After Sheng Jun Chapter 9 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 9 Body of Extreme Cold (part 1)
After Zhu Xu left with his new worldview, he went to clean up the courtyard.
Shortly after he left, Zhong Ming, who had been away for half the night, came up from the foot of the mountain. "What's wrong with that kid? He had an indescribable look on his face."
Jiang Xingzhi noticed that this person called everyone "that kid," as if he never remembered anyone's name. He said, "Nothing much. I just told him your cultivation level is higher than mine."
He took the opportunity to ask, "With your cultivation level, why are you just a Protector?"
Zhong Ming glanced at the two courtyards pressed close together, "The sect has too few people, so positions are diversified."
Jiang Xingzhi doubted, "...Are you sure it's not position monopolization?"
With someone of his cultivation level occupying the Protector position, probably no one else would dare to serve as a Protector in the future.
Zhong Ming just smiled, "Isn't having me as your Protector enough?"
Jiang Xingzhi nodded sincerely, "Enough, more than enough. It's practically overflowing."
"..."
They hadn't spoken for long when the barrier set up in the outskirts was suddenly triggered.
Zhong Ming frowned and looked toward the mountains, "Qijue Tower?"
Jiang Xingzhi shook his head, "They won't come again in such a short time." As he spoke, he waved his hand, opening the barrier.
Several small flickering flames floated in the air, queuing up as they drifted in from outside the barrier, surrounding Jiang Xingzhi's side.
These were manifestations of his divine consciousness, specifically used for communicating with various sects.
"The first batch of invitation cards has arrived."
Seven flames circled around Jiang Xingzhi a few times, then lined up in front of him, revealing the contents of the invitation cards one by one.
Jiang Xingzhi rubbed his hands expectantly, "Let's see which lucky one I'll grace with my presence first?"
Zhong Ming watched this scene that resembled the selection of imperial concubines, his eye twitching.
After reading through the invitation cards one by one, Jiang Xingzhi was momentarily speechless: the contents were largely similar, almost all saying "Our humble sect has specially invited the number one chef of Jiuzhou, and we await Divine Lamp Daren's presence tomorrow" and so on; some even added "the number one chef of Jiuzhou is at our sect, all others are fake."
Even though they were all major sects, their competition showed no grace.
Among the uniform invitation cards, one suddenly caught Jiang Xingzhi's attention. He made a sound of surprise and brought that flame closer.
The card was concise and unique:
[Qingfeng Pavilion requests Divine Lamp Daren's help with an urgent matter. Price is negotiable.]
Jiang Xingzhi waved away the other divine consciousness manifestations, keeping only this one. "This one it is."
Zhong Ming raised an eyebrow, "Because it's pure and unpretentious?"
"No, it won because of the last sentence."
Snap! With a finger snap, the flame dispersed with a "whoosh," and Jiang Xingzhi's reply was instantly transmitted to the Pavilion Master of Qingfeng Pavilion.
****
A thousand miles away, in northern Jiuzhou.
Stretching mountain ranges stood thousand-foot tall, with strange and magnificent rocks. Above such treacherous terrain, pavilions and towers were arranged in neat rows.
The pavilions among the swirling clouds appeared like a carefree immortal realm, yet it was a place where countless people couldn't take even a single step.
------ This was Qingfeng Pavilion, one of the Six Great Upper Sects.
At this time, six cultivators sat in Qingfeng Pavilion's council hall. The shadows of carved flowers fell on the round table in the center, and no one in the hall spoke, as if they were all quietly waiting for something.
After a while, Pavilion Master Chi Yufeng's tightly knitted brows suddenly relaxed, and he looked up toward the entrance.
With a swoosh, a flame passed through the mountain gate from amid the mountain ridges and clouds, making its way unimpeded into the highest authority council hall of Qingfeng Pavilion.
"It's here!" The gathered elders perked up.
The flame stopped above the round table, wavered a few times, and turned into curling smoke.
Chi Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief, his face showing some joy, "The other side has agreed and will come tomorrow. Remember—-that thing must be prepared."
"Yes! Pavilion Master."
The elders dispersed one after another, leaving only the Third Elder in the hall.
