Chapter 273: A Dragon and Phoenix Among Men (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 273: The Dragon and Phoenix Among Men (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Father…

Chen Xuanji…

Chen Yi had not heard that name in a long time.

The last time was in the letter from Lady Cui Yu, the matriarch of the Chen family, which mentioned it.

It was no surprise that Chen Xuanji’s reply to Chen Yunfan also contained a note from him.

Chen Yi sat in silence for a moment, took the letter, and said, “Chen… Father, he has returned from Xiyu?”

Chen Yunfan nodded, then shook his head, saying, “He said he would return.”

“Though he has not yet set out, and it is unclear when he will arrive in the Prefecture of Kyoto.”

Chen Yi hummed, opened the letter, and read it.

The letter was two pages, full of words.

[My dear son Yi, I have heard from reliable sources that you have entered the Xiao family as a son-in-law, and I feel a slight remorse, regretting that I entrusted all family affairs to your mother, leading to this mistake…]

When Chen Yi saw this, he slightly raised an eyebrow.

What was this, a retroactive gesture?

The head of the Chen family in Jiangnan—if he had the heart, how could he have left everything arranged before departing?

[…However, a man born in this world must stand firm and upright.]

[I believe my son, even within the Xiao family, should not forget the patriotic heart he once had in his youth.]

[Therefore, I have petitioned the Emperor on your behalf, hoping you might participate in the next imperial examination, or perhaps arrange an official post for you.]

[A position in the Shuzhou garrison or a magistrate’s office—how about that? It would fulfill my wish as a father…]

When Chen Yi saw the end, a strange expression crossed his face.

An imperial examination, an official post…

In his impression, Chen Xuanji was never a kind father.

Most of the time, he was stern, calm, and resolute, with a strong presence.

So Chen Yi looked at the letter again, doubtfully raising his head to gaze at Chen Yunfan:

“Brother, you’re sure this is Father’s handwriting?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan fixed his gaze on him: “Yi, you must not disrespect your father.”

Chen Yi did not explain, but handed the letter to him: “You read it yourself.”

Chen Yunfan paused, muttering something about letting him see the letter where Father had reproached him, then quickly read through the contents.

His expression became suddenly vivid.

“This—this is Father’s letter?”

“He… he’s become so gentle and kind now?”

“No, he shouldn’t have used such a stern tone to admonish you to stay properly in the Xiao family, not to disgrace the family name!”

When Chen Yunfan also said the same, Chen Yi was certain of his thoughts.

According to his understanding of Chen Xuanji, even if he felt guilty about Chen Yi entering the Xiao family, he could never be so gentle and lenient.

So something must have happened in between, causing Chen Xuanji’s attitude toward him to change.

At that moment, Chen Yunfan seemed struck by something, then pulled out another letter and handed it over.

“Look at what Father wrote to me—he’s… he’s…”

Chen Yi did not refuse, took the letter, and read it carefully.

[My dear son Yunfan, I have heard that you have become a top scorer in the high school examination, and I am deeply grateful to the Emperor, yet you—this untrained fool…]

[For I hope you remember three things: first, when serving the family, country, and people, you must not act frivolously or recklessly…]

[Soon I will depart to return to Dawa. When I arrive, if I hear that you have been causing trouble in Shuzhou, the family laws will take their course!]

When Chen Yi finished reading, a smile touched his face.

“Father… he places great importance on your position, as befits it.”

Chen Yunfan looked at him with a sorrowful expression: “Do you think he values you more?”

“If it weren’t for your arrival in Shuzhou, when he returns, he might arrange an official post for you in the Prefecture of Kyoto.”

Chen Yi waved his hand: “With an elder brother working hard for the people, that is enough. I only wish to be at leisure.”

“Yi, you’re truly…”

Chen Yunfan almost couldn’t help but puncture his lie, but considering his current cultivation and skill level, he had to suppress it.

“In any case, since Father has spoken, you should think about what comes next.”

“I don’t want, I don’t listen, I won’t do it.”

Chen Yi answered plainly.

He was now a son-in-law of the Xiao family, the “groom who was married out.”

Everything should be centered around the Xiao family.

Naturally, he could not follow Chen Xuanji’s plans—participating in the imperial examination or taking an official post in Shuzhou.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yunfan patted his shoulder: “You’re not like him.”

“Even though it has been so many years since Father left, I still hold him in reverence.”

This was not flattery toward Chen Yi.

It was the influence Chen Xuanji had on him from childhood to adulthood.

Even though he had been roaming freely in Shuzhou, reckless and free, before Chen Xuanji, he could not help but act properly.

More so, he dared not defy Chen Xuanji’s decisions.

Like these three points mentioned in the letter, Chen Yunfan had read them over and over, memorized them by heart.

There was no choice.

The letter said, “The family laws will take their course.” If he dared to do anything out of the ordinary, he would truly face the “family laws.”

Chen Yi was unaware of these things, so he shook his head and said, “It is not that I lack reverence for Father, but…”

After a pause, he looked at Chen Yunfan and continued: “But I will spend my entire life in Shuzhou.”

