Chapter 186: Two Divine Detectives
As the news spread, the discussion surrounding the diplomatic mission's return began to intensify, and the chatter grew louder.
More and more people learned about Ji You's feat of slaying Soldier King with his sword, or the counter-killing of the Yao General in Demon Emperor City.
In the hearts of many Disciples who preferred secluded cultivation, this Ji You seemed to be a troublemaker, stirring up continuous storms even before returning to Qingyun World.
Why?
Previously, everyone focused on cultivating the Dao peacefully; the higher one's Realm, the more famous one became. There was never such a disparity between fame and Realm.
Ji You's notoriety was almost on par with those Sky Soaring Realm Elders who had spent their lives in quiet cultivation!
However, whenever someone recalled the combat power Ji You displayed when he slew Soldier King and counter-killed the Yao General, they couldn't help but fall silent.
“The five-year period is almost up. After next spring, the Tiandao Conference, a grand event for all under heaven, will likely be scheduled.
According to the mission's reports, if the slaying of Soldier King with a sword is true, then among the current Tong Xuan Realm cultivators, no one can surpass Ji You—”
“It's just unknown whether he will choose to enter the Rongdao Realm before the Tiandao Conference begins—”
“If he remains in the Tong Xuan Realm, he will likely win the championship and be sent to the land where ancient sages attained the Dao.”
“But if he breaks into the Rongdao Realm, there might still be some suspense.”
Within the Inner and Outer Courtyards, winter solstice banquets were constant. As thoughts began to wander with the wine, some people couldn't help but shift the topic from Ji You's mission to the Yao Race to the quinquennial Tiandao Conference.
This was a grand event for cultivators across the Qingyun World, held every five years. Even before the mission's news arrived, some had already begun to mention it in casual conversations.
However, because it was still early, there wasn't much discussion. But when it intertwined with Ji You's matter, it sparked more speculation.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions couldn't help but fall into contemplation, their faces showing different thoughts: “Tiandao Conference—”
“I can't believe five years passed so quickly?”
“If the slaying of Soldier King with a sword is true, then Ji You's participation in the Tiandao Conference will indeed be no surprise.”
“But I still find it hard to believe. How can someone of his Realm slay a Barbarian Soldier King comparable to a Sky Soaring Realm cultivator?”
“That sounds familiar. When Ji You went to Feng Province to establish a Worldly Family, killing eighteen Tong Xuan Realm cultivators in one night and slaying a Rongdao Realm cultivator from an Immortal Villa, I heard similar words from you many times.”
“How could this rural rogue cultivator achieve such a feat?”
“How do you still have the courage to call him a rural rogue cultivator?”
“You don't understand. Calling him a rural rogue cultivator used to be a derogatory term, but now, when that phrase is uttered,
it's actually a compliment. Since he entered Tianshu Academy, do you think anyone else dares to use those four words?”
Amidst the continuous discussions during the cold days, as the diplomatic mission's return drew closer, a carriage hastily departed from Tianshu Academy.
Inside the carriage sat a middle-aged man, two young men, and a young woman, heading swiftly towards Feng Province.
The three young people were unremarkable, appearing no different from ordinary Immortal Sect Disciples. Only the middle-aged man had an exceptionally bulging chest.
The coachman was a Mortal, a poor man from Shengjing City trying to make a living.
He didn't understand cultivation, but he couldn't help but wonder what kind of immortal cultivation this person practiced, that it had even extended to his chest.
“Oh, Liu Jianan, you're here to deliver a gift too. Where's Cao Instructor?”
“Uh, I don't know. There's no one in the courtyard.”
In the evening, with the stars and moon floating in the cold sky, on the forest path outside the Instructor's courtyard, Liu Jianan, son of the Feng Province Governor and currently an Outer Courtyard Disciple of Tianshu Academy, unexpectedly met Cong Yi, daughter of the Guiyun Commandery Prefect.
These past few days saw many winter solstice banquets, and once night fell, fewer students were present in Tianshu Academy.
Liu Jianan had just returned from a banquet, preparing to present a gift to Cao Jinsong and also seek advice on reaching Junior Third Realm Completion. Unexpectedly, he didn't find him there.
He now glanced at the empty courtyard and couldn't help but look at Cong Yi: “Today is the winter solstice. I saw many invitations from Worldly Sect in the capital delivered to the courtyard. You should have received the same as me, but how come I didn’t see you there?”
