Chapter 84: A Fierce Bandit Never Complains About the Environment
The Tianshu Academy Disciples left in spring, and by the time they returned, spring rain was falling.
At this moment in Shengjing City, rainwater splattered on the road, soaking the stone slabs, which had been smoothed by straw sandals and cloud shoes, until they were as clear as mirrors.
In a restaurant on Yong'an Street, several Worldly Family scions from the capital, dressed in luxurious attire, were seated at a table. A dazzling array of dishes was laid out before them, but they remained untouched.
Seated at the head was a woman, dressed in a plain snow and thousand-water skirt, wearing a Phoenix hairpin, and possessing a noble demeanor. She was Princess Changle Zhao Yunyue, the daughter of Chong Wang.
The woman to her right wore a jade-colored embroidered dress, with a face as smooth and radiant as water, and cloud-like hair adorned with flowers. She was Wei Rui, the granddaughter of Wei Xiang.
Below them were sons of several officials, and among them, the host was Dou Yuankong, the son of Dou Shangshu.
All of them possessed some cultivation, with Princess Changle being the highest, having reached Junior Third Realm Completion, but they were not considered Immortal Sect Disciples.
This was because when the Great Xia Dynasty was founded, there was a sacred edict that Family members of important court officials could cultivate immortality, but they could not belong to an Immortal Sect.
Therefore, these Sect had Guest Elders, Masters invited from Immortal Sects, residing in their homes.
For example, Princess Changle's Family had an Elder from Lingjian Mountain enshrined, who cultivated in the Prince's Mansion all day long.
“We agreed to meet at the hour of Yi, why is no one here yet?”
“Princess, don’t worry, perhaps something has delayed them—
“Have them clear away the food first. We’ll make a fresh batch later, so the guests won’t be displeased when they arrive.”
Zhao Yunyue said indifferently, unable to resist patting her plump bottom, which had gone numb from sitting for too long.
They were here today to host several Tianshu Academy Disciples, including Lu Qingqiu and Lou Siyi.
But unlike ordinary banquets, they had received instructions from their Sect today regarding the spirit mine and immortal seedling matters.
Since around the New Year, the Emperor had begun to select new officials and established the Supervisor. Initially, everyone thought it would be like before, all thunder and no rain.
But who knew that the Supervisor immediately began investigating a case of tax and tribute corruption, and used this as a pretext to arrest a large number of officials.
In the past, the pro-immortal faction in the imperial court would not have been afraid.
Just as Chong Wang had said, in the Qingyun World, immortal power reigned supreme.
However, after the incident at the ruins, the various Immortal Sects suffered heavy losses, and some people were still wandering in the mountains, completely preoccupied and unable to attend to such minor matters.
With the Town Protector Divine General stationed in the capital, intimidating the officials, the Emperor took the opportunity to arrange for a large number of new officials to take office.
Among them were several important positions related to spirit mine exploitation and immortal seedling cultivation.
Moreover, the Emperor's reach extended far this time. For instance, several spirit mines in Feng Province were currently being inspected repeatedly by newly appointed court officials.
Such actions naturally displeased the Worldly Sect in the capital and the Immortal Sect Worldly Sect.
These Immortal Sect Worldly Sect then arranged with several pro-immortal Worldly Sect in the capital to meet under the guise of friendly gatherings. In reality, it was to exchange information and send those officials away.
However, shortly after the food was cleared away, Lou Siyi's maid, holding an umbrella, rushed in and entered the building.
“Princess, Young Miss Wei, Young Master Dou, my Young Miss cannot attend the banquet today. She wishes to reschedule.”
Dou Yuankong couldn't help but stand up, somewhat surprised, and asked, “Reschedule? Why is that?”
Lou Siyi's maid pursed her lips: “My Young Miss said someone returned to the Academy today, and she needs to see him. Young Miss Sun is also the same, so neither of them can come today.”
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.
They didn't know who had returned to the Academy that even a pre-arranged banquet was being skipped.
And no sooner had Lou Siyi's maid left than Lu Qingqiu's maid arrived, saying largely the same thing—that she had something to attend to today and could not come to the banquet.
Zhao Yunyue lightly bit her thin lip: “Lu Qingqiu is an arrogant woman. Who could have returned with such a grand spectacle that even she has to join the excitement?”
“Perhaps those who explored the ruins have returned?”
Lu Qingqiu's maid said, “It is Young Master Ji You who returned to the Academy today. My Young Miss once gifted him a treasured sword.”
Everyone at the table opened their mouths, suddenly remembering Ji You.
He was said to have entered the Academy through private cultivation, then sensed the Heavenly Book, but was sent out of Tianshu Academy to explore the ruins just as he was breaking through to a new Realm.
“Then—has Young Master Chu arrived?”
“Young Master Chu also seems not to be coming.”
The Chu Family had no particular connection with the imperial court, but due to their prominent Family name, if there was any banquet, an invitation would certainly be extended to him.
When Chong Wang hosted Chu River, Zhao Yunyue had seen him from afar in a side hall and thought him grand and elegant.
