Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 291 This Place is a Pleasure

Standing in the morning light, watching Jiang Cheng kneeling before the grave burning paper money, Zhu Ge's heart remained unsettled for a long time.

Ah Xiu's problem has been resolved, but there are still countless Ah Xius in the world.

They may be struggling with illness, dying in despair, or even their remains may not find peace after death.

How many can he save by himself?

"Master, what are you thinking about?" Liu Jianjian rode over on her snow wolf and asked curiously.

"I'm thinking about a very difficult question," Zhu Ge said.

How difficult is it?

"It's much harder than fighting."

Liu Jianjian tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Then don't think about it. There's no use thinking about things you can't understand."

Zhu Ge smiled: "You're right."

He climbed into the carriage, which continued northward.

Behind me, the outline of Xianyang City gradually blurred in the morning mist.

The carriage traveled for several days, venturing deeper into the Qin territory.

The loess plateau of Qinjiang stretches as far as the eye can see, crisscrossed by gullies.

The official road was lined with locust trees, whose blossoms were fragrant and refreshing.

It should be noted that in Yunjiang, the official roads were almost completely destroyed.

In Qinjiang, there are still many pedestrians on many official roads.

"Master, Xianyang City is just ahead."

At this moment, Liu Jianjian, riding her snow wolf ahead, turned around and called out.

Zhu Ge looked up.

Ahead, a massive city stands on the Loess Plateau, with towering walls and wide-open gates.

The city wall was filled with armored soldiers, each with a calm and composed demeanor, clearly cultivators of military arts.

"Is that Xianyang City?" Zhu Ge asked.

"Yes." Liu Jianjian nodded. "Xianyang City, the capital of Qin Jiang."

Looking at the city, Zhu Ge felt a surge of anticipation.

This place is bound to be full of experts!

Moreover, there are several major sects and aristocratic families here.

If Zhu Ge wants to do anything, he must first have great strength!

"Let's go into town," Zhu Ge said.

The carriage drove toward the city gate.

The soldiers at the city gate stopped them: "Who goes there?"

"Zhu Ge, we're passing through Qin territory, let's rest in the city." Zhu Ge stepped out of the carriage and clasped his hands in greeting.

The soldier looked him up and down, then glanced at the snow wolf pulling the cart, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

A monstrous beast pulling a cart—this is not a spectacle that ordinary people can afford.

Although the soldiers did not know its exact level, they could sense that it was an extremely powerful demon beast.

"You need to register to enter the city." The soldier took out a wooden tag from his waist and handed it to Zhu Ge: "Write your name, origin, and destination on this."

Zhu Ge took the wooden plaque, wrote his information on it in literary style, and handed it back to the soldier.

The soldier stepped aside to make way: "Please come in."

Zhu Ge clasped his hands in thanks, and the carriage drove into the city.

Xianyang was more bustling than Zhu Ge had imagined.

The streets are wide, paved with neat bluestone slabs, and lined with all kinds of shops, including restaurants, teahouses, cloth shops, pharmacies, and pawnshops.

Pedestrians thronged the area, and shouts rose and fell.

"It's so lively!" Liu Jianjian's eyes sparkled as she looked around.

"Qinjiang is a sacred land of martial arts, and its commerce is also thriving," Zhu Ge said. "Unlike our place, which is full of monsters, no one dares to walk on the official roads."

"That's true." Liu Jianjian nodded.

After the carriage traveled along the street for a while, Zhu Ge saw an inn with a wooden plaque hanging above the door that read "Weishui Inn".

"Let's stay here," Zhu Ge said.

The carriage stopped in front of the inn, and Zhu Ge went inside and asked for two superior rooms.

Liu Jianjian rode the snow wolf behind her, while Zhu Sisi perched on her shoulder, chewing on mulberry leaves.

The innkeeper was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a round face and a smiling face; he seemed very kind.

"Where are you from, sir?" the shopkeeper asked while turning the abacus.

"Yunjiang," Zhu Ge said.

"Yunjiang?" The innkeeper looked up and sized Zhu Ge up and down. "That's a very far place. You must be tired from your journey, sir."

"It's alright." Zhu Ge smiled.

"Sir, have you come to Xianyang for business or to visit friends?"

"No, not at all." Zhu Ge shook her head: "I'm just passing through, I'll rest for a couple of days and then leave."

"Then you'll have to take your time exploring, sir," the shopkeeper said with a smile. "Our Xianyang city has many interesting places to visit. There's a street full of martial arts schools in the north, a book market in the south, an antique market in the west, and a food street in the east."

"Thank you, innkeeper." Zhu Ge clasped his hands in thanks, then took the key and went to check in.

