Chapter 287: New Year's Day (3)

Chapter 287: New Dawn (III)

Chengdu County, Qingcheng Group.

Yu Canghai stood in the rain pavilion on the mountainside, gazing toward the magnificent Daoist Hall hidden among the trees, his expression inscrutable.

He no longer wore the snow-white, ornate embroidered Daoist robe but had changed into a dark flying fish robe.

Do you truly intend to push me to this point?

Uncle Yu, the Group doesn't wish for this either. But nephew, to speak frankly, since the day you deviated and contacted Honghuo Ding Huan, you should have anticipated this outcome.

The one who replied was a young Daoist, whose face, though not as handsome as Yu Canghai's, was genuine and lively, all authentic.

Yu Canghai withdrew his gaze, looking at the other, his face clearly showing anger.

I have already returned all the shares of the Yu family to the Group!

The Daoist's smile remained unchanged. Your courage is admirable, Uncle Yu, so the Group has given you a way out.

Is your so-called way out forcing me to leave the empire's homeland?!

That's not how it is, Uncle Yu. In the early Ming period, our predecessors in this lineage have always dreamed of seeking overseas immortal mountains. You are now fulfilling the ancients' aspirations, and it will be a tale worth telling.

Can the criminal zone be called an immortal mountain?! Liang Renxian, is this your family's intention or the Group's?!

In Yu Canghai's eyes, a chilling cold seeped through.

At the same time, outside the rain pavilion, a hissing sound of tail flames erupted, as if a dragon was growling low.

Heh.

The young Daoist grinned, his handsome face suddenly sprouting a haughty demeanor.

Calling you Uncle Yu, I've been well-raised, and you really take yourself as a senior? A criminal, daring to question me?! Yu Canghai, have you forgotten you're no longer part of the Qingcheng Group?

The other's sudden change of face left Yu Canghai unprepared, momentarily stunned.

Liang Renxian pointed to the distant halls and shouted coldly, Let your red dragon be silent! If it dares make another sound, I'll snap it in two! On this mountain, with you just promoted to a sixth-rank Daoist, you can't run wild!

I just want fairness!

Yu Canghai clenched his teeth, fists tight, his fingertips almost piercing his palms.

Fairness? After all these years of cultivation, you still don't understand that heaven and earth are merciless, treating all as mere grass? When has the Daoist order ever known fairness?

Liang Renxian no longer concealed his contempt, sneering, We spare your life because your ancestors in the Yu family, during the 'division of military power,' once contributed greatly to the Group. Otherwise, do you think those shares can compensate for the damage to the Group's reputation from your collusion with Honghuo?!

It was Ding Huan's manipulation that led me astray first! I can redeem myself by serving the Group, removing Prefect Pei Xingjian from Chongqing as a thorn in the eye!

Yu Canghai still refused to give up, shouting with his neck held high.

Chongqing Prefecture will eventually return to the Group's control, but this matter no longer concerns you. Take your official robes and that flying sword and leave.

Liang Renxian stared at the other's still-moving lips, speaking each word slowly, You are a notable figure in Chengdu Prefecture. I advise you to descend the mountain yourself to preserve some dignity.

It was futile to say more; it would only bring further disgrace.

Yu Canghai clearly understood this, all expressions on his face dissipating, leaving only cold indifference.

He glanced one last time at the magnificent Daoist Hall atop the mountain peak and turned to leave calmly.

The crimson flying sword followed him cautiously, not daring to disturb even a breeze.

The wind was bleak, and the figure was desolate.

Ring the bell, let us send off Uncle Yu! From today, the Qingcheng Group will have no such person. Liang Renxian clasped his hands in his Daoist sleeves and smiled coldly.

As soon as the words fell, a faint bell echoed from the mountain peak.

Dong!

Qingcheng Group's Liang Renxian, congratulations to Jinyiwei Baihu Yu Canghai on his reassignment to Osaka in the barbarian zone!

Yu Canghai ignored it, not turning back, nor stopping.

Only his steps on the stone steps grew heavier with each step.

Above him, the full moon shone brightly.

But what it illuminated was not just a soul-lost, home-wrecked dog, but also a determined dream-chaser.

Now it's the New Dawn festival, a time of national celebration. You must emulate the ancients in climbing high to admire the moon? Fine, even if scholars tend to disparage the present and revere the past, you can do it yourself. Why drag me, a Jinyiwei, into this?

Wang Zhe looked at the old man squatting with a group of beasts, his face full of helplessness.

We are friends; such a good thing can't leave you, Wang Baihu, behind.

Wang Zhe was puzzled, Blowing cold wind to admire the moon, hungry and cold—what kind of good thing is this?

Who knows how many eyes are watching us in the shadows? If we admire the moon together, isn't that proof of harmony between the Chongqing Prefecture and the Jinyiwei? Those rumors outside will naturally crumble, saving us a lot of trouble, isn't that a good thing?

Makes sense. Then move aside and make room for me.

Actually, you standing is fine; those taking photos can get clearer shots.

No way, squatting shows intimacy! Wang Zhe shook his head and stepped forward to squeeze in.

Pei Xingjian rolled his eyes, carefully pulled the hem of his robe to his chest, then moved sideways two steps.

I say, old Pei, do you really care? As a prefect, do you really care about a new set of clothes? Wang Zhe wore the same disgusted look.

Pei Xingjian cursed, You brat know nothing—this was hand-sewn by my student Yang Bai Ze, how can it compare to bought ones?

Seriously? In this era, people still sew clothes? Wang Zhe was amazed.

This is our Confucian tradition, a touching bond between teacher and student! You, a horizontal order, wouldn't understand.

Wang Zhe showed indignation, I may not understand these traditions, but I have basic decency! Last time at Jin Lou, you promised to treat me, but when it came time to pay, where were you? A prefect, even a prostitute.

Cough cough, it's a big festival—don't speak words that bring shame, be careful of eavesdropping!

Pei Xingjian hurriedly interrupted, Besides, you brat, don't you have any sense? Can't you see I'm feeling melancholy here?

What are you feeling melancholy about? Missing Yang Bai Ze going to the barbarian zone?

Wang Zhe snorted, It's because you insisted on sending him there.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a grand event meticulously organized by the New Donglin Party! If he doesn't go, how will he gain merit in literature and governance, how will he rise in the future?

Others may be Confucian scholars, but they might not even win against a few strong men. You've thrown him into that battlefield? By pushing him like this, aren't you afraid of killing the seedling?

Pei Xingjian chuckled, That won't happen. I have a plan; someone will watch over him.

Wang Zhe was curious, Who?

Then you don't need to worry.

Pei Xingjian showed pride, Just wait and see. Before long, Osaka will send a report, and my student Yang Bai Ze will surely be the top scholar!

If you don't tell me, how would I know? Do you think Jinyiwei eat dry food?

Wang Zhe sneered, But when Yang Bai Ze meets that person, remember to have him say Happy New Dawn to me.

Why don't you say it yourself? Others may not be quick-witted, but they can communicate.

You don't understand; this is our Jianghu's unspoken agreement.

This time, Pei Xingjian was puzzled, What does that mean?

Wang Xie lifted his head with a fervent expression.

"Men meet only at the mountain's peak, never in the valleys below!"