Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 15: Jiaxing

Jiaxing, Smoke, and Rain Building.

Huang Rong’s gaze carried a trace of joy, the corners of her lips curving slightly as she said faintly, “Tian’er, you and Fu’er will stay at the inn for now. For my mother’s sake, I will search for your grandfather’s whereabouts.”

Imperial Sky remained expressionless and merely nodded. Guo Fu, her gaze playful, continued poking around, seemingly oblivious to Huang Rong’s words.

Ke Zhenye sat on a chair, raising a cup of white wine to his lips. As the liquid slid down his throat, his mind drifted to memories of his fallen brothers.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong left the Smoke and Rain Building, making their way toward old friends in Jiaxing, inquiring about the whereabouts of Huang Yaoshi.

Imperial Sky stared at the meal in front of him, unable to find the will to eat. Having grown accustomed to Huang Rong’s cooking—one of the finest in Jin Yong’s martial world—he found that other meals simply could not compare.

Guo Fu, though unaware of finer culinary distinctions, was dissatisfied as well. She frowned and turned to Cold Moon, her voice petulant. “Cold Bing Bing brother, the food here is terrible.”

Imperial Sky furrowed his brows but said nothing, merely shaking his head helplessly.

Not long after, a familiar figure entered his line of sight.

Huang Rong approached with a bright expression, the joy on her face unmistakable. Naturally, she had uncovered something valuable.

“A few days ago, someone saw a green-robed old man drinking alone in the Smoke and Rain Building,” she said. “Based on the description, he closely resembles my father.”

Overjoyed by the news, Huang Rong immediately rushed back to the Smoke and Rain Building to inform Imperial Sky before making any arrangements.

Upon returning, her gaze landed on the barely touched meals. She could only sigh helplessly before turning to Ke Zhenxiao with a gentle smile.

“Master, Brother Jing, and I will search the nearby villages in Jiaxing. It will be inconvenient for Tian’er and Fu’er to follow us. Please take care of them for a few days.”

Despite his lingering nostalgia, Ke Zhenxiao took her words to heart. “Rong’er, you and Jing’er should go quickly. Leave Tian’er and Fu’er to me.”

Huang Rong beamed and patted Guo Tian and Guo Fu fondly. “When we find your grandfather, I will prepare a grand feast for you both.”

With that, she turned and left the Smoke and Rain Building.

The next morning, Guo Tian slowly rose from the bed and stepped outside the inn. The streets bustled with people moving about their daily routines.

Three days had already passed since Huang Rong and Guo Jing had left.

Imperial Sky took a step forward, intending to explore the streets once more when a voice called out behind him.

“You are sneaking out to play again! Today, you must take me with you!”

The voice belonged to none other than Guo Fu. Over the past two days, Imperial Sky had wandered Jiaxing on his own. His naturally cold demeanor had made him indifferent to Guo Fu’s presence, and he had largely ignored her.

This has led to the current situation.

Expressionless, Imperial Sky intended to walk away, but Ke Zhenxian, who stood behind them holding a black staff, spoke up. “Do not argue. Today, we will all go out together.”

For the past two days, Ke Zhenxian had drowned himself in mulled wine, reminiscing about old brothers. Today, however, something was different. Unexpectedly, he wanted to take Guo Fu and Imperial Sky on an outing.

Imperial Sky found this puzzling but did not object and simply followed. After all, in the original tale, it was during this time that Guo Fu and Ke Zhenxiao first encountered Li Mochou.

After some time, Imperial Sky’s keen spiritual senses stirred. He could feel Huang Yaoshi’s aura distinctly.

So, he is nearby.

According to the original tale, Huang Yaoshi had lingered around Jiaxing for some time. Now, with his heightened perception, Imperial Sky could confirm it.

At that moment, atop a willow tree, Huang Yaoshi stood with his right hand stroking his beard, sharp eyes observing from above. His brows relaxed slightly, and a small smile formed at the corners of his lips.

Tian’er, you have grown so much over the years. Your strength has already reached the early Houtian stage.

Huang Yaoshi’s immense power allowed him to assess Imperial Sky with a single glance. Meanwhile, Imperial Sky could only sense Huang Yaoshi’s presence but not pinpoint his exact location.

Time passed, and it became clear that Ke Zhenye had embarked on this outing purely to relive old memories. He led them to a desolate place—one that still bore the traces of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.

Yet, just as they arrived, Imperial Sky’s gaze froze.

In the distance stood a Daoist nun.

Li Mochou.

His brows knitted slightly as he studied her.

Li Mochou was a woman of sorrow—love had turned into hatred, and infatuation had left her wounded.

Imperial Sky’s gaze turned cold as he observed her.

She stood tall with an elegant posture, her skin delicate, her eyes bright and sharp. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, and her beauty was undeniable.

By this time in the story, Li Mochou was already thirty years old. Yet, she appeared no older than twenty—a testament to the effects of the Ancient Tomb Sect’s martial arts.

The sight of her reminded Imperial Sky of something.

The Ancient Tomb Sect… how could I have forgotten? The Cold Jade Bed—such a priceless treasure! Cultivating the scorching flames of the Burning Decree requires immense endurance. I had originally planned to retrieve the Nine Yang Sutra from Shaolin to strengthen my body before attempting it… but now, I see that the Cold Jade Bed alone will suffice.

A faint smile played on his lips as he stared at Li Mochou.

At that moment, a weak voice called out.

“Ke Zhenye… Swordsman Ke…?”

A woman lay on the ground, her breathing labored.

Ke Zhenxian stepped forward, black staff in hand, standing tall. “I am Ke Zhenxian. What has happened here? I have a bad feeling about this.”

Imperial Sky’s expression twisted slightly.

A bad feeling? Is that a joke?

As he shook his head, the injured woman spoke again.

“I am Wu Sanniang, wife of Wu Santong. Please, Swordsman Ke, save me…”

Ke Zhenye, whose sense of justice burned as brightly as ever, immediately tightened his grip on his staff and declared, “Since you are a disciple of Emperor Duan, I will not stand idly by.”

Imperial Sky sighed inwardly, covering his forehead.

Ke Zhenye’s strength is no match for Li Mochou. In the original story, had he not been Guo Jing’s master, he would have met his end at her hands many times over.

Yet here he was, charging ahead without a second thought, blinded by righteousness.