Chapter 212: Saving the World (Two in One)

Qingcheng Mountain, the Sword Pavilion on the top of the mountain.

Bamboo shadows swayed on all sides, the sun was shining brightly in the sky, and the sunlight was shining on the pond in front of the sword pavilion. On the winding walkways above the pond, countless lotus flowers and leaves were swaying in the wind on the rippling water.

The two figures were reflected in the ripples on the water.

The sun shines into the corridor, and the water for making tea is already boiling on the small stove.

Mirror Heart Demon grabbed a handful of bait and stood by the short fence, leisurely sprinkling it into the water, attracting circles of carp to come and grab the food.

However, although he looked leisurely, his eyes would still occasionally glance at the tall and thin middle-aged man kneeling beside the tea table. This was because the tea on the table was boiling, but the latter seemed not to notice it, and just sat there in deep thought with a serious face from beginning to end.

Jing Xin Mo sneered in his heart, then sprinkled all the bait in his hand, bent down to the tea table, covered the handle of the teapot with a small handkerchief, and slowly poured it into the tea bowl in front of the middle-aged man.

"Tian Lixing is wondering, this time it's me, not Shangguan, who's here to see you?"

Yang Shuzi, who was dubbed "Tian Lixing", seemed to have just reacted at this moment, but after raising his hand to take the teapot, he hesitated for a moment and finally gave up.

Then, he knelt there, watching Jing Xinmo pour tea for him without changing his expression. After Jing Xinmo and he had poured a bowl, Yang Shuzi slowly stared at the wisps of tea and said, "It doesn't matter who comes. When Shangguan Yunque comes here, I will also treat him with this set of tea. Brother Jing, is there any explanation for this question?"

"There is no explanation."

Jing Xin Mo couldn't help but laugh, and then he scanned the surrounding scenery, raised his eyes, and said with a fake smile: "It really is a good place. No wonder Tian Lixing would rather give up the position of lieutenant and live here in seclusion. If it were me, I would definitely want to live here in seclusion."

Yang Shuzi seemed not to hear these words. He turned around and looked at the bamboo forest swaying in the wind. It was almost July and the world was already close to the scorching heat, but on the Qingcheng Mountain in Shu, it was unusually cool, and there was a state of tranquility and concentration.

He took a sip of tea, stood up and said slowly: "The so-called retreat from the world does not mean just living in a quiet and leisurely residence. Brother Jing should understand that since I was willing to take in Xingyun six years ago, I can no longer escape from the world. Hiding in this small world of Jianlu is nothing more than seeking comfort, how can I talk about the word retreat..."

"it is good!"

Jing Xin Mo clapped his hands in praise, then rested his elbows on the table, touched his chin, and said with a smile: "Since Tian Lixing has been mentally prepared, do you understand what I just said?"

Yang Shuzi still did not respond immediately. He looked into the distance at the clouds in the sky with a thoughtful look on his face.

Seeing him like this, Jing Xin Mo shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said nonchalantly: "I advise Tian Lixing not to be stubborn. Do you know why the Marshal asked me to come here this time?"

"Brother Jing, please help me solve this problem."

"The sky is standing and you can know it, the sky is dark and you can know it, Xiao Yan."

"Oh?" Yang Shuzi's eyes flashed with a strange look, but his face remained calm. He turned around and looked: "Years ago, Shangguan Yunque once told me about this person."

"Do you know what kind of person this is?"

"I don't know."

"This person..." Jing Xinmo stroked his chin, thought for a while, and then spoke slowly: "Decisive, ruthless, unique vision, strong tactics, and a lot of thoughts... In short, Tian Lixing can put all the things that a bad person should have on this person. He has what a bad person should have, and he also has what a bad person doesn't have.

The head of the gang leader, who is always on the move, has been willing to work with him since last year. The three branches have resumed their duties and are willing to obey him, even if they are labeled as traitors... What kind of person is this, Tian Lixing thinks?"

Yang Shuzi stroked his short beard, paced back and forth, and said, "When I was in Chang'an, I met many officials in the court who were like this, good at making promises and winning people's hearts."

"No, no, no." Jing Xin Mo waved his fingers, his face showing a sneer, and said: "How can the officials in the court be on the same level as Tian Anxing? They climbed up to the top, but how many of them have such blood? Do you know that when Tian Anxing entered Bianliang, he had the face of an emperor, but he was able to please Zhu Wen in various ways in exchange for a little trust from this old dog, joined the game, and then did a great thing in the north. Didn't Tian Lixing hear about these?"