When only the two of them remained at the table, the Third Elder stepped closer, "Pavilion Master, Divine Lamp Daren's magic powers are boundless. Relying on that thing alone might not be enough to subdue him......"
"I have my own confidence," Chi Yufeng looked out the window, the carved flower lattice casting shadows in his eyes, "Even if we can't completely subdue him, at least we can make Divine Lamp Daren serve our Qingfeng Pavilion. As long as it's an ancient bloodline, they definitely cannot escape the natural submission that comes with their bloodline."
He sneered, certain of success, "After all, the ancient phoenix blood is the most sacred bloodline from ancient times."
…….
Jiang Xingzhi was still unaware that his "ancient bloodline" was being coveted.
The banquet was tomorrow, and since he had free time today, he planned to purchase some items for the sect.
Before leaving the mountain, Jiang Xingzhi called out to Zhong Ming, who was sitting in the courtyard, "Brother Bai, want to come along?"
The man who usually followed him like a shadow acted unusually this time, "No."
Seeing him not clinging to him anymore, Jiang Xingzhi actually felt a bit uncomfortable. He suspiciously glanced at Zhong Ming several times, "Really not coming?"
Zhong Ming glanced over, his lips curling slightly, "If you really want me to accompany you......"
Jiang Xingzhi turned around swiftly, "I'm leaving."
After speaking, he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared, vanishing in an instant into the slowly rising morning sun.
After confirming the former had left, Zhong Ming, who had been lazily sitting to one side, slowly stood up.
In an instant, bright sword light reflected on the courtyard railing.
……..
After leaving the outskirts, Jiang Xingzhi first went to the Xunyang City pawnshop.
After several days, when the shopkeeper saw him again, his face looked like he'd seen a ghost. Jiang Xingzhi smiled kindly, humanely comforting the leek he had planted, "Has the jade bracelet been pawned?"
"Yes, yes...... Is the customer here to pawn a second one?"
Thud. A slightly larger jade bracelet than the previous one was placed on the counter. The shopkeeper calculated the price difference and called for the shop assistant to bring spirit stones.
Jiang Xingzhi weighed the money bag, satisfied, and tucked it into his sleeve.
The shopkeeper observed his expression, nervously advising, "Customer, keep your money safe. The security isn't good lately, remember not to display your wealth."
Jiang Xingzhi calmly accepted this self-deceiving concern, "This world lacks honest citizens like you, shopkeeper."
The shopkeeper weakly forced a smile.
After the pleasantries ended, before leaving, Jiang Xingzhi turned back to add one more sentence, "Keep up the good work."
He was naturally graceful and elegant; when he turned back to smile, the dark interior seemed to brighten, truly like an immortal descending to the mortal world.
The shopkeeper stared blankly. Only after that outstanding figure disappeared behind the screen did he come to his senses and touch his chest.
Such a good attitude, even encouraging him to work hard.
...... He probably hadn't realized that last time's robbery was related to him?
…..
After watering his leek, Jiang Xingzhi rushed to Quzhou without delay.
Being new to the area and not very familiar with it, he simply asked the Shanglu Merchant Association to help purchase items.
The latter was extremely efficient. As soon as Jiang Xingzhi arrived at the Shang mansion's main gate, he saw sets of Eight Immortals tables and rosewood beds being moved into the courtyard.
Shang Luxing had already come out to welcome him, his brocade clothes stirring up a breeze, "Brother Jiang, come see if anything else is needed?"
Jiang Xingzhi took a breath, "Just missing users."
Shang Luxing broke into a proper smile.
After finalizing the items, Jiang Xingzhi politely declined the other's offer to help with moving, opened his storage bag, and collected everything in one go. The servants watched in amazement, and even Shang Luxing couldn't stop praising, "Brother Jiang's magic tool can really hold a lot."
This capacity must be at least earth-grade or above.
Jiang Xingzhi smiled shyly, "Just something I have."
"......"
After handling the important matters, the two returned to the hall to sit and chat over tea.
Shang Luxing asked, "How come Brother Bai isn't with you?"
Jiang Xingzhi blew at the tea leaves floating on the water's surface, "People need to learn to grow up on their own."
"......" Shang Luxing tried his best to compliment, "Brother Jiang really speaks his mind."