Chapter 53: Suddenly Like an Autumn Wind at Night

Wei Wuwei suddenly recalled a private conversation he had with the Old Master when he was designated as the new head of the Wei family.

At that time, the Old Master asked him, "Do you know why it's you?"

Wei Wuwei brazenly replied, "Of course, it's because I'm exceptionally intelligent and well-read, my martial arts skills are also excellent, and no one knows I practice martial arts. I'm skilled in both academics and martial arts, resourceful and cunning, and I know when to bide my time and feign weakness. Who else would you choose but me?"

"Hahahaha... Those are certainly basic requirements, but there's actually one biggest reason!"

"What reason?"

The Old Master looked at Wei Wuwei seriously and said, "You're lucky!"

Recalling it now, Wei Wuwei felt the Old Master was absolutely right; he was damn lucky!

Inside the courtyard, Wei Wuwei was still excited, while Ji Yuan carefully examined the jade pendant. The spiritual energy flowed through the blue jade and then returned to his fingertips, and the luster on the pendant gradually faded, returning to its ordinary appearance.

'There's definitely something to it!'

During his inspection, he clearly felt that there was something inside the jade pendant he couldn't see through, perhaps similar to what were called "restrictions" in novels from his previous life.

Not only that, because part of the spiritual energy was absorbed by the jade pendant, Ji Yuan, through that momentary connection, seemed to sense a faint magnetic force, clearly directed towards Wei Wuwei.

This suggests that even if someone else were to snatch this blue jade, they might not necessarily achieve an immortal destiny. He just wondered if the man in black yesterday had a way to bypass this or if he was simply unaware of it.

'Anyway, it has nothing to do with me!'

Thinking this, Ji Yuan smiled and handed the jade pendant back to Wei Wuwei, who carefully received it with both hands and then meticulously wiped and examined it.

Watching Ji Yuan resume his chess game, Wei Wuwei, feeling a bit parched and exceptionally cautious, asked:

"Mr. Ji, what kind of place is Jade Embrace Mountain? Is it... is it the abode of immortals?"

In truth, Wei Wuwei was almost certain that Ji Yuan was an extraordinary recluse, perhaps even an immortal, but he dared not voice it directly, only venturing to ask about matters concerning his own family.

Facing the three pairs of ears perked up in the courtyard, Ji Yuan found it amusing. However, some things you either know or you don't. He couldn't say much, nor did he intend to feign profundity or make things up.

"I have never seen Jade Embrace Mountain myself, so I don't know exactly what it is like. As for whether it's an immortal realm, for us mortals, I suppose it is."

Wei Wuwei tried his best to control his excitement, asking in a hopeful whisper.

"How can my Wei family find an immortal destiny through this jade? Please enlighten me, sir!"

This was indeed hitting the nail on the head, but Ji Yuan himself didn't know the answer. He had only learned the name Jade Embrace Mountain from the City God of Ning'an.

"Mr. Wei, I am but a mortal myself, merely with a slightly broader perspective than ordinary people. As for the location of a divine place like Jade Embrace Mountain, haha... I really don't know!"

Ji Yuan smiled as he made a move, looking at the somewhat bewildered Wei Wuwei.

"I've only heard that Jade Embrace Mountain is located within Jizhou, likely in the northern part. I can tell you no more, Mr. Wei; you must figure the rest out yourself!"

Having said this, Ji Yuan intended to pay no more mind to Wei Wuwei. There was nothing more to say, and he himself wanted to see this Jade Embrace Mountain.

'Alas, such ancestral blessings are enviable. It's just a pity I didn't have a good father in this life!'

Wei Wuwei was not an ungrateful person. This Mr. Ji had clearly subtly told him that this was all he could reveal. If he remained unsatisfied, he would be foolish. Did he really think a distinguished figure had no temper?

Wei Wuwei stood up from his seat, took two steps away from the stone table, straightened his body, cupped his left hand over his right, and slowly bowed ninety degrees forward, offering a respectful salute.

"The enlightenment Mr. Ji has bestowed upon my Wei family today will never be forgotten. If there is ever anything we can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to command us. Just state your identity, and the Wei family of Desheng Prefecture will certainly spare no effort!"

After a moment's thought, Wei Wuwei unfastened a jade pendant from his waist and placed it on the table.

"This is a token of our sincerity! Please, Mr. Ji, accept it. You can even exchange it for some money if you ever find yourself in need!"

After bowing to Ji Yuan and placing the jade pendant down, Wei Wuwei also politely cupped his hands towards Master Yin, then, with an excited heart, walked quickly out of Juyan Cottage, remembering to close the door behind him.

Once outside, his excitement could no longer be contained. With his heart pounding, Wei Wuwei broke into a short, quick run, continuing until he reached the archway at the entrance of Tianniu Lane, where he rubbed his chest to calm down, transforming back into the steady, corpulent merchant he usually was.

Wei Wuwei decided that he would not tell anyone about today's events except for those in his family he could absolutely trust, and he certainly would not publicize it.

Since Mr. Ji had repeatedly said he was "just a mortal," effectively telling Wei Wuwei that he did not wish to be disturbed, Wei Wuwei naturally understood what to do. Otherwise, a good thing could turn bad, and a benevolent connection could become an ill one.

