Chapter 492: There Are Faster Ways

Qiao Yong had successfully brought his fleet and crew home. Strictly speaking, he hadn't broken his promise, but in his mind, he had pledged to bear any consequences himself. While he did bear the consequences, he ultimately couldn't protect everyone.

Although his men were not imprisoned, they did not receive the compensation they deserved, and regardless of their injuries, they all lost their livelihoods. Qiao Yong himself was imprisoned but later released, and his family was safe with their property intact. This left him with a constant thorn in his side, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep peacefully.

Qiao Yong's phrase "doing my humble best" was not just empty words. Ji Yuan and the old beggar could discern this from the Qiao family's current circumstances. Not only had they distributed gold and silver, but a large portion of the Qiao family's considerable landholdings had also been given away. While the Qiao family wouldn't starve, their previous life of luxury was absolutely impossible; they now had to rely on manual labor.

Learning about Qiao Yong also meant learning about Emperor Da Xiu. Generally speaking, although Emperor Da Xiu longed for an elixir of immortality, he was not entirely obstinate or unwilling to listen to advice.

As for seeking elixirs of immortality, if previous Da Zhen emperors had done it, it would have been considered neglecting proper duties due to the elusive nature of the immortal path. However, Da Xiu had the Bureau of Heavenly Masters. While most common people were ignorant, the upper-class nobility had some understanding of the immortal path, at least knowing that truly powerful immortals existed. Therefore, seeking an elixir was not purely a pipe dream.

Just then, Qiao De, the elderly servant of the Qiao family, walked in from outside and announced in the living room, "Master, Madam says dinner is ready and asks if we can begin."

Hearing this, Qiao Yong looked at Ji Yuan and the old beggar. "Immortal Ji, Immortal Lu, why don't we have dinner now?"

The old beggar smiled. "Hehe, this old beggar has been waiting for you to say that! Mr. Ji and I haven't had a drop of water in days; we're so hungry our stomachs are glued to our backs!"

"Oh, oh, oh, Ah De, hurry, let's eat, let's eat! Is the dining hall ready?"

"Yes, yes, it's been prepared for a while. I'll go to the kitchen first. Master, you can bring the two immortals over!"

Having said that, the elderly servant Qiao De cupped his hands towards Ji Yuan and the old beggar in the living room, then retreated a few steps before turning to leave.

Ji Yuan watched thoughtfully as the Qiao family's only servant departed. Through his blurred vision, he could sense Qiao De's incredibly vigorous vital energy. He then turned to the old beggar, noticing that he was also observing the departing old man.

Then the old beggar's gaze returned, meeting Ji Yuan's. The two exchanged a smile but said nothing.

"Please, Immortals, come with me to the dining hall!" Qiao Yong had already stood up, gesturing for them to follow at the doorway.

A moment later, in the Qiao family's dining hall, the entire Qiao family, along with their two guests, Ji Yuan and the old beggar, were seated around a large round table. The only one standing was the elderly servant Qiao De.

The old beggar's gaze swept across the dining hall, noticing lingering cobwebs and other signs. Ji Yuan sniffed and, besides the aroma of food, detected a scent of damp dust, typically present after a thorough cleaning.

It seemed the dining hall hadn't been used in a long time and had been specially cleaned for this occasion.

On the round table, there were ten dishes in total. There were plenty of fresh vegetables, but the most prominent items were a large braised fish and two big plates of poached chicken. The remaining dishes, such as peanuts and dried radishes, filled out the spread. Along with a pot of wine, this comprised the Qiao family's dinner offering.

Everyone at the table was focused on Ji Yuan and the old beggar; no one had yet touched their chopsticks. Mrs. Qiao and the eldest son, who was already an adult, managed to keep their gaze steady, but the two younger children's eyes were fixed entirely on the two plates of chicken.

Qiao Yong personally filled Ji Yuan's and the old beggar's wine cups and courteously said, "Immortals, please, help yourselves! It is our Qiao family's fortune to have you here!"

