[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-watching-the-immortals-fall":3,"chapter-watching-the-immortals-fall-watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-187":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},2260060,4410,"Chapter 187: The Night of Literary Brilliance","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-187",187,"\u003Cp>“Ji You has returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Returned? Has he reached Shengjing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, he’s said to have arrived in Fengzhou and will likely stay for a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That explains why Dou Yuan Kong hurriedly left Shengjing in his carriage yesterday…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Ji You’s carriage had stopped before the gate of Jizhai on the western side of Fengzhou’s prefectural city; Gongshu Qiu and Kuangcheng had returned with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the other celestial prodigies of the immortal sects, they had been welcomed to the foreign immortal estate here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the high-ranking cultivators of these immortal estates originally came from various clans, and many were of the same lineage as the prodigies traveling with Ji You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Qiu had no interest in the banquet but was fascinated by the ingredients, so he followed the carriage here as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three had barely set foot before the large courtyard when a girl of six or seven ran up panting and clung to Ji You’s thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, you’re back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ru Ru, it’s only been a few days—how have you gotten even fatter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Ru let out a burp and replied in a childish voice: “I’m cultivating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi stepped out from within Jizhai, crossing the threshold as she spoke: “It’s not untrue to say she cultivates—after all, the moment she started cultivating, she started complaining of hunger…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Ru lifted her head: “Master, I’m hungry even without cultivating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You pinched Qiu Ru’s cheek, finding nothing strange about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl had lived a hard life since childhood—steamed buns and wild greens—and now that she’d finally tasted good food, she naturally thought of it every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that after the Qiu family moved into Jizhai, she couldn’t remember any path except the one to the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling his own arrival in Qingyun Tianxia, he too had spent three hard years in Yuyang County, so frozen in place at the sight of a locust in the fields—hence, locust plagues had never occurred in Fengzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhong now stepped out from the doorway and bowed before them: “Young Master, your journey must have been arduous…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter. The lands beyond the pass are barren—worse than Fengzhou. The food was truly terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wife specially made dumplings. You missed Dongzhi, so today we’ll celebrate it instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi added: “By the way, Master Cao and the others arrived this morning and are resting in the front hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group then entered the mansion, walked down the broad avenue, circled past Tingxiang Shui Xie, and headed toward the front hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached the western courtyard, the sound of chanting drifted from within, causing Ji You and the others to pause and peer inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen stood in a spacious, well-lit classroom, holding a scroll, calm and composed, swaying his head as he led the children in recitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of these pupils came from Yuyang County, but others were from around Fengzhou Prefecture—mostly children from poor families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the path of banditry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It means wielding a sharp sword, performing bold deeds, never yielding to others when there’s something good, enriching oneself while aiding the world, and always caring for the people’s livelihood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short: when poor, rob the rich; when rich, aid the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For example, if an arrogant immortal stands before you, adorned in gold and silver, his purse bursting, bullying the common folk—what should you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children chorused: “Politely ask him to leave his purse, then split it fifty-fifty with the people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Chen stroked his long beard and nodded approvingly, then asked: “And if he refuses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Subdue him with virtue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children clenched their fists, each tiny palm marked in ink with the character “De.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ji You last came to Fengzhou to establish his clan, he’d been occupied with coordinating harvests and had never seen the new school built—this was his first time witnessing it, and he felt a quiet satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation begins with virtue—that is the proper order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest problem in today’s world is that those who walk the immortal path lack virtue yet wield power above all others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Qiu stood behind them, looking bewildered, intrigued yet unsure how to judge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to put it? In short: utterly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You turned to Kuangcheng: “What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is the way of sages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuang brother has excellent taste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group then moved on toward the front hall, where Cao Jingsong, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Bai Ru Long rose to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ji You return safely, Master Cao was overwhelmed with emotion, yet words failed him—he could only mutter, “Good you’re back, good you’re back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You clapped Cao’s shoulder, but his gaze was drawn to Bai Ru Long, a flicker of surprise in his eyes: “Broken through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ru Long puffed out his chest, now speaking with the same gravitas as Cao Jingsong: “I’ve long completed the lower three realms and am now pushing toward Tongxuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened while I was gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You looked at him, wondering if he’d fallen for a woman who despised his low cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ban Yangshu spoke up: “You didn’t take him to the demon clans to see the women with round rumps and tails, so he decided to go himself. Since you left, he’s been in seclusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ru Long lifted his chin: “Once I reach Tongxuan, I’ll be self-sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You smirked: “In Tongxuan, even shit gets kicked out in the lands beyond the pass. I suggest you reach Rongdao before thinking about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, Gongshu Qiu glanced at Bai Ru Long, thinking: back when Ji You claimed he was just checking out rumps for a friend, he’d thought it was made up—but now it seems the friend was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng now bowed and exchanged greetings with them, while Ji You introduced Gongshu Qiu as his life-or-death companion—the one who’d once stabbed him on Qiling, nearly killing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Ruyi, Wen Zhengxin, and the others now recognized him: the Rongdao cultivator from Lingjian Mountain who’d been ordered to hunt them down—his mind had been reeling for days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gongshu brother has treated me well on this journey, especially after my hands were injured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You looked at Gongshu Qiu: “On the way here, I spoke with him—he said he’s willing to join Jizhai as a patron.