Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Mid-Autumn Gathering, A Farewell for the Foreseeable Future
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“Daniu, how are Youniu and Sanniu? Are they still at Yunmen Mountain?”
After several rounds of drinks and dishes.
Chen Jianghe asked about Yu Daniu's second and third sons. Although he hadn't spent much time with these two nephews, as an elder, he was still concerned for their safety.
“The spirit stone mine at Yunmen Mountain is estimated to yield thirty thousand spirit stones. The Yun Clan won't give it up, and the other two clans, backed by the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan, certainly won't either.”
“The conflict at Yunmen Mountain will likely last for ten, or even twenty years.”
Although Yu Daniu was worried about Yun Youniu and Yun Sanniu, he supported their decision to go to Yunmen Mountain.
“Huizhen was worried for their safety and wanted to have them transferred back to Mirror Moon Lake, but I refused. As disciples of the clan, they must bear the responsibility of ensuring its prosperity. How could they desert their posts when the clan needs them most!”
“Brother, do you think I'm being too cruel as a father?”
After speaking, Yu Daniu looked at Chen Jianghe, his eyes filled with a longing for understanding.
Hearing this, Chen Jianghe knew what was on Yu Daniu's mind.
If he weren't an elder, and if not for Yun Huizhen's strong opposition, it likely wouldn't be just two of his children heading to Yunmen Mountain right now.
Yu Daniu was grateful for the Yun Clan's nurturing.
He had long been holding in a desire to repay their kindness.
How could he miss such a great opportunity to serve the clan?
But Yun Huizhen's worries were not unfounded. As a mother, she was naturally concerned for her children.
Especially since the main branch of the Yun Clan seemed intent on suppressing them.
Not only had Yu Daniu's second and third sons gone to Yunmen Mountain, but even several of Yun Huizhen's own cousins and nephews had been sent there.
It could be said that of the thirteen young men in Yun Huizhen's branch of the family, nine had gone.
If Yun Xiaoqian hadn't lost his temper in the elder's meeting, even Yun Siniu would have likely been promoted to Deacon and sent to Yunmen Mountain.
“Daniu, I know your character. You're a man who understands gratitude. The Yun Clan has treated you well, and you want to repay them. I understand, and so does your wife.”
Chen Jianghe stood up, walked over to Yu Daniu, patted his shoulder, and said solemnly, “But the internal struggles of a clan are ruthless. You should listen more to your wife.”
Yun Xiaoniu listened quietly as the elders spoke, not making a sound.
Hearing Chen Jianghe's words of comfort to Yu Daniu, he was deeply moved.
As the eldest son.
He knew his father's character and understood his desire to repay the clan, but internal clan struggles were no place for acting on impulse.
Both he and Yun Huizhen had tried to persuade Yu Daniu, but neither could change his mind.
“But when the clan's interests are at stake, shouldn't we give it our all?” Yu Daniu asked, looking at Chen Jianghe.
Chen Jianghe was not part of a clan; he couldn't understand the so-called "clan interests."
But he knew that once a clan had many branches, one couldn't simply give without expecting anything in return.
This was especially true for cultivation clans. No matter what, each branch had to keep a few younger descendants and a pillar of support in a position of power.
Otherwise, no matter how much you sacrificed, you would only receive verbal praise in return.
But Chen Jianghe wouldn't say this to Yu Daniu.
Yu Daniu had a simple and honest nature, unsuited for the scheming within a clan. It was better for Yun Huizhen to take the lead.
Fortunately, Yun Xiaoniu had now also become an elder.
He could help Yu Daniu in the elder meetings, preventing him from being used as a pawn.
“The clan's interests are paramount. They determine the future prospects of the younger generation. So, for you to give your all for the clan is the right thing to do. I support you!”
Chen Jianghe nodded heavily at Yu Daniu, showing his strong approval of his words.
Then, he added, “However, you need to be clear about one thing. The one you should be grateful to is not the Yun Clan, but your wife.”
“Think about it. The other six live-in sons-in-law who joined the clan with you—what happened to them?”
“They're... all dead.”
Yu Daniu froze.
Images of the junior Fishery Farmers who had married into the clan with him flashed through his mind. Their ends had all been tragic.
One had no children and was driven to his death by his wife.
It was that same Yun Clan woman who, after hounding her husband to death, even thought of asking him to father a child for her.
Another son-in-law had only one daughter. When he was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, he had no Calamity Dispelling Pill, nor had he properly polished his bottleneck.
He forced his breakthrough, causing his meridians to rupture and his spiritual power to destroy his internal organs, leading to his death.
The other four sons-in-law had also died one after another over the past decade, each meeting a different fate.
Of the seven live-in sons-in-law back then, he was the only one left alive.
He had even become an elder of the Yun Clan, and of his five sons, only the fifth was a disappointment.
The eldest had become an elder.
The second and third had both become Deacons.
