Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 141 Peach Blossoms Bloom, Brightens the Dark

Wu Tao's heart almost jumped out of her chest. The shadow's movements were as swift as the wind, and although it only flashed by, she was sure that it was definitely not an illusion.

"Who is it? Could it be..." Hu Bugui's face also became solemn, and the fingers holding the hilt of the sword turned slightly pale. They had just escaped from the organization's devil's lair, could they be discovered by the pursuers so quickly?

Without time to think, Wu Tao took Hu Bugui's hand and said in a low voice: "Let's go!"

The two of them were once again immersed in darkness. They did not dare to light torches, and could only rely on the weak moonlight and vague memories of the terrain to grope their way forward. The vague sight behind them, like a maggot on their tarsal bones, always followed them closely, leaving them nowhere to hide.

I don’t know how much time had passed, but just when Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were almost exhausted, a dense forest suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Let's go in!" Hu Bugui made a prompt decision and pulled Wu Tao and hid deep in the woods.

The light in the woods became even dimmer, and the tall trees blocked out the sun, almost completely blocking the moonlight. Wu Tao and Hu Bugui walked through the woods carefully, trying not to make any noise.

Suddenly, a deep voice sounded behind them: "What brings you here so late at night?"

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were startled and turned around abruptly, only to see a tall figure standing behind them. The moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, dimly illuminating his face. It was an angular, masculine face, with a pair of sharp eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything.

"Who are you?" Hu Bugui protected Wu Tao behind him and asked vigilantly.

"I am Li Xiaoyao, a wandering man in the martial arts world." The man smiled slightly and said with a cupped hand, "Don't be nervous, I mean no harm."

"Li Xiaoyao?" Wu Tao's heart moved, he seemed to have heard this name somewhere.

As if seeing Wu Tao's confusion, Li Xiaoyao continued, "Have you two encountered any trouble? I have been traveling around the world for many years, maybe I can help."

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other. They were now in danger and urgently needed external help. The chivalrous man in front of them who called himself Li Xiaoyao might be their only hope.

So Wu Tao told Li Xiaoyao in detail how they escaped from the organization's lair and how they were followed.

After listening to their story, Li Xiaoyao pondered for a moment and said, "I see. It seems that you two have gotten into quite a bit of trouble."

"Brother Li, do you have any solution?" Wu Tao asked anxiously.

Li Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said, "There is a way, but..."

"Just what?" Hu Bugui asked.

"But this method is a bit risky. I wonder if you two are willing to give it a try?" Li Xiaoyao looked back and forth between Wu Tao and Hu Bugui, as if evaluating their determination.

 Peach blossoms bloom, and the dark clouds bring light (continued)

"Brother Li, please speak!" Wu Tao said without hesitation, and Hu Bugui nodded firmly. They were desperate now, and they couldn't let go of any glimmer of hope. Moreover, the chivalrous spirit emanating from Li Xiaoyao made them feel inexplicably trustful.

"Okay!" Li Xiaoyao looked at them with appreciation, "My idea is to do the opposite!"

"Do the opposite?" Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other, not understanding what he meant.

"That's right!" Li Xiaoyao explained, "Since those people are following us in the dark, it means they don't want to alert the enemy. We just want to create chaos for them and make them lose their composure!"

Li Xiaoyao's plan was bold and risky, but it played into the hands of Wu Tao and Hu Bugui. They were tired of passively escaping, and now that they had the opportunity to fight back, they would naturally not let it go.

So, under the leadership of Li Xiaoyao, the three of them began a carefully planned "anti-tracking" operation. They deliberately left some obvious traces to lure the pursuers deep into the woods, and then used their familiarity with the terrain to set traps and play with the pursuers.

Li Xiaoyao is indeed a master who has been walking in the martial arts world for many years. He is highly skilled in martial arts, resourceful and can always turn danger into safety. In the repeated competitions, the pursuers gradually fell into a disadvantage, and Wu Tao and Hu Bugui gradually cooperated tacitly and became more and more confident.

