Chapter 29#

Imperial Grounds#

As soon as Xiao Man finished speaking, those fellow disciples raised their voices to shout. Their words were filled with surprise and joy, as if they had recognized someone, causing Xiao Man’s body to tense up.

Mo Juntian’s expression also changed, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, looking as if he wished he could dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.

If these fellow disciples discovered they were dressed as girls to dance at the festival, it would be equivalent to the entire Baihua Peak finding out. In that case, their reputation would truly be completely lost!

Every word from their fellow disciples felt like a heavy hammer, their heartbeats like drums. The moment was stretched incredibly long, and the tension grew. Gradually, just as Mo Juntian was about to lose his composure, the fellow disciple finished the full sentence:

“Isn’t that Old Qu!”

Following his gaze, they saw Qu Hanxing and Wei Chuyun standing at the entrance of the official inn, looking inside with curious expressions. The three of them were not very familiar with Wei Chuyun, so they only called out to Qu Hanxing.

Qu Hanxing was about to say something to Wei Chuyun when he heard the shout. He turned his head in surprise and, upon seeing who it was, laughed: “Why are you guys here?”

The low-level Baihua Peak disciple surnamed Qian said loudly, “We should be the ones asking you that! Our mission was originally to help out at the festival.”

“Why come to the inn? You’re not here to find us, are you?” the one surnamed Zhao added.

Qian, Ma, and Zhao walked toward Qu Hanxing, not casting a single glance toward Xiao Man and Mo Juntian in the corner. The two felt they had escaped a disaster and let out a long sigh of relief.

Qu Hanxing put his arm around one of their shoulders, laughed and said no, and then asked about their mission. Xiao Man cautiously turned and cast a glance that way, only to see Wei Chuyun give them a look, signaling them to hurry inside.

Xiao Man immediately understood. The two who had been hidden all the way from Yuntai Town to Shenjing had appeared at this moment to help draw attention away, and he hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Shi Tang understood the situation and walked quickly, lowering her voice.

There were many people from various places and countries who were to perform at the Shenjing festival. The inn’s rooms were limited, so it was naturally impossible to stay in a single room. Xiao Man and the others had arrived a bit late and were assigned the innermost room.

This was a room left over from selection. Upon pushing the door open, they found it was not only cramped but also had no windows. Despite the sunny weather outside, it was damp and dark, as if it were twilight and the lamps hadn’t been lit.

“Is this a place for people to live?”

Shi Tang was furious and was about to turn back to argue, but Mo Juntian pulled her back: “Endure it. The festival is in a few days; let’s not cause unnecessary trouble.”

“But are we going to live here?” Shi Tang pointed to the furnishings in the room: low and narrow beds, a table against the wall, and simple chairs and cabinets. She had lived for sixteen years and had never been so mistreated.

“In a while, we’ll go out and buy some fine bedding, and set up a screen tonight,” Xiao Man said warmly. “Xiao Mo and I don’t need sleep. At that time, you can sleep in this bed alone.”

“It’s not about the bedding or the bed! When has this young lady ever suffered such humiliation!” Shi Tang turned with her hands on her hips, her eyes wide as she glared at the next room, as if trying to stare through the wall.

The people in the next room naturally didn’t know what she was doing. After a while, Shi Tang lowered her head, waved her hand, and said, “Forget it, forget it… it was all my own choice.”

After speaking, she took out a bamboo mat and silk bedding from her luggage and changed them somewhat clumsily. It turned out she had considered this point long ago.

Not long after, Sister Qin came to knock on the door, bringing some pastries and talking to them about meals and bathing. Then she said they could look around and wander in Shenjing City before the festival, but they shouldn’t eat too much or talk too much, and must avoid causing trouble, otherwise, no one would be able to take responsibility if something went wrong.

Xiao Man and the others nodded in agreement.

After Sister Qin left, Shi Tang brought out a screen to divide the room into an inner and outer part.

She had never done such work at home, and was extremely unfamiliar with every aspect. She worked up a sweat, and having traveled for most of the day, she was already exhausted. After telling Xiao Man, she fell fast asleep.

The only benefit of this room was likely this: one could sleep during the day without needing to block out the light.

Mo Juntian went outside to ask for some tea. After setting it down, he tucked his robes and sat on the floor, beginning his daily cultivation.

Xiao Man lit a lamp and sat under it to read. After an unknown amount of time, he remembered that Ah Tu was still hidden in his Buddhist beads, so he let it out and fed it a soul grass.

The soul body of the Fuzhu deer was not as thin and transparent as before, but its fur was still bald, making it look not very pleasant. Xiao Man lightly touched the horns on its head and said softly:

“You must work hard to grow your fur back, or you won’t be pretty.”