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Wen Zhengxin and the others exchanged strange glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Rongdao from Lingjian Mountain probably hadn’t noticed the “homophone” on the signboard—he didn’t realize this was a bandit den, and thought being a patron meant free meals and no fees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a round table was set in the front hall, and dishes began arriving from the kitchen; within moments, the banquet was laden with delicacies, the air thick with wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the meal, Cao Jingsong and the others, like Kuangcheng, had already learned the details of the journey via the Si Xian Jian’s messages, yet still had many questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s answers mirrored those on the carriage—he emphasized the pursuit by the Twelve Bandit Kings of the Man tribes and the night raid on Yuyuan by the Lin and Ya clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deflected a blade aura with bare hands?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jingsong, Pei Ruyi, and Wen Zhengxin exchanged glances: “What kind of blade? Show it to us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Qiu: “?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You scanned the table: “Two blades comparable to my chest mirror.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the group exchanged knowing nods—Ji You had clearly gone to the demon clans and struck it rich, leaving nothing behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng listened nearby, thinking: what’s a blade worth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how precious or expensive, a blade still has a price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly amazed Ji You on this journey to the snowlands was nearly taking the princess back with him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a demon clan princess—no blade, no matter how priceless, was anything but a gift beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You, this disaster of a man, wreaks havoc wherever he goes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s a good thing: marry the Yu Danzong’s daughter, marry the demon princess, marry the Lu family’s heiress—keep marrying, keep multiplying, eventually master the world with a mighty body and bring eternal peace—perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, Kuangcheng kept the thought to himself, lest Ji You accuse him of reading yellowed sage texts again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dusk, the sky blazed with crimson clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng left the banquet, returned to his room, spread paper and ink, and prepared to write a letter to Wei Rui—but hesitated, unsure how to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d followed Ji You here intending to die with him, thinking there might be no tomorrow, so before leaving Jingcheng, he’d left Wei Rui a farewell letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the thought it might be his last, the words had been passionate, reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Short paper, endless feeling,” “meet again in the next life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he was alive—but he still had that letter declaring his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng’s hesitation over this safe-return letter stemmed from that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wrote as if the other letter didn’t exist, using a casual tone, it felt like mockery—but if he called her “Rui’er,” it felt lewd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scholar could write beautifully—but this kind of thing was beyond him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the scholar gazed out the brightly lit window and saw Ji You writing a letter too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Ji You’s hands were weak, trembling as he held the brush, pausing after every few strokes—like early humans learning to control limbs—he clearly thought with great fluency, without Kuangcheng’s agonized frowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he saw Ji You finish his letter, seal it, then pick up a second sheet…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng opened his mouth, then gripped his brush, staring at his inkstone drying uselessly, muttering: “Beauty is a calamity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Returned, in Fengzhou, safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to Elder Yan Chuan’s care and Gongshu brother’s company on this journey—I often worried whether your breakthrough went smoothly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This trip took me to lands never reached by humans—I wanted to bring you exotic goods, but the snowlands are barren; even the things women enjoy were brought in from human lands, so there was no need to buy anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll return to Tian Shu Academy soon—if you have time, come to Xu Wu Mountain to find me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s first letter was to the junior master of Lingjian Mountain—he omitted the incident with the demon princess when his hands were useless, then recounted his mission to the demon clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wrote no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, once back at Tian Shu Academy, Yan Shu Yi would surely rush to Xu Wu Mountain for a “casual visit”—he could tell her then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blew dry the ink, sealed the letter, and signed “Zhuo Yao,” then took out another stack of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Returned, in Fengzhou, safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This journey was perilous beyond measure—the pills you and Yuanchen prepared for me saved my life. I heard Gongshu Qiu say these pills were custom-made for me—I knew you must have worked through the night to gather them. Thank you, young lady, for your kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On this journey… I went to lands never reached by humans—I wanted to bring you exotic goods, but the snowlands are barren…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you ever visit Tian Shu Academy, I’ll thank you in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You finished, blew dry the ink, sealed the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then looked toward another brightly lit window, watching Kuangcheng scratch his head, frowning deeply, and couldn’t help chuckling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this really the level of a Top Graduate? I always said those sage texts teach nothing but filth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Old Kuang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng looked up at the sound: “What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You leaned out the window: “Writing to Wei Rui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng nodded: “I left her a farewell letter when I departed the capital; now I want to send word I’m safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So hesitant? Want me to write it for you? I guarantee you’ll have a fat baby boy by this time next year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuangcheng’s eyes widened instantly, his cheeks flushing crimson; he stammered for a long