Tobacco and alcohol were inseparable, men and women were inseparable, and naturally, weapons and arrows were inseparable. Holding the heavy Talisman Arrows, Ning Que beamed with joy. Sixth Brother walked out of the iron-forging room with a long cloth bag. He opened the bag and revealed three podaos inside.
These were the three swords that Ning Que had sent to the Back Mountain a few days ago. After being hammered and tempered by Sixth Brother, the blades looked more slender than before, and the long black hilts looked more solid. The slightly dark surface reflected the morning light, and occasionally a few simple and clear Talisman lines could be seen. They looked a little delicate, but also full of endless murderous aura.
Second Brother said, "The West-Hill Divine Palace has issued an edict. There should be a lot of young masters from various countries going to the Wilderness this time. I think the Judicial Department will also send people there. Maybe you will meet Long Qing again in the North of Yan Kingdom."
Hearing Long Qing's name, Ning Que's scalp tightened involuntarily. He subconsciously had a strong thought of disappearing. He had defeated Prince Long Qing once in climbing the mountain, but the real gap between their cultivation states was too big. If Prince Long Qing bore a grudge against the two previous humiliations, he would probably suffer a lot in the hands of Prince Long Qing.
"I won't see you off tomorrow. I just want to remind you."
Second Brother continued, "You will be leading the students of the Academy to the Wilderness this time, representing the Senior Brothers and Sisters of the Second floor. You will be carrying the banner of the Headmaster. So no matter what happens, you cannot disgrace the Academy. The Revelation Institute of West-Hill, the Sword Garret of South Jin Kingdom, and the White Tower Temple of Yuelun. The disciples of the Academy have had a lot of contact with these guys in the past. They have never lost in chess or musical performances. You cannot lose either."
"Why are we not allowed to lose?"
"Not bad."
"What if I can't beat him?"
"I can't lose face even if I can't win."
Ning Que scratched his head and asked in confusion and distress, "Second Brother, how can I not lose face if I can't beat him?"
Second Brother raised his eyebrows slightly and reprimanded unhappily, "If you can't win, you have to find a way to win. If you really can't win, you can't admit defeat. You have to find a way to escape. After cultivating for a few years, you can go back and fight with your opponent again. Do you think you can never win?"
…
…
Because of His Majesty's suggestion, the Academy's students would be practicing in the Wilderness of the North of Yan Kingdom this year, and the departure time was tomorrow. When Ning Que walked out of the thick fog at the back of the mountain of the Academy, the serious voices of instructors were echoing in the study rooms around the stone ground. Outside the warehouse, there were stewards carrying out the things needed for the journey, and the stewards of the Military Ministry were counting the number of weapons.
Walking out of the stone gate of the Academy, he saw dozens of horses scattered on the green meadow under the morning light. These horses from the horse farm in the west of the city were calmly grazing with their heads lowered. Occasionally, they would bump into the flowers in the depths of the meadow and knock down the autumn petals.
Ning Que looked at the warhorses that were about to embark on their journey and smiled. He apologized to the coachman, Old Duan, who had been waiting outside the courtyard for a whole night, and was ready to board the carriage to return to the city.
At this moment, he suddenly thought of a problem. He frowned and jumped off the carriage. He walked back to the Academy's warehouse and borrowed a sturdy leather bag. He picked up dozens of heavy stones and stuffed them into the bag. After weighing the stones in his hand, he felt that the weight of the stones in the bag was about the same. He walked to the edge of the meadow, held the fence with his hand, and whistled to the depths of the meadow.
The whistle was not very loud, but it alerted the warhorses that were grazing on the meadow and raised their heads. One of the strongest big yellow horses shook its head and pushed its companions away, galloping happily towards Ning Que.
He touched the big yellow horse and tied the leather bag to the buckle next to the saddle through the fence.
The leather bag was stuffed with stones. It looked inconspicuous, but was actually very heavy. The big yellow horse bent its forelegs slightly and then quickly stood up straight. However, the balance of its strong body seemed to be a little problematic, and it panted a little faster.
Ning Que untied the leather bag and looked at the big yellow horse, shaking his head. He thought that the iron bow, 13 arrows and three knives were already too heavy. Adding his own weight, even if these ordinary warhorses could bear it, they could not bear it for too long, especially in the Wilderness. Once they started a chase, they could not maintain it for too long.
