Chapter 23: Also Need to Make Something Similar

They were only sparring, stopping short of causing serious harm and using at most eighty percent of their full power. Otherwise, Ji Yuan was certain the blows he heard would have been even more forceful.

Even so, the dull thuds of fists and feet connecting, and the vibrations in the air, proved that this was no mere showmanship.

The inn guests and staff watched with delight, but if any of them had taken even one of those hits, they would have been confined to bed for half a month at best, or bedridden with critical injuries at worst.

This gave Ji Yuan some ideas. After all, he was still a complete wimp, and martial arts seemed quite powerful.

Everyone’s spirits were high, and with the encouragement of bystanders, two more prepared to step in and spar while Lu Chengfeng and Wang Ke briefly caught their breath.

Naturally, the injured individuals couldn't participate, but watching seemed to lift their spirits. Among the nine, only Du Heng, whose right hand was incapacitated, appeared somewhat dejected, sitting silently and watching his companions spar.

Ji Yuan now had exceptionally good hearing and an extremely high discernment for sounds. He heard the voices of the other eight, but Du Heng hadn’t uttered a single word; presumably, the blow was simply too great for him.

‘What a good young man, but unfortunately, I can't help you.’

At this point, some inn guests and servants were cheering and clamoring, and most of the people outside were also in high spirits. Ji Yuan didn't want to draw too much attention, so he blended into the crowd as a spectator, thinking they couldn't possibly keep fighting forever.

Mainly, the five uninjured individuals stepped into the ring to spar, while the injured ones mostly just commented from the sidelines. After several rounds, the group sat together under a weeping willow tree, discussing how best to change moves and where their reactions had been slow.

After lingering by the back gate for a while and hearing nothing of interest, Ji Yuan grew a little impatient. However, he still felt too awkward to insist they eat at that moment, as maintaining a dignified image was important.

‘Forget it. They've been inviting me to eat with them these past few days. I'll just go back to my room and wait!’

With that thought, Ji Yuan decided not to linger. He prepared to return to his room to continue experimenting with the unknown cultivation effect of the chess piece.

Indeed, although he still couldn't fully understand it and didn't yet know its practical use, Ji Yuan self-consolingly defined his previous state as a form of cultivation.

...

Back in his room, Ji Yuan recalled the recent sensation and tried to summon the chess piece. However, whether he was being too deliberate or missing some crucial element, even though wisps of faint, almost imperceptible spiritual energy gathered, he couldn't re-enter that state of visualizing the cosmos within himself.

The cool breeze in the room gradually subsided, and his temple hair no longer stirred.

As the chess piece vanished from his fingertips, another surge of spiritual energy transformed into a cool sensation, flowing into his body through his fingertips and disappearing without a trace.

Ji Yuan stroked his chin, a frown on his face.

‘This isn't right. Is there a time requirement? What time was it earlier, anyway? No watch, no phone, it's so inconvenient!’

‘Or maybe I can ask a real cultivator about it someday to confirm? It would be great if I could join an immortal sect and have a powerful, protective master, like in novels!’

As Ji Yuan pondered, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart, hearing nine approaching footsteps accompanied by hushed whispers.

"Chengfeng, do you think Mr. Ji has finished his cultivation?"

"It’s been so long, he should be finished by now..."

"Regardless, we can’t leave without saying goodbye!"

"Mm!"

These fragmented voices left Ji Yuan slightly puzzled about what they intended to say.

A moment later, a knock sounded at the door.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"Mr. Ji, are you available right now?"

Ji Yuan rubbed his face with his hands to clear his head before answering.

"Come in!"

The wooden pivot of the inn door creaked with its distinctive "creeeak~" sound as Lu Chengfeng, Yan Fei, and the other nine filed in one by one.

"Mr. Ji, we've come to bid you farewell!"

Yan Fei immediately spoke of their departure.

"What? Are all of you leaving?"

Even though he had a faint premonition, Ji Yuan couldn't quite put his finger on what he felt. These were some of his few acquaintances here, and with all of them leaving at once, a sense of loneliness truly crept in.

"Yes, Ning'an County is a small place after all. Our injuries can be better treated by returning to our respective sects. We originally wanted to stay longer, but the Third Estate Master of Luoxia Estate in Desheng Prefecture just came looking for Junior Sister Luo, so we... we have to leave with them..."

