Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 29: Zhaoyue’s Pengxuan Pavilion, Jiazi’s Jade Immortal Tower
Zhao Yue Island was a name known to all in the East Sea Cultivation Realm. However, in reality, while it possessed some scenic beauty, it was no Spirit Island Immortal Mountain.
Zhao Yue Island owed its fame to the three mountains in its vicinity, which were under the direct jurisdiction of an Immortal Sect. In the chaotic East Sea Cultivation Realm, it was a universally recognized haven of order. Over time, it became a hub where many paths converged and fortunes were made.
The entire Zhao Yue Island was also a sprawling Immortal Market. Treasure Pavilions and Cloud Towers dotted the landscape, nestled between mountains and water. They were connected by suspended corridors above and bluestone streets below. The streets teemed with bustling crowds, and small boats sailed directly along the waterways, passing through arched bridges into the island’s lakes. The lakes themselves were filled with countless flower boats and pleasure barges, carrying an endless stream of patrons.
Within the Zhao Yue Island Immortal Market, the most conspicuous structure was undoubtedly Pengxuan Pavilion. As the Main Pavilion of Pengxuan Pavilion, it wasn’t just a single, opulent Treasure Pavilion, but a mountain estate built against the mountainside. Numerous buildings were interconnected, rising from the base to the peak, forming a single entity. It was divided into many sections, each with its own function: a main hall, guest reception, spirit beast pens, alchemy labs, artifact halls, a pawnshop, a library for Daoist Scriptures, an Immortal Treasure Exchange, and more. The complex was also dotted with various scenic gazebos and fragrant waterside pavilions.
After parting ways with He Shanhai’s merchant ship a few days ago, Xuzhuang wasted no more time. He traveled at full speed for several days using his Flying Escape technique, stopping only for half a day on a deserted island. Having finally reached Zhao Yue Island, he headed straight for Pengxuan Pavilion, presented his jade token, and asked to see Zhang Ji.
By now, Xuzhuang had followed an attendant along a winding path for quite some time. They crossed a suspended corridor outside a waterfall, turned onto a mountain path, and after walking for several dozen more steps, arrived before a moon gate. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
He looked up and saw the name "Qinfang Pavilion" inscribed above. The attendant had stopped, so Xuzhuang entered the gate alone. The moment he passed through the moon gate, he heard the faint sound of reed pipes. He rounded a screen wall and peered through a curtain of lush branches and leaves to see a Pavilion Platform beside a Jade Lake. On it was a bevy of graceful women—some holding zithers, some playing flutes, and others dancing elegantly with fans in hand...
And the man he was looking for was sitting sprawled out by the lake with his back to Xuzhuang, pouring his own drinks and tapping along to the rhythm of the music, looking utterly content.
Xuzhuang crossed the stepping stones into the pavilion just as the song and dance were coming to an end. The man clapped his hands in praise and laughed heartily. "A fine song, and what graceful dancing! Rewards!" he called, instructing his servants to quickly give them a reward.
"Brother Zhang, you certainly have a taste for leisure and elegance."
"Ah!" Zhang Ji turned his head, startled. "You are... Xuzhuang!"
Zhang Ji scrambled to his feet, took two steps forward, and said in astonishment, "I heard a report that someone had come to see me with a token, and I was wondering which old friend it could be... I never imagined it would be you, Brother Xu!"
He shook his head and said self-deprecatingly, "Only because I’m not a true seeker of the Dao like you, Brother Xu, do I have time for this ’leisure and elegance.’ It’s nothing worthy of praise."
"You’re too modest, Brother Zhang," Xuzhuang said.
"Hahaha! Let’s not talk about that! It hasn’t been that long, has it? Less than twenty years? When we first met, I felt that you were a hidden gem, biding your time to astound the world. And sure enough, not long after you returned to the Dongsheng Continent, I heard the rumors from the sect: that you had forged a Top-grade Golden Core, slayed a Five-Clawed Flame Dragon, and made your name famous throughout the Divine Continent. I was absolutely stunned! I never expected we’d meet again so soon. Quick, please, sit down!"
Zhang Ji laughed loudly, ushering Xuzhuang to a seat. Then he called to an attendant, "What are you waiting for? Go prepare Immortal Fruits and Spirit Tea! And remember to go to the Immortal Food Hall and fetch the finest pastries... Brother Xu! How about we share a cup of fine wine?"
He seemed to be asking Xuzhuang, but without waiting for a reply, he continued to issue a torrent of commands. "Just bring both the tea and the wine! And remember, bring my Jade Nectar. Don’t serve any inferior wine and show a lack of courtesy!"
He then turned to the singers and dancers. "Perform another piece! If you can please Brother Xu, there will be a handsome reward!"
Seeing all this, Xuzhuang swallowed the words he had been about to say and smiled. "How can I accept such lavish hospitality from you, Brother Zhang?"
"Hey! Brother Xu, you’re being too distant." Zhang Ji waved his hand dismissively, picked up the wine pot and an eared cup from the small table, and poured it to the brim. He offered it with both hands, saying, "You should say: ’It would be rude to refuse such hospitality!’ Drink!"
"Hahaha, it would be rude to refuse such hospitality! Drink!" Upon hearing this, Xuzhuang no longer stood on ceremony. He accepted the eared cup with both hands, gave a nod of acknowledgment, and downed it in one gulp, letting out a hearty laugh.
"Drink!" Zhang Ji drank a cup, then picked up the wine pot to pour another. He only managed half a cup before the pot was empty. Just then, an attendant brought over the Immortal Fruits, pastries, Spirit Tea, and Jade Nectar. Zhang Ji eagerly grabbed the Jade Nectar and began to pour, and the two resumed tasting the Penglai Immortal Brew.
Goblets were raised and refilled, and in the blink of an eye, they had finished half a jug. The Jade Nectar was exceptionally rich and fragrant. Zhang Ji, not having used his internal energy to dispel the alcohol, was already a bit tipsy. It was only then that he asked with a beaming smile, "Brother Xu! We haven’t seen each other in over a decade. For you to come to the East Sea now, is it for some important matter?"
Xuzhuang toyed with his wine cup, pondering for a moment before saying frankly, "To be honest, Brother Zhang, I’ve imposed on you today because I have a favor to ask."
Hearing this, Zhang Ji feigned displeasure. "Brother Xu, you’re being too formal again, speaking such pleasantries to me. Your business is my business. As long as it’s something I can help with, there’s no way I’d stand idly by."
"Then I’ll thank you in advance, Brother Zhang." Xuzhuang drained the Jade Nectar from his cup, raised it with a slight smile, and said, "I need to ask you about someone." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Who is it?" Zhang Ji asked.
Xuzhuang said, "I once heard you mention, Brother Zhang, that you have a friend who is an heir to the Celestial Demon Dao Skill."
"Oh?" Zhang Ji paused, his cup halfway to his lips. "What are you getting at, Brother Xu?"
Xuzhuang smiled slightly. "I’d like you, Brother Zhang, to introduce me to this fellow Daoist."
A look of confusion crossed Zhang Ji’s face. "This... I seem to recall that you don’t associate with people from the Demon Dao, Brother Xu?"
