Chapter 859
A Guest Arrives
"What about Lu Yuanshan?" Guo Tianyou asked. "He didn't get the cave dwelling this time, so he definitely won't give up easily."
“I know,” Zheng Yi said. “Have someone keep a close eye on him and see what he does.”
"Yes."
That evening, Zheng Yi hosted a banquet at the city lord's mansion to entertain the guests who had successfully bid.
The banquet was held in the flower hall of the city lord's mansion. The flower hall was spacious and bright, filled with colorful flowers all around, and a faint fragrance permeated the air. Dozens of tables were neatly arranged, laden with all kinds of delicacies.
Bai Yuan, representatives from the Zhou family and the Lin family, as well as other important guests, all attended the banquet.
Zheng Yi, holding a wine glass, went from table to table offering toasts.
"You've all been very kind to attend this auction today. I'd like to propose a toast to you all!"
"Mr. Dark Night, you're too kind!" Everyone raised their glasses.
The banquet went very smoothly, with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Just then, a servant rushed into the flower hall and whispered a few words in Zheng Yi's ear.
Zheng Yi's expression changed slightly.
"What's wrong?" Guo Tianyou asked as he walked over.
“Lu Yuanshan is gone,” Zheng Yi said in a low voice. “He left Hongyun City overnight and headed north.”
"North?" Guo Tianyou frowned. "North...is that the direction of the Li family?"
“That’s right.” Zheng Yi nodded. “It seems Lu Yuanshan went to find the Li family.”
"The Lu family and the Li family are colluding?" Guo Tianyou's expression changed drastically. "This is very bad!"
"Don't panic," Zheng Yi said. "Lu Yuanshan went to the Li family, which means they want to join forces against us. But joining forces takes time; it can't be done overnight. We still have time to prepare."
"So what should we do?"
“Continue with our work,” Zheng Yi said. “The construction in the north of the city and the operation of the cave dwellings cannot be stopped. At the same time, strengthen intelligence gathering and closely monitor the movements of the Lu and Li families.”
"Also," he paused, "notify Qingyun City to be prepared. They should be ready to provide support should anything happen in Hongyun City."
“I understand,” Guo Tianyou nodded.
The banquet continued.
Zheng Yi forced a smile and continued to entertain the guests. But in his heart, he was already planning how to deal with the impending storm.
The Lu family and the Li family, two powerful clans, joining forces, is indeed a considerable threat.
But he wasn't afraid.
He possesses spiritual vein cave dwellings, Qingyun City, the Guo family, and numerous expert tenants who rent these dwellings. If he can integrate all these resources, he will be able to handle any challenge.
"Come on," he thought to himself, "Whether it's the Lu family or the Li family, if they dare to come, I'll fight them to the bitter end."
It was late at night when the banquet ended.
Zheng Yi stood alone in the courtyard of the city lord's mansion, gazing at the starry sky, lost in thought.
A gentle night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness and taking away some of the restlessness in his heart.
"Sir." The sound of wind chimes came from behind.
Zheng Yi turned around and saw Feng Ling standing behind him.
"When did you get back?" he asked.
"Just got back," Fengling said. "Everything's normal in Qingyun City. City Lord Wang asked me to come back and report to you, sir."
"Okay." Zheng Yi nodded. "Is there anything else?"
“There’s something,” Wind Chime hesitated for a moment, then said, “On my way back, I encountered someone.”
"Who goes there?"
“That Bai Yuan,” Feng Ling said, “I saw him meeting with another person in a small grove outside the city.”
"Another person?" Zheng Yi frowned. "Who is it?"
“I didn’t see clearly,” Fengling said. “The person was wearing a black cloak, which covered his face. But judging from his aura, his cultivation level should be very high, at least at the peak of the Mahayana realm.”
"Above the peak of the Mahayana realm," Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, "Did you hear what they were saying?"
“I only caught snippets,” Wind Chime said. “It sounded like they were talking about 'plans' and 'timing.' I didn’t make out the specifics.”
A hint of seriousness flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes.
Bai Yuan is indeed no ordinary person. Not only does he have a mysterious background, but he also has connections with unidentified experts. His visit to Hongyun City is probably not just for renting a cave dwelling for cultivation.
“Keep an eye on him,” Zheng Yi said. “Report to me immediately if anything happens.”
"Yes," Feng Ling replied, her figure flickering as she disappeared into the night.
Over the next few days, Zheng Yi kept thinking about how to deal with the situation.
