Chapter 1445 - 782: Jin Family's Lost Treasure (Double-Length)_2

If a mistake is made, it can be quickly discovered and corrected.

After thinking for a few seconds, and glancing at the over-fried greens in the pot which turned dark green, he thought…

Cooking is more important.

.........

The afternoon is long and leisurely.

Chen Yi moved a bamboo chair to sit under the main house eaves, flipping through a book about landscape notes that he brought from the Prince Mansion, while Donggong Ruoshu was practicing her "Barbarian Swordsmanship" in the yard. Occasionally, Chen Yi would look up and offer a few pointers. The silly girl seemed to understand, albeit vaguely, but continued to practice more earnestly.

The door of the west side room creaked open, and Yin Weiyin stepped out with a pot of freshly brewed tea. She first poured a cup for Chen Yi, the tea soup was rich, with a lingering fragrance. She held a cup for herself as well, standing under the eaves, watching the shadows of the trees move, her expression serene and distant.

Just as she was putting down the teapot, preparing to turn back into her room to continue her meditation, Chen Yi suddenly stood up, his lips brushed gently across her cheek like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Yin Weiyin was stunned, her ears tinged with heat, she glared at him playfully but didn't say much, only murmuring softly, "Don't mess around."

She quickly returned to her room, and as the door closed, a hint of a smile could be seen at the corners of her lips, unable to be suppressed.

The sun slanted toward the west, and dusk began to fall.

That evening, the courtyard door was gently knocked.

Chen Yi opened the door and saw the shopkeeper holding a small jar of wine and several bags of snacks standing outside, a smile on his face but unable to hide the fear in his eyes.

Clearly, he was still shaken.

As soon as Chen Yi opened the door, without a word, the shopkeeper knelt down with a thud and knocked his head on the ground:

"Sorry to disturb the peace of… Young Master! With what happened at the inn during the day, young master must have seen it, those Jianghu people are vicious, who knows if they will come again… I truly am anxious, begging young master… to grant a few talismans for peace!"

Chen Yi's brows furrowed slightly, he moved aside and said, "Shopkeeper, please rise, there's no need for this."

The shopkeeper dared not continue kneeling, lest there be moral coercion implied. Those in business understand that when seeking favors from others, they must not make it difficult for the other party.

Rising, he repeatedly said, "Young master is a superior person, today crossing the hall and alley, leaves don't touch him, even a fool like me can see the extraordinariness, the talisman… that talisman must be bestowed by young master. Although there was fighting in the inn later, thankfully no lives were lost, nor did much get damaged… It must be the talisman showing magic, please, young master, have mercy!"

After hearing this, Chen Yi, who casually tossed a talisman earlier, out of concern for the innocent shopkeeper and waiter, didn't wish to see unforeseen disasters, so he did it offhandedly. He's never been good at drawing talismans, and his scribbles are as wild as ghostly symbols.

He has only one source for talismans—his family of Great Yin.

"Drawing talismans is not my expertise, the one skilled in this is my younger sister."

The shopkeeper hesitatedly lifted his head and glanced through the not fully closed courtyard door towards inside.

Under the old locust tree, a stone table held a green lamp, and the white-clad female crown sipped her cup of tea.

Moonlight and lamp light intertwined, casting her profile like snow, her Daoist robe clean, surrounded by a clear aura, her presence transcendent and conventional, incongruent with the ordinary small courtyard, like an immortal resting temporarily in the mortal world.

Looking again at Chen Yi, though composed, his attire was typical, no different from common young masters from wealthy families.

By comparison, the shopkeeper discerned that the true superior person was this laywoman, and this young master might be merely a related attendant or guard.

During pilgrim season at Emei, followers from all corners came, among which some Taoists seized the chance to ascend and debate scriptures. Having seen them, the shopkeeper thought that the siblings called themselves thus perhaps to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Quickly, he turned to face inward toward Yin Weiyin, bowing deeply and speaking with increased reverence and anxiety, "Laywoman, I just plead for a few talismans for protection of life and home, dare not ask more of immortal law, hope laywoman shows mercy."

The laywoman put down her teacup, glanced toward the door, but didn't get up, merely waved lightly toward the outside.

A few Yellow Talismans appeared out of nowhere, falling like snowflakes into the hands the shopkeeper raised.

"Take them." Her tone was flat, with neither joy nor anger.

The shopkeeper received the talismans as if he had found a priceless treasure, clutching them tightly and repeatedly bowing.

As he finished bowing and looked up, he noticed something—this time, Chen Yi did not stop or support him, but stood quietly watching from the side.

With tears of gratitude, the shopkeeper tucked the talismans into his bosom, his face showing relief. He stood up, rubbing his hands, looking at Chen Yi, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Understanding his meaning, Chen Yi said, "My younger sister prefers a quiet practice and does not like disturbances. If you have other matters, let's talk outside."

