Fire Captain

Bai Ziyang thought about what his master had said before going down the mountain, that the Seven Killing Sect would gather at Mount Shu. He originally wanted to go and see the excitement first, but then he thought that the excitement at Mount Shu seemed a bit too big, and it hadn't even started yet, so he decided to leave it to Bai Zihua, otherwise he wouldn't be able to see the excitement and then come back with a lot of trouble... He turned a corner on the way to Mount Shu.

Bai Ziyang felt bored now that Bai Zihua had no time to play hide-and-seek with him, so he crossed his legs and lay on a tree branch, swaying. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard a group of people shouting under the tree.

"Catch the witch!"

"Get rid of her, she's a witch!"

"That's her. Get her out of here."

Bai Ziyang leaned over to look down, his body tilted and he lost his balance, falling to the ground with a bang.

"Puh, puh, puh..." Bai Ziyang spat out the dirt in his mouth and looked up to see a group of people surrounding a girl with a net for catching animals. There were also people holding shovels, hoes and other tools next to them. It seemed that they were the group of people who had caused chaos just now.

But now everyone was shocked by the way Bai Ziyang appeared. They all looked at him blankly, and even the girl who was caught in the net forgot to struggle.

Bai Ziyang stood up, brushing off the dirt on his body, and said, "A group of you bullying a weak woman, is there any justice in this world?"

The group of people looked at Bai Ziyang and said, "This is our Hualian Village's business. Why are you, an outsider, interfering?"

"Yes! This witch..."

"Yes...we are catching the witch!"

"Hey, I have a bad temper!" Bai Ziyang drew out the long sword behind him, pointed at the crowd and said, "Today, I am acting on behalf of the heavens, but you insist on meddling in this matter... Let him go, or don't blame me for being blind with my sword."

Everyone looked at each other, and seeing that the long sword in Bai Ziyang's hand was shining with silver light, it didn't seem to be a decoration, and they all whispered, "Let's go... let's go!"

Bai Ziyang walked over and cut off the net, then looked at the girl inside and said, "You... you don't look like a witch at all... you fools!"

The girl said: "Thank you for saving my life!"

Bai Ziyang said: "It's just a piece of cake. Besides, I didn't do anything. Those people ran away so fast, otherwise I would have to teach them a lesson."

The girl said, "Forget it, sir! Don't blame them, it's all my fault..."

Bai Ziyang put the long sword in his hand back into the scabbard and said with a smile: "You look like a dumpling, but I didn't expect your personality is also like a dumpling!"

The girl said, "No...it's just that I have a strange fragrance since I was born, which easily attracts monsters, so the villagers are afraid of me."

Bai Ziyang looked her up and down and asked, "You have a strange fragrance? What's your name?"

The girl said quickly: "Oh, I forgot to say my name is Hua Qiangu... May I ask your name, sir?"

Bai Ziyang said: "My name is Bai Ziyang... Where is your home? I'll take you back."

Hua Qiangu said: "My home is just in front, Mr. Bai, please come this way."

Bai Ziyang said: "Don't call me Mr. Bai, it's weird!"

Sure enough, not far away, they saw a small courtyard surrounded by a fence. There were two small houses in the courtyard and a pavilion by the lake. Bai Ziyang couldn't help but sigh, "What a paradise."

Hua Qiangu invited Bai Ziyang in and said with a smile, "Brother Bai, I hope you don't mind the hut being so simple."

A middle-aged man walked out of the house. Bai Ziyang could tell at a glance that the man's vitality was gradually weakening and his life span would be no more than a year.

When Hua Qiangu saw the man, she happily ran over and shouted, "Dad, this is Brother Bai Ziyang. Just now, the villagers... it was Brother Bai who saved me."

Upon hearing this, Father Hua walked up to Bai Ziyang and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Bai, for saving my daughter's life."

Bai Ziyang raised his hand and said, "I am Bai Ziyang. It is just a small favor. Helping the weak and suppressing the strong is the principle of our generation in the martial arts world."

After a few words with Bai Ziyang, Hua's father knew that Bai Ziyang was not an ordinary man in the world. However, judging from Bai Ziyang's face, behavior and conversation, he could only conclude that Bai Ziyang was not a bad person.

