Chapter 862: Peach Blossoms Outside the Nunnery Speak of Parting
The second group to leave was the largest.
In the end, Old Master Tang agreed to stay out of this war between the imperial court and the state religion. This was already the greatest benefit the Li Palace could obtain.
The King of Linghai and Archbishop Anlin led the thousands of state religion cavalry outside the city, heading back to the capital to deal with the new situation.
The King of Linghai asked, "When will Your Majesty return?"
Chen Changsheng replied, "On the day that I should return, I will return."
The King of Linghai and Archbishop Anlin departed. Countless plumes of dust rose from the wilderness north of the city, gradually threatening to shroud this ancient town.
Watching the distant scene, Tang Thirty-Six suddenly said, "Don't believe that Old Master will stay neutral forever. That day, Chu Su was deliberately allowed to escape."
Chen Changsheng already knew the specific details of the battle by the Wenshui River that day. He nodded to show he understood.
The Five Styles of the Tang family were terrifying, and moreover, they were in Wenshui City. No matter how formidable Chu Su was, there was no reason he should have been able to escape.
"As for that blind zither master being the last remaining elder of the Longevity Sect, showing mercy is also understandable."
The speaker was the Bishop of Wenshui City.
As the state religion's top figure stationed in Wenshui City, he had played an extremely important role in this incident and had exerted considerable influence.
The Tang family probably wouldn't take out their anger on him for this matter. But if he continued to stay in the Wenshui City Cathedral, the Tang family would likely find him an eyesore. Chen Changsheng and the King of Linghai had already agreed that the Li Palace would later send a new bishop to Wenshui to take office. How to arrange for the original bishop had become a problem.
In principle, having rendered such meritorious service to the state religion, the Bishop of Wenshui deserved to return to the capital and hold an even more prestigious position. However, he had personally killed the White Rock Daoist. Returning to the capital would surely make him a thorn in the side of certain people within the state religion, inviting many troubles. That was why Chen Changsheng still hadn't made up his mind until now.
"Now that we're about to leave, have you decided?" Chen Changsheng asked the bishop.
The Bishop of Wenshui said, "Your humble servant wishes to attend Your Majesty's side."
Tang Thirty-Six remarked, "That position is indeed better than any position in the Li Palace."
For members of the state religion, what was the best position? Of course, it was the position closest to His Holiness the Pope.
Whether the Pope was in the far south, the far north, or the desolate western frontier, as long as one could stay by his side for years, one would inevitably reap the greatest benefits.
The Bishop of Wenshui smiled humbly, not refuting Tang Thirty-Six's statement, and said, "What you say is reasonable."
Tang Thirty-Six looked at him and asked, "This position is a shortcut to other positions. So what is the final position you want?"
The Bishop of Wenshui replied very seriously, "I have no hope of attaining sanctity in this life. I only hope to serve as an archbishop for one term before returning to the Sea of Stars."
Tang Thirty-Six was intrigued and asked, "Which cathedral?"
"The Grass Moon Hall."
The Bishop of Wenshui answered quickly, clearly having thought about this for a long time in his daily life.
Hearing this answer, Tang Thirty-Six couldn't help but laugh.
The Grass Moon Hall was one of the six halls of the Li Palace, the residence of the Grand Archbishop of the Xuanwen Hall.
After the previous Grand Archbishop of the Xuanwen Hall, Mu Jiushi, was expelled from the state religion by the Pope, the Grass Moon Hall had remained without a master.
The Bishop of Wenshui's goal was indeed very specific and reasonable.
"I admire you very much," Tang Thirty-Six said. "May I ask your esteemed name?"
The other party was the state religion's highest representative in Wenshui City and had lived there for many years, but Tang Thirty-Six really didn't know his name.
The Bishop of Wenshui smiled and said, "Old Master used to call me Little Hu. You can call me that too."
Old Master Tang could call him that, but Tang Thirty-Six didn't have that qualification. He asked uncertainly, "Little Hu?"
"Hu, as in household," Chen Changsheng said. "His name is Hu Sanshier."
Hearing this name, Tang Thirty-Six's eyes lit up, feeling a sense of mutual admiration, and said, "Good name. Is it a ranking or a house number?"