She had later heard about what happened at Tianshu Academy. It was said that Ji You was the first to sense the Heavenly Book, which greatly frustrated Chu River.
But Chu River later went into seclusion for countless days and nights, catching up and being the first to enter the Tongxuan Middle Stage.
So Zhao Yunyue was somewhat curious why Ji You's return would cause Chu River to also join the excitement.
“Sister Yunyue, since no one is coming, let's just call it off today.”
Wei Rui couldn't help but speak softly, her voice like a warbling orioles.
Zhao Yunyue pondered for a moment and said, “Anyway, I have nothing to do today. I'm actually a bit curious about this Ji You. Let's go, we'll also go to Tianshu Academy to take a look.”
“This—”
Wei Rui actually didn't understand court affairs; she was just a delicate woman who enjoyed zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
The reason she came today was because Wei Xiang was a representative of the pro-immortal faction, and their Family needed someone to show up.
At this moment, she was still thinking about matters outside the city, but her personality was soft and gentle, not good at refusing, so she could only follow Zhao Yunyue into the carriage and head to Tianshu Academy.
The light rain on the street had stopped by now. When they arrived at Tianshu Academy, they saw other people standing there, seemingly some outer sect cultivators who were permanently stationed in Shengjing.
And the Tianshu Academy Disciples were scattered in twos and threes below the mountain gate, on the divine path, and beside the divine path.
Among them, Chu River and Lu Qingqiu stood higher up; the former had a gloomy expression, while the latter's expression was complex.
Behind them were several Dan Sect Disciples, wearing red and yellow robes with a three-legged Pill Furnace embroidered on their backs, seemingly looking forward to something.
“It seems it's not as simple as just Ji You's return.”
Zhao Yunyue murmured thoughtfully.
Wei Rui, feeling a bit bored, let her gaze wander and suddenly spotted a scholar standing under a distant willow tree outside the crowd.
The area was heavily waterlogged, so no one was there, but the scholar placed two bricks in the water and stood on them, looking towards Tianshu Academy.
After a long while, as if sensing her gaze, the scholar couldn't help but turn his head. He paused slightly upon seeing Wei Rui, then cupped his hands in a respectful bow.
Wei Rui also couldn't help but smile faintly, giving him a slight bow, then hesitated for a moment before walking over.
“Young Master, why are you here? Are you also interested in immortal cultivators?”
“A friend of mine returned today, and I wanted to see with my own eyes if he was safe.”
“I see.”
“And you, Young Miss?”
“Um—I was dragged along to join the excitement.”
Kuang Cheng nodded, unsure what to say, and simply smiled.
He didn't know who this Young Miss was, but in recent days, due to the rampant evil, many refugees had appeared outside the city.
These refugees came from all directions and dared not gather in places belonging to Immortal Sect Worldly Sect, so they could only come to Shengjing.
Kuang Cheng had been preoccupied with the refugee situation these past few days, following the Supervisor to maintain order outside, and he had seen this Young Miss distributing porridge there.
He had also helped out a few times, but they hadn't exchanged many words.
Wei Rui looked at him now, her face inexplicably flushed slightly, and she softly asked, “Young Master, are you still going outside the city today?”
“I will go after this.”
“Me too.”
Kuang Cheng listened to her reply, not daring to look directly at her, yet desperately wanting to ask her name.
Just then, Kou Yuankong approached from a distance and walked to Wei Rui's side: “Why did you come here?”
Wei Rui glanced at him: “I saw a friend.”
“This is your friend?”
“We met while I was distributing porridge outside the city.”
Dou Yuankong couldn't help but glance at Kuang Cheng, then said to Wei Rui, “Are you still going to distribute porridge outside today?”
Wei Rui nodded: “Yes, I am.”
“I'll arrange for someone to follow you. Those refugees will riot if they don't get enough to eat, to prevent you from getting hurt.”
Kuang Cheng had already turned his head back by now and said nothing more.
The Young Misses in the capital were all high-ranking officials and nobles. Looking at her and her friend's extraordinary attire, it would be difficult for a poor scholar like him, who held a minor position in the Supervisor, to associate with them.
As Kuang Cheng thought, he heard a stir of discussion from the area opposite Tianshu Academy.
As far as his eyes could see, four carriages slowly approached and stopped in front of the mountain gate and divine path of Tianshu Academy.
The Tianshu Academy group traveled by boat from Fengxingdu, changed carriages at the post station outside the city, and finally returned to Shengjing after a day and a night.
The fierce bandit has returned to the mountain, Ji You silently recited, then looked up and found gazes everywhere, almost being stared to death. It seemed the news of his breakthrough had indeed spread in recent days.
At this moment, the discussions among the onlookers grew louder and louder.
“What happened? Why do everyone's expressions look so strange?”
“That Ji You—has already entered Tongxuan.”
Except for the unique Qi-gazing method of the Dan Dao, low-level cultivators could not clearly discern higher-level cultivators, so they could only see the general Realm.
But at this moment, Chu River's face was extremely ugly, and he flicked his sleeve and left.
