Appointing Officials, Treasured Texts, and Discussing Flower Guest, A Lifetime of Laughing at Those in Books

Heng Hua's face darkened, and he slammed the table. "Old man, you want a talent like me, who studies and deduces scriptures, to go out and fight? That's a job for my third brother and the others."

The deduction of cultivation methods was at a critical juncture. How could he be distracted to go out now?

Xiang Feng: "..."

He silently swallowed his words, but he also had no intention of taking Little Sixth out with him.

Little Sixth had been living in Langhuan Pavilion for thirty years and had never properly gone out. His combat skills were too weak.

Taking him along would be bringing a burden upon himself, wouldn't it?

He thought disdainfully: Researchers who deduce scriptures and methods should just stay safely protected within the clan.

"I told you to go, so go. Stop with the nonsense. You barely leave your room, you're more delicate than a young lady. Letting you see the world will be good for your future."

"It's not good. It'll delay my cultivation instead. A scripture-deducing clansman like me, who deduces cultivation methods, is the brain of the entire Fu Family. The future cultivation of the entire Fu Family depends on my calculations. My existence is the hope for the Fu Family's prosperity!"

Fu Heng Hua pointed at his own nose, without a trace of shame. "My combat power is extremely weak. If something were to happen to me outside, it would be the greatest loss to the Fu Family. You wouldn't just be letting down my parents, but also all our ancestors. In the netherworld, my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather would whip you with their whips."

"You brat..."

Fu Danwei was furious. If this weren't his own grandson, whom he had raised with his own hands, he would have slapped him long ago.

"Whip me? I'll whip you to death first, you scoundrel."

He was a dignified Golden Core great cultivator. Who dared to speak to him like this usually?

"There's no room for negotiation on this matter. Don't you think about how many years it's been since you last went out?"

"Nonsense, I went out the day before yesterday."

"Yes, you came to Panlong Pavilion to pay your respects to me, and you didn't even leave Panlong Island."

"It's not a short distance from Langhuan Pavilion to Dragon Head Peak, okay?"

Fu Danwei said with utter contempt: "A mere few miles. With your Foundation Establishment cultivation, you can fly there in an instant. You don't even need to walk, your shoes won't get dirty.

"After paying your respects the day before yesterday, you ate a bowl of my Jade Rice Dragon Bamboo Rice and a Dragon Fish that had been aged for three hundred years."

Panlong Island wasn't large, but it occupied a lower-grade first-rank Panlong Spiritual Vein. Planting grains and raising fish and livestock here, nourished by the spiritual vein, naturally transformed them into Spirit Grain and Spirit Fish.

For cultivators, the effects of such food were no less than that of pills.

"And you also took the Red Jade Ornament I placed in my study—by the way, where is my 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'?"

Fu Danwei scanned the surroundings, not seeing where the ornament was placed.

Heng Hua's eyes flickered evasively: "It's on the third floor."

Sold it, no, preparing to sell it. To continue purchasing Spirit Figurines and deduce cultivation methods for our grandfather and grandson.

As a cultivator who deduced and taught methods, Fu Heng Hua naturally wouldn't just deduce cultivation methods for others; he was also deducing his own cultivation methods.

And he disdained low-level cultivation methods, vowing to tailor the most top-tier cultivation method for himself.

Furthermore, even with the disapproval of his elders at home, he still had to deduce Nascent Soul cultivation methods for the old man.

The pocket money the old man usually gave him naturally wasn't enough. He needed to constantly pester his grandfather, "hit him up for money," and exchange things for cash.

Even that wasn't enough. He also needed to deduce cultivation methods and translate ancient texts for others from time to time to earn money.

However--

An obscure method-deducing master outside would get no attention at all. He was clearly advertising "custom-made cultivation methods," but very few people believed him.

Why not ask the major sects to copy a cultivation method instead of finding an unknown method-deducer?

Compared to a custom-made one, people had more faith in existing cultivation methods that had been passed down for hundreds of years and practiced by everyone.

