The woman was Qi Wan'er's sister, Qi Yanfeng. As for why she was walking with the Yuan family, it was not surprising. The big families were related to each other. The mother of Qi Wan'er's siblings was the legitimate daughter of the Yuan family. It was estimated that Qi Yanfeng came to her uncle's house this time and happened to catch up with the matter of Gu Lin, so she followed in.
"So it's my cousin. It's true that girls change a lot when they grow up. I almost didn't recognize you after not seeing you for so many years." Duan Qingming walked forward with a smile. His handsome face was gentle and amiable, just like a kind brother. "When we were little, I took you to Jintian Lake to catch fish. In the blink of an eye, you have grown up like this."
"Yes... yes!" Qi Yanfeng was very shy and didn't dare to raise his head in front of him. "Sixth cousin has also changed. I just saw that it looked like you, so I tried to call you... It really is you."
Duan Qingming asked: "Are you coming out alone?"
Yuan Xiao coughed beside him, but before he could speak, Qi Yanfeng said "hmm" and finally raised his head: "I was going to my uncle's house, sixth cousin, have you seen Wan'er?"
Duan Qingming said, "I saw him in the sea. Didn't he go back with your grandfather? How come he really ran away from his marriage?"
Tears quickly formed in her beautiful eyes. Qi Yanfeng took out a handkerchief to wipe them away, and said with a hint of anxiety: "The master and his family have asked many people to find him, but they still can't find him. I'm worried... Do you know where he went?"
Duan Qingming frowned: "I don't know about that."
Gu Pinglin was watching with great interest from the side.
Qi Yanfeng covered her face with a handkerchief and cried, but she was actually secretly observing Duan Qingming's expression. This girl was not as weak as she seemed, she was very thoughtful. However, compared with Duan Qingming's disguise skills, she was still too immature.
"Don't worry, cousin Wan'er will be fine." Duan Qingming patted her back to comfort her.
Yuan Xiao finally found an opportunity to speak, and hurriedly pulled Qi Yanfeng to his side without leaving any trace: "That's right, Thirteenth cousin has superb swordsmanship at a young age, and he also has a magic weapon to protect himself. Who can hurt him? Don't worry."
Qi Yanfeng stopped crying and nodded.
Duan Qingming suddenly remembered something: "Oh, I'm afraid he stayed in the sea..."
As soon as these words came out, Qi Yanfeng's tears fell again: "Then... what should I do?"
The sea realm is so dangerous that any inner alchemy cultivator must be extremely cautious when acting alone. Qi Wan'er has been practicing since she was young and has taken advantage of the Qi family's resources. She has just formed an outer elixir, so how can she stay in the sea realm alone!
"Cousin!" Yuan Xiao was in a panic.
"I'm just guessing, it may not be true," Duan Qingming reacted, "I think cousin Wan'er is not someone who doesn't know the importance of things."
It would have been better if he didn't say it. Once he said it, Qi Yanfeng cried even harder.
Qi Wan'er has always been willful, so she doesn't know what's important? Since he can't be found anywhere else, it's very likely that he's in the sea.
“Good cousin, you… don’t cry…” Yuan Xiao was so anxious that he didn’t know what to say. He kept circling around Qi Yanfeng without any arrogance at all. Even Gu Pinglin and others couldn’t bear to look at his attentiveness.
Duan Qingming stood by and watched for a while before he slowly spoke: "Why did my cousin come into the ancient forest?"
At this point, there was no point in being anxious. Qi Yanfeng still understood the truth. He stopped crying and sobbed as he replied, "I heard that something strange happened in Gulin. My uncle asked my cousin to bring me here first. Do you want to go too?"
"Exactly."
“Then…” Qi Yanfeng looked at Yuan Xiao hesitantly.
A cold light flashed in his eyes, and Yuan Xiao actually put down his airs and took the initiative to say to Duan Qingming: "I didn't expect it to be Brother Duan. I am sorry for offending you just now. I heard my uncle praise your extraordinary talent in my early years. I didn't expect you to join the Lingxin Sect. I thought you were in the Xuanming Sect..." He sighed regretfully.
