Chapter 167: Words of Deep Affection on a Short Page
The envoy of the Human Race had departed from the grand capital of Sheng Jing, heading northward under the golden hues of the morning sun.
Yet, the streets remained bustling with disciples of the Immortal Sects and the noble elite of the capital, gathering in tea houses and taverns, their discussions centered around none other than Ji You.
After all, this place was closest to the Heavenly Script Academy, and among all, they were most familiar with him. However, such discussions rarely bore words of praise. Much like the voices in the Inner Court, they repeated the same sentiments to the point of making one’s ears grow calluses.
“A mere rogue cultivator from the countryside, blinded by his narrow vision, throwing away his life so cheaply.”
“He had a chance to secure his family’s prosperity, yet he chose to offend the great sects, even making enemies of the Immortal Hall, barring himself from entering its gates.”
“It wasn’t so long ago that he nearly lost his life for a pouch of silver coins, and yet he refuses to learn his lesson.”
Laughter erupted across the taverns at such remarks, their ridicule carried beneath the vast azure sky. Such mockery was commonplace in these establishments, a source of amusement and idle talk.
Yet, while they laughed and conversed, their true concerns lay elsewhere—what would be the outcome of this diplomatic journey? More importantly, how would the world shift in its wake?
For those who already held wealth and power, life was comfortable, even without attaining immortality. Free-spirited and unbound, they feared nothing more than chaos.
“Whether it’s trade or diplomacy with the Demon Clan, their intentions have never been benevolent. I said this before, and today, it’s proving true.”
“Indeed, demons have always harbored the ambition of wolves.”
“If the Demon Emperor chooses to exploit this envoy’s visit to demand concessions, war may be inevitable.”
“Would we, cultivators, be forced to take up arms?”
“No need for concern. Those sent to the frontlines will always be those with the weakest backgrounds.”
“Should Cold Iron Pass fall, Yun Prefecture will suffer dearly.”
“Yun Prefecture is rich in spiritual ores, a land of great importance. If ties with the Demon Clan are severed and we lose access to Snow Realm Demon Stones, then Yun Prefecture cannot be abandoned. I believe Feng Prefecture will be the true casualty.”
“Feng Prefecture?”
“A vast land with few inhabitants, devoid of spiritual ores, inhabited only by common folk. It is the perfect battleground. If I were a Sect Master, I would have the great cultivators shift mountains in Yun Prefecture, blocking the paths and leading the enemy to war in Feng Prefecture.”
“Then the children of Feng Prefecture would never grow up, and those who leave home may never return.”
“Hmm? What old tale is this?”
“Hahaha! It is the mad ambition once spoken by Ji You himself, back when he established a lineage in Feng Prefecture—to see children grow up, to see travelers return home, to create…”
The speaker halted suddenly, his laughter cut short as he turned toward the departing caravan beyond the tavern’s window. Others, too, grew silent, exchanging glances before furrowing their brows in contemplation.
The autumn breeze swept through the streets of Sheng Jing, stirring fallen golden leaves, casting a sense of desolation across the grand city.
As the crowd dispersed, two figures walked quietly along the long street lined with towering taverns.
One was Princess Chang Le, Zhao Yun Yue, of the Prince Chong’s Mansion; the other, Dou Yuan Kong, son of Minister Dou.
Yet, an unspoken tension hung between them.
“A rupture between the Demon Clan and our Human Race is not necessarily a bad thing. We once controlled both Yun Prefecture Stones and Central Prefecture Stones, but with the arrival of Snow Realm Demon Stones, we lost our monopoly over spiritual stones. Perhaps, with this turn of events, balance will be restored.”
Zhao Yun Yue walked ahead, her face cold and silent.
After a moment of hesitation, Dou Yuan Kong cupped his hands and spoke, “I know, Princess, that you hold feelings for Ji You, but… his actions are truly infuriating. Supporting that scholar was one thing, but he even emptied my money pouch. I had no choice but to set this trap for him.”
“It matters not.”
“You do not blame me?”
Hearing her indifferent tone, Dou Yuan Kong was somewhat taken aback.
