Chapter 18: Five, Reduced by Three

As Fu Nanhua emerged from the house, he noticed the fair and delicate maidservant sitting on a small stool in the courtyard, feeding chickens with a handful of corn. A mother hen pecked at the ground, surrounded by a cluster of fluffy yellow chicks.

Seeing him, Fu Nanhua offered a slight smile. The girl, whether shy or simply aloof, gave a perfunctory twitch of her lips in return.

Fu Nanhua opened the courtyard gate and discovered Cai Jinjian waiting for him in the alley, looking rather glum. He turned to close the gate, and through the narrowing gap, he saw the maidservant's face looking up at him. It struck Fu Nanhua that this impoverished girl, who should have been covered in the dirt of her station, possessed eyes of remarkable quality, making her seem like a sprig of vibrant green bursting forth in early spring. However, Fu Nanhua didn't dwell on it. He had seen countless beautiful women, of all shapes and sizes, with alluring charm, and the young master of Old Dragon City had long grown weary of such sights.

Walking alongside Cai Jinjian, Fu Nanhua asked, "What's wrong? Didn't go smoothly? Opportunities are rarely easily seized. There's no need to be discouraged."

Cai Jinjian possessed a natural, alluring charm. After undergoing the refinement of cultivation, her very being was as pure as crystal, far surpassing that of ordinary mortal women. A glance at her might inspire awe, but ultimately, she was still just a vessel of flesh and bone.

The Cloud Radiance Mountain immortal's face was currently quite unpleasant, revealing the depth of her frustration. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made it so obvious. She must have been simmering with anger while waiting in the alley, and now she needed to vent. "Some cultivator beat me to it. It was Liu Zhimao, the Cut-River True Lord, one of the local bullies from Shujian Lake. He didn't even offer a chance for negotiation. He immediately invoked the name of my Cloud Radiance Mountain's sect master to intimidate a junior like myself. I barely managed to say a few words before he chased me out of that Gu Can's courtyard."

Fu Nanhua pondered, then cautioned, "Let's talk about this outside the Mud Bottle Lane."

Cai Jinjian was puzzled. "Aren't all forms of magic suppressed here?"

Fu Nanhua smiled. "Those who come here seeking opportunities are bound to have some tricks up their sleeves. Youngsters like you and me might be alright, but according to the town's rules, the higher one's cultivation, the stronger the suppression. Those closest to the realm of a Sage should, in theory, be as helpless as children, right? But have you considered that if a great cultivator is willing to risk damaging their own cultivation to use their powers, wouldn't they be more formidable than those of us who are still learning?"

Cai Jinjian retorted, "With a Sage present, would that Cut-River True Lord dare to attack me openly?"

Fu Nanhua advised, "We're here to seek good fortune, not to make enemies. Even if our lives aren't in danger, it's never a good idea to antagonize our seniors."

Cai Jinjian wasn't one to get stuck on a single idea. She nodded. "Fu, you speak wisely, with mature consideration."

She looked miserable and pitiful. "But I truly feel wronged. I've already given you ten Cloud Root Stones. If this all comes to nothing, how will I explain it to my grandmasters back home?"

Once they were outside Mud Bottle Lane, Fu Nanhua and Cai Jinjian felt a sudden surge of energy. It wasn't just the sudden brightness of the light. They exchanged glances, then quickly averted their gaze.

Fu Nanhua, who had been initially excited, became much more composed. He carefully considered his alliance with Cai Jinjian during their trip to the alley. He was sure that he hadn't made any mistakes and that his deal with the boy, Song Jixin, was a fair transaction that followed the rules. Would the Sage, who simply watched the winds blow and the waters rise in this place, truly be interested in interfering? So where did this pressure come from? Could it be that Cut-River True Lord whom he'd never even heard of? In contrast to Fu Nanhua's deep contemplation, Cai Jinjian's thoughts were much simpler. She assumed that Fu Nanhua was right and that the Cut-River True Lord had used some kind of magic to monitor her. She was filled with fear, grateful that she had only voiced some complaints and hadn't said anything too harsh or made any rash statements.

As the two of them walked down the street, each lost in their own thoughts, the oppressive feeling lessened as they moved further away from Mud Bottle Lane. Fu Nanhua believed it was due to the weight of the missed opportunity, while Cai Jinjian felt it was due to the burden of her family's expectations.

