Chapter 295: Peace Every Year
Strolling through the lantern festival, listening to plays and music, raising cups to drink – the night had indeed grown deep and boundless.
However, the word 'again' signifying a deeper night, indicated that there had been a similar deep night before. Yan Shuyi and Yuan Caiwei, sipping tea, simultaneously recalled the previous night where one took the stage after the other.
At this thought, four fair, jade-like feet beneath the tea table instantly curled up.
After the intense battle of the previous night, aside from a brief exchange in the morning, the three of them hadn't mentioned anything about it all day.
Sweeping the courtyard, putting up couplets, eating, and enjoying the lanterns – it was as if nothing had happened.
This was mainly because every moment of the previous night felt absurd, so not only did Yan Shuyi stubbornly refuse to admit it, but Yuan Caiwei also avoided the topic, so much so that even though her tone was soft when she woke up in the morning, she still called him Young Master.
In the eyes of the two women, letting things take their natural course in the future might be easier to accept.
But this night was like yesterday's night; the main characters were all present, with no outsiders. Ji You's words, 'The night has grown deep again,' carried immense implications, instantly shattering their feigned composure.
Yan Shuyi looked at him with raised eyebrows: "Since Young Master Ji also says it's getting late, then we won't disturb you. We are merely strangers who met by chance, and I thank you for your hospitality today."
‘Merely strangers who met by chance’ when they were already filled to the brim? Yuan Caiwei blinked, pretending not to understand anything, and gently shifted her hips, deciding to leave with her.
Her Medicinal Pills were used up, and without Jian Zhu JieJie to share the burden, she felt a bit overwhelmed on her own and thought it would be deadly.
As for Jian Zhu JieJie, she hadn't admitted that anything happened last night all day today, so she wouldn't easily be messed with again.
Even if she were to be messed with, she couldn't be messed with side-by-side with Yuan Caiwei again, unless she couldn't bear it.
However, the next moment, they saw Ji You take out a stack of playing cards and a stack of red envelopes from a drawer.
"After the New Year comes the first day of the New Year. Peace every year."
"?"
Yan Shuyi took her envelope from his hand, opened it, and saw a stack of silver notes, gently pursing her lips.
And Yuan Caiwei also took hers, opened it, and saw the silver notes inside, her eyes slightly rippling.
These were the most common items in Qingyun World, but both knew that Ji You was extremely tight with money, even stingy with himself.
"Last New Year, I spent all my money to use Dan Sect's backup Medicinal Pills to whet the appetite of Feng Province Immortal Villa, so I didn't give any. Today counts as making up for all the previous times."
Yan Shuyi and Yuan Caiwei looked up at him, knowing he was saying that the red envelopes had been prepared long ago and had little to do with what happened last night.
Ji You spread the playing cards on the table: "What I meant just now was that it’s late, do you want to play cards?"
"You scoundrel."
"Why do you both look so scared?"
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes, thinking, 'This scoundrel's mind works quite fast.'
Just now he was clearly touching feet, obviously wanting something, but now he was seriously suggesting playing cards.
She glared, her gaze falling on the deck of cards Ji You brought out, and a hint of curiosity suddenly appeared on her face.
This deck of cards was the ‘Fight the Landlord’ game they had played earlier in Xianxian Garden, but the card faces had been re-drawn.
The Big Joker card had a sword-wielding woman drawn on it, with a spirit mirror floating above her head. Although the artwork wasn't great, it was clearly her.
Yuan Caiwei also saw a card, and it looked like she was drawn on it.
The reason she could tell it was herself wasn't because the drawing was very similar, but mainly because there was a three-legged Pill Furnace in front of the woman.
"You drew these?"
Ji You nodded: "I had nothing to do in my spare time, so I just drew during breaks in my Cultivation. I just happened to finish them before the New Year."
Yan Shuyi raised her eyes, realizing that if it weren't for what happened yesterday, perhaps this stranger just wanted to invite them to play cards.