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "The Tao is in the human heart, so how can we not cultivate it?"
"That's right," Yuan Xiao nodded politely, but there was still a hint of disdain in his eyes. He went on to the point, "From what you said just now, do you know the way?"
Duan Qingming said: "I do know a shortcut that leads to the land of visions."
Yuan Xiao was overjoyed: "Really?"
Duan Qingming extended an invitation sympathetically: "Brother Yuan, if you don't mind, you may come along."
"Then we are shameless and take advantage of you," Yuan Xiao curled his lips, feeling a little embarrassed, "but my father told me to protect my cousin. As for them, their cultivation is not high..."
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "We are all relatives, so why bother being polite? We will lead the way ahead, and you just need to follow carefully."
Leading the way ahead was the most dangerous. Yuan Xiao had not expected him to be so forthcoming and take on so much responsibility. In his heart, he mocked him for being ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, but on the surface he was relieved and praised him: "The swordsmanship of the Lingxin Sect is extraordinary. I have also heard of it a long time ago. Now I will trouble you."
Duan Qingming said a few humble words and walked slowly back to Pinglin.
Qi Yanfeng looked at his figure, wanting to say something but stopping himself, and was pulled away by Yuan Xiao.
Cheng Yi grew up in the ancient forest and knew the way of survival in the ancient forest best. The road he chose was relatively safe. The group walked for a whole day without encountering any ferocious beasts, only a few groups of high-level monsters. Yuan Xiao was secretly delighted and ordered people to mark the way along the way to guide the Yuan family members behind.
Even a blind man could see Yuan Xiao's feelings for Qi Yanfeng, but Qi Yanfeng treated him very calmly. Instead, he often came to talk to Duan Qingming, which made Yuan Xiao furious. He was much older than everyone else and had just been promoted to the Inner Alchemy Realm. He originally did not take Duan Qingming seriously, but now he could not help but feel resentful. Duan Qingming, on the other hand, was unaware of it and continued to chat and laugh with the Yuan family as usual. In order to preserve his demeanor as a young master from a noble family, Yuan Xiao had to pretend nothing had happened.
At dusk, everyone stopped and rested in the valley.
"What do they do?" The Yuan family members joined in. Yan Sen was very dissatisfied and negotiated with Duan Qingming, "Let me make it clear first, I don't care about others!"
Duan Qingming said: "Of course, they came here voluntarily and can be helpers when necessary."
Yan Sen laughed strangely: "I told you that you have bad intentions. That delicate girl seems to call you cousin. Are you willing to do that?"
"O," Duan Qingming moved to Gu Pinglin's side and poked the fire. "Of course I care. This does not conflict with helping. More people means more safety. Besides, they are all relatives. Telling them about this road is also a sincere gesture on my part."
Yan Sen sneered.
"Yuan Xiao is a great inner alchemy cultivator. If you use him, aren't you afraid of backlash?" Gu Pinglin took a branch and tapped the ground lightly. "He is loyal to the Qi family and will probably find a chance to get rid of you."
Duan Qingming asked: "Then what do you think?"
Gu Pinglin said: "If he wants to kill you, what does it have to do with me?"
"We are friendly brothers. If he wants to kill me, why would he let you go?" Duan Qingming took the branch from his hand. "If necessary, he will definitely kill everyone to silence them. Aren't you afraid?"
Gu Pinglin laughed and said, "Don't be afraid. With you here, you will be the first to take the lead."
"Good idea," Duan Qingming threw a piece of firewood into the fire, "I'm not afraid either. With Senior Yan here, I believe he will take the lead."
Yan Sen was so angry: "I'll fuck your ancestors!"
"You lose your temper so easily," Duan Qingming said with a smile, "Senior, you are old, you should take care of your health."
Veins on his forehead were throbbing, and Yan Sen simply turned his back and meditated, out of sight, out of mind.
"I'm just reminding you," Gu Pinglin's voice faded, "Remember your promise."
"here we go again."
