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Chapter 206 Death Will
After the spring flowers gradually awaken in March, it will be the season for peach blossoms to bloom.

Heading east from the eastern suburbs of Shengjing, one can see the vast peach orchards of Yunhe County in the distance. The pink expanse is a sight to behold, attracting countless immortals and literati every year.

Entering from the east, you'll find a long walkway amidst lush peach trees. Continuing eastward, you'll reach Peach Blossom Lake and Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui went for a stroll and chatted about spring plowing in Fengzhou. They talked about the spectacular sight of cultivators reclaiming land and the drinking party between the disciples of the Immortal Manor and the common people at night.

However, he did not tell Wei Rui about Fengzhou taking in the private repairman.

The more people who know about this, the more likely Brother Ji is to get into trouble, and whether Wei Rui knows about it or not makes no difference.

The afternoon was a little gloomy, with dark clouds gathering in the sky, suggesting that a light rain was about to fall.

The weather around Qingming Festival is like this: one moment it's sunny and bright, and the next it's raining. So the carriages that went out for spring outings are heading back to Shengjing one after another.

Some people picked a few peach blossoms, while others drank a few pots of tea.

Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui also rode back together, but before entering the city gate, Kuang Cheng got off the carriage and parted ways with the girl Rui'er in the carriage.

This caution stemmed from a desire to protect a girl's reputation, which made Wei Rui even more tempted.

After saying goodbye, Kuang Cheng walked alone through Changsheng Street and felt a cold wind rising in the city.

This is the lingering chill of winter; its return will likely bring two or three days of overcast and cold weather before temperatures begin to rise steadily until summer arrives.

Kuang Cheng walked along the alley, and before he reached his own house, he saw a figure loitering in front of the door.

As he moved a little further forward, he discovered that the person standing at the door was Ji You, who was wearing a white robe embroidered with silver thread and looking up at a peach tree in the opposite courtyard, holding a jar of wine in his hand.

"Brother Ji?"

"I've come to have a couple of drinks with you."

Ji You turned around, picked up the wine jar, and shook it at him twice, making a sloshing sound as the wine sloshed inside. "Open the door quickly. I've been standing here for ages. I knew you were a heartless scoundrel who went out with Wei Rui again."

Kuang Cheng coughed and then unlocked the copper lock on the courtyard gate: "The peach blossoms in Yunhe County are blooming exceptionally well this year, so I went to see them with Miss Rui'er."

"Wandering around all day won't produce a baby; pluck the flower while it's in bloom, lest you break a bare branch when it's gone."

"Brother Ji, you are truly reckless!"

Kuang Cheng couldn't help but retort, only to then notice that Ji You's face was somewhat pale and her eyes were also dull.

Before he could even ask, Ji You had already stepped through the doorway, reached out and broke the oil seal on the wine jar, releasing a fragrant aroma that drifted into the courtyard.

Kuang Cheng stepped in and asked, "Drinking in broad daylight?"

Ji You glanced at him: "Does drinking have to be divided into daytime and nighttime?"

"I'm just curious, Brother Ji, what brings you to this place today, and why you even brought your own wine?"

“Cultivation is tedious, and I feel restless, so I thought I'd go down the mountain for a stroll. But in this vast city of Shengjing, you're the only person I know. Before I knew it, I'd wandered here. Go get the bowl.”

Kuang Cheng went inside, took out the bowl, and placed it on the table. He saw the clear wine being poured out and couldn't help but wonder if Brother Ji was going to rob him again.

Ji You picked up his wine bowl: "Come on, let's have a drink."

Kuang Cheng raised his cup and said, "It just so happens that I didn't get to sit with Brother Ji when I came back last time, so I'll have a drink with you this time."

After taking a sip of sake, Kuang Cheng suddenly felt a surge of heat flowing into his body.

Then my whole body felt clear and transparent, as if a gentle breeze was circulating inside me and flowing out through my pores.

Kuang Cheng opened his mouth: "Spirit Wine?"

"Have you drank?"

"No, that's not true. This stuff is expensive, and I can't afford it with my salary. But I have heard from my colleagues that cultivators can feel their energy channels opening up after just a sip of this spiritual wine. What's wrong with you today, Brother Ji?"

Ji You held up the wine bowl and looked at him: "Cultivators can hardly feel the effects of ordinary wine, but ordinary people can nourish their bones and bones by drinking spiritual wine. You are too thin and need to eat more."