Hua Qiangu ran out of the house and shouted, "Dad, Brother Bai can eat now."

Father Hua laughed and said, "We are from a rural area. We don't know if Mr. Bai is used to eating such simple food."

Bai Ziyang said: "I can eat delicacies from land and sea, as well as porridge and side dishes..."

The pavilion in the courtyard faces a large lake. On both sides of the Mirror Lake are emerald green and towering mountains. After eating and drinking, Bai Ziyang lay down in the pavilion. A breeze blew over the lake. Bai Ziyang said comfortably, "It's so comfortable. I don't even want to leave."

Hua Qiangu looked at Bai Ziyang who was about to fall asleep and said with a smile: "If you don't want to leave, then Brother Bai, just stay here. Anyway, there are only my father and I in my family!"

Bai Ziyang smiled and said, "Really! That's great! Anyway, I don't have anywhere to go when I travel around the world."

Bai Ziyang stayed there, and the three of them were very happy.

Hua Qiangu was happy that she finally had her first friend, and Bai Ziyang was happy that he had been traveling everywhere over the years just to try whether he and Hua Qiangu were destined to be together. Who of him and Bai Zihua met Hua Qiangu first? Now that they had met, they didn't have to leave anymore.

Hua's father knew that he might not live long, and what he was most worried about was Hua Qiangu. Now that she was able to make friends, she would have someone to take care of her in the future, so he felt a little relieved.

Bai Ziyang's time was not in vain. He helped Hua's father chop wood every day, and occasionally helped Hua Qiangu cook meals. The rest of the time, Bai Ziyang would often sit cross-legged by the lake and play the flute. Whenever he did so, Hua Qiangu would sit beside him and listen quietly.

Bai Ziyang's flute is not an ordinary flute, and the music he plays is not an ordinary music. This flute is as white as jade, and is a magic instrument made by Bai Ziyang himself. Except for the lack of a spirit, it is no worse than the so-called ten ancient magic instruments. The music he plays is the dream of floating life, which can cleanse the souls of mortals and condense their spirits. Bai Ziyang found that in this world, the cultivation of immortals is based on the law, but it just ignores the most important soul. The souls are scattered at any time. Why is the power of the wild so terrible? It's because the power is too strong and they can't control it. Hua Qiangu listened to it like this, and the benefits will naturally appear in the future without knowing it.

After listening to it, Hua Qiangu said blankly: "Brother Bai, the music you played is really beautiful."

Bai Ziyang said: "If Xiaogu likes it, I will teach you!"

Hua Qiangu said happily: "Really? Brother Bai... can I learn it?"

Bai Ziyang rubbed Hua Qiangu's hair and said with a smile: "Xiaogu is so smart, there is nothing she can't learn..."

Hua Qiangu found that Bai Ziyang was sometimes like a teacher, serious and graceful, and sometimes like a child, joking and teasing her, but she never got angry. Hua Qiangu cherished Bai Ziyang very much, the first big brother who treated her so well besides her father!

Bai Ziyang stayed in this small courtyard for half a year. Seeing his father's health deteriorating day by day, he was afraid that his father's death was coming. Hua Qiangu looked at his father who finally fell asleep and whispered to Bai Ziyang: "I will be sixteen in a few days. Taoist Qingxu of Shushan told me to go to him when I am sixteen, but I am worried about my father."

Bai Ziyang sat on the steps in front of the door with Hua Qiangu, looked up at the starry sky and said, "Everyone's fate is already determined. Maybe you also have your own path to follow."

Hua Qiangu didn’t know what her path was, nor did she understand. She was in a daze, not knowing what she was thinking.

Suddenly, Hua's father coughed violently in the room. Hua Qiangu and Bai Ziyang hurriedly got up and rushed into the room. Hua's father had fainted. Hua Qiangu opened the drawer and said in surprise: "Brother Bai, my father has finished his medicine..."

