[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-170":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Watching the Immortals Fall",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260043,4410,"Chapter 170: Paper Short, Emotion Endures","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-170",170,"\u003Cp>The human envoy departed Shengjing, heading north beneath the brilliant morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet on the streets, disciples of immortal sects and nobles of the capital still streamed past, gathering in teahouses and taverns to chatter incessantly—still centered on Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was the closest place to the Heavenly Book Academy, and they knew Ji You best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in these discussions, praise was rarely abundant; it sounded nearly identical to the gossip from the Inner Court, enough to make one’s ears calloused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like rural cultivators trapped by narrow horizons, they sold their lives cheaply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others recalled how he had refused to lay groundwork for his family’s advancement, instead provoking every major immortal sect until he couldn’t even enter the Immortal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some claimed Ji You had once truly been lured by silver, nearly brought death upon himself, yet still failed to learn—prompting laughter throughout the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such talk was everywhere beneath the bright sky, now common tavern banter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such chatter was merely idle amusement; what people truly cared about was the outcome of this mission—or how the future would shift, for this was what truly affected them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All who held vested interests in the world felt this way: content with their comfortable lives, even if they could not become immortals, they lived freely as if equal to them, terrified of chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s trade or receiving barbarian envoys, the demon race’s intent has never been benevolent—I said so before, and now it’s been proven…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, the demon race has always had wolfish ambitions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On this mission to the demon realm, the Demon Emperor will surely haggle for concessions; if we refuse, war may be unavoidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… will we immortal cultivators also have to fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to worry too much—the first onto the battlefield will surely be those with lesser backgrounds than ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Han Tie Pass truly falls, Yunzhou will be in ruins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunzhou has abundant spirit stone mines and has always been a vital region; if we break with the demon race and lose the Snowfield demon stones, this land cannot be abandoned—I think Fengzhou will be the one to suffer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fengzhou…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s vast and sparsely populated, with no spirit mines, and only mortals—perfect for warfare. If I were the head of an immortal sect, I’d have my top experts move mountains to block roads in Yunzhou, luring the enemy into fighting in Fengzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then won’t the children of Fengzhou never grow up, and those who leave never return home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What’s that reference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha—it’s Ji You’s famous saying. When he first established his clan in Fengzhou, he vowed wildly: he wanted children to grow up, travelers to return home, and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the laughter rang out, the young noble who spoke suddenly froze, then turned to gaze outside the pavilion, toward the direction of the departing caravan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the autumn sky, Shengjing’s streets were swept by wind, golden leaves blanketing the ground, painting the scene in desolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clamor around them fell silent; people exchanged glances, then lowered their heads, frowning, eyes narrowing or widening, their expressions turning thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along this street lined with taverns, as the onlookers dispersed, two figures passed through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Princess Changle of Chong Wangfu ; the other was Dou Yuan Kong, son of Minister Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet between them, the atmosphere was heavy with silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, a rupture between the demon race and our human race may not be without benefit. Previously, Yunzhou stones and Zhongzhou stones were always under our control; after Snowfield demon stones entered our lands, we lost our monopoly on spirit stone channels. But after this incident, everything may return to normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue walked forward, face cold and silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong fell silent for a long while, then bowed: “I know you have feelings for Ji You, but… he’s been utterly overbearing. Supporting that scholar was one thing, but he emptied my purse—this elaborate trap I set to kill him was truly my last resort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter… is no issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t blame me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong, hearing her calm tone, felt genuinely surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue gazed calmly ahead: “I had feelings for Ji You because he entered the Inner Court and possesses a heritable physique—I wanted to bear his child. But he chose not me. Why should I blame you for him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When he rejected me as a partner, I was resentful. But now I realize it was fortunate—this envoy mission made me see clearly: he’s ultimately a petty, rustic peasant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this world, talent alone cannot settle everything; what matters more is vision and strategy. No matter how strong a man is, he cannot succeed alone. In that light, he’s unworthy of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong nodded, largely agreeing: “The world works this way—birth determines one’s height.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue smiled faintly: “Still, your scheme, though aided by the great clans and Heavenly Book Academy elders, did surprise me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess, you flatter me. That night, I heard rumors of barbarian envoys heading to the demon realm—and coincidentally, the demon envoys were right beside me. I seized the timing of heaven, the advantage of earth, and the harmony of man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong spoke humbly, yet secretly exulted within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You, who claimed to be peerless in sword art and unmatched in talent—even the Chu family couldn’t touch him—was now toyed with by me. How could he not swell with pride?