Free Web NovelChapter 44: Chapter 29: Moonlit Pengxuan Pavilion, Jiazi Jade Immortal Tower (Part 2)
Xuzhuang laughed heartily and said, "Brother Zhang, you misunderstand. In this world, be they orthodox cultivators or demonic, are we not all just seeking the Dao? Even someone from the Demon Dao, so long as they don’t commit heinous, virtue-damaging acts, is there any reason we can’t befriend them? I trust that any Daoist friend of yours would not be such a person, would they?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji smiled. "Brother Xu, your words are most reasonable. How could a friend of mine be that kind of person?"
"To be perfectly honest, I have run into a difficult matter that requires the use of a Celestial Demon Dao Skill to resolve." Xuzhuang took the wine pot, filled both their cups with the jade-like liquor, and smiled. "It’s just that practitioners of the Demon Dao are by nature secretive, and inheritors of the Celestial Demon Dao Skill are few and far between... Not only are they difficult to track down, but I also dare not place my trust in just anyone."
"So that’s the reason! Leave it to me." Upon hearing this, Zhang Ji immediately gave his assurance. "Rest assured, Brother Xu. I will arrange for you to meet Fairy Shi."
"Hmm?" At these words, the cup in Xuzhuang’s hand paused. A strange glint flashed in his eyes as a not-so-distant memory surfaced: the image of a woman in a plain, long dress, her face veiled in white gauze.
’It can’t be such a coincidence, can it? To run into someone I have a grudge against?’
Xuzhuang stroked his wine cup, his expression unreadable as he asked, "Fairy Shi?"
"That’s right. Fairy Shi is the inheritor of the Celestial Demon Dao Skill you’re looking for," Zhang Ji said. "Brother Xu, you can be completely at ease. I’ve known Fairy Shi since we were young—it’s been fifty years now. I can personally vouch for her; she is absolutely trustworthy."
Xuzhuang considered this for a moment before setting aside his doubts for the time being. He smiled and said, "In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Zhang."
Zhang Ji downed the jade-like liquor and laughed heartily. "Speaking of which, your timing is quite fortunate, Brother Xu. Fairy Shi’s movements are unpredictable, so I normally wouldn’t have been able to help. It was only a short while ago that I received word she has come to the East Sea once more."
Xuzhuang was somewhat surprised. Practitioners of the Demon Dao were always secretive, and he hadn’t expected to succeed so easily on this trip. He hadn’t anticipated that things would fall into place so effortlessly, as if guided by fate.
Xuzhuang asked, "Then when can you introduce me to Fairy Shi, Brother Zhang?"
"Ah, don’t be hasty, Brother Xu. It’s not that I’m trying to drag things out. I only know that Fairy Shi has reached the East Sea; I don’t know her exact location." Zhang Ji said as he refilled their cups. "However... Please, Brother Xu."
Seeing that Zhang Ji had more to say, Xuzhuang didn’t press the matter. He accepted the cup, and they drank another round before Zhang Ji continued. "Brother Xu, are you aware that in a few days, Pengxuan Pavilion will be holding a grand treasure convention? There will be auctions for nine consecutive days. Fairy Shi has already contacted me and asked me to reserve a seat for her. Why don’t you stay here with me for a few days? When Fairy Shi arrives at Pengxuan Pavilion, I can arrange a meeting for you both."
Xuzhuang thought for a moment. "Very well. I will impose on you then, Brother Zhang."
"There you go, being a stranger again! Brother Xu, just make yourself at home. I promise to be a good host." Zhang Ji laughed. "Come, come! Let’s drink first and talk more later."
"After you."
"Please!" The two raised their cups and drank again and again. Host and guest were both in high spirits. Within a couple of hours, they had finished the entire pot of jade-like liquor. This wine was a treasure from Penglai, rumored to be brewed from thousand-year-old Spirit Fruits. Not only was it unbelievably fragrant and mellow, but it also had the significant effect of advancing one’s cultivation. After downing the whole pot, Zhang Ji’s eyes were hazy with intoxication. Still not satisfied, he was about to call an attendant for more.
Xuzhuang quickly interjected, "Brother Zhang, I’m feeling a bit weary. This liquor is excellent, but we can always drink more another time. Why don’t we call it a day?"
Zhang Ji froze for a second, then fell silent. He seemed to circulate his energy to dispel the alcohol, and much of the haze cleared from his eyes. "We haven’t seen each other in so many years, I got carried away," he said apologetically. "I forgot you must be weary from your journey. My apologies! My apologies!"
He called an attendant over and instructed, "Take Brother Xu to the Jiazi Immortal Guest Tower and get him settled in. Then, inform everyone in the Pavilion that Brother Xu is a dear friend of mine. Under no circumstances are you to slight our distinguished guest. Do you understand?"
"Well..." The attendant looked troubled. "Reporting to the Pavilion Master, the last Jiazi Immortal Guest Tower was occupied two days ago."
