To cover the long journey and make it in time for the auspicious hour, the Mu residence’s dowry was loaded onto carts and sent off at midnight.
They did not wait for the bride to depart together. The bride could leave later, as Jian Yuan Mountain would send people to welcome her. To spare the bride the jolting of a long road journey, she would be collected by flight.
Logically speaking, in the mortal realm, it was forbidden for large flying birds to transport people in that manner. For mortal realm powers, this would affect their control over the mortal realm. Furthermore, those capable of carrying heavy loads in flight were mostly demon cultivators.
Since this was difficult to control, the mortal realm wished to establish rules, bringing this kind of flight power within their own domain under their own control. However, the demon realm would not agree. How could it possibly be fully controlled by the mortal realm?
After negotiations broke down, trouble followed. The territorial boundaries of the mortal realm and demon realm on the continent were interlocked like dog’s teeth. If you would not let me fly passengers into your territory, I would not let you fly passengers into mine. Without the ability to fly in a straight line, flight lost much of its meaning.
Thus, passenger flight was rare in the mortal realm, basically occurring only in regions beyond the continent.
However, this time was clearly an exception. The mortal realm authority on this side of Luan Prefecture had communicated with the demon realm side beforehand, reaching a mutual understanding in advance.
It could only be used to collect people. The dowry was not suitable for air transport. The Mu residence was no ordinary household. The dowry was truly too voluminous, requiring many large flying birds capable of carrying heavy loads…
As soon as dawn broke, Yu Qing climbed up and ran to the outside of the residence where they were staying. He sat on a flower bed, his back against the flowers and plants, his hand behind him rustling about. He released “Big Head” and quietly fed it a handful of spirit rice.
He had purely been woken up by “Big Head”.
Before departure yesterday, fearing that “Big Head” would not be able to endure during the journey, he had already given it a full meal.
Logically speaking, a full meal should last at least two days. Who would have thought that after just one night, “Big Head” could not endure anymore, crawling and crawling inside his clothes, heading towards the place where spirit rice was hidden inside his garments.
That spirit rice was actually prepared for “Big Head”. Travelling away from home made it inconvenient to bring bones. Furthermore, knowing this insect could be sold for a high price at any moment, the treatment given to “Big Head” had indeed improved greatly. He directly prepared spirit rice for it.
However, he was posing as an ordinary labourer. It was not good to let people see spirit rice on his person, so he had sewn the spirit rice inside his clothes. When needed, he would tear open the seam and pour some out.
He had not expected that “Big Head” had probably smelled the scent and discovered the spirit rice was within reach. After one night, it could not endure anymore, desperately burrowing towards it.
This insect could not be reasoned with. Seeing as it was worth a considerable sum, he endured it.
Forget it, he had no choice but to run out at dawn to attend to it.
He had to run out anyway. The sound of “Big Head” eating was very crisp and crunchy, easy for others to hear. He could only run out to hide a bit.
At this moment, “Big Head” was already crunching away in the flower bed behind his bottom, while he could only look around in all directions, pricking up his ears to help keep watch.
Of course, he was not too nervous. After all, few people could recognise a fire cricket.
Looking around, he could now see Jian Yuan Mountain, which he had not clearly seen last night.
It was indeed a place of spiritual mountains and beautiful waters. Layer upon layer of peaks surrounded it on all sides. Flying waterfalls and clear springs flowed. Amidst the mist, carved beams and painted eaves of upturned roofs could be seen. Pavilions and towers hidden amidst verdant greenery were magnificent. The fresh air was soul-stirring. It truly had the feeling of an immortal realm.
Moving the ingenuity of mortal dwelling construction into these deep mountains, it felt like these demons enjoyed life even more than humans.
However, his gaze was still drawn to a large mountain in the distant mist, a pillar-shaped black mountain. The mountain walls seemed too steep to grow much vegetation. Instead, the mountaintop was covered with a layer, as if wearing a green hat.
According to the information obtained from the Watchtower, the base of that mountain should be where the ancient tomb was located.
Making a rough estimate of the distance, it was about fifteen li or so from here.
Just as he was letting his imagination run wild and his mind wander, he suddenly heard faint footsteps approaching. Turning his head, he saw a familiar person slowly walking along the stone steps path on the mountainside. It was none other than Cui You of Jian Yuan Studio.
Yu Qing immediately pretended not to see him. Reaching behind him, he grabbed the loudly crunching “Big Head” from behind and held it in his palm, clenched inside his fist.
“Big Head” could be seen by anyone, but absolutely not by anyone from Jian Yuan Studio.
He also stood up, hands behind his back, feigning a stroll back, wanting to pretend he had not seen the other person, about to return to the courtyard.
Cui You had come specifically for him. He immediately called out, “Friend, you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?”
Last night he had already kept an eye on Yu Qing and knew where Yu Qing was staying. It had been inconvenient to meet, so he had waited until now for the opportunity. How could he easily miss it? Naturally, he had to stage a chance encounter.
Yu Qing turned back, pretending to have only just noticed. He smiled, walked over, and exchanged polite greetings with him.
After both walked to the edge of the mountain, seeing no one nearby, Cui You pretended to be surprised. “Tan Hua Lang, how did you end up here as well?”
Yu Qing had not expected the other could tail Jian Yuan Mountain’s situation based on the Watchtower intelligence on him. He replied, “I just joined ‘Blue Sea Shipping’. Favoured by a shipping executive, I hold a certain important position within the shipping line. It happened that they were coming to offer congratulations, so they called me along to broaden my horizons, and I came. You know ‘Blue Sea Shipping’, right? The world’s largest shipping line. If Jian Yuan Studio ever needs anything in the future, just look me up. I’ll take care of it.”