Zhao Yun Yue gazed ahead calmly. “I was drawn to Ji You because he entered the Inner Court and possessed a bloodline that could be passed down, one worthy of bearing my children. But he did not choose me. Why should I resent you on his behalf?”
“At first, I was bitter about his rejection. But after witnessing this diplomatic mission, I see him clearly now—at the end of the day, he is nothing more than a petty countryman.”
“To survive in this world, talent alone is not enough. One must have vision and strategy. No matter how powerful he may be, he lacks the means to accomplish great things. In the end, he is unworthy of me.”
Dou Yuan Kong nodded, agreeing with her sentiment. “Indeed, one’s background determines their place in the world.”
A slight smirk tugged at Zhao Yun Yue’s lips. “That said, your scheming this time—though aided by the great clans and the upper echelons of the Heavenly Script Academy—still caught me by surprise.”
“Your praise is undeserved. That night, I overheard that the Barbarian Envoy was traveling to the Demon Realm, and coincidentally, the Demon Envoy was nearby. It was a perfect alignment of time, place, and opportunity.”
Despite his humility, a hint of pride flickered in Dou Yuan Kong’s eyes. After all, even Clan Chu had struggled to deal with Ji You, yet he had effortlessly maneuvered him into a desperate corner. How could he not revel in his victory?
“How far do you think they have traveled by now?”
“Likely reached Yun Prefecture, with two more days before they exit Cold Iron Pass.”
A glint flickered in Zhao Yun Yue’s eyes. “He must still be at ease, unaware that in three days, calamity shall descend upon him. By then, regret will consume him.”
Just then, a sudden commotion erupted ahead, accompanied by the shrill cries of a startled horse. The two lifted their heads and found themselves standing before the Wei Mansion.
The uproar came from its entrance, where Wei Rui was pulling at her horse’s reins, attempting to leave, only to be blocked by the Wei Mansion’s steward and servants. In their struggle, the horse grew restless.
Dou Yuan Kong furrowed his brows. “Stop this at once!”
The steward, sweating profusely, turned around in alarm. Seeing the two, he quickly bowed. “Greetings, Princess Chang Le, Young Master Dou.”
Zhao Yun Yue stepped forward, her gaze like ice. “Fighting in the streets—what disgrace is this?”
“Your Highness, it is not my intention to be disrespectful, but the Master and Old Master are both absent, and my lady insists on riding to Cold Iron Pass, no matter how we plead with her…”
Zhao Yun Yue blinked in surprise. “To Cold Iron Pass?”
Dou Yuan Kong, too, was stunned. “Rui’er, why are you going there?”
Tears welled in Wei Rui’s eyes as she looked at them. “They’ve gone to Cold Iron Pass—they will die!”
Zhao Yun Yue and Wei Rui shared a bond akin to sisterhood. She was also aware of Wei Rui’s connection with Kuang Cheng. Upon hearing the conversation, she couldn’t help but interject, “The Reception Division of the Department of Immortal Observers will only escort the diplomatic delegation to Cold Iron Pass. Once inside the pass, they will part ways. That Kuang fellow isn’t going to the Snow Realm, so he won’t be in any danger.”
“It’s not about that!”
“Hm?”
“Young Master Kuang said that if Cold Iron Pass cannot hold, the cultivators will inevitably turn the barren and worthless Feng Prefecture into a battlefield. In truth, when Great Xia was first established, they had already anticipated that the barbarian tribes who fled into the Ten Thousand Mountains might one day launch a counterattack. Thus, Feng Prefecture has always been reserved for this purpose!”
“Young Master Ji understood this long ago. That is why he embarked on his journey with his sword in hand, seeking life through facing death! Young Master Kuang said that while he is not as strong as Young Master Ji, if war truly breaks out, he, too, would choose to die on the front lines!”
Wei Rui clutched a letter in her hand. It contained only two lines:
Love and hate as vast as the heavens—how much ink could capture it?
Mountains and rivers spanning thousands of miles will not yield for my sake.
The brevity of words, the difficulty of retaining emotions.
A stubborn scholar, rigid in his adherence to propriety, had never before written such bold words.
As her words fell, Zhao Yun Yue and Dou Yuan Kong felt a sudden ringing in their minds, their eyes widening slowly in realization.