"When I was young, the place where I lived suffered an earthquake. In the end, only thirty-two households were left in the entire town. My entire family died, and I was the only one who survived. I was raised collectively by those thirty-two households," the bishop said calmly. "I chose this name to remind myself that living is a very difficult thing, so I shouldn't die early."
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...
The group left Wenshui City, heading southeast. Facing them, a mountain could be seen.
Even in the depths of winter, with snow falling for the past two days, that mountain was still lush with green.
This mountain was not tall. Amidst the green trees, more than a dozen clumps of peach blossoms could be seen in full bloom.
There must be a hot spring on the mountain, or perhaps a formation similar to the Wenshui Cathedral.
Looking at the peach blossoms and green trees on the mountain, Chen Changsheng thought of the past year in the Snow Ridge. Aside from some loneliness, it had been peaceful and joyful. He missed Little Black Dragon.
He wondered if her journey westward was going smoothly.
Among the green branches and peach blossoms, the eaves of a Daoist nunnery could be faintly seen.
Tang Thirty-Six stared at that place, silent.
Chen Changsheng asked, "Is this Rooster Crow Mountain?"
Tang Thirty-Six didn't speak, just nodded.
So, his little aunt should be in that nunnery.
"Have you met her?" Chen Changsheng asked.
Tang Thirty-Six shook his head, then nodded after a moment.
"When I was young and foolish, I always kept this matter in my heart. I secretly went up the mountain to see her, and then I encountered..."
What happened after the encounter? Did the other party recognize his identity? Did they talk?
Was it only this one encounter, or were there subsequent seemingly unintentional but actually deliberate meetings? He stopped there. For the safety or peaceful life of the woman in that nunnery, it was best not to meet, not to mention it, and they probably wouldn't meet again in the future, right?
...
...
Traveling southeast for over thirty li, the Wenshui River flowed into the Hate River, losing its own name.
As one of the most famous rivers on the continent, the Hate River originated deep within the Cloud Grave, flowed through the fertile plains of the far south, then passed through the thousand-li stretch of the Plum Fall Mountains, absorbing many tributaries. Its momentum was already extremely grand. But if one traveled upstream into the gorge, only then would one see the truly magnificent scenery.
Chen Changsheng and the others walked through the gorge. On both banks, towering peaks pierced the clouds. The mountain forests were extremely dense, and human traces were rare. Only the cries of apes could be heard. There was no need to worry about being followed or about safety issues. This was not the northern border; it was impossible to encounter powerful demons, and it was difficult to gather large armies. It was also unlike Wenshui City, which had countless experts.
The further upstream they went, the more treacherous the gorge became. The river's flow grew steeper and more rapid, yet its force did not diminish in the slightest. It was astonishing, with a thunderous roar that never ceased. As the journey continued, human habitation gradually appeared in the gorge, but often one had to walk for half a day before seeing a few houses. Most of the time, the sights before their eyes were nothing but wilderness.
Before becoming the Bishop of Wenshui, Hu Sanshier had spent many years preaching in this gorge. He was extremely familiar with the local customs and scenery. As he explained things along the way, Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six listened to his commentary and looked at the scenery on both banks, naturally not finding it boring. Nanke followed the group with a dazed expression, clutching the corner of Chen Changsheng's clothes. It was unclear whether she could understand the words. Zhe Xiu, on the other hand, kept his gaze vigilantly fixed on any movement in the mountain forest, showing no interest in listening to such idle chatter.
Wherever there were people, there were bound to be believers of the state religion, and news would come.
At a wild ferry crossing, they received the latest news.
It was said that two days ago, someone outside Fengyang City had seen a drenched monster kill two shepherd boys and then eat them.
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(I still want to try to maintain two chapters. I'm very afraid of that string loosening. But these next few days are uncertain. As I said before, the first chapter around four o'clock, and everyone can wait for the second chapter until nine. If it's not there, then it's not there. Tomorrow, we'll start the long journey again. Thinking back to a year ago, driving from Heilongjiang to Hubei with my boss, it feels like a lifetime ago. Truly, this past year has been the slowest, yet the fastest, the most arduous, and also the most fulfilling year of my life.)