After settling in, Zhu Ge took Liu Jianjian out for a stroll.

He first went to the street of martial arts schools in the north of the city.

The streets are lined with martial arts schools, some large, some small, some with new signs and some old.

Some martial arts schools have disciples standing at their entrances, dressed in uniform training clothes, looking quite imposing.

Some martial arts schools are deserted, with only an old man sitting at the entrance dozing off.

Zhu Ge walked around but didn't go in.

Most of these martial arts schools teach ordinary people, and they teach the most basic fist and foot skills.

The owner of the museum is just a person of the first or second realm, nothing special.

I haven't even encountered the third realm.

It's of no use to him.

He then went to the book market in the south of the city.

The book market was much more lively than the martial arts school street, with book stalls everywhere.

There were vendors selling classics, historical texts, philosophical works, poems, songs, novels, and even martial arts manuals.

Zhu Ge stopped in front of a stall selling martial arts manuals.

The stall owner was a tall, thin middle-aged man wearing glasses and engrossed in reading a book.

"Boss, how much is this one?" Zhu Ge picked up a copy of "The Mighty Fist Manual".

The stall owner looked up, glanced at it, and said, "Three silver coins."

"Three silver coins?" Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow. "Is this a handwritten copy? Where's the original?"

"The original is in the Jiang family's armory," the stall owner said. "This is a handwritten copy that I bought from a disciple of the Jiang family. The content is incomplete, but it's still legible."

Zhu Ge flipped through the book and found that it was indeed incomplete; there was only the first volume, not the second.

"Too expensive." He put down the book and turned to leave.

The stall owner didn't try to stop him and continued reading.

Zhu Ge browsed the book market again, bought several books about the geography and history of Qin, and spent more than a dozen silver coins.

Then he went to the antique market in the west of the city.

The antique market is a bit quieter than the book market, but it still has many interesting items.

There were vendors selling bronzes, jades, calligraphy and paintings, and porcelain.

Zhu Ge stopped in front of a stall selling calligraphy and paintings.

A calligraphy scroll hung on the stall, bearing the four large characters "Martial Arts Lead to Divinity".

The brushstrokes are sharp and forceful, like those of a knife or axe.

"How much is this calligraphy?" Zhu Ge asked.

The stall owner, an elderly man with white hair, looked up at Zhu Ge and said, "This calligraphy is not for sale."

"Not for sale?"

"Yes." The old man nodded. "This was written by me. I'm not selling it."

Zhu Ge paused for a moment, then smiled: "Your calligraphy is excellent, senior."

The old man smiled and said, "Young friend, you have a good eye."

He stood up, took a scroll painting from under the stall, and handed it to Zhu Ge: "This painting is for you."

Zhu Ge opened the painting, which depicted a landscape with towering mountains, flowing rivers, and swirling clouds and mist.

In the lower right corner of the painting, there is a seal with the two characters "Jiang Fu" engraved on it.

"Jiang Fu?" Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow.

"That is my name." The old man smiled. "Young friend, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Zhu Ge clasped his hands in greeting: "Junior Zhu Ge greets Senior Jiang."

The Lord of Xianyang City!

A powerful fusion realm exists!

Jiang Fu waved his hand: "No need for formalities. I heard about your affairs and knew you had come to Xianyang City, so I waited for you here."

"What brings you here, senior?"

"I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea," Jiang Fu said, "and maybe we can chat."

"Respect is no substitute for obedience," Zhu Ge said.

Jiang Fu led Zhu Ge to a teahouse and asked for a private room.

The teahouse is small but elegant, with the Wei River right outside the window, its surface shimmering and the scenery beautiful.

Jiang Fu personally brewed the tea, his movements fluid and seamless.

"This is Qinjiang Fucha, brewed with the Wei River. Have a taste." Jiang Fu pushed the teacup in front of Zhu Ge.

Zhu Ge picked up her teacup and took a sip.

The tea soup is deep red, mellow on the palate, and has a sweet aftertaste.

"Excellent tea," Zhu Ge exclaimed.

The tea is excellent; the rich flavor of Fu brick tea paired with the sweet taste of the Wei River creates a truly unique taste.

"Good tea is good." Jiang Fu smiled, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip, but a barely perceptible hint of anxiety flashed in his eyes.

Zhu Ge remained silent, continuing to savor her tea with a smile.

"Young friend, did your journey from Yunjiang go smoothly?" Jiang Fu put down his teacup, his tone gentle.

"Thanks to your help, things went relatively smoothly," Zhu Ge smiled and replied, "I only encountered a few minor troubles along the way, but they've all been resolved."

