Chapter 17: Come Treading the Moon
Dream Dao Attainment, Opening Scheme Against Cultivators
Dream-Making Expert
Luojing.
Five years apart, the ancient capital of the State of Song seemed to have no changes at all.
It was as if this ancient city itself would never change.
Ten thousand years ago it was so, and ten thousand years later it would be so as well.
Just like the eternally unchanging ruling family of this Mortal Continent.
No surprises, no changes.
Lin Qi felt no sentiment of revisiting an old haunt. Looking at this lethargic Luojing, his mind stirred, and he made a trip to the medical hall.
The street vendors of the old street seemed to have swapped some people out, but the medical hall was still there.
Lin Qi saw that Xu Zhiwen, who had matured considerably, was holding consultations in the medical hall, and faintly, vaguely, there seemed to be some informants lying in ambush around him.
He did not pay it any mind, walking through the crowd, yet seeming to stand aloof beyond the world.
The ingenious use of the Wind-Riding Technique made him truly seem like a wisp of clear wind wandering the streets.
To mortals, omnipresent, yet untouchable.
Glancing at the medical hall, Lin Qi had no intention of going to see Xu Zhiwen.
After that battle at the Peak of the Forbidden City, before he left, he had once asked Xu Zhiwen whether he chose to leave with him, or to remain in Luojing and take over the medical hall.
Xu Zhiwen chose the latter.
So there was nothing wrong with not meeting him.
Whether Xu Zhiwen had lived well or poorly these years was all his own choice.
To Lin Qi, Xu Zhiwen, that medical hall apprentice from back then, was ultimately just a passerby on the long road of his own destined future.
He continued forward, passing by the painted boats along the banks of the Luo River.
His heart stirred. It had been a long time since he had listened to a tune.
Since he was already here, he might as well take a stroll.
On a sudden whim, he reached out with practiced ease.
Soon, a small boat on the river swayed and drew near, carrying Lin Qi aboard the painted pleasure boat.
Listening to tunes, drinking wine, kindred spirits.
Amidst the swaying of the painted boat, Lin Qi rose leisurely within the shimmering light of the waves.
“Sir, it’s deep into the night. Where are you headed?”
“A rendezvous with one’s beloved after dusk, the moon atop the willow tips. This is precisely the hour to meet an Old Friend.”
Lin Qi smiled faintly, casually tossing down a gold ingot, pushing open the window and treading upon the moonlight as he departed.
Target: the imperial palace.
…
Within the imperial palace, Zhao Ming’an, who had already been Emperor for five years, once again came to the Golden Throne Hall under the moonlight.
On the Golden Chime Dragon Pillar near the Dragon Throne in the Golden Throne Hall, there was a scar.
Even though it had been embellished with gold leaf, appearing seamless and whole, even lending a finishing touch like the dotting of a dragon’s eye.
But in Zhao Ming’an’s heart, it would always be a scar.
A scar stabbed into his chest, and at the same time stabbed into the face of the Song imperial house.
“Lin Qi.”