Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

Taijunzhi suddenly realized: "Thank you both, I will go back and make the arrangements now."

Although they had learned the solution, the Heavenly Mystery Institute could not find four powerful individuals capable of confronting the Yin Duan Buddha Ghost.

After pondering for a long time, Taijun Zhi arrived at Wuyuan to visit the legendary peerless swordsman, Xiang Duxiu.

An unassuming maid came out to greet them and led the lady to the courtyard to wait.

Wuyuan is the most beautiful garden in the area.

Water flows in front of the building, and green hills rise one after another outside the garden.

No one questioned how such a beautiful place could fall into the hands of a mere palace general; all that was known was that Wuyuan and its owner had been there for a long time.

So long ago that people have forgotten whether Wuyuan or its owner came first.

Deep within Wuyuan lies a hot spring, its steam rising year-round.

A person, parting flowers and brushing willow branches, gracefully approaches.

A gentle breeze cannot dispel sorrow and worry. A cold spring cannot wash away the dust that covers my body. Butterfly, the water temperature is too high today.

The maid, Die'er, immediately picked up the bucket: "Then I'll go add a few more buckets of cold water."

Hua'er came to report: "Young Master, the Headmaster of the Heavenly Mystery Academy has come to visit."

"Please ask him to wait a moment, I will be there shortly."

They waited for four hours.

As night fell, Taijun had no choice but to leave.

The next day.

The Tianji Academy was holding a meeting to discuss who would attack the Crystal Tower when a graceful figure arrived.

"Fame is but an external thing; to be detached from it is to be carefree is also a kind of elegance."

The Palace Master Zhan Longwen immediately retorted, "Oh my, who is it? It turns out to be the renowned Master of Wuyuan Pavilion, Xiang Duxiu, who has graced us with his presence."

Xiang Duxiu placed his hand on his forehead and said calmly, "Fame, it's all just empty fame, nothing but fleeting clouds."

Zhan Longwen rolled his eyes.

No one in the hall dared to respond to him.

Xiang Duxiu was under the jurisdiction of Tianfu Academy. Taijunzhi was not Xiang Duxiu's superior, so he was temporarily transferred to help.

"I would like to ask Young Master Xiang to assist the Heavenly Mystery Academy in attacking the Demon World Pagoda."

"The Demon Tower? I've already gone in to investigate."

"Oh? I wonder what the situation is like inside?"

"I discovered three things: first, the Yin Duan Buddha Ghost is very ugly; second, the Yin Duan Buddha Ghost has a very irritable personality; and third, it is very hot there."

Zhan Longwen nearly fainted: "This is your discovery?"

Taijunzhi stopped everyone and announced his choice: "Ten Feng, the acting hall master of Qingyang Hall, Xianglou Master, plus myself, we are still missing one person."

"Let me know once you've found the person."

Xiang Duxiu drifted away.

A few days later, Guan Shanlingyue finally found an opportunity to send Qianye Legend away from Taiyin Division.

Before parting, Chiba took out a small box and gave it to Lingyue as a gift.

When Lingyue opened it, she found it was a replica of the Yin Moon Stone.

"I never knew you were so skillful; you're a real lifesaver."

"Consider it repayment for saving my life. It's a pity I didn't have time to translate that martial arts manual for you."

"After you leave, will you return to the Land of Suffering?"

Chiba, still searching for the eternal sky, said wistfully, "I am not sure about the future either."

Night finally fell.

Guan Shanlingyue sent Qianye Legend out of Taiyin Division: "We part ways here."

The two turned to leave, but felt a pang of longing. They each glanced back, only to see the other's back.

Chiba looked up to find his way, but the stars and moon were indifferent, and he could neither see where he was going nor where he was going back.

He strolled away.

Less than half an hour later, they suddenly encountered a group of patrolling soldiers from the Heavenly Mystery Academy.

"It's Su Huanzhen! He's come to Jijing again!"

"Don't go, arrest him!"

Chiba Legend felt frustrated: "I am not Su Huanzhen."

"You think you can fool us by changing your clothes and dyeing your face white?"

