Chapter 225: Morning Stroll
At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the sky had just begun to lighten, and the entire Xianxian Garden was silent.
Ji You woke up early, and after washing, pushed open the door and stepped out. His gaze swept over the layered scenery between the East and West Courtyards, looking towards the small building opposite.
Although it was still very early, he could already see a faint candlelight and also Zhuo Wanqiu carrying water.
Zhuo Wanqiu also saw him and quietly waved her hand.
Master Jian had risen early today and had spent a long time choosing a dress, but she hadn't said what she was going to do. It turned out she was going out with the young master.
Ji You watched Zhuo Wanqiu carry the basin of water inside, then stepped towards the arched gate of Rusheng Garden, passed through the gate of Xianxian Garden, and arrived at Zhongxing County's county seat.
Even though it was still early and some shadows flickered, all the businesses in the county seat had already opened.
There were even some restaurants, brothels, and other entertainment venues that had stayed open all night because of drunken guests who had stayed over.
Zhongxing City had only developed to its current state thanks to the Tiandao Conference, which occurred once every five years. So, for the merchants here, working hard for a few months could bring prosperity for five or six years, and staying up all night was nothing.
He stopped on the inevitable path from Xianxian Garden, found a secluded corner, and sat down to wait.
During this time, he couldn't help but recall last night, that cylindrical black shadow, the scene of it falling on that exquisite face…
It truly was better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early; the position was just perfect.
Wujiang Realm, it really had something to it!
At this moment, the steam from the breakfast stalls began to slowly dissipate, and before long, it gathered into the clouds.
With a series of light, skipping footsteps, a slender and graceful figure appeared on the white marble path leading from south to north.
At this time, the Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain had changed out of her immortal robe and was wearing a lake-blue brocade dress. On her ears hung pearl drops carved from Spirit Stones, and in her hair were three strings of small pearls on a 'buyao' (a type of hair ornament). Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her lips were the color of cherries.
When she saw Ji You sitting in the corner, Yan Shuyi seemed to think of something and gently averted her gaze, her cold face flushing red.
She had been confined to the mountain since childhood and didn't know much; some things no one would specifically tell her.
But after breaking through the 'Heavenly Dao' yesterday, she finally understood what that thing was that she had been fighting with her lips and tongue every time from the New Year until now.
After a long silence, the Master Jian took out a veil from her hand, then covered her exquisite face, giving Ji You a look that told him to go.
Last night, she had said she wouldn't attend the audience and wanted to stroll around the county seat. In fact, it was originally an appointment to go out and have fun with a strange man.
At this time, people gradually began to appear on the road, but not many paid attention to the two of them.
Because the high-level cultivators were all in Xianxian Garden, those in the county seat were not very highly cultivated. Moreover, Yan Shuyi had concealed her Heavenly Dao and aura with a spirit mirror, so she naturally wouldn't attract attention.
The two went to a breakfast stall and ordered three cage of steamed buns, two bowls of millet porridge, a plate of pickles, a plate of chili oil, and a plate of fragrant vinegar, then sat down.
“Last night, did you sleep well?”
“Mm…”
Yan Shuyi nodded lightly, and then her cold face flushed red again.
Before Ji You could speak again, a wisp of Sword Qi overflowed from the chopsticks in her hand.
Actually, she regretted it a bit. Last night, she had subconsciously taken her shoes, otherwise she could have absolutely denied that she had gone back a second time.
Ji You couldn't hold back a smile, then pushed the millet porridge in front of her.
The freshly steamed buns were incredibly fragrant. One bite released abundant juice, and the savory aroma instantly melted on the tip of her tongue, flowing down her throat. Yan Shuyi, like a small beast, nibbled on the thin-skinned bun coated in red oil: “I want more chili oil.”
“You can really eat spicy food.”
“I want some vinegar too.”
Ji You got up and prepared another dish for her, placing it in front of her: “Last night, I forgot to ask, how did you explain to your family that you returned to the mountain with an injured mouth?”
Yan Shuyi looked up at him: “Naturally, they repeatedly asked who bit me, and said they would offer a reward for his head throughout the world.”
“That matches my expectations, then.”
Ji You drank his porridge, nodding lightly after hearing her answer.
A daughter raised for twenty years, who had never left her sight since childhood. Although she lacked some vibrancy, at least she was safe and sound.
