Di Wang Gong Lue Chapter 28

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[Chapter 28 - Mu Chi Lao Ren] Ba Huang Zhen Fa(1)

When the two of them rushed to the scene, the clamor on the stage had already calmed down; Sai Pan An's eyes were still slightly closed; he was sitting on the stage like a meditating monk, waiting for the next person to attempt to break the deadlock; it was as if nothing happened just now.
　
Duan Bai Yue asked someone beside him; only then did he know that someone tried to s.n.a.t.c.h the gold, but before he could even charge up the stage, he was already beaten down by Sai Pan An with a palm; he couldn't get up even after struggling for half a day, and was only brought away by patrolling troops.

"Under the eyes of the son of heaven, and with so many people around; who would be so audacious?" Duan Bai Yue frowned.

"Exactly. I reckon he was so poor that he became mad, and really coveted the gold." That young man said, "But no one would have thought that although the person on the stage looks delicate and weak, he would actually know some martial arts. Before I could realize what had happened, the bandit had already flown down, vomiting blood along the way, and when he landed, made a hole in the ground.

If it really happened like that, then he wouldn't only know some martial arts, but should be a highly skilled expert instead. Duan Bai Yue glanced towards the stage once again, then squeezed out of the crowd with Chu yuan, walking to a secluded, quiet place.
　　
"Something to say?" Chu Yuan asked.

Duan Bai Yue nodded: "I want to see who the bandit is."
　　
"The authorities will handle these kinds of minor matters." Chu Yuan jabbed his chest, "There's no need for Xi Nan King to trouble himself."
　
Duan Bai Yue said: "Let's go."

Chu Yuan: "........."
　
Duan Bai Yue continued in a deadpan way: "What Xi Nan manor loves the most is to be a busybody; don't talk about people fighting nearby, even if it's a husband and wife quarrelling, we must also eavesdrop on it."
　　
Chu Yuan said grudgingly: "Must we really go? Then let me say this, I will only bring you to the magistrate, you can go and look at him yourself." After all, to the average person, at this moment, Duan Bai Yue should be training and honing himself in Yun Nan, in preparation to revolt all the way to the north in one go. He absolutely shouldn't be appearing in the capital now, with a pinwheel in his hand.
　　
Duan Bai Yue nodded: "Good."

Chu Yuan brought him through a few alleys, reached out a finger and pointed to a tall wall: "The prison is just over this, at this time Zhang Zhi Can has probably already went back to his residence; if he wants to try him he will do it tomorrow."
　　
Duan Bai Yue asked: "I'm going alone?"
　　
Chu Yuan: "........"
　　
What else?
　
Duan Bai Yue said: "Together."
　　
Chu Yuan : "......"

Duan Bai Yue refused to listen and swiftly pushed the pinwheel onto him, and holding him by the waist, sprang up and leapt over the wall, landing steadily in the courtyard.

Chu Yuan raised his palm and beat him.
　
Duan Bai Yue didn't avoid it either; he grabbed his chest, an expression of pain and suffering.　
　
Chu Yuan knocked the pinwheel on his head: "Pretending!"
　　
Duan Bai Yue laughed out loud.

The ones imprisoned here were all petty thieves and criminals; there was not worry of a jailbreak; hence the patrolling guards here were also not many. The two of them easily went around the dozing prison head, and went into the prison as if there was no one present.
　　

A place to lock up criminals; there was no need to think and one knows that the environment won't be good, and it was also summer; the sour fumes inside can be as stinky as one wants it to be; Duan Bai Yue promptly fished out a handkerchief, and firmly covered his mouth and nose.
　
Chu Yuan was between laughter and tears, and said: "This technique of yours truly can be compared to that of a kidnapper's."
　　
Duan Bai Yue froze, and silently loosened his hold on the handkerchief a little.

