Chapter 39: My Fate Is Determined by Wealth, Not by Heaven
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Cao Jin Song sighed deeply as he arrived at the Sect Affairs Pavilion of the Outer Court. Presenting his waist token, he received his monthly stipend. He carefully tied the money pouch after placing the coins inside. Although this was a sect initiative, traveling outside always necessitated carrying some silver for contingencies. His stipend was modest, yet he considered it a token of responsibility as a mentor.
The sun was setting, painting the horizon with hues of blood-red. Fiery clouds stretched across the sky as Cao Jin Song departed the pavilion and made his way toward the White Jade Terrace. Approaching the area, he noticed a group of disciples gathered, their gazes fixed on the sect’s mountain gate as they whispered among themselves.
“Why are you all loitering here instead of cultivating your Dao? What is the meaning of this?” he scolded sharply, his voice laced with irritation. Witnessing disciples privileged enough to remain in the Heavenly Script Academy but squandering their opportunities always stirred his ire.
The nearest disciples turned at his words. Recognizing him, they immediately bowed and greeted, “We greet the instructor.”
“Dispense with formalities,” Cao Jin Song said impatiently. “What is going on here?”
“There’s a young lady at the mountain gate, Instructor,” one disciple replied hesitantly, “Her presence… it seems to have illuminated something within my Dao heart…”
“?” Cao Jin Song’s brows furrowed at the ambiguous remark. Taking advantage of the disciples stepping aside, he peered toward the scene at the mountain gate.
Standing beneath the fiery twilight, he saw a woman of striking beauty and ethereal grace. Her Cloud-Brocade Gown outlined her elegant form. With her chin slightly lifted, her eyes were clear and cold, brimming with unspoken depth. She stood poised against the backdrop of the blazing sky.
The mountain gate of the Heavenly Script Academy was guarded by a sect-protecting formation, barring entry to any who lacked the sect’s approval. Yet, the woman appeared undeterred. As she approached, her aura surged outward, pressing against the formation’s barrier without yielding a single step.
Ordinary disciples might not discern the significance of the scene, but Cao Jin Song’s expression darkened. He noted the sharp and unrelenting sword qi enveloping her, its intensity sending a chill through even his seasoned senses.
The clash of wind and sword qi grew fiercer, radiating waves of pressure. The sect’s defensive formation, designed to avoid harming innocents, employed a first layer that served as a simple blockade. Typically, it discouraged anyone unqualified from advancing further.
Yet this woman did not stop. She continued forward.
As the second layer of the killing formation began to radiate faint brilliance, a mysterious arc illuminated behind the woman standing at its threshold. Something seemed to be gathering.
Cao Jin Song rubbed his eyes in shock, only to find that both the formation and the arc had disappeared as if it were an illusion.
The woman suddenly stepped into the Heavenly Script Academy, glancing toward the summit of Mount Ni, where a white sleeve waved lightly. Her expression revealed a hint of confusion.
The silent competition among the Seven Great Immortal Sects had persisted for years, each unwilling to yield. She had merely sought to test the power of the Divine Sect’s grand formation. Yet, she was unexpectedly allowed entry, her Dharma Form dissipated, and the surrounding Heavenly Dao mechanism concealed.
After a brief contemplation, she raised her hand slightly and bowed toward the mountain, then ascended the White Jade Terrace of Ascension.
Meanwhile, students on the outer court’s verandas and arched bridges paused to gaze in her direction. Her presence was captivating—elegant and ethereal, standing tall on the terrace, a picturesque figure unto herself.
What captivated their attention even more were her attire and accessories. She wore a cloud-brocade gown, its material extraordinary and imbued with enchantment, clearly a precious artifact. Two spirit swords hung at her waist, their craftsmanship unparalleled, and her hairpins, three in total, were undoubtedly of the highest grade.
“Which ancient noble family does this young lady hail from?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her around the outer court.”
“She’s not wearing an immortal robe. Perhaps an inner court senior sister?”
“What makes you think so?”
“Her unparalleled beauty—it’s beyond anything the outer court could claim.”
“She’s the true embodiment of a celestial fairy. Compared to her, even Miss Lu seems mundane.”
Nearby, Lu Qing Qiu, the young mistress of the Lu Clan of Yunzhou, was meditating at the Field of Enlightenment. Upon hearing the chatter, she frowned. Even so, she had to admit the newcomer possessed an extraordinary aura.
Her gaze fixated on the woman’s three hairpins. Years ago, the Lu Clan had unearthed an intact spirit core at the deepest point of their first mine, brimming with vast spiritual energy. Lu Qing Qiu’s father had it crafted into four hairpins. Three were sold at exorbitant prices, while the last remained with her.
Knowing the value of these spirit hairpins, she found it astonishing. Only descendants of the Immortal Sect or millennium-old families, such as the Chu Clan, could afford such extravagance.
Cao Jin Song, observing the reactions around him, spat in disdain. “How shameless! Our Ji You would never behave like this!”
At that moment, the woman furrowed her brow and glanced coldly around. Though used to being the center of attention, her gaze caused many onlookers to avert their eyes, unable to meet her icy stare.
