Chapter 7

He suddenly thought that Shi Qingquan came to Jinling to see the spring rain flower stones. Could it be that in Shi Qingquan's eyes, the rain flower stones would have different moods and appearances due to the changing seasons, as if they were living beings?

At the end of the palace garden, the trees are sparse, the giant rocks are jagged, and the mountain slopes are steep. Even in the bright spring sunshine, there is a faint sense of arrogance and coldness.

Xiao Wenhou turned around to look at the young man beside him and said, "Do you think your master will be up there?"

Is this a coincidence

When the young marquis fought with that boy, Ji Yaoguang once said to her sister: The young marquis will surely be able to smash that stone to pieces

Several large stones rolled down the mountain again. The place where Ouer stopped was slightly flat. He steadied his feet, wielded his knife to slash left and thrust right, pushing the large stones aside. However, following the large stones were three smaller ones. Ouer blocked with his knife, causing two small stones to fly off to either side, while another small stone shattered into countless fragments, flying towards Ouer's face. These fragments naturally could not harm him, but they were enough to compel him to close his eyes to prevent the debris from entering them. Two small stones flew off to either side, while another small stone shattered into countless fragments, flying towards Ouer's face. These fragments naturally could not harm him, but they were enough to compel him to close his eyes to prevent the debris from entering them

He must find Shi Qingquan before the relentless barbarian does.

Jinling Yuhuatai, during the Eastern Wu period of the Three Kingdoms, was known as Shizigang, Agate Hill, and Gathering Treasure Mountain. In the Southern Dynasties, the eminent monk Master Yun Guang established a platform here to deliver teachings. His sincere devotion and profound understanding of Buddhist scriptures moved the heavens, causing flowers to fall like rain, thus earning the name Yuhuatai.

Ma Yunlong waved his hand, signaling him to step back

Auer said without hesitation: "I will go first!"

He could not help but feel a strange sensation in his heart

Ma Yunlong felt a sense of tension rising within him

The Phoenix Terrace has long been in a state of decline. Standing at the forefront, one gazes into the distance where the river flows tumultuously, the vast sky appears desolate, the mountains stand steep and clear, and the lush trees thrive. The remnants of the old imperial garden and palace walls are faintly discernible.

Although Ma Yunlong was somewhat reluctant to let such a good person go, he thought for a moment that Xiao Wenhou must have his reasons for doing so, and thus did not voice any objections. He could not help but ask, "What is your name? Surely you can tell us now?"

The young man glanced at him and said, "How would I know! The master only mentioned last time that he wanted to see the spring rain stones, but he didn't tell me where he was staying!"

At that very moment, the two small stones that flew out collided with the giant rocks on either side, rebounding back and striking the ankles of Ouer, which are among the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Even someone as robust as a bull like Ouer felt a wave of soreness and numbness. As he struggled to maintain his footing, the two giant rocks that had been struck at their bases lost their balance and came crashing down.

Thus, the constables of Jinling City and the heroes of Jinling, who had heard the news and intended to lend a helping hand to the young Lord Wen, had surrounded this nameless stone mountain so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through

He seeks Shi Qingquan, no longer merely for the lost Qingmiao jade of the Ji siblings, but also for the mineral veins that lie in Shi Qingquan's heart

As he was about to ascend the mountain, Xiao Wenhou could not help but glance back at Ji Yaohua

Xiao Wenhou rode forward to greet them. As he approached the stone formation, he performed a backflip from his horse, his momentum swift as an arrow. In mid-air, he combined his dual halberds into a single long spear, executing a flying kick that struck a large boulder askew. His body soared sideways, and the long spear intercepted three other massive stones. With a powerful thrust, he knocked them down to the ground. The spear touched the stone lightly, and he had already leaped back onto his horse.

The Jinling constable stated that if Shi Qingquan were truly in Jinling, he would certainly be residing atop that nameless stone mountain, as all other places have already been thoroughly searched.

Ma Yunlong exclaimed in surprise: "A stone is not a person; it just sits there. Could it possibly change formations to block that barbarian?"

Xiao Wenhou did not argue with him, instead raising his hand to gesture for him to go ahead.