Meanwhile, at the border of Central Prefecture and Cloud Prefecture, a grand diplomatic caravan set out from the capital, heading north along the official roads of Great Xia, kicking up clouds of dust in its wake.
Due to the large number of people in the delegation and the mountains of tribute gifts they carried, they were unable to use flying boats. However, to maintain their speed, a magical artifact was embedded in the center of each carriage’s undercarriage.
Powered by spiritual stones, these artifacts generated immense energy to lift the carriages slightly, reducing the burden on the horses and increasing their pace. However, since the roads of Great Xia had long fallen into disrepair, the use of such artifacts only exacerbated the bumpiness of the journey.
The autumn breeze was crisp. Inside one of the jolting carriages, Ji You meticulously wiped down the long swords he had brought. Including the one in his hand, there were fifty in total.
Due to the limits of his Spiritual Consciousness, he could not divide his focus into as many parts as he wished, making it impossible to replicate the effect of the Seven Swords Return to Their Origin technique.
However, if all his swords executed a single technique in unison, it would greatly conserve his Spiritual Consciousness.
During the grand battle at the Heavenly Script Academy, he had wielded fifty-three swords. Now, if he needed more, he would simply add water to the flour, and more flour to the water—surely he had surpassed his past self.
Ban Yang Shu had once asked him: since he could already control more than fifty swords, why not buy even more?
Ji You could only smile wryly. Fifty swords were not his limit, but they were the limit of the Office of Affairs…
When he shopped at Celestial Splendor Pavilion, he always exercised restraint, ensuring that his purchases remained within the acceptable range of the Office of Affairs.
The Kindness of Bandits
Yet the real issue was that the Longevity Peach from Cao Jin Song was far too expensive. Even if he worked in the Heavenly Script Academy for a lifetime, he wouldn’t be able to afford it.
As Ji You continued polishing his swords, the sky outside gradually darkened with their progress.
By now, the delegation had entered Cloud Prefecture, arriving at He Xing City, a place renowned for its trade in Spiritual Stones. The main road into the city was lined with countless merchant houses, some even dealing in Gambling Stones.
With a flick of his sleeve, Ji You sent a surge of Spiritual Qi outward, lifting the curtain of his carriage to the roof. He gazed at the merchant houses along the streets. With a single glance, he realized that he had been swindled when purchasing the Longevity Peach.
The caravan gradually came to a stop in the city, halting before the Lai Shi Inn, which had been pre-arranged by the Department of Immortal Observers before their departure.
This was as far as they would go into Cloud Prefecture. After passing He Xing City, the caravan would skirt the northern border, heading eastward through the northwestern part of Feng Prefecture, avoiding the barbarian army stationed outside Cold Iron Pass.
Thus, they would be resting here for the night.
By now, the Immortal Sect Geniuses had disembarked from their carriages, standing proudly as they surveyed their surroundings.
Back in Shengjing, where the capital was bustling with people, Ji You had not paid them much attention. But now, he could match their faces with the names he had heard in recent days.
The young man with a golden crown, donned in a blue silk robe, was Jiang Chen Feng from the Dao Seeking Sect, a member of the thousand-year-old Jiang Clan, which had long maintained marriage ties with the sect.
By lineage, Jiang Chen Feng should address the Direct Disciple Saint Heir Shang Xi Yao as ‘cousin.’
Beside him were his cousin Jiang Yan and another disciple, Tu Xu.
As soon as they landed, a man clad in a black brocade robe, with a broad straight-bladed sword at his waist, approached Jiang Chen Feng and greeted him with a cupped-fist salute. He was Huo Hong from the Mountain and Sea Pavilion, accompanied by his junior brother Lu Da Cheng and junior sister Jiang Yue Rou.
It was said that Huo Hong was the illegitimate half-brother of Huo Xing Zhong, the Direct Disciple Saint Heir of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion. He had been raised outside the sect but was later brought into the pavilion, though never truly acknowledged.
When asked about this, Huo Xing Zhong’s disdain had been evident.
Perhaps due to this, Huo Hong had cultivated with relentless diligence. Though he was only thirty-one, still young in the cultivation world, he had spent more than twenty years in seclusion. This was one of his rare outings, and he had already reached the Dao Fusion Stage.
