Chapter 192: Come to Visit Family

In these two days, rumors about Ji You's breakthrough and his formidable aura had been heard by nearly everyone, and in multiple different versions.

Especially in the Outer Courtyard, where there was a barrier between it and the Inner Courtyard, and those who had never seen him were even more so.

But now, as Ji You descended along the shores of Green Water Lake, his aura was restrained, his mystic presence unremarkable—only a faint leakage of spiritual energy accompanied his steps, leaving them, like Cao Jinsong, unable to discern his true depth despite their utmost efforts.

He was undoubtedly at the Upper Realm of Tongxuan, but just how strong his combat power truly was, no one could be certain…

At this moment, Ji You drifted down the mountain, still pondering the matter of the Dao-Defining Opportunity, his gaze deep, passing two mansions flanked by headless stone lions before turning into the heart of Shengjing.

After the heavy snowfall, the imperial city was blanketed in white.

Before the mansions of the capital's nobility, bright red lanterns hung high, and the rich aroma of winter-brewed liquor drifted constantly through the wind, filling the air with fragrance.

In stark contrast, not far away, beggars lay huddled in snow pits, their eyes dull, shivering uncontrollably—truly proving the saying: "Wine and meat rot behind vermilion gates; on the road lie frozen bones."

Most bustling of all was the entrance to Chong Wang's mansion.

Those coming and going were either elderly men with thick, profound auras or brilliant young prodigies, all arriving from afar.

Ever since the human realm sent envoys to the Snowlands, the supply of spirit stones from the demon races had begun to dwindle, for the Lin Clan, who controlled the mining, had been imprisoned in the Cold Prison after the Night of Yuyuan.

Mining progress had stalled, so naturally, the supply of spirit stones had dropped.

Restoring the entire trade route was not a simple or swift matter.

But for cultivators who had long relied on high-quality spirit stones, who would willingly settle for those filled with impurities?

Thus, major immortal sects and noble families were deeply dissatisfied, sending envoys to Shengjing to apply pressure.

Some claimed that the only thing the demon races had brought to the Nine Provinces was their supreme spirit stones; if those could no longer be supplied, there was no point continuing trade at all.

Such views were numerous, all delivered with arrogant superiority—no one knew whether they were truly foolish or if their Dao hearts had become so pure they no longer cared for worldly matters.

Does the human realm still have the leverage to bargain? This brief peace was begged for.

After returning from the palace, these young disciples from immortal sects were invited by Prince Chong and Wei Li and other pro-immortal factions to banquets.

The world was crumbling, yet nobles feasted and drank—this had always been the norm in Qingyun Heaven.

At this moment, in the back courtyard of Chong Wang's mansion, on the second floor of Zhaixing Pavilion.

Three disciples from Tianjian Peak of Lingjian Mountain on the shores of the Mystic Sea—Liu Junchi, Yao Chenglin, and Peng Peng—were drinking and singing with Princess Changle and her entourage.

The men were bold and unrestrained; the women smiled with gentle eyes.

"... fter the New Year, I plan to enter the Upper Realm of Rongdao. Next year's Heavenly Dao Assembly—I will definitely participate, and I aim to secure a top-ten spot."

"Why not the champion?"

"Though my heart reaches the heavens and my sword art is peerless, I still fall short compared to Master Zhuang You, the direct disciple of Sword Edge. If he competes next year, the championship will be difficult for me."

"Top ten is already formidable enough. Then I wish you, Senior Brother, your sword shall blaze like a rainbow, and your banner shall fly victorious."

"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your auspicious words."

Liu Junchi raised his cup toward Zhao Yunyue.

As a member of the imperial family, Princess Changle was legally barred from becoming a disciple of an immortal sect, but her family had long kept an Elder from Lingjian Mountain; tracing back, she could truly be said to have been trained under Lingjian Mountain.

Moreover, she had once been fostered on Tianjian Peak as a child, so calling these Lingjian disciples "Senior Brothers" was not inappropriate.

