The next morning
Warm sunshine, sparkling dewdrops, cool breeze, fresh air...
Last night, for some reason, it rained a little, making the Temple of the Daughter of the Emperor even more solemn and majestic. The surrounding trees, flowers, and plants, all things seemed to be reborn and full of vitality after being washed by the rain, but only one person's life was coming to an end bit by bit.
Master Liaokong walked out of the room and took a deep breath of the morning air. His cloudy and old eyes revealed an incomparable attachment...
It feels so good to be alive.
It's better to live young.
Unfortunately... those are no longer within my reach.
This feeling was only fleeting.
He already knew the consequences of using the 'Nine Heavens Mysterious Signs' to ask that kind of question, so he did not regret it.
It's just... after all, there are some regrets.
At this moment, a gentle and familiar voice came to his ears: "Old friend, long time no see..."
As soon as these words came out, Liao Kong's eyes, which had been narrowed into a slit, suddenly opened. He looked over and saw a handsome, tall, middle-aged man standing upright under a bodhi tree not far away, looking as majestic as a famous sword...
…
…
Deep in the Temple of the Imperial Daughter, in front of the stone statue of the Imperial Daughter.
It was dark here, and there was nothing on all sides except for a stone statue and a moonstone in front.
The jade glows faintly, illuminating this place...
Under the dim "moonlight", the finely carved stone statue of the emperor's daughter appears even more lifelike...
"Ningdan..." The past events came to mind, and he was filled with emotion. The middle-aged man's face, which was originally extremely majestic, actually revealed a rare trace of sadness. He couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the face of the stone statue...
"Amitabha..." Liaokong, who was standing in the distance, clasped his hands together and said, "The big mistake has been made, what's the point of feeling guilty now..."
"… Time, after all, still leaves a grudge that cannot be erased."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man was slightly startled, and after a moment of silence, he said: "Although the passion has gone away, the mistakes made at that time have finally remained..."
“… Amitabha, my Buddhist name now is ‘Liaokong’, and I am devoted to cultivation. All the past events have long gone like clouds and smoke, and what I said were just my true feelings…” Liaokong shook his head and clasped his hands together.
Hearing this, the middle-aged man was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Speaking frankly... Haha, my old friend is still the same as before... I'm learning from you."
"Amitabha." Liaokong shouted the Buddha's name, then stood still and kept silent. He knew that the other party would not come here just to express his feelings. Sure enough, the middle-aged man raised his head slightly and changed the subject: "Has the rebellious girl left?"
Hearing the voice, Liaokong's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he did not reply.
The middle-aged man seemed to have gotten the answer, and then he smiled meaningfully: "Girls can't be kept at home when they grow up..."
As he said this, he took a casual glance, as if he had divine intelligence, and instantly saw through the room where Chu Tianxiao was. Then, he put his hands behind his back and walked towards the room.
In the blink of an eye, Liao Kong stood in front of him.
"Amitabha."
"Haha... old friend, what are you doing?" The middle-aged man showed a harmless and friendly smile, but Liaokong didn't buy it. He just put his hands together and offered a string of Buddhist beads. As his fingers turned, Buddhist light flickered.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man smiled and shook his head: "Old friend, you are too nervous."
Liaokong did not reply, but his figure became more resolute and upright in an instant. Although he was very old, the middle-aged man saw his stunning demeanor in the past...
“… Why is it so?”
The middle-aged man couldn't help but sigh when he saw this: "Back then..."
"The past is all gone. I dare not attack you, but I am sure I can stop you here." As he spoke, a golden Buddha light appeared on Liaokong's body, and a giant Buddha's shadow slowly appeared behind him...
"… The Buddha Sect's Vajra Glass Body is unique… Oh, it has such power even before the Qi is released… There is indeed something special about it."
Seeing this, the middle-aged man narrowed his eyes slightly, but what he cared about more was not Liao Kong's cultivation level, but the word "donor".
These two words seemed to pierce his heart.
Over the years, he had heard many names, but this name, coming from this person... was still very unpleasant.
The middle-aged man had a new idea. He looked up and closed his eyes, as if he was feeling something...
"Well... we are connected by blood, there is no obstruction..."
After sensing it for a moment, the middle-aged man opened his eyes and smiled, "If that's true... Ha, since that rebellious girl didn't lose her virginity, she's smart."
"Forget it, even if the young man passes the test, he doesn't have to die."
Having said this, he paused, his eyes seemed to penetrate the sky and fall beyond the sky.
"… The marriage with Xuanmen is related to the overall situation of the world, and these two people must not be allowed to destroy it…"
"but… "
He looked at Kong, a playful smile on his face: "To be able to get your old friend to protect him with all his strength, it must be more than just the rebellious girl's request. This young boy must have some extraordinary qualities."
"…" Hearing this, Liaokong thought silently for a moment, and finally said, "He is the new owner of the Imperial Garden."
After saying this, a gleam of light suddenly flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes, and then he frowned: "This... doesn't make sense."
Liaokong knew what he meant, and clasped his hands together and said, "The Way of Heaven is eternal, but the secrets of Heaven may not change."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man fell silent, thinking in his heart.
"... He was the one who originally chose the new master of the Imperial Garden together with Xuanmen. Why did the person he finally chose... go against Xuanmen? Unless..."
"No... that's not right. If that's the case, then what the rebellious girl has been doing these days is just nonsense..."
"... Master of Xuanmen... What on earth are you playing?"
As his mind raced, a solemn look gradually appeared on the middle-aged man's face, but after a moment, he smiled calmly again.
"It seems that I have underestimated this young man."
Liao Kong remained silent.
The middle-aged man looked at him deeply and said calmly, "Forget it, for the sake of our old friend... let's make a deal."
Liaokong remained silent, as if he was deep in thought.
"… Old friend, you have drawn the Nine Heavens Mysterious Sign. Your life span is already running out. You can protect him for a while, but you can't protect him forever… For the long term, it is better to trade him."
Hearing this, Liaokong paused, put his hands together, and said, "Amitabha, donor, please continue."
"… If I am not mistaken, my old friend, the flame of your life right now can only last for another five years at most." After thinking for a moment, the middle-aged man said to Lekong in a complicated tone.
Liaokong remained silent, but agreed.
"So… "
The middle-aged man collected his thoughts in an instant, put his hands behind his back, looked up, and spoke like he was pointing out a vast world.
"Give him five years."