Chapter 894: Night Visit to Du Kuifeng

Though unable to fly, the golden-armored warrior could run and leap with incredible speed. Guided by the small paper crane, he bypassed Du Kuifeng's location and transformed into a faint golden light, traversing mountains, forests, and streams on the ground.

Seeing that Du Kuifeng had been avoided, the small paper crane chirped a few times at Jin Yi, then flew into the sky, transforming into a faint white light and heading directly towards Nanjun City, intending to get there first and report to Ji Yuan.

In Kuinan County City, a small banquet was underway in a side hall of the Li Residence. As the young master of the Li Residence, Li Feng had the authority to host such a banquet, but it was naturally impossible for him to occupy the main dining hall. Instead, he used a side hall meant for guests.

Li Feng also had no intention of alarming the family elders. He personally hosted Zuo Wuji and Ji Yuan and had the kitchen prepare a table laden with fine wine and delicious dishes. It was already dark, the perfect time for the banquet to commence.

“Mr. Ji, Great Hero Zuo,” Li Feng exclaimed, “I’ve had plenty of excellent wine prepared here. Tonight, we won’t leave until we’re drunk!”

Li Feng stood on a chair, joyfully holding a wine pot and shouting, only for Ji Yuan to take the pot from him.

“Children shouldn’t drink alcohol!”

“Hehehe, of course I won’t drink it,” Li Feng chuckled. “I’ll have sour plum juice; you two drink! Quickly, tell the kitchen to serve the dishes—”

A servant nearby heard Li Feng’s instruction and quickly nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yes, Young Master.”

The servant hurried towards the kitchen, where he encountered the Old Madam of the Li Residence, slowly approaching, supported by a maid. He stood aside, waiting for her to pass, but she stopped beside him instead.

“What is Feng’er doing tonight?”

“Uh, Old Madam,” the servant replied, “the Young Master is hosting guests.”

The Old Madam glanced towards the lights in the side hall.

“Guests? Do you know anything about them?”

“Yes, there are only two of them. Both are staying at Nichen Temple. One I don’t recognize, and the other has recently been teaching the Young Master a few martial arts moves.”

“Is Mr. Ji among them?”

The servant shook his head.

“No,” he replied, “I know Mr. Ji too, and these two are very different from him.”

The Old Madam immediately frowned.

“He spends all day messing about without any proper demeanor, and now he’s even finding all sorts of dubious characters to learn martial arts from!” she huffed. “I’ll go see for myself!”

The servant looked troubled. He wanted to dissuade her but dared not, so he could only hint indirectly.

“Uh… Old Madam,” he ventured, “should the dishes from the kitchen still be served?”

“Just go tell them to serve the dishes,” she instructed. “I’m merely going to take a look and perhaps say a few words at most. Feng’er is a member of our Li family, and we must always keep our word. How would it look if we canceled the banquet without cause?”

“Yes!”

The servant thought for a moment. He decided to notify the kitchen first. Knowing the Old Madam walked slowly, and relying on his own swiftness, he detoured after informing the kitchen and rushed back to the side hall to inform Li Feng.

“What? Grandma’s coming?”

“Yes, and Young Master, please don’t tell her I was the one who told you! I’m off…” the servant whispered.

After delivering the message, the servant quickly slipped away. Li Feng, however, didn’t seem to mind, and still smiling, he said to Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji.

“It’s fine, Grandma’s probably just coming to say hello.”

Just as Zuo Wuji was speaking, Old Madam Li had already arrived outside. A servant guarding the door opened it and stepped inside.

“Young Master, the Old Madam is here.”

Li Feng obediently went out, and seeing his grandmother approaching, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Feng’er greets Grandma!”

After bowing, Li Feng immediately ran to the Old Madam’s side and took her other arm. Though his gesture was more symbolic than practical, it still brought a slight smile to Old Madam Li’s face.

“I heard you’re hosting guests, so Grandma came to take a look,” she said. “Are there many guests?”

“No, not many, just two,” Li Feng replied.

Li Feng said, gesturing towards the side hall. Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji did not leave their seats, but stood up and cupped their hands towards the doorway as a respectful greeting to Old Madam Li.

Old Madam Li sized up Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji. Ji Yuan was acceptable; though she didn't recognize him and he didn't appear wealthy, at least he was neatly dressed. Zuo Wuji, however, exuded a free-spirited and uninhibited aura. His clothes were made of leather and fur, his stubble was untidy, and he looked rather unkempt. He was the epitome of a low-class, unrefined martial artist.

