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Chapter 422: A Woman of This Age
🕑 Added 2024-10-31 16:21:38 +0000 UTCQin Jianghe and his group of good brothers had no idea that the spirit stones they had stashed away were now temporarily earmarked for a “to-be-filled” situation.
Later that day, as usual, a member of the Finance Hall patrolled the spirit stone mine. Upon discovering that a large section of the mine, which had been thriving the previous day, was now mysteriously empty, he panicked, thinking it had been stolen. He hurriedly rushed back to report to Qin Jianghe.
Qin Jianghe immediately went to investigate. After confirming that a large area of the mine was indeed completely empty of spirit stones, he assumed that someone had managed to sneak past the sect’s defenses and steal them. Without hesitation, he gathered the elders of the sect to discuss the situation.
Fortunately, Liu Yunan arrived in time to explain that the spirit stones had been used by the control platform that Lin Xiao had set up to upgrade the Heart-Testing Path, and the misunderstanding was resolved.
As for the Heart-Testing Path, although it had been upgraded, from the outside, nothing seemed different. However, people continued to flow into it steadily from the base of the mountain.
Onlookers standing near the Heart-Testing Path noticed something strange. Those who entered the path and stood still seemed to become somewhat transparent, and as more people entered, they appeared to overlap with one another, their outlines merging.
Before long, nearly all those who had come for the disciple recruitment had entered the path, and now, at each spot, several overlapping figures could be seen.
The crowd watching nearby had never seen such a phenomenon and couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.
As arranged with Sun Yigao beforehand, Tong Jialiang, supported by Bao Jian, entered the Heart-Testing Path alongside the crowd.
As the sun began to set, the bustling activity in Xiushui Village finally quieted down. The only place still surrounded by curious onlookers was the base of North Mountain, where people were still observing the marvel of the Heart-Testing Path.
The academy had also given its students a break during this period. The area around the base of the mountain was too noisy and crowded for regular classes, and besides, many of the students at Lingxian Academy wanted to participate in the disciple recruitment event themselves.
The academy had no reason to stop its students from pursuing their desire to join Lingxian Sect. So now, the academy grounds were eerily quiet, lacking the usual sound of students reading aloud.
Before long, some people began to emerge from the Heart-Testing Path. Those who had gathered to watch quickly realized that these individuals had failed the test, as some left with embarrassed expressions, covering their faces with their sleeves, while others stomped off angrily.
The crowd quickly understood that these were the ones who hadn’t passed. Seeing this, some of the onlookers couldn’t resist booing and jeering.
Among those trying to join Lingxian Sect were wealthy nobles and officials, but the spectators didn’t care. There were too many people around for them to get into trouble, and besides, this was right at the gates of Lingxian Sect—who could stop them?
Some who had failed to pass were angered by the mockery and snapped back, “If you think it’s so easy, why don’t you try it yourselves? Let’s see how long you last! You’re all cowards who just stand there laughing at others!”
Most of those who failed, however, chose not to engage with the hecklers and simply hurried away in silence.
As night fell, those watching saw a broad-shouldered man supporting a hunched old woman as they approached the Heart-Testing Path. After confirming with others that the peach blossom path ahead was indeed the entrance to Lingxian Sect, they both entered together.
“I can’t believe a woman of that age still dreams of seeking immortality,” someone in the crowd whispered.
“Well, the older you get, the more you want to keep living,” another replied.
The continuous stream of people entering and exiting the Heart-Testing Path went on until midnight, when a faint light curtain appeared at the entrance, blocking further entry.
The path had shifted to allow only exits, signaling the end of this recruitment event. From now on, it would be up to those inside the Heart-Testing Path to prove their worth.
As the late hours of the night set in, most of the crowd dispersed, heading home to rest. The base of North Mountain finally grew quiet, with only the occasional night owl wandering by.
Shen Yingzi opened his eyes and found himself back in his own bedroom. It felt as though he had slept for a long time, his head heavy with drowsiness. Whatever dream he had just experienced was already forgotten, but he felt thirsty, so he got up and poured himself a cup of water.
As he drank, a vague sense of unease washed over him, as though he had forgotten something important.
His thoughts were interrupted when a servant called from outside the door, “Young Master, are you awake? The master said to remind you to depart early if you’re up. He’s waiting for you out front.”
Shen Yingzi paused, puzzled. Depart? Where to?
What day is it?
After a moment of confusion, it dawned on him. Of course, today was the anniversary of his mother’s death. How could he have forgotten such an important occasion?
Hurriedly, he set down the cup and called back, “I’ll be right out.”
After washing up, he headed to the front hall, only to find that a royal summons had called his father away to the palace.
“Yingzi, if things go well today, the Zhao clan may have a chance to restore their kingdom. You go ahead to visit your mother’s grave. I’ll join you later after I’ve been to the palace,” his father, Yuan Jing, said before hurrying off.
Watching his father’s retreating figure, Shen Yingzi prayed that the Zhao family’s restoration would soon come to pass. Then his father would no longer need to toil and rush about like this.
He took a carriage alone to his mother’s grave.
The weather was gloomy, with thick clouds covering the sky, making everything feel dark and heavy.
Kneeling before his mother’s grave, Shen Yingzi burned incense, the light smoke swirling upward in the still air. Holding a bamboo flute, he spoke to the tombstone, “Mother, I’ve written a few more songs this year. I like them a lot. Shall I play them for you?”
Shen Yingzi had never known what to say to the mother he had never met. His father had told him that his mother was a kind and gentle woman, a mortal who loved the sound of the flute. Even when she was pregnant with him, she would often play the flute to her unborn child.
So, every time he came to visit, he would play the flute for her.
Lifting the bamboo flute to his lips, he closed his eyes, his long lashes casting shadows over his face. The melancholy notes of the flute began to fill the somber air.
“Yingzi… Mother is so sad…”
Amid the clear and flowing melody, a soft, gentle woman’s voice, tinged with a trace of sorrow, quietly reached Shen Yingzi’s ears.
The voice sounded far away, yet also as if it was right beside him.
Startled, Shen Yingzi opened his eyes and saw, faintly above his mother’s grave, the silhouette of a young woman.
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