Chapter 228: The Inspector invites you

After watching Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu depart, Ji You cast another glance at Yan Hao, who was standing beneath the crabapple tree, and then decided to stroll over to the Left Garden.

But before he could even take a step, he suddenly discovered a person sitting at a round table behind Yan Hao watching him.

Thus, Ji You stopped in his tracks and exchanged a look with him.

That person was also a man dressed in white robes, neat and tidy, though his clothing was not as luxurious as Yan Hao's, nor did he have as many expensive accessories.

Judging by his appearance, Ji You felt he should be a few years older than himself. He radiated a heroic spirit and was already at the Upper Realm of Merging with the Dao, currently standing before the round table and smiling kindly at him.

Ji You did not recognize this person and felt he must have mistaken him for someone else.

Just a moment ago, an old man had mistaken him for the second son of the Zhao family, so he didn't find it strange; he was only slightly surprised that there was someone else in this world who was as handsome and refined as himself.

However, what surprised Ji You was that although he didn't know him, Xiang Kuangcheng, who arrived shortly after, was well-acquainted with him.

Scholar Xiang had just finished his busy work and was coming from behind a rockery with Gong Shu Chou. Ji You had also figured it out: this Reception Department of his basically did all the odd jobs; it was more like a department for beasts of burden.

He had initially come for Ji You, but when he got close, he caught a glimpse of the man in white, paused slightly, and then cupped his hands in a salute to him.

Ji You looked at him with some surprise: "You know this person?"

Xiang Kuangcheng turned his head to look at him: "The eldest son of the Fang residence, Fang Ruoming."

Ji You was stunned for a long time before he reacted: "Is that the elder brother of Fang Ruoyao who left home to join the army many years ago?"

"Exactly."

Ji You looked at Fang Ruoming again and indeed saw a few similarities between his face and eyebrows and those of Fang Ruoyao: "No wonder Fang Ruoyao was able to obtain a spot at the Heavenly Academy; his brother is actually at the Realm of Merging with the Dao?"

Xiang Kuangcheng also looked at Fang Ruoming: "Brother Ruoming is representing the North-Suppressing Army in the competition this time and is also staying in the Taiping Garden. We two have already met several times over these past two days."

"You seem to respect him very much?"

"Brother Ruoming is a good man and was once a student of Master Chen. It's just that Brother Ji is usually busy with petty thievery, so you probably haven't had much contact with him."

Ji You thought to himself, I had a career plan that early on?

Seeming to see Xiang Kuangcheng coming over, Fang Ruoming, who had only been smiling before, suddenly put down his wine cup, said a word to his companion, and walked over.

He first greeted Xiang Kuangcheng, calling him 'Buqi', and then looked at Ji You, his eyes flickering slightly.

"Wulu, long time no see."

Fang Ruoming revealed a smile: "When I left home to join the army, you and my Ruoyao hadn't grown up yet. Now you are truly handsome. If we passed each other on the road, I really wouldn't dare to recognize you. You didn't recognize me just now, did you? But given the relationship between you and me, it shouldn't be this distant."

Ji You cupped his hands: "Brother Fang, you are too kind. It's just that the matter between me and your sister was already settled back in Yuyang County."

"I know that. It's just a pity that I haven't returned home for many years; otherwise, I certainly wouldn't have let my father and sister act that way. But now that it has come to this, I can only say that Ruoyao lacks the good fortune."

"It's just that our personalities didn't match; it has nothing to do with good fortune."

"Wulu is a magnanimous person, which makes me feel even more that Ruoyao lacks the good fortune."

Ji You sized him up at this moment: "Brother Fang, this cultivation base...?"

Fang Ruoming looked at himself: "It's all practiced in the army. It's just not comparable to Wulu; I have the realm but lack the courage. Unlike Wulu, who liberated the millions of people in my Fengzhou and even blocked a catastrophe for my North-Suppressing Army."

Ji You knew he was talking about the mission to the Snow Region: "This was something we Fengzhou people should have done in the first place."

"Indeed, that was why I joined the army back then, but I was still one step behind Wulu."