Yang Shuzi had heard it before, but he just nodded slowly: "I have heard a little bit about it."

The voice of Mirror Heart Demon did not completely fade away.

"Tian Anxing is not one of those weak gentlemen. He is a ruthless person with great ambitions who will do anything to achieve his goals! He understands people's hearts and can win them over with facts. Besides, he is calm and decisive. The lives of tens of thousands of people are just sacrifices in his eyes. His ruthlessness is far beyond your imagination. Tian Lixing thinks that such a person will have dealings with His Highness in the future? Will the Marshal hand him over to His Highness?"

Yang Shuzi stroked his short beard, pondered for a moment, and nodded.

"However." Mirror Heart Demon narrowed his eyes and laughed in a gloomy way: "Based on this, can Your Highness control him?"

"Of course I can't hold it..."

After Yang Shuzi said this, he was silent for a while, then suddenly sighed, "I understand."

"As long as you know."

Jing Xin Mo laughed, supported himself on the table and stood up, looking at Yang Shuzi: "The Marshal came down the mountain to Hebei this time, but he likes Tian Anxing very much. He has been ordered to stay in the Hidden Soldiers Valley for these years. Tian Anxing may take over the leadership of the Bad People in the future. Tian Anxing is such a cruel person, and he is so concerned about the great cause of restoring the Tang Dynasty. He will eventually have to deal with Your Highness.

However, he is a young man, and he is not as loyal to the royal family as the Marshal is. If Your Highness cannot control this man in the future, will Tian Lixing have to watch him being manipulated by Tian Anxing? "

Yang Shuzi fell silent.

"So, Your Highness should have the ambition to restore the Tang Dynasty, and should have his own opinions, his own skills, and his own strength, instead of hiding in Qingcheng Mountain and collecting herbs all day long. Hiding here is indeed less bloody and violent than in the martial arts world, and it is indeed a leisurely and carefree life, but collecting herbs is not what the royal family should do. I am Your Highness's subject, and even the Marshal is his subject. Only you are the most suitable person to teach Your Highness to walk the right path."

Mirror Heart Demon spoke as he walked to the side of Yang Shuzi.

He was not tall, almost half a body shorter than the latter, but he had a very imposing aura. At this moment, he just squinted his eyes and smiled at the carp in the pond, his voice neither cold nor indifferent.

"When you adopted His Highness, you should have thought of your responsibilities. Over the years, His Highness was still young, and you and I have developed a bond that is incomparable to us. You should be his best master.

The Marshal asked me to tell you a sentence: It is easy to live in the Jianghu, but it is difficult to save the world. This is the fate that your Highness should have. The Tang Dynasty should be revived by him. How can you, as a master, avoid the important and focus on the trivial?"

"Teachable."

"You are not being taught. You are just pretending to be ignorant. The world is in such a mess. It is indeed cruel to put the burden on the shoulders of a young man like Your Highness. However, the Marshal has been planning for decades, and I, the Bad People, have been dormant for thirty years. It was all for Your Highness. If you want to talk about cruelty, isn't it more cruel to be a Bad People?"

Mirror Heart Demon walked to the wooden fence and squinted his eyes and said, "To be honest, why are you reluctant to let Tian Lixing go? People like you and me have lived in the shadows for decades. Do you really want to develop some kind of friendship with the Tian Family? Your Highness doesn't understand, but you must understand."

"..." Yang Shuzi remained calm and kept his hands behind his back.

"Besides, this is what Your Highness should do."

Mirror Heart Demon clapped his hands, squatted down, and used a grass stem to tease the carp under the water, saying: "You can let go of the so-called national hatred and family feuds, but the late emperor died at the hands of thieves, and all the royal family members also died in an unnatural way. The prosperous Tang Dynasty has become what it is now. Your Highness has royal blood, grew up in the deep palace, is deeply loved by the late emperor, and is held in high hopes by so many people. How can you let it go just because of your selfishness?"

"Don't think the Marshal doesn't know what you're thinking. Shangguan is your close friend, and he's so bold as to hide something from the Marshal, but how can he really hide it from the Marshal? It's a good thing that you taught His Highness medical skills and the way to save the world, but what's the point of not teaching His Highness martial arts? The Marshal just didn't expose it."

When Jing Xin Mo said this, he suddenly laughed, and actually used the grass stem in his hand to lift up the carp and held it in his hand. The carp was bigger than his palm.

