Daoqi Huangcheng

Chapter 65, Section 64: Before Golden Peach Mountain (3.0K words - Please subscribe)
The next morning, the morning bell rang, the market opened, and the dusty air began to rise. More and more people began to walk on the streets, and the sounds of footsteps, horses' hooves, oxcarts, pushcarts, and shouts mingled into a lively and bustling scene.

The Charcoal Gang is a gang in the capital. Originally called the Firewood Gang, it later took on the business of charcoal making and changed its name. After developing some smokeless charcoal that emits the fragrance of pine branches, the gang rose to prominence and made a lot of money, becoming a considerable force in the martial arts world of the capital.

Those who are wealthy, especially those who are wealthy in the capital, must have powerful connections.

The blacksmith guild, a small group of blacksmith shops in the southern part of the city, might not be considered by the wealthy, but the charcoal guild was not included, since charcoal was a necessity that every household needed in autumn and winter.

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the leader of the Charcoal Gang was having morning tea.

He likes to have morning tea alone.

Nobody knows why.

Today, he ate as usual.

Just as he was about to savor a cup of expensive tea, the door behind him opened slowly, and a dark figure walked in, then suddenly appeared behind him, calling out, "Sun Bodang."

The leader of the charcoal gang was Sun Bodang. He quickly stood up, glanced behind him, and bowed, saying, "Sir."

The shadowy figure said, "My master wants to understand someone."

Sun Bodang asked, "Who?"

The figure in black said, "Song Chen."

Sun Bodang said, "I can report quite a bit about this person right now."

The shadowy figure said, "Compile it into a book, and I'll come to pick it up in a few days."

Sun Bodang nodded and said, "I will do my best to gather information."

The shadowy figure thought for a moment, then suddenly sat down, raised a finger and pointed at the expensive tea, starting to write on the table.

Sun Bodang's lips twitched, but he didn't say anything.

The shadow dipped the water stains several times, making them clear and forming a sentence: Is Ironhead alright?
Sun Bodang wiped away the water stains with his sleeve, nodded emphatically, and then said, "Don't worry, sir, it's not difficult to gather information about Lord Song. I will be able to collect all of it quietly within three days."

The shadowy figure said, "Seven days, take it slow, don't rush and make a mistake."

After saying that, he got up and left quietly.

After returning from the palace, Song Chen did not go back to the Underworld, but instead went to the Crane Mansion.

Jiu Lingzi said he would have three more days to adjust, and after ten days, the emperor would go to Golden Peach Mountain, and the garment that carried the "cultivation of both body and mind" should be made.

After three days, Song Chen returned to his residence.

He's not Jiu Lingzi.

Jiu Lingzi is probably busy coordinating, arranging, and planning everywhere, so busy he's practically lost his head. He's only responsible for "stirring up trouble" in the Yellow Springs and supervising the crane demons' attack on the Ghost Gate. He's just a "technician," so the pressure isn't too bad.

Perhaps because his return was sudden today, the people of the He family did not wait for him outside as usual.

Whispers could be heard from the servants in the Crane Mansion.

"Is our He family failing? I heard that the First Madam's Brocade Cloth Shop has returned several large orders, and several stores that originally planned to buy clothes from the First Madam have all changed their places."

"I've heard that too. The number of people going to the Wanfuchun Restaurant, where the Second Miss is staying, has decreased significantly these past few days. Before, there were always people queuing up. Last night, I heard that as soon as it hit Hai Shi (9-11 PM), all the private rooms were empty, leaving only a few casual customers in the main hall. In the past, there wasn't a single empty seat or room."

"Sigh, it's all because of Second Master. I just don't understand what's wrong with Second Master. He's clearly a core disciple of the Imperial City Temple, so why did he get turned away when he went to congratulate General Que? He was already at the door."

"Yes, many people outside are saying that Second Master is not doing well at the Imperial City Temple and has failed the expectations of important figures."

"Stop talking. Why should we worry about what's going on above? We're just servants."

Song Chen walked slowly along the shore of Tianyu Lake, listening to the conversations of the servants in the courtyard.

For the servants, it was like the sky had fallen.

However, he glanced at the mountain-covering bead on his left wrist with a wry smile.

Perhaps after learning that he was destined to marry the princess and become the empress's man, these servants would be overjoyed, feeling as if their entire family had benefited from his success.

But they actually know nothing.

Not only them, but aren't the Pei sisters the same?
But what if they don't know?
This has little to do with them anymore.

The marriage deal is now complete.

He used the Que family's He family to climb the social ladder, and the He family also used him to reach a position they could never have achieved before. The Pei sisters have found their own happiness and fulfillment.

A perfect deal, everyone's happy.

Song Chen sighed, thinking to himself, 'It's time to invest in new deals.'

He then entered the Crane Mansion.

His sudden return threw the unprepared Crane Mansion into a flurry of activity. Someone immediately went to call the two ladies back, but he stopped them. After taking a quick bath and changing his clothes, he went to his cultivation room to begin his practice.

Late at night, the two ladies returned from afar. They were taken aback when they saw him, and then they played around with each other for a while until they were exhausted. The two young ladies slept in his arms, one on each side, and the three of them were covered together by a large quilt, which was warm and cozy.

Song Chen didn't ask about the family business recently, and neither did the two ladies. Instead, they talked about the current prosperity and liveliness of the capital, the excitement and joy of everyone, and that the Holy Emperor would be going to Jintao Mountain for a sacrificial ceremony.

