Chapter 168: Round Buttocks with a Tail

In the season of clear autumn skies and harmonious light, within the Administration Courtyard between the inner and outer courts.

Director Qin informed Ji You of the barbarian tribe's envoy being sent to the demon race and warmly received.

In his description, he used phrases like lavish banquets and graceful dances to underscore the demons' lack of hostility toward the barbarians, indirectly highlighting humanity's precarious state.

During this, Ji You slightly furrowed his brow.

Cultivators who sit in seclusion deep in the mountains are poorly informed; he had indeed never heard of this before, and had not anticipated that after a thousand years of internal strife, humanity was now facing successive external threats.

After laying this groundwork, Director Qin poured him a cup of tea, showing clear concern, then moved to the main point.

The main point was that Great Xia planned to send an envoy to the Snow Realm to meet the Demon Emperor—a journey requiring passage through the Northern Plains and the Snow Realm, and needing his participation in the escort.

He also made clear that Ji You would not be the only one involved; the escort would include forces dispatched by the Seven Immortal Sects.

It was said that sixteen high-level Rong Dao cultivators, several Ying Tian cultivators—all long-closed in seclusion and specifically emerging for this mission—would accompany them, along with Wujiang cultivators.

The implication was that the journey would be extremely safe.

Moreover, Director Qin even described the demon race as filled with beautiful women, whose buttocks were exceptionally round, even sporting tails, to enhance the journey's appeal.

Ji You had been listening intently, the atmosphere solemn and formal, until the phrase "tails on round buttocks" came out—he couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Who told Director Qin I like women with round buttocks?"

"Aren't all the outer court students saying that? They even claim you once escorted a fellow disciple with a notably round buttock, warmly and hospitably, showing the true spirit of our Heavenly Book Academy's inner court students."

Ji You sat in his chair, staring at Director Qin for a long time, his gaze deep and calm.

Everything initially presented as safe is almost certainly unsafe—and using round-buttocked demon women as an added lure only confirms it.

The atmosphere began to stiffen until Director Qin placed a stack of enormous silver notes and a warehouse receipt for three thousand Snow Realm demon stones on the table.

Ji You glanced at the silver notes on the table: "This much?"

"Yes. The journey north is long, through foreign lands—giving you more is only right."

Director Qin spoke gently, waiting for his decision.

In his view, the next moment would bring only two outcomes.

Take it: the northern journey is nine deaths, one life.

Refuse it: though he'd surely face persecution from noble families alone afterward, he might still have a glimmer of hope.

Ji You pondered long, then reached out and took the silver notes, suddenly smiling brightly: "Thank you for your patronage, boss."

Qin Rong fell silent for a long while, then politely smiled: "Go prepare well. When the Imperial Cultivation Office issues the official order, you'll depart."

"Of course. Next time there's something like this, come find me."

"Uh, of course."

Ji You tucked the silver notes and warehouse receipt into his robe, then stepped out of the Administration Courtyard.

At that moment, Lang Hetong set his teacup down on the table, watching Ji You's figure walk from the main building of the Administration Courtyard toward the gate.

He had been there the whole time, but since his duties didn't involve student assignments, he had said nothing until now.

Only after Ji You left did he finally speak: "I thought even with gold and spirit stones, convincing him would take considerable effort."

Qin Rong sighed: "Perhaps this is true greed for wealth."

Lang Hetong skimmed the tea foam with his lid: "Ji You is always clever, yet for some reason, whenever money is involved, he loses his mind—and thinks it's a good thing."

"That's why it's called a weakness…"

After drinking his tea, Lang Hetong spoke: "Who from our inner court is being sent on this mission?"

Qin Rong snapped back: "Elder Ge of the Ying Tian realm, and from the Longsheng Hall, Shi Junhao; from the Buchen Hall, Xiao Hanyan. If they return safely, these two will surely become the Hall's direct disciples."

"No wonder they're willing to go."

"Compared to these two, who seek the direct disciple position, Ji You, selling his life for money, seems utterly foolish and cheap."

Qin Rong murmured softly, with a faint sigh.

