Chapter 29: Calamity Star

"What!" Steward Zhang said, utterly shocked: "You... you are the disciple of Immortal Seven Seas Li!"

Upon learning that Li Li Xuanren was the disciple of Immortal Seven Seas Li, Steward Zhang appeared extremely shocked.

He seemed to hold Immortal Seven Seas Li in the highest esteem, so when he heard that Li Li Xuanren had received the true transmission of this figure, naturally he felt utterly astonished.

Li Li Xuanren: "This humble one's sect is but a minor side path of the Apricot Grove; I wonder if Steward Zhang has ever heard of it?"

"Thunderous fame!" Steward Zhang continued: "If Immortal Seven Seas Li is called a minor side path, then who in the world dares to call themselves the Great Dao!"

When Li Li Xuanren modestly said his Apricot Grove Sect was merely a minor side path, Steward Zhang immediately refuted him.

Steward Zhang's admiration for Immortal Seven Seas Li seemed to have reached a point where, in his eyes, this figure had attained the status of a deity worthy of reverence.

"Wait..." Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, looking utterly baffled: "Hearing you two praise back and forth... who exactly is this Immortal Seven Seas Li?"

The "mutual flattery" between Li Li Xuanren and Steward Zhang left Jiang Jiang Mingyu in a fog.

Although he could feel both men's reverence for Immortal Seven Seas Li, he knew nothing about the figure himself.

So, as the two kept mentioning this person to express their high regard, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only look baffled, not knowing what kind of holy being this was that made them so admiring and reverent.

Thus, Steward Zhang took this opportunity to briefly discuss the current ranking of alchemists in the Jianghu with Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Whenever the ranking of current Jianghu alchemists is mentioned, the name of Immortal Seven Seas Li must be at the very top.

His fame spread far and wide across the Four Seas; his supernatural powers were vast, his magical abilities boundless, and almost no alchemist could match him.

Compared with other alchemists, Immortal Seven Seas Li was simply superior, truly the supreme Grandmaster of this era.

The technique Immortal Seven Seas Li mastered best was the Great One Golden Immortal Dao; he held the power of life and death. The Universe Divine Art had been lost for a long time, yet he developed it to its utmost extreme, truly unfathomable.

Martial artists once witnessed him wielding magical power, able to summon wind and rain and control nature, truly like a god, inspiring awe and fear in all.

Rumor has it that Immortal Seven Seas Li possesses an extremely precious secret manual recording ancient lost methods and several long-lost supreme arts. This book is his main reliance for increasing his cultivation and advancing his supernatural powers day by day.

Some speculate that if he were willing to pass on this book, he would surely create a generation of Grandmasters.

Unfortunately, Immortal Seven Seas Li kept his life completely closed off throughout his lifetime, rarely teaching disciples, so his secret manual remained hidden from the world, and no one has ever seen its true form.

Compared with the power of Immortal Seven Seas Li, although Joyful Daoist was also no small matter, the gap in strength between the two was vast, making them incomparable.

Therefore, in the aforementioned alchemist ranking, although Joyful Daoist was listed in the top five, he still lagged far behind Immortal Seven Seas Li.

The supernatural power of Immortal Seven Seas Li was truly beyond reach, which was the main reason he ranked at the very top.

After hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel deep respect. Although he had heard the name of Immortal Seven Seas Li before, he never expected him to be so powerful.

Upon learning of the profound cultivation of Immortal Seven Seas Li, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately made a request: "I earnestly beg Physician Li Li Xuanren to lead the way so we may visit together."

Li Li Xuanren showed a look of difficulty and slowly said: "To go visit is not impossible, but... the mountain roads are rugged, the journey long; I fear it would be too much for my lord Jiang's body to endure the cold."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was stunned and asked: "Just how far is it?"

Li Li Xuanren pondered for a moment and said: "My master lives beyond ten thousand li of clouds, at the end of the Asmo Regional Military Commissioner, where there is a Snowball Mountain. Starting from Jingcheng, one must cross boundless high mountains and wade through vast snowfields."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had no concept of the geography beyond the passes, so he turned to Steward Zhang and asked timidly: "Just how far is it?"

Steward Zhang: "Starting from Jingcheng, calculated at the speed of a six-hundred-li urgent dispatch, it would take at least three days and three nights!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew nothing of those endless snowfields and infinite high peaks, feeling uncertain and suspicious. He turned to Steward Zhang and asked timidly: "Is it really that far?"

Steward Zhang sighed heavily and said: "From our departure, we must cross layer upon layer of passes, traverse a thousand li of glaciers, and cross those boundless snowfields; I beg my lord Jiang to consider carefully. Three days and three nights are merely the beginning of the journey; I fear it will require even more time to reach Snowball Mountain."

