Chapter 879: Left and Gold

Fortunately, Ji Yuan always saw a glimmer of hope in everything. One reason was the significant progress made in the Netherworld regarding the verification of reincarnation for certain special individuals. The second reason was the Hall of Literature.

Ji Yuan promoted the establishment of the Halls of Literature and Martial Arts primarily to stabilize the world and its fate. These halls were not merely buildings; they were symbols to be built not only outwardly but also within the hearts of the people across the land.

Secondly, Ji Yuan knew that, given Yin Zhaoxian's standing, his eventual passing and enshrined veneration in the Hall of Literature would almost certainly be the collective wish of scholars and common people alike throughout the land. Furthermore, with the current emperor being Yin Zhaoxian's disciple, this outcome was practically guaranteed.

As long as the Hall of Literature was truly established and its deviation from Ji Yuan's vision was not too significant, Ji Yuan was confident he could ensure Yin Zhaoxian's extraordinary noble righteousness would not dissipate.

Ji Yuan's thoughts raced in an instant. Meanwhile, Yin Zhaoxian understood what Ji Yuan had just explained.

"From what you say, Master, even righteous cultivators of the immortal path may not all approve of our dynasty's Feng Shan ceremony?"

Ji Yuan nodded, then shook his head.

"In the future, immortals entering the mortal world might not be uncommon. Even if ordinary people still rarely encounter them, it won't necessarily be the same for nations. The world is vast, and various immortal sects have their preferred countries... It's not that they are narrow-minded; Da Zhen is naturally favored by everyone. However, the world is vast, and too much talk can lead to disorder."

Ji Yuan didn't elaborate, but Master Yin understood the gist. The emergence of the literary and martial fortunes was closely tied to Da Zhen. Even though this was part of humanity's collective fortune, shared and enjoyed by all, who wouldn't want to extend their influence into Da Zhen?

"Since Master Ji has no objections to this document, I will submit it to His Majesty during tomorrow's morning court."

"Yes, and Master Yin, I hope you will inform the current Da Zhen Emperor to maintain his composure. Although Da Zhen held a prominent position at the Dragon Transformation Feast, I trust you understand the reasons behind it, don't you?"

Yin Zhaoxian sighed, while Yin Qing, beside him, smiled.

"Master Ji, we are, after all, loyal subjects, and the current emperor is not an incompetent ruler. We will do our best."

"It seems I've been overthinking it. I don't wish to meddle in court affairs. Have some tea."

Ji Yuan gestured towards the teacups on the table; Yin Qing hadn't touched his yet.

Yin Qing smiled and picked up his teacup, finding the tea still warm and perfectly suited for drinking. He took a sip, finding it very refreshing, then suddenly remembered something and asked Ji Yuan.

"Excellent. Oh, Master, this is a rare opportunity. Why don't you stay with us for the New Year this year?"

"Yes, Master Ji, it's truly a rare occasion this year. Please stay for the New Year. I'm getting old, and I might not have this chance again."

Seeing Yin Zhaoxian smile and say this, Ji Yuan found it difficult to refuse.

"Alright, I won't leave for the New Year this time. By the way, Zaoniang and Hu Yun are still at the Dragon Palace; they can come too when the time comes."

"That's wonderful!"

Yin Qing was even happier upon hearing Hu Yun would come.

At the same moment, far away in the Southern Wild Continent, Zuo Wuji was traveling alone. It was winter, and he wore tight-fitting clothes with a heavy cloak draped over them. That day, he followed a main road to arrive outside a large city.

Zuo Wuji tightened his cloak. Though he didn't fear the severe cold, being warmer was always more comfortable. He looked up at the distant city wall.

"Kuinan Commandery City... It should be the largest city nearby, right?"

With thoughts of the city filling his mind, Zuo Wuji quickened his pace and soon reached the city gates. He entered the city along with the sparse stream of people going inside.

Seeing that there weren't many people entering or leaving the city from outside, Zuo Wuji initially thought this city might lack the festive New Year atmosphere of his hometown. However, once inside, he realized he had been mistaken. Along the streets, lanterns and colorful decorations adorned everything, and in the shops that were still open, shopkeepers and assistants mostly wore cheerful smiles.

"Right," he murmured, "the day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Many shops close early, and many laborers would have gone home for the holiday. It's natural for it to be a bit quiet at this hour..."

Zuo Wuji mumbled to himself, feeling somewhat troubled. He didn't have much money left and wasn't sure if he could afford an inn. Perhaps finding a woodshed would be a better option. The main issue was communication.

The local dialect here was vastly different from that of Da Zhen. In Yunzhou, although many countries had varying accents, mutual understanding was generally not a problem. But when Zuo Wuji arrived in the Southern Wild Continent, he was completely lost. Some words he simply couldn't understand. He wasn't an immortal with keen spiritual perception, nor could he learn on the fly by distinguishing sounds. His initial communication relied on guessing, bluffing, and gestures.

