Chapter 339: I Am Also a Foolish Person! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 339: I Am Also a Fool! (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

A great matter in thejianghu.

Chen Yi naturally understood; it was nothing more than the White Immortal versus that swordsman’s duel.

“What matter?”

Pei Mang glanced at him and lowered his voice: “Auntie said the White Immortal—the strongest person in thejianghu—is to duel someone on the upper reaches of the Red River.”

“Who is he to duel?”

“The ‘Snow Sword Lord’ Ye Gen.”

Chen Yi slightly raised an eyebrow, “That person…”

“Brother, you know the Snow Sword Lord, too. Elder Brother and Third Uncle both say he’s the most formidable swordsman after the ‘Sword Saint’ Li Weidong.”

“…I’ve never heard of him.”

“He…”

Pei Mang’s face brightened, “Brother, you’ve never heard of him?”

Chen Yi nodded with a smile, “Indeed, I haven’t.”

These days, his thoughts were all focused on resolving the Xiao family’s troubles; the occasional gossip about thejianghu was just snippets, fragmented and fleeting.

Like the long-reclusive White Immortal, and his disciple Shu He and Tong.

Xiao Hong’s master, the “Sword Saint” Li Weidong.

Liu Rong’s master, the “Blade Demon” Chu Xiu Dao, as well as Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang, and others in the Tian Shan Sect.

These senior figures in thejianghu, most were connected to Chen Yi’s acquaintances, so he heard more about them. The rest, he naturally hadn’t heard of, and didn’t particularly care.

“Tell me, what’s the background of this ‘Snow Sword Lord’ Ye Gen?”

Pei Mang’s expression instantly brightened, and he chattered away, recounting Ye Gen’s story.

He herself hadn’t known who the “Snow Sword Lord” was, but before their departure, Pei Qian and others had told her quite a bit.

“The Snow Sword Lord arose from the snowy peaks at nineteen, with plum blossoms on his shoulders, untouched by dust. Today, I draw my sword to challenge you, and realize I too am a fool.”

“The Snow Sword Lord was a direct descendant of the Ye family in Jizhou, with extraordinary talent.”

“It’s said he began practicing martial arts at six, and by eight had already reached the eighth grade realm… Brother, why are you smiling?”

Chen Yi restrained a smile and waved his hand, “No, no, not at all. Continue.”

Pei Mang puffed out his cheeks, his round face flushed with indignation, “I myself stumbled into martial arts, and now my cultivation is nearly at the seventh grade.”

Still, thinking of Chen Yi’s current title of ‘Dragon Tiger,’ she sighed resignedly, muttering about how Third Uncle had taught her much, and how she’d eventually reach the third grade.

Before Chen Yi could offer comfort, she went on: “Third Uncle says Ye Gen reached the sixth grade at fifteen, and by then his cultivation was already in the upper reaches of the fourth grade, just one step from breaking through to the third grade.”

“But at that time…”

When Ye Gen was sixteen, his family committed a transgression.

Not only did they offend a major family in Jizhou, but they also accidentally killed a direct disciple of the Guo Chen Sect, leading to the Ye family’s dire straits.

First, their tavern—the foundation of their existence—was looted by others. Then, one by one, distant branches of the family died under mysterious circumstances.

While they were debating whether to fight or surrender, the Guo Chen Sect’s people had already broken in at night.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Ye family mansion held 143 people in total.

Though they fought desperately, the Guo Chen Sect’s patriarch struck hard, and only Ye Gen escaped alive.

“After that, the Guo Chen Sect relentlessly pursued Ye Gen…”

Pei Mang’s fists clenched, his voice filled with indignation, “But Ye Gen was strong enough; not only did he escape, but in less than two years, he cultivated his way to the first grade.”

Chen Yi nodded solemnly, “Then he avenged his family?”

Pei Mang’s face sagged, shaking his head, “He only wiped out the Guo Chen Sect, but that major family had many survivors.”

