When Li Muyang came to Siyuan Hall, Song Tao was already standing by the window, enjoying the snowy landscape of the plum garden.
Although Song Tao was only the Song familyâs third young master, and did not have an official title, but based on the fact that he was from the Song family, was enough for any family in Tiandu to regard him as an distinguished guest.
Moreover, his aunt was the Queen of the West Wind Kingdom. With such great support, where could he not go in the vast West Wind?
After coming to Tiandu, Li Muyang had interacted with the Song familyâs Third young master a couple of times.
When he went to the Thousand Buddha temple, the two men traveled together. Of course, at that time he was just Li Shinianâs driver, and perhaps in Song Taoâs eyes, a servant like him simply did not existed. It was only after he coincidentally saved Cui Xiaoxin that he began to pay a little attention to him.
Following the battle against Mu Yubai of the Still water sword school, Li Muyangâs identity was exposed, and now the Song familyâs third young master personally came to the Lu residence to pay him a visit. What could it be about?
If he were to come find him to condemn him, then was that not too arrogant and domineering?
Li Muyang, from afar, made a bow and cupped first salute to Song Tao, âMuyang apologise for making Third young master wait on me.â
It was only then that Song Tao withdrew his eyes from the snowy garden, and seriously studied the youngster in white before him.
His cheeks were pretty and delicate, and could even be said to be extremely handsome. In this era where thin is beauty, anyone who sees him would feel that he was a perfectly beautiful man.
His skin was snowy white, and his facial features were delicate and beautiful, that even the most critical person would not be able to find any flaws on his face. He wore a smile across his face that brought out his clear and bright eyes.
His white robe was whiter than snow, adding a graceful but not showy aura to him.
They all say that the essence of the West wind was in the Song family, and the essence of the Song family was on the Song familyâs Third young master. Song Tao was one of the most beautiful men in the capital, but compared to Li Muyang, there was a feeling of shame.
That was the dark, charcoal-like Jiangnan youngster?
Song Tao felt an impulse to send the guys in charge of intelligence gathering to the land of death to dig for ore.
âWere they blind?â
Song Tao swiftly walked over, reached out to hold Li Muyangâs palm, and complained, âBrother Muyang, you concealed the truth from me for too long.â
Li Muyang was taken aback. What strategy is that? When are we this close?
âI didnât have a choice. Please forgive me Third young master.â Li Muyang explained.
âI understand, I understand. The situation called for that, Brother Muyang hid his identity for safety.â Song Tao smiled. âItâs just during our trip to Thousand Buddha temple, you and I were traveling together, but Song Tao is blind and failed to discern the true identity of Brother MuyangââI really feel ashamed. A talented youngster like Brother Muyang was reduced to become a driver, thinking about it now, Song Tao really feels embarrassed.â
Li Muyang responded with a simple and honest smile, saying: âTo drive a horse for my little sister, Muyang is happy and glad to do so.â
âThatâs true. Miss Shinian is an outstanding beauty, she was named the Fourth Bright moon of Tiandu when she first came to the capital, and is now famous.â Song Tao greatly complimented Li Shinian. âI also really like Miss Shinianâs refreshing frankness, she is a good friend.â
Li Muyang really did not want to waste time talking to him, went straight to the point, and asked: âI wonderââwhat brings Third young master here?â
âOh. Look at meââI was having a great conversation with Brother Muyang that I almost forgotten the important business. Grandfather heard that there recently is a new talented youngster in the capital, and specially told me to come invite you to the old mansion as a guest.â Song Tao looked Li Muyang in the eye and continued, âGrandfather told me to ask you when you will have time to have a cup of tea with him. I do not know if Brother Muyang isââwilling to come or not?â
Song Tao originally wanted to say âappreciative enough to comeâ, but in the end really could not utter those two words.
Who was his grandfather? The State Minister of West Wind, the âImperial Libraryâ, the Eye of Starry sky, the strongest in the Kingdom.
Some people even said that if there were a problem that the West Wind Emperor could not solve, he would go ask Song Gudu for help.
Although this sentence had bad intentions, but it was indirectly suggesting thatââin the West Wind Kingdom, Grandfatherâs power was greater than the Emperor.
Song Tao really couldnât understand why did Grandfather suddenly wanted to see that person?
Even if Li Muyangâs name was all over Tiandu, even if Li Muyang was admitted to Starry Sky Academy, even if Li Muyang had defeated Mu Yubai , even if Li Muyang was challenged by Old immortal of Still water sword schoolââWhy should Grandfather pay attention to him?
Li Muyang reveled a look of hesitation, and just as Song Tao was about to draw his sword, he finally firmly nodded, âThenââokay.â
Song Tao secretly activated the Song familyâs âDemon Seal Techniqueâ to control his breathing and to forcibly suppress the vicious tendencies in his heart, before he forced a smiling expression again and asked, âThen when is Brother Muyang free?â
âTomorrow.â Li Muyang smiled. âToday is Grandfather Luâs birthday, I drank a lot of wine. It would be disrespectful to see an Elder with a smell of alcohol on me.â
âWell, then. Iâll personally come pick you up tomorrow.â Song Tao said.
