Under the dawn light, Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang, clad in white, appeared like celestial beings.
Standing amidst the green grass, they looked up to see a solemn procession passing by.
Naturally, they fell in step with the procession.
Though the entire contingent was protected by ironclad guards, they posed no obstacle to those who could move with such freedom.
The two moved swiftly, slipping into the procession. With a flick of their wrists, they each pulled a guard out of the ranks, unnoticed.
Before the guards could react, they were struck unconscious with a single palm strike.
Their clothes were then removed, replaced with sacks, and they were entrusted to the care of others for a few days, with their clothes to be returned after the task was completed.
Having done this, they were still able to rejoin the procession and infiltrate the palace before entry.
Upon entering the palace, the visiting envoys were invited to rest in the East Wing, while their attendants were led to the West Wing.
Xue Gucheng used a pretext to slip away from the crowd, then blended in with the guards to gather information, but found no satisfactory answers.
Just then, an old cook emerged from a room carrying a pot of broth.
Xue Gucheng feigned bumping into him, knocking the soup over but catching it carefully, then deliberately said.
"For the past few days, I don't know why, but I've felt uneasy, and my mind has been wandering.
My apologies for bumping into you, elder brother. Where is this soup being sent?"
Seeing his polite demeanor, the old cook, not in a hurry, replied.
"This soup is for the distinguished guests in the East Wing."
Realizing it was for the envoys and having no further questions, Xue Gucheng feigned ignorance again.
"I've just arrived at the palace and don't know my way around. Could you tell me where the latrines are, elder brother?"
Upon hearing this, the old cook pulled him closer and whispered.
"I see you are an honest person and new here, so I must tell you something.
Do not speak carelessly or wander about in the Imperial God Palace. It has been rather unsettled these past few days. The latrines are that way, go ahead."
Xue Gucheng caught the key point and deliberately asked.
"Elder brother, don't scare me. I've heard there are many rules here. Can you tell me which places are permissible and which are not?"
The old cook, seeing his earnestness, said.
"I don't quite understand myself. In the past, those of us who served tea and water could go anywhere.
However, not long ago, people were no longer allowed to wander freely.
I'll tell you, every day there is a maid who carries a bowl of Qingxin soup to a separate courtyard.
That place was empty before, but now someone unknown resides there. We haven't seen them, nor dare we ask.
Oh dear, look at me, I've said too much. I must be going. You should go quickly."
With that, he hurried away, busy with delivering the soup.
After the cook left, Xue Gucheng began to doubt his words.
"A courtyard that was previously uninhabited now has residents, and the time mentioned was not long ago.
Thinking about it, that person must be Liu Wu. But where is this courtyard he mentioned?"
With no other recourse, Xue Gucheng began to search cautiously. Yan Wushuang had also intended to enter and search.
However, at the palace gate, Xue Gucheng stopped him. Two people were more likely to attract attention; it was easier for him to move alone.
Despite searching everywhere, he found no suspicious courtyards.
He then made his way to the back garden, but found nothing unusual.
He stood by the garden gate for a while, pondering where the courtyard might be.
Until he saw a woman in simple attire walking from not far away.
Curiously, he watched as the woman, holding a bowl that seemed to contain clear water, walked lightly forward.
He cautiously followed.
The woman stopped abruptly before a wall. Xue Gucheng looked on curiously. He saw that the wall was covered in lush green ivy.
And through the barely visible greenery, a door was faintly discernible.
The woman gently knocked on the wall, and the large door swung open.
Xue Gucheng darted inside like a gust of wind. The woman, surprised, brushed her windblown hair aside and slowly walked through the door.
Upon entering, it was indeed a different world. It was a square courtyard, and from the room to the east, the sound of a zither could be heard.
Just as he was about to step forward, two people suddenly emerged from the door. He quickly hid to the side.
He saw the two guards, their swords at their sides, their right hands constantly resting on their hilts.
The large door behind them was tightly locked with chains, yet it could not muffle the melodious zither music drifting out.
Xue Gucheng listened carefully, feeling as though he had heard this zither music somewhere before. He lowered his head and thought.
"I've heard that Liu Wu is an elegant person skilled in playing the zither.
He once enchanted the streets of Beishendu with a piece called 'Tianxiang Fang,' which was his own composition.
To hear such familiar music again now, it seems the person imprisoned inside is indeed Liu Wu."
He had the good fortune to have heard it once with Wushuang, so he recognized it.
