Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 309: A Xuan, what do you think?
When Chen Xuan took out the food box, opened it, and showed the braised pig's trotter that was almost the size of a washbasin, Gao Jingming couldn't help but ask, "Xuan, where did you get such a big pig's trotter? Did you kill it for the Pig King?"

"Xiaosong, is it okay for me to call you that? Please take it to the store to cut and heat it up, and also make a sauce with chili, garlic, mustard and soy sauce. It will be very comfortable to dip it in later," Chen Xuan said as he handed the lunch box to Wei Song.

He took it and said with a smile: "Mr. Chen, please feel free to do as you please. Master, I will be back soon."

"Remember to ask the store to prepare some side dishes and bring a few jars of the best wine. If it's not enough, ask again when the time comes... Ah Xuan, you are still the best eater," Gao Jingming said, and the latter sentence was directed to Chen Xuan.

After Wei Song left, Chen Xuan turned around and said to him, "That's about right. Yesterday on the way here I passed by Dujiazhuang and heard there were wild boars causing trouble, so I went to take a look and planned to stay overnight. But wow, two wild boars as big as hills, with the blood of exotic beasts, were trampled to death by me. I took two pig's trotters and tusks. I ate one of the trotters on the way, so I saved this one for you."

"Xuan could encounter such a thing? Nothing dangerous happened, right?" Gao Jingming was speechless.

Chen Xuan smiled and said with a look of contempt, "That's right. Those two wild boars really destroyed a lot of crops. They deserved the fate of being eaten as snacks. As for the danger, let alone two beasts, even if I encountered a dragon, I would kill it and make soup with it."

"I know you are powerful, Xuan, but can you be more reliable? What about the dragon? It is an existence that even the masters have to retreat from," Gao Jingming shook his head speechlessly.

What does it matter to me, a Grandmaster, that Grandmasters retreat? Even though we're at the same realm at first, just a different name with no bearing on combat power, the term Grandmaster represents a certain ceiling. Initially, the name doesn't really matter, but the gap widens as time goes on. I've been a Grandmaster for over a year now. With my natural talent and speed of cultivation, I can be modest and rank in the top three among the countless people of the same realm throughout Jing Country. Pure combat power alone, right? In a few years, even if they join forces, I won't be afraid of them. That's assuming they don't resort to any means beyond their own strength!
Muttering in his heart, Chen Xuan was too lazy to argue with him and changed the subject, "Master, do you know who I met in Dujiazhuang yesterday?"

"Who is it? Do I know him?" Gao Jingming asked.

Thinking of the reluctant look when he left, he knew that the other party had also gone to the Gao family without any relatives or friends. Perhaps he really treated himself as a younger brother. Chen Xuan said: "Sister Qinghe, I was one of the mistress's personal maids during the years when I was at the young master's house. I wonder if the young master still remembers me..."

"How could I not remember? When you, Xuan, were little, they were the ones who coaxed me to sleep most of the year-round at my mother's," Gao Jingming said, feeling embarrassed. He quickly said, "I vaguely remember that she did marry in a place called Dujiazhuang. I never thought you, Xuan, would actually run into her. How is she doing? Is her husband good to her?"

"They are living a good life, have a pair of lovely children, and are a loving couple. They are an enviable couple," Chen Xuan answered based on his own observations.

Nodding, Gao Jingming said, "That's good. If her husband treats her badly, I have to intervene. After all, she's been in our family for so many years, and my mother still nags about it occasionally. Although I don't want to accept it, I have to say that when people get old, they like to reminisce."

Mrs. Gao is nearly fifty years old and is already considered an old woman. After all, the average life expectancy in that era was low, life at the lower classes was difficult, and due to various corvee labor, diseases, and wars, the average age was only in the early forties. This was already a peaceful time, and there were many long-lived people, but the word "average" was a concern.

Chen Xuan said to Gao Jingming mysteriously: "Young Master, I think the expression on your face when you see Madam next time you go back will be very funny."

