Chapter 175: Relationship between Dao and Dao

Mountains are abundant in Jizhou. About thirty li outside Desheng Prefecture's administrative city lies Luoxia Mountain, which isn't particularly grand. However, this mountain is renowned in Jizhou's martial arts circles and the entire Dazhen jianghu, all because of Luoxia Villa located there.

Luoxia Villa's martial arts primarily consist of palm, finger, and sword techniques, known for their elegance and agility. However, what truly brought Luoxia Villa widespread fame was its master, Luo Ling, defeating the Xiantian expert Zhao Wusheng over a decade ago, making it known in the jianghu that Luoxia Villa had produced a peerless master.

In recent years, the title "Handsome Young Master" of Luo Feng, the third master of Luoxia Villa, has also become increasingly renowned in the jianghu.

Titles like Lu Chengfeng's "Young Gentleman of Cloud Pavilion" were largely flattering. But "Handsome Young Master" also had another moniker, "Cold-faced Young Master," which, while pleasant, conveyed genuine awe—much like Wei Wuwei's "Smiling Tiger."

At this moment, the "Smiling Tiger" and "Handsome Young Master" were once again seated together. The Wei family patriarch had personally arrived, and Luo Ling, the villa master, was naturally present as the host. The group was currently drinking tea and chatting in a reception hall at Luoxia Villa.

They had already finished lunch and, accompanied by Luo Feng, toured the scenery of Luoxia Mountain. Now, back in the reception hall, after some pleasantries, they began to discuss business.

"My Wei family will transport all goods for Luoxia Villa and sell goods from Luoxia Villa's various wineries and textile mills to other prefectures and states. We will only take a small share of the profits after covering costs, which represents the sincerity of my Wei family."

Wei Wuwei, with a perpetual smile on his face, took a gold-edged ledger from his subordinate and personally handed it to Luo Ling.

"The detailed rules are meticulously listed within. I personally reviewed it before coming. Please, Master, take a look."

No matter how high one's martial arts skill, such a significant matter concerning the villa's future interests required careful consideration. Luo Ling took the ledger and, together with Luo Feng, who sat beside him, meticulously flipped through it.

The Wei family employed many excellent accountants, who had clearly itemized the terms in the ledger and estimated the costs and expected profits for transportation to various regions and states.

After a while, Luo Ling felt a headache coming on; there were simply too many items.

"Thank you, Patriarch Wei. Would you mind if I have our villa's stewards do a rough calculation?"

"That's perfectly reasonable. Business matters should always be clearly accounted for!"

Wei Wuwei naturally had no objections. He was eager for Luoxia Villa to meticulously examine it, as that would reveal the full extent of the Wei family's sincerity.

In truth, the output from Luoxia Villa's few industries was insignificant to the Wei family's profit chain, and better alternatives could easily be found. However, Wei Wuwei valued Luoxia Villa itself.

In recent years, the Wei family had made several similar moves. If Wei Wuwei could also ascend Jade Embrace Mountain with his son, then these gestures of goodwill, demonstrating sincerity, would become highly significant during the ten-year period when the patriarch's position was suspended due to internal Wei family deliberations.

While the Master of Luoxia Villa handed the ledger to a steward for verification by others, the reception hall naturally shifted to casual conversation, with topics usually revolving around jianghu anecdotes.

Coincidentally, they were discussing recent prominent new talents in the martial arts world, which piqued Luo Feng's interest.

"Speaking of which, there's something worth mentioning. Patriarch Wei, have you heard of One-Armed Du Heng?"

Wei Wuwei certainly knew and paid close attention to Du Heng, but at this moment, he feigned ignorance, furrowing his brow in thought before speaking.

"Du Heng? I seem to recall the name. Is he perhaps that one-armed wanderer from the Du family in Tianyue Prefecture?"

"Haha, that was a long time ago!"

Luo Ling, sitting beside Luo Feng, chuckled meaningfully and interjected. Luo Feng also sighed with emotion.

