Chapter 12: Prince Jiangning, Sword Qi Strikes the Bell (7K5)_2
"Xie Xuanyi."
Deng Baiyi murmured softly.
"Indeed, it is Xie Xuanyi."
Master Tang shook his head and said, "His death was mysterious, and he bore the disgrace of treason. Even though his body was buried in the North Sea, he couldn't achieve a peaceful end... In this vast world, if there is no place for even a tombstone for him, would it not be absurd?"
Deng Baiyi's expression was complex, and she said solemnly, "Indeed absurd."
Looking at that simple wooden tombstone.
Deng Baiyi sighed deeply, "So this is..."
"The ceremonial tomb of Xie Xuanyi."
Tang Fengshu said, "Jiangning is his hometown, Jingxuan deliberately chose this tranquil place. I personally reserved a ceremonial tomb for him, these array patterns were laid out for two reasons. One, to prevent outsiders from entering, and two, to maintain peace for him."
"So that's how it is."
Deng Baiyi spoke softly, then stood quietly, just staring at the wooden tombstone, no longer speaking.
Xie Xuanyi and the Pavilion Master were old acquaintances.
This she naturally knew.
Although the two had a deep friendship, why must the Pavilion Master bring her here?
Deng Baiyi was not foolish. Her mind was in turmoil, and she had already guessed the general situation.
The silence at this moment.
Was to give herself enough time to think.
"Did you know, during the Tide Festival in Lichao City, why would the Taoist disciples help you build the array?"
Suddenly,
Tang Fengshu brought up an unrelated matter.
Deng Baiyi was startled.
Indeed, she had thought about this more than once... At that time, the situation was dire, and the destruction of Lichao City was imminent. To save herself and her aged father, she couldn't care about much. Carrying Jiang Huang and the talisman, she went to the riverside to set up the fire array.
Deng Baiyi surely knew that Lichao City had been taken over by cultivators.
Amidst the chaos.
Her sudden appearance could have led to her immediate capture.
But fortunately,
The Taoist array pattern master decided to assist, thus everything was calm, and they managed to survive the great disaster smoothly.
In retrospect, perhaps her luck was good, choosing the right moment to appear. At that critical time, the Everlasting Spring Array was powerless to save the day. After revealing the key point, despite suspicions, everyone had no choice but to gamble with her.
"In this world, there are not so many coincidences, nor so much luck. The reason the Taoists constructed the array together is because they saw your 'Purity Talisman' and 'Unity Talisman'."
Tang Fengshu stated calmly, "These two types of talismans are exclusive to Taoist disciples for cultivation and study. Unwilling to expose your identity, they naturally treated you as a disciple of some authentic Taoist master of array paths, which is why they were willing to assist with all their might at Carp Tide River... They regarded you as a fellow disciple."
Deng Baiyi suddenly understood.
Immediately, she became somewhat nervous.
Because Master Tang made it very clear, these two types of magic... are only qualified for cultivation among Taoists.
So, how did Xie Zhen, who taught her the art of the talismans, learn this talismanic technique?
"Chen Jingxuan told me, there are some questions you shouldn't delve too deeply into."
Tang Fengshu spoke solemnly, "Unfortunately, he doesn't understand my nature. I wanted to ask back in Lichao City... Who exactly is this Xie Zhen to you?"
"Master,"
Deng Baiyi chuckled bitterly, speaking softly, "Actually... it was merely a fleeting encounter."
This was a question Xie Zhen had cautioned her about.
If she ever encountered a situation of "thorough questioning," she need not hide everything, nor reveal it all.
If she told everything... not everyone might believe it.
Half truth, half falsehood, omitting the White Robed Taoist and the complex entanglement of the ghost marriage in Yuzhu Town, would indeed be more convincing.
As Xie Xuanyi had instructed, Deng Baiyi repeated truthfully.
"..."
Tang Fengshu listened silently; she glanced at the young disciple before her, "You're lying."
A single sentence left Deng Baiyi without a response.
"A fortuitous encounter brings a young cultivator to Northern County, who, out of great compassion, takes you to Qing State and teaches you the Taoist array techniques."
Master Tang chuckled, "What, did he fall in love with you at first sight, or did he owe you a great favor?"
Deng Baiyi remained silent.
Actually, according to the explanation by Xie Xuanyi, in most cases, it could deceive others.
But unfortunately, the person before her was the Master of World Pavilion.
"There are no absolutes in this world. Although Taoist talismans are not transmitted externally... there are always people who can learn them."
Tang Fengshu stated expressionlessly, "Although not many, there are indeed a few within the Dachu Dynasty who know how to draw the 'Unity Talisman' and 'Purity Talisman.'"
Deng Baiyi felt a sense of foreboding arise in her heart.
She thought, could it be?
Could it really be such a coincidence?
"Xie Xuanyi is one of them."
Tang Fengshu said indifferently, "Years ago, when I competed with him, we set a bet. If I won, he would lend me the Lotus Peak Taoist archives; if I lost, I would teach him all the arts of the Taoist talismans..."
Deng Baiyi was stunned, staring at the Pavilion Master, unsure whether to listen or to cover her ears.
These two exceptional beings, gambling the secrets of their masters?
Such acts of deceiving their masters and rebelling against their orders... was it really okay for the Pavilion Master to tell her this?
The Lotus Peak Taoist archives and the Taoist talisman techniques.
Either of these were priceless and immeasurable.
"What happened later?" Deng Baiyi couldn't restrain her curiosity.
"I, of course, lost." Tang Fengshu scoffed, "Losing to him is nothing to be ashamed of."
"Then... you taught him all the Taoist talisman techniques?"
"What of it?"
Master Tang waved his sleeves gracefully and said calmly, "Xie Xuanyi is dead, who now knows of this matter?"
...I know.
Deng Baiyi dared not speak.
The next moment, Tang Fengshu's gaze turned sharp, and she scrutinized the woman before her, her voice cold, "But how could there be such coincidences in this world? After Xie Xuanyi's death in the North Sea, that Xie Zhen taught you the art of the talismans? Where did he learn the Taoist talisman techniques from?"