"Why do you say that, A Xuan?" Gao Jingming said in silence.

Chen Xuan did not answer, but said: "Master, you will know when the time comes."

Mrs. Gao has always been pampered and well-maintained. Although she is almost fifty, she looks only in her thirties. Now, if she takes the beauty pill and her body functions become ten years younger, people will believe that she and Gao Jingming are siblings when they stand together.

"You're still keeping it a secret, how boring," Gao Jingming said. He was actually extremely curious, after all, that was his mother.

As they were talking, Wei Song came back with a large tray filled with seven or eight dishes including chopped pig's trotters. Two waiters followed him with a few jars of wine.

Unable to satisfy his curiosity, Chen Xuan called out, "Come on, let's have a drink today to celebrate for the young master. Xiaosong, let's get drunk together."

Wei Song's character was a little too rule-abiding, unlike Chen Xuan who was disrespectful. As a servant, it was his duty to eat at the same table with Chen Xuan, but since Chen Xuan and Gao Jingming were together, he seemed a little hesitant and didn't want to disturb them, so Chen Xuan specially greeted him.

After they sat down, Gao Jingming probably missed the time he spent with Chen Xuan. They hadn't been able to spend time together for a few months, so he couldn't wait to raise his glass and said, "Come on, let's have a drink first."

"I'm not afraid of you, drink up," Chen Xuan said proudly, clinking his glass and drinking it down. Then he said, "The wine is good, but the glass is too small. Let's change it, that'll be more enjoyable."

"I'll get the bowl," Wei Song offered.

Not to mention Chen Xuan, Gao Jingming's internal strength is also quite deep. Although he has not yet reached the level of opening up the eight extraordinary meridians, he is not worried about getting drunk. Even if he drinks too much, he can still be energetic by using his internal strength to dispel the smell of alcohol. However, that would be a bit of a waste.

Gao Jingming put down his wine glass and said, "That's the Pear Blossom White from Yunlai Restaurant. It costs one hundred and fifty taels of silver per jar. I can't usually get a drink here, but they didn't charge me and gave me enough."

"Okay, okay, young master, you're amazing, aren't you? You can even get free stuff by just showing off your good looks. I'm so jealous," Chen Xuan said sourly. He was clearly a Grandmaster, so why didn't he get such treatment? Wei Song brought bowls, and the few of them exchanged wine glasses. They ate and drank, and when they were slightly tipsy, Chen Xuan asked, "By the way, young master, we're leaving for Beijing tomorrow. Have you planned your route?"

As Chen Xuan said this, he laughed at himself. His old habit came back. Why were he and Xiao Gao always thinking about his trivial matters?

Wei Song quickly replied, "Master Chen, the route has been planned. The capital is located in the northeast, more than 2,000 miles away from here. We have to pass through three continents to get there. It's all official land routes. If we don't rush, we can travel 200 miles a day and arrive in about ten days. In addition, accommodation has been arranged in advance in the capital."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan thought that Wei Song was reliable. He recalled the map of Jing State. People usually called the capital of Jing State Shengjing, which was located in Yunzhou. It was neither on the border nor on the sea. Going north through a state and crossing the border was the Frost Moon State in the north, which was also separated from the eastern coast by a state.

Speaking of it, Shengjing City is only two prefectures away from the former Mo City, and forms a triangle with the current Wan City.

The population of Shengjing City exceeds 10 million, and the urban area covers three counties. The county magistrates of the three counties in the capital are at least fourth-rank, which is almost the level of provincial governors in local areas. However, it is difficult to be an official in the capital. After all, there are bigwigs everywhere around, and it is like walking on thin ice.

Recalling this, Chen Xuan looked at Wei Song and said, "Tell me about the general route you planned."

Not understanding why Chen Xuan cared so much about this matter, Wei Song explained it in detail. After all, he came later and did not understand Gao Jingming's specific situation, so naturally he did not know that this trip might be extremely risky.

After listening to his description, Chen Xuan continued drinking and asked him to get a map to slowly explore the clues.

