Chapter 118: The Disappearance of Chong Chong

The curling smoke from the hearths in Luyang City could not convey the raging fires of war on the northern border, yet the subjects living under the Emperor's feet knew—the war had begun.

For Yuzhen Pavilion, it had been a very long time since there was any news of Gu Yi. He had not sent a single letter home. Even worse, Chongchong was gone. She had disappeared for an entire day.

Ye Xiaoniang was growing anxious. She had sent people to search everywhere, inside and out, especially Ma Yuan, as that fellow was always with Chongchong. Seemingly aware of his blunder, Baldy Ma did not dare delay; he searched Yuzhen Pavilion first, and when he couldn't find her, he scoured the city. However, when he returned to the pavilion with his head hanging low, his face was filled with exhaustion and disappointment. Xiaoniang was waiting anxiously in the room, and the moment she saw his expression, she knew the news was bad.

"Still nothing?"

Ma Yuan nodded. "I searched everywhere. Yue'er said she saw Chongchong go out to buy things this morning, but when I asked the shopkeepers in that area, they all said they hadn't seen her."

This was a bad turn of events. Ye Xiaoniang let out a heavy sigh. Could a prominent family in the city have taken a liking to Chongchong and abducted her? Generally speaking, that wouldn't happen, as Yuzhen Pavilion did business with the gentry, and everyone knew of her private friendship with the Third Princess. Besides, Chongchong hadn't grown up yet, and had recently eaten herself into a little meatball—there was nothing particularly attractive about her.

"Keep looking!" Ye Xiaoniang sent the staff out again, adding even more people to the search.

Ma Yuan was timid now. He knew he had failed. Before Gu Yi left, he had entrusted him with two things: practice the Mountain Sword Intent in Luyang and keep a close eye on Yuzhen Pavilion. It seemed he had botched it. Ye Xiaoniang didn't care about Ma Yuan's status as a disciple of the Luyang Academy; she ordered him to keep searching, not allowing him a moment's rest.

Just as Ma Yuan was heading out, little Yue'er ran in, her face pale with panic. "Xiaoniang, Xiaoniang!"

Ye Xiaoniang assumed there was good news. "Did you find her?"

"No." Yue'er panted heavily, saying with some alarm, "There is a rumor in the city that after the five young masters reached Desheng Pass, they encountered people from the Li Kingdom's Great Rain Palace. Both Master Shu and the young master are missing!"

Due to logistical limitations, the transmission of news was delayed. This was what they were hearing in Luyang now. A few days ago, He Jiang’s request for reinforcements had arrived, and the Fourth Princess had set off for Desheng Pass to assist; gradually, the news had leaked out. People in the palace knew sooner, but it must have reached the common folk by now for Yue'er to have heard it.

When Yue'er’s words fell in the room, both Ye Xiaoniang and Ma Yuan were struck as if by lightning. Between the bad news about both Chongchong and Gu Yi, they were truly terrified.

"What did you say? Who is saying this?!" Ye Xiaoniang instinctively refused to believe it.

Little Yue'er cried, "It's outside, everyone is saying it!"

"It can't be, it can't be," Ye Xiaoniang whispered to herself. "I will go see the Third Princess. Yue'er! Prepare the carriage, we're going to the Third Princess's residence."

Just then, two bailiffs arrived, dressed in military uniforms and carrying an imperial decree. "Is this Master Ma Yuan?"

Ma Yuan, lost in his thoughts, pulled himself together nervously. "Yes?"

The military officials hadn't come because he was in trouble, but because they needed him. "His Majesty has decreed the recall of all Luyang Academy practitioners. You are on the list. Prepare yourself and go to the General of the Right’s manor immediately!"

It was only at this moment that Ye Xiaoniang and Yue'er truly felt the war between Xu and Li pressing in on them.

Ma Yuan swallowed hard. There was no room for hesitation. "Understood! But where are we being sent? Xingyuan City or Desheng Pass?"

"That depends on the General's arrangements. Usually, it's Xingyuan City." Because Desheng Pass would not be receiving many reinforcements.

Ye Xiaoniang grew sharp. She hurriedly urged, "Ma Yuan, go first. I will go to the Third Princess and ask her to help get you sent to Desheng Pass. As for what to do once you get there, I don't need to tell you."

There were many others in Luyang being summoned; every student from the Luyang Academy had their orders, and this scene was not unfamiliar. It had happened many times before.

"Understood, I will definitely find Master!" Ma Yuan understood Ye Xiaoniang's meaning without needing much thought.

"Write back often. Take care of yourself."