Looking up at the distant archway, Fu Nanhua asked curiously, "The Cut-River True Lord of Shujian Lake? How come I don't recognize the name? Even though my Old Dragon City is located in the far south of the continent, the title of True Lord is so prestigious. I might be ignorant, but I should at least know about him."

Cai Jinjian lowered her voice and sneered. "True Lord? He's just a second-rate True Person from a minor sect. He's a hypocrite who doesn't even deserve to be called a True Lord. It's just the flattering words of those who seek favors. Even Emperor Yuanwu was too shrewd to bestow that title on him. Each position of True Lord controls resources and every title given means potentially two hundred years of resource loss. Plus Yuanwu's ancestors were lavish, leaving him with only two True Lord positions, so he won't casually give it to a fame-seeking cultivator with no substance."

Fu Nanhua understood. "I see."

Each True Lord who resided in the dynasty could gather, suppress, and increase the kingdom's luck.

The position of True Lord in Daoism was practically the pinnacle of Taoist sects in the secular imperial court. Military strategists, great scholars of Confucianism, were also included.

Cai Jinjian asked casually, "What about that Song Jixin?"

Fu Nanhua also answered casually, "That boy? He's ambitious and naturally intelligent, with a substantial backer. But his vision…"

Cai Jinjian smiled. "Isn't great?"

Fu Nanhua laughed. "It's not that it's not great, it's just not grand enough."

As they walked under the archway, Fu Nanhua, filled with confidence, murmured, "When fortune arrives, the whole world lends a hand."

Cai Jinjian looked up at the four words "Do Not Seek Outwardly" and felt empty inside, as if the epiphany she had gained earlier in Mud Bottle Lane had been completely returned to the small town.

This made her incredibly frustrated.

Song Jixin's house was considered a large residence in Mud Bottle Lane. In addition to the main hall where the plaque hung, there were also left and right side rooms.

The plaque in the main hall read "Cherishing Distant Lands," but it was unsigned. Song Jixin always felt that, judging by the calligraphy alone, it wasn't the work of a master.

The young master and his servant were currently in Song Jixin's main room. The boy was rummaging through boxes and cabinets, while the maid stood at the door. She asked softly, "Young Master, didn't the business deal go through?"Song Jixin tossed a string of bells aside and plopped back into the only chair in the room, cradling his head with his hands and crossing his legs. "That Fu Nanhua from Old Dragon City isn't a complete fool. He never saw me as some naive pushover. But he's not exactly a genius either, thinking he could just buddy up to me. How amusing. He revealed his true colors with the slightest prodding, thinking he could use some intimidation tactics to impress me. He's not even close to the unfathomable Mr. Qi, not by a hundred thousand and eight thousand miles."

The maid, Zhigui, chimed in, "A hundred thousand and eight thousand miles? Young Master, that's quite the exaggeration."

Song Jixin stuck out his tongue, "Fine, then it's ten Mud Jug Alleys!"

The young master tossed his maid a pouch. "Look, this is the 'copper coins' mentioned in that secret letter. The Chen fellow next door got a pouch too. I had a feeling that a windfall like that wouldn't be a good thing. And sure enough, those two lovebirds are furious now. I bet Chen's in for a rough time. Oh, and Zhigui, the guy who came to our house claimed to be the Young City Lord of Old Dragon City. Judging by his tone and manner, he's definitely not just a pretty face. And this jade pendant, the 'Old Dragon Brings Rain' thing, it's gotta be worth something!"

Song Jixin patted the jade pendant hanging from his waist, feeling like he was one step closer to being a scholar like Mr. Qi.

Zhigui opened the embroidered pouch and asked softly, "Young Master, can we earn more 'copper coins'?"

Song Jixin grinned. "You like them?"

Zhigui pinched a gold coin between her fingers, shaking it gently. "They're so shiny and festive!"

Song Jixin chuckled. "That's a reason? Alright, if you like them, I'll get a few more pouches. These coins, they're used for different things. Some are placed on the beams as talismans, some on peach wood charms for welcoming spring, some are offerings placed inside or on the hands of Buddha statues. Common folk have their customs, and immortals have their own ways."

She smiled, her eyes like crescent moons. "What about Chen Ping'an's pouch?"

Song Jixin frowned. "Him?"

