Cultivating To Immortality

Chapter 729: Lie

Looking at Xiao Ju’s serious demeanor, a strange thought flashed through Song Yan’s mind.

Xiao Ju’s Cultivation speed was slow, partly because her Spiritual Root Aptitude was too poor, and partly because she was poor and lacked sufficient Cultivation resources.

However, her Heart-Nature and character were impeccable.

Perhaps a little too kind, but character could be honed.

He gently stroked his chin, contemplating a certain possibility.

"Should I let Xiao Ju try the Sword-Planting method?"

The Sword Sect was in decline now, and he only possessed a superficial understanding of its Legacy.

Having one more or one less person who knew these few things probably wouldn’t matter much, would it?

"Wait a little longer..."

After much thought, Song Yan decided to wait until he had reached Foundation Establishment before making a decision.

Back then, he had treated a dead horse as if it were alive; who knew if his success had involved an element of luck.

Once he successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he could also serve as a Protector.

Lest he ruin someone’s Dao and incur Karma, which would also affect his own state of mind.

In any case, Xiao Ju was only at the third level of Qi Refining, not yet at the stage where she could sever her spirit and plant a sword.

So he planned to wait until Xiao Ju reached the fourth level of Qi Refining or above before making further arrangements.

He had never thought about rebuilding the Sword Sect; the Cave Abyss Sect had generally treated him well, so there was no need to establish his own Sect.

Mainly, he also lacked the strength.

The two were silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

Since swallowing the tiger demon’s inner core, Xiao He had been sleeping for very long periods over the past few days.

She had only been energetic for a few days while on the boat, and now she was sound asleep again... Under the lingering glow of the sunset, a vermilion, cloud-patterned cargo ship was docked on the river, illuminated by the evening clouds.

Yunxi City, City Lord’s Estate.

Zhao Huaizhen stood outside the estate, with a group of servants behind him. His expression was slightly fatigued, but he still forced himself to be energetic.

He didn’t know what had happened these past few days.

First, an Immortal Master from the Cave Abyss Sect came to inspect, and actually uncovered a demonic calamity involving the Profound Origin Sect’s revered elder colluding with a tiger demon.

That was still fine; those were matters for the Immortal Masters, at least not directly related to him, the City Lord.

Unexpectedly, after seeing off one guest, another arrived.

No sooner had he seen off the Immortal than his servants reported that the Second Prince, for some unknown reason, had arrived in Yunxi City on a cargo ship from Chu Capital.

Previously, his servants had reported that the Second Prince did not immediately come to the City Lord’s Estate after disembarking, but instead went sightseeing for a while, accompanied by a woman like an Immortal.

"None of them are easy to deal with..."

He sighed inwardly.

Indeed, Zhao Huaizhen desired power and wealth. How many people wished to interact with these heavenly Immortals and high-ranking officials but never had the opportunity?

But with them coming one after another, he felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Fortunately, it was the Second Prince who came. If it had been other high-ranking officials, such hurried preparations might have caused displeasure.

Just as he was feeling unsettled, someone arrived at the City Lord’s Estate.

The person leading the way was precisely the young man in python robes whom Song Yan and the others had seen at the dock.

Zhao Huaizhen hurried to the estate gate, bowed, and saluted: "Your Highness has graced us with your presence; your humble official has failed to greet you!"

The Second Prince’s visit this time was not grand; he only brought two personal guards and... a beautiful young girl, traveling light.

The Second Prince waved his hand, his expression lazy: "City Lord Zhao, there’s no need for such formalities. This king’s journey is merely for leisure; there’s no need for a big commotion."

The group chatted as they walked, entering the reception hall and sitting down one by one.

Zhao Huaizhen secretly observed the Second Prince’s expression and tentatively said: "Your Highness has endured a long journey; why not move to the flower hall to rest? A humble banquet has already been prepared in the estate..."

Zhao Huaizhen originally wanted to say that beautiful courtesans and dancers were prepared in the flower hall, but seeing the beautiful young girl beside him, he dared not speak.

"City Lord Zhao, in the Capital, you and I are considered acquaintances; there’s no need to be so restrained."

Zhao Huaizhen finally let out a sigh of relief.

"...There’s no need for a banquet or anything." The Second Prince casually stretched, his gaze sweeping over the estate’s scenery, then suddenly asked: "I’m tired today; let’s rest early."

"I hear Yunxi has a’Spring River Misty Rain’ scenic view. Tomorrow, this king intends to go out and walk around again."

His gaze fell upon the quietly silent young girl, and he said with a playful smile: "Hey! Xie Family Immortal Sister, would you do this king the honor of accompanying him tomorrow?"

The young girl, dressed in snow-white clothes, sat quietly, her dark hair simply tied up.

Her demeanor was calm, and her brows exuded an ethereal aura.

Her fair face still held a touch of childishness, unadorned with makeup, her skin like congealed cream. Hearing the Second Prince’s question, she did not reply, only simply nodded.

"Your Highness, your humble servant is blind and does not know who this is..."