He was already at the Tongxuan Middle Stage, so he could naturally see that Ji You's Realm was different from his own. He had not believed the news from his Family, but now he had to.
Lu Qingqiu had also vaguely heard rumors of Ji You's breakthrough, but she didn't understand why Chu River, who was at the same level as him, was so enraged: “What's wrong with him?”
Instructor Ma took a deep breath: “Not Tongxuan Middle Stage, but Tongxuan Middle Stage.”
“Middle Stage?” Lu Qingqiu's eyes widened.
At this moment, Cao Jinsong was not standing with the others, but stood with his massive chest puffed out on the Ascension White Jade Platform, facing the mountain gate.
The moment Ji You stepped into the mountain gate, he saw Old Cao's eyes instantly turn red.
Old Cao had sent him a reply on the boat, saying he had been restless for several days. Hmm, restless, yet he seemed to have gained some weight?
“It's good to be back, it's good to be back.”
Cao Jinsong stepped forward and patted this extraordinary child he had brought back from Yuyang County, speechless for a moment.
Ji You looked at him, and finally patted his shoulder too.
Actually, after coming to the Qingyun World, he had always found it difficult to open up to people. Old Qiu was one, Kuang Cheng was one, and now Old Cao could be considered one too.
He had initially thought Old Cao merely cherished talent, but then he acquiesced to his departure, and their friendship deepened considerably. In the future, he would rob him less and Instructor Wang more.
And at this moment, Cao Jinsong's eyes widened slightly in surprise, watching Pei Ruyi slowly approach from the divine path, his mouth agape.
Her appearance had not changed much since she left, but her aura was distinctly different.
“Ruyi, you—you also broke through?”
Pei Ruyi nodded gently, a smile in her eyes: “I had some insight on the boat and broke through.”
Last night, while eating on the boat, Wen Zhengxin sent someone to call her, but she did not go because she felt the signs of a breakthrough, so she meditated in her room all night.
Like Ban Yangshu, she had been stuck at this Realm for many years, and she didn't know why she suddenly broke through the Realm she had painstakingly cultivated for so long at this particular moment.
Cao Jinsong opened his mouth after hearing this, then his face was filled with relief.
Feng Province was remote and barren, and its students were always somewhat inferior each year, but now it had one Integration Realm and one Tongxuan.
He took a deep breath, turned to look at Ji You, intending to utter some grand words, but his expression suddenly froze. He saw Ji You walking towards the Master's Courtyard, with seven swords appearing, one in hand and six floating in the air.
“Ji You, what are you doing?”
“Asking for money. Didn't they promise me one hundred taels if I returned to the mountain alive?”
“Then why are you drawing your sword?”
“I shed my blood for Tianshu Academy, and my swords are all blunt from fighting. I'm going to ask them if they'll compensate me.”
Ji You raised his sword to the sky and walked alone towards the mountain path under everyone's gaze.
Cao Jinsong immediately followed: “The Master's Courtyard has a rule: you need to unequip your sword before entering.”
Qin Zhangshi was in the Master's Courtyard at this moment. Hearing the conversation from below, he soon saw Ji You entering with his sword, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
He felt the sharpness within the Sword Intent, and this sharpness was directed at the authority of the Master's Courtyard.
Tianshu Academy had existed since the rise of the Human Race, and the history of the Master's Courtyard was almost as long, yet never had a Disciple dared to confront it, especially when he was merely an Outer Courtyard Disciple…
The veins on Qin Zhangshi's forehead gradually bulged, but in the end, he pretended not to see, allowed Ji You to enter with his sword, gave him one hundred taels, and even gave him money to replace his sword.
Dan Sect was currently in the Academy. He had saved the Dan Sect siblings, so even Qin Zhangshi could not do anything to him now.
“You brat, you've gotten bolder after going out?”
“The Master's Courtyard is just bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and I happen not to be a soft persimmon that can be kneaded at will. Now that Dan Sect is also here, it's a robbery not to rob.”
“This is Tianshu Academy, there are rules.”
“A true fierce bandit never complains about the environment.”
What the two of them didn't know was that at this moment, on the peak of Ni Mountain, amidst the vast sea of clouds, two figures were also watching this scene.
The loosely dressed old man looked at Cao Jinsong and thought to himself, this old fellow is more arrogant than I am, like a Sect Master.
“This child has some courage, and his actions are quite to my liking. Why don't we replace the direct Disciple of Zizai Hall and let him take the position?”
You Yingqiu said this, her eyes looking at the Master in front of her, as if trying to discern something from him.
The Master chuckled and waved his hand.
He had once, as You Yingqiu suggested, forcibly altered someone's Karma trajectory, and the result was a bloody lesson.
There was an ancient saying in Qingyun: 'Misfortune and fortune are intertwined.' For someone of his status, blocking someone's misfortune also meant depriving them of their fortune.
His female Disciple must have favored him because of the Heavenly Book's reaction to him, not because he was good. This was reversing cause and effect, and its source coming from him would be a great disaster.