The thought processes of the three are completely disconnected from each other.
Originally, even if Ayanpuka hadn’t appeared, Mo Li and Meng Qi were going to find him.
There were too many mysteries tied to this Xiliang man, and digging deeper might uncover more conspiracies. It was clear that before the situation worsened, it was imperative to figure out the true extent of this Xiliang restoration force.
Although they could use Fengxing Pavilion’s manpower to investigate, they couldn’t completely rely on them. It wasn’t about trust or distrust, but the Xiliang people had long regarded Fengxing Pavilion as a thorn in their side. Years of calculated moves left Fengxing Pavilion at a disadvantage, and even if they reacted now, it would be hard to reverse their position in a short time.
Anyway, Meng Qi was certain Ayanpuka would come looking for them again.
Don’t be fooled by how Ayanpuka abandons his subordinates without hesitation; to a hero, valuable forces and subordinates are assets and bargaining chips, not things to be recklessly gambled away.
Decisively abandoning something when the situation turns bad is one thing; knowingly sending subordinates to their deaths despite overwhelming odds is simply foolish.
Meng Qi had expected to face a deeply calculating and ruthless hero, but it turned out—while Ayanpuka was indeed a hero, once the issue of the dragon vein came up, he started acting irrationally.
First, he stubbornly believed Mo Li was the dragon vein and that Meng Qi was not.
Then he started talking about the great matters of the world, as if he had already uncovered every secret. As soon as Meng Qi showed even a hint of interest, Ayanpuka would present something capable of captivating the dragon vein’s attention, as well as chips that could make Meng Qi, the former National Teacher, temporarily refrain from intervening in “worldly conflicts.”
In theory, this wasn’t hard to do. After all, Xiliang couldn’t restore its country anytime soon, and the Chu dynasty was long gone. In terms of hatred, Xiliang people hated Meng Qi more, but in Meng Qi’s eyes, they were just a group of defeated enemies. As long as this point was well-exploited, Ayanpuka’s forces could once again retreat into the shadows and disrupt the balance of power in the world.
——It was a great idea, but Meng Qi wasn’t cooperating.
No matter what was said, Meng Qi refused to engage.
Ayanpuka wasn’t like Ancestor Qingwu; he didn’t need others to agree with his plans, nor did he need anyone’s help. He wouldn’t ramble about his ambitions to a top-tier expert, trying to drag them into his schemes.
So after a round of probing, both sides left empty-handed.
Meng Qi didn’t know where Ayanpuka had learned his ability to control spiritual energy, and Ayanpuka couldn’t be sure about the real relationship between Mo Li and Meng Qi. Everything was just his guess.
Just when it seemed they’d reached an impasse, Mo Li suddenly discovered a weakness in Ayanpuka’s appearance, which made him furious.
His anger not only failed to recover his position, but also revealed that his martial arts techniques rooted in the Asura Demon Body had no effect on these two. At this point, Ayanpuka realized he was at a total disadvantage. In an attempt to divert Meng Qi and Mo Li’s attention, he unhesitatingly threw out the information he had originally planned to “sell” as a critical bargaining chip.
“There’s a dragon vein at Feihe Mountain, ha! You might as well say there’s treasure or a secret manual.”
Meng Qi feigned disdain, casually saying, “Go a hundred miles south into Jingzhou, surrounded by seven rivers, a place rich in talent, and Feihe Mountain of Yuanyang has been famous since ancient times. There’s not only Zhaoxi Cloud Mist Tea but also the legendary Immortal Peach Blossom Wine. Scholars and poets flock to it, and it would be a pity to pass by without visiting. Isn’t it strange you can’t guess that the doctor and I were planning to tour Feihe Mountain?”
A flicker of impatience crossed Ayanpuka’s face as he coldly replied, “I originally thought the National Teacher was a straightforward person…”
“No, I’m not straightforward.”
Meng Qi raised his hand to interrupt, deliberately distorting his words, “You’re interrupting my and the doctor’s leisurely tour of the mountains and rivers. How could I possibly be straightforward?”
Mo Li: “……”
Of all the phrases to use, why “tour the mountains and rivers”?
Aren’t dragon veins just mountains and rivers?
How exactly do you plan to tour them, and how do you plan to play?”
——A perfectly normal sentence, yet Meng Qi somehow said it in a way that carried a hint of inappropriate levity, though he didn’t even realize it.
Ayanpuka wasn’t a dragon vein, and his mind didn’t follow that train of thought. He only saw that Meng Qi had decided to fool him, and his anger grew even more intense.
