Returning home in glory

Cups passed back and forth in the restaurant, and the clamor never ceased.

Chu Bai politely declined the invitation to continue the evening at an even more extravagant pleasure house and left the private room alone.

The corridor outside was brightly lit, with maids and servants weaving to and fro, every bit as lively.

He had only taken a few steps when he came face-to-face with a tall, slender figure.

The man wore a blue-green robe and carried himself with quiet composure. It was Li Han, the runner-up in this county examination.

Li Han had evidently just escaped his own social engagements. At the sight of Chu Bai, he paused briefly, then smiled warmly and cupped his hands. "Brother Chu, what a coincidence."

"Brother Li." Chu Bai returned the greeting, his expression calm.

The two headed downstairs side by side. Though Li Han came from a cultivation Lineage, he lacked the arrogance of an Aristocratic Clan scion and was, in fact, quite talkative.

"After today, we'll truly be fellow students." Li Han sighed, looking out the window at Anping County's bustling nightscape. His tone grew more solemn. "But once we enter the Prefectural Dao Academy, the real trials will only just begin."

At those words, Chu Bai glanced at him.

Li Han continued, "Great Wall Prefecture governs seventy-two counties, and Anping County is only one of them. When the Prefectural Dao Academy opens, outstanding talents from all seventy-two counties will gather under one roof, along with the local Aristocratic Clan scions from the Prefectural City. That will truly be a gathering of heroes, with crouching tigers and hidden dragons."

He paused briefly, then looked meaningfully at Chu Bai. "In a place like that, going it alone is bound to be difficult. Since we're from the same region and both hail from Anping, we could look out for each other once we reach the Prefectural City."

Something stirred in Chu Bai's heart.

He had known little about Li Han before this, only that he was capable yet kept a low profile. He had not expected him to see things so clearly.

But on reflection, it made sense. Great Wall Prefecture was vast; how could there be any shortage of outstanding talents throughout its lands?

"You're quite right, Brother Li. I couldn't ask for more than to have your support." Chu Bai nodded in agreement.

Seeing how readily Chu Bai agreed, Li Han's smile broadened. He immediately asked, "When do you plan to set out, Brother Chu?"

"Early tomorrow morning."

"What a coincidence. That was my intention too." Li Han smiled. "It's a long journey to Great Wall Prefecture. Why don't we travel together?"

"I'd be glad to."

At the restaurant entrance, they agreed on a time and place to meet the next day, then cupped their hands in farewell and went their separate ways.

After he left the county town, the night deepened.

Chu Bai followed the familiar dirt road home. Once he crossed the low hill and caught sight of the village in the distance, he could not help stopping.

The little village, normally pitch-black after nightfall, was now ablaze with lights.

Red lanterns from who knew where hung from the great locust tree at the village entrance. He could faintly hear the clamor of gongs and drums, strikingly out of place in the still night.

"Which family is celebrating a happy occasion?"

Puzzled, Chu Bai quickened his pace to take a closer look, only to find the village entrance already packed with people.

At the front stood the elderly clan head and the village chief. These two normally commanded great respect, but now they wore fresh clothes washed to a faded white, their wrinkled faces blooming like chrysanthemums as they eagerly craned their necks.

Surrounded by everyone like the moon encircled by stars stood Chu Father and Chu Mother, along with Chu Bai's younger brother and sister, who looked bewildered but excited.

"He's back! Chu Bai's back!"

A sharp-eyed child shouted, and the noisy crowd fell silent for an instant before erupting into an even greater commotion.

"Oh, our honored top scorer has returned!"

"An immortal descended to earth!"

"Top Scorer Chu, your success has truly brought honor to our clan. Here are three taels of silver, if you would..."

The village chief and clan head practically trotted over to welcome him. Their overwhelming warmth left Chu Bai unsure whether to laugh or cry.

He had known he could not keep his first-place result secret, but he had not expected the reaction to come so quickly or be so great.

Chu Father and Chu Mother stood amid the crowd, watching their son surrounded by important figures. Their faces held both undisguised pride and the awkward unease of honest farmers confronted with such a grand occasion.

Watching this scene, Chu Bai felt no vain pleasure. Instead, his understanding was as clear as a polished mirror.