Chu Yuan raised his hand and pointed in front of them: "The criminals who have just arrived and yet to be tried will all be kept here."
　　
Duan Bai Yue went forward silently, and saw a row of four prisons, of which only two have prisoners. One of them is a fat guy, who is snoring earth-rattlingly, and looks to be unhurt, and is even sleeping quite well. As for the other person, he was instead lying on his side, curled up and groaning; a part of his forehead was gushing; it seems that his entire head is suffering and drenched in blood, and his looks isn't discernable either. When he turned over, a blue tattoo on his left arm was revealed.

Duan Bai Yue frowned slightly.
Chu Yuan saw that his expression turned strange; just as he intended to ask what happened, he was gestured to go out first before talking.

　　　　
The two of them landed in the alley they were in previously; the air is also much better. Chu Yuan asked: "You recognize that person?"
　　
"If I didn't see wrongly, he should be Zuan De Hou(2)." Duan Bai Yue said, "He's an infamous thief in Jianghu, and was surrounded a few times before, but to no avail."
　　
"His martial arts skills are this good?" Chu Yuan is puzzled.
　　
"It's not that his skills are high, but because this person had a talented person as his teacher before, and knows technique of escaping underground." Duan Bai Yue said, "Everyone had racked their brains to force him into a dead end every time, but yet he would disappear without a trace in a blink of an eye."
　　
"If this is so, then that person on the stage should be highly skilled too." Chu Yuan said, "Or else he wouldn't have injured him so easily."
　　
Duan Bai Yue nodded: "There doesn't seem to be anyone by this name in Jianghu, I will observe him more over the next few days."
　
"He's only setting up a stage to solve a chess arrangement, even if he's highly skilled, he still isn't causing trouble for the people." Chu Yuan said, "Why observe him?"

"There must be something unusual when things go wrong; if we wait till he creates an incident before catching him, I'm afraid it will be too late by then." Duan Bai Yue shook his head, "Moreover this is the foundation of the imperial city, a single instance of trouble shouldn't exist at all."
　
"Up to you." Chu Yuan looked at the sky, "There's morning court tomorrow, I should be returning now."
　　
"I'll send you back." Duan Bai Yue said.
　
Chu Yuan stepped onto a pebbled path, walking back unhurriedly.
　
Duan Bai Yue quickened his steps and followed by his side, their shoulders bathed in bright moonlight.
　　
Their silhouettes got longer and longer, eventually intersecting with one another.

The affairs of the imperial court were many; so Chu Yuan wasn't concerned about that Sai Pan An either. After the morning court on the second day, a few officials remained to discuss some matters; he then returned to the imperial study to pa.s.s a few imperial decrees; when he finished the matters at hand, he raised his head and saw that it's again a black sky outside.
　　
"Your Majesty, it's time to have dinner." Si Xi said quietly.
　　
Chu Yuan wanted to say that he had no appet.i.te, but remembered that he seemed to have had only a bowl of porridge in the afternoon, and thus said: "Send in the meal."
　
Si Xi helped out him out of the study, and said while walking: "Today Xi Nan manor had sent some fragrant spices, and hot and sour seasoning, if Your Majesty doesn't have a good appet.i.te recently, why not change the cuisine tomorrow?"
　　
Chu Yuan paused: "Even this must be sent from so far away?"
　　
"Yes." Si Xi said, "There's even a cart full of dried fish."
　
Chu Yuan felt like laughing: "How can we use an entire cart, send some to the rest of the officials."
　
Si Xi nodded and said yes, then turned around and sent down his instructions.

　　　
This time, the officials knew the routine; after receiving the dried fish they all found some string and hung it under the eaves; no one ate it either -- after all, after a few more hours, the emperor will send soldiers to take it back again.
　　　　
After finishing his dinner, before Chu Yuan could manage to drink a cup of tea, Lord Tai Fu had hurriedly came into the palace to seek an audience instead.
Eunuch Si Xi sighed and sighed again inside; the emperor was finally able to be unoccupied, and he thought that he could rest early tonight; just what happened again.