Having been a soldier at the frontier fortress of the City of Wei for a long time, he knew better than any other student of the Academy how important it was to ride in the Wilderness. Now that he had entered the world of cultivation, he was even more clear that as long as one was not a Grand Cultivator in the Knowing Destiny State, he still needed to rely on horses to maintain sufficient speed.
After thinking for a while, a scene from last year suddenly appeared in his mind. He poured out the stones in the leather bag, jumped into the meadow, and found the steward of the Military Ministry's horse farm. He took out the waist token of the Imperial Center Administration and whispered something to him.
After returning to Chang 'an, he did not return to Lin 47th Street immediately. Instead, he went to the Southern Gate Taoist Temple at the foot of the Imperial City. As a disciple, he had to report to his master that he was going to travel far, and maybe his master would give him some gifts.
Master Yan Se knew that Ning Que was going to the Wilderness earlier than himself. After thinking about it these days, he felt that His Majesty's arrangement was always good for his disciple, so he gradually calmed down his annoyance.
Unlike Second Brother, he did not tell Ning Que not to disgrace the prestige of the Academy. Instead, he said seriously, "The barbarians on the grassland are not terrible, but the Desolate Man and his companions returning to the south will be the greatest danger. Logically speaking, with the Headmaster of the Academy, His Majesty, and me, few people in the world dare to harm you. But you have to remember that it is not the Tang Empire. "
"Master, don't worry." Ning Que said with a smile.
The distant Wilderness often represented mystery and danger for people from the Central Plains. But for Ning Que, who had been killing Horse Gang in the Wilderness since he left Min Mountain, it was the most familiar place for him. No matter how powerful the enemy he encountered there was, he believed that he could at least keep his life.
Without this confidence, he would not have agreed to the request of the imperial court.
Thinking of the Papal Cavalrymen sent by the Divine Hall this time and the powerhouses of the Judicial Department hidden in the dark, Master Yan Se frowned slowly and looked at Ning Que seriously. He said, "In the past, the enemies you met in the Wilderness were all ordinary people. Even the most ferocious Horse Gang might not make you feel afraid. But you have to remember that the enemy you will face this time may be cultivators or the remnants of the Devil's Doctrine hidden among the Desolate Man. Anyway, you have to be careful."
Ning Que stopped smiling and said seriously, "I understand."
Next, Master Yan Se finished the last lesson before the arrival of autumn. He explained in detail the pinnacle of Talisman Taoism — the wonderful meaning of characters. Then he handed a brocade bag to Ning Que and explained that there were some wonderful things in the bag. If he was really in danger, he might as well open it and have a look.
The black horse carriage slowly drove on the straight long street. With the cracks of the flagstones under the wheels shaking from time to time, Ning Que looked at the brocade bag in his hand and could not help laughing. Sure enough, he got some parting gifts.
He could not guess what was in the brocade bag. Thinking of those famous scenes in novels, he did not want to open it. If it was opened, it would be useless. Would he have the face to go back to the Southern Gate Temple and ask for another one from Master Yan Se? Well, with his temperament, he could really do such a thing. But why bother?
It was already dusk when he returned to the Old Brush Pen Shop. The setting sun shone from the end of Lin 47th Street, turning half of the street red. He said hello to Mr. Wu of the antique shop next door, glanced at the empty gray wall behind him, and walked in.
The rice was steamed in the pot, and white steam filled the air. It slowly curled up along the tree in the courtyard and floated towards the red sky. It didn't float too high before dissipating in the air, leaving not even a trace.
Sangsang looked up at the fog dissipating in the air with her willowy eyes squinting beautifully.
Ning Que looked at the little figure beside the tree and said, "I'm back."
Sangsang looked back at him and said, "Young master, you're back."
For many years, whenever Ning Que returned to the hunting house or the small courtyard in the City of Wei, he would have such a conversation with the little girl in the courtyard. It was no exception this year at Lin 47th Street in Chang 'an City. The only difference was that he added the word "young master" in the middle.
The dinner before leaving was also the same. Although the bowl of amber chicken soup expressed some kind of solemnity, there was really nothing to say.