“You two are our guests,” the Old Madam said to Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji. “Enjoy your meal and drinks tonight. When you leave, each of you can collect five taels of silver from the steward.”

After addressing Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji, the Old Madam turned to Li Feng.

“Though you are still young,” she told him, “a descendant of our Li family certainly cannot spend all day in idleness. A few days ago, your father sent a letter from the capital, saying he found a good teacher for you. You will be brought to the capital soon.”

After saying this, the Old Madam glanced back at the side hall and then slowly departed. Li Feng quickly pulled on his grandmother’s arm.

“Grandma, but I don’t want to go to the capital…”

“Don’t be silly…”

Old Madam Li leaned closer to Li Feng and whispered.

“You don’t know who your father found as your teacher. His letter says that our dynasty now has the assistance of immortals, and your teacher is also an immortal from the mountains. He heard about your birth after three years in the womb and is extremely interested. He has agreed to take you as his disciple, so you must cherish this opportunity!”

“I don’t want to! I won’t go!” Li Feng protested.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” the Old Madam snapped.

Old Madam Li glared at Zuo Wuji, then looked back at Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji in the hall before slowly departing.

Inside the hall, Ji Yuan had already frowned. While he didn’t expect Li Feng’s unusual circumstance to be kept secret within the court indefinitely, he had specifically left instructions regarding it. Furthermore, National Master Moyun had also agreed to handle the matter. He hadn't expected Li Ping to be so eager to find an immortal master for Li Feng.

Zuo Wuji, on the side, smiled helplessly.

“Mr. Ji, does this mean the Old Madam looks down on us?”

Ji Yuan had already sat down. He picked up his wine cup and shook his head.

“While even I might not be considered a person of standing in her eyes,” Ji Yuan said, “the one she truly disdains is definitely you. After all, you look like a mere ruffian.”

Li Feng returned to the side hall sullenly. By then, the dishes from the kitchen had begun to arrive. However, the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before.

“Mr. Ji, I don’t want to go to the capital, and I don’t want to take any immortal as my master.”

“Hmm, we’ll find a way,” Ji Yuan said. “Let’s eat first.”

Ji Yuan glanced at Zuo Wuji, comforted Li Feng, and then began to eat. However, it was clear he didn’t enjoy this meal for long, because not long after, he heard a faint crane cry from the sky.

“Ah, please continue eating,” Ji Yuan said. “I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first. Oh, Great Hero Zuo, my share of the reward silver is yours.”

“Huh? Mr. Ji, am I that kind of person?” Zuo Wuji asked.

“Well, do you want it or not?”

“Yes!”

Ji Yuan smiled. Although among Zuo Wuji’s four masters, Yan Fei had the highest martial arts skill, his current disposition was more akin to Lu Chengfeng’s.

Ji Yuan patted Li Feng’s head and departed amidst the boy’s reluctant gaze.

The small paper crane had merely come ahead to report. Jin Yi was still en route. Ji Yuan rode the wind, traveling alongside the small paper crane, and eventually, three hundred *li* away over a desolate wilderness, he spotted a faint golden streak—it was Jin Yi, still sprinting.

Ji Yuan descended from the sky. Jin Yi also gradually slowed down and finally arrived before Ji Yuan, carrying the mountain dog, who was bound by yellow ribbons.

“My Lord!”

“Mm, put him down.”

Jin Yi obeyed. He grabbed the ribbon and gave it a shake. The mountain dog, still wrapped, spun through the air like a top, flew up ten feet, and then landed on the ground with a thud, completely disoriented.

“Uh… who is it?” the mountain dog mumbled. “I am a trusted confidant of King Du. Who captured me?”

Ji Yuan walked over to the mountain dog, who was shaking his head, and spoke calmly.

“Your King is quite clever, always thinking of things. By the way, who did he send you to inform?”

“Inform whom of what? What matter? I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, Immortal Sir…” the mountain dog stammered.

The mountain dog was no longer dizzy, but he knew he had been captured by an immortal, unlike his previous encounter with Zuo Wuji. Although Ji Yuan still showed no visible aura, he was definitely a high-level immortal practitioner. After all, the majestic divine general in golden helmet and armor stood right beside him.

“Alright, there’s no need to be afraid,” Ji Yuan said. “We’ll just go to Du Kuifeng together.”

Ji Yuan waved his wide sleeve, and the mountain dog was immediately swept into its folds. Then he took a single step, soaring into the sky. With another wave of his hand, Jin Yi transformed back into a strongman talisman, flying upwards and returning to his hand.

Ji Yuan had a feeling that the person King Du intended to inform seemed to be connected to those who stood against him.