…
As the two were talking, Yuan Xiao's voice came from the other side: "This road is indeed safe, there are no ferocious beasts."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yi hurriedly said, "No, there are just fewer beasts on this road, but there are still a few difficult ones. The rabbit that Senior Xin mentioned is just ahead."
When it comes to rabbits, Xin Ji hurriedly interrupts: "What..."
"What rabbit?" Duan Qingming happened to hear it and turned around to ask.
"A very cunning rabbit," Cheng Yi pointed at Xin Ji and then at Yan Sen, "They have been fooled by the little rabbit before."
Duan Qingming immediately looked strange.
Gu Pinglin glanced at him with a smile and raised his eyebrows.
Xin Ji secretly groaned, but Yan Sen didn't think much of it and had an expression that said "That's what I said."
Fortunately, Duan Qingming quickly recovered and didn't care. He said slowly: "Oh, so they can't even beat the little bastards. They are really stupid."
"Yes... Oh." Cheng Yi thought about it and agreed. Then he was frightened by Yan Sen's ferocious eyes and touched his head in confusion.
"It's still early. I'll go ahead and scout the way." Xin Ji coughed awkwardly, turned into black gas, and disappeared into the wind.
"Hey, we can't fly!" Cheng Yi said, "There are bastards!"
Xin Ji now held his breath when he heard these words, ran even faster, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"It seems that the little bastard is very powerful," Gu Pinglin looked in the direction he went, his tone solemn, without a trace of joking, "I hope he won't suffer any loss."
Cheng Yi panicked even more, and jumped up and shouted, "What should I do? There's a rabbit, call him back!"
The country boy is ignorant. Yuan Xiao heard this and couldn't help but sneer, but he also knew that Cheng Yi was a guide, so he was polite: "Don't be afraid, little brother. I'll have someone catch ten spirit rabbits for you someday."
Cheng Yi shook his head repeatedly: "No, the rabbit is very powerful."
"I know," Yuan Xiao comforted him impatiently, "Don't worry, with us here, the rabbit can't hurt you."
All the Yuan clan monks laughed.
Cheng Yi wanted to say more, but Duan Qingming stopped him: "Don't worry, Senior Xin will be fine."
"Oh." Cheng Yi believed his words and really became quiet.
Qi Yanfeng poked his head over to look at this side, then walked over carefully, his voice as thin as a mosquito's: "Sixth cousin."
"Cousin," Duan Qingming motioned for her to sit down, "What's the matter?"
Qi Yanfeng shook her head and sat down beside her. She bit her lip for a long time and suddenly waved her hand to set up a barrier: "No, I heard that you are very good at swordsmanship, so I... just wanted to ask."
In aristocratic families, the value of women lies mostly in marriage alliances. As outsiders, they usually cannot learn the advanced swordsmanship of the family. Her previous move "Spirit Mountain Rain" was obviously incomplete, and it should have been practiced in private. Moreover, she has not yet formed an external elixir, which shows that she is not as valued as Qi Wan'er in the family, and the resources she obtains are limited, which is also helpless.
Duan Qingming said: "I know a little bit, if you don't mind, please tell me."
Qi Yanfeng's face turned red, he lowered his head and said nothing, he just picked up a small wooden stick from the branch next to him and started scratching the ground at his feet.
Gu Pinglin took a glance and praised inwardly.
The seemingly chaotic strokes were actually deformed sword patterns. What a clever woman! She privately learned Qi's advanced sword moves, intending to avoid Yuan Xiao's eyes and ears.
"The form becomes rain, once it has dispersed, how can it come together again?"
"Dispersion is not dispersion, but unity."
"When will you be back?"
"If you want to return, then return."
One of them was looking down at the ground absentmindedly, wiping the marks with his feet from time to time; the other one was answering in a friendly manner, showing the friendliness of a brother. From the outside, no one would be suspicious.
At this moment, it seemed as if the conflict between Qi and Duan Qingming had never existed. Qi Yanfeng was fully focused and asked very detailed questions, hiding nothing in his mind.
