I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 77: Did you take the elixir?
May has already entered the hot summer, which are the two hottest months in Xuantianjing.

For example, today, even before noon, the sky was already filled with red clouds and the heat was rising. Such a hot summer day showed the beauty of Princess Shang Qiu's courtyard.

Even in the east hall where guests are received, a gentle breeze blows into the house, blowing back and forth, taking away the summer heat and leaving some coolness.

Chu Xiubai was drinking tea. The tea was bought by Eunuch Liu. It was not very good, but it was certainly not bad.

But Chu Xiubai only drank a sip, then shook his head slightly and said: "I remember that in my yard, there are still a few ounces of Jade Dew Condensed Fragrance. When soaked in water, it is as crystal clear, moist and fresh as the morning dew. Even the adults in Kyoto rarely have this good tea produced in the South China Sea.

If we go to buy it, I'm afraid a fourth-rank official wouldn't be able to buy two taels with half a year's salary."

As he spoke slowly, he placed the teacup in his hand on the table and never touched it again, as if the tea leaves were indeed not worthy of his mouth.

Chen Zhian, however, was drinking happily.

"This tea that Eunuch Liu just bought is already excellent for Zhian." Chen Zhian said with a smile, "I have never tasted any good tea, but this Longjing tea before the Qingming Festival is very well preserved. Even in May, this tea still has the aroma of pea sprouts. It is perfect for cooling off from the summer heat."

The smile on Chu Xiubai's face grew wider: "Xuan Tianjing gathers the essence of all things in Dayu. You can find all kinds of tea here, meet all kinds of women, and enjoy all kinds of wealth and glory. All you need is power and money."

At this point, he moved slightly and said, "If you have power, you don't need money, and the brilliant red gold will grow legs and run towards you."

Chen Zhian knew what Chu Xiubai was talking about.

But when Chu Xiubai said this, his tone was calm and his demeanor was elegant, just like a scholar who had just finished class, not a general.

Chen Zhian listened silently. The breeze still blew into the hall and blew on the two of them, making Chen Zhian notice something different.

He squinted his eyes, and the spiritual energy in his Niwan Palace jumped, trying to capture that vague thing.

Is that... evil spirit?
The evil spirit on Chu Xiubai's body was quite old, and seemed to have existed for a long time, as if it had already been integrated into his true essence, making it impossible for Chu Xiubai to get rid of it.

But Chen Zhian felt that this evil aura was quite familiar, which reminded him of the time when he went to the dilapidated old temple at the foot of Xiuba Mountain and saw Yu Li Ke's sharp evil knife [Geng Fan].

So Chen Zhian fell silent and continued to listen to Chu Xiubai.

Chu Xiubai stood up and touched the table in the east hall: "These furniture are not bad, they are all made of red nanmu. If you meet someone who knows the value of it, I'm afraid this chair will be worth five or six hundred taels of silver.

However, this is Princess Shang Qiu’s property after all.”

"Chen Zhian, I saw you in the Shangshu Mansion yesterday. After I went back, I asked the Inspectorate about your background. It turned out that you are the son of Chen Shuijun."

Chen Zhian was not surprised by this.

Chu Xiubai was so young, yet he was able to sit in the position of a fifth-rank Pingye general. Eunuch Liu said that Chu Xiubai relied on his military merits, but Chen Zhian felt that if it were someone else, at this age, he would probably not even have the chance to make merit.

The elegant general in front of him must have an impressive background.

This is the way it is in Dayu, those who come to the fore are always the children of aristocratic families.

What's so surprising about a person of such status and background coming to find him and check his financial details?
So he nodded and said, "My father is Chen Shuijun. Yesterday at Li's house, General Chu made a fool of himself."

"What's so funny about a separated son going to see his biological mother?" Chu Xiubai shook his head and said in a gentle tone, "This is how it is in Xuan Tianjing. Especially the officials in the court, they pay more attention to one's family background, but rarely to the person himself."

"Chen Zhian, I was right beside you when you condensed six divine essences in a row yesterday. Your divine essence talent is indeed extraordinary, and it even makes me a little jealous."

"General Chu, you are too kind. It's just the first time I've seen my mother in 18 years. My heart is surging and my thoughts are unobstructed. I don't know how my cultivation has also made a breakthrough." Chen Zhian spoke in an official tone.

Chu Xiubai also smiled, but suddenly changed the subject and shook his head, saying, "As I said, Xuantianjing has everything, but there is no way for common people to ascend to heaven.

Chen Zhian, you are still young. When you reach the Divine Essence realm, you will soon encounter your first major bottleneck. The fifth level of martial arts, the Unpolished Jade Realm, is divided into three levels: Jade Bone, Jade Pass, and Jade God. "

“That is, unpolished jade for bones, unpolished jade for the essence, and unpolished jade for gods! The three levels of unpolished jade are more difficult than the previous ones, and the required cultivation resources are also multiplied.

For example, to transform jade bones, one needs expensive medicinal materials as a foundation, costly prescriptions, and ointments for application. These alone would probably cost hundreds of taels of gold.

This is especially true for Yuguan and Yushen, who have wasted countless medicinal materials."