“Unless necessary, I fear I will never see him again in this lifetime.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan paused.

This words fell upon his ears, bringing a touch of melancholy.

“Earlier, I wrote to Father about this matter, asking if he had known in advance about your entering the Xiao family.”

"Yet he did not explicitly state it in his reply to me."

Chen Yi smiled faintly, "Many thanks, elder brother."

"However, in the letter my father sent me, it was clearly stated that he only learned of the matter afterward."

The letter spoke eloquently, full of apologies and remorse, yet utterly silent on the matter of punishing the wife of the Chen family's steward.

It was all mere excuses.

Still, the fact that even the usually unyielding Chen Yuanji had dared to offer such conciliatory words—well, it was something, at least.

Chen Yunfan nodded, sighed a soft sigh, "I hope my father won't regret it in the future."

It was likely he would.

If Chen Yuanji were to learn of Chen Yi's current martial prowess, his techniques, and all his other accomplishments, he would surely rue the day he ever set foot in this world.

Worse yet, he might even take his anger out on Cui Yu.

This was precisely the reason why, in my last letter, I had not explicitly detailed Chen Yi's achievements.

Chen Yi smiled, tucked the letter away, and turned the conversation to other matters.

Mostly, it concerned the recent affairs of the Magistrate's Office.

Chen Yunfan, too, had reined in his thoughts, rambling on about his own recent happenstances and the affairs of the Magistrate's Office.

Especially the matter of the recent fluctuations in grain prices in Shu Zhou.

"My mother, five days ago I already petitioned Liu Hong to order a stabilization of the grain prices, but he just kept refusing."

"So even Yang Daoren couldn't do anything about it."

"With no other options, I had no choice but to go there myself, giving those grain merchants a few hard knocks—those rascals."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow: "Did it work?"

Chen Yunfan hummed in a low, resentful tone: "They all refused."

"How so? Did they not know your identity? Just like that, ignoring the face of the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture?"

"It's beyond my reach. Jiangnan Prefecture is Jiangnan Prefecture, and Shu Zhou is Shu Zhou. After all, Liu Hong is in charge here."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded, offering some consolation: "Well, you know all this, so let's just hold off for now."

"Perhaps in a few days, things will turn around."

Chen Yunfan nodded, about to speak further, when suddenly he thought of something, and asked pointedly:

"Has your younger brother been busy with the affairs of the Academy and that medical school lately?"

"Have you heard, brother?"

"Yes, I've heard."

"Then have you heard about the incident involving Asutai, the son of the left king of the Man tribe, who appeared in Shu Zhou?"

Meeting Chen Yunfan's gaze, Chen Yi slightly bowed his head: "I just heard it this morning."

"I suppose you must be quite troubled, then?"

"Indeed, I am. Though I can't be sure if it's true or not."

Chen Yunfan noticed no signs of distress on his face, so he turned his head to look at the commotion involving the White Deer and Ling'er.

He knew of the matter where Chen Yi had slain Lü Jiunan.

That was why he had been probing around, asking questions about "Asutai."

His intuition told him—the incident might also be connected to Chen Yi.

"Ah, Yi, you're growing more and more reserved these days."

"The things you've done, I truly can't understand. But at least I trust you won't act without purpose—you must have your reasons."

Perhaps... it had something to do with the Xiao family?

It must have.

After a while of casual talk, the White Deer had already sent Ling'er away. Though his handsome face still bore a smile, his mood was clearly affected.

Even the usual cheerful cries of the vendors had ceased.

"Strange, the Five Poison Sect has been at it for so many years and still hasn't made it into the mainstream. How could a descendant of theirs possibly rival the true sects?"

The White Deer gave a slight, displeased glance toward Xinglin Pavilion, then, with a wistful sigh, folded up his canopy.

Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice called out:

"Master?"

A young man in black brocade stood there, looking uncertain.

Well, that was nothing.

The key point was that, aside from his attire, his appearance and stature were identical to the White Deer at this moment.

The White Deer was well aware of the man's identity, so he turned his head slightly and muttered: "What master are you talking about? Haven't you seen me wearing your face now?"

The young man could only stare blankly: "Master, you... did you perhaps divine something again?"

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Shu Zhou's outstanding figure, Ling, has been guiding people here. Is there any harm in that?"

"And you, Shu Han, why have you come all the way here? You weren't at the Wind and Rain Tower earlier."

Realizing the White Deer had knocked his hat off, Shu Han immediately bowed deeply: "Master, I came to deliver a letter for you."

"Letter? Whose letter?"

"Master Li's letter."

"Li Zhicheng's?"

When Shu Han nodded, the White Deer extended his hand: "Here you go."

Once the letter was in his hand, the White Deer waved it away impatiently: "I've received it. Now get out of here."

"Yes..."

But before Shu Han could leave, the White Deer called out again: "Wait, wait. Since I'm out on a journey, and there just happens to be someone nearby to serve tea and pour water..."

Shu Han smiled brightly and followed him to his side.

The White Deer paid him no mind, took out the letter, and began to read it on his own.

After finishing, he smiled slightly: "Li Zhicheng, you also have requests of your own."