Kuang Cheng felt that Ji You's condition today seemed a bit strange. He couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange, but something just wasn't right.

His usual carefree and playful demeanor was gone; instead, he appeared much more profound.

Since Fairy Yan was not here and Miss Yuan had also left, he must have felt like a lonely old man again. So I told him about the repair of the official road in Fengzhou.

The Imperial Observatory purchased a large quantity of magical artifacts to repair the roads, and in accordance with Ji You's original plan, the work was carried out in sections, and the progress was very fast. It was expected to be completed by the Great Heat day.

Ji You didn't say much after listening.

Just as he said before, he was only a minor Transcendent Realm cultivator, and that was all he could do.

After the roads were built and the wasteland was reclaimed, the future of Fengzhou was no longer within his control.

As the wine in the jar gradually decreased, Kuang Cheng told him about Wei Rui, saying that she had gently held hands with Ji You at the Peach Blossom Gathering, and Ji You teased her with a few clicks of her tongue.

Kuang Shusheng thought to himself that this kind of progress was normal. Although it is said that the feelings between men and women are like a thin sheet of paper, it is not so easy to break through.

How could they possibly be like Brother Ji and Fairy Yan, biting their lips like that the moment they meet?

Ji You didn't smile much today, and only when Kuang Cheng mentioned the young appraiser did her lips slightly lift, before quickly falling again after the topic was changed.

Before long, the wine was finished, and Kuang Cheng's face began to turn red.

People from Yuyang County are generally quite good at drinking. Kuang Cheng may look frail, but he has a surprisingly high alcohol tolerance, as do Lao Qiu and his wife.

However, Ji You seemed to drink even more, one bowl after another, and what was already little in the beginning ended up being less and less.

Until he felt his earlobes become extremely hot, and his vision seemed to gain weight, as if honey-colored sticky threads were being dragged through the air in front of him, gradually rising upwards.

However, it wasn't a feeling of dizziness, but rather a mental excitement that made him feel a little more relaxed.

"gone."

“Hey, Brother Ji…”

Ji You let out a burp: "I feel it now, I should be able to sleep when I get back."

Kuang Cheng watched him walk towards the door, and was slightly taken aback. He thought to himself, "So Brother Ji came down the mountain to find me today just to drink."

At this moment, Ji You went out along the road and walked towards Nishan along Changsheng Street. Just after passing the middle section, a layer of fine mist appeared around him and drifted outwards. The alcohol he had previously ingested was evaporated by his burning body.

After walking a few more steps, Ji You paused slightly, and her mind cleared up again, the previous drunkenness completely gone.

After body tempering, both his body temperature and strength increased to the extreme, to the point that his current body can't even retain the effects of alcohol for very long.

Ji You couldn't help but look up at the gloomy sky and listen to the faint rumble of thunder.

No, it won't work at all...

He stood on the street for a long time, thinking to himself that he no longer even had the right to be drunk.

He remained silent, then walked towards Mount Ni. When he passed Biyue Lake, he visited Cao Jingsong's courtyard, but did not stay long before turning around and leaving.

Before long, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Bai Rulong received the message and hurriedly rushed to Cao Jingsong's courtyard.

The four people sat around the tea table in the courtyard, staring blankly at the two money bags in front of them.

The money bag on the left belongs to Cao Jingsong, while the one on the right belongs to Bai Rulong. The money bag of Immortal Emperor Rulong was given to him by Ji You when he left the Snow Region. It is a size larger than the previous one, indicating that he should carry more money in it in the future.

Both money bags were full, even fuller than when they left their respective owners.

"Pay back the money?"

"Yes, that's what he said."

Bai Rulong seemed to see the sun rising in the west: "Why?"

Cao Jingsong shook his head: "I don't know either. He left after putting down the money bag. However, it seems that he has been looking for an opportunity to establish himself recently. He came to rob money before because of his professional instincts. Now he may also be affected by distracting thoughts."

Ban Yangshu picked up the money bag and weighed it in his hand: "What distracting thoughts influenced Junior Brother Ji to make him take out all his money?"

Wen Zhengxin shook his head: "I can't imagine it."

"Could it be that my kindness has taken over?"

