Chapter 32

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was early September. Liu Wendong's wound had long since healed, and the穿越时空 made everyone's bodies much stronger, with a recovery ability that was quite formidable. However, the two couples, in order to enjoy their private time, kept using the excuse of recuperating and stayed at the inn, unwilling to leave. After all, the old Taoist Yu Xu had collected plenty of offerings and wouldn't care about the inn fees.

On the fourth day of the ninth lunar month, near noon, Liu Wendong was lying on the bed, enjoying the increasingly skilled full-body massage from Hong Yan, feeling so comfortable that he wanted to hum. His unsteady hands kept touching Hong Yan, eliciting light moans and playful scolding from the beautiful Hong Yan. To Liu Wendong, these sounds were the most beautiful in the world. Hong Yan was helpless against his advances; since she couldn't avoid him, she had to let him do as he pleased. Seeing Hong Yan, who was massaging him with all her effort, seemingly reluctant yet accepting his advances, Liu Wendong felt as if he were in a dream. He rubbed Hong Yan's firm buttocks while fantasizing about living such a carefree and happy life forever. Unfortunately, just as his dream began, a knock on the door interrupted him, and it was clear that someone was knocking on the courtyard gate.

Hong Yan was about to get up to open the door, but Liu Wendong held her slender waist and stopped her, saying, "Don't bother. Xu's room is closer to the courtyard gate; let him open it. We'll continue what we were doing." As he spoke, his hands already began to caress Hong Yan's waist, making her squirm and giggle uncontrollably, losing all strength to go to the door. The knocking continued for a while, and Xu Shaoguo finally gave in to Liu Wendong and went to open the door.

Xu Shaoguo opened the door reluctantly, seeing four people standing outside. The one in front had a round face, fair skin, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, looking at him with a leisurely expression. It was none other than Wang Xiaojun. Behind him were Zhang Weixin, Liang Ziyue, and Wang Feng. Xu Shaoguo quickly invited the four into the courtyard and called out to the room, "Lao Liu, come out quickly. Lao Wang and Lao Zhang are here." As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened, and Liu Wendong, Hong Yan, and Lin Xiaoyu all came out, smiling and greeting Wang Xiaojun and the others.

After some pleasantries, everyone sat down in the courtyard. Wang Xiaojun took a sip of the tea Hong Yan had prepared and asked Liu Wendong, who had become even fatter and whiter, "Lao Liu, how is your wound now?"

Liu Wendong had enjoyed a luxurious life in the inn for over half a month. Although he was reluctant to give up this god-like life, he couldn't bring himself to lie and say his wound wasn't fully healed and needed more time to recuperate. Especially since Wang Xiaojun had come in person, he sensed that there might be something important at Yu Xu Palace, otherwise, Wang Xiaojun wouldn't have come to the county just to check on his recovery. So he said straightforwardly, "It's all better now. Thanks to Doctor Lin's care, there was no infection. The wound has healed and doesn't affect my daily activities. Lao Xu and I had already discussed it and planned to return to Yu Xu Palace in a few days. Now that you're here, it's perfect, and we won't even need to hire a carriage." Xu Shaoguo also chimed in, confirming that this was indeed the case. Hong Yan and Lin Xiaoyu nodded frequently, supporting their men.

Wang Xiaojun and the others looked at the two happy couples with a smile, but their eyes were full of disbelief. They couldn't believe that these four people would have such selfless thoughts. If they hadn't come to invite them personally, these two couples, who were in the midst of their passionate phase, might have planned to stay for another year or two. According to Qingchen, who had visited them twice, he had to wait for a while each time he knocked on the door before anyone would answer. Although he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, everyone could guess what they were doing in their rooms. However, as brothers, they couldn't say much about the couples' intimate moments. If it weren't for the fact that Yu Xu Palace needed them to return for something important, they wouldn't have come to find them.

Seeing the two couples looking a bit embarrassed, the two beautiful women blushing and lowering their heads, Wang Xiaojun stopped teasing them and laughed, saying, "Since that's the case, we'll wait for Lao Fan and Qingchen to finish buying things, and then we'll have lunch and head back." He paused for a moment and continued, "It's because the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the Double Ninth Festival, is coming up, and Yu Xu Palace will hold a corresponding event. It wouldn't be good without you all. So we took the opportunity to buy festival items and came to see if Lao Liu's wound was better. If it's all better, we'll go back together. Also, after the festival, the Great Master will return to Huashan to meditate. Since Lao Xu and Doctor Lin have already become disciples, they should go back to see him off."

The four of them nodded in agreement, and Xu Shaoguo asked, "The Great Master is living well at Yu Xu Palace, why does he suddenly want to go back to Huashan?"

Wang Xiaojun smiled and pointed to Wang Feng, saying, "Wang Feng knows this best, let him explain." Then Wang Feng began to describe the events in detail.

