Chapter 414: Chapter 380: Entering the Lost Valley
"This, this, and this place here have all been chosen..."
"Mm."
All the best spots had been picked, leaving Baili Yuyao feeling a bit uncomfortable. But she knew that her position in rank was relatively low, and it wouldn’t be right to overturn the choices of those ahead of her. If she did, this family might not be able to accommodate her.
On the model of Yingfeng Valley that was being created, Baili Yuyao finally selected a good position and went to check it out in person. It was reasonably satisfying, and there was even a small hot spring nearby where a hot pool could be built.
"Have you decided whether to build a manor or establish a garden? If you don’t have any ideas, you’ll need to find specialists to help with the design. I have garden and architectural designers coming in soon from Jiangnan," Lin Miao said.
"You’ve specially hired people from Jiangnan?"
"Yes, it’s the renowned craftsmen from the Xiangshan Gang. I spent a considerable amount to bring them over, signed a three-year contract, and paid a deposit of a hundred thousand taels!" Lin Miao explained.
"You really don’t mind spending money," Baili Yuyao exclaimed in surprise.
To create the residence she desired, naturally, more professional help was necessary.
"We should go see Mu Yun and discuss the route to Migou for tomorrow, aiming to return early," Lin Miao suggested.
"Alright."
Lately, Mu Yun had been staying with Lien Yurou, acting as her assistant under the alias "Bai Jin’er."
Mu Yun’s daughter, originally named Liang Qiao’er, now followed her mother’s surname as Bai Qiao’er.
Migou wasn’t far from Yingfeng Valley, and if one had the foot strength, a return trip in a day was possible. But doing it on foot would be uncertain.
"Mu Yun, are you willing to take us to Migou to search for the remaining Celestial Essence Fruit trees? What are your conditions? Let’s be open about it," Baili Yuyao asked.
"I’ve already mentioned what needed to be said to Madam Embroiderer," Mu Yun said, not recognizing Lin Miao’s identity but recognizing Baili Yuyao.
As the daughter of Baili Bingyun, this generation’s Embroiderer, she trusted her.
"You hope we can shelter you and your daughter, providing her a safe environment to grow up until she can support herself, keeping her identity secret, correct?" Baili Yuyao asked.
"Yes," Mu Yun nodded.
"You understand the great value of a Celestial Essence Fruit. Doesn’t your request seem a bit minimal in comparison?" Baili Yuyao inquired.
"I understand, but even if I obtained a Celestial Essence Fruit, it wouldn’t compare in importance to a house that shelters us from the elements. I’m trading this secret for the safety and future of my daughter and me. It’s actually a good deal for me," Mu Yun replied.
"Hmm, I trust what you say, but our collaboration needs some guarantee. I hope you understand," Baili Yuyao said.
"Qiao’er will stay behind, and I’ll go with you," Mu Yun understood immediately.
"Qiao’er will receive the best care. Rest assured. Once you return, whether you choose to stay here or not, I will arrange for you to leave Longchuan Canyon, keeping you and your daughter away from trouble and the martial world. Additionally, a sum of money will ensure your future livelihood and at least, no worries for your future," Lin Miao assured.
Mu Yun didn’t know Lin Miao and didn’t know how to respond, nor could she wholly trust his words.
"Let me introduce, he’s Lin Bei. You’ve probably heard of him; he’s my future husband. His word is as good as mine," Baili Yuyao formally introduced Lin Miao.
Mu Yun wasn’t overly surprised, though living in West Gate Town, she had some awareness of news from Li Hen City.
The embroiderer estate’s three generations of choosing suitors had been quite the spectacle, where contestants had to overcome various hurdles, and three finalists emerged. It’s anticipated that the estate’s husband would be chosen from these three.
However, the rumor had it that the most promising candidate among the three was the young sect leader from the Green Blade Sect. Lin Bei, who placed third, scarcely appeared, and few had seen him.
No one anticipated that Baili Yuyao eventually chose the mysterious Lin Bei.
Meaning the top contenders, Zhuang Cheng and Shen An, the young sect leader of Green Blade Sect, were ousted. If this news circulated, it would undoubtedly be explosive.
Sadly, this news couldn’t be sold for profit; one shouldn’t be too greedy.
"Can I choose to leave here and live somewhere you won’t know?" Mu Yun asked.
"Yes, once this matter concludes, you can take your daughter wherever you wish to live, and from then on, we won’t interfere with each other," Lin Miao nodded, acknowledging that choosing an ordinary life is also a form of courage.
"Thank you. I hope you keep your promises," Mu Yun nodded.
"Go prepare. We leave early tomorrow morning."
...
"Will you return once you’re back from Migou?" Inside Lin Miao’s room, after bathing, Baili Yuyao entered with her hair still damp.
"Mm, I’ve been away for quite a while now and should return. Besides, it’s close to the New Year," Lin Miao replied, slowly reading the "Mahayana Nirvana Scripture" he acquired at auction.
The feeling was that while this scripture was authored by the Buddhist sage, the material used was exotic beast skin, and the ink wasn’t ordinary—it seemed like blood, which, when coagulated, turned black, lasting for so long without fading, possibly due to some special additives.
