bayedsolid Chapter 512 Beneath Falling Cloud Peak, Ye Dingzhi and the Demon Master and Disciple at Night (1)
Chapter 512 Beneath Falling Cloud Peak, Ye Dingzhi and the Demon Master and Disciple at Night (1)
The southern border of Nanjue and Beili is located in the territory of Yazhou.
A large group of about three thousand men set off from Yunzhou, all of them elite members of the Pofeng Army in black armor and red robes.
A large flag bearing the character "叶" (leaf) fluttered at the front of the procession, rustling in the autumn wind.
The leader was a young general, about twenty years old, dressed in a black and red military uniform.
With an ancient longsword hanging at his waist, sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he exuded an extraordinary aura; it was none other than Ye Dingzhi.
He was ordered by Marquis Baili Luochen of Zhenxi to lead three thousand Pofeng Army soldiers to guard the southern border, guarding against the Nanjue army taking advantage of the internal strife in Beili to launch a surprise attack from the north.
The group traveled day and night, and finally arrived near Zhuiyun Peak in Yazhou at dusk.
Ye Dingzhi reined in his horse and stopped it on a high slope, looking towards the towering, precipitous mountain peak dozens of miles away—Zhuiyun Peak.
The summit was shrouded in clouds and mist, with glimpses of snow-capped peaks visible. The setting sun cast its golden-red glow on the cliffs, creating a magnificent yet solitary spectacle.
Ye Dingzhi's heart surged with emotion. At the foot of Zhuiyun Peak was the place where his master, Yushengmo, lived in seclusion.
Back then, his father Ye Yu was framed by the Green King, resulting in his death and the destruction of his family. Ye Dingzhi left home at a young age and wandered the martial arts world. By chance, he joined the Yusheng Demon Sect and learned martial arts skills.
Although his master had an eccentric personality, he treated his disciple, whom he had personally taught, like a son, and taught him with great care. He would never forget this kindness.
"General, the valley ahead is flat and suitable for setting up camp!" the lieutenant reported as he rode forward.
Ye Dingzhi withdrew his gaze and nodded: "Order the entire army to set up camp in the valley and strengthen vigilance. The Southern Barbarians are cunning; we must not be careless!"
"Yes!"
The three thousand Windbreakers sprang into action, cutting down trees to build fortifications, digging trenches to set up defenses. Their movements were swift and orderly, demonstrating that they were battle-hardened elites.
After giving instructions on the defenses, Ye Dingzhi led over a fast horse and said to his deputy, "I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back later. You'll be in charge of the camp affairs for now!"
The lieutenant clasped his hands in a fist salute: "General, rest assured!"
Ye Dingzhi mounted his horse, spurred it on, and the warhorse neighed loudly as it galloped towards Zhuiyun Peak.
More than half an hour later, he arrived at the foot of Zhuiyun Peak.
After tying up his warhorse, Ye Dingzhi traveled lightly up the mountain.
Instead of taking the usual mountain path, he used his lightness skill to leap up the rocks and trees. His figure rose a hundred feet in just a few leaps between the steep cliffs.
Soon, several wooden houses came into view halfway up the mountain.
The simple wooden house is built against the mountain, surrounded by a fence, and some flowers and plants are planted in the yard, swaying gently in the autumn wind.
Smoke curled up from the rooftops, adding a touch of warmth to this solitary mountain peak.
Ye Dingzhi felt a warmth in his heart and quickened his pace.
But just as he stepped into the area less than three miles from the wooden house, four dark figures emerged from the forest like ghosts and surrounded him!
"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on Falling Cloud Peak!"
All four were dressed in black, with cold and stern faces. Their long swords were drawn half an inch from their sheaths, exuding a chilling killing intent. They were none other than Yu Shengmo's close attendants, the sword slaves.
Ye Dingzhi remained calm and took off his helmet, revealing his face.
The four sword slaves, upon recognizing his face, immediately changed their expressions and knelt on one knee in unison.
"Sword Servant greets Young Master! Please forgive my offense!"
Ye Dingzhi raised his hand: "It's alright, get up. How has Master been these days?"
The leading sword servant stood up and said respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, young master. Since you retired to Falling Cloud Peak, you have been living a leisurely and carefree life."
The internal injuries I suffered earlier have mostly healed, and my cultivation level... has now almost returned to the level I was at when I challenged Mr. Li in Tianqi last time!
