Chapter 167

Wei Rui and Xiang Kuangcheng had never cultivated immortality, and both were well-read in poetry and books, quite understanding of etiquette, so they were very reserved with each other.

At the same time, because the opposition between the Pro-Immortal Faction and the Immortal Supervision Bureau was obvious, the two had few opportunities to interact privately, and usually only communicated by letter.

So from meeting to now, the number of times the two of them met added up to less than the number of times Ji You robbed Bai Rulong.

So as early as three days ago, the two had made an appointment to travel together during the Moon Sacrifice Festival to enjoy the lanterns.

Things in the world are all like this, it is much easier to handle if there is a reason.

Just like there are bandits on Night City Mountain, so one can kill people, enjoying lanterns on the Moon Sacrifice Festival can naturally be an intentional encounter.

Regarding this, Ji You's evaluation is only one, forgetting friends for beauty.

"So it was a date with a beauty, no wonder you look high-spirited today."

"It's not too high-spirited..."

"Give me two coins of silver!"

"?"

Ji You spread his hands: "On such a beautiful night with a full moon, you have a beauty by your side, can't you let me go to the street to buy a lantern to play with?"

Xiang Kuangcheng reached into his arms and took out a money bag, taking out two coins of loose silver.

Ji You put the silver into his arms: "If the man has feelings and the woman has intentions, don't always talk on paper. What's so good about writing letters? Seize the opportunity to move your hands and feet. My stronghold is in urgent need of population."

Xiang Kuangcheng blushed: "Miss Wei and I are friends of a gentleman, Brother Ji is really reckless..."

"Reproduction has been the core task of the human race since ancient times, how can it be called reckless? You scholar is too pedantic."

"In short, it is reckless. Kuang bears the noble spirit, naturally cannot... cannot act like this, so the population matter still needs Young Master Ji to work hard himself."

Ji You picked up a dumpling: "I worked hard a few days ago, but was rejected."

Xiang Kuangcheng raised his head at the sound, thought for a long time and spoke: "If this one doesn't agree, you can change to another one, taking a concubine first is also fine. The Qingyun world has had this tradition since ancient times, Brother Ji can give birth first, the candidate for the main wife can be decided later, it doesn't delay multiplying."

Ji You spread his hands from the table: "Give it to me."

Xiang Kuangcheng was shocked: "Why do you want silver just for saying two words to Brother Ji now?"

"I'm asking you to show me the sage books you read."

"Brother Ji is interested in sage books?"

"I really want to know what exciting things are taught inside."

Xiang Kuangcheng heard that Ji You was joking, so he lowered his head to eat dumplings without speaking.

After dinner, the night had surged up, and the two left the courtyard and walked towards the outside of Chunhua Lane.

At this time in Shengjing City, the lights were brilliant and endless, as if the stars had fallen into the mortal world.

The street was full of young masters and young ladies in brocade clothes, with smiles on their faces, walking along the road, their faces illuminated by the lanterns hanging on the side of the street.

Xiang Kuangcheng and Wei Rui had made an appointment to meet at the entrance of the Lantern Festival, and that entrance was on the only way for Ji You to return to the mountain, so the two walked together.

The Lantern Festival was in the East Market, and the two walked through the streets and alleys to get here, and saw that there were already high flower racks in front, with painted paper lanterns hanging high above, looking brilliant and bright.

Wei Rui was standing under the lantern light at this time, her beautiful face illuminated by the firelight, her posture slender and moving.

However, she was not alone, standing in front of her were the son of Minister Dou, Dou Yuankong, and several students from the outer academy, such as Fang Jincheng, Pu Yangxing, and Lu Hanyan.

Besides that, there were two young people beside Dou Yuankong, although they were wearing human clothing, there were clearly visible fine scales on their necks, and short horns hidden in their hair on their heads.

Dou Yuankong was saying something to Wei Rui at this time, as if inviting her to travel together, but Wei Rui waved her hand lightly, her expression somewhat resistant.

"Young Master Dou, I have an appointment tonight."

"Who? Princess Changle?"

Wei Rui pursed her lips, then shook her head lightly.

Dou Yuankong suddenly thought of something, his face gradually becoming somewhat ugly: "That poor scholar again?"

Wei Rui raised her head, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed: "Young Master Kuang is an official of our Great Xia, not some poor scholar."

"Even so, but his background is still a poor scholar, he... how can he be worthy of you!"

