Chapter 71: Morning Dream

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Disheveled and furious, the Grand Fate looked on at Li Yu, who was calmly tidying his clothes. The sharp pain below reminded her of the recent events—she never imagined she would end up like this.

“You can come find me for revenge anytime~ but you’ve already experienced the cost of losing~ I quite like it~” Li Yu, dressed neatly, looked at the silent Grand Fate sitting on the ground.

“You’re my woman now~ Don’t worry, I’ve always been gentle with my women~” he said, pinching her chaste face before pulling her into a deep kiss again.

Her fiery red lips were utterly irresistible to Li Yu.

“Bah! Don’t even think about it~ I’ll just pretend I was bitten by a dog,” the Grand Fate spat, refusing to admit she had become Li Yu’s woman.

Li Yu smiled: “I like you just like this~”

The Grand Fate was left speechless.

On the way back to Handan, Li Yu felt his dantian. The little sapling inside had grown more than tenfold, and the golden soil that had once formed from the eggshell had expanded over ten times as well.

Li Yu grew increasingly puzzled. Could his dantian be a world of its own? He would have to seek answers at the Heavenly Sect.

Mount Taiyi, which later became known as Zhongnan Mountain, lay along the fragmented Qinling range, sharing the same mountain line as the Yin-Yang sect, though the latter was at the northern end.

Li Yu led a white horse to the mountain’s foot, where a young Daoist boy blocked his way.

“May I ask your purpose?” the boy inquired.

Li Yu dismounted, holding Xiao Meng in his arms.

“We’ve come to seek apprenticeship,” Li Yu bowed to the boy.

“Please wait,” the boy said before running up the mountain.

“Brother, why learn at the Heavenly Sect?” Xiao Meng looked up at Li Yu, curious.

“The true Daoist path is in the Heavenly Sect, and it suits you best,” Li Yu ruffled Xiao Meng’s dreamlike hair.

“Brother, why did you name me Xiao Meng? My name is Jin Zhi,” she said.

“Zhuangzi once dreamed he was a butterfly. I hope you can let go of the past and live for yourself,” Li Yu explained his reasoning, which also revealed the origin of her name.

“Brother, how can I ignore the hatred for my father’s murderer?” Xiao Meng’s face showed strong disapproval.

“It’s alright! You will change,” Li Yu comforted, smoothing her short tomboyish hair.

“Such beautiful hair, it’s a pity to cut it short. Xiao Meng, grow it long; a girl should look like a girl,” Li Yu said gently.

“All right!” Xiao Meng readily agreed.

She held great affection for Li Yu, her savior in a moment of despair.

In truth, Li Yu had been telepathically sensing the scene all along, waiting for the critical moment.

Soon the Daoist boy returned.

The boy bowed to Li Yu: “The senior uncle says no visitors today.”

Li Yu chuckled, took a wooden sword from the saddle, and handed it to Xiao Meng. “Fight! I’ve got your back.”

Xiao Meng swung the wooden sword twice, her expression serious: “Okay!” She struck at the boy.

The boy was only about eleven or twelve years old and was caught off guard, knocked unconscious by a single blow to the neck.

Li Yu leisurely led the white horse up the mountain, with Xiao Meng following closely, sword in hand.

Along the way, at each checkpoint, a guard stood watch. Xiao Meng’s wooden sword had already knocked out four more guards.

“Brother! The Heavenly Sect isn’t much either!” Xiao Meng was slightly dispirited.

“These are just the weakest. The truly formidable ones are at the summit,” Li Yu pointed upward.

“Brother, watch me fight my way to the peak,” she said, flourishing her sword as they continued.

After knocking out sixteen guards, they finally reached the summit’s martial stage.

The square was filled with Daoists of various kinds.

Li Yu stepped forward. “I and my sister have come to seek apprenticeship.”

An elder stepped out: “This child’s talent is exceptional. I’m willing to take her as a disciple,” he said, pointing at Xiao Meng.

Li Yu shook his head. “I’m here to apprentice under Bei Mingzi. You are not qualified.”

A young Daoist boy stepped forward angrily: “This is the Heavenly Sect’s leader, Chi Songzi. You say you’re not qualified?”

Li Yu remained silent, shaking his head.

“You—” The youth, unwilling to accept this, prepared to reprimand Li Yu.

Suddenly, the air in the square twisted like a mirage.

A figure gradually materialized from illusion to reality—an elder appeared above the square.

“Show respect. A distinguished guest arrives. Prepare to welcome,” someone called out.

Everyone bowed: “Ancestor Master.”

Xiao Meng stepped forward, wooden sword pointed at the elder. “Is this the expert my brother mentioned?”

Bei Mingzi smiled at the little girl, not angry at her rudeness. “That would be me.”