Zhao Yunyue lifted her cup, her lips curving in a faint smile, sipping the spiritual wine slowly, her gaze shifting.

This banquet was not merely an ordinary gathering; Princess Changle faintly sensed another meaning—that her father wished her to choose one of them as her Dao partner.

Previously, she had wanted to summon Ji You into the mansion as her husband, but he gave no response; since that wish had failed, she naturally needed to find a new target.

To Prince Chong, distant alliances and near aggression were sound political tactics.

For years, he had maintained close ties with the three southern sects; thus, marrying his daughter—who already had ties to Lingjian Mountain—into Lingjian Mountain was an excellent choice.

But Zhao Yunyue's thoughts differed from her father's grand ambitions; her strongest desire had nothing to do with her family, but rather to find someone stronger than Ji You.

Even more, someone who could beat Ji You into the dirt, begging for mercy.

After all, the incident where she had sent a letter requesting dual-cultivation and been ignored had stirred up a storm across the city, and it was still frequently mentioned; thus, she could not marry someone weaker than Ji You—she needed a more brilliant, extraordinary husband to restore her honor…

At this moment, a man in white robes, as pure as snow, walked past the outer wall of Chong Wang's mansion.

As he passed, he reached out several times, placing silver coins before beggars lying in the snow, their forms blended with the white drifts, then turned toward a lane named Chunhua.

Many turned their gazes toward him as he walked across the long street.

Zhao Yunyue's gaze followed him, fixed for a long while.

In recent days, rumors had spread at the Heavenly Book Academy—she had heard whispers that Ji You had broken through, reaching the Upper Realm of Tongxuan.

But it seemed his body had restricted him, making the breakthrough extremely difficult; yet later, word came that his aura after the breakthrough was extraordinarily powerful.

Yet now, seeing him in person, his aura was restrained, making Zhao Yunyue feel he had not changed much from his appearance on the street the day before.

At this moment, one of the Lingjian Mountain disciples softly called her "Senior Sister," pulling her thoughts back.

"Senior Brother?"

"We've been on the immortal ship for two days and nights, and we're quite weary. We plan to rest for a while."

Zhao Yunyue lifted her eyes: "I heard the third deck of the Nujiang immortal ship is incredibly comfortable. For your status, shouldn't it have been sufficient?"

Liu Junchi shook his head: "We didn't get to stay on the third deck—we've been on the second all along. The rooms are cramped, and we haven't slept well."

"Why were you on the second deck?"

Liu Junchi sighed slightly: "We arrived on a day when a great figure boarded the ship—the entire third deck was sealed off. Such honors likely meant a high-ranking elder from some immortal sect was traveling; we naturally didn't press the matter."

"I see." Zhao Yunyue smiled and nodded: "Then Senior Brothers, please rest. Tomorrow, the mansion will host a Snow-Boiling Tea Gathering, and I hope to ask you how to break through to Tongxuan."

"Of course."

Zhao Yunyue watched them depart, yet couldn't help wondering: what kind of great figure could require the entire third deck to be sealed?

Meanwhile, in the western market of Shengjing, a figure of ethereal beauty and exquisite form strolled through the marketplace, her steps light and agile.

She wore a robe of crimson cloud-silk, adorned with various precious spirit hairpins; from her attire alone, she resembled a delicate girl from a modest family, yet the noble bearing in her gestures and the haughty glint in her eyes revealed her status was far more complex.

Yet her face could not be seen, for the woman now wore a mask—bought from some stall—a cat's mask…

From the southern end of the western market to the northern, she showed no strong desire to buy—she seemed merely curious.

Like someone who had just sat in a teahouse, listening to people discuss how Ji You, the student of the Heavenly Book Academy, had broken through.

How strong could combat power be if it couldn't be determined by realm? Only if he fought could anyone know for sure.

But even if he were strong, surely he couldn't be stronger than her.

The masked woman lingered long at a stall selling candied fruits, then stopped before a stall selling roasted sweet potatoes.