It turned out that just a few days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yu Xu saw Li Junwu, Zhou Lei, and Yu Wendeh practicing Tai Chi in the backyard. He found their simplified 24-form Tai Chi very interesting. This was purely a coincidence, as the three had been very low-key since the time travel. Except for Li Junwu, who had to attend committee meetings, they mostly stayed in their rooms, writing materials non-stop. The content was mainly the structural diagrams, part dimensions, and manufacturing methods of various cannons and light weapons they were familiar with, as well as the smelting and forging techniques of related materials. In about four months, they had written materials and drawn diagrams that were over two feet thick. This time, they were practicing Tai Chi because they had been writing for too long and felt they needed to exercise to maintain their health. So Li Junwu taught the other two the Tai Chi he used to practice before the time travel, which was more effective for exercise. While they were practicing, Yu Xu saw them.

Yu Xu was also a martial arts expert. Although Li Junwu was practicing the simplified version, he could still see the profoundness of the Tai Chi. Especially through the few brief explanations Li Junwu could remember about the inner meaning of the Tai Chi, Yu Xu felt that this set of Tai Chi seemed to align well with the Great Master's Wuji theory. When asked about the origin of the Tai Chi, Li Junwu couldn't answer immediately. Fortunately, Wang Feng happened to pass by and quickly took over, explaining that the Tai Chi was created by a Taoist master overseas based on Taoist principles and the principles of the I Ching. The complete set of Tai Chi has 108 forms, but it was simplified to 24 forms for non-martial artists to learn and exercise. When they were overseas, many people practiced this simplified Tai Chi. Only a few martial arts experts would receive the true teachings and practice the complete set. Unfortunately, during the disaster, the creator and his disciples perished with the island, and the Tai Chi was almost lost. If Yu Xu could take the simplified 24-form Tai Chi as a foundation and revive it, it would be a great achievement.

Yu Xu felt very sorry upon hearing this. However, he felt that his talent was limited and he couldn't complete the Tai Chi. He thought that only the Great Master could accomplish this, so he brought Li Junwu and Wang Feng to Fuyaozi and explained the situation, hoping the Great Master would take on this responsibility. After all, if this were successful, it would greatly benefit the development of Taoism. Fuyaozi, after watching Li Junwu perform the Tai Chi a few times, also felt that it was very compatible with his Wuji Gong. If he could integrate it, it would be very beneficial. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to take on the task. To focus fully, he decided to return to Huashan to study and would leave after the Double Ninth Festival.

Wang Feng talked for a long time, feeling dry and thirsty, and quickly drank two sips of tea to catch his breath. He looked at the sky and smiled at Hong Yan, saying, "Sister-in-law, it's already noon. We've been traveling all morning, and our stomachs are growling. Qingchen and the others might not be back for a while. Could you please prepare some food for us to tide us over?"

Hong Yan blushed at being called "sister-in-law" and scolded, "I hope you starve to death for your nonsense." However, she got up and went to the courtyard to order food. Seeing Hong Yan run away under the pretext of ordering food, Lin Xiaoyu, now alone, was afraid that these mischievous guys would tease her, so she quickly got up and ran into the room under the pretext of packing. Everyone laughed at her flustered appearance. Then they started teasing Xu Shaoguo and Liu Wendong, insisting that they share their dating secrets, and the courtyard was filled with laughter.

After a while of laughter, Xu Shaoguo suddenly remembered something and sat next to Zhang Weixin, saying insincerely, "Lao Zhang, I did a great favor for you a few days ago, you should thank me."

Zhang Weixin was taken aback, not understanding how his "debauchery" could have done him a favor, let alone a great one. The others also found it strange, except for Liu Wendong, who had a strange expression on his face. He already knew what Xu Shaoguo was going to say but couldn't figure out how Xu Shaoguo planned to turn it into a great favor.

Xu Shaoguo, however, showed no sign of guilt or shame. His expression made it seem like he was genuinely helping someone. He patted Zhang Weixin's shoulder and said, "Lao Zhang, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, I met a beautiful young lady in the inn. She was absolutely stunning, one in a million. I thought, I already have a girlfriend, but you don't. So, for your lifelong happiness, I chatted with her a bit and praised you highly. I told her you were handsome and talented, a perfect match for her. She was moved and insisted on meeting you. I agreed, and since you're here, after lunch, I'll take you to meet her."

Zhang Weixin was confused by his words and asked unhappily, "Lao Xu, what are you talking about? When did I become handsome and talented? There are so many single men in our team, why did you choose to find a girlfriend for me, and a beautiful one at that? Explain yourself clearly."

Xu Shaoguo had an innocent look and pointed to Liu Wendong, saying, "I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, ask Lao Liu."

Liu Wendong, hearing this, wished he could bite Xu Shaoguo. He thought, "Why should I explain your mischief?" But with everyone looking at him, he couldn't stay silent. After a moment's thought, he glared at Xu Shaoguo and recounted the events after the Mid-Autumn Festival, when Huang Ying'er visited.

