The Nine Cauldrons

“Father, since young, I have always thought you are the wisest person, but I have changed my mind after what had happened. In the past, you told me that you wouldn’t care about the background of the person I like. You would only care about his character… If he has good character, you would agree to the marriage. You even said that you wouldn’t decide my marriage like other parents.

“However, I now know that you are just like all the other parents. You think that parents should decide their kids’ marriage.

“You criticized Anran’s character, but the millions of people that know Anran in the Gui Yuan Sect have never said anything bad about his character. Do you think that all those people were wrong? I have known him for almost a year. Do you think my opinion of him is wrong as well? Father, you have only known him for half a day. Just half a day is enough for you to decide that he is not suitable for me?

“I understand now.

“Father, you must have known of Anran’s background as a horse bandit. You must have thought that it was ridiculous for the daughter of the founder of the Xing Yi Sect and the creator of the branch of Internal Martial Arts to marry the son of a horse bandit. Am I right? Father, just admit it. I know that the stronger a cultivator, the more they value their reputation. I understand.

“Maybe you think that my happiness is not as important as your reputation.

“Back then, Mother pursued her happiness and never regretted sailing the seas with you.

“And now, for the sake of my happiness, I am going to marry the son of a horse bandit.

“From your daughter, Honglin!”

The words in the letter contained such dissatisfaction and resentment. Obviously, when Teng Qingshan forced Honglin to stop any form of communications and interactions with Fan Anran, Honglin was in great emotional pain and experienced great bitterness and anger. A woman in love would be irrational. She even thought that Teng Qingshan had done that to protect his reputation.

Teng Qingshan himself felt terrible. He had pampered and loved this daughter. He simply never expected his daughter to hold such an opinion.

“Little Jun, you see? Linlin is copying your actions. She said that you had risked all and sailed the seas for the sake of your happiness. She said that she was going to pursue her happiness as well,” Teng Qingshan said as he glanced at his wife.

“This kid has gone crazy.”

Li Jun shook her head and comforted, “Qingshan, don’t take her words seriously.”

But how could Teng Qingshan not take these words seriously?

Since Honglin was young, Teng Qingshan cared for her and loved her deeply. He was always worried that she would be hurt. Teng Qingshan did pamper Honglin. He had always thought that one should always pamper the daughter and be strict with the son. Teng Qingshan really only wanted the best for his daughter. He never expected his daughter to run away from him for a guy.

“No one can change her mind now.” Although Teng Qingshan felt sad, he could only shake his head and say, “I can only let her experience some struggles. Only then will she recognize the reality. I am 80% certain that Fan Anran is just disguising himself. He is very good at disguising himself.”

What was Teng Qingshan’s identity in the previous world?

He was a hitman.

He was most skilled at disguising himself. Fan Anran’s disguise was not as good as that of Teng Qingshan. However, it is impossible to truly know a person’s character. Therefore, Teng Qingshan was only 80% certain.

“Fortunately, I asked Little Blue to follow her.” Upon the thought of this, Teng Qingshan felt slightly at ease.

Li Jun frowned as she asked, “But Qingshan, don’t you think the instructions you gave Little Blue were a little too ruthless?”

“How is it ruthless? Anyone that has the audacity to threaten my daughter deserves to die.” Teng Qingshan would never allow anyone to hurt his family.

Li Jun smiled and said, “However, if you are wrong this time…”

“If I’m wrong?” Teng Qingshan smirked. “If that’s the case, then all is well. I will gladly accept the mocking from my daughter. If my daughter is happy, then I am content. I am only worried that my judgment of Fan Anran was right.”

“Giddyup! Giddyup!”

The two Green Maned Snow-treading Horses galloped on the official road. The two individuals on the horses were Fan Anran and Honglin. Actually, during these recent years, Little Blue had gained power over quite a few tribes of bird-type demonic beasts. And so, some of these birds dwelled in the Great Yan Mountain. Although these bird-type demonic beasts weren’t powerful, they were extremely fast.

Therefore, normally, Honglin and Hongwu would ride these birds to Yongan County and back to the Great Yan Mountain.

The rides were fast and safe.

However, this time, Honglin had acted in a fit of pique. And so, she rode horses instead.

“Linlin, slow down.” Fan Anran galloped behind her.

Even so, Honglin still galloped rapidly, moving ahead of Fan Anran. Ever since she left the Great Yan Mountain, Honglin felt very sad and emotionally painful. She had endured the rage she felt. The glorious image of Teng Qingshan in her eyes had changed completely. She realized that her father was just like all the other parents, potently interfering with his daughter’s marriage.

“Father, you are really disappointing,” Honglin shouted internally.

The speed of the horse finally decreased.

“Linlin! Linlin!” Fan Anran finally caught up.

Honglin glanced at him as she asked, “What do you want?”

Fan Anran responded with a smile and comforted, “Linlin, I know your father doesn’t like me, but you still came with me. Thank you!”

Hearing this, Honglin’s tears turned into laughter. She glared at him and replied with a smile, “Thank the heavens for your good conscience!”

“Sigh… I initially thought that your father would like me. I didn’t expect this situation.” Fan Anran was obviously distressed.