Gao Jingming knew Chen Xuan was serious, so he put away his smile and asked while Chen Xuan was thinking, "Xuan, what do you think of the route Xiaosong has drawn up?"

"No problem," Chen Xuan affirmed Wei Song's achievements in one word, which made him feel relieved. After all, this man was a 'senior', and his opinions were more useful to his young master than anyone else's, not even his wife's.

Then Chen Xuan pointed his finger along the route planned by Wei Song on the map, and stopped somewhere in Jingzhou, north of Shangyunzhou. That was next to Shangyunzhou, and only one state away from the capital.

His finger stopped there, Chen Xuan looked at Gao Jingming and said with a smile: "Master, do you still remember this place?"

"Youlongpo? Of course I remember it," Gao Jingming looked at the place name and nodded, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

Under Wei Song's strange gaze, Chen Xuan pointed at the place and said, "Youlongpo. It is rumored that a dragon appeared in the mountains more than 20 years ago. The dragon wandered in the mountains and caused a huge disaster. It was there that Mr. Yushan met with an accident when he went north to Beijing to take the imperial examination. He almost lost his life and ended up with disabled legs. Unfortunately, he was unable to take the imperial examination. However, the dragon was killed by three masters at that time. Part of it is still hanging around the young master's neck."

Gao Jingming touched the dragon horn pendant on his neck and nodded, saying, "It is true. I only found out about it in recent years. People spread rumors about it. Someone once saw the figure of a dragon, and gradually the place was renamed Youlongpo."

"Well, those are all things of the past, let's not talk about the past," Chen Xuan said with a smile, then moved his finger back and stopped at the border between Jingzhou and Linzhou, nodded, and then turned north along the route, and stopped at the border between Jingzhou and Suizhou above, nodded, and said: "These two places are quite interesting."

Gao Jingming pondered and said, "A Xuan, what do you mean?"

Chen Xuan said nothing, took out a stack of papers he had borrowed from his pocket and handed it to Gao Jingming, saying: "Master, you will know after taking a look at this."

Gao Jingming took it and quickly glanced through it. After reading it, he raised his eyebrows and said, "It's really interesting. There is a group of vicious bandits entrenched at the junction of Jingzhou and Linzhou. They rob passers-by. Last month, they replaced their leader with an extremely cruel one. He is also in the Xiantian realm. He practices evil skills and kills people like crazy. Even the government can't do anything about it in a short time. Then there is the border between Jingzhou and Suizhou. The mountains there are high and the forests are dense. There is a strange beast called the Purple-striped Blue Wolf. This beast is extremely ferocious and can control storms and even spit thunderbolts from its mouth. It moves like the wind and is good at hiding. It has devoured many people recently. Even Xiantian masters have suffered a loss. These two dangerous places are both our must-go routes!"

Gao Jingming's eyes fixed as he spoke, "Whether it's the bandits changing their brutal leader or the purple-striped blue wolf appearing, both happened in the past few months. What do you think, Xuan?"

"What else can I do? Just sit and watch, drink some wine, and then we'll pass by in a swagger. If we meet in those two places, young master, just lie down and let me move around. My lazy bones are almost rusted," Chen Xuan grinned, with a murderous look in his eyes.

He didn't care whether it was a coincidence or someone had deliberately arranged for Gao Jingming to go north. If anyone dared to come, he would kill him!

Gao Jingming nodded. Although he was a little worried, he trusted Chen Xuan immensely. He said nothing more and pointed at the paper in his hand and asked curiously, "Where did you get this information, Xuan?"

"Why do you care where it came from? It's just borrowed, okay? Let's drink. We agreed to get drunk," Chen Xuan said, raising the wine bowl again.

Wei Song was a little confused. What were the young master and Mr. Chen talking about? Why did he always feel scared?
……

　An elder in my hometown passed away, and I have to go to mourn. The next chapter will probably be late or even not there at all. Please bear with me. Thank you.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)