Ye Dingzhi was overjoyed upon hearing this: "That's wonderful! Quickly take me to see my master!"
The five people flew by and arrived in front of the wooden house in a few flashes.
Just as Ye Dingzhi was about to push open the fence gate, before he could even step inside, he heard a charming and melodious voice coming from inside, carrying three parts laughter and seven parts reproach:
"You brat, you still remember to come back to see your master..."
Ye Dingzhi's eyes welled up with tears, and he strode into the wooden house.
The room was simply furnished with a table, a chair, a couch, and several landscape paintings hanging on the wall.
In front of the dressing table by the window, a woman with her back to the door is combing her hair in front of a bronze mirror.
She was dressed in a colorful, shimmering gown that glowed under the dim light.
Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, adorned with a white jade hairpin with a delicate lotus flower carved on its tip.
Although I couldn't see their faces, their backs were already incredibly elegant and beautiful.
"Master!" Ye Dingzhi choked up, knelt down and kowtowed, "Your unfilial disciple has taken so long to come back to see you!"
Yu Shengmo slowly turned around.
Under the lamplight, her face was as beautiful as a young woman in her late teens, her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn water, and her red lips were as beautiful as dew.
Only those eyes, deep as a cold pool, revealed a sense of having seen all the vicissitudes of life and a serene composure.
She looked at Ye Dingzhi kneeling on the ground, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes, and helped him up.
"Good child, Master doesn't blame you. As long as you are safe and sound, Master is content!"
She took Ye Dingzhi's hand, looked him up and down, her eyes full of concern: "You've lost weight and gotten darker. You must have suffered these past few days."
Ye Dingzhi shook his head: "I am not suffering, but I am worried about my master living in seclusion in these deep mountains all by himself!"
Yu Shengmo smiled and pulled him out of the wooden house, sitting down at the stone table in the courtyard.
"Don't worry, Master is doing very well here. Watching the clouds and listening to the wind every day is much more comfortable than fighting and killing in the martial world."
She paused, then looked at Ye Dingzhi: "As for you, what have you been through in the past year? Tell your master."
Ye Dingzhi nodded and began his story from the moment he left Zhuiyun Peak.
It tells the story of how he traveled the martial arts world, how he met Yi Wenjun, how he got involved in the power struggles of the Tianqi court, and how he watched helplessly as Yi Wenjun died in the Jingyu Prince's mansion...
At this point, his voice was low, and the pain in his eyes was hard to hide.
Yu Shengmo listened quietly, gently stroking his hair, and said softly, "It's all in the past. Yi Bu's scheming backfired, costing his daughter her life. That was his retribution. I'm very pleased that you've let go of your obsession!"
Ye Dingzhi took a deep breath and continued his story.
It tells the story of how he returned to Sanqipu, how he met Ye Xiaofan's sister Shen Qiqi, how they went from acquaintances to lovers, and how they eventually pledged their lives to each other...
"Unless you disagree, Master, Qiqi is indeed a good girl." Ye Dingzhi smiled gently. "She is kind, strong, and sensible. It is my blessing to have met her!"
Yu Sheng's smile deepened: "Hearing you say that, Master really wants to meet her. When the opportunity arises, bring her to Falling Cloud Peak so Master can see her."
"Definitely!" Ye Dingzhi nodded emphatically.
The master and disciple chatted for a long time in the courtyard, discussing everything from their experiences in the martial arts world to the political intrigues of the imperial court, from martial arts techniques to their insights into life.
Ye Dingzhi realized that his master had indeed changed.
The former Yu Shengmo was obsessed with martial arts, determined to challenge all the masters in the world and pursue the ultimate in martial arts.
But now, she finds more solace in nature, and her demeanor reveals a detached acceptance of worldly affairs.
But Ye Dingzhi always felt that the occasional glint in his master's eyes and the hidden yet powerful aura around her were all hinting that she had not truly let go.
Ye Dingzhi had a premonition that Yu Shengmo seemed to be secretly accumulating power, waiting to break through his realm and challenge Li Changsheng, the number one in the world, once again.
Ye Dingzhi was worried, but dared not ask directly. He could only remind him in secret: "Master, you are already the world's top master. Why do you have to compete for the title of the best in the world? The path of the martial world is dangerous. I only hope that you can be at peace."
……