bookbashuk Chapter 267 The Final Journey
Chapter 267 The Final Journey
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Upon hearing this, Chen Anran asked, "Where is Fellow Daoist Mo Han?"
"My junior sister is keeping vigil for Master in the Qian Yuan Hall," He Qingyun's voice lowered, "She...she insists on staying by his side every step of the way. Since Master's accident, she hasn't slept a wink and hardly speaks. Master loved her the most when he was alive, and this incident has been a huge blow to her..."
The group followed He Qingyun through the ancient and solemn halls and corridors. Along the way, they could see Longhu Mountain disciples dressed in plain clothes, some walking hurriedly, others standing silently with their heads bowed, all with sorrow and suppressed anger on their faces.
Arriving at a relatively secluded guest courtyard, He Qingyun stopped and bowed to the group, saying, "This is the 'Qingxin Garden,' prepared especially for distinguished guests who have come to pay their respects. The rooms have been cleaned, and hot water and vegetarian meals will be brought to you shortly. The conditions are simple, so please forgive us, fellow Daoists."
"Fellow Daoist He, you're too kind," Chen Anran returned the greeting. "Before the funeral, if there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Upon hearing this, He Qingyun bowed slightly: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen. Right now... there are indeed many troubles. Please settle down and rest for a while. Later, if it is convenient for you, I will come to visit again and explain the details to you." His voice was heavy with fatigue, clearly indicating that he had been exhausted both physically and mentally these past few days.
"Fellow Daoist He, please go ahead with your business. There's no need to rush." Chen Anran nodded understandingly. "Taking care of your health is the most important thing."
He Qingyun thanked them again, bowed to everyone, and then hurriedly left with his disciples, his back view at the end of the corridor looking somewhat lonely and rushed.
Qingxin Garden was indeed quiet and peaceful. Several guest rooms surrounded a small courtyard, planted with clumps of green bamboo and an ancient well, giving it a rustic and serene feel. Everyone chose a room and simply placed their belongings there.
Feng Xiaolu sat on the edge of the hardwood bed for a while, lost in thought, her eyes reddening again. Wei Qingyi pushed open her slightly ajar door and placed a bottle of tranquilizers on the table. "Take one and sit quietly for a moment. Don't let your mind wander and waste your energy."
After saying that, Wei Qingyi added, "When I used to stay up late studying or working, I would take one if I felt restless, and it worked quite well."
Feng Xiaolu picked up the medicine bottle and held it in her hand. Wei Qingyi's words calmed her down a bit. She looked up at Wei Qingyi, opened her mouth as if to ask something, but didn't know where to begin. In the end, she just whispered, "Thank you, Second Senior Sister."
Wei Qingyi nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Chen Anran tidied up briefly in the next room, then walked to the window and gazed at the few green bamboos in the courtyard, lost in thought.
The ever-smiling face of Master Zhang seemed to be right before his eyes. Chen Anran still carried with him the two booklets he had given him: "Insights on the Cultivation of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method" and "Insights on the Foundation Building of Samadhi Pure Yang".
It hasn't been long, and he's already gone.
This was the first time Chen Anran had experienced the cruelty of the cultivation world.
Chen Anran took a deep breath, pulled herself out of her thoughts, and turned to open the door.
Almost at the same time, the door to the next room was also opened. Feng Xiaolu came out, her eyes still a little red and swollen, but her eyes were clearer than before. When she saw Chen Anran, she was stunned for a moment.
"Junior Brother..."
"Third Senior Sister," Chen Anran looked at her, "are you feeling better?"
Feng Xiaolu nodded, her fingers unconsciously fidgeting with her cuffs. "The medicine my second senior sister gave me is quite effective." She paused, then looked at Chen Anran. "I... I want to go to the mourning hall to see Grandpa Zhang first."
"That's exactly what I was thinking too," Chen Anran said gently. "Let's go together."
The two walked out of Qingxin Garden side by side. Along the way, they occasionally encountered disciples of Longhu Mountain dressed in plain clothes. They all had solemn expressions and were in a hurry. When they saw them, they would only give a slight bow and then leave in silence.
"Excuse me," Chen Anran stopped a young Taoist priest who was walking towards him. The priest was carrying a stack of neatly folded white linen, presumably mourning clothes. "How do I get to Qianyuan Hall?"
The young Taoist priest replied, "You two are here to pay your respects to the late Celestial Master, right? Follow this main road straight up, cross the 'Tongming Bridge,' then turn right and pass through the square in front of the 'Chifa Hall.' The highest building there is the Qianyuan Hall. It's easy to spot because it has a white banner hanging in front of it."
"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Chen Anran cupped his hands in thanks.
The Taoist priest returned the greeting, then quickly left with the hemp cloth in his hands.
The two followed their instructions. The higher they climbed, the steeper the mountain became. The stone steps were ancient and covered in moss, with towering ancient trees on both sides, their branches appearing and disappearing in the mist. Along the way, other cultivators who had come to offer their condolences began to appear, in twos and threes, all silent, the atmosphere so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Feng Xiaolu silently followed half a step to Chen Anran's side, her gaze sometimes falling on his tall back, and sometimes looking at the outline of the palace that was faintly visible in the depths of the clouds and mist ahead.
Her mind was still in turmoil, a mixture of sadness, anger, and the lingering emotions that Chang Yuan had pointed out and could no longer ignore. But now, walking on this solemn mountain path, with her steady and reliable junior brother beside her, on her way to see the old man who was always smiling and had taken such good care of her one last time, her other emotions seemed to be temporarily suppressed by a heavier sorrow.
After crossing the Tongming Bridge, an ancient stone bridge spans the deep ravine, with surging clouds and the faint roar of water echoing beneath. Turning right, the view suddenly opens up to a vast white marble plaza, its surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the sky, clouds, and the surrounding majestic palaces. This is the plaza in front of the Imperial Edict Hall.
After crossing the square, we arrived at the Qian Yuan Hall. The hall doors were wide open, and the interior was brightly lit, yet it exuded a cold silence. Beneath the plaque hanging high in front of the hall, a white banner several meters long fluttered gently in the cold wind that swept through the mountains.
Below the steps in front of the hall, eight disciples of Longhu Mountain, dressed in hemp robes and with straw ropes tied around their waists, stood on either side, each with a sorrowful expression and resolute gaze, standing solemnly like statues. Further away, several other cultivators dressed in different attire, but with black veils wrapped around their arms, patrolled back and forth.
The appearance of Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu attracted some attention. Some people recognized them as the group that had arrived riding the strange mechanical giant bird, and whispers broke out again, but soon returned to a subdued silence.
Without lingering, the two crossed the square and headed towards the Qian Yuan Hall. The closer they got to the hall, the stronger the somber and solemn atmosphere became, with the air filled with the scent of incense and a faint, herbal aroma.
As they stepped onto the first stone step, a disciple from Longhu Mountain who was guarding the steps stepped forward, bowed, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Fellow Daoists, have you come to pay your respects to the remains of the Old Celestial Master?"
"Yes," Chen Anran said in a deep voice. "Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu from the Yunyin Sect have come to see off Elder Zhang on his final journey."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion flashed in the disciple's swollen eyes, clearly indicating that he had heard of the Cloud Hidden Sect. He stepped aside and said in a low voice, "Master Chen, Master Feng, please. Our senior brother instructed that if anyone from the Cloud Hidden Sect comes, they may enter directly. Senior Sister Mo Han... is also inside the hall."