Xue Gucheng was overjoyed. Finding him without much effort, he was finally going to locate the person.
The woman slowly stepped forward and handed the soup to one of the guards.
Xue Gucheng seized the opportunity, darting out like a swift wind, striking left and right, knocking them both unconscious to the ground.
He then rummaged through their belongings, found the keys, and rushed to the door, unlocking the black iron lock.
As the lock fell, and he was about to enter, the zither music abruptly stopped. Then, a voice from within called out.
"Is that Xue Gucheng?"
Xue Gucheng was somewhat astonished. He had never met Liu Wu before; how could he recognize him?
Despite his doubts, he respectfully replied.
"Senior has sharp eyes. It is indeed this junior."
With that, he walked towards the main hall. Upon entering, he saw a man in white seated within.
Barefoot, with disheveled hair, his hands resting on the zither, his eyes slightly closed, a faint smile on his lips, still exuding elegance.
Although Xue Gucheng had never met Liu Wu, his elegant posture revealed his identity.
Before Xue Gucheng could speak, Liu Wu asked.
"Are you here for the Ten Thousand Ghost King?"
Xue Gucheng was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Liu Wu to guess his purpose.
However, he had made one incorrect assumption: he wasn't here for the Ten Thousand Ghost King, but for Muye.
So, he explained.
"No, I am here to save someone."
Upon hearing this, Liu Wu calmly plucked the zither strings and said faintly.
"Since ancient times, everyone has their own destiny. What is fated, why must you interfere?"
Though he said this, Xue Gucheng was a man of integrity. He said.
"Senior speaks wisely, but I do not believe in fate, only in destiny and conviction. Since I promised to save her, I cannot break my word."
Liu Wu chuckled faintly upon hearing this and asked him.
"Even if it is a bottomless abyss, a situation where you would be shattered to pieces, you would not care?"
Xue Gucheng replied without hesitation.
"If I can die for my conviction, then so be it."
Liu Wu laughed heartily, opened his eyes, and looked intently at the man before him, his eyes filled with admiration.
This righteousness from within reminded him of someone, who also possessed a righteous spirit. He said.
"You are quite like your master. He too was a man of his word, full of loyalty and righteousness."
Xue Gucheng smiled knowingly and sat down to reply.
"Senior Liu, I often hear my master mention you. He said he most enjoyed listening to your zither music.
As long as he heard your music, all his worries would vanish, and his heart would be at ease."
"Your master was indeed a man of taste. It is a pity that we can no longer discuss matters together."
Xue Gucheng lowered his head in silence, then raised it slightly and said.
"There will be an opportunity, there definitely will be."
Though he knew his master had passed away, the sentiment of high mountains and flowing water, finding a kindred spirit, meant that even if they were not in the same place, their hearts were.
If, in the future, Liu Wu were to visit his master's grave and play a tune, it would be as if they were together again.
Liu Wu raised his hand and plucked the zither strings with increasing strength, gazing at the sky in thought.
Since Xue Gucheng had come to save someone, he could not delay further. Thus, he asked.
"Junior wishes to ask senior one question. Does senior know how to break the predicament of the Wuji Abyss?"
Liu Wu replied without hesitation.
"I know."
"What is the method?"
Xue Gucheng eagerly pressed.
However, Liu Wu harbored concerns and shook his head, saying.
"This method is very dangerous. It is better that I do not tell you."
"Senior, I promised to save her, so no matter what, I must find the method to break it, even if it costs me my life."
He sighed, knowing his determination was irreversible, and could only say.
"Everything comes with a price. To save her, one person must take her place and be eternally trapped in the cave. This is an exchange of one thing for another, one life for one life.
And to perform this life exchange, one must use the Life and Death Talismans. The Life Talisman is given to the person to be saved, and the Death Talisman to the one willing to sacrifice themselves. This way, they can escape with ease."
"A life for a life!"
Xue Gucheng exclaimed in shock, realizing such a cruel method was used, no wonder they had thrown Muye in.
Liu Wu could see Xue Gucheng's astonishment. Although he did not dislike the Ten Thousand Ghost King, he did not like him either.
To sacrifice a life for the Ten Thousand Ghost King, he could never agree. Thus, he said.
"It is not too late for you to leave now."
Xue Gucheng smiled slightly, his resolve unwavering.
"Senior, you know my master. I am the same as him. At worst, I will trade my life for hers."