A sudden realization struck Ma Yunlong's mind, and it was only after the young man had walked far away that he came back to his senses

Yuhua stones are also produced in Liuhe and Yizheng outside the city of Jinling, but those from Yuhua Terrace are the most renowned

As Wa'er approached the formation of books within a hundred steps, several small stones suddenly flew down from the mountain, striking several large boulders. Remarkably, these massive stones could not withstand the impact of the small stones and came crashing down, causing the surrounding large rocks to shift. In that moment, those gazing up from the foot of the mountain were momentarily struck by the illusion of massive boulders wildly tumbling all around.

They watched as the boy named "Shitou" leaped left and right among the rubble, sometimes seemingly making a wide turn for no reason. Ma Yunlong suddenly realized and hurriedly instructed his subordinates to carefully note every step he took.

Xiao Wenhou smiled as he tossed away the arrow and the note, looking towards the group of Ouer not far away but also not too close: "Do you go first or shall I?"

A loud cry escaped from Wa'er as he fell down. Above his head, several large stones were falling from the sky, and their momentum was certain to bury him beneath the weight of the boulders

Xiao Wenhou casually remarked, "If Wo'er thinks this stone formation is lifeless, let him go ahead and touch it."

Xiao Wenhou brandished his long spear and said, "Please, go ahead."

He is confident that he has memorized the path the young man took up the mountain very well

The determination and perseverance of Wa'er are truly not to be underestimated

Xiao Wenhou felt a slight disappointment in his heart, but he soon cast it aside.

With a loud shout, Wa'er swung his knife to strike at the rolling boulder. Relying on sheer bravery, he charged upward through the torrent of rocks for nearly a hundred steps. Ma Yunlong couldn't help but sigh, saying, "This barbarian truly fears nothing."

Xiao Wenhou laughed heartily and said: "If Shi Qingquan only has this little ability, then he is unworthy of the title 'Stone Madman'! Just wait, I believe Shi Qingquan will definitely have a way to bring this stone formation to life!"

Ma Yunlong expressed his dissatisfaction, saying: "This fellow is quite arrogant and does not understand the concept of humility at all. He seems to be very confident, doesn't he"

After waiting for nearly an hour, a signal arrow shot down from the mountain. Young Lord Wen reached out and caught it in his hand. The note tied to the signal arrow contained only four characters:

Xiao Wenhou was somewhat surprised by her initiative to speak, yet felt a warm sensation in his heart. Ji Yao Hua had finally begun to take an active interest in him beyond her brother.

Xiao Wenhou and others reined in their horses in front of Phoenix Terrace. The local constable who was guiding them murmured, "If it were not for Captain Ma's guidance, I truly would not have thought that Shi Qingquan would be hiding in Jinling. I was thinking that even if he were to come to Jinling to search for Yuhua stones, he would choose the autumn and winter seasons, when the water recedes and the stones are exposed"

Awuer has sustained over ten injuries, yet he has also charged up the mountainside.

The young man hesitated for a moment, seemingly unable to believe that he had escaped so easily

Ji Yaohua gently said behind him: "The tone of the young marquis is as if these stones are alive, only waiting for someone to awaken them like in a picture book"

Xiao Wenhou smiled faintly, reached behind his waist, and in his hand appeared a small knife glinting with cold light, which he used to cut the beef tendon rope binding the young man: "I am quite certain that your master is up there, because many of the stones at the foot of the mountain were moved to that position only in the past two days, and the moss at the bottom of the stones has not yet dried in the sun. I cannot discern the arrangement of those stones, large and small, but I know that if someone rashly charges in and touches one of the stones, they could very well be buried under the pile of rubble. Therefore, it would be better for you to go up the mountain first and inform him. By the way, tell your master not to attempt to escape; all matters of right and wrong must be clarified face to face, otherwise he will never find peace in his life."

Come whenever you wish

In the slanting sunlight, Ji Yao Hua gazed at the mountaintop in a daze, lost in thought.

However, Shi Qingquan did not reside near Yuhuatai, but rather lived by the outskirts at Fenghuangtai.

The escaped Wuer, after catching his breath and sheathing his sword, clasped his fists towards Young Lord Wen and said: "I have lost, but I will not leave. A divine being has guided me here, and I must find Shi Qingquan!"

The handwriting is bold and vigorous, penetrating the paper, making one feel as if they can see the proud and unruly writer.

The young man took the Qi Tian Stick and replied, "My master calls me Stone"