The news that the Lu and Li families might join forces weighed heavily on his mind, making him restless and unable to eat or sleep. Although he remained calm on the surface, he knew clearly in his heart that with his current strength, it would be difficult to fight against two powerful families at the same time.
That morning, Zheng Yi sat alone in his study, with a map of the Tianyuan Domain spread out in front of him.
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden hue on the map. A faint scent of ink lingered in the air, the lingering aroma of his work reviewing documents the previous night.
His gaze swept across the map, from Hongyun City to Qingyun City, then to the north where the Li family was located, and finally settled on the west where the Lu family was located.
The two powerful families, one in the south and one in the north, have formed a pincer movement. If they were to join forces, both Hongyun City and Qingyun City would face immense pressure.
“We must find more allies,” he murmured.
Although the Guo family was his ally, their strength was limited and they couldn't contend with the nine great families. Those experts who rented the cave dwellings were also a force, but they were merely tenants, not true allies. In a critical situation, they would likely choose to protect themselves and wouldn't risk helping him.
He needs more reliable allies.
Those powerful, upright, and fearless allies.
“Wind chimes,” he called out.
Wind chimes emerged from the shadows and stood silently behind him.
"What are your orders, sir?"
"I have a task for you," Zheng Yi said. "Send someone to inquire whether there are any highly respected rogue cultivators in the eastern part of Tianyuan Domain. They must be strong, upright, and preferably the kind of person who is not afraid of power and dares to speak out for justice."
"A rogue cultivator?" Wind Chime asked, somewhat puzzled. "What does the master mean?"
“The stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade,” Zheng Yi said. “The Lu family and the Li family might join forces against us. With our current strength, it’s difficult to deal with two powerful families at the same time. I need to find some reliable allies to help us.” “But most independent cultivators are solitary and don’t like to get involved in worldly disputes,” Feng Ling said. “It probably won’t be easy for you to win them over, sir.”
“I know,” Zheng Yi nodded, “but we have to try. Go, and bring the news back as soon as possible.”
"Yes." Feng Ling responded, her figure flickered, and she disappeared from the spot.
Zheng Yi continued to sit in the study, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, lost in thought.
Three days later, Wind Chime brought back the news.
“Sir, I have heard about someone,” she said.
"Who is it?" Zheng Yi put down the book in his hand and looked up.
“Sword Immortal Shen Qingyun,” Feng Ling said.
"Sword Immortal Shen Qingyun?" Zheng Yi frowned slightly. "This name... seems familiar."
“Shen Qingyun is a renowned rogue cultivator in the Tianyuan Domain,” Feng Ling explained. “He has been famous for over fifty years. Years ago, he single-handedly slew a monstrous beast that was plaguing his village, making him famous overnight. Later, he repeatedly intervened to punish evil and promote good, saving countless lives, and was revered as the ‘Sword Immortal.’”
"More than fifty years," Zheng Yi pondered, "Then what is his current cultivation level?"
"It's said he's already reached the peak of the Mahayana Realm, and is one of the best among the peak," Feng Ling said. "Some say he's already touched the threshold of the Tribulation Realm, just one step away from breaking through."
"The Tribulation Transcending Realm!" A hint of surprise flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes.
The Tribulation Transcending Realm is a realm above the Great Ascension Realm. Those who reach this realm are extremely rare, like phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, in the entire Tianyuan Domain. Even the heads of the nine great families are not all able to reach the Tribulation Transcending Realm.
If Shen Qingyun has truly reached the threshold of the Tribulation Transcending Realm, then his strength is absolutely top-tier.
"Where is he now?" Zheng Yi asked anxiously.
“It’s on Qingfeng Mountain, east of Hongyun City,” Fengling said. “It’s said he’s lived in seclusion there for over ten years, rarely coming down the mountain.”
"Qingfeng Mountain?" Zheng Yi stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the eastern horizon. "How far is it from Hongyun City?"
“About two hundred li,” Wind Chime said. “It can be reached in a day on horseback.”
“Okay.” Zheng Yi turned around, his gaze resolute. “I’m going to visit him.”
"Sir, you're going in person?" Fengling asked, somewhat surprised.
“Such an important matter, of course I should go in person,” Zheng Yi said. “Prepare a generous gift for me. Hmm, give him the permanent lease of my top-tier cave dwelling.”
"Permanent lease of a top-tier cave dwelling?" Feng Ling exclaimed in surprise. "Sir, that's a cave dwelling closest to the core of the spiritual vein, priceless!"
