Chapter 1824 — Farewell in the Snow Valley
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
But none of the three said too much aloud; it was enough that each understood the others. There was no need to speak too plainly. After all, the Herb of Forgetfulness potion was meant for Wei Zhao to drink, not for Tang Zhi, and so they feared Elder Zhang might notice something amiss.
"'Men know sorrow and joy, parting and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes, now bright, now dim — since ancient times no such thing has ever been whole.'" Elder Zhang walked over and spoke with a sigh. "To gain, one must lose. Let us go back."
Tang Zhi nodded, cast one last look at Wei Zhao, then turned and strode off toward the Snow Valley. Elder Zhang sighed once more and hurried after her, leaving behind only Gu Mengyao, Shen Yushu, Wei Zhao, and a few Snow Valley disciples charged with the stretcher.
"If you would be so good as to return, ladies!" Having laid Wei Zhao in the car, the Snow Valley disciples spoke courteously to Gu Mengyao and Shen Yushu. Yet courteous as the tone was, there was an authority in it that could not be resisted.
"Let us go..." Gu Mengyao tugged at Little Shu, who stood staring blankly after Tang Zhi's receding figure.
Shen Yushu nodded, and climbed into the car with Gu Mengyao.
The sound of an engine rose, and the car started without trouble. Feng Tianlong had specially modified this vehicle, so there was no fear of it failing to catch in the ice and snow. But at this moment neither Gu Mengyao nor Shen Yushu had the heart to think of the car. Their spirits were heavy...
Their destination was Xixing Mountain Village. On this trip back they would have to give Old Man Wei some account of things, and once all of that was done, they would return to Songshan City.
Not far behind the car, the Snow Valley was now alive with drums and gongs, bustling beyond measure. The annual sacrificial rite had been moved up, and this time the valley would hold the rite and the ceremony of taking a disciple together, precisely to show how highly they regarded Tang Zhi.
Given Tang Zhi's constitution, even the Grand Elder would not presume to call herself her teacher, the heir to her lineage. Hers was a path of cultivation unlike any other. Along Tang Zhi's road the Grand Elder could only assist and guide her; the greater part Tang Zhi must comprehend for herself, for her constitution was one the Grand Elder herself had never possessed.
That was why the Grand Elder had taken her as a disciple in the name of the founding ancestor.
The star of this sacrificial rite, Tang Zhi, now stood quietly upon the high platform, her cold face utterly without a smile, as though she were not happy in the least. Yet no one dared question her to her face; even the Grand Elder took it that Tang Zhi's change of temper was the working of the Herb of Forgetfulness potion.
To stand in the gaze of ten thousand eyes — what glory was that! At this moment Tang Zhi was like the future sovereign of the Snow Valley. Everyone was utterly deferential to her; even the Grand Elder and Xueli spoke to her with great courtesy. And yet Tang Zhi could not bring herself to be happy.
How she wished Wei Zhao could see her as she was now — that she no longer needed to hide behind him and let him shield her from wind and rain, that she too could hold up half the sky for him. But that wish could never be granted...