After pondering carefully, Jiang Jiang Mingyu concluded that it was still necessary to go visit, so he decided to leave the pass and make the trip to Snowball Mountain.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu left the Ministry of Punishment and had just returned home when Commissioner Tu arrived; thus, he, Steward Zhang, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu began chatting in the study. Commissioner Tu did not hide his purpose, admitting that his visit was indeed for the case.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, keeping no secrets, told Commissioner Tu the current progress of the investigation in full detail.

After learning the progress of the case, Commissioner Tu, as soon as he left Tang Fu, rushed straight to Ah Wei's home!

As soon as Commissioner Tu saw Ah Wei, he first shoved an eight-hundred-tael silver note into his hand! He also said anxiously: "Go home immediately and pack your valuables; leave Jingcheng tomorrow; then take this money and start a small business. Remember, never enter a kitchen again in your life!"

"Uncle, what is going on?" Ah Wei, completely bewildered, asked with a confused face.

"I call you a calamity star, and you still deny it!" Commissioner Tu said, slightly annoyed: "Causing three shops to fail was one thing, but I truly never expected you would even... cause the Emperor to collapse!"

Ah Wei frowned and defended himself: "That Emperor clearly took medicine himself and killed himself; this cannot be blamed on me!"

"What kind of talk is that! What 'killed himself,' do you want to keep your head or not!" Commissioner Tu continued: "You must leave quickly before this 'calamity star' matter reaches the Imperial Kitchen; if... the case expands, even nothing will become something!"

Ah Wei, confused, retorted: "Is it really that serious?"

"You do not know..." Commissioner Tu said earnestly: "Our Great Feng Dynasty's High Ancestral Emperor, back then, because of the case of Prime Minister Hu, the implicated net was cast too wide, resulting in the execution of over twenty thousand people! History may not repeat itself, but it fears being eerily similar."

That night, Ah Wei quickly packed his belongings; as soon as dawn broke and the city gates opened, he left Jingcheng at the fastest speed.

On the Imperial Kitchen side, Commissioner Tu still had to handle the aftermath for Ah Wei.

He returned and found Eunuch Hai, pretending that a major disaster had occurred in Ah Wei's hometown; since the matter happened suddenly, he had no choice but to resign temporarily.

Although Eunuch Hai felt confused and regretful about Ah Wei's departure, seeing Commissioner Tu's face, he did not dare to say much.

After settling Ah Wei's affairs, Commissioner Tu did not forget to slip two silver notes to Eunuch Hai; one for him, and one for the Imperial Kitchen staff to treat themselves to food and tea.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu used his Imperial Envoy privilege to borrow Physician Li Li Xuanren from the Imperial Hospital to assist in the investigation. After handing over his work early in the morning, Li Li Xuanren brought his luggage to Tang Fu to meet up with Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

To help Prime Minister He establish a firebreak, Steward Zhang did not accompany Jiang Jiang Mingyu to beyond the pass; instead, he stayed in Jingcheng to coordinate Lu Muyou's intelligence network and the Lu family's escort guards for a city-wide, carpet-style search for Mr. Wuxing!

Steward Zhang believed that as long as Mr. Wuxing was caught, the case of the Seven Times a Night Pill would not burn Prime Minister He.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu followed Tu Tu Kesiluo's advice and chose to act low-key; they did not make a grand display but traveled lightly and simply to avoid being blocked by members of the Eunuch Faction or the Mei Faction.

Li Li Xuanren and Jiang Jiang Mingyu boarded a simple carriage; inside were only two long benches covered with straw, appearing very humble.

Outside, Tu Tu Kesiluo held two horses, one black and one white; the horses were tall and sturdy, seemingly chosen as fine steeds for long-distance travel.

The three travelers had no attendants following them, nor servants seeing them off; they quietly drove out of the Jiangfu gate and headed north under the cover of night.

They made no sound and lit no lamps, fearing to disturb anyone, only eager to hurry on, hoping to leave Jingcheng as soon as possible.

Night deepened; the moon set behind Mount Xishan, and starlight was gradually obscured by dark clouds.

The carriage bumped along the pitch-black grassland, making creaking sounds.

Cold wind blew from all directions, making the people inside the carriage shiver.

But no one uttered a single complaint; they simply wrapped their clothes tightly, striving to avoid the stones crushed by the wheels from piercing their feet.

Finally, the sky began to lighten. The horses seemed to feel weary as well, running with less vigor than before.

