Becoming an immortal from a canal worker

Behind the moon gate, it was dark.

Bai Chongshan stood in the shadows of the corridor, slowly spinning a pair of walnuts in his hand.

He saw the whole thing.

From the moment Chen Ping stepped into the center of the hall, to the moment the man with the red flower stick fell to the ground, to the moment his body was dragged away.

It all happened in less than a minute.

Bai Ming stood beside his father, his jaw slightly clenched, forcing himself to look away from the dark red stain on the ground. He said in a low voice, "Father, this man is Li Yuan's disciple, the newly promoted Red Flower Stick of the Green Robe Society, named Chen Ping."

Bai Chongshan did not respond.

His gaze fell on the hall, which was now bustling again, but he still looked in the direction where Chen Ping had sat back down, the walnuts spinning in his palm, the rhythm unchanged.

"Bone Refining Realm," he said, his voice as flat as if he were reciting an insignificant word.

Bai Ming nodded: "Yes, I heard he's only been with the company for about six months."

"Six months."

Bai Chongshan repeated it softly, his lips twitching slightly, not like a smile, but more like a confirmation.

He turned around, his back to the moon gate, and took two steps into the depths of the corridor, stopping under a lantern, his profile half-lit by the dim yellow light.

"To unleash a mastered fist technique at the Bone Refining Realm," he said. "Do you know what that means?"

Bai Ming carefully considered his words and said, "He has extremely high comprehension and has put in a great deal of hard work."

"It's not just that." Bai Chongshan turned to look at his son. "It means that this person's potential is something we can't see the top of right now."

Bai Ming remained silent.

"Changshan is at the peak of Ming Jin. He is a rare talent to emerge in Huai'an Prefecture in recent years, apart from Li Yuan. It is normal for the Qingyi Society to bet their chances of winning this Dragon Head Ceremony on him."

Bai Chongshan continued, his voice low, as if talking to himself, "But this kid..."

The walnut paused for a moment in his palm. "Bone Refining Realm."

After uttering these three words, Bai Ming pondered them, his expression subtly changing.

Bai Chongshan walked forward again, reaching the end of the corridor. Gazing at the brightly lit banquet hall in the courtyard, his back view revealed no emotion.

"The chances of Tsing Yi Society winning the Dragon Head Festival are extremely slim," he said. "It's not because Changshan isn't strong enough, but because someone won't let him last until the Dragon Head Festival."

Bai Ming's expression shifted, and he lowered his voice: "Father means..."

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." Bai Chongshan waved his hand. "I was just thinking that it would be such a pity if someone who has mastered the Great Perfection Fist Technique at the Bone Refining Realm died at the Dragon Head Sacrifice."

He paused.

"Of the five prefectures of Lichuan, only the capable ones have ever gone to Tianyan Prefecture. Those who stay in Huai'an Prefecture," he turned around, looking at Bai Ming with sharp eyes, "How many of them have you seen end up well?"

Bai Ming lowered his head: "No."

"I plan to take this man with me when I go to Tianyan Prefecture this time," Bai Chongshan patted his son's shoulder lightly. "Once he goes to Tianyan Prefecture, with his skills, he can forge his own path. He will be a valuable asset to the Bai family in the future."

Bai Ming looked up, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his face, which he quickly suppressed. He nodded and asked, "Father, how do you plan to negotiate?"

"Go and arrange for the rest to continue," Bai Chongshan said, turning to walk towards the inner courtyard. His voice came from behind him, "Before the event ends, keep him behind and tell him I'd like to invite him for a cup of tea."

Bai Ming responded, then paused before asking another question: "Father, how do we explain things to Hu Qian?"

Bai Chongshan didn't turn around, but simply said, "No need to explain, Hu Qian can understand it himself."

The sound of footsteps gradually faded into the distance in the corridor.

Bai Ming stood still and glanced into the hall.

The next pair of people had already taken their place, and the sounds of fists and cheers rose up again, as if the person who had just died had never existed.

He withdrew his gaze, straightened his clothes, and turned back to his seat.

Chen Ping watched the rest of the exchange from his seat.

The Qingyi Society took turns playing, winning most of their matches and losing two, though not badly.

The White Gang's arrogance waned slightly. Before going on stage, several of them glanced at Chen Ping, as if to confirm his presence.

The Dahe Gang suffered the most.

They haven't won a single game.

Xie Xiao sat at the table, his expression unchanged, holding his wine glass and drinking it sip by sip.

Chen Ping ignored him.

As the birthday banquet came to a close, Bai Chongshan emerged from the inner courtyard and returned to his seat in the main seat.

All eyes in the hall turned to him.

He sat down, the walnut slowly rotating in his palm, and after a moment it opened:

"I have received all your kind intentions today."

