White Immortal Cave

"Three thousand taels?!"

Everyone nearby sucked in a sharp breath when they heard that.

They had seen money before, but they had never imagined that a random personal accessory on Nineteen Young Master could sell for so much. The looks many people nearby gave Chen Luo changed.

This fellow is far too lucky. Judging by his clothes, he should be from under the Department of Miscellaneous Affairs.

Several clerks nearby were already considering how to make this Department of Miscellaneous Affairs fellow obediently hand over the item later. They did not want it to make money; they wanted to curry favor with Nineteen Young Master. If they managed to attach themselves to such an important figure, they would have no worries for the rest of their lives.

It was also because Qingya County had only recently undergone changes. Otherwise, even if not the Esteemed County Magistrate, the secretary below him would definitely recognize one of their own. Chen Luo had calculated this, which was why he dared to mingle openly among them. These people probably had never imagined that anyone would have the nerve to infiltrate the County Yamen while the army was still there.

Nineteen Young Master smiled, put the item away, and returned to his seat. He understood these people's thoughts very well, but he did not care.

So long as he obtained what he wanted, why should he care whether anyone else lived or died?

In his eyes, even if Chen Luo was secretly killed by someone afterward, it would only mean his fate was poor and he could not bear such towering wealth.

"Thank you, Young Master! Thank you, Young Master!"

Chen Luo looked overjoyed. When he looked at Nineteen Young Master, the smile on his face grew even more radiant. Naturally, everyone around took that smile for fawning. It was only right for a small fry to fawn over an important figure, and no one suspected a thing.

Chen Luo was happy too, because he had finally confirmed something.

Nineteen Young Master truly possessed a method for sensing Immortal Treasures, but its capabilities were extremely limited. Chen Luo had fooled him merely by infusing a tiny amount of pale blue energy.

"You may leave. There is nothing else for you to do here."

Looking at Chen Luo's smiling face, Nineteen Young Master inexplicably felt his scalp prickle.

An illusion. It must be an illusion!

Nineteen Young Master lifted the wine cup from the table and took a sip, then laughed at the absurd thought. He was the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning. Though born of a concubine, in a tiny place like Qingya County, he was unquestionably the most exalted person here. A mere County Yamen servant and errand boy was as far beneath him as heaven was from earth. After today, there could never be another intersection between them; they were fated to be two parallel lines.

What threat could such a person possibly pose to him?

"If there is nothing else, leave."

Though he had thought it through, Nineteen Young Master still dismissed Chen Luo.

"Yes. Many thanks, Nineteen Young Master."

Holding the ring Nineteen Young Master had given him, Chen Luo withdrew with a smile on his face.

Although the several clerks nearby were tempted, none of them spoke.

If they demanded the item Nineteen Young Master had just bestowed, would that not be slapping their master's face? They had to wait until later, when no one was paying attention, before making their move. Then, with a few empty promises, would a servant who had never seen the world not be theirs for the taking? He would obediently offer it up.

After leaving the courtyard, Chen Luo slowly straightened his bent back. He glanced behind him at the still-lively scene within the courtyard, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

Night.

Zi Shi.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Nineteen Young Master declined Prefect Zhou and the others' invitations and headed toward the separate residence.

The Middle-aged Scholar followed behind him.

Only after entering the separate residence and sending away all the guards did the two sit down, without the slightest trace of drunkenness remaining between their brows.

Even then, Nineteen Young Master was not at ease. He got up and walked to the door, glanced left and right, and only relaxed after confirming that no one was there.

"Heir Apparent, that servant today..."

As Nineteen Young Master's teacher, the Middle-aged Scholar had seen everything that happened at the banquet. Earlier, with so many people and so many mouths, it had not been convenient for him to ask. Now that only the two of them remained, he naturally had to get to the bottom of it.

His interests were tied to Nineteen Young Master's on the same line. He had to understand the Young Master's purpose in doing this, then help devise strategies and seek an opportunity to turn things around.

"Teacher, have you heard of Immortal Cultivators?"

Nineteen Young Master sat by the table and placed the Jade Slip beside the candlestick, the excitement on his face nearly impossible to suppress.

Immortal Cultivators?!

The Middle-aged Scholar's pupils abruptly contracted. Then, as if remembering something, he shot to his feet and stared eagerly at the Jade Slip in Nineteen Young Master's hand.

He had been to the Capital City before, so he naturally knew about Immortal Cultivators.

In the Yue Kingdom, the shadows of Immortal Cultivators stood behind the highest-ranking nobles. Though those people stood high above and never lowered their gazes to the mortal world, every movement they made influenced this nation. Everyone dreamed of one day encountering Immortal Destiny and becoming one of those "above the heavens."

"That is right. This Jade Slip is an immortal's possession! That servant was stupid as a pig and had no idea of this thing's true value."

As he spoke, Nineteen Young Master took out the Jade Pendant he wore close to his body.

The instant the Jade Pendant appeared, it echoed with the Jade Slip from afar.

The words hidden within the two objects slowly emerged, and a faint pale-blue glow appeared inside the room.

"It is the Immortal Script of White Immortal Cave! The words recorded on this Jade Slip must have been left behind by an immortal master of White Immortal Cave. With this, I can enter White Immortal Cave and obtain an Opportunity to Hear the Dao for three months." At this point, Nineteen Young Master no longer hid the fervor in his eyes.

He was not afraid of his teacher knowing.

Having fallen to such a state, he had to display some value. Otherwise, one day, his teacher might defect to one of his other brothers.

Nineteen Young Master understood his own weakness very clearly. Without his teacher's support, he could never defeat those brothers.

"An Opportunity to Hear the Dao? Only one opportunity?"

The Middle-aged Scholar had already calmed down and begun considering the interests involved behind this matter.

He had initially believed Prince Ning had completely abandoned this son. Now, it seemed there was quite a bit of information behind this matter that he did not know.

"One chance is already extremely rare. White Immortal Cave is an Immortal Dwelling. The 'Immortal Script' they release is a Disciple Selection Method, which also accords with the immortals' saying of 'Destined Affinity.' So long as one carries the Immortal Script there, one is considered a person of affinity. The three-month opportunity to hear the Dao is the method of selection. Dao Comprehenders may remain, while those who fail will be expelled."

"Why does Young Master know so much?"

"When I was seven, I went there once with this Jade Pendant. It was also that time that my aptitude was tested..."

At this point, Nineteen Young Master's gaze fell upon the Middle-aged Scholar.

"Teacher, I have told you all my secrets."

The middle-aged scholar sighed upon hearing this. He rose, cupped his hands toward Nineteen Young Master, and said earnestly,

"I will certainly not disappoint the Heir Apparent."

"Hahahaha! Good. If I can become an immortal in the future, I will surely help my teacher across as well, so you too may attain the Dao, become an immortal, and live forever." Nineteen Young Master imitated his father and made his teacher an empty promise. If it had been any other promise, the middle-aged scholar certainly would not have taken it to heart.

But Immortal Destiny!

There was no one in this world whose heart would not be moved by it.

"So that is how it is. May I ask where this White Immortal Cave is? Could the Heir Apparent clear up my confusion?" A voice suddenly rang out from beyond the window.

Bang!!

The next moment, a thunderous crash sounded as the window Nineteen Young Master had tightly shut burst open.

Chen Luo, dressed entirely in black, vaulted in from outside. His attire was only missing the words I am not a good person written across his face.