The position of direct disciple in the inner court halls represents a major step toward the Dao lineage—if the Patriarch one day ascends to heaven, the current direct disciple will become the next Heavenly Book Academy Hall Master.

And a Hall Master of the Heavenly Book Academy is one who can stand supreme under heaven, his word law itself.

Before that, the gold and silver Ji You covets seem pitifully cheap.

After midday, the autumn sun grew milder.

At this moment, the Heavenly Book Academy's imperial decree still shimmered in the sky, radiating ten thousand golden rays, piercing through clouds and spreading far and wide.

Meanwhile, the three southern immortal sects gradually sent caravans toward Shengjing, making the bustling capital even more crowded.

Countless powerful cultivators took up residence in the Spring Pool Garden, wearing haughty expressions and eyes devoid of worldly concern, as if looking down upon mortals, scorning the world.

Thus, no further stirring was needed—the news of humanity, the barbarians, and the demon race began to spread like wildfire.

The barbarians' envoy being warmly received by the demons tightened the nerves of countless people.

"The Snow Realm lies northwest of the Northern Plains, with complex, perilous terrain, rampant demonic beasts, and a high chance of encountering barbarians—so only experts above Rong Dao level have been dispatched, for barbarian soldiers are born with immense strength and robust physiques; only such experts can penetrate deep into it."

On the western corridor of the Outer Court's Green Water Lake, Lou Siyi, her face grave, explained to Lu Qingqiu and several other sisters.

Their family had long specialized in cultivating spirit seedlings and immortal herbs; they also maintained a breeding ground east of the Cold Iron Pass, within the Northern Plains.

Having grown up immersed in this, she knew the Northern Plains better than anyone.

Sun Qiaozhi spoke up: "What are demonic beasts?"

"Besides humanity, who are born with true spirits within them, both barbarians and demons sometimes give birth to offspring who never awaken spiritual awareness. These beings are called beasts—wild, savage, and sometimes more dangerous than those with awakened minds; even Rong Dao cultivators struggle to handle them."

Lu Qingqiu, upon hearing this, looked toward the inner court: "The Northern Plains are inaccessible to anyone below Rong Dao—but Ji You is on the escort list."

Sun Qiaozhi turned to look at him: "They say the Heavenly Book Academy gave him ten thousand taels of gold and three thousand Snow Realm demon stones—he accepted gladly."

"He's always been like this. I'm not surprised. Someone even said that if you wanted to lure him away and kill him, you just had to throw silver along the way…"

"That's a joke, right?"

"Probably a joke—but even that joke proves how greedy Ji You is."

Sun Qiaozhi pressed her red lips together: "But greed doesn't mean throwing away your life."

Lu Qingqiu sighed involuntarily: "Perhaps he doesn't realize how dangerous the Northern Plains and Snow Realm truly are."

At this moment, He Lingxiu was deep within the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove of the inner court—the place where spiritual energy and Daoic evolution were most potent. During her cultivation breaks, she overheard several Hall Master candidates discussing the matter.

With their status, they could recognize that Ji You's inclusion on the list was the result of a coordinated setup.

Yet they never imagined such a crude scheme would work so well on him.

The other two main figures in this matter, Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan, were also present.

Both were at the upper reaches of Rong Dao; even crossing the Northern Plains into the Snow Realm, they had confidence they could escape unharmed—and their reward was the Hall Master direct disciple position.

As for the Administration Courtyard merely spending money to buy Ji You's life, they, accustomed to detachment and cold as immortals, couldn't help but chuckle.

He Lingxiu withdrew her gaze from them, gazing far into the horizon, then softly shook her head.

Escorting the envoy differs from journeying to Spirit Sword Mountain to seek Dao.

To seek Dao at Spirit Sword Mountain risks only defeat and humiliation—but facing the barbarians is a matter of life and death. So she would not go, and her uncle would never let her go—that's the difference.

Thus, on this journey, only Shi Junhao and Xiao Hanyan, seeking the direct disciple position, and Ji You, who understood nothing, would willingly die for money.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed along the mountain path; He Lingxiu turned her head.

Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu were walking solemnly toward the inner court's immortal residences.

