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1921-chapter-27

Ning Ning never had any intention of killing from the beginning.

Although many spiritual beasts and demons in the Xiaochongshan Secret Realm would indiscriminately attack humans, in the end, they were just defending their territory and driving away invaders.

For them, it was the sudden appearance of cultivators that seemed unreasonable.

Therefore, unless it was a life-and-death situation, she did not plan to take direct action during the rest of the time.

The human-faced scorpion was greatly praised by her, and unexpectedly, it was very appreciative. After a reluctant hum, it not only pointed out the cave’s exit but also marked the location of the Sky heart herb on Ning Ning’s map to help her find it.

It was only after leaving the green and gloomy cave that Ning Ning truly entered Xiaochongshan.

The cave was halfway up the mountain, and as far as the eye could see, there were layers of mountains all around.

The sky, clouds, mountains, and water were all a tranquil shade of blue. In the distance, dense fog shrouded the green hills, while nearby, birds sang, flowers bloomed, and swallows chirped everywhere, carrying the faint fragrance of tree leaves.

The place the human-faced scorpion had pointed out was very close to the cave, and in just half an incense stick’s worth of time, Ning Ning successfully reached her destination.

This was a small corner blocked by a giant rock on the edge of a cliff, where the rocks were tightly pressed against the adjacent mountainside, leaving only a narrow gap that could barely accommodate one person.

The gap was concealed by vines and branches, making it difficult to notice without careful observation. If one were to peel away the vegetation and look through the gap, on the other side, there was a very narrow, small open space.

Most people would lose interest when they saw this, but they would never think that if they passed through the gap and looked to the right, they would find a spiritual plant with pure white leaves, each shaped like a heart.

It was said that each leaf of this plant could cure a hundred ailments, known as the Sky heart herb.

What Ning Ning didn’t expect was that when she lifted the thick vines next to the giant rock, she actually heard an unfamiliar female voice from behind the rock.

The voice was extremely soft, and it was hard to tell if it was out of fear or nervousness. It spoke with a slight tremor: “Senior, my family member is seriously ill, and if we don’t have Sky heart herb to save their life…”

She didn’t finish her sentence before she was rudely interrupted by another bright and assertive voice: “I’ve heard that excuse many times. Instead of trying to deceive me with all your effort, you should think about how to take responsibility for your actions.”

In such a secretive place, were there actually two people?

Ning Ning felt suspicious and stuck her head in.

Sure enough, there were two figures behind the giant rock.

One of them, which she had some impression of, was none other than Yun Duanyue from Liu Ming Mountain, who never spoke to strangers. The other woman appeared to be in her twenties, with average features but an extraordinary temperament. She leaned against the stone wall with a sly smile.

Sensing the presence of a stranger, both of them turned their heads at the same time.

Yun Duanyue, like a startled rabbit, immediately lowered her eyelashes after very brief eye contact. On the other hand, the other woman had the air of a host, smiling nonchalantly. “Are you here to take the Sky heart herb as well?”

Seeing Ning Ning nod, she immediately said with enthusiasm, “I am the spirit within the stone, and I have been accompanying the Sky heart herb for a hundred years. If you want to take it away, you must first ask for my consent.”

She didn’t show any clear signs of rejection, and Ning Ning understood that there was a chance. She asked in a polite manner, “What do you mean, Senior?”

Shi Zhongling was very satisfied with her cooperation and said:

“This place is so boring. For so many years, the only thing I have come into contact with from the mortal world is this ‘Carved Flower Exchange’ that someone left here. It’s a pity that after so many years of reading these couplets, I can’t find anyone to exchange with. Today, I will give you the first line, and you will respond with the second. If we match, I will gladly hand over this plant. It won’t be difficult. It doesn’t matter if you don’t delve too deeply into rhyme and meaning; just get the words right. How about it?”

Surprisingly, this was a very literary monster. It was probably a distant relative of Sun Wukong, both being born from rocks.

Ning Ning nodded and looked at Yun Duanyue beside her. “You go first; I won’t cut in.”