Chiba had no idea that Su Huanzhen had enemies in the Jijing region. Unable to explain himself, he had no choice but to break out of the encirclement and flee in haste.

Little did anyone know that Xiang Duxiu would pass by at that moment.

The patrolling soldiers urgently requested assistance from the owner of Wuyuan Tower.

"Fame is but an external thing; to be detached from it is to be carefree is also a kind of elegance."

In the grove, the two chased each other, but Chiba Legend was no match for Xiang Duxiu.

"Please come to the Tianji Academy."

“I have said before, I am not Su Huanzhen.”

“The Master of the Heavenly Mystery Academy is a reasonable person. You can always explain to him who you are and who you are not.”

"Can I still refuse?"

Taijun Zhi was having a headache over choosing a fourth expert when Xiang Duxiu sent over Chiba Legend.

“You are not Su Huanzhen. You look similar, but your spirit is different.”

"I am the legend of Chiba."

Taijun invited Chiba into the backyard for a private talk: "Would you be willing to make a deal with the Tianji Institute?"

Chiba deciphered the Four Realms of the Crystal Tower, so he naturally understood Taijun Zhi's thoughts: "Does the Dean hope I will assist in attacking the Demon World Pagoda?"

“It is indeed refreshing to talk with a wise man. I am short of a talent. I will heal your wounds during this time, and we will act when the time is right.”

"The academy master believes me so quickly?"

Taijun sighed: "I have no other choice."

Chiba immediately realized that Jijing was short of people, very short of people.

Chapter 55 Asking My Husband, Amidst the Cold Mist and Green Dew

Smoke shrouds the cold water, moonlight veils the sand.

Suddenly, a clear river appeared in the wilderness, its waters gently supporting a painted boat.

Han Yancui sat at the bow of the boat, holding a silk umbrella.

She is waiting for someone.

The person finally arrived, his hurried footsteps revealing his inner anxiety.

The painted boat slowly approached the shore and stopped in front of the owner of Fengxiu.

"My love, I ask you, amidst the loneliness, joy, and sorrow of parting, the fragrant willows, to whom shall I pluck them and give them to you? My love, spring flowers and autumn moon, fleeting dreams of life, tears of longing fall, to whom shall I drink the sorrow of my heart?"

River, painted boats, silk umbrellas, and beautiful women intertwine to create a magnificent scene.

Unfortunately, Fengxiu was not in the mood to appreciate it.

He stepped forward and continued on his way.

Han Yancui called out to him, "May I ask where you are headed, sir?"

"To the ends of the earth, to the corners of the sea, I go wherever my heart desires."

"Although we are strangers who have met by chance, would you do me the honor of inviting you aboard for a chat?"

Han Yancui extended an invitation, and Fengxiu hesitated for a moment before boarding the boat.

He asked with concern, "Young lady, why are you wandering alone on the river?"

"Floating like dust on the waves, only remembering today."

Han Yancui poured him a cup of tea and casually pushed the yellowed copy of "Araki Chronicles" towards him.

Fengxiu's fingers, which were gripping the feather fan, turned white instantly.

Han Yancui already had a plan in mind.

"This young lady doesn't seem to be from a place of hardship?"

“My name is Han Yancui. I come from the Fire House Buddhist Prison of the Four Realms. I can barely be considered a fellow townsman with you, sir.”

Instead of answering, Fengxiu asked, "What brings you here from afar, young lady?"

"I came looking for two people, a man and a woman, but I've only found you so far."

"You jest, young lady."

Han Yancui stared intently at Fengxiu: "Your outward appearances are completely different, but your inner qualities are exactly the same. I'm sure you're the one I'm looking for."

"I am not the person you are looking for."

"Then let me tell you another story, sir. Long ago, in the Four Realms there was a brilliant and talented scholar, nicknamed 'Wedge'..."

No matter how Han Yancui probed, the master of Fengxiu did not reveal any flaws and quickly disembarked and left.

The river remains unchanged, its waters flowing gently like a tapestry.

The misty greenery urges the boat to set off to complete another task.

The second person, whose intelligence came from the Marquis of Triumph, was named Ling Shuixian. She and her two sons had hidden the items belonging to the late King Xie Tianyu.