The Forbidden Path to Immortality - Chapter 25

Chapter 6 Father and Son

The room Li Xin mentioned was actually a small pavilion in the garden, about two hundred steps away from the rockery. When they sat down in the pavilion and lit the lights, only a vague outline of the rockery outside remained, blending into the darkness.

Distance can relieve stress, and this seems to be true. As they were far away from the rockery, Li Xun felt a lot more relaxed; at this time, Li Xin was asking the servants to make tea, and there were only the two of them in the pavilion.

Li Xin’s eyes fell on him again, as if he was looking at him, with a bit of estimation and expectation in his eyes.

Li Xun felt an inexplicable heat in his heart, and this heat urged his body to stand up suddenly, startling Li Xin who was standing beside him.

Before Li Xin could react, Li Xun had already brushed aside his clothes, knelt on his knees, and whispered, “Unworthy child Li Xun, I pay my respects to my father!”

Li Xin visibly gasped. He quickly reached out and grasped Li Xun’s shoulder, “Master Li, this…”

Hearing this polite yet cautious address, Li Xun’s heart trembled, and he almost wanted to get up and leave immediately.

However, now that things had reached this point, he couldn’t withdraw. He looked up and met Li Xin’s slightly bewildered face. Just as he was about to speak, the door to the pavilion suddenly opened, and a man stepped in, smiling, “I heard that my father is hosting a banquet here…”

His words were cut off abruptly. Li Xun turned around and saw Li Cong—a young man two years his junior, but already the heir of the royal palace—his eyes resting on his shoulder, where Li Xin’s hand was still resting.

This sudden change brought a moment of silence to the pavilion.

Soon, it was interrupted by Li Xin’s slightly angry voice: “What are you doing here!”

Li Cong was not flustered by Li Xin’s anger. His eyes, as cold as autumn water, turned to Li Xun. Although the smile faded, he was still calm: “I heard that my father and Taoist Li were talking here, so I brought some fragrant tea here specially.”

He showed the exquisite tea bag in his hand as proof, which immediately left Li Xin speechless; however, Li Cong did not stop, but asked back: “What kind of drama are my father and Taoist Li acting out?”

The words were said with a smile, but sharp, as if even Li Xin’s face was stripped away a little; Li Xun remained silent, and Li Xin, after a hint of hesitation, returned to his usual calm appearance.

He looked at Li Cong and shook his head slightly. “Cong’er, you’ve arrived just in time…”

He seemed to want to remove his hand from Li Xun’s shoulder, but after a brief movement, he paused, then sighed. “Go to your brother!”

Li Xin’s attitude had left Li Xun stunned, let alone Li Cong. Although he, too, had been a master trained by Li Xin, it was still a difficult process for him to believe that this seemingly mysterious Taoist priest was his beloved brother.

His reaction was commendable, for in the face of such incredible facts, he knew how to ask, “What is going on?”

Indeed, even Li Xin wanted to understand what was going on—and so, both of their eyes fell on Li Xun.

For Li Xun, the looks from his father and brother at that moment were not something he would cherish fondly in the future. He met their gazes, and as the three of them locked eyes, they all realized their most profound commonality: rationality! A rationality as cold as ice!

Without compelling reasons, who would believe you? Based on your kneeling? Or that inexplicable, inexplicable connection?

After all, it’s the position of the eldest son of a royal family!

These thoughts flashed through Li Xun’s mind like lightning, then subsided. He exhaled and stood up—he didn’t want to lose face in front of his brother!

Standing upright, Li Xun was a full head taller than Li Cong. His physique, forged in the mountains, was far stronger than the children who had always enjoyed the pleasures of the royal palace. His plain Taoist attire, however, couldn’t match the young master’s elegance, but it did have a more refined air.

Li Xin’s gaze flickered briefly between his two sons, then he remained still, his face as calm as water, revealing no hint of a clue. Li Cong’s refinement was slightly less impressive, his eyes constantly lingering on his “brother,” revealing a hint of assessment.

Li Xun ignored him, briefly organizing his thoughts in his mind before unpacking his experiences from the age of eight until today.

Of course, since they were still under the watchful eyes of the two wanderers, some details couldn’t be elaborated on. Furthermore, a mystical place like the Tongxuan Realm was difficult for mortals to imagine without experiencing it firsthand, so naturally, some modifications were necessary.