Fang Jincheng stood on the side at this time, somewhat puzzled.

He had been unsuccessful in comprehending the Little Little Tian Shu these past few days, feeling annoyed in his heart, and just happened to receive an invitation from Dou Yuankong, so he decided to come out to clear his mind, but just as he walked here, he found Dou Yuankong running towards a woman, and only then learned that this was Wei Li's granddaughter.

Dou Yuankong seemed to have intentions for this woman, but the woman was heartless.

However, what's with the poor scholar? Regarding this term, he, a disciple from an immortal family, seemed to have heard it rarely.

"What poor scholar?"

Dou Yuankong turned his head to look at Fang Jincheng, his face sinking: "A villager from a remote countryside, who came to the capital to take the exam the year before last and was lucky enough to be a top graduate. After the Qiling incident happened last year, a large number of refugees came to Shengjing, and this scholar has been pestering Rui'er by using the excuse of giving porridge to the refugees."

As the words fell, not only was Fang Jincheng somewhat surprised, but even Pu Yangxing and Lu Hanyan couldn't help but raise their eyebrows.

The Qingyun world has always had strict hierarchy, Immortal Sects, families, royal relatives, and noble families in the capital who cultivate immortality, and mortals don't even have the qualifications to be listed, let alone mortals from the countryside.

And they had had many contacts these past few days, and also knew that this Dou Yuankong was not a good character.

It was truly a strange thing that a poor scholar had been pestering the woman he liked for half a year and still hadn't died.

"Wouldn't it be fine to break his legs?"

Wei Rui's face changed at the sound: "This young master, who I interact with is probably none of your business."

Fang Jincheng looked at Dou Yuankong, but found that the other party didn't refute, feeling even stranger.

However, at this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from the side of the street, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"Miss Wei, what happened here?"

Xiang Kuangcheng walked over, looking at Wei Rui with concern, while also noticing Dou Yuankong and his group.

The scholar was weak and had no power to truss a chicken, but at this time he had no fear.

He had made an appointment with the girl, so he should protect her well...

Fang Jincheng, Pu Yangxing, and Lu Hanyan turned their heads to look, and found that he was indeed a mortal with no spiritual energy fluctuations in his whole body, looking somewhat weak and wind-blown.

For them, even if such a person is an official of Great Xia, if there is no background of an immortal cultivator behind him, no one will care if he dies.

After all, immortal power is higher than imperial power, which is an indisputable fact.

But what is strange is that ordinary mortals tremble even if they don't kneel when they see immortal cultivators, but this scholar can walk to them openly without fear.

Instead, Dou Yuankong didn't say a word, as if he was enduring it.

However, at this moment, a figure following the scholar suddenly broke into everyone's eyes.

That person was also in a scholar's long gown, walking over, instantly making several people in the field realize where the strangeness came from.

"Miss Wei, what happened here?"

Ji You walked to the front, bowed like Xiang Kuangcheng, and the question was exactly the same.

Wei Rui bowed slowly: "Greetings, Young Master Kuang, greetings, Young Master Ji, I just chatted with an acquaintance, nothing happened."

At this time, Lu Hanyan and Pu Yangxing couldn't help but straighten their backs, raised their hands and overlapped them in front of their chests, bowing slightly to salute.

Ji You looked at Dou Yuankong: "Young Master Dou also came to enjoy the lanterns? But Miss Wei seems to have an appointment with someone else, why not travel together with me?"

Dou Yuankong held his breath: "No need!"

"Eh, don't be shy."

After Ji You finished speaking, he turned to look at Xiang Kuangcheng: "Where are you two going to stroll?"

Xiang Kuangcheng looked at Wei Rui: "Along the road to the west."

"Then I will go east along the road with Brother Yuankong, since it's not on the way, you two go first."

Xiang Kuangcheng bowed to Ji You, then looked at Wei Rui.

Wei Rui's eyes flashed clearly, then she nodded lightly, and the talented man and beautiful woman walked into the surging crowd of the lantern street.

Ji You turned to look at Dou Yuankong, Lu Hanyan, and others at this time.

He didn't like to intervene in other people's love affairs, nor did he think about bullying others with power like these family disciples, because matters between men and women, regardless of how many people are involved, should be relatively equal since ancient times.

And what he is doing now is to provide an equal environment for Xiang Kuangcheng.

"Brother Yuankong, I have two coins of silver, I'll buy you a lantern later."

