Chapter 125: Ship?

The four steamed buns were likely homemade by Old Man Chen's family. The filling was substantial, though the vegetable bun was a bit too salty.

After finishing the buns, Ji Yuan crumpled the dry lotus leaves into a ball and tossed them into the grass on the bank, leaving them to decompose naturally. The hemp rope was left on the boat to be returned to Old Man Chen later.

He took a sip of wine and glanced at the emerald-green fishing rod beside him. It seemed the current situation was not ideal for fishing.

Shortly after he finished the buns, several large fish swam past from the riverbed. Their dark silhouettes, though not as exaggerated as a dragon, were still larger than the covered boat he was sitting in.

Ji Yuan looked south. So many aquatic spirits and monsters were heading in that direction, indicating something significant must have happened somewhere in Tongtian River. However, observing how unhurriedly they passed, it didn't seem to be an emergency or anything too dire.

In any case, this matter likely wouldn't affect the mortals outside Tongtian River, nor Ji Yuan himself. It was better not to pry too deeply into a gathering place of aquatic spirits and monsters, no matter how strong one's curiosity was.

Unbeknownst to him, the weather grew colder and colder.

That day, Ji Yuan somewhat helplessly pulled up his fishing rod. He saw the bait was still intact, but the fish basket beside him remained empty.

“Sigh… I can’t catch any fish!”

It had been many days in a row without catching a single fish. He supposed the fishermen along Tongtian River were also having a hard time, though, strictly speaking, it wasn't fishing season, so probably not many fishermen were out on their boats.

However, Ji Yuan really wanted some fish soup, and lately, even Old Man Chen couldn't find any fresh fish to buy for him.

Aquatic spirits and monsters kept swimming by at intervals. Ji Yuan casually calculated that he had already noticed dozens of groups passing.

There weren't many monsters in the entire Great Zhen, let alone those with significant cultivation. So, Ji Yuan strongly suspected that many aquatic monsters, even from beyond the national borders, had arrived.

‘It’s not even New Year yet. Do aquatic creatures celebrate like this?’

As he was thinking this, he heard the sound of hooves and carriage wheels approaching from afar on the bank. Ji Yuan looked towards the sound and saw a procession of carriages and horses heading his way in the distance.

As the carriages and horses drew nearer, Ji Yuan observed them for a while. A scholarly aura flowed within several of the carriages, indicating they were likely candidates on their way to the capital for the imperial examination. Their academic level wouldn't be low, and judging by their procession, their families certainly weren't lacking in wealth.

Just then, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky, drawing Ji Yuan's attention to the beautiful descent from above.

Counting it, this was the first snow of the year, and also the first snow Ji Yuan had ever witnessed in his life.

He reached out to catch a flake, which immediately melted from the warmth of his palm. Picking up the wine pot beside him and removing the stopper, Ji Yuan, in a burst of childlike wonder, held the bottle opening to catch the falling snowflakes.

As the carriages and horses passed by on the road, a scholar lifted the curtain of his carriage and looked towards the riverside. He saw the vast, snow-covered river and a lone old fisherman in a straw cape and hat on a small boat.

“This is indeed the capital, where the scenery is beautiful and the atmosphere even more profound!”

“Heh heh… Your enthusiasm is admirable, my dear brother, but I’m practically freezing to death!”

Another scholar beside him tightened the blanket wrapped around himself, holding a charcoal hand warmer.

From the procession, a burly man in a fur-lined cloak rode his horse out of formation and approached the bank, shouting towards Ji Yuan.

“Boatman, do you know how much further it is to Zhuangyuan Ferry?”

Hearing himself called, Ji Yuan put down his wine pot, turned towards them, and shouted back his answer.

“Head south along the riverbank, and it’s about a dozen *li* more.”

The man on horseback cupped his hand towards the covered boat in a salute, then guided his horse back to the procession.

Watching the comfortable appearance of these travelers, Ji Yuan couldn't help but wonder how his friend Master Yin would arrive.

The Yin family wasn't wealthy, but they weren't particularly poor either. They surely had enough money to hire a carriage in this freezing weather. Besides, it was rare for Ning’an County to have a scholar of such literary prominence, so the county would definitely provide strong assistance.

Ji Yuan watched the procession depart, then took a sip of his snow-infused wine. The placebo effect made the wine taste even better.

Meanwhile, within the realm of the Ethereal Mountains and Rivers, Ji Yuan, as usual, used his thoughts to draw wisps of dan energy from the alchemy furnace and direct them towards the chess pieces. He did this every three days.

Currently, the black piece belonging to Lu Shan Jun was still the most solidified among the chess pieces. However, Ji Yuan estimated that it would only fully solidify when Lu Shan Jun truly made significant progress in his cultivation and successfully transformed.

