Chapter 554: Small Person

Even though it was already getting dark, the teahouse where Ji Yuan and Zhang Rui were seated remained bustling. Most of the customers had changed, with only a few tables remaining occupied. A storyteller was captivating the vast majority of the teahouse guests, including Ji Yuan, with his performance in the center of the hall.

Zhang Rui, however, was not in the mood for the story. Having just heard Ji Yuan mention Wang Li, she felt a slight unease.

“Mr. Ji, are you implying that Wang Li will be in danger?”

Zhang Rui’s spiritual cultivation was not profound. To discern Wang Li’s fate, she would need a specific connection, such as him offering incense at her temple. Without such a link, her insight would be limited. Previously, she had not perceived any imminent danger to Wang Li’s life.

“The book Wang Li wrote implicitly points to the Xiao family, home to the current Imperial Censor. Their role is to oversee all officials, and in a way, their power is second only to the Emperor. If the Yin family hadn’t intervened, Wang Li would have died much earlier.”

Zhang Rui was aware that the Xiao family held high office, but she also knew that Yin Zhaoxian’s influence was currently at its zenith.

“But… but Master Yin is present! Even spirits and gods know that Master Yin is a great scholar of this era, embodying profound righteousness. He can discern loyalty from treachery and differentiate right from wrong, purifying the air for a hundred miles around both capitals. Since the Yin family has intervened, Wang Li ought to be safe…”

As she spoke, Zhang Rui suddenly recalled something, and her expression immediately shifted.

“No! I heard Master Yin is critically ill! Could he be on the verge of…”

This was utter nonsense. Zhang Rui was clearly flustered by her concern. Ji Yuan quickly cut her off.

“Stop overthinking. Even if something truly goes wrong, we’ll just get Wang Li out of there. We’re not going to stand by and watch him die, are we?”

Zhang Rui was stunned for a moment but then quickly caught on.

“You’re right, we’ll just take him out! If his life is on the line, why worry about anything else? I thought Mr. Ji was the kind of immortal who wouldn’t interfere with mortal affairs…”

Ji Yuan smiled gently.

“There are indeed countless injustices and innocent deaths in the mortal world, and I truly cannot attend to them all. Sometimes, it’s not even appropriate to intervene too much. However, that doesn’t mean cultivators never get involved. Among the distinguished individuals I know, many are indeed driven by their convictions.”

Hearing this, Zhang Rui felt a surge of eagerness.

“In that case, how about I bring Wang Li out tonight?”

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but shake his head, contemplating Wang Li’s predicament and then expanding his thoughts to the circumstances of both the Xiao and Yin families.

“Let’s first go and ask Wang Li himself what he prefers.”

As night fell and the teahouse closed, Ji Yuan and Zhang Rui walked along the deserted street towards Changyang Prefecture Prison. At that moment, Zhang Rui harbored little concern for Wang Li; instead, her curiosity was piqued by Mr. Ji beside her. She walked half a step behind him, frequently and carefully observing him.

As Ji Yuan walked, he suddenly turned to look at Zhang Rui, startling the white-robed goddess.

“Is there something you wish to say?”

Zhang Rui offered an embarrassed grin.

“I once subtly inquired with the Magistrate of Changyang Prefecture and learned that the method you employed to summon the God of Susui was, in fact, an incredible divine ability. I also came to understand that the Dragon Lord mentioned by the Water God was, in truth, the true dragon of the Tongtian River. Mr. Ji, just how profound is your cultivation?”

Zhang Rui was merely a minor deity of virtue, neither an earth god nor under the jurisdiction of the underworld, so her knowledge was naturally limited. The events on the pleasure boat years ago had profoundly shocked the Water God and Tu Sixian, though the disturbance itself was minor. Zhang Rui and Wang Li had similar impressions, understanding only that Ji Yuan and the Water God had gained the upper hand in their brief encounter.

Yet, over the years, as Zhang Rui gained more knowledge, she gradually began to grasp the extent of Mr. Ji’s power, realizing he was likely no less formidable than a Prefectural City God.

“What? Are you still concerned you can’t save Wang Li?”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s question, Zhang Rui quickly waved her hand in dismissal.

“No, no, haha, I’m just curious. Your cultivation must be extremely profound. I’ve heard that some high-level immortals who wander the mortal world are actually seeking enlightenment for their hearts. Did you already know about Sister Bai’s romantic tribulation back then?”

Ji Yuan was momentarily startled, then recalled that in the story of “The White Deer’s Fate,” the white deer was actually the “Old Immortal’s” mount, and he nominally shared a master-disciple relationship with it.

After a brief thought, Ji Yuan decided that dwelling on the matter would only lead to complications. He simply smiled, replied, “I don’t know,” and then continued walking without further comment.

Ji Yuan’s reply left Zhang Rui momentarily stunned. She had an entire list of questions ready, but Mr. Ji’s simple “I don’t know” brought them to a halt. After standing still for a moment and seeing Ji Yuan walk further away, Zhang Rui quickly caught up.

However, the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Mr. Ji’s smile was incredibly enigmatic. After a moment of contemplation, she suddenly wondered if he had already known what she intended to ask and had deliberately answered that way to avoid a lengthy discussion.

The government office district was exceptionally quiet at night. The guards outside Changyang Prefecture Prison frequently yawned. Ji Yuan and Zhang Rui simply walked past two sentries at the entrance and entered the prison. All the patrolling and drowsy jailers they passed on the way to Wang Li’s cell seemed to completely overlook them, and the prisoners in other cells were sleeping even more soundly.

Only the small paper crane perched atop Wang Li’s cell, sensing its master’s arrival, fluttered its wings, flew out, and landed on Ji Yuan’s shoulder.