"Yes, yes, I dare not disturb the layman's tranquility!"

The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly and quickly withdrew into the alley.

Chen Yi casually closed the courtyard door. The moonlight in the alley was dim, and only a few lights flickered from the distant windows of homes.

"Young master,"

The shopkeeper lowered his voice, the panic on his face slightly fading, replaced by worry,

"To be honest with you, the two groups seem to be vying over some news about a Jin Family heirloom on the Emei Back Mountain. The town is now teeming with all sorts of Jianghu guests like them, several groups have arrived. This inn of mine... peace is hard to come by. With the layman's Spirit Talismans, the house may be safe, but this business... sigh, with those powerful guests fighting and killing, how can we get by?"

After hearing this, Chen Yi did not express an opinion and only said, "The storms of Jianghu rise and fall without warning. With the Spirit Talismans guarding your home, just keep your door closed and mind your words and actions."

The shopkeeper was sensible and dared not say more about his troubles.

Chen Yi did not turn to leave immediately, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "About that Jin Family heirloom, how much do you know?"

The shopkeeper was slightly surprised that Chen Yi initiated the question and immediately gathered his spirits, saying:

"Since you asked... I've run this inn in the county for thirty years, seeing many guests from north and south. During chats, I've heard quite a few rumors. The saying about the Jin Family heirloom has been around for years, but recently, somehow, the rumors have intensified, attracting so many Jianghu figures."

He cleared his throat and continued, "It's said the story took place over a hundred years ago. Back then, there was an Emperor of the Jin family, whose name... I can't recall, only that in his later years he wasn't attached to power and deeply believed in the Buddhist Law. He actually abdicated to the Crown Prince, renounced his imperial status, and secretly went south to settle under Mount Emei to practice in solitude."

"The Emperor became a monk?" Chen Yi's brow slightly moved.

"Indeed!" The shopkeeper nodded. "Rumor has it that this Emperor, with a sincere and determined heart, lived a simple life by the light of Buddhist lamps for many years. On a certain day, during deep meditation, he suddenly saw a Spirit Deer appear at a certain place on the Emei Back Mountain, accompanied by a thousand auspicious rays and bathed in Buddha Light, with faint chanting heard where it stood. He was deeply moved, seeing this as the Buddha's guidance to reveal a holy land. Despite others' advice, he went alone, venturing into that perilous, seldom-trodden place where even monkeys find it hard to climb, following the Spirit Deer... and since then was never seen again."

"Disappeared?"

"Yes, alive or dead, no traces were found. The Jin family seemingly sent people to look for him in secret afterward, but to no avail. Over time, various legends spread. Some say the Emperor achieved perfect merit and was taken to the Western Paradise; others say he encountered an Immortal in the mountains and became an Immortal himself. But the more common tales are... he discovered a secret cache at the place where the Spirit Deer appeared, possibly left from a previous dynasty or even older times, and never came back."

The shopkeeper's eyes slightly glowed in the dim light as he spoke,

"They say that inside that secret cache, not only are there the Royal Treasures and Buddhist Magical Artifacts the Emperor carried, but also the relics he condensed through years of diligent cultivation, which are extraordinary. Some even say there are secrets from the early days of the Jin family's rise, and perhaps... even long-lost Cultivation Techniques!"

"I see."

"That's how the stories go, who knows what's true or false?" The shopkeeper rubbed his hands, "But recently, among these few groups of Jianghu people, I caught snippets of something more specific... They say there might be the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Skill in the cache, which can grant one Dragon Elephant Giant Power, Vajra Unbreakable, and Immunity to Hundred Poisons after a few years of practice. There's also a National Seal that contains Emperor's Dragon Qi, which can enhance one's fortune if obtained. The most mystical claim is about a Wordless Heavenly Scripture, said to be crafted from Jiao Dragon Skin or some Exotic Beast Hide, revealing its writings only to the chosen one, documenting Secret Techniques pointing directly to the great Tao..."

After finishing, he sneaked a glance at Chen Yi's expression and saw the latter just listening quietly.

"Thank you for informing me, shopkeeper." Chen Yi nodded slightly, "I understand this matter. You should go back and tightly close your doors, and refrain from inquiring too much about these issues these days. The Spirit Talismans given by my younger sister may fend off ordinary evil and the menace of weapons, but if there's really large-scale conflict, it's best to avoid it early."

The shopkeeper repeatedly bowed: "Yes, yes, yes, thank you, young master, for the advice! I will go back now and certainly keep out of it!"

Receiving this assurance, he felt somewhat relieved and quickly disappeared to the other end of the alley.