Chapter 24: Dreaming of a Chicken

In Lo City, a young man, clutching a small black cat, strode along the flagstone path under the shroud of night. His initial steps were heavy with burden, yet gradually, they became light.

For life, in truth, must press onward, and a new dawn of hope had bloomed within him.

"Dark Cloud," Chen Ji chuckled, "let us speak of cheerful things. Can you regale me with tales of the Jing Prince's estate?"

Dark Cloud, curled indolently on Chen Ji's arm, plucked a dried fish from a small blue pouch and began to gnaw upon it. "That wretched place holds little worth in recounting. The prince's manor, a deep abode within vast courtyards, is rife with the sordid affairs of its myriad nannies and maids alone. For instance, Chun Hua, purchased by Concubine Jing to ensnare the Prince, yet the Prince grants her not a single glance of favor. Or take Chun Rong, that venomous hussy, consumed by jealousy of Chun Hua's youth and beauty, who would secretly spit into Chun Hua's sustenance..."

Chen Ji, smiling, steered the conversation to other shores. "In the three months you have resided in the Jing Prince's manor, have any grand events transpired?"

"But of course!" Dark Cloud's spirit brightened. "The Prince's manor shall soon burst forth with life!"

Chen Ji's expression held anticipation. "Oh?"

Dark Cloud spoke with excitement. "The Double Ninth Festival approaches apace. The Jing Prince's eldest son, Zhu Yunxi, Concubine Jing's daughter, Zhu Lingyun, and Concubine Yun's daughter, Zhu Baili, shall all return from the East Lin Academy. It is said a young monk shall accompany them as well."

"A young monk?" Chen Ji voiced his doubt.

Dark Cloud replied, "I heard Concubine Jing say he is a reincarnated Buddha child from the Ge Ning Faction of the Esoteric Sect in Yun State. As the Ge Ning Faction requires the court's patronage and imperial sanction, they have pledged him to the Central Plains."

"Is the East Lin Academy renowned?" Chen Ji inquired with curiosity. He recalled his two elder brothers had recently returned from that very institution.

Dark Cloud explained, "It is said the East Lin Academy, alongside the Qing Ya Academy and the Yue Lu Academy, are hailed as the Ning Dynasty's three great academies, a place where the world's most talented scholars converge. The monthly tuition is rumored to be exorbitant, and only scions of aristocratic families are admitted for study. Every imperial examination, three tenths of the successful candidates hail from the East Lin Academy."

"Wanderers return home after three years, indeed, things ought to grow lively... Who is the principal wife, Concubine Jing or Concubine Yun? And whose child is Zhu Yunxi?"

Dark Cloud answered, "Neither is the principal wife. That honor belonged to Zhu Yunxi's mother, who passed away many years ago... I shall return to the Myriad Star Courtyard first!"

Seeing that they were nearing the entrance of the Great Peace Medical Hall, the feline creature suddenly leaped from Chen Ji's embrace and vanished in an instant.

Chen Ji rounded a corner, only to behold Old Man Yao standing expressionless at the doorway, demanding, "Where have you been?"

Chen Ji mused, *If I say I took a small cat to find its mother, you will surely not believe me...*

He replied, "Today was a day of rest, and I had forgotten something at home, so I returned to retrieve it."

Old Man Yao furrowed his brow, the wrinkles on his forehead compressing. "Indeed, the tuition silver for today was not provided by your family, was it?"

Chen Ji was startled.

Old Man Yao scoffed coldly. "At the time, I felt something was amiss. Your legitimate mother is narrow of heart to begin with. Initially, to avoid paying the ten taels of silver monthly tuition for the East Lin Academy, she sent you here to be my apprentice. That she would even pay your tuition is already exceptional, how could she possibly purchase so many gifts to honor me?"

Chen Ji remained silent, unsure how to respond.

Old Man Yao, with renewed doubt, said, "Wait, if it wasn't from your family's funds, then where did your tuition silver originate? It couldn't be that you are relying on some woman from a certain family..."

As he spoke, Old Man Yao's face contorted in fury, his beard nearly standing on end. "You are, for better or worse, an apprentice of my Great Peace Medical Hall. If such deeds were to become known, how is it different from directly defecating into my pants pocket?"