Despite all these concerns, it was fortunate that he managed to keep his story coherent and coherent.

According to him, at the age of eight, he took Xue Sanren as his disciple and, at his master’s command, ascended Lianxia Mountain to cultivate a Taoist technique. ** years had passed since then, until recently, when he had to visit his uncle, Huiyin Sanren, to finally have the opportunity to descend the mountain and reunite with his family.

He omitted all the hardships and sufferings, as well as the shameful deeds he had committed, using the style of the Spring and Autumn Annals. This was done to save face and avoid the taboo of “misleading others with emotion,” but the feelings surrounding it were also very complicated.

It took him only a stick of incense to tell his story. Nine years had flown by in a flash. How could anyone possibly know all the twists and turns?

Li Xun’s cleverness lay in the fact that he briefly mentioned his time in the mountains, but instead emphasized the scene on the mountain path where he was rescued by the old concubine, but then fled with his face covered.

This was something Li Xin and the others already knew. With the connection between the past and the present and the supporting facts, the situation was self-evident without words. It was far better than just crying and trying to gain sympathy.

Li Xin was deeply moved by his words. By the time Li Xun had recounted a few details from his childhood, accurately recounting them, Li Xin had already sighed and grasped Li Xun’s arm: “Xun’er! You are indeed Xun’er!”

It was time to cry… Li Xun had wanted to force out a few tears, but suddenly found that such an action seemed a little difficult in this situation.

“Is it really Big Brother?”

Li Cong’s sighing tone was quite touching, but more importantly, it allowed Li Xun to temporarily put aside his awkwardness of not being able to cry, and with the attitude and tone of an older brother, he diverted his attention: “Brother Cong has grown so big…”

Heaven had destined that the affection between these three fathers and sons could not last too long. Outside, a clapperboard sounded, the echo of the night watchman’s beat, which permeated the garden and reached here. It was like an agreed-upon signal. At this sound, the three of them calmed their emotions and extricated themselves from the areas they were not particularly proficient in.

The six eyes met, and there was a different feeling – son, you really have a cruel heart. The old concubine has missed you so much these past few years. If you have free time, you should visit her. And don’t forget your mother.”

Li Xin said this neither lightly nor seriously, and after receiving Li Xun’s response, he suddenly changed the subject: “You have come down the mountain this time, are you going back? “

Li Xun was stunned for a moment, and the air in the pavilion suddenly sank and pressed down on him, making him a little stagnant. The pressure forced him to speak immediately: “This time, I came down the mountain on the orders of my master…”

While he was talking about some meaningless nonsense, he secretly looked at the expressions of his father and brother. Li Xin still looked calm and composed, but there was a light flashing in Li Cong’s eyes, and he seemed to have something in mind.

Li Xun had no idea what his brothers were thinking, and even he himself seemed a bit confused.

Therefore, he could only speak vaguely, “Down in the mountain, I’m following the instructions of my master and uncle. Whether I return to the mountain depends on the plans of the two elders. I’m sure I won’t go back. It’s a good opportunity for me to fulfill my filial duty to my parents…”

When he said the words “not returning for a while,” he clearly saw a hint of wariness and distance in Li Cong’s eyes, even if it was only a fleeting look. The

conversation then shifted away from the topic of family affection and brotherly love. Li Xin began to inquire about the two wanderers.

Li Xun didn’t want his relatives to act foolishly and presumptuously, but he couldn’t be too blunt under the eyes of the two wanderers.

After a brief consideration, he described the two wanderers’ personalities and daily behavior in a way that would be acceptable to a normal person, drawing on his own experience and the rumors he’d heard on the mountain.

Of course, the part about “collection” must be erased, and the time issue must be more reasonable. As for some sensitive parts that cannot be explained too clearly, he still follows the method of the Spring and Autumn Annals. He thinks his father and brothers are smart people, and they should understand the beauty of using one word to express praise or criticism.

This talk took more time than talking about his own experience, and Li Xin often interrupted and asked questions, which made the time drag on even longer.

Just as Li Xun was emphasizing the danger of the two scattered people, there was a sound in his ears. The sound was not very loud, but it made him jump up suddenly. Under the surprised eyes of his father and brothers, he forced a smile: “Master, they are calling me…”

As he said, He didn’t dare delay any longer. He hurriedly called out his greeting and turned, heading straight for the rockery in the garden.