Then one day, she suddenly disappeared without leaving any message, and was gone for a month.
After anxiously waiting for a long time, she finally returned, only for her mouth to be bitten by some young punk. Only then did they learn she had gone to meet an online friend and had been taken advantage of every day for a month.
If this happened to him, it would be over; no one would survive.
Ji You felt angry just thinking about it, but quickly realized he was the 'young punk' himself. So he glanced at the Master Jian: “My head is still here, so I guess you didn't tell them.”
“Next time you bite me, I'll tell them.”
Yan Shuyi frowned after speaking, thinking that such a threat sounded like it wouldn't stop him from biting her again at all...
After breakfast, the streets gradually became lively. The two walked along the road, passing through the street. Zhongxing County had developed specifically because of the Tiandao Conference, so almost all the shops in the city catered to cultivators.
Spirit Stone shops, Magical Artifact shops, weapon shops were everywhere, and even some common accessories sometimes held hidden mysteries.
The two strolled along the street, visiting many small stalls.
Yan Shuyi must have broken herself during her seclusion, as she was incredibly excited about shopping this time, wandering around, not at all like the next sect leader of an Immortal Sect.
Whenever she encountered something that interested her, she would bend down, lean in, and observe it for a long time.
If she decided to buy something, she would turn to look at Ji You, or simply reach out and grab his sleeve.
If the family heads who had seen her yesterday at Rusheng Garden were to witness this scene, they would probably be greatly surprised, thinking they were a pair of twins with identical faces but completely opposite personalities.
Ji You also saw many things, such as Spirit Wine, Dao Swords, etc. He picked them up and examined them for a long time. The quality varied, but the prices were not much different, about twice as expensive as in ordinary places. In short, they couldn't fool the poor.
Yan Shuyi, who had walked a full circle, now returned. Seeing Ji You fiddling with a box at a Magical Artifact stall, she leaned in: “What is this?”
“A Magical Artifact, probably. It can shoot needle-like projectiles, used as a hidden weapon.” Ji You fiddled with the iron box in his hand.
“Do you want to buy it?”
Ji You put it down and clapped his hands: “Everything sold here is too expensive, it's for fools. You can get it for half the price outside.”
Yan Shuyi looked at the pile of things in her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Ji You was silent for a moment: “It doesn't count if you buy it. You're pretty.”
Yan Shuyi looked at him: “What you said sounds more like you're coaxing a fool.”
“Let's go, let's look over there.”
“I've already been there.”
Yan Shuyi originally wanted to go to the other side, but he took her hand and pulled her along.
Feeling his warm large hand enveloping hers, the Master Jian sighed faintly.
Although she didn't want to admit to 'kissing' him, always saying it was just their tongues fighting, a person couldn't lie to herself.
If their mouths could be together, holding hands was naturally nothing. It was no good to act tough anymore, so she obediently followed him to the west side.
Actually, a city like Zhongxing County, which exclusively served cultivators, lacked some of the 'human touch' and was not as interesting as Shengjing City.
As the Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, Yan Shuyi had seen all sorts of Magical Artifacts and Spirit Treasures. The goods sold at these stalls basically didn't catch her Dharma Eye. Only some strange and peculiar items could attract her attention.
However, for some rod-shaped objects, the Master Jian often adopted an attitude of disregard, quickly moving away when she saw them, seemingly a bit afraid.
For example, iron rods, scrolls, twisted dough sticks, roasted corn, hitching posts...
So, within a short hour, the Master Jian bought many things that looked good but were useless, while Ji You spent money on many things that looked good and were useful.
However, her happiness was priceless, right?
Ji You truly didn't mind spending money on Yan Shuyi, he just couldn't help but start thinking about developing customers.
At this moment, the Master Jian sat on a stone stool, pulling on a colorful rope she had just bought on the street, and turned to look at his hair.
For the next half an hour, Ji You took Yan Shuyi to the end of the long street and found the inn where Cao Jinsong had left him an address. So he went up to take a look.
The inn was very secluded and simple, similar to the one Kuang Cheng had stayed in when he went to Shengjing for the imperial examination back then.
What was worse was that opposite them wasn't a brothel where 'Master, come play' echoed all night long.
However, this humble room perfectly matched Cao Instructor's long-standing lack of effort.
Ji You was unsure of their arrival time, so he wrote a note stating he was staying at Rusheng Garden and handed it to the innkeeper: “In two days, a guest named Cao Jinsong will arrive. He's a fat man. Please hand this to him.”