"Is this really true?" Chen Zhian was a little surprised, with some embarrassment in his eyes.

Chu Xiubai nodded and continued, "It's okay to spend two or three thousand taels of gold. I checked your name. As a painter with such a great reputation, it shouldn't be difficult for you to make some money by painting for those dignitaries.

The difficult part is after the Unpolished Jade Stage."

His expression became serious: "After reaching the Unpolished Jade Realm, one needs a first-grade magic method and innate energy. These two things alone are not only priceless, but also extremely expensive.

You can earn enough money by painting, but first-class magic and innate energy are in short supply. Apart from the aristocratic families, powerful families, and mysterious sects, they are only in the imperial court and the army. Even if you have money, you can't buy them."

Chen Zhian was silent.

Chu Xiubai did not exaggerate this matter. The imperial court's Xuanmen and aristocratic families did indeed monopolize the vast majority of cultivation resources, and it was not easy to advance to the innate realm.

Chen Zhian must make plans early.

"You have great talent." Chu Xiubai spoke again, subconsciously picking up the cup of tea, then putting it down casually after coming to his senses, and continued, "Coming to Xuantianjing, you can naturally find some noble families, and they probably don't mind sponsoring a young man with extraordinary talent.

But... your identity has some tricks, not everyone is willing to anger the Minister of Revenue, General Xuan Zi, or... the Xuantian Jing Si family because of you."

"Even if someone is willing to help, I'm afraid you're just working for them... Xuan Tianjing, Dayu, and even the whole world are like this. There's no such thing as unwarranted appreciation. They just want to... take you in as a dog."

Chu Xiubai's eyes became sharp when he said this: "So I came here today to give you an opportunity. Let's see if you, Chen Zhian, can seize it."

"I would like to hear the details." Chen Zhian raised his head.

Chu Xiubai said slowly: "Why don't you come to my army? I will give you a clerk's experience. Before you can reach Yuque, I, Chu Xiubai, will pay for all the herbs and silver you need.

Not only that, I will also give you a house on Jiuguan Street in the imperial city, so that you can settle down here and not have to rely on others for support."

Chen Zhian lowered his head and thought for a while, then said, "So, General Chu wants me to be the Chu family's dog?"

Chu Xiubai was slightly startled. He had never thought that Chen Zhian would speak so bluntly. He said, "The military is different from the noble families in Xuantianjing. In the future, we will be judged by military merits and have the qualifications to step into higher positions. Do you know that I am from the Chu family of Nanhai?"

Chen Zhian shook his head.
Chu Xiubai's eyes flashed with brilliance: "My Chu family established our family business in the South China Sea long before Dayu was established. Up to now, we have more than 600 years of foundation.

The current Grand Tutor of the South Sea is my father, ruling over four states... Although my Great Yu does not have a vassal king, the four states of the South Sea are equivalent to the vassal territory of my Chu family!"

Chen Zhian's eyelids twitched. This Chu Xiubai was truly bold and arrogant. He was in the imperial city with the palace just around the corner, yet he dared to say such words.

"A good bird chooses a good tree to inhabit. With your current status, you must find a good tree. Finding an ordinary family will not be of much help on your way forward, and my Chu family is a towering tree."

Chu Xiubai spoke slowly, his tone becoming more and more calm.

His amazing family background has fostered his elegant self-confidence.

In his opinion, Chen Zhian was just an illegitimate child who was disliked by the Li family. He had lived in the old alleys of Sunan Prefecture and had never seen the world.

Such a life experience often breeds some "resentment", resentment towards one's own origin, one's own status, and resentment towards the Li family's cold eyes.

When facing such people, he only needs to appear in front of them and give them some small benefits to lure them into the trap! For example, Chen Zhian in front of him.

Chen Zhian lowered his head in thought, while Chu Xiubai leisurely looked around and at the furnishings of the East Hall.

Until more than ten breaths passed.

Chen Zhian slowly raised his head and said, "General, the Chu family is indeed a towering tree. As the saying goes, it is good to lean on a big tree for shade. If Zhian relies on the Chu family, he will definitely gain a lot, but..."

He smiled and said, "It's just that Zhian comes from a poor family, he doesn't have much courage, and he doesn't ask for much, just a peaceful life. If he joins the army, there will naturally be a ladder for him to rise, but in the army, you have to risk your life, Zhian is greedy for life, I'm afraid he doesn't dare to risk his life."

Chu Xiubai turned around and looked at Chen Zhian carefully, a little surprised: "You don't want the first-grade magic and the innate energy?"

Chen Zhian smiled and said, "Everything has a price. The first-grade magic and the innate energy are too precious. Zhian dare not take them."

Chu Xiubai nodded slightly and stood up.

Given his status, if he was rejected, he would naturally not try to persuade her any further and would just leave the courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard, Chu Xiubai's face turned a little cold.

"It seems that the sword [Yellow Bird Wind]... needs to think of some other methods. Chen Zhian's method won't work."

"It's just that Chen Zhian has good talent, but he is not ambitious. The adults threw bones to him, but he didn't know how to wag his tail and eat them."