He walked so fast that in the blink of an eye he had left Li Xin and the other two following him dozens of steps behind. When he reached the foot of the rockery, he saw Yin Sanren standing there with a smile on his face, a whisk in his arms, the shimmering threads still swaying slightly.

It was this whisk that had made the noise just now.

Five steps away, Xue Sanren stood with his hands behind his back, staring coldly at him, his blood-red eyes making one feel uneasy.

To say that Li Xun wasn’t nervous would be a lie, but after so many encounters, he still had the ability to speak normally. He first bowed and greeted the two men, then said, “Master, Uncle, what are your instructions?”

Hearing that he spoke fluently, Yin Sanren smiled faintly and turned his gaze to Xue Sanren.

Xue Sanren pulled a piece of silk from his wide sleeves and spread it out in the wind, revealing the densely packed blood-red characters on it: “If you want to keep your life, put more effort into it! “

After saying that, he let go, and the silk floated down the night wind and landed in Li Xun’s hands. Li Xun took the opportunity to glance at it and saw that it was covered with profound words and phrases, most of which were related to cultivation. It must be a very profound spell, which made him even more surprised.

Yin Sanren smiled lightly and said, “With this “Son of the Blood God”, your relationship as master and disciple is now official. This is the source of your master’s “Blood Demon Transforming Heart Sutra”…”

Li Xun was shocked again when he heard this. When he looked at Xue Sanren, he was forced to lower his head by his cold eyes. His hand holding the silk was shaking uncontrollably.

“Blood God Son”? How could it be “Blood God Son”?

Li Xun had heard of this notorious and peerless magic skill in Tongxuan Realm. Whether it was the so-called immortal “Blood Demon Body” or the most criticized “Blood Nightmare Clone”, they were all terrifying skills that could make children stop crying in Tongxuan Realm.

And Xue Sanren took a different approach and cultivated the “Blood Demon Heart Transformation Skill”, which was even known as the most terrifying magic skill in Tongxuan Realm in the past ten thousand years!

In terms of value, “Blood God Son” is definitely not much inferior to “Record of the Netherworld”!

And now, this magic secret book is in his hands?

Of course, this won’t be the complete book, but just this little thing shouldn’t be given to him by Xue Sanren like throwing garbage!

In the most earthy words, can a weasel feel at ease when paying New Year’s greetings to a chicken ? What?

Conspiracy! Conspiracy!

His palms were already sweating, but he was afraid of getting the handwriting wet, so he quickly put on a respectful look, folded the silk, put it in his arms, and then kowtowed to express his gratitude. However, these actions only earned him a sneer from Xue Sanren, which made Li Xun even more uneasy.

At this time, Li Xin and Li Cong had also come closer. Xue Sanren didn’t even look at them, but turned and left. His blood-red robe flashed twice in the darkness and then disappeared.

As soon as Xue Sanren left, Li Xun felt a little relieved – after all, he had passed this level. However, the unfathomable Yin Sanren beside him still made it difficult for him to truly relax.

Until Yin Sanren spoke: “These days, your master and I will be closed in to comprehend some magic formulas and will not see outsiders. If anyone comes to see us, you will go on my behalf. With your ability, it is enough to deal with these mundane matters! “

This is a lie with open eyes!

Someone comes to find you? Who else would find the national teacher except the emperor? What ability do you have to act on behalf of the national teacher? Could it be the tricks you played today?

Li Xun still had some self-knowledge. He became anxious when he heard it. He looked up and was about to speak, but was stunned by Yin Sanren’s faint eyes and had to nod.

Yin Sanren glanced at Li Xin and nodded slightly as a greeting. Then he said to Li Xun: “It seems that you and the prince are from the same family and get along very well. If you have nothing to do, you should come here to visit more often! “

Everyone understood the meaning of her words. The murderous scene in Chen Bing Garden just now was treated as if it had never happened. Everyone was in harmony, in harmony!

Just like that, Yin Sanren’s visit ended today. The host who was left aside put on the most sincere smile, personally sent the national teacher to the gate, and watched the national teacher and his lost son go away in the darkness.

He and Li Cong were silent for a long time at the gate, and then he whispered: “Let the scouts on the left and right of the national teacher’s mansion disperse… They are of no use there.”

Li Cong’s eyes sparkled, looking at his father, and asked softly: “My brother’s affairs… should we tell the old concubine and others?”