Finally, at the edge of a cliff, they successfully escaped the pursuit. Standing on the edge of the cliff, looking at the rolling sea of clouds below, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui breathed a sigh of relief, and the joy of surviving the disaster surged in their hearts.

"Brother Li, this time it's all thanks to you!" Wu Tao said gratefully, "If it weren't for you, we might..."

"Yes, Brother Li, I'm grateful for your kindness. If you need me in the future, just let me know!" Hu Bugui also said with a fist salute.

"You two are too polite. It is only natural for the martial arts world to help each other in times of emergency." Li Xiaoyao smiled carefreely, "Besides, you and I are also friends through fighting, so we are destined to be together."

"By the way, Brother Li, why are you here?" Wu Tao asked curiously. He was so focused on escaping that he didn't have time to ask clearly.

Li Xiaoyao pondered for a moment and said, "What a coincidence. I came here to investigate something..."

He paused, his eyes became deep, "This matter may be related to you."

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were suddenly startled. Could it be that Li Xiaoyao also knew about their time travel?

"Brother Li, what do you mean by this?" Hu Bugui couldn't help but ask.

Li Xiaoyao did not answer directly, but took out an old jade pendant from his arms and handed it to Wu Tao, "Take a look at this."

Wu Tao took the jade pendant, took a closer look, and exclaimed, "This...isn't this my jade pendant?"

This jade pendant was carried with Wu Tao when she traveled through time. It was her only wish in this world. Unexpectedly, it would appear in Li Xiaoyao's hands.

"Brother Li, where did you get this jade pendant?" Wu Tao asked anxiously.

Li Xiaoyao took the jade pendant and looked at Wu Tao with complicated eyes, "This jade pendant is related to an ancient legend. It is said that..."

He lowered his voice and said slowly: "It is said that there is a magical artifact that can travel through time and space. Maybe it can help you return to the modern times..."

Wu Tao stared blankly at the jade pendant in her hand, and a strange sense of familiarity came over her. This jade pendant was a relic left to her by her grandmother. It was said to be a treasure passed down from her ancestors. Her grandmother never mentioned its specific use. After traveling to the Tang Dynasty, this jade pendant became her only thought. Now it unexpectedly appeared in Li Xiaoyao's hands, and it was related to a magical artifact that could travel through time and space. How could she not be shocked?

"Brother Li, are you telling the truth? Is there really a magical tool that can travel through time and space?" Wu Tao's voice trembled slightly, and there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Returning to the modern era was her long-cherished wish, and now, this wish seemed to be possible.

Hu Bugui, who was standing by, could not hold back his excitement. He held Wu Tao's hand tightly and asked, "Brother Li, what do you know? Please tell us in detail!"

Li Xiaoyao looked at their anxious expressions and said solemnly, "I also heard this legend by chance from a senior master, and I am still unsure whether it is true or not. According to him, this artifact is called 'Kunlun Mirror', a treasure handed down from ancient times. It has incredible power and can reverse time and space and travel back and forth between the past and the present."

"Kunlun Mirror..." Wu Tao murmured to himself, all kinds of bizarre images emerging in his mind. Could it really be possible to return to the modern era, to that familiar world?

"Brother Li, let's go with you to find the Kunlun Mirror!" Wu Tao looked at Li Xiaoyao firmly, her tone full of determination. No matter how slim the hope was, she would give it a try. In order to return to the modern world and see her family again, she was willing to pay any price.

"Tao'er..." Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao distressedly. He knew her attachment to the modern world and what it meant to find the Kunlun Mirror. This road was full of unknown dangers, but he would not stop Wu Tao's choice. He would accompany her to face it no matter what happened.

Li Xiaoyao looked at the couple in love with each other and admired them in his heart. Their feelings were so sincere and firm that they remained together even in the face of the barriers of time and space.