He paused.

"The things," he waved his hand, his tone casual, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, "are all too valuable. At my age, I don't need these things. Take them back as they are. You can keep them as they are on the way or resell them, it's up to you."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Xie Xiao held his wine glass, his fingers slightly clenched, but he didn't move.

Shi Haobo frowned, glanced at the two jars of Shaoxing wine, and his expression was not good.

Lu Chengye grinned, a smile on his face, but his eyes were already darting around.

Hu Qian unfolded his folding fan, gently waved it twice, and casually took a sip of tea.

All three gifts will be returned equally to all.

That's a perfectly reasonable statement, one that leaves you with a sore throat.

Accepting a gift implies owing a favor, and it also implies taking sides.

By returning the gift, one owes no favors to anyone, keeps no record of any debts, and no one can expect to receive any promises from him.

But why?

With the Dragon Head Festival approaching, the Bai family's grain business hinges on the attitudes of the three gangs. At this critical juncture, Bai Chongshan has no reason to push all three gangs away.

Hu Qian slowed down his folding fan, his gaze sweeping over Bai Chongshan's face, but he didn't read anything.

His face was still all smiles, the walnut spinning at a steady pace, like a wealthy old man who had just celebrated a grand birthday, content and without desire.

Hu Qian pondered for a moment, but came to no conclusion.

Bai Chongshan had already stood up and cupped his hands to the crowd: "I am deeply grateful for your presence today. It is getting late, please take your leave. Bai Ming will see you off."

The event ended around 9 PM.

The Dahe Gang left first.

Xie Xiao rose to take his leave, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Bai Chongshan, and turned to lead his men out. Reaching the courtyard gate, he slowed his pace, turned to Hu Qian beside him, and whispered, "It's a pity that Steward Li Yuan didn't come tonight."

He paused.

"Good eye, good methods." Xie Xiao's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the people next to him to hear. His gaze swept over Chen Ping for a moment, "But he's only at the Bone Refining Realm, a bit lacking."

He didn't say anything more, turned around and left.

The White Gang members followed them out.

Shi Haobo walked at the back, and when he reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly stopped.

He didn't turn around.

He simply touched the door frame, paused for a moment, his knuckles slowly tightened, making a very faint cracking sound, and then slowly loosened.

He lowered his head and climbed into the carriage.

The carriage curtain was lowered.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

Chen Ping stood in the courtyard, watching this scene without saying a word.

"Young Friend Chen".

Bai Ming stepped out from the side, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a professionally gentle expression, "My father would like to invite you to the inner courtyard for a cup of tea. Would you do me the honor?"

Lu Bai glanced at Chen Ping from the side and chuckled in a low voice, "Oh, so you want to talk privately? Did we make the right decision to come here tonight?"

Bai Ming stood to the side, his professional smile unchanged, as if he hadn't heard anything.

Hu Qian did not respond to Lu Bai's words.

He glanced at the yellow teeth.

Yellow Teeth happened to turn his head as well.

The two met eyes and saw what the other was looking at, but neither said a word.

Hu Qian withdrew his gaze, tapped his folding fan lightly in his palm twice, and said to Chen Ping, "Let's go in."

Chen Ping responded and followed Bai Ming into the inner courtyard.

The tea room in the inner courtyard is not large.

A low table, two cushions, and a pine tree in the corner, its branches crooked and wildly growing.

Bai Chongshan was already sitting there, personally boiling water, the charcoal fire burning steadily under the copper kettle.

He looked up at Chen Ping, then pointed to the futon opposite him: "Sit."

Chen Ping sat down without saying a word.

Bai Chongshan slowly poured water into the teapot, his movements unhurried. He warmed the cup, added the tea leaves, and poured in the water, his technique practiced and skillful.

Pour out the first brew of tea and push it in front of Chenping.

The tea is light in color and has a faint aroma; it is ordinary green tea.

Chen Ping picked up the glass, took a sip, and said nothing.

Bai Chongshan put down his teacup, raised his head, and looked Chen Ping in the eye for the first time: "What was your final position in the Qingyi Society?"

Chen Ping thought for a moment and said calmly, "Manager."

"Manager," Bai Chongshan repeated, his lips twitching but not into a smile, "What's next?"

Chen Ping remained silent.

"When your sect leader, Lü Cheng, dies someday, you'll become the sect leader," Bai Chongshan said calmly, twirling a walnut. "And then?"

He paused.

"It's just a worthless life."

The tea room fell silent for a moment.

Bai Chongshan continued, "In the past, when the old Dragon King was still alive, this road was still passable. One could leave Huai'an Prefecture, go to the five major halls, make a name for oneself, and there was still a path to advancement. But now that the old Dragon King is dead, the entire grain transport system has fallen into the hands of the imperial court, and no one is allowed to touch it anymore."

