AST 1131 – Reunited, Yan Zhongyue’s Tomb Is Empty?
“Of course it’s real. Could it be that you often have dreams like this? Didn’t you have your fill earlier?” Qing Shui smiled and said teasingly.
“You only know how to talk rubbish.” Mu Qing said happily and let go off Qing Shui, her face filled with a blissful smile as she called the Golden Eagle King over.
“Qing Shui, I want you to accompany me to take a look around this place.” Mu Qing grabbed one of Qing Shui’s arm and said blissfully.
“I can’t ask for anything better!”
After the Golden Eagle King got the Hallow Fruit and pearl from Qing Shui, it had gone through a reformation and strengthen up by a lot. When it spread out its wings, its size was close to 100 meters. Compared to earlier, the Golden Eagle King had truly become one of the top notch existences in the air.
“Mu Qing, if I were to ask you for something, would you bear to part with it?” Qing Shui sat on the back of the Golden Eagle King and asked Mu Qing, smiling.
“I’m yours now. Do you think that I’ll be able to bear to part with it?” Mu Qing looked at Qing Shui.
“I want one of your Treasure Hunting Pigs.” Qing Shui smiled and said.
“What’s so tough about that? But just one by itself is too lonely. I’ll give you half of them. I like these creatures as well. Otherwise, I’ll give them all to you.” Mu Qing said happily.
“Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony with my wife.” Qing Shui smiled and looked at Mu Qing who was in his arms.
Mu Qing smiled and called out one of her Treasure Hunting Pigs.
Treasure Hunting Pigs were treasure beasts and they were not very strong in combat. However, their bodies were tough as diamonds and their speed and endurance levels were very high. Their only unique trait was that they could look for treasures, thus the name Treasure Hunting Pigs.
Treasure beasts were covered in treasures all over. Take the Treasure Hunting Pig, for example, it had a golden-colored pearl in its body which had a tremendous worth. However, no one would kill a Treasure Hunting Pig to take away its golden-colored pearl since the greatest value of a Treasure Hunting Pig was its ability to search for treasures.
Earlier, Qing Shui had only mentioned this casually. He had planned on using a low grade Sacred Beast Pill to tame a Treasure Hunting Pig.
“Qing`er, how did you tame these Treasure Hunting Pigs?” Qing Shui was very puzzled.
“I didn’t have to. When I met them, it was very strange. They followed me after I just gave them some food…” When Mu Qing said this, she looked at Qing Shui in a daze.
Qing Shui was stunned as well. Taming beasts could be very strange. There may be times when they would follow you even if you don’t tame them. However, there would also be times where even if you defeated the beast, you might not be able to tame it successfully.
“You didn’t plant Spirit Marks in these creatures’ mind?” Qing Shui asked, astonished.
“I didn’t!”
Qing Shui once again felt that this lady was truly lucky. He had thought that Mu Qing might have some good ways to tame them. She had told him to tame a few more earlier. Now, it seemed like he would have to use a low grade Sacred Beast Pill to tame one. Moreover, he would only be able to tame one, so it’d be hard for it to not feel lonely.
He wondered what other people would think if they knew that he had used a low grade Sacred Beast Pill to tame a treasure beast with no battle prowess. Was it worth it?
Treasure Hunting Pigs hunted for treasures but places with treasure tended to contain danger as well. If the person had no power, having just a Treasure Hunting Pig would mean that he would probably die very soon.
On the back of the Golden Eagle King, Mu Qing let Qing Shui attempt to tame the Treasure Hunting Pig. The Treasure Hunting Pig was only about one foot in size and was covered in a golden color. The small creature was very docile but when Qing Shui wanted to try and reach out his hand to touch it, it bared its teeth towards him.
In the end, Qing Shui had no other methods and had to use a low grade Sacred Beast Pill to tame one. The low grade Sacred Beast Pills were good stuff, causing the Treasure Hunting Pig which was originally baring its teeth at Qing Shui to follow him with attachment…
Unknowingly, the sun had already set. When a couple who was in love were together, the time always seemed to be very short. Although Qing Shui and Mu Qing were already husband and wife, the time they had spent together was very short. However, they were going to part again very soon. This time around, Qing Shui planned to let her stay in Qing Clan longer.
When they returned to Qing Clan the next day, the family could finally be considered to have reunited. Everyone saw the lady Qing Shui brought back. One was also his wife, a lady whose beauty wouldn’t lose out to Canghai Mingyue and the others. When Mu Qing saw the other women, she was also astonished. All the pretty ladies had gathered around him.