The fourth managed the Mirror Moon Pavilion while also overseeing the Mirror Moon Restaurant.
At that moment, Yu Daniu seemed to realize something. The one he should be most grateful to was not the Yun Clan.
The fate of the six dead sons-in-law clearly showed the Yun Clan's attitude toward them.
If Yun Huizhen hadn't respected him, supported him, and treated him as a husband rather than a slave...
...he would have likely died long ago.
The Yun Clan would never have stepped in to save him, nor would they have given him resources for no reason.
Everything he had was obtained through Yun Huizhen's efforts.
In the Yun Clan, only Yun Huizhen truly treated him well.
Resources, status—it was all Yun Huizhen working silently behind the scenes.
“Brother, I understand what you mean.”
Yu Daniu took a deep breath. He could die for Yun Huizhen, and he could also die in battle for the Yun Clan.
But all of this required Yun Huizhen's consent.
“We brothers haven't gathered in years. Let's not talk about this. Let's talk about something happy.”
Chen Jianghe laughed heartily.
“Something happy? Brother, you almost became my brother-in-law. Does that count as something happy? Haha...”
—
After leaving Qinghe Restaurant, Chen Jianghe rented two high-class rooms at the Qinghe Inn for Yu Daniu and Yun Xiaoniu to stay in.
It was still five days until the Mid-Autumn Festival.
During this time, he would definitely accompany Yu Daniu and Yun Xiaoniu.
On the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chen Jianghe went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion alone, found Gao Peiyao, and asked for her help in auctioning a Youth Retaining Pill.
Gao Peiyao agreed immediately.
In her view, it was most beneficial for Chen Jianghe to auction one Youth Retaining Pill.
Although the Youth Retaining Pill was good, one was enough. Taking a second one wouldn't stack the life-extending effect.
Therefore, it was better to trade the other one for resources during her tenure.
This would maximize his benefits.
After leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, he first returned to his small courtyard and then considered what to do with the other Youth Retaining Pill.
Taking it himself was certainly less valuable than exchanging it for resources.
But he couldn't have Gao Peiyao auction both pills, as he needed one to explain his unchanging appearance.
So, he would have to wait until Gao Peiyao left.
Then he would find a way to sell this Youth Retaining Pill privately.
The price might be slightly lower than at an auction, but it was undoubtedly the safest option.
When the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.
Chen Jianghe first went to the Qinghe Inn to meet up with Yu Daniu and his son, after which they headed to the Qinghe Restaurant.
At this time, cultivators from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were already standing outside the Qinghe Restaurant.
They must have been arranged by Gao Peiyao.
The three of them were led by a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator to a private room on the second floor, only to see that Zhou Miaoyun had already arrived.
At seventy years old, Zhou Miaoyun had more wrinkles on her face, with no trace of her youthful beauty remaining.
She looked like a mortal woman in her fifties or sixties.
Exhausted from drawing spirit talismans for a long time, her eyes were dull and her expression listless.
Drawing spirit talismans required nurturing one's mind and spirit. One could not overexert their mental energy for extended periods, as it would affect their soul essence.
However, many clan Talisman Masters, after losing hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, would choose to exhaust all their energy drawing spirit talismans to earn spirit stones for their clan.
Over time, this would lead to mental exhaustion and a loss of spirit.
It could even affect their lifespan.
But for the sake of their clan's interests, they had no other choice.
This was especially true for a clan elder like Zhou Miaoyun, who had no direct descendants. Everything had to be for the clan.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou.”
Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu both cupped their fists in greeting.
Zhou Miaoyun looked at Chen Jianghe's unchanging face, but she no longer even felt a trace of envy in her heart.
She had long since come to terms with her appearance.
“Fellow Daoist Yun has also arrived.”
“Nephew, I greet Aunt Zhou.”
Yun Xiaoniu bowed respectfully.
In the past, Yun Xiaoniu would have addressed Zhou Miaoyun as "Fellow Daoist," never "Aunt Zhou."
But things were different now.
Zhou Miaoyun's niece had married his fifth brother.
Although his fifth brother was useless, his sister-in-law was much more sensible. Not only had she added to their family's bloodline.
She also took excellent care of the paralyzed fifth brother.
So, out of respect for his sister-in-law, Yun Xiaoniu addressed her as Aunt Zhou.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, you've raised a fine son!”
Sensing the fluctuations of spiritual power from Yun Xiaoniu, Zhou Miaoyun was amazed. She hadn't expected even a junior to have cultivated to the ninth level of Qi Refining.
And she was still only at the eighth level.
She no longer had any desire to break through to a higher cultivation level. So what if she reached the ninth level of Qi Refining?
Her lifespan would still be a hundred and twenty years.
Having spent so long drawing talismans under great mental strain, it was uncertain if she would even live to be a hundred.
Why waste more resources?
It would be better to leave them for her grand-nephews and nieces.
“If only she had married Yun Xiaoniu,” Zhou Miaoyun thought to herself.