"That's good, that's good." Jiang Fu nodded repeatedly and poured Zhu Ge another cup of tea: "Young friend, you've created a new Confucian path at such a young age, you're truly a prodigy. In all my years, this is the first time I've seen such a genius."

"You flatter me, senior," Zhu Ge said modestly.

Jiang Fu clapped his hands lightly to call the person outside the door, and then said to Zhu Ge, "Young friend, it is rare for you to come to Xianyang City. I will do my best to be a good host."

The next moment, the door to the private room was pushed open, and several maids filed in.

They carried trays laden with exquisite dishes and fine wines.

"Young friend, try some of the specialties of my Xianyang City." Jiang Fu smiled and stretched out his hand: "This is Wei River carp, this is Qinjiang mutton, and this is Fucha wine. They are all brewed with Wei River water and Fucha tea. You can't find this anywhere else."

Zhu Ge looked at the table full of food and wine, and then at Jiang Fu's smiling face.

"Thank you, senior."

Finally, he put down his teacup and picked up his wine glass.

Jiang Fu also picked up his wine glass, and the two drank together.

Fu brick tea wine is sweet on the palate and has a long-lasting aftertaste; it's truly excellent.

"Young friend, what do you think of this wine?" Jiang Fu asked.

"Good wine, but—" Zhu Ge asked with some doubt, "but although this wine is a spiritual wine, why does it seem to have no effect?"

The wine was incredibly potent, but Zhu Ge didn't feel any effect from it.

"This is a Yuan-grade treasure wine." Jiang Fu refilled Zhu Ge's cup and said with a smile, "Young friend, have you ever heard of the Way of Dance? This also refers to the Way of Dance."

舞？

Zhu Ge shook his head.

Jiang Fu clapped his hands with a smile.

Another door to the private room opened, and several women dressed in colorful clothes walked in.

They had beautiful faces and graceful figures, and held various musical instruments in their hands.

Jiang stroked his beard, his tone profound: "Their songs and dances have a hidden meaning."

Then, he looked up and said, "Fellow protectors, why don't you come down and watch the dance together?"

He invited those who would secretly protect him, that is, those who would secretly monitor him and ensure that Zhu Ge wouldn't run away.

However, no one responded to Jiang Fu.

Jiang Fu shook her head: "Fine."

As soon as he finished speaking, music began to play.

The women danced gracefully, their long sleeves fluttering.

Jiang Fu looked at the women and said to Zhu Ge, "Young friend, please observe carefully."

Zhu Ge's doubts deepened.

What does drinking have to do with dancing?

Could it be that this wine can help one comprehend the true meaning of dance?

Thinking of this, Zhu Ge's heart stirred slightly, and she immediately focused her attention on it.

The city of Xianyang is brightly lit at night.

Under the lamplight, in the private room of the teahouse, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments gradually rose, and the long sleeves of the dancers drew graceful arcs in the air.

The rich aroma of Fu tea wine lingered on Zhu Ge's lips and teeth.

After the first glass, he simply thought the wine tasted better than regular wine.

After the second cup, he felt lighter, as if he were walking on cotton.

With the third cup, the dancers before him began to blur; their dance was no longer just movement, but a state of mind.

That kind of atmosphere is hard to describe in words.

If I had to describe it, it would be beauty.

Extremely beautiful.

The dancers were already beautiful, but under the influence of Fu tea wine, their beauty was magnified tenfold or even a hundredfold.

Every strand of hair was glowing, and every glance was captivatingly charming.

Could this feeling be poisoning? No—Zhu Ge felt her heart beating faster.

It wasn't fear, it wasn't tension, but a kind of indescribable pleasure.

"Young friend, how are you feeling?" Jiang Fu asked with a smile.

"It's a very... strange feeling." Zhu Ge frowned slightly.

His voice sounded faint, as if it came from a very far place.

But he remained focused on the dance, carefully trying to understand the true meaning of the dance.

"That's wonderful." Jiang stroked his beard and smiled, "This Fucha wine is brewed with the Wei River, Fucha tea, and seventy-two kinds of spiritual herbs. It takes three years to produce one jar."

"When the Holy Emperor was alive, this was one of the tribute wines, and it was difficult for ordinary families and sects to even get a jar."

"Drinking this wine will not increase spiritual power, blood energy, or literary energy, and will be of no use to cultivation, but it can soothe the mind and bring unparalleled pleasure."

"Useless for cultivation—" Zhu Ge frowned, then relaxed, and asked uncertainly, "Can it soothe the mind?"

"Yes." Jiang Fu nodded, picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "The pleasure here surpasses even that of the Holy Emperor! Young friend, please enjoy it to the fullest."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ge remained silent for a moment, then raised her glass to clink glasses again.

He stopped frowning and instead revealed a relieved smile: "The joy here is unlike anything in the human world!"