Sensing her young master's change in mood, the maid carefully collected the coins, tied the pouch shut, and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

Song Jixin shrugged, rubbed the back of his neck, and said casually, "Nothing, just thinking about some old junk. Don't worry about Chen's side for now, don't want to stir up trouble. But that bookworm Zhao Yao, he'll probably get some coins too. He's easy to fool. I guarantee I'll get you a pouch back from him."

Seeing the maid's curious expression, Song Jixin didn't elaborate. Noticing her young master's lack of interest in talking, the girl decided not to press the matter.

Zhigui walked out of the room and into the courtyard, spotting the four-legged snake, an eyesore from birth, sprawled on the ground, sunbathing and occasionally rolling around, looking quite content.

A wave of anger washed over her, and she stomped over, planting her foot on the lizard's head, twisting her heel cruelly.

The poor creature squealed in agony.

She lifted her foot, and the lizard darted away, scampering around the courtyard, constantly bumping into walls.

Their own yellowish-brown four-legged snake.

The golden carp that mistakenly entered the fish trap.

The black loach that Gu Can kept in his water tank.

Gold, wood, water, fire, earth – three out of five were accounted for.

Looking at the four-legged snake with horns on its head, the girl grinned, her face full of disdain. "Stupid thing!"

In Gu Can's courtyard, the old man and woman were still sitting opposite each other. The former held out his palm, observing the spreading lines, his expression not at ease.

The old man lowered his hand and asked, "Gu Shi, are there many women in this town like you who married men from out of town?"

The woman shook her head. "Not many, I think. At least not in Mud Jug Alley or Apricot Blossom Alley. I'm the only one."

The old man hesitated before revealing some secrets to her. "A girl's sixth and twelfth birthdays, and a boy's ninth and eighteenth, are all major thresholds. The girls have to cross them on their own, while the boys can be given a push. After that, there's one more thing that will give you a better chance, and the wealthier families have an advantage. Opening the gate, entering the hall, entering the room – those three things. The first two steps are truly about chance and fate, especially the first step. Whether you succeed or not depends entirely on whether the heavens favor you."

The woman's eyes sparkled with joy. "Since my Gu Can was chosen by a celestial master at first glance, he's someone who can take the first step on his own, right?"

The old man smiled cryptically. "Staying in this town means your natural talents are actually not outstanding. Your Gu Can is no exception, even though he's not yet nine."

The woman's face instantly turned pale.

The old man stamped his foot on the ground and smiled. "Don't worry. Natural talent is important, of course, but it's not the most important thing. If the heavens look favorably upon you, even a stray dog or a blade of grass can slowly cultivate and ascend to the heavens. This town's exception to allow so many outsiders in is a last resort. A field, no matter how good the soil, will eventually be depleted after thousands of years of cultivation, plowing, and harvesting, especially with the short-sighted depletion of resources. This land's feng shui has finally reached its final great year. Like a person on the verge of death, a final burst of energy, their spirit becomes especially strong. Your Gu Can is benefiting from this, and the opportunity is far greater than you can imagine, far surpassing those other talented children in town."

The woman's lips trembled as she tried to suppress her joy. Her eyes were watery and held a seductive charm.

The old man glanced at her and chuckled. "Of course, don't be greedy. There's definitely more than one person with this great opportunity. To put it bluntly, in such a vast Eastern Treasure Continent, even if there is someone qualified to monopolize this fortune, they haven't been born yet."

The woman clasped her hands to her chest, whispering, "It's enough, it's enough."

The old man thought of the younger woman from Cloudglow Mountain and scoffed. "Busy and exhausted, only knowing how to seek external things, truly picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon, utterly foolish."The old man chuckled, "Indeed, those old fogies from Yunxia Mountain have always been narrow-minded. Otherwise, how could this old one have seized this opportunity? To possess a treasure mountain that is virtually inexhaustible, one that should be a source of endless wealth and prosperity, yet they've fallen to the point of needing a disciple's disciple to hold things together."

Inside the house, the child who had been kicking and punching the door for ages, stood on a stool, leaned against the window, and pleaded with a miserable face, "Mother, please let me out! I promise I'll be obedient!"

The woman glanced at the old immortal, who nodded.

Only then did she open the door, take the child's hand, and walk into the courtyard. She gently said with a stern face, "Xiao Can, no mischief, understand? Mother has never hit you before. If you dare disobey, Mother will really hit you again."

The child mumbled an "okay," his head drooping, listless.