“I know,” Zheng Yi said, “but Shen Qingyun is a sword immortal, one of the top experts in the Tianyuan Domain. If we can get his help, what is a cave dwelling?”
"Furthermore," he paused, "I heard that Shen Qingyun is currently attempting to break through the bottleneck of the Tribulation Transcending Realm. If our top-tier cave dwelling can help him break through, he will definitely be grateful."
“Sir, your considerations are very thorough.” Fengling nodded. “I will go and make the preparations immediately.”
The next morning, Zheng Yi set off for Qingfeng Mountain.
He didn't bring many people with him; only Feng Ling accompanied him. Tie Shan and Xiao Tianxing stayed in Hongyun City to guard the city and the cave.
The morning air was fresh and cool, carrying a touch of autumn's unique melancholy. The trees lining the official road had begun to turn yellow, and withered leaves drifted down in the wind, carpeting the entire road.
Zheng Yi rode a chestnut-red steed, galloping eastward along the official road. Feng Ling rode a black horse, closely following behind him.
The clatter of hooves sounded particularly crisp in the quiet morning. Occasionally, a few birds were startled and fluttered into the sky.
After walking for about two hours, a majestic mountain peak appeared on the distant horizon.
The mountain peak soared into the clouds, its summit covered in a blanket of snow that shimmered silvery-white in the sunlight. Mist swirled around its waist, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
“That’s Qingfeng Mountain,” Fengling said.
Zheng Yi reined in his horse, looked up at the majestic mountain peak, and felt a sense of awe.
Qingfeng Mountain truly lives up to its reputation.
They continued walking forward and soon arrived at the foot of Qingfeng Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, a winding path extends deep into the mountainside, disappearing into the clouds. The path is lined with lush green pines and cypresses, exuding a faint pine scent.
"Does Senior Shen live on the mountain?" Zheng Yi asked.
"It's said to be in a bamboo hut halfway up the mountain," Wind Chime said, "but I'm not entirely sure of the exact location."
"Let's go, let's go up the mountain and look for it."
Zheng Yi dismounted, tied the horse to a large tree by the roadside, and then, carrying the wind chimes, walked along the path up the mountain.
The path was narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time. It was paved with bluestone slabs, worn smooth and even by the passage of time. The towering pines and cypresses on either side provided ample shade, with only dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves to create patches of light and shadow on the ground.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, mingled with a faint earthy fragrance. Occasionally, a few birdsongs drifted from afar, breaking the tranquility of the mountain forest.
As Zheng Yi walked, he looked around at his surroundings.
Qingfeng Mountain is indeed a secluded place, far from the hustle and bustle of the world, like a paradise on earth. No wonder Shen Qingyun chose to live in seclusion here.
After walking for about half an hour, the path became increasingly steep. The fog also grew thicker, reducing visibility to only a few dozen feet.
Just then, a melodious piano tune suddenly came from ahead.
The music flowed like water, like a gentle breeze, like moonlight—ethereal and far-reaching. Each note seemed to carry a mysterious power, compelling one to stop and listen quietly.
"What beautiful music," Fengling murmured.
Zheng Yi was also deeply captivated by the music. He closed his eyes and quietly savored the artistic conception contained within the music.
The music of the zither contains mountains and water, wind and moon, and the harmony and beauty of all things in heaven and earth. The state of mind of the person playing the zither must be extremely clear and extremely lofty.
"Let's go take a look." Zheng Yi opened his eyes and walked towards the direction from which the sound of the zither was coming.
After passing through a bamboo forest, the view suddenly opened up before me.
A wide-open platform appeared before them. On the platform stood a simple bamboo hut, and in front of the hut stood an ancient pine tree, its branches gnarled and twisted, blocking out the sky. Beneath the pine tree were a stone table and several stone chairs, and on the stone table sat an ancient zither.
An elderly man in a blue robe sat on a stone chair, his hands resting on a zither, his expression focused. His white hair was like snow, his face was thin and refined, and his eyes were slightly closed, as if he were completely immersed in the music.
Zheng Yi and Feng Ling stopped at the edge of the platform, waiting quietly, not daring to disturb them.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the music gradually stopped.
The old man slowly opened his eyes and looked calmly at Zheng Yi and Feng Ling.
“We have a guest.” His voice was old and peaceful, like a mountain stream.
"This junior is in the dark and has disturbed you unintentionally. Please forgive me, Senior Shen." Zheng Yi bowed respectfully. (End of Chapter)