Jiang Fushen smiled knowingly, then clinked glasses with Zhu Ge: "Drink up!"

"Drink to your heart's content!"

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

The dancers performed one dance after another, and Zhu Ge drank one cup of wine after another.

Fu brick tea wine has a strong aftereffect, but it doesn't make you drunk; rather, it makes you feel lightheaded.

Zhu Ge felt like a feather, floating lightly in mid-air.

The world becomes slow and gentle.

The dancers' smiles became genuine and warm.

At this moment, there is only fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women.

Only happiness, joy, and beauty.

"Young friend, let me introduce you to something else good." Jiang Fu clapped his hands.

A servant entered carrying a jade tray.

On the jade plate lay a fist-sized bead, entirely emerald green, emitting a faint glow.

"This is a jade bead from the Dongting Merfolk, a mid-grade Yuan-level item." Jiang Fu picked up the bead and placed it in front of Zhu Ge: "Things viewed through it are dazzling and breathtaking!"

Zhu Ge picked up the jade bead and brought it close to her eyes.

Through the beads, he saw that the dancers were all incredibly beautiful, which greatly satisfied him.

Just like when you read a good novel or watch a good movie in a past life, that sense of fulfillment and satisfaction permeates your mind.

Their skin was like white jade, their hair like a black waterfall, and their eyes like the stars and the full moon in the sky.

Every movement is rhythmic, and every expression is full of emotion.

"Now, crush it," Jiang Fu reminded him.

Holding the jade bead, Zhu Ge crushed it without the slightest hesitation.

The next moment, an unparalleled feeling of comfort came from the depths of her soul, and Zhu Ge closed her eyes.

Like ice in summer, fire in winter, and food and drink when thirsty —

This exhilarating sensation almost made Zhu Ge roll his eyes.

After the initial relief, a sense of emptiness washed over her. Zhu Ge opened her eyes and asked, "How much of this stuff is there?"

"Haha, young friend," Jiang Fu chuckled and shook his head, "I have a rule for the younger generation in my family: they can only use three of these per month. Too much of a good thing is bad; it's addictive and hard to quit!"

Jiang Fu thought Zhu Ge wanted to try again, so he told Zhu Ge to give up the idea.

"Three coins a month —" Zhu Ge nodded slightly and asked no more questions.

"Haha, let's watch the song and dance." Jiang Fu pointed ahead: "As far as I know, the noble families and high-ranking members of major sects all have strict control over these jade beads, for fear that their descendants will become addicted. These things are extremely valuable!"

"How do we obtain this?" Zhu Ge asked curiously.

"First and foremost is a self-contained realm." Jiang stroked his beard, speaking with pride and a show of strength: "Within this realm, I cultivate Crimson Essence Snails and Crimson Essence Lotuses."

"This Crimson Lotus needs to be planted in top-grade spiritual soil, watered with mid-grade spiritual spring water, and also needs three spiritual-level gardeners, two spiritual-level farmers, two spiritual-level pharmacists, and one Yuan-level forest chief to take care of it."

"Cultivate a high-grade spirit-level Crimson Lotus, feed it to a Crimson Lotus Snail, and make it a second-realm demon beast. Then take its shell as a high-grade spirit-level material and have a high-grade elemental alchemist refine it into a Crimson Lotus Pill."

"Feed the Crimson Essence Pill to that mermaid from Dongting Lake. After three years of feeding, her essence will regenerate, and her lifetime cultivation will be enough to condense into a jade bead."

Jiang Fu smiled and said, "Many nobles and princes know this method, but few can actually do it. Those who can are all true aristocratic families, immortal sects, and Confucian academies. Young friend, just listen to it and don't try it blindly."

"Blindly trying it out?" — Zhu Ge shook her head: "No."

If he remembered correctly, the Dongting merfolk, though called merfolk, actually looked different from the East Sea merfolk.

They should be called "Dongting Clam People" instead.

This jade bead should be something similar to a golden core, a demon core, a martial arts heart, a literary heart, or a Dao heart.

Raising clams for three years, then killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?

Looking at it this way, this jade bead is truly remarkable!

Zhu Ge remembered that Su Feibai was the Holy Son of the Great Bright Jade God Sect, while Guan Julang was the Holy Maiden of the Cloud Dream Immortal Sect.

The Yunmeng Immortal Sect and the Great Bright Jadeite Divine Sect are located near Dongting Lake and Fanyang Lake.

I wonder if his two friends have ever used jade beads?

"Young friend, how was the tea, wine, food, and dance?" Jiang Fu asked with a smile.

Zhu Ge nodded and sighed, "Life is full of suffering, but here we find joy."