The only two people who commissioned him to customize cultivation methods.

The first was a Devilish Dao cultivator. After Heng Hua finished calculating the cultivation method, the other party immediately turned hostile and tried to kill him upon receiving it. As a result, the other party, along with their Cosmos Bag, turned to ashes.

Naturally, Heng Hua couldn't get the remaining payment, nor could he gain fame.

The second was an Immortal Dao cultivator who absconded with Fu Heng Hua's customized cultivation method, disappearing without a trace. He only paid the deposit to this day. He was so angry that his liver ached for days, and he almost went to his grandfather to beg for help in pursuing the killer.

But he didn't dare to make a fuss and could only suffer the loss in silence.

Because the Fu Family did not allow Fu Heng Hua to privately deduce cultivation methods for outsiders, let alone private customization. If Fu Danwei found out, he would break his grandson's legs first.

Fu Xiang Feng stepped forward at this moment, placating his grandfather with kind words.

"Please calm down, old man. Little Sixth is still young, don't take it out on him."

Descendants of cultivators had a lifespan of three hundred years. Fu Heng Hua, at sixty years old, was just a little kid in Fu Xiang Feng's eyes.

"If he doesn't want to go out, then he won't go out. I'll have him pay his respects to you more often, three times a day, as a form of exercise."

Heng Hua's eyes widened, staring straight at Fu Xiang Feng.

How devious! Three times a day? When would I have time to read and deduce methods?

"Do you think I care about how many times he pays his respects? I want him to go out! Do you know how many years it's been since he left the island?"

He gestured to Fu Xiang Feng: "Ten years, a full ten years! This brat is always holed up in the library. He never leaves Langhuan Pavilion usually!"

Heng Hua yawned, too lazy to listen to the old man's complaints.

Ten years, I'm tired of hearing it. I should think about what book to read tonight. Magic? No, still practicing Qi cultivation techniques, forget it, let's go with miscellaneous essays...

"The farthest he walks in a day is from Langhuan Pavilion to the Dragon Head Grand Hall in front. Tell him not to just sit there, but to get out and move around more. He never listens!"

"Why wouldn't I exercise?"

The young man snapped back to attention, baring his teeth and waving his claws, "I exercise a lot every day."

"Oh yeah? Come on, tell your third brother, how do you exercise?"

Heng Hua lifted his chin, saying with full confidence, "Practicing whip techniques and the Wind Riding Light Body technique."

"Tch-- Whip techniques? You take a spinning top and a whip, and run around the main entrance of Langhuan Pavilion a few times every day, and you call that exercise? You have the nerve to say you practice whip techniques?"

Xiang Feng's mouth opened, but he couldn't speak.

"Work and rest, understand? My Evergreen Technique requires stillness, not movement. Getting some fresh air and sunshine every day is enough."

Anyway, it's just a transition. His true cultivation method is about to be deduced. He'll have to disband his cultivation and start over then, so why bother with strenuous effort?

He chose the Evergreen Technique because it has the strongest effects for extending lifespan and maintaining youth.

Heng Hua's face is now as tender as a fourteen or fifteen-year-old's, all thanks to the youth-preserving effects of the Evergreen Technique.

Xiang Feng watched his grandfather and cousin argue and sighed, too lazy to get involved.

After all, his cousin, who grew up under his grandfather's care, was not afraid of his grandfather's fiery temper at all.

He calmly surveyed the pavilion's interior. In the center of the hall stood four screens, enclosing a small study. Inside, there were not only tables and chairs, and bookshelves, but also an incense table, a tea table, a zither stand, and a display cabinet filled with various exquisite decorations.

Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a strange tower-like structure on the cabinet.

The tall building had no upturned eaves or corners. It was square, a palm-sized cuboid.

At first glance, seeing its pure white color, Xiang Feng mistook it for an ivory carving. But upon closer inspection, he realized it was built from grains of long-grain rice.

This was Dragon Scale Rice from Panlong Island.