This was "influence."

He now held a place in the Dao Registry and had topped the county examination. In the eyes of these ordinary villagers, that made him a mighty figure whose connections reached the heavens.

Naturally, he exchanged a few courteous words with the clan head and village chief, accepting the silver he ought to accept and giving these elders all the face they could wish for.

He would be leaving on a long journey tomorrow. Once he left, years might pass before he could return.

Only by accepting their "fawning" and taking on this hollow prestige could he make his parents' lives in the village easier.

In the future, anyone thinking of bullying the Chu Household would have to weigh the consequences of offending that "honored top scorer" in the Prefectural City.

"Uncles and elders, I've only just finished the examination today, and I'm truly rather tired. I also have to leave early tomorrow morning to report to the Prefectural City. I appreciate your kindness in arranging this celebration feast, but let's leave it for another day."

After finally dealing with the enthusiastic villagers, Chu Bai used packing his belongings as an excuse and led his relieved family back to their little courtyard.

At home, another round of heartfelt advice and reminders followed, which needed no further recounting.

By the time he had settled his family, the night was deep.

Chu Bai went alone to the banks of the Three-Bath River outside the village.

The river breeze was damp and cold, carrying the familiar fishy scent of the water.

Standing on the bank, he narrowed his eyes slightly, circulated his [pure bathing spell power], and extended his perception toward the river's surface.

A moment later, he slowly withdrew his gaze and shook his head gently.

He could no longer sense the cluster of pure bathing spirit flow that had once helped him break through to qi refining.

Wild spiritual energy was like rootless duckweed, drifting with the current.

He had not come for several days, and that cluster of spirit flow had long since drifted to who knew where. Perhaps it had dispersed into the vast river, or perhaps it had sunk into more dangerous deep waters.

If he insisted on searching, finding it was not impossible. But that would require venturing deep into the river, which was both too risky and unnecessary.

"So be it. Unless the old goes, the new won't come."

Chu Bai felt no regret.

The Three-Bath River was indeed a treasure trove. Unfortunately, he would need a higher cultivation level before he could venture into its depths.

He walked into a secluded reed bed and untied the rope fastened to a wooden stake.

It belonged to a small black-canopied boat he had rented long-term for his cultivation.

The oars cut through the water as Chu Bai deftly rowed the boat several li downstream to a solitary thatched cottage.

Knock, knock, knock.

The knocking rang especially clearly in the quiet night.

"Who is it... at this hour?"

An aged, hoarse voice came from inside, and then the wooden door slowly opened.

An old fisherman with a worn padded jacket draped over his shoulders poked his head out, holding an oil lamp. When he recognized the youth standing outside, his cloudy eyes widened abruptly, and he nearly lost his grip on the lamp.

"I-Immortal Master Chu?!"

The old fisherman had evidently heard the news as well. At the sight of Chu Bai, his knees buckled, and he started to kneel. "This old man had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I didn't know the honored top scorer had come..."

Chu Bai reacted swiftly, sending a gentle force beneath the old man's elbows to keep him from kneeling.

"You're being far too formal, sir. I only came to return the boat."

Chu Bai pointed at the little boat moored by the river and said gently, "Thank you for accommodating me these past days. Here's the remaining rent. Please take it."

As he spoke, he drew a string of copper coins from inside his robe and placed it on the battered wooden table by the door.

The old fisherman waved his hands frantically, his face deathly pale. "I couldn't! I simply couldn't! You'll bring more honor than this old man can bear! Your using my boat was a blessing for that battered thing... I must return the money you paid before too..."

With that, he started back inside to search for the copper coins.

"One matter is one matter; another is another."

Chu Bai held the old fisherman's hand still. Though his voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable firmness. "Paying to rent a boat is only right and proper. I'm not short of this little bit of money, so please don't refuse."

With that, without waiting for the old fisherman to say anything else, Chu Bai turned and walked into the night.

"He... he truly is a living immortal..."

Chu Bai walked along the field ridges toward home, his steps light.

His ties here had been settled; nothing remained to weigh him down.

Tomorrow would bring Great Wall Prefecture, and a new journey.