"What?" Zhang Ji frowned. "Who is currently staying in the Jiazi Immortal Guest Towers? List them out for me. I’ll go explain the situation myself and ask one of them to move..."
"Wait, Brother Zhang!" Xuzhuang stopped him. "The guests have already settled in; there’s no sense in asking them to move. I’s not some great personage. Any random lodging you arrange will be fine."
"How could I do that? Never mind your status, Brother Xu; you and I are the closest of friends. How could I be a poor host?" Zhang Ji said.
Despite his words, the guests Pengxuan Pavilion housed in the Jiazi Immortal Guest Towers were all of prominent status, which left Zhang Ji in a difficult position. He mulled it over for a moment, then inspiration struck. "I have an idea!" he said excitedly to the attendant. "Go have people clean up the Jade Immortal Tower immediately. Take anything that’s been used to my quarters for storage and replace it all with brand-new items. Afterward, escort Brother Xu to the Jade Immortal Tower."
The attendant bowed deeply upon hearing the order and scurried out of the waterside pavilion.
Xuzhuang asked doubtfully, "Brother Zhang, this Jade Immortal Tower... what is it?"
Zhang Ji laughed. "Rest assured, Brother Xu. The Jade Immortal Tower is the residence I reserve for my younger female relative when she visits Zhao Yue Island. It’s also built upon a Jiazi Spiritual Vein, with appointments identical to the Jiazi Immortal Guest Towers. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied."
"But..." Xuzhuang felt it was somewhat improper, but he couldn’t keep refusing Zhang Ji’s kind gesture, so he had no choice but to accept.
A short while later, the attendant returned to the pavilion, reporting that the Jade Immortal Tower was ready. Zhang Ji immediately instructed him to escort Xuzhuang there. Seeing no way out of it, Xuzhuang gracefully accepted and rose to bid Zhang Ji farewell.
Zhang Ji laughed. "Brother Xu, we must drink to our hearts’ content again soon."
Xuzhuang shook his head and chuckled, then clasped his hands in a gesture of farewell before turning to the attendant. "Please lead the way."
The attendant gave a slight bow. "Mr. Xu, this way please."
And so, Xuzhuang followed the attendant toward the Jade Immortal Tower. The attendant explained that the tower was built on the mountain’s Jiazi Spiritual Vein and was quite close by.
True to the attendant’s word, after a short walk along the mountain path, Xuzhuang felt the Spiritual Qi in the air become dense and vibrant. He could faintly discern several other towers nestled in the mountains—perhaps the Jiazi Immortal Guest Towers—but the attendant led him in a different direction. The environment grew progressively more serene until, after a short while, the Jade Immortal Tower came into view.
The Jade Immortal Tower was a magnificent sight, with glazed roof tiles, crimson pillars, and intricately carved rafters. Xuzhuang, however, didn’t linger on its beauty; his eyes were drawn to the clearing in front of it.
In the clearing stood a young man accompanied by several servants. They looked as if they had been waiting for a long time. The man was dressed in opulent robes, an eager expression on his face, while his servants stood by, each holding rare treasures and elaborate gift boxes with both hands. They were clearly waiting for someone, and Xuzhuang already had a bad feeling about this.
’The person they’re eagerly awaiting is probably not me,’ Xuzhuang thought. And he was right. The young man, who had been craning his neck in anticipation, showed no signs of delight upon seeing Xuzhuang and the attendant approach. Instead, his face filled with confusion. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Stop!" the man suddenly snapped, his tone sharp. "Who are you, and what are you doing loitering around the Jade Immortal Tower?"
’This guy is unbelievable,’ Xuzhuang thought, frowning slightly at the man’s rude and unwarranted behavior. "I am staying here," he replied coolly. "How is that loitering? And who might you be, to be blocking my way for no reason?"
A look of disbelief spread across the man’s face, followed by a derisive laugh. "Where did a buffoon like you come from, telling such a ridiculous joke? Everyone knows the Jade Immortal Tower is the residence of the Penglai Shuyu Fairy when she is at Pengxuan Pavilion!"
Seeing things were about to escalate, the attendant quickly intervened. "Young Master Lian, Mr. Xu is an honored guest of the Pavilion Master. The Pavilion Master himself ordered me to bring Mr. Xu here to stay for the time being."
"What?" Young Master Lian said, astonished. "So when you were all rushing to clean the place up just now, it wasn’t because the Yu Fairy was about to move in?"
"That is correct," the attendant replied.
Hearing this, Xuzhuang understood everything. He found such cliché theatrics utterly boring and had no desire to engage. Shaking his head, he walked past them and headed straight for the tower’s entrance.
Young Master Lian moved to block his path but stopped when he saw Xuzhuang’s emotionless expression, instinctively pulling his hand back. He frowned in silence for a moment, then barked, "Let’s go!" and stormed off with his retinue in tow.
