Following Ma Hong's assassination attempt, Yan Shouyi became even more cautious.
He sat in his seat, looking at his limp hands. Although they were slowly recovering, the overwhelming power Ma Hong had displayed earlier had left Yan Shouyi with some psychological trauma.
There were always greater masters and more formidable individuals. Yan Shouyi had already been shaken by Chu Liang and Zou Shazi last time, and he hadn't expected to encounter someone like Ma Hong today.
Master Guanyun spoke softly, "Ma Hong is a Grandmaster of Martial Arts, a top-tier figure. You are still young, so it's normal that you couldn't defeat him. Don't dwell on it."
Yan Shouyi nodded and replied, "Great Aunt, please don't worry. I won't be intimidated by this. I am still young."
"Yes, you are still young," Master Guanyun sighed. "Currently, both the Xuanmen and the martial arts worlds have their discourse controlled by people like us. But the future ultimately belongs to you young people."
Youth was capital for everything. Master Guanyun greatly admired Yan Shouyi's perspective.
"Great Aunt, in your eyes, what kind of person is my father?" Yan Shouyi suddenly asked.
Master Guanyun was startled, unsure why Yan Shouyi would ask such a question. She thought for a moment and replied:
"Your father was a very contradictory person."
"Why do you say that?"
"He liked to break rules, yet he also liked to abide by them. However, he broke the rules of others, rules he deemed incorrect, while he adhered to his own rules—his words, his actions, his promises. In short, he dared to challenge the rules that we dared not challenge, even natural laws, fate, or the Heavenly Dao."
"His uniqueness naturally provoked the annoyance of many who adhered strictly to convention. They weren't truly annoyed by your father, but rather because what they dared not do, your father did, which made them lose face. Therefore, they stood against your father not out of deep-seated hatred, but merely as a declaration. If they didn't, wouldn't they be admitting their own cowardice, admitting they were inferior to your father?"
"In fact, all of you Yan family members are the same. The rules of our Emei Mountain, established over a thousand years, were broken by your grandfather. It angered me and your grandmother's master so much that he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and lost all his cultivation. When your grandfather took my senior sister away, I truly hated him. But after so many years, I suddenly envy your grandmother. I've also thought about... alas, I shouldn't continue this."
Yan Shouyi looked at Master Guanyun incredulously, wondering if his Great Aunt was feeling amorous.
Did she also yearn for someone like Yan Baixiang to appear, take her away, break the rules, and leave Emei Mountain behind with all her responsibilities?
Of course, Yan Shouyi only dared to think these thoughts in his mind; he certainly wouldn't voice them.
Master Guanyun smiled again, "You are very much like your father, yet there are many differences. Although I have only met you recently, I can already be certain that your achievements in the future will surpass your father's, and you will forge a path entirely different from his."
Yan Shouyi said humbly, "I don't have the same grand ambitions as my father. I also promised my wife that after surviving this tribulation, I would return to Rongcheng and retire from the martial world."
"The tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease. Your thoughts are still too simple," Master Guanyun said. "Moreover, these past few years are enough time for many things to happen. You might not think this way by then."
Yan Shouyi replied, "I am still young."
Master Guanyun was taken aback, then chuckled, "You rascal..."
The young Daoist Zhu Feifeng drove his car into the restricted rear mountain of Longhu Mountain.
At some point, the surrounding scenery began to feel unreal. The peaks were above the clouds, white cranes soared in the blue sky, and occasional bird songs could be heard from the forests. In the distance, one could faintly see small Daoist temples nestled in the mountains, smoke rising from them, though it was unclear if it was cooking smoke or the scent of Daoists refining elixirs.
If one were to shoot a Xianxia movie, this would be the perfect location, requiring no special effects. With a long robe and a sword at the waist, simply standing there would feel like stepping into another world.
In this era, the fact that Longhu Mountain could retain its pristine appearance actually spoke to its power.
For example, the Lüshan Sect, though located within the core Fangs and Lanes of Rongcheng, had ultimately become worldly.
The car finally drove into the Heavenly Master's Mansion. In the mansion's plaza, buses were parked neatly, and young Daoists bustled about, receiving guests.
Tomorrow was the day the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony would begin, and today was the final deadline for guests. Those who were coming were mostly already on the mountain.
Zhu Feifeng led everyone out of the car and called over two senior brothers. After a brief exchange, the two senior brothers stepped forward and said respectfully,
"Sect Leader Guanyun, and esteemed fellow Daoists from the secular sects, we brothers will escort you to your accommodations."
Master Guanyun was a frequent visitor to Longhu Mountain and nodded calmly, while others curiously observed their surroundings.
This was everyone's first time at Longhu Mountain, witnessing the grandeur of the world's Daoist traditions.
Zhu Feifeng then approached Yan Shouyi and said, "Mr. Yan, allow me to escort you to the Heavenly Master's Hall."
"Thank you for the trouble."
Upon arriving at Longhu Mountain, he had to meet the eccentric Old Heavenly Master. Yan Shouyi asked Xiao Long and the others to wait for him at their lodgings, and then followed Zhu Feifeng inside.