The shopkeeper nodded, then looked at the small, crooked braid tied diagonally on his head: "Guest, you really are quite unique."
"Thank you for the compliment—"
Ji You chuckled twice, then turned to look towards the door.
Yan Shuyi was standing with her hands behind her back at the inn's entrance, pretentiously scrutinizing the long street. Feeling the gaze from behind her, she turned her head, giving him a cold, condescending look, as if the small braid had nothing to do with her.
An hour quickly passed, and the first light of dawn slowly spilled from the horizon.
In another half an hour, the street would become crowded, and with so many people and eyes, there would inevitably be unforeseen incidents.
So, the two of them strolled back, but their steps were much slower than when they arrived. During this time, they ducked into alleys several times, and when they emerged, their lips were red.
The Tiandao Conference would last a long time; they had plenty of leisure time to wander around, and perhaps even a three-person movie, so there was no need to rush.
At this moment, the two of them walked to the secluded corner where they had met earlier. Ji You paused slightly, took out a pair of original white socks from his embrace, and handed them to her. Yan Shuyi suddenly fell silent. Before Ji You could speak, he took a punch, and his lips were a bit swollen, but much less so than the Master Jian's cheeks.
Yan Shuyi was in the Wujiang Realm, coming and going in a hurry, so she naturally left first.
Ji You looked at his hand, which still carried the lingering fragrance from giving the tsundere girl white socks. He then waited on the street for a long time, not returning to Rusheng Garden until a quarter past seven.
At this time, in the East Courtyard, where the morning light was dim, He Lingxiu and Yu Shiliu sat opposite each other at a tea table.
They had risen early and were currently drinking tea while watching the Lingjian Mountain Disciples practice their swords, their expressions revealing a hint of solemnity.
And when Ji You returned, bathed in the morning light, He Lingxiu immediately turned to look at him, her eyes carrying a trace of confusion: "Junior Brother, why are you up so early?"
"Perhaps it's because of the change of environment, I couldn't sleep long, and woke up early."
"You just came back from outside? What happened to your lips?"
Ji You touched his slightly swollen lips: "It's nothing, I accidentally fell while sightseeing in the county town."
He Lingxiu glanced at the crooked braid on his head and calmly picked up an overturned teacup: "Would you like to have some tea together? It's the tea the Qiu Family sent last time."
Ji You pondered for a moment before sitting down: "Thank you, Senior Sister. I wonder if Senior Sister knows when the competition roster will be released?"
"According to custom, it should be today. We should get the list after the Gathering of Immortals."
"Gathering of Immortals? What's that?"
"It has no special purpose, it's just a custom that has been passed down since ancient times, held every year. In the past, cultivators would collectively give thanks to the Heavenly Dao, but now it's mostly about mutual banquets."
Ji You nodded after hearing this, understanding somewhat.
This was probably what was called a business social event, its main function being to make connections and converse.
After all, moments when the Seven Great Immortal Sects and the Nine Provinces Worldly Sect gathered like this were rare. Even those who weren't participating came, but joining the fun was secondary; the main point was that they saw it as an opportunity to make connections.
Just like yesterday, when the heads of those Southern Worldly Sect came to pay their respects to Yan Shuyi. Normally, they wouldn't have such an opportunity to meet her at will.
Just then, another door opened.
The three of them looked over in unison and saw that the house on the southeast side had opened its door. Shi Junhao, a direct Disciple candidate, walked out of the house and stood in the open space in front of it, constantly scratching his head and ears, his hands practically too busy to keep up.
He walked towards the latrine, scratching and muttering, seemingly very annoyed.
He Lingxiu had originally wanted to invite him for tea, but seeing this scene, she couldn't help but feel confused: "Shi Junhao, why is he bitten so badly?"
"Perhaps there are more mosquitoes here."
"But there are mosquito coils available in the room, it shouldn't be like this."
Ji You calmly picked up his teacup: "Perhaps he's just unlucky and has O-type blood."
Yu Shiliu and Ji You were not familiar, so there was nothing to say. She continued to watch the Lingjian Mountain Disciples practice their swords.
However, as she watched, her eyes suddenly narrowed, and she saw the Master Jian, clad in her Master Jian's Fairy dress, appear at the window, looking at their East Courtyard with a cold expression, unable to help but cover her small face.