　　　　
"Your Majesty." Tao Tai Fu walked hastily all the way, panting a little, truly looking as if he had some urgent matters, "I wonder if Your Majesty knows that in the capital recently, someone had set up a stage for a chess match?"
　　
Chu Yuan nodded: "This official is talking about that Sai Pan An?"
　
"It's certainly him." Tao Ren De said, "That chess arrangement isn't a normal chess puzzle, but one that devours the mind."
　
Chu Yuan frowned slightly.

"This endgame of chess is called Fen Xing Ju; nothing seems strange initially, but if one single-mindedly research and obsess over it, their sense of judgement will be swallowed by the chess arrangement, and become crazy." Tao Ren De said.

"Fen Xing Ju, Fen Xing?" Chu Yuan stood up.

"Your Majesty has heard of this chess arrangement?" Tao Ren De was surprised.

Chu Yuan shook his head, and sat back on the throne: "Continue."

"Yesterday, this humble official went to Da Li temple, and found out that about fifty years ago, there was a highly skilled person named Lan Yi Zhan, who embarked on the demonic way, committing countless murders; in the end he was trapped by someone at Yu Guan Mountain(3)." Tao Ren De said, "After that, each and every single one of the chess records that possesses this arrangement were destroyed, and there's no one in the world now who has seen Fen Xing before. Because this humble official was obsessed with chess during his younger years, and had searched far and wide for chess records, then did he know of this disastrous arrangement."

"Then what does this official thinks are the intention of this person?" Chu Yuan asked.

Tao Ren De said: "I'm afraid that the other party has no intentions of the good kind."

"There's people coming to and fro Tai Ci street everyday, and that Sai Pan An is highly skilled too, if he really wants to cause trouble, innocents will be harmed." Chu Yuan shook his head, "Since this official knows about this ominous Fen Xing Ju, then you will be responsible for thoroughly investigating this matter; remember that the safety of the people comes first."

"Yes." Tao Ren De received the order, bowing and retreating from the study.

Chu Yuan leaned against the back of the chair, his forehead creasing lightly, seemingly thinking about something.
Si Xi stood by his side, and didn't dare to speak up and disturb him.

"Go and get Xi Nan King here." Chu Yuan said suddenly a moment later.

"Huh?" Eunuch Si Xi hadn't come back to himself.

"Don't let others see him." Chu Yuan stood up, and went out without turning back once, "We will be waiting for him in the sleeping quarters."

"Yes yes yes." Eunuch Si Xi patted his belly, and went to instruct gladly and diligently.

Chu Yuan was used to being attended by Si Xi from young; after he grew up, even if he had ascended the throne, he still didn't have any palace maids by his side; thus the sleeping quarters were very quiet. Late at night, the wind pa.s.sed by the muslin curtains; only a plum tree wa.s.s standing quietly in the courtyard.

When the door was opened by someone, Chu Yuan was sitting by the table, lost in thought.

"What's the matter?" Duan Bai Yue closed the door, sat by his side and asked, "I thought something had happened again."

"Something has happened, but it's not urgent." Chu Yuan said, "It's related to Fen Xing."

"Fen Xing?" Duan Bai Yue was surprised, "What, lost it?"

Chu Yuan reached out his hand; a pearl is sparkling like a gem.

Duan Bai Yue laughed: "So?"
　　
"Lord Tai Fu came to the study today, saying that the chess arrangement set up by that Sai Pan An is also called Fen Xing." Chu Yuan said.

Duan Bai Yue frowned: "Fen Xing?"

Chu Yuan pa.s.sed on what Tao Ren De said just now.

"Never heard of it before." Duan Bai Yue shook his head.

"When I first wanted Fen Xing, it was because I heard the empress mention it occasionally, saying that it was an auspicious item; just this and nothing more." Chu Yuan said.

"The people in Jiang Hu are also all scrabbling madly for it, but said that it's because it can revive the dead." Duan Bai Yue took Fen Xing away from his palm, "But no matter what, before the truth is made clear, it's better to be away from it."

