The Legend Of The Zhantian Vine
Huangfu Yuchen examined the map, “We need to backtrack for about twenty miles, where there’s a fork in the road. We should have taken the left turn.”
Yan Ge glanced at the sky, “Let’s go back while it’s still daylight.”
The three of them sprinted all the way, returning to the fork in the road. After running along the official road to the west for about half an hour, they spotted two wanderers resting and drinking water under the shade of a tree.
Yan Ge felt that these two wanderers resembled the ones they encountered earlier when they took the wrong path. “Let’s ask, so we don’t make the same mistake again.”
Huangfu Yuchen approached on horseback at a normal speed and halted two feet away, so as not to arouse any suspicion.
“These two brothers, might this road lead to the Xiguan? My wife, son, and I are heading to the Xiguan for the first time, and we fear taking the wrong path. We appreciate your guidance,” he politely inquired.
The Xiguan Pass was a significant border fortress of the Great Han Kingdom, situated almost on the boundary between Great Han and the Mai kingdoms. Of course, Huangfu Yuchen wouldn’t disclose their intention to go to the Mai kingdom, as the fewer people who knew about it, the better their chances of seizing the Zhantian Vine.
The man In his early thirties was very generous and stood up, bursting into laughter. “I’ve seen you before, turns out you took the wrong path. But this time, you’re right. This road indeed leads to the Xiguan.”
The other man, a few years younger and resembling the middle-aged man, showed good manners and nodded to Huangfu Yuchen. He said, “Luckily, you made it back in time; otherwise, you might have had to spend the night outdoors. About twenty miles ahead, there’s a small town where you can rest.”
“Thank you both,” Huangfu Yuchen expressed his gratitude.
Yan Ge also approached on horseback and smiled, “We’re fortunate to have met you both. We do have a map, but he misread it.”
Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Jin turned their heads simultaneously, wearing the exact same expression.
The older man said, “I am Zhang Feilong, and this is my brother Zhang Feihu. Since we’re on the same path, would you be interested in traveling together?”
From this point on, there was only one road to the small town, so even if they didn’t want to travel together, they had no choice but to do so. It would be best to agree straightforwardly and then find an excuse to part ways in the town. Huangfu Yuchen clasped his hands and said, “It’s an honor. I am Luo Fang, and this is my wife Zhang Yang and our son Luo Jiacheng.” In their current travels, they might encounter some troubles, and it was inconvenient to use the Fang Zhiyuan family’s name to avoid potential future problems.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Yan Ge nodded.
Yan Jin also performed a proper salute. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu both smiled.
Zhang Feilong said, “The daylight is waning; let’s hit the road.”
“Please.”
With Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu leading the way, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen felt much more at ease, simply following their horses all the way.
When they arrived in the small town, the sun was gradually setting. The remnants of sunlight hung in the western sky, casting a fiery red hue across the clouds.
The town was filled with numerous wanderers. Those who were courteous nodded to each other, while those with a hostile attitude pretended not to notice one another. There was a palpable tension in the air.
However, for the small town, it was a fortunate occurrence. With more people in town, the daily earnings of the small shops and businesses surpassed the usual.
“Master Luo, there is a small inn further ahead. However, Master Luo and Madam Luo might find it uncomfortable.” Zhang Feilong glanced at the two of them, hinting at something but without malice. He could naturally see the distinguished status of Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge— they were either rich or noble.
Yan Ge smiled and said, “When traveling, we don’t have many requirements. Our Luo family has been engaged in business for generations, wandering far and wide. We may have suffered just as much as you two brothers.”
Zhang Feihu laughed heartily, “That’s true.”
Both brothers had a favorable impression of Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. They didn’t appear like some businessmen who were full of greed, and their eyes lacked arrogance.
The Inn was indeed small, converted from a few houses, but it was fairly clean.
