The next morning, after the rain, the sky was clear.
Loma Town was shrouded in a thin layer of mist, and the air was fresh enough to smell the fragrance of the earth. Lin Fu followed Qin Zhengshan and the three of them onto the carriage and set off towards the capital of Chu Prefecture.
The wheels made a clear sound as they rolled over the wet cobblestone road. Lin Fu sat in the carriage, practicing the breathing method taught by Qin Zhengshan. Although the warm current in his lower abdomen was weak, it was much clearer than yesterday. He could feel that the airflow was slowly moving along some mysterious path, and with each passing place, there was a subtle warmth spreading, making him more and more clear-minded.
"It seems you have a good understanding." Qin Zhengshan closed his eyes to rest, but there was a hint of approval on his lips."The key to the "Qing Zheng Jue" is to "guard the heart." If the heart does not act recklessly, the qi will be long-lasting. It is already rare that you can find the way in just one night."
Lin Fu's heart was happy, and he was about to say something more, when the carriage suddenly slowed down. Shen Qing's voice came from outside: "Qin Senior, we have arrived at the entrance of Chu Prefecture."
Lin Fu lifted the car curtain and saw a magnificent city standing on the plain in front of him. The tall city wall was built with gray-green bricks and stones, stretching for several miles. The soldiers guarding the city wore bright armor and had an imposing appearance. This is the Chu Prefecture, the most prosperous place within a radius of 100 miles, and also the place where the forces of the rivers and lakes are intertwined.
The carriage slowly entered the city gate along with the crowd. The terrain in the city was open, with shops lined up on both sides of the streets. There was a bustling scene with the sound of car horns and vendors' calls. Compared with Qingshi Town and Luoma Town, this place truly has the atmosphere of a city.
The Chaozhou branch of the righteous alliance is located in a mansion in the southeast of the city. It occupies a large area. Two stone lions stand in front of the door, and a black-and-gold plaque with the words "Chaozhou Branch of the Righteous Alliance" is hung on the red-painted door.
As soon as the carriage came to a stop, a group of people hurried out of the door. At the head of the group was a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, a firm face, and a short beard. Seeing Qin Zhengshan get off the carriage, he immediately bowed and saluted, "I am Zhang Meng. I see you, Commander Qin!"
"Master Zhang, no need to be polite."Qin Zhengshan raised his hand and said, "We were just passing by, sorry for the trouble."
"Commander, what are you talking about?"Zhang Meng chuckled, his gaze sweeping over Shen Qing and Su Muyun before finally landing on Lin Fu. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, but he didn't ask any more questions. He turned and led the way, "Please come in. I've prepared some tea and snacks."
The layout of the branch house is rigorous, with artificial mountains, ponds, pavilions, and towers, which have both the atmosphere of the rivers and lakes and the elegance. The group walked through the front yard and arrived at a spacious living room.
After taking his seat and receiving the tea, Zhang Meng asked, "Is the leader here to discuss the matter of Black Wind Hall?"
"Not bad." Qin Zhengshan nodded. "The Black Wind Hall has been active in the Chu Prefecture area recently. Not only does it smuggle salt and iron, but it is also involved with the Shadow Pavilion. Last night in Luoma Town, we encountered an ambush by the Black Wind Hall, and the Shadow Pavilion people also came to our door."
Zhang Meng's face turned dark:"These scumbags from Black Wind Hall are getting more and more rampant! Recently, I have indeed discovered that they have stockpiled a lot of goods in the Black Wind Camp outside the city, and I was about to report it to the leader, but I didn't expect them to dare to attack the leader!"He paused and continued,"As for the Shadow Pavilion... They have always been solitary, how could they be involved with the Black Wind Hall?"
"This matter is strange, that's why I came here." Qin Zhengshan said, "Master Zhang, have you found any clues?"
Zhang Meng furrowed his brow and thought for a moment:"Strange as it may seem, three months ago, the Black Wind Hall suddenly changed its master. The new master's name was Lei Tianxiao, and he was much more ruthless and secretive than before. Since he took office, the Black Wind Hall has frequently contacted some unidentified people, and the subordinates who were sent to investigate several times failed."