“Forget it. You couldn’t possibly know what my father is thinking…” Honglin shook her head. She then glared at Fan Anran and said, “However, Anran, you better not let me down.”

“I won’t.” Fan Anran chuckled.

“Hmph, if you do, I will kill you.” Honglin humphed purposefully and said, “You are no match for me.”

“Alright… Alright… Great heroine, I am afraid now.” Fan Anran begged, playing along.

Seeing this, Honglin couldn’t help but laugh happily.

Her melodious-sounding laughter resonated in the sky above the official road. The two then rode their horses and rapidly headed southwest. Around two thousand-to-three thousand Zhang above them, a blurry cloud could be seen following them. Inside this ball of cloud was the fiery red Undying Phoenix, Little Blue.

Little Blue could easily look through the cloud and see the two individuals galloping away. She could even see the white little bird that was sitting on Honglin’s horse.

…

Ever since Honglin and Fan Anran arrived back to the Gui Yuan Sect in Yong’an County, information about their activities was sent to Teng Qingshan’s study room almost every day. Indeed, Teng Qingshan had been paying close attention to his daughter all the time.

However, everything seemed normal.

In the blink of an eye, it was already March.

In Yong’an County City, there was an ordinary house with a courtyard. This was Fan Anran’s house.

“Uncle Fan,” Honglin greeted with a smile as she stepped into the courtyard with a basket of fruits.

“Young girl, you are finally here. You even bought fruits? If you have money, you should buy some good liquor. You know I love alcohol.” A filthy old man, emanating the smell of alcohol, opened his bloodshot eyes. He mumbled slightly and wobbled as he tried to stand up.

“Father, why did you drink again? Why did you drink so much?” Fan Anran complained.

“Hehe.”

The filthy old man shook his head as he replied, “No, I just thought about your mother. Anran, your mother’s death anniversary is half a month away. Prepare yourself. We will soon leave the city to pay respects to your mother.”

“Okay.” Fan Anran nodded.

The messy old man wobbled and walked into his room.

“Anran, when are you going to pay respects to your mother? When are you leaving?” Honglin asked.

“I will be going in about seven or eight days,” Fan Anran said with a sigh. “My mother’s grave doesn’t contain her body; only her belongings were buried. The grave is near the headquarters of the gang of horse bandits that I lived with when I was young. It is in the region of Yanzhou. Although Yong’an County is in the region of Yangzhou, it is the county nearest to Yanzhou. However, it will take four to five days to get there, so it’s best to go earlier.” At this moment, Fan Anran was obviously feeling a bit sad.

“Yes.” Honglin nodded.

“Linlin.”

Suddenly, Fan Anran’s eyes brightened as he said, “Hey, why don’t you go with us? If my mother can see that you have gone to pay respects to her… if she is able to see the daughter-in-law of the Fan family, she will be very happy in the underworld.”

“Daughter-in-law?” Honglin glared.

Despite the glare, Fan Anran still smiled shamelessly and asked, “Come with us to pay respects to my mother, okay?”

“Me?” Honglin froze. She felt tempted, but then she shook her head and said, “No, my father doesn’t allow me to wander to other places.”

“You are just going to pay your respects to my mother. That’s not wandering.” Fan Anran was slightly angry. He then shook his head and said with a sigh, “Alright, nevermind. Don’t go then.”

“Anran, no…”

Honglin struggled internally for a brief second and immediately made up her mind. She nodded and said with a smile, “Alright, Anran, I will go with you. I want to pay my respects to your mother as well.”

“Really?” Fan Anran appeared slightly surprised but overjoyed.

“Of course. Why? Why are you so surprised?” Honglin smiled proudly.

Fan Anran grabbed Honglin’s hands and whispered gratefully, “Thank you.”

Honglin blushed. She didn’t struggle. Instead, she just let Fan Anran hold her hand.

At this moment—

On the rooftop of a house located in the Gui Yuan Sect, the Undying Phoenix could be seen. She could distinctly detect Honglin’s location through the perception of her domain.

On the 28th of March:

During the early morning, Honglin and Fan Anran, as well as Fan Anran’s father, Fan Wutong, left Yong’an County.

During evening—

In an ordinary house located in a Xin’an City in the region of Nanxing County in Yangzhou, a silver-haired elder could be seen running. He ran along the hallway and passed by the doors of some courtyards. Soon, he arrived before this very quiet and small courtyard. When he was about to step into the courtyard, he held his breath.

He prepared himself for a while before he shouted out respectfully, “Lord, a secret letter from Yong’an County.”

“Come in.” A deep-sounding voice sounded.

The silver-haired elder then opened the door carefully and entered the courtyard. A tall, big man could be seen standing in the courtyard.

He stood barefooted and wore sackcloth. His hair was untied and he emanated this strange charm. His most distinct characteristic was the golden mask on his face.

The mysterious man with the golden mask took the secret letter and waved as he instructed, “Hm, leave.”

“Yes.”

After the silver-haired elder left, the mysterious man with the golden mask opened the letter and started reading. Because of the golden mask, no one could see his expression. As he read, he suddenly emitted a strange laughter. “You can dodge the first attack, the second attack… But Teng Qingshan, let’s see how you can dodge the third attack!”