After settling in, the five of them had a meal together in the lobby. As the food was served, Yan Ge casually surveyed the surroundings. The modest lobby had a total of six tables, apart from their table, there were three other tables occupied by guests. One of the tables caught his attention: an old man and a pair of twins that were around eleven or twelve years old.
The old man wore a gray robe and despite his gray hair and beard, his complexion was ruddy, and he had a kind demeanor. His sitting posture exuded the air of an elder. He smiled at the twins and said, “Do you know there is another legend about the Sky-Cutting Vine?”
Three out of the four tables in the lobby were occupied by people from the martial world, and his words immediately captivated their attention.
“Master, what’s the legend? Please tell us quickly!” The girl was lively and urged him on, her voice as melodious as a yellow oriole.
“Very well,” the old man said, “It is said that a long time ago, there was an immortal named Wuzai, with boundless power. He lived alone on the Tianshan Mountain, secluded in cultivation. One day, he accidentally discovered a small grass growing by the meditation cushion where he often sat. Although the grass was small, less than a finger’s length, it was green and vibrant, swaying gently in the wind as if it possessed a hint of enlightenment. He felt an inexplicable stir in his heart and decided to keep the grass, caring for it in his spare time. With the passage of time, the small grass grew larger and turned into a verdant vine that reached from the ground to the roof. Moreover, the vine could move freely. Wherever the immortal went, it would follow. Over time, the immortal could sense the vine’s emotions to some extent. He felt joy and regarded the vine as a friend.”
“But on the Black Mountain, which stood opposite the Tianshan Mountain, resided a demon named Tianteng who was notorious for his bloodlust. By chance, he learned of the existence of the immortal on the Tianshan Mountain and desired to obtain his power, thus he launched an attack. The immortal engaged in a fierce battle with the demon for nine days and nine nights but tragically suffered defeat, losing his ability to move. The demon laughed triumphantly, intending to absorb the immortal’s power. But on seeing the vine beside him, the immortal had a sudden thought. Could he transfer his entire power to the vine and let it escape far away? By doing so, the demon would be unable to obtain his power. The vine possessed some level of consciousness, so it communicated with the immortal and happily nodded in agreement. The immortal then transferred all his power to the vine. The vine, having accompanied the immortal in meditation for a long time, had a solid foundation. With the addition of the immortal’s power, its cultivation soared. Unfortunately, the immortal passed away when his power was depleted. The vine swiftly escaped at an incredible speed, finding a secluded place to cultivate. After greatly enhancing its magical prowess, the vine returned and slew the demon, avenging the immortal. In memory of the immortal, it named itself ’Zhantian,’ signifying its admiration for the immortal’s legacy.”
The lobby fell silent for a moment. Although this tale seemed somewhat cliché, stories of punishing evildoers and dominating the world never failed to stir one’s emotions. The twins were captivated by the captivating and righteous story, while others in the martial world were thrilled by the power of the vine depicted in the story.
The old man chuckled and added, “Legends, after all, are just legends. Children, don’t get too carried away.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man with a yellow face sitting at a table in the corner snorted disdainfully and said in a coarse voice, “What’s the point of this old man coming here if he doesn’t want to obtain the Zhantian Vine? You’re quite old, it’s better to return home and rest, so you don’t have to rush to buy a coffin on the way. Hahaha!”
His laughter abruptly ceased— it turned out that three peanuts were simultaneously shot at him, hitting different spots on his chest with a “pa pa pa”.
“Young people should respect their elders,” the old man stroked his beard and chuckled.
The three peanuts hit the acupuncture points, and the yellow-faced man, unable to speak or move, appeared to be unable to breathe. His face gradually turned more yellow, then red. He stared anxiously at the old man, unable to utter a disrespectful word.
The old man smiled faintly without any visible movement of his hands, and three more peanuts flew out.
The yellow-faced man slumped onto the bench, gasping for breath, his eyes fixed on the old man, but he didn’t day show any disrespect.
