Chapter 147: A Place to Return
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
By the end of July, the chill of autumn had begun to settle.
The autumn wind howled coldly, and the morning dew turned to frost.
The war between the Barbaric Race and Great Xia at Cold Iron Pass had reached a temporary lull, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
Meanwhile, the Demon Clan had established Heavenly Treasure Pavilion within The Nine Provinces, a commerce guild that directly catered to human cultivators.
At the same time, the influence of the Autumn Duel at Heavenly Script Academy continued to grow.
Chu He, whose arm had been shattered, was taken back to You Prefecture, and thereafter, no further news of him surfaced.
The unexpected and decisive outcome of the Autumn Duel had sparked discussions, especially concerning Ji You’s physique. Rumors began to spread that his constitution might rival the Seven Apertures Exquisite Physique of the Chu Clan.
People now speculated that they were witnessing the rise of another millennia-old noble family.
However, one matter left many bewildered—both the affections of Titled Princess Chang Le and Miss Lu of Yunzhou had gone unanswered.
“I heard that Ji You has no interest in women?”
“Indeed. I heard from the disciples of Heavenly Script Academy that he never so much as glances at a woman. He keeps his gaze straight ahead, not sparing them a second look.”
“To think there still exists such a modest gentleman in Azure Clouds Dominion?”
“I don’t find it surprising. Only those of such character can attain the Sword Heart Clarity spoken of by Spirit Sword Mountain and remain untainted by worldly distractions, free to roam the path of immortality.”
Yet, every time such rumors surfaced, those who knew the truth could only sneer in disdain.
Especially Immortal Emperor Ru Long, who utterly loathed these baseless claims.
He claimed that before entering Heavenly Script Academy, he was a pure-hearted noble scion, but it was under the influence of Ji You that he had learned the art of appreciating the curves of the feminine form.
Amidst this tide of rumors, Titled Princess Chang Le grew increasingly cold and distant.
Before presenting Ji You with her letter and spirit hairpin, she had never considered the possibility of rejection. She had even imagined that Ji You might be more eager than herself. Yet now, not only had she been turned down, but she had also become the subject of widespread discussion, her face darkening for days.
What frustrated her further was the comparison drawn between her and other women who sought Ji You as a Dao companion. When others pointed out her shortcomings in contrast, her anger and humiliation deepened.
Despite the open-minded customs of cultivators, Titled Princess Chang Le could not help but harbor a grudge against Ji You.
At this time, Ji You sat in a carriage, departing Heavenly Script Academy in the brisk autumn air, traveling northwest.
Seated alongside him were three companions: Kuang Cheng, who was engrossed in a book; Pei Ru Yi, who had her eyes closed in meditation; and Cao Jin Song, who continuously examined a map.
The selection for the Inner Court Halls was not urgent, but the Autumn Enrollment of the academy was approaching fast.
As in previous years, Cao Jin Song and Pei Ru Yi were responsible for selecting promising disciples from Feng Prefecture to be admitted into Heavenly Script Academy.
This period also coincided with the academy’s family visitation days, allowing disciples to return home.
Thus, following the events of the Autumn Duel, Ji You decided to accompany them, taking the opportunity to visit Yuyang County.
Before setting out, he made a special trip to Mount Void.
The Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain was still in secluded cultivation, but when she briefly awakened, she found him.
With an indifferent expression, she embraced him silently for a while before staring at his chest for an extended period. Then, as if growing irritated, she kicked him out.
According to Ji You, she was simply a heartless woman…
As for Kuang Cheng, his responsibilities regarding Demon Clan’s commercial expansion into the Nine Provinces had temporarily concluded, allowing him to take leave and travel with Ji You.
His recent success in resolving both the tax embezzlement case and overseeing trade with the Demon Clan had garnered favor from the Great Xia Emperor.
Now, he held the rank of Ministry of Revenue’s Censor, while also serving as an Inspector within the Department of Immortal Observers.
His goal of securing an immortal cultivation quota for his family was within reach.
However, while Kuang Cheng’s official career was progressing smoothly, the matter of romance remained an enigma.
He still had no idea how to interact with Wei Rui. The two seldom met, though they had exchanged more letters recently.
“There are three immortal cultivation quotas in Feng Prefecture, all designated for members of the Northern Garrison,” Cao Jin Song read aloud, gripping the scroll tightly as the carriage rocked along the road.
“Additionally, six offspring of officials in Feng Prefecture have been cultivating in nearby Immortal Manors. They should now possess the qualifications to enter Heavenly Script Academy. I paid special attention to some of them last year, and their progress should be satisfactory.”
Cao Jin Song’s heart brimmed with anticipation.
And the reason for his excitement was none other than Ji You.
A year ago, when he had arrived at Yuyang County in search of Fang Ruo Yao, he had instead encountered Ji You—a youth who advanced two realms overnight, attaining Peak Lower Three Stages before even reaching twenty years of age.
Now, that same youth had already carved his path into the Inner Court with his sword.
Their carriage gradually rolled to a stop in Yunxia Town, a small settlement in Feng Prefecture, where they intended to rest before continuing their journey.
Situated on an endless expanse of barren loess, Yunxia Town was a land of yellow earth, etched with countless ravines and chasms, desolate and impoverished.
Upon entering the town, they saw numerous square pits arranged in neat rows, but not a single house stood above ground.
As they approached, they realized these pits were over three zhang deep, spanning over five zhang in width. Sloping paths led down into the pit dwellings, where ?? (yaodong)—cave-like homes—lined the earthen walls, their doors and windows clearly visible.
This was the traditional subterranean dwelling style of Yunxia Town.
Lacking stone and scarce in timber, the people of Yunxia Town had lived beneath the earth for over a thousand years.