“If he were to act on his kindness, Junior Brother Ji should donate the money to an orphanage for the disabled. It’s not like he hasn’t done it before.”

Cao Jingsong held the teacup, feeling that things seemed to have gotten serious.

The kind of distracting thoughts a person has are entirely derived from their background, past experiences, and current circumstances. Although others cannot see through them, they can roughly judge them based on their daily state.

For example, Ji You was extremely fond of money. People who wanted to kill him didn't need to go to any trouble; they could simply throw him some silver to lure him away.

Therefore, everyone knew that money must be one of Ji You's distracting thoughts, so it was not surprising that Cao Jingsong and Bai Rulong were robbed of their money some time ago.

But the fact that Ji You would repay the money was so unexpected that they simply couldn't understand what kind of ulterior motive led him to do such a thing.

Lust?

Lust can only drive him to find girls; this money should be spent on brothels in Shengjing.

However, it seems that Ji You doesn't need to go to the brothel. Many of the senior and junior sisters in the academy want to have a child with him, the kind where he doesn't have to take responsibility.

Cao Jingsong and Bai Rulong sat at the tea table, sipping tea and pondering, completely baffled by Ji You's unusual behavior.

Just then, Wen Zhengxin was suddenly taken aback, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"what happened?"

"Actually, if a person really wants to die, they will leave their wealth to their loved ones. After all, you can't take money with you when you die."

After Wen Zhengxin finished speaking, he raised his head and said, "I have a cousin who was very lonely after his wife died. One day, he went out for drinks with a friend and left all his money to his children. Not long after, he drowned himself in the water vat at home."

Bai Rulong opened his mouth: "Can a water vat drown a person?"

"If someone is truly determined to die, even a basin of water can drown them."

Cao Jingsong immediately waved his hand and said, "Impossible. Ji You's cultivation path is smooth and unobstructed. He has also established a family and even made the daughter of the Dan Sect want to move to Fengzhou with him. In addition, he is extremely magnanimous. How could he have a death wish in his heart?"

Bai Rulong, who had not yet merged with the Dao, couldn't help but ask after hearing this: "Can distracting thoughts lead a person to have a death wish?"

"No, what can make a person determined to die is not distracting thoughts, but obsession."

What, then, is obsession?

"What the heart is fixated on, the spirit is concentrated on, and one cannot let go of it by clinging to one's own will. It may be due to material possessions, emotions, or a stubborn will. Even though time has passed and circumstances have changed, it remains a lingering concern, and one can never truly let go."

After finishing his sentence, Cao Jingsong added, "But very few people have strong obsessions; most people just have distracting thoughts."

Bai Rulong scratched his head: "Why?"

"The Questioning of the Heart is something that only cultivators encounter, and cultivators are almost all scions of immortal sects and families."

Upon hearing this, Bai Rulong immediately understood.

The children of immortal families are pampered from a young age, never having to worry about survival. Even their path of cultivation is arranged for them. With no worries about food and drink, they are naturally carefree and unlikely to encounter any matters that could become obsessions.

Even if it existed, it wouldn't be to the point of causing someone to contemplate suicide...

After a moment of thought, Bai Rulong asked, "What if one really has an obsession?" Cao Jingsong stroked his beard for a while before replying, "Find a way to get rid of it. Otherwise, you can only force yourself to forget it."

"Could it be because of the tragedy that befell the Ji family back then?"

"will not."

Cao Jingsong shook his head: "The Ji family's misfortune was not an extermination. If Ji You had such deep-seated obsession, he should have gone to look for him long ago. What's also strange is that he is now quite famous throughout the country, yet none of those who fled have come looking for him."

Ban Yangshu frowned slightly: "You guessed wrong. Junior Brother Ji is usually so carefree and irresponsible. Could it be that he's suspicious?"

What suspicions?

"They suspect your silver is counterfeit and are determined to return it."

Just then, Cao Jingsong's courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open, and Ji You, who had returned earlier to return the silver, stepped into the courtyard.

Cao Jingsong and Bai Rulong felt a chill run down their spines. They quickly picked up the two money bags on the table and looked at him warily.

However, Ji You didn't say anything. He just told Bai Rulong that there was a woman with a pert bottom at the door. When Bai Rulong hurriedly got up and ran outside, he sat on the stone bench where he had been sitting.

He then looked at them with a detached expression but did not speak.

