Chapter 183: A Night of Literary Brilliance
“Ji You has returned.”
“Returned? Could it be that he has arrived in the Capital?”
“No, word has it that he has reached Feng Prefecture. He is expected to stay for some time.”
“Ah, that explains why Dou Yuan Kong hurriedly departed from the Capital by carriage yesterday…”
At this moment, Ji You’s carriage had already halted before the gates of Ji Stronghold on the western outskirts of Feng Prefecture’s main city. Accompanying him were Gong Shu Chou and Kuang Cheng.
As for the other Heaven’s Chosen of the Immortal Sect, they had been received by various foreign Immortal Manors upon their arrival. After all, the high-ranking cultivators of these manors hailed from Esteemed Clans, and many among them shared blood ties with the Heaven’s Chosen who had journeyed alongside Ji You.
Gong Shu Chou had little interest in banquets but found materials intriguing, so he had tagged along with the carriage to the stronghold.
The three had barely set foot before the grand residence when a girl of six or seven summers came dashing toward them like a whirlwind, latching onto Ji You’s leg with all her might.
“Young Master, you’re back!”
“Ru Ru, it has only been a few days, and yet you seem to have grown rounder.”
At the remark, Qiu Ru hiccupped, then replied in a childishly serious tone, “I am cultivating Daoist arts.”
At that moment, Pei Ru Yi emerged from within the stronghold, stepping over the threshold with a knowing smile. “Well, she’s not wrong. Every time she sits to cultivate, she immediately cries out for food.”
Qiu Ru lifted her head stubbornly. “Master, even if I don’t cultivate, I still get hungry.”
Ji You pinched the little girl’s chubby cheeks but found nothing surprising in her words. This girl had known hardship from a young age, surviving on steamed cornbread and wild vegetables. Now that she had access to proper meals, it was only natural that she would treasure every bite.
It was said that ever since Clan Qiu moved into Ji Stronghold, the child could not remember any paths—except the one leading to the kitchen.
Ji You himself could not help but recall his early years in Azure Cloud World, spending three bitter years in Yuyang County. In those days, even spotting a locust in the fields made him hesitate—so much so that locust plagues had never once struck Feng Prefecture.
At that moment, Qiu Zhong also stepped forth from the entrance, bowing respectfully. “Young Master, you have endured much on this journey.”
“It is no matter. The lands beyond the frontier are barren, far worse than Feng Prefecture. The food, I must admit, left much to be desired.”
“My wife specially prepared dumplings. Since you missed the Winter Solstice, let us treat today as its belated celebration.”
Pei Ru Yi chimed in, “Oh, and by the way, Instructor Cao and the others arrived this morning. They are resting in the front hall.”
With that, the group made their way inside, traversing the wide avenue and passing the Eavesdropping Fragrant Pavilion on their way to the front hall.
Upon reaching the western courtyard, they were halted by the sound of fervent recitation. Ji You and his companions instinctively paused, peering inside.
Teacher Chen stood within a spacious, well-lit classroom, a scroll in hand, his expression one of scholarly dignity. As he swayed in rhythm, he led a chorus of young voices in unison.
Many of the students hailed from Yuyang County, while others came from the impoverished outskirts of Feng Prefecture. Most were children from destitute families.
“What defines a righteous bandit?”
“To wield a sharp blade, to act with boldness, to take what is deserved without false humility, to enrich oneself while aiding the world—and above all, to care for the people!”
“In summary, when poor, take from the corrupt; when rich, share with the suffering!”
“For example, if an arrogant Cultivator of the Immortal Way clad in gold and jewels flaunts his wealth while oppressing the common folk, what should you do?”
The children responded in unison, “Respectfully ask him to leave his money pouch behind and then split it fairly with the people!”
Teacher Chen stroked his beard in satisfaction before continuing, “And if he refuses?”
“Convince him with virtue!”
In unison, the children clenched their fists, revealing the character ‘Virtue’ inked boldly upon their knuckles.