And Yunxia Town was not unique. There were countless such impoverished settlements across Feng Prefecture, where people quite literally made their homes in the earth.
As they approached the secluded courtyard, a tanned old farmer emerged from the earthen dwelling. Upon seeing them, he immediately fell to his knees within the pit, his entire body trembling in fear.
Ji You and Kuang Cheng stood above, silently observing the scene before instinctively averting their gazes. Without a word, they turned and walked away.
Meanwhile, another carriage arrived, and Fang Ruo Yao stepped down, her maid Shuang Er following closely behind. She originally had no plans to visit her family, but upon learning from Pei Ru Yi that they would be returning to Yuyang County, she decided to accompany them.
The group of six soon found a quiet place to rest and unpacked their rations.
“Look here—Falling Moon Villa,” Cao Jin Song said, pointing at a spot on the southwest side of the Feng Prefecture map. “Last year, I took notice of a promising scholar who chose to cultivate there. Since this villa follows the teachings of Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, I doubt I’m the only one keeping an eye on him. We should go there first, then return to Yuyang County, and finally gather the other scholars before heading back.”
Ji You spoke up, “I need to make a trip to the prefecture capital.”
Cao Jin Song turned to look at him. “Building a noble clan is not something to rush. Right now, you are alone.”
“The Azure Clouds Immortal Edicts do not forbid an individual from establishing a noble clan,” Ji You countered. “Besides, the collection of tax tributes will begin soon.”
“You plan to claim a share of the tax tributes? Such actions will breed resentment.”
Feng Prefecture had no local noble clans, but it was home to many immortal manors, such as Immortal Worship Mountain Manor. These manors were not particularly powerful—their leaders were, at most, at the Dao Fusion Stage—but they had migrated to Feng Prefecture from Yun Prefecture, You Prefecture, and Central Prefecture, taking advantage of the land’s resources. Over time, they had come to claim a significant portion of the Feng Prefecture’s tax tributes, with two-tenths of all tax revenues funneled into their coffers. Half of these tributes were consumed by the manors themselves, while the rest were sent to their affiliated noble clans and immortal sects.
The people of the Nine Provinces suffered, but none more so than those of Feng Prefecture.
Cao Jin Song understood Ji You’s intent. By establishing a local noble clan, Ji You sought to challenge the dominance of these foreign manors and reclaim the tax tributes under the name of a rightful native noble house.
However, while the Azure Clouds Immortal Edicts were drafted by the Seven Great Immortal Sects, they only carried weight because of the people enforcing them. Ji You, despite having entered the Inner Court, was still only at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage. The foreign immortal manors would not easily relinquish their wealth.
Cao Jin Song himself saw merit in Ji You’s ambition, but he feared it was too soon.
“Instructor, Junior Brother Ji is not alone,” Pei Ru Yi suddenly said.
“Hmm?” Cao Jin Song turned toward her.
“I will join him.”
“But the two of you alone…”
“Not just us,” Pei Ru Yi continued. “Ban Yang Shu, Wen Zheng Xin, and Bai Ru Long—they spoke to me before we departed.”
She met Cao Jin Song’s gaze. “I failed to enter the Inner Court, and for years, I have wondered where I would go after leaving the Heavenly Script Academy. I believe I have finally found my place.”
Within the Seven Great Holy Sects, the Dao Fusion Stage was unremarkable, but in Feng Prefecture, it was a force to be reckoned with. A manor backed by three cultivators at this level could not be ignored.
After a long silence, Cao Jin Song clasped his hands behind his back and sighed. “Then before we return to the Heavenly Script Academy, let us visit the prefecture capital.”
Ji You and Kuang Cheng exchanged glances before bowing deeply to him upon the dusty, wind-swept earth.
Not far away, Fang Ruo Yao stood quietly, watching without a word.
“Let’s eat,” she finally said. “It seems we have a long road ahead.”
“Yes,” the others replied.
After a brief meal, the six of them boarded their carriages and journeyed across the barren land, heading toward Cinnabar Water Prefecture, where Falling Moon Villa resided.
Cinnabar Water Prefecture was one of the largest in Feng Prefecture, situated deep within the land. The scholar that Cao Jin Song mentioned was Xiang Fu, the daughter of Magistrate Xiang Xuan.
Since childhood, Xiang Fu had trained under the cultivators of Falling Moon Villa. By last year, she had already reached the Essence Refinement Stage—a remarkable feat in such a desolate region.
However, Falling Moon Villa was affiliated with Mystic Origin Immortal Palace, making it uncertain whether Xiang Fu would accept Cao Jin Song’s invitation to join the Heavenly Script Academy.
His plan was to first gauge Magistrate Xiang Xuan’s stance before approaching Xiang Fu herself.
Yet, when the six of them arrived at the magistrate’s estate, they found Xiang Fu already there.
“Falling Moon Villa moved away half a year ago.”
“Moved?”
Magistrate Xiang Xuan, a middle-aged man with a goat-like beard, nodded solemnly. “Indeed, Immortal Master. But none of us saw them leave.”
Ji You and Kuang Cheng exchanged glances. “Vanished overnight?”
“Exactly. My daughter had already been home for half a month by then. At first, I suspected it was just an excuse to send her away. But when I brought gifts to visit, I found the entire villa deserted.”
Ji You furrowed his brow. “Just like Immortal Worship Mountain Manor?”
Kuang Cheng flicked his sleeve. “That is good news—one less immortal manor, one less obstacle for Brother Ji’s noble clan.”
Cao Jin Song and Pei Ru Yi shared the same sentiment. Their goal had been to recruit Xiang Fu, but they had worried that her loyalty to Mystic Origin Immortal Palace would hinder her acceptance of the Heavenly Script Academy.
Now, things had taken an unexpectedly favorable turn.