ninety thousand miles

Chapter 719 Dreaming
Li Chuan rubbed his stomach as he watched the three men jump into the spring with a splash.

Lao Xiaokai leaned closer and said, "Shall I go up with you?" He pointed to Tianzhu.

"I can't go," Li Chuan said.

"Give it a try? Who knows?" Lao smiled, unwilling to give up.

Li Chuan glanced at him and said, "A few years ago, I went back to Shenxia Temple."

"You went back too?" Lao said with a smile.

“Well, over there…” Li Chuan took a few steps forward and continued, “It is said that recently another descendant of a legendary hero has started practicing medicine and helping people.”

"I've taken on an apprentice," Lao admitted with a smile.

“Teach your apprentice well, senior brother,” Li Chuan said.

A splashing sound was heard, followed by the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground one after another.

Li Chuan looked back and saw seven or eight large fish thrashing on the ground. Then, Wen Gu walked out of the spring water leisurely, and soon Jiang Mei and Luo Xueli also came out.

After Wen Guying walked back, Li Chuan couldn't help but say, "So you've found the fish's lair?"

“And there are many more,” Wen Guying waved his hand and said, “I only planned to catch one or two, but these fish insisted on competing with me. I caught one, and then a pair came; I caught a pair, and then three came…” He was also very aggrieved and said, “What else can I do?”

Then he said, "Take your pot out and make some fish soup."

"Alright then." Li Chuan took out the pot and handed it to him, saying, "I'm so full, let's eat next time."

“I know,” Wen Gu replied, taking the broken pot.

Several hours later, Li Chuan enjoyed a feast of whole fish.

When they get tired from eating, they drink alcohol; when they get tired from drinking, they go to sleep.

Li Chuan didn't know when he fell asleep. When he woke up, he found himself lying in the thatched hut. Outside, he could hear Wen Gu leading Gong Er and San in sword practice. Just like before.

He paused for a moment and then went outside.

The weather was fine and sunny, perfect for climbing to a high place. Thinking this, he watched Gong Ersan practice his swordplay for a while by the door. Luo Xueli walked up to him and asked, "Are you going?"

"I thought about it yesterday," Li Chuan said.

"Let's wait a little longer," Luo Xueli said.

"Alright," Li Chuan said.

"On Locust Mountain, it might be impossible to use magical artifacts. You'd better not put everything in your storage ring," Luo Xueli advised.

"Okay, I'll tidy it up," Li Chuan said.

Two days later, Zhu Qingyun arrived. She was dressed in blue.

"Why don't you go to Tianyun City to find me?" Zhu Qingyun asked him.

"This..." Li Chuan was about to explain when Zhu Qingyun interrupted him, pinching his hand and saying, "I know everything. You saved the people of Zhu Yuan, and you tricked the bandits hiding in Pujintun out of the village. Pujintun is only separated from Tianyun City by a river. You're just a little bit too short?"

"I dare not," Li Chuan said.

Zhu Qingyun calmed down. After a long while, she asked, "And now?"

"Since we're already here," Li Chuan said.

“I knew you’d say that,” Zhu Qingyun said, then added softly, “Never mind, we’re already here.”

……

Half a day later, more people arrived. It was Jiang Song and Jiang Bai, Yu Chen, and Goose Master and Aunt Liu.

Upon seeing their arrival, Wen Guying's face darkened. He asked, "How did you know?" Mu Ling had only told Wen Guying about Li Chuan's situation at Wochi. Wen Guying had also only told Jiang Mei and Luo Xueli, who had gone to rescue Yan Qingshan. They were all cautious people and wouldn't spread the news carelessly. But now, Yu Chen, far away in the wilderness of Cangwu, and Goose Master Liu Gu, stationed at Biyun Marsh, all knew.

It's too fast.

The visitor also realized this.

Jiang Bai said, "I went to Yunqiao Township to find Brother Li. I heard he had been away for a long time, so I guessed it. I didn't have anything else to do, so I came to visit. On the way, I met my brother and asked him to bring me here quickly."

Wen Guying looked at Yu Chen, who said, "I heard it from Cultivator Tian. It seems he heard it from his junior brother, who is also from the Four Divine Palaces..."

Wen Guying looked at Goose again, and Goose said, "This news has spread very widely, but we don't know where it originated."

"Let it spread," Li Chuan said nonchalantly. He looked at the ferret in Liu Gu's arms and asked, "It's been so long, and it still can't transform into human form?"

The ferret's eyes darted around twice.

Li Chuan chuckled, reached out and touched it, then touched it a few more times. It felt very nice. He said, "Alright, you all brought food and drinks, right?"

Jiang Bai said, "Of course I brought it." He looked at Jiang Bai and said, "See, I told you so, didn't I? Quickly bring out the food and drinks."

Yu Chen said, "There are no dishes, but the Feather Clan's wine is plentiful."

“That’s fine then,” Li Chuan said casually. “After this meal, I’ll go climb Tianzhu.”

He was the first one to get drunk.

He had a dream.

In his dream, he was eating in a very lively place. Loud music was playing. The lighting was chaotic, sometimes dimming, sometimes uncomfortably bright. Someone on stage was speaking, seemingly conducting something. Li Chuan couldn't hear what they were saying, but the music felt familiar. Then several more people walked onto the stage. They seemed happy, yet also sad.

Li Chuan still couldn't hear or see clearly.

After the lights in the hall were turned on, dishes were quickly placed on the table. He couldn't see the faces of the people at the table clearly, but he noticed that they were dressed strangely. Several of the dishes were his favorites; it seemed like he hadn't had them in a long time. Then someone came over to offer a toast, dressed in very formal attire.

When toasting, Li Chuan tried hard to see their faces, their eyes, noses, and mouths. He felt he could see each one clearly, but they couldn't be pieced together. In front of him were still two blurry, twisting faces.

He must be laughing forcefully.

He was also laughing forcefully and, along with the others at the table, finished his drink. Then he noticed his clothes; they were also strangely dressed, a blue T-shirt with a bizarre pattern—it looked like a pink-haired cartoon girl… Was he in the modern world?

He hadn't thought about his past life for a very, very long time.

My eyes are a little sore.

At this moment, however, he could see clearly. The people around him. The newlyweds, surrounded by guests, were toasting at their tables. On the other side, his parents were toasting. It was his eldest brother's wedding. The date had been set for October. His memory gradually became clearer; had only two months passed?

Li Chuan sat there blankly, his gaze following the newlyweds and their parents. The light grew dimmer, until everything was pitch black, and the noise around him vanished.

He continued to dream.

He no longer dreamed of the people and events of his past life. He dreamed of the Black Horn King, his body as tall as a mountain, tightly bound with stone dragon vines, which burned in scorching flames. Burning alongside him were the Su Prince, dressed in dragon robes, and the emaciated half-demon woman…

Li Chuan felt parched. His body was parched and steaming. Then rain poured down, and fish swam through the transparent rain curtain.

He woke up amidst the dampness.

It's raining again in Wochi.

He was in the cabin, lying on a haystack. Rain was drifting in through the open door and windows.

He stood up.

Everything was packed a long time ago.

He walked towards the Heavenly Pillar.

(End of this chapter)