He narrowed his eyes, tore off a piece of fish scale with his hands, and said nonchalantly: "For the sake of Shangguan, I remind you. The Marshal has always been a man of many plans. He doesn't turn a blind eye to things he doesn't intervene in. He didn't expose your thoughts, which obviously means he needs to use you somewhere. As for when and where, it depends on what kind of chess Tian Lixing is in the Marshal's eyes."

"I know that Tian Lixing is a decent person with a righteous heart. He is tired of these life and death. Although I don't have this intention, I still admire him. I am not reluctant to tell you the truth. His Highness is still young. He will not understand you, and he can't understand you. He will only blame you for not teaching him martial arts and for being partial. Why do you deliberately want His Highness to avoid the troubles of the world? Let me tell you, if you continue like this, you will really die-"

"You can't get past the Marshal."

Yang Shuzi smiled, smoothed his clothes, and bowed to Jing Xinmo: "Thank you, brother Jing, for your guidance. It really gave me a clear idea."

"Oh, I understand."

The Mirror Heart Demon threw the carp in his hand into the pond, and the carp quickly swung its tail and dived to the bottom of the water, apparently having survived a disaster.

He then crossed his arms expressionlessly and said, "That's all I have to say. I have already passed on to you everything that I have just said. Your Highness is the Dragon's Son. You should put away your teachings on how to avoid the world. What you should teach Your Highness is how to enter the world, not how to avoid the world and save people. Avoiding the world cannot save people.

We have been comrades in arms for decades, and that is all I have to say. Please do not confuse the choice between the two."

After that, he turned around and drank the whole bowl of tea in one gulp. He pinched his fingers and sang in an operatic voice: "It's really good tea. Thank you for your hospitality~"

It was almost evening, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone down, covering the sword pavilion. It was truly a rare and beautiful sight.

The Mirror Heart Demon knew that he couldn't stay for long, so he left quietly.

Just as he came and left without a trace, it was obvious that he was carefully avoiding someone.

Yang Shuzi naturally didn't need to send any more. He stood by the pond, looked down at the fish scale that was torn off by the Mirror Heart Demon, and finally remained speechless. He waved his hand, and the fish scale floated into the water, attracting several carp to come and eat it.

He smiled bitterly and shook his head, then turned around and knelt alone beside the tea table, looking at the teapot that was gradually getting cold, and pondered silently.

In the past, Huang Chao caused a great rebellion, broke through Guanzhong, and plundered Chang'an. From then on, the world began to be in an era of great contention. He and his sworn brother Lu Youjie, who was also one of the captains of the Bad Guys, felt that the Tang Dynasty could not save the world, and that the Bad Guys were the culprits behind the chaos. So, in despair, they withdrew from the Bad Guys and retired.

Six years ago, rumors of the Longquan treasure spread throughout the world. Lu Youjie was hunted down by the Xuanming Sect because he was carrying the Longquan sword. When he arrived, Lu Youjie was already seriously injured, and on his deathbed, he entrusted the orphan girl Lu Linxuan and Li Xingyun to him. This entrustment made six years pass by in a hurry.

However, Yang Shuzi always knew that once he joined the Bad People, this identity would follow him forever like a shackle.

'Once a Bad Guy, always a Bad Guy.' This was not just talk. Ever since he joined the Bad Guys, he had been involved in too much killing and never thought that he could really escape unscathed. His so-called retirement was just a silent confrontation with the Bad Guys leader Yuan Tiangang. He didn't want to watch the world getting worse and worse because of the push from the Bad Guys, and he was already tired of the endless killing.

In this world, once your hands are stained with blood, there is no going back. The endless fighting will cling to you like maggots clinging to your bones until you die, or maybe that will be the real end.

He had realized it long ago and knew that he could not get rid of the worldly cause and effect, so he did not plan to have a good end. He had been living in misery all these years, just waiting for the day that the Mirror Heart Demon had mentioned.

Chess pieces will eventually die on the chessboard.

But he didn't want Li Xingyun to be involved in this karma, not only because of the six years of love, but also because he didn't want Li Xingyun to be like him, entangled in karma for the rest of his life, and never have peace because of it. He also didn't want Li Xingyun to be blinded by hatred and lose his original intention. Just like the dark star that day, is it really good?
"Please do not talk about becoming a marquis. A general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers..."

Once you enter this world, there is no way out.

Just as Mirror Heart Demon said, it is too cruel to put the burden of the world on this young man.

He could not change the young man's bloodline, but he could change his original intention by relying on himself. Revenge cannot be a young man's eternal goal, and the young man's ambition cannot stop here.