“Oh?”

“According to my Third Uncle, Ye Gen, during his escape, was rescued by a woman—by chance, she turned out to be that family’s only daughter.”

“So…”

Chen Yi slightly raised an eyebrow, “So he spared that family?”

Pei Mang hummed, pouting, “When he went to seek revenge, he discovered the woman was also from that family—and…”

Pei Mang waved Chen Yi’s hand, “And they had already fallen in love.”

“That family survived because of that woman…”

Chen Yi was stunned into silence, perhaps thinking such a tale was a bit too cliché.

But then Pei Mang’s eyes twinkled, and she grinned, “Brother, if you were Ye Gen, what would you do?”

“Me?”

Chen Yi thought carefully, then shook his head, “I don’t know. I wouldn’t even imagine such a situation.”

All his years of cultivation were to protect himself and those around him from harm. In such a case, if he faced a similar predicament, he’d rather be crushed by a bean curd block than make such a choice.

“What if the mountain people killed your Chen family?”

“The Chen family? They’d just kill us all.”

Pei Mang paused, “Brother, you don’t seek vengeance for your Chen family?”

Chen Yi smiled and nodded on her forehead, “Because there’s you in the mountains.”

Pei Mang immediately laughed, her face tinged with rare pink, “Brother, I won’t let you get in trouble.”

“If any mountain person acts thoughtlessly, I’ll ensure they regret being born by planting several grubs in their bodies.”

“You also forgot the time you poisoned Chen Yunfan?”

“Oh my~”

chatting and laughing, when little Butterfly came to announce lunch was ready, Chen Yi had a rough idea of Ye Gen’s character.

After resolving his grudge with the major family of Jizhou—the Le family—Ye Gen lived a reclusive life, staying hidden for nineteen years.

When he finally emerged, his cultivation had reached the Archmaster realm, his sword technique complete.

The last time Chen Yi heard of Ye Gen was four years ago, when he challenged a Jizhou master swordsman, Li Jin, to a duel of ten swords.

Chen Yi ate his lunch, mentally calculating.

Ye Gen’s ability to challenge the White Immortal meant his cultivation and sword technique had each advanced a level.

Either his cultivation had reached Grandmaster, or his sword technique had reached the extreme peak.

Otherwise, even if Ye Guxian had the inclination, Immortal Bai would likely pay him no mind.

"Grandmaster... the ultimate realm of the sword..."

The cultivation of martial arts was divided from the ninth rank down to the first rank, and above that lay the Masters and Grandmasters.

As for the realms of technique, they progressed from entry, to minor mastery, to major mastery, to perfection, and finally to the ultimate realm—where technique verged upon the Dao.

Those who attained such a realm were revered as "Earthly Immortals," meaning they had reached the absolute peak of mortality.

However, even among those within that realm, there were differences in standing.

Cultivation, technique, internal methods, and natural talent—the slightest disparity would influence the spiritual nexus of heaven and earth.

For instance, Immortal Bai was said to have cultivated two separate techniques to the ultimate realm, which was why he was hailed as the foremost figure in martial arts.

Thinking of this, a trace of a smile could not help but appear on Chen Yi's face.

He might be somewhat inferior when it came to the sheer depth of a technical realm, but if it came down to quantity, who would dare claim first place if he claimed second?

Of course, so long as he was given time, he would inevitably catch up.

After having the midday meal.

Chen Yi did not continue reading his books; instead, he intended to pay a visit to the Jishi Pharmacy and the Baicao Hall.

Since he had already decided to change his approach from passive to active, he had to make some preparations after all.

Seeing him change into a clean set of brocade robes, Xiaodie could not help but ask, "Is the young master going out?"

"Mhm, I have stayed in the manor for so many days, it is time to go out and move around a bit." "B-but tomorrow is the annual examination."

Chen Yi smoothed his clothes, turned his head to look at her, and said with a smile, "Studying requires a balance of tension and relaxation; stretching the bow too tight is no good."