Cong Yi smiled faintly and shook her head: “I didn't want to be a mere foil. I'd rather eat some dumplings by myself.”
At this moment, Xiang Fu, daughter of the Danxia Commandery Prefect, also came along the path and, seeing the situation, couldn't help but ask: “Is Cao Instructor not here?”
Cong Yi nodded upon hearing this: “He's not here, and the door is locked.”
Xiang Fu blinked: “Counting the days, the diplomatic mission to the Yao Race should be returning soon. It seems Cao Instructor must have gone to Feng Province.”
Cong Yi suddenly understood upon hearing this: “No wonder—”
Liu Jianan also opened his mouth at this time: “These past few days, the Outer Courtyard has been constantly discussing this matter. I attended several banquets, and they were all talking about Senior Brother Ji.”
Hearing this, Xiang Fu and Cong Yi couldn't help but exchange glances, then looked towards Feng Province, their feelings somewhat complex.
Feng Province had no Immortal Sect Worldly Sect. All cultivating Disciples were once fostered in external Immortal Villas, and after growing up, they gained quotas to enter the academy.
The three of them were all like this.
Initially, upon entering Tianshu Academy, they were filled with excitement. After all, they had entered an Immortal Sect. This was a long-held ambition for them since childhood, and stepping through the mountain gate was a dream come true.
But it was only after truly beginning to live in Tianshu Academy that they realized everything would be different from what they had imagined.
Because although people like them came from official Sect and never worried about food or drink since childhood, their status was not actually high in this world where immortal power reigned supreme. It was also difficult for them to socialize with Immortal Family Disciples on a daily basis.
Especially since most Worldly Sect had varying degrees of closeness, their small circles were very tightly knit, making it difficult for outsiders to join.
Even when they met in the Wudao Field, Trial Sword Forest, or Immortal Meal Workshop, and heard others talk about what Realm their father had reached, what Realm their Elder female cousin had broken through the day before, what Spirit Treasure their Family had acquired, or other interesting anecdotes from other Immortal Sects, they couldn't interject.
Children from Feng Province seemed naturally excluded from these circles.
Many times, they could only look up and yearn, but dared not approach, dared not express their opinions.
What if they said something wrong? What if they pretended to understand when they didn't? What if they were ridiculed by everyone after revealing their timidity?
This was also why Xiang Fu and Cong Yi rarely attended banquets hosted by capital Disciples.
Women were always a bit more sensitive than men, so their inexplicable self-esteem was also stronger. Every time they went to be a mere foil, they returned feeling uncomfortable.
In fact, after entering Tianshu Academy, they had also complained about why they were born in Feng Province, and why their fathers had not provided them with patronage.
Even if it wasn't as exaggerated as Fang Jincheng, who could invite Inner Courtyard Disciples to assist him in cultivation every day, they should at least be like those minor Worldly Family Disciples, at least within that circle.
But until this moment, when Ji You's name once again resonated from Tianshu Academy, when the small circles they couldn't squeeze into were all discussing him, Xiang Fu and the others suddenly broke free from that sense of marginalization.
Senior Brother Ji was not a Worldly Family Disciple, not even an official's child, but the lowest form of rural rogue cultivator.
His journey had actually been much more difficult than theirs.
Outer Courtyard Disciples of Tianshu Academy could not partake in the world's offerings. According to some Senior Sisters in the Outer Courtyard, when Ji You entered the academy, he couldn't even afford food.
When he cultivated in the Outer Courtyard back then, he must have heard many epithets like “rural rogue cultivator” and “rural rogue cultivator” in his ears.
Moreover, he had once been sent to Qi Ridge to die because he blocked Chu River's path to promotion to the Inner Courtyard, which was not much different from this mission to the Snow Region.
But he never forced his way into those dazzling Worldly Family circles, even disdaining such circles. Instead, he cut his way into the Inner Courtyard with sword stroke after sword stroke, until now, his name has become the subject of admiration in those circles.
Those they usually looked up to and yearned for, now also looked up to and yearned for his name. Although most of what they displayed was sarcastic, their jealousy was undeniable.