Yun Duanyue still didn’t look up at her, but when she spoke, a hint of unnatural blush appeared on her earlobes, and she pursed her lips.

“This girl can’t forgive herself.”

During their conversation, an old, yellowed book appeared in the woman’s hand. With the sound of pages flipping, the measured voice of the spirit within the stone sounded, “Let’s start with something simple: “Let’s start with something simple, demons and monsters.”.'”

Ning Ning blurted out, “Pie dumplings.”

She could clearly feel that the smile at the corner of the spirit’s mouth stiffened for a moment.

But the other party, after all, was a piece of rock cultured by literature. She managed to maintain her composure and, after a pause, said, “The thin horse with the west wind on the trail.”

Ning Ning thought of some images and chuckled, patting her stomach. “”The fat cow in the east of the country.”.”

Shi Zhongling: “…”

Shi Zhongling was somewhat annoyed. “Why do you always bring up food?”

Ning Ning replied seriously, “Didn’t we agree not to delve too deeply into rhyme and meaning? As long as the words match, it’s fine.”

She was pretty confident about her response.

Shi Zhongling hadn’t engaged in poetic exchanges with people for a long time, and now she finally encountered one, but it turned out to be a headache.

Since it was like this, she decided to increase the difficulty. In more advanced couplets, she didn’t believe that this girl could keep bringing up a bunch of food and drinks while maintaining proper rhyme and meaning.

“My third one: the crane’s feet crossing the cold pond..”

The other side indeed froze for a while.

It seemed that this girl was only a bit clever, and as soon as she encountered a slightly more challenging sentence, her true nature was exposed—

This thought barely crossed her mind and hadn’t fully formed when a crisp young voice sounded in her ears: “Stewed pig’s trotters on a hot pot.”

Shi Zhongling’s face twitched.

Hot against cold, stewed against crossing, pig’s trotters against crane’s legs—not only did the components of the characters match, but the meanings and parts of speech also fit surprisingly well. Although it didn’t sound wrong at first listen…

But she couldn’t help feeling that her first line was soiled.

—Why does everything seem to have the flavor of stewed pig’s trotters? Were you a pot in your past life? Is your mind always filled with thoughts of eating!

“You, you, you little scoundrel!”

Shi Zhongling clenched her teeth. “The tone and mood are both wrong. It’s like you’re playing’relentless couplets’!”

The so-called’relentless couplets’ were a highly special format in couplets that didn’t require the content of the upper and lower lines to be related or for the grammar to be symmetrical, as long as the single words matched. Therefore, they often looked awkward and amusing, creating a bizarre sense of contrast.

For example, Zeng Guofan once wrote, “Public doors bloom with peach and plum, France, the Netherlands, Belgium.”

In the Republican era, there were also “three stars, white brandy; May, yellow plum blossoms.”

In the end, it was a fringe technique in the world of couplets—a wordplay and linguistic game.

“What’s wrong with’relentless couplets’? They’re fun. Really poor against nonexistent, excuses against talk, sailors against ham, wood ear against philandering—you said that as long as the words match, it’s fine, right?”

Shi Zhongling was rendered speechless by her. After taking a deep breath to calm the frustration that had built up in her chest, she continued, “Next! Crimson glory, crimson glory.”

Crimson glory was the name of a plant, and the character “yìng” could also be used as a verb.

She finished speaking and raised her eyes to glare at Ning Ning. “No talking about stewed pig’s trotters, stewed pig’s trotters, or roast duck wings, roast duck wings! The mood of this couplet should be the same.”

“Uh, okay.”

Ning Ning’s lines were stolen, and she felt somewhat disheartened. Seeing her standing there with a downcast expression,Shi Zhongling couldn’t help but let out a smug chuckle.

This time, her cleverness wouldn’t work, and she would be at a loss.

“This couplet is quite interesting, but I’m still not very knowledgeable.”

Ning Ning’s voice, as expected, gently emerged, and the woman’s smile deepened.

In reality, this young girl was quite interesting. While ‘relentless couplets’ might be a fringe technique, it wasn’t easy for her to make every word food-related. If she sweet-talked a bit later, it wouldn’t be impossible to get the Sky heart herb.

