Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 425: Traces of the End of the World
The man stared at the river surface for three breaths, and ripples began to move.

It was as if an invisible pen was using the river surface as paper to sketch in mid-air. Dozens of threads were flying at the same time, and a huge and complex formation began to take shape.

In the past twenty years, Sima had only seen this person form such a huge, complex, and yet effortless formation.

"After twenty years of wasted time, we still fail at the last moment." He said hoarsely.

Qu Zhu looked at the distant end of the river, and the autumn wind danced with the gray hair behind the mask.

After a long while, he said calmly: "Yes. If you want to achieve great things, the road ahead is long and arduous."

"My road has come to an end, but your road can continue." Sima was silent for a moment, and said hoarsely, "During the seven days in prison, I have been thinking about why we failed."

Quiet.

"However, we did not do anything wrong. It's just that sometimes they are too powerful, sometimes they are too smart, and sometimes they are too lucky." Sima said in a low voice, "I know that God does occasionally show such targeted malice, but I can't help but wonder if you have done something extra."

“It doesn’t affect the results.”

"Yes, it doesn't affect the result." Sima said hoarsely, "It doesn't matter either, because I know we are on the same road, it's just that you want to take this road."

Without answering, Sima continued with a sigh: "Twenty years ago, I accepted you as my shadow, and in the past twenty years, you have never concealed your obsession."

Qu Zhu turned his head and looked at him quietly: "Do you know my obsession?"

"Your presence here is the answer to everything, isn't it?" Sima said hoarsely, "When I saw your eyes twenty years ago, I never believed that you would be willing to watch someone else take control of Xitingxin."

Qu Zhu was silent in the night wind. The river in front of him flowed like this twenty years ago.

It was the same thirty years ago.

Who can say that he has forgotten those days when he could still show his face?

Sima knew his experience.

When he was young, he learned the three sword techniques, but was rejected by God to inherit Xiting's heart. He devoted himself to Huansi Tower and spent many years on it. Finally, he learned that there was more than one way to inherit Xiting.

He will consider himself a part of Huansilou. From then on, Huansilou has developed Xitingxin. Will he also feel proud of it?
Sima didn't believe it.

He was willing to betray his clan for Xi Tingxin back then, but now he is only willing to keep Xi Tingxin in his own hands.

Sima remembered how he entered the Huansi Building, and how he had been in control of his life and identity for twenty years. The only thing he trusted in him was that they did have a common goal.

"I know, but I don't care." Sima looked up at him, "Now everything is the way you want it, Yingmian. I will help you accomplish this."

Now everything is the way you want it.

This is true.

The person who controls his life and death is about to die. After twenty years, Huansi Tower will finally be the only one in the southwest. From now on, he will control Huansi Tower and will never be controlled or cooperate with it again.

The Xiting Heart that he had been searching for for half his life was finally placed in front of him. From now on, he could take charge of Xiting and truly become the master of this world. He was blocked from inheriting Jianglou because of his sword talent, and now Huanshilou would desperately try to get Daliang for him.

Sima finished speaking and slowly closed his eyes. A parasitic fire floated out of Qu Zhu's Dantian and returned to Sima's body. At the same time, the left arm under the black robe was squeezed out of flesh and blood, but Qu Zhu did not react at all. He tilted his head to look at the imitation arm, which had completely fallen off.

Qu Zhu waved his hand and a burst of black fire turned him into powder, and then his bones and flesh changed, and a brand new arm grew out from his shoulder.

Sima slowly opened his eyes and let out a light breath.

"Immortal Fire and Faceless cannot be handed over to you." He said hoarsely, "We need them now. Besides, you cannot guarantee that you can escape from the Immortal Terrace."

Qu Zhu slowly moved this somewhat unfamiliar arm and nodded.

"Well, let's start?" Sima said hoarsely.

"Let's start." Qu Zhu gently grasped the hilt of the sword under his robe.

The profound energy that had been madly pouring into Sima's body suddenly condensed, and then dissipated like smoke. This broken body seemed to have fallen into the mortal world, or in other words, become pure.