A rogue cultivator entering the academy, defeating Chu River, a Disciple of a thousand-year-old Worldly Family, entering the Inner Courtyard, killing eighteen Tong Xuan Realm cultivators and one Rongdao Realm cultivator to establish a Worldly Family.
Now, he once again traversed a thousand li with a single sword, his brilliance illuminating the Snow Region.
Xiang Fu and Cong Yi opened their mouths slightly in the night, and suddenly heard Liu Jianan's voice ring out in the night.
“Cao Instructor clearly said I was the best student he ever took in, and even praised me as 'this child is extraordinary.' I didn't expect him to run off with Senior Brother Ji as soon as he returned.”
“?”
Xiang Fu and Cong Yi exchanged glances, then looked at Liu Jianan in unison: “When did he say that?”
Liu Jianan scratched his head: “He says that every time I give him a gift, and he also says that Senior Brother Ji is an unfilial Disciple and can't compare to me at all.”
Xiang Fu and Cong Yi's mouths twitched, thinking that was because Liu Jianan gave him gifts, while Senior Brother Ji not only didn't give gifts but also kept an eye on his monthly salary every day.
But then again, being an unfilial Disciple was true, but not everyone was qualified to be an unfilial Disciple. At roughly the same time, fifteen carriages, speeding in a 'river' (river) formation, were rapidly approaching Luo Yue Pass, west of Hantie Pass, after a long journey outside the pass.
At this moment, Ji You was leaning against the carriage, exercising his arms.
Their journey had been relatively smooth; they hadn't encountered large-scale Barbarian pursuers.
The strongest one was merely a high-ranking general, who was sent flying by Yan Chuan's single sword strike.
After all, the initial obstruction when they left was due to the Barbarians fearing they would influence the Demon Emperor's decision. Now that everything was settled upon their return, expending a large number of troops to pursue a small diplomatic mission would not be cost-effective.
At this moment, Ji You gently raised his hand and looked to the right side of the carriage's direction, which was the location of Hantie Pass.
The war continued unabated, with the sounds of siege incessant.
The Zhenbei Army had received word earlier that they would arrive today. They were now launching a counterattack against the Barbarian army, aiming to constantly shift the front line eastward to seize the opportunity to welcome the diplomatic mission into the country.
And at this moment, on the city wall of the Northern Territory, stood a scholar in plain clothes, holding a dagger worth five taels of silver. He gazed north, his eyes showing no joy or sorrow, until he saw the caravan speeding into the city.
He froze for a long time at that moment, then turned and ran frantically down the city wall, “Brother Ji—”
“Brother Kuang, I've returned alive. Unfortunately, the dagger you bought is useless.”
Ji You dismounted from the carriage, looking somewhat travel-worn, but his eyes were bright, his hands couldn't be raised, yet his posture was upright and heroic.
He stood proudly at this moment, looking at Kuang Cheng.
A scholar with no strength to bind a chicken and a Tong Xuan Realm cultivator with no strength to bind a chicken looked at each other, then turned to the barren Feng Province land behind Luo Yue Pass.
"We held it."
"We only held it temporarily."
"That still counts as holding it."
At this moment, a detachment from the Zhenbei Army, who had come to welcome the generals, dismounted and bowed to the various ministers such as Wang Mingchang, Yu Shuheng, and Lu Ming.
If the Yao Race and the barbarians allied to attack the Zhenbei Army, others would be fine, but these soldiers would be the first to suffer.
However, to everyone's surprise, when the old ministers saw this scene, they said nothing. Instead, they all turned and raised their hands, bowing to Ji You just as the soldiers did.
The Prodigies from the Immortal Sect who had returned with them also dismounted, observing the scene.
Although the journey to the Yao Race was equally perilous, the objectives achieved upon their return varied.
Some of them sought the position of a direct Disciple, some sought Spirit Treasures and immortal medicines, and some sought Family interests.
Only the person before them sought it for the thousand li of barren land behind him.
Therefore, after they landed, they could stand tall and say, "We held it," in a light and casual tone, which, though not grand, was impactful and showed their upright backbone.
The Immortal Dao is ethereal; sometimes, one may pursue it for an entire lifetime and never see it, but cultivators still make "Immortal Ascension" their life's pursuit because everyone else does.
But at this moment, looking at this first scene, they suddenly felt that the Dao Ji You pursued seemed even brighter than theirs.
"The former Head Instructor once said that swords and youths are an excellent match."
