Chapter 21 – Who Needs Treasures to Enjoy Life?
A sudden crash echoed from the lower floor, followed by the rising voices of two men engaging in a heated debate. The music faltered for a moment as things escalated, and the hum of conversation throughout the restaurant dulled as people’s curiosity stifled the atmosphere.
Even Jun De and Ren Qiu looked down from their private balcony to see two unaffiliated cultivators, both middle-aged, with weathered faces and plain travelling robes, standing face to face and glaring daggers at one another.
Their Qi flared faintly as they argued, marking them both as 3rd Level of Qi Condensation cultivators.
“I told you the path led north; your sense of direction is worthless!” One snapped as his hand twitched toward the hilt of a short sabre tucked into the sash of his robes.
“And waste another week? That rumour was worthless, and you just want someone to blame for your own lack of perception!” The other growled, and his spiritual energy rippled in irritation.
While 3rd Level Qi Cultivators were just at the beginning of their cultivation journey, they were still far more powerful than non-cultivators, and the presence of their Qi was beginning to make it uncomfortable for them to remain near the arguing pair.
A number of guests shifted away nervously while servants looked toward the pair in panic. Before any fighting could break out, the restaurant’s manager, his thin features expressionless with the practiced calm of someone who had handled this sort of situation before, hurried forward.
He bowed low to the pair, then subtly gestured to the upper floor to draw their attention.
“Sirs, perhaps you have forgotten that this is the Jade Whisper Pavilion, and today we are graced by Disciples of the Tranquil Mountain Sect.” The manager said, giving them a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Bother cultivators froze immediately, and their eyes lifted toward the upper balcony to see Jun De and Ren Qiu watching them with interest. Colour drained from the men’s faces, and the tension in the air vanished like mist in sunlight.
They gave deep, hasty bows toward the balcony, and whatever problems they had with each other were stifled by a greater threat.
Tranquil Mountain Sect, while not directly controlling Tranquil City, dominated this area. Their Disciples could enforce the law, and the City Lord would take their side in any complaint.
“Our apologies, Honoured Disciples. We meant no disrespect.” The one on the right said.
“None at all; we’ll settle this elsewhere. Peacefully.” The other added, backing away.
“Hold.” Ren Qiu ordered, his old arrogance surfacing once more. His voice rang out clearly and commanding across the restaurant, and the two cultivators halted just as they tried to reach the exit.
Ren Qiu stood up, and the hem of his blue sect robes brushed against the polished wood floor. He gracefully walked over to the railing of the balcony and looked down at the two men.
“Tell me about this treasure you wasted your time hunting. Every word.”
The restaurant was filled with sudden whispers, and Jun De heard Ren Qiu’s name repeated among the patrons, connected with the ‘Ren Clan.’
‘Ren Qiu is more connected than I realized.’ Jun De thought as he took another sip from his glass and watched with interest.
The men swallowed hard and bowed again while sweat beaded at their temples and ran down their faces.
“Yes, Young Master. We purchased the information from a loose cultivator near the Eastern Gate of the city. He claimed to have seen a blinding light in the distance, a few days away from here, near the Cloudspire Ravine.”
The man’s companion nodded quickly.
“He said the light was intense and that the spiritual energy in the area pulsed like thunder. He was too afraid to go himself, but he claimed there was a treasure there.”
“And you both went chasing fairy tales based on words bought from a stranger you met on the street?” Ren Qui responded, his eyes narrowing as he tried to determine if the pair were lying to him.
“Many have chased more for less.” The man said defensively, then flinched at his own boldness.
“It wasn’t just us, Young Master. Many people in the city have been looking for it. We wanted to reach it before-” His companion, realizing he was saying too much, stopped himself before finishing his sentence.
“Before the Sect got wind of it?” Ren Qiu inquired, and he knew he was correct when the pair refused to meet his eye.
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Jun De watched the scene unfold while sipping his wine.
“Cloudspire Ravine, you said? Interesting. You may go. Consider this information payment for disturbing the peace of Jade Whisper Pavilion.” Ren Qiu declared, waving his arm to dismiss the pair.
The two cultivators bowed low and clasped their hands together before they practically fled the restaurant.
Ren Qiu returned to his seat and looked at Jun De.
“What do you think, Senior Brother Jun? Perhaps there is something to this rumour if it nearly brought them to blows.” Ren Qiu chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair as he took another sip of his wine.
Jun De swirled the wine in his glass, focusing on the sunlight catching the liquid.
“It may be true, but I’m not entirely convinced.” Jun De dismissed the thought and finished the last of his wine. He really didn’t have any interest in treasure or going on a wild goose chase.
Ren Qiu tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes thoughtful.
“If there is even a sliver of truth in what they said, it might be worth looking into. Will you join me, Senior Brother?” Ren Qiu asked, and was disappointed when Jun De shook his head.
“I would, but I have to stabilize my cultivation after my recent breakthrough.” Jun De lied. His cultivation was fine, and it didn’t show any of the instability that worried Elder Shen.
