owlsbooks Chapter 89: Each on Their Own Path.
Chapter 89: Each on Their Own Path.
A deafening roar, tinged with the stench of blood, rose from beneath our feet.
On a watchtower somewhere, Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze stood side by side, after meeting up with Shi Gong and giving Zou Yun his final instructions.
The two decided to return to Xianyang and wait for an opportunity to act.
At this moment, Feng Zhixue's gaze pierced through the frenzied crowd and fixed intently on the center of the execution ground.
They watched silently as the Grand Master was cut in half at the waist, and silently as his body was passed from one person to another.
Looking down at the crowd screaming like wild beasts, every face was filled with suppressed emotions, as if they had broken free from some invisible shackles.
But to Feng Zhixue and Zheng Ze, the cheers sounded incredibly jarring.
Feng Zhixue struggled to look away from the pool of blood, searching through the crowd until his gaze finally landed on a figure wearing a simple bamboo hat.
"Is that Liu Bang?"
The man's expression was somber, making him stand out from the surrounding revelry.
"Maybe so."
Zheng Ze's answer was cold and curt.
His gaze never left Zou Yun's broken body, and his tone was indifferent.
It was as if a part of his soul had suddenly disappeared with Zou Yun's death.
Looking at the unremarkable Liu Bang, Feng Zhixue could only think that the man was nothing more than a country bumpkin.
Once they achieve success, they simply don luxurious clothes.
But since the master had spoken, Feng Zhixue could only feel that he was simply unable to judge people.
So, against his will, he praised, "The Duke of Pei... is indeed extraordinary."
Zheng Ze did not respond, seemingly unconcerned. For a moment, the atmosphere on the upper floor became somewhat tense.
After a moment, Feng Zhixue took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.
"After that, we should follow the advice of the Grand Master, seek a good opportunity, assist Liu Bang, and end this chaotic world as soon as possible."
"And once the chaos ends, we can rebuild the Temple of Immortals."
"Then recruit more disciples to spread the great master's fame far and wide and make it even more glorious."
"Haha... Even if... even if Lord Pei isn't interested in the Fangshi, with our abilities, we can still become wealthy men and wait for the Grand Master to return."
"At that time, I'll acquire a dozen or so acres of poor land, and you..."
Feng Zhixue's eyes lit up as he chattered on and on about the future, seemingly already envisioning a wonderful life ahead.
However, Zheng Ze, who had been silent all along, suddenly interrupted him.
"I'm leaving."
The sound wasn't loud, but it exploded in Feng Zhixue's ears like a thunderclap.
"Let's go?! Oh...right..."
Feng Zhixue's smile froze for a moment, then he nodded in agreement.
"This place is indeed too dangerous. We could be discovered at any moment. We should leave."
"I said, I'm leaving!!"
Zheng Ze turned around abruptly, staring coldly at Feng Zhixue, who was trying to feign madness, and reiterated his statement.
The smile on Feng Zhixue's face froze completely.
He slowly concealed his unease, his throat bobbed, and asked softly.
"Where...are you going? Really not coming with us?!"
"have no idea."
Zheng Ze subconsciously touched the pouch in his pocket. He slowly raised his head and stared blankly at the distant horizon.
"Perhaps... I will head west to Kunlun, or perhaps I will sail out to sea to search for those elusive traces of ancient immortals and gods."
His voice was ethereal, like that of a traveler lost in the fog.
"Yeah......"
Feng Zhixue's unfocused gaze swept across the crowd, finally turning into a long sigh.
After a moment of silence, he turned around, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Zheng Ze.
"Then... I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Zheng."
His voice drifted in the wind, carrying an unyielding bitterness.
Zheng Ze returned the greeting with perfect posture and meticulous movements.
"May all your wishes come true, Mr. Feng."
No further words were said.
The two figures passed each other, brushing past each other.
Even though they both knew in their hearts that in this chaotic world, this parting would mean being separated by mountains and rivers, with the prospect of reunion as faint as the stars.