At this thought, she couldn't help but recall the scene last night where he endured and told her to leave quickly. Although the scoundrel kept kissing her with a desire for endless progeny as soon as they met, he had truly never forced her, nor had he used sweet talk to trick her body, as described in folk tales.
Ji You spread the cards in his hand on the table: "Let's agree first, if you lose, you have to take off one piece of clothing."
"?"
As his voice fell, Yan Shuyi immediately threw a punch, while Yuan Caiwei couldn't help but bite her lip tightly.
After all those tricks, the scoundrel still wanted to mess with them.
Ji You blocked the punch, secretly thinking, 'No harm, no harm, there will be plenty of time in the future.' In fact, he himself knew that if there was only one of them, they might have half-heartedly given in, but with three, it could only be said that the Medicinal Pills played a huge role, and it would be extremely difficult to replicate.
Moreover, Yan Shuyi simply didn't admit it and refused to cry and call him 'husband' in his arms again. It was hard enough to mess with just her, anything else was a luxury.
Ji You felt that the Dao of Huanghuang was a refined matter, different from evil lust, and he was not the kind of person who would constantly scheme about such things just because he accidentally took advantage.
Anyway, they were already his, and they couldn't run away.
It might be easier to break them down one by one when they were separated.
Ji You reached out to grab a card and noticed Yuan Caiwei suddenly leaned closer, seemingly wanting to see what was drawn on the next card, so he reached out and flicked her delicate nose.
Then, his peripheral vision alerted him to the beautiful Fairy beside him narrowing her eyes, causing Sword Qi to whistle through the room.
Even though they had fought together, the jealousy was still undiminished.
The New Year's lantern festival would last for three days, so the liveliness continued until early the next morning. The streets and alleys, covered in the morning mist, were filled with people moving about and paying respects.
Just after the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), light snow began to fall.
The back courtyard of the Worry-Free Commerce was pushed open, and Cao Jinsong, Ban Yangshu, and Wen Zhengxin arrived, one in front and two behind.
During the festival, there was more movement, so they had no time for quiet seclusion. Yesterday, they were invited to a banquet by the new Disciples from Feng Province, so they came to the Worry-Free Commerce early this morning.
As soon as they entered, they saw Jian Zhu JieJie of Lingjian Mountain sitting gracefully at a tea table, sipping tea in small sips, as beautiful as a Fairy from a painting. The three of them had played cards all night yesterday. Yuan Caiwei was the first to run out of stamina and was carried back to her room by Ji You to rest.
It was unknown whether Yuan Caiwei was taken advantage of after entering the room, but Jian Zhu JieJie knew she had been kissed when Ji You returned.
However, despite being kissed, she remained the same: she hadn't eaten, hadn't done anything, and if asked, it was a stranger. When kissed, her Aura was fierce, and she didn't even close her eyes.
Then she also found that Ji You's mouth tasted of another kind of green salt, and couldn't help but bite him, leaving a wound.
Now, Ji You went to the kitchen to make breakfast, while she began to drink tea and sit idly.
Cao Jinsong and the others couldn't help but stop when they saw her, exchanging glances in the snowy courtyard.
"So, Jian Zhu JieJie spent the New Year in Shengjing?"
"Mmm—"
"It seems the woman who lived in Junior Brother Ji's courtyard a few years ago was indeed her."
They had discovered the private relationship between Jian Zhu JieJie of Lingjian Mountain and Ji You during the Tiandao Conference, and had guessed that the woman Ji You had kept in his courtyard before was her, but it was only at this moment that they received confirmation.
Even so, the three of them couldn't help but feel a little nervous upon seeing her.
The youngest Wujiang Realm in Qingyun World, the next sect leader of Lingjian Mountain, she seemed high and mighty no matter how one looked at her.
Especially now, Yan Shuyi's expression was calm, and although no Qi was being released, her natural oppressive Aura, having been in a high position for many years, was still present, making people even more hesitant to overstep.
Yan Shuyi had already sensed someone entering the courtyard. She turned her head and saw that it was Cao Jinsong and the others, so she rose from the bamboo couch where the tea table was placed.
