Chapter 173: Counting Yuan Descends the Mountain

Such a young yet intelligent child was at an age filled with curiosity for everything and longing for all beautiful things.

However, his previous aspirations were limited to delicious food and fun activities, to things he could see, touch, or experience. Even the story from his full moon celebration didn't hold much meaning for little Yuansheng, as auspicious sayings were common. Just a few days prior, when a child from a wealthy family was born, people were talking about colorful clouds filling the sky, but Yuansheng only saw a cloudy day.

But now, his father, Wei Wuwei, was not just revealing a secret to little Yuansheng; he was opening a window to a far more mysterious and colorful world.

"When I first took over as head of the family, I had just finished using various methods to gain the trust of everyone, high and low. Passing through Ning'an County, I heard that a knight had hunted a rare white tiger pelt, so I went to purchase it. On the way back, I was ambushed and barely escaped with my life..."

After recounting the tale softly for a moment, recalling the events, Wei Wuwei's expression, as he looked back at his son, became incredibly serious again.

"Yuansheng, remember the two great benefactors in our Wei family's destiny. The first is the mysterious government expert who saved your father's life. Without him, our Wei family would not have had its later fortunes. He had a large birthmark on his face, and his mastery of the 'Iron Punishment Skill' was exquisite. His voice was deep and hoarse, likely due to years of practicing the intimidating shouts of the Iron Punishment Skill. To train the Iron Punishment Skill to such a level, he must be a just and incorruptible person, acting swiftly and decisively, striking with resolve and ruthlessness, and not swayed by worldly possessions. To this day, our Wei family has not been able to discover his true identity. If the opportunity arises, this kindness must be repaid!"

Having said this, Wei Wuwei solemnly asked his son, "Have you remembered?"

Wei Yuansheng tensed his little face and nodded. "Yes, I have! Father, what about the other benefactor?"

Wei Wuwei, as if speaking to an adult, only continued after seeing his son nod. "The second benefactor is actually not an ordinary mortal; he is an immortal guide for our Wei family. It is the existence of this immortal master that has given our Wei family the possibility of further advancement..."

Wei Wuwei pulled out a jade pendant from his pocket, which drew the attention of both his son and his wife.

"You've seen this jade pendant before, but this is not its true form. That day, after I narrowly escaped death, my beliefs about spiritual matters were shaken. I heard strange rumors in Ning'an County, so I asked the county yamen constables to take me to meet the extraordinary person in the county. That was the first and currently only time your father met Mr. Ji..."

Mr. Ji resided in the county's haunted house, and since then, the eerie atmosphere was gone, replaced by fragrant scents wafting through the neighborhood. A red fox, seeing Mr. Ji, pleaded for help and was saved by him. Holding the jade pendant, light appeared, specifically mentioning 'Jade Embracing', giving the Wei family clear confidence. Before leaving the county, a jujube tree bore fruit overnight to bid farewell to Mr. Ji.

These events weren't particularly exaggerated, but in the casual conversations of villagers and eyewitnesses after meals, they subtly revealed an extraordinary wonder in an otherwise calm and uneventful life.

After recounting this part of the story, Wei Wuwei rarely showed a look of regret. "It's a pity that although I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Ji once and already knew of his divine abilities, my understanding was far from enough. The moment your father truly realized this was by the Chunmu River outside Chunhui Prefecture. That fearsome old turtle actually envied a wild fox. He couldn't even hide his jealousy and resentment, alas..."

Wei Wuwei recounted in detail the tension and dangerous moments for the Wei family by the Chunmu River, as well as the old turtle's agitated emotions at the time. Not only was it the first time little Yuansheng heard it, but even his mother learned the perilous truth for the first time, and she couldn't help but hug her child tighter.

After all, it was a water demon, and Wei Wuwei stated directly that the old turtle was clearly a bit out of control emotionally at the time. If the Wei family had reacted more aggressively, they might have faced a dire outcome.

"This old turtle can also be considered a benefactor to our Wei family. However, we both got what we needed. Our Wei family has never neglected to provide him with wine every year."

After recounting these events, Wei Wuwei, combining what the old turtle said, finally revealed the true secret of the family jade pendant. The opportunity to seek immortals on Jade Embracing Mountain lies within the next twenty years, and Wei Yuansheng is the Wei family's hope.

Wei Wuwei had almost finished telling his secrets. Wei Yuansheng's face was full of excitement and curiosity, but also a little worry and fear.

"Father, so when the time comes, will I have to go to that Jade Embracing Mountain to seek immortals?"

"Yes, I will go with you. If I can also stay there, that would be best. If not, then you'll have to rely on yourself."

Wei Wuwei was quite satisfied with his son. A child like this should be able to enter Jade Embracing Mountain no matter what. He even dared not let little Yuansheng touch the family heirloom jade pendant, strongly suspecting that if he touched it, an immortal from Jade Embracing Mountain would immediately come and take his son away. It would be better for little Yuansheng to study for two years under the care of family elders.