Yan Ge witnessed a martial arts scene firsthand, something he had only seen on TV or in movies before. His eyes sparkled, and Huangfu Yuchen could even hear his heartbeat and the accelerated flow of his blood. He also noticed Yan Ge’s hand instinctively clenching into a fist.
Amused, he said to Yan Ge, “Do you have to be so excited? Baby, your skills are far superior to that old man’s.” He conveyed his words to Yan Ge’s consciousness through voice transmission
Yan Ge glanced at him, shook his head, and replied via voice transmission, “Ah, you can’t understand the feelings of someone who has traveled through time. If you have the opportunity to go to my previous world in the future, then you will understand how I feel now.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s lips curved. If there was indeed such an opportunity, he would be very willing to visit Yan Ge’s previous world.
Zhang Feihu wore a look of understanding and said, “Madam Luo is mostly active in the business community and probably has limited contact with martial artists, so it’s understandable.”
“I remember!” Zhang Feilong suddenly glanced at the old man’s feet, his expression showing a mix of realization and excitement. He whispered, “If my guess is correct, this old man should be the revered ancestor of the Yangshan Sect, Master Yingzun! It is said that he is over 150 years old and highly respected in the martial world, hence being called ‘Yingzun,’ which means to respect. His original name is hardly known. Yingzun rarely appears in the martial world, but he has a strange hobby for wearing mismatched shoes on both feet…”
Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, and Zhang Feihu all simultaneously looked at the old man’s feet. True enough, although the styles of the two shoes were identical, the left one was black while the right one was gray. It was a peculiar hobby indeed.
Yan Ge asked, “Brother Zhang, who was the person that was acupunctured just now?”
Zhang Feilong’s face revealed a hint of disdain. “How should I put it? People in the world tend to classify martial artists into two categories. Madam Luo, do you know which two categories they are?”
“Righteous and evil?” Yan Ge responded.
“Correct,” Zhang Feilong nodded. “His name is Li Po. I don’t know how to evaluate him, but the word ‘evil’ is most appropriate.”
The lobby of the small inn was small, but even if Zhang Feilong spoke in a low voice, martial artists had sharp hearing, making it difficult not to overhear. Moreover, Zhang Feilong didn’t bother to lower his voice.
Li Po had just lost face in front of many martial artists and was still seething with anger. He couldn’t do anything to the old man but did he fear Zhang Feilong?
His eyes widened, and he leaped forward, wielding his knife.
Yan Ge, still playing the role of a merchant, swiftly retreated toward the wall, pulling Huangfu Yuchen along. He didn’t forget to bring Yan Jin and Zhang Feihu with them.
The tables in this inn were all accompanied by long benches. When Huangfu Yuchen was pulled back, he almost tripped over the bench, completely ruining his image. He shook his head helplessly, wondering if he should thank his lover for not forgetting to bring him along when he fled.
Yan Ge chuckled, and Huangfu Yuchen slyly gave his buttocks an ambiguous squeeze. “Be careful tonight.”
Yan Ge looked him up and down, deliberately moving in slow motion, provokingly implying —It’s you who should be careful.
A sudden fierce impulse churned in Huangfu Yuchen’s chest, his scorching gaze causing Yan Ge to feel a heat coursing through his entire body. Yan Ge warned him with a glance.
Huangfu Yuchen curled his lips and clasped Yan Ge’s hand.
As for Zhang Feilong, since he roamed the martial world, how could he fear engaging in combat? He swiftly drew his sword, parrying the attack. The clash of blade against blade ignited a shower of sparks.
Just as the two were about to launch their second move, the venerable elder, Yingzun, lightly raised his right hand, enveloping both their wrists in an invisible force, rendering them immobile.
“Young people should not let their anger get the better of them. Be cautious not to frighten the common people,” Elder Yingzun advised with a calm tone.
Zhang Feilong and Li Po exchanged glances, simultaneously snorting in response, before retreating to their respective positions.
