Chapter 998: Departure (I)
Kongheng rode the wind back to Mount Qingdu. By now, night had completely fallen. Li Xuanxuan was already waiting in the grand hall. The old man was still shaken and unable to recover from the terrifying scene just moments ago.
When the two landed steadily, Li Xuanxuan hurried over to greet them. When he saw that both were safe and sound, he allowed a smile of relief to appear. But after glancing at one, then the other, he noticed Li Ximing’s look of melancholy and Kongheng’s complicated expression, and his joy began to fade.
"This is..." muttered Li Xuanxuan.
"Elder." Kongheng pressed his palms together, bowed respectfully, and said gently, "This humble monk is about to depart for the various prefectures... leaving Jiangnan behind and heading elsewhere."
"What?!" Li Xuanxuan froze for a moment before quickly saying, "Is it that there are places or people here who have wronged you, Kongheng... after all these decades we have been through..."
The old man thought for a moment, then quickly added, "That Fuxia monk’s rambling was most certainly aimed at my family! You need not take it to heart, Kongheng..."
As Li Xuanxuan spoke, Kongheng simply pressed his palms together in a bow and said gently, "Elder, you bear the visage of one blessed with fortune. Though your first half of life was pressed and wearied, there will not be many obstacles ahead. It is better to worry less."
Li Xuanxuan could not answer him and could only nod. Kongheng then spoke softly, "As for the matter of Zhouwei, I have long given it thought. I originally thought that a Veiled Yin spirit item is rare and troublesome to purchase overseas. Fortunately, I have heard that your esteemed family has also obtained a Veiled Yin dharma artifact, which can be used to perform the needed spell."
He drew a manuscript from his sleeve and handed it to Li Ximing. The paper was filled with neat, fine characters, evidently penned by the monk himself.
Kongheng said, "By performing the method written in this book, it will be possible to preserve the lady’s life and suppress her spiritual nature, so that the child will not be affected by Bright Yang."