Chapter 13: To Shengjing

On the sixth day of the month, dawn brought a faint chill to the town.

The red sun rose from a vast, blood-red wound in the sky, then vanished beneath mist, like a salted egg yolk, casting a desolate glow over Yuyang County.

Ji You stepped out of his ancestral home to find an empty street already holding a scholar, walking through the morning mist with a bamboo chest on his back, a bundle slung over his left arm, and half a baked pancake clutched in his right hand.

“Brother Ji, good morning.”

Ji You had just locked the gate and stared at him, dazed: “Cai Chen…”

Kuang Cheng didn’t catch it and stepped closer: “I too depart today for the capital. The road ahead is long and treacherous—let me bid you farewell here. May your immortal path be smooth.”

“You’re going alone to the capital?”

Kuang Cheng nodded: “Had it not been for the Qiu family affair delaying me five days, I’d have left already.”

Ji You glanced at the misty dawn and saw the western sky still gray: “How do you get from Yuyang County to Shengjing?”

“First take a carriage southwest, then hike around Dongshou Mountain, take another carriage—no commoners allowed within a hundred li of the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion, so I must detour again, then board a carriage at Mogu Relay Station…”

“That’s so complicated. How much silver will this trip cost you?”

“About five qian.”

Ji You blinked slightly: “You’re a young master—surely five qian is enough?”

Kuang Cheng paused, gripping his bundle: “Scholars must endure hardship to sharpen their resolve. I needn’t stay at inns—I can sleep in ancient temples. Though rumors say these temples have lately been haunted by demons and spirits, I carry righteous qi—I fear nothing.”

“Do you really carry righteous qi?”

“Well… I’m not entirely sure, but the books say so.”

“That’s far too dangerous, Brother Kuang!”

Ji You narrowed his eyes, studying him closely: “Then let me go with you. I’m quite curious about haunted temples.”

Kuang Cheng looked puzzled: “No need, Brother Ji. Though the exam journey is perilous, two out of five still survive—it might just be me.”

“Only two survive? Then indeed, no need.”

Ji You pondered, then looked up: “You’re the only heir of the Kuang family. If you die on the road, it’d be a terrible waste.”

Kuang Cheng gazed at the still-dim sky: “If that’s fate, then so be it.”

“Come with me.”

“?”

Ji You slung his bundle over his shoulder: “I heard Fang Ruoyao is bringing a maid. I can just as well bring a study companion. Riding an immortal ship is far more comfortable than your winding detours.”

Kuang Cheng blinked, thought a moment, then smiled gently: “I’m just a mortal. How could I dare ride an immortal’s treasure ship?”

“Your lips are twitching.”

“I’m not.”

After a long silence, Ji You suddenly held out his hand: “Give me the travel money—five qian!”

Kuang Cheng hesitated, then took down his bundle, unwrapped it layer upon layer, and finally pulled out a swollen money pouch, selecting the smallest silver fragment and placing it in Ji You’s palm.

Even that smallest fragment weighed more than five qian.

Ji You’s brow furrowed into a deep crease: “You’ve got this much? Give me more.”

“Brother Ji, too much money clouds the mind…”

“Why aren’t you afraid?”

Kuang Cheng clutched his pouch: “Because I’m a scholar—I carry righteous qi…”

Ji You fell silent again, then politely reached out and took roughly two liang and three qian, stuffing it into his own pocket.

The thin dawn mist faded as sunlight spilled across the town; people now moved in and out.

Between harvest and spring plowing, farmers weren’t idle—they climbed mountains to chop firewood or traveled farther for work, enduring hardship year after year.

The two watched this scene in silence.

“Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

The morning dew was heavy; their clothes were damp by the time they left the city.

But the sun soon broke through the mist, a single ray piercing the city gate, gilding the scholar’s and boy’s feet, stretching their shadows long behind them.

By the time they reached the city’s edge, a crowd already stood before the county marker.

Cao Jingsong, Pei Ruyi, the Fang father and daughter, and the three Qiu family members were all there.

Also gathered were the townsfolk who had recognized Ji You at the threshing floor that day, come to see him off.

Seeing Ji You and Kuang Cheng emerge one after the other, little Qiu Ru broke free from her mother’s arms, toddled over, and hugged Ji You’s leg, looking up at his mouth.

“Little girl, why are you getting heavier?”

“Master, I ate meat at the magistrate’s house—it was delicious. Father lied. I tried to save a piece for you, but my mouth wouldn’t let me—I cried!”

Ji You couldn’t help smiling as the Qiu couple hurried over, clutching a bundle: “Master, this is the silver we got when we saved Ru Ru—take it with you…”

Li Shuping dropped to her knees: “Master, this ignorant woman spoke cruelly to you before. Yet you saved Ru Ru. I kneel to thank you…”

“No need.”

Ji You lifted her up: “I consider the third family on Nan Ya River my own. Qiu Ru is my little sister. Before I ascend to immortality, I’ll return many times. If you keep treating me like this, how can I ever come back?”

Hearing the casual mention of “ascend,” Cao Jingsong’s eyelid twitched.

This boy spoke with effortless authority—he was no ordinary man.

Old Qiu now offered the bundle: “Master, take this. Far from home, you’ll have no familiar faces. Many things require silver—don’t deprive yourself.”

“No need, Old Qiu. I still have silver. Keep this for your household.”

“When the Ji family fled, they took everything—even a single ingot. I know better than you, Master. Don’t refuse.”

“I’m not refusing—I really have money.”

Seeing Kuang Cheng’s doubt, Ji You tapped his bundle.

Kuang Cheng fell silent, suddenly recalling the day he saw Ji You drenched in blood at his home.

That day, Ji You had lamented that Qingyun’s world had lost a brilliant, fearsome bandit—but why did he feel no one was truly missing?

“Friends, to see you off a thousand li ends here. Let’s stop.”

“If any neighbors have time, please clean my house. If any Ji clan members return, entrust it to them.”

Ji You turned, gazing at the rising sun and endless mountains, exhaling softly.

He felt he hadn’t come here without reason—he had things to accomplish.

“Come, boy. Let’s meet the wind of fate.”

(End of Chapter)