Why do I have so many masters?

Wang Anfeng and Li Qidao talked for a full hour on that day before parting. Besides the two of them, no one knew exactly what was discussed. Wang Anfeng afterward showed no signs of anything unusual.

Although the troublesome matters have been dealt with, Wuxin Tielin is being detained, and Jiu Zizai hasn't arrived yet. Coupled with the Pillar of the State's orders, strict entry and exit regulations are enforced in the city, so Wang Anfeng and the others have no choice but to continue staying in Liangzhou City.

That night, a curfew was enforced early in the city. Patrol Guards roamed with knives, and Liangzhou City lay in a deathly dark silence. Even the bustling red-light districts were unusually subdued, reduced to a languid stillness.

In the distant belly of the mountain, however, there was brightness every night. Whale oil lamps were lit, their glow as bright as daylight.

Shi Huaidie sat cross-legged on her bed, holding her breath in silence.

She had already practiced the mental method for calming the mind and dispelling demons countless times, yet she still felt tense. Fearing this nervousness might reveal a flaw, she had secluded herself, claiming a name of closed-door cultivation, isolating herself from the outside world.

But this couldn't last for long, nor could she claim breakthroughs or progress every day, frequently going into seclusion. Over time, doing so too often would certainly arouse suspicion.

Thinking carefully, relying on the master's foothold here was merely drinking poison to quench thirst; problems were bound to arise someday.

Nevertheless, this life of constant fear should be coming to an end soon.

She glanced at the Mo Family mechanism she used to keep track of the time. She had entered at nightfall, and now about an hour had passed since midnight. It was time to "meet."

Shi Huaidie calmed her nerves, gently tapped the jade pendant in her hand to activate her Qi mechanism, and instantly, just like before, she disappeared. When she regained her senses, she was already in another world.

This time, it wasn't on a mountain but beside a clear body of water, with two grass huts and a sky full of stars. Yet, the scholar remained unchanged, his expression calm. Shi Huaidie dared not be negligent, feeling even more reverence and gratitude. She stepped forward three paces, clasped her hands in greeting, and said:

"I greet you, sir..."

The scholar nodded, not speaking directly, and pointed to a seat by the water, saying plainly, "Sit."

Shi Huaidie dared not refuse and sat down, ready to speak. But the scholar casually spoke of trivial matters, showing little concern for the matter, as if more interested in the arc of the pool before them and the starry sky above, talking idly.

Shi Huaidie's heart burned with anxiety. Every day, she had thought of how to speak up, and not mentioning it now made her even more uneasy. Although the scholar's words might be profound truths to other academics, making them want to leap in joy, to her, they seemed bland and tasteless.

After the time it takes for a small stick of incense to burn, Shi Huaidie could finally hold back no longer and said:

"Sir... there have been changes concerning 'Qiong Qi.'

The azure-robed scholar paused, looking at Shi Huaidie, seemingly unperturbed by her interruption, and calmly said:

"Then speak..."

Shi Huaidie breathed a sigh of relief and broadly told the matters from Sword Forging Valley. Though Qiong Qi left, there were other means of contacting the masters there. So, Sword Forging Valley now knew of Qiong Qi's failed mission, with one defeated and one escaped.

The masters in the valley were naturally infuriated by their incompetence, but since Qiong Qi had an unusual status, they couldn't simply abandon him. They planned to send people to support him, which shouldn't be too difficult, primarily consisting of young disciples, with a male and a female direct apprentice of the Commanders of Troops.

Shi Huaidie pursed her lips and added, "I also, by citing having served under Qiong Qi, secured a spot."

The azure-robed scholar nodded and leisurely said:

"You're quite attentive..."

Shi Huaidie heard no further response and felt a sense of loss. She thought back to the days of living in constant fear and anxiety, biting her lip, and took the initiative to say:

"If there is anything sir requires, I will do it even at the cost of my life."

The scholar tossed some fish food into the pool, where the moonlight shimmered, and patted his hand, saying:

"Why bring this up suddenly?"

Having already started speaking, Shi Huaidie cast her hesitation aside, bowed deeply and said, "I know you pointed out this matter to let me make my own choice. If I can succeed in rescuing Qiong Qi, I could use him as a shield against others' threats..."

"However, my talents and abilities are inferior. I have depended on you to walk this path, yet the further I climb, the steeper the peaks seem, with precipices and fierce winds all around. I truly..."

Thinking back on her recent experiences, resembling dancing on a blade's edge, words momentarily failed her. Tears, both real and imagined, shimmered in her eyes as she lowered her gaze, only to see suddenly presented a silk handkerchief. She glanced up to see the scholar's gentle expression standing not far away, and she quickly accepted the kerchief, wiping her tears with her fingers.

The scholar, hands clasped behind his back in the moonlight, said:

"If you had wanted to leave from the beginning, I might not have been pleased, as your life, weapon, and martial arts were all taught by me. But you know to be grateful, which is good."