Cao Jin Song, by now, had left, crossing over to the Elegant Garden by Azure Lake. There, Ji You, who had just returned from the Thousand Marks Mountain, sat beneath an osmanthus tree with a bandaged shoulder. Before him floated a bundle of chopsticks borrowed from the Immortal Banquet Hall, charged with spiritual qi and dancing erratically through the air.
The chopsticks appeared chaotic, darting left and right, yet on closer inspection, their flight traced deliberate sword techniques.
“What are you doing?” Cao Jin Song asked.
“Practicing sword mastery.”
Ji You shifted his spiritual consciousness, and with a resonant hum, the chopsticks hovering in the air flew neatly back into their bamboo container. After enduring two battles, he realized that multitasking with his mind was a significant challenge he needed to overcome. If left unresolved, it would drastically limit his combat endurance.
While teamwork could cover for his shortcomings, should he ever face an enemy alone, this weakness could become fatal. The solutions, though simple in theory, were twofold.
The first was to continuously train his spiritual consciousness, extending its duration and improving his ability to focus on multiple tasks. Ji You had never neglected this pursuit, diligently refining his mental acuity day after day.
The second solution involved imprinting his sword techniques—flying thrusts, flying slashes, and flying pierces—into muscle memory. Habits, he knew, were powerful tools. The deeper the habit was ingrained, the less mental energy it required, functioning like a shortcut for swift and instinctive action. Judging by the current results, it was paying off. At least now, he could make the chopsticks trace a square with one and a circle with the other.
Cao Jin Song, watching this display, struggled to comprehend Ji You’s explanation but couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, “This young man is truly extraordinary.” However, his enthusiasm quickly gave way to gloom.
Noticing his shift in mood, Ji You asked, “What troubles you?”
Cao Jin Song sighed. “The Office of Affairs has tasked numerous disciples with investigating the traces of Malignant Beings. Their targets have been narrowed to three towns: Qiling Town in Central Prefecture, Yuhe Town in Liang Prefecture, and Beisha Town in You Prefecture. They’re now looking for people to join the effort.”
Ji You recalled the figures frequently departing from the Inner Court, soaring through the skies. His suspicions now confirmed, he asked, “Am I included?”
Cao Jin Song nodded. “Indeed. The Office of Affairs sees you as brave, unparalleled in swordsmanship, one in ten thousand—”
“If they truly believed that,” Ji You interjected with a faint smile, “they wouldn’t be sending me on such a mission.”
Cao Jin Song rolled up his wide sleeve. “The praise is genuine, but don’t discount the possibility that they’re hoping you’ll yield the spotlight to certain elite heirs of noble families. Your performance upon entering the academy has ruffled more than a few feathers.”
Ji You tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, smirking. “Have they ever heard this saying: ‘My fate is mine, not Heaven’s’?”
“I doubt it,” Cao Jin Song replied with a dry laugh. “But this mission comes with a reward—one hundred taels of silver.”
“Silver?” Ji You’s grin broadened. “In that case, my fate belongs to wealth, not Heaven.”
Cao Jin Song’s mouth twitched. [This lad truly values money above all else.] With a resigned sigh, he reached into his robe and produced a money pouch. “I anticipated this. Here’s some travel provisions.”
Ji You glanced at the pouch but shook his head. “Hold onto it for me for now.”
“Now that’s surprising. Did you strike it rich?”
“Money only matters if you survive to spend it.”
Cao Jin Song sobered at the remark, his expression turning stern. “Don’t act recklessly. You’ll have Inner Court disciples accompanying you, and the local Immortal Sects will cooperate as well. There’s no need for you to take unnecessary risks.”
Ji You nodded. “When do we depart?”
“Three days from now. The duration of the journey is uncertain, but if the Inner Court Selection—”
“I’ll return before the Selection begins,” Ji You interrupted firmly.
Hearing this, Cao Jin Song’s optimism faded. Chu He, currently just a step away from the Mystic Enlightenment Stage, could very well ascend rapidly with the aid of elixirs once he broke through. Meanwhile, Ji You, far from that level and without access to the Heavenly Tome, couldn’t even guarantee adequate time for cultivation. More worrisome, the masterminds behind the Malignant Beings incident likely included cultivators of the Mystic Enlightenment Stage or higher, putting Ji You’s safety in grave peril should he encounter them.
“I need to inform Kuang Cheng about this…” Cao Jin Song muttered to himself.
Ji You, however, paid no mind to Cao Jin Song’s concerns, already planning out his days before the mission. Tomorrow, he decided, he would visit the Capital to inform the Scholar. Additionally, he’d have to make a trip to Mount Void to inform that quick-tempered Fairy Zheng Xin; if not, she’d surely throw a tantrum.
While Ji You and the fairy were neither close nor estranged, discussing matters with her had become something of a habit.
“Instructor Cao, I’d like to visit the Field of Enlightenment today.”
“Even now, you still want to visit the Field of Enlightenment?” Cao Jin Song’s lips trembled, a flicker of emotion betraying his respect. Despite being sent away from the academy, Ji You remained dedicated to his cultivation. Truly, he was nothing like the heirs of noble families.