Chapter 251: Stay obediently

Ji Yuan felt he had done one thing quite well. Although the "Qiankun in the Sleeve" technique was still 99% imagination for him at this point, the remaining one percent was very refined. Just like now, when he collected all the miscellaneous items, not even a drop of ink from the inkstone stained the inside of his sleeve. To an outsider, it truly looked effortless and ethereal.

After all, although Ji Yuan's state of mind was vastly different from his previous life, if there was an option and it caused no harm, he still preferred his spells to be more aesthetically pleasing.

After he put away the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the table, the sound of boiling water "pupu-pupu..." happened to come from the kitchen. In the quiet courtyard of Ju'an Pavilion, it sounded exceptionally loud, not just to Ji Yuan, but even to the old beggar and the young beggar.

"Hmm, the water's boiling just in time."

Ji Yuan walked towards the kitchen. The water boiling in the pot had come to a full boil, the firewood he had added to the stove earlier having lasted just long enough.

He picked up the teapot from the small table by the stove, then opened a wooden box nearby, took out some tea leaves, and put them in. After that, he lifted the lid of the pot and used a wooden ladle to scoop the boiling water into the teapot.

Wisps of steam filled the kitchen. A moment later, Ji Yuan emerged, carrying a tea tray. On it were four teacups, a teapot, and a small ceramic jar with a slender porcelain spoon beside it.

When it came to such daily chores, Ji Yuan preferred to do them himself. This made things feel more lively and authentic, and it was also like a ritual of life. Or, to some extent, it reminded him that he was essentially the same as ordinary people who rose at dawn and rested at dusk.

"So, Mr. Ji also enjoys lighting the stove to boil water and make tea himself?"

The old beggar actually appreciated Ji Yuan's way of doing things. This wasn't just "playing at life"; it was more like an attitude. It was also a good way to shift the conversation away from the awkward incident where the young beggar had tried to peek at his magic.

Hearing the old beggar change the subject, Ji Yuan was happy to oblige, replying with a smile.

"I believe, if one has the means, tea brewed with water heated over a wood-fired stove tastes better."

"Grandpa Lu, is that true?"

The young beggar innocently asked the old beggar, who replied softly.

"Don't believe his nonsense!"

The old beggar had originally intended to say, "Don't believe Ji Yuan's blabbering," but thought it better to avoid certain words.

After placing the tea set on the stone table, Ji Yuan extended his hand in invitation once more.

"Please, have a seat, both of you."

Seeing that Ji Yuan truly wasn't angry with Xiao You at all, the old beggar's face resumed its playful expression, and he pulled the young beggar to sit down at the stone table.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... To drink tea personally brewed by Mr. Ji, few people in this world have such good fortune. This old beggar must savor it properly."

"It's not some immortal tea."

Ji Yuan glanced at him and replied. Then, skillfully, he inverted the teacups on the table. He picked up the teapot and poured a cup for himself and for both the old and young beggars. He didn't immediately cover the teacups. Instead, he opened the small ceramic jar on the tea tray and gently scooped out some of its contents with a porcelain spoon.

The porcelain spoon drew out a glistening thread. The hand holding the spoon gently flicked, breaking the delicate strand. Carrying a faint, sweet aroma, it moved above Xiao You's teacup. Then the spoon inverted, and a few drops of translucent honey fell into the teacup.

At this point, the water temperature was just right. Ji Yuan placed the lid on the teacup and handed it to the young beggar, saying,

"Give it a gentle swirl before you drink. It tastes very good."

Ji Yuan then repeated the process, adding a small spoonful of honey to his own cup and the old beggar's cup.

During this process, both beggars frequently sniffed the air. Although this great Mr. Ji claimed it wasn't immortal tea, the moment the honey was added, it immediately transformed the ordinary into something magical. They felt a unique aroma brewing within the teacups.

Both beggars couldn't resist any longer. They picked up their teacups, swirled them gently, and after lifting the lids and blowing on them twice, took a small sip.

"So fragrant, so sweet! So delicious!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Excellent, excellent! Mr. Ji truly knows how to enjoy life!"

The reactions of the young beggar and the old beggar were as expected. The former took another sip and then stared curiously at the small ceramic jar on the tea tray. He knew that whatever was in the jar was surely more impactful than the tea leaves themselves.

"Mr. Ji, what's in your jar? It's so translucent, yet it doesn't look like malt syrup."

"Silly child, that's honey. Ordinary folks can't afford it. And honey like Mr. Ji's..."

The old beggar looked up at the busy bees among the jujube tree blossoms.

"Even the emperor himself might not get to taste it. No, he definitely wouldn't."

This honey tea truly deserved the old beggar's praise, but Ji Yuan didn't want to keep listening to the old beggar's rambling. The previous times when Ji Yuan had sought out the old beggar, it was fine that the latter had kept avoiding the main topic. But now that he had come to Ji Yuan's home, besides being eager to repay a favor, he couldn't possibly still be just rambling, could he?

It was rare to meet a true master of profound Dao, one who, in terms of Dao principles, should even surpass the old dragon. Ji Yuan also wanted to have a good talk.

"Since you've been to Jade Embrace Mountain, Elder Lu, I presume you're aware of the preparations we are currently making?"

"Indeed!"

The old beggar, uncharacteristically, became serious and put down the teacup he was holding.

"Although the cultivators of Jade Embrace Mountain were a bit reserved with this old beggar, thanks to my humble cultivation and my connection with you, Mr. Ji, they were quite open with me."

