Chapter 93: Break His Dao Heart Through Battle

Dou Yuankong’s remark of self-awareness was met with looks of disbelief, as if he were a fool.

Only a woman, like Yuan Caimei, could truly understand the regret and resentment hidden in such an expression.

At this moment, Lu Qingqiu’s emotions were complicated.

She had previously used Yu Danzong and the Lu family as examples, but in truth, the Lu family of Yunzhou, even after a thousand or ten thousand years, was unworthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Yu Danzong.

Precisely because of this, she, as Miss Lu of Yunzhou, could never be compared to the eldest daughter of Yu Danzong.

After the street ambush, she had once entertained thoughts about Ji You, for a young woman in love always dreams of a celestial swordsman descending from the heavens.

Just like that night at the brink of death, when he reached out and pulled her away, then unleashed a torrent of sword qi against their enemies.

Within three or five strikes, the enemy fell, yet his robes remained untouched by dust.

But considering Ji You’s family background, Lu Qingqiu, no matter how many fantasies she indulged in, could only let them fade.

Yet back then, she had never considered the possibility that Ji You might reject her.

In her eyes, Ji You came from a remote village; if the Lu family of Yunzhou showed him favor, he would naturally be overjoyed.

But Ji You’s defense of Yuan Caimei just now struck deep into the heart of this Lu heiress.

He could refuse even the eldest daughter of Yu Danzong with polite words, so what was she, a noble lady, to him?

“Ji Young Master’s conduct is truly unusual—he doesn’t even want the eldest daughter of Yu Danzong. Could this be a tactic to lure her in?”

“I think he meant it sincerely.”

“?”

“Qingqiu, haven’t you forgotten the immortal-like woman who came to find you at the Heavenly Book Academy that day?”

Only then did Lu Qingqiu recall the woman she had seen in the Enlightenment Ground—equally mysterious in identity, noble in bearing, unlike any mortal.

Besides them, the only others whispering quietly were Wei Rui, who sat at the same table as Ji You.

She had been seated beside Yuan Caimei and thus perceived things far more clearly than Lu Qingqiu.

“Ji Young Master is so popular—even Miss Lu over there stared at him for a long time.”

Hearing Wei Rui’s soft voice, Kuangcheng spoke with solemn righteousness: “He once brought another woman—I rebuked him sharply. I, Kuang, am nothing like this reckless fellow.”

“?”

Ji You looked up at him, thinking: How is it that such a righteous gentleman as myself is being called a scoundrel in your mouths?

Then he noticed Wei Rui glancing up at Kuangcheng, her cheeks faintly flushed before she lowered her head.

Go ahead, scholarly brother—who could possibly outflirt you?

Ji You pouted and jabbed his chopsticks into the mountain chicken.

Only Miss Yuan understands that I’m protecting her reputation—only she knows I’m a humble gentleman.

But in truth, Yuan Caimei didn’t understand; she was only thinking that she shouldn’t have said, back when they first met, that he wasn’t on her list of eligible suitors.

After Guyu, the weather quickly turned clear, and the earth warmed again.

The demonic seeds that had escaped the ruin lost their vitality after the Zheng family’s patriarch ascended, their malevolent aura dissipating; now the Immortal Supervision was discussing relocating the refugees gathered outside Shengjing back to their home regions.

After all, their illnesses had vanished, and lingering outside Shengjing offered no permanent solution.

The Yu Danzong siblings departed at dawn after their banquet at Hongding Tower, returning to Yu Danzong with Elder Dan Qiongzi.

Before leaving, Yuan Caimei visited Ji You’s courtyard alone to bid him farewell personally.

Yuan Chen, for some reason, did not accompany her, leaving the two of them alone in the courtyard for a long while.

As she left, Yuan Caimei still gave him a handkerchief fragrant with sweet scent, leaving Ji You momentarily dazed.

Back in Ningcheng County, he and Yuan Caimei had already agreed: payment and goods exchanged, no further obligations.

Now, why does she seem genuinely tempted by my body?

Afterwards, Yuan Caimei took Yuan Chen to the inner courtyard to bid farewell to He Lingxiu and You Buyu, without any further private moments.

This stark contrast in treatment sparked heated gossip throughout both courtyards, stirring up many subtle implications, and left You Buyu’s expression gloomy all day.

As a direct disciple of the inner courtyard, he and the eldest daughter of Yu Danzong should have been perfectly matched.

But now, this difference in attitude made everyone in both courtyards say that even his own master’s direct disciple was inferior to an outer courtyard student—a complete joke.

He came from a noble family; his aunt was one of the Five Hall Masters of the Heavenly Book Academy. What was Ji You? An outer courtyard student, and worse—a rustic self-cultivator!

You Buyu sat in the Dao Palace of Jixiang Hall, his teacup crushed with a crack, warm tea dripping between his fingers, his aura brimming with murderous intent.

