Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

After the rain, the clouds gradually dispersed, revealing a brilliant blue sky. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shimmering across the earth like a warm, bright golden ribbon. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and flowers, the moist air carrying the earthy fragrance, refreshing and pleasant. Drops of water dripped from the leaves, shimmering with crystalline light, like nature's tears. The distant mountains appeared exceptionally emerald green in the sunlight, and the mountain streams gurgled with a melodious sound, as if expressing the joy after the rain. Birds sang joyfully in the branches, their clear and melodious voices celebrating the tranquility after the rain. Bailixi, Li Ruoyue, and Luzhu emerged from their thatched cottage, feeling the refreshing aftermath of the rain and a sense of relief. They took a deep breath of the fresh air, their faces beaming with smiles. The sunlight shone upon them, warm and bright, as if washing away all fatigue and gloom. They smiled at each other, their hearts filled with hope and anticipation, as if the sky after the rain had been revitalized with life.

Li Ruoyuan told Master Lu to pack up and continue on his journey. Li Ruoyue walked up to Master Baili and said, "Master Baili, the road ahead is long. We'll meet again later."

Baili Xi quickly bowed and said: See you later, have a safe and smooth journey.

After Li Ruoyue and Lu Zhu said goodbye to each other, they walked out of the hut. Bailixi watched their backs getting farther and farther away, muttering: What an interesting girl, I wonder if we can meet again, the road is long and there is no time to meet!

After walking for a whole morning, Li Ruoyue and Lu Zhu were thirsty and rested under a big tree by the roadside. Lu Zhu panted and asked, "Miss, where are we? I'm so hungry now. When can we eat?"

Li Ruoyue wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and said quietly, "We'll walk for about another half hour and there will be a post station ahead. We can rest and eat there." They rested for a cup of tea, then continued walking forward, supporting each other. After about an hour, they noticed a faint row of houses ahead. They hurried a few steps and arrived in front of the house. They saw some people coming in and out, some caravans and soldiers.

At this time, Luzhu happily took Li Ruoyue's hand and said, "Miss, Miss, we are finally here. I am so tired. Let's go inside and rest for a while."

Li Ruoyue and Luzhu stepped into the post station, and they were greeted by a bustling scene, with people coming and going, and carriages passing by in an endless stream. The post station was bustling with people, and the sound of horse hooves and wheels intertwined into a cheerful melody. Luzhu looked around curiously, her eyes sparkling with novelty, as if she was full of infinite expectations for the world. Li Ruoyue gently held Luzhu's hand and said with a smile: "Luzhu, let's rest here for a while." Luzhu nodded, her eyes sparkling with "Miss Yue, let's rest here for a while and see if we can buy some horses? I think we can go faster on horseback." Li Ruoyue nodded lovingly and said, "It's all up to you."

They asked the store owner to find a clean room. Luzhu put down her luggage and looked around curiously, her eyes full of novelty. Li Ruoyue sat on the bed. Luzhu handed her a cup of hot tea. Li Ruoyue took it and felt relieved. Luzhu sat beside her. The two smiled at each other. Li Ruoyue patted Luzhu's shoulder gently and said softly: "Luzhu, let's rest here and continue tomorrow. Let's continue tomorrow." Luzhu nodded, her eyes full of expectation, as if to say: "Sister, I will always be by your side."

They sat in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside, their hearts full of expectations and uneasiness about the future. Outside the window, the sky was clear after the rain, and the sun shone on the earth, appearing particularly bright. The mountains in the distance looked particularly green in the sun, as if spreading a beautiful picture for their future. Li Ruoyue said softly: "Lüzhu, let's go downstairs to get some food! Miss, we still need some food. Let's eat in the house. There are so many people downstairs, I'm afraid it's not safe. I'll do as you say, we'll eat upstairs." Luzhu said happily, "Miss, then I'll go downstairs, you rest here for a while, I'll find something to eat." After saying this happily, she ran downstairs. Li Ruoyue looked at Luzhu's back and shook her head helplessly. She was still a child. It was better this way, without those troubles, unlike herself who always had a stone in her heart. If she can't take revenge in this life and step on those who oppress her, she will never be as happy and cheerful as the heroine.

