Chapter 33: The Cicada of the Four Seasons

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Li Qingran was somewhat joyful today, the reason being that his Seventh Uncle, who had been away for a whole year, had returned home.

However, instead of hosting a banquet to welcome him, his Seventh Uncle took her to fish by the Yanxi River, leaving those prominent officials who had come specifically to see this distinguished disciple of the Dragon Nurturing Sect likely to leave empty-handed.

Spring lasted a bit longer in Xuantian Capital, and the Yanxi Riverbank basked in the full glow of spring, with swallows dancing and butterflies flitting busily.

Li Zhoubai, who always liked to wear black, sat cross-legged on the ground without any regard for appearances, holding a bamboo fishing rod. Yet he enjoyed speaking loudly, often startling away the fish just as they were about to bite.

“Xuantian Capital remains the same as always. The officials who came to my residence today are no different either. They are exactly as they were when I left.”

“Qingran, what exactly does Master Guipo’s Musk Moon Sword look like? Why don’t you sneak it out tomorrow so I can take a good look?”

“If you ask me, you should come to the Dragon Nurturing Sect. The Moonlight Terrace ranks only fifty-fourth on the Daoist monument—hardly a grand sect. Come with me to nurture some true dragons; then you and I, uncle and nephew, can ride dragons through the nine heavens—how free and effortless that would be.”

Li Zhoubai had strikingly contrasting black-and-white eyes, bright and spirited. When silent, his brows revealed a scholarly aura, but he also had a mouth that spoke nonsense without restraint.

Li Qingran looked at her little uncle with some helplessness and said, “The Dragon Nurturing Sect is the eighth-ranked Daoist sect in the world. Very few are admitted; it’s not something you can just join at will.”

Li Zhoubai shook his head, “It’s really just a few shabby thatched huts. Especially my master—he still likes to sneak down to the town at the foot of the mountain to peek at passing girls. There’s no such grand formality.”

Li Qingran was even more speechless. She recalled that the Li residence was now filled with distinguished guests, all waiting for her little uncle. So she couldn’t help but urge, “Uncle, grandfather is waiting in the residence, and many important people have come. If you leave now, I’m afraid grandfather won’t be pleased.”

“I’m waiting for someone.” Li Zhoubai waved his bamboo fishing rod. “I have a great benefactor who has been lost outside. When he left Xuantian Capital, I was still young, but I intended to wait by the Yanxi River for the day he would return.”

“A benefactor?” Li Qingran was puzzled.

Li Zhoubai was a young master of the Li family. Though born of a concubine, he had never suffered grievances or setbacks. So where could he have a benefactor?

Li Zhoubai said nothing, continuing to fish.

Time passed silently like a cup of tea draining, until Li Zhoubai suddenly looked upstream along the Yanxi Riverbank.

He saw a figure slowly approaching through sparse foliage, carrying a knapsack. Li Zhoubai smiled and stood up.

“Go tell the master that I won’t be returning from the banquet today. If he asks where I am, just say you don’t know.”

Li Qingran left confused but clearly saw the visitor’s face.

The man wore white robes and a plain white headscarf, with wide sleeves flowing in the breeze. His figure was tall and upright, his brows cold and aloof, though his temples were tinged with frost.

“Who is this man?” Li Qingran wondered silently.

Li Zhoubai stepped forward to greet him, and the visitor finally smiled upon seeing him.

“Long time no see,” he said with a smile toward Li Zhoubai.

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“Brother-in-law.” Li Zhoubai threw his arms open playfully, intending to embrace the man.

The man turned sideways to avoid the sudden hug and, like Li Qingran, showed a hint of helplessness. “I heard you caught a true dragon in Yulong River. That day, before Yulong River, a hidden dragon soared from the depths, scales and claws flashing, stirring the whole world.

Since you have nurtured a true dragon and your cultivation has reached unfathomable depths, why are you still so reckless and frivolous… just like eighteen years ago?”

Li Zhoubai grinned, “Eighteen years ago, I was just a concubine-born son about to go to the distant South Sea Province. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s Elixir Pill you gave me, I might have lived a much harder life.”

“By the way, how is my nephew Chen Zhian doing?”

The visitor was none other than Chen Shuijun, who had come to Xuantian Capital.

Chen Shuijun’s expression suddenly darkened, but he quickly seemed to forget whatever troubled him and smiled, “He’s doing well, though I forbid him from cultivating. He’s rather unhappy about that.”

Li Zhoubai’s eyes lit up as he leaned closer and whispered, “Brother-in-law, when you think about it carefully, the Emperor’s Elixir Pill fundamentally reshapes bones and muscles. Sixteen or seventeen years should be enough. Now it’s time for Zhian to cultivate.”

