Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 204 The Dragon Raises Its Head! The Drunkard!

Luoyang, the capital of China.

February 2nd.

The morning mist was so thick it seemed to suffocate, enveloping the entire Xue residence in a hazy veil. The animal-shaped ornaments on the eaves appeared and disappeared in the mist, like the shadows of lurking dragons.

Inside the study, a lamp burned all night long.

Jiang Xingzhou's fingertips brushed across the pages of the book, gently folding a section of Huan Kuan's "Discourses on Salt and Iron." The distant sound of the night watchman's clapper drifted in from outside the window—it was already the fifth watch of the night.

"Sir, it's time for breakfast."

An old servant from the Xue residence called softly from outside the door.

"Leave it alone."

Jiang Xingzhou didn't even look up, his pen drawing a sharp annotation on the paper.

Now that the Lantern Festival has passed for more than half a month, the spring imperial examination will be held in five days. The candidates in the city are either visiting relatives and friends or studying behind closed doors.

He, the top scholar from Jiangnan, also stayed at home and never went out.

The candle wax on the desk piled up like a tower, making the faint line between his brows appear even deeper.

Suddenly, Jiang Xingzhou paused—a drop of ink had appeared in the blank space of the page, slowly spreading into a claw shape, much like a dragon's claw emerging from the mist.

"Son!"

Suddenly, Steward Xue came to report, "A distinguished guest is requested!"

"Oh, what distinguished guest?"

"From the palace!"

"In the palace?"

Jiang Xingzhou was puzzled. He tapped the pages of "Discourses on Salt and Iron" lightly with his knuckles, and the pages closed.

As he stepped out of the Xue residence, he saw a thick fog that seemed to envelop the entire capital city of Luoyang.

Thick fog billowed outside the gate, obscuring any human figure beyond a few meters.

The gilded eaves of a royal seven-jeweled carriage were faintly visible in the thick fog, resembling a dragon reaching out its claws from the clouds.

The bronze bells hanging from the carriage shafts remained perfectly still—this was the emperor's private carriage, though he rarely used it himself.

Most of the time, it was the lady-in-waiting Nangong Wan'er who used it.

"Miss Nangong."

Jiang Xingzhou stood on the steps, watching as the curtain of the Seven Treasures Carriage was lifted slightly.

Emerging from the mist was a section of the female official's pale wrist, as white as jade and as white as frost and snow. The jade bracelet on her wrist touched the golden bell on the curtain with a crisp "clang".

"Young master, come up!"

Nangong Wan'er stretched out her slender hand and said softly.

Jiang Xingzhou grasped Wan'er's warm, soft hand and bowed as he boarded the jeweled carriage.

The carriage was spacious and luxurious, filled with the fragrance of camphor.

On the silver-covered sandalwood walls of the carriage, palace-style glass lamps are adorned with auspicious beasts inlaid with gold, each holding a luminous pearl in its mouth.

The brilliance of the luminous pearl made the floral ornament between her eyebrows shine brightly.

"I am going to a place in Luoyang to purchase some valuable items for His Majesty."

Nangong Wan'er lightly tapped the sandalwood table with her fingertips, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her gaze shifted slightly, and her voice lowered a few decibels, "Jiang Lang is clever; guess what it is?"

Jiang Xingzhou sat to the side, his brows furrowed, his doubts growing stronger.

Purchasing for the palace has always been overseen by the Imperial Household Department.

Besides, if it were just ordinary imperial items, a few capable palace maids would suffice. Why go to such lengths to have her, a lady-in-waiting, personally handle it?
What's even stranger is—why did she come to the Xue residence and bring him along?

The "Monthly Ordinances" states: "In the second month of spring, the sun is in the constellation Kui, at dusk the constellation Hu is in the middle, and at dawn the constellation Jian is in the middle."

Jiang Xingzhou unconsciously stroked the jade pendant in his sleeve with his fingertips, then suddenly looked up and asked with a smile, "On the second day of the second month, the Azure Dragon first appears in the east—hence the saying: The Dragon Raises Its Head!"
Could it be that the items we're buying are related to 'dragons'?

In a flash, he suddenly realized he shouldn't say anything more, and his words came to an abrupt halt.

On February 2nd, the dragon raises its head!
The time right before the Awakening of Insects solar term is the perfect time for the demon eggs to hatch.

Could today's trip be related to dragons?
He should be careful with his words and actions, and should not say too much.

"Young master, you truly have discerning eyes."

Nangong Wan'er's fingertips trembled slightly, and the gilded wristband drew a stream of light under the lamp. The gold fragments in her eyes swayed like waves. "In this world, there really is nothing that can hide Jiang Lang's thoughts."