However, for a demonic creature's cultivation, transforming into human form was one of the greatest trials, not something that could be achieved overnight. Even with Ji Yuan occasionally "feeding" him elixirs, it was still unclear how long it would take.

In contrast to Ji Yuan's calm and unhurried demeanor, the two current overseers in the Tongtian River Water Palace were not in a good mood.

The River God, Ying Ruoli, sat in the main hall, watching as the aquatic creatures began to decorate it, with some even bringing coral from the sea for adornment. Though she appeared composed, the River God was inwardly extremely anxious.

A moment later, a stream of dragon shadow light entered the River God's residence, materializing into a richly robed man in front of the hall. It was her elder brother, Ying Feng.

Seeing Ying Feng enter, Ying Ruoli quickly stood up.

“How is it?”

Ying Feng shook his head.

“Still couldn’t find it…”

After saying this, Ying Feng moved closer, glanced left and right, and whispered conspiratorially:

“Your previous suggestion… we might really need to consider it…”

After speaking, the siblings exchanged a look, both wearing expressions of helplessness. It was rare for the revered River God of Tongtian River and the dignified Dragon Prince to be pushed to such a state.

However, just a moment after their troubled expressions, the siblings suddenly froze, then looked north, their faces brightening with joy.

By the Tongtian River, in the procession that had just passed Ji Yuan, the burly man in the great cloak added charcoal to the young master's hand warmer in the carriage, then quickly remounted his horse to follow.

However, he unintentionally turned his head to look behind him and was surprised to see a lavishly dressed person standing by the small boat on the riverbank, dozens of *zhang* away.

“Strange, was that person there just now?”

His companion heard his query and also turned to look.

“We just passed by. I don’t think we saw them…”

But neither of them thought much of it, figuring someone might have walked over from elsewhere without them noticing.

On the other side, Ji Yuan was originally drinking when he suddenly felt a chill in his heart. As he put down his wine pot, he realized someone was already standing by the riverbank.

It was still that same cross-collared tunic, still that same appearance; it was none other than the old dragon, Ying Hong.

“Heh heh heh heh… Mr. Ji’s refined taste remains as delightful as ever: a straw cape, a bamboo hat, a small covered boat, watching the snow on the river and drinking alone!”

Ji Yuan quickly stood up and bowed with cupped hands towards the old man.

“So it’s Old Mr. Ying. Please don’t mind Ji Yuan for being at your doorstep without paying a visit!”

The old dragon returned the bow, laughing heartily.

“Hahahaha… Sir, you already knew I wasn't home, so naturally, you wouldn't visit. I originally thought Mr. Ji would be absent this time, but who would have thought you’d be waiting for me here already? Do you have any celebratory gifts prepared, Sir?”

A celebratory gift? What kind of gift?

Ji Yuan was a little bewildered. But before he could awkwardly ask, the old dragon, smiling, explained himself.

“Just kidding, just kidding. For Mr. Ji to specially come and celebrate the birthday of this aquatic monster like me, you’ve already done me a great honor. Come, let us go to the Tongtian River Water Palace!”

Birthday?

Ji Yuan's first thought was, 'No wonder so many aquatic spirits and monsters are passing through.' So, it was a True Dragon's birthday banquet! In that case, the number of passing aquatic monsters seemed rather few. Moreover, for a True Dragon's birthday banquet, even passing through areas under the jurisdiction of certain deities, they would likely be granted passage without much obstruction.

But… Old Mr. Ying was inviting him to attend a birthday banquet?

‘Good heavens, isn't this leading me, Ji, straight into a monster's den!’

Imagining the scene, the picture was a bit too vivid.

“Uh, Old Mr. Ying, how about we just have a drink here on this small boat? I, Ji, offer my congratulations in advance on your grand birthday. As for going underwater… wouldn't it be a bit inconvenient for me, a cultivator? Besides, this covered boat is borrowed by Ji Yuan, and it wouldn't be good to leave it here…”

Ying Hong had been looking for Ji Yuan for over three years and was naturally quite frustrated. At this moment, he wouldn't give Ji Yuan any chance to make excuses.

“Hahahaha… Sir, you worry too much. We are all fond of good wine, and you must taste the exquisite wines gathered by aquatic creatures from all directions. As for this small boat, you need not worry at all!”

With that, the old dragon leaped onto the small boat. With a wave of his hand, the boat shuddered and immediately began to sink beneath the water's surface.

“Whoosh…” The sound of rushing water began.

Ji Yuan nearly lost his balance. By the time he realized what was happening, the covered boat had already submerged and was moving south along the riverbed.

Up ahead, in the carriage procession, the burly man still felt something was odd, so he looked back again after they had traveled a good distance.

But this glance made him freeze. He quickly rubbed his eyes. When he looked again, the river surface by the bank where he had asked for directions was empty. He scanned other parts of the river but saw nothing.

‘Where’s the boat?’