Upon hearing Ji Yuan's words, Lu Chengfeng actually really wanted to stay, especially to see how Mr. Ji would deal with that haunted house. But he could only steel himself and reply this way, as the Third Estate Master was still waiting on the inn's first floor.

Luo Ningshuang glared fiercely at Lu Chengfeng, then uncharacteristically adopted a more feminine demeanor as she faced Ji Yuan with an apologetic expression.

"Mr. Ji," Luo Ningshuang began, "it was nothing originally, but Third Uncle found out several of us were seriously injured and strictly ordered us to return..."

Suddenly, Luo Ningshuang seemed to remember something.

"Perhaps, sir, you could return with us!"

The others' eyes also lit up. All nine had, more or less, subtly probed Ji Yuan to see if he had any intention of teaching mysterious and wondrous arts, and even now, they hadn't given up hope—especially after hearing Lu Chengfeng describe Mr. Ji's magic of calling forth a cool breeze to surround him in the backyard.

However, returning with them was something Ji Yuan had never considered. Otherwise, his deceptions would eventually be exposed, and it wasn't that Ji Yuan couldn't bear to lose face, but sometimes things were more complicated than just simple embarrassment.

Although Ji Yuan genuinely had some confidence thanks to the chess piece, this confidence belonged to the future, not the present.

"No, thank you. I prefer a bit more solitude. If fate wills it, we will meet again!"

Hearing this, the group was all, more or less, a little disappointed. But an extraordinary individual like Mr. Ji presumably always acted as he pleased, and he wasn't someone they could easily fathom.

Ji Yuan's mind, however, took a different turn at that moment.

‘Sigh, what a pity. Looks like there's no chance to get some of their martial arts for now!’

After bidding farewell to Ji Yuan, the nine went down to the inn's main hall, where a middle-aged man with a slightly long beard was drinking tea. He wore a wide-sleeved robe, and his long hair was neither capped nor tied in a bun, making him look more like a scholar than a martial artist.

Seeing them come down, the man set down his teacup.

"Said your goodbyes?"

"Yes, Third Uncle, we..."

"Then let's go. I've hired three carriages; they're waiting outside the inn."

With that, the man stood up, flicked his sleeve, leaving five copper coins as tea money, and led the way out of the inn. Luo Ningshuang bit her lip but reluctantly followed, and the other eight trailed closely behind, all seemingly quite afraid of this Third Estate Master.

Just as he stepped out of the inn, he seemed to sense something and looked back and up towards the third floor. There, a thin young man with half-closed, pale eyes was smiling and nodding at him.

The Third Estate Master returned the nod, then took a step out of the inn. The nine people following closely behind also instinctively looked up at the third floor and saw Ji Yuan nodding at them.

They had honored their agreement with Ji Yuan, not mentioning anything to outsiders that shouldn't be mentioned. So, the Third Estate Master simply believed Ji Yuan was a reclusive wanderer the nine had met on the mountain, who had provided them with some assistance during these days.

Outside the inn, three carriages were lined up in a row. The Third Estate Master boarded the first one, instructing the nine to divide themselves among the two carriages behind.

As the carriage driver cracked his whip, urging the horses on, the carriages gradually drove towards the outskirts of Ning'an County.

‘Ah, youths, the martial world is a deep and dangerous place. Just one trip to the mountains to eliminate a tiger, and they paid such a heavy price. Sigh, what a pity about Du family's boy...’

The Third Estate Master, Luo Feng, leaned back in the gently swaying carriage, shaking his head as he thought.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan was still staring blankly in the direction of the inn entrance. Although his vision was blurry, he seemed to mysteriously discern a certain "aura" or "essence," making Luo Feng's image much clearer in his eyes.

Often, when something was particularly unique, Ji Yuan's poor eyesight would produce surprisingly effective results. Yet, he somehow knew that this Third Estate Master was, at most, highly skilled in martial arts, and certainly no demon or monster.

Recalling how he had seen the specter Wang Dong previously, Ji Yuan couldn't help but wonder if his eyes were 'yin-yang eyes' or something even more prestigious.

Of course, these thoughts were quickly replaced by another idea.

"Damn it, that Third Estate Master's whole get-up, it was so elegant and flamboyant, truly stylish! I need to get something similar!"