Seeing this, Cao Jinsong cupped his hands slightly.
When they watched the battle at the Tiandao Conference, they had accidentally entered Jian Zhu JieJie's viewing pavilion. At that time, Jian Zhu JieJie was also like this; upon seeing her, she would rise, impeccable in her manners.
"Greetings, Master Jian."
Yan Shuyi spoke softly: "Greetings, three of you."
Cao Jinsong looked around the room: "Where is my beloved Disciple?"
"In the kitchen, making food."
"How have you been spending these past few days in Shengjing, Master Jian?"
Yan Shuyi nodded gently: "This Master Jian came to Shengjing to wander with the intention of Cultivating in the mortal world. I didn't expect to meet Ji You by chance, and I've been quite well these past few days, thanks to his hospitality."
Hearing Jian Zhu JieJie distance herself from the relationship, the three of them didn't believe it at all.
They had returned to Feng Province together during the Tiandao Conference, and they had seen Jian Zhu JieJie of Lingjian Mountain running out every day to listen to people call her ‘Madam Ji’.
As they were speaking, Ji You came from the courtyard carrying breakfast. After entering the hall, he looked at Cao Jinsong: "Why did you come?"
"It's the New Year, so we briefly came out of seclusion to see you."
Ji You scrutinized the three of them, noticing that their Aura had indeed become much stronger than when they last met, indicating that their Cultivation was going smoothly. Cao Jinsong and the other two were also scrutinizing him, their focus on the fresh teeth marks at the corner of his mouth, thinking, 'So this is what Jian Zhu JieJie of Lingjian Mountain meant by ‘hospitality’.'
Just then, Yan Shuyi, holding a soup bowl, suddenly rose from the table and walked towards the courtyard.
Ji You subconsciously looked back and saw that Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu had returned to the courtyard, seemingly having sent Yuan Chen back to the Wei Family Residence and come to report.
He didn't pay much attention, but instead turned to Cao Jinsong: "How effective is the Fang Family’s Spirit Platform?"
Cao Jinsong shifted his gaze from the corner of his mouth: "The effect is truly extraordinary. I estimate I can break through the Realm in another two or three years."
"Two or three years?"
"That's already fast. Do you think everyone is like you?"
Cao Jinsong knew that Ji You's Cultivation had encountered problems, otherwise, he should have entered the Rongdao Realm two years ago in the summer.
But in reality, it's normal for Cultivators to spend decades like a single day; even the Little Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, who has the highest Cultivation talent, needs many years to cross a major Realm.
Ji You, at this moment, was holding a bowl of clear porridge: "Has Elder Fang caused you trouble because the spirit mirror is in your hands?"
"No, Elder Fang has left the residence. He hasn't asked about the spirit mirror at all."
"?"
Ji You's movements paused: "When did he leave the residence?"
Cao Jinsong frowned and thought carefully for a moment: "Probably seven or eight days before the New Year."
"Seven or eight days—"
Ji You calculated the days, his brows furrowing slightly.
Cao Jinsong, seeing this, leaned forward: "What's wrong?"
"I met Fang Jincheng at the Drunken Immortal Tower, out seeking pleasure. At the time, I found it strange that Elder Fang dared to let him out. It turns out it was because he wasn't in Ni Mountain. But why would he leave the mountain at this time?"
Cao Jinsong stroked his long beard: "He said he returned home. You know his Lifespan is not much, and before his great limit approaches, he always has to give instructions to his Family. Maybe you won't see him again after this."
Ji You continued to stir the rice porridge in his bowl: "Good people don't live long, but scourges last a thousand years. He still has a few years of Lifespan, so he can't just die after returning home for a visit."
Ban Yangshu couldn't help but speak upon hearing this: "Cao Instructor means that Elder Fang might impart his Cultivation to his Family's Disciple."
"Impart Cultivation?"
"It's a method of 'enlightenment through initiation,' where one leaves their comprehension of the Dao to their descendants to ensure the continuation of the Family's glory. However, this Cultivation Technique consumes a great deal of Lifespan and is only used in dire situations, but it is indeed a forbidden art that has made some Sect increasingly powerful."