A pure body.

"Faceless" completely transformed it; it became a flowerpot, or soil; the two sparks were as active as seeds; they grew and extended something mysterious and indescribable, and began to connect towards a strange distance.

Then they were literally held by a will.

The projections traced back to their original bodies. This world first produced a faint resonance.

On the surface of the river, the ripples were still rapidly drawing, and the formation could gradually be identified. It was a huge and precise [Treasure Raft of the Other Shore].

[Gushe] still exists, and the Master of Liuli Sword has not yet sorted out her skills.

The team traveled along the Lu River for two days and has just arrived at the border of Shaolong.

But Qu Zhu did not look towards the south. His gray hair and clothes fluttered, his damaged mask and the cold sword under his robe remained motionless. He still stared at the river quietly, as if he was taking this formation very seriously and would never allow it to deviate in the slightest.

This, of course, was the most important moment in his life.

----

Taishan Medical Building, top pavilion.

Pei Ye spread his hands in front of the girl. The moonlit night was quiet and silent.

"Why do you still say that?" Li Piaoqing narrowed his eyes and looked at him, not wanting to move. "Are you lying to me again?"

"When have I ever lied to you?" Pei Ye picked up the black ball beside him, "If you don't believe me, ask the kitten."

Li Piaoqing looked down at it, and the black cat nodded lazily: "We have to use Chihuo."

Li Piaoqing smiled helplessly: "Okay then."

She took out a bead from her waist that was slightly smaller than a walnut. It was worn and dull, and it was obvious that it had been there for many years.

"See, you have always been the one lying to me." Pei Ye said.

Li Piaoqing said nothing and placed the beads in his hand.

Pei Ye lowered his eyes to look. The rope had completely rotted away, but he could still make out two vague inscriptions on the ring - "Jian Shen".

"It looks like it was carved from amber, so I think the five taels of amber that Yu Chaocai bought from Xiangzhou must have been on it." Li Piaoqing shook his calves, as if he didn't care much, "I think Qu Zhu used it to practice and threw it aside. Now that I found it, I want to analyze it. It's better than nothing."

Pei Ye picked up the bead and examined it carefully under the moonlight, and could hardly believe that it could still work. "He carved some very delicate patterns on it, but they are all worn away."

"I think he might have imitated that pupil." Li Piaoqing said, "Tianshan said that wearing a pupil on the body can record a person's mind and behavior."

She looked at the bead and said casually, "I hope it can still be used."

Fragility and oldness were indeed clearly coating the surface. Pei Ye nodded: "I will try to analyze it with Zhaoyou."

"Ah."

Pei Ye placed it in the center of Zhaoyou. One was ancient and bright, the other was new but damaged - they fit together perfectly.

"What do you think is in here?" Pei Ye asked curiously.

"What could it be? Qu Zhu didn't take it seriously." Li Piaoqing smiled and swung his legs. "I think it's just some Bowang street scenes, what I ate every day, and what official business I did - it's hard to say how much can be retained."

Then he said, "What did you see? Come out and tell me in detail."

"It's not important, so tell me in detail."

"Want to hear it."

The fire of the Chi swirled up, and the [Eye] opened smoothly as before, but this "Seeing Body" made a crisp sound in an instant, and the fuzzy lines were rapidly activated. This was the first time that King Mu's artifact opened its arms to him in this form.

Pei Ye stared at it and held it up in front of his eyes. It could die at any time, but it was still alive by the last second.

Pei Ye paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to the girl who was gazing at the moon peacefully: ".Piao Qing." "Hmm?"

"Did you really find this bead casually?" The young man looked at her quietly with his clear brown eyes. "You came to the capital with such a serious injury, and even lied to borrow Zhaoyou."

He was silent for a moment: "We just said that if you have any key information, you can tell me and we can discuss it together."

"No, it's just a small thing I found in the treasury." Li Piaoqing couldn't help laughing, looking at him with clear eyes, "If there is anything crucial, I would have reported it to the Immortal Platform, you always think too much."