After hearing the story, Wang Xiaojun and the others were first stunned, then burst into laughter, especially Wang Feng, who couldn't stop laughing. Zhang Weixin, however, sat there with a black face, feeling extremely conflicted. Liu Wendong was initially puzzled but then joined the laughter after Wang Xiaojun explained the events at Yu Xu Palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After a while, seeing Zhang Weixin's expression turning murderous, everyone quickly stopped laughing and tried to comfort him, telling him not to take it too seriously. As the member of the 31 time travelers most familiar with ancient poetry, they naturally turned to him in a pinch. This was just a temporary measure, and they had no ill intentions, nor were they deliberately making fun of him. After their reassurances, Zhang Weixin finally let it go. However, none of them expected that the title "First Poet in the World" would soon be widely known, with an impact they hadn't anticipated.

While everyone was joking, Liang Ziyue was considering the identity and purpose of the so-called Huang Ying'er and the potential impact on the team. This wasn't him being meddlesome but his responsibility as a committee member. Recently, as the team's interactions with the outside world increased, the committee members began to pay attention to the identities of their associates. Through committee meetings, they decided to appoint Liang Ziyue and Zeng Zhilin as members of the newly formed review group (while retaining their original roles) to be responsible for the identity verification of ancient people who had frequent interactions with team members. This was to prevent malicious individuals from using their interactions with team members to probe into team secrets, disrupt team development, and threaten team security. Liang Ziyue, with his experience as a detective in his previous life, took on the main responsibility.

After listening to Liu Wendong's introduction, Liang Ziyue also talked to Lin Xiaoyu, who had the most contact with Huang Ying'er. Lin Xiaoyu added some information about Huang Ying'er's subsequent visits, such as her coming from Yangzhou, intending to visit relatives in Youzhou, but finding out her relatives had passed away, and having only two servants with her. Liang Ziyue thought for a moment and felt there were still many doubts. Huang Ying'er's background was not as simple as she claimed. In this era, how could a young and beautiful girl like her be so proactive in approaching several unknown Taoists just because of a poem, and be so eager to meet its author? Moreover, if her relatives were no longer there, why would she stay at the inn for so long? Liang Ziyue was now very curious to meet Huang Ying'er to clear up his doubts.

In the western courtyard of the inn, since Wang Xiaojun and the others started knocking on the opposite door, Huang Ying'er's younger sister, Huang Ying, had been curiously peering out from their courtyard gate. Seeing more Taoists arrive, she listened intently to the commotion in the opposite courtyard. Although she couldn't hear the words clearly, it only increased her curiosity. Huang Ying'er came out of the room and saw her sister peeking through the door, so she walked over and patted her little bottom, asking, "Little girl, what are you looking at?"

Huang Ying, who was focused on eavesdropping, was startled and almost jumped. She turned around and saw her mistress, quickly covering her chest, which was just beginning to develop, and said, "Mistress, you walk so quietly and suddenly pat me. My heart almost jumped out of my mouth."

Huang Ying'er pointed at her forehead, "You were so focused on peeking that you didn't notice me. Don't blame me. What's so interesting outside that you're so focused?"

Huang Ying, feeling wronged, said, "I was peeking for you, and you scared me."

Huang Ying'er was taken aback and looked at her, puzzled. Huang Ying continued, "I heard some commotion from the opposite courtyard and went to check. I saw more Taoists arrive, probably friends or fellow disciples of the four Taoists staying there. Since I know you're thinking about that Zhang Taoist, I wanted to listen to what they were saying to see if that Zhang Taoist was among them. Although I couldn't hear clearly, I can confirm that the new Taoists are not ugly."

Huang Ying'er's secret was revealed, and she blushed, scolding, "Little girl, what nonsense are you talking about? When did I start thinking about that Zhang Taoist?"

Huang Ying, undeterred, continued, "Don't try to fool me. If you weren't thinking about that Zhang Taoist, why do you keep reciting his poem and even composed a new tune for it, singing it all day?"

"That's because the poem is well-written, and a good poem needs to be recited to appreciate it more deeply. Composing a tune for it is to follow the instructions of the Feiyan Hall, so that when I perform as a courtesan, I can impress the audience and achieve more with less effort."

"Then why do you keep going to the opposite courtyard and asking about that Zhang Taoist, making me keep it a secret from Uncle Yang? Don't tell me it's to discuss music with that Lin Taoist."

"To have a chance to ask him to write some good poems for us, which would help us complete our mission."

"Really?"

Huang Ying'er, seeing the little girl's skeptical look, felt frustrated but couldn't find a way to refute her. She had to put on a ladylike demeanor and pretend to be angry, "You little girl are becoming more and more disrespectful. How dare you talk to me like this? I'll teach you a lesson." She raised her hand and slapped