When we say "learning medical skills and saving lives", is the emphasis on medical skills? Is it on saving lives?
No, it’s the word “saving the world”.

Studying medicine cannot save the world, but it can temper one's mind. What one cultivates is not a way of escaping from the world, but a way of doing good, a desire to help the world and the people, and benefit all living things.

If one practices martial arts only for revenge and killing, and puts the world in danger, what is the point of practicing it?

At the very least, studying medicine can hone one's character and will not allow a young man with royal blood to grow up to be an executioner who treats the lives of ordinary people as a joke.

"..."

Yang Shuzi silently looked at the tea in the bowl, and felt the tea ripple slightly, causing his face to shake constantly.

It's a pity that Li Xingyun has been entangled with cause and effect since he was born. With Yuan Tiangang in this world, Li Xingyun can only bear the responsibility that he cannot escape, and he cannot avoid it after all.

Even practicing martial arts was not something that he, as a master, could decide. Jing Xinmo was right. Yuan Tiangang would not turn a blind eye to Li Xingyun. In the plan of this great commander, perhaps the three words "Yang Shuzi" were just an insignificant chess piece in Li Xingyun's life.

But even so, Yang Shuzi will still try his best to cultivate Li Xingyun's character over the years, not for anything, but just to prevent the latter from becoming a cold-blooded and heartless person who regards the world as a chessboard and lives only to restore the Tang Dynasty because of Yuan Tiangang.

After all, he is Li Xingyun first, and then the orphan of Li Tang.

He should have his own choice.

All Yang Shuzi could do was to give the young man one more choice, and no matter what choice the young man made in the end, he would have no regrets.

He was not motivated by the friendship that Jing Xin Mo had mentioned, he just wanted Li Xingyun to know——

No matter what the final choice is, whether to restore the Tang Dynasty or not, even if he just wants to live a carefree and happy life, there will always be someone to support him.

……

"I told you, Master must have some purpose in sending us away."

The setting sun flickered, and in the depths of the bamboo forest, a cynical voice of joy sounded: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, look, look, such a beautiful scenery, setting up a tea table, inviting the setting sun to drink together, how cool, when it comes to the way to maintain health, it has to be the master."

Yang Shuzi's eyes twitched and he looked back with a stern face.

But then, two figures, one tall and one short, walked out from the edge of the bamboo forest. They were a young boy and a girl.

The boy was about fifteen years old, tall among his peers, with a handsome face and a sense of romance. He was carrying a basket on his back, and looked a bit like a simple farm boy.

However, it would be a mistake to think that he was a young farm boy. His eyes rolled around a little, and when he saw Yang Shuzi's unfriendly expression, he laughed dryly, hid behind the girl next to him, pushed the latter forward, and then sniffed his nose exaggeratedly.

"Master, you are in a good mood today. Why did you even put out the Qujiang slices that you usually don't want to take out?"

After that, he lowered his head and whispered to the girl's earlobe with a sly smile: "Junior sister, I admit defeat. You have to wash my socks for the next month, right?"

The girl was about the same age as the boy, with a very pretty face. However, with a flower ornament between her eyebrows, she still looked lively and sunny. She was wearing a purple dress with a waist and narrow sleeves, and she only held a long sword in her hand. Judging from her temperament and dress, she obviously looked more like a rich girl, much better than the boy.

At this moment, the girl just secretly twisted the boy's waist, puffed up her face and secretly spat: "Bah! You are so beautiful, I won't wash your stinky socks for you!"

Yang Shuzi shook his head secretly.

This pair of golden boy and jade girl, childhood sweethearts, have a very good relationship on a daily basis, and there is almost no alienation between them. How could these little actions be hidden from him?

However, he just saw through it but didn't say anything. He immediately glanced at the basket behind the young man. Although he had expected it, his face still looked gloomy.

"Look at how carefree you are. All you do is play around all day. How can you be calm and composed as a doctor? Have you finished collecting herbs for today?"

The latter's face immediately changed, and he begged the girl again in a low voice: "Junior sister, junior sister, you can't just stand by and watch me die..."

"Humph."

The girl ignored him, broke free of the boy's hand, and crossed the walkway on the pool with her sword in hand. Then she looked at the two tea sets on the table and exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, Master has seen guests?"

The young man at the back was scratching his head and trying to find an excuse to cover up the fact that he had not collected all the herbs. He was surprised when he heard this. His eyes flickered for a moment, and then turned cynical. He stepped forward and said with a smile: "That's why Master is willing to take out the Qujiang slices. We two are not lucky enough to enjoy them..."

