Chapter 378: Third Shixiong

Eldest Shixiong had already spread out the letter paper.

Many of the shixiong and shidi crowded behind him, holding bowls in one hand and chopsticks in the other, craning their necks to look, much like the curious village men and women who loved to watch the excitement in an ordinary village.

The very first line was—

"Seeing these words is like meeting in person; may your face be relaxed upon unfolding this letter."

It was Third Shixiong's handwriting.

Among the many shixiong and shidi, the one who wrote the best was Fourth Shixiong, because most of the nine shixiong and shidi came from ordinary families; some had studied for a few days before going up the mountain, while others had never studied at all and only began to learn to read and write after arriving. The one who had studied the most before going up the mountain was, in fact, Lin Jue.

However, because life on the mountain was leisurely and there was plenty of time to practice calligraphy, and because Daoists emphasize cultivating the heart, the saying that "the writing reflects the person" was not without merit; thus, most of the disciples wrote quite well.

Take Fourth Shixiong, for example; his calligraphy was something he slowly developed after going up the mountain, owing to his love for solitude and his fondness for the Four Treasures of the Study. It was natural, lively, and formed a style of its own.

Third Shixiong's writing, on the other hand, was unconventional; at first glance, it looked a bit messy, but upon closer inspection, one could discern a certain free-spirited ease.

Yet, just like his handwriting, the content of the letter was also very casual. Aside from the opening line, "Seeing these words is like meeting in person; may your face be relaxed upon unfolding this letter," which had some flair, the rest was all in plain language.

"Shixiong, are you well?

"How does it feel to be the Temple Master and act as a master?

"Have you taken on any disciples? If you have, you have to worry about their affairs—do you still have time to dig soil and spread manure?

"Little Shidi has left; are you still eating pig slop every day?

"I, on the other hand, change up my meals every day. Over these past few years, I've almost finished eating all the food from north to south of the Great River and from the Eastern Lands to the Western Regions! Although it's still quite a bit worse than Little Shidi's cooking, it's countless times more nourishing and carefree than the food we used to have on the mountain!

"..."

The many shixiong and shidi first glanced at Eldest Shixiong, who was being mocked, then lowered their heads to look at the flat noodles in their bowls, and then looked at Little Shidi beside them, unable to help but exchange smiles.

It was clear that this letter was addressed to Eldest Shixiong.

Third Shixiong did not know they had returned to Mount Yishan.

If he knew they were on the mountain right now, and that Little Shidi was still eating the flat noodles Little Shidi had made himself—savoring the most memorable food from their Daoist cultivation journey on the mountain—one wonders what he would think.

Some took the opportunity to lower their heads and shovel in a big mouthful, some slurped half a flat noodle into their mouths, and some chewed away.

At the same time, they continued reading down—

"Shixiong, no need to be annoyed. Even if you are eating pig slop, there is definitely someone having a harder time than you.

"This Daoist has calculated with his fingers that among the shixiong, there is definitely one who relies on Famine-Relief Pills to get by every day!

"..."

Everyone turned their heads again to look at Second Shixiong.

Although the letter didn't name names, Third Shixiong was ranked third, and he only had two shixiong in total. Excluding Eldest Shixiong, who else could it be?

"Hmph..."

Second Shixiong's expression was calm. He didn't scold him, just said faintly: "This letter really was written by him."

It seemed like he wasn't scolding him, yet it also seemed like he was.

"If Shixiong has time, please send a letter on my behalf to greet Fourth Shidi. He is living among the birds and beasts in the deep mountains; nine times out of ten, he has already turned into a wild man by now."

Everyone turned their heads again to look at Fourth Shixiong.

Fourth Shixiong was silent for a moment, then nodded repeatedly: "That's right, this was indeed written by Third Shixiong."

"Fifth Shidi is likely working hard; please also offer him my regards and ask him to take care of his health. If he has time, he should spare a moment—never mind the suffering and pain of the people in the world—and just focus on researching a method for male virility. He can pass it on to Seventh Shidi and ask him to help test it.

"If he is short on money, he can take it from Sixth Shidi. This Daoist has calculated again that Sixth Shidi should be very wealthy right now."

"Swish!"

Everyone's gaze shifted in several directions, looking at Fifth Shixiong, Sixth Shixiong, and Seventh Shixiong.

"He wrote it."

"That's right, that's right! It's definitely him!"

"Seconded!"

The three shixiong all imitated Second Shixiong's way of speaking.

Hearing this, Third Shixiong didn't say a word about how he himself was doing, yet it seemed as if every sentence was saying he was doing quite well and that everyone didn't need to worry.

It was also upon hearing this that Lin Jue became a bit nervous.

Following the order, it should be his turn next.

However, Third Shixiong did not play by the rules; he didn't mention Lin Jue at all, but instead changed the subject to talk about his own experiences over the past few years.

"I don't know if Little Shidi and Little Xiao Shimei have returned to Mount Yishan in these past few years. I imagine that even if they haven't returned, they must have written to you all to inform you about my situation.

"That night, that woman (a black smudge of ink) seemed gentle and kind, but if she could deceive Shidi and Xiao Shimei, how could she deceive me?

"Actually, I saw at a glance that she had no intention of marrying you at all; she was just trying to use a cultivator to play some tricks that were as useful and interesting as those in stories, looking for a legitimate reason to escape the control of the Western Mountain Prefecture Lord! She was no fragile female ghost; her abilities were as high as her illusions!

"How could this Daoist play along with her?

"After I bluntly exposed her, she was shamed into anger, cut off the world to fight me, and tried to trap me there to force me to submit."

"What could such petty tricks do to me?

"Unexpectedly, this female ghost was quite persistent. After I managed to escape, she pursued me relentlessly.

"It's a long story; I'll just consider it playing in the world of mortals.