The corners of Chu Yuan's mouth lifted: "A thing that has been given to someone else, it can still be taken back?"

"I'll simply send another gift to make up for it." Duan Bai Yue said, "As for this Fen Xing, after I've made sure that it isn't dangerous, I will naturally return it."
　

"That's fine too." Chu Yuan said, "It's not early now, if there's no other matters ---"

"Then let's drink some wine together." Duan Bai Yue interrupted him.

Chu Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Xi Nan King has even brought wine?"

"I came here urgently, and didn't manage to bring any good wine." Duan Bai Yue smiled, "But even if Emperor Chu is as frugal as ever, I reckon that in this big palace, there should be at least a jar of wine."

Chu Yuan shook his head: "There's still morning court tomorrow."

Duan Bai Yue: "There you go again."

"There's still a pile of reports in the imperial study." Chu Yuan laid on the table, "If I get drunk tonight, there will be a group of old officials complaining tomorrow."

Duan Bai Yue sighed: "If I could help, I really want to help you complete all of them."

Chu Yuan laughed upon hearing it: "It's as the rumors outside say; 'wild and lofty ambitions', you want to take over even the pa.s.sing of imperial decrees?"

"That's right, the Xi Nan King certainly has wild and lofty ambitions." Duan Bai Yue got closer to him, his tone dubious, "But he doesn't want this country, instead, he wants..."

"Hey!" Chu Yuan avoided him.

"Yes?" Duan Bai Yue reached out his hand, unperturbed, taking down a box from the shelf behind, "I'm only taking something, what are you panicking for?"

Chu Yuan, speechless, glared at him.

Duan Bai Yue shook the box in his hand: "It's quite fragrant, what is it?"

Chu Yuan answered: "Chun Xiao Zhui(4)."

Duan Bai Yue: "......"

Huh?

"Does King Duan want a cup of it?" Chu Yuan asked leisurely.

Duan Bai Yue opened it hesitatingly; it's really....Chun Xiao Zhui. The three words on the bottle are bold and upright; it's obviously written by the emperor himself.

But this item....

Duan Bai Yue raised his head and glanced at him, a great battle waging in his heart.

There was a deep meaning in Chu Yuan's eyes.

Duan Bai Yue reached out his hand, wanting to hold onto it, but was instead slapped: "What are you thinking about!"

"Huh?"

"This is medicine for sleeping, it's concocted by Xiao Jin, it was named without much thought." Chu Yuan felt like laughing, "And you actually believed it."

Duan Bai Yue sighed in relief, but didn't know whether he should laugh or cry.

How could this be named randomly?

Chu Yuan took back the box: "With this medicine, sleep is more peaceful at night."

"Fitful sleep is because you have things bothering you; having medicine everyday is not the way to go." Duan Bai Yue shook his head, "Don't put everything into your heart."

"Since I'm the ruler of the country, who else can I push these matters to?" Chu Yuan asked.

Duan Bai Yue said matter-of-factly: "Of course it's those officials in the court, since they are getting a salary, then they must of course make some effort in handling things; or else why feed them? They aren't good looking, and have a lot of peculiarities." They want to remonstrate every few days, as if they are addicted; it was lucky that they were born in the capital. If it was the Xi Nan manor, unfortunately, Duan Yao would have fed mouthfuls of insects to them within three days.

Chu Yuan looked at him with a smile.

"Alright, if you don't want to drink wine then let's not drink it, but don't go to the imperial study either." Duan Bai Yue said, "Rest early; as for the Fen Xing and Fen Xing Ju, I will send someone to investigate."

Chu Yuan nodded: "Many thanks."

Duan Bai Yue looked at him until he went into the interior palace, before turning away and leaving. After returning to the inn, he took the Feng Xin out again; it had returned to its previous state already, gloomy and dark, just like the most worthless pearls.