Yang Shuzi's face darkened again, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Kneel down!"

The young man was startled and immediately knelt down, staring at the girl eagerly, while saying, "Master, today I really... uh... my stomach feels uncomfortable, and the sun is too strong..."

Yang Shuzi ignored him and looked at the latter: "Lin Xuan, you kneel down too."

Lu Linxuan was still gloating over Li Xingyun who was punished to kneel, but he was surprised at this moment, and immediately knelt down respectfully towards Yang Shuzi.

The latter had a serious look on his face. He stroked his beard and first glanced at Lu Linxuan, then looked coldly at Li Xingyun.

"What did your teacher teach you? You should admit your mistakes. No one is perfect. But knowing your mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. But not only did you not correct them, you also found these excuses to fool your teacher. How can your teacher dare to let you take care of Lin Xuan?"

"Yes, yes, I know I was wrong..." Li Xingyun admitted his mistake honestly, but when he said this, he suddenly raised his head and said, "Leave Lin Xuan to me?"

Lu Linxuan was also stunned for a moment.

"Master will be going down the mountain soon." Yang Shuzi said coldly, "I will leave the Sword House to you for the time being. Lin Xuan is not as smooth as you. If there is anything she cannot solve, you have to take care of it."

"This, this, this is too good..." Li Xingyun was delighted at first, then he immediately bowed down and howled, "I'm so tired of this. This Sword House is without a master, just like a fish without water or a bird without the sky. Now that the master is gone, what shall I do?"

Lu Linxuan curled his lips, as if he couldn't stand this guy's poor acting skills.

Yang Shuzi's face twitched as well, and he only regretted that he could not slap the traitor to death with one slap.

Seeing his master like this, fearing that his senior brother would be scolded again, Lu Linxuan considerately asked Uncle Xiangyang: "Master, are you coming down the mountain?"

"I'm visiting an old friend for a month or half a year. You and your brother need to take care of each other and not act like a spoiled brat. When you come back, I'll want to examine your swordsmanship."

"Yes." When Lu Linxuan heard that this was indeed a long time, he subconsciously felt a little depressed.

Yang Shuzi glanced at Li Xingyun coldly and said, "And you, bastard, don't be so happy here. When I come back, if I find that you haven't completed your daily tasks and your medical skills have not improved, I will punish you."

"I will obey your orders!" Li Xingyun managed to hold back his smile and replied with a straight face. He then added, "By the way, Master, can you bring back some gifts for me? Sichuan delicacies, or specialties from Guanzhong or Jiangnan..."

"Master doesn't go to these places." Yang Shuzi frowned subconsciously, then realized he was speechless, so he waved his hand, "Go and get the small box from the cabinet in Master's bedroom. Master wants to say a few words to Lin Xuan alone."

"What little box?" Li Xingyun pretended not to understand.

Yang Shuzi sneered: "What in my master's bedroom have you not found out? Don't pretend to be confused here."

"That's impossible..."

Li Xingyun got up, muttered something, and walked into the sword room. While searching for something, he frowned secretly.

Not going to Shuzhong, Jiangnan or Guanzhong, where is Master going?
Central Plains?

He stroked his chin and thought for a while, and he had already found the so-called small box with a small lock on it. He had actually been curious about it for a long time, but due to Yang Shuzi's majesty, he did not dare to pry it open. He could only sigh, knowing that he would probably never have the chance to know what this thing was.

However, when he stood up, he happened to catch a glimpse of something and took it out of curiosity.

"The Thousand Gold Prescription? Didn't Master give it to me? Why is there another one here?"

Li Xingyun glanced outside and knew that Yang Shuzi must have deliberately sent him away, so he started to read the books without hesitation.

However, this copy of Qianjin Fang is more ancient and obviously a hand-copied version. However, the paper used is very good, which shows that the copyist was very careful. The first page reads:
"Brother Yang, I have hand-copied a copy of the Medicine King's painstaking work. We will say farewell here. I hope you will continue to soar high in the sky and catch the spring.

His younger brother is Lin Juzhen.

In the fourth year of Zhonghe, this was presented in Chengdu.

This handwritten medical book was well preserved, but it was hidden in a corner, obviously not wanting others to see it easily. Li Xingyun used to be in a hurry when he explored Yang Shuzi's bedroom, so he naturally didn't notice it.

Li Xingyun closed the book and muttered to himself.

"Lin Juzhen...

Are you a doctor too?"

(End of this chapter)