Where exactly are we going?

Jiang Xingzhou asked.

She suddenly took out two silver-plated masks from her brocade pouch; the masks, as thin as cicada wings, gleamed with a faint light in her palm.

"Put it on."

You'll know when we get there!

Jiang Xingzhou covered his face with the cool, silver-plated mask and smelled a familiar scent of agarwood.

Nangong Wan'er put a mask on him, her fingertips lingering near his ear, and suddenly chuckled: "Jiang Lang, such a masked disguise."

Her flowing silk sleeves brushed against his chin unintentionally, making him appear even more aloof and stern than usual.

As Nangong Wan'er chatted and laughed, her gaze suddenly sharpened as she looked at Jiang Xingzhou's cold and stern face, momentarily losing her focus.

The silver mask, illuminated by the candlelight, accentuated the sharp contours of Jiang Xingzhou's face.

She suddenly remembered that when she first met Jiang Lang at the White Horse Temple, he had also pursed his lips and there was always a faint, unyielding frost between his brows.

"Miss Nangong?"

Jiang Xingzhou's deep voice startled her awake.

Nangong Wan'er was startled to realize that she had been staring at the other person in a daze. She hurriedly lowered her eyes to cover it up, but then noticed that the tip of the other person's ear was flushed.

fortunately.

The cold mask concealed all the stirrings in her heart.

This speeding, jeweled carriage was crushing all those wild thoughts into the morning mist of Luoyang.

The seven-jeweled carriage rolled over the bluestone official road of Luoyang City, and after exiting the north gate, the outline of Luoyang City gradually disappeared into the mist.

A moment later, we arrived at the Luo River.

The fog along the Luo River was thicker than I had imagined. The damp, cold white mist swirled along the water's surface, swallowing the weeping willows on both banks into blurry silhouettes.

When Jiang Xingzhou lifted the carriage curtain, his fingertips were covered with a fine layer of water droplets.

"arrive."

Nangong Wan'er's voice was soft, but it sent a chill down Jiang Xingzhou's spine.

He looked in the direction she indicated—

Deep within the mist, a majestic, thousand-foot-tall ship slowly emerges on the surface of the Luo River.

The Luo River is vast and misty, and this ornately decorated ship floats quietly on the shimmering waves.

Flying eaves and brackets pierced through the thick fog, and dark gold dragon patterns wrapped around the vermilion railings.

The entire ship resembled a mirage emerging from a traditional Chinese ink painting, rising and falling with the waves, yet the copper bells on the eaves remained silent.

"A mirage ship?"

Jiang Xingzhou's Adam's apple bobbed. "The mirage dragon and the mysterious market recorded in the 'Records of Lost Tales'?"

"Um!

It is said that this is a merchant ship sailed by someone from the Dragon Palace.

The merchants on board possessed priceless treasures and unimaginable rare items.

However, this mirage ship will only appear on the Luo River on the day of "Dragon Raising its Head"!
All those who board the ship for the transaction must wear masks, regardless of their identity!

The mist condensed into water droplets at the bow of the ship, dripping down the menacing dragon head.

Before the wooden gangplank leading to the ship, a hunchbacked old man squatted, his wrinkled skin gleaming with an eerie bluish-gray hue.

It slowly lifted its eyelids, its murky frog eyes darting between Nangong Wan'er and Jiang Xingzhou, and suddenly a terrifying fleshy sac swelled up in its Adam's apple.

"Everyone boarding the ship needs a ticket!"

His hoarse voice sounded like he was holding saliva in his mouth, and when his withered, claw-like fingers were spread out, the scales on his palms reflected a seven-colored glow.

Jiang Xingzhou then noticed—it wasn't a human hand; between the fingers were translucent golden toad webbed feet. "Tickets: one scale or shell of a demon general or higher, or... one phoenix feather!"

The golden toad demon's tongue suddenly popped out and licked its eye socket.

—The requirement of having scales, feathers, and armor of demon general level or above is enough to keep most unqualified guests out of this mirage ship.

Nangong Wan'er chuckled softly and opened the brocade pouch at her waist.

In an instant, a dazzling light emanated from the dragon, and she picked up two scales of the dragon king, which were glowing with blue flames, with two fingers.

"Is that enough?"

She tossed the scales over.

Jiang Xingzhou immediately recognized him; this was the same person who had severely injured the Flood Dragon King Ao Li in the battle at Taihu Lake, causing him to lose several scales.

The battlefield was chaotic at the time, and it is unknown who ended up with these dragon scales, or whether they were bought by merchants. Their whereabouts are unknown.

