Legend of the Embroiderer

Chapter 9 The Mysterious Taoist Priest

Since the attack by the men in black, Su Mengyao seemed a changed person. She had lost her former cheerfulness and laughter, and a faint sadness hung over her features. In this magnificent palace, she felt an unprecedented loneliness and helplessness. Whenever night fell, she would sit alone by the window, gazing at the distant starry sky, her heart filled with longing for modern life.

That day, the sun was shining brightly, and the breeze was gentle. Su Mengyao wandered aimlessly through the palace gardens. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled shadow on her. She looked around, seeing only the blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies in the garden, but missing only her own joy.

Just then, a strange figure entered her sight. It was an old man, dressed in a simple Taoist robe, holding a wooden staff carved with strange symbols. He was slowly walking towards her. His eyes were deep and full of wisdom, as if he could see through everything in the world.

Su Mengyao looked at him curiously, a wave of wonder rising in her heart. When her eyes met Wu Chen's, Wu Chen smiled slightly and said, "Su Mengyao, you are not from this era. Your appearance was already destined by the will of heaven."

Su Mengyao was shocked upon hearing this, filled with confusion and fear. She nervously looked around, but found no one else besides them. So, she lowered her voice and asked, "Who are you? How do you know my name? How do you know all this?"

Wu Chen shook his head slightly and said mysteriously, "My name is Wu Chen. I travel between heaven and earth, exploring the secrets of the universe. Your appearance is unexpected, but it is also the arrangement of fate. I can feel the traces of time on you, an aura that does not belong to this era."

Su Mengyao's fear and nervousness were gradually replaced by curiosity. She took a deep breath, mustered up her courage, and asked, "So, do you know how I can return to my original world?"

Wu Chen pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly: "The secret of traveling through time and space is not a simple matter. It involves the power of the universe and the distortion of time and space. But perhaps we can become allies and explore this secret together."

Su Mengyao was completely captivated by Wuchen's mystery and wisdom. She knew that in this strange era, she needed someone who could understand and help her. Although Wuchen was mysterious, his appearance gave her a glimmer of hope.

So she nodded without hesitation and said, "Okay! I choose you as my ally."

Wu Chen's eyes flickered with relief upon hearing this. He gently waved the wooden staff in his hand, and a gentle force enveloped the two of them. They sat in a corner of the garden, and Wu Chen began to explain to Su Mengyao the mystery of time travel.

He said: "Time and space are like a huge tapestry. Every time you travel through time, you leave a mark on this tapestry. And the mark of time on your body is the thread that accidentally broke into this tapestry. To find the way back, we must find that thread and untie its knot in the tapestry."

Su Mengyao listened intently, as if she saw her own hope of traveling through time and space. She held Wuchen's hand tightly, as if holding the key to her home. Although the road ahead was unknown and full of challenges, she felt a sense of peace of mind with Wuchen's help.

Wu Chen took a deep breath and continued, "But don't worry, I will continue to investigate. You have to be more careful during this period." His eyes were firm and gentle, like an invisible force, dispelling the fear in Su Mengyao's heart bit by bit.

From that day on, Su Mengyao and Wu Chen became close friends, sharing every possible opportunity. Together, they explored the secrets of time travel and faced unknown challenges. Wu Chen's appearance not only brought new hope to Su Mengyao, but also added a touch of mystery to her adventure.

From that day on, Su Mengyao's life seemed to be rekindled. Every morning, she and Wu Chen would meet in the library, leafing through the yellowed ancient tome, searching for clues to a journey through time and space. The words within these ancient books were like ancient spells, each character imbued with endless wisdom and mystery, leaving Su Mengyao filled with both awe and longing. Wu Chen, like a patient mentor, not only guided Su Mengyao through complex theories but also used vivid stories and metaphors to make abstract concepts accessible. They would debate endlessly, then smile at each other, their understanding and trust growing quietly and unnoticed.

As time went by, Su Mengyao gradually noticed changes in herself. She became more resilient and braver, no longer flinching in the face of unknown challenges. She learned how to harness her own strength, sense the pulse of the times, and discern the crises lurking in the shadows.

Just as they were about to uncover the secrets of time travel, a sudden incident shattered their tranquility. The palace guards suddenly increased, and the men in black reappeared, seemingly searching for something important. Wu Chen, keenly aware of the danger, grabbed Su Mengyao's hand and swiftly navigated the palace's secret passages, dodging the enemy's pursuit.

In the secret passage, Wu Chen revealed a startling secret to Su Mengyao. It turned out he was no ordinary Taoist priest, but rather a descendant of an ancient family whose generations had guarded the secret of time travel. The men in black were hunting them because they had discovered this secret and intended to exploit it for their own ulterior motives. Faced with this sudden crisis, Su Mengyao didn't flinch. She held Wu Chen's hand tightly, her eyes gleaming with determination. At this moment, she was no longer a lone time traveler, but a comrade fighting alongside Wu Chen. Together, they must face this challenge and protect the secret that could bring her home.

At the end of the secret passage, they discovered an ancient stone door. The old man gently tapped the door with his staff, and it slowly opened, revealing a bizarre world. It was the intersection of time and space, a bridge connecting two worlds. Su Mengyao knew that if she could pass through this door, she might return to her own world. Just then, the men in black caught up. A fierce battle ensued between them and the old man. Swords flashed, fists whistled, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. But Su Mengyao and the old man, with their unwavering faith and extraordinary martial arts skills, gradually gained the upper hand. Finally, after a hard-fought battle, the men in black were defeated one by one.

Crown Prince Li Zhao, upon hearing the guards' urgent report of a fierce battle between a group of men in black and a Taoist priest, rushed to the scene. When he arrived, he found only Su Mengyao standing alone, surrounded by a shambles. The men in black and the Taoist priest Wuchen had vanished, presumably having seen the imperial court approaching and, fearing exposure, had fled.

Li Zhao quickly walked up to Su Mengyao and asked nervously, "Mengyao, why are you here? Are you hurt? I heard from the guards that there was a fight here." Su Mengyao looked at the prince's concerned eyes, and her heart warmed. However, she couldn't tell the secret between her and Wuchen, so she shook her head gently and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm fine. I was just wandering around because I was bored and accidentally walked here."

Li Zhao's heart was finally at ease after hearing this. He glanced around, making sure there was no danger, and said, "Then I'll take you back." He reached out and took Su Mengyao's arm, and together they walked towards the palace. Along the way, Li Zhao frequently inquired about Su Mengyao's health, fearing she might be hurt. Su Mengyao felt the Crown Prince's concern, and her heart was filled with gratitude and warmth.

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at Su Mengyao's residence. Li Zhao watched her enter the house safely before leaving with peace of mind. He knew that today's events must be serious, but he also understood that if Su Mengyao didn't want to talk about something, it would be useless for him to ask again. However, he would secretly investigate everything and would never let Su Mengyao suffer any harm.