“Many people in the inner and outer courtyards now find you extremely conspicuous.”

“?”

“Chu He is eyeing the inner courtyard slot, so those close to the Chu family naturally dislike you. Yuan Caimei’s contact with You Buyu signifies goodwill between Yu Danzong and the Heavenly Book Academy, but your presence makes many feel humiliated—especially You Buyu.”

After returning from the ruin, Ban Yangshu had been stabilizing his realm and now came to Ji You’s courtyard to check on him, bringing some news.

Previously, Ji You was compared only to Chu He, but now the comparison had risen to the level of inner courtyard direct disciples.

Noble families were deeply entangled in complex kinship ties; in short, everyone in both courtyards now hated him.

It was said that after the Yu Danzong siblings left, You Buyu had casually told friends that if some random riffraff entered the inner courtyard, the entire Heavenly Book Academy would lose face.

Though he didn’t name anyone directly, even using your heel, you knew who he meant.

But fortunately, as a direct disciple of a hall, his status prevented him from openly targeting an outer courtyard student; however, covert actions were another matter entirely.

“Many outer courtyard students nearing the end of their five-year term are preparing to leave; some are even at the Tongxuan Mid-Stage. Since they still need to pursue their futures after leaving, many may choose to do You Buyu a favor by striking at you, shattering your Dao heart.”

Ban Yangshu’s concern stemmed from his own experience.

He had been trapped at the threshold of Rongdao for nearly five years, and had already planned his departure, which was why he initially devoted himself fully to helping Chu He and Lu Qingqiu.

But after succeeding in breaking through after the ruin, he no longer had such worries.

Yet every year, the Heavenly Book Academy still sees many departures; if it were him, he too would choose to curry favor with You Buyu before leaving.

Thinking of this, Ban Yangshu felt deeply moved—his junior brother Ji You, already hated by the inner courtyard before even entering, was truly rare in history.

“Can Heavenly Book Academy students duel privately?”

Ji You had just returned from the ruin and gone to the city outskirts; he’d barely caught his breath when Ban Yangshu’s words made his head ache.

Ban Yangshu said: “You can challenge someone of the same realm under the guise of sparring, but traditionally, everyone was focused on cultivation, so such things were rare. Also, many feared losing face if defeated. But now that departure is near, no one cares anymore—everyone will settle old scores.”

“Then, Senior Brother, do you think anyone in the outer courtyard can beat me in the same realm?”

“If it’s one or two, no problem. But if it’s ten or more? Taking turns wearing you down will inevitably shatter your Dao heart—you’ll be worn out by sheer annoyance. So, Junior Brother, try not to leave your courtyard these days.”

After listening, Ji You pondered for a moment, then lifted his teacup.

Ban Yangshu snapped back: “What ancient saying?”

“A beauty brings calamity.”

Ban Yangshu thought for a moment, then nodded: “Though somewhat impolite, it’s true. Miss Caimei, under her elders’ guidance, had long interacted with You Buyu—she shouldn’t have developed hidden feelings for you. Calling her a beauty who brings calamity isn’t wrong.”

Lately, rumors in the academy ran deep; he knew the betrothal was a misunderstanding, yet he still felt it was deeply unfair to Junior Brother Ji You.

Ban Yangshu pondered long: “As long as a cultivator hasn’t ascended to immortality, they cannot escape the seven emotions and six desires—beauty, wealth, power—all invite resentment.”

Ji You looked at him after hearing this: “I said I’m the beauty who brings calamity.”

“?”

“It seems a battle between Lingjian Mountain and Yu Danzong is inevitable.”

Ban Yangshu, watching Ji You’s calm demeanor, thought: What does this have to do with Lingjian Mountain?

Sometimes, speaking of things invites them—only a morning had passed since the two sat drinking tea when someone arrived outside the courtyard, holding a challenge scroll, flung into the yard with spiritual energy.

Paper can sometimes be sharper than a sword, especially when propelled by spiritual energy.

Had Ji You’s spiritual sense not been strong, had he not swatted the scroll aside, his hairpin might have been severed.

“As Senior Brother predicted, someone really does want to beat me up.”

“Sun Bin? I think I know him—he’s in his thirties, stuck at Tongxuan Mid-Stage for five years, leaving this year.”

Ji You turned to Ban Yangshu: “Can I refuse?”

Ban Yangshu blinked: “Of course you can—but historically, people usually accepted such challenges to preserve face.”

Ji You waved his hand and tossed the challenge scroll over the wall.

He didn’t even know Sun Bin—only that he was a soon-to-depart uncle. Why bother?

At that moment, a golden light shot from the peak of Nishan, piercing through layers of clouds, trembling in the void before scattering in all directions.

He looked up as the radiant golden light slowly faded into the clear sky, his eyes meeting the bright heavens.