"Enough, enough!"

The golden toad demon hurriedly caught the two golden talismans for boarding the ship and gave them to Nangong Wan'er.

The passengers boarding the ship are also divided into different ranks according to the tickets they are given. Those who are given scales of Demon General, Demon Marquis, and Demon King will receive a bronze, silver, and gold talisman respectively.

Nangong Wan'er smiled and placed a golden talisman in Jiang Xingzhou's palm: "Remember, no matter what you see—do not call me by my real name."

"Distinguished guests, please board!"

Suddenly, a sickening creaking sound came from the entire ship—eighteen eerie blue lanterns lit up one after another.

Jiang Xingzhou, dressed in a blue robe, walked side by side with Nangong Wan'er, who was dressed in white, up the gangway. The four characters "Mirage" on the gilded plaque gleamed in the twilight.

The moment you step into the cabin, the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments greet you.

Behind nine layers of gauze curtains, a fox demon wearing a gilded mask is playing chess with a scholar wearing a ghost mask.
In the shadow of the pillars, a barbarian warrior with a black iron mask silently drank alone.

All the guests wore bizarre masks to conceal their faces.

Even the light and shadow cast by the palace lanterns on the eaves seemed to be distorted by some secret method, crushing the essence of all living beings into the amber color.

"It's more lively than I expected."

Nangong Wan'er's slender fingers brushed across the corridor, and the corners of her lips under the veil slightly lifted.

Jiang Xingzhou's gaze swept over the masks that were shifting and changing under the reflection of the glass lamp.

The mirage ship resembles a floating fairy pavilion, brightly lit, its reflection on the river surface like flowing shattered gold.

As Jiang Xingzhou and Nangong Wan'er stepped into the cabin, they were greeted by the bustling atmosphere of the city.

Merchants from all walks of life occupied both sides, each holding their own territory, selling rare and exotic treasures that are rarely seen in ordinary times.

—Looks like, either we don't open for business, or we make enough to last us for three years!

Jiang Xingzhou's gaze swept over them, and he couldn't help but feel secretly alarmed.

"Come and see! The Soup of Oblivion, drink it and forget your past life!"

On the left, a stall owner wearing a bronze animal mask is holding a glass bottle, in which a bluish-green liquid ripples slightly – “Meng Po Soup,” which is said to make one forget their past life.

However, upon closer inspection, Jiang Xingzhou noticed that the liquid was subtly wriggling, as if it were some kind of living thing...

Jiang Xingzhou couldn't help but recall reading in a volume of "Tales of Monsters and Strange Creatures" about a legendary beast called "Dream Eater," whose brain marrow could be used to make Meng Po's Soup of Oblivion. However, those who drank it might not forget their past lives and could be trapped in an eternal nightmare.

Not far away, a yellowed jade scroll lay quietly in a brocade box, inscribed with "The Jade Scroll of the First Emperor's Fengshan Ceremony," said to have been left by the First Emperor of Qin, and containing the "Art of Slaying Dragons."

However, the jade scroll was severely worn at the edges, the writing was blurred and illegible, and it was in a terrible state. No one dared to say for sure whether the jade scroll was real or fake.

There was also a strange stall displaying a dragon-patterned silk handkerchief, suspended in mid-air, with faint traces of blood-red aura swirling between its strands.

The stall owner chuckled sinisterly, "This belonged to a concubine of the previous dynasty, imbued with the blood and evil of the barbarian chaos. Hundreds of thousands of humans and demons perished in that battle. Wearing it close to the body can ward off all evil..."

The intense, menacing aura emanating from that handkerchief sent chills down one's spine.

Suddenly, from a vendor wearing a straw hat, a bluish mist-like creature darted out from a blue gourd of wine, hovering in the air like a fish, greedily inhaling the aroma of the wine.

It was a “drunken worm” – this creature was addicted to alcohol, and when drunk, it would use the mist of alcohol as ink, spit out a sword-like aura, and write wild cursive script in mid-air. The characters were like dragons and snakes, which was quite amazing.

Nangong Wan'er lightly brushed her veil with her fingertips, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes, and said in a low voice, "The things on this mirage ship are all rare and precious items that are hard to find in this world. If we miss them today, we may have to wait until next year."

However, you have to distinguish between real and fake for yourself; this mirage doesn't care.

She smiled slightly, her tone languid and composed, "If there's anything you fancy, young master, feel free to take it—don't worry about the money."

She used the imperial treasury's silver to purchase treasures for His Majesty this time, and the amount was sufficient.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhou's gaze shifted slightly, and he lightly tapped the longsword at his waist with his fingertips, producing a clear, resonant sound.