Bai Ziyang's medical skills are good, in fact, his magic is even better. After all, he has been in contact with the Supreme God Zhe Yan for tens of thousands of years, and he has learned all of Zhe Yan's magic. However, Bai Ziyang has been using herbs to treat Hua's father these days. He also knows that this is only a temporary solution, and if he uses magic, he can at least extend his life for a few years. But he has been hesitating whether he should change Hua's father's fate against the will of heaven. If he extends Hua's father's life, can Hua Qiangu still go to Mount Shu without any worries? People who cultivate immortals have no time. Hua Qiangu is destined to cultivate immortals. How many years can Hua's father wait for her?

Hua Qiangu didn't notice Bai Ziyang standing there blankly. She quickly put on a piece of clothing, picked up the lantern and rushed out the door: "I'm going to find the doctor to get some medicine!"

Bai Ziyang grabbed Hua Qiangu and said, "Don't go, Xiaogu!"

Hua Qiangu turned around and looked at Bai Ziyang and shouted: "Brother Bai..."

Bai Ziyang pulled Hua Qiangu aside and said, "Even if you get the medicine back, I'm afraid there's no way to save Uncle Hua. He's already dead and ordinary herbs can't cure him."

Hua Qiangu leaned against Bai Ziyang sadly and said in agony: "What should I do? Brother Bai!"

Bai Ziyang clenched his fists and said, "I have a way to temporarily extend Uncle Hua's life, but it won't be for too long. But at least it will allow you and your daughter to say goodbye properly, so that Uncle Hua can die without pain."

Hua Qiangu asked hopefully, "How long can it be extended to?"

Bai Ziyang said: "After your sixteenth birthday..."

Hua Qiangu slowly lowered her head and murmured, "Alright...Alright..."

Bai Ziyang injected a trace of immortal energy into Hua's father's body. After Hua's father woke up, Bai Ziyang told him the truth. Hua's father had already understood his physical condition and accepted it calmly. However, Hua Qiangu accompanied Hua's father sadly every day, and often forced herself to smile to reassure Hua's father. Bai Ziyang saw this and felt bad.

On Hua Qiangu's birthday, Bai Ziyang took out a bamboo flute, gave it to Hua Qiangu and said, "Xiaogu, this is a birthday gift from Brother Bai. Hmm... I wish you a happy birthday every year!"

Hua Qiangu took the flute in surprise, "Thank you, Brother Bai, this is the first time I have received a birthday present. I have never received such a good birthday present."

At noon, looking at the table full of food, Hua Qiangu said, "It's great. In previous years, my father always celebrated my birthday with me. This year, Brother Bai is here. It's great!"

After the meal, Hua's father showed signs of fatigue and went to rest first. Hua Qiangu nervously accompanied Hua's father. After Bai Ziyang packed up his things, he sent a message to Hua Qiangu: "Xiaogu, someone is here to look for Brother Bai. Brother Bai doesn't want to see him, so he left first. We will meet again if we are destined to do so in the future."

When Hua Qiangu heard Bai Ziyang's voice, she immediately rushed out of the room and shouted, "Brother Bai, Brother Bai..." Unfortunately, she searched every corner of the courtyard but could not find Bai Ziyang. She finally realized that Bai Ziyang might have really left.

"Brother Bai, why didn't you say goodbye to me? Why did you leave so suddenly?"

When Hua Qiangu returned to the courtyard, she saw a handsome, flawless, and aloof man holding a sword walking in. When he saw Hua Qiangu, he asked, "Miss, have you seen a man who looks a bit like me?"

Hua Qiangu said: "You mean Brother Bai Ziyang, he just left!"

Bai Zihua's trip down the mountain is about to end. He had sensed that Bai Ziyang was using his magic power in the mortal world again, so he wanted to find him to go back to Changliu Mountain together. However, because he could not use magic during the trip, he came a few days late. Unexpectedly, he was one step behind Bai Ziyang. It seemed that Bai Ziyang deliberately avoided him!

Bai Zihua asked: "Did he leave any message?"

Hua Qiangu shook her head dejectedly and said, "Brother Bai said that he knew someone was looking for him and he didn't want to see you, so he left first." After that, she went back into the house.

Bai Zihua thought that Bai Ziyang had most likely returned to Changliu Mountain, so he decided not to look for him. Just as he was about to turn around and leave, he heard someone in the house shouting, "Dad... Dad... wake up!"