"Miss, my sweet potatoes are made from Fengzhou honey yams—everyone knows that place is barren, but the yams are incredibly sweet. Which one do you want?"

"Who said Fengzhou is barren?"

The vendor blinked in surprise, involuntarily falling silent.

Though her face was hidden by the mask, the faint chill in her tone made the vendor feel her sudden irritation.

At this moment, a slender, ivory-white finger emerged from the woman's brocade sleeve, pointing to one of the roasted sweet potatoes, its fragrance rich and caramelized.

"That one. Wrap it up for me."

The vendor swiftly wrapped it: "Your accent doesn't sound local?"

"No."

The masked woman took the roasted sweet potato in hand, her lashes fluttering as she spoke: "I'm here to visit family."

The vendor had only asked out of idle curiosity; upon hearing "visit family," he nodded slightly, yet still felt puzzled.

Her accent wasn't local, nor was it from Fengzhou—it sounded more like the south.

In his youth, he had been forcibly conscripted to repair the imperial palace for the Shanhai Pavilion in the south, and he knew southern accents well.

But if she wasn't from Fengzhou, why would she get angry just because someone spoke ill of it?

At this moment, the vendor selling cotton quilts poked his head out: "Fengzhou may be poor, but since last year, we can't even go there anymore."

"Why?"

"I heard it from my uncle—he said taxes in Fengzhou were slashed to one-tenth. Many people from our village fled there overnight. Too bad I'm stuck running a business in the capital and missed the best chance. Later, the authorities issued an edict forbidding arbitrary relocation."

As the cotton quilt vendor spoke, he suddenly saw the masked woman reach out and place a piece of silver on the counter: "I'll buy a quilt."

The vendor opened his mouth: "Aren't you here to visit family? Why buy a quilt…?"

"Because I want to."

"Then… thank you, Miss. I'll pick you the one with the most cotton!"

Then, the masked woman took the roasted sweet potato in one hand and the quilt in the other, walking away.

The quilt vendor rearranged the pile of quilts he had disturbed, watching her retreating figure: "She must be a southern girl who married into Fengzhou. These days, such things are common—after all, taxes are low there."

The sweet potato vendor suddenly understood: "No wonder she got angry when someone spoke ill of Fengzhou."

The quilt vendor tucked his waist: "Once I save up enough, I'm going to Fengzhou too."

"Didn't you just say the government forbade relocation?"

"Rules are rigid, but people are clever. I know a brother who works at the border of Zhongzhou—he has connections."

At this moment, the masked woman had walked farther into the market, then stopped at a corner alley and handed the quilt to two beggar children kneeling in the snow.

Then she pinched the skin of the sweet potato, peeled it gently, and placed it in her mouth, savoring it with two slow bites.

Before her, not far away, the snow-covered Nishan was clearly visible.

Last time she came, they had never met—she had simply walked into the Heavenly Book Academy, and a casual visit was understandable.

But now, if she went directly, it would seem like she was deliberately seeking him out.

At this moment, a cat ran along the wall before the masked woman, its tail held high, causing her eyes to unconsciously narrow slightly.

Meanwhile, Ji You had already reached the end of Chunhua Lane, heading toward the small courtyard of Kuangcheng.

Along the way, he saw many people watching him, their eyes filled with eager battle intent—but not one dared to strike, leaving his professional ethics unfulfilled.

Going out without robbing anyone? Isn't that like losing?

Yet what surprised him more was that Kuangcheng's courtyard was locked, with a note pasted on the door: "Moved," followed by an address.

「?

Another bout of restlessness brought Ji You to a courtyard, where he stepped inside and saw Kuang Cheng sweeping the main house with a broom.

The courtyard was small, but compared to his previous shabby room, it was like heaven versus earth.

Kuang Cheng said the residence had been assigned by the Imperial Spirit Monitor; it had originally been a private villa used by an official from the Ministry of Revenue to house his concubine, but was confiscated after he was arrested for embezzlement.