The figures of the group appeared and disappeared in the morning mist, concealing their identities and reducing the likelihood of being discovered.

The long night seemed to exhaust everyone, but with their destination still ahead, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and press on.

As an imperial envoy appointed by the Emperor himself, Jiang Jiang Mingyu naturally possessed the Imperial Envoy's Golden Token to signify his status.

As soon as he presented the Imperial Envoy's Golden Token, officials everywhere became obsequious and respectful, daring not to utter a single word of complaint.

Checkpoints along the way, which rigorously inspected other travelers, would immediately grant passage upon seeing the Imperial Envoy's Golden Token, daring not to offer any obstruction.

Although Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained silent in the carriage, he exuded an aura of majesty and imposing presence that even made Li Li Xuanren feel somewhat uneasy.

In this world, those who could receive the Emperor's personal selection and be issued an Imperial Envoy's Golden Token were few and far between; as one of them, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's identity was undoubtedly extraordinary.

This privilege of passing through checkpoints effortlessly without question was truly enviable.

Holding the Imperial Envoy's Golden Token, Jiang Jiang Mingyu possessed what amounted to a "pass," allowing him unimpeded travel wherever he went; such privilege was indeed rare and precious.

If they were ordinary martial artists, no matter how long they had traveled, entering the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction would require layer upon layer of interrogation, the time consumed being imaginable.

After the carriage exited the North Gate, Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to observe anew this place called the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's seat.

After seven days of bumpy travel, they had finally reached their destination; this mixture of journey fatigue and excitement made them feel a slight sense of refreshment.

The Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's territory was completely different from the Central Plains; here, the Jurchen people constituted the majority, while the Han people were merely a minority.

Jurchen men all wore the distinctive "copper-coin rat-tail" hairstyle, which stood out starkly compared to the long hair of the Han people.

These two completely different hairstyles had become an important marker for distinguishing between Jurchen and Han people.

Relying on memory, Li Li Xuanren led them to a Han settlement at the foot of Snowball Mountain called "Shangmu County."

Although Shangmu County was known as a Han settlement, its population was less than two thousand, making its scale truly too small.

Compared to the cities and towns of the Central Plains, this place could only be called a small town.

The houses lining the streets were dilapidated and crude, and shops were exceedingly scarce, clearly indicating that business could not flourish.

In the open-air market, only a few vendors were hawking their wares, making the scene appear desolate and empty.

As the sun set in the west and the sky grew dark, Shangmu County, already sparsely populated, became utterly cold and silent after nightfall.

Occasionally, pedestrians hurried past on the streets, while most households had already closed their doors and windows, preparing for bed.

Compared to the bustling daytime cities of the Central Plains, the night here seemed lifeless, evoking a sense of desolation.

The scale and business potential of Shangmu County fell far short of cities in the Central Plains; it was truly a rustic small town.

Although the Han residents lived under Jurchen rule, the integration between the two ethnic groups seemed far from ideal.

This cold and crude night also made Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others unable to help but miss the prosperity and nightlife of the Central Plains cities.

This land of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's seat indeed differed too much from the Central Plains.

Different lifestyles and different ethnic compositions made people feel somewhat unfamiliar; for Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others, this sense of unfamiliarity was particularly pronounced at night.

They arrived at an inn named "Like a Dream at Dawn Night" to lodge.

Since Shangmu County was located on the empire's frontier, travelers were few; the inn mainly operated as a tavern on ordinary days, rarely encountering guests seeking lodging. As the Shopkeeper of the inn, Fu Qing usually saw light business, so having guests stay was a rare joy that made her extremely happy.

She immediately welcomed Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others with enthusiasm, ordering the waiter to quickly clean Room One of the Heaven Tier, hoping to provide the guests with a comfortable night.

Fu Qing treated these three rare guests with extreme warmth, repeatedly apologizing that Room One of the Heaven Tier was rarely used and thus required time to clean thoroughly, hoping the guests would understand, and so on.

Her enthusiastic gestures seemed to stem from a cherishing of business, yet appeared somewhat excessively obsequious, making Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Located on the frontier, Shangmu County had very few travelers to begin with, let alone those who would choose to stay at this small inn, "Like a Dream at Dawn Night."

Therefore, as the Shopkeeper, Fu Qing would exert her utmost effort to entertain every guest, fearing they might be dissatisfied and never return.

This eagerness might seem slightly excessive, but it allowed the guests to truly feel her cherishing of business.

For Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others, although they were not quite accustomed to this excessive warm reception, they could also appreciate the comfort such eagerness brought when in a foreign land.

In this desolate small county town, encountering such an enthusiastic innkeeper could be considered a fortunate event.