Ma Yuan was afraid of many things and many people, but he was not afraid of risking his life or going to the battlefield. "It's fine. I've been waiting for this day. It's just that, about Chongchong..."

Chongchong's disappearance was indeed agonizing. Xiaoniang didn't say anything more. Perhaps it wasn't just Ma Yuan's fault; she herself had been negligent. Ever since she started practicing the Green Water Ten-Curve Yang, she had poured all her focus into it, and apart from cooking, she had rarely paid attention to the sisters in Yuzhen Pavilion.

"I will find Chongchong."

Afterward, Ma Yuan left with the men. Ye Xiaoniang boarded her carriage and soon arrived at the gates of the Third Princess's residence. Because she had been bedridden with a severe illness for the past two years, she rarely went out and had not visited the residence. The guards were surprised to see her, but there was no need to announce her—the Third Princess had decreed that anyone from Yuzhen Pavilion could enter.

"Lady Ye, are you here today because of the Immortal-Passing Talent?" An old servant led her inside.

Xiaoniang knew the Third Princess was resourceful, so she wasn't surprised that he guessed her intentions. "Indeed. Though it is not my wish, I must trouble the Third Princess with this matter. Is she currently in the residence?"

"She is. However, the Third Princess is seeing a guest. She instructed me to ask you to wait a moment. She also said she knows you are anxious and will be quick."

Ye Xiaoniang bowed slightly. "I wouldn't dare rush her. Thank you."

In these past few days, with the outbreak of war, the Third Princess had been busy with many court discussions. The disappearance of the Immortal-Passing Talent had led to debates over whether General of the Left Jiang Ben’s sealing of Little Garden Mountain was still necessary. It was said to have been done to prevent the commoners from disturbing the immortals there. But now, it wasn't about disturbance anymore; they needed to invite the immortals down from the mountain to allow Jiang Ben to lead his troops to the northern border.

Of course, some argued that it would be disrespectful to go and invite them now. Besides, the disappearance of the Immortal-Passing Talent might have already angered the immortals of Little Garden Mountain. They should rescue him first; otherwise, how could they have the face to make such a request? The opposing side countered that the Immortal-Passing Talent was trapped in the Great Rain Palace, where the Eighteenth Building Master hadn't emerged for twenty years—how could they possibly save him?

In short, they argued back and forth, even clashing over whether to make peace or war with the Li Kingdom. Because of her connection with Ye Xiaoniang, the Third Princess always leaned toward the Immortal-Passing Talent, as Gu Yi was backed by the immortals of Little Garden Mountain. If they could gain his help, what could they not achieve?

Ye Xiaoniang waited by the lake in the residence. It wasn't long, as the Third Princess hadn't been making excuses; she was truly busy. Soon, she approached without stopping.

Seeing the Princess, she and Yue'er rose to offer their respects. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Please, no need. You have only just recovered; sit and rest." The Third Princess looked hurried and exhausted. Once war begins, everyone grows weary, and there was no time for idle pleasantries. She went straight to the point. "I know you are here because of the rumors that the Immortal-Passing Talent and Master Shu are missing."

Ye Xiaoniang's expression tightened. "Are these rumors true?"

They were true, but the Third Princess found it hard to say. When war approaches, soldiers at the front suffer, but their families in the rear endure agony day and night—a torment that can drive a person mad. In the past, because of her competence, the Emperor had given her similar tasks, such as visiting families on behalf of the royal family when a general died in battle. Meeting the eyes of those surviving family members was never easy. Ye Xiaoniang's eyes possessed that same piercing intensity.

The Third Princess sighed. "Xiaoniang, your health has only just improved. Do not overexert yourself. Leave these matters to me..."

"Your Highness." Ye Xiaoniang rarely showed such disrespect, but her feelings were too much to suppress. "I have been alone for many years and have finally found my kin. I am deeply concerned for his safety. Please, tell me the truth. Is Gu Yi's disappearance real?"

"Very well." The Third Princess waved her hand, and her attendants withdrew, leaving only the two of them. "His disappearance is indeed true. However, this news is already several days old. According to letters from the frontline generals, the five students from Luyang Academy encountered people from the Great Rain Palace at the Guqing River. A fierce battle ensued, and in that fight, Master Shu and the Immortal-Passing Talent did indeed go missing, along with the Great Rain Palace’s Left Palace Protector, Shu Yu."

She watched Ye Xiaoniang’s face, seeing her turn deathly pale, and stepped forward to support her. "Xiaoniang..."

Ye Xiaoniang shed tears. She had never been someone indifferent to the suffering or death of those around her. As the crystalline drops rolled down her cheeks and fell onto her hands, she choked out, "Your Highness, please continue..."

