks will be stronger?"
Mu Yaoyao held her chin: "So awesome!"
Ji Ping'an nodded in approval: "That's what it means."
What he didn't say was that this goal also had another purpose, which was to [collect star fragments].
Whether it is considering its possible uses in the future, or it can help him practice faster, and continuously strengthen his connection with some kind of power in the dark.
Collecting more fragments is an important goal for him personally.
Yu Yu thought for a while and said:
"So in the final analysis, we still have to look for the reborn, but the ones in Yuhang City will be hidden deeper, so we need to expand the scope of the investigation and pay more attention to surrounding counties, villages, and even Lanzhou as a whole?"
Her little nose wrinkled, and she said a little unhappy:
"It feels so difficult."
Anyway, the intelligence you collect is always second-hand, what's the difference... Ji Ping'an complained in his heart, everyone briefly discussed the details, and the three of them left.
When there was no one else in the room, Ji Ping'an finished his practice exercises cross-legged, then took off his clothes and went to bed.
Then he touched his empty side and suddenly sighed softly.
…
…
The next morning.
Ji Ping'an got up full of energy. After the four of them had eaten, the other three were released to collect information. Ji Ping'an opened the "Yijingzhai" shop and began to sit in the hall and perform divination for others.
After yesterday's arrangements, the number of people coming to join in the fun has been greatly reduced, but there are still some.
Ji Ping'an was in a good mood and divined for him one by one, but unfortunately there was no valuable information.
——It’s normal. Although the feng shui of the place chosen is excellent, it’s not so easy to hit the clues.
After sending away the last guest, Ji Pingan sat leisurely behind the sandalwood table, preparing to close his eyes and meditate.
But at this moment, a dog barked from the entrance of the alley.
He raised his eyes and through the green willow branches hanging from the old willow tree, he saw an old man wearing simple clothes, with white beard and hair, and a kind appearance, walking slowly in with his hands behind his back.
This is an old man who is at least seventy years old. In this era, he is considered to have lived a long life. Especially, he has a strong body and bones, which is even more rare.
He doesn't look like a member of the lower class, but more like a character who can only be raised by a rich scholarly family.
Ji Ping'an's expression suddenly became a little strange, but he soon returned to his original state and smiled:
"Old man, do you read fortune telling or do you look at Feng Shui?"
Qin Tianjian was looking at this remote shop with interest, his hands behind his back.
His eyes swept over the table covered with yellow silk and the placed hexagram books, fortune sticks, copper coins and other items in the shop with a clear view, as if he were seeing the hexagram hall for the first time.
It wasn't until he heard the call that his eyes fell on the young "Gua Master" wearing Taoist robes.
His eyes stayed on his seemingly ordinary face for a moment, and the corners of his mouth raised a narrow arc, pretending to be surprised:
"The price of this divination, young gentleman, is not cheap."
The purpose of his coming today was to see with his own eyes the "closed disciple" of the Imperial Master in Li Guofengxin, the "little guy" who led the Qintian Prison to win this year's Grand Prize in the City of Gods.
However, Jian Zheng is also very playful.
He came in disguise and also changed his appearance to prevent the other party from recognizing him in the portrait.
Ji Pingan smiled and said:
"It's natural that it's expensive. If you start a small business, you can't bully others."
The supervisor was stroking his beard, as if he thought it made sense. He crossed the threshold with shaky steps, sat down on a chair, and said with a smile:
"I also live nearby, three streets away. I heard that there is a fortune teller here. He is young but has extraordinary skills. I came here to have a look."
Ji Pingan said "Oh" and said:
"They are all rumors from the neighbors, but they are not very accurate. How profound is destiny, who dares to claim to have seen it through? If destiny is a stream, we practitioners are just a fish that accidentally jumps out of the water in the stream, and we can briefly glimpse the future. There's just a little flow of water."
Qin Tianjian originally said it casually, but he didn't expect to hear such words. His eyes lit up, he chewed his beard for a moment, and praised:
"Destiny is like a river, and people are like fish. It's a wonderful metaphor."
The author of the online article stopped writing the setting many years ago, and you still think it's wonderful... Ji Ping'an smiled, looking like a master.
Jian Zheng sighed:
"No wonder Mr. Pei can be the guest of honor. From this point of view, the old man has come to the right place."
Ji Ping'an smiled and picked up a few copper coins:
"What do you want me to divine?"
The old eunuch with a white beard smiled and waved his hand:
"No need for this, just show me your face."
As he spoke, he shook his robe, held a ten-tael silver ingot in his thin hand, and said with a smile:
"If you, young gentleman, are right, money will not be a problem."
No...what's this strong sense of déjà vu...or are you all here to cause trouble...Pei Qiuwei also asked me to read my face, and you guys are doing the same thing...Ji Ping'an silent.
Qin Tianjian was smiling and looking narrow.
As a star official in the Sky Observation Realm, divination is his specialty. He is confident that even if a powerful person from Shenzang came to divination him, he would not be able to see through the truth. Not to mention a little guy...
It's so casual, not only because I want to take the exam, but more importantly, I still think it's fun to tease the juniors.
He could even foresee that the little guy in front of him would turn pale with fear after failing to take advantage of the "false fate" he deliberately weaved.
When the time comes, I will reveal my identity and laugh, so that I can teach him the difference in rank and what a real "star officer" is.
By then, this junior genius will definitely have a deep respect for him, first he will be shocked, and then he will worship him...
Ji Ping looked at the eldest disciple in front of him quietly, having a clear understanding of his inner thoughts.
After all these years... you are still like this... Ji Ping'an sighed in his heart and looked at the other party seriously.
He immediately closed his eyes and pretended to use astrology to deduce.
After a moment, he opened his eyes, his expression was as usual, and he said with a smile:
"My father-in-law was born in poverty when he was young. Later he met a noble man. In his middle age, he was blessed with an official status. He never married and had no children. His family is in the capital of the gods. In his later years, he has no fixed place and wanders around. He has the starlight of cultivation... If I expected it to be true... , should be a prisoner, right or wrong?"
Outside the shop, the sun is shining.
A gust of wind blew the green willows, cicadas chirped, and the noise of children playing in the distance was clearly audible.
But inside the quiet room, it was as quiet as a pin drop.
The smile on Qin Tianjian's face suddenly froze, and he looked steadily at the young man in front of him. He suddenly realized that he might have misjudged something.
…
…
It's three streets away from Laoliu Street.
Several horses passed through the crowd at an unhurried pace, but everyone along the way gave way early, as if plowing through the flow of people.
At the head of a pure black horse without any mottled colors, sat a beautiful woman wearing a military officer's official robe, a black veil on her head, and a black cloak.
One of his hands was holding the reins, and the other hand was habitually pressing the handle of the black gold sword at his waist.
"Secretary Chief, the one ahead is Laoliu Street. He is just a divination master. Is it too grand for you to come and see me in person?"
On the horse behind him, the tall and thin official couldn't help but say.
The short, fat official next to him also agreed:
"As long as you throw a summons, are you afraid that he won't come?"
Ye Hongling's face was expressionless, she didn't look back, and her tone was cold:
"If you have this attitude, you can wait outside the alley later, and I, the chief, will go and invite people in person."
Several demon slayers suddenly laughed:
"Whatever you said, how dare we..."
"Shut up if you don't dare!" Ye Hongling's cold and majestic voice penetrated everyone's eardrums.
Stopping the horse, he turned over, threw the reins back, and walked towards Laoliu Street.
…
Correct typos first and then correct them. Keep them to a minimum. I will try to correct them tomorrow...
(End of chapter)