But as a hero, he knew how to keep his composure.
Previously, he had started a fight, thinking the Asura Demon Body technique would teach Meng Qi a lesson. After all, that was the highest martial art of the Mojie Temple, and since its founding, only Ayanpuka had mastered it. He also wanted to settle the score with Meng Qi for leveling the entire Mojie Temple in the past.
Now that his trump card had failed, even though Ayanpuka secretly wished to chop Meng Qi into eighteen pieces, he wouldn’t lose his temper on the spot.
“The National Teacher loves to joke like this, so I won’t give the information about the dragon vein at Feihe Mountain.” Ayanpuka cast a meaningful glance at Mo Li and said with insinuation, “The dragon veins of the world are disappearing. Even if you follow the clues, only one in ten remains. The National Teacher has searched for dragons before, so you should know better than me.”
Meng Qi instinctively sensed something was wrong, and sure enough, Ayanpuka’s next sentence was—
“During the height of the Chu dynasty, the National Teacher came to Feihe Mountain many times but found nothing.”
“…”
Meng Qi thought to himself, *He’s really done his homework on me.*
The administrative system of the Chu dynasty was thorough, and even though Meng Qi held the prestigious yet nominal title of National Teacher, any time he traveled, there were records. While the records wouldn’t say that the National Teacher was searching for dragon veins at Feihe Mountain, to someone with intent, the fact that Meng Qi had visited three times in ten years already spoke volumes.
And that was just what was on the surface. With Meng Qi’s martial prowess, he could easily sneak out under the pretext of meditating or observing the stars without anyone knowing.
In reality, Meng Qi rarely did this. At most, he’d “disappear” for three or five days, as he couldn’t travel too far due to the many affairs of state that needed attending. Even though his position allowed for some idleness, he couldn’t let his friends be so overworked that they had no time to eat or sleep.
Feihe Mountain was the place that seemed most likely to have a dragon vein, with its abundant spiritual energy. So, Meng Qi had stubbornly searched it again and again.
What if the dragon vein just wasn’t “at home” at the time?
Or maybe it hadn’t fully taken shape yet?
Perhaps it was just a timid companion?
These reasons had driven Meng Qi to visit repeatedly. Even later, when passing through Jingzhou for official business, he couldn’t resist detouring to Feihe Mountain.
“Ahem, doctor, I did visit Feihe Mountain more than once…”
Meng Qi turned to explain to Mo Li.
Mo Li didn’t think much of it—searching for one’s own kind, after all, was something he’d do too.
Meng Qi desperately tried to signal: *It wasn’t because I found Feihe Mountain beautiful! Absolutely not!*
But Mo Li, completely missing the point, just responded with silence: “……”
Not being able to transmit thoughts directly was rather inconvenient.
Ayanpuka sharply sensed a shift in the atmosphere between them, as if Meng Qi was trying to explain something to Mo Li. Ha, what could he possibly explain? It must be about the dragon vein. Ayanpuka could only imagine how Meng Qi had sweet-talked this naïve dragon vein into trusting him, and now that the dragon vein had learned Meng Qi had repeatedly sought out other dragon veins before, he likely wouldn’t be too pleased.
“The National Teacher’s dedication to seeking dragons, the effort and energy he’s expended, far exceeds that of any ordinary person. I, Fei, am ashamed in comparison.” Ayanpuka still habitually referred to himself by the Han surname, Fei. After all, he had lived in the Central Plains for many years, and Ayanpuka wasn’t even his real name—he had assumed the identity of a Xiliang royal who just happened to bear that name.
Despite Ayanpuka’s efforts to sow discord, Mo Li didn’t feel even a hint of it.
He only heard that Meng Qi had worked hard to find his kind, and even a Xiliang man like Ayanpuka knew about it.
Thinking of how Meng Qi had repeatedly been disappointed in his search for dragon veins, only to prepare to give up and then witness the fall of the Chu dynasty—the emperor and his ministers meeting tragic ends, and the prosperous world he helped build with his friends reduced to ashes. After returning to Shangyun Mountain in utter despair, the little dragon vein he had carefully nurtured was harmed once again…
In the end, though, the two of them had finally met. As Mo Li thought this, his gaze toward Meng Qi softened with a touch of sympathy.
Mo Li’s eyes were very beautiful, but as the ever-dignified Doctor Mo usually maintained a gentlemanly demeanor, the shift in his expression was striking.
That blend of sympathy and tenderness in his eyes almost made it seem like he was… moved.
Meng Qi: “……”
Although he wasn’t sure what was going on, did he pass the test?