During Ji You’s last visit to Feng Prefecture, his efforts had been wholly devoted to the development of the Combined Harvester, leaving him with little time to witness the establishment of the new academy. Seeing it now filled his heart with a quiet sense of pride.
Cultivation of the Immortal Way should begin with virtue—only then would the path be truly righteous.
The greatest affliction of the present era was that too many walked the Immortal Path without virtue, yet wielded the power to trample upon all beneath them.
Gong Shu Chou, watching from behind, appeared somewhat bewildered. The scene was novel to him, yet he seemed hesitant to pass judgment.
To put it simply—this was absurd.
Ji You turned to Kuang Cheng. “What do you think?”
“It is the way of sages.”
“Brother Kuang, you have fine taste.”
With that, the group moved on toward the front hall, where they soon encountered Cao Jin Song, Wen Zheng Xin, Ban Yang Shu, and Bai Ru Long emerging from within.
Seeing Ji You return unharmed, Instructor Cao was overcome with emotion. Yet, whatever words he wished to say remained unspoken. Instead, he merely muttered, “As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters.”
Ji You patted Instructor Cao on the shoulder, but his attention was soon drawn to Bai Ru Long, a flicker of surprise flashing through his eyes.
“You have broken through?”
Bai Ru Long straightened his back, now carrying a hint of the imposing presence that Cao Jin Song had long possessed. “I have completed the Lower Three Stages some days ago. At present, I am striving toward the Mystic Enlightenment Stage.”
Ji You’s gaze sharpened. “What happened while I was away?”
Ji You gazed at him, his thoughts stirring like ripples in a quiet pond. [Could it be that he has fallen for some maiden, yet she spurns him for his lack of cultivation?]
At this moment, Ban Yang Shu spoke, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. “You refused to take him to the Demon Clan to behold those round-hipped, tail-bearing women. So he decided to go on his own. Since your departure, he has shut himself away in seclusion.”
Bai Ru Long lifted his head high. “Once I reach the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, I shall forge my own path.”
Ji You smirked, the curve of his lips laced with knowing mockery. “With just Mystic Enlightenment? If you step beyond the frontier with that level, you’ll get beaten so badly that even your spirit might flee. I suggest reaching the Dao Fusion Stage before considering such foolishness.”
Standing at the back, Gong Shu Chou glanced at Bai Ru Long, recalling a past stroll through the bustling streets. Back then, Ji You had claimed he was merely observing the beauties for a friend. Now, it seemed his words were not entirely baseless.
At this moment, Kuang Cheng stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. Ji You introduced Gong Shu Chou to the group, mentioning that he was once his mortal foe, a man who had nearly taken his life with a single thrust in the battle at Qiling.
Pei Ru Yi, Wen Zheng Xin, and the others finally recognized him. He was none other than the Spirit Sword Mountain Dao Fusion cultivator once sent to hunt them down—a man whose thoughts were as muddled as Scholar Kuang’s when lost in contemplation.
“Brother Gong Shu has cared for me greatly on this journey, especially when my hands were injured,” Ji You remarked, his voice calm.
Then, turning to Gong Shu Chou, he continued, “On the road here, Brother Gong Shu confided in me. He, too, wishes to join Ji Stronghold as an honored guest.”
At this, the expressions of Wen Zheng Xin and the others turned peculiar.
[This Spirit Sword Mountain cultivator clearly failed to notice the dubious inscription at the entrance. He must not realize that this is no scholarly sect but a den of outlaws. Here, an honored guest is expected to pay tribute, not receive offerings. Yet, he seems rather pleased with himself.]
Soon, a round table was set in the front hall, and dishes began arriving from the kitchen. Before long, the feast was in full swing, with fragrant wine filling the air.