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How far will they travel today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’ll likely reach Yunzhou. It’ll take two days to exit Han Tie Pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue’s eyes trembled slightly: “He’s probably still lounging in comfort now. Only after three days will he understand what true death-threatening peril means—and regret it bitterly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a sudden clamor erupted ahead, horse neighs echoing down the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both looked up and realized they had unknowingly arrived at Wei Li’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise came from the mansion’s gate: Wei Rui was trying to lead her horse out, but the mansion’s steward, flanked by servants, blocked her path—each dodging the other, startling the horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong immediately frowned: “Stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward, drenched in sweat, turned and saw them, immediately bowing: “Servant greets Princess Changle, greets Master Dou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue stepped forward, face like frost: “Pulling and tugging in public—what decorum is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess, it’s not that I’m rude—I have no choice. Grandfather and Father are both away. My lady insists on riding to Han Tie Pass, and no amount of persuasion stops her…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue blinked: “To Han Tie Pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Yuan Kong was equally stunned: “Rui’er, why are you going to Han Tie Pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Rui, eyes red, looked at them: “They’re going to Han Tie Pass—they’ll die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun Yue and Wei Rui had a bond like sisters; she knew of her connection with Kuang Cheng. Hearing this, she spoke: “The Divine Inspector’s Reception Office’s escort will only accompany the envoy to Han Tie Pass, then split inside the pass. That Kuang won’t go to the Snowfield—he’s not in danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Kuang said if Han Tie Pass falls, immortal cultivators will surely make the barren, useless Fengzhou the battlefield. In fact, since the founding of our Great Xia, we’ve feared the barbarians who fled to the Ten Thousand Mountains might one day return—so Fengzhou has always been reserved for this purpose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Ji already understood this. That’s why he drew his sword and went—to face death to be reborn! Master Kuang says he’s not as strong as Master Ji, but if war truly comes, he too can choose to die first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Rui clutched a letter in her hand, bearing only two lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven and earth’s great love and hate cannot fill a single inkstone; ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers do not bend for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world’s paper is too short to hold emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar was stubborn, rigidly bound by propriety—never before had he spoken so openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her words ended, Zhao Yun Yue and Dou Yuan Kong’s minds went suddenly numb; their eyes slowly widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between Zhongzhou and Yunzhou’s border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive envoy caravan departed Shengjing, racing north along the Great Xia imperial road, kicking up clouds of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the large number of people and the mountainous piles of gifts, they could not ride immortal ships; yet to maintain speed, each carriage’s center was embedded with a magical artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powered by spirit stones, these artifacts generated powerful force to lift the entire carriage, reducing the burden on horses and increasing speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because the Great Xia imperial road was long-neglected, these artifacts only worsened the jolting motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the crisp autumn wind, inside the bouncing carriage, Ji You wiped his longsword—fifty in total, including the one in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spiritual sense’s limits prevented him from dividing attention too many times, so he couldn’t achieve the Seven-Sword Split-Cleave effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if all swords used the same technique, his spiritual sense could be conserved to the utmost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Heavenly Book Academy battle, he’d used fifty-three swords; now, with more faces, more water, more water, more flour—he’d likely surpassed that number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu had once asked him: since he could control over fifty swords, why not buy more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You was equally helpless: fifty wasn’t his limit—but it was nearly the limit of the Administration Office’s budget…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When shopping at Qionghua Pavilion, he’d carefully kept spending within their tolerable ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The Kindness of Bandits】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the main problem was Cao Jingsong’s longevity peach—it was simply too expensive. He’d never afford it even after a lifetime at the Heavenly Book Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ji You wiped his sword, he noticed the sky gradually darkening during travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan had now entered Yunzhou, arriving at Hexing City, famed for spirit stone sales—its main road flanked by spirit stone shops, even with a burgeoning gambling industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You lightly swept his sleeve; a gust of spiritual energy surged out, lifting the carriage curtain to the roof. He gazed at the shops on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One glance told him: he’d been cheated on that peach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the caravan halted in the city, arriving at the Qishi Inn, prearranged by the Divine Inspector’s Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would not proceed deeper into Yunzhou. After Hexing City, the caravan would turn east along the northern border, cutting through the northwest of Fengzhou to avoid the barbarian army outside Han Tie Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they would rest here tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immortal sect prodigies had already disembarked, surveying their surroundings with proud bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Shengjing, the