Chapter 116: Flying Sword, Yun Qing
Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Flying Sword, Yun Qing
Resigned, Chen Mo had no choice but to humor his friend and accompany Song Yunxi to Fragrance Pavilion following his enthusiastic invitation.
Naturally, the remaining half-eaten chicken was left on the table. How could he possibly bring it along?
The night was deep. The two walked shoulder to shoulder under the cold moonlight.
Song Yunxi, who had been hazy with drunkenness, suddenly looked up at the moon. Keeping his head tilted back and without glancing at Chen Mo, he asked, "Brother Chen, do you know why I like spending time with you so much?"
"Brother Song, my preference lies with female cultivators," Chen Mo joked.
Song Yunxi turned his head and burst into hearty laughter.
A moment later, still wearing a smile, he continued, "Those who associate with me fall into one of two categories. The first consists of people with a lower status than mine. They spend all day walking on eggshells or kissing up to me; being around them is uncomfortable. The second consists of those stronger than me. They love preaching at me, telling me to cultivate bitterly, telling me to reach Foundation Establishment. They annoy me!"
"Then where do I..."
"Foundation Establishment? How could reaching Foundation Establishment be that easy? My lifespan is only a hundred and fifty years anyway, so why waste this prime time? Being alive is all about living it up!" Song Yunxi seemed to be speaking to Chen Mo, but in truth, he was trying to convince himself.
"Junior Brother Ban, Senior Brother Tian, and especially my uncle—they all look at me all day like they’re disappointed I’m not living up to my potential! But what do they know? The life I’m living right now is absolutely fantastic!"
"You live with absolute clarity, Brother Song," Chen Mo sighed in admiration.
"Clarity? Clarity." Song Yunxi mulled over the word, finding it more and more appealing the more he thought about it. "Clarity! Damn right I do! See, this is why I said I like hanging out with you! Come on, I’m taking on ten tonight!"
Just like always, he slung his arm over Chen Mo’s shoulder with zero sense of personal boundaries.
At this moment, the wine no longer intoxicated him; he had intoxicated himself.
...
The next morning.
Hong Yan, who had stayed up all night chatting with Chen Mo, couldn’t help but let out a yawn.
Not long after, Song Yunxi walked out, looking completely refreshed and invigorated.
Today, the person straightening his clothes wasn’t Yun Rou, but Xia Wan—the woman who had exchanged a few words with Chen Mo previously.
This time, upon seeing Chen Mo, she no longer shied away. Instead, she offered a charming smile; it seemed she had accepted her new status.
Chen Mo returned the smile.
People truly adapted to their environments at an astonishing speed!
After dressing, Song Yunxi sat down at the table and picked up a freshly poured cup of Immortal Peak tea to moisten his throat.
"How is it? Are you satisfied with Ms. Xia Wan?" Hong Yan asked with a smile.
"Satisfied? How could I not be? It’s all thanks to Sister Hong’s excellent training! Inviting you here was truly the right decision!"
Song Yunxi knew exactly how to play his cards. Bringing along a beautiful female performer was nowhere near as practical as bringing along Hong Yan, who could train female performers.
"Brother Chen, let’s go!"
Having truly eaten his fill this time, Song Yunxi returned to the Master’s Mansion alongside Chen Mo.
The two sat in the study. Song Yunxi retrieved the last forty catties of Giant Bone Spirit Rice from his storage ring.
"Your big brother here loves this stuff too!"
Chen Mo didn’t take it. Instead, he thought for a moment and asked, "Brother Song, when will the breeding for the Spirit Yellow Rice take place?"
"Whenever you have time!"
"Since I’m already here, we might as well take some time to do it now."
Thanks to the storage space, there was almost no difference between breeding it now versus a month later.
"How about in another two days?" Song Yunxi suddenly changed his mind.
"Alright!"
"Give me two days to sell all the grain collected by the shops to Purple Cloud Peak, then I’ll send Mei Hua to pick you up."