After repairs, these vacant residences were allocated to officials of the Imperial Spirit Monitor.

So it's government housing, huh.

Ji You muttered, thinking how good it was to be a civil servant.

Kuang Cheng said there were actually larger courtyards assigned, but given his personality, he never fought for them—this modest little place was more than enough.

"I'm starting to think you live a truly carefree life. I should've taken the imperial exams myself."

Kuang Cheng glanced at him, broom in hand: "But Ji Brother, you've never liked studying since childhood."

Ji You gave a haughty look: "Hmph, that little bit of filth in your head—I've known since I was a child."

His hands still moved stiffly, so he sat on the steps watching Kuang Cheng tidy the yard, and they fell into casual chat.

During his seclusion and breakthrough, the barbarians withdrew, retreating back into the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains after pulling out from the northern frontier.

Ji You wasn't surprised.

The barbarians' assault had partly been staged to impress the demon race, to strengthen the demons' confidence in allying with them.

But the human envoy's visit had caused the Demon Emperor to temporarily abandon the idea; the news must have reached the barbarians by now, rendering the siege meaningless to them.

Most importantly, winter had arrived. Marching from the Ten Thousand Mountains was no easy feat—ceasing hostilities was only natural.

"If this stalemate could last forever, maybe Ji Brother could even marry a demon princess."

"It won't last."

Ji You sat on the steps, thinking how impossible it was to sustain.

The barbarians were determined to reclaim Jiuzhou. The Demon Emperor's current reluctance likely had something to do with human destiny, but a final war was inevitable.

But what did that have to do with the demon princess?

They were purely doctor-patient—hardly even friends.

If Ji You didn't believe Kuang Cheng was a native, he'd suspect him of being a reincarnator who'd consumed too many island art films.

Terms like "ward," "active duty," "first time," "unlocked"—they raced through Ji You's mind at full speed.

Kuang Cheng had reached the eastern courtyard when he noticed a sword cut on a pillar, nearly cutting halfway through the wood—he froze.

Earlier, while cleaning the water jar's side, he'd seen the same cut, scarring the jar's surface.

These craftsmen really didn't do their work well.

But luckily, this beam wasn't structural—after a few days, he'd find a carpenter on the street, slip in a matching plank, and nail it down.

Kuang Cheng brushed the dust off his body, rolled up his sleeves, and started lighting the stove to cook.

Moving into a new home required a warming feast. Ji You had come without bringing the lavish meal he'd swindled before heading to the snowlands—he now had to pay a gift.

"For the New Year's lantern festival, Ji Brother, would you join me and Miss Rui for a stroll together?"

"No thanks. A man of my virtue won't intrude on your romantic moonlit nights."

Ji You said coldly.

This was the second time today he'd heard that question—the last person who asked it, Long Xiandi, still felt chest pain.

Kuang Cheng looked at Ji You: "The Yu Danzong's Miss Yuan is too far away, the demon princess even farther—so Ji Brother, are you just unable to find a woman to stroll with?"

Ji You instantly straightened his chest: "Nonsense. I simply don't waste time cultivating. If I opened my arms, women would line up all the way outside the city."

"Then why not open them?"

"I won't."

Kuang Cheng watched Ji You, thinking: though Ji Brother appeared rakish and charming, hailed as having brides across the mountains, he'd always been alone—not because he was truly pure, but likely because someone formidable lurked in his back courtyard.

At this thought, he recalled the woman Ji You had brought into the courtyard, who'd nearly killed someone after being called "cute."

Kuang the scholar pursed his lips: "Ji Brother's afraid of his wife."

Ji You looked up: "So smart? Planning to take the graduate exam?"

"Graduate exam?"

"Oh right—I forgot you're already the Top Graduate."

"Ji Brother always says things I don't understand. But how will you spend New Year's Day?"

"Cultivating. I'll seize every moment to enter the Fusion Dao realm."

"That's too harsh—you just broke through."