Cui You snorted inwardly. Previously, he and Qin Jue had only suspected this fellow would come to Jian Yuan Mountain. Seeing it with his own eyes was no different from confirming certain suspicions. How could he still believe Yu Qing was merely here to offer congratulations? He said indifferently, “I see. I thought you had come to offer congratulations in the capacity of Jian Yuan Studio. So you’ve become someone from ‘Blue Sea Shipping’ again. Fine, we’re all on the same side. I won’t stand on ceremony if there’s anything. I’ll definitely look you up.”
Hearing the identity of Jian Yuan Studio, Yu Qing cursed inwardly. He had indeed wanted to come offer congratulations in the capacity of Jian Yuan Studio. Unfortunately, he had been robbed of several million. His funds were tight. Was this a place where an ordinary household could get by with just a little congratulatory gift? Furthermore, it was the Prefect’s daughter getting married. Look at how others were giving their congratulatory gifts.
Giving too little in congratulatory gifts, being laughed at was secondary. Being suspected of the real purpose for running here was the true trouble.
With the backing of several million, he would definitely spend freely. Did he not know that money made things easier?
Unfortunately, the money on hand was planned to last a long time. He had to spend sparingly. He could not run back to Horn Corner Port to borrow from Tie Miaoqing every time he ran out, could he? Besides, by the time he went to Horn Corner Port again, Miaoqing Hall would most likely be gone. Tie Miaoqing probably would not know where she had gone either. It was possible she had ended up in Qin Jue’s hands, bearing children for him.
He had also joined Blue Sea Shipping because he was reluctant to spend money. He had not wanted to be baked under the scorching sun like this either.
Of course, saying this now was meaningless. A grudge of several million silver taels, how could he forget? If he found the opportunity, he would definitely settle this account. On the surface, he still had to pretend the other party had never robbed him. He asked, “How did you lot end up running here as well?”
Cui You: “Do you think doing business in Horn Corner Port means sitting there waiting idly? We often have to come out to seek trade routes. Doing business in all directions, making friends in all directions, is a common occurrence.”
Yu Qing made an “oh” sound. This he did believe.
“Big Head” in his palm seemed unaccustomed to being held like that, struggling and writhing in his palm. However, Yu Qing simply would not let it show its face.
“Right, I was just about to remind you of this matter. The great shopkeeper and I came ahead to scout the situation. We did not use our Horn Corner Port identities. Don’t let it slip when you look back.” Cui You reminded him verbally, but was also muttering inwardly.
They had thought that since Yu Qing had obtained a Jian Yuan Studio identity, coming to Jian Yuan Mountain, he would definitely come to offer congratulations in the capacity of Jian Yuan Studio. They feared it would be inappropriate if another Jian Yuan Studio identity showed up here to offer congratulations. What did it mean for the same family to come in two separate waves to offer congratulations? Anyone would be suspicious.
Fearful of bringing inconvenience, fearful of creating complications, the master of Jian Yuan Studio had instead not dared to use the Jian Yuan Studio identity, temporarily using another identity instead.
What they had not expected was that Yu Qing had sought them out to obtain a Jian Yuan Studio identity, yet coming here, he had not used it. Had they known earlier, they would not have needed to forge anything.
“We’re all on the same side. Don’t worry, I won’t let it slip.” Yu Qing agreed readily, then curiously asked, “Then what identity did you use to get in?”
Cui You: “That’s simple. Just say you’re planning to do gold shop business within Luan Prefecture’s territory. Once people hear that, they’ll understand. You’re here to hug both sides’ thighs.”
Yu Qing made an “oh” sound.
The two did not chat much, nor could they chat much. Pretending to have just met, they exchanged a few casual words before parting ways.
Yu Qing was not in a hurry to return to the courtyard either. He sat back down by the flower bed. The spirit rice scattered in the flower mud was still there. He released “Big Head” to eat again…
Outside a small building, Qin Jue paced back and forth. They were not many in number. Their gifts were not heavy enough. Furthermore, their identities lacked sufficient weight. They had not been allocated a proper residence. Just one small building was given to them as a makeshift arrangement.
Seeing Cui You return, he immediately walked to the pavilion at the side to wait. Once the person entered, he immediately asked, “How is the situation?”
Cui You promptly informed him of the exchange.
After listening, Qin Jue was puzzled. “How did that fellow end up mixed up with ‘Blue Sea Shipping’ again? This shipping line’s strength is not small. I’ve heard the second brother and them mention it. The backing behind this shipping line is actually the Yin Kingdom. The Tan Hua Lang of the Brocade Kingdom is now entangled with the Yin Kingdom again. Given his identity, it couldn’t be a chance encounter. He actually holds an important position in the shipping line? This fellow is becoming increasingly difficult to fathom.”
Cui You: “In any case, don’t believe his nonsense about merely coming with the shipping line to offer congratulations. Since he has appeared here, your guess should be correct. He definitely has some scheme.”
Qin Jue turned around in the pavilion, looking towards that distant mountain wearing a green hat. “Is he really after that place? Keep a close eye on him.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already sent those two to watch.” Cui You gave his assurance, but still had some concerns. “Great shopkeeper, as you said, Blue Sea Shipping has the Yin Kingdom behind it. A Shi Heng is mixed up with those shipping line people. The situation seems to have become complicated. We appear somewhat outmatched. Do we really want to continue getting involved in this matter?”
Previously, their judgement had been that if Yu Qing and his three companions could wade into this matter, they naturally would have even less of a problem. They had not expected Yu Qing to suddenly team up with a major power.
Qin Jue was also somewhat caught in a dilemma. “It’s too late to notify the second brother and them now. Let’s keep watching and see how things develop first.”