Following behind the young Daoist, Yan Shouyi observed his surroundings. He had never been to the front mountain of Longhu Mountain, but he knew the scenery of the rear mountain should be even more beautiful. Moreover, these ancient buildings, weathered by time, all told the thousand-year story of Longhu Mountain. This kind of beauty hidden within the blemishes was something entirely incomparable to newly constructed buildings that were mere copies.
Along the way, Yan Shouyi saw many Daoists of Longhu Mountain. Their expressions were reserved, but their eyes held pride.
He also saw more guests who did not belong to Longhu Mountain. While visiting Longhu Mountain, they maintained the dignity of their own sects, but their eyes couldn't help but reveal envy.
Longhu Mountain, the pinnacle of Daoist traditions, was indeed enviable.
"Daoist Zhu," Yan Shouyi suddenly said.
Zhu Feifeng looked quite ashamed and quickly turned to bow, "Mr. Yan, please still call me Feifeng."
Yan Shouyi smiled, "You deserve the title of Daoist, but calling you Feifeng is also more intimate, so I'll call you Feifeng."
"That is excellent."
"Excuse me, have the people from the Lüshan Sect arrived at Longhu Mountain?"
Having not seen Lin Zitong in two months, Yan Shouyi missed her dearly and couldn't help but ask as soon as they arrived at Longhu Mountain.
Zhu Feifeng replied, "I apologize, I am only responsible for guiding. I am not yet aware if the Lüshan Sect has arrived, but after I escort you to the Heavenly Master's Hall, I can help inquire."
"Then I will trouble you."
After walking a few steps, Yan Shouyi quietly asked again, "Um, Feifeng, do you interact with the Old Heavenly Master often? What kind of person is he?"
Zhu Feifeng replied awkwardly, "I am merely an outer disciple. I can only see him from afar when the Old Heavenly Master lectures and discusses the Dao. Therefore, I do not know him very well."
"Is that so? Then do you have a tradition at Longhu Mountain of watching female streamers dance?"
"What?"
"Cough, cough, it's nothing."
As they spoke, the two had already left the plaza and entered the depths of the Heavenly Master's Mansion.
From a distance, Yan Shouyi could already see the magnificent Heavenly Master's Hall.
However, they were not entering through the main entrance. This was because the front hall of the Heavenly Master's Hall was where the disciples of Longhu Mountain primarily engaged in morning and evening scriptures, martial arts practice, and rituals for prayer and warding off evil. The rear hall was where the Heavenly Master dined and resided.
Therefore, Yan Shouyi merely glanced inside from the outside and followed Zhu Feifeng around.
As they passed through a small alley, the two noticed a young Daoist with long hair, dressed similarly to Zhu Feifeng, holding a broom and looking down.
Fallen leaves from a Taxus tree behind the wall had formed a thin layer. The young Daoist held the broom, seeming reluctant to disturb the perfection of this leaf layer.
As Zhu Feifeng approached, he whispered, "Why aren't you sweeping the leaves quickly? If the Great Elder passes by, he might scold you."
The young Daoist raised his head, first looking at Zhu Feifeng, then carefully examining Yan Shouyi.
"I'll sweep after you have passed," the young Daoist replied.
Zhu Feifeng gave the young Daoist a strange look, then led Yan Shouyi further inside.
For some reason, Yan Shouyi felt that this young Daoist with long hair exuded an aura that was very similar to his own.
But as they walked away, Yan Shouyi could only set aside his strange feeling, as he had already reached the back door of the Heavenly Master's Hall. Passing through this door, he might finally meet the Old Heavenly Master.
"Mr. Yan, please go in yourself. I will go and inquire about the Lüshan Sect's news for you," Zhu Feifeng said.
Yan Shouyi looked surprised, "Do you not need to go in and announce me?"
"No need. When we walked through that alley, the Old Heavenly Master already knew we had arrived."
"If that's the case, then the Old Heavenly Master, despite his age, has excellent hearing? Then the matter of the female streamers I mentioned..."
Halfway through his sentence, Yan Shouyi quickly shut his mouth. If the Old Heavenly Master truly had extremely keen hearing, then he would have heard the entire conversation between him and Zhu Feifeng at this very moment.
After thanking Zhu Feifeng, Yan Shouyi tidied his attire and demeanor, then strode up the steps and entered the rear hall of the Heavenly Master.
As soon as he entered the hall, the door behind him suddenly closed. Yan Shouyi was startled but quickly calmed himself.
He still held leverage over the Old Heavenly Master who liked female streamers. If the Old Heavenly Master intended to kill him, he would use this as a threat. The Old Heavenly Master, being so advanced in age, surely wouldn't want his reputation tarnished in his twilight years...
As Yan Shouyi was lost in his thoughts, candlelight suddenly illuminated the hall. On the Heavenly Master's chair in front, an old man sat with his back to Yan Shouyi.
Judging by his silhouette, it didn't seem to be Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, whom he had met on the mountainside.
Who could it be, daring to sit on the Heavenly Master's chair?!
Was he not afraid of angering the Old Heavenly Master?
Then, the old man on the Heavenly Master's chair suddenly let out a strange laugh:
"Heh heh, you punk, did you miss your grandpa?"