Xiaodie nodded as if half-understanding, "I see..."

Beside them, Pei Guanli had already burst into laughter, thinking to herself that her brother-in-law was spouting nonsense again.

However, seeing that Chen Yi was about to head out, she trotted along to keep up, clamoring that she wanted to go as well.

Chen Yi thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Pei Guanli chuckled softly and left the Spring Lotus Courtyard together with him.

Xiaodie watched them walk away, her heart filled with envy.

Of course, it was Pei Guanli she envied.

In truth, during these past days when Chen Yi had devoted all his mind to staying in the study and reading, Xiaodie had been the happiest person.

Even though Chen Yi did not require her attendance most of the time, she felt a sweet contentment in her heart, and her body was full of energy.

Boiling water, sweeping, washing clothes, serving tea and water, preparing meals, and so forth.

Xiaodie was accustomed to such days, and accustomed to remaining by Chen Yi's side.

Therefore, she very much disliked being left alone in the Spring Lotus Courtyard; though she would still clean the inside and outside of the courtyard spotlessly, her heart would always feel empty.

Xiaodie gazed blankly for a short while before she gathered her feelings, then ran back to the side room, took out *The Tale of the Marquis of Wu's Second Son-in-Law*, and began to write stroke by stroke.

"The twenty-first year of Anhe, the twenty-ninth day of the ninth month. The young master read books in the study during the morning, and I ran in to tell him that the imperial decree had arrived..."

Chen Yi naturally knew nothing of Xiaodie's thoughts.

He led Pei Guanli all the way through the middle courtyard and arrived at the front courtyard.

At this moment, Feng Erbao and the others who had run over to proclaim the decree had just left the Xiao residence, and the old master and the others were returning from the entrance.

Meeting them head-on, Chen Yi bowed down in greeting: "Old Master."

Old Master Xiao's expression was reasonably relaxed, seemingly unaffected by the Emperor's decree of punishment.

He cast a glance at Pei Guanli, and then his clear eyes fell upon Chen Yi. With a peaceful expression, he nodded and asked:

"I hear that Qingzhou is going to participate in the annual examination tomorrow?"

Chen Yi's gaze swept past Xiao Xuanshuo, Xiao Shen, and the others, and he responded with a smile.

"This old man believes that with your learning, the annual examination will not baffle you, but do not let your guard down either."

Old Master Xiao offered a few words of encouragement, and then cheerfully exchanged a few greetings with Pei Guanli, inquiring about the recent situation of the Mountain Tribe, before leading his people back to the Serene Residence.

Chen Yi exchanged greetings with the others one by one, and after watching their figures disappear around the corner, he finally took Pei Guanli's hand and stepped out of the Marquis Manor.

Pei Guanli asked thoughtfully, "Brother-in-law, I feel that Grandpa Xiao is somewhat different from before."

While sizing up the passing commoners and itinerant martial artists along the way, Chen Yi asked in a casual tone, "Different in what way?"

"He is barely coughing anymore?"

"I remember when we first arrived in Shu Province, Grandpa Xiao was very gravely ill. Looking at him now, he seems to have completely recovered, and moreover..."

Pei Guanli patted her chest, the silver bells jingling crisp and clear, "Xiaohua said that Old Grandpa Xiao is very powerful."

Chen Yi replied noncommittally, "Is that so? Perhaps the old master found a divine physician."

"A divine physician? Brother-in-law, aren't you..."

"Hmm?"

Pei Guanli almost let the secret slip; she stuck out her tongue and shut her mouth.

Yet after walking a few more steps, she could not resist asking again, "Brother-in-law, when do you plan to let Sister Jinghong know?"

Chen Yi's footsteps paused for a brief moment, and then he resumed his composed stride forward, "When it is time for her to know, she will know."

"Then when is that time?"

"Take a guess..."

