Chapter 266: Wishing It Always Remains Like This

About ten days later, a small boat carried Ji Yuan, Wang Li, and Zhang Rui along a small river, gradually approaching the Tongtian River.

The boat moved smoothly, barely rocking. Inside the cabin, a small table held brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. Wang Li was writing something at the table while Zhang Rui sat beside him, watching.

After a long time, Wang Li finally wrote the last character, sighed in relief, and placed the brush on its rest.

Looking at Zhang Rui beside him, Wang Li recalled his previous lesson and quickly asked Ji Yuan a question.

“Mr. Ji,” he began, “you don’t mind if I adapt some of the plot details involving the characters in your story, do you? Some things are quite inconvenient to put into a book as they are. It would be more suitable to set it in a previous dynasty or invent a fictional one.”

What Wang Li had just finished listening to from Ji Yuan was the story of the old turtle on the Chunmu River. Since it came from Mr. Ji, it was very likely a real event.

No matter how tactless Wang Li might be, he knew that such a story could not be published without modification.

The events he had experienced recently had greatly shaken Wang Li, but when it came to his professional duties as a storyteller, he could still maintain a relatively calm mind.

“Hahahaha… Just don’t change it too drastically,” Ji Yuan replied, “and that old turtle won’t mind.”

“Hmm…”

Wang Li acknowledged, thought for a moment, then hesitated before speaking again.

“Mr. Ji, actually, I feel the ending of this story is a bit inappropriate.”

Ji Yuan, while rowing, casually replied.

“Mr. Wang, what do you find inappropriate about it? Tell me.”

Over the past few days, Wang Li had generally understood Ji Yuan’s temperament, so he felt at ease speaking boldly.

“Mr. Ji, this story has twists, wonders, a sense of antiquity, and considerable depth, but as for the ending, I always feel it’s inappropriate. Think about it, whether it’s our dynasty’s founder or the Xiao clan, they might indeed bear some consequences—you, as an immortal, naturally understand this. But for me, it’s not obvious.”

Wang Li chose his words carefully before continuing.

“I believe that storytelling, besides bringing a bit of joy to the public, also carries the role of warning people. While it’s difficult to clearly state the retribution for good and evil in the real world, at least in a story, it should exist, and it can be made to exist. If even a storyteller’s tales can’t give people the satisfaction of seeing evil vanquished, how dull would that be…”

Ji Yuan clapped loudly.

Ji Yuan put down the oar and clapped several times towards Wang Li.

“Well said, very well said! Change it as you see fit.”

“Heh heh, so… I can change it?”

Wang Li asked for confirmation again. Ji Yuan resumed rowing and nodded emphatically.

“Change it!”

Since that was the case, Wang Li no longer held back. He immediately picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, turned a page, and began writing again.

What he had now was merely a rough draft, just getting down the general outline of what Mr. Ji had told him before his memory faded. He would then meticulously polish and gradually perfect the story.

To create a good story that leaves a lasting impression, its inherent core is naturally indispensable, but the storyteller’s embellishment is equally crucial. Wang Li poured his heart and soul into this process, as, compared to previous rumors he’d heard or famous stories he’d copied, these true supernatural tales thrilled him far more.

Zhang Rui looked at Wang Li with some surprise. This man was like a completely different person when writing and telling stories compared to when he was in the brothel. His recent exchange with Mr. Ji was particularly unexpected for her.

The mere fact that Wang Li could utter those words and earn Mr. Ji’s applause made Zhang Rui see him in a new light.

Thinking about it carefully, the previously adapted story, *The White Deer’s Fate*, actually carried a similar meaning. She had felt disgusted only because she happened to be the ‘victim’ of the adaptation. And while the ending for the White Deer and Young Master Zhou had a tragic core, they ultimately reunited in the Underworld, still managing to become soulmates. While the tragedy was more poignant, the City God’s strict laws also left a deep impression.

It was just that Wang Li didn't know the severity of the Underworld's flogging at the time, which led to her, with her more in-depth knowledge, over-interpreting the story slightly.

Wang Li continued to write and revise, occasionally pausing to grind ink. As for Zhang Rui, apart from occasionally glancing at what he was writing, she spent most of her time resting with her eyes closed. Aspirations for incense power were out of the question for now, but she could slowly absorb the Yin spiritual energy rising from the water.

About half a day after the boat joined the Tongtian River from the smaller river, some unusual bubbles began appearing around the boat.

“Mr. Ji?”

Zhang Rui, noticing the abnormality, opened her eyes and asked, only to see Ji Yuan simply shaking his head.

“It’s nothing.”

Indeed, everything returned to normal shortly thereafter, with no strange occurrences in the water. Wang Li, completely unaware of Zhang Rui’s brief vigilance, remained immersed in his own story.

As they entered the Tongtian River area, more hills and woodlands appeared. After another fifteen minutes or so, the small boat, propelled by Ji Yuan’s rowing, rounded a winding bend. Suddenly, Zhang Rui noticed two people standing on the near bank behind a hill.

The two, a man and a woman, were exceptionally handsome, dressed in splendid attire. Even Zhang Rui’s own captivating beauty seemed to dim next to the woman’s. But in such a remote and desolate location, why would two such people be standing on the bank? There were no carriages, horses, or other boats nearby.

“Hey, Wang Li, there’s a beautiful lady over there,” Zhang Rui said.

“Oh.”

Wang Li responded without looking up, and only seemed to come back to his senses after writing a few more characters. He quickly looked in the direction Zhang Rui was pointing, and indeed saw the two remarkably good-looking people.