Xiao Meng lunged forward with a sword strike to test him.

Li Yu grabbed her small hand, bowing to Bei Mingzi: “Junior Li Yu greets senior.”

Bei Mingzi nodded at Li Yu. “Beyond the Five Elements, your fate is unusual. I understand why the Marquis of Guannei has come here. The gates of the Heavenly Sect are open to the Marquis. We seek only to form a good connection.”

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Li Yu bowed: “Thank you. This is my sister.” He was about to persuade her.

Bei Mingzi continued: “She has a master-disciple bond with me as well. Marquis of Guannei, rest assured.”

Only then did the crowd realize who had come—the royal brother of the Great Qin, a man of such stature, here to teach a young girl Daoism on Mount Taiyi.

Who was this girl?

...

Today was Li Yu’s first class. He selected a classroom with black walls and white chalk, which brought back fond memories.

He wrote the numbers zero through nine on the blackboard and began explaining to the students.

Nong Yu stood quietly at the back, listening intently. Soon Han Fei appeared and silently attended the lecture as well.

The academy had arranged faculty dormitories by the lake, one teacher per house with a courtyard.

Nian Duan lived within the academy.

“Rong’er, the Marquis of Guannei says there is a medicinal herb in the southern barbarian lands that is miraculous for treating external wounds. I wish to investigate. Please take care of the academy affairs,” Nian Duan said.

“Master, brother says the journey is very far. Why must you go?” Duanmu Rong was reluctant to see her master undergo such hardship.

“It concerns the world; it is my duty,” Nian Duan said solemnly.

“No worries, master. I have sent people to gather it. It will be a while before results,” Li Yu said as he approached.

“Brother!” Duanmu Rong’s eyes brightened upon seeing Li Yu.

She then bowed to Nong Yu, who had come with him: “Sister-in-law.”

Nong Yu took Duanmu Rong’s hand. “Shall we take a walk?”

Duanmu Rong nodded and, casting a glance at Li Yu, followed Nong Yu toward the lake.

Li Yu looked around the house with concern. “Master, are you comfortable here?”

“Quite well,” Nian Duan nodded.

“I want to establish a medical department to improve doctors’ treatment. Masters like you are rare—disinterested in fame and fortune. For the healthy future of medicine, better treatment is necessary; it will attract more students. Also, have you considered categorizing doctors? Those who treat children, women, external injuries, internal injuries—dividing specialties will make learning easier, especially since talents like Rong’er are few,” Li Yu shared his ideas.

“The Marquis’s ideas are unique,” Nian Duan, quick-witted, saw the feasibility.

“Master, please don’t call me Marquis of Guannei. It sounds formal. Call me Little Li,” Li Yu smiled.

Nian Duan glanced at Li Yu. “You know Rong’er’s feelings for you.”

Li Yu scratched his head, smiling: “I won’t let her down.”

“I hope so. Love cannot be forced. I only hope you treat her well,” Nian Duan said gently.

Li Yu nodded seriously.

By the lake, Nong Yu and Duanmu Rong walked together. Their personalities were similar yet different.

“Yu Lang likes Rong’er. I can see it. Rong’er likes Yu Lang too.”

Duanmu Rong blushed and shook her head shyly. “Sister-in-law, don’t imagine things. If brother knew, it wouldn’t be good!”

Nong Yu looked at her kindly. “You are much like me.”

Duanmu Rong said, “You are so beautiful, and I’m just a country girl. How can we be compared?”

Nong Yu sighed, staring at the lake. “Back in Xinzheng, Han country, I was an orphan. It was my husband who helped me find my mother.”

She recounted her story haltingly.

Duanmu Rong realized that her sister-in-law, only a few years older, had endured such hardship.

Brother truly is a good man!

Li Yu then approached.

“Yu’er, why so sad?” he said, taking Nong Yu’s delicate hand.

“Recalling past events,” she sighed.

“Brother, what did you say to Master?” Duanmu Rong blinked her pure eyes.

“Master told me to take good care of you and never let you down,” Li Yu smiled at the sincere girl in front of him.

“Brother!” Duanmu Rong couldn’t resist Li Yu’s gentle gaze and turned her face away.

Li Yu took her hand.

Duanmu Rong tensed but glanced at Nong Yu, who didn’t mind. She relaxed and felt the warmth of Li Yu’s palm.

...

Tiandou City

Yue Xuan

An important guest arrived today—Prince Xue Qinghe of the Tiandou Empire came for a visit and study.

Li Yu sat at the side of the great hall, playing the piano. “Castle in the Sky” flowed gently from his fingers.

As the music ended, Xue Ke led her brother Xue Qinghe to Li Yu.

“Your performance was grand and refreshing,” Xue Qinghe said, refined and elegant, like a gentle spring breeze.