Moreover, the language continued to change as he moved through different areas. Fortunately, the changes weren't too exaggerated, but arriving at Kuinan Commandery City today still gave him a headache.

First, however, he needed to find a suitable inn. Zuo Wuji wouldn't even consider trying a place that was overly luxurious.

"Ah, but this city isn't as lively as my Da Zhen!"

Zuo Wuji remained relatively relaxed. As the saying goes, "skillful people are bold." He had encountered worse situations. At worst, he could sleep outdoors in a somewhat sheltered spot; he wouldn't freeze to death, nor did he fear ruffians, hooligans, or even wandering spirits.

However, this city was quite large. Zuo Wuji wandered for a while but couldn't find a modest inn. He also tried asking around, but after a difficult exchange, most places turned him away upon learning he had little money.

Just then, Zuo Wuji turned from a wide street onto a narrower one, figuring that less upscale inns would likely be found on less prominent streets.

"Baozi—freshly steamed baozi! Vegetable and meat filling, plenty of it! Two coins each, no tricks for young or old!"

There was a baozi shop on the street with only one owner inside, vigorously hawking his wares. As dusk approached, passersby would occasionally stop to buy some baozi.

Whenever the owner opened the steamer, the fragrant and warm scent of the freshly steamed baozi drifted down the street with the wind, reaching Zuo Wuji. He sniffed the aroma, his interest piqued.

"Smells good, should be delicious!"

With that thought, Zuo Wuji steeled himself and pulled out a dozen copper coins from his belt beneath his cloak. Since that amount wouldn't accomplish much anyway, he might as well buy some meat baozi for a good meal.

Action followed thought. Zuo Wuji's figure subtly shifted, making a slight turn towards the baozi shop. Meanwhile, in a distant blacksmith's shop, a large man in a single garment, who had been hammering iron, looked up towards the street at that very moment.

In front of the baozi shop, the owner had just seen off two customers when he noticed a tall man approaching his door and immediately greeted him enthusiastically.

"Oh, sir, our baozi have thin skins and generous fillings! They're fragrant and soft, each one better than the last! Two coins for one, ten coins for six, famous for their vegetable and meat filling! How many would you like, sir?"

"Uh, you... help me, these baozi, I want..."

Zuo Wuji's speech sounded very awkward to the owner, and his accent was peculiar. After struggling to explain for a while, Zuo Wuji simply gave up talking and handed the owner ten copper coins directly.

The owner understood at once.

"Alright, six large vegetable and meat baozi! Just a mo, sir... Oh, wait, sir, many of these copper coins aren't our local currency. Uh, I can't accept these..."

"Huh?"

Zuo Wuji was stunned. Even if the coins were from different mints, they were still copper coins. Some shrewd merchants might demand a slight discount, but it was rare for them to refuse them outright.

"Sir, I run a small business. I can't risk illegal minting, and exchanging these at the black market is troublesome and involves deductions. I don't want to deal with them. I can't accept these copper coins. Perhaps you could exchange them elsewhere?"

"I... this money, the weight, the weight of the money, full weight..."

Zuo Wuji didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He weighed the copper coins in his hand. Da Zhen's currency was far heavier and of better quality than the uneven coins used here, yet the owner wouldn't accept them. Standing in front of the baozi shop, his mouth watering, only to be told he couldn't have any—it was truly agonizing.

Helpless, Zuo Wuji could only chuckle to himself.

"Ha, I never imagined Zuo Wuji would be spending New Year's Eve so miserably! Heh heh, my masters would surely die laughing if they knew!"

In the adjacent blacksmith's shop, the "ding-ding-dong-dong" of hammering iron had been constant, but it suddenly ceased. A large man in a sleeveless vest, his formidable muscles exposed, came out of the blacksmith's shop carrying a large sledgehammer. He glanced towards the baozi shop, just a wall away, and saw Zuo Wuji's back as he turned.

"You are... from Yunzhou?"

Zuo Wuji paused, slightly startled. The familiar accent made him wonder if he had misheard. He rubbed his ears, then turned around to see a blacksmith significantly taller and more powerfully built than himself. Looking at the man's sinewy muscles in the winter, his strength must be immense.

"I'm asking you: are you from Yunzhou?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I am Zuo Wuji, from Da Zhen in Yunzhou. Is this kind sir also from Yunzhou? At home, one relies on parents; away from home, one relies on friends, friend..."

"Six baozi. I'll pay."

Before Zuo Wuji could finish, Jin Jia had already spoken to the baozi shop owner nearby.

"Oh, alright, Brother Jin. Would you like some? They're fresh out of the steamer!"

"No."

Jin Jia replied succinctly, then carried the large sledgehammer back to his anvil. He raised his right arm high and brought it down accurately and heavily onto the iron blank.

"Clang... Clang..."