while before finally squeezing out: “I won’t insult the disabled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the scholar’s window snapped shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You’s lips twitched; he was about to close his own window and sleep, but before he could raise his hand, he noticed another window in the neighboring room still brightly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he gazed over, Gongshu Chou’s figure, pen racing across paper, came clearly into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Gongshu also has someone he misses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, he’s nearly forty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though cultivators live long, and a Fusion Dao cultivator can easily reach 150, at his age it’s time to find a cultivation partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You watched for a while, feeling a sudden urge to unleash his literary talent—like he wanted to ghostwrite for someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he watched longer, his brow slowly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Gongshu Chou’s pen flew like dragons dancing, scribbling one page after another without pause for half an hour—his thoughts flowed like a torrent of urine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t writing a letter; this is preparing for the imperial examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of longing demands such endless ink? It can’t be just one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou didn’t know he was being watched; his pen moved as if guided by divine hands, scribbling one sheet, then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chapter Five of the Snow Realm Expedition—The Demon’s Tail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last time, we said that in one night at Jade Garden, Ji You slew the demon general Shu He, after which the envoy group moved into Spirit Garden, where the demon ministers summoned a group of physicians…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why didn’t anyone treat Ji You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“[Blank space—leave it to the readers’ speculation.]”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as everyone was puzzled, a graceful figure appeared at the door—slender, exquisite, and alluring…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, do demon women have round buttocks and tails?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ji Lang, want to see?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this moment, the noble demon princess had secretly fallen for this fearless human man, a fact that shocked the sect prodigies traveling with them—especially Huo Hong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Because Huo Hong had long desired the demon princess; he’d invited her several times without success, yet never imagined she’d be so forward toward Ji You—making one wonder: truly, no wonder he nearly killed Gongshu Chou…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou took a deep breath, weaving his observations and imagination into a smooth, satisfying flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire mission to the Snow Realm and return to the Nine Provinces was too long—not as concise as a battle—and if he relied only on memory, he’d forget details; he needed to write it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You was still staring out the window when suddenly his scalp prickled; he quickly reached out to close the window and sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a small figure crept along the corridor, crouching low, sneaking forward in stealthy strides toward the kitchen…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, under the dark, windy night, a bowl appeared before Ji You’s door—inside, a tempting chicken leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou departed the next morning, clutching a thick stack of paper scrolls, boarding a carriage with other cultivators, his expression gleeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingzhou was far away, with high mountains and long roads; they needed to set out early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivators owed no allegiance to the Great Xia, so they didn’t need to report back to Shengjing—each simply returned to their own mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You, however, stayed several more days, reviewing last year’s tax records and the status of land awaiting cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Fengzhou reducing its tax tribute, more civilians from other provinces kept arriving; despite local edicts strictly forbidding migration, they couldn’t suppress the desperate will to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people had all been settled, awaiting land allocation after spring cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant that by spring, training cultivators in “joint land reclamation” and “joint farming” had become unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, in his spare moments, Ji You took Qiu Ru on several aerial flights, hoping to spark her interest in cultivation and distract her from food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result was clear: Qiu Ru now wanted to know what flavor the geese flying south for winter tasted like…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji You couldn’t help but purse his lips, thinking: this woman’s appetite is crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord, your meal is ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Xuan Sword Peak of Lingjian Mountain, Cui'er entered the hall carrying dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Shuyi sat on the bed, chin propped on her palm, her aura more mysterious than ever—but now she seemed not to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui’er frowned, puzzled: ever since the Spirit Watch had sent word to Lingjian Mountain, her lord had grown restless, especially after receiving that letter two days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu returned from outside: “Lord, we’re back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Chou had just arrived at Lingjian Mountain that morning and was surrounded by disciples demanding tales of the demons—before he could speak, he received a summons from the Young Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Gongshu Chou entered Yun Ding Tian Que and, upon the Young Lord’s inquiry, presented the manuscript he’d written on the journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when he left, he didn’t take the manuscript back…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the Lord had no intention of returning it; second, he dared not ask—because at that moment, every sword in the hall was trembling violently…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gongshu Chou departed, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu picked up the manuscript, glanced at it, then immediately held their breath and turned to look at the Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their gaze, the Young Lord of Lingjian Mountain sat in deep thought; after a long while, she unconsciously glanced at her own rear, then sat stunned for half a moment, her beautiful brow slightly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did the Lord mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lord probably wants to cut off the demon princess’s tail…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do I feel the Lord wishes she could grow a tail too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Edited and revised—ended up with too few words. Requesting monthly votes.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2917,"2026-06-19T15:28:39.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","10dc30741e5869c2ea3ee453ea2e2a79c7a3e474d07b9cbc8779b169affb0f4f","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-188","watching-the-immortals-fall-chapter-186",430,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwatching-the-immortals-fall-cover.jpg"]