"Okay! Since you have made up your mind, let's embark on the journey to find the Kunlun Mirror together!" Li Xiaoyao said proudly, with a determined light flashing in his eyes. "But I want to remind you that this road is destined to be full of thorns and challenges. You must be mentally prepared!"

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other, and saw the determination and courage in each other's eyes. They said in unison: "We are ready!"

So, the three of them embarked on an adventurous journey to find the Kunlun Mirror. What kind of challenges and adventures will be waiting for them?

 Peach blossoms bloom, and the dark willows and flowers are bright

Embarking on the journey to find the Kunlun Mirror means saying goodbye to the short-lived comfort and stepping into the unknown fog. Led by Li Xiaoyao, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui walked through prosperous towns, crossed uninhabited deserts, and climbed over steep mountains. They were exhausted and experienced hardships along the way.

"Tao'er, are you tired?" Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao with pity. Although she always had a firm smile on her face, he knew how difficult it was for a delicate woman to travel a long distance and sleep in the open air.

"I'm not tired. I'm fine." Wu Tao shook her head and held Hu Bugui's hand tightly. "As long as I can go back with you, this little bit of hardship is nothing."

Li Xiaoyao was filled with emotion as he watched the couple supporting each other through thick and thin. He also had an unforgettable love when he was young, but unfortunately, the beauty died young and they eventually separated. Now when he saw them, he seemed to see his own shadow.

"The Black Wind Ridge is ahead. The terrain there is dangerous and bandits are rampant. We need to be extra careful." Li Xiaoyao put away his thoughts and said, pointing to the rolling mountains ahead.

"Don't worry, Brother Li. We will all listen to you." Wu Tao and Hu Bugui said in unison.

The three of them entered Black Wind Ridge carefully. The mountain road was rugged and difficult to walk on, and they had to be extremely cautious with every step. Just as they were about to cross Black Wind Ridge, the sound of horse hooves broke the silence of the forest. A group of men in black riding tall horses surrounded them from all directions.

"Who are you?" Hu Bugui asked vigilantly, protecting Wu Tao behind him.

The man in black didn't say anything, but just looked at them coldly, with murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"It seems that we are surrounded." Li Xiaoyao drew the long sword from his waist and said in a deep voice.

"Brother Li, they are coming for us." Wu Tao recognized the black-clad men leading the group at a glance. They were the members of the organization that had chased them before.

"It seems that some old accounts should be settled today." A cold light flashed in Hu Bugui's eyes, and he also recognized these men in black.

As soon as he finished speaking, the man in black rushed towards them like a tiger descending from a mountain, and a fierce battle broke out instantly. Li Xiaoyao was a martial arts expert with sharp swordsmanship, and he could easily defeat ten people alone. Although Hu Bugui was not good at martial arts, he also fought hard to protect Wu Tao without any fear.

Wu Tao looked at the chaotic scene in front of her, feeling extremely anxious. She knew that it would be difficult for the three of them to resist so many well-trained men in black. At this moment, she suddenly remembered the jade pendant her grandmother left her. Could it be that this jade pendant was really related to the Kunlun Mirror as Li Xiaoyao said?

Without time to think, Wu Tao quickly took out the jade pendant from his bosom, held it tightly in his hand, closed his eyes, and prayed silently. A miracle happened. A powerful force surged out of the jade pendant, forming a golden barrier that protected the three of them. The attack of the man in black fell on the barrier, like a drop in the ocean, and had no effect.

"What's going on?" The leader of the men in black exclaimed, obviously stunned by this sudden change.

At this moment, a dazzling white light descended from the sky, illuminating the entire Black Wind Ridge. When the white light dissipated, an old man in white clothes with an immortal look appeared in front of everyone.

"Master!" Li Xiaoyao shouted in surprise, his eyes full of awe.

This old man is Li Xiaoyao's master and the guardian of the Kunlun Mirror. Why is he here? Could it be that the jade pendant in Wu Tao's hand is really related to the Kunlun Mirror?