***

Inside Juyan Cottage, after Wei Wuwei left, Yin Qing asked Ji Yuan with great curiosity:

"Mr. Ji, do you really not know where Jade Embrace Mountain is? I've never seen what an immortal looks like!"

"Yes, indeed, I, too, wish to see what an immortal looks like, hoping they are as I imagine. As for whether I truly don't know about Jade Embrace Mountain, little Yin Qing, when have you ever known me to lie?"

Ji Yuan picked up the food box from the ground, took out the bags of pastries, and placed them on the side of the stone table, teasingly asking Yin Qing in return.

"But I've only known Mr. Ji for a few months! I wouldn't have seen if you lied before!"

"Qing'er!"

Yin Zhaoxian was genuinely startled by his son this time. This mischievous boy dared to say anything.

"Hahahahaha... Little Yin Qing is right, Mr. Ji doesn't *never* tell lies, but I'm not lying about this! Also, children must consider others' feelings when they speak. It's fine here with me, but in the future, you'll go out, and you must be careful, as words can bring trouble!"

Yin Qing was endearing, but he couldn't be allowed to develop into a mischievous brat.

"Mr. Ji is absolutely right. This child needs strict discipline. In action, one must not forget courtesy; in speech, one must not hurt others!"

Ji Yuan, unusually serious, agreed with Master Yin about disciplining the child, nodding very gravely.

"Master Yin is absolutely correct. The world outside is not as peaceful as Ning'an County. The common world is like this, the martial arts world is like this, and the official world is like this. Even many demonic entities are attracted by words, so one cannot be too careful!"

'This little fellow even dares to challenge me, Mr. Ji. I may be magnanimous, but I'm not soft when it comes to teaching a lesson!'

Ji Yuan thought to himself, a hint of mischievousness in his mind, then nonchalantly made another move on the chessboard.

"Oh, these pastries from Miaowai Tower, don't let them go to waste. Let's eat them together!"

"It would be disrespectful to decline!"

Yin Zhaoxian no longer stood on ceremony and began eating with Ji Yuan. Only little Yin Qing had a troubled look on his small face, feeling a bit worried as he watched his father's suppressed earnestness.

What Ji Yuan most appreciated about Yin Zhaoxian was that, even after such extraordinary events had just occurred, he could, in such a short time, return to a relatively normal state of mind, chatting, playing chess, and eating pastries with him. Although he also had normal human desires and longed for many things, he could maintain proper decorum and restrain himself.

It was very rare, Ji Yuan thought, even rarer than true indifference to fame and wealth or detachment from worldly desires, and it was why he often learned things from Yin Zhaoxian.

Over pastries, Ji Yuan and Yin Zhaoxian's chess game continued until dusk. Both had their wins and losses. One's confidence greatly increased, while the other believed he was merely being humored out of politeness. Both were in high spirits.

After the last game concluded, they both began tidying the chess pieces, with Yin Qing "helping" by picking up a few black pieces and dropping a few white ones.

"Master Yin, I may be leaving Ning'an for a distant journey in a few days!"

This matter had been decided last night upon learning the news of the sword intent scroll and this morning upon deciphering its secret. The tomb of that Great Hero Zuo was certainly not close, and Ji Yuan was merely informing him in advance.

Yin Zhaoxian paused. This statement came too suddenly, slowing his hand gestures as he picked up the chess pieces.

Yin Qing was about to blurt out something but was quickly stifled by a glare from Yin Zhaoxian, who reacted faster this time.

"When does Mr. Ji plan to leave?"

"I'm not sure yet. Perhaps three to five days at the earliest, or six to seven days at the latest!"

The main reason was that he needed to find a way to familiarize himself with the general maps of various prefectures and counties in Dazhen, and also to bid farewell to the county's City God.

Silence fell in the small courtyard for a while. Yin Qing slumped dejectedly on the stone table. Yin Zhaoxian placed the last two white pieces into the chess box before speaking again.

"I know Mr. Ji is no ordinary person, and your departure naturally has its reasons, which I should not pry into. If you could inform me when you leave, I will certainly see you off. If it's inconvenient, I can only wish you a safe journey!"

"Good, thank you for your kindness, Master Yin!"

Ji Yuan smiled and cupped his hands, then ruffled the dispirited Yin Qing's hair.

As if remembering something else, he looked up at the jujube tree in the courtyard and simply sighed.

"I'm afraid I won't get to eat this year's jujubes. When they ripen, I hope Master Yin and little Yin Qing will pick the ripe fruits and share them with the neighbors!"

"I will certainly do so, please rest assured!"

Yin Zhaoxian also looked at the jujube tree as he replied. Neither of them performed the usual bows and courtesies.

After this conversation and a few more casual remarks, the Yin father and son's spirits were noticeably low. As it was also nearing dinner time, they soon bid farewell and departed.

After the Yin father and son left, Ji Yuan resumed his usual routine: going out for dinner, returning home to cultivate, and then going to bed punctually.

That night, some of the jujube flowers in the courtyard withered and fell, pushed off by the gradually growing green jujubes on the branches. By dawn, many of the jujube tree's leaves in Juyan Cottage's courtyard had turned yellowish, but the branches were heavily laden with ripe fruit.

In the morning, when Ji Yuan woke up and opened his door, he was astonished by the sight before him. He stared at the jujube tree for a long time before speaking, deeply moved:

"Suddenly, an autumn breeze blew overnight, filling the garden with ripe fruits for the picking! Thank you!"