A Shocking Dream

Qin Ruoyu could not feel any emotion at all when she said that. Wu Nian's tone was as calm as the surface of a lake without ripples, as if all the past pains were gathered in the sentence "Thanks to your uncle the emperor".

"The emperor's uncle doesn't know..."

Qin Ruoyu tried to speak, wanting to explain for the emperor's uncle, but the words seemed to be stuck on his lips, and he swallowed them back down. The matter between them was like a tangled spider web, so it was better for him not to interfere lightly.

"I'll leave Yuanyuan in your care for the next few days."

Qin Ruoyu felt as if he was lost in a cloud of mist. Before he could understand the deep meaning, Lin Bingshuang walked out like a gust of wind.

He was about to ask when he felt a heaviness in his head, as if a heavy burden had been placed upon him. Then, everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground. The moment he closed his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure, slowly walking towards him, like a nelumbo nucifera blooming in the dark night.

"Hello..." He hadn't finished his words when his head sank again. Like a puppet with its strings cut, Qin Ruoyu fainted on the ground. "Hello, are they all ready to go?" Wu Nian stood at the cave entrance like a tall pine tree, quietly asking Hello.

"Everything is ready. They will be ready to move as soon as our uncle-master gives the order."

"Very good. You go and tell Yuanyuan a few words. I'll be waiting for you outside the cave." Wu Nian turned and left. This time, she vowed to let everything disappear completely from the world's sight like a passing cloud.

Kanan walked over quietly, slowly squatted down, and gently raised her hand, as if caressing the most precious treasure in the world, gently stroking Yuanyuan's sleeping face, and whispered softly:

"Ayuan, you will stay with Master Qin for a while. Once this matter is settled, we will definitely return to find you. Don't worry, we have never abandoned you. There must be a deep meaning behind Master's actions. You and I will obey. Ayuan, you must wait patiently for your sister to come and pick you up."

After Wan Wan finished speaking, tears streamed down her face. She truly couldn't understand why her uncle-master wanted to separate her and her sisters. Since her uncle-master hadn't explained it, she didn't dare ask further, fearing she would delay the conversation too much. Wan Wan quickly wiped away her tears, rose, and left, like a gentle breeze.

Yuanyuan was sleeping soundly, like a quiet kitten, unaware of everything happening around her.

"Kankan, why are you crying?" Wu Nian caught a glimpse of Kankan walking out. Her eyes were slightly red, like two ripe cherries, and it was obvious that she had just cried.

"Uncle Master, I'm fine." Kankan's voice was slightly inflected, like a yellow oriole singing out of a valley, but with a hint of sobs. Seeing this, Wunian slowly approached, raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears that had yet to be wiped away from the corners of Kankan's eyes, whispering softly:

"I understand that you two sisters are reluctant to part ways for the first time. Don't worry, believe me, we are only leaving Yuanyuan with Qin Ruoyu for a while. I will definitely come back to pick her up."

"Yes, I believe in my uncle-master." Kankan nodded slightly, her emotions calming down a little.

"Let's go quickly, they are still waiting for us ahead." Wu Nian took Kankan's icy little hand and walked towards the endless darkness.

Vegetarian Pie

The disciples were ready, awaiting Wu Nian's command to set a blazing fire, reducing all the Su Nu sect's houses to ash. However, the Su Nu sect was hidden deep in the mountains, and setting the fire directly would inevitably damage the forest. Wu Nian pondered deeply and finally came up with a brilliant plan: to remove all the vegetation around the houses to prevent the fire from spreading.

The trees in winter are like sleeping giants. Even if sparks fall, it is difficult to ignite them.

Each of the twelve sects of the Su Nu sect sent three people to monitor the fire, and Wu Nian also stayed behind. Every blade of grass and tree, every brick and tile here, was the product of her painstaking efforts, the fruit of her meticulous planning. She had founded the Su Nu sect, intending to remain hidden from the world, and had chosen Qiuluo Mountain. Now that the sect's location had been exposed, its existence in the world was meaningless. Rather than this, it would be better to dismiss the disciples and destroy it.

It is called Wunian, just like the Buddha who has no desires and no thoughts.

"Master uncle, everything is ready. Most of the disciples, led by Ruqing, have disguised themselves and quietly gone down the mountain under the cover of night." Du Yingmeng said softly when she saw Wunian approaching.

"Inform everyone to proceed according to the plan, Xiao Meng. Remember my words. Everyone should be like the stars hidden in the dark night, quietly awaiting my instructions. Unless absolutely necessary, do not reveal your identity. Disciples of each merchant family should also follow the usual practice and not pass on any information to each other during this period. We will discuss this matter after the Yun Kingdom delegation leaves the capital. In addition, if there are disciples who are greedy for this worldly life and are willing to give up their martial arts, let them go."