The rice grains were warm and white, hollowed out inside. Each grain contained a small room. Eight or nine rooms were stacked to form a layer, and then the grains were stacked layer upon layer, with different scenes in each room. Some small rooms even had children playing and reading.

After careful counting, this palm-sized cuboid tower contained hundreds of rooms.

"What exquisite craftsmanship. Although I've been cultivating for a long time and have studied swordsmanship extensively, I've never been good at such intricate work."

Meanwhile, the grandfather and grandson's argument yielded no results. Seeing Xiang Feng staring intently at the small ornament, Fu Danwei snorted lightly, "Now you know how idle your cousin is usually. Hiding in the pavilion with nothing to do, what's the point of 'rice carving' and 'sand engraving'? Indulging in trivialities, what use is it?"

"Art, this is art. Moreover, practicing manual skills is helpful for forming seals and casting spells."

"Tch-- If you have this much time, you might as well practice your sword. When you're out in the world, your ability to form seals and cast spells is enough to make several sword strikes."

The grandfather and grandson started arguing again.

Xiang Feng stared at the rice carving tower and, next to it, saw a small pile of sand arranged in a square. Each grain of sand had a single character carved on it, incredibly tiny. If Xiang Feng hadn't achieved his cultivation and possessed sharp eyesight, he probably wouldn't have been able to see it clearly:

The spirit does not roam outward, the essence does not leak, The Qi does not dissipate, the spiritual sprout is planted. The five elements and four symbols enter the central palace, Why worry about the Golden Core not forming on its own? Within there is the true star, without there is a response, The sky is full of illusory flowers, descending like white snow. One yang returns, the Water and Fire interact, In the middle appears the full moon.

Xiang Feng carefully pondered and discovered that this poem was actually a cultivation mantra.

He secretly marveled at his cousin's attainments in practicing techniques and performing magic.

Then, he felt ashamed: his third uncle and aunt passed away, and his cousin moved to Langhuan Pavilion alone. I usually took good care of him, feeling like I had repaid the kindness of my uncle and aunt. But now, seeing his cousin carving characters on grains of sand and sculpting rice, it's evident how lonely he usually is. This is our oversight.

After thinking this, he said to Fu Heng Hua, "As cultivators of our family, we should strive and contribute to the family. You stay at home all day, how can you contribute to the clan..."

Seeing Fu Heng Hua wave his identity jade token, Xiang Feng suddenly remembered his identity and duties, and swallowed the rest of his words.

"I'm not just enjoying the family's protection. The contributions I've made to the family are far more than yours, third brother. You go out and conquer territories, at most you get one major merit or a few minor merits. But I spend all day deducing cultivation methods for the clansmen. Major merits... Heh heh... On the merit roll, I alone am equal to all of our generation combined."

"Cough cough..."

Xiang Feng decisively changed his approach, "Staying cooped up in the study every day will drive a person crazy sooner or later. You should go out more often, see the sights, and socialize. This will cultivate your temperament and broaden your horizons."

"There is gold in books, and human relationships in books. I guard Langhuan Pavilion, observing the myriad aspects of human life, joys, and sorrows in books. It's quite good."

"Isn't that lonely? Besides Howling Fish and Eternal Longevity, you're so cold and desolate, it's too austere."

Come to think of it. If grandfather is no longer here in ten years, and the others from Baihuang Hall move away, leaving only his cousin on Panlong Island, wouldn't it be even more desolate?

Xiang Feng suddenly understood his grandfather's loving heart and followed along, persuading him to travel.

But Fu Heng Hua shook his head repeatedly after hearing this, "I read and enjoy myself every day, deduce profound techniques, and have a group of friends accompanying me. It's good, I'm not lonely at all."

"Friends?"

Fu Xiang Feng's expression was strange, and he subconsciously looked at Fu Dan Wei.

He's been cooped up in the study all day, where would he get friends?

Fu Dan Wei seemed to have thought of something, let out a cold laugh, and stood to the side with his arms crossed, "Kid, introduce your friends to your third brother so he can meet them."

Heng Hua rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with him. "Old man, this is called elegance, do you understand elegance?"