"Elder Brother is right. Back then, I thought Du Heng's life was ruined. Who would have thought his perseverance and talent were both astonishing? After his slump, he managed to rise in martial arts, overcoming all obstacles. The last time I saw a friend from the Du family, listening to his evaluation of Du Heng, he is already the foremost among the younger generation of the Mad Blade Du family; his left-handed saber technique is unparalleled."

Wei Wuwei showed a surprised expression.

"I recall that this generation of the Du family has a Du Jietian, said to have fully grasped the essence of the Mad Blade. Is he also inferior to Du Heng?"

Luo Feng smiled sideways.

"After being challenged and defeated by Du Heng last year, he has never won against Du Heng in a spar again..."

Saying this, Luo Feng recalled something before continuing.

"My friend from the Du family once said that Du Heng possesses an aura that none of the younger generation, and even many elders, in the Du family have. With a saber in hand, he looks down upon the world; even if defeated, his spirit remains unbroken. It is said that as early as the year before last, Du Heng, with a single arm and saber, assisted the authorities in Yizhou in eradicating a troublesome bandit stronghold. After the battle, it was discovered he had suffered several nearly fatal injuries. After recovering, he returned to the Du family and defeated Du Jietian."

"Oh... he will certainly become another outstanding heroic figure in the future!"

Wei Wuwei sighed with emotion.

At this moment, in the corridor of Luoxia Villa, a heavily pregnant Luo Ningshuang was walking slowly, accompanied by her husband, who had married into the Luo family. She happened to see an old man, led by a villa servant, hurrying towards the reception hall.

"That seems to be the old steward of the Wei family. How strange, I've never seen such urgency on his face..."

"Perhaps something urgent has happened on the Wei family's side."

"Hmm..."

A short while later, the old steward of the Wei mansion entered the reception hall at Luoxia Villa. Wei Wuwei looked quite surprised upon seeing him.

The old steward didn't concern himself with formalities, directly cupped his hands to the Luo family members in apology, then leaned in to whisper to Wei Wuwei.

"Patriarch, Mr. Ji has arrived! The Third Master asked me to quickly find you and tell you to return!"

Wei Wuwei trembled, gazing at the old steward in shock. The steward slowly nodded in confirmation.

How could he remain seated? Wei Wuwei immediately stood up and repeatedly bowed to Luo Ling and Luo Feng.

"Master, Third Master, I apologize, I apologize. An urgent matter has arisen at my residence, and I must return immediately. Let us continue today's discussions another day. I will leave the ledger here at the villa for your meticulous review. Since it's an urgent family matter, I will take my leave now!"

"Uh, Patriarch Wei, please do as you must. Might Luoxia Villa be of any assistance? If any petty scoundrels are causing trouble, please do not hesitate to speak up, Patriarch Wei!"

As a Xiantian expert, Luo Ling naturally spoke with authority, and his unsolicited offer also showed great sincerity.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master. This matter is not ill news, but it is inconvenient to elaborate on at this moment. I cannot wait any longer. I hope your esteemed villa will understand!"

Wei Wuwei quickly exchanged a few polite pleasantries and then swiftly left with the old steward.

Upon reaching the villa's stables, he bypassed the luxurious carriage entirely, instead choosing a good horse and swiftly departing with the old steward.

A short while later, a Luoxia Villa servant came to inform Luo Ling and Luo Feng of what had happened.

Luo Ling's expression grew even more perplexed.

"How odd. Patriarch Wei rode back directly on horseback?"

Luo Feng also narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Mr. Ji? Why does that name sound familiar..."

"Oh? Do you know something?"

Luo Ling immediately became attentive.

"I can't quite recall, but I feel like I've heard it somewhere. Was it 'Ji' (季) or 'Ji' (计)? Both surnames are quite uncommon. If it's the latter..."

A sudden thought struck Luo Feng.

"I remember now. When I went to Ning'an County to pick up Ningshuang back then, I also heard them repeatedly discussing a 'Mr. Ji.' However, that person was a beggar they rescued from the mountains; he shouldn't be the same person as the one at Patriarch Wei's residence."