He looked around and saw that the place was indeed full of rare and unusual things.

He immediately took a liking to the bluish-green, mist-like drunken worm.
Drunk, he inhaled the fumes of alcohol, sometimes swirling, sometimes stretching out, the mist condensing into wild, cursive ink marks, possessing a somewhat unrestrained and carefree charm.

"interesting……"

Jiang Xingzhou muttered to himself, then looked up at the stall owner—a thin man wearing a bronze ghost mask, leaning against the table, playing with a white jade wine gourd in his hand.

"How much is this wine-covered insect worth?"

he asked.

The masked stall owner chuckled, his voice hoarse like the grinding of rusty iron: "This creature is addicted to alcohol; it needs a cup of 'Drunken Immortal Brew' every day, otherwise it will become listless..."

He paused, then lightly tapped the pot with his fingertips. "If you really want it, young master, one thousand taels of gold, no bargaining."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Wan'er chuckled softly, her jade-like fingers slightly raised from her sleeve, as if she were about to speak.

Jiang Xingzhou frowned slightly, tapped his fingertip lightly on the scabbard, and shook his head, saying, "A thousand taels of gold? You can buy a wine bug in an ordinary wine shop for just a few taels of silver. Your price is outrageous."

The masked stall owner chuckled softly, a faint smile playing on his lips beneath the mask, his voice hoarse like rusty iron grinding together: "You flatter me, sir—"

He slowly raised his hand, and with a gentle flick of his finger, the cloud of mist-like wine-drenched insects seemed to be summoned, floating above his palm. As it exhaled and churned the mist, it faintly revealed a sharp sword aura.

"There's a reason why it's expensive."

The stall owner said indifferently, "Ordinary drunkards are nothing but good-for-nothings who are addicted to alcohol. When drunk, they just cause trouble and throw tantrums."

With a flick of his finger, the cloud of green mist trembled suddenly and unexpectedly unleashed a chilling sword aura, slicing off a corner of a cypress wood with a hiss!
"And this one—is exceptionally gifted and unlike any other!"

The stall owner sneered, "When it's drunk, it only likes to write cursive script, and it can even breathe out the azure sword energy. It has already grasped the true meaning of literature."

He waved casually.

The mist from the wine-infused insects condensed into ink, writing the four characters "Sword-like courage and literary heart" in mid-air with a flourish, the brushstrokes sharp as knives, truly possessing the majestic spirit of a master calligrapher!
"His calligraphy surpasses that of ordinary scholars who have practiced diligently for decades."

The stall owner withdrew his hand, and the drunken bug lazily began to hover again. "Whether it's worth a thousand taels of gold or not, you can decide for yourself, sir."

After saying that, he simply closed his eyes to rest, adopting an attitude of "take it or leave it."

Jiang Xingzhou was speechless for a moment.

The stall owner was completely unyielding, not even giving them room to bargain.

"This……"

Jiang Xingzhou rubbed his temples, about to speak again.

Nangong Wan'er lifted her veil slightly, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes: "Young Master is actually interested in this little thing?"

With a flick of her fingertips, she pulled out a gold note covered in intricate gold patterns from her wide sleeve. The paper, as thin as a cicada's wing, gleamed with a luxurious luster under the lamplight. "Since you like it, just buy it."

Buying a wine bug for a thousand taels of gold is such a stingy expense that even a scion of a powerful family would feel the pinch, and would have to think it over and over again.

But Nangong Wan'er knew that although Jiang Xingzhou also drank, he was not a heavy drinker.

What could make Jiang Xingzhou stop and admire it was no ordinary plaything.

The masked stall owner suddenly opened his eyes, his withered fingers gripping the gold note like eagle claws, examining it carefully under the lamplight.

The vermilion seal of "Da Zhou Qian Zhuang" on the gold note glowed blood-red in the candlelight.

He nodded in satisfaction and pushed the jade gourd containing the wine-covered insects over.

"This customer is truly generous! This wine connoisseur is exceptionally gifted, and many have inquired about the price. But it's rare to find someone truly willing to spend the money."

I wonder what the purpose of buying it is?

The stall owner said hoarsely, glancing meaningfully at Jiang Xingzhou.

Jiang Xingzhou smiled, took the jade gourd, and stroked the cloud and thunder patterns on it with his fingertips.

"It's incredibly useful! Priceless!"

Through the translucent gourd, one could see the wisp of green mist wine worm, fast asleep, embracing a drop of wine, with a wisp of sword light occasionally swirling among the mist.

(End of this chapter)