Volume One: The Chaos of Yan and Yun Chapter Thirty-Three: The Greatest Hermit Hides in the World (VI)

Because of the recent battle, Feng Qi had only left the study for less than two hours before being summoned back. This time, Xue Wuhen accompanied him.

Inside the study were not only Feng Muyun and Steward Fei, but also Mo Gu.

By the time Feng Qi arrived, the others had already been conversing for a while, and they did not pause upon his arrival. Only Steward Fei attentively served tea to Xue Wuhen and Feng Qi.

“I am aware that this was a plot set by Li Jin’s faction. It is understandable that the Yanbei Palace fell into the trap. However, His Majesty has only four sons and is especially fond of his youngest. Upon receiving the news, he was deeply grieved. Though the culprit has now been brought to justice, His Majesty wishes to hear the details from your own lips. Should sorrow give way to anger, I hope Your Highness will be understanding,” Mo Gu said.

Feng Muyun’s expression changed slightly, his voice steady and low. “There exists the distinction of ruler and subject between His Majesty and myself. If His Majesty is angered, I can only bear it. As for understanding, I ask that the Divine Wind Guard never mention it again.”

Mo Gu paused, realizing his words had indeed been inappropriate, and offered a simple apology before continuing, “In that case, shall we depart tomorrow?”

Given the urgency of the matter, Mo Gu should have escorted Feng Muyun back to Wuyang immediately. Yet, as the Prince of Yanbei, Feng Muyun had many affairs to settle before leaving, and the Divine Wind Guard knew it was impossible to take him away at once. So, they allowed him one night to arrange the palace’s matters.

“There is no need to wait for tomorrow. We can leave now,” Feng Muyun replied.

Mo Gu raised his brows, glancing at Feng Qi.

Since Feng Qi had entered, this was the first time Mo Gu looked at him.

“Though I reside in the capital, I often hear tales of the young lord. With him here, Your Highness can surely be at ease.”

“He is praised beyond his worth,” Feng Muyun replied, “there’s little to it.”

Feng Qi smiled, saying nothing.

Mo Gu studied Feng Qi carefully, then remarked, “His Origin Palace is overflowing—it seems he is ready for the Awakening. Perhaps the young lord will become the fastest youth in history to reach the Insightful State.”

This time, it was Feng Muyun who was taken aback. He hastily probed Feng Qi with his spiritual sense and found that while Feng Qi’s Origin Palace was full, it had not yet overflowed; he was still a bit away from the Awakening.

Mo Gu smiled, then turned to Xue Wuhen, his gaze growing stern. “Ever since the Demon Lord’s letter, His Majesty has gradually relaxed restrictions on the sects, but the actions of the Snowcloud Sect this time are excessive.”

Xue Wuhen replied, “It was inevitable. With such talent as Feng Qi, letting him languish in the mundane world for sixteen years would be a waste.”

Mo Gu said, “Inevitable, perhaps, but not yet time.”

Xue Wuhen replied, “If fate has brought us to this moment, then the time is now.”

Mo Gu said, “I thought only the soothsayers of Ji Palace would speak of fate.”

Ji Palace, one of the three great holy lands of the Tang, was renowned for its learned scholars—masters of astronomy, geography, history, formation, and the Five Elements, versed in all things ancient and modern. Yet now, their wisdom was dismissed as superstition. Though Ji Palace had long retired from the world, if the scholars of the realm heard such words, they would surely protest.

As it happened, one such scholar was present.

Feng Qi spoke, “As far as I know, you are in no position to say so.”

Mo Gu raised his brows, intrigued by the boy.

Xue Wuhen looked at Feng Qi, thinking, this is truly my disciple.

Feng Muyun also disagreed with Mo Gu’s comment, but hearing Feng Qi speak so boldly startled him—why could the boy not be more restrained?

A brief silence fell.

Feng Qi, unconcerned with their thoughts, continued, “If I am not mistaken, when you faced the Grand Five Elements Sands Formation and the Yin-Yang Reversal Array, you failed both times, did you not?”

Mo Gu replied, “The thirteenth chapter of the Annals of the Tang and the first chapter of the Early Dynasty are recorded in the 1,733rd and 2,481st scrolls of the Dao Canon. It seems the rumors of the young lord’s mastery of the Dao Canon are true.”

Feng Qi answered, “For you to cite their locations so precisely, the Divine Wind Guard must also know much of the Dao Canon.”

Mo Gu replied, “Having lived so many years, I have perused them out of boredom.”

Feng Qi responded, “Given your lifespan, even a casual reading would place your understanding above most in the world.”

Now Mo Gu was genuinely surprised. He looked to Xue Wuhen. “Did you tell him?”

Xue Wuhen replied, “I left the princess behind in haste—I owed her an explanation. Otherwise, what if my disciple decided to quit?”

Mo Gu said, “Indeed. With such a disciple, you must cherish him.”

Before Xue Wuhen could answer, Mo Gu asked, “The last ten scrolls of the Dao Canon are not written in the human tongue.”

Feng Qi replied, “The first is in the language of the Yinling tribe of the Barbarians—a small clan living near the Northern Sea, known to very few.”

Mo Gu frowned, “I have never heard of this tribe.”

Feng Qi smiled enigmatically.

Xue Wuhen said, “You’ve long dwelled in the capital; it’s natural you wouldn’t know of such remote tribes.”

Mo Gu was silent for a moment. “Did you learn this from books as well?”

Xue Wuhen shook his head. “Not this time.”

Mo Gu looked at Feng Qi.

Feng Qi said, “Ten years ago, Steward Fei and I secretly traveled to the Shadowgrass Plains. That was my first encounter with the tribe.”

Mo Gu asked, “And after just one meeting, you mastered their language?”

Feng Qi replied, “No matter how gifted one is, that would be impossible.”

Mo Gu thought this only reasonable. For someone of his cultivation, absorbing a new language was trivial, but Feng Qi did not possess his spiritual prowess—especially not at six years of age. Who knew how much of his own people’s language he could read then?

Feng Qi smiled, continuing, “After obtaining the Silver Moon Wolf King’s blood, both Steward Fei and I were gravely wounded. We remained with the tribe for half a month.”

Even half a month was astonishing, Mo Gu thought.

He had more questions.

“A small frontier tribe, bordering the Northern Sea, close to the icy plains—how did a clan like that merit inclusion in the Dao Canon?”

“Because one of their people attained the Void Dao realm,” Feng Qi replied.

“I am already at the Harmonious Dao realm, yet I am not mentioned in the Dao Canon,” Mo Gu said.

Feng Qi smiled, “When that person reached the Void Dao, he walked the path of Heaven and Man.”

What is the path of Heaven and Man?

Within books lie houses of gold.

Within books lies the path of Heaven and Man.

This time, Mo Gu was silent for much longer. At last, he spoke slowly, “Zhe’er—I watched that child grow up. He was gifted with the bearing of a great sovereign in every respect.”

Feng Qi murmured his assent.

Mo Gu sighed, “That is why I never believed anyone could surpass him.”

Feng Qi finally understood Mo Gu’s meaning and, smiling, asked, “Now that you have met me in person, what do you think?”

Mo Gu did not answer, only saying, “Dou Xiaotong’s eye for talent is truly remarkable.”

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