Ji You was alone, originally having no intention of visiting the Lantern Festival, but at this time he suddenly became interested and walked forward.

His eyes carefully selected on the stalls along the street, thinking to himself, I bought a lantern for Yuankong, Yuankong must return the favor well.

Dou Yuankong's mouth trembled, and he saw Pu Yangxing speak in a low voice: "You didn't say he was a villager, how could that scholar know Senior Brother Ji?"

"Isn't he also a villager..."

"?"

Hearing this, everyone was a bit dumbfounded, only then remembering that Ji You also had the title of a private cultivator from the countryside.

Dou Yuankong clenched his sleeves: "They both came from Yuyang County, it is said they grew up together."

Fang Jincheng looked at him at this time, thinking to himself, no wonder you would endure it just now.

Ji You had already walked far away at this time, couldn't help but turn his head to look, and spoke lightly, but the voice came rolling like thunder: "No one wants to travel together with me?"

As the voice fell, Lu Hanyan and Pu Yangxing followed: "What is the relationship between Senior Brother and that scholar?"

"Probably life-and-death friends."

"So that's it..."

Ji You's brows furrowed slightly at this time: "Who are those two Demon race?"

Pu Yangxing raised his hand at the sound: "We are also seeing them for the first time, but according to Dou Yuankong, they are both Demon race envoys."

Since the Demon race began to trade with the Nine Provinces, the human territory has often seen the Demon race, but most of them are yellow-eyed, while the two following Dou Yuankong are blue-eyed.

Previously in Shengjing City, he had fought with the guards beside the Demon Emperor's son, so he was curious about the color of their pupils.

Later, he learned that yellow eyes represent commoners in the Demon race, while blue eyes are nobles.

The two young Demon race men had already walked up, their eyes looking at Ji You with curiosity.

They knew that the human race had family divisions under the Immortal Sects, and seeing their reactions just now, they thought Ji You was a family disciple, but later learned that this was a private cultivator from the countryside, so their curiosity became even heavier.

"This person entered the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan a year ago, was the first to comprehend the Little Little Tian Shu, and then with seven swords alone, became famous in the Qingyun world."

"Half a year ago, he learned the Spirit Sword Mountain sword Dao, had extraordinary combat power, killed eighteen people in the Profound Understanding Realm, and established a family in Fengzhou."

"The two of you should have heard of the thousand-year family with the surname Chu in the human race, even the second son of that family was defeated by him."

Dou Yuankong had always disliked Ji You, but seeing these two interested in Ji You, he didn't hesitate to praise him at this time, boasting his combat power to the heavens.

Seeing this scene, Fang Jincheng couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly, not knowing what kind of thoughts he had.

And the two Demon race envoys were indeed more interested after hearing this, looked at each other and said: "So there is such a person in the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan."

"This Ji You's divine power is more than that, he also fought to a draw with the guards beside your Ninth Prince."

"?"

When the Demon Emperor's ninth son came to Shengjing, Ji You did have a conflict with the guards beside him in order to save a child from the feet of a demon beast.

But because the Demon race had just entered the Nine Provinces and was restrained, the two sides didn't fight a big battle, so it was not appropriate to say it was a draw.

But Dou Yuankong said it as if it were true, seemingly wanting to make these two more interested in him...

It's just that the two Demon race people looked at each other at this moment, suddenly as if they understood something, and turned to look at Dou Yuankong: "After saying so much, actually Young Master Dou wants to borrow a knife to kill someone?"

Hearing this, Dou Yuankong was stunned for a moment.

The night grew thicker, making the lantern light even more prosperous.

Forced by the bandit's power, everyone began to travel together, often being asked by Ji You if they were happy.

During this time, Lu Hanyan asked about the experience of rushing into the Profound Understanding Realm from the perfection of the Lower Three Realms, so Ji You told her some insights and realizations.

He had eaten many meals from Lu Qingqiu and received her spirit sword, and now helping her train her sister could be considered a return gift.

And seeing the other party tell the matter of breaking through the realm one by one, Lu Hanyan couldn't help but purse her red lips.

Everyone in the academy said that Ji You's sentence "It was the Little Little Tian Shu that came to sense me" was an excuse, but hearing him teach her in detail about rushing the realm, she was a bit uncertain.

Because elder sister had also said before that Ji You didn't seem to be the type to hide things.

So, that night might have really been the Little Little Tian Shu coming to sense him.

