Chapter 378: Seclusion in Min Village, Secrets of the Past p1
Stepping onto the seemingly endless staircase, Lin Tianlu could clearly feel a pressure bearing down on him.
But Yang Chanzhen, holding his arm, seemed to possess a strange power that repelled this pressure.
As if knowing his thoughts, Yang Chanzhen parted her lips slightly and said indifferently: “The barrier around Mount Min has existed for thousands of years. Unless invited by the Azure Lady herself, even if one could forcibly break through the outer barrier, they wouldn’t be able to reach the peak, their body and soul would be crushed by the pressure.”
“Uh…”
Lin Tianlu winced slightly.
No wonder Mount Min had existed for thousands of years, its protective measures alone were quite astonishing.
Just this pressure alone was enough to make even Savage Realm demons and ghosts suffer, and it intensified as they climbed higher, it was truly not a place for ordinary people.
“So, your elders and masters mostly live in seclusion on the peak, never descending the mountain, Miss Yang?”
“Elders… masters…?”
Yang Chanzhen lowered her eyes slightly and said calmly: “There are no elders or masters on the mountain now.”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
“Miss Yang, what do you—”
“My master has passed away, her soul returned to heaven.”
Yang Chanzhen paused briefly, then continued walking, her voice calm and unwavering: “Now, I’m the only one living on Mount Min.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression changed slightly: “Did your master pass away recently, Miss Yang?”
“She lived a long life, without any regrets. I buried her remains in the cemetery, there’s no need for you to be concerned, sir.”
“…Allow me to offer her my respects later.”
“She would be pleased to know your intentions, sir.”
Looking at the aloof woman walking beside him, Lin Tianlu was momentarily speechless.
But it wasn’t awkwardness, but rather a sense of peace and tranquility, his mind and body relaxing.
However—
After glancing at her a few times, he quickly looked away, chuckling awkwardly: “Miss Yang, your… casual attire is quite… unexpected.”
Her embroidered robe and skirt were beautiful and elegant, accentuating her graceful figure, dignified and refined. But her loose and somewhat disheveled clothing made it difficult for him to look directly at her.
Especially when glancing sideways, he could see her ample bosom, barely concealed by the thin fabric, a tantalizing sight.
Yang Chanzhen blinked her purple eyes and said indifferently: “The secret techniques of Mount Min sometimes damage clothing, so I’ve become used to dressing casually. If you find it inappropriate, sir, I can dress more formally.”
As she spoke, she pulled the front of her dress together slightly, barely concealing her ample bosom, the sash around her waist accentuating her curves.
But just as she adjusted her clothes, the fabric slipped from her shoulder again, a languid and seductive gesture.
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but facepalm.
Should he say that Miss Yang was truly… “blessed with ample curves?”
He coughed lightly, no longer dwelling on her attire, and asked casually: “Miss Yang, I met an old woman at the foot of the mountain, is she also from Mount Min?”
“I’m the only one on Mount Min now.”
Yang Chanzhen shook her head and said softly: “Madam Li and her family have lived at the foot of the mountain for generations, their ancestors served Mount Min. Although they’re not servants, they’re not considered part of Mount Min either. I only occasionally go down the mountain to give them instructions, we don’t interact much.”
“I see.”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes flickered, looking up at the seemingly endless staircase: “But you… are always alone on the mountain, Miss Yang?”
“I prefer quietness and dislike being disturbed by outsiders.”
Yang Chanzhen’s expression remained indifferent and calm: “Reading, writing poetry, practicing Yin techniques and secret arts, even just sitting alone in the tea room and enjoying a cup of tea, it’s a peaceful life.”
Lin Tianlu sighed with emotion and couldn’t help but admire: “You truly have an admirable state of mind, Miss Yang.”
Such a solitary and secluded life wasn’t something that ordinary people could easily endure, let alone enjoy.
Yang Chanzhen’s purple eyes flickered, and she looked at him calmly: “Your life, Master Lin, isn’t that different from mine. You don’t seek fame, fortune, or power, just living a peaceful life with your wives in Changling, it can also be considered a form of seclusion.”
“I’m far from your level.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled, shaking his head.
He looked up at the staircase again and asked curiously: “Miss Yang, how tall is this Mount Min? These stairs seem endless, could it be…”
“Two thousand five hundred zhang, reaching the peak. The mountain range stretches for dozens of miles, its peaks hidden in the clouds.”
Yang Chanzhen explained calmly: “And the surrounding peaks are clustered together, forming a deep rift. There’s a barrier within it. If one falls, even a Savage Realm great demon wouldn’t be able to escape.”
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
Such a towering mountain range was truly a rare sight.
“But precisely because Mount Min occupies such a vast area, like a natural barrier, no emperor has ever tried to develop it, and few people have ever come here.”
Yang Chanzhen said softly: “Thanks to Mount Min’s treacherous terrain, we’ve been able to live in peace, undisturbed by outsiders. And with the ancient barriers set up by our ancestors, no demons, ghosts, or practitioners dare to trespass. That’s why the many secret texts and ancient books stored here have been preserved to this day.”
Lin Tianlu nodded in understanding.
So, Miss Yang’s ancestors had been quite farsighted, choosing such a treacherous place to live. That’s how their legacy had been preserved.
“By the way.”
He suddenly slapped his forehead and said with interest: “I still don’t know why you asked me to come to Mount Min, Miss Yang. Could it be that you want to show me some of the ancient books in the mountain—”
But before he could finish speaking, Yang Chanzhen suddenly murmured:
“I… want to tell you about the past.”