"Sell it to Purple Cloud Peak? Didn’t they collect a lot of grain tax? Do they still not have enough?" Chen Mo had never really thought about what the shops did with the grain they collected.
"No, no, no! You’re mistaken, Brother Chen!" Song Yunxi shook his head and explained. "Did you think the grain tax we pay all stays at Purple Cloud Peak?"
"It goes higher up?"
"Exactly! Purple Cloud Peak has to hand over ninety percent to the Cyan Yang Sect. The Cyan Yang Sect gives seventy percent to the Pingdu Continent, and the Pingdu Continent hands over fifty percent to Wuchi Country! The remaining grain at Purple Cloud Peak isn’t nearly enough to feed all their disciples!"
So that was how it worked.
Hearing the explanation, Chen Mo nodded.
"Alright then. I’ll head back first and wait for your word, Brother Song!"
...
For someone accustomed to bitter cultivation like Chen Mo, two days passed in a flash.
On days when he wasn’t hanging out with Song Yunxi, he lived like the ascetic monk the other man had described—someone who lacked clarity in life.
Refusing to enjoy his prime years and instead meditating day and night might seem like a complete waste of life in Song Yunxi’s eyes.
However, what Song Yunxi didn’t realize was this: How many spirit plant cultivators had an elder for an uncle like he did? How many could live as freely and indulge themselves for a lifetime like him?
Those spirit plant cultivators who had been driven into the Secret Realm back then... their bones had likely already weathered into dust by now.
When he returned to the Master’s Mansion, Mei Hua didn’t lead Chen Mo into the breeding room, nor to the study. Instead, they arrived at a dedicated training area in the backyard.
Chen Mo surveyed his surroundings; swords, spears, halberds, and every other weapon imaginable were fully stocked.
Unfortunately, they were all mortal weapons.
Why come to a place like this? Could it be that his good brother had turned over a new leaf?
Just a moment later, Song Yunxi walked out from the inner room.
At this moment, he looked even more imposing and extravagant. A full year’s worth of profits from the marketplace had been tangibly converted into spirit stones. What couldn’t he afford in the entire marketplace now?
"Brother Chen! Your big brother brought you something good!"
"Oh?"
Chen Mo was suddenly intrigued. He didn’t bother with pleasantries; if the two of them were too polite, it would only make them seem distant. Since they were friends who treated each other with sincerity, they could simply accept each other’s gifts with open arms.
Besides, he also had a great gift to present to the other man in a little while!
Song Yunxi strode over to Chen Mo. In the next instant, a speck of cold light flashed, followed by a sudden burst of silver radiance!
With a crisp SHING, a sharp sword was drawn from its sheath, pointing straight at the heavens!
Under the sunlight, the silver gleamed dazzlingly.
He tossed the long sword in his hand into the air, then pressed two fingers together and pointed sharply at a nearby artificial rockery.
THUD!
Where the sharp sword struck, it pierced through the rockery as easily as if it were made of paper!
To Chen Mo’s eyes, this display of sword control had already reached a masterful level.
"How is this sword?"
Song Yunxi sheathed the blade and tossed the long sword over.
Chen Mo reached out and caught it. As he gently stroked the highly textured leather scabbard, a strong sense of repulsion emanated from it.
However, an object was still just an object; how could it compare to a person’s will?
He forcefully suppressed this sense of repulsion and gave it a hard pull!
The next moment, a sound like a dragon’s roar rang out as the sword left its sheath, its cold gleam reflecting Chen Mo’s silhouette.
The blade’s body was resolute yet supple, its sharpness highlighting a perfect harmony. It gave off an irresistible aesthetic appeal.
"A fine sword!"
"Hahaha!" Song Yunxi laughed heartily. "I knew you would definitely like it, Brother Chen! This sword is named Yun Qing. It was crafted by the hands of Elder Sun of Purple Cloud Peak. Today, I am gifting it to a man who truly values friendship and loyalty."
"The flying sword, Yun Qing," Chen Mo murmured, caressing the blade.