Putting aside grudges and having no distractions is a sign of a swordsman's devotion to the sword.
Duan Qingming was not perfunctory and reserved, and every sentence hit the point. This was the confidence of a strong man.
Gu Pinglin was a little absent-minded listening to the conversation between the two.
"It seems you put a lot of thought into this move. Unfortunately, two of your strikes were wrong."
"A sword is a weapon for killing. Is a sword that traps people also called a sword?"
"Mediocre swordsmanship, no matter how much it is improved, is still mediocre."
"What do you think, Master Gu?"
…
Even if it was an opponent, that person never minded reminding him, and he occupied the top of the sword path with an arrogant and conceited attitude. He was not afraid of his opponent becoming stronger, but only afraid that his opponent was not strong enough.
Noticing that he was being watched, his black eyes glanced over with a smile, then Gu Pinglin retracted his gaze and glanced in the direction of Yuan without leaving a trace.
Yuan Xiao stood up and stared at Duan Qingming with gloomy eyes.
Gu Pinglin said cheerfully: "I'm in trouble."
Duan Qingming asked, "I'm in trouble, are you so happy?"
"It's not happiness, it's gloating."
Finally, Qi Yanfeng scratched the ground with a wooden stick, leaving a mess of marks. She raised her face, tears welling up in her eyelashes: "You taught me when I was a child, and I... like swords very much."
"It's rare for a woman to focus on swordsmanship," Duan Qingming nodded, "If you have any more questions, you can ask cousin Wan'er."
"He taught me that." Thinking of his brother's whereabouts, Qi Yanfeng took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears and sobbed, "If he really stayed in Haijing, then... what should I do!"
Gu Pinglin said, "Don't worry, the Thirteenth Young Master should not be in the Sea Territory."
Qi Yanfeng looked at him with tears in his eyes: "You..."
"Lingxin Sect, Gu Pinglin."
"You are Master Gu? The Master Gu who saved Wan'er in the sea bone pit?" Qi Yanfeng was delighted, tears continued to flow down his cheeks, "Do you know where my brother is?"
"I don't know," Gu Pinglin said, "but I saw that he had a very pleasant conversation with Master Yao Feng before. Master Yao left not long after he left the sea."
Qi Yanfeng suddenly stood up, stopped crying, thought for a moment and shook his head: "Outsiders are not allowed to enter the area outside the mountain. It's impossible."
Gu Pinglin asked: "What will you do if you find him?"
"The marriage is no longer valid. Of course I have to take him back..." Qi Yanfeng said this, as if he remembered something, and whispered, "He is too whimsical. Grandfather and the head of the family are doing this for his own good."
Gu Pinglin asked again: "Do you want to stop it?"
It is not difficult to guess the whole story. During the trip to Haijing, Qi Wan'er repeatedly expressed the intention to create a new sword technique. This was completely unprofitable in the eyes of others. If the new sword technique failed, the cost would be too high. How could the head of the Qi family allow him to make the decision? Qi Wan'er was not only escaping from marriage this time, but also wanted to break free from the shackles of the Qi family and gamble her own path on a possible new sword technique. She was determined to move forward without any retreat.
As a person who was also devoted to kendo, Qi Yanfeng did not answer immediately. She stared at Gu Pinglin for a long time, and suddenly covered her face and burst into tears.
Gu Pinglin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Duan Qingming said: "Well, seeing you crying so much, Brother Yuan is about to come over to question you."
Sure enough, Yuan Xiao over there had a nervous look on his face and had already stood up from his chair.
"I... I'm going over there. Cousin, please be careful." Qi Yanfeng half covered his face with a handkerchief, cried, removed the barrier, and walked back to Yuan Xiao.
"Are you okay? Why are you crying again?" Yuan Xiao held her hand, feeling very distressed.
Before Qi Yanfeng could answer, a Yuan clan monk next to him suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the sky, shouting, "What is that?"
Large dark clouds were drifting across the sky at an extremely fast speed, with a faint blood-red light in them. Under the clouds, a figure was running towards this side in a panic.