"Scorched branches and withered leaves, dying at the end of the year; clay figures and porcelain shards, shattering at a touch. How can these dead things be called 'elegant'?"

Seeing that the two of them, grandfather and grandson, were going in circles, Xiang Feng said kindly, "If you have friends, introduce your humble brother to them. Coincidentally, I've brought many gifts back this time, which can be presented as tokens of introduction."

"That won't be necessary, you can just give it all to me, Third Brother."

Xiang Feng chuckled, "Your share is certainly not lacking. But your friends should also have a share."

After hearing this, Heng Hua pointed at the desk.

Objects flew from the desk one by one.

"Come, come, all of you, pay your respects to my Third Brother."

First, several brushes flew over one after another, transforming into slender scholars who nodded at Fu Xiangfeng.

"This is my family's scholar, with the elegant title 'Diligent Scholar'. He is my confidant, whom I see day and night, and have not parted from for thirty years."

Then, a pair of golden scissors used for cutting paper flew over with a "clack clack," circling Xiang Feng three times, taking on the appearance of a woman in golden attire.

Heng Hua added, "This is Qi Sifeng, with the elegant title 'Kuai Ge Yin Jun'."

"..."

Fu Xiangfeng's expression stiffened, his smile barely holding.

Afterward, a seal flew over.

"This is Ming Xin Gongzi."

Heng Hua clapped his hand, channeling Magical Power into the seal. It transformed into a white-clothed young man who bore a slight resemblance to Heng Hua.

The young man smiled, bowed to Xiang Feng, and then returned to the desk.

Xiang Feng's mouth hung open, staring dumbfounded at these stationery items.

Brush rest, water dish, paperweight, inkstone...

Heng Hua named them one by one, having them transform into human form to pay their respects before returning to their original places.

Finally, a bamboo cage hopped from the bed. Inside, two small balls jiggled back and forth, tinkling.

Heng Hua: "A few days ago was Lixia, and the weather is getting warmer. My current favorite is the 'Bamboo Lady'."

Bamboo Lady, also known as Green Slave. A bamboo woven item used for cooling in the summer.

It transformed into a beautiful woman in green, who bowed deeply to Xiang Feng before returning to its place.

Taking a deep breath, Fu Xiangfeng managed a strained smile. "Cousin, are these the friends you speak of?"

Giving names and titles to stationery items, how bored must one be to do that!

"There are more than just these. Outside my study, there is a group of Flower Guests."

"In spring, I watch them compete in beauty and vie for favor. In summer, I discuss profound theories with the gentlemen of the secluded streams. When autumn arrives, I attend the banquets of the Longevity Guests, drinking osmanthus wine with the Rock Guests. In the depths of winter, I sleep with Clear Cold, awaiting the dawn of spring."

Xiang Feng listened to him speak, momentarily bewildered.

Fu Danwei snorted, "What this brat is talking about are the flowers and grasses outside the study.

'Demon Flowers' are peach blossoms. The beautiful ones are apricot blossoms. In spring, he watches the peach and apricot blossoms compete in splendor from his window. The 'gentlemen of the secluded streams' are orchids and lotuses, highly favored by us Xuanmen cultivators, with whom one can discuss profound theories and the Dao. The Longevity and Rock Guests refer to golden osmanthus and sweet osmanthus. Mid-Autumn Festival, he enters the chrysanthemum bushes and eats osmanthus wine. As for the so-called Clear Cold guests, they are plum blossoms and winter sweet blossoms. When all the flowers wither in winter, he waits with the plum and winter sweet blossoms for the spring of the following year.

"Thirty years of life in the study, and he has spent them watching thirty cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter."

Naming flowers, such idle leisure.

Xiang Feng thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "Little Sixth, do you intend to bestow sentience upon these flowers and trees, creating some flower and tree spirits?"

While traveling outside, he had indeed seen cultivators with a harem of flower spirits, indulging in romantic pleasures daily.