Shu Han glanced sideways at him: "Master Li asked you?"

"Ha, my master Li Zhicheng asked me to give some guidance to his disciple when I passed through Shu Zhou."

"His disciple... Junior Sister Xiao?"

Shui Hetong came to a sudden realization, speaking thoughtfully, "I recall Junior Sister Xiao is now a general of the Dingyuan Army in Shuzhou, and has already wedded?"

"You ask me?"

"I dare not..."

"There is indeed such a matter; it happens that your master even knows where her husband is."

Hearing this, Shui Hetong looked toward him, only to see him gazing toward another direction with profound meaning.

Shui Hetong followed his gaze.

He saw two young men standing just a short distance away, beneath a gateway bearing a plaque that read 'Jishi Pharmacy'.

Furthermore, those two were also looking across at them.

"Them?"

Great Immortal Bai nodded slightly, waving nonchalantly toward Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan as he remarked, "Both are dragons and phoenixes among men."

Shui Hetong fell silent for a brief moment, and a thread of sharp edge gradually revealed itself from his form.

Like a precious sword long blanketed in dust, the instant it left its scabbard, it blazed with dazzling brilliance.

His aura underwent a complete, earth-shaking transformation—one of disdainful pride over all four quarters.

"To receive Master's recognition, they must possess extraordinary qualities, not to mention that one of them is Junior Sister Xiao's husband."

"Therefore, Master, may this disciple go and make their acquaintance?"

Great Immortal Bai shook his head, saying with a chuckle, "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Let us go."

Upon hearing this, Shui Hetong nodded, his soaring aura quietly dissipating.

"Master, where are we heading now?"

"Wumeng Mountain..."

Chatting and laughing, the two vanished into the crowd in an instant, as though they had never appeared at all.

And stranger still—

everyone around them seemed completely oblivious.

Even though Shui Hetong and Great Immortal Bai shared the exact same appearance, not a single person paused to stare.

Save for Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan...

The two stared at the spot where Great Immortal Bai and Shui Hetong had vanished, their expressions shifting subtly.

A long silence ensued.

Chen Yunfan let out a soft breath and spoke, "Brother Yi, do you happen to know their identities?"

Chen Yi was half-inclined to claim ignorance, but having witnessed the extraordinary nature of Great Immortal Bai, he could only nod.

"Earlier, the people of the Mountain Clan brought word that Great Immortal Bai has re-emerged in the martial world and would soon arrive in Shuzhou."

"If my calculations are correct, the young Daoist who wished to read our fortunes earlier was none other than Great Immortal Bai."

Chen Yunfan's face instantly filled with astonishment upon hearing this. "You say... Great Immortal Bai? Gongye Bai?!"

"Good grief, it is a mercy you held me back just now."

"Otherwise, once that wretched mouth of his opened, I wouldn't even know how I died."

Chen Yi gave an affirmative hum, smiling as he said, "It was merely a guess. I did not expect it to truly be him."

Wryly grimacing with lingering dread, Chen Yunfan muttered, "That guess of yours..."

His voice trailed off.

He then let out a long breath, forcing down the tremor in his heart, and squeezed out a smile.

"It seems this elder brother of yours is not meant to be outside today. I shall return to the manor and seclude myself at once."

Chen Yi cast a glance at him, asking with a half-smile, "Is my brother afraid?"

Chen Yunfan snorted, "Terrified."

Were it anyone else, he might still put up a stubborn front.

But Great Immortal Bai...

Setting aside those legendary rumors, his cultivation and level of technique alone were things he could never ignore.

"Brother Yi, who was the one who arrived later?"

"I do not know."

"Even you do not know?"

Chen Yi spread his hands, saying, "I reckon he is someone of the sort of Great Immortal Bai's disciple or servant."

"A disciple... Shui Hetong?"

Murmuring that it was no wonder the man possessed such an imposing aura, Chen Yunfan shook his head and said,

"The affairs of the martial world are too far removed from us. It is best to leave them be."

"Brother speaks truly, however..."

Chen Yi paused, asking with feigned curiosity, "What were those two saying just now?"

"How is it that no sound drifted out?"

Chen Yunfan secretly rolled his eyes; his younger brother was asking something he already knew the answer to yet again.

"For someone of Great Immortal Bai's stature, if he does not wish his words to be overheard, no one will be able to hear them."

"I see..."

Gazing toward the East Market crossing, Chen Yi nodded gently. "Truly an immortal-like figure."

No sooner had the words left his mouth.

A flash of golden light flared before his eyes.

[Witnessed Great Immortal Bai's divination at the East Market crossing of Shuzhou. Reward: Mountain-Collapsing Fist Technique rank elevated to Heaven Grade, Opportunity +253.]

[Evaluation: The man arrives, the voice is heard, the scene is witnessed.]

[Refused Great Immortal Bai's guidance to you; disrupted Great Immortal Bai's guidance to Chen Yunfan...

Performance—barely satisfactory.]

Having read through it, Chen Yi's eyes took on a strange, inexplicable look.

Guidance?

Are we certain it wasn't 'the wretched mouth opens and calamity arrives'?

(End of Chapter)