During the banquet, Cao Jin Song and the others, much like Kuang Cheng, though already informed by the Immortal Overseer Office’s transmissions, still had many questions to ask. Ji You’s responses were much the same as those he had given in the carriage, focusing particularly on the relentless pursuit of the twelve War Kings of the Barbaric Race and the night raid of the Scaled Fang Clans upon Jade Garden.
“Barehanded, you struck down the incoming sword aura?” Cao Jin Song, Pei Ru Yi, and Wen Zheng Xin exchanged glances before demanding, “What kind of treasured sword did you use? Bring it out for us to see.”
Gong Shu Chou: “?”
Ji You let his gaze circle the table before responding, “Two blades that rival my Heart Protection Mirror in worth.”
At his words, the gathered cultivators nodded in silent understanding.
[So Ji You truly did plunder riches from the Demon Clan. This man never leaves a battlefield empty-handed.]
Listening from the side, Kuang Cheng scoffed inwardly.
[Treasured swords? What of them? No matter how valuable, a blade has a price.]
[But what Brother Ji nearly brought back from the Snowy Expanse was a princess herself…]
[A Demon Princess, no less. Compared to her, even the finest of swords are mere trinkets.]
[This man is a calamity, bringing ruin wherever he treads.]
Yet, Kuang Cheng did not voice these thoughts, lest Ji You once again accuse him of corrupting his mind with yellowed pages of old texts.
As dusk fell, the sky burned with the hues of a setting sun.
Kuang Cheng withdrew from the banquet, returning to his chamber. There, he unfurled a scroll, grinding ink in preparation to write a letter to Wei Rui. Yet, as he lifted his brush, he hesitated.
He had followed Ji You here with the belief that they would perish together, thinking there would be no tomorrow. Thus, before leaving the capital, he had penned a farewell letter to Wei Rui—one filled with fiery, unrestrained confessions.
Words such as “my heart aches with longing” and “let us meet again in the next life.”
But now, he was still alive, and that letter remained in her hands.
His current dilemma lay therein. If he were to act as if the letter had never existed and write as a mere friend, it would seem as though he had been toying with her feelings. But to address her as “Rui’er” now… that carried a certain indecent weight.
A scholar excels in the way of words, yet in matters of the heart, he finds himself utterly lost.
Through the glow of lamplight, he happened to glance outside his window. Across the way, Ji You, too, was writing.
His hands, still unsteady from injury, trembled as he held the brush. Every few strokes, he had to pause, his fingers stiff and aching. It was reminiscent of a beast first learning to wield tools—awkward yet determined. But his expression betrayed no hesitation; his thoughts flowed unhindered.
Kuang Cheng watched as Ji You finished sealing one letter, then picked up another blank sheet…
His mouth fell open in astonishment. He tightened his grip on his brush, staring at the ink drying on his own neglected page.
[Beauty Who Brings Ruin, indeed!]
With a heavy sigh, he finally put brush to paper.
“I have returned. I am in Feng Prefecture, safe for now.”
“This journey has been arduous, yet Elder Yan Chuan’s care and Brother Gong Shu’s company have been invaluable. Still, along the way, I often found myself wondering—has your Realm-Breaking been successful?”
“In truth, this journey beyond seclusion took me to lands where the Human Race has yet to set foot. I had hoped to bring you exotic treasures from distant realms. Alas, the Snowy Expanse is barren beyond measure. Even the trinkets that might delight a lady are but imports from our own lands, making their purchase meaningless.”
“In a few days, I shall return to the Heavenly Script Academy. If Mirror Master has the time, you may seek me at Mount Void.”
Ji You’s first letter was addressed to the Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain. He chose to omit the incident of his encounter with the Demon Princess during his time as a powerless scholar, instead summarizing only the key events of his envoy mission to the Demon Clan.
As for the rest, he did not write.
After all, once he returned to the Heavenly Script Academy, Yan Shu Yi would certainly be unable to sit still. She would inevitably find some excuse to “casually stroll” to Mount Void. There would be plenty of time for conversation then.