Since there was nothing to say, Ning Que lay on the bed and began to sleep after washing his feet and turning off the light.
He did not say anything to the little girl on the other side of the bed. Although this would be the first time that he would be separated from Sangsang for such a long time, he believed that the little girl could take good care of herself. Because the little girl had been taking care of both of their lives these years. Now that he was not a troublemaker, she should be happier and more relaxed.
In Chang 'an at the end of summer, the temperature at night was no longer that annoying. The cicadas on the tree gradually disappeared. The sky full of stars shone on the quiet leaves, and then reflected from the window, painting the wall and bed with their favorite silver color.
With a rustling sound, Sangsang crawled over from the other side of the bed in thin clothes. Her skinny knees pressed on the silver bedding, and then she lay in Ning Que's arms.
Ning Que opened his eyes and said, "I have said many times that you are a big girl now."
Sangsang hummed and adjusted her position. She put her head on his chest and refused to move again.
The night before their departure was no different from many other nights in the past.
…
…
The morning before parting was the same as the mornings of the previous year. There was no difference. After eating a bowl of hot and sour noodle slice soup bought by Sangsang, Ning Que brushed his teeth with the toothbrush Sangsang gave him and washed his face with the towel Sangsang wrung. With the help of Sangsang's small hands, Ning Que picked up the heavy luggage, opened the door and walked out.
The morning light was clear and bright. He waved to the little girl at the door, and the horse carriage slowly moved.
At the edge of the large meadow in front of the Academy, the black horse carriage stopped and turned back. Today the coachman Old Duan did not need to wait for Ning Que to return to the city, because Ning Que would not return to the city.
The meadow was already a boiling cauldron of voices. The excited and nervous students of the Academy said goodbye to their parents. The parents seemed to have endless things to say, and there seemed to be something missing in the luggage they prepared for their children. However, the young students' thoughts had already drifted to the distant north, as if they saw a bright future of achievements.
Of course, not all the students of the Academy were so excited and looking forward to the next journey. For example, Chu Youxian, who was surrounded by the rich businessman in Eastern City and several concubines in the distance, had a face full of complaints and fear.
Ning Que looked over there and smiled. Then he turned to look at Situ Yilan, who was wearing a red archery outfit and looked valiant. He curiously said, "I didn't expect that no one would see you off."
Situ Yilan smiled and said, "It's called cultivation, but it's actually a battle. My father only encouraged me to go to the battlefield and kill the enemy, but he didn't want anyone to see me off. Besides, you don't have anyone to see you off either."
Ning Que shook his head and said, "I have no parents or relatives. Who would see me off?"
Situ Yilan looked at the two people coming out of the Academy and said, "It seems that someone will come to see you off."
It was Third Sister Yu Lian and Chen Pipi who came out of the Academy. The students of the Academy and the elders on the meadow knew their identities through the teaching office, and hurriedly made way for them.
The autumn breeze softly blew the hair on the woman's forehead, making this proud and small female professor, whose real age could not be seen, look a little younger.
Since entering the Second floor of the Academy, Ning Que rarely had a chance to talk with Third Sister in private. Seeing her coming to see him off, he could not help feeling a little surprised and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister."
Yu Lian gave him a small object and said with a smile, "I don't have anything to give you, but I'll give you a message. No matter what happens, you just need to follow your heart and you'll be able to overcome it easily."
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Ning Que turned to Chen Pipi and looked at this friend who had brought endless help to his cultivation. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "What are you going to give me?"
A gust of morning wind came to the meadow and wrinkled Chen Pipi's face. He said seriously, "I'll see you off … okay."
Ning Que shook his head and sighed. "You're getting more and more shameless."
Chen Pipi sighed and said, "I'll learn from you."
Ning Que answered with a smile, "We'll make progress together."
Chen Pipi also smiled and then asked seriously, "Do you have anything to tell me?"
Ning Que wanted to say that he had already told him what he should, but he still said after thinking, "You know."
"What do I know?"
"I have a little handmaiden at home."