When Qing Yi saw Mu Qing, she was very happy, holding her and talked to her with a smile. At the same time, she was amazed at her son’s judgment. Now, Qing Yi no longer found it strange to see her son being able to get himself so many wives whose beauties were unrivaled.
The ladies didn’t say anything and were very affectionate towards Mu Qing. It was only that they would appear to have a hint of blame when they looked at Qing Shui. This caused him to feel helpless. One’s feelings couldn’t be controlled.
Although the females were very accepting, it was impossible for them to not feel bad about this. However, since things had already arrived at this stage, they would still choose the most proper way to handle this situation, to treat her as family and as a close as sisters. There was no other way out since they all loved this man.
Qing Shui knew that very soon, someone would restrict him from getting involved with other women in the future, just like the past.
Qing Shui would very much like to a.s.sure them but he knew that it would be useless. There were some things which he would still go with his heart to make a decision. It was just like how he felt very happy now and they should be feeling the same. He would do his best to let them feel happy. Just like in the case of Mu Qing. She knew that Qing Shui was married in the first place but she still chose to step forward. It was because they all knew that for someone like Qing Shui, it would be abnormal for a person his age to not have a soulmate or wife.
Everyone then spent the time that followed on their cultivation. Qing Shui had quite a lot of formations and martial techniques now and also had more time and energy for cultivation. Therefore, he told them the easiest way to cultivate.
Qing Shui worked hard on his own cultivation as well. He still wanted to head for the other Four Continents and thus had never slacked in his training. Demonic Beast Armor Manifestation, Nine Continents Mountain, Nine Waves Great Golden Buddha Palm, Tidal Cloud Waves Seal, Lion King’s Imprint, Lion King’s Roar, Hidden Weapon Technique, Primordial Flame Dragon, Vajra Buddha Devil Rod, Seal of Xuantian, and many parts to the Nine Animals Mimicry Technique…
Qing Shui was very busy but felt very fulfilled. Most of the time, he would guide the kids and other members of Qing Clan. When he was in the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal, he would work hard by himself.
Happy times would always pa.s.s by very quickly. In the blink of an eye, over two months had pa.s.sed by. During the past two months, everyone went through a tremendous change, especially in terms of their understandings. Only by increasing their exposure and experience, would they be able to go through rapid progress in the future. He could not let them keep themselves cooped up in a cage. What Qing Shui wanted was for them to break through the cage that they had locked themselves in. It was just like how they wouldn’t dare to think of attaining Xiantian in the past, since to them, it was already an extreme limit.
They had progressed in a lot in many areas, including their formations and the Nine Palace Steps. For most of these things, he would let the stronger people familiarize with the techniques first and then they could slowly guide the rest. Qing Shui could no longer stay in Qing Clan for much longer.
The time when the Ancient Great Formation would be activated was getting closer. Qing Shui would probably be able to stay in Qing Clan for another week.
After coming out from the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal that morning, Qing Shui headed to his mother’s room. It was the late afternoon and the manor was quite quiet. There were people who were busy with their cultivation and the kids were out playing in the streets.
When Qing Shui entered his mother’s room, he saw that Qing Yi was seated next to the bed, holding up and looking at a beast parchment. From his angle, Qing Shui could tell that the drawing was of himself, his mother, and Qingqing. This was the family portrait they had drawn after Qingqing had returned.
When she saw Qing Shui, she put the painting aside and smiled, indicating for Qing Shui to sit next to her.
Qing Shui walked over and sat down, looking at Qing Yi. “What’s wrong, Mother? You have something on your mind?”
“Are you going to head out again?” Qing Yi asked calmly with a smile on her face. However, there was a bit of reluctance reflected in her gaze.
Hearing his mother’s words, Qing Shui didn’t feel good either. For the past few years, they had been apart more than they had been together. He had initially thought that after the matters with the Lion King’s Ridge was settled, he would be able to live the life he wanted and be relaxed. However, sometimes, things just won’t go as planned.
Di Chen was in the other Four Continents and he was worried about her. There was no way that he wouldn’t feel worried. Thus, he decided that if it couldn’t be helped, he would just go look for Di Chen and bring her back. Afterwards, he would stay in the Five Continents.
“Mother, we still have a lot of time before us. I have to bring Di Chen back.” Qing Shui smiled and looked at Qing Yi.
“Mmm, It’s worrying for her to be outside alone. Mother is just nagging a little. You can decide your things for yourself. A man must have great ambitions. Which capable man would keep on staying at home?” Qing Yi patted Qing Shui on his head, she seemed to have cheered up.
