Chapter 325 - 166: Qingyuan
"Since that person took Shi Pingzhang, I’m afraid it’s about the affairs of Li Country.
"This matter cannot be handled rashly. I must first report back to the Sect."
"Alright."
Dao Wuming was also direct. "Be careful on your journey, then."
Qingyuan stood up and cupped his fist in a salute toward Jiang Ran.
"Brother Jiang, although we have only just met, I feel a sense of closeness to you for some reason.
"Our time together today has been short. I can only hope we’ll have the chance to grow closer in the future."
After saying this, he paused to think for a moment, then took a small clasp from his sleeve.
"We are about to part, and I have few worldly possessions. This clasp was a gift from the Sect Leader and serves as a token.
"In the future, Brother Jiang, should you find yourself in any trouble and there are disciples of my Dao Yi Sect nearby, you can show them this... I trust you will receive some assistance.
"Please, Brother Jiang, do not refuse."
Hearing this, Jiang Ran thought, ’Maybe what he said earlier about feeling close to me right away wasn’t just empty words.’
But Jiang Ran shook his head.
"We have only just met and exchanged but a few words. I am unworthy of accepting such an item."
"A bond is of the heart, not of words. Truthfully, when I see you, Brother Jiang, it is like seeing an older brother. My only regret is that I cannot stay longer. Please, accept this expression of my goodwill."
Qingyuan’s tone was solemn, and his words genuinely conveyed his reluctance to part. The rims of his eyes even grew faintly red.
’In all his time wandering the martial world, Jiang Ran had never met someone like this.’
’He had met plenty of endlessly scheming and cunning people. But this was the first time he’d met someone who felt like a friend at first sight, someone who seemed ready to become his sworn brother on the spot.’
For a moment, he truly didn’t know how to respond.
But looking at him, Jiang Ran couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy, and he sighed.
"Alright, alright, I’ll accept it. It’s a shame, though. You say you have nothing of value, but I have even less... Oh, wait."
He reached into his bag and grabbed a handful of silver notes, probably amounting to several hundred taels.
"When you’re traveling, you should always have some money on you. As a Daoist practitioner, I imagine you’re content with whatever comes your way and don’t care much for worldly wealth. Still, having money certainly makes things more convenient.
"Don’t mind my uncouth, money-grubbing ways; it’s all I have to offer in return."
"Thank you, Brother Jiang."
Qingyuan showed no sign of disdain. He accepted the notes with both hands, tucked them carefully into his sleeve, and said in a low voice,
"The assembly at Sunset Plateau will surely be fraught with danger. Brother Jiang, you must be extremely careful.
"If you need anything, you can ask Elder Dao for help.
"His Unheard Dao Aura is extraordinary, and he has numerous connections within Evergreen Mansion that can make things easier for you.
"Brother Jiang, please take care. I must be going now."
After saying this, he gave a deep bow, then turned and left.
He was young, but his martial arts were profound.
With a single movement, he was outside the posthouse. Another step, and he vanished without a trace.
"The supreme Lightweight Technique of the Dao Yi Sect, ’Shrinking the Ground to an Inch.’ What do you think?"
Dao Wuming looked at Jiang Ran and said with a smile,
"The martial art Qingyuan cultivates is no ordinary one. It’s the Dao Yi Sect’s Celestial Derivation Clear Heart Skill.
"It has always placed the greatest emphasis on one’s state of mind.
"His feeling of affinity for you undoubtedly came from the heart.
"You don’t need to doubt that."
"The Celestial Derivation Clear Heart Skill..."
Jiang Ran was lost in thought. ’I wonder how it’s related to my own Creation and Rectification Sutra?’
’Could Qingyuan’s instant affinity for me be due to the influence of the Creation and Rectification Sutra?’
He had just used the Creation and Rectification Sutra to examine himself and confirmed that the feeling was not the result of some external bewitchment.
’In that case, it must be because the two martial arts share a common origin.’
’That must be the reason for this feeling.’
He shook his head gently, toying with the small clasp in his hand.
The clasp was exquisite, crafted from some unknown metal.
It was inscribed with characters: the front read "Seek the Way," and the back, "Qingyuan." A small tassel hung from the bottom, and it was clearly no ordinary item.
Dao Wuming glanced over.
"That’s the Dao Yi Sect’s ’Inquiry Clasp.’ It serves as a token among disciples.
"They can be worn or given to friends.
"If you meet someone from the Dao Yi Sect, showing them this clasp will grant you the same standing as its owner, establishing a bond of fellowship as if you were of the same sect.
"It can certainly provide a great deal of help, especially given Qingyuan’s unique status.
"He is the personal disciple of the current Sect Leader of the Dao Yi Sect—in other words, the *Daozi*.
"This Inquiry Clasp of his carries even more weight than a *Daozi*’s official command token.
"Seeing the clasp is like seeing the *Daozi* in person. One call from you would truly bring a hundred responses.
"Tell me, I’ve known him for so long, so why didn’t he give it to me? Why give it to you instead?"
Jiang Ran thought for a moment.
"He probably feels you read too many of those ’gazetteers’ of yours and aren’t suited for it."
"..."
Dao Wuming was instantly crestfallen. "They really are proper gazetteers!"
"Mm-hmm, I believe you."
Jiang Ran pursed his lips and sat back down.
He then asked Dao Wuming why he was with Feng Wu and Ning Jiuyuan.
Before Dao Wuming could answer, the sound of footsteps approached.
Li Tianyu came in carrying a large tray of food.
Following close behind was Luo Qingyi. Like Li Tianyu, she also carried a large tray, striding over with her head held high.
The last to follow was the hunchbacked old man.
He held an oil lamp, its dim yellow light illuminating one of his eyes, making him look like an Evil Ghost peering at the world from within the darkness.
Gu Shengyan, who had been speaking in a low voice with Ruan Yuqing, looked up and was greeted by this very sight.
Her hand trembled in fright, and she nearly drew her sword to vanquish evil.
Fortunately, Ruan Yuqing stopped her in time.
The old man seemed somewhat puzzled.
"More people? What officials are you?"
Dao Wuming gave the old man a strange look, then glanced at Jiang Ran.
"Who is this?"
Jiang Ran shook his head slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden clap of thunder boomed.
The rain that had been brewing for so long had finally begun to fall.
As the torrential rain poured down, a clamor of splashing footsteps arose. Another group of people had taken advantage of the night to arrive at Qiuci Posthouse, which had been abandoned for who knows how many years.