In response to Zhou Miaoyun's praise, Yu Daniu just chuckled and nodded.
When it came to his eldest son, he never knew the meaning of humility. He accepted all praise wholeheartedly.
However, now that they were in-laws, they had less to talk about.
Though, they hadn't been very talkative to begin with.
Chen Jianghe, sitting between them, felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, but he couldn't think of a topic to break the ice.
He and Yu Daniu had endless things to talk about.
But in front of their in-law, he had to be mindful of Yu Daniu's image.
Most of those endless things couldn't be said out loud.
Fortunately, in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gao Peiyao arrived at the private room.
All four stood up and cupped their fists. “Fairy Peiyao.”
“Xiaoniu, you're being a stranger with Aunt Yao again.”
“Nephew greets Aunt Yao.”
Gao Peiyao was most optimistic about Yun Xiaoniu. In her eyes, his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment far surpassed those of Chen Jianghe, who had undergone a "sudden change in mindset."
“Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, Sister Miaoyun, I've kept you waiting.”
“Haha, we all just arrived as well.”
As Gao Peiyao took her seat, spirit food and spirit wine were brought in. The spread was of a very high standard this time.
Even higher than the feast Alchemist Zhuang had prepared for Chen Jianghe.
Three of the spirit dishes were actually cooked with late-stage Tier 1 demonic beasts, and they were even beasts with a high-grade second-rank bloodline.
These three spirit dishes were likely worth thirty spirit stones apiece.
Chen Jianghe inwardly exclaimed at the extravagance.
But since Gao Peiyao was the host this time, he couldn't say anything.
Perhaps for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this was nothing special.
During this Mid-Autumn gathering, the conversation was mostly between Gao Peiyao and Yun Xiaoniu, with Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu chiming in from time to time.
Zhou Miaoyun, however, remained silent.
However, Chen Jianghe noticed that from the moment the banquet began, Zhou Miaoyun had wanted to speak with Gao Peiyao.
But she never managed to speak up.
He sighed inwardly. The distance created by the gap in their cultivation levels was unavoidable.
After all, they could no longer speak freely with Gao Peiyao as equals. A Foundation Establishment cultivator was high and mighty, living in a different world from them.
It wasn't until the gathering was about to end.
Gao Peiyao looked at Zhou Miaoyun and said with a smile, “Sister Miaoyun, is there something you wanted to say to me?”
Hearing Gao Peiyao's words, Zhou Miaoyun hurriedly stood up.
“This old woman wishes to ask the Fairy, how is Xiaoxuan doing in the Tiannan Sect? Has she caused any trouble?”
Zhou Miaoyun's posture was very humble.
But her words were filled with concern for her niece, Zhou Xiaoxuan.
“Sister Miaoyun, I'm very sorry, but I haven't been back to the sect yet, so I don't know about Xiaoxuan's situation. But rest assured, once I return, I will definitely go see her often.”
Gao Peiyao said with a gentle smile.
But a doubt arose in Chen Jianghe's heart.
Gao Peiyao had returned to the Tiannan Sect once to get the Youth Retaining Grass. Why did she tell Zhou Miaoyun she hadn't?
Could it be that Zhou Xiaoxuan was not doing well in the Tiannan Sect?
He thought about it, but he decided not to meddle.
The affairs of a sect were far more complex, not something he could get involved in.
An incense stick's time later.
The gathering came to an end.
Zhou Miaoyun was the first to leave. Her departing figure looked lonely and desolate, even slightly stooped and hunched. This was not something one should see in a female cultivator who was only seventy years old.
Although cultivators began to age rapidly after sixty, the process was still considerably slower compared to mortals.
Zhou Miaoyun seemed excessively old.
Chen Jianghe felt it was likely due to the long-term, high-intensity mental exertion of drawing spirit talismans.
Soon after, Yu Daniu and Yun Xiaoniu also left.
But as they were leaving, Gao Peiyao gave them a storage bag. He didn't know what was inside.
Afterward.
Only Gao Peiyao and Chen Jianghe remained in the private room.
“Brother Jianghe, are you wondering why I deceived Sister Miaoyun? I have, in fact, been back to the sect once.”
Gao Peiyao let out a faint, light laugh, her phoenix eyes turning to look at Chen Jianghe.
“The affairs of a sect are not for a rogue cultivator like me to know. Besides, the Fairy must have her reasons for saying so.”
“Giggle~”
“Brother Jianghe, your words... are the same as saying nothing at all.”
Gao Peiyao smiled, pursing her lips, and offered no further explanation.
Chen Jianghe was right. The affairs of a sect were complex, beyond the imagination of a rogue cultivator.
“The auction ends this afternoon. When it does, Chen Ping will deliver the spirit stones from the sale of the Youth Retaining Pill to you.”
“Brother Jianghe, this little sister must be leaving. After this farewell, I don't know when we will meet again. I wish you success in achieving Foundation Establishment...”