Chapter 295: Hope You Have Been Well

As the first light of dawn broke, Meng Qi stepped into Maoling City, breathing in the crisp morning air with an air of leisure.

Instead of heading straight back to his rented courtyard, he made his way toward the alley where the dragon-willow tree stood. There could be no slackening, not even for a single day!

By the time he reached the dragon-willow tree, the elderly man with streaks of white hair was already carving wood, his expression deeply focused, as if the work in his hands was the most sacred task. His devotion was so profound that many people never achieved such single-mindedness toward anything in their entire lives, whether it was obsession or faith—it always lacked that final spark.

Meng Qi’s heart grew clear and calm. As usual, he sat beneath the dragon-willow tree, watching the old man carve in silence, his focus equal to the elder’s.

As the sun climbed higher and the sky grew brighter, the old man finally completed the wooden carving. He looked up at Meng Qi and hesitated slightly, “Young man, I hope you’ve been well?”

It was a greeting reserved for those who hadn’t met in a long time. Upon hearing it, Meng Qi was taken aback, both surprised and puzzled. Could it be that he had actually been away for three months?

“This junior has been well and has made significant progress,” Meng Qi hesitated briefly, still worried about the Master of the Six Paths of Reincarnation erasing him, so he gave a vague reply—neither confirming nor denying.

The old man’s ordinary features relaxed into a smile as he chuckled, “Good, good. It’s great that you’ve improved.”

“This junior has broken through further in sword techniques and finally mastered an external sword move,” Meng Qi deliberately steered the conversation.

If his guess about the old man’s identity was correct, sword techniques should be something that interested him. Moreover, Meng Qi hadn’t brought it up randomly. He wasn’t trying to force a discussion on something unrelated, which would only provoke annoyance.

The old man put down the carving knife and the wood block, fully focusing on the conversation as he smiled, “You young ones are truly admirable. If I had possessed even a tenth of your talent and progress back when I was learning sword techniques, my seniors wouldn’t have scolded me so much.”

“But this junior lacks the elder’s single-minded dedication, unwavering year after year. On the path of cultivation, talent, fortune, and opportunities allow one to move faster and farther within the same time frame, but how long one can continue depends on effort and focus,” Meng Qi replied sincerely.

The old man shook his head with self-mockery, “I’ve always been slow-witted. Whatever I do, I can’t divide my attention. Others can practice many sword techniques at once, but I could only master one move thoroughly, making it second nature before moving on to the next. Otherwise, I would become overwhelmed and fail to learn even two techniques properly. I’ve always been like this in other matters too. Without talent, one can only rely on dedication, effort, and perseverance. There’s no other way.”

As he spoke, he patted a sword beside him, its sheath a dull black, the blade plain in appearance and aura.

It was only at this moment that Meng Qi noticed the sword. Previously, he had completely ignored what objects were around the old man, so captivated had he been by the man’s intense focus. Reflecting on it now, Meng Qi felt a sense of surprise.

“Perhaps the elder’s talent lies precisely in his focus,” Meng Qi sighed. “If only this junior could be like the elder.”

The old man shook his head again, his expression slightly serious, “Imitating me may bring survival, but becoming me leads to stagnation.”

Meng Qi was shaken by these words, sensing something profound within them. “Thank you, senior, for your guidance.”

“Focus, effort, and perseverance are all cultivated traits,” the old man added, then picked up his carving knife and wood block again.

Seeing this, Meng Qi rose to take his leave.

Before resuming his carving, the old man paused briefly, hesitating before speaking, “Young man, there’s something I’m unsure whether I should say or not.”

“You needn’t hold back, senior,” Meng Qi’s heart quickened. Could it be related to the earlier greeting?

The old man gazed at Meng Qi, silently contemplating for a moment. “No, I’ll wait until after the Jinshui Tidal Surge. At that time, please come see me again. Until then, there’s no need for you to come here anymore.”

“Yes, senior,” Meng Qi replied solemnly, his heart filled with both confusion and anticipation, with tension and joy. Regardless, the distance between them had narrowed.

Without another word, the old man lowered his head and resumed carving, his focus once again deeply reverent.

Meng Qi quietly left the alley and returned to his rented courtyard, waiting for whatever events might unfold that day.

Under normal circumstances, with outside help now available, he should remain low-key and patient, waiting for Jiang Zhiwei, Ruan Yushu, and Qi Zhengyan to arrive secretly before making any bold moves. He would act openly while they remained hidden, showing the Fate-Calculation Sage and the Wenqu Star what it meant to be beyond their control. However, he had already been drawn into the vortex. Merely staying low and quiet would only raise suspicion. His relationship with Jiang Zhiwei was no secret, nor was her current location. Once suspicion arose, it wouldn’t take long for someone as capable as Wang Siyuan to deduce that Jiang Zhiwei had secretly come to assist.

So, he would continue acting as usual, only avoiding unnecessary risks and dangers.

“Come then. Today’s me is no longer yesterday’s me,” Meng Qi thought to himself.

At noon, just after finishing his meal and beginning to circulate his inner energy, Meng Qi heard a knocking at the door.

“Brother Jiang, didn’t you go searching for Qiu Fei?” As Meng Qi entered the courtyard, he naturally sensed that the person outside was Jiang Hengchuan. His integration with the surrounding world still had some flaws, leaving a faint sense of separation—perhaps the very reason why he had yet to fully achieve harmony with Heaven and Earth. Otherwise, even with Meng Qi’s recent adjustments to his inner world and his nascent connection to nature, he shouldn’t have been able to detect Jiang at all.

Jiang Hengchuan’s expression was grave. He glanced around before closing the door behind him. “Master Su, I’ve found a clue.”