Ji You had already returned from the Administration Courtyard long ago and was counting his silver notes at his desk when his senior brothers and sisters rushed in and slammed their palms onto the stone table.

"Younger brother!"

Ji You looked up at them: "Yes, I made a bit of money—but I'll treat you after I return."

Ban Yangshu plopped onto the stone bench, his tone serious, no trace of jest: "I think it's absolutely necessary to tell you just how dangerous the Northern Plains and Snow Realm truly are!"

Wen Zhengxin also frowned deeply: "Younger brother, this isn't like going to Spirit Sword Mountain—it's truly fatal."

Then the two spoke over each other, pouring out everything they knew about the lands beyond the border—whether true or false, from records or hearsay—all at once.

For example, years ago, a primordial spirit herb emerged in the Northern Plains, drawing fierce competition; not a single Tongxuan cultivator survived.

Also, the unawakened demonic beasts, immensely strong, bloodthirsty, and cruel—all things Director Qin never mentioned.

"Younger Brother Ji, you've already established a noble family in Fengzhou—there are plenty of opportunities to make money. Why rush so desperately?"

Wen Zhengxin nodded as he took over Ban Yangshu's words: "True, perhaps you don't wish to exploit common folk—but you could rob an immortal estate. You don't need to sell your life for this money."

Ji You stared at them for a long while, then bowed forward: "Thank you, senior brothers and sisters, for telling me."

The two exchanged glances, wondering: Did we finally convince him?

But just then, another knock came at the door—a disciple from the Administration Courtyard delivered a note, halting their persuasion.

The note was from Kuangcheng, inviting him to meet.

"Senior brothers and sisters, I must go down the mountain for a while—I'll return soon and listen to you then."

"What's happened?"

"The mission to escort the envoy—it was all Dou Yuankong's doing from the start. He probably holds a grudge against one of my friends. I fear he'll cause trouble after I leave—I need to arrange things."

Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu exchanged glances—they had spoken so much, yet still hadn't shaken his desire to take the money.

He was even thinking about how to protect his friend after leaving the capital. So they immediately seized him and dragged him to the outer court to find Cao Jinsong.

As long as he hadn't left, his friend was still safe.

Right now, the most important thing was to dissuade this money-crazed fool from his suicidal decision—so everyone could remain unharmed.

Soon, Cao Jinsong's courtyard filled with people: besides Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu, there was Bai Ru, the two Lu sisters, Sun Qiaozhi, and others.

They had been drawn there by seeing Wen and Ban dragging Ji You in.

Inside the courtyard, Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, and Ban Yangshu wore expressions growing graver by the moment.

"Rebellious disciple!"

"?"

Cao Jinsong's beard trembled with rage: "Do you know how valuable your life is!"

Ji You stepped forward and sat on the stone bench, pouring himself a cup of tea: "I know my time is extremely valuable."

"Isn't that the same thing? You've established your own clan now—you're the lord of Fengzhou—so why are you still lured in by a handful of silver? Do you have any dignity at all?!"

"So much silver right in front of me—how could I not be tempted?"

Cao Jinsong let out an exasperated huff: "But you have to consider the task! Don't you understand how dangerous it is to escort the envoy to the demon tribes? If it were me, I wouldn't be tempted even if you offered me half of the Heavenly Book Academy."

Ji You pulled out the stack of silver notes from his robe: "Tempted?"

Cao Jinsong's eyes widened: "Holy shit, that much?!"

Ban Yangshu immediately nudged Cao Jinsong, and the instructor instantly grew serious: "Some money is easy to earn, but some money isn't worth the risk."

Ji You took a deep breath, placing both hands on his knees: "I went to the Director's Office this morning. Qin Rong told me the whole story—he said the demon tribes are wonderful everywhere, and their women all have plump, round buttocks."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ru instantly held his breath.

On the day the new students entered the academy, his money pouch was stolen—he suffered a massive blow to his spiritual energy and hasn't recovered since.

Ji You added: "Then he said if I went, they'd give me ten thousand taels of gold, plus three thousand snowland demon stones—laid out right before me, naked and obvious."

"So you agreed to go?"