“Gulu.” Ah Tu flicked its tail, its eyes slightly lowered, showing a bit of grievance.

Ji ji ji.

A knock came from the door, the manner of which was quite familiar. Xiao Man rose from his chair and walked quickly to open it.

With his movement, the sunlight that had been blocked outside flooded in, drawing a slender band of light on the floor. Xiao Man only then realized that, silently, the sunlight had already become as scorching as fire.

The sun was setting, and the clouds across the sky were stained with color.

“Brother Man, Xiao Mo!” Qu Hanxing came in and shouted immediately.

Mo Juntian looked up from his meditation, cast a glance at the screen, and said in a low voice: “Miss Shi is asleep.”

Qu Hanxing gave a silent “Oh” and made a gesture indicating he understood.

Wei Chuyun followed inside.

Now there were five people in the room, plus a screen, making it appear even narrower and more crowded. Wei Chuyun frowned: “How did they assign you such a room?”

“There’s no use talking about it.” Xiao Man waved his hand, poured two cups of tea for them, and then asked, “Entry and exit at this inn are very strict. How did you get in so openly?”

“I told Old Qian that the item we’re looking for for our mission might be in this inn and asked him to help see if he could arrange a task. I didn’t expect the identity of a Gushan disciple to be quite useful here, so I got in,” Qu Hanxing laughed.

“You came in person instead of sending a message with a talisman. Have you discovered something?” Mo Juntian leaned forward and asked.

Qu Hanxing shook his head: “Not yet. We just found out the location of Xijiang Yue and came to pick you guys up to go together.”

They had already heard a detailed account of the Unheard Bell from Xiao Man and knew of Shi Tang’s plan to temporarily store the bell at Xijiang Yue. They also didn’t dare to keep a high-level ritual vessel by their side for too long and started inquiring as soon as they entered Shenjing.

“I also heard there’s a restaurant nearby that specifically caters to cultivators and has an excellent reputation. Shall we go and have a taste later?” Wei Chuyun added.

Shi Tang had woken up when the knock sounded. She was still groggy when she heard them mention Xijiang Yue, but as soon as she heard about food, she immediately became alert and interested.

She jumped up with a “tsang” and said excitedly:

“I saw in storybooks that the food of you cultivators is very different from that of us ordinary people! I’ve always wanted to try it, but my family wouldn’t allow it. Do I finally have a chance to taste it now?”

“The tastes of the two are indeed different. If Miss Shi wants to try, she certainly can,” Xiao Man smiled lightly.

Shi Tang hurriedly said “Okay,” sat up, slipped her feet into her shoes, tidied her clothes, gathered her hair, stepped out from behind the screen, and waved her hand grandly: “It’s on me!”

“Then I won’t be polite!” Qu Hanxing laughed.

Xijiang Yue was in the east of the city, far from the inn. Wei Chuyun directly summoned the Cloud Boat to take everyone there.

Under the setting sun, Shenjing City seemed to be burning. Pavilions, buildings, long streets, and short alleys were all covered in the twilight glow. Winding rivers and quiet ponds were filled with the brilliance of the sunset. Even the pedestrians on the road were draped in resplendent light, and everywhere the eye could see was as red as fire. The entire city was prosperous and grand.

“You people—no, this Shenjing City is truly beautiful!” Qu Hanxing praised.

Xiao Man nodded, agreeing with him completely.

“That place over there is ‘Famous Flowers Overthrow Kingdoms’,” Shi Tang raised her hand.

The others immediately looked where she pointed and saw a high platform standing quietly on the shimmering river surface. It appeared to be a huge drum, its “drumhead” painted with patterns and carved with birds and beasts. Under the afternoon sun, it was lifelike.

Shi Tang was almost entranced: “It’s so beautiful. I’ve only seen it in paintings before.”

“Dancing there, the entire Shenjing City can see?” Xiao Man looked around and asked.

“Yes,” Shi Tang nodded. “At that time, people from all over the country—no, from all over the Hanging Sky Continent—will come. It’s equivalent to being seen by the entire world!”

Xiao Man then asked, “Then, do you have any ideas for this festival?”

Shi Tang cupped her face and chuckled: “I want to jump directly down and land on that…”

“…” Xiao Man looked up at the sky.

“Famous Flowers Overthrow Kingdoms” was not a place ordinary people could approach. Even if Shi Tang longed for it, she could only take a distant look at this time.

After a moment, the Cloud Boat turned toward the east of the city.

Shenjing City would soon hold its grand festival once every ten years. Those who came to visit were not only ordinary people but also cultivators from various sects and factions. Carriages of extraordinary quality and gorgeous decoration galloped on the road. By comparison, Xiao Man’s Cloud Boat did not seem so conspicuous.