The Legend Of The Zhantian Vine
Huangfu Yuchen examined the map, “We need to backtrack for about twenty miles, where there’s a fork in the road. We should have taken the left turn.”
Yan Ge glanced at the sky, “Let’s go back while it’s still daylight.”
The three of them sprinted all the way, returning to the fork in the road. After running along the official road to the west for about half an hour, they spotted two wanderers resting and drinking water under the shade of a tree.
Yan Ge felt that these two wanderers resembled the ones they encountered earlier when they took the wrong path. “Let’s ask, so we don’t make the same mistake again.”
Huangfu Yuchen approached on horseback at a normal speed and halted two feet away, so as not to arouse any suspicion.
“These two brothers, might this road lead to the Xiguan? My wife, son, and I are heading to the Xiguan for the first time, and we fear taking the wrong path. We appreciate your guidance,” he politely inquired.
The Xiguan Pass was a significant border fortress of the Great Han Kingdom, situated almost on the boundary between Great Han and the Mai kingdoms. Of course, Huangfu Yuchen wouldn’t disclose their intention to go to the Mai kingdom, as the fewer people who knew about it, the better their chances of seizing the Zhantian Vine.
The man In his early thirties was very generous and stood up, bursting into laughter. “I’ve seen you before, turns out you took the wrong path. But this time, you’re right. This road indeed leads to the Xiguan.”
The other man, a few years younger and resembling the middle-aged man, showed good manners and nodded to Huangfu Yuchen. He said, “Luckily, you made it back in time; otherwise, you might have had to spend the night outdoors. About twenty miles ahead, there’s a small town where you can rest.”
“Thank you both,” Huangfu Yuchen expressed his gratitude.
Yan Ge also approached on horseback and smiled, “We’re fortunate to have met you both. We do have a map, but he misread it.”
Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Jin turned their heads simultaneously, wearing the exact same expression.
The older man said, “I am Zhang Feilong, and this is my brother Zhang Feihu. Since we’re on the same path, would you be interested in traveling together?”
From this point on, there was only one road to the small town, so even if they didn’t want to travel together, they had no choice but to do so. It would be best to agree straightforwardly and then find an excuse to part ways in the town. Huangfu Yuchen clasped his hands and said, “It’s an honor. I am Luo Fang, and this is my wife Zhang Yang and our son Luo Jiacheng.” In their current travels, they might encounter some troubles, and it was inconvenient to use the Fang Zhiyuan family’s name to avoid potential future problems.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Yan Ge nodded.
Yan Jin also performed a proper salute. “A pleasure to meet you.”
Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu both smiled.
Zhang Feilong said, “The daylight is waning; let’s hit the road.”
“Please.”
With Zhang Feilong and Zhang Feihu leading the way, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen felt much more at ease, simply following their horses all the way.
When they arrived in the small town, the sun was gradually setting. The remnants of sunlight hung in the western sky, casting a fiery red hue across the clouds.
The town was filled with numerous wanderers. Those who were courteous nodded to each other, while those with a hostile attitude pretended not to notice one another. There was a palpable tension in the air.
However, for the small town, it was a fortunate occurrence. With more people in town, the daily earnings of the small shops and businesses surpassed the usual.
“Master Luo, there is a small inn further ahead. However, Master Luo and Madam Luo might find it uncomfortable.” Zhang Feilong glanced at the two of them, hinting at something but without malice. He could naturally see the distinguished status of Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge— they were either rich or noble.
Yan Ge smiled and said, “When traveling, we don’t have many requirements. Our Luo family has been engaged in business for generations, wandering far and wide. We may have suffered just as much as you two brothers.”
Zhang Feihu laughed heartily, “That’s true.”
Both brothers had a favorable impression of Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen. They didn’t appear like some businessmen who were full of greed, and their eyes lacked arrogance.
The Inn was indeed small, converted from a few houses, but it was fairly clean.