Cao Jinsong then said: "The Fang Family has a powerful influence in Central Province. The reason for this is that Elder Fang is stationed at Tianshu Academy. If he truly passes away, the Fang Family will inevitably weaken for a long time, and it might even cause Central Province to fall into chaos for a period."
When a person is about to die, everything becomes empty. Being able to leave one's comprehension of the Dao to one's descendants is not a bad thing; at the very least, it can ensure that the Family does not decline.
However, after all, one Wujiang Realm expert would be gone, and the Family's strength would be greatly reduced. Other Sect would not sit by and wait for them to recover their Origin Qi; they would definitely take action.
In fact, this is not uncommon.
Whenever a powerful being falls, conflicts always arise in the various provinces of Qingyun World.
It's like if Ji You unfortunately died, Feng Province would be divided by the Sect of the other eight provinces. The principle is the same.
However, imparting Cultivation to descendants through 'enlightenment by initiation' doesn't seem to be the only option when one's great limit is approaching. Ji You suddenly remembered the Elder who attacked him with Divine Thought.
He later inquired and learned that he was a Divine Roaming Realm expert who had lived for countless years, his Lifespan long exhausted. But later, he used some secret art to extend his life at the cost of falling into a deep sleep.
Ji You understood Elder Fang quite well and felt that it was more likely he would continue to linger on with such a secret art, rather than returning home to impart Cultivation.
In fact, Cao Jinsong also had doubts about his departure.
Because the Fang Family's spirit mirror was an heirloom, he should have taken it back even if he was going to die.
"Ji You."
"What is it, Senior Sister?"
"How exactly did you capture the heart of such a cold and beautiful Fairy?"
Wen Zhengxin had not participated in the conversation, but had been staring at the Little Master Jian in the courtyard. At this moment, she couldn't help but turn to Ji You and ask.
Everyone looked outside the courtyard upon hearing her words, only to see Yan Shuyi standing sideways in the courtyard, holding a letter with a cold and arrogant expression.
As if sensing the gazes gathering on her, the Little Master Jian looked back, and upon seeing Ji You, she habitually narrowed her eyes, making everyone unable to help but be mesmerized.
Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu did not stay long at the Worry-Free Commerce, as they were eager to return to Cultivate.
Cao Jinsong knew that students would be visiting and bringing gifts today, so he also left.
Their visit this time was not for anything important; it was merely for the New Year customs.
Ji You saw them off at the back courtyard gate. When he returned, he found that Yan Shuyi had already returned to the main hall, and Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu were already eating porridge.
"Young Master."
"Has Yuan Chen returned?"
Zhuo Wanqiu nodded and then whispered: "Young Master, did you and our Master Jian play cards all night last night?"
Ji You nodded: "That's right."
As his words fell, he saw the puzzled looks in Ding Yao's and Zhuo Wanqiu's eyes.
But they didn't know that what they were thinking was what they had left over from playing last night.
Ji You sat cross-legged at the table, continuing to eat the porridge he hadn't finished earlier, and felt a foot rest on his leg under the table.
Before long, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu finished their porridge: "Master Jian, we're done. We'll go back and pack our things first."
Yan Shuyi nodded gently: "Go."
Ji You looked up at Yan Shuyi at this moment: "Pack things?"
"I have been tranquil for many days in Shengjing. My Dao Heart has gradually become clear. Moreover, you and I are only acquainted through a few meetings, and it would be inappropriate to trouble you further.
Therefore, this Master Jian has decided to return to the mountain."
Yan Shuyi wiggled her foot and then took small sips of the clear porridge.
Ji You looked at her: "If you get pregnant, could I trouble Master Jian to send me a letter to let me know?"
The Little Master Jian narrowed her eyes: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Yuan Caiwei soon woke up from her room and walked into the side hall.
She wasn't woken up by sleep, but by the Tianshu Academy Disciple who came to deliver a message. When she entered the side hall, she immediately saw the wound at the corner of Ji You's mouth.