Bai Rulong quickly returned with a puzzled look on his face, thinking to himself, "What woman has such a pert bottom?" Then he saw Ji You sitting on his stone bench and understood everything.

At this moment, Cao Jingsong, Wen Zhengxin, and Ban Yangshu were all staring at him.

Ji You frowned slightly: "What were you talking about just now? Just keep talking, don't worry about me."

Ban Yangshu and Cao Jingsong exchanged a glance before turning to each other: "We were just talking about why you returned the money."

"What's the point of having money? You can't buy everything with it."

Bai Rulong narrowed his eyes after hearing this: "Brother Ji, what's wrong? Why don't we go to the clinic to take a look?"

Cao Jingsong couldn't help but put down his teacup and ask, "Didn't you go back to the inner courtyard? Why are you back all of a sudden?"

Upon hearing this, Ji You said, "After returning, I found that there was no one in the courtyard, so I thought I would come back and sit for a while."

"How is the opportunity to establish the Dao going?"

"That's great. Oh, by the way, does anyone have a spare room? I'd like to move in for a few days."

Ban Yangshu was taken aback: "Why is that?"

Ji You said softly, "I just don't want to be alone."

“I live with Ji Qirui.”

Bai Rulong also opened his mouth: "I didn't enter the academy after reaching the peak of the lower three realms. I live in the men's dormitory with everyone else."

Cao Jingsong stroked his long beard: "Then stay here with me."

Ji You then spoke up: "Thank you, Senior Sister Wen."

Cao Jingsong: "?"

Wen Zhengxin turned to look at him and said, "Aren't you afraid the daughter of the Pill Sect will be jealous? Then come back with me."

To the surprise of Fairy Zhengxin, Ji You actually followed her back to the courtyard after sunset.

On the bamboo rack in her courtyard, there were still some undergarments drying, pink and green, embroidered with butterflies and flowers, as well as several silk underpants, all of which looked like a set with the undergarments.

Wen Zhengxin stepped across the threshold, then quickly walked a few steps before running off to tidy up, feigning composure.

Ji You was somewhat absent-minded, but subconsciously, out of politeness, she began to tidy up with her.

Ji You tucked the bamboo frame from the south to the north, clutching his undergarment tightly. When he looked up, he saw Wen Zhengxin staring at him with a cold, flushed expression: "Junior brother, the impure thoughts in your mind must be lust, right?"

Ji You stared at the undergarment in her hand in silence for a long time before returning it to her, but couldn't help but sigh softly as she handed it over.

Wen Zhengxin was taken aback, then looked down at his chest, his eyes narrowing instantly, revealing a hint of murderous intent.

It was definitely lust, no doubt, but he still wasn't satisfied.

"You won't sneak into my room tonight, will you?"

"I am already deeply grateful that my senior sister has taken me in; there is no need to be so lavish in treating her as a guest."

"?"

Looking at his tired and lifeless face, Wen Zhengxin was unsure whether he was being sincere or just teasing her, so she took her undergarment and underwear and went back to her room.

The entire night that followed, Fairy Zhengxin cultivated her Dao, but she would occasionally pay attention to the sounds outside, but after a long time, there was still no movement.

As the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) approached, Fairy Zhengxin put on her boots and went to the main room. After thinking for a long time, she glanced into the room and found that Ji You was not there.

She frowned slightly, turned her gaze to the outside of the courtyard, and found that Ji You was sitting in the night.

He stood there blankly, silent and lifeless.

"Junior brother?"

"I'm fine, senior sister."

Wen Zhengxin was taken aback when she saw him turn his head and see tears welling up in his eyes. She was about to ask him what was wrong, but before she could speak, she saw the struggle in his eyes.

She suddenly understood why Ji You had chosen to stay with her; it wasn't really related to lust. He was simply afraid of being questioned.

Although Cao Jingsong called him a traitor every day, he had high hopes for him and cared for him more than anyone else.

If Cao Jingsong had seen this scene, he would have definitely asked Junior Brother Ji what was wrong.

So she pursed her lips, turned around, and entered the room without saying a word.

The next morning, Wen Zhengxin got up, put on her outer robe, and went to the courtyard. In fact, she was still a little worried about Ji You.

When she arrived at her courtyard, she found that it looked completely different, with everything impeccably clean.