The Second Prince smiled: "City Lord Zhao, don’t underestimate her just because she’s young. This is Immortal Master Xie Chan, a Senior Master from the Hanging Sword Mountain Immortal Sect."

"Ah!"

Zhao Huaizhen’s expression changed in surprise. He quickly bowed respectfully, about to apologize, but was stopped by Xie Chan.

She shook her head: "City Lord Zhao, there’s no need for such formality."

The Second Prince leaned lazily on his seat, eating the fruit presented by the servants: "City Lord Zhao, the Capital is in chaos right now. My brothers are all openly and secretly contending for the position of Crown Prince, fighting fiercely."

"It just so happened that the cargo ship was coming to Yunxi City, and I remembered you. So, here I am, to stay and play for half a year to avoid the limelight."

He pointed to Xie Chan: "Sister Xie, she just happened to be descending the mountain for her travels and escorted me all the way."

Xie Chan nodded: "The Xie Family once received Your Highness’s favor, so escorting you is a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

"So that’s how it is."

Zhao Huaizhen wiped the sweat from his brow. Both of them were easy to talk to, and he immediately felt much more at ease.

He had known about this Second Prince for a long time; he disdained power struggles and had no interest in the so-called fight for the throne.

It seemed he had just come here to relax.

"Your humble official will immediately prepare accommodations for the two of you."

"Speaking of which, it’s truly a coincidence. An Immortal Master from the Cave Abyss Sect who came to inspect the enshrined matters just left. The Star-Gazing Villa hasn’t been properly tidied yet, so Immortal Master Xie, please temporarily stay in another villa."

"It’s fine."

Xie Chan had been able to endure hardships since she was young, and after entering Hanging Sword Mountain, she was single-mindedly devoted to the Dao. A villa or not, it didn’t matter at all.

However, Zhao Huaizhen’s words did catch her attention.

An Immortal Master from the Cave Abyss Sect?

"City Lord Zhao, do you know which Immortal Master came here a few days ago?"

"Oh, it was Immortal Master Song Yan from the Cave Abyss Sect," Zhao Huaizhen replied truthfully.

Song Yan?!

Xie Chan’s eyes, originally calm as still water, suddenly lit up. She looked up at City Lord Zhao: "Is that true?"

Zhao Huaizhen was a bit confused. How could he, a mere Mortal City Lord, dare to lie to an Immortal?

Before he could answer, the Second Prince glanced at her, a slight curve on his lips: "Miss Xie knows this Immortal Master Song?"

Xie Chan pursed her lips, nodded, and then continued to ask: "City Lord Zhao, do you know where Immortal Master Song specifically went?"

"Your humble official only knows that he took a boat north to Lin Prefecture. As for the specific destination..." Zhao Huaizhen looked troubled, his face full of apologetic smiles: "Immortal matters, your humble official dares not inquire further."

"Lin Prefecture..."

Xie Chan murmured to herself.

That year, she followed her grandfather Xie Xing to the Hanging Sword Mountain to select Immortal seedlings. Both she and her elder brother Xie Chuan entered the Sect.

Since entering the Sect, she had been inquiring about the person who saved her family back then.

Song Yan.

At first, she couldn’t find any information, until after the Changping incident, the name Song Yan began to spread among the various major Sects.

For many people, discussions about Song Yan were merely temporary gossip.

However, for Xie Chan, it was completely different.

The Second Prince, eating his fruit, slowed his hand movements considerably, and a premonition of unease arose in his heart.

Throughout this journey, he had never seen such an expression on the face of this Immortal Sister.

What kind of person was this Song Yan?

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, Xie Chan suddenly stood up: "Your Highness, we have now reached Yunxi City. I presume there will be no major issues, so I must take my leave first."

The Second Prince raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Is the Immortal planning to pursue that Immortal Master Song?"

Xie Chan nodded.

She didn’t know what she wanted to do, but she always wanted to see him, to see this savior from back then.

Even if she might miss him, even if there was only a tiny bit of hope.

The Second Prince was silent for a moment, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes, but he still smiled: "Miss Xie is a person of the Immortal Sect; this king is but a mere Mortal. How dare I hold back an Immortal."

He waved his hand, feigning nonchalance: "Go, don’t delay."

Xie Chan had no intention of lingering for another moment. Leaving behind a "Your Highness, take care," she strode away.

The Second Prince stood up to see her off, but the girl in the twilight never looked back once.

Watching Xie Chan’s receding figure, her luxurious robes gently fluttering in the wind, the young man still wore that lazy smile on his face, yet it could not hide the loneliness in his eyes.

Phew... The young man chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Immortals and Mortals are on different paths... It was I who was foolishly dreaming."

"It’s just..."

"Is it truly impossible to Cultivate Immortality without a Spiritual Root?"

...At Guiyun Inn, the night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Song Yan planned to leave the city and head to Changfeng Village.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he went downstairs, he saw Wu Dou waiting outside the door, with a carriage parked beside him.