Liu Wu advised.
"Is it worth it for the Ten Thousand Ghost King? The ancients said, when the Ghost King is born, the world will fall into chaos.
If he escapes, the world will once again be plunged into dire straits.
At that time, there will be displaced refugees and rivers of blood."
Hearing this, Xue Gucheng's heart suddenly sank.
These were things he had considered.
However, after spending these few days with the Ghost魅族, he felt they were all righteous people.
Not like the rumors in the world, that the Ghost魅族 killed and drank blood, leaving no grass to grow where they passed.
He thought.
"I believe the world's hostility towards the Ghost魅族 is too great. If I am to save her, I must abandon her identity as the Ten Thousand Ghost King."
Thus, he said.
"I am saving my friend, not the Ten Thousand Ghost King. If she is released and causes chaos, I will end her myself.
But if I do not save her, how can I be worthy of the righteousness in my heart, or my master's teachings?
Therefore, no matter what, I must save her."
Liu Wu looked at the man before him once more, carefully. In a daze, he realized that the young people of today saw further than he did.
Perhaps, this was destiny.
With a slight smile, as if he had found a solution to a millennium-old problem, he slowly opened the zither case, took out a box, and handed it to Xue Gucheng.
Xue Gucheng took it carefully and opened it slowly, finding two yellowed Life and Death Talismans inside.
He carefully put the box away and bowed gratefully to Liu Wu.
"Senior's kindness is something this junior cannot repay. I think, senior, it must be boring staying here. Why not come out with me?"
Liu Wu, however, laughed heartily and waved his hand.
"Do not worry about me. I am quite content here and do not wish to leave yet."
He sighed slightly, then became worried.
"It's just... my nephew."
Xue Gucheng immediately understood and told Liu Wu what he knew.
"To be honest, senior, I only learned a few days ago that Liu Shinian was captured by the Lord of Nanhai City and escorted to Beishendu, where he is imprisoned and guarded by Ziye."
Liu Wu had already anticipated this, but he was powerless. He could only beg Xue Gucheng.
"Alas, I knew this would happen. It is a pity that I am old and powerless.
Gucheng, since you are here, there is one matter I wish to entrust to you."
Xue Gucheng knew what he was going to say and replied.
"Senior, please speak freely."
"I left home when I was young. Over the years, I have only met my nephew a few times. After his parents passed away, he followed my elder brother.
As his uncle, I failed to take good care of him. After my brother's passing, I left him to wander the world alone.
I am ashamed of him. Now, I can only ask you to rescue Shinian for me. This way, I can rest a little easier."
Xue Gucheng agreed without a second thought.
"Senior, please rest assured, I will definitely save him."
Liu Wu nodded gratefully and looked outside again.
"It's getting late. You should leave quickly."
"Alright, senior, take care. Gucheng departs."
"Go."
Xue Gucheng, carrying the box, rushed out of the courtyard like a gust of wind and carefully slipped out of the palace gate.
Outside the palace, in a corner, Yan Wushuang had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing her Xue Ge return, she curiously asked.
"Xue Ge, did you find Liu Wu?"
Xue Gucheng replied.
"I did."
"And the method to break it?"
Xue Gucheng instinctively touched his chest and said softly.
"He told me as well."
"That's great! With this, we can go and rescue Muye."
"However, there is one more thing."
"What is it?"
Xue Gucheng recalled Liu Wu's entrustment. This matter, he should also let Yan Wushuang know.
"Senior Liu entrusted me to rescue Liu Shinian, and I agreed. So, after rescuing Muye, we will go to Beishendu to rescue Liu Shinian."
Yan Wushuang found this feasible and said.
"That's fine. Although we haven't met Liu Shinian many times, I admire him quite a bit.
And he is also a man of loyalty and righteousness, so it is reasonable to save him."
Xue Gucheng had expected her to say this and was filled with joy, having such an understanding wife.
"Alright, let's hurry back. Don't keep them waiting too long."
"Okay."
Thus, the two first wrote a letter to inform the elder, then hurried to Luoshui Village.
On the way to Luoshui Village, Yan Wushuang, with some curiosity, asked about the solution.
"What is the solution to the Wuji Abyss?"
Xue Gucheng replied evasively.
"You'll know when we get there."
Yan Wushuang had always trusted Xue Gucheng and did not ask further. Then, the two, without delay, rode their horses at full speed towards Luoshui Village to meet the elder.