Xiao Man and Mo Juntian changed back into men’s clothing before descending.

The Xijiang Yue shop was slightly hidden. After searching for a bit, they walked into the storefront. Shi Tang paid the money and handed the Qiankun Ring containing the Unheard Bell to the shopkeeper in exchange for a token, which settled the matter.

Then they went to the restaurant Wei Chuyun had mentioned.

In the past few days, they had been eating and living at Wuxiu Hui. To prevent the girls’ figures from getting out of shape, Sister Qin strictly controlled their diet. What they ate and how much they ate each day was fixed. Xiao Man was used to quiet cultivation and could abstain from food, so he didn’t feel anything, but it was hard for Shi Tang and Mo Juntian.

The former always had whatever she wanted at home and had never been mistreated regarding food. The latter was thirteen or fourteen years old, at an age where he was growing and could eat three bowls of rice for a single meal at Baihua Peak. Wuxiu Hui “deducted” everything from the style of dishes to the portion sizes. Even if Qu Hanxing and Wei Chuyun brought some food at night, it could only slightly satisfy their cravings.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, before the waiter could lead them to their seats, Shi Tang and Mo Juntian ordered seven or eight signature dishes.

Xiao Man ordered a bowl of fermented glutinous rice balls with osmanthus sugar and shaved ice. Qu Hanxing didn’t care at all and said he would eat whatever they ordered. Wei Chuyun added a soup.

They sat in a private room. While waiting for the food, Xiao Man flicked out a sound-isolating talisman. After ensuring their conversation would not be heard by other cultivators, he said, “In a while, let’s wander around Shenjing City to see if we can find anything.”

“I actually thought of an idea. Let’s go fool some high official and have him clear the way to send Miss Shi onto ‘Famous Flowers Overthrow Kingdoms’,” Qu Hanxing’s eyes darted around, his smile sly.

“That is a royal place, unless you fool a prince, an imperial concubine, or even the Emperor,” Shi Tang said faintly.

Qu Hanxing: “…Oh.”

“I’m starting to hope that the girls of Wuxiu Hui all become unaccustomed to the local climate. That way, only the three of us can go on stage. Shi Tang, if you dance with everything you’ve got, you might even win the top prize,” Mo Juntian sighed.

“Speaking of which, the performances at the festival are varied. What exactly determines the winner?” Qu Hanxing asked in confusion. “It can’t be just whoever gets the loudest cheers, can it?”

Shi Tang said, “It seems to be personally decided by His Majesty the Emperor.”

The group discussed the festival matters, and the dishes they had ordered were served one by one. Xiao Man’s bowl of fermented glutinous rice balls was the most conspicuous. It was served in a blue and white porcelain bowl, the rice balls multi-colored and delicately made. The shaved ice was piled high, and osmanthus swirled as it was sprinkled on top, looking incredibly beautiful.

Xiao Man took a spoonful and put it in his mouth. Shi Tang asked him, “How does it taste?”

“Passable,” he gave a positive answer.

Shi Tang turned her head and waved her hand, asking the waiter to bring four more bowls of these rice balls.

The group ate and drank their fill, then walked through Shenjing City with a leisurely pace.

Although the festival hadn’t officially begun, the atmosphere was already thick. Lanterns were hung all along the long streets, and red ribbons fluttered from the trees. Tourists were as numerous as threads, and carriages and horses were incessant. They moved forward with the flow of people, almost dazzled by the dazzling array of goods on both sides of the road.

In a short distance, Shi Tang bought several items, stuffing them until her magical artifact could no longer hold them and her own hands were full. She had to ask Mo Juntian and Qu Hanxing for help.

Up ahead was a shop selling masks. Foxes, tigers, lions—all sorts of masks covered the entire wall. Shi Tang took a liking to one of them and rushed toward it.

Fearing Shi Tang might get lost, Xiao Man followed behind her. He had no feelings for these masks, but since he was already in front of them, he couldn’t help but take a few looks and found that these masks were exquisitely made.

Someone came to Xiao Man’s side. Fearing he was blocking the business of the mask shop, Xiao Man quickly moved aside.

The person stepped forward, reached out a slender hand, and took down the mask made of wood with two deer horns from the very top of the wall. He then tossed some coins to the vendor, handed the mask to Xiao Man, and said, “A gift for you.”

Xiao Man was somewhat confused and turned to look intently at this person.

He was a tall man, wearing a pitch-black robe with gold trim. He carried two blades, one long and one short, behind his waist. His peach blossom eyes were half-curved, full of a smile.

“It suits you very well,” the man added.