The clothes and undergarment that were taken off last night were still hanging on the bamboo pole, wet as if they had just been washed.

Ji You saw Wen Zhengxin at that moment and greeted her with a "Good morning".

Wen Zhengxin noticed that his junior brother seemed to have lost his soul.

He had only slept for a short time last night, so he started tidying up the yard early this morning, pruning the jujube tree that had just sprouted new buds, and then tidying up the pruned branches and throwing them out.

Then they leveled the yard, aired out the bedding, and thoroughly cleaned the water tank inside and out.

The room was also cleaned, the dust on the porcelain vase was wiped away, and the chair cushions were washed.

I don't intend to stay here permanently; I just want to keep myself so busy that I don't have time to think or reminisce.

But now there's nothing left to do, so he needs to find something else to do.

At this moment, Ji You suddenly remembered the message Lu Qingqiu had sent a few days ago, saying that he wanted him to teach Lu Hanyan swordsmanship. So he thought about it and then walked towards the outer courtyard. After several twists and turns, he arrived at the Sword Forest.

Although he had refused Lu Qingqiu's request to teach him swordsmanship a few days ago, he still wrote some notes for Lu Hanyan.

At this moment, Lu Hanyan was practicing her sword in the Sword Forest. She was somewhat surprised to see Ji You: "Senior Brother Ji? What brings you here?"

"I shared some of my swordsmanship insights with you a few days ago, and since I happen to have some free time, I thought I'd come and see how your practice is going."

"Really?"

"Hmm, show me how you practice."

"Yes!"

At this moment, in the sword forest of the outer courtyard of the Heavenly Book Academy.

Lu Hanyan was holding a long sword, dancing gracefully through the forest, her beautiful figure captivating the gazes of all the male disciples around her.

With a hum, the sword swung violently, and a burst of sword energy caused the bamboo forest to rustle.

He then leaped back with his sword, his swordplay becoming even more ferocious.

Just then, Ji You suddenly swung the wooden sword in his hand and struck Lu Hanyan's hand with a "smack".

The second young lady of the Lu family was interrupted instantly, and her delicate hand began to turn slightly red.

"Don't grip too tightly, or it will inevitably affect your sword strikes."

"Yes, senior brother!"

Snapped--

"The waist must be stable; if the waist is unstable, the sword will not be ruthless."

"Yes, senior brother!"

Snapped--

"Don't wiggle your hips like that!"

Upon seeing this, the surrounding disciples stared in astonishment.

Although Ji You is now an inner court disciple, he is still a rural private cultivator, while Lu Hanyan is the second young lady of the Lu family in Yunzhou. This is really too bold.

Lu Hanyan, who had been hit, was also stunned for a moment, blinking incredulously, seemingly surprised as well.

She had only received personal guidance from Senior Brother Ji today, and her first impression was that Senior Brother Ji was very strict when it came to swordsmanship. Seeing her swordsmanship improve rapidly in just half a day, she was quite happy.

A few slaps on the back of her hand meant nothing to her, but her buttocks...

Lu Hanyan blinked as if she was carefully sensing something, then a blush appeared on her cheeks, and she was surprised to find that she was not annoyed at all.

This left many people puzzled...

However, putting all that aside, everyone noticed that as Ji You adjusted Lu Hanyan's movements several times, the second young lady of the Lu family's sword became smoother and smoother, and the energy waves generated by the sword technique gradually solidified, became sharper, and gradually gained momentum.

Fang Jincheng and his cousin Fang Zhiheng were also in the bamboo forest. When they saw this scene, their expressions gradually turned ugly.

Fang Jincheng was alright. As a beginner in swordsmanship, he was not sensitive to the changes in Lu Hanyan's sword style and could only sense that it was getting stronger.

However, Fang Zhiheng was already proficient in swordsmanship, and at this moment, he felt the gradual skill within the clumsy sword intent even more clearly.

He had been in seclusion for a long time and didn't know much about Ji You. So after seeing that sword strike at the Academy, he began to inquire about Ji You and even sent letters to his friends at Lingjian Mountain.

When he visited the mountain, the people of Lingjian Mountain praised his swordsmanship as excellent, which was a very high compliment.

However, Ji You was known as a naturally born swordsman with a clear sword heart at Lingjian Mountain.

"Stop looking, keep practicing."

"Yes, cousin..."

(Ask for monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)