"Now it seems that it truly is so—"
At this time, the battle outside the pass was intense, with sand flying everywhere, and even in broad daylight, it remained dim and yellow. It was not a good place to rest, so the envoy decided to settle in Feng Province.
Along the way, every city was filled with cultivators from outside Immortal Villas. Looking down from teahouses and taverns, some seemed to hesitate to speak.
When they first heard that Ji You had been sent to the Yao Race, the high-ranking officials from the outside Immortal Villas here were all excited and praised him.
For those Worldly Sect, Ji You was targeted because he didn't understand the rules and acted without restraint, needing a lesson, whether through death or injury.
But for those from outside Immortal Villas, this was a matter of real, tangible interest.
Because if Ji You died in the wilderness or on the Snow Region, the matter of tax tribute would return to normal, and they were determined not to allow any cultivator capable of entering the Immortal Sect's Inner Courtyard to appear in Feng Province again.
But as the envoy departed, they suddenly discovered that many powerful cultivators had appeared on the border of You Province.
Wujiang Realm, and even Divine Soul Realm...
Only then did they realize that You Province was indeed guarded. If Hantie Pass were breached and the Yao Race and barbarians poured in, You Province would face strong resistance, and there might even be scenes of moving mountains and filling seas.
In contrast, the historically barren Feng Province would not be defended, transforming from a buffer zone into a new battlefield.
And when they realized this, looking back, they were startled to discover that Feng Province was also guarded.
But the one guarding it was merely a Tong Xuan Realm cultivator—
But no matter what, this place was finally guarded.
These cultivators from outside Immortal Villas in Feng Province were actually remnants of Worldly Sect, never valued, some even fleeing because they couldn't stay in their own homes. For a moment, they actually empathized with Feng Province.
So, their feelings were very complex when they saw Ji You return, and they didn't know how to express them.
Kuang Cheng, riding with him at this time, couldn't help but say when he saw the light outside, "I thought they would really hope you would die outside the pass."
Ji You shifted his body: "That would be much easier, and I would have no regrets."
"Brother Ji, why do you always give me the impression that you don't want to live?"
"Don't even mention it. I was severely injured outside the pass. If they hadn't hung gold from the roof, preventing me from letting go, I would have been dead long ago."
Ji You suddenly looked at Gongshu Chou, who was also riding with them, and then remembered that he had forgotten to introduce him: "Oh, right, this is Gongshu Chou, a Disciple of Lingjian Mountain. I once stabbed him, and he nearly died. Now we're practically sworn brothers."
Kuang Cheng's mind twitched: "?"
"I don't quite understand it either, but that's how it is."
"How truly remarkable. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to meet you, Gongshu."
Gongshu Chou also cupped his hands: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Kuang."
After exchanging greetings, Kuang Cheng began to ask them about their journey.
As an official of the Immortal Monitoring Bureau, he had already read the dispatches from the bureau, but there were still many things he was concerned about. So, Ji You selected some of the most memorable events to tell him.
For example, being pursued by the Twelve Soldier King overnight after their whereabouts were exposed, and the night raid by the Scaled and Toothed tribes after their first audience.
"I never expected this journey to be so perilous—"
"The time we were chased by the Twelve Soldier King was better; at least we knew they were coming for us and were somewhat prepared. But the night raid in Yu Garden was truly unexpected."
Gongshu Chou nodded: "Indeed, that night in Yu Garden was more perilous. We could still run when we were in the wilderness, but in Demon Emperor City, we couldn't run at all; we could only fight. And that demon general is said to be exceptionally talented; he inflicted knife wounds all over Ji You with just his bare hands."
Kuang Cheng opened his mouth after hearing this, then turned to look at Ji You: "Bare hands? Ah, I understand. Congratulations, Brother Ji, on acquiring two precious swords."
Ji You looked up at him, and after a long silence, he spoke: "Damn, you're really good at judging people."
Gongshu Chou: "?"
Kuang Cheng raised his sleeves at this moment: "In any case, it's good that there were no major incidents, just that you've lost some weight."
"Perhaps the food in the Snow Region wasn't to your liking. That place is indeed barren, so it's no wonder they long for the Nine Provinces. But in the end, it brought temporary peace to Feng Province, so it was worth it."
"And it brought two short blades."