Fang Ruoming chuckled and clinked his cup against Ji You's: "Being from the same Yuyang County, you and I should have a few more ties of kinship than others. If you have any free time during the competition, you can come over to my side with Xiang Kuangcheng for a sit."

Ji You nodded and watched him turn and leave, unable to help but look at Xiang Kuangcheng: "Is his attitude a bit strange?"

Xiang Kuangcheng turned to look at Ji You: "Not really. Brother Ruoming has been a sensible person since he was a child. He told me earlier that Fang Ruoyao's forced annulment of the engagement with you was truly too excessive. If he had been there, he certainly wouldn't have let it happen."

"His physique is very strong."

"Physique?"

Ji You put down his empty wine cup, recalling the heat he had felt earlier: "Does the North-Suppressing Army also have Body Refinement techniques?"

Xiang Kuangcheng turned to look at that group of North-Suppressing Army soldiers: "That's not strange. After all, those they fight against are the physically peerless Barbarian race. Body Refinement is also for the sake of saving one's life."

"How many spots does the North-Suppressing Army have for participating in the Heavenly Dao Assembly this time?"

"Fifteen, the same as the Xian Sects."

"The usually stingy Xian Sects are actually giving enough face this time."

Xiang Kuangcheng rolled up his sleeves: "The Xian Sects do not ask about worldly affairs, but wanting to cultivate the Dao with a focused heart requires a stable environment. The North-Suppressing Army sheds blood and sacrifices their lives in the Northern Border all year round; fifteen spots is not many at all."

Ji You nodded, thinking to himself that this made sense.

If you want the horse to run, you have to let the horse eat grass. It is precisely because the North-Suppressing Army and the cultivators are closely linked that the Seven Great Xian Sects can allow these mortals who do not come from aristocratic families to cultivate within the army.

Ji You withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Xiang Kuangcheng: "I saw Wei Rui earlier; do you want me to take you to find her?"

"Miss Ruier..."

Upon hearing that he was going to find Wei Rui, Xiang Kuangcheng's cheeks turned slightly red instantly.

"?"

Ji You looked at him and called him hopeless, thinking to himself, you blush just from looking for her, how am I supposed to quickly hold a big fat nephew?

Unable to withstand the urging of Ji Bochang, or perhaps because Xiang Kuangcheng wanted to go himself, the two returned along the road to the place where they had encountered Wei Rui earlier.

The four women were indeed still here, but there were a few more people around them. One was the Chong Prince, the biological uncle of the current Emperor, and there were also some officials from the Pro-Xian Faction, as well as some Spirit Sword Mountain disciples.

Besides being the daughter of the Chong Prince, this Princess Changle also had the identity of an outer disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain, so naturally, she was closer to Spirit Sword Mountain.

Ji You was stunned to discover that Ding Yao, who had left just a moment ago, was also among them, as well as the rough-hewn Gong Shu Chou, and another person he recognized was Yan Shujing, the direct disciple of the Peak Master whom he had only met a few times.

Zhao Yunyue was currently standing in front of Yan Shujing, speaking to her very intimately about something.

She knew that this person was the direct disciple of the Mysterious Jianfeng Peak Master and also the cousin of the Little Inspector, with a noble status, so naturally, she was worth winning over.

But after speaking for a long time, Zhao Yunyue discovered that this direct disciple of the Mysterious Jianfeng seemed extremely cold and didn't say a word.

However, Liu Junchi had already told her earlier that this direct disciple of the Peak Master was a sword fanatic who saw everyone else as wood, except for swords.

Zhao Yunyue temporarily gave up on Yan Shujing and turned to look at Ding Yao and Gong Shu Chou.

Gong Shu Chou was too cold and aloof, radiating the aura of an expert from the outside world, making him hard to get close to, but Ding Yao was better.

Although her realm was relatively poor and she had no actual status, she was a maid who had served the Inspector since childhood, so in her view, she was still worth befriending.

However, for some reason, this Ding Yao's attitude toward her was not very good, deliberately maintaining a sense of distance, yet she seemed very interested in Wei Rui, constantly looking at the bracelet on her wrist.

