This Journey to Shengjing

In the early morning of the sixth day, a slight chill had already settled over the city.

The red sun emerged from a massive, blood-red wound in the sky, only to be shrouded by mist, resembling a pickled egg yolk. It cast a desolate scene over Yuyang County, both inside and out.

As Ji You pushed open the door of his ancestral home, he saw a scholar on the empty street, walking out of the morning mist with a bamboo basket on his back, a bundle slung over his left arm, and half a flatbread in his right hand.

"Brother Ji, good morning."

Ji You, having just locked the gate, was momentarily stunned by his appearance. "Cai Chen..."

Kuang Cheng, not hearing clearly, walked closer. "I am also departing for the capital today. The journey is long and arduous, so I've come to bid you farewell here. I wish you a smooth immortal path, Brother Ji."

"You're going to the capital alone?"

Kuang Cheng nodded. "If it weren't for the Qiu Family's matters delaying me for five days, I might have already left."

Ji You glanced at the misty morning sky and noticed the west was still a gloomy gray. "How does one get from Yuyang County to Shengjing?"

"First, take a carriage southwest, then walk around Dongshou Mountain, and then take another carriage. Mortals are not allowed to pass within a hundred-mile radius of Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion. I still have to detour, then take a carriage from Moguyizhan..."

"That sounds so troublesome. How much silver will this trip cost you?"

"About five qian of silver."

Ji You blinked slightly. "You're a young master, aren't you? Are you sure five qian is enough?"

Kuang Cheng paused, then clutched his bundle. "Scholars must strive to fulfill their aspirations. I don't need to stay in inns; I can lodge in ancient temples. Although there have been many rumors of demons and ghosts in temples these years, I possess righteous energy, so I am not afraid."

"Do you really have righteous energy?"

"Well... I'm not entirely sure, but that's what the books say."

"That's too dangerous, Brother Kuang!"

Ji You narrowed his eyes and scrutinized him. "Why don't I go with you? I'm quite interested in ancient temples with ghosts."

Kuang Cheng looked a bit confused. "There's no need for that, Brother Ji. Although the road to the imperial examination is fraught with peril, two out of five can survive, and it might as well be me."

"Only two survive? Then indeed, there's no need."

Ji You pondered for a moment, then looked up at him. "You're the only heir of the Kuang family. It would be such a shame if you died on the road."

Kuang Cheng tilted his head back, looking at the sky that wasn't yet fully bright. "If that's what's meant to be, then it's fate."

"Come with me."

"?"

Ji You slung his bundle over his shoulder. "I heard Fang Ruoyao is bringing a maidservant with her. I figure I can also bring a young attendant to study with me. Traveling by immortal ship would certainly be more comfortable than you going around in circles."

Kuang Cheng was slightly taken aback. After a moment of thought, he chuckled and refused. "I am but a commoner, how could I dare to ride on a treasure ship of a cultivator?"

"Your lips are twitching."

"I am not."

After a long silence, Ji You suddenly extended his hand. "Give me the travel expenses, five qian of silver!"

Kuang Cheng hesitated for a long time, then took his bundle off his shoulder. He opened it layer by layer, finally pulling out a bulging money purse. He then found the smallest piece of silver and placed it in Ji You's hand.

Even this smallest piece, when weighed, seemed to exceed five qian.

What kind of scholar needs to suffer their heart's desires, Ji You frowned, his brow creasing like a river. "You have so much, give me some more."

"Brother Ji, too much wealth can cloud the mind..."

"Why aren't you afraid?"

Kuang Cheng held his money purse. "Because I am a scholar, and I possess righteous energy..."

Ji You fell silent again, then politely resorted to begging, and managed to extort about two taels and three qian of silver, which he pocketed.

By this time, the lingering twilight was fading, and the heavenly light began to spread. Figures started to appear and move about the city.

The period between autumn harvest and spring plowing is not a time of leisure for farmers. The people of Yuyang County still had to go up the mountains to gather firewood or work further afield, living a hard life year after year.

The two watched this scene in silence for a long time.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

The dew was heavy on this early autumn morning, and by the time they left the city, their clothes were already damp.

But fortunately, the sun soon broke through the clouds and mist. A ray of dawn light streamed down, piercing through the city gate and illuminating the ground beneath the scholar's and the young man's feet with a golden glow, stretching their shadows longer and longer.

When they reached the area outside the city, many figures were already gathered in the open space in front of the county monument.

Cao Jinsong, Pei Ruyi, the Fang father and daughter, and the Qiu family of three were all there.

In addition, the villagers who had recognized Ji You at the threshing ground that day had also gathered to see him off.

Seeing Ji You and Kuang Cheng walk out of the city one after another, the little Qiu Ru suddenly broke free from her mother's embrace, ran over on her small legs, and hugged Ji You's thigh, looking up at his mouth.

"Little girl, you're getting heavier and heavier."

"Young master, Ru Ru ate meat at the County Magistrate's house. It was delicious! Father was lying. I wanted to save a piece for you, but my mouth wouldn't let me, and it made me cry!"

Ji You couldn't help but chuckle. Just then, the Qiu couple arrived, holding a bundle. "Young master, this is the silver we got for saving Ru Ru. Please take it with you on your journey..."

Li Shuping also knelt down with a plop, saying, "Young master, this humble woman was ignorant before and always spoke ill of you. Yet, you saved Ru Ru in the end. This humble woman kowtows to you here..."

"There's no need for that."

Ji You reached out and helped Li Shuping up. "I consider the third family on the Nanya River to be my own, and Qiu Ru is my sister. I will definitely return many times before ascending to become an immortal. If you always treat me like this, how can I come back?"

Hearing the word "ascension" spoken so casually, Cao Jinsong's eyelids twitched slightly.

This young man's words, spoken with such nonchalance, revealed an underlying dominance. He was indeed no ordinary person.

Old Qiu handed over a bundle at this moment. "Young master, please take this with you. You won't know anyone when you leave home, and many things require money. Don't neglect yourself."

"No need, Old Qiu. I have money. Please keep this for your household expenses."

"When the Ji family fled, they took all their belongings with them and didn't leave a single ingot for you. Old Qiu here knows better than you, young master. Please don't refuse."

"It's not a refusal; young master, I truly have money."

Ji You, seeing his disbelief, reached out and patted Kuang Cheng's bundle.

Kuang Cheng fell silent for a moment, suddenly recalling the scene of him covered in blood at the Ji residence.

That day, Ji You had sighed to him, saying that the Qingyun World was ultimately missing a peerless bandit of astonishing talent. But why did he feel like it wasn't missing anything?

"Everyone, a guest must eventually part ways, even after a thousand-mile journey. Let's say our goodbyes here."

"If any of the neighbors have free time, please help me clean up the house. If any of the Ji clan members return, please entrust it to them."

After speaking, Ji You turned his head, looking at the rising sun and the continuous mountain ranges in the distance, and let out a gentle breath.

He felt that he hadn't come here without reason, but rather that there were things he needed to accomplish.

"Let's go, young man. Let's go meet the winds of destiny."