“Just wait a little longer. I’ll try to think of a way to let us all be together and have a lively life.” Qing Shui had been enjoying a life like this during this time.
“Qing Shui, if you have time, go take a look at Yan Clan. Qingqing said that his tomb is empty.” After some hesitation, Qing Yi said slowly.
Qing Shui was stunned. What Qing Yi said struck him like thunder. It was even more astonis.h.i.+ng than there being thunder in a clear sky.
“Qingqing was still young back then and would offer incense at his tomb every year. There was once when she went early and before she could offer incense, she heard sounds underground and hid out of fear. A few masked men dressed in black came up from the ground and said that there was no one in the coffin. Those people were grave robbers. ” Qing Yi looked at Qing Shui but still decided to finish the story.
Qing Shui looked at his mother’s hopeful gaze and something tugged at his heart. He no longer hated that guy. From the moment he heard that he was dead, he didn’t hate him anymore.
However, back then, he was in great agony. He knew that his mother still loved that man. If that man was dead, then his mother would always have a regret in her life.
Now, hearing that the tomb was empty, it was still considered good news. It would be best if that man was alive. Qing Shui held Qing Yi’s hand. He could sense that when his mother said what she had earlier, she felt a little agitated.
Therefore, Qing Shui had always hoped that that man was still alive. It wasn’t for anything else, but for his mother.
“I’ll head to Yan Jiang Country to take a look tomorrow. Don’t worry, as long as he is alive, even if I have to comb through the entire world, I’ll find him.” Qing Shui said seriously.
“Qing Shui, your matters are more important. It has been so many years and it wouldn’t be that easy to find him. Put this thing aside first. I’m only telling you this so that you can keep a lookout.” Qing Yi shook her head, as if it was not agreeable for Qing Shui to head to Yan Jiang Country.
“I’ll go ask Qingqing later to see how much she knows. If there’s no need for it now, I won’t go there. But if there is a need, I’ll go take a look. There’s enough time.” Qing Shui gave it some thought and said.
The mother and son had a chat and Qing Shui told his mother that he no longer hated that man. He knew that man must have been in great pain too.
AST 1132 – The Body May Be Dead, The Body May Live, Leaving, Going Forth
Qing Shui left first. He needed to have a talk with Qingqing to further understand the situation. The news he had received today was too abrupt. However, it was overall still some good news.
Qingqing and Duamu Lingshuang were watching a few children playing. The slightly older ones didn’t need to be watched over as they were all sensible enough. However, they still had to keep a close eye on those around Qing Yu and Qing Yun’s age. After all, they still weren’t that sensible and didn’t know of dangers.
He went up to them and greeted them with a smile. He then turned to Qingqing. “Big Sister, can you let Lingshuang watch over them for a moment first? I have something to discuss with you.”
After Qingqing informed Duanmu Lingshuang, she followed Qing Shui to a room.
“What is it?” Qingqing was clueless as to what Qing Shui wanted to ask her. Qing Shui’s expression seemed to be very relaxed earlier but now he seemed to be a little worked up and slightly more agitated.
Qing Shui only looked at Qingqing after they had taken a seat in the room. “I would like to know about Father. You mentioned that his grave was empty. Are you sure about that?” Qing Shui asked.
Qingqing was taken aback. Her countenance also greatly changed as she stared at Qing Shui. “It was never my intention to say this. It was a slip of the tongue that day. Mother must have thought of investigating this now that she sees that Qing Clan has gotten a little stronger.”
“Big Sister, just tell me all you know. I also wish that he’s still alive, even if it’s for the sake of Mother only.” Qing Shui looked at Qingqing.
“Do you still resent him?” Qingqing gave Qing Shui a worried look. She seemed to be a little afraid to find out if Qing Shui still resented him. Qing Shui reckoned that this reason must be the reason that she didn’t tell him about it. Otherwise, she would’ve told him this since long ago.
“I don’t. It must’ve been very difficult for him too.” Qing Shui answered with a smile.
A small smile appeared on Qingqing’s face too when she saw Qing Shui’s smile. “Back then, I was still very little. When I went to offer incense on the third day, I heard some grave robbers saying that the coffin was empty. That was just two days after the burial.”
“So Big Sister, are you sure if that grave is really empty?” Qing Shui was very concerned with this question.
“It was empty. I snuck in through the hole that the grave robbers left behind. I have now realized another possibility.” Qingqing told Qing Shui.
“And what would that be?”
“Father’s body was stolen by someone. There was a line of words left at the bottom of the coffin on the inside. I only thought of the possibility that Daddy may not be dead after I grew up.” Qingqing said while trying to recall her memories.