"The gap between the Upper Realm of Tongxuan and the Initial Realm of Rongdao may seem small, but it's like a chasm between heaven and earth—hardship is normal."

Ji You had finished eating, wiped his mouth, and was about to slip away—but before he rose, footsteps sounded.

The footsteps halted, paused long at the gate, then a soft voice called, "Young Master."

But Ji You the bandit's ears caught something before that—several faint clinking sounds…

Ji You narrowed his eyes, thinking: I've suffered too much. I must break through soon. Once I can beat Yan Shuyi, I'll scare her into submission, then take a harem across the land—let every woman who craves warmth line up.

Kuang Cheng still hadn't heard Wei Rui's voice; he was refilling Ji You's wine cup.

Probably because the new courtyard was larger—the old volume couldn't carry through anymore.

Ji You was about to warn him, but then another set of footsteps—unrelated to Wei Rui—sounded, and he instantly grew alert.

Yet when Wei Rui spoke, asking politely, Ji You's tension eased slightly.

"Miss, who are you looking for?"

"No one. I'm just wandering."

"I saw you standing here when I arrived, staring at the courtyard, frowning, then humming softly—this isn't casual wandering. Could it be… you're here to see Master Kuang?"

Wei Rui asked gently, but her voice carried a note of caution.

Wei Rui wasn't a cultivator—just an ordinary woman—so whatever made her cautious couldn't be the other's cultivation base.

Given the context, the caution likely stemmed from female rivalry over beauty—they were both standing before the same man.

But Wei Rui herself was a well-known beauty in the capital; few could make her feel threatened.

"I didn't hear rumors and wait here hoping to meet someone—I'm just wandering."

"?"

"Really."

"Miss, look at your footprints in the snow—they've drawn countless circles…"

Kuang Cheng had just filled the wine cup, raised his head, and saw Ji You frozen at the table. "Ji Brother, what's wrong?"

Ji You frowned, finger to his lips: "Shh."

"?"

Kuang Cheng heard nothing Ji You heard—he could only watch as Ji You's ears twitched, his eyes widened slowly, then he held his breath.

Kuang the scholar frowned slightly, wondering why Ji Brother looked so… pleased.

Ji You looked at him: "Agreed. New Year's Day—we stroll together."

Kuang Cheng: "?"

"Oh right, forgot to tell you—Wei Rui's here."

"Eh?"

Wei Rui stood on the snowy ground before the gate, eyes wary of the woman before her.

The woman was stunning—skin whiter than snow, face finely sculpted and three-dimensional, figure full yet graceful, and her aura—truly beyond even imperial princesses.

Before Wei Rui could speak, two figures stepped out—the foremost was Ji You.

Wei Rui bowed slightly: "Greetings, Young Master Ji."

Ji You had already stepped outside, not even hearing Wei Rui's voice—he saw the woman beside him glance coldly away, then flick a sidelong glance at him.

Long unseen—she seemed slimmer, yet her aura had grown even more profound.

Wei Rui looked at Ji You: "Do you know this lady?"

Ji You snapped back: "This is my…"

"?"

Understanding the context, Wei Rui's face instantly flushed pink—she grasped his meaning.

She'd come to see Kuang Cheng. Ji You meant: she belonged to Kuang, and this woman before her belonged to Ji.

So that's how it is…

No wonder Yun Yue wanted to practice dual-cultivation with him and got no reply.

But as soon as "mine" was spoken, the immortal on the snow instantly narrowed her eyes—sword intent surged.

Wei Rui gasped—now she realized the woman was a cultivator, brimming with lethal intent.

Yet the sword qi only howled for a moment, scattering snowflakes everywhere, then faded on its own—the woman's expression softened, almost meek.

"What a coincidence."

"Coincidence my ass…"

Ji You looked past the Little Mirror Master of Lingjian Mountain to the snow behind her—tiny, delicate footprints, circling endlessly.

Seeing no reply, Yan Shuyi glared fiercely, silently urging him to say "what a coincidence."

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(End of chapter)