For now, Liu Hong was dead, and along with him, the other people with insidious designs were mostly killed off; the crisis facing the Xiao family was temporarily averted.

Yet Chen Yi still had no intention of revealing everything to Xiao Jinghong.

Originally, he was worried that the identity of the "fledgling" placed upon him by the White Tiger Guards would make Xiao Jinghong suspect that he harbored designs against the Xiao family.

But after experiencing so many things, he suddenly realized that concealing a few matters brought no small amount of benefits.

Firstly, when outsiders targeted the Xiao family, they would mostly pay no heed to a scholar like him, at most thinking of him as a frail literatus who wrote decent calligraphy.

Secondly, the assets the Xiao family held in the shadows were far too meager, leaving them completely exposed to being seen through by others.

However, with him acting from the shadows, it would force those who wished to target the Xiao family to weigh the consequences.

At the very least, he would wait until he had swept away all obstacles and settled down for a period of time before speaking of it.

...

Inside the Serene Residence.

Old Master Xiao gave a few instructions to Xiao Xuanshuo, Xiao Shen, and the others, and then dismissed them.

The Emperor's imposition of punishment had not caught him by surprise.

Yet he had not expected that this time the Emperor would handle the matter so lightly, merely docking three years of salary before letting the issue pass.

Handling it in this manner, conversely, made him somewhat uneasy.

He pondered for a moment.

Master Xiao looked toward the corner and spoke in a low voice: "Tell Feng Erbao that he has already been here, everything in the mansion is as usual, let her focus on verifying the military forces of the three prefectures."

Xiao Jing bowed low in response, and was about to leave when Master Xiao continued, "There is also Chen Qingzhou..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Tell Xiao Jing that tomorrow Qingzhou will be going to the imperial examination."

Xiao Jing bowed again, but felt a certain unease in his heart.

Thinking that such a minor matter as the examination should not be told to Xiao Jing at this time, lest it distract her.

Master Xiao seemed unbothered by Xiao Jing's thoughts, and after a moment of silence, gave further instructions: "Lately, there have been many wandering warriors in Shuzhou, to prevent any evil influences from causing trouble, you should send a few people to follow Qingzhou..."

Before he could finish, he deemed it unsuitable and instead said, "Never mind, you go yourself."

Xiao Jing looked puzzled, "My lord, you want me to protect Second Uncle?"

"Protect him?"

Master Xiao's face grew complex, "If you can protect him, that would be better. I fear... I fear..."

He paused, then waved his hand and said, "Do as I say, remember not to make a sound or be seen."

Xiao Jing nodded. "As you wish."

Yet before he could leave, Master Xiao reminded him, "And remember, do not stay close to him, keep a distance of at least five li."

Xiao Jing blinked, confused, "This...?"

"Do as I say!"

"Yes..."

After Xiao Jing left, his head full of bewilderment, Master Xiao watched the teacup on the table and sighed softly.

In recent days, he had been secretly investigating, trying to determine what Chen Yi had done since arriving in Shuzhou, and where he had been seen.

After searching through all possibilities, he still did not believe Chen Yi was the notorious Liu Five, the so-called "Dragon and Tiger."

Though there were some traces, such as Wang Ji being driven out of the Xiao family by Chen Yi himself, and Chen Yi often seen at the Bai Caotang, and the fact that Chen Yi, Chen Yu, and Liu Five had never all appeared together.

But such evidence could only be speculative, and could not confirm that Chen Yi was indeed Chen Yu, or the "Dragon and Tiger" Liu Five.

Could one person truly excel in martial arts, medicine, and literature all at once?

Moreover, Chen Yu managed the Bai Caotang, Liu Five secretly supported the Xiao family, and Chen Yi worked as a teacher at Guiyun Shuyuan.

Perhaps he had multiple bodies?

Master Xiao rubbed his brow and muttered, "If no further evidence emerges, I fear I shall have to intervene myself..."

(End of Chapter)