“How can this be concealed!” Li Xin said lightly, and glanced at his son again: “Just try your best to manage the servants in the mansion. Even if the news gets out, we don’t need to worry! “

Li Cong was a little dissatisfied when he didn’t get the answer he expected. He wanted to ask again, but Li Xin didn’t give him the chance. He turned and walked into the door, leaving only a vague back.

In recent months, the idle people in Songjing City suddenly had a few more topics to talk about. In addition to the various strange events such as the Thousand Mile Fire Cloud and the Heavenly Punishment of Tiandu Peak that covered the sky not long ago, a “Little State Master” who was favored by the emperor recently also attracted people’s attention.

According to legend, this “Little State Master” has the same surname as the current emperor and is The disciple of the current emperor’s most favored female Imperial Master possesses remarkable magical skills, having inherited the Imperial Master’s true teachings. Furthermore, he possesses a knack for maintaining his youthful appearance, remaining remarkably handsome, like a young man, without a trace of aging.

However, unlike the mysterious female Imperial Master, this “young Imperial Master,” Taoist Li, is much more approachable to the people. In recent days, many have seen the legendary Taoist Li, galloping alongside princes, crown princes, and ministers on the streets, enjoying a lively tour of the capital.

Because of this, rumors about the “Little Imperial Master” were constantly being updated, with new versions heard every day. They were far more credible than the increasingly mythical claims about the true Imperial Master.

Ever since Yin Sanren abandoned his duties and retreated into seclusion, Li Xun had become the Imperial Master’s representative in the capital. Although Yin Sanren remained indifferent to state affairs, his deep favor with the Emperor garnered a certain amount of support, creating a considerable influence. However, Yin

Sanren was known for his arrogance and enigmatic nature. Despite their yearly tributes, these individuals could never receive reliable information, leaving them feeling deeply empty.

And just at this moment, Yin Sanren, in seclusion, had brought in a seemingly youthful-looking young Taoist priest—not to mention his supposedly advanced age of seventy. No one in the capital, save the bewildered Emperor, bewildered by Taoist magic, believed him!

Yin Sanren was unfathomable, but could this little Taoist priest also be so?

With this in mind, the number of ministers visiting the Imperial Preceptor’s residence increased over the past few days, and Li Xun also had a large number of invitations to banquets and gatherings.

Faced with this unprecedented situation, after asking Yin Sanren for permission but to no avail, Li Xun paused for a moment before coming up with a move that shocked everyone. In just a few days, the entire capital’s officialdom knew that the young Taoist priest was indeed a remarkable figure.

Compared to Yin Sanren’s arrogant, self-confident, and unpredictable temperament, this young Taoist priest was a seasoned veteran of the officialdom! Being tactful is fine, because who in the officialdom isn’t? However, even among tactful people, those who are full of thorns and barbs are rare. The young Taoist priest spoke little, but every word was to the point, hitting the nail on the head, yet he was tactful and smooth

at the crux of the matter, never offending anyone.

But if anyone dared to cross the line, his counterattack would surely be sharp and incisive, its twists and turns reminiscent of the Imperial Master’s, and even more so due to his deep background, extremely lethal.

After more than ten banquets, no one in the entire capital dared to claim to have fully grasped the young Taoist priest’s true abilities. They only vaguely sensed that he was close to the Prince of Fu’s palace and seemed to have a good rapport with the prince, Li Cong.

Could it be that Prince Fu, who always disdained so-called immortals and alchemists, had unknowingly developed a tacit understanding with the Imperial Master?

This was terrifying…

All the veteran officials shuddered at the thought of this subtle connection.

It was precisely because of this that, over the past few days, there had been a sudden increase in those who, under various pretexts, sought to communicate with the “young Imperial Master.”

For example, today, several of the capital’s princes and sons, under the pretext of enjoying the snowy scenery after last night’s heavy snowfall, invited Li Xun on an outing.

Li Xun agreed only because Li Cong was among them.

After leaving the city gate, the dozen or so young men let go of the reins and began galloping across the snow. Last night, there had been a heavy snowfall. Beyond the city gate, what had once been a vast expanse of open country was now a sea of silvery white. Occasionally, a gray rabbit or bird would flash across the snow, creating a unique spectacle.