"Hmm..."

Unable to guess anything further, they stopped pondering. If Wei Wuwei truly needed help, given his personality, he would certainly have mentioned it.

Meanwhile, Wei Wuwei and the old steward galloped towards the prefectural city. The distance was only a few dozen li, so they disregarded preserving the horses' strength, continuously whipping and urging them on.

Fortunately, they were truly good horses, capable of carrying Wei Wuwei's corpulent body at a furious pace. However, upon arriving at the Wei residence, the exhaustion of both horses was evident. The one carrying Wei Wuwei was panting so heavily as it was led away by a servant, as if its lungs were about to burst.

Disregarding a meticulous adjustment of his appearance, Wei Wuwei simply smoothed his hair and brushed dust from his clothes before heading directly to the reception hall with the steward.

Upon reaching the doorway and seeing Ji Yuan, he felt as if nothing had changed since their last meeting.

"Mr. Ji, it truly is you!"

Wei Wuwei, his face alight with surprise, stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully to Ji Yuan, which also caused the Third Master of the Wei family nearby to visibly relax.

Ji Yuan also stood up and helped Wei Wuwei rise.

"It has been many years since we last met. It's rare that Patriarch Wei still remembers me."

"How could I ever forget your great kindness, Mr. Ji? The kitchen has already prepared a banquet. I see the time is just right. Why don't we have a simple meal here at my humble abode first?"

"Humble abode?"

Ji Yuan smiled.

"It's a rare chance for a lavish meal; I naturally wouldn't miss it."

"Excellent, excellent, Mr. Ji, please follow me!"

Wei Wuwei gestured to those around him, then personally led Ji Yuan to the dining hall...

After a satisfying meal and drinks in the evening, Wei's mother led the shy Wei Yuansheng to the table. The child respectfully bowed to Ji Yuan, who had pale eyes.

"Wei Yuansheng greets Mr. Ji!"

Ji Yuan's face lit up with a smile as he looked at the child's adorable, youthful face.

"Sit on your father's lap. Let's have a good talk."

Wei Yuansheng looked at Wei Wuwei, somewhat hesitant to act presumptuously. The latter quickly picked up his son, then dismissed all servants, leaving only a few trusted individuals.

"A few years ago, during my travels, I happened to divine a matter concerning the Wei family. Now that the time is near, I have come to check on it."

Wei Wuwei asked nervously.

"Mr. Ji, in your opinion, what are Yuansheng's chances of entering the Immortal Mountain?"

Having confidence was one thing, but the outcome was still unknown.

"With your esteemed son's spiritual aptitude, Jade Embrace Mountain will naturally not turn him away. However, it will be quite difficult for you, Wei Wuwei, to go up with him."

Wei Wuwei chuckled, rubbed his hands, and then cautiously probed further.

"I wonder, does esteemed Mr. Ji like my little Yuansheng?"

"Hehehe... Patriarch Wei, don't even think about it. Yuansheng's destiny lies with Jade Embrace Mountain. Even if I do like little Yuansheng, I wouldn't entertain the troublesome thought of taking on a disciple."

Hearing this, Wei Wuwei sighed with regret.

Meanwhile, Wei's mother harbored another worry.

"My lord, if you cannot accompany Yuansheng up the mountain, won't the child be all alone...?"

Wei Yuansheng huddled in his father's arms, still young and a little afraid.

Ji Yuan looked at the others, then at Wei Yuansheng.

"I only said that if you plead in that manner, even with the assistance of an immortal crane, the chances are slim. I never said it was absolutely hopeless..."

Ji Yuan smiled mysteriously.

"I also have an old acquaintance on Jade Embrace Mountain, Patriarch Wei. At that time, you might as well tell the immortal crane explicitly that there is an old friend from your family, with the surname 'Ji' (计), who knows Immortal Elder Qiufeng. This matter should then be settled."

Wei Wuwei's face showed delight and surprise. Ji Yuan now held an extraordinary status in his mind. If Mr. Ji said it could be done, then it must be foolproof.