…
…
From a young soldier from the border town, to climbing the stairs and defeating the third young master Xie, to being forgotten by the Academy, and then to being forgotten by the Academy, to climbing the stairs and defeating Prince Long Qing, to finally become the only student to enter the Second floor, and then to lead all his classmates to the Wilderness of the North of Yan Kingdom for practice. Now, Ning Que had undoubtedly become a legend in the eyes of the ordinary students of the Academy.
His conversation with Situ Yilan had already attracted a lot of attention. Then, following the arrival of Professor Yu Lian and Chen Pipi, even more gazes fell on him. These gazes were extremely complicated. Some were respectful, some were envious, and some were jealous, but none dared to show any hatred.
When Ning Que picked up the heavy luggage at his feet and walked towards the meadow, the dozens of eyes that had been silently watching him were filled with shock and confusion. What kind of horse would be able to withstand so much baggage and look so heavy? Why was he walking toward the meadow?
Three podaos, a dismantled iron bow and thirteen talisman arrows in the quiver, a boxwood bow and ordinary arrows, and even a small folded tent and a big black umbrella tightly wrapped in coarse cloth were the necessities of the journey.
The luggage had been carefully organized by Sangsang last night, and its volume had been reduced to the point where it could not be reduced anymore. But because there were so many things, it still looked spectacular when put together, like a small mountain.
Ning Que carried the heavy luggage and walked to the meadow fence, looking into the distance to find his target.
On the other side of the fence, the remaining military horses that had been defeated by the Academy students were silently eating grass or resting with their heads down. It was hard to tell whether they were dispirited or not. In the wide meadow further away, a black shadow was running back and forth, like a black thunder, and the sound of hooves was loud.
When the black shadow slowed down, it could be seen clearly that it was an extremely strong black horse. The Big Black Horse kept chasing and bumping into its companions. The other horses ran away in fear, but the Big Black Horse continued to chase and bite them. It neighed proudly from time to time, which made it seem particularly domineering and mean.
Ning Que looked at the Big Black Horse and smiled. He put his finger in his mouth and whistled.
The whistling sound spread to the top of the meadow.
The Big Black Horse, who was arrogantly bullying its companions, suddenly stiffened when it heard the whistle. Its four legs were like nails nailed into the soft grass, and it could not move even half a step. It looked like a wooden horse that had been painted black. Only two big black eyes were moving quickly, and one could clearly see the fear in them.
It twisted its stiff neck with difficulty and looked back at the figure by the fence in the distance. It finally connected the most unpleasant memory in its mind with this person.
Another whistle sounded, as if it was urging it to move.
The Big Black Horse lifted its hooves with difficulty and walked slowly to the fence with its head down. Every step was so reluctant and so reluctant, as if it was a female star who was about to marry into a notorious rich family and did not know what her future would be like.
The Big Black Horse strolled to the fence and looked at Ning Que behind the fence. It shook its head slightly and flipped its thick lips in a funny way, as if it was expressing absolute submission and flattery.
It had been more than a year since the Academy Entrance Examination of the Academy. The Big Black Horse's temper had not improved at all. It was still violent and irritable. However, in front of Ning Que, it still did not dare to lose its temper.
However, when it saw the luggage that was like a small hill under Ning Que's feet, it could no longer care about its instinctive fear. It let out a frightened neigh and turned around, ready to run away.
Ning Que stared at it and said, "Old rules."
The Big Black Horse stopped.
Ning Que continued, "If you don't listen to me, I'll kill you."
The Big Black Horse lowered its head and turned around.
Ning Que hung the mountain-like luggage on its saddle.
…
…
At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the 14th year of Tianqi era, the Academy began this year's practical cultivation.
The leader was the weakest disciple of the Second floor of the Academy in history, who had not even met the teacher and Eldest Brother.
In the backyard of the Old Brush Pen Shop, Sangsang stared at the old hen and thought that she should have killed it yesterday so that it could eat more. Otherwise, what if it got hungry on the way?
On the outskirts of Chang 'an, Ning Que looked at the picturesque village and thought that he would not be able to drink the chicken soup she made for many days. He had just left and he already missed it.
The empire was shrouded in a faint glimmer in the early morning.
The sound of hooves and the fluttering indigo clothes.
…
…
(Volume One: The End of the Empire in the Early Morning)
。 (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian.Com to vote for me. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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