Ji Yuan looked at the old beggar. "Indeed, Mr. Lu, aren't you starving? Please, eat."

"Hehehe, then this old beggar won't be polite! Tsk, tsk, tsk, these two plates of chicken... this old beggar likes them best!"

The old beggar was naturally unreserved. Under the eager gazes of the two young Qiao children, he picked up one chicken tail, then picked up another and presented it to Ji Yuan. "Mr. Ji, this is a good piece, commonly known as 'phoenix tail meat' in the market. This is for you."

Ji Yuan repeatedly waved his hand. "No, no need. A gentleman does not take what others desire. Mr. Lu, you should eat it. I don't care for that part."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan used his chopsticks to pick up a few green vegetables from the soup pot in the center and put them in his mouth. As he chewed, a clear, delightful flavor spread, indicating that the vegetable soup was clearly simmered with chicken broth and was very delicious. "Everyone, please eat. It's not right for the hosts to just watch while guests are being entertained."

As he spoke, Ji Yuan picked up two more chicken legs with his chopsticks, but this time he placed them in the bowls of the two children. The children immediately looked at Qiao Yong, and seeing him nod, they broke into smiles, grabbed the chicken legs with their hands, dipped them in soy sauce, and began to gnaw on them.

"Yes, yes, we should eat too." As soon as Qiao Yong spoke, the Qiao family members all began to eat. The atmosphere in the dining hall quickly became lively, and the children's laughter added even more vitality.

In the middle of the night, the Qiao family had all retired. Ji Yuan and the old beggar sat alone at a stone table in the guest room's small courtyard, one looking up at the moon, the other closing his eyes to rest.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; although the Qiao family had declined, their residence was still quite good, and preparing a guest room or two was no problem.

At a certain moment in the deep night, Ji Yuan withdrew his gaze from the moon, and the old beggar opened his eyes. The two exchanged slight smiles.

A gentle breeze swept through, and the figures of the two immortals were no longer at the stone table.

Behind the Qiao family mansion was a small alley. At this very moment, Qiao De, like a night owl, lightly leaped over the courtyard wall and landed silently in the alley outside, his body slightly bent as his toes touched the ground. The entire process was noiseless.

"Excellent light footwork!"

A calm and composed voice faintly sounded, startling Qiao De, who had thought himself undetected. He turned around to find Ji Yuan and the old beggar standing there, leaning against the Qiao family's courtyard wall. Moonlight bathed the two figures, allowing Qiao De to clearly see the smiles on Ji Yuan's and the old beggar's faces.

"I am quite curious, Mr. Ji, what would become of the Qiao family if Mr. Lu and I hadn't arrived after the Immortal Rendezvous date passed? And how would you, Qiao De, have handled yourself?"

The old man's expression fluctuated, changing several times before he looked up and gritted his teeth, saying, "I know nothing of an 'Immortal Rendezvous date.' I only know that if no immortals arrive before next autumn, I, Qiao De, would risk my life to escort the master's family away from the capital. There will be a place for them, no matter how far!"

The old beggar chuckled, "Haha! Unexpectedly, you're a double agent, but still possess some loyalty and righteousness!"

Qiao De shook his head. "You flatter me, Immortal. Though I believe I've never done anything to harm the Qiao family, ultimately, I have been disloyal to my master."

"Hmph, you were never a Qiao family member, so how can you speak of disloyalty? Where are you going? The Bureau of Heavenly Masters? Do you think such petty tricks can deceive Mr. Ji and me?" The old beggar asked with a sneer, and with a flick of his finger, a sachet flew out from Qiao De's person. He pinched it, discerning that it likely contained a talisman.

Qiao De made no attempt to conceal anything. "You two are truly exceptional beings, so I won't lie. I am indeed heading to the Bureau of Heavenly Masters. My master is at home, seemingly retired without trouble, but how could he possibly be completely ignored? It's merely a shift from overt to covert observation. However, no actual harm has been inflicted."

Ji Yuan nodded. "That's true. But if we hadn't arrived before next autumn, who knows what might have happened..." With a sigh, Ji Yuan then addressed Qiao De. "Go on, do what you need to do."