crowds had been too thick for Ji You to pay attention; now, he could confirm their identities based on rumors gathered over these days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with a golden crown, clad in blue silk brocade, was Jiang Chenfeng of the Ask the Dao Sect, from the thousand-year Jiang family, long bound by marriage to the Ask the Dao Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By relation, Jiang Chenfeng should call the direct disciple Saint Son Shang Xiyao “cousin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him stood his cousin Jiang Yan and another disciple, Tu Xu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they landed, a man in black brocade robe, waist-slung with a straight broadsword, approached Jiang Chenfeng, bowing in greeting—it was Huo Hong of the Sea and Mountain Pavilion, followed by his junior brother Lu Dacheng and junior sister Jiang Yuerou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Hong was said to be the half-brother of the Sea and Mountain Pavilion’s direct disciple Saint Son Huo Xingzhong, raised outside the sect, later admitted but never acknowledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When someone once asked Huo Xingzhong about this, his disdain was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet perhaps because of this treatment, Huo Hong trained relentlessly. At thirty-one, still young in the immortal world, he’d spent over twenty years in seclusion—this was one of his rare exits, and he was now at the Mid-Stage of Fusion Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he rarely emerged, Huo Hong had many legends in the immortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some said he was cruel and vicious, often torturing his own disciples for amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Yan Qiubai and Xie Chenyu of Spirit Sword Mountain joined them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Qiubai came from Heaven’s Sword Peak, a distant niece of the sect head Yan Zhong; Xie Chenyu was a distant relative of the peak’s master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relations among the southern three sects were slightly better than among the northern three; their gathering now was unsurprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yunzhou is truly a fine place—mountains clear, waters green, land vast and boundless, though slightly dry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve been in seclusion for a long time; stepping out to stroll around isn’t bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, Brother Jiang, I forgot to ask earlier—at the Heavenly Dao Assembly, I had a delightful conversation with your Daoist Sect’s direct disciple, Master Shang. I just heard upon leaving seclusion that he’s been in deep cultivation again. Do you know when he’ll break through?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The timing shouldn’t be far off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Master Jian of Spirit Sword Mountain has also entered seclusion, hasn’t he? The two probably made an agreement...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We might even see them before the Heavenly Dao Assembly begins...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as ordinary cultivators often gossip about such prodigies, even prodigies have their own idols—those they would die chasing—and they constantly mutter about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, they even take pride in recounting their past encounters with these idols, boasting about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the carriage opposite them stepped two from the Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion: one surnamed Chu, named Chu Butian, naturally from the Chu family, though obscure in reputation; the other was Qian Jun, accompanied by a mansion Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chen Clan Immortal Family, weakened by the earlier Qiling incident, sent only one Wujiang Elder and one Rongdao disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Elders of the Six Immortal Sects gathered together, their cold, aloof expressions and unfathomable aura leading them into the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stepped down from his carriage and looked out: beyond the night, countless majestic city walls and pavilions, terraces, and towers stood in dense, orderly rows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunzhou was famed throughout the world for its spirit mineral resources, with immense profits. When he first entered the Heavenly Book Academy, Lu Qingqiu’s air of wealth had genuinely stunned him for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compared to this place, our Fengzhou is truly a barbaric land.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a facade of peace—the people’s suffering is the same everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng stepped down from the carriage and spoke up: \"The people of Yunzhou rely on the clans’ mines for their livelihood, yet still must pay tribute. Able-bodied laborers can descend into the mines and at least get a full meal; the elderly, weak, and children live in unbearable hardship—no better off than in Fengzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You frowned slightly: \"If even the little ones can’t survive, how can there be able-bodied adults?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why these spirit stone clans are clever—they long ago recognized this, so they permit local families to entrust their children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is entrusting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng stood beside the carriage, gazing at the brilliantly lit pavilions ahead: \"In Yunzhou there’s an institution called the Entrustment Courtyard, founded by local clans. If miners cannot afford to raise their children, they may entrust them to the Courtyard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You looked at him: \"I’m sure this isn’t a charitable institution—otherwise, during Baolu season, Yunzhou civilians wouldn’t flee to Fengzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. The Entrustment Courtyard is no charity. Every child entrusted is burdened from birth with an enormous upbringing debt; when they grow up, they must sell themselves to the spirit mines to repay it, spending their entire lives mining spirit stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng paused, then added: \"About thirty percent of households in Yunzhou have fallen into this trap; the remaining seventy percent still must pay annual tribute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s eyes flickered with confusion: \"If it’s this bad, why do people still have children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At first, some preferred to die childless rather than bear more. But the clans offered silver—ten taels per child—and that was enough to keep them reproducing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s the difference between this and selling your children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng shook