At this time, the night grew deeper, the candles of the lanterns gradually dimmed, and everyone bid farewell one after another, first Fang Jincheng, then Pu Yangxing, then Lu Hanyan, and finally Dou Yuankong, who was holding a lantern in his hand, as if he had been hollowed out, and left in a hurry with the two Demon race.

Ji You returned from the East Street and came to the bridgehead of the Willow Bank, seeing countless young men and women reluctant to part, finally waving goodbye.

At this time, Xiang Kuangcheng and Wei Rui walked towards the bridge.

The two had gone to the flower building on the west side just now, where folk artists were singing, and when they returned, their eyes were full of light, looking like their affair was hot, but they shouldn't have moved their hands and feet yet.

"Brother Ji finished strolling, why are you alone?"

"They all left, it seems they weren't very happy to travel with me."

A brilliance appeared on Ji You's waist, and an exquisite box appeared in his hand: "Pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, all are good things, considered a gift for the Moon Sacrifice."

Xiang Kuangcheng reached out to take the box, opened it and took a look, then was stunned.

Because just from the appearance, he could judge that this pen, ink, paper, and inkstone were indeed expensive, even if bought from an honest merchant, it was estimated to be close to a hundred taels of silver.

"Brother Ji... did you pick up someone else's money bag on the street?"

Ji You shook his head: "No, I just spent two coins of silver to buy a lantern for Dou Yuankong, I didn't expect him to be extremely polite and return many things to me."

Wei Rui's eyes were a bit blank, and after looking for a long time, she raised her head: "Young Master Ji and Dou Yuankong, it turns out their private friendship is so good?"

Ji You shook his head: "No, we've only met a few times."

"Then..."

Xiang Kuangcheng looked at Ji You at this time, as if he understood something: "Brother Ji, you are really professional..."

Ji You raised the corner of his mouth: "Delayed by the reputation of the orthodox school of the inner academy disciples of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, otherwise I wouldn't even need to send lanterns."

The second day after the Moon Sacrifice Lantern Festival, the street seemed much cleaner.

A sedan chair came before the Divine Dao of Nishan, and then the Supervisor of the Immortal Supervision Bureau, wearing an official uniform, came alone to the inner academy of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan.

Subsequently, the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan's edict flashed again in the Qingyun world for half a day.

This edict can only be used by the Hall Master, and the last time it appeared was to clear the name of the Pill Sect for helping the ancestor of the Zheng family ascend against the heavens.

"The Barbarian race sent an envoy group to the Demon race?"

In the Management Tian Shuyuan, Lang Hetong heard this news, his expression somewhat shocked.

Qin Rong nodded after hearing it: "That's right, this matter happened a few days ago, and after the news spread, it attracted much attention. It is said that the Barbarian envoy group received a warm reception from the Demon race, so the Great Xia Emperor is also preparing to send an envoy group to avoid the Demon race suddenly defecting."

Since the Qiling incident, the Demon race and the Barbarian race have felt that the human race's luck is gradually fading, and they can't wait to come to the Nine Provinces.

However, due to historical reasons, the two races have not united, otherwise, relying solely on the Zhenbei Army to guard the pass, the Nine Provinces might have already fallen by now.

Immortal families of the human race have been high above since ancient times and will not care about mortal affairs. Whether it is war, disease, or the life and death of the people, for these people who are oriented towards the Great Dao, they are all small matters.

But everyone knows that the purpose of the Demon race and the Barbarian race is for the luck of the Heavenly Dao.

And luck is related to becoming an immortal.

They are only managers of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan and don't know how the so-called Heavenly Dao luck is seized.

But since it can attract two big races to covet it constantly, it shows that the luck matter is definitely not groundless.

And for the immortal family, this is a fatal thing.

"The Heavenly Tian Shuyuan's edict to the world yesterday was to announce to other Immortal Sects, calling them to pick people out to escort the Great Xia envoy group into the Snow Region to meet the Demon Emperor."

Lang Hetong narrowed his eyes: "Crossing the Northern Plains will inevitably encounter the Barbarian race."

Qin Rong nodded: "Without the Realm of Merging with the Dao, going out of the Cold Iron Pass is certain death, so the experts sent by the major Immortal Sects these days are all in the Realm of Merging with the Dao and above."

Lang Hetong looked at the dispatch list at this time, and after a long silence, spoke: "Then... why is Ji You also on the list?"