"Yes."

Even though Du Yingmeng was reluctant, she had to obey her uncle's order as heavy as Mount Tai.

In a moment, flames appeared in the quiet night, winding like a fire dragon and erupting like a volcano, with endless smoke rising.

On the cliff, Wu Nian saw the firelight below reflected in Kankan's eyes, like two burning flames. Her heart must have been as painful as a flower ravaged by a raging wind. Wu Nian gently patted Kankan's shoulder. Kankan turned and looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks like pearls from a broken string. Seeing a beauty in tears, I felt pity. Wu Nian pulled her tightly into his arms, her face pressed against his abdomen. Kankan was a little reserved, afraid her tears would stain Wu Nian's dress, so she didn't dare to move closer.

"Kankan, don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, we'll definitely be reunited one day. Burning down the Su Nu Sect was a last resort. Our sect has always upheld the principle of staying out of the world and not getting involved in the disputes of the martial arts world, but now it's exposed to the world. If we don't destroy it, it will be extremely detrimental to the future survival of our Su Nu Sect."

Wu Nian spoke softly and touched her head gently. Kankan was like a wounded little animal. She hugged Wu Nian tightly, buried her head deep in her abdomen, and sobbed.

"Look, there's a fire over there!"

People at the foot of Qiuluo Mountain who had not entered the mountain were surprised to find that the mountains and forests around Qiuluo Mountain seemed to be swallowed by a huge fire dragon, and the raging flames illuminated the entire night sky.

"What's going on? Why is there a fire in that area?"

"Go and take a look! This wildfire is so strange, could it be some ominous sign?"

"Oh!"

"Oh!"

Most of the signal fireworks rose into the sky like meteors. Everyone who entered Qiuluo Mountain discovered the signal fireworks of their respective sects, and their hearts were full of doubts, as if these fireworks were mysterious messengers dropped from the sky, bringing unknown news.

"Master uncle, why are there suddenly so many fireworks at the foot of the mountain?"

Kanan looked at the fireworks, her eyes full of curiosity and confusion. In her eyes, the fireworks were like colorful flowers blooming in the night sky.

"These are the signal fireworks used by all the major sects. Our Su Nu sect also has them, but we've never set them off before. The people down the mountain must have noticed our fire and are signaling them to notify the rest of the sect."

"Will they go put out the fire?"

"The distance is too great, like a natural chasm, there is no way to save it."

Kanan looked up at the dazzling fireworks in the sky and thought to herself: It’s so beautiful. I wish Yuanyuan could see this beautiful scene.

On a quiet night, some people cannot sleep all night, their thoughts surging like the tide; while others are immersed in sweet dreams, as if they have forgotten all the troubles in the world.

"Ruoyu, wake up!" Qin Ruoyu, half asleep, heard someone calling him urgently. He slowly opened his eyes, only to be met with the concerned gaze of his uncle, Qin Rongchen. Qin Ruoyu, startled, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and asked, "Uncle, how did you get here so quickly? Is it already daybreak?"

Qin Rongchen shook his head slightly and said solemnly, "It's not even daybreak yet. I saw signal fireworks going off from a distance and thought something serious must have happened, so I rushed over. Why are you lying here?" Qin Ruoyu frowned and thought for a moment, the image of Lin Bingshuang flashing through his mind. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Qin Rongchen's arm. Just as he was about to speak, he swallowed his words back.

"What's wrong? What do you want to say?" Qin Rongchen saw Qin Ruoyu's reaction and thought he had important news to share, but he didn't expect him to remain silent again. Qin Ruoyu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Uncle, what happened? How did you get to the top of the mountain so quickly?" Qin Ruoyu thought about it and decided it was best not to say anything, so he changed the subject.

"There was a wildfire in the Qiuluo Mountain area. Yijing told me that there was a shortcut up the mountain. I was able to quickly get up the mountain by following the map he gave me." Qin Rongchen explained. "What?" Qin Ruoyu was shocked. He hurriedly got up and rushed out of the cave. Sure enough, flames shot up into the sky and thick smoke billowed around Qiuluo Mountain. He thought to himself that it was not good. It's over. It's really over now. He ran back to the cave anxiously. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Yuanyuan sleeping soundly. He was afraid of waking her up, so he whispered, "Uncle, let's talk outside." Qin Rongchen looked at his panicked appearance, frowned slightly and said, "What's wrong? Why are you so panicked? Didn't I tell you to stay calm in the face of things?"