In the next few days, intentionally or otherwise, the imperial guards and people of Xi Nan manor all observed that stage closely, but didn't find any anomalies. As usual, there was someone who went up the stage to break the checkmate everyday, but it ended in a defeat every time; they could only look at the gold, stamping their legs, green with envy.

On the early morning of this day, Duan Bai Yue was drinking tea in his room, when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs, and Duan Nian's delighted voice: "Master Nan, young master!"

Duan Bai Yue raised his hand and rubbed his temples.

The room door crashed open with a bang; Duan Yao said cheerfully: "Brother."

"Yao-er." Duan Bai Yue reached out and knocked his head a few times, somewhat surprised --- he thought that he would have came here crying; he came here unwillingly everytime previously after all.

Nan Mo Ye reached out and took a pastry to eat, praising after looking around: "It's truly worthy of being the capital, even the guestrooms are larger than Xi Nan's."

"Has the journey been peaceful?" Duan Bai Yue poured him a cup of tea.

"Nothing happened at all." Nan Mo Ye sounded very disappointed; it seemed like he was really antic.i.p.ating some trouble.

Duan Bai Yue said with a headache: "let me say this first, if you are thinking of causing trouble, wait till when you have returned to Xi Nan, restrain yourself while in the capital."

"Of course of course, this teacher is still waiting for you to marry, how could I embarra.s.s you now." Nan Mo Ye opened his bag, pouring out a bunch of things with a crash, "During the trip here, I even brought quite a few presents for the person you fancy."

Duan Bai Yue: "........"

Vegetables cured meat, salted duck eggs, copper tray, silver tea pot, porcelain vase, decoration with inlaid jade; he brought all of the specialties from the big towns and small villages they pa.s.sed by.

Nan Mo Ye said: "Does it look like enough?"

Beside him, Duan Yao sighed, teacher has been buried in the grave for too long this time; how can these insignificant things be taken out and given to people; it was embarra.s.sing; moreover his brother was a n.o.bleman at the very least, and Xi Nan manor didn't lack in money either.

"What's this item?" Duan Bai Yue picked up a small toy made from wood without much thought.

"This is Yao-er's." Nan Mo Ye said, "We met an old man on the way to the capital yesterday, begging for food with worn down and torn clothes; Yao-er gave him a bun, and he have this concealed weapon in thanks."
　
"Concealed weapon?: Duan Bai Yue perked up.

"Yes." Duan Yao held onto his pastry using his mouth, then came over and demonstrated it to him. After pressing down a slightly raised b.u.mp, five silver needles immediately shot out from hidden holes, penetrating the pillar with a pop.

Although the shape isn't identical, but it's virtually the same as the Gui Mu Xia previously. Duan Bai Yue stood up abruptly, saying: "Where is that old man now?"

"How would I know." Duan Yao got a shock, "We met him at the waterfalls of Lu Ming mountain(5), and didn't ask where he was going either; we left after giving him the bun."
　
"Follow me into the mountain!" Duan Bai Yue dragged him on the way out, "No matter what, he must be found!"

Duan Yao was caught off guard, and almost had his breathing cut off by his collar.

Nan Mo Ye was joyous instead, following them happily, fearing that he wouldn't be able to join in the fun.
　
A signal flew into the vast sky, whistling; the people who saw it didn't care either, thinking that a sect was recruiting people again. The spies of Xi Nan manor concealed in various places in the capital however, had already gotten instructions, and rushed towards the signal.

Duan Nian was standing guard at the mountain entrance; after gathering the people and horse, he brought them all into the mountain to find someone!
　　
"Mu Chi Lao Ren?" Duan Yao had his curiosity peaked while walking, "What are you finding him for?"

Duan Bai Yue said without thinking: "Don't know."

Duan Yao choked a little, aggrieved.

Duan Bai Yue didn't have time to console his brother either, because he truly didn't know.
.....