his head: \"There’s no difference—but ‘entrusting’ sounds better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Have children, mine ore, have children again, mine ore again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those innocent children may never realize they were born to serve the immortals as slaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You turned his gaze and felt beneath every pavilion and tower lay piles of white bones: \"I always said banditry is a sunrise industry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are simply too many clans that deserve to be robbed. Small mountain strongholds aren’t enough—it takes something like the Heavenly Book Stronghold to make it worthwhile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, under the night sky, countless ornate sedan chairs surged into the air, their bases swirling with spiritual energy, stirring up furious winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the winds, banners emblazoned with clan crests flapped loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sedan chairs landed before the inn they would stay at, and out stepped a group of middle-aged men dressed in lavish robes, wearing ceremonial caps—all of considerable cultivation, likely Elders and patrons of Yunzhou’s major clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each held golden-lacquered invitation scrolls, then flooded into the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delegation from the capital would travel to the Snowlands, and the prodigies of all major sects would accompany them as escorts—a fact well known among the clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their departure, many Yunzhou clans had already prepared invitation scrolls, hoping to invite them to lavish banquets while they rested in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You and Kuangcheng stood outside the inn; through the inn’s lantern light, they saw the prodigies rise, bow, exchange pleasantries, then one gesture inviting, the other stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three northern sects’ prodigies received the most invitations, since Yunzhou lay in the north and needed the northern sects’ protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the southern sects’ members received invitations, for to these clans, they were still high-status clients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, all the prodigies were invited away—even the sect Elders departed with hands behind their backs, floating gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the night, commoners saw immortals soaring through the air, trembling and prostrating themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, someone handed Ji You an invitation scroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Ji, my lord has prepared a banquet at home and humbly invites you to attend. Please grace us with your presence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is your lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am from the Lu family, named Lu Zhong. My young mistress is your classmate from the Heavenly Book Academy—surely you understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You took the scroll, glanced at it, smiled, and returned it: \"I do count your mistress as a friend, but I’ll pass on the banquet. I’ve ridden all day—my appetite’s poor. I can’t stomach anything so bloody and lavish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong glanced at him oddly, pondered for a moment, took back the scroll, bowed, and left—but did not board a sedan. Instead, he entered the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the inn, the Lu family lord, clad in a golden-threaded robe, was inviting Elder Ge of the Heavenly Book Academy’s Inner Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Ji You wouldn’t come, the Lu lord frowned, glancing toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long known of Ji You’s defeat of Chu He and entry into the Inner Court; he also knew his daughter wished to form a Dao partner bond with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor said this man came from abject poverty, attended every banquet, chased every coin—yet he had refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, so many cultivators had arrived in Xinghe City; Ji You was the lowest in cultivation, and a rustic private cultivator utterly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To these Yunzhou clans, his presence or absence made no difference—no need to invite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng looked up at Ji You: \"Brother Ji, didn’t you tell me before that if you don’t eat, you’re just enriching these cultivators—but if you do eat, you can meddle more?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you hadn’t mentioned the Entrustment Courtyard, I might’ve gone. But now, after hearing that, I’ve lost my appetite. This meal’s on you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Save your money. When we return, you owe me a big feast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng gazed at the sedan chairs departing one after another: \"Still, it’s a pity not to rob these ill-gotten gains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You turned to him: \"When did you, a scholar, suddenly become so bandit-minded?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng pressed his lips: \"When I first heard you planned to become a bandit in Yuyang County, I didn’t understand—I thought you were starving. But after reading countless case files at the Spirit Supervision Office, I realized this is the true path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go eat something. Once we enter Fengzhou, we won’t find places to rest. Our poor little place...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You stepped into the inn, ordered a few small dishes, and sat at the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone had been invited away—for example, the envoys had all stayed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, officials were inferior to immortals. To these immortal sects and clans, no matter how high their rank, these officials were still ants—not worth inviting to banquets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officials, watching the immortals depart for banquets, dared not speak out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mission was heavy and far-reaching; they must be cautious, avoiding any trouble. All they could do was sigh and lower their heads to eat, though their hearts pounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These escorts clearly had their own agendas—whether they could truly deliver them to the Snowlands remained uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, someone among the envoys glanced toward Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3501,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d8e132c18452b196123fe695565c964c03a83cb07b36a1fed62f5a8e7622c2d1","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-171","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-169",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]