Gu Can dragged a small stool over and sat down by himself, forming a three-legged-stand with his mother and the old man. The child propped his chin with his hands, "Mother, what were you talking about with the storyteller just now? I couldn't hear clearly inside. Can you tell me again?"

The old man made a sound of surprise. After a moment of thought, he flicked his wrist, and the large white bowl reappeared in his palm. He lowered his head and stared intently, his gaze obscure. He saw ripples in the water of the white bowl, with occasional splashes. A black line darted around the bowl rapidly, occasionally striking the side. The old man muttered to himself, "Forget it, forget it, I'll let you have your way."

To accept this disciple, the old man had spared no effort in Mud Bottle Alley, even sacrificing decades of cultivation to successfully manipulate events three times.

Once was to make the woman step in dog excrement.

The last time was to use a secret art to make her firmly believe she had attained enlightenment. Outside the small town, this would have been impossible. Even a true Daoist Lord would probably not dare to act in this way. But above the small town, Cai Jinjian was no different from a mortal, and the old man, willing to pay a great price, found an opportunity.

The second time was the most ingenious, so much so that even the old man himself felt it was a stroke of genius, making the woman mistakenly believe that the grass-shoe-wearing boy's kind reminder was actually cunning revenge. At the time, the old man had slowed down the boy's speech, just enough for the woman to catch that detail.

One could say he was extremely meticulous.

On the path of cultivation, fellow Daoists, good or bad karma, are separated by a fine line.

At this moment, the woman in the courtyard, surnamed Gu, felt her heart rise in her throat, afraid that the old immortal would say something bad.

The old man tugged at the corner of his mouth. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the child tiptoeing to his feet, then dashing towards the courtyard gate.

The woman screamed.

The old man, holding the white bowl, stood up unhurriedly, "Disciple, your master will first show you the vastness of heaven and earth, lest you not know your limits and ruin our grand undertaking!"

The woman's vision blurred, and she fainted to the ground.

The old man suddenly waved his sleeve.

The next moment, the child, just about to touch the door bolt, stumbled and fell to the ground. But when he realized something was wrong, he looked around blankly, finally raising his head to look at the storyteller standing next to him, "Where is this?"

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, and said calmly, "In the bowl."

The child was even more confused, then suddenly heard the old man shout, "Get up!"

The child stood up instinctively, unmoving.

Gu Can discovered that he seemed to be standing on the edge of a cliff, with a vast sea of clouds in the distance directly ahead.

Then, the child's eyes widened in horror, as he saw a huge trunk break through the clouds in the whiteness, slowly moving.

But it was so huge that it could not reveal its complete true appearance.

The child was so frightened that he wanted to take a step back, but he was quickly held back by the old man's hand pressing on his head, who said sternly, "One step back now, and you will never advance on the path of cultivation! Stand firm!"

The child was so frightened that tears welled up in his eyes. This unruly child, who had never been afraid of anything, did not even dare to cry out loud.

The child completely couldn't control his body, his legs trembling, his lips quivering.

In the distance, the sea of clouds began to boil.

The misty white clouds seemed to gradually fade away.

Then more blackness appeared in the sky, extremely long and large, like... the little loach in his own water tank, after it had grown enormously?

The idea popped into the child's mind for no reason.

At that moment, Gu Can was out of his mind, and involuntarily took a step forward, extending his slender arm towards the sky.

A head, huge as a mountain peak, slowly swam over from the sea of clouds.

The child's eyes lit up, without the slightest fear, even waving his hand and shouting, "Come here! Come here! So you've grown this big, no wonder I always felt that the fish, shrimp, and crabs in the water tank were missing a lot the next day."

The Scribe Lake's Intercepting River True Lord, standing behind Gu Can, was filled with mixed feelings, with both deep loss and jealousy, as well as a sense of relief.

Although he certainly no longer had such a great fortune, to have such a disciple was a fortunate thing, and definitely worth the trip!

The old man watched the head approach with his own eyes, murmuring, "A wonder of the world."

Chen Ping An suddenly told the girl in black that he needed to go into the house for a moment. He ended up squatting in a corner, his back to her, hiding something in his hand.

When he came out, he said he was going to buy a ceramic pot for decocting medicine, as the house was lacking one.

After the grass-shoe-wearing boy quickly left, the girl glanced at the dark corner, where an old jar stood.

Moreover, the girl's hearing was actually very good.

The thing in his hand was a piece of broken porcelain, extremely sharp.