"On the night of the Moon Sacrifice Festival, Dou Yuankong, the son of Minister Dou, entertained two of the Demon race envoys and happened to meet Ji You. It is said that he praised him as a god descending to the world, and several nobles in the Demon race envoy group were going back, so they specifically named him to escort them."

"Do they have a private friendship?"

Qin Rong raised his eyes: "They have a private feud."

Lang Hetong narrowed his eyes instantly after hearing this: "But the affairs of my Heavenly Tian Shuyuan are not for the Demon race to say what is what, right?"

"These words are indeed correct, my Heavenly Tian Shuyuan is the Great Xia Sacred Sect, with power covering the seas, let alone that Dou Yuankong, even the Demon race, don't even think about pointing fingers at us."

"Then why is he still written on the list?"

Qin Rong took a deep breath: "Yesterday, several inner academy elders came to find me, saying that Ji You is famous and capable of taking on important tasks, and pushed the boat along the way for Dou Yuankong."

Lang Hetong was stunned after hearing this, and then realized something: "Still because of Fengzhou?"

"That's right, he caused a massacre in Fengzhou and annoyed many people, otherwise he wouldn't even be able to enter the Immortal Hall, and the most critical point is that the immortal tax of Fengzhou this year is too little."

"I heard it's only one-tenth?"

Qin Rong nodded slowly: "Although Fengzhou is barren, its area is extremely large, and the annual tax is actually not small. Do you think those foreign immortal manors really ate so much? No, those taxes were given to the families, given to us."

Lang Hetong couldn't help but sit on the chair: "Entering the Northern Plains in the Realm of Profound Understanding is certain death."

"Ji You is not an ordinary Realm of Profound Understanding, you must know, he can kill the Realm of Merging with the Dao."

"The Realm of Merging with the Dao of the immortal manors doesn't count as Merging with the Dao at all, it's just having the realm in name only. If brought to my Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, just two Realms of Profound Understanding could behead them."

Qin Rong picked up the list and looked at it a few times: "If he dies, everyone is happy. If he is lucky enough not to die, it is estimated that he will not be so arrogant in the future. In any case, it is a good thing. This Dou Yuankong might not know, he is really a stroke of genius."

Ji You established a family and managed the Fengzhou tax, which is in accordance with the Qingyun Immortal Regulations.

And the Qingyun Immortal Regulations are the face of the seven great Immortal Sects, involving thousands of things, no one is willing to tear it apart, leading to chaos in the human race.

But killing him through the hands of the Barbarian race, this matter is extremely natural and does not damage the face.

Lang Hetong picked up the teacup on the table at this time: "Ji You is now an inner academy disciple and has the qualifications to refuse the orders of the Management Tian Shuyuan, and he is not a fool, I don't think he will agree."

"What if he is given ten thousand taels of gold, plus three thousand Snow Region spirit stones, what then?"

Hearing this, Lang Hetong held his breath instantly.

Qin Rong sighed with emotion: "Everyone has weaknesses, Ji You's is the most obvious, it can be said that he is easily manipulated..."

"Poor ghosts don't deserve to live."

After the Moon Sacrifice Festival, the temperature began to drop continuously, and the meaning of late autumn grew stronger.

A cold current came from the north, making the morning frost much more frequent.

Ji You was making a fire in the room at this time, not for warmth, but for the convenience of drinking tea in the morning.

After the tea was boiled, poured into the teacup, and brewed after rinsing, the courtyard was filled with tea fragrance.

His fifteenth Dim Illumination Realm was almost at the middle stage, which was sitting still, and the Qi and blood around his body often roared, emitting a scorching aura.

In addition, his spiritual sense was also increasing, and his understanding of Dao methods was constantly progressing.

Just at this time, a "dong dong dong" knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door. Ji You said "come in," and saw a Management Tian Shuyuan disciple push the door and walk in.

"Do I have a letter?"

"No, it's Qin Zhang who invites you."

Ji You raised his eyes at the sound and couldn't help but sneer: "The Management Tian Shuyuan never has good things when looking for me, not going."

The Management Tian Shuyuan disciple was slightly stunned at the sound: "Uh, Qin Zhang said, there is money to be made."

"Lead the way."

Ji You suddenly became interested, put down the teacup, and followed the Management Tian Shuyuan disciple down the mountain with his head held high.

(Ask for monthly tickets)

(End of chapter)