“What words?” Qing Shui couldn’t help but ask.
“The body may be dead, the body may live. Life leads to death yet death leads to life. Ambitions beyond the green clouds. Dragon soaring in the four seas. The four seas are blessed with peace and fortune is bestowed by the Dragon and Phoenix.” Qingqing slowly uttered every word on the bottom of the coffin from her memories.
Qing Shui was stunned. He didn’t even know if all these words were linked to each other. But he was able to vaguely make some sense of them. ‘The body may be dead, the body may live. Life leads to death yet death leads to life.’ This probably implied that he was still alive, but he was no longer the same person he was in the past. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have mentioned something like this.
“Could it be that someone knew him and rescued him, even though he had most likely lost his memories? There are many bizarre medicines in the Main Continent, such as those that can make someone amnesiac either temporarily or permanently.”
Qing Shui stood there, deep in his thoughts. The first part implied that he was still alive, but he no longer knew who he was. Otherwise, he should have returned to Yan Clan after all these years. Or could it be that he didn’t have the freedom to act out of his own volition?
“What does the next part mean?” Qing Shui pondered while thinking of the next part. He couldn’t hold himself back from asking Qingqing when he saw that she also had a frown on her face. “Big Sister, have you figured out the meaning behind these words?”
“The first part should be implying that Father isn’t dead yet. Otherwise, his body wouldn’t have been stolen. I have no idea what to say about the next part. It was also because of the first part that my tongue slipped, accidentally telling Mother that his grave was empty and that it was possible that Daddy wasn’t dead.” Qingqing’s graceful eyebrows were knitted together while she explained, as if she was in deep thought.
“I interpreted the first part in the same way that you did. But I wonder, why did someone steal Father away? Is there some sort of secret in there?” Qing Shui wondered, thinking just as hard as Qingqing.
Qing Shui knew that two heads were better than one. However, it was still better to keep knowledge of this matter to a minimal number of people. The most important thing right now was to make some sense out of these few phrases. Perhaps they would be able to pinpoint his whereabouts from this.
“Ambitions beyond the green clouds… If these ‘green clouds’ is a reference to the Greencloud Continent…!”
This idea suddenly popped up in Qing Shui’s mind. The Main Continent was too vast. Finding someone among the Five Continents was already a task that was easier said than done, let alone in the other Four Continents as well.
However, he couldn’t be bothered to think about all this now. He was thinking that if the ‘ambitions beyond the green clouds’ were indeed referring to the Greencloud Continent, then this covered not only one continent but even maybe the Five Continents……
“Dragon soaring the four seas, Dragon soaring the Four Continents… Could it be that this dragon refers to him?” Qing Shui recalled that his father’s strength was quite decent among the Yan Clan, although it was still not enough to be considered a prodigy at all……
Qing Shui couldn’t afford to worry over if he was correct or not. He had to arrange his thoughts first. ‘The four seas are blessed with peace’ was pretty self explanatory. For ‘fortune is bestowed by the Dragon and Phoenix’, he came up with a few interpretations. Two of the other continents among the other Four Continents were named after the Dragon and Phoenix – the Soaring Dragon Continent and the Dancing Phoenix Continent*.
Furthermore, ‘fortune is bestowed by the Dragon and Phoenix’ could be linked with ‘the four seas are blessed with peace’. This was used to describe a scene so Qing Shui didn’t think too hard about it. However, if ‘fortune is bestowed by the Dragon and Phoenix’ was referring to a man and woman, did that mean that the other Four Continents have to be as peaceful as suggested by the line, ‘the four seas are blessed with peace’……?*
Although Qing Shui didn’t know the full details, he knew that the other Four Continents were governed by both sects and a dynasty. Hence, he knew that things would definitely never be peaceful there. There was never peace in the world of cultivators to begin with……
The more Qing Shui tried to interpret these words, the more it didn’t make sense. If this was the case, then his father was most likely on the other continents. His status and position would most definitely be exceptional too…….
Qing Shui explained his thoughts to Qingqing. She nodded but also shook her head at his explanation. It seemed like she didn’t really get it.
“I’m leaving for the other Four Continents very soon. I have a portrait of him, so I will try to see if I can catch any winds on him over that side when that time comes.” Qing Shui said with a smile.
“You’re leaving?!” Qingqing exclaimed in shock. At least now, she finally knew why Qing Shui had made everyone in the clan tame a powerful demonic beast with those miraculous medicinal pills when he returned back then. He had even given them a powerful magical ring for protection.
“I can still stay home for another few days.” Qing Shui said with a smile.
“This can be considered your longest stay at home. I know that.” Qingqing said sadly with a smile.