As they galloped, a hereditary marquis named Liu Tai, always accustomed to a casual lifestyle, saw the scene and laughed out loud, “It’s a pity I didn’t bring a bow and arrow. Otherwise, we could hunt a few rabbits and deer here. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

As he finished speaking, another person laughed and continued, “Of course, the most important thing is to showcase our Liu Hou’s archery skills and win the favor of the beautiful lady.”

Someone else laughed again, “You are so guilty! Putting aside whether the beautiful lady appreciates you, with the young imperial preceptor here, you are talking nonsense about killing. Aren’t you afraid that Brother Li will summon a lightning strike?”

Everyone laughed. Although Li Xun didn’t find it funny, he curled his lips in response.

Living changes the spirit, nourishing changes the body. Although it has only been a few days, Li Xun’s mentality has undergone a significant change.

Indeed, in the Tongxuan Realm, he, Li Xun, was only a newly initiated disciple, far inferior to those masters. It was normal for him to be ordered around.

Yet, in the mortal realm, he was a disciple of the Imperial Master and a trusted confidant of the Emperor. Princes and ministers treated him like a star, and countless others depended on him for their livelihoods.

He knew that the court was awash with sinister schemes, that today’s friends could become mortal enemies tomorrow. But he didn’t care. He was absolutely confident—in the mortal realm, no one, whether in the court or the country, could threaten him.

It felt so good to look down on others from a high position!

With the guarantee of absolute power, maintaining authority wasn’t really important. But if it could earn others’ awe or fear, why not?

Unconsciously, his attitude toward others underwent a subtle shift. Especially in such circumstances, maintaining a certain level of reserve was essential.

Consequently, he was too embarrassed to inquire about so-called “gossip.”

Fortunately, Li Cong was accompanying them today. This youth, barely fourteen or fifteen, was also a man of discerning eye. He quickly found a moment, rode up to Li Xun, and said with a smile, “Master Li, please show some mercy today. We’re not only going to enjoy the snow, but also the people!”

Li Xun complied, a hint of doubt on his face.

Li Cong then added, “Today is the day for worshipping the river god. The beautiful ladies of the capital must all go to the Taikang River to make a wish. On ordinary days, they are secluded and rarely seen, but only on these few days can the public be dazzled!”

Li Xun suddenly understood. Indeed, this custom existed in the capital; it turned out these princes and nobles had this in mind. But why had they dragged him here? Could it be that

asking a Taoist priest to examine a woman’s birth chart was

another example of official intrigue? He had no idea. Over the past few days, he had been interacting with officials in the capital. His shrewdness and cunning were undeniable, but even more so were his unfathomable likes and dislikes.

In officialdom, some were greedy for money, some lustful, some sought fame, and some clung to power. The so-called “drinking, s*x, money, and anger”—these tendencies could all be found in people. With these, others could target their interests with precision and avoid missing targets.

However, when it came to Li Xun, the officials in the capital were somewhat perplexed.

With the support of the Imperial Master, Li Xun had no shortage of fame and power. The remaining resources were simply wealth and s*x. After several days of probing him, the officials had come to the conclusion that he accepted jewelry and curiosities if offered, and rejected them if not, with no discriminatory treatment. Clearly, money held no allure for him.

Others offered him Taoist texts and secret techniques. What Taoist secrets had Li Xun not encountered in the mountains? The “Spiritual Resonance Secret,” “Underworld Record,” and “Blood God Son” he possessed were all top-tier techniques from the Tongxuan Realm. He simply flipped through two pages of these mundane things and laughed them off.

This only made the officials even more bewildered.

If money couldn’t tempt them, then the only thing they could do within their power was money! Hence, today’s invitation to a snowy outing.

Along the Taikang River, the beauties of the capital city abound. If the young Taoist priest showed even the slightest attraction, it would prove he wasn’t invincible!

Only two or three of the group knew about this plan.

Along the way, they also saw many convoys driving to the river early in the morning, many of them with luxurious carriages and beautiful women.

Which of these princes and young men wasn’t incredibly daring? They often screamed past, amusing themselves by startling or attracting the beauties in their carriages. If they could attract one or two curious beauties, that would be all the better!

Li Xun watched them playfully, feeling a strange feeling in his heart.

On one hand, youth is fleeting, while on the other, the path to immortality is long and arduous… How can a frog in a well understand the vast ocean, or a summer insect discuss ice?