"Oh, right, Father, you once mentioned the immortal fruit from my full moon celebration. How did that come about?"

Wei Wuwei unconsciously licked his lips. "That, of course, was from the jujube tree in Mr. Ji's courtyard. That tree was clearly no longer an ordinary jujube tree. In recent years, it has rarely borne fruit. Moreover, its fruit is fiery red, called 'Fire Jujube'. It contains divine properties within, making it extremely rare. The one you ate, your father, through his resourcefulness, acquired it from Hero Du, the one-armed swordsman."

"Since it's known to be in Ning'an County, couldn't you get it, Dad?"

Wei Wuwei looked at his son and smiled. "Yuansheng, there are many things in this world that cannot be bought with money or stolen with martial arts. That jujube tree is looked after by a young boy. His own background is also remarkable; he is the son of the second Triple Laureate scholar since the founding of the Great Zhen dynasty. More importantly, he used to play around Mr. Ji all the time and is definitely not an ordinary child."

"This alone isn't enough. No one dares to offend the young boy, but he is just a scholar after all. However, that jujube tree is no longer an ordinary tree. Some people tried to steal the jujubes and paid the price. Furthermore, those are Mr. Ji's fruits; if acquired by improper means, there will surely be retribution in the future."

"Oh..."

Father and son talked late into the night. Mainly, there were quite a few stories to tell. Later, Wei Wuwei told everything he intended to, and soon after Wei Yuansheng finished listening, he fell asleep in his mother's arms.

The next day, the old master once again met Wei Yuansheng in one of the studies in the back courtyard.

This time, however, Old Master Li noticed something more profound. The young master of the Wei family had surprisingly changed from his mischievous ways of yesterday and applied himself diligently to his studies.

Although he still inevitably got distracted, for a child his age, this was already exceptionally rare.

Seeing such a plump, white baby earnestly learning to write, barely able to hold the pen steadily, the fine sweat on his face and the ink stains on his fingers made the old master both joyful and pained.

It was now the transition from spring to summer of a new year.

In Changchuan Prefecture, Bing Province, Yunshan Mountain by Dongle County was once again shrouded in mist. However, the sun had already risen, and the mountain fog would soon dissipate.

Ji Yuan awoke from his bed in Yunshan Temple. He left a note on the table in the room and then descended the mountain.

This was Ji Yuan's first true departure from Yunshan since he resolved the Huang family's affairs.

The Earth God Temple by Maoqian Town was small, but its incense offerings had been good since its establishment. The strong support from the Huang family also played a significant role.

The temple consisted of just a walled courtyard with front and back gates. Within the courtyard was a main hall. In front of the hall was an incense burner, and the hall itself was three *zhang* deep. Inside were a clay deity statue, an offering table, prayer mats, and all other necessary items.

A respected elder living near the temple served as the temple caretaker. The town also appropriately provided the elder with some copper coins as wages.

Today was neither a family's sacrificial day nor a festival. Coupled with the early hour, the Earth God Temple was deserted.

The elder rose early, as did the temple caretaker. Early in the morning, he moved a bamboo chair out from the temple, preparing to sunbathe later. This job was much easier than farming or other laborers' work.

He had just set up the chair and hadn't even sat down when he noticed an extra person in the courtyard.

This appeared to be a well-proportioned, slender scholar in white robes, though his topknot didn't quite match. He was standing in front of the hall, looking at the Earth God statue, neither offering incense nor bowing in worship.

"Uh, sir," the caretaker began, "are you here to offer incense and worship the deity, or to perform a sacrifice and make a plea?"

Ji Yuan turned and cupped his hands in greeting towards the temple caretaker, saying, "Forgive the intrusion." Then he turned and gracefully departed.

"What a strange person..."

The slightly stooped temple caretaker walked a few steps to the temple courtyard entrance but found that he couldn't see where the person had gone, either ahead or behind. What he also didn't see was a paper crane circling within the temple at that moment. It landed on the head of the Earth God statue and lightly pecked twice, sending slight ripples from the point where the paper crane touched the statue.

After only about two breaths, the Earth God possessed the statue. He looked around the temple; the caretaker was standing at the courtyard entrance, looking around, seemingly searching for something.

The Earth God looked up at the paper crane, feeling a little surprised, and then retrieved it into the temple's nether region.

As soon as the paper crane entered the Earth God's hand, a divine voice emerged. "If you do not wish to remain merely a small Earth God of Maoqian Town, then the path of incense and divine worship can cease before the forging of a golden body!"

The Earth God's body trembled, and he nearly crumpled the paper crane. "High Immortal!"

Although Ji Yuan couldn't see the Earth God's reaction, he could guess some of it. At this moment, he conveniently glanced at Huang Xingye.

The last time Huang Xingye went up the mountain to thank Yunshan Temple, Ji Yuan had used a spell to conceal his "human body deity." In the future, when Huang Xingye dies a natural death, this "deity" could also be invited.