Li Yu looked at Xue Qinghe with a strange expression, admiring his senior sister’s talent.

“Sir? Is there something wrong with my appearance today?” Xue Qinghe asked curiously, observing Li Yu.

Li Yu smiled warmly: “Your Highness, Prince, your name has long been renowned. Today I see you in person and find the rumors true.”

He stepped forward and took Xue Qinghe’s hand enthusiastically. “It is my honor to meet the prince today. Inspired, I composed a piece for you.”

Xue Qinghe instinctively wanted to withdraw his hand but seeing Li Yu’s sincerity, he nodded gratefully. “You truly are talented, composing a new piece in such a short time.”

Li Yu reluctantly released his hand and returned to the piano. As the music began again, he closed his eyes and sang softly:

“Green grass, vast and boundless, white mist, endless and dense~ A beauty stands by the water’s side~”

Xue Qinghe listened well at first, but as the lyrics appeared, he froze.

Wasn’t this a song for a girl?

Why was this man singing it to me?

The audience, unaware, was enraptured, humming along.

Xue Qinghe’s face flushed hotly.

Beside him, Xue Ke’s gaze was full of admiration, her eyes becoming dreamy as she looked at Li Yu.

This meeting left a deep impression on the prince.

After the crowd dispersed, Tang Yuehua approached.

“Yu, your talent always surprises me.”

Li Yu took Tang Yuehua to the piano.

“Yuehua, I dedicate this song to you.”

He sat again, fingers dancing over the keys.

“Just because I caught a glimpse of you in the crowd~”

“I could never forget your face~”

...

Tang Yuehua’s chamber

Li Yu entered for the first time.

Luxurious and elegant, perfectly suited to her persona.

He held the shy Tang Yuehua in his arms, dancing gracefully.

Gradually, his hands grew bolder, moving lower.

Drawing the beautiful noblewoman closer, their bodies pressed together as he whispered by her ear, “Yuehua, be my wife!”

Tang Yuehua trembled slightly and nodded softly.

Feeling her consent, Li Yu lifted his head and kissed her full, tender lips deeply.

His hands roamed excitedly over her soft body.

Slowly, they moved toward the palace-style bed.

As the sun set, on the streets of Tiandou City, a pair who looked like mother and child strolled casually.

“小舞, every time I see you, I feel so close—unlike that one, who annoys me whenever I see him,” said Liu Erlong, her long hair draping over her shoulders, complaining about Li Yu.

“Long’er, my brother truly likes you. You should see it. He came all the way to Tiandou City for you. I’m even a little jealous,” Xiao Wu defended Li Yu.

If Li Yu knew this, he would be touched—this sister’s affection was genuine.

“He only wants your looks,” Liu Erlong frowned.

“That’s not true. My brother is popular with the girls at Yue Xuan, but he’s never fallen for anyone,” Xiao Wu retorted.

“Xiao Wu, you better keep an eye on your brother! His charming eyes attract many girls. What if he runs off with someone else? You’d regret it!” Liu Erlong warned, seeing Xiao Wu’s feelings.

“Sister, what are you saying?” Xiao Wu blushed shyly.

“I’m just looking out for you!” Liu Erlong sighed.

“Sis! Just be with my brother! He runs between Yue Xuan and the Blue Overlord for you every day!”

Liu Erlong frowned sharply. “Xiao Wu, what are you saying?”

“Huh? Sister, why did the sky turn purple? It’s all foggy. Could it be poisonous?” Xiao Wu noticed the street was enveloped in a purple haze, frightened.

Liu Erlong quickly pulled her into a nearby shop.

The fog gradually dissipated after sunset.

Xiao Wu and Liu Erlong stared at the sky, puzzled by the change.

Soon, Xiao Wu saw a white light shoot straight into the clouds from Yue Xuan, then vanish. She rubbed her red eyes, thinking she was seeing things, but there was nothing when she looked again.

Yue Xuan

Tang Yuehua slowly awoke.

Opening her eyes, her heart remained shaken.

“Yu, what did you do just now? I feel as if my entire soul has been elevated.”

Li Yu looked at her affectionately. “That is the power of love.”

Feeling her body, Tang Yuehua’s expression grew excited:

“Yu, I sense my martial soul has broken through to level ten!”

She spoke with trembling teeth, abandoning her usual solemn demeanor.

Li Yu embraced her as she sat up and lay back down.

Caressing her smooth skin, he said, “Isn’t that wonderful? Why the tears?”

“Yu, you don’t know! My naturally mutated, useless martial soul has suffered so many grievances!” Tang Yuehua sobbed again.

“In a few days, I’ll accompany you to get your soul rings,” Li Yu promised.

“All right!” Tang Yuehua clung to him, calming her excitement.

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