She shook her calves gently, and her expression was indeed relaxed and peaceful.

Pei Ye nodded and withdrew his gaze. After many days, he looked into [Zhaoyou] again.

In the parked carriage, wind and snow were howling outside the curtains.

The old man in front of him sat very upright. They were the only two people in the entire carriage. His purple clothes were still neat, but his face was blurry.

Pei Ye immediately realized that this was the damage caused by the damage of [Seeing Body]. He looked outside the curtain through the gap and saw that the distant sky and mountain shadows were also missing pieces, like a doomsday scene.

Pei Ye immediately realized where he was.

Twenty years ago in Dakongtong, it snowed heavily in winter and Yu Chaocai's convoy, which was on its way to his new post, had difficulty moving forward in the dangerous mountains.

He tried to check all the records of this heart amber. Unlike the time branch in the Lake and Mountain Valley, this bead only provided one "river", but when Pei Ye looked upstream, it had all dried up.

Of this [Jian Shen], only the damaged end is left.

Falling into this scene again, in the peripheral vision, I saw myself wearing a plain white brocade suit, with neat boots and wrist guards, and a sword leaning against the wall next to me.

At this moment, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching outside the window. I turned around and saw that the curtain had been lifted, and cold wind and hot air blew in my face at the same time.

"The meat porridge is ready. I've brought two bowls for you and Lord Yu." The tall young man stood at the window, and the hilt of the sword hanging on his waist hit the outer wall with a clang. His face was also blurry, and his voice was slightly distorted, but one could still hear some smiles.

Qu Zhu.

Pei Ye clearly remembered the story of the snowy night that Lord Wu told him. Qu Zhu had been helping to cook porridge during those days, and on the last day he put something in it, causing Ji Changcun, who was escorting him, to die of hatred for the poisoned sword.

So what I am seeing now is Lord Sui’s perspective.

So did Qu Zhu put the [Seeing Body] on Lord Sui, either openly or secretly? Perhaps he had been doing this since Bowang, to spy on secrets and make plans?

The three of them were still talking with smiles on their faces. Pei Ye looked at the blurry face in front of him and, not surprisingly, felt a little strange.

Qu Zhu.

Pei Ye remembered how he recognized this name.

He recognized himself at the age of 23. Lying in the mottled shadows of trees in winter, he teased his junior fellow apprentice with a lazy smile; in the empty bronze hall in the wind and snow, he stared at his master angrily; in the small courtyard with candles lit late at night, he quietly nestled in a chair among the mountains of books and papers, staring at the distant and cold starry sky without moving.

He also modified the formation pattern of the [Star Burial Tomb] with his extraordinary genius, and stepped into the temple guarded by star insects alone. This formation pattern that he created when he was so young was like a god descending to the earth in Jianfu Mountain nearly thirty years later.

He was shot down by Xitingxin and Daoxujing, and narrowly escaped death under a starworm, but was finally saved by his master at the cost of his own life.

Pei Ye remembered the scene when the master and disciple were leaning against each other in the corridor after leaving the Bronze Temple that night.

The old man's bones were broken and blood was constantly gushing out of his mouth. Qu Zhu walked slowly forward and drew out his sword with trembling lips. The picture was so real that Pei Ye could hardly believe that he would be like that at the age of thirty.

It was seven years later, in front of the grave. Qu Zhu was like a sword hidden in an ancient sheath. He stood under the starry night and sighed to Qu Zhoufu, "There are some invisible lines that you can't cross by yourself. If you don't have the magical power of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, you will be just another Lord Yu in this life."

Just after he returned that year, on a snowy night in Kongtong, Yu Chaocai's convoy was destroyed by Huansi Tower, and he entered Huansi Tower from then on.

Then when he was forty and fifty years old, he became the [Shadow Sima], helping Huansi Tower complete countless miracles of formations and equipment, as if he had forgotten what he was supposed to do.