Thinking this through, she nodded in agreement and found it somewhat reasonable. However, at the same time, that voice resounded in her ears: “I could only come up with two, but both have some flaws.”

Shi Zhongling suddenly raised her head.

“First is ‘Welcoming Spring Flowers, Welcoming Spring Flowers.’ Using flowers as the basis, it matches the imagery of the upper line with blooming mountain flowers. The Crimson Glory blooms in the autumn, one in spring and one in autumn, and they correspond well. Unfortunately, the word types of’spring flowers’ and ‘Crimson Glory’ don’t quite match, which is a flaw.”

Ning Ning said slowly, “The second one is ‘poppy, poppy.’ The word ‘poppy’ is related to pleasure, using flowers to please the beauty. Although it also carries a lively and spirited feeling, it falls a bit short compared to the first couplet.”

Shi Zhongling slightly pursed her lips and said slowly, “Not bad.”

“Since Senior loves couplets so much, it just so happens that a gentleman from my hometown has written a couplet known as the most challenging lower line to find. Would Senior like to give it a try?”

Seeing the woman’s eyes light up, Ning Ning smiled and continued, “The upper line is ‘A thief stealing something.'”

This upper line seemed simple and straightforward, but it was actually a very interesting word game. The four occurrences of “steal” contained three different meanings, not to mention the need to consider the repetition of words and the coherence of the sentences.

In Ning Ning’s original world, countless generations of people had made countless pairs of couplets, and they could barely come up with “history books, ancient and modern”.

As soon as the upper line was revealed, Shi Zhongling indeed became thoughtful, with a restrained expression. However, no matter how much she thought, she couldn’t come up with an answer. After pondering for a moment, she burst into laughter and said, “Marvelous… marvelous! I thought that after studying the ‘Carved Flower Exchange,’ I wouldn’t be bothered by couplets anymore, but I was still far from it. Well, you win today, and you can take the Sky heart herb.”

Ning Ning blushed at the praise and waved her hands repeatedly. “I didn’t compose this couplet, and besides, I couldn’t come up with an answer either. I just borrowed it from previous writers; it’s not really a win.”

Shi Zhongling’s expression remained unchanged. She pointed with her fingertip, and the Sky heart herb in the corner rose into the air and floated straight into the hands of the young girl not far away.

Ning Ning couldn’t help but feel unworthy, so she told her several ancient, challenging couplets, similar to “Smoke locks the pond’s willows” and “Playing with a tin teapot at West Lake, the tin teapot falls into West Lake, and the tin teapot is cherished.” The female demon listened in amazement, her eyes wide like copper bells. “The gentlemen from your hometown are truly extraordinary!”

Ning Ning was happier to receive praise for her hometown, nodding vigorously. “Of course! The people in my hometown are all very talented, and they are all super amazing!”

Shi Zhongling obtained many upper lines and contentedly returned to the giant rock, disappearing in an instant. Ning Ning lowered her head to look at the bright white Sky heart herb and didn’t notice the peculiar gaze of the girl next to her.

Yun Duanyue’s eyes dimmed, and she unconsciously grasped the edge of her skirt.

She had come to the Xiaochongshan Secret Realm with the sole purpose of obtaining the Sky heart herb. After painstakingly asking all the intelligent creatures in the mountains who understood human language, she finally arrived here.

She never expected that the way the spirit within the stone-tested people would be something she was completely unskilled in—making couplets. Even more surprising was that the Sky heart herb was taken by someone else before her.

It was all because she couldn’t match up to others in skill.

But…

The girl in the blue dress bit her lower lip, suppressing her rapidly beating heart. She spoke in a barely audible voice, “Miss, the Sky heart herb—”

Before she could finish her sentence, she saw a small, gleaming hand suddenly extend in front of her.

What was handed to her was actually two glistening, dew-covered…

Sky heart herb leaves.

Even Yun Duanyue, who was usually expressionless, couldn’t help but widen her pupils.