"They just didn't realize this was my destined trial."

Ji You dipped his finger in tea and drew three connected maps on the table: "Look—Yunzhou connects with the Northern Frontier, and Fengzhou lies directly to their east."

Cao Jinsong immediately furrowed his brow, while Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu froze, sensing something: "No, no, no—Han Tie Pass is actually closer to Yunzhou. Even if it falls, Yunzhou will bear the brunt, not Fengzhou. And if it comes to that, the Seven Immortal Sects won't sit idle."

Ji You shook his head: "No, Yunzhou isn't the closest. To cultivators, Fengzhou is closer."

"?"

"If negotiations fail and the demon tribes ally with the barbarians, Han Tie Pass won't hold for three days. Then… the enemy army enters southern Northern Frontier, the human race panics, cultivators decide to join the war—and between Yunzhou and Fengzhou, they'll almost certainly choose Fengzhou as the battlefield, setting up layered ambushes."

"Because Yunzhou has many powerful clans and countless spirit mines—the human race won't abandon it. But Fengzhou? Just a vast, barren wasteland. Losing it wouldn't matter much."

"Of course, they won't warn the common folk ahead of time—partly because they don't care if they live or die, partly because it would alert the enemy."

"Fengzhou is perfect—no powerful clans, no immortal sects. It's a natural grave."

Silence fell. The others exchanged glances, realizing that if the demon tribes truly allied with the barbarians, Ji You's prediction would come true.

The inner and outer disciples called him foolish, greedy, ignorant of how deadly the Northern Plains and Snowlands were.

But what he saw was always greater peril.

Ji You looked at them: "Then Old Qiu died. Master Chen died. Those children died. Everyone died. Only I survived. And there's another group even more unlucky—they weren't from Fengzhou originally, but came here because I lowered their taxes. Turns out it was a death trap."

Lu Qingqiu and Lu Hanyan froze: "But even if you go, what can you do?"

"I can't do much—just send word ahead so those who can flee, flee. Or beg the demon tribes for mercy. That's all."

Ban Yangshu lifted his head: "Things might not be that bad."

Ji You looked at him: "If the demon tribes had no such intentions, why would they receive the barbarian envoys with such enthusiasm?"

Upon hearing this, Ban Yangshu fell silent.

The facts matched Ji You's words: the barbarians and demon tribes, who had never interacted before, were now communicating—and their motives were obvious.

Otherwise, it would be pointless.

Ji You refilled his teacup: "After hearing this, most people think the silver's too little, or not worth it—they say only a direct disciple position justifies going. But my first thought was: what about the people I know?"

"I just got a new home. I haven't even started a family yet."

"People are all afraid of death. Back when I cultivated in Yuyang County, I feared being discovered—I'd cover every window with black curtains at night. But this world is so rotten that whenever I act on impulse, I feel nothing's worth holding onto. I just think: life and death are meaningless—fight if you dare."

"Before things happen, a Tongxuan cultivator can still do much. But once they do, the disaster is unstoppable."

"That night in Yuyang County, I had two choices: beg Fang Ruoyao for help, or break through on my own. But I've always preferred to control the course of events myself."

Ji You looked at them: "Then again—if I don't go this time, when Fengzhou truly falls, will I go? Or will I still calmly hide in the Heavenly Book Academy and keep cultivating?"

Wen Zhengxin fell silent for a long while, then raised his head and whispered: "You'll definitely join the battle."

【The Seven Immortal Sects closed their mountain gates and activated their sect-defending arrays. The immortal sect's young master, who had been in quiet cultivation to break through, suddenly descended the mountain and marched toward the demon race.】

【The lamb was beheaded. The old woman had her heart ripped out. Xiuxiu was nailed to the city wall.】

【She was a peasant girl, plain-looking, rustic, with no trace of immortal grace.】

【Nailed to the city wall, like dry grass, swaying in the wind.】

【Run…】

【Xiuxiu wasn't dead yet. Seeing him, her last words before slipping away were: Run…】

【Later, the immortal sect's young master didn't ascend to heaven. Instead, he died wounded on the city wall, his corpse still standing defiantly.】

At that moment, her mind was filled with the story of that night in Qiling.