Ayanpuka was confused. What was going on with this dragon vein? Wasn’t it supposed to get angry? Or maybe a dragon vein’s way of thinking was different from that of humans?
Meng Qi turned and glared fiercely at Ayanpuka. Don’t think that just because Mo Li didn’t catch on, Meng Qi didn’t realize this scoundrel was trying to sow discord.
“Your words are becoming more and more absurd. Feihe Mountain’s famous Cloud Mist Tea is loved by my friend. Not just my friend, but throughout the Chu Dynasty, which scholar or poet doesn’t love Zhaoxi’s Cloud Mist Tea? Every time I pass by, I make a point to fetch water personally and take some freshly processed tea back to the capital as a gift. So what’s strange about me visiting Feihe Mountain multiple times?”
No matter what tricks Ayanpuka tried, Meng Qi could handle them, because this was the excuse he had used when visiting Feihe Mountain in the past.
Zhaoxi is an inconspicuous stream in the seven-water-surrounded Feihe Mountain. Along this stream, there are three or four villages where generations have been growing tea. This tea tastes extremely bitter at first, but after drinking it, it clears the mind and refreshes the spirit, sweeping away any worries. This tea had gained fame after being praised by a renowned scholar centuries ago, becoming beloved by literati and poets. There are countless poems and songs written about it, and at least seven or eight classics have stood the test of time. Meng Qi knew this tea because of Marquis Zhu Yan of Leyang.
Marquis Zhu, a highly respected scholar of his time and a famously lazy gentleman, would leap out of bed and rave about Cloud Mist Tea for an hour if it was mentioned, only to then write an offering prayer about it to the gods, boasting that there was such a treasure on Earth.
——Because praise from his friends, colleagues, and lord was no longer enough for Zhu Yan; he wouldn’t even spare the gods.
Whether the gods were annoyed by it or not is unknown, but the dragon vein of Taijing was so terrified of it that it wanted to run, as the tea was too bitter! So bitter that it would make one lose their sense of taste!
Although there was some lingering aftertaste and refreshment after drinking it, that was due to the “spiritual energy” it contained. The dragon vein of Taijing didn’t lack spiritual energy!
Not only Meng Qi, but most people didn’t want to drink this tea. However, its reputation was too big!
Ayanpuka didn’t believe Meng Qi’s excuse about searching for tea in the slightest. No normal person would drink this tea, let alone a martial arts master. Their senses were already three times sharper than the average person’s. After drinking it, they might not even be able to tell if food was poisoned. He sneered darkly, “The National Teacher keeps dodging and refusing to admit anything. Is there something you can’t speak of?”
Before Meng Qi could respond, Ayanpuka dropped a heavy remark, “Since you’ve met Su Li, you should know how extraordinary he is. I won’t hide it from you—he was saved by the dragon vein of Feihe Mountain. I’ve spent years searching for this dragon vein and have some clues. But since the National Teacher shows no sincerity and refuses to cooperate with me, it seems I won’t share this information with you.”
Mo Li’s expression changed slightly.
Meng Qi couldn’t tell if Ayanpuka really had information or if he was just throwing bait to trap them. Internally unsure but outwardly calm, he smiled and mockingly said, “It seems the one who truly lacks sincerity is you. You attacked first and only spoke after losing. Who could trust you?”
Ayanpuka’s pupils contracted, and he almost cursed Meng Qi, thinking he must have been reincarnated as a turtle—impossible to get a hold of.
It seemed that without some solid proof, there was no way to lure these two to Feihe Mountain.
“The National Teacher makes a fair point.” Ayanpuka suppressed his anger and reached out to retrieve a small jade box.
The box was exquisitely crafted, appearing to be carved from a single piece of jade, completely seamless from the outside.
There was no visible lock, but Ayanpuka pressed on its four corners in sequence, as if activating a mechanism, and the box slowly opened.
Mo Li focused his gaze, only to see a very short feather lying inside.
A feather was not unusual, but what made it special was the spiritual energy surrounding it, giving it a translucent, jade-like sheen.
It was just like Mo Li’s scales—clearly not an ordinary object.
Mo Li couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Meng Qi, and both of them thought the same thing: Feihe Mountain… truly had a dragon vein.
One that might have taken the form of a bird.
Author’s Note:
A despondent sand rat looks at the feather: It’s also a feather, so why doesn’t mine glow?
————
A despondent sand rat looks at the fish: Such a short feather. This bird isn’t big. It probably still has to be afraid of cats. Are my little companions really this unreliable?