Was she… giving away half of the Sky heart herb?

In Yun Duanyue’s understanding, such a thing was purely a fantasy.

As far as she knew, those who practiced cultivation were all fighting fiercely for resources, sometimes resorting to unscrupulous and ruthless actions to seize opportunities. Sky Heart herb was a priceless treasure, and they had only just met, yet this sword cultivator…

Actually gave it to her without hesitation?

“I overheard your conversation with the senior,” said the unfamiliar young girl with sincerity in her eyes. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes were pure, without any impurities. “I hope your loved ones remain safe.”

It was because of that statement.

But even the spirit within the stone had mentioned that she had heard the same excuse countless times and didn’t believe it anymore. This girl appeared to be clever, so why didn’t she doubt it?

“I heard that you don’t usually talk to people. If you spoke to ask for it, it must be a critical situation.”

Ning Ning could see the doubt in her eyes, so she smiled and said, “Even if you’re lying, it’s no loss to me. I’ve already obtained the Sky heart herb, and one or two leaves are enough. If doubting you delays the well-being of your family, that would be truly terrible.”

The Sky heart herb in front of her approached her once more.

Yun Duanyue resisted the urge to tear up, her fingertips trembling slightly as she accepted it. She almost summoned all the courage in her body to speak in a soft voice, “Thank you.”

No one would know how tormenting these days have been for her.

Although she was known as the once-in-a-century genius cultivator of Liuming Mountain, Yun Duanyue’s childhood had been fraught with difficulties.

As the daughter of a prestigious family, she was also burdened with the illness of not daring to speak to others. Her father was aloof, her mother considered her a useless tool, and only her grandmother was willing to interact with her like a regular person, teaching her to read, play the zither, and do needlework.

Now her grandmother was seriously ill, and only the Sky heart herb had the ability to extend her life. She had come with high hopes, but when she saw Ning Ning holding the Sky heart herb, all hope was crushed.

However, now there were two small leaves in her palm.

It felt like a dream.

A warm sensation welled up in her eyes, and Yun Duanyue lowered her head, taking a deep breath. “I will repay this life-saving grace with a gushing spring.”

She was about to bow down to express her gratitude, but Ning Ning held her shoulder. “No need, no need! This way, I’ll feel embarrassed… Besides, helping you was not for any reward.”

Yun Duanyue quickly raised her head, and her trembling eyelashes fluttered like black butterflies. Her eyes were slightly red, and her cheeks had a faint blush. She didn’t speak anymore and responded silently. The surroundings fell into a deep silence.

However, this silence didn’t last long before it was abruptly shattered by the voice of an exasperated young boy. “Give me back my sword!”

Followed by another, even more audacious shout: “You little devils, get ready to taste my Armstrong Rapid-Fire Jet Cannon! Da da, da da da!”

The voice was incredibly familiar, and so were the lines.

Ning Ning felt a sudden sense of suffocation.

“Sorry, it sounds like someone I know. I’ll go check,” she said, and she headed out.

She quickly explained to Yun Duanyue, then came to the other side of the massive stone, which was now bright and clear. She happened to come face-to-face with a pair of bloodshot eyes.

He Zhizhou’s hair was disheveled, and he held two unsheathed long swords in a gun-like posture, firing aimlessly. Behind him was a breathless young man whom Ning Ning vaguely remembered as someone from the Wanjian Sword Sect named Xu Ye.

She was taken aback and called out tentatively, “He Zhizhou!”

The handsome young man blinked for a moment and suddenly smiled warmly at her. “Second Company Commander, you’re here! Quick, bring me my Italian cannon!”

Ning Ning: ?

“This guy, this guy is poisoned!”

Xu Ye, who had been following him, stopped to catch his breath and said, “We were both transported into the jungle together. Senior He randomly picked some white mushrooms under the tree and ate them, and then he suddenly turned like this.”

After catching his breath, he pointed at He Zhizhou fiercely. “Give me back my sword!”

“Are you pointing a gun at me?”

Ning Ning was dumbfounded.