"By the way—

"Shixiong, don't tell Little Shidi about this. He was the one who pushed that female ghost onto me in the first place; let him feel guilty for a while longer."

Lin Jue, holding his bowl, couldn't help but freeze upon reading this.

The many Daoists, each holding a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, also looked toward him.

Who would have thought that Lin Jue would be standing right there reading the letter?

"Hmm..." Lin Jue thought for a moment, "It is indeed Third Shixiong's personal letter." "Eldest Shixiong, he told you not to tell Little Shidi," Seventh Shixiong said. "You must not let it slip."

"Don't be cheeky."

"What is the origin of this female ghost? She actually has such ability!"

"According to Shidi, she is the adopted daughter highly valued by the Western Mountain Prefecture Lord, who has high hopes for her and wants to use her for a political marriage during these chaotic times to exchange for capital. However, after all, there is the grace of upbringing; even if that woman is unwilling, it is difficult for her to openly disobey her parents' orders," Seventh Shixiong said. "But this female ghost is so petty; just because she was exposed, she has pursued him relentlessly for so long."

"Shidi is too naive. This is just Third Shixiong's own version of the story," Fourth Shixiong saw through it at a glance. "He said 'bluntly exposed'—do you really think it was just a blunt exposure?"

"Yeah, who knows how he mocked and ridiculed her in the process of exposing her," Sixth Shixiong nodded and said.

"Just like this letter," Second Shixiong said.

"There are a few more paragraphs."

Everyone continued to look—

"By the way, to be safe, don't tell Little Xiao Shimei either. She has always been in cahoots with Little Shidi. By now, she should have gone to the Fengshan Hongye Guan on Mount Feng outside the capital. However, this Daoist has calculated that she must often go down the mountain to the capital, taking her cat to find Little Shidi to beg for food and drink. If you tell her, it's the same as Little Shidi knowing."

Lin Jue looked toward Little Xiao Shimei.

(No content lost!)

The many shixiong and shidi also looked toward Little Xiao Shimei.

Little Xiao Shimei was holding an empty bowl—hers was the first to be empty among everyone. She reached out and scratched her head; a look of confusion was her protective color.

"Shixiong, hurry up and look. After you finish, I'm going to get a refill."

"Hmm..."

Everyone lowered their heads—

"When I wrote this letter, I had already returned to Qinzhou. I've heard quite a few things about Shidi here.

"I don't dare call him Shidi anymore; I must respectfully call him True Person Lin!

"Haha!

"Three months ago, I even took the time to return to the capital and went to the Fengshan Hongye Guan on Mount Feng, but I didn't find Little Shidi in the capital, nor did I see Little Xiao Shimei on Mount Feng. I only caught two of her chickens to eat. Most likely, they went out to eliminate demons; fate hasn't arrived yet.

"I am currently hiding in Ziyun County, Qinzhou. There is a thousand-year-old Demon King here named Dong Wang Mu. Not only does she have the method for longevity, but I suspect she might also have the Path to Truth that our Mount Fuqiu lacks.

"I am currently trying to scheme for it.

"Once I find it, I will return to Mount Yishan.

"By the way, keep the Mountain-Moving Mirror in the temple safe; I might come back to borrow it.

"When Shixiong receives this letter, it will be almost New Year, right? This winter is exceptionally cold; I wonder if Mount Yishan is the same. The mountain is cold and desolate, Shixiong is lonely and bitter, haha, being a Temple Master isn't easy either.

"Give my regards to Fuyao and Little Hua, and burn some incense for Master on my behalf.

"..."

Looking further down, there was nothing left.

Everyone looked at each other, their faces showing contemplation.

"The Path to Truth that Third Shixiong said our Mount Fuqiu lacks should be the one Shidi found at the beginning of the year, right?" Fourth Shixiong said.

"Shixiong missed out..."

"Didn't I say there was no need to worry about him?" Second Shixiong said.

"Eh? Why didn't Third Shixiong say in the letter that that woman is with him now, and why are they together?" Seventh Shixiong asked in surprise.

"Third Shixiong is actually with Dong Wang Mu!" Lin Jue was concerned about this.

"Who is Dong Wang Mu?" Eldest Shixiong asked.

"A Demon King, a Demon King who has attained the Truth. I don't know what she is scheming," Lin Jue said. "It doesn't matter; anyway, after the New Year, I have to take a trip there."

"After I finish eating, I'll ask the Spirit Diviner."

"I'm going to get a refill!"

"Ninth Shishu, I'll scoop it for you!"

A little Daoist boy took Little Xiao Shimei's bowl and trotted into the kitchen.

Little Xiao Shimei scratched her head again—

She had always been the junior, the one ordered around by others to run errands. Now that there was someone even younger and more junior to run errands for her, this feeling was actually not bad.

It's a pity this is Eldest Shixiong's.

Everyone sat back down, each with their own thoughts.

Only the merchant who delivered the letter held his bowl, lowering his head with wide eyes.

It wasn't that he wanted to eavesdrop; it was just that they were all sitting at one table, and the snippets of their conversation were too shocking. Every time they opened their mouths, it was words like "female ghost," "Western Mountain Prefecture Lord," "Demon King," and "chaotic times." Once one heard even one of these words, it was impossible not to keep listening.

Hearing this made him feel extremely alarmed.

Even more surprised than he was by the Cloud Leopard, which was about the size of a leopard and was currently lying at his feet, and even more surprised than by the fox, which was the size of a cat but looked extraordinary at first glance.

He had originally thought that the Daoist was an immortal in the mountains, but even such immortals were rarely seen. He hadn't expected that there seemed to be so many such immortals in the mountains!

Mount Yishan has had many immortal tales since ancient times...

Where on earth had he walked to?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 379 =====