Chen Ji: "...Ah?"

"Ah what ah?"

Chen Ji hastily said, "You misunderstand, how could I possibly do such a thing."

"Then where did this money come from?"

Chen Ji was silent for a moment. "Master, I cannot speak of it, lest I implicate you."

Old Man Yao scrutinized him from head to toe. "The Secret Spy Department? Are you assisting the Secret Spy Department in their affairs?"

Chen Ji sighed. It was no wonder people often said the old grow shrewd. He had only revealed this sliver of information, and the other party had already guessed correctly.

He merely explained, "Master, Yun Yang came knocking, I had no choice."

Old Man Yao stared intently at him for a long time, then turned and entered the medical hall. "Whether you could choose or not, you have already chosen. I shall neither interfere nor inquire. It is enough that you settle your tuition each month. If you should perish outside one day, it is best I remain ignorant... Now, quickly, go and sleep!"

The great door of the medical hall closed. At the corner of An Xi Street, three figures emerged. Yun Yang, arms crossed before his chest, muttered, "Old Man Yao does not seem to be overly fond of our Secret Spy Department."

Jiao Tu shrugged. "It is quite normal for people to dislike us."

Yun Yang looked towards the third person. "Meng Ji, that young apprentice is the one I wish to interrogate. I need to confirm whether or not he is a spy for the Jing Dynasty."

The man named Meng Ji wore a vibrant brown double-collared greatcoat, the robe embroidered with dozens of brightly colored wild pheasants, resembling a theatrical costume.

Meng Ji, stroking his neatly trimmed sideburns, spoke in a soft voice. "A mere apprentice, is he worth such a lavish undertaking? To even specially invite me from Kai Feng Prefecture."

"I pay the coin, you do the deed. All the information you require has been imparted. Do not inquire further," Yun Yang said calmly.

"Very well, I guarantee your satisfaction. Whatever you wish to accomplish within a dream, consider it done," Meng Ji laughed with a sharp voice, causing Jiao Tu to involuntarily rub the goosebumps on his arm.

Yun Yang asked with curiosity, "I have always had a question. Why do you dare openly display your path of cultivation? Are you not afraid of inviting disaster?"

Meng Ji laughed. "Inner Prime Minister adult said, there is but one person in the world who cultivates this path. What disaster could I possibly invite?"

He then seated himself cross-legged on the ground and produced a yellow talisman paper from his embrace.

Meng Ji bit his finger, drawing and writing upon the talisman paper with fresh blood. Finally, he used the talisman paper to wrap a wisp of hair and swallowed it whole!

Instantly, Meng Ji's pupils rolled upwards, his eyes revealing only the whites!

...

...

Chen Ji did not return to his room to rest. He quietly, with light steps, lit an oil lamp in the main hall of the medical hall and silently perused the general outline of medical arts.

Just the six hundred and eighteen acupuncture points within the twelve main meridians of the human body were incredibly difficult to memorize.

He felt as though he had returned to a sweltering summer classroom, before him a mountain of scrolls and books, the clamor of voices reading aloud filling his ears. Memories of learning were perhaps the most profound for every student in their youth, accompanying the rise and set of the sun, echoing with a rumbling sound.

At this moment, Chen Ji wished for a five-year traditional Chinese medicine study program with a three-year simulation before him.

While studying, he was suddenly overcome by a wave of drowsiness, as if in a gentle season, his entire body being enveloped by warm seawater, drawing him towards the depths of the ocean.

Chen Ji became alert. Since he had ignited the four furnace fires within his body, he had always been brimming with energy. This sudden onset of sleepiness was without cause.

However, no matter how he resisted, his eyes slowly closed.

He did not know how long had passed, but Chen Ji opened his eyes within a dream. He suddenly stood before the grand red-lacquered gate of Zhou Cheng Yi's residence.

*Eh, what have I come here to do?*

Chen Ji looked at the packet of medicine in his hand, wrapped in yellow hemp paper and inscribed with "Great Peace Medical Hall," then raised his head to look at the "Zhou Manor" plaque.

*Right, I have come to deliver tonic medicine to Lord Zhou.*

*Dong dong dong,* Chen Ji picked up the copper ring and knocked on the door. Everything felt perfectly natural; he had forgotten that this was a dream.