"Mr. Ji, if I may be so bold, you and the Dragon Lord of Tongtian River seem to be pessimistic about the situation in Yunzhou. However, this old beggar knows a thing or two about the abilities of those bearded elders from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. They are by no means undeserving of their reputation. The divination from several years ago didn't show this outcome."

Ji Yuan's pale eyes fixed on the old beggar.

"It seems Elder Lu has quite a close relationship with the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. You didn't refer to it as mere rumor, and you even seem to know the specific divination results. Don't tell me you heard all this from Jade Embrace Mountain too."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. This old beggar might dare to fool some of those cultivators on Jade Embrace Mountain whose brains have been addled by cultivation, but I wouldn't dare to play tricks in front of you, Mr. Ji."

Such remarks, akin to "picking the softest persimmons to squeeze," thankfully, no one from Jade Embrace Mountain heard them. Otherwise, even cultivators with the best temperament would have been angered to the point of spitting blood.

"The gathering of demonic entities at the Water-Land Dharma Assembly could also be attributed to rumors. Furthermore, it's been over half a year since Monk Huitong departed. On Jade Embrace Mountain, a True Person performs divination with jade almost daily, using the foundation of Jade Forge Peak to sense the status of the Grand Void Jade Talisman and Monk Huitong. There has been no irregularity whatsoever."

If no special circumstances had occurred, the methods on Jade Embrace Mountain were actually more direct than Ji Yuan's insights from the half-real, half-illusory chess piece. Therefore, Ji Yuan acknowledged what the old beggar said.

The old beggar hadn't finished speaking; he paused, seeming to contemplate how to phrase his next words. After thinking for a long time and still not finding a suitable phrase, he simply spoke directly.

"If neither Mr. Ji nor the Dragon Lord is mistaken, and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets is also not mistaken, then wouldn't Yunzhou decline while Great Zhen prospers uniquely? That would be too imbalanced, not in line with the harmony of yin and yang..."

Ji Yuan drank his tea, listening carefully to the old beggar's words. He was actually using the beggar's words to re-analyze and synthesize something in his mind. By the time the old beggar finished his inquisitive remarks, a peculiar stirring arose in Ji Yuan's heart.

After putting down his teacup, Ji Yuan first frowned, then his brows smoothed out. Only then did he fix his gaze on the old beggar.

"Not in line with heavenly balance? Not necessarily. Elder Lu, you've likely often wandered the mortal world and witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties. Even if you haven't thoroughly investigated the principles of human dynastic change, you must have seen many separations and reunions."

As soon as Ji Yuan spoke these words, the old man's expression immediately became solemn.

"In your view, Mr. Ji, does this Great Zhen truly possess such exceptional destiny?"

"Exceptional destiny? 'If heaven had feelings, it would also grow old; the righteous path of humanity is one of vicissitude.' Elder Lu, you overestimate me. At most, I merely harbor some expectations."

Even with Ji Yuan speaking so tactfully, it was enough to alarm the old beggar.

The young beggar, listening nearby, couldn't understand a single word of these later statements. He felt they were more profound and headache-inducing than some of the cultivation principles Grandpa Lu had recently taught him.

After discussing these headache-inducing topics, the old beggar and Ji Yuan continued to ramble on about various things. Some seemed related to cultivation, while others were utterly trivial matters of ordinary folk. Yet, upon closer thought, the young beggar found them not so simple.

Of course, at the end of each topic, the old beggar would subtly hint at his main interest. The gist of his veiled questions was, "Shouldn't you give me a clear sign about how to repay the favor I owe you?" But he spoke very cryptically.

In the end, the young beggar had no idea what outcome the two adults discussed. They rambled from one topic to another. He only knew that Grandpa Lu ultimately failed to get a clear indication from Mr. Ji about how the favor should be repaid.

Time passed from morning to noon. The two beggars even ate a meal personally prepared by Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan's cooking skills weren't particularly good, so most dishes were either steamed or boiled. However, paired with his unique and well-matched dipping sauces, the meal was so good that the two beggars wanted to scrape their plates clean.

It was already afternoon. The old beggar finally bade farewell, taking the young beggar with him. If they stayed any longer, they would have to impose on Ju'an Pavilion. The old beggar was never hesitant anywhere else, but at Ji Yuan's place, he felt awkward staying longer.

Half an hour later, on a main road outside Ning'an County, two ragged beggars walked along the roadside. The old beggar remained silent, but the young beggar, after holding it in for so long, finally couldn't resist.

"Grandpa Lu, are we still leaving Great Zhen or not?"

"Sigh... Can't leave, it's not easy to leave!"

The young beggar frowned. He didn't really care, but seeing the old beggar's awkward expression, he spoke again.

"Grandpa Lu, why didn't you just say it directly to Mr. Ji earlier instead of beating around the bush? You made it seem like Mr. Ji couldn't understand what you wanted."

Hearing this, the old beggar, uncharacteristically, showed a hint of agitation.

"He couldn't understand? He was playing dumb with me! He's even better at twisting words than I am. And this old beggar was already being very straightforward! If I were any more direct, wouldn't that mean I was begging him? This old beggar always feels inferior in front of Ji Yuan. Isn't that vexing?"

The young beggar was speechless for a moment and mumbled softly.

"If you feel inferior, then you feel inferior. What pride do we beggars have to cling to..."

The old beggar looked at him but said nothing. He took the young beggar's hand and walked along the main road. Only after a long while did he murmur to himself.

"Even masters value their face... it just depends on who they're with..."

In Ning'an County, at Ju'an Pavilion in Tianniu Ward, Ji Yuan once again laid out the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the stone table. He began writing again with sweeping strokes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

'Trying to play word games with me, you'll squirm for it! You'll stay in Great Zhen willingly...'