Shi Huaidie felt a mix of joy and fear, bowed, and said:

"I don't deserve your praise, sir..."

When she lifted her head, in front of her within a mass of pale green qi force, two thin-necked porcelain bottles floated, one white, one green, both emitting a faint fragrance. As she pondered, she heard the scholar say calmly:

"Since you have spoken, I naturally won't refuse. Just as it happens, there's something you can help with."

"Among these two, the contents of the white porcelain bottle can help you track down Qiong Qi. Those disciples traveling with you, being direct disciples of the Commander of Troops, are surely proud. You can easily separate from them and use this medicine to be the first to find Qiong Qi."

Shi Huaidie's heart trembled, suddenly realizing that Qiong Qi must have unknowingly been dosed with a long-distance tracking poison in a previous encounter.

Even though she knew Qiong Qi well, after suffering a loss, he would surely have tried everything to find the problem. He would definitely notice being poisoned.

He must have reacted by now, possibly using medicine to mask his scent or mystical arts to hide his heavenly secrets. Yet, since the gentleman mentioned it, though she hesitated, she would not reveal it.

Perhaps the gentleman truly had a colorless and tasteless mystical poison capable of tracking over great distances?

As her mind stirred with doubt, she turned her gaze to the second porcelain bottle, entirely pale green, its appearance ancient and simple. Just as she speculated on the contents, the blue-robed scholar said calmly:

"The contents of the other bottle, feed it to him once you find him."

"Some of it is a top-quality healing medicine, rare in the world, which he won't refuse. As for a reason, I believe you can surely find one."

"After that, you and I shall be square."

Originally hesitant, Shi Huaidie felt a sense of joy at the last sentence, diluted her doubts, and she tucked the two bottles into her bosom, clasped her hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, sir."

"As this matter is significant, I shall return to Sword Forging Valley to prepare ahead of time. In a few days, perhaps the task will be accomplished."

The blue-robed scholar seemed preoccupied watching the fish in the pool, without turning, he said lightly, "Go then."

"Farewell."

Shi Huaidie bowed again and quickly disappeared. Beneath the moonlight, the blue-robed scholar stood alone among mountain waters and starry skies. He casually sprinkled fish bait, and above the water, shimmering waves surged as numerous fish dived and breached, thrashing against the surface, creating a terrifying sight when viewed from afar.

Under the moonlight, shimmering waves flickered, the scholar's expression faint, standing amid the mountainous waters and starlit nights. With a sweep of his sleeve, he returned to his previously lazy demeanor, holding a scroll in one hand and reclining on a bamboo chair atop Shaoshi Mountain's peak.

In Sword Forging Valley, Shi Huaidie reappeared and, seeing the familiar stone chamber, felt a profound sense of calm return. She placed her hand on her chest and murmured softly—

"Soon, I can be free..."

......

Wang Anfeng had a slightly more peaceful few days. Without a valid reason to leave Liangzhou City, he spent most of his days reading in the city, practicing some of the Dongfang Clan's basic mystical arts, and using his 'Divine Doctor' reputation to inquire about the current situation of Wuxin and Tielin.

He later learned from a Ministry of Punishment arrest officer that though the Pillar of the State was extremely displeased with Wuxin and his companion, considering the outcome, he could not entirely evade the blame for letting the two from Qunxing Pavilion escape, so he would not pursue the matter to the end. Wuxin and Tielin, it seemed, would be fine.

Only then did Wang Anfeng feel at ease, continuing to practice mystical arts and patiently waiting for the aftermath of the incident to settle.

After his meeting with the Dongfang Ningxin Sword, another seven days passed.

During this time, a pale blue Flying Eagle crossed over several cities, landing eventually at the border pass between Great Qin and Baiyue Country. Finally, the message the eagle carried was taken by a traveling merchant, who traversed checkpoints, taking several days to reach a large city within Baiyue Country.

Upon entering the city, not even having time to rest, the message was delivered to another store dealing in medicinal herbs, allowing the messenger to finally relax, intending to return to the inn for some rest. Just as he pushed open the door, a sword pierced his throat.

The message from within the Great Qin territory eventually traveled and, by today's sunset, reached a mountain village filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, delivered into the hands of a middle-aged woman.

The woman waved for her disciples to care for the messenger's rest. She washed the herb mud off her hands, revealing a pair of fair, slender palms. Waiting for the droplets on her hands to naturally dry, she then unfolded the letter in her hand. After just a glance, her expression changed.

Upon seeing the mention of the lost divine weapon, she couldn't remain seated any longer, suddenly standing, contemplating a moment, then exiting the room, heading deeper into the mountain village.

Winding through several deadly checkpoints that outwardly appeared lax but were tight internally, the woman finally stopped before an unremarkable thatched cottage. She respectfully adjusted her attire, not missing a detail, before knocking lightly on the door and softly calling out:

"Great Master..."

"Bi Tong'er has sent a message back."

PS: The first update of the day is presented......

Three thousand miles, two hundred words