With a *zhi ya* sound, the red-lacquered gate opened, revealing Steward Wang welcoming him with a smiling face. "Is Little Doctor Chen here? Please, come in quickly."

"Lord Zhou, the medicinal ingredients he desired have arrived," Chen Ji followed Steward Wang inward. The grand gate closed slowly behind them.

Chen Ji glanced around. Maidservants in the main hall were polishing red sandalwood furniture. In the courtyard, a woman with a smiling face was embracing a small girl, and beside her, a small boy was kicking a shuttlecock.

Steward Wang led him into the main hall. Chen Ji felt an inexplicable familiarity with this place, yet could not recall where he had seen it before.

At this moment, Zhou Cheng Yi was seated behind a desk, brush in hand, copying a book. Seeing Chen Ji arrive, he waved away the steward and maidservants.

Chen Ji placed the medicine packet on the table. "Lord Zhou, this is your medicine."

Zhou Cheng Yi raised his head and suddenly asked, "Does the Jing Prince have any new information to convey to me?"

Chen Ji was slightly startled. "Lord Zhou, what are you saying?"

Zhou Cheng Yi's voice gradually deepened. "Have you forgotten? You and I are spies sent south by the Jing Dynasty's military intelligence department. I am responsible for contacting the Liu family, and you are responsible for contacting the Jing Prince! I ask you again, is there any new news from the Jing Prince's side?"

Chen Ji frowned and did not answer, his mind rapidly churning with thoughts.

Yet, he heard Zhou Cheng Yi ask again and again, "Have you forgotten your identity?"

"Have you forgotten how the Jing Dynasty's military intelligence department cultivated you?"

Zhou Cheng Yi's voice grew grander and more penetrating. "Have you forgotten that you are a spy?"

Each question, like a demonic incantation piercing his ears, made Chen Ji's head spin. He felt as though his consciousness was being controlled, his eyes involuntarily rolling upwards.

The next moment, Chen Ji's eyes revealed only the whites. He answered, "Lord Zhou, surely you are mistaken. I am not some spy!"

Zhou Cheng Yi's face broke into a satisfied smile. He had obtained the answer he desired and could now complete his transaction with Yun Yang.

Yet, his curiosity was piqued. "How do you and Yun Yang know each other?"

As the words left his lips, Chen Ji felt the four furnace fires within his dantian ignite, burning away all evil spirits and demons from his body!

Zhou Cheng Yi, completely unaware, stood up, hands resting on the desk, leaning forward. "Why did Yun Yang suspect you were a Jing Dynasty spy, and what is special about you that made Yun Yang not immediately kill you?"

This last sentence was no longer Zhou Cheng Yi's original voice, but had transformed into a sharp tone.

At this moment, Chen Ji's pupils rolled back downwards. He turned and walked towards the exit!

"Zhou Cheng Yi" stared in astonishment as Chen Ji turned and walked towards the exit, as if oblivious to his presence, walking towards the red-lacquered gate and fiercely pulling it open.

When "Zhou Cheng Yi" saw the grand gate open, revealing a playfully smiling Yun Yang and Jiao Tu standing outside, he exclaimed in shock, "Eh? Yun Yang, Jiao Tu, how have you entered my dream?"

*Wait!*

*Something is not right!*

"Zhou Cheng Yi" clearly realized that Yun Yang and Jiao Tu could not possibly invade his dream. He had also never fabricated Yun Yang and Jiao Tu within this dream...

The Yun Yang and Jiao Tu before him were fabricated by this young apprentice, Chen Ji, within the dream!

The dream was no longer completely under his control!

Chen Ji, after a moment of thought, pointed at "Zhou Cheng Yi" and said to Yun Yang and Jiao Tu, "Lord Yun Yang, Lord Jiao Tu, Zhou Cheng Yi is a Jing Dynasty spy, without a doubt!"

Yun Yang asked with interest, "Do you have evidence?"

Chen Ji said firmly, "Does the Secret Spy Department need evidence to apprehend a spy? Just stab him and be done with it!"

"Zhou Cheng Yi" watched as Yun Yang and Jiao Tu leaped towards him, and suddenly roared, "Wait... Ah!"