His eyebrows were thick, his features plain, his skin like that of a farmer—seeming to be a part of nature itself, sharing its light and dust. Yet within nature, he was like the first ray of morning sunlight or the greenest leaf on a tree—ultimately the most unique among his peers, subtly exuding a sense of distinction.

Previously, when Meng Qi’s inner world had not yet been adjusted, he hadn’t felt this deeply. Now, he could truly appreciate it.

Recalling Jiang Hengchuan’s words, “Hard training isn’t for finding a master,” Meng Qi could now glimpse the proud, solitary heart beneath.

Loneliness and pride—these were the true essence of Jiang Hengchuan.

“A clue about Qiu Fei?” Meng Qi’s eyes lit up.

Jiang Hengchuan nodded. “Master Su, don’t you think the previous events were too coincidental?”

Because of their previous cooperation, his address had changed.

“You mean Qiu Fei going to the hills outside the city for several consecutive days, as if waiting for us to discover him?” Meng Qi immediately understood. He had felt it was too coincidental before, but had subconsciously dismissed it, thinking that such actions would bring Qiu Fei no benefit, only harm.

“Exactly. If it was truly a secret, and the city wasn’t lacking in external experts, naturally, the fewer encounters, the better. All necessary discussions should be completed in one meeting to avoid exposing one’s trail,” Jiang Hengchuan’s gaze was deep, like that of a hunter.

Meng Qi held his breath and pondered briefly, “But what benefit does this bring Qiu Fei? He nearly ruined his reputation and almost implicated his family.”

“It might not have been intentional. Perhaps there was something forcing him to meet someone at the ‘Milion Dragon Courtyard’ of the Number One Gambling House for several consecutive days,” Jiang Hengchuan had already considered this. “Following this hypothesis, I investigated and found that Qiu Fei has been meeting someone there. Therefore, I would like to invite Master Su to visit You Shaohui, the true owner of the Number One Gambling House, and learn from him who Qiu Fei has been meeting.”

Meng Qi didn’t hesitate much. “Alright.”

You Shaohui was the younger brother-in-law of Ye Taoguang, the “Impartial and Upright” head of the Punishment Hall of the Great River Gang. Though his own martial cultivation was barely at the Nine Apertures level, achieved only through years of practice and medicinal aid, he had built the Number One Gambling House into a flourishing enterprise thanks to his famous brother-in-law. Who in the martial world wouldn’t show him some respect?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hengchuan was slightly taken aback but then smiled faintly, “It’s only been a day, yet Master Su seems to have gained much more confidence.”

Meng Qi smiled without answering, merely shaking his head.

…

They waited for a full hour, long enough for Meng Qi to consider sitting down to meditate and not waste the time, before You Shaohui finally sent out his steward to invite them inside.

Seeing Jiang Hengchuan beside him remained calm and composed without the slightest sign of impatience, Meng Qi’s estimation of him grew even higher. Indeed, those ranked among the top ten of the Mortal List were not undeserving of their reputations.

“Master Su remains composed, showing no sign of anger at being slighted. I truly admire that,” Jiang Hengchuan also complimented Meng Qi.

Meng Qi laughed heartily, “Brother Jiang, let’s not waste time flattering each other.”

Following the steward, they passed through the bustling main hall of the Number One Gambling House, then through the private rooms reserved for high-level gambling, and finally down a descending staircase. There, Meng Qi saw a martial arena where two skilled martial artists were engaged in a fierce battle.

Across from the arena stood a raised platform with tables and chairs for spectators. Currently, the chairs were empty except for one where a middle-aged, overweight man lounged carelessly, flanked by two powerful guards with steady breaths and imposing auras.

“Master You…” Jiang Hengchuan addressed You Shaohui as “Master of the Gambling House,” since he was its owner.

You Shaohui’s features were actually quite handsome, but his obesity gave him a bloated, coarse appearance.

He raised his hand to cut off Jiang Hengchuan’s words, not even glancing at Meng Qi and Jiang Hengchuan. “What do you want?”

In his eyes, martial artists who hadn’t made it onto the Celestial List were hardly worth considering.

“I wish to ask Master You a question. Before his death, the Wind-Striking Staff met with whom in the Milion Dragon Courtyard?” Jiang Hengchuan maintained his composure, showing no sign of anger.

“Why should I tell you?” You Shaohui still didn’t look at them.

After speaking, he paused, then glanced over with an amused expression, “I have no talent for martial arts and deeply resent young prodigies. You two are both among the top ranks of the Mortal List—I dislike you even more. How about this? Fight my subordinates and show me your martial skills. If I’m satisfied, I might consider telling you.”

“Master You, we are not performers…” Jiang Hengchuan began, but Meng Qi interrupted him.

Meng Qi stepped forward, his expression calm as he looked at You Shaohui. “Master You, who will you be sending?”

Jiang Hengchuan had intended to stop him, but after opening his mouth, he remained silent.

You Shaohui burst into laughter, looking quite pleased with himself as he gestured toward a tall, slender man beside him, “This is Ghost Shadow Ding Xiaofeng. Though he’s never made it onto the Mortal List, he’s now just one step away from breaking through the Life-Death Barrier. If you can…”

He had barely finished introducing the expert beside him when he suddenly saw a flash of blade-light, lightning-fast and thunderous. Before he could even react, the long blade was already pressed against his throat!

It was only at this moment that Ding Xiaofeng finally reached You Shaohui’s side, yet he was still half a step too late. Another expert beside them swung his sword, releasing a powerful sword aura that barely changed trajectory mid-air, narrowly missing Meng Qi’s face and striking the opposite wall, leaving a deep gash.

“Master You, we are not performers,” Meng Qi smiled at You Shaohui, his blade steady against the man’s throat. “Within a single step, your life is in my hands, not yours.”

His grip was unusually steady, as if the blade was resting not on a human throat, but on a piece of wood.