After settling in, the five of them had a meal together in the lobby. As the food was served, Yan Ge casually surveyed the surroundings. The modest lobby had a total of six tables, apart from their table, there were three other tables occupied by guests. One of the tables caught his attention: an old man and a pair of twins that were around eleven or twelve years old.
The old man wore a gray robe and despite his gray hair and beard, his complexion was ruddy, and he had a kind demeanor. His sitting posture exuded the air of an elder. He smiled at the twins and said, “Do you know there is another legend about the Sky-Cutting Vine?”
Three out of the four tables in the lobby were occupied by people from the martial world, and his words immediately captivated their attention.
“Master, what’s the legend? Please tell us quickly!” The girl was lively and urged him on, her voice as melodious as a yellow oriole.
“Very well,” the old man said, “It is said that a long time ago, there was an immortal named Wuzai, with boundless power. He lived alone on the Tianshan Mountain, secluded in cultivation. One day, he accidentally discovered a small grass growing by the meditation cushion where he often sat. Although the grass was small, less than a finger’s length, it was green and vibrant, swaying gently in the wind as if it possessed a hint of enlightenment. He felt an inexplicable stir in his heart and decided to keep the grass, caring for it in his spare time. With the passage of time, the small grass grew larger and turned into a verdant vine that reached from the ground to the roof. Moreover, the vine could move freely. Wherever the immortal went, it would follow. Over time, the immortal could sense the vine’s emotions to some extent. He felt joy and regarded the vine as a friend.”
“But on the Black Mountain, which stood opposite the Tianshan Mountain, resided a demon named Tianteng who was notorious for his bloodlust. By chance, he learned of the existence of the immortal on the Tianshan Mountain and desired to obtain his power, thus he launched an attack. The immortal engaged in a fierce battle with the demon for nine days and nine nights but tragically suffered defeat, losing his ability to move. The demon laughed triumphantly, intending to absorb the immortal’s power. But on seeing the vine beside him, the immortal had a sudden thought. Could he transfer his entire power to the vine and let it escape far away? By doing so, the demon would be unable to obtain his power. The vine possessed some level of consciousness, so it communicated with the immortal and happily nodded in agreement. The immortal then transferred all his power to the vine. The vine, having accompanied the immortal in meditation for a long time, had a solid foundation. With the addition of the immortal’s power, its cultivation soared. Unfortunately, the immortal passed away when his power was depleted. The vine swiftly escaped at an incredible speed, finding a secluded place to cultivate. After greatly enhancing its magical prowess, the vine returned and slew the demon, avenging the immortal. In memory of the immortal, it named itself ’Zhantian,’ signifying its admiration for the immortal’s legacy.”
The lobby fell silent for a moment. Although this tale seemed somewhat cliché, stories of punishing evildoers and dominating the world never failed to stir one’s emotions. The twins were captivated by the captivating and righteous story, while others in the martial world were thrilled by the power of the vine depicted in the story.
The old man chuckled and added, “Legends, after all, are just legends. Children, don’t get too carried away.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a burly man with a yellow face sitting at a table in the corner snorted disdainfully and said in a coarse voice, “What’s the point of this old man coming here if he doesn’t want to obtain the Zhantian Vine? You’re quite old, it’s better to return home and rest, so you don’t have to rush to buy a coffin on the way. Hahaha!”
His laughter abruptly ceased— it turned out that three peanuts were simultaneously shot at him, hitting different spots on his chest with a “pa pa pa”.
“Young people should respect their elders,” the old man stroked his beard and chuckled.
The three peanuts hit the acupuncture points, and the yellow-faced man, unable to speak or move, appeared to be unable to breathe. His face gradually turned more yellow, then red. He stared anxiously at the old man, unable to utter a disrespectful word.
The old man smiled faintly without any visible movement of his hands, and three more peanuts flew out.
The yellow-faced man slumped onto the bench, gasping for breath, his eyes fixed on the old man, but he didn’t day show any disrespect.