Though he rarely emerged, Huo Hong had garnered many rumors in the cultivation world.
Some claimed he was ruthless and cruel, finding entertainment in tormenting fellow disciples.
Soon after, Yan Qiu Bai and Xie Chen Yu from Spirit Sword Mountain joined the conversation.
Yan Qiu Bai hailed from Heavenly Sword Peak, distantly related to Sect Master Yan Zhong, while Xie Chen Yu was a distant relative of the peak lord.
The southern sects had always been closer to one another than the northern sects, so their gathering was unsurprising.
“This Cloud Prefecture is truly a wonderful place—scenic mountains and clear waters, vast and boundless, though a little dry.”
“I’ve been in seclusion for a long time. It’s refreshing to travel once in a while.”
“Oh, right, Jiang Junior Brother, I meant to ask you earlier. During the Heavenly Dao Assembly, I had a delightful conversation with your sect’s Direct Disciple, Senior Brother Shang. I heard upon exiting seclusion that he has been in closed cultivation for quite some time. Do you know when he will emerge?”
“By my calculations, not much longer.”
“The Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain is in seclusion as well. Perhaps they made an agreement…”
“Before the Heavenly Dao Assembly, they might make an appearance…”
Chapter: The Prosperous Yet Hollow Yunzhou
Yunzhou was famed throughout the world for its abundant reserves of spiritual ore, a resource of immense value. When Lu Qing Qiu first entered the Heavenly Script Academy, her air of wealth and nobility left a lasting impression on Ji You.
“Compared to this place, Feng Prefecture truly is a land of savagery,” Ji You remarked.
“It is merely a facade of prosperity,” Kuang Cheng replied, stepping down from the carriage. “The common folk suffer all the same. Yunzhou’s people rely on the noble clans’ mining estates for survival, yet they still must pay tributes. The able-bodied men can toil in the mines to earn a meal, but the elderly, the weak, and the young endure unimaginable hardships. It is hardly any better than Feng Prefecture.”
Ji You furrowed his brows. “If even the young cannot survive, how can there be any strong men left?”
“That is why the noble clans of Yunzhou are quite cunning. Realizing this issue early on, they established a system allowing commoners to foster their children elsewhere.”
“Fostering?” Ji You asked.
Standing by the carriage, Kuang Cheng gazed at the grand pavilions illuminated by dazzling lanterns ahead. “There are institutions in Yunzhou known as Foster Homes, founded by the noble clans. If a miner cannot afford to raise a child, they can entrust them to a Foster Home for upbringing.”
Ji You met his gaze. “I doubt this is an act of charity. Otherwise, during the White Dew season, Yunzhou’s people wouldn’t be fleeing to Feng Prefecture.”
“Indeed,” Kuang Cheng nodded. “The Foster Homes are far from benevolent institutions. Every child taken in is burdened with an exorbitant fostering debt, indebting them from birth. Once they grow up, they are forced to sell themselves to the spiritual ore mines, condemned to a lifetime of labor.”
After a brief pause, he added, “Roughly thirty percent of Yunzhou’s households have already fallen into this cycle, while the remaining seventy percent continue paying their annual tributes.”
Ji You’s eyes flickered with a trace of doubt. “If this is the state of things, why do people still bear children?”
“Initially, many refused, unwilling to bring offspring into such a fate. But the noble clans offered silver as an incentive—ten taels of silver for every child born. And so, the cycle continued.”
“How is that any different from selling one’s children?”
Kuang Cheng shook his head. “It isn’t. But calling it ‘fostering’ sounds far more acceptable.”
Birth, mining, more birth, more mining.
These naive children likely never realized that their very existence was predetermined—to become slaves for the immortals.
Ji You turned his gaze toward the opulent cityscape, sensing the countless white bones buried beneath these golden halls. “I have long said that being a bandit is a promising career.”
“Hm?” Kuang Cheng was taken aback.
“There are simply too many noble clans that deserve to be robbed. A small bandit outpost wouldn’t suffice. It would take an outlaw fortress as grand as Tian Shu Stronghold to make a difference.”