Blowing the ink dry, he sealed the envelope and inscribed the name “Zhuo Yao” upon it. Then, he took out another stack of letter paper.
“I have returned. I am presently in Feng Prefecture and am safe, more or less.”
“The journey was fraught with peril. The Pills you and Yuan Chen prepared for me proved invaluable. I heard from Gong Shu Chou that these Pills were specially concocted for my use. I can only imagine the sleepless nights you spent to complete them. My deepest gratitude, Young Lady.”
“On this journey… I traveled to lands beyond the reach of the Human Race, hoping to bring you all some exotic gifts. But alas, the Snowy Expanse is desolate beyond measure…”
“Should you ever have the opportunity to visit the Heavenly Script Academy, I shall personally express my gratitude.”
Ji You let the ink settle, then carefully sealed the letter.
As he lifted his gaze, his eyes fell upon another brightly lit window. Inside, Kuang Cheng sat hunched over his desk, scratching his head in frustration, his brows furrowed into a tight knot. Ji You could not help but chuckle softly.
[With such skill, he dares to call himself a Top Scholar? As I said, the classics teach nothing but frivolities.]
“Oi, Old Kuang!”
Kuang Cheng looked up at the sound of Ji You’s voice. “What is it?”
Ji You leaned out of his own window. “Writing to Wei Rui?”
Kuang Cheng nodded. “I left her a farewell letter when I departed from the capital. Now, I wish to let her know I am safe.”
“You look torn. Want me to write it for you? I guarantee that by this time next year, you’ll have a plump little son in your arms.”
Kuang Cheng’s eyes widened in horror, his face turning crimson. He stammered for a long moment before squeezing out, “I would not deceive the handicapped!”
“??”
With that, the Scholar’s window slammed shut.
Ji You twitched at the corner of his mouth. Shaking his head, he was about to close his own window and retire for the night when he noticed yet another illuminated room.
Across the way, Gong Shu Chou sat at his desk, furiously scribbling away.
[So, Brother Gong Shu also has someone he longs for?]
It made sense. He was nearing forty, after all. Though Cultivators of the Immortal Way enjoyed long lifespans, and a Dao Fusion Stage expert could live well past a century and a half, it was high time he sought a lifelong companion.
Ji You watched for a while, feeling an itch in his fingers, as though his literary talent had no place to be spent. He was sorely tempted to offer his services as a ghostwriter.
But as he continued watching, his brows slowly furrowed.
Gong Shu Chou’s brush moved with the vigor of a dragon soaring across the heavens, swiftly filling sheet after sheet, never once pausing. Ink flew like a cascading waterfall, and after half an hour, he showed no signs of stopping.
[This is no simple letter—he is writing an entire thesis!]
[What manner of longing demands such an exhaustive account? Surely, he isn’t writing to just one person?]
Unbeknownst to him, Gong Shu Chou, lost in the throes of inspiration, continued his work, his thoughts flowing like an unending river.
“Chapter Five of the Snowy Expanse Expedition—The Tale of the Enchanted Fox.”
“Previously, at Jade Garden, Ji You cut down the Demon General Shu He with a single stroke of his sword. The envoy delegation then took residence in the Spirit Garden, where the Demon Minister summoned a group of healers…”
“Why was no one sent to treat Ji You?”
“[Leave blank here, let others speculate.]”
“Just as the crowd murmured in confusion, a graceful silhouette appeared at the doorway, her form delicate yet captivating…”
“May I ask, Princess, do Demon women truly possess round hips and tails?”
“Ji Lang, do you wish to see for yourself?”
“At this moment, the noble and elegant Demon Princess had already developed an unspoken affection for the valiant warrior of the Human Race. This revelation sent shockwaves among the traveling sect elites, especially Huo Hong.”