At this very moment, Princess Jia Ren saw Ji You walking toward this place through the bustling crowd and reached out to pull Zhao Yunyue.

Zhao Yunyue looked over immediately, thinking to herself, as expected.

Ji You had wandered around for half an hour, but in the end, he only ended up with Xiang Kuangcheng. These two rustic brothers from Yuyang County could only keep each other company.

Seeing this lonely scene, Zhao Yunyue couldn't help but turn her head to gaze at Wei Rui.

She hadn't wanted Wei Rui to marry a rustic village man earlier, especially one who couldn't cultivate, so she had been moved by the idea of introducing a Spirit Sword Mountain disciple at the Realm of Profound Understanding to her.

But at this moment, seeing Xiang Kuangcheng, Wei Rui's eyes began to flicker, which made her feel somewhat helpless.

"Young Master Xiang."

"Miss Ruier."

The two illicit lovers looked at each other, their eyes lingering.

Zhao Yunyue looked at Ji You: "Young Master Ji has turned back again?"

"There were too many acquaintances over there, and I don't like wasting my breath, so I turned back."

"So that's how it is. It seems Young Master is indeed not good at this kind of socializing. I just don't know why you came here today with your personality."

Ji You felt the sarcasm in Zhao Yunyue's tone, feeling as if she were saying that he wanted to socialize but couldn't find anyone, so he stubbornly said he didn't like wasting his breath, feeling speechless in his heart.

It was the Chong Prince who had been staring at Ji You, constantly sizing him up.

The Chong Prince had always regarded Ji You as a missed investment, but in reality, he and Ji You had never truly met face-to-face.

When he arrived here just now, he had already heard from his daughter that Ji You had also come, but because of his status as a rustic private cultivator, no one introduced him, so he had been alone for half a day, the embarrassment of a rustic private cultivator fully exposed.

But his thoughts were different from his daughter's. Facing an investment he had once missed, the Chong Prince actually wanted to pull him back from the bottom of his heart.

To him, Ji You's current embarrassment seemed to be an opportunity.

He secretly managed tax offerings and had also accumulated quite a lot of connections over the years while participating in the Yunzhou spirit stone business.

Although he had gradually lost power after the Inspectorate took the stage, he still had some face, enough to introduce him to Ji You.

However, before he could speak, Xiang Kuangcheng looked up at Gong Shu Chou: "Brother Gongshu, I trust you have been well."

Gong Shu Chou cupped his hands: "Brother Xiang."

Zhao Yunyue and the Chong Prince couldn't help but be slightly stunned, their expressions gradually becoming surprised.

The Pro-Xian Faction and the Inspectorate were opposites, and the Chong Prince had heard a lot about Xiang Kuangcheng, but he never expected that as a mere mortal, he would actually have such connections with the Xian Sect.

One had to know that this Gong Shu Chou had been acting unfathomable just now, treating everyone with indifference.

But what they didn't expect was that after Gong Shu Chou and Xiang Kuangcheng exchanged salutes, he immediately looked at Ji You: "I've wandered around this garden three times, went to both the left and right sides, and it's only now that I've finally seen Brother Ji."

Ji You frowned slightly: "What are you looking for me for again? I haven't met a single client today; I have no material."

"It's the one you told yesterday; I've forgotten most of it, so I came specifically to ask you for advice."

"I haven't even eaten yet; how can one tell stories without eating?"

Ding Yao bowed slightly to Ji You at this moment: "Ding Yao greets Young Master Ji."

Ji You turned back: "Long time no see, Zhengxin Xianzi Ding."

Ding Yao smiled softly and then looked at Wei Rui and Xiang Kuangcheng.

She had left the Right Garden with Zhuo Wanqiu just now, and while wandering around, she had been pulled here by Liu Junchi.

She hadn't been interested at all, but after arriving, she instantly recognized the bracelet on Wei Rui's wrist. As the personal maid who had been with the Inspector since childhood, she was certain that it was one of the bracelets the Inspector had worn since she was a child, and she vaguely guessed that she and the Inspector must have met.