This night, they would surely sleep peacefully; thinking so, they even felt a touch of dreamlike illusion.

When Li Li Xuanren and Tu Tu Kesiluo entered Room One of the Heaven Tier, they felt somewhat disappointed, for this room was not even as good as the latrine at the Zui Zui Baxian Inn! Compared to the Zui Zui Baxian Inn, the accommodation conditions of Room One of the Heaven Tier were simply worlds apart.

Zui Zui Baxian was spacious and tidy, with exquisite and luxurious furniture, opulent decorations on all four walls, not to mention its courtyard structure with three layers inside and three layers outside, resembling a small palace.

Whereas Room One of the Heaven Tier was merely a dilapidated small side room; the furniture consisted entirely of cheap benches and tables, and the walls looked like ancient plaster that seemed ready to peel off at any moment.

There were obvious cracks on the floor, raising concerns that it might collapse at any time.

The windows were broken and tattered; the wind blew in, making it terribly cold.

Accustomed to the golden splendor of Jingcheng, Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Li Xuanren were naturally troubled by the "crudeness" before their eyes.

Li Li Xuanren even began to regret choosing this inn, wishing he could check out immediately and search everywhere for an inn with better conditions.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, did not mind, vaguely feeling that the scene before him was not much different from the farmhouses in his hometown of Dongzhou.

The simple and crude environment felt natural and relaxed, allowing one to rest to their heart's content.

Moreover, the room was dry and well-ventilated, which in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's view was superior to an overly ornate environment.

This sense of familiarity made him feel exceptionally comfortable, even evoking a touch of nostalgia for idle times.

Heavens above, how could these three traveling together have such vast differences and requirements regarding living conditions?

Having stayed in Jingcheng for so long, Li Li Xuanren had become accustomed to a luxurious life and naturally found it difficult to appreciate Jiang Jiang Mingyu's natural adaptability.

As a guard, Tu Tu Kesiluo also relied on the protection of his master in the capital, having long grown accustomed to a life of fullness and warmth that bred laziness.

Only Jiang Jiang Mingyu seemed to retain that simplicity, making others feel somewhat envious.

After they had settled their luggage, it was already evening. At this point, all three were hungry and decided to go downstairs to see what delicious food and drink the shop could offer.

The three arrived at the inn's dining hall; once seated, Li Li Xuanren, who had lived here for a long time in his youth, ordered several local dishes with practiced ease, such as roasted mutton, stewed whole rabbit, dried weasel, wild mountain vegetables, and so on; then he ordered two pots of the renowned "Shao Dao Zi" liquor, intending to drink heartily first before anything else.

Before long, their table was filled with various wines and dishes; Li Li Xuanren not only enthusiastically introduced the local delicacies but also actively invited Tu Tu Kesiluo and Jiang Jiang Mingyu to drink together; however, what they did not expect was that this very table of food and wine had already been targeted by the guests at the neighboring table!

In the entire dining hall of the inn, theirs was the most abundant order of food!

Compared to the two small dishes and coarse, cloudy wine at other tables, the disparity was simply too great; furthermore, judging by their attire, grooming, speech, and behavior, it was obvious at a glance that they were not locals.

The table was laden with roasted lamb, stewed rabbit, and wild vegetables, while bottles of Shaodaozi liquor were accepted without hesitation.

The roasted lamb had crispy skin and tender meat, emitting a rich aroma; the stewed rabbit was red in color with a white broth, its flesh delicate; the wild vegetables were gathered from the mountains and prepared by an old farmer using a secret recipe, tasting as exquisite as rare delicacies. Two pots of Shaodaozi liquor were already empty, yet the bottles still retained their fragrance, much like the scent of books at sunrise.

The three of them, having eaten and drunk their fill, were chatting animatedly and laughing heartily when suddenly such a group arrived, interrupting their rare moment of comfort.

Just as they had sampled five dishes and taken three rounds of drinks, a band of fierce-looking men suddenly burst into the shop!

After entering the shop, the group marched straight toward their table!

Their expressions were solemn, their frames burly, and they seemed as stiff as wooden dolls; every gesture and movement exuded a spirit of slaughter, causing an inexplicable sense of fear.

They spotted Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others at a glance and walked directly toward them, appearing to eye the bountiful feast on the table with predatory intent. Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo recognized the ill intent of the newcomers and immediately adopted a vigilant stance.

Although Li Li Xuanren had not yet sensed anything amiss, seeing the reactions of the two, he knew something was suspicious; he quickly fell silent and waited to see what would happen.

As the intruders drew near, a fierce battle seemed inevitable...