Sigh. This was truly helpless and heartbreaking.

"Very well," the Third Princess said, holding her hands. "News reached Luyang shortly after they went missing. Actually, my seventh sister was there too. Shu Le has the strength of the Return to Truth Realm, so protecting my sister was more than enough, but it was different after she went missing. This is the reason my fourth sister left the capital, not because of some defeat at the front."

"However, what is miraculous is that a few days after their disappearance, Shu Le returned completely unharmed."

"Really?" A glimmer of hope appeared in Ye Xiaoniang’s eyes. "Then Gu Yi..."

Before she could finish, the Third Princess shook her head. "Gu Yi did not return. But do not think the worst; he is alive." The Third Princess comforted her. "Gu Yi is not dead. If you don't believe me, you can ask Shu Le later. According to her, Gu Yi is not only unharmed, but he also met the Eighteenth Building Master of Luyang Academy and has been with him ever since."

"You may not have heard much of the Eighteenth Building Master. He had already left Luyang before you or I had even heard of him, but I heard people mention him later, so I inquired. He is the most formidable Building Master of the Luyang Academy in a hundred years. With him there, Gu Yi is currently not in immediate danger of losing his life."

Ye Xiaoniang thought logically. "If that is the case, why doesn't the Eighteenth Building Master return?"

"Because he cannot. It is said he is not a match for the Master of the Great Rain Palace."

Ye Xiaoniang’s heart sank. Did that not mean it would be equally difficult for Gu Yi to escape?

The Third Princess did not go that far, as it would be too cruel. Thus, she only said, "Actually, there is a debate in court now about whether to send people to rescue the Immortal-Passing Talent. But you know the cultivation of the Great Rain Palace Master is unfathomable. A rescue mission would be too difficult and unfavorable to the overall situation. I estimate it will be hard to get the Emperor's approval. Judging by his attitude today, it is much as I suspected, so there is only one way."

Ye Xiaoniang clung to the word "way." She believed the Third Princess was genuinely trying to help her; it wasn't necessarily a matter of affection, but the attitude was sincere, and she wasn't lying.

"What is the way?" Xiaoniang asked immediately.

"Little... Garden... Mountain," the Third Princess said, looking into her eyes. "Gu Yi is the Immortal-Passing Talent, the successor to the immortal of Little Garden Mountain. If we can invite the immortal out, then going to the Great Rain Palace to save Gu Yi would not be a difficult task."

Ye Xiaoniang was suddenly jolted. That's right! There was still an immortal! She had almost forgotten!

The Third Princess instructed, "Inviting an immortal is not something that can be done by sending a servant or two, regardless of the reason. You know that in all of Xu, only the Emperor has successfully done it once. So, whether it will work is uncertain. But if you can succeed, there is a great hope for Gu Yi's rescue."

"Alright! Then I will set off for Little Garden Mountain immediately! Even if I have to beg a thousand times, I must get the immortal to intervene!"

The Third Princess looked at her deeply, as if pondering something, then said, "Hmm."

"Then you should prepare well."

Ye Xiaoniang rose and left without a second word, barely bothering with formal courtesies.

The Third Princess rubbed her fingers, lost in thought. Jiang Ben’s sealing of the mountain had aroused suspicion, and now voices were suggesting that perhaps something had happened to the immortal of Little Garden Mountain. Although His Majesty vehemently denied it and severely punished those who spoke such words—and was extremely furious that the news of the Immortal-Passing Talent’s disappearance had spread throughout the city—the Third Princess still harbored doubts. Had something really happened to the immortal? Why had the Emperor repeatedly covered up the reason for the sealing and forbidden anyone from mentioning it?

Gu Yi’s disappearance had also met with no reaction from Little Garden Mountain, which was not right. Yet, Ye Xiaoniang’s reaction had been so straightforward that it left the Princess feeling confused.

Just as she was thinking, Ye Xiaoniang returned. "Your Highness, I was in such a rush earlier, I forgot one thing, and I hope you can help me."

"Speak freely."

"Gu Yi has a disciple named Ma Yuan. He received orders from the military today to prepare for the northern front. It is said most are being transferred to Xingyuan City..."

The Third Princess was clever; she understood immediately. "That is not difficult. Desheng Pass will surely need people too. I will arrange it."

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will go now."

...

Not long after, someone appeared beside her—a man, extremely thin and slightly stooped.

"Your Highness, you summoned me."

"Follow Xiaoniang out of the city to Little Garden Mountain. I do not want anyone to harm her. Also, report back to me everything you see."

"Understood."