Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 350 Choices and Debts

Late at night, in the imperial city.

Ning Caichen, who was studying late into the night at his desk, slowly put down his book, stood up, and stretched.

Although Ning Caichen, now in his old age, has some gray hair, he remains energetic and dignified. Having served as an official for many years, his imposing presence is ingrained in his very being.

crunch~
Just then, the sound of the door opening came, and a graceful and elegant woman carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup stepped into the house.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Ning Caichen revealed a gentle smile.

"You've stayed up so late again today. Even with Zhi Qiu helping you take care of yourself, you can't keep pushing your body like this."

The woman spoke gently, and although she complained, she still came to Ning Caichen and placed the lotus seed soup in her hand on the table.

"I asked Qing'er to cook this lotus seed soup. It uses lotus seeds that Zhi Qiu picked from Kunlun. I tasted it, and it's pretty good. Drink it while it's hot~"

Ning Caichen looked at the woman before him, who, though she had a few strands of white hair, still looked beautiful and seemed to be only about forty years old, and said gently:
"My lady, I am getting old now. It's time to train more capable people for His Majesty, so that even if I abdicate, the court can still function peacefully."

"The more busy you are now, the easier it will be in the future."

Fu Qingfeng couldn't help but roll his eyes and shake his head, saying:
“When have you ever said this before? You’ve been busy for decades, and when have you ever had a moment of peace?”

"Zhi Qiu has already calculated it for you. You still have over fifty years left to live, and living to over a hundred is not a problem. It's probably a bit too early for you to be thinking about abdication now."

"As for Zhi Qiu and Yue Chi, those two are a match made in heaven. With the country peaceful and prosperous these past few years, they're traveling the world in carefree abandon. It's so difficult to even see them. I wonder when I'll ever get to experience that kind of life~"

Fu Qingfeng's tone was mournful, and her beautiful eyes made Ning Caichen feel awkward. Back when they had just gotten married, the two of them often went out to play.

But ever since his father-in-law started making him an official and involved him in politics, all of that has changed.

His mind was always on the court and on the people, and he felt he had neglected the love of his life.

However, the imperial court was not monolithic. If he wanted to implement many policies, he had to personally oversee them to ensure their success. Otherwise, if problems arose, it would be the innocent people who would suffer.
Fu Qingfeng sighed softly and stepped forward to straighten Ning Caichen's clothes.

"Alright, I understand your difficulties. The world is at peace now, and you deserve some credit for that."

“If it weren’t for you, my husband, taking over the burden from my father back then, how could he have been able to retire so early and enjoy his old age? Now I’m blaming you, and that’s my fault.”

"Drink your soup early, don't stay up too late, and remember to get some rest. I'm going to bed now."

"Oh, thank you so much, my lady!"

Ning Caichen nodded repeatedly, a look of emotion and guilt flashing in his eyes as he watched Fu Qingfeng turn and leave the study.

"Back then, my husband and I made a vow to be a loving couple for life, and you were the only one in my life."

"Now I have wealth, status, and fame, but I still have no time to be with you."

Ning Caichen picked up the lotus seed porridge on the table and savored it for a while. He looked at the books on the table and lost interest in reading.

Ning Caichen closed the book and was about to leave the study to rest when suddenly his vision blurred, and in an instant, he found himself above a golden cloud.

"This"

Ning Caichen stared at the scene with some confusion. He was standing above a sea of ​​golden clouds, which surged and churned, looking incredibly magnificent and dazzling, like a fairyland. Wait, a fairyland?!
Ning Caichen seemed to have thought of something, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes. He looked around and called out:

"Brother Guo! Brother Guo!"

"Heh~ Brother Ning, you reacted quickly."

Hearing a familiar, clear voice behind him, Ning Caichen quickly turned around and saw a young man in a blue robe standing there smiling at him. His face was exactly the same as when they first met.

Although the other party was dressed in a blue robe, Ning Caichen still sensed the terrifying aura emanating from him, which seemed to be at the center of the world.
Niu Yi slowly stepped forward, patted Ning Caichen on the shoulder, and smiled:
"Brother Ning, it seems you haven't wasted your years in this official post. Your courage is truly admirable."

With Niu Yi's words, Ning Caichen's stiff body gradually recovered, and he felt at ease.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Brother Guo. I've rarely taken off this official robe since I put it on. Since entering the palace, I've witnessed many of the wickedness of the world."

Ning Caichen said with emotion in his eyes.

"Now I am very old, but Brother Guo is still as charming as ever, even more so than before. Not only Brother Guo, but Zhi Qiu is probably not much different from back then."

"I really wonder if I would still be so young now if I had stayed in Baiyujing to cultivate immortality with Brother Guo back then."

Niu Yi looked into Ning Caichen's deep eyes and joked:

"Brother Ning, do you regret it now?"

Ning Caichen shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this.

"What's there to regret? We scholars, who can't lift heavy loads, what use are all our knowledge if we can't serve the court? Now I am the dream of countless scholars, and I am quite fortunate."

"Moreover, back then, there were some things that only I could do. Looking back over the years, my choices back then and the physiognomy that Brother Guo gave me were truly incredibly accurate."

"There's only one thing I've failed my wife for."

Ning Caichen sighed, while Niu Yi nodded with a smile.

"Brother Ning, do you know that what you are doing now is also a form of cultivation? The merits you have accumulated are truly dazzling."

Ning Caichen was taken aback by these words, but when he came to his senses, he found himself back in his study, where the candles on his desk were still burning brightly, and only Niu Yi's voice echoed in his ears.

"Brother Ning, this world is very different now. You can focus on your official duties. We will meet again in the future."

"You will have plenty of opportunities to make up for the guilt you feel towards your wife."

Upon hearing this, Ning Caichen thanked the person in mid-air and couldn't help but ponder with some curiosity.
Brother Ning said the world has changed a lot. Could it be because of the earthquakes that shook various places a while ago?

Zhi Qiu Yi Ye might know something, so it would be best to send a message to inquire.
In a bamboo grove near Jinhua.

"Ah! Ahh!"

"Which bastard is talking about me again?!"

(End of this chapter)