Luzhu came up and said to Li Ruoyue to take credit, "Miss, I asked them to prepare three dishes and a soup. They will be served soon. We will eat in the house so that we don't have to squeeze with the people below. I brought some hot water. Let's just wash up and eat later, okay?" As she said that, she poured some boiling water into the basin, added some cold water, and beckoned Li Ruoyue to come forward and say, "Miss, you wash first. I'll wash after you finish." Li Ruoyue walked to the basin, picked up the towel, washed her face and hands briefly, dried them, and said to Luzhu, "Luzhu, you should wash up too. We'll eat later."

He hurriedly replied, "Hey, Miss, I know. I'll tell you right away." He quickly went forward to pour out the water the lady had used and quickly washed it in a new basin. A-Gump sat down next to the lady. They were talking. Did you hear it? A-Gump knocked on the door and asked, "Who is outside, guest? I'm the waiter. The food you ordered is ready. I've brought it to you. Please open the door."

At this point, Li Ruoye hurriedly said to Luzhu, Lizhu, go open the door. Lizhu stood up and walked to the door, opened it, turned around and made way for the waiter to come in. The waiter walked to the table, put down the food, and said, "Well, sir, I have brought you the three dishes and one soup you ordered, as well as some rice. All the dishes are served, sir, do you have any other instructions?"

Li Ruoyue waved her hand and asked the waiter to go down. Luzhu sat at the table and served the dishes to the young lady. They ate in a hurry and called back to the store after they were full. The waiter asked them to clean up the leftovers on the table. Then, Li Ruoyue sprinkled some insect repellent powder around the room and made some simple small devices to prevent people from breaking in. Then she hurried to the bed to rest. She was too tired after a day's journey and fell asleep soon.

After a good night's sleep, no one came to disturb them. They had a simple breakfast in the morning, some steamed buns and some porridge. They asked the shopkeeper about the price of the horse. The shopkeeper said calmly: "Excuse me, miss, what kind of horse do you want? We have retired war horses and ordinary mules. Which one do you want?"

If you hear this and ask the shopkeeper how much the war horse is and how much the mule is, boss, tell me a number. When the shopkeeper hears this, he knows that they don’t understand the market here, so he simply tells you that although it is a retired war horse, it is fat and strong, but it is old and not as good as a young horse. It is not easy to use and will not last long. It needs an appropriate amount of silver. Although the mule is not as tall as the war horse, it is young and strong. It also needs 20 taels of silver. It depends on what kind of woman you want. The same 20 taels of silver, the war horse is older, and the mule is young and strong. It depends on which one you need?

Li Ruoyue thought about it and decided that if it was the same 20 taels of silver, he should get a young and strong one, as he could run farther. At this point, Li Ruoyue said to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, I want two mules. Can you give me a discount?"

Shopkeeper, upon hearing this, I knew it was a big buyer. I thought for a moment, "Sir, I'm not satisfied either. These are young and strong horses. If you want shiny skins, I'll give you a discount of one or two taels of silver. Two horses, 39 taels, you can take them away. This is already the lowest price. It can't be any cheaper. We don't bargain in this post station."

When Li Ruoyue heard this, she thought about it and said, "Then you need two mules. The shopkeeper will give you money." Then she gave the shopkeeper 39 taels. The shopkeeper smiled and brought Li Ruoyue and Luzhu to the stable. "Sir, there are five mules. You can pick which two you want and take them away."

Lizhu saw the five mules in the stable and pointed at one of them. "Can I have this one?" she asked. "Look at the white band around its neck, like a necklace. I like this one." Li Ruoyue glanced at the horse she pointed at. "It's okay," the fat and strong shopkeeper said. "The one with the reddish-brown hide and a wisp of black hair is what I want."

The shopkeeper came forward with a smile and said, "Hello, sir." In his eyes, these two horses were the fattest and strongest among them, and ran the fastest. As he said that, he handed the reins of the two horses to them.

Li Ruoyue and the others led two mules out of the post station gate, put their luggage on the horses' backs, and gently stepped on the horses' backs and patted the mules' bellies. The mules burped and walked forward slowly.

Sometimes I rush along at lightning speed and have no time to appreciate the scenery along the road. Sometimes I rush along slowly and leisurely, looking at the scenery on both sides of the road, enjoying this rare quiet time, watching the mountains along the road, and feeling the prosperity of nature.