"Good morning, Young Master. Have you had your morning tea?"

Seeing Song Yan come out, he hurried over, respectfully, holding some pastries in his hand.

They seemed to be famous local snacks.

Wu Dou saw Song Yan’s gaze fall on the carriage and quickly rubbed his hands, explaining: "The Young Master gave me ample silver, and I thought Changfeng Village was a long journey, so I took the liberty of hiring a carriage."

Having received so much money, if he only pointed the way and gave introductions, he wouldn’t feel at ease taking the money.

"This coachman is someone I know well; he’s familiar with the roads and has strong horses, guaranteed to be fast and steady."

Song Yan nodded slightly at the words.

The few taels of silver he had casually given yesterday were indeed overly generous for a guide, but he hadn’t expected Wu Dou to be so thoughtful.

"Very well, thank you, young brother."

"You’re welcome."

Song Yan nodded to Xiao Ju, and the two of them got into the carriage together.

Wu Dou sat next to the coachman, and the two chatted in the local dialect.

It must be said that Song Yan’s image as a Jianghu martial artist saved him a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Even if someone saw him spending lavishly and wanted to kill him for his wealth, they would have to weigh whether they had the strength to do so.

The carriage started moving.

Wu Dou, in front, asked: "Young Master, please don’t mind my impertinence, but I see you don’t seem to be here for the rumors about General Xiao."

Song Yan hummed and casually explained: "My ancestors came from Changfeng Village, so I’ve come to visit my ancestral land this time."

"I see."

Wu Dou responded and didn’t ask further.

Although Song Yan seemed easy to talk to, he didn’t want to needlessly annoy his patron.

Xiao Ju would sometimes stare blankly out the carriage window, imagining the scenery outside from the small glimpses through the curtain.

"What kind of person was Senior Song’s grandfather?"

After bumping along the rugged mountain road for most of the day, they finally stopped in front of a village nestled in a mountain hollow.

Changfeng Village was smaller than imagined, with dozens of households scattered on the hillside, grey-tiled and mud-walled houses arranged in an orderly fashion.

At the village entrance, an old Sophora japonica tree leaned with its branches, and under it sat several old men smoking dry tobacco. Seeing the carriage stop, they all cast curious glances.

In the distance, several farm women were bent over planting rice in the terraced fields, and occasional dog barks echoed, making the village seem very quiet.

This made the arrival of Song Yan and the others seem somewhat "noisy."

Getting off the carriage, Song Yan slowly walked forward and cupped his hands to the old men under the Sophora japonica tree: "Gentlemen, have you heard of someone named’Song Ying’?

"He was also a villager, who lived here about twenty years ago before leaving. Where did he used to live?"

Unexpectedly, the old man smoking shook his head and clicked his tongue: "Our Changfeng Village has people named Shu and Zheng, but this person named Song..."

He turned his gaze to the person next to him: "Hey, why have I never heard of him?"

The person asked next also gave the same answer: "Song Ying? Never heard of him."

The old men looked at each other, shaking their heads and clicking their tongues.

Song Yan was startled; why did this scene feel so familiar?

He already had a premonition in his heart.

He didn’t give up and continued to inquire from house to house along the village path, from the beginning to the end of the village, even knocking on the village school teacher’s door, but the answer he received was always the same.

"No such person."

Xiao Ju held her sword, quietly following beside him.

Wu Dou spoke up and asked: "Young Master, could it be that your elder remembered incorrectly?"

"It shouldn’t be."

Song Yan shook his head.

It wasn’t until the group passed the village ancestral hall and met the old village chief, who was leaning on a cane.

The old man squinted and thought for a long time, then suddenly let out an "Oh." Before he could speak, Song Yan’s face was already alight with joy.

"You mean that traveling doctor with the medicine box? I remember, I remember."

"But he wasn’t a villager..."

Not a villager?

"He did come more than twenty years ago, built a thatched hut on Wuzhi Ping, and lived there for half a year, curing many illnesses for the villagers."

"That person was very strange; he often talked to himself facing the cliff, and then one day he suddenly disappeared... What, is he your relative?"

Song Yan took a deep breath.

Upon receiving such a strange reply, his emotions were truly difficult to calm down.

"Why did grandfather lie to me?"

It was truly strange. Even if he wanted to lie to him, he should have told him that the "ancestral land is Changfeng Village," not "Wuzhi Ping."

What exactly was on Wuzhi Ping?

He pondered for a moment, then turned to Wu Dou and said: "Thank you for your trouble, young brother. You can go back first; I want to stay here for the night today."

Wu Dou was a little puzzled but still nodded.

He got into the carriage and left.

The old village chief had nothing to do, so he led them to Wuzhi Ping, where the "thatched hut" was located.

Although the old man was advanced in years, he had, after all, worked as a farmer, so he walked quite quickly.

Song Yan inquired about the village’s situation, and the old village chief answered everything he knew.

This inquiry, however, uncovered a strange matter.

Changfeng Village was actually formed by the merger of two villages that were originally in the mountains.