The tale had long been forgotten, buried by time—but now it was crystal clear.

Lu Qingqiu glanced curiously at Bai Ru, noticing he was gritting his teeth, tears in his eyes, muttering "Xiuxiu"—yet he didn't know who Xiuxiu was.

Before he could ask, Ji You's voice drifted back into his ears.

"If you meet this trial now, there's still a glimmer of hope. Delay it, and death is certain."

"Because if the demon tribes don't ally with the barbarians, this mission's risk drops drastically—I'm confident I can escape. But if they do ally, I'll go defend the city. So either way, the outcome's the same."

"Honestly, I'm saying all this for my Dao heart. If things go wrong, I'll flee to Han Tie Pass and enlist. I'm sure the Zhenbei Army would welcome a Tongxuan cultivator like me."

"There are always two outcomes to any matter—it's just a matter of choice."

Cao Jinsong sighed: "The demon tribes' current stance is truly unpredictable."

Ji You stared at the now-dry tea in his cup, then turned to Bai Ru: "Lord Bai Ru, I heard demon women have plump, round buttocks—and tails. They sway when they walk. Want to come see for yourself?"

Bai Ru instantly held his breath, his eyes blazing: "Really? Can I go?"

"Of course. If Ji You can go, so can you!"

"I'm fired up! I'll go pack right now!"

Ji You looked at Cao Jinsong: "See? Even Lord Bai Ru is willing to risk everything for buttocks—isn't that heroic?"

Wen Zhengxin and Ban Yangshu held their breath: "Bai Ru, are you really not afraid of death?"

Bai Ru frowned: "It's not like I'll definitely die. If danger comes, I'll just furrow my brow and shield Ji Brother with my body. But if I don't go, my Dao heart won't be clear…"

"Your Dao heart is disgustingly base…"

At that moment, Lu Qingqiu and Lu Hanyan couldn't help but glance down at their own buttocks.

Then Ji You rose and left Cao Jinsong's courtyard, descending the mountain toward Chunhua Alley.

Kuangcheng sat alone in his room, staring at the map of the Nine Provinces hanging on the wall. The room was unlit, dim and shadowed.

The mission to send the envoy to the snowland demon tribes had been handled by the Office of Immortal Affairs—he'd known about it since this morning, and had seen the list.

The Pro-Immortal Faction had been in contact with the demon envoys lately, and after last night's incident, he could guess the hidden machinations.

But Dou Yuan Kong, or any clan's scheming—none of it mattered now.

"What are you staring at so intently?"

Kuangcheng turned, rose, and said: "I've petitioned the Director. I'll accompany you north—but I can't leave Han Tie Pass. I'll wait on the city wall."

Ji You studied him for a long while: "I thought you'd beg me not to chase after that silver."

"That's not your true weakness."

"Don't pretend you understand me. That is my weakness."

Kuangcheng opened the box on the table and pulled out a dagger, handing it to Ji You: "I bought this on the street for five taels of silver."

Ji You took it, glanced at it: "A gift for protection?"

"No. This is for me. If you truly die, I'll die beside you inside the pass. We'll walk the Yellow Springs together."

"No thanks. I'm afraid Wei Rui will dig up my grave."

Ji You rolled up his sleeves: "Still, going to the Northern Frontier to wait for me is better—then Dou Yuan Kong can't target you in the capital."

Kuangcheng tucked the dagger into his belt: "It's a pity—I'm just a mortal. I can't go with you."

"It's not exactly a glorious mission. Why rush to volunteer?"

Ji You looked down at the table and saw two books: Ten Thousand Mountains and The Snowland Plain—placed to the right of the dagger's box.

These books were records of the barbarians and demon tribes, said to have been secretly written by a knight-errant who risked his life.

"You're studying the barbarians and demon tribes?"

Kuangcheng nodded: "I read them for a long time, sifted through them, and compiled everything you might need."

Ji You lifted his robe and sat on the cushion: "You know what? I actually have a question for you."

"Ask, Ji Brother."

"Do demon women really have plump, round buttocks—and tails?"

"?"

(End of Chapter)