King Nianhua’s Favour

"Senior, is there any danger in Fallen Leaf King's tomb?" Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but ask. 

"Danger? It's a matter of life and death! Fallen Leaf, that scoundrel, is different from me. I loved flowers all my life and wasn't fond of killing. But wherever Fallen Leaf went, there was slaughter everywhere. His tomb certainly won't be as peaceful and vibrant as mine." Nianhua King sneered. 

"Then... Senior, can I not go? I'm afraid that my low strength may not be up to the task." Mo Qingkuang, having died once already, naturally valued his life. 

"Not going? Fine, as long as you can restrain yourself from practicing the treasure I gave you, it's acceptable. 'Flower-Plucking Manual' is actually an incomplete piece. There are some crucial parts missing, and they fell into the hands of that Fallen Leaf scoundrel. If you practice this incomplete piece, the power will naturally be formidable, but it will leave severe side effects." 

"What kind of side effects?" 

"For example, ruptured tendons, shattered dantian, and so on." Nianhua King chuckled. 

"Qingkuang, promise him. I know about Fallen Leaf King's tomb." Suddenly, Mo Fan's voice echoed. 

Mo Qingkuang was startled, quickly checking for any abnormality in Nianhua King's response. Finding none, he relaxed and asked, "Ancestor, do you know the secrets of Fallen Leaf King's tomb? Do you know how to solve the hidden dangers of 'Flower Plucking Manual'?" 

"I don't know. But you have to go to Fallen Leaf King's tomb. This is a hidden danger deliberately left by Nianhua King, and even he didn't know how to resolve it. That's why he died early." Mo Fan denied it. 

Nianhua King and Fallen Leaf King were characters set by him in his book. Both were martial brothers who practised 'Flower Plucking Manual' and 'Fallen Leaf Heart Sutra,' which were originally a single heaven-grade martial art split into two parts. 

Originally, in his book, Lin Yang had obtained these two manuals and integrated them to recreate the heaven-grade martial art, 'Flying Flowers and Falling Leaves.' With it, he repeatedly defeated strong opponents. 

So, regarding the Fallen Leaf King's tomb, he was quite familiar with it. In the future, when Mo Qingkuang went to Central Plains, even if Nianhua King hadn't requested it, he would've still guided Mo Qingkuang to visit the Fallen Leaf King's tomb. 

To be honest, this situation troubled him. As an author, he designed these martial arts and techniques, only knowing their names and not their details. After coming to this world, aside from the system rewarding him with the divine-grade martial art 'Wind and Fallen Leaves,' he had nothing else to teach Mo Qingkuang. 

In this aspect, he might not even be as good as the old man, the Saint Alchemist, in Lin Yang's ring. The old man was a native of this world, the former number one alchemist on the continent. He had countless high-level goods, all of which were of a very high grade. Who wouldn't fawn over them? 

There were also the items that Nianhua King had just given to Lin Yang; Mo Fan could only sigh at them. 

Indeed, as expected of the main character. He had just snatched a bit of opportunity from him, and now, Nianhua King was compensating him eagerly. 

In this trip to Nianhua King's tomb, Lin Yang not only gained the most, except for Mo Qingkuang but also received the greatest rewards. 

Mo Fan regretted not writing a protagonist-abuse story. Lin Yang's luck was so against the heavens that it would be too difficult to contend with him in the future. 

"Alright, I agree." Seeing that the ancestor had a plan, Mo Qingkuang felt relieved. 

He then turned to Nianhua King and said, "Senior, I promise you. As long as I find Fallen Leaf King's tomb, I will do my best to destroy it and resolve your grievances." 

"Good, I won't force you. Actually, as long as you don't cultivate my 'Flower-Plucking Manual,' you won't have any problems even if you don't go." Nianhua King seemed calm as if he expected Mo Qingkuang to agree. 

"Senior must be joking. How can anyone bear to give up practising the powerful 'Flower-Plucking Manual'?" Mo Qingkuang smiled awkwardly. 

"Alright, my lingering consciousness won't persist much longer. A commoner has no responsibilities, but he bears the blame if he carries a treasure. I believe many will covet the 'Flower-Plucking Manual' on you. I'll help you one last time." 

Nianhua King's faint voice gradually diminished. 

The hall was illuminated brightly, making Mo Qingkuang appear like a glaring silhouette lightbulb in everyone's eyes. 

Everyone covered their eyes, unwilling to look directly. 

After some time, as the brilliance faded, Mo Qingkuang was no longer visible in the spot where he had been. 

"Where is he? Did he transform or something?" People rubbed their eyes, realizing that they hadn't been mistaken. Mo Qingkuang, this large figure, had truly disappeared in plain sight. 

"He should have been sent away by Nianhua King. Lin Yang, this Kuang Qing has gone ahead of you. In the future, you must not slack, as he will undoubtedly be your greatest opponent!" Alchemist Saint solemnly advised. 

"Of course, I long for a valuable opponent, not someone like Mo Qingkuang with a flashy facade." Lin Yang nodded resolutely. 

In his heart, he silently vowed: 'Even though I don't know where you've gone, I have a premonition that we will meet again! The next time we meet, I will definitely not let you take the initiative!' 

"Alright, my legacy is settled. It's time for true rest. Withdraw, everyone," said Nianhua King, his voice losing its former clarity and carrying a hint of undisguised weakness. 

As the crowd turned their eyes towards the throne, the flowers had withered, and the once-vigorous body had slumped onto the seat, devoid of the radiant aura. 

A generation of kings, today, finally came to a close. 

Those who had planned to report to their sect superiors or forced Mo Qingkuang to hand over the 'Flower-Plucking Manual' all sighed in lamentation. 

Indeed, the Nianhua King cherished his successor. It seemed he had sent Mo Qingkuang away long before the others left. After all, once they were out, finding someone in the vast world would be nearly impossible. 

"Kuang Qing..." Han Yan'er softly uttered Mo Qingkuang's alias, a different kind of smile playing on her lips. Unfortunately, this beautiful scene remained hidden behind her veil, unseen by anyone. 

"Let's go." With a command from Han Yan'er, the members of the royal family followed her out of Nianhua King's tomb. 

This time, thanks to Mo Qingkuang's assistance and the Barrier-Breaking Pill, the royal family gained more than the entire Yuan Sword Sect from Lin Yang's spoils. They could now hold their heads high in front of the four major sects. 

"Lin Yang, let's go as well," said Chu Yanran, looking at Lin Yang who was still staring at the spot where Mo Qingkuang disappeared, her curiosity evident in her eyes. 

With a woman's intuition, she had a premonition that Lin Yang and Kuang Qing would be rivals for a long time to come. 

*** 

Mo Qingkuang once again felt a sensation of weightlessness. After a moment of dizziness, he found himself in a forest. 

Shaking his head to dispel the dizziness, he looked up and saw a series of tents beyond the mountain. It was the entrance to Nianhua King's tomb. 

It turned out that Nianhua King had sent him out. 

Well, it was for the best. If he had been targeted by those with ulterior motives, escaping would have been difficult. 

"Let's go, to the Central Plains. This year's Martial Arts Examination is about to begin, so let's prepare early." 

"Yes, Ancestor."