"Lei Tianxiao?" Qin Zhengshan's eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance. "I have heard of this person. It is said that he was once a disciple of the 'Soul-Cutting Valley'. Later, there was a civil war in the valley, and he disappeared. I didn't expect him to become the head of the Black Wind Hall."
Shen Qing interjected, "The Valley of the Broken Soul is good at using poisons and daggers. Could it be that Miss Su's injury..."
Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Su Muyun's shoulder. Su Muyun gently pressed on the wound and furrowed his brow, "It was itchy last night, but it's much better now."
Zhang Meng's face changed:"If it is the means of the Valley of the Broken Soul, then one must not be careless! I'll go get the "Purify Poison Powder" right away!"Then he got up and hurried away.
Lin Fu sat on the side and listened to their conversation in silence, gaining a deeper understanding of the complexity of the world. Black Wind Hall, Shadow Pavilion, Broken Soul Valley, Zheng Qi Alliance... These names, which were once only heard in the mouths of storytellers, have now become vivid and dangerous.
At this time, the wooden box in his arms suddenly felt slightly warm again, similar to the heat he felt in the carriage yesterday. His heart moved, and he pressed his chest without making a sound, his eyes unintentionally sweeping over a painting hanging on the wall of the living room.
It was a landscape painting, depicting the scenery of mountains and rivers near Chuzhou, with vigorous brushwork. However, Lin Fu's gaze fell on an inconspicuous peak in the painting - the outline of the peak was somewhat similar to a small hill at the edge of the map on his sheepskin paper!
He was so engrossed in it that Zhang Meng had already brought the medicine powder and handed it to Su Muyun, saying, "Su Muyun, this is the secret medicine powder of our branch. Apply it for a few days, and it will definitely eliminate the hidden danger."
Su Muyun thanked him and took it. Qin Zhengshan and Zhang Meng discussed the matter of tracking down the Black Wind Hall for a while, and finally said, "We will stay at the branch for a few days. Master Zhang, please arrange the accommodation for us."
"The leader can rest assured, I have already prepared it."
The accommodation arranged by Zhang Meng was in the courtyard behind the reception hall, which was quiet and peaceful. Lin Fu followed Su Muyun to his room. As soon as he put down his luggage, he saw Qin Zhengshan come in.
"Lin Fu, you come with me."
Lin Fu was puzzled and followed Qin Zhengshan to a study. The bookcase in the study is full of books of all kinds. Zhang Meng was also there, carefully examining a roll of brocade. When he saw Lin Fu, his eyes showed surprise.
"Commander Qin, this..."
Qin Zhengshan said to Lin Fu, "Take out that piece of cloud pattern brocade outside your cradle."
Lin Fu was taken aback and did not understand why Qin Zhengshan suddenly wanted this, but he still dug it out from his luggage. The brocade was already a bit old, with worn edges, but the cloud patterns on it were still clear.
Zhang Meng took the brocade and compared it with the other fragment in his hand, his face showing excitement:"That's right! It is the token of 'Lingyun Mountain Villa'!"
"Lingyun Villa?" Lin Fu was puzzled.
Zhang Meng explained:"Lingyun Mountain Manor was a famous family in the world of martial arts thirty years ago. The master of the manor, Xiao Changfeng, was a master of the "Lingyun Sword Art." Unfortunately, the manor was suddenly destroyed, and the whole family was killed. Since then, it has disappeared. This cloud pattern brocade is the symbol of Lingyun Mountain Manor, and it is said that only the head of the manor can possess it."
Lin Fu's heart was shocked:"Are you saying... Do I have anything to do with Lingyun Mountain Villa?"
"It's hard to say." Qin Zhengshan pondered and said,"But this brocade is no ordinary thing; since you were abandoned wrapped in this brocade, your background must have something to do with the Cloud Stream Manor. Master Zhang, how much do you know about the matter at Lingyun Villa?"
Zhang Meng sighed:"When the incident happened at Lingyun Mountain, I was still a young man. I only heard that the fire was so high that night, and the sound of fighting continued all night. When I went to see it the next day, the mountain was already a heap of ashes, and there was no one alive. As for why the family was wiped out, there are many different opinions in the underworld. Some say it was because they offended the evil sect, while others say it was because they had hidden some treasure, which led to their death."