“There’s still a very long time ahead of us. Wait till I am powerful enough to gather everyone together, then we shall live together merrily like we do here.”
“You should take care of yourself too. Big Sister knows that things haven’t been easy for you and everyone actually knows that too. We are just incapable of helping you. You are our pillar of support. With you around, everyone’s life is as blissful as in the Heavens.” Qingqing pinched Qing Shui’s nose and chuckled.
“I know. Rest a.s.sured. I’m not willing to die just yet, there’s wonderful life ahead waiting for me.”
“What are you talking about? Do not utter such ominous words.” Qingqing gave Qing Shui’s nose a harder pinch.
Next, Qing Shui informed that he was going to the other Four Continents to the people closest to him, though not everyone knew. After all, letting more people know about this wasn’t necessarily a good thing. As long as Qing Shui was in the Five Continents, no one would dare to do anything to Qing Clan. However, it would be a little difficult for him when he went to the other Four Continents.
Although he had taken all the preventive measures to ensure and that the strength of Qing Clan was definitely at the peak, he still tried his best to keep his departure to the other Four Continents as a secret.
Another few days pa.s.sed by in the blink of an eye. The Qing Clan were all seeing Qing Shui off in the courtyard. He was leaving. This had been postponed for long enough so Qing Shui didn’t only have to use the Nine Continents Steps, he also needed to fly every day for half a day in order to make it before the Ancient Gate Formation activates.
Qing Shui held both his sons and daughters in his arms and crouched down to speak with Qing Zun, Qing Yin and Qing Yan. Farewells were always sad. Even if one tried their best to hide their sadness, it could still clearly be felt.
“Cultivate hard. If I don’t return after five years, whoever wants to go over should just go over. I will be there to welcome you all.” Qing Shui gently reminded the few ladies again.
He had already discussed this with the few ladies before. Qing Shui had a hunch that he should be able to have some breakthroughs there in five years’ time. By then, it should be possible for him to survive there.
“Daddy!”
……….
When Qing Shui was about to leave, Qing Yu, Qing Yun and Qing Yan started crying while pulling on Qing Shui, unwilling to let him go. The rest were still alright. The children knew that Qing Shui was leaving, but they didn’t know where. Rather, the children felt like crying when they saw so many people sending Qing Shui off.
Qing Shui had to spend a long time coaxing them and wasn’t able to leave until half of the afternoon had pa.s.sed.On top of that, he had to sneak away. He actually preferred to leave without bidding farewell so that he didn’t have to go through a scene like that, but he knew that he shouldn’t be doing that.
Qing Shui and Yu Ruyan immediately used the Nine Continents Steps twice. The remaining two times were left unused in cases of an emergency. They planned to only use it again at the final few hours of the day. This had already become a habit. Qing Shui then summoned the Golden Scaled Dragon Elephant and flew in the direction of the Northern Sacred Lu Continent.
“Those little fellows are really fond of you.” Yu Ruyan looked at Qing Shui while smiling.
“By the time we have a home over there, do you want to have a child too?” Qing Shui chuckled while holding Yu Ruyan’s hand.
Yu Ruyan’s body quivered. She shook her head. “Let’s talk about this some other time, alright?”
Qing Shui knew that she still had a little knot in her heart. Listening to her tone that was rarely as soft as this, he pulled her into a gentle embrace. “I’ll listen to you. It’s been such a long time, is Ruyan still unsure of what kind of person I am? You are my wife. Although I am not a loyal man, I love all of you with the whole of my heart instead of dividing it between you all.”
“I know that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stayed together with you. Qing Shui, do you really not mind about me?” Yu Ruyan looked at him.
“I’ve said this before. I only have myself to blame for not meeting you sooner. There’s no room to mind about someone when it comes to love. If someone has to mind, then it should be you who mind about me.” After all, Qing Shui had the soul of a modern person. Just like Mingyue Gelou, a great woman like her would forever be a great woman and Qing Shui was willing to forget about her past. To be able to meet her was already a blessing from the heavens. He felt the same way too about Yu Ruyan.
……….
Though unfamiliar at first, they grew familiar with the route soon enough. Going to and forth, they had pretty much traveled along here twice. This time, their journey was even faster. Although they encountered some demonic beasts on their way, the demonic beasts were very easily killed in a flash by them.
The Realm of Violet Jade was still a secret so Qing Shui would still disappear six hours every day, usually after Yu Ruyan fell asleep. For a man and woman to journey together, the feelings between them gradually deepened. Qing Shui only now realized the gentleness of this woman over this period of time.