Seeing the lingering eyes between this Miss Wei and Xiang Kuangcheng, she finally realized that it was the deep sister-in-law affection of marrying into Fengzhou together. No wonder the Inspector had even given away her personal bracelet...

After Ji You finished speaking with Ding Yao in a perfunctory manner, he turned to look at Yan Shujing.

Back at the Rusheng Garden, Ji You had received a salute from her and had returned one; now that they met again, he couldn't pretend not to know her, otherwise it would be awkward, so he bowed slightly.

Yan Shujing also raised her hands together and bowed slightly toward him.

After seeing this scene, Zhao Yunyue's eyes changed from surprise to confusion, and finally, she was somewhat dazed.

The Chong Prince also froze his eyes at this moment, and his gaze toward Ji You became strange.

He wasn't surprised that Gong Shu Chou knew him, because he was just an ordinary Realm of Merging with the Dao, which was nothing in the eyes of this Prince.

But he really didn't expect that even the personal maid of the Spirit Sword Mountain Little Inspector and the direct disciple of the Mysterious Jianfeng Peak Master would be so familiar with him.

Ding Yao suddenly looked at the Chong Prince and the other officials and Princess Changle: "The Chong Prince just said he wanted to see my Inspector; why don't you come with me."

Zhao Yunyue was somewhat dazed, and at this moment, she came back to her senses and looked at Ding Yao: "Didn't Senior Sister Ding just say that it might not work and that we shouldn't have too high expectations?"

"If you try, there's still a chance; if you don't try, there's no chance at all, isn't that right?"

The Chong Prince was the first to cup his hands and bow: "Many thanks to Zhengxin Xianzi Ding Yao for making this happen."

Ever since the Great Xia established the Inspectorate, because the accounts were clear and matters were handled quickly, their power had flowed away severely, and they needed to find a new backer.

Thinking that his daughter was an outer disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain, the Chong Prince had pulled strings everywhere, only reaching the step of having a chance to meet the Inspector today, so naturally, he was overjoyed.

Ding Yao looked at Ji You again: "Do Young Master Ji, Young Master Xiang, and Miss Wei want to go see her together?"

Ji You raised his eyes: "Can I go too?"

"Since we've bumped into each other, it's fine to go see her. Does Young Master Ji have any free time?"

"Then let's go."

Ji You looked at Ding Yao, thinking to himself that not only does the tsundere like to seek excitement, but you and Zhuo Wanqiu also love to seek excitement.

Upon hearing their conversation, Wei Rui's eyes instantly became bright, and her little hands couldn't help but clench together.

She had long known that the Inspector was her Sister Yan, and now she finally had a chance to see her.

As for the Chong Prince, Princess Changle, the two princesses, and the surrounding officials, they were somewhat stunned, not expecting that Ji You would also receive an invitation.

The money for pulling strings had all been paid by them, which had earned them a chance to see her, yet they hadn't expected the two of them to get a free ride.

However, they didn't dare to refute, because the one who issued the invitation was the Inspector's personal maid.

Afterward, the group followed Ding Yao along the Right Garden toward the Back Garden.

The garden in the back was a garden with more exquisite scenery, with people guarding the gate, but with Ding Yao leading the way, naturally, no invitation was needed.

Ji You followed them in, looking around, and discovered that most of the people here were big shots with white hair and beards, radiating vigorous energy. Besides these people, he also saw those high-and-mighty direct disciples in several courtyards belonging to the Back Garden.

First was Chu Xian, dressed in purple robes and a purple crown, sitting quietly in the courtyard.

Except for the blurry glance he had caught of Chu Xian on the White Jade Path earlier, this was the first time Ji You had truly seen this Saint Son of the Mysterious Origin Immortal Mansion with a different surname. He indeed looked somewhat like Chu He and was already at the Upper Realm of Responding to Heaven.

Then there was Huo Xingzhong, a direct disciple of the Mountain Sea Pavilion standing in another courtyard, at the Middle Realm of Responding to Heaven, the corners of his mouth habitually raised, with an unfathomable expression, sitting around the crowd.

