Chapter 1446 - 783: Leisure and Refined Pursuits (Double-Length)

Chen Yi closed the courtyard door and turned to see Yin Weiyin waiting inside.

"What did you just say?"

She asked directly. Although her cultivation wasn't high, the conversation inside and out was only a short distance away. If she wanted to hear, she naturally could.

But Chen Yi didn't deliberately hide anything, nor did she intentionally eavesdrop.

Chen Yi walked to the stone table, poured himself some leftover tea from the cup she had used earlier, took a sip, and briefly recounted what happened at the inn.

Yin Weiyin nodded slightly, not surprised by this.

Competing for ownerless wealth and even resorting to weapons, spilling blood within five steps, are all commonplace in the Jianghu.

As for the rumors of the Jin family's treasure, they are as elusive as any mystical stories of the Jianghu. They aren't entirely baseless, but people have a habit of exaggerating—small things into great ones, the dead into the living. These are the flaws of ordinary people; those who are enlightened saw through it early on and mostly never took it seriously, let alone coveted it.

Moreover…

Yin Weiyin glanced at Chen Yi,

With cultivation here, why seek elsewhere?

Since the Dual Cultivation, as her cultivation advanced, Yin Weiyin increasingly understood what Zhou Yitang meant by "he is his greatest chance." Chen Yi is indeed a natural Golden Boy; his cultivation technique operates unusually, far surpassing what is described in books. Since following this path steadily leads to becoming immortal, why focus on some legendary treasure?

"The emperor sacrificing himself to seek the way, the Spirit Deer appearing… it sounds like a story meticulously crafted by the Buddhist Sect.

As for the hidden treasure… Emei Mountain is a holy land for the Buddhist Sect, full of spiritual energy and legends throughout history. It's not surprising that previous cultivators might have passed away or left hidden abodes here. But when it involves the royal family, it attracts so many unscrupulous people, tarnishing this place of tranquility."

After Yin Weiyin finished, she looked at Chen Yi and asked:

"Are you interested?"

Chen Yi met her gaze, shook his head, and said, "Not really interested, just feel it's a bit odd. The shopkeeper said this rumor has circulated for years, but recently it's attracted a large group of Jianghu people. Do you think we should take a look?"

In the past, Chen Yi might have been tempted to take a peek, get involved, or even become entangled. But now, he's not in the mood for it.

To spend energy on this, interrupting this rare leisure time, would seem troublesome.

"It's optional," Yin Weiyin paused and smiled, "If you're halfway down the road and see ants securing food, stopping to take a look would be interesting."

It made sense, and Chen Yi nodded, feeling instantly relieved.

If Min Ning were here, she might be eager to seek justice, even though she knew the world wasn't just black and white. She would still want to distinguish between those more wrong and less wrong. She might even walk out the door at night, beckoning Chen Yi, saying, "Let's go! What are you waiting for, Chen Zunming!"

Her chivalrous spirit sometimes pressured Chen Yi.

Chen Yi took another sip and slowly set down the teacup.

Great Yin wouldn't force him into anything. Thinking carefully, although Great Yin laid many plans in the dark, he never forced Chen Yi to do anything...

"It turns out having a bigger chest makes a difference…" Chen Yi sighed softly.

With Yin here, he doesn't miss Min.

Yin Weiyin didn't know his thoughts. Hearing his inexplicable words, she frowned, "What are you saying?"

"Nothing really. By the way," he changed the topic, "the talisman for the shopkeeper, is it the House Protection Talisman you practice daily? I'm surprised you still keep these."

Yin Weiyin glanced at him, "What else? Should I have drawn a Purple Sky Thunder Talisman for him? Ordinary folk can't withstand such domineering spiritual power. A House Protection Talisman is enough to ward off usual evil, calm the house, just right." She paused, adding, "Drawing talismans is a daily cultivation practice, so there's naturally leftovers. If you need any, there are plenty in the box."

"I can't draw your beautiful Cloud Seals," Chen Yi said with a smile.

He suddenly brought it up, only intending to praise his Great Yin.

"Good to know." Yin Weiyin's lips curved slightly. She picked up the cup Chen Yi set down, drank the leftover tea, and said, "It's late, we should rest early to cultivate tomorrow."

......…

Since that brawl in the inn, Leshan County's streets unexpectedly quieted down for a few days.

It's unclear who won among the two factions of Jianghu people, but there's indeed a smaller crowd. Perhaps they found new leads and relocated.

Occasionally, one could still spot individuals with sharp, decisive gazes carrying swords in the market or secluded alleys, scanning corners, carvings, and even old tree hollows, discussing in hushed tones, tracing on weathered maps, or inquiring with local elders, all with a determination to dig three feet deep.

All this had nothing to do with Chen Yi.

The clouds perennially surrounding the peak of Emei Mountain were visible from his door. Each day, Chen Yi leisurely carried a bamboo basket to the market, selecting dewy greens, fresh river fish with tender meat, or halved, well-textured pork and lamb. Sometimes, he casually chatted with vendors about this year's spring flood or listened to the tofu-selling grandmother talk about her grandson's antics in private school.

The hurried figures of Jianghu people were merely a gust of wind, soon overshadowed by the denser aroma of everyday life.

Recently, however, the county saw an increase in travel-worn yet well-dressed foreign merchants.

Most of them had tanned skin, their horses taller and sturdier than regular pack horses, with oilcloth bundles hanging from the saddles—they were tea and horse traders.