“Why? Because Huo Hong had long harbored feelings for this Demon Princess. Despite his many invitations, she remained indifferent. Who would have thought that she would be so forward with Ji You? It left one sighing in admiration—truly, he is the man who nearly killed Gong Shu Chou…”
Gong Shu Chou took a deep breath, his pen gliding with boundless inspiration. He wrote with both memory and imagination, ensuring that no details of the journey from the Snowy Expanse back to the Nine Provinces were lost. Unlike a mere battle, the journey was far too long and complex to rely solely on recollection. Recording it was necessary.
Ji You, still at his window, suddenly felt his scalp tingle. Without a second thought, he reached out and shut his window, retreating into the quiet of his chamber.
Meanwhile, in the dead of night, a small figure crept along the corridors, moving with feline stealth, darting toward the kitchen.
By morning’s first light, a bowl had appeared at Ji You’s doorstep. Within it lay a single, enticing chicken leg.
Gong Shu Chou departed on the second day, carrying a thick bundle of scrolls in his arms. He boarded a carriage alongside other Cultivators of the Immortal Way, his expression brimming with excitement.
The journey to Ling Prefecture was long and arduous, with towering mountains and treacherous roads. They had to set out early to reach their destination in good time. Unlike those in service to Great Xia, the Cultivators of the Immortal Way were beholden to no mortal ruler. They had no need to report back to the Capital and were free to return to their own sects as they pleased.
Ji You, however, lingered for a few more days, meticulously reviewing last year’s tax ledgers and assessing the land awaiting cultivation. With the tax burdens of Feng Prefecture lessened, more and more people from other regions sought refuge there. Though officials across the land had issued decrees forbidding vagrancy, they could not extinguish the desperate will to survive.
These refugees had now been settled, awaiting the coming spring, when they would be assigned fields for cultivation. This meant that once the season turned, it would be inevitable for the Cultivators of the Immortal Way to practice “United Cultivation/Tilling” and “Joint Farming.”
Amidst his official duties, Ji You took Qiu Ru on a few aerial flights, hoping to spark her interest in cultivation and divert her focus from her ever-growing obsession with food. The results were immediate—but not as expected. Now, Qiu Ru was deeply curious about the taste of the wild geese migrating south for the winter…
Ji You pressed his lips together, inwardly sighing, [This woman has truly attained enlightenment in the Dao of Eating.]
“Mirror Master, the meal is served.”
On Mystic Sword Peak of Spirit Sword Mountain, Cui Er entered the hall carrying a tray of dishes. At this moment, Yan Shu Yi was seated on her bed, resting her chin on her hand. Her aura was more enigmatic than before, yet she seemed lost in thought, as if she had not heard a word.
Cui Er hesitated, puzzled. Ever since the Immortal Overseer Office had sent a message to Spirit Sword Mountain, the Mirror Master had been visibly unsettled. And two days ago, when she received a letter, her restlessness had only deepened.
Just then, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wan Qiu returned from outside. “Mirror Master, we are back.”
Gong Shu Chou had only arrived at Spirit Sword Mountain that very morning. He was immediately surrounded by eager disciples, all clamoring for tales of the Demon Clan. But before he could utter a word, he was summoned by the Little Mirror Master.
Now, Gong Shu Chou stepped into Cloud Summit Palace and, at the Mirror Master’s request, presented the manuscript he had written during his journey.
He did not take it back when he left.
For one, the Mirror Master had no intention of returning it. For another, he dared not ask for it—because at that moment, every sword in the hall was trembling violently…
After Gong Shu Chou departed, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wan Qiu picked up the manuscript and took a quick glance. Their breath caught, and they turned to look at the Mirror Master.
Within their gaze, the Little Mirror Master of Spirit Sword Mountain remained in deep contemplation. After a long silence, she instinctively glanced at her own lower back, then fell into another daze. Her exquisite brows furrowed slightly.
“What does the Mirror Master mean by this?”
“I believe… she wishes to cut off the Demon Princess’s tail…”
“Why do I feel like she actually wants one for herself?”
“??”
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)