Time travel, quick transmigration

Xiao Huanling was still hesitant about leaving Chang'an for Mount Hua in the west to find his master, Daoist Yuanzhen, and learn the Autumn Goose Sword Technique. Although he knew some martial arts, they were nothing but empty gestures in front of true masters. His strength was too weak; to become powerful, he first had to work hard on his swordsmanship.

He not only needs to become stronger, but also needs to have power; otherwise, how can he protect the people he cares about?

Shi Yan mentioned a two-year timeframe, which is a suitable period for him to work hard and improve himself. Even if he is not in Chang'an, he does not need to worry about Shi Yan being forced into the palace.

Once he has mastered the swordsmanship, he will immediately return. With further planning, he will surely possess the power to protect Shi Yan and allow her to act as she pleases. Yang Zhao, as the elder brother, is only driven by scheming and selfishness, and is utterly unreliable.

Xiao Huanling, who was at the center of power in Chang'an, knew very well what was truly frightening: power and status, and the military force at his disposal.

"Actually, there's something else I wanted to tell you this time."

Even before leaving, Xiao Huanling already had a sense of reluctance in her eyes.

Shi Yan seemed to have a premonition of something, and smiled slightly as she looked into his eyes.

"Is he here to say goodbye?"

Xiao Huanling was somewhat surprised that Shi Yan had seen through his thoughts, and he stood there stunned for a moment.

Seeing his reaction, Shi Yan was about 70-80% certain. Although she was reluctant to part with him, she didn't want to be too sad, so she deliberately joked.

"Didn't you just say that if I didn't leave Chang'an, you wouldn't leave either? Why did you change your mind so quickly?"

Xiao Huanling panicked, thinking that Shi Yan had misunderstood him, believing that he was someone who changed his mind frequently, spoke carelessly, and liked to boast.

Every word I said to you came from the bottom of my heart.

"This departure from Chang'an was a last-minute decision. I want to go to Xiyue to find Yuanzhen Daoist, who taught me martial arts, and learn the Qiuhong Sword Technique that he insisted on teaching me before. I just feel that I am too weak and have no strength to fight against others."

"I can't stay idle forever. Once I've mastered swordsmanship and improved my skills, I'll find a proper job in Chang'an."

"By then, I will be able to buy my own house and move out of the Xiao family mansion. My father has always looked down on me, so I'll have to prove myself no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan smiled faintly, feeling even more gratified. "So that's how it is. I'm naturally happy for you and fully support you because of your determination to improve. Go ahead, I'll be waiting for the day you become even stronger."

"By the way, are you sure which day you're leaving?"

Xiao Huanling picked up the teapot and added tea to Shi Yan's cup.

"Three days from now is an auspicious day for long journeys. I plan to travel with a merchant who is going to Xiyue to purchase goods. It will be good to have someone to look after me on the road."

Shi Yan was a little surprised. She thought Xiao Huanling was a person who liked to go alone, but hearing that he would be traveling with others, she was indeed less worried about him.

"You've thought of everything. Traveling with others means you can look out for each other on the road, and you won't feel too lonely."

Xiao Huanling looked at Shi Yan and gently hummed in agreement. In truth, the reason he spoke to her that way was simply to put her mind at ease. Hearing Shi Yan's words, he became even more certain that she cared about him, and his heart softened even more.

"I won't see you off on the day you leave. I've never been good at saying goodbye. I'm afraid I'll be sad to see you leave, since parting is always inevitably sad."

Shi Yan's voice was low, and although she was smiling, it made Xiao Huanling feel heartache. Although he was disappointed that she couldn't see him off, he really didn't want to see her in a bad mood.

"It's okay. Actually, I'm not used to parting either. We'll meet again eventually, and then we'll have a good get-together."

"Do you need me to leave the Flowing Cloud for you? You can ride it around to relax when you have time."

Shi Yan hadn't expected Xiao Huanling to be so straightforward, and she smiled, covering her lips with her eyes.

"Why are you so honest, as if you want to give me all the good things you have? You should keep Liuyun with you. It won't be convenient for you to travel far without it. It's intelligent and loyal to you, and I'll feel more at ease with it by your side."

"It's not appropriate for me to keep going outside while staying here at Dongling Temple."

Xiao Huanling understood Shi Yan's meaning, and he didn't insist any further.

"Alright then. I won't be able to visit you often since I'm not in Chang'an. Please take good care of yourself."

When it was time to say goodbye, Xiao Huanling realized how difficult it would be to leave after having someone to care about. He wondered how unbearable it would be to not see the person he wanted to see for a long time.

Yang Zhao, who was about to collapse from being drenched in the rain, looked through the rain curtain at the two figures approaching him. He was initially delighted, but when he raised his hand to wipe his face, the joy in his eyes vanished instantly when he realized that the person holding an umbrella and walking in front of him was not Yang Yuhuan.

Xiaodie glanced at Yang Zhao's disheveled appearance and secretly warned herself not to be soft-hearted. So she said in a rough and unfriendly voice.

"Young master, what are you doing? You should go back to the carriage and stay there. Be careful not to catch a cold if you get chilled."

Yang Zhao didn't listen to Xiao Die's words at all; at this moment, he was annoyed by Yang Yuhuan's avoidance.

Xiaodie felt uncomfortable when she saw that Yang Zhao was not moving or responding.

"Young master, do you perhaps have some grievance against my wife? As her brother, instead of caring for and loving her, who are you trying to impress with your self-deprecating behavior? My wife has already entered the Taoist order, intending to be devout and quiet her mind, which is why she made the decision to let go of worldly ties. Yet you stood in the rain in front of the temple gate in front of the nunneries. What is this if not coercion?"

"My wife has suffered so much. Even her family doesn't understand her. Is this trying to cut off her livelihood?"

Xiaodie choked up and cried as she spoke.

Xiao Die's heartfelt outpouring was like a slap in the face to all of them, leaving Yang Zhao completely bewildered. Xiao Die's words were like a heavy hat being placed on his head, leaving him at a loss.

"This, this, what are you saying? How could I, Yang Zhao, have any ill intentions towards my sister? I, I merely..."

Xiao Die interrupted Yang Zhao's explanation and self-disclosure.

"Alright, young master, there's no need to explain any further. My wife sent me to deliver a few words to you."

"The lady said she will not leave Dongling Temple for at least two years, and she will absolutely not change her mind. So please go back and don't come back."

She told you to take good care of yourself.

“My lady has her own difficulties and reasons. If you truly care for her, please consider her feelings. If she didn’t care about you, she wouldn’t have let me come out to see you. You can just pretend you don’t know you’re out there.”

Yang Zhao was rendered speechless and had no confidence to raise his head again; he had indeed come with ulterior motives.

"Yes, Benefactor Yang, you should leave. Since Taizhen sent Xiaodie to deliver a message to you, you should understand Taizhen's meaning."

"Taoist temples are supposed to be places of tranquility. Please restore the tranquility of Dongling Temple."

Standing behind Xiaodie, Yunying stepped forward and offered Yang Zhao a few words of advice.

Yang Zhao looked up at Xiao Die, then at Yun Ying, and felt that he really had no face to continue.

"Come on, help me to the carriage."

As he spoke, he turned his back to Dongling Temple and walked into the carriage.

Yang Gui responded and immediately stepped forward to help Yang Zhao.

"Tell your wife that I, as the elder brother, was reckless today, and ask her to forgive me."

With that, he used Yang Gui's help to get into the carriage.

Before long, the coachman drove the carriage away, and the people who had come with him followed in a clatter.