âNo need, no need. Iâll just go by myself.â Li Muyang hastily declined the offer. He didnât like to talk to people that he doesnât know very well. If Song Tao were to personally come pick him up, then the two might have to ride in one carriage, what would they talk about in that small carriage? Itâs impossible to live cheerfully together without a common language, right?
Fortunately, Song Tao had the same worry, so he nodded quickly and said, âThen Iâll be waiting for Brother Muyang at the old mansion.â
Song Tao one again bowed his head, before turning around.
Li Muyang watched Song Taoâs rear figure as he left, and then once again returned to Lu Xingkongâs study.
âSo?â Lu Xingkong asked.
âHe didnât say what it is about, just mentioned that the old man of the Song family invited me over for a cup of tea.â Li Muyang was worried that Lu Xingkong would misunderstand, thinking that he was about to grab onto another thick thigh, and hurriedly explained: âStrange, I do not know the that old man of the Song family, why would he want me to drink tea with him?â
âItâs a troubled time, Iâm worried that the Song family may have bad intentions.â Lu Qingming said with a worried face. They had not gotten rid of the old guy of Still water sword school, and now there was a more terrifying existence comingâââWhat had Li Muyang done in his past life, otherwise, why would all the Elders in the world have to be enemies with him?
âSince you are invited, you must go.â Lu Xingkong stated in a low voice. âIf he wants to act, he could have done it at any time, is there a need to call Muyang to his house?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âButâââ
âThis matter, leave it to Muyang.â Lu Xingkong interrupted his son, and said aloudââ
When the carriage stopped, Song Tao as said was waiting at the door of the old mansion.
Li Muyang lifted the curtain and jumped off the carriage, smiling: âWhy so polite Third young master? You could have asked anyone to wait for me instead.â
âBrother Muayng is a guest Grandfather personally invited, how could I treat you with disrespect?â Song Tao said with a smile, making an invitation gesture.
Li Muyang finally saw the legendary old man.
He was wearing a white unlined garment, with a large coat of bearskin that looked very incongruous with his figure.
Wearing a pair of black boots, like a farmer, he was crouching under the eaves and eyes fixed on the snow in the courtyard, not noticing the arrival of the guests.
He was nothing like the top cultivator of the Kingdom, Song Gudu, that Li Muyang had imagined before, and this was completely different from the scene of the meeting he had predicted last night.
âYou are Li Muyang?â
âI am Li Muyang.â
âI am Song Gudu.â
âI am still Li Muyang.â
You see, what a good script.
Straight to the point.
âGrandfather, Li Muyang is here.â Song Tao stood next to the old man and whispered.
The old man finally made some reaction.
He patted the space next to him with his hand.
Li Muyang stared at him blankly for a good while, and then crouched down like Song Gudu beside him.
This way of treating a guest wasââvery unusual.
âWhen do you think the plum blossom will truly bloom?â Song Gudu asked in a loud voice. â
Li Muyang looked at the plum trees in full blossom, repeatedly confirming that his eyes were not tricking him: âHasnât the plum blossoms bloomed already?â
Li Muyang was surprised. Could it be that the Old man of the Song family may be suffering from eye disease, right?
Anyone with eyes will see that the plum trees were in full bloom. Even if it were blanketed in ice and snow, it was difficult to mask their beauty and fragrance.
âHas it bloomed? I donât see it.â Song Gudu said in a regretful tone.
Li Muyang turned to cast a glance at Song Tao, and after confirming that this person was the Old Grandfather of the Song family, he then very seriously examined the trees full of plum blossom, and very seriously pondered over Song Guduâs question.
âWhen do you think the plum blossom will truly bloom?â
Amid the whirling snow and howling wind, several old plum trees stood proudly.
The wind was like icicles, the snow were like sharp daggers, repeatedly lashing the body of the cold plum trees.
The branches were dark and thick, densely covered in markings.
However, the flowers were not afraid of the wintry conditions, swaying gently with the wind.
âI can see the plum blossoms, everyone else can see the plum blossoms, why canât he see it?â
âThe plum blossoms have already bloomed, why did he ask when the plum blossoms would bloom?â
âThe plum blossoms we see, are they the real plum blossomsââwhat kind of plum blossoms are the plum blossoms he was talking about?ââ
In a flash, Li Muyang looked absorbed in thoughts, pondering over the question crazily.
Thousands of strands of thoughts, thousands and thousands of words.
A burst of inspiration, like a crafty fish leaped out of the sea, and then fell into the water and desperately fled away.
âWhen will the plum blossoms bloom?â
Li Muyang felt a splitting headache and was almost about to explode.
âThis questionââwhat exactly is the answer?â
Li Muyang desperately swam, trying to chase after that little fish, wanting to capture it in his hands.
However, the fish suddenly disappeared in the East then reappeared in the West, like it was playing hide and seek with Li Muyang.
âPlum blossomsâââ
âWinter plumâââ
âWinter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snowâââ
âWhenââwill it really bloom?â
Li Muyangâs expression grew more and more serious, his forehead beaded with sweat in a world of ice and snow.
âPAâââ
Li Muyang caught the tail of the fish in his hand
Li Muyang desperately thought, desperately chased.
Boomââ
Like his head had exploded all of a sudden, and countless rays of golden brilliance shot out his mind.
The wind and snow swept wildly to where Li Muyang was.
Rumbleââ
Li Muyang was wrapped in the wind and snow into an ice man.