Moreover, it was written in an ancient script, not the current writing style, with content comparable to today’s "Mahayana Nirvana Scripture."
The issue was that the sensation this scripture gave him was that its significance lay beyond its intrinsic value because some phrases were written in reversed order.
Though it doesn’t affect reading, or it might have been written incorrectly while copying, it was never corrected since the material was too precious. However, there are many such mistakes in the complete scripture...
Extract these mistakes separately and arrange them according to a specific pattern.
A message like this emerged: All that I have learned in my life is hidden beneath Tower No. 164 at Honmonji Temple.
This astonished Lin Miao.
This Mahayana Nirvana Scripture actually contains such a big secret, but it has circulated in the world for so many years; surely someone must have deciphered it by now?
This Buddha called "Ba Su" has passed away for so many years, his legacy should have been inherited long ago.
No wonder when he named a price, no one competed with him. They probably all knew what was going on, leaving only its original value in this Mahayana Nirvana Scripture.
In the end, it’s better to give it to Fahai; keeping it for himself is useless.
"Have you deciphered the secret in the Mahayana Nirvana Scripture?" Upon seeing the content on the paper, Baili Yuyao exclaimed in surprise.
At this moment, Baili Yuyao wore a purple gown, her skin as delicate as cream, with a collarbone as white as jade. Beneath her slightly open neckline, a deep ravine could be seen. Her eyes were moist and enchanting, reminiscent of a moonlit fairy, no, a fox immortal.
This girl clearly has impure motives tonight. Has she tasted sweetness and can’t get enough?
"Isn’t this common knowledge?"
"Everyone knows that since the Mahayana Nirvana Scripture was published, there have been rumors that it contains a heaven-shattering secret, but for centuries no one has been able to unlock its mysteries. Mr. Lin, how did you do it?" Baili Yuyao excitedly asked.
"Mr. Lin" had been directly addressed.
It seems Baili Yuyao has already adapted to her own identity.
"Really, I didn’t know. It seems that I know an extraordinary secret." Lin Miao chuckled. It’s been hundreds of years; who knows if this Honmonji Temple still exists, and Tower No. 164 might have eroded into a pile of yellow soil.
Even if it’s buried deep below, it’s probably decayed by now, not of much significance.
"I know this Honmonji Temple, it’s in Yue. It used to be a very famous temple, but now it’s a far cry from its former self..." Baili Yuyao said.
If it’s still in Yue Country, even if he knows there’s such a temple, he won’t be able to go anytime soon. Knowing the secret, so what?
"Let this be a secret between you and me, don’t tell outsiders." Lin Miao rolled up the secret he had deduced and tossed it into the charcoal brazier. "Coming to see me so late, what’s the matter?"
"Alone, I couldn’t sleep..." Baili Yuyao’s pretty face turned bright red, her jade feet lightly tapping on the carpet, teasing with her delicate fingers.
When a woman opens her heart to you, from then on, you can do whatever you want.
Baili Yuyao was just like that.
After accepting Lin Miao as her lifelong companion, the rest came naturally. Women can also be lustful, especially at an age when they’re keen on pleasure.
Would Lin Miao refuse?
Since he’s become a scoundrel, he might as well continue being one. Besides, not all men have what it takes to be a scoundrel. Without a strong foundation, how can one be a scoundrel?
It’s merely about throwing oneself into it.
Having seen her mother’s struggle with loneliness late at night, Baili Yuyao now understood how important it was to find a strong man.
...
His nose felt a bit itchy, and Lin Miao sneezed involuntarily, seeing Baili Yuyao propping herself up with her hair playfully.
Seeing such a captivating beauty first thing in the morning, it’s surely the start of a good day. Moreover, this beauty had shared the same bed with him all night.
Once you’ve crossed that line with a woman, as long as there’s no mutual aversion, your relationship will quickly become close-knit.
Attitude decides everything.
Get up, wash, eat breakfast, and prepare everything; Lin Miao, Baili Yuyao, and Mu Yun, these three each rode a horse, setting off toward the road of the Enchanted Valley.
With Mu Yun’s experience, it seemed Baili Yuyao was no longer a virgin. It seemed the most beautiful flower of Li Hen City had been plucked.
A man’s words, are deceitful. Mu Yun didn’t trust men much.
She once believed this man would be her lifelong reliance, but who would have thought that after he tricked her into revealing her secret, everything changed.
Although she hated that man, she also hated herself for being so naive and easily believing his lies.
Thinking that having a daughter would prevent him from changing his heart, who would have thought that after getting everything, he would cruelly abandon her and their daughter.
The road to the Enchanted Valley was only recognized by Mu Yun. Although her father only brought her there once when she was young, she remembered it. It was the Mu Family’s last way out.
Once it reached a point of desperation, Mu Yun could only take her daughter into the Enchanted Valley, but even so, surviving inside the Enchanted Valley would be extremely difficult.
It’s a place where neither sun nor moon is seen all year round. She could spend her life there, but her daughter couldn’t. She still had a great life ahead of her, so she ventured to the embroidery house.
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