Just then, under the veil of night, a myriad of lavish sedan chairs adorned with vibrant colors soared through the sky, their bases pulsating with spiritual energy, stirring fierce gusts in their wake.
Amidst the turbulence, banners bearing the noble clans’ insignias fluttered wildly.
The sedan chairs descended before the inn where Ji You and his companions were staying, and from them emerged a group of dignified middle-aged men, dressed in extravagant robes and wearing official caps, all exuding profound cultivation levels. These were no doubt the elders and retainers of Yunzhou’s major noble clans.
Each carried gold-gilded invitation slips as they strode into the inn.
Word had long spread among the noble clans that an imperial delegation was journeying to the Snow Realm, escorted by the chosen disciples of major immortal sects. This was no secret.
Thus, from the moment their group set out, the noble families of Yunzhou had been preparing invitations, eager to seize the opportunity to indulge these prestigious figures in the city’s decadence.
Standing outside the inn, Ji You and Kuang Cheng observed as the exchange unfolded under the warm glow of lanterns. Greetings were exchanged, bows given, hands extended in welcome, and feet stepped forth to follow.
The three great sects of the north received the most invitations, as Yunzhou was in the north and needed the protection of northern immortal sects.
Even the southern sects had their share of invitations, for these cultivators were still valuable clients to the noble families.
In mere moments, every notable heaven’s prodigy was swept away to private feasts, even the elders of the sects vanishing into the night with elegant strides.
Commoners, witnessing these immortals soaring through the sky, trembled in awe and fell to their knees.
Just then, a golden invitation slip was extended toward Ji You.
“Young Master Ji, my lord has prepared a grand feast and humbly invites you to attend. May you grant him this honor?”
“And who is your lord?” Ji You asked.
“I come from the Lu Clan. My master is Lu Zhong, and my lady—Lu Qing Qiu, is a fellow disciple of yours at the Heavenly Script Academy. That should be enough for you to understand, yes?”
Ji You glanced at the invitation slip, smiled faintly, then handed it back. “Your young lady and I may indeed be acquaintances, but as for attending a banquet—I’ll have to decline. After a full day of traveling by horse-drawn carriage, my appetite isn’t suited for such blood-stained delicacies.”
Lu Zhong’s envoy studied him for a moment, then took back the invitation slip, cupped his hands in farewell, and entered the inn.
Inside, the Lu Clan patriarch, dressed in golden-threaded robes, was personally extending invitations to Elder Ge of the Inner Court of the Heavenly Script Academy.
Upon hearing Ji You’s refusal, the Lu patriarch furrowed his brows and cast a glance toward the entrance.
He had long been aware of Ji You’s defeat of Chu He, his admittance into the Inner Court, and his daughter’s interest in forming a Daoist companionship with him.
Rumors claimed this young man came from nothing, that he never declined a feast nor missed an opportunity to earn money. Yet, unexpectedly, he had refused this time.
No matter.
Tonight, the city was brimming with powerful cultivators. Ji You, with his lowly cultivation and status as a mere rogue cultivator, was ultimately insignificant to the noble families of Yunzhou.
Whether he attended or not, it made no difference.
Outside, Kuang Cheng turned to Ji You. “Didn’t you once tell me that if you don’t eat, it only benefits these immortal cultivators? Eating at least lets you meddle in their affairs.”
“If you hadn’t told me about the Foster Homes, I might have gone,” Ji You admitted. “But after hearing that, I’ve lost my appetite. Consider this meal a debt you owe me.”
“…What?”
“Save up. When we return, you owe me a feast.”
Kuang Cheng sighed, watching the noble sedan chairs disappear into the distance. “Still, leaving their ill-gotten wealth untouched does feel like a waste.”
Ji You smirked. “Since when did a scholar like you start thinking like a bandit?”
Kuang Cheng pursed his lips. “Back in Yuyang County, I didn’t understand why you wanted to become a fierce bandit. I thought you were just desperate. But after reading countless case records at the Immortal Overseer Office, I realized—this is the true path of righteousness.”
“Come, let’s eat something first. Once we enter Feng Prefecture, finding a place to rest will be near impossible in that impoverished land…”
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)