Before Yu Shiliu could confirm if she had seen wrongly, Ji You moved a stone stool back a step, creating a half-step distance between himself and them.
"Junior Brother, why did you sit there? Can you still reach the tea?"
"I can reach it. I'm long everywhere, even my arms."
Before He Lingxiu could say a second sentence, Yu Shiliu next to her patted her, then pointed to the small building opposite.
It was well known that the Lingjian Mountain's Master Jian had always been mysterious.
Before reaching the Yingtian Realm, she had always confined herself to Xuanjian Peak, diligently cultivating the Dao.
Aside from a very few people who had seen her, almost everyone in the entire Nine Provinces had only heard her name or seen her beautiful, Heavenly Immortal-like portraits, but had never seen her true face, nor had they ever heard of her descending the mountain.
This was actually a form of protection.
Because even after being recognized by the spirit mirror, she was too fragile at the time, like a porcelain doll, unable to withstand potential risks.
It was only in the past two years, as she fully integrated with the spirit mirror, that rumors about her gradually began to spread.
For example, the Saint of the Asked the Dao Sect went to congratulate her on breaking through, and she once led Disciples to the Chen Clan to ask for guidance, and there were also whispers of her vigorously consolidating power within Lingjian Mountain in recent years.
Even though she had become more active, very few people had actually seen her. This might also be because her identity involved significant implications, requiring her to maintain a certain sense of mystery.
But this morning, in Rusheng Garden, He Lingxiu and Yu Shiliu felt they were seeing a bit too much—
Once, twice, thrice, four times…
The mysterious Lingjian Mountain's Master Jian would occasionally flash past the window, mostly in profile, but sometimes full-faced, and a few times appearing as a silhouette, lingering by the window for a longer time, her fair skin like carved jade under the sunlight.
"The Lingjian Mountain's Master Jian seems very busy—?"
"It seems she has something on her mind, which is why she's pacing back and forth by the window."
Ji You took another step back, glanced at the profile that flashed past the window, and pretended to be a stranger.
He Lingxiu, however, couldn't help but smile when she saw his gaze: "Junior Brother, why do you look like you want to see but don't dare to? And you're even avoiding it?"
Ji You sat up straighter: "I didn't expect Senior Sister to notice that."
"The Lingjian Mountain's Master Jian possesses extraordinary Fairy-like beauty, like a goddess descended to the world. Most people in the world are probably like this; just a glance from afar brings satisfaction. This is a compliment, so Junior Brother doesn't need to hide it."
"Mainly, I feel that such a Fairy, if she enters my heart, I might not be able to forget her. Thinking of her day and night could easily disturb my Dao Heart."
As his words fell, He Lingxiu and Yu Shiliu's expressions changed slightly, and their hearts skipped a beat.
Rusheng Garden was indeed large, but at this distance, if the Master Jian paid attention, these words would not escape her ears.
Given her status and position, if one merely looked up to her, she would naturally not be displeased. But such presumptuous remarks and looking up to her were not the same thing.
Thinking of her by day was one thing, but by night? What would one think of doing at night? If these words were overheard, she might be struck down by the sword of the Dao Heart.
"Junior Brother, watch your words!"
"Senior Sister is absolutely right."
Ji You nodded gently, took a sip of tea, and suddenly saw the figure inside the window seem to bounce a little.
Just then, footsteps sounded in the courtyard. The three of them turned to look and saw an officer from the Immortal Supervision Department. He stopped when he reached them and delivered about twenty invitations.
These invitations were for the Gathering of Immortals that He Lingxiu had just mentioned, hosted by the Great Xia Dynasty, inviting the Immortal Sects from all four directions to attend.
After delivering the invitations, the officer turned and headed towards the West Courtyard, then handed another stack of invitations to the Lingjian Mountain Disciples.
Ji You was looking at the invitation in his hand when he saw Shi Junhao float over, his eyes sharply fixed on him.
Seeing this, Ji Bochang immediately put on a calm and collected demeanor, appearing composed and fearless.
Seeing his expression, Shi Junhao frowned, beginning to doubt his entire night's deduction.
But aside from him inexplicably entering his room and asking some random questions, no one else had ever entered his room.
The more he couldn't figure it out, the more Shi Junhao wanted to use Ji You's expression to corroborate his judgment.
"Senior Brother, why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong?"
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