Chapter 211 - 119: Ascending the High Platform, Marquis Beicang, Becoming a ’Qi Cultivator’, Receiving the ’Feathered Immortal Robe’ in Advance

Chapter 211: Chapter 119: Ascending the High Platform, Marquis Beicang, Becoming a ’Qi Cultivator’, Receiving the ’Feathered Immortal Robe’ in Advance

In the past, he had never enjoyed such status, such a life.

But now...

He was experiencing it for real.

There were the Centennial Spirit Fish, the Red Gold Scale and Cyan Wood Ray... and then there was the famous Jinling Drunk from the Wine Shop, a vintage aged for decades and hailed as one of the Jianghuai Eight Wonders...

Ji Xiu grinned, welcomed everyone inside, and hosted a running feast.

He didn’t look down on or favor anyone based on the value of their New Year’s gifts, treating everyone equally.

And beside him, also welcoming the guests, was the increasingly refined Ji Wei, who had now successfully completed her Script Recognition and Locket Granting. She watched the tall horses and noisy carriages outside...

She couldn’t help but whisper to Ji Xiu:

"Brother."

"The New Year was never this lively for us before."

The poor are ignored even in a bustling city, while the rich have kin visiting from the remote mountains.

She recalled their memories of the old alleyways, before he had awakened his Innate Wisdom. Back then, their first thought after the New Year passed was simply how to survive the cold winter.

Everywhere they went, they were met with disdain, as if people feared they would ruin the festive mood by showing up during the New Year—everywhere, that is, except for the family of Zhang Qing, Zhang the Sixth.

Ji Xiu glanced sideways through the wind and snow, looking at the entrance to the Ji Residence. It was bustling and prosperous, with red lanterns hanging high—all built through his efforts alone.

Remembering the past, he couldn’t help but give a faint smile.

’Yes.’

’Perhaps...’

’This is what it feels like to make a name for yourself.’

"After the New Year’s rush, remember to send someone to invite Little Sixth and his family to the residence."

"Since he joined the prefecture government, I’ve had his family settle down on West Street. It’s a good chance to celebrate the New Year together and liven things up."

Hearing his little sister Ji Wei’s words, Ji Xiu added these instructions.

It’s easy to be blinded by wealth and power when one holds a high position.

But as Ji Xiu entered the residence to host the banquet, pouring the liquor brought by Zhao Jiu into cups and watching the clear Jinling Drunk as it gave off its sharp, fragrant aroma...

And as he looked at the guests at the feast—who, despite their different statuses, all subtly deferred to him—and after three rounds of drinks, as dusk began to fall before the celebration’s end...

Ji Xiu simply drained the wine in his cup.

He then picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks for his reserved little sister, smiling without a word.

He knew, with perfect clarity, how all of this had come to be.

The mentality of someone from a poor, mud-caked background could not be compared to that of a wealthy heir born in silks and brocades.

At the very least, it wouldn’t let him sink into this life, content to be a mere Hundred Li County Marquis.

When dusk fell, the guests dispersed.

Ji Xiu then took a jug of Jinling Drunk and went to pay a visit to Duan Chenzhou.

As he knocked and opened the courtyard gate, he happened to see Qin Zhuo, the Eldest Senior Brother of the Celestial Blade Style, packing his bags.

"Senior Brother, you seem to be in a hurry...?"

"Ah, Junior Brother!"

An awkward expression appeared on Qin Zhuo’s face, and he slapped his forehead.

"The New Year is in two days. The School has had a run of bad luck these past few years. A while ago, Master even dismissed the disciples, leaving only the seven with True Inheritance. The place is so deserted you could catch sparrows on the doorstep."

"Originally, he sent me here to check on you, Junior Brother, and to bring you back."

"But..."

"You’re doing so well here in the county, and your Martial Uncle has become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster. It wouldn’t be right for me to ask you to abandon this great enterprise of yours, so I was just getting ready to pack up and return to the School."

"When you come to Jiangyin Prefecture in the future, remember to visit the Celestial Blade Style’s island."

"My Master, who is your Martial Uncle, the Sect Leader Chen Hex, has never met you, but since you are a successor to Ancestral Master Wang Xuanyang, he treats every one of you as his own."

After saying this, Qin Zhuo hurriedly went to finish packing his bags.

He had heard the names of all the gifts at the running feast outside.

Treasure Fish, Jinling Drunk... it was all truly extravagant.

’As the Eldest Senior Brother, with the New Year so close, shouldn’t I give my little Junior Brother a gift too...?’

But he was embarrassingly short on cash and too ashamed to say anything. His original plan was to leave a letter and slip away quietly, but he hadn’t expected to run right into Ji Xiu.

So he was immediately a little embarrassed.

Ji Xiu seemed to see through it, but he didn’t point it out.

After Qin Zhuo left, he simply looked at Duan Chenzhou, who was dressed in purple and sitting on the floor. Ji Xiu smiled, sat down cross-legged in front of him, and placed the jug of wine between them.

"Master Duan, aren’t you going back to the School for a visit?"

Ji Xiu asked softly.

DRIP. DRIP.

Outside the window, water from the melting snow dripped from the eaves, pattering rhythmically on the corridor floor.

"Your Ancestral Master is gone, and Chen Hex is now the Sect Leader. He has your Senior Brother Qin Zhuo and other disciples and grand-disciples to show him filial respect."

"If I were to go..."

"...I’m afraid his ’New Year’ would turn into a ’disaster year’."

Duan Chenzhou said with a smile.

Ji Xiu unsealed the wine jug, brought out two bowls, and filled them to the brim.

"Hah."

"It’s fine. Celebrating here is just as good as celebrating anywhere else."

"If you’re not going back to the School, just stay here with your disciple. I’ll take care of you."

Taking the wine from Ji Xiu, Duan Chenzhou looked at the crystal-clear liquid in the bowl.

"You rascal."

"Are you thinking about going to Jiangyin Prefecture?"

Ji Xiu’s eyes brightened.

"I’ve already struck up a friendship with the young master of the Post House. Next year, I want to expand my business to Jiangyin Prefecture. Master, do you think someone like me..."

"...could one day hold the position of a Great Lineage Master?"

Hearing this, Duan Chenzhou burst out laughing.

"A Great Lineage Master?"

"Kid, you’re thinking too small!"

"If your Qi becomes like a Dragon and a Tiger, what’s to stop you from expanding your business all the way to Cangdu or even Xuanjing?"

"The Post House... tsk."

"You rascal. Back in the day, your master here ended the life of the Jade Shop’s Fourth Master in a confrontation, and now you’ve taken in his direct daughter as an attendant."

"The Post House used to protect the Jade Shop’s shipments along the Water Route, so I boarded a sampan, intercepted them in the East Canghai, and robbed them. That’s how our feud started. And now you’ve gone and made friends with their young master."