Unexpectedly, He Zhizhou ignored him and instead grinned mischievously. “I bet your gun doesn’t have any bullets.”

Ning Ning’s eyes widened. Ningning stared in astonishment. “Yan….Yan Shuangying?”

“Exactly!”

He Zhizhou said, waving his hand grandly. “Li Yunlong, charge with me! Tonight, we’ll wipe out these little devils and head to Jinggang Mountain to meet up with the Red Army!”

Help! This poisoning is too severe!

Ning Ning didn’t have time to say much when she saw He Zhizhou suddenly look around in all directions. Without warning, he leaped and sprawled on the ground, using both his hands and legs to move like a frog.

Yes, he was crawling.

Ning Ning couldn’t believe her eyes and turned to look at Xu Ye.

Unexpectedly, the previously upright young man suddenly bent over, lowered his head, and waved his hands on both sides of his head, moving his head occasionally to make eye contact with her. He even opened his mouth wide to catch his breath while his eyes rolled wildly.

Ning Ning’s sanity plummeted as she asked cautiously, “What are you two doing?”

“Obviously, swimming.”

Xu Ye responded with an expression that said it was only natural. “Sitting on a boat is so comfortable—watch out! There’s a huge wave coming from over there!”

Where did the huge wave come from? Where did the boat come from?

It turns out you were poisoned too, brother! ! ! So both of you aren’t normal, huh? Are you the legendary land-boat vehicle? She was really scared!

Meanwhile, on the other side, He Zhizhou continued to frog swim, occasionally turning his head to smile at her and whispering in a hushed tone, “Let me tell you a secret. The chairman told me that Optimus Prime and the Hulk have agreed to help us start a revolution. International friends are amazing! Once we cross the Yalu River, New China can be established!”

The two of them exchanged their respective opinions while moving their bodies and limbs in different postures, making the scene extremely bizarre.

Ning Ning was willing to call it the cultivation version of the “Zombie out of cage” a new version of “Train to Busan,” or “Resident evil Part 10.”

Just as she didn’t know what to do, an unfamiliar voice with an unmistakable aggressiveness interrupted, “I see that the fellow cultivator’s package is brimming with spiritual energy. Could it be that you’ve found the rumored heartleaf—”

Before the person could finish speaking, he suddenly froze in place.

He had traced the spiritual energy and arrived here, only to finally see the situation.

Two disciples from different sects were acting as if they were possessed. One was crawling on the ground like a frog, and the other resembled an undead creature that had been drained of blood, with his hands trembling uncontrollably above his head as he swayed and took slow steps toward him.

This is too scary.

The young man shuddered and took a step back.

He recognized the one crawling on the ground, dressed in the attire of the Xuanxu Sword Sect. He had heard rumors that disciples from this sect were all quite abnormal. It was best to avoid them, or else they would have to face the consequences.

As for the one who looked like an undead creature—

Goodness! It turned out to be Xu Ye himself!

He panicked, behaving like an inexperienced child.

Could it be that the madness of the Xuanxu Sword Sect was contagious from person to person!

Yan Shuangying

(T/N:Yan Shuangying is the male protagonist in the TV series ” Hero ” and its derivative works . He was born in 1918 in Guandongshan , Jilin. A young man with a blood feud, he lives alone in the Guandong Mountains and Black Gobi (Note: Black Gobi is the name of ” Desert Gun”) . In “God”, the Desert Gun God is a remake of “Hero”). He challenged the remnants of Japanese puppets, bandit bullies and other evil forces. After experiencing hundreds of battles and dangers, he finally became the number one legendary hero in the mountains of Guandong However, facing the death of relatives, friends and innocent people one by one, Yan Shuangying resolutely joined the People’s Liberation Army and eventually embarked on the road of revolution and became a true hero. He is also a lonely young man who often fights the enemy alone. Each time he beats the enemy to flight, making them frightened. To the bandit bullies who bully the weak and dominate, he is a murderous devil who kills without blinking an eye. , a cold-hearted, cold-blooded animal, but for the innocent good people he once helped, he was their savior, treating his friends and apprentices like relatives and family members.)

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