“What… did you say?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
“The past of Mount Min, my past—”
Yang Chanzhen glanced at him, her ethereal purple eyes flickering, and said softly: “And also… your past, Master Lin.”
…
In the quiet and dense forest.
Mao Ruoyu and the others, leading the carriage, followed the old woman silently, until the trees parted, and the view before them opened up.
Then, a peaceful and vibrant village appeared before their eyes.
They could even see children playing and laughing, and a few women sitting outside their houses, sewing clothes. They looked up curiously as the outsiders arrived, but they didn’t seem particularly surprised or uneasy.
“Old Madam, this is…”
“We, the people of Min Village, have lived here for generations, our families growing over time.”
The old woman murmured softly: “Don’t worry, just follow me to the guest house and rest, they won’t disturb you.”
Cheng Yishi looked around the village and asked softly: “Old Madam, living in Min Village, have you ever encountered any intruders?”
Seeing that there were no fences or walls around the village, only simple houses and fences, it seemed quite unsafe in this deep mountain forest.
“You seem to have noticed.” The old woman glanced back at Yun Yue, who was silently following behind them: “Along the way, I’ve deactivated thirteen protective barriers and thirty-two traps. If it weren’t for guests invited by Mount Min, anyone who entered this area would be forcibly repelled by the barriers. And those who try to force their way in, even Crimson Demon Realm demons and ghosts, would be instantly annihilated. Even Savage Realm great demons wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed.”
Yun Yue nodded slightly in agreement.
Mao Ruoyu and Hua Shuya were both surprised.
They hadn’t noticed anything along the way—
The power of Mount Min was far greater than they had imagined.
Following the old woman into Min Village, they walked along a forest path, entered a small courtyard, and a simple yet elegant bamboo house came into view.
The old woman slowly pushed open the door. The interior of the bamboo house was simple and elegant, yet still retained a natural charm. And it was clearly meticulously cleaned, every corner spotless.
“Please rest here, ladies.”
The old woman said indifferently: “I’ll have someone bring you some fruits, tea, and pastries. You can also stroll around the village, as long as you don’t go too far and trigger the barriers.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Cheng Yishi quickly stepped forward and asked: “May I ask how long we have to wait here? And my husband, he went up Mount Min, what important matter—”
“I don’t know how long you’ll have to wait, the Azure Lady will give further instructions.”
The old woman raised her cloudy eyes slightly and said in a hoarse and low voice: “As for Master Lin, according to the Azure Lady, he is very important to Mount Min.”
Cheng Yishi was slightly confused.
Since when did her husband have such a connection with Mount Min?
“Ugh?!”
But a sudden moan echoed from inside the bamboo house.
Yun Yue and Hua Shuya’s hearts skipped a beat, and they quickly rushed to Mao Ruoyu’s side: “Ruoyu, are you feeling unwell?”
“I-I’m fine.”
Mao Ruoyu touched her forehead and shook her head, the color in her eyes flickering.
After a moment, she pressed her hand against her chest, her eyes returning to a clear and bright blue, her expression gradually becoming calm and indifferent.
Then, her demeanor changed completely, and she looked outside: “This place… brings back so many memories.”
“What?”
Yun Yue’s expression turned to surprise.
…
After a while, Lin Tianlu finally reached the peak of Mount Min, following Yang Chanzhen up the seemingly endless staircase.
Looking around, instead of the grand halls and palaces he had imagined, there were only a few simple and unadorned bamboo huts, surrounded by elegant and fragrant gardens and flowerbeds, the lingering mist creating an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere.
But Lin Tianlu wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the scenery, he just asked seriously:
“Miss Yang, now that we’re at the peak, can you tell me… what you meant by ‘matters of the past’?”
“Please follow me, Master Lin.”
Yang Chanzhen closed her oil-paper umbrella and said softly: “I’ll explain everything to you.”
Lin Tianlu suppressed his curiosity and quickly followed her.
Then, they entered a simple bamboo hut.
“—Hmm?”
As soon as he entered the hut, Lin Tianlu exclaimed softly, looking around curiously.
The interior had changed strangely, becoming much more spacious, as if by some kind of technique.
Yang Chanzhen raised her hand slightly, and small, square characters, like silk scarves, flew from the bamboo bookshelf, floating and swirling in mid-air until they converged on her delicate fingertips.
Hum—!
A faint light flickered as the characters swirled and intertwined, forming a ripple, like a mirage, beside her.
Lin Tianlu looked at it in surprise: “This is…”
“You should have experienced my technique before, Master Lin.”
Yang Chanzhen pursed her lips slightly and said indifferently: “Even across hundreds of miles, and through the passage of time, I can still uncover hidden traces. Miss Cheng helped me before, but the techniques of my Mount Min originate from the ever-changing world, tracing back to the source, recording the passage of millennia.
And this ‘Phantom Mirror’ can recreate the past, allowing the caster to see history.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a blurry and indistinct scene appeared within the ripples.
Lin Tianlu looked closely and was surprised to see an old and simple house. A young boy, his face unclear, was studying at a desk, only a single candle flickering beside him.
Yang Chanzhen’s purple eyes flickered, her hands clasped before her, as she walked back to his side and said softly: “Can you tell who that person is, Master Lin?”
After a moment of silence, Lin Tianlu hesitated slightly:
“Is it… me?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the young boy in the image looked up, revealing a familiar yet somewhat younger face, his hand on his head as if deep in thought.
It was undoubtedly the young ‘Lin Tianlu’ from years ago, studying diligently at home.