Gongshu Chou: "?"
Ji You waved his hand: "Let's not mention that much in the future. But the gains weren't just that. I also completed another important task, which was to personally confirm that Yao Race women indeed have tails, filling a blank in Human Race historical records that lacked this information."
Before their journey, the two had discussed the topic of Yao Race women having round hips and tails.
At that time, Kuang Cheng had consulted the records of Yao Race customs and traditions found in the Immortal Monitoring Bureau, but he hadn't found any mention of it until he finished the last page.
So, the two agreed that Ji You would fill this blank, and now Ji You had fulfilled his promise, thus solving this mystery.
As he thought of this, Ji You couldn't help but recall the Yaozu Gongzhu.
Yaozu Gongzhu Feng Yang was a good person, just a bit cold in temperament. She wasn't like his little Master Jian, who was outwardly cold but inwardly warm; she was genuinely cold.
He had originally thought that seeing her tail would make them friends, but when he left, he found that she did not see him off, which was so utterly indifferent that it made him sigh.
However, when Kuang Cheng heard the words "personally witnessed" and "indeed has a tail," his expression couldn't help but become strange.
Kuang Cheng pondered for a long time before quietly asking, "Brother Ji, were you not beaten?"
Ji You was stunned for a moment: "I am intelligent and eager to learn, not ashamed to ask. Why would I be beaten?"
"Your arm was beaten by them, wasn't it?" Kuang Cheng pointed at his immobile arm, his expression serious.
He thought to himself, "Don't try to fool me."
"This was beaten by the barbarians. At that time, the barbarian Soldier King broke through the Immortal Sect Elder's obstruction, and I had no choice but to block two punches. It's been some time since then."
Kuang Cheng looked at him thoughtfully: "That doesn't make sense—"
Ji You felt he was being somewhat inexplicable: "Why would I have to take a beating?"
"No, it's nothing. It's good that you're safe, safe is good."
"?"
Then the carriage moved forward, heading west.
During this time, Ji You got out of the carriage to relieve himself. Taking advantage of this interval, Gongshu Chou couldn't help but look at Kuang Cheng: "Why do you always think he'll get beaten?"
"Ever since Brother Ji left, I've been guarding this place, worried about his safety but only able to fret. So I found many more ancient texts and historical records about the Yao Race, and I saw some descriptions of Yao Race women. I've been worried that he would suffer a severe beating in the Snow Region."
Kuang Cheng paused and said, "Because Yao Race women do indeed have tails, but like their breasts, hips, and feet, it's one of the most private and shameful parts of a woman's body. Normally, it's in a shortened form and can only be shown to her husband."
Hearing this, Gongshu Chou held his breath.
Kuang Cheng then said, "Brother Ji truly lives up to his name. He didn't idle during his mission to the Yao Race. But whose tail did he see that he didn't get beaten?"
"This—"
Gongshu Chou was stunned by the sound, suddenly realizing the seriousness of the matter.
Because ever since they entered the Snow Region and began interacting with the Yao Race, the two of them had been practically inseparable. After all, Ji You's hands were injured, and he was also afraid that Ji You would encounter danger if he went out alone.
Indeed, they had gone to the streets to look at hips once, but that time they found nothing at all.
After that, the atmosphere in Demon Emperor City became tense, and they had no time to go to the streets again. Ji You had no chance. Gongshu Chou suddenly froze, then opened his mouth, his eyes trembling for a long time before he said, "I know. He must have seen the Yaozu Gongzhu's—"
Kuang Cheng slowly widened his eyes, then fell into a longer silence. After a long while, he spoke: "I told you,
Brother Ji can definitely conquer the world with his good body."
"??"
1
Ji You got back into the carriage at this moment, unable to help but look at them: "What are you two talking about?"
Kuang Cheng quickly said it was nothing, then looked at Gongshu Chou: "What we said earlier was just speculation, Gongshu. Just listen to it.
These words cannot be spread around."
Gongshu Chou was silent for a moment after hearing the six words "cannot be spread around," then silently narrowed his eyes.
Ji You didn't know there were two detectives in his carriage. He frowned, unclear what they were talking about,
He only vaguely heard that it seemed to be related to the Yaozu Gongzhu.
【I thought we were friends】
【So indifferent it makes one sigh】
【Perhaps I overestimated myself】
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