As Madam Qianxue's hand continued its caress, it touched his left wrist. The First Madam had wanted to ask earlier, but her husband wasn't fully recovered then, and she didn't want to spoil the mood. Now that everything was settled, she asked curiously, "Did the Great Cultivator also go to the Bitter Release Zen Temple to request prayer beads?"

In her opinion, the fact that her husband was suddenly wearing such Buddhist prayer beads must mean that he had obtained them from the Kushi Temple in the south of the city, since the Kushi Temple was quite popular and had many visitors.

Song Chen had seen the temple before and didn't notice anything unusual. When he heard the First Madam ask, he shook his head and said, "No." Before the First Madam could ask any more questions, Song Chen simply rolled over, hugged her from behind, and fell asleep.

The First Madam stopped asking.

She's not a monk.

She didn't care at all what the rosary beads were.

She only cared that her husband might suddenly cause a huge disaster, destroying the entire He family, and then she and Qingyue would be forced into the brothel while crying, which would be the end of them.

The waves crash against the shore, swirling like three thousand snowflakes.

She hummed softly.

In his heart, Song Chen couldn't help but compare Madam Qianxue and Lady Qingyue with the future empress.

But immediately, he shook his head, dismissing the comparison from his mind.

The environment and social status both influence a person. Putting aside everything else, Feng Qing'er, a "woman of destiny," is enough to completely crush the Pei sisters hundreds of times in terms of aura.

The Pei sisters were, after all, beauties in the mortal world, the kind of women who would make people think, "What beautiful young ladies!" at first glance.

But Feng Qing'er's aloofness made men bow their heads and be subservient to her, not daring to look at her, let alone think of disrespecting her, or even think that she was a young lady.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

In fact, it doesn't matter where you cultivate.

As long as you don't practice the "Yellow Springs Sutra," there's no difference between cultivating in the Yellow Springs area in the northern suburbs and cultivating at home.

Song Chen wanted to cultivate at home.

Since he's wearing the Mountain-Covering Pearl on his wrist anyway, he might as well try to perfect his Five Elements and Five Spiritual Roots first.

At home, I can sleep with my wife every day, which is much better than that wretched place in the northern suburbs.

If he runs out of resources, he can also go to Master Jiulingzi and complain about being poor.

When his master, Jiu Lingzi, refused, he went to find someone on the Turtle Platform.

Anyway, he figured it out. In the eyes of Jiu Lingzi and the people on the Turtle Platform, he was just a "stinky laborer" with some professional skills. He would work for you today, be transferred to work for her tomorrow, and be sold to a "new boss" the day after tomorrow when he was no longer needed.

He's no longer a disposable item, so he can't be killed anytime soon.

With this in mind, Song Chen reluctantly arrived at the meeting place he had arranged with Jiu Lingzi earlier—deep inside the Imperial City Temple.

It was clearly deep winter and early spring, yet the peach blossoms were still in bloom, beautiful yet eerie.

Jiu Lingzi didn't brew tea today.

It was clear that he didn't have time to make tea anymore.

He gave Song Chen a deep look and got straight to the point: "Something unexpected has happened. I have received information that the Jin Kingdom will not allow the Emperor to climb Jintao Mountain smoothly, nor will it allow my clothing production to proceed smoothly."

"This disciple will do his best to assist Master."

Song Chen nodded respectfully.

However, he no longer took those words to heart.

What business is it of his if the State of Jin prevents the emperor from climbing Mount Jintao smoothly?

Jiu Lingzi was a shrewd man, and he saw through his mentality at a glance. He knew that Jiu Lingzi had transferred him to the people on the Turtle Platform, and he also knew that the boy felt that he would not be with him for long anyway, so he did not care at the moment.

"Little Song, don't be careless. You are also key to this plan. If I were from the Candle Dragon Camp of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect of Jin Kingdom, I would definitely send someone to assassinate you."

Song Chen was not surprised, but he would hide it well.

Jiulingzi continued, "Although you have concealed your strength, I still have some idea of ​​your general abilities. Your cultivation level is the ninth stage of Qi Gathering, but your understanding of intention is pitifully limited. Today, I will request the true diagram of the 'Taibai Diagram' for you, and you will have a day to comprehend it."

Song Chen was taken aback. He immediately thought of the misleading sword intent in the "Taibai Diagram" earlier. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head, and said, "Master...I..."

Jiu Lingzi interrupted, "Don't worry, the fake locks people in, the real thing nourishes them. This trip is about my survival in the realm of illusion and reality. I won't joke with you. This map will only benefit you, not harm you."

"Disciple understands."

A moment later, Jiu Lingzi led him into the Peach Tree Secret Realm, the deepest part of the Imperial City Temple.

The two of them stumbled into the secret realm and returned to the room where many glass lamps were placed.

Jiu Lingzi muttered incantations and then took out a golden tree branch and lit it.

for a long time
The sky cleared of clouds and mist, revealing a courtyard-like opening.

Song Chen saw a gigantic hand, as if sprinkling water droplets, with its five fingers hanging flat, throw out a picture.

The image stretched across the sky, standing prominently above, revealing a figure.

He was still a sword cultivator, still wielding his longsword upside down, still exuding a sharp and imposing aura, but the path and the water and clouds were no longer sword energy.

The clouds are still clouds, the water is still water, and the road is still a road.

The sword energy was no longer rampant or arrogant, but it possessed a mystery that far surpassed that of the fakes by a hundred or a thousand times.

(End of this chapter)