Yan Ge witnessed a martial arts scene firsthand, something he had only seen on TV or in movies before. His eyes sparkled, and Huangfu Yuchen could even hear his heartbeat and the accelerated flow of his blood. He also noticed Yan Ge’s hand instinctively clenching into a fist.
Amused, he said to Yan Ge, “Do you have to be so excited? Baby, your skills are far superior to that old man’s.” He conveyed his words to Yan Ge’s consciousness through voice transmission
Yan Ge glanced at him, shook his head, and replied via voice transmission, “Ah, you can’t understand the feelings of someone who has traveled through time. If you have the opportunity to go to my previous world in the future, then you will understand how I feel now.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s lips curved. If there was indeed such an opportunity, he would be very willing to visit Yan Ge’s previous world.
Zhang Feihu wore a look of understanding and said, “Madam Luo is mostly active in the business community and probably has limited contact with martial artists, so it’s understandable.”
“I remember!” Zhang Feilong suddenly glanced at the old man’s feet, his expression showing a mix of realization and excitement. He whispered, “If my guess is correct, this old man should be the revered ancestor of the Yangshan Sect, Master Yingzun! It is said that he is over 150 years old and highly respected in the martial world, hence being called ‘Yingzun,’ which means to respect. His original name is hardly known. Yingzun rarely appears in the martial world, but he has a strange hobby for wearing mismatched shoes on both feet…”
Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, and Zhang Feihu all simultaneously looked at the old man’s feet. True enough, although the styles of the two shoes were identical, the left one was black while the right one was gray. It was a peculiar hobby indeed.
Yan Ge asked, “Brother Zhang, who was the person that was acupunctured just now?”
Zhang Feilong’s face revealed a hint of disdain. “How should I put it? People in the world tend to classify martial artists into two categories. Madam Luo, do you know which two categories they are?”
“Righteous and evil?” Yan Ge responded.
“Correct,” Zhang Feilong nodded. “His name is Li Po. I don’t know how to evaluate him, but the word ‘evil’ is most appropriate.”
The lobby of the small inn was small, but even if Zhang Feilong spoke in a low voice, martial artists had sharp hearing, making it difficult not to overhear. Moreover, Zhang Feilong didn’t bother to lower his voice.
Li Po had just lost face in front of many martial artists and was still seething with anger. He couldn’t do anything to the old man but did he fear Zhang Feilong?
His eyes widened, and he leaped forward, wielding his knife.
Yan Ge, still playing the role of a merchant, swiftly retreated toward the wall, pulling Huangfu Yuchen along. He didn’t forget to bring Yan Jin and Zhang Feihu with them.
The tables in this inn were all accompanied by long benches. When Huangfu Yuchen was pulled back, he almost tripped over the bench, completely ruining his image. He shook his head helplessly, wondering if he should thank his lover for not forgetting to bring him along when he fled.
Yan Ge chuckled, and Huangfu Yuchen slyly gave his buttocks an ambiguous squeeze. “Be careful tonight.”
Yan Ge looked him up and down, deliberately moving in slow motion, provokingly implying —It’s you who should be careful.
A sudden fierce impulse churned in Huangfu Yuchen’s chest, his scorching gaze causing Yan Ge to feel a heat coursing through his entire body. Yan Ge warned him with a glance.
Huangfu Yuchen curled his lips and clasped Yan Ge’s hand.
As for Zhang Feilong, since he roamed the martial world, how could he fear engaging in combat? He swiftly drew his sword, parrying the attack. The clash of blade against blade ignited a shower of sparks.
Just as the two were about to launch their second move, the venerable elder, Yingzun, lightly raised his right hand, enveloping both their wrists in an invisible force, rendering them immobile.
“Young people should not let their anger get the better of them. Be cautious not to frighten the common people,” Elder Yingzun advised with a calm tone.
Zhang Feilong and Li Po exchanged glances, simultaneously snorting in response, before retreating to their respective positions.