He raised his eyes and looked at Chen Ping: "These three gangs are said to be in charge of the canal transport, but they are just doing things for the imperial court. It's just that Prefect Qian has relinquished power. He can take it back whenever he wants. He can take the position of incense master whenever he wants."

"A hundred armored warriors formed a battle formation; those mere Transformation Realm cultivators were nothing but ants."

The charcoal fire crackled softly.

Bai Chongshan picked up the walnut again, twirling it in his palm, his voice calm: "Of the five prefectures of Lichuan, Huai'an Prefecture is the poorest, did you know that?"

Chen Ping nodded.

"Over the years, all the military men with any potential in Huai'an Prefecture have gone to Tianyan Prefecture," Bai Chongshan paused for a moment, "The Governor of Lichuan opened Cangwu Terrace there. There are battles to fight in the south, military merits, and a good background. Going there is not a waste of talent."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and his voice became more specific: "Over the past few years, I have made some connections in Tianyan Prefecture and put in a lot of effort. Not long ago, I finally secured a qualification to supply grain to Cangwu Terrace."

He spoke very calmly, as if he were discussing a routine business transaction.

"I am preparing to move my entire clan there."

The tea room fell silent for a while.

Chen Ping picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, looked at Bai Chongshan, and said in a neither loud nor soft tone, "Mr. Bai didn't accept the gift tonight. Did you think it was unnecessary?"

Bai Chongshan paused for a moment while holding the walnuts.

He looked up at Chen Ping for a moment, then smiled.

This time, the laughter was different from the ones at the banquet; it was less slick and more genuine.

"The entire clan moved to Tianyan Prefecture," Chen Ping continued calmly, "and I was taken along, so I could guard the Bai family's gate?"

Bai Chongshan nodded, not bothering to hide it: "Sort of, but not entirely."

He turned his head and looked at the crooked pine tree in the corner, his voice calm: "Go to Tianyan Prefecture, and fight your way up step by step with your fists. Swords and spears are merciless in Cangwu Terrace, but outside of swords and spears, there are official dealings and worldly affairs that a martial artist like you may not be able to handle."

He paused.

"You protect the Bai family business, so I'll take these for you."

Chen Ping lowered his head, picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and put it down.

His finger paused on the rim of the teacup for a moment, but he didn't speak.

Bai Chongshan looked at him, neither urging him nor offering any further explanation.

The water in the copper kettle gurgled and bubbled, and the charcoal fire burned steadily.

After a moment, Bai Chongshan spoke, his voice calm:

"The scenery beyond the Transformation Realm, this road, is in Tianyan Prefecture."

He raised his eyes, a genuine sharpness appearing for the first time, as he looked at Chen Ping:

"Don't you want to watch?"

Chen Ping remained silent for a while.

He looked up: "It's too early to talk about what happens after the Dragon Head Festival."

Bai Chongshan nodded and did not ask any further questions.

He picked up the walnut again, turned it, and said calmly, "The Bai family's door is always open for you. Come whenever you want."

Chen Ping stood up and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your hospitality, Master Bai."

He turned and walked out.

As I reached the entrance of the teahouse, Bai Chongshan's voice came from behind me, faint and simple:

"Take care of yourself."

Chen Ping paused for a moment, but without turning around, he raised his hand in a perfunctory gesture and walked out of the tea room.

Outside the courtyard gate, Hu Qian and the others were still waiting.

The night breeze dispersed most of the smell of alcohol. Lu Bai leaned against the wall and yawned. Huang Ya was picking his teeth, while Hu Qian closed his folding fan and looked at the moon with his hands behind his back.

Hearing footsteps, Hu Qian turned around.

Chen Ping came out, his expression calm, no different from when he went in.

"Are you done talking?" Hu Qian asked.

"Um."

Hu Qian glanced at him, asked no further questions, and then called to the others, "Let's go."

Several people boarded the carriage.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs with a low rumble, and the lights of the Bai family were gradually left behind.

Chen Ping sat in a corner of the carriage without saying a word.

He mentally reviewed the events of the evening.

Bai Chongshan refused the gift and asked him if he had any plans after the Dragon Head Ceremony. He said that all the warriors in Huai'an Prefecture were heading to Tianyan Prefecture.

Putting these three things together, it's highly likely that Bai Chongshan believes the Qingyi Society's Dragon Head Ceremony is doomed.

But he couldn't think of anything deeper.

He didn't have enough information.

Outside the carriage, the night wind blew in from the direction of the Huai River, carrying a fishy, ​​damp smell. The curtain was lifted by the wind and then fell back down.