There were many people belonging to Xi Nan manor, and Lu Mountain wasn't that big either. Moreover, according to what Duan Yao said, that old man from yesterday already had some years, and legs aren't nimble anymore, so he shouldn't be far away; thus Duan Bai Yue instructed everyone to speed up; they must find him within a day.
　
A few hours pa.s.sed in one instant; as night approaches, Duan Nian walked a few around near the pool, not finding anyone; just as he prepared to switch a place, out of the corners of his eyes he was a movement deep in the underbrush, like there's someone there; thus he decisively rushed over.

"Great warrior, have mercy!" Seeing that someone is chasing him, the person in the underbrush shouted while holding his head.

"Do not be afraid, this elderly." Duan Nian urgently said, "This humble one is not a bandit."

"Not a bandit and yet you're chasing me." The old man's face is full of dirt, his eyes full of vigilance.

"Are you Mu Chi Lao Ren?" Duan Nian tried asking.

"No no no no." The old man shook his head continuously.

Duan Bai Yue had already rushed over upon hearing the noise.

"I'm really not him, I'm called Hua Zi." The old man rubbed his nose, turning and wanting to walk away.

Duan Yao leapt in front of him from above, blocking him.

"Oh? What is this young master doing here." The old man was very surprised.

"My big brother wants to find Mu Chi Lao Ren, are you him or not?" Duan Yao asked.

"No no no no." He continued shaking his head.

"If you aren't Mu Chi Lao Ren, then how do you know of such an elaborate concealed weapon?" Duan Bai Yue went forward; in his hand is the wooden box that the old man gave to Duan Yao.

"This is just a small toy, how can it be considered an elaborate trap." The old man never stopped shaking his head, but his right hand had sneakily squeezed into his bag, fishing out a concealed weapon lightening quick.

But alas, Duan Yao was triple the speed of him.
　　

After getting pressed down the gra.s.s, the old man cried: "You, this kid is so dishonest; I kindly gave you an item to protect yourself with, but you brought people to catch me."

"I don't want to do this either." Duan Yao was grudgingly bitter, "But my brother is really not a bad man, maybe he just wants to ask a few questions, then let you go." One must be optimistic towards life.

The old man crossed his legs and sat on the ground, peeved: "Then I'm not walking, someone must carry me."

Duan Bai Yue said: "Duan Nian!"

Duan Yao quickly gave way, rejoicing repeatedly, luckily he didn't get me to carry him.
Duan Nian, in distress, sheathed his sword, and went forward to carry the old man.
　
"Young man, you are underestimating the enemy." The old man, lying on his back, shook his head, "Not afraid that I will take the chance to poison you?"

"We aren't scared of this, truly." Duan Yao followed by his side, saying sincerely, "The people from my household all ate poisonous insects growing up."

Old man: "........"

After returning to the inn, Duan Bai Yue offered the old man a cup of tea with both his hands: "There has been much alarm today, I seek Mu Chi Lao Ren's forgiveness."

"Just say, what are you looking for me for?" Mu Chi Lao Ren silently acknowledged his ident.i.ty.

Duan Bai Yue thought about it, saying: "This humble one doesn't know."

Mu Chi Lao Ren: "......"

If you have an illness then quickly go and treat it.

"The one who wants to find this elder is not this humble one, but a friend." Duan Bai Yue continued saying.

Mu Chi Lao Ren looked askance at him: "Someone you fancy?"

Duan Bai Yue raised an eyebrow.

"You, these youngsters." Mu Chi Lao Ren shook his head again and again, "Last time, an evil lady came to capture me too, saying that she wanted to use me to exchange for a youth pill; looks like the person you fancy is the same as her, it's better to break up earlier."

Duan Bai Yue insisted: "I still ask that this senior go and visit him with me."

Mu Chi Lao Ren crossed his arms and humphed: "I'm already caught, what use is it if I don't agree?"

Duan Bai Yue said: "There's no use."

"I know it will be like this" was written across Mu Chi Lao Ren's face; he squatted on the stool, sighing and grumbling.