This was a technique of a great realm—likely from one of the Hall Masters—probably a message concerning the ruin.

So many died in the ruin, and the reckoning after autumn has only just begun—but such matters have little to do with a small fry like him.

“Senior Brother You, Sun Bin from the outer courtyard just issued a challenge to Ji You.”

Inside the inner courtyard, deep within the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove.

You Buyu, direct disciple of the hall, was exchanging spiritual energy with heaven and earth, seated in meditation. Hearing this, he opened his eyes: “Did he accept?”

The messenger, named Wang Yue, replied: “He refused—he threw it over the wall.”

“Sun Bin is foolish. A private challenge is easily refused. If it were me, I’d publicize it, make a big scene—Ji You still has pride. Once the pressure builds, he won’t dare refuse.”

Wang Yue nodded, as if understanding something, then quietly smiled and withdrew from the Purple Bamboo Meditation Grove.

You Buyu now calmed his aura, gazing at the rolling sea of clouds atop Nishan, his eyes deep.

Just now, his aunt had summoned him to the hall, personally inquired about his progress with Yuan Caimei, and scolded him for slacking in cultivation lately, ordering him to close himself off in seclusion after Yuan Caimei’s departure.

He assumed she was merely concerned about the alliance between the Heavenly Book Academy and Yu Danzong, unaware that Lady You had thought far deeper.

She could not confirm Ji You’s identity, yet knew he was no ordinary person; she had intended to bring him into Jixiang Hall, but her master had issued a sacred decree: do not interfere, do not overthink.

Her master’s exact words: “A person who thinks more than heaven does will only make more mistakes.”

The matter of cause and effect was still unclear to her, so she acted with greater caution, unwilling for her nephew to make an enemy of Ji You.

But as Ban Yangshu said, cultivators cannot escape the seven emotions and six desires unless they ascend.

For a man, it is deeply infuriating when a girl he likes prefers another man inferior to himself.

At that moment, outside the outer courtyard, gongs and drums thundered by Green Water Lake, as another challenge letter was delivered to Ji You’s door, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

“What’s going on? Why all the noise outside?”

“It’s Senior Sun Bin from the outer courtyard, challenging Ji You to a duel.”

“How did these two become enemies?”

“Perhaps Ji You has been too conspicuous lately—naturally, it stirs resentment.”

“The outer courtyard hasn’t been this lively in ages—when’s the fight?”

“He didn’t even accept it. They threw it back out again.”

Sun Bin’s three failed attempts to deliver challenge letters did not quell the matter; instead, more letters arrived.

All were from Qi Refining mid-stage cultivators, mostly middle-aged men, some long confined to their chambers, having abandoned the Dao and awaited departure from the academy.

Ban Yangshu joked that this was the outer courtyard’s true depth, but his laughter carried an undercurrent of concern.

Because Ji You refused the challenge letters, this could not continue indefinitely.

If these men came daily with gongs and drums, they could deprive Ji You of even a single quiet moment to cultivate—this was the most insidious tactic.

And once Ji You could no longer bear the harassment, he would inevitably strike back.

But with challenge letters piling up, a wheel battle would inevitably crush him; should his Dao heart shatter, the consequences would be far worse.

“Did he accept?”

“Report, Senior Wang Yue—he did not accept.”

“Does he care nothing for his face?”

“I heard from outer courtyard disciples that he values silver more than face.”

“?”

Ji You was a pauper—even Min Cheng of the Wen Dao Sect knew how to lure him with silver; this was no secret.

Thus, as the eleventh challenge letter arrived, another piece of news spread.

Senior Wang Yue from the inner courtyard found the matter intriguing and offered a reward of a thousand taels for Ji You to accept all the challenge letters.

Due to the scale of the commotion, figures like Bai Ruilong, Pei Ruyi, Wen Zhengxin, Qian Yunxiao, and Lou Siyi had gathered at Ji You’s courtyard.

At first, they worried Ji You might act impulsively, but seeing how he remained unmoved, sipping tea despite the outside clamor, they gradually relaxed.

Until now, the reward news reached the Green Water Lake’s elegant garden, leaving everyone stunned, hearts in their throats.

Damned—it’s exactly what they hoped for.

As expected, upon hearing it, Ji the Bandit immediately narrowed his eyes and rose, his sword intent flaring.

“Someone has gripped my weak point.”

“You’re really going to fight?”

“I’m going to earn some silver and come right back.”

“Too many are challenging you—even if you’re invincible in your realm, a wheel battle will wear you down. This isn’t worth it. Just endure until they leave the academy.”

“To refuse silver is to betray my bandit’s way. I have a better plan.”

Ji You rose, pushed open the courtyard gate, and stepped out to find a crowd of disciples surrounding him. His gaze swept back and forth before settling on the middle-aged man before him, his beard thick and wild.

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)