"Whether plants gain sentience depends entirely on fate. If my Flower Guests have such a fate, I certainly wouldn't be stingy with imparting the Dharma. If they merely cycle through the seasons and wither and flourish, then so be it."

Having lived two lives and cultivated his mind and character in the study for thirty years, Heng Hua's mindset was quite open-minded.

"Alright, Third Brother, Grandfather. You don't need to worry about me. If I find it boring, I will naturally go out and move around."

Seeing that Xiang Feng still wanted to persuade him, Heng Hua pointed to the fishpond outside the door. "These fish swimming and swaying, do you think they are happy or suffering?"

"I'm not a fish, how would I know their suffering or joy?"

"Third Brother is not a fish, so he doesn't understand the joy of fish. Likewise, he is not me, so he doesn't understand my joy."

Reading books and enacting techniques, leisurely and at ease.

Heng Hua's only concern at the moment was his grandfather's remaining ten years of lifespan.

For this, he would inevitably have to rush around outside not long from now, but not yet.

Fengmen Island, going there is meaningless.

However, Fu Danwei's attitude this time was very firm:

"There is no room for refusal in this matter. Go with your Third Brother for a while. No matter how much you deduce cultivation techniques, your own cultivation cannot be neglected. I don't want to hear again that a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot defeat someone in the Qi Refining stage and has become a laughingstock of all the great families."

Instantly, Fu Heng Hua fell silent.

He crossed his arms, seemingly contemplating something.

Fu Danwei felt the other party had no retort and was filled with shame. He continued, "Although the Wei family's kid is a sword prodigy and recently joined the East Sea Sword Sect, weren't you ashamed when you, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, couldn't even defeat a Qi Refining cultivator back then?"

The Wei family and the Fu family were sworn enemies.

Ten years ago, Fu Danwei had to beg and plead to get this kid to go out just once. As a result, he ran into the Wei family's genius blocking his path. Not only did the kid suffer a crushing defeat, but he also used it as an excuse to hide in Langhuan Pavilion and refuse to go out again.

He claimed the outside world was too dangerous for a wise man like him who relied on deduction and calculation.

"When I was your age, I wouldn't say I was invincible in the surrounding area, but I certainly wouldn't have lost to a mere Qi Refining cultivator."

Heng Hua said faintly, "Today is the seventh day of the fourth month. If I calculate correctly, the Wei family's fool should be dead by now, right?"

"Dead? You can actually calculate whether he's dead or not?"

Hearing about the Wei family's sword-cultivating genius, Xiang Feng's heart stirred, and his eyes became thoughtful.

"Losing once isn't shameful," Fu Danwei said earnestly. "Go out with your third brother sometime and improve your combat skills. You can win next time. Remember, no one wins forever. A single defeat means nothing."

"Grandfather believes that with your talent, you'll definitely be able to defeat that kid next time you meet him."

No, he didn't believe it.

Fu Danwei didn't believe in his heart that his grandson, who wasn't good at fighting, could defeat that sword prodigy.

That was a sword prodigy who had swept through the younger generation. According to their group's estimations, that kid would only need eighty years to forge a Golden Core.

However, letting his grandson go out to see the scenery and enjoy some freedom was one of the few things he could do before his death.

Thinking of this, Fu Danwei looked at his two grandsons before him and fell into sadness.

"Later, I'll pass down my magic treasure to you. If you meet that guy again, just directly—"

"Grandfather, we might not need to fight. If Little Six encounters Wei Xingyu again..."

"He'll definitely win!"

Fu Danwei snapped back to reality and repeatedly signaled to Xiang Feng.

Even though he knew they couldn't win, he had to say some encouraging words to get the kid to go out.

Xiang Feng said helplessly, "When I returned, I did see people from the East Sea Sword Sect go to the Wei family to deliver condolences. It's highly likely it was Wei Xingyu."

Supplementary Record:

In his youth, Tianzu loved to read and appreciated elegance. He often found joy in flowers and his writings were renowned. The elegant appellations for literary treasures today originated from him.

--Fu Family Annals · Biography of Fu Heng Hua