Therefore, Pei Ye had long wanted to see Qu Zhu outside Hushan during these seven years. How did he become the person he is today after leaving Hushan with hatred and ambition? And how did he form such a strange relationship with Huansilou?
Now he was standing in front of him.

But soon the curtain was lowered and the person left.

"——After you take office, you should first do your own work well, and then you can go to places like the Sword Training Institute and the Immortal Terrace more often." The old man in front of him drank a mouthful of porridge and continued the previous topic slowly, "Let's do as we said. You have high aspirations and good talent. You are about to enter the Xuanmen. You can move up to a position related to cultivation. There is a promising future for you."

Pei Ye leaned on the backrest and said, "In fact, I think we can add another 'ritual platform'. There is some subtle but necessary connection between the four places, the Sword Training Institute, the Weaponry Bureau, and the Immortal Platform."

"That's right." Yu Chaocai nodded with satisfaction. "You are becoming more and more perceptive after getting started. If you make this connection, you will have room to move forward."

He smiled again and said, "Your idea of ​​'Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing their magical powers' is also very good. And prepare your 'magic pattern'. After a year in the Ministry of Weapons, you can use it to make a name for yourself."

"It's been prepared long ago." Pei Ye kept talking while holding the hot porridge.

"But you must remember that you don't need to sign your own name, and don't go beyond your level." Yu Chaocai said slowly, "Don't seek false reputation in the officialdom. You need to show your true abilities to make the Director of the Department of Weapons remember you first. The reputation outside is actually mixed."

"Are you asking me to conceal my name and attribute this to the Director of the Weaponry Department?"

"Don't want to?"

Pei Ye smiled and said, "Of course I know that."

"How do you know?"

".I didn't think so, Lord Yu, I just wanted to--" Pei Ye paused, then smiled, "Forget it, I won't say it anymore."

Yu Chaocai narrowed his eyes: "Don't bother me."

Pei Ye just smiled and drank the porridge: "However, I heard that in places like the government office, the struggle for power is very fierce. We are outsiders in a remote place, I am afraid it will not be smooth sailing when we get there."

"We don't want to offend anyone."

"How can I not offend you? I heard that there is a man named Qiao Changyue who wants your position."

".Why bother with such groundless accusations?"

"I'm just afraid that we country folk think too highly of others and underestimate the government." Pei Ye sighed, "If we walk uprightly, we'll always be afraid of being hit by a club, and I'm afraid we won't be able to walk high."

"Nonsense! How can I not walk the upright path?" Yu Chaocai scolded coldly, "I have no family background and no means, but I studied and became an official at the age of 26, and this year I am 53 years old and became the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Works. Isn't this possible?"

"No, I didn't say it's impossible." Pei Ye immediately admitted his mistake, and after a moment he smiled as he drank his porridge, "But I think that at most you are just a nobleman."

".Okay, now you dare to look down on me!"

"Oh, I dare not."

"What a big appetite you have."

Pei Ye leaned on the backrest, and the car started to move slowly. He finished the bowl of porridge, looked out the curtain and said seriously: "No, Lord Yu, I want to climb very high, I want to climb very high with you."

"."

"I didn't intend to become famous by relying on that weapon pattern." Pei Ye lowered his head. "We have just arrived at the weapon department, and we need to work together to gain a firm foothold."

Yu Chaocai frowned visibly and said in a low voice, "You misunderstood. I brought you to the capital city only because I appreciate you. I have no intention of plotting anything against you. You don't have to be under my command."

"That's why I regard you as my guiding light in the officialdom." Pei Ye said solemnly.

"."

"Sir Yu, you saved me from my hardship. I have great ambitions in my life, but if I ever become a military governor, I will definitely help you become a military governor first!"

"."

Pei Ye slowly raised the bowl and said with a smile: "Master Yu, since ancient times, ambitious people have always been poor and worried——"

Yu Chaocai remained silent. Pei Ye could not see the emotion on his face. He just lowered his head and smiled, raised the bowl and said, "——In life, we must row the oars in the current!"

This was the first night after leaving Kongtong Sect, and the sky was getting darker.

(End of this chapter)