Jun De just didn’t want to go. He’d rather stay here, drink wine and listen to the music before returning home to relax.
‘Who needs a treasure in order to enjoy life?’ Jun De thought.
Ren Qiu stood abruptly and downed the rest of his glass.
“I’ll go have a look after I apprise my Clan of this potential treasure. Maybe fortune will favour us today. Will you inform the Elders that I will be away from the Sect?” Ren Qiu requested.
“Of course!” Jun De replied in surprise at Ren Qiu's sudden action.
Jun De watched as Ren Qiu made his way downstairs and out of the restaurant in a flash. Shaking his head, Jun De reached over to the nearly full jar of Summer Ember Wine and poured himself another glass as the golden Qi inside his Dantian stirred gently in response.
‘Here’s to enjoying life!’ Jun De toasted himself.
Page Break
“Good. You have stabilized your realm, and there are no signs of Qi Deviation. Well done, Jun De!” Elder Shen praised as he entered Jun De’s courtyard.
Jun De had finished the bottle of Summer Ember Wine and returned home with the fiery liquid leaving a warmth in his belly like burning embers as spiritual energy from the wine radiated through his meridians before depositing into his Dantian.
For the next week, Jun De remained within the serenity of his courtyard and enjoyed his leisure time. The only exception had been visiting the Nine-Treasure Pagoda once again to purchase a tea set and a fine collection of rare teas.
He would recline in his chair near the pond with a cup of fragrant tea in his hand and watch the clouds in the sky overhead. When he cultivated, there were no golden hues in the air above his home or strange occurrences, and Jun De assumed it only happened before because he had broken through to the next realm.
The days passed quietly; birds would visit the remaining peach trees in his courtyard, and dragonflies would skim the still surface of the pond.
Jun De would practice the Radiant Sunflow Art, this time with incredible care not to cause damage to his property. His Qi would flow easily and without incident.
“This is what the life of a cultivator should be.” Jun De would declare frequently and smile in contentment as he enjoyed his days.
That peace came to an end when Elder Shen visited him a week after he had returned from Tranquil City. He had informed the Elder that Ren Qiu had gone chasing after a rumoured treasure, and the Elder had only nodded and waved the information off, telling Jun De that Ren Qiu would be fine with his Clan’s protection.
Hearing Elder Shen’s voice, Jun De bowed deeply and directed the Elder to a shaded chair in his pristine courtyard while pouring him a cup of tea.
Jun De carefully poured the steaming tea into porcelain cups, and the fragrant smell of spiritual energy-infused leaves filled the courtyard.
Elder Shen accepted his cup with a small nod of thanks and brought it to his lips. The pair sat beneath the shade of a peach tree and let the soft sound of the leaves rustling in the wind fill the tranquil silence.
“Mm, excellent choice. The tea, much like your courtyard, matches your tastes, Jun De. Peace, calm and tranquillity, traits suitable for our Sect.”
Jun De smiled politely as he lowered his own cup after drinking.
“I’m glad it meets your standards, Elder Shen.”
The older cultivator placed his cup down, and his expression turned more serious. His eyes, normally calm, sharpened slightly.
“Unfortunately, I did not come just for the tea and the peacefulness of your courtyard. The Elders convened this morning; it seems the rumours that stirred those rogue cultivators in Tranquil City were not just idle speculation.”
Jun De straightened slightly in his seat as he sensed the serious nature of the Elder’s change in tone.
“The Sect’s diviners have confirmed that the site Ren Qui rushed off to is no ordinary treasure trove but a remnant of an inheritance. The restrictions that veiled it have weakened, allowing it to be exposed.”
“The Sect intends to retrieve it?” Jun De inquired.
“Yes, we cannot allow outsiders to seize it!” Elder Shen leaned forward slightly, his gaze direct as he stared at Jun De.
“The inheritance site will not allow anyone above the Qi Condensation Realm to enter, and there are also strict age limits. It seems that the Cultivator who created this inheritance had strict requirements for passing on their legacy.”
“We are assembling a thousand Disciples from the Outer Sect, along with hundreds from the Inner Sect. The Elders have selected Outer Sect members between the 1st and the 6th Level of Qi Condensation with the talent and potential to eventually reach the 7th Level and enter the Inner Sect.”
Jun De tilted his head, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
“I’m to be a part of this expedition?” Jun De asked, although internally, he was hoping he would be passed over. It sounded dangerous, and he had no interest in running away from large, spiritual beasts again.
Elder Shen’s expression softened with amusement, but his next words struck with weight.
“Not just join it; you are to lead the Outer Sect Disciples within the inheritance site.”
The air seemed to freeze as Jun De took in the shocking information. His surprise was clear as his normally calm expression cracked, and he took on a dumbfounded appearance.
“You’ve distinguished yourself in the Outer Sect, and many eyes are on you. The Sect believes you are capable of leading others through this trial, and none of our Disciples would argue that you are not the perfect person for this role.”
Elder Shen paused and gave Jun De a reassuring nod.
“More importantly, I believe you are destined for greatness, and this inheritance will be yours.”