“Flap-flap… flap-flap…”

The small paper crane rapidly flapped its wings a few times, generating a faint breeze and a rustling sound. Then it extended one wing, pointing towards the cell floor. Following the direction of its wing, Ji Yuan and Zhang Rui saw a puddle of liquid that had not yet dried, along with a few uncleaned ceramic shards.

“I see. Well done!”

Upon Ji Yuan’s praise, the little paper crane wiggled its body contentedly.

Zhang Rui’s gaze moved from the liquid on the floor to the sleeping Wang Li.

“Wang Li, Wang Li, wake up! Mr. Ji is here!”

Ji Yuan was also observing Wang Li. Through his spiritual sight, he vaguely sensed something unusual about Wang Li’s aura. Before he could examine it more closely, Zhang Rui had already passed directly through the cell door and into the cell, quite naturally seizing Wang Li’s ear.

“Wake up, Mr. Ji has arrived!”

The sharp pain instantly jolted Wang Li awake.

“Ow, hiss… Auntie, please, be gentle…”

“Quiet! Mr. Ji is here!”

“Huh?”

Wang Li forgot his pain, glanced around the cell, then looked beyond the bars. Sure enough, Ji Yuan stood there. It felt as if Wang Li himself had grown more weathered with the years, yet Mr. Ji’s appearance remained precisely as he remembered it.

“Wang Li pays his respects to Mr. Ji!”

Zhang Rui only released her grip when Wang Li bowed. Ji Yuan observed Wang Li being roused by Zhang Rui’s rather physical method, and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, noticing Wang Li’s reddened ear. The goddess’s touch had certainly not been light.

Ji Yuan subtly returned Wang Li’s bow, observing him with a touch of emotion. The storyteller was indeed no longer young, his temples now faintly streaked with white. Surprisingly, however, Wang Li’s physical form appeared a bit clearer than Ji Yuan had anticipated.

“It’s been many years. Your storytelling skills haven’t diminished; they’ve even brought you to prison.”

Mistaking Ji Yuan’s words for a jest, Wang Li scratched his head self-consciously.

“I am truly ashamed to meet you in such circumstances, Mr. Ji. However, I haven’t been idle. I’ve finished compiling all the stories you recounted years ago, meticulously refining them multiple times. Many of them have already circulated widely, so I believe I have not failed your trust.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

Wang Li glanced at Zhang Rui nearby, knowing she must have been the source of the information, and instinctively rubbed his ear. Fortunately, Zhang Rui alternated which ear she pinched; otherwise, he suspected one might have been twisted off, or he’d end up with one ear larger than the other.

“Let’s not discuss the books for now. There’s another matter concerning you personally.”

“Yes, Wang Li, you’re facing a calamity involving bloodshed soon. It’s better you leave with me. Let me explain…”

Zhang Rui eagerly explained everything she knew to Wang Li, also mentioning the spilled liquid on the floor. The more Wang Li listened, the more his expression shifted. Finally, he looked in surprise at the spot where the wine pot had shattered.

“Was that poisoned wine?”

“Not necessarily poison; poisoning would be too blatant. But it certainly wasn’t anything good, or the paper crane wouldn’t have shattered it.”

“A paper crane?”

Wang Li paused, then suddenly noticed a white paper crane on Ji Yuan’s shoulder. Recalling the white light, Wang Li instinctively bowed.

“Many thanks, Mr. Ji, and many thanks, Benefactor Paper Crane!”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

Zhang Rui urged him once more. Wang Li was about to agree but then suddenly furrowed his brow.

“But if I were to leave like this, wouldn’t it be an escape, a fleeing from justice? Master Yin spoke up for me honorably; if I were to leave now, wouldn’t his political rivals in court seize this opportunity?”

“You fool! Master Yin is a high-ranking court official and the son of Master Yin himself. What could possibly happen to him? At most, he’d face some criticism and lose a bit of face, but you’re about to lose your life!”

Wang Li looked at the serene Ji Yuan, then at the agitated Zhang Rui, and hesitated.

“The jailers mentioned during their chatter that Master Yin is critically ill. At a time like this…”

“Oh, well then, you…”

Zhang Rui, in her haste, stepped closer to Wang Li. The latter instinctively clapped his hands over his ears and retreated a step, much to Zhang Rui’s amusement and exasperation.

“Even if I remain in prison, with you here, Miss Zhang, they certainly won’t be able to do anything to me!”

It wasn’t that Wang Li was genuinely unafraid of death; rather, he understood that Zhang Rui would not abandon him. Zhang Rui was so provoked by his brazen attitude that she burst out laughing.

“Even if I am a spirit, I can’t stay here indefinitely. There will always be moments of oversight. What if I’m not here and you get harmed? What contribution can you, a small figure, possibly make to the Yin family’s affairs? Why are you speaking of lofty principles?”

Wang Li had always been timid in Zhang Rui’s presence, but upon hearing her words, a growing resentment brewed within him. Finally, as soon as Zhang Rui finished speaking, Wang Li lowered his hands, straightened his body, and, clenching his fists, declared to her.

“So what if I am a nobody? Even nobodies have integrity! Master Yin is a great scholar of this age, and the Yin family is renowned for its loyalty and devotion. Which scholar in the world doesn’t look up to them, doesn’t admire them? Now, the Yin family faces a crisis. I, a humble person, may not be able to offer much help, but I refuse to be a burden!”

“You!”

The moment Zhang Rui drew near, Wang Li’s brave demeanor instantly vanished. He took two steps back, covering his ears in fright.

“Alright, you two seem to have completely forgotten about me…”

Ji Yuan spoke out with a sigh. Both Zhang Rui and Wang Li in the cell were startled; they had indeed completely overlooked Mr. Ji for a moment.