Zhang Rui and Wang Li then realized that not only were the two people continuously watching their small boat, but the boat itself was also approaching the bank.

“Greetings, Uncle Ji!”

The Dragon Prince and Dragon Princess solemnly bowed in greeting when the small boat was still some distance away.

Ji Yuan, at the bow of the boat, put down the oar and returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute.

“Greetings, my dear juniors!”

Normally, Ji Yuan would refer to them as “Your Highness Ying” and “River Goddess Niangniang”.

However, with Wang Li on board, calling them that directly might startle him again, so this time, Ji Yuan simply called them “my dear juniors”.

In fact, seeing Wang Li’s reactions to the shocks he’d experienced recently, Ji Yuan didn’t want Wang Li to directly encounter too many supernatural matters. It would be better for Wang Li to act as a pure storyteller, relaying the tales after they had been told to him.

At this moment, the boat just reached the bank. The Dragon Prince and Dragon Princess stepped aboard the bow together. Only then did the small boat continue its journey along the river towards the capital.

From the moment these two boarded, although no divine powers or brilliant light were overtly displayed, Zhang Rui instinctively became hesitant to speak. Even Wang Li only dared to steal glances at them, mostly focusing on his writing.

“Uncle Ji, are you heading to the capital? My father is sleeping; should I wake him?” the Dragon Prince asked.

Judging by Ji Yuan’s demeanor, he clearly wasn’t here specifically for the Tongtian River; the Dragon Prince had that much discernment.

“No, no need,” Ji Yuan replied.

“Uncle Ji, who are these two?” the Dragon Princess asked.

The Dragon Princess walked to the edge of the cabin, and while performing a deep curtsy towards the two inside, she asked her question.

Zhang Rui and Wang Li quickly returned the greeting.

“My name is Zhang Rui, I’m… from Yanzhou,” Zhang Rui said. “His name is Wang Li, a storyteller.”

Wang Li’s mouth twitched as he looked at Zhang Rui.

“Ahem, I am Wang Li, a storyteller,” Wang Li corrected.

“Yes, my name is Ying Ruoli,” the Dragon Princess replied. “And that is my elder brother, Ying Feng. We are both juniors of Mr. Ji.”

Afterward, Ying Ruoli entered the cabin to see what Wang Li was doing, then quickly went out to chat with Ji Yuan.

For the rest of the half-day, there were two additional people on the small boat. Ji Yuan only brought the boat to shore at the next dock.

Zhang Rui and Wang Li knew it was time to part ways. They both disembarked, while Ji Yuan and the other two remained on the boat.

“From this dock, if you take a boat southeast along the Tongtian River, you’ll quickly reach Yanzhou,” Ji Yuan instructed.

This had been agreed upon long ago. Zhang Rui naturally would not go to the capital. Wang Li wanted to perfect his stories and also follow an immortal, but Ji Yuan had no intention of keeping him by his side indefinitely. Taking him away from Chengsui Prefecture was partly to protect him from reckoning by the brothel, and partly to keep him away from places of ill repute.

At this point, Zhang Rui had already concealed her form and stood beside Wang Li. She merely bowed in farewell to those on the boat, while Wang Li appeared more agitated.

“Mr. Ji, when can I see you again?” Wang Li asked. “Do you think I have a chance to… to become someone like you?”

Wang Li, on the bank, glanced at the people around the dock and asked his veiled but hopeful question. His words amused Zhang Rui, the Dragon Prince, and the Dragon Princess.

Ji Yuan understood Wang Li’s meaning: everyone said immortals had it good, and truthfully, it was indeed quite good.

“Hahahaha… Mr. Wang,” Ji Yuan said with a laugh, “just be a good storyteller, and we can meet again.”

Ji Yuan laughed as he used a bamboo pole from the boat to push off the dock, sending the small boat out onto the river. Wang Li watched from the bank as the boat moved away, feeling somewhat forlorn.

When the small boat was a dozen *zhang* away from the dock, Ji Yuan suddenly turned and called out.

“Mr. Wang,” Ji Yuan called, “the words you spoke on the boat yesterday, will you always stand by them?”

Ji Yuan’s question seemed a bit nonsensical. The Dragon Prince and Dragon Princess were unaware of its meaning, and even Zhang Rui didn’t react immediately. Wang Li, however, understood what Mr. Ji was asking in an instant. His mind flashed back to the previous day when he had spoken about changing the story’s ending and Mr. Ji’s applause at that time.

“Mr. Ji, I will always be so!”

Wang Li shouted his reply towards the river.

Ji Yuan nodded, and solemnly cupped his hands again towards the bank.

Seeing this, Wang Li dared not delay and quickly returned the salute. He then watched as the small boat moved further and further away, soon blurring from sight.

“Let’s go, Mr. Wang,” Zhang Rui’s voice chimed. “Don’t think about sneaking off to the capital!”

“Hey, Miss Zhang, you… fine, fine, fine…” Wang Li stammered. “But Miss, don’t you think that Miss Ying’s name sounds a bit familiar?”

“Familiar my foot!” Zhang Rui retorted. “You just think she’s pretty, don’t you!”

“It really isn’t…”

Wang Li gave a wry smile, slung his satchel over his shoulder, and went to look for a boat. To outsiders, this fellow might have seemed a bit unhinged, talking to himself.

On the Tongtian River, Ji Yuan rowed with one hand. With his right hand, he extended a sword-finger gesture, and a void particle on it flashed and vanished.

“I hope you will always be so…” Ji Yuan murmured.

“Uncle Ji?”

“It’s nothing.”

Ji Yuan continued to row the boat, and this time, the small boat’s speed was much faster than before.