Chapter 58

On the seventh day of the seventh month, it is the Qixi Festival.

The Qixi Festival originated in the Han Dynasty. According to Ge Hong's "Xijing Zaji," there is a record stating, "Han Dynasty maidens often thread seven-hole needles on the Kaitou Tower on the seventh day of the seventh month, and people all followed this practice." Later, there are also poems that say, "The stars twinkle with the light of pearls, and the palace maidens are busy with the Qixi Festival."

In Wuzhou City, lanterns were hung and decorations were made. Young men and women walked the streets, seeking their beloveds, forming pairs. Women gave men Qixi sachets, and men gave women Qixi fruits. Lanterns were released on the Shuangxi River, praying for a smooth life and a happy love.

Under the tree shade, beside the melons and fruits, they admired the Cowherd and Weaver Maid stars in the sky, sweet and loving, without further mention.

On the Qixi Festival, the city was not under curfew. In the north of Wuzhou City, a group of sword-carrying Taoist priests rode their horses madly, the sound of hooves startling the guards on the city walls, who drew their bows and swords. The guards at the city gate drew their long knives, pushed out the barriers, and lined up in neat formation, their armor shining brightly, maintaining strict military discipline.

Under the light of torches and braziers, over a dozen fine horses neighed, stopping together dozens of feet away from the city gate.

Those closer could already see the faces of both sides.

"Who are you? State your name."

A general in bright silver armor stood on the city wall, wearing a cloak, a lion-tiger embroidered belt, a bright chest armor, a long knife on the left, a long spear in hand, and a silver helmet, looking mighty and imposing.

"We are disciples of the Xuanshen Daoist Sect, specially sent by the current emperor to Heishan. We are passing through this place and will stay for one night. Please, General, be lenient."

A Taoist in black robes rode forward, about thirty years old, with a beard and a mustache, and shouted to the general on the city wall.

"Are you from the Daoist Sect? What proof do you have?"

The general frowned. When did the court need help from the Daoist Sect? Could it be that some evil has emerged to harm the world?

Heishan is not within Wuzhou's territory, so the general was unaware of the situation there. The general had seen the world and knew that there were deities above and immortals and demons beyond the mortal world.

Some demons the court could not deal with would be left to the Daoist Sect and the Buddhist Sect. Ordinary people did not know this, but some military leaders were aware, as there were such people in the army who could wield flying swords to kill enemies from a thousand miles away, or even use magic to influence the outcome of battles.

"Is this sufficient?"

The Taoist in black robes reached into his robe and pulled out a pale golden token, with dragons and phoenixes circling it. Under the firelight, it emitted a faint golden glow, with a "Holy" character in the center that seemed to carry divine authority. If one used the technique of observing aura, one could see that the aura on the token was far more concentrated than that of Jinhua Mountain, forming a fierce pale golden dragon around the token.

"The emperor's order?" The general was startled, his figure disappearing from the city wall. A moment later, he returned with a group of armored soldiers, tidied his uniform, and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand, ten thousand years."

The soldiers behind him also guessed the origin of the token and knelt down together.

After bowing three times and nine times to the token, the general stood up and looked at the dozen or so Taoists, "I wonder what matter has caused such a disturbance to the imperial order."

The dozen or so Taoists dismounted, and the Taoist in black robes carefully put away the token, then came down, his slender figure exuding a sense of immortality. He smiled lightly and said, "This is the imperial order, and I dare not reveal it. General, please do not ask. This matter is of great importance, and we are just the vanguard. More people will come, including the Grand Master of the Imperial Stables, Mr. Zhang Daoyuan, who has also been ordered to leave the palace and will arrive soon."

The general took a deep breath. Zhang Daoyuan was one of the nine ministers, known for his filial piety, virtue, and integrity, a renowned Confucian scholar, and a powerful official. If even he was ordered to come, something significant must have happened.

He led the Taoists into Wuzhou City and watched them leave, pondering in his mind.

Not long after, another sound of hooves came from outside the city. A group of masked women in plain clothes, holding swords, galloped towards the city, their horses neighing, stopping outside the city.

"We are disciples of the Yuxian Sect on Emei Mountain, specially sent by the current emperor on important business. We request to stay for one night. Please, General, be lenient. Here is our proof!"

A fragrant scent wafted, and a graceful woman in white rode forward, holding a gold token. Without waiting for the general to ask, she explained everything.

Before the general could speak, the sound of hooves came again. The Yuxian Sect members also looked towards the newcomers. A group of bald monks in robes, with kind faces, galloped towards the city.

Seeing the Yuxian Sect women, one monk stepped forward, clasping his hands together, "Amitabha, it is the Yuxian Sect members. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier."

The Yuxian Sect women returned the courtesy, "Masters of the White Horse Temple, we have heard much about you."

The monk held the gold token and said to the general, "I am a monk from the White Horse Temple, specially sent by the emperor's order to pass through this place and stay for one night."

Beside the city gate, the general watched the White Horse Temple and Yuxian Sect members leave, speculating that something significant must have happened. The commotion was comparable to sixteen years ago.

That year, the Daoist and Buddhist sects were mobilized, and their presence was seen everywhere. The general learned martial arts from a Taoist when he was young.

As more and more extraordinary people arrived in Wuzhou City, the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Beneath the festive joy, undercurrents were stirring. Those with influence were secretly gathering information, especially about the news that Grand Master Zhang Daoyuan was also coming, which caused a stir among the Wuzhou governor and officials.

Five miles north of Wuzhou City, in a small estate, under a few willow trees, there was a wooden table.

On the wooden table, there were fruits, sweets, tea, and wine.

Ning Wuxie, Rulan, and Ning Wushuang sat by the table, admiring the stars, enjoying the night view, cracking sunflower seeds, and drinking tea, feeling very relaxed.

Ning Wushuang had returned not long ago. His mother and brother Ning Feng did not want to move, saying they were used to living in Ning Village and did not want to travel. Ning Wushuang had to return alone, fortunately without any incidents.

As for Chen Qinglong, he set up a few more tables and drank and ate meat with his brothers, their laughter continuous.

Ning Wushuang stayed for a while but found it boring to stare at a few stars. At his age, he couldn't sit still. He got up and ran to join Chen Qinglong and his group for drinks.

The sky was filled with shining stars, and a white Milky Way stretched across the north and south. On either side of the river, there were two bright stars, gazing at each other across the river, the Cowherd Star and the Weaver Maid Star.

Ning Wuxie held his teacup, swaying in a bamboo chair, squinting his eyes, and looking at the sky. He could clearly "see" the cultivators passing by on the road half a mile away from the estate, secretly alarmed. Another group of people had just galloped by, making it the sixth group.

Rulan looked up at the sky, her delicate hand supporting her chin, which was pointed but not awkward. Her beautiful face showed a faint sadness. Her eyebrows were like painted, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ning Wuxie, a hint of something different in her gaze.

"Master, why did the Queen Mother separate the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid? True love is so rare in the world, how pitiful they are, sigh..."

Rulan sighed softly, her frail body slightly sad, looking at the starry sky, so lonely that one couldn't help but feel sorry for her and want to care for her.