He shook his head and walked to the end of Fosang Street, only to see Eunuch Liu coming forward again, with a middle-aged man in official uniform leading behind him.

"General Chu, are you going back?" Eunuch Liu smiled and saluted Chu Xiubai.

"Eunuch Liu, there are only eight or nine households on Fosang Street. Where are you going?" Chu Xiubai glanced at Chen Zhian's courtyard.

Eunuch Liu said helplessly: "Mr. Chen is the only famous person on Fosang Street. Not only do all the big families in Xuantianjing want to invite him to paint, but even the doctor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has to come to visit with packages.

Look, this is the chief steward of Prince Duanque's mansion, who is highly regarded by Prince Duanque. He came here in person, naturally to invite Mr. Chen, but he ran so hard that my legs broke. They are all nobles, and my legs are naturally long for nobles, so I have to lead them here in person."

Eunuch Liu's words were clever, and the palace steward also saluted Chu Xiubai.

Chu Xiubai continued to move forward and saw a carriage parked not far away.

The carriage was quite luxurious. The body of the carriage was made of precious black nanmu wood with fine texture and many exquisite carvings on the body.

Two valuable Lushui horses with shiny hair were dressed in gorgeous silk harnesses, and even their reins were inlaid with round pearls.

This kind of carriage...is usually used to pick up and drop off extremely valuable guests.

But now it is used to invite Chen Zhian?
Chu Xiubai raised his eyebrows, really not knowing what that strange Prince Duanque was doing.

Chen Zhian was just a court painter. When Prince Duanque went to invite the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, he only sent a message to him and asked him to go to the prince's palace by himself. Why did he have to use such a carriage to pick up Chen Zhian in person?

While he was thinking, Chen Zhian and the steward had already walked out of the courtyard. The steward waved his hand gently, and the two Lushui horses seemed to have a spirit. They took graceful steps and pulled the carriage steadily to the front of Chen Zhian's courtyard.

Chu Xiubai turned his head to look at Chen Zhian, who nodded slightly at him with a smile on his face.

For a moment, Chu Xiubai suddenly felt that Chen Zhian seemed to be hiding some secrets.

It allows him to ignore the innate energy and the first-grade magic.

He thought about it and suddenly snorted coldly.

"Afraid of death? Just want a happy life?" Chu Xiubai felt more and more that this was just an excuse of Chen Zhian.

He continued walking, but suddenly felt a chill on his back.

Chu Xiubai looked up at the sky. It was already noon, the sun was shining brightly, the cicadas were chirping loudly, and people walking on the road had beads of sweat on their foreheads.

The elegant general lowered his head to look at the glittering and mysterious jade pendant around his waist, and felt that even this Xuantian Capital had become somewhat eerie in the past few days.

"The ghost is still there." Chu Xiubai shook his head.

-

Chen Zhian sat in a luxurious carriage, stroking the extremely soft mink mattress beneath him, but he did not go to Prince Duanque's mansion. Instead, he went to a wide grassland in the west city.

There is such a place in Xuantian Capital. When you look up, you will see green grass all over the fields, rolling green waves, lush grass covering the ground, and the grass leaves swaying and rustling in the breeze.

Chen Zhian lifted the curtain and saw from afar Prince Duanque drawing his bow and arrow. His originally old figure was now standing straight.

The bow was like a full moon. It shot out at will and broke through the air, disappearing into the void.

Prince Duanque shot an arrow and turned to look at Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian got off the carriage and walked forward to salute, but the prince handed the bow to Chen Zhian.

"Come, shoot an arrow." Prince Duanque smiled at Chen Zhian.

Chen Zhian took the longbow, and when he held the longbow in his hand, his expression suddenly changed.

Unexpectedly, a unique power was flowing on this longbow, just like the spiritual energy on Chen Zhian's Xuanmen treasure robe, only much more dense and mysterious.

Chen Zhian took out a feather arrow from the bow basket on the ground and put it on the longbow.

The true energy in his body circulates, and he bends his bow...

Suddenly, the spiritual energy flowing from the bow made Chen Zhian's mind quite tired.

Chen Zhian raised his eyebrows slightly, and the six divine auras in his mind suddenly jumped. He concentrated his consciousness and pulled the longbow to its full potential.

Prince Duanque standing aside suddenly changed color.

"When I saw you two or three days ago, you were still at the level of True Essence Cultivation. How come you have condensed the Divine Essence now?"

Chen Zhian did not hide it, and he was concentrating his spiritual energy in Li's house that day, and Chen Zhian did not think he could hide it.

Moreover... after listening to Li Fushu's words, he felt that there was no need to hide many things too deeply, and he should always earn some reputation for himself.

So he shot an arrow, and the feather arrow flew away. The strong true energy blew away the fragrant grass on both sides, and flew straight into the distance with an airflow like white jade.

"Lucky, one step forward."

Prince Duanque’s eyelids twitched wildly. He took two or three days to build the Niwan Palace and even condensed his divine energy. Or was it the sixth level?
What you are eating is not a pill made from acquired energy, but an elixir, right?

"Sixth level divine essence, I'm afraid your step is too big."

ps: There are additional chapters for monthly tickets before 11pm.

(End of this chapter)