But they did not hesitate, and no one looked back.
The swirling sandstorm whipped at their clothes; they started from the same point, but a different world lay ahead.
As the winds and sandstorms rise beyond the Great Wall, a lone rider resolutely embarks on a solitary journey to the sacred Kunlun Mountains.
Deep in the Qinling Mountains, the Ziwu Valley is secluded and tranquil.
The other person quietly hid in the mountains and forests, patiently waiting for the arrival of the wise ruler.
at the same time.
On the winding ancient road leading to Sichuan.
A long convoy of cars moved slowly through the swirling yellow dust, the wheels making a monotonous sound as they rolled over the rammed earth road.
Shi Gong glanced at the boy who was playing with the small pottery bottle in his hand, and couldn't help but roll his eyes and complain.
"Uncle Qing, I really don't understand why you don't follow Lord Feng or Lord Zheng, but insist on pestering this old geezer of mine?"
Wei Shuqing raised his head, grinned, and said crisply.
"It was Feng Jun's order! He said that before the situation becomes clear, it's safest for my son to follow Master Shi."
Of course, he didn't dare to say the second half of what he said: Feng Jun said that Shi Gong was cunning and shrewd, and that he would definitely not suffer if he followed him.
"These brats are always causing trouble for your father."
Shi Gong's lips twitched slightly as he silently grumbled to himself.
But looking at the boy's matter-of-fact expression, he was speechless for a moment and could not find a reason to refute him.
"Fine, consider it repaying Zou for having a change of heart and notifying someone of their escape in advance," Shi Gong sighed inwardly.
Without saying a word, Wei Shuqing continued to bury himself in playing with the glowing ceramic bottle.
Silence enveloped the convoy once again.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the empty valley, adding to the loneliness of the journey.
After a long while, Shi Gong finally couldn't suppress the heaviness in his heart.
He turned his head to examine Wei Shuqing's small face, and tentatively asked, "Shuqing... are you really not worried at all about Grand Master Zou?"
"Don't worry!"
Wei Shuqing's answer was concise and to the point.
"Master Feng and Master Zheng already told the boy that the Grand Master is an expert in the art of dismantling weapons."
"They said that even if we were all gone in this chaotic world, the Grand Master would surely live a good life."
"So as long as we take care of ourselves and live well, we will definitely be able to see the Grand Master again one day."
Wei Shuqing tilted his little face up, his smile bright and confident.
Those eyes sparkled with tiny lights, filled with anticipation for the future.
"Yeah......"
Shi Gong remained silent.
Shi Gong, who believed himself to be the only one who knew some of the cruel truth, opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
He let out a long sigh.
He shifted his gaze to the misty clouds ahead of the Shu Road, and his voice became unusually distant.
"Then... Uncle Qing, you must take good care of yourself. From today onwards, you will follow me... to learn the art of alchemy."
Shi Gong paused for a moment, then continued.
"Once you are able to personally refine a batch of qualified elixirs... perhaps, the Grand Master will follow the fragrance of the elixir and return to find you."
"Really?!!"
Wei Shuqing's eyes instantly lit up with amazing light, and he jumped for joy.
"Of course it's true!"
Master Shi deliberately put on a stern face, puffed out his beard, and glared, saying, "Would I, the dignified Master Shi, possibly deceive a little brat like you?"
"Ha! That's great!"
Wei Shuqing was so excited he almost jumped for joy.
He raised his youthful face high, gazing at the boundless blue sky, as if he could already see the day he would reunite with Zou Yun in the future.
"That child must learn how to refine elixirs as quickly as possible."
Looking at the energetic young man beside him, Shi Gong's lips twitched slightly, but he ultimately failed to form a genuine smile.
He silently turned his head and looked at the receding mountains and fields.
Deep within his heart, he let out a sigh that only he could hear.
That sigh, along with the swaying wheels, was crushed into this chaotic world.