Besides them, there were the twin sister and brother of the Chen Immortal Clan, Chen Luo and Chen Xi, at the Upper Realm of Merging with the Dao, currently eating in their own courtyard without saying a word.

On the way, Ji You suddenly thought of a question and turned to look at Gong Shu Chou: "I've been in the Garden of Sages for two days and have wandered around quite a bit. I've seen the direct disciples of the Xian Sect, but why haven't I seen any figures at the level of Abbot or Hall Master? Is it that they don't come, or am I not worthy?"

Gong Shu Chou crossed his arms: "Those big shots of that level will only appear in the finals, but even if they appear, it will be them looking at you, not you looking at them."

"It's made to be quite mysterious."

"Actually, my Inspector should be like that too, but I don't know why she came with the identity of a direct disciple and even lives in the same courtyard as the disciples."

"You'll know later."

"?"

After Ji You finished speaking, he turned to look at the tall and rough human Dao arena beneath the high sky.

He had always been thinking about the old man, the old man, but in reality, he hadn't even seen the old man's face, always feeling that this goal was too ethereal.

The finals of the Heavenly Dao Assembly might be the closest place to him. He didn't know if he would have a chance to care about how his body was in person.

Ji You came back to his senses: "How does Brother Gongshu know so clearly?"

Gong Shu Chou looked at him: "I've been here once, participating in the competition at the Upper Realm of Profound Understanding."

"Five years ago?"

"Fifteen years ago, emmm... I was still a green youth back then..."

Ji You couldn't help but open his mouth: "Then what does the place where the Sages prove the Dao look like inside?"

Gong Shu Chou couldn't help but puff out his chest: "Inside is ancient desolation, carrying the aura of the primordial era, with rich spiritual energy and majestic immortal Dao; one year there is worth ten years of hard work."

"What kind of miracle is it that allows a cultivator to count one year as ten?"

"I don't know."

"?"

"I lost before the finals; I heard it from others."

The corners of Ji You's mouth twitched: "Reasonable. If you used the energy you put into writing novels on cultivation, you would have already gotten in."

Gong Shu Chou looked at him, thinking to himself, why do you think I write novels? It's just because I encountered a bottleneck in my own cultivation and couldn't improve my strength, so I increased my own gold content by defeating the opponents who had defeated me.

Ji You nodded and then continued to follow along. When entering the final courtyard, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.

Sitting there was a cold and beautiful woman with the most powerful aura, her eyebrows carrying a kind of ruthless disdain for the world, as if she were distant from the world, with nothing in her heart, but no one knew that when she kissed, her plump and jade-like toes liked to rub against each other.

Yan Shuyi had just met a batch of family heads, and seeing them arrive, her eyes swept over them lightly.

The Chong Prince, Princess Changle, and the other two princesses were actually all somewhat stunned, because Ding Yao had clearly said "try" just now, but in reality, she had brought them straight in without any announcement, as if Ding Yao knew the Inspector would definitely see them.

The four of them wore expressions of awe and then stepped forward to pay their respects.

Only Wei Rui stood frozen on the spot, her eyes somewhat timid and confused.

Although Wei Rui knew that Yan Shuyi was also proud, she hadn't been this cold and beautiful before, and sometimes she would even act like a spoiled child, not at all like she was now, giving her a sense of unfamiliarity that she couldn't quite believe.

Actually, this was just like Ji You's evaluation of Yan Shuyi: the her who appeared with the identity of the Inspector and the her in daily life were simply like twin sisters who had the same face but completely different personalities.

This Yan Shuyi now made Wei Rui feel a sense of oppression.

However, at this very moment, Yan Shuyi suddenly winked at her, making Wei Rui instantly relax.

Great, it's still my Sister Yan, the sister-in-law who will marry into the same place in the future.

Yan Shuyi raised her eyes to look at the crowd: "I just met some people and happened to be a bit hungry. Do you want to stay and have a meal together?"

The Chong Prince opened his eyes slightly, somewhat flattered.

And Ding Yao glanced at the Inspector, thinking to herself, this is to have a meal with one person, specifically setting up a table for a banquet.

(End of chapter)