Treasure?
Lin Fu subconsciously touched the wooden box in his arms. Is it related to the map and jade pendant in the wooden box? Is the "cang" in the map referring to the treasure of Lingyun Villa?
"Where is the former location of Lingyun Villa?"Lin Fu asked eagerly.
Zhang Meng pointed to the map on the wall: "It's deep in the Wuyun Mountains southwest of Chuzhou, and it's now deserted and uninhabited."
Lin Fu looked in the direction he pointed to, and the location of Wuyun Mountain was exactly in the approximate direction of the map on his sheepskin paper!
The truth seems to be right in front of us, but there is still a layer of mist. Why was the Liuyun Mountain Manor exterminated? Who are his parents? Why was he abandoned in the mass grave? Is the secret in the wooden box the reason why the manor was wiped out?
Countless questions swirled in his mind, making him a little disoriented for a moment.
Qin Zhengshan patted him on the shoulder:"This matter is not urgent, and we will eventually find clues if we investigate slowly. Since you are related to the Cloud Stream Manor, the "Cloud Stream Sword Art" may be of interest to you. This is a fragment of the "Cloud Stream Sword Technique" collected by the branch. You can take a look at it and perhaps gain some insight."
Zhang Meng took a bound ancient book from the bookshelf and handed it to Lin Fu. On the cover, there were six words written: "Lingyun Sword Technique Fragment." The paper was yellowed.
Lin Fu took it with both hands, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart. This may be the first clue he has found in his search for his origins.
"Thank you, Senior Qin, thank you, Master Zhang."
"Go and have a good rest, I'll teach you kung fu in the afternoon." Qin Zhengshan said.
Lin Fu took the sword script back to his room and couldn't wait to open it. The handwriting on the fragment is ancient, and it records more than ten styles of swordsmanship. There is also a hand-drawn diagram of moves next to it. Each style is graceful and elegant, like the changing clouds, which is why it is called the "Cloud Stream Swordsmanship."
As he watched and gestured, although he still didn't understand, he felt as if he had seen these moves somewhere before, with a strange sense of familiarity.
Before I knew it, it was afternoon. Su Muyun knocked on the door and came in, handing him a bottle of medicine: "This is given by Master Zhang, saying that it can be applied externally and internally, and is good for practicing qi."
"Thank you, Miss Su."
Su Muyun looked at the sword script in his hand and smiled, "It seems that you and Lingyun Mountain are indeed destined. The 'Lingyun Sword Art' was a famous skill in the past."
"Can I learn it?"Lin Fu was somewhat uncertain.
"As long as you put in the effort, there is nothing you can't learn." Su Muyun encouraged, "Senior Qin said you have a good understanding. Maybe you can complete this incomplete scroll."
Lin Fu's heart was lifted, and he nodded. He not only had to learn sword skills, but also had to uncover all the truth and seek justice for the people of Lingyun Mountain, as well as for Lin Ironworker.
At that moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside, and Shen Qing's voice rang out:"Senior Qin, it's not good! The people from Black Wind Hall have arrived!"
Lin Fu's heart tightened, looked at Su Muyun, and immediately got up and ran out.
The tranquility of the Chu Prefecture branch was finally broken. A bigger storm is brewing.
(Chapter 5 ends)
Next, Lei Xiaoshan of the Black Wind Hall personally led a group of people to besiege the branch headquarters of the Zhengqi Alliance, and a fierce battle ensued. Zhang Meng was injured in the battle and revealed that Lei Xue Tian seemed to be looking for something related to the Cloud Stream Manor. In the chaos, Lin Fu inadvertently used half of the "Cloud Stream Sword Technique" to repel a Black Wind Hall expert, which surprised Qin Zhengshan and others. After the battle, Qin Zhengshan found that Lei Xiaotian's martial arts style was somewhat similar to that of the murderer in the Liuyun Mountain Manor massacre case, which made him even more certain that there was a connection between the two...