The person who sent the letter into the palace came back very quickly, saying that the emperor was waiting in the rear garden.
Duan Bai Yue brought Mu Chi Lao Ren along with him, entering the palace in the dark of the night.
Duan Yao and Nan Mo Ye also wanted to follow, but was firmly stopped in the room by Duan Nian, saying that he has to cut his own throat if he doesn't stop them successfully, so they could only regretfully drink tea.

It was quiet in the rear gardens; there were only the side quarters of the cold palace, no one would come here usually.
Eunuch Si Xi was waiting at the other end of the wall; after fetching the two of them, he brought them into the hall.

Seeing Chu Yuan from far away, Mu Chi Lao Ren rubbed his eyes, then said quietly: "The person you fancy does look rather tall; for a woman to look this, it can be said to be unique." And your taste is also quite peculiar.

Chu Yuan was highly skilled, and his hearing was naturally good; thus his expression turned stiff.

Duan Bai Yue said with a frown: "Stop talking nonsense, he is the emperor."

Emperor? Mu Chi lao Ren first froze, then he became enthusiastic, running over with big steps; his speed was quite fast.
Duan Bai Yue was shocked.

"This peasant greets Your Majesty!" Mu Chi Lao Ren kneeled loudly on the ground, and greeted solemnly.

Duan Bai Yue: "......."

He was reluctant just now, why did he become so friendly all of a sudden.
Is his head really alright?

"Please rise, this elderly." Chu Yuan quickly walk forward a couple of steps and helped him up, "No need for more manners."

"It's really the emperor." Mu Chi Lao Ren, with a face full of tears, asked earnestly, "Can this lowly one reside in the palace in the future?"

Duan Bai Yue: "...."

Chu Yuan couldn't help but laugh: "If this elderly is willing, of course you can, it's exactly what we want."

Mu Chi Lao Ren continued crying: "Your Majesty does not know, outside, everyone wants to catch me, my life is hard." He needed to find someone to rely on.

Duan Bai Yue couldn't stand it anymore, going forward to drag him away: "Whatever you have to say, it's not too late to go into the room to sit down and say." As long as he doesn't constantly hold onto his hand.

Mu Chi Lao Ren was still shedding tears, lamenting the miserable situation he had outside, being chased here and there by people. If he could stay in the palace, then it would simply be the best; after all, even if there was a more daring bandit, they wouldn't dare to come here to kidnap someone.

Si Xi brought in hot tea, and also carried in a few plates of pastry. He doesn't know why, but once he looked at this Mu Chi Lao Ren, he just felt that he was very hungry.

"Many thanks, this eunuch." Mu Chi Lao Ren's eyes were full of envy towards Si Xi; his belly was quite big; one look and one knows no one was chasing after him; and he could eat his fill at every meal as well.

"Do you want me to retreat?" Duan Bai Yue asked hesitantly. He actually had no intention of looking into Chu Yuan's secrets, and didn't want to eavesdrop either. But this Mu Chi Lao Ren looked like a chatter bug, and he didn't know what kind of trouble he would come up with, so he wasn't at ease for the two of them to be alone at all.

"No need, there's no harm listening to him together." Chu Yuan said, "We wish to ask this elderly, can you recreate Ba Huang Zhen Fa?"

(1) Ba Huang Zhen Fa: 八荒阵法 - lit. eight desolate spell way.
(2) Zuan De Hou: 钻地猴 - lit. dig ground monkey.
(3) Yu Guan Mountain: 玉棺山 - lit. jade coffin mountain.
(4) Chun Xiao Zhui: 春宵醉 - lit. l.u.s.t night intoxicated
(5) Lu Ming mountain: 鹿鸣山 - lit. deer, cry mountain. An actual place that exists.
(1) Ba Huang Zhen Fa: 八荒阵法 - lit. eight desolate spell way.
(2) Zuan De Hou: 钻地猴 - lit. dig ground monkey.
(3) Yu Guan Mountain: 玉棺山 - lit. jade coffin mountain.

Let me know if there's any mistakes!