He couldn’t say whether such a life was superior or inferior. However, for most people, immortality was the unattainable “highest path”—if only the path were smoother and more accessible, Li Xun would be happy.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t achieve even this modest condition!

As he sighed, he heard the sound of water ahead: the mighty river flowing eastward, gathering in a narrow opening upstream, then roaring down, the water surging and surging, only to gradually calm down over the vast river surface for nearly ten miles.

From this side, several groups of people who had arrived earlier were already setting up incense tables by the river and praying.

Someone in the crowd shouted, “Taopo, that’s a great spot, don’t let anyone take it away!” “

These young men shouted again, turned their horses’ heads and started galloping.

Li Xun looked around and saw that there was a high ground a few miles away, which was indeed a good place to view the scenery.

The horses were fast, and they galloped up the naturally formed earth slope in just a short while. A few of them were proud of their excellent horsemanship and walked back and forth at the end of the earth slope as if to demonstrate, which won some cheers.

Li Xun had no intention of competing with others, but he was curious, so he rode his horse to the edge of the earth slope and looked down. He realized that this place was close to the river, and because of the higher terrain, there was a drop of nearly ten feet to the river. At a glance, the surging river was quite spectacular.

Li Cong did not have such good riding skills as him, so he dismounted early for safety. At this time, he walked closer and said with a smile: “We came early this time, so we don’t have to fight for a seat with others! Brother Li, please look, from here you can see more than ten miles downstream, and every family’s carriages and horses are in front of you. You can also see the grand sight of the river flowing eastward. It is the best viewing spot! “

Li Xun glanced down at him, but had no intention of getting off the horse. He laughed and said, “I, a Taoist priest, am enjoying the snow and the water, but you are going to enjoy the beauties. What fun can you have by just watching?”

Liu Tai laughed at the back, “Master Li, I don’t know the details. We are not here to see beauties, but to find beauties!”

Then, another person continued with a smile, “There are so many carriages on the riverbank. How can we have the time to find them one by one? It would be a waste of time, but if we get entangled with one that we don’t like, it would be difficult to deal with it…”

Amidst the laughter, someone else said, “The carriages and horses in the homes of the ministers in the capital are different. As the saying goes, a man rides a green horse, and a concubine rides a blue carriage. Judging people by their carriages and horses is also a science!” “

Li Xun asked with his eyes, and the man was even more proud. He pointed to the carriages and horses at the bottom of the slope, and the beauties from the various gates of the city. We are all hidden in our hearts. The purple tasseled fragrant carriage belongs to the family of Sun Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice. I guess it is the second young lady who is riding. This one is a great beauty.

“And the one with the green roof belongs to Prime Minister Liu’s family. The young ladies in the family are… ordinary…”

Li Xun listened to him at first. However, as he watched the traffic increasing in the distance and the people gathering like ants, some strange thoughts came to his mind and he automatically ignored the words.

How small!

He was just lamenting the short life of these vulgar people, just like ants. Now he was looking down from a high place and looking from afar, which just fulfilled his thoughts. If he stretched out his hand with his five fingers spread out, he could probably hold all these people and vehicles in his palm! Do

those free and easy monks who fly freely in the sky think the same way when they look down at all the creatures in the world under the vast blue sky?

Looking at the nine points of smoke in Qizhou from afar, a pool of sea water poured into the cup!

Only those who are high in the blue sky and can control the wind can have such feelings!

Unconsciously, the boldness in his heart Emotions nearly overflowed—he was a mere junior, to be sure, but he was, after all, one of these immortal cultivators! He, too, could soar a thousand miles on a sword; he could live on wind and dew, devoid of the consuming power of fire; he could raise his palm and move mountains and seas!

To a human, an ant is merely a lowly creature; but how could a cultivator view a human being any differently?

Asking a frog in a well to imagine the vastness of the ocean might be considered wishful thinking; but asking a giant Kun to consider the frog’s life, how ridiculous!

Absurd, indeed!

In a trance, the mocking smile on Yin Sanren’s lips became crystal clear. Not only did Yin Sanren want to laugh, but Li Xun himself wanted to laugh too!

He actually laughed, and the laughter grew more and more joyful, until he lifted his head to the heavens and burst into laughter. The joy in his heart, carried by the laughter, rose far into the blue sky.

The roar of the rolling river gradually faded amidst this laughter, until it finally fell silent.