Qiao De was taken aback. "Uh, and the two Immortals...?"

The old beggar said impatiently, "Of course, we're going back to rest! We haven't slept or eaten for days and nights. After a good, full meal, we're terribly sleepy. If it weren't for you, you rascal, this old beggar would have been asleep long ago!"

"Hahaha, I think I've figured it out. A 'good meal' for you, Mr. Lu, consists of two chicken tails, a chicken head, half a bowl of soup, and a few small dishes. Next time I invite you to eat, I'll know exactly what to order."

"You, you, you, Ji Yuan, how could you say such a thing!?"

"Hahahahaha..."

Amidst the laughter in his ears, Qiao De watched as Ji Yuan and the old beggar faded before his eyes, eventually disappearing. He rubbed his eyes hard, then looked around, confirming that no one was there.

After hesitating for a while, Qiao De still quickly departed, heading in the direction of the capital's Bureau of Heavenly Masters.

The next morning, Qiao Yong, who had risen early, naturally wouldn't be selling vegetables today. Instead, he led Ji Yuan and the old beggar directly to the Bureau of Heavenly Masters.

As an extremely important institution in Da Xiu, the Bureau of Heavenly Masters was located within the imperial city, where land was incredibly valuable, right next to the imperial palace. Unlike the relatively secretive nature of Bureau of Heavenly Masters branches in other regions, the capital's Bureau of Heavenly Masters was lavish and as grand as could be. This was partly because commoners were generally not allowed near the imperial palace anyway. Also, it was an occasional destination for the Emperor, so it couldn't be built too simply, could it?

Outside the Bureau of Heavenly Masters, several guards stood watch. Seeing Qiao Yong and the two figures behind him approach with clear purpose, they became alert. "Stop! What are you doing? Do you not know that commoners are not permitted to approach here freely? Step back immediately!"

Qiao Yong quickly halted and cupped his hands in greeting towards them. "Gentlemen, I am Qiao Yong, formerly the Admiral of the Western Garrison Navy of our dynasty, and concurrently the Chief Inspector of the Eastern Sea Immortal-Seeking Fleet. I once stated that an immortal had guided my fleet back to court. Now, the immortals have arrived as promised. I have specifically brought these two Immortals here to the Bureau of Heavenly Masters to see the Grand Preceptor!"

"Qiao Yong!?" "Admiral of the Western Garrison Navy?"

"There seems to have been such a person!"

"And these two behind you are immortals?"

The Bureau of Heavenly Masters had countless eccentrics and extraordinary individuals, but few were truly qualified to be called "Immortals." Other "Immortal Masters" were merely polite official titles; many were more accurately referred to as "Dharma Masters."

"However, the Grand Preceptor is not at the Bureau of Heavenly Masters. Perhaps you could all return tomorrow?"

Ji Yuan smiled. "I know; the Grand Preceptor and Emperor Da Xiu are at the Capital's City God Temple."

"What!?"

The guards grew more vigilant, but before they could question him further, Ji Yuan turned to the old beggar and asked, "Mr. Lu, what do you think we should do?"

"Hehe, going back and forth is too troublesome. Let's use a quicker method." Ji Yuan and the old beggar had decided before coming that they could make a bit of a commotion this time.

As the old beggar spoke, his spiritual energy circulated throughout his body. He pointed his finger towards the sky and then towards the ground, tracing a mysterious pattern. Next, he wrote a spiritual inscription on his left palm, then lightly patted it towards the ground, speaking with immense concentration, "Da Xiu Capital City God, come quickly and present yourself!"

"Boom..."

Ripple-like patterns spread out, and a wisp of green smoke, accompanied by a faint whirlwind, materialized in front of the old beggar. Dressed in black robes, wearing a black gauze cap, and with divine light shimmering behind him, his face was filled with utter shock... The Da Xiu Capital City God's eyes were wide, his mouth slightly agape, looking at Ji Yuan and the old beggar in disbelief.