Jian Zhu JieJie had been cold for a day and a night, but after she fell asleep, she got close to Ji Gongzi again.
She felt that after she left, even if her sister continued to act, she would be taken to the room to cry out for her husband.
"Awake?"
"Mm."
Ji You handed him a chair: "Do you want to eat?"
Yuan Caiwei sat down and gently opened her lips: "There's something I need to tell Young Master and Sister. My clan uncle sent a letter via a Tianshu Academy Disciple, saying that Father sent a message telling me and My younger brother to return to Dan Sect immediately."
Yuan Chen was not proficient in controlling the Sacred Artifact, and originally should not have left the mountain this time. It was only through her pleading that her father made an exception.
Now, with the help of the Little Master Jian, knowing that Yuan Chen was not rejected by the Sacred Artifact, she also wanted to ask Yuan Chen to try again.
Moreover, her father's message was somewhat urgent, and she wasn't sure if something had happened on the mountain, which also made her worried.
Ji You didn't tell her to send him a message if she got pregnant, because she wasn't as arrogant as Yan Shuyi; if she really got pregnant, she would definitely send him a message.
However, what Yuan Caiwei didn't expect was that when she decided to go back to the Wei Family Residence to find My younger brother first, Yan Shuyi and Ji You also followed.
She thought they were seeing her off, but then she heard that the Little Master Jian was also returning to the mountain.
"Jian Zhu JieJie, why are you in such a hurry?"
"After being away from the mountain for so long, I always have to show my face."
"But not in these one or two days, right?"
"I'm going to leave eventually, and it's not about this day or half a day."
After Yan Shuyi finished speaking, she turned to look at Ji You.
Yuan Chen, hearing that they were about to set off back to the mountain, was utterly disheartened and was begging Ji You to persuade his Elder sister.
After watching for a while, Yan Shuyi turned and went to her room, packing her belongings into her storage gourd.
At this moment, the window outside was bright, and sunlight streamed through the window sill, casting dappled patterns on the floor. The Little Master Jian finished packing her things, then pulled out the letter that Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu had brought back earlier from her sleeve.
Throughout the winter, she had been sending people to closely monitor the movements of those Immortal Sects, especially the Elders who had left the Dongping Mountain Range but had not returned to their sects.
Previously, there was a message saying they had returned to Qing Province. Yan Shuyi thought they were going to re-investigate the lower Sect, but the message she received today revealed that this was not the case.
After these people returned to Qing Province, they entered the Great Desolate Forest along the Misty River to the southeast.
Qing Province, Liang Province, Ling Province, and Yong Province are intertwined and adjacent, but they do not border each other. Between the four provinces lies a vast forest called the Great Desolate, which is also an ancient land.
The Disciples sent to track them followed them through the mountains and forests, eventually discovering that they disappeared before a ruin comparable to Qi Ridge.
Since ancient times, the Primordial Ruins have been unknowable places, especially the largest ones, which the Human Race cannot enter at all.
But now, another ruin has been opened.
If the secret of the Evil Seed of the lower Sect is inside, then it will definitely be a catastrophe.
The Little Master Jian found it inconvenient to receive messages in Shengjing, so she decided to return to the mountain first.
She hadn't yet decided whether to tell Ji You about this matter, because judging from the Dongping Mountain incident, the unfamiliar man was too reckless with his life.
Before the matter became clear, he might get himself involved.
In the afternoon, the luggage was loaded onto the carriage.
The Fairy's face appeared from the carriage window, with a faint cold arrogance, gazing at the gently waving man, seemingly intent on the Dao, cutting off all emotions and desires.
And not long after the carriage headed south, a letter was also delivered from the Master's Courtyard to Zuoqiuyang, the Master of Zizai Hall.
This letter had a similar origin to the one in the Little Master Jian's hand, also sent from Qing Province.
At the same time, letters from Asked the Dao Sect, Mountain and Sea Pavilion, and the Chen Clan were also quietly transmitted in flight.