Chen Shuijun said, “Originally, he was a little short of it, but Zhian seems to have found another opportunity. His bones and muscles have suddenly improved by leaps and bounds, completely assimilating the pill’s effects. He has now begun cultivation.”

Li Zhoubai’s expression brightened with joy but then looked around furtively and said in a low voice, “Brother-in-law, today’s not a good day to visit my sister at our home. Many dignitaries are present, and you know my father’s temperament—stubborn as ever. After so many years, he may have realized some truths, but his long tenure in high office makes him unwilling to admit mistakes. Most powerful men are like that.”

Chen Shuijun took several oil-paper-wrapped packages from his bag and handed them to Li Zhoubai. “When Yinxi and I were at Yankong Academy, she loved these—Osmanthus cakes and Spring Tea biscuits from Guiya County. I know her nature; it’s probably been many years since she last tasted anything from the Li residence. Take these to her.

I came to Xuantian Capital for two reasons: to send food to Yinxi and to retrieve my sword.”

Li Zhoubai’s eyes brightened. “Brother-in-law, you’ve decided to practice swordsmanship again?”

Chen Shuijun calmly replied, “My sword needs Xuantian Capital. It has been here for eighteen years; in a few days, it will have absorbed enough of the city’s spirits and demons to leave.”

Li Zhoubai nodded hurriedly. “Then when the time comes, I’ll fetch your sword.”

“In a few days, I will personally come for it.” Chen Shuijun spoke, which made Li Zhoubai panic—because the sword was still embedded in the Li residence’s Cangmu Courtyard.

“Brother-in-law, you’re only at the initial cultivation stage. Your sword technique requires capturing the Four Seasons Cicadas: the Eastern Emperor Cicada, the Scholartree Cicada, the White Hidden Cicada, and the Primordial Hero Cicada. How many have you caught? Without mastering the Four Seasons sword technique, you’ll never break through the Jade Pavilion realm to become a divine form. If you come to my family… I’m afraid…”

“Not afraid. I spent seventeen springs in Jiangnan and have already caught the Eastern Emperor and the White Hidden Cicadas—enough to visit the Minister of Revenue’s residence.”

——

The Li residence buzzed with voices, full of noble guests.

Li Fushu frowned slightly as he looked at two letters in his hand.

One letter came from Zhou Xiujing of Sunan Prefecture.

“Chen Zhian, the Iron-Arm General…” Li Fushu snorted coldly, “And that death duel challenge…”

“A death duel of cultivated energy at the Qi-nurturing level—this overestimation does have some precedent.”

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He put down the first letter and looked at the second.

This letter was from Si Hougui, who was currently in Sunan Prefecture.

Li Fushu read it carefully, then suddenly broke into an uncontrollable smile.

“Cub Tiger Monument?”

“Even among the great families, clans, and Daoist sects, few have their names inscribed on the Cub Tiger Monument… So Chen Zhian has become a daydreamer, chasing illusions?”

“If that’s the case, dying in a death duel would be fitting.”

——

In a small courtyard on Qihuang Street.

Shen Haohai frowned as she looked at the indifferent Chen Zhian. “After grandfather and I went to the government office, we visited a friend of grandfather’s on Mount Daoshi. It’s only been a few days, Chen Zhian, what madness has overtaken you? You actually want to have a death duel with Zhou Xiujing today?”

Whispering in his ear, Shen Haohai continued, “Do you know that in the black market, you and Zhou Xiujing’s death duel has already been wagered on? The odds are nine to one. Everyone in the city knows that on Qihuang Street, there’s a reckless youngster daring to duel the son of a medicinal herb family, the Zhou family!”

Chen Zhian suddenly came to his senses. “Miss Haohai, have you placed a bet?”

Shen Haohai frowned and shook her head.

Chen Zhian took out a silver note for seventy taels of gold and handed it to her. “Please bet everything on me. It’s important to make some money.”

Shen Haohai examined Chen Zhian carefully and suddenly asked, “Chen Zhian, were you joking with me before? You have already begun cultivation, already entered the Qi-nurturing stage, haven’t you?”

Chen Zhian thought for a moment and shook his head. “I owe my cultivation path to you, Miss Haohai, so I don’t intend to lie to you.

The Daxue Mountain Ginseng Qi Talisman and the Tiger Embrace Fist were my first glimpses into cultivation. These were your great kindness, which I will always remember.”

Shen Haohai was silent.

“So you reached the peak of the Qi-nurturing stage within a month and even used the Tiger Embrace Fist to kill three Yellow Gate guards?”

Chen Zhian nodded.

Shen Haohai took the silver note from his hand. “Though I don’t know where you found the courage to fight a death duel with Qi-nurturing true essence…”

“But you truly are a rare talent. There are few like you even in my Guiyun Chamber, so I believe you can win.”