When the name of Ji Bianxiu resounded throughout Thousand Canals, the year-end approached.
This year, the people of Thousand Canals need not worry about freezing or starving, nor brave the cold winds to dig for roots. With surplus grain at home and New Year goods prepared, families could gather around the stove or charcoal brazier to celebrate a prosperous New Year.
After weeding and fertilizing the fields, the remaining time at home was for people to pickle vegetables, brew rice wine, arrange marriages, mend quilts, and tailor new clothes.
Song Courtyard had only the last of these activities, and it was carried out solely by Lin Feiyuan.
"I'm at my busiest before New Year's Eve. Do you know why?"
Lin Feiyuan gestured for Song Qianji to try on the new clothes.
Song Qianji straightened his back and spread his arms: "Business is best at this time. After the New Year, no transactions occur until the Lantern Festival."
"Right." Lin Feiyuan glanced at him in surprise. "I'd also advise my clients that since it's the year's end, they should repay any debts, settle old scores, and eliminate those who need eliminating. Don't delay until next year—prices will rise then."
But this year, he was singing, tailoring clothes, and feeding cats in Song Courtyard.
The once emaciated, freezing kitten had grown noticeably larger under his care, its fur thick and glossy. It lounged contentedly every day on the windowsill under the eaves, like a large, fluffy ball of yellow and white.
Once, when Ji Chen tried to play with it, the cat responded indifferently. When provoked, it would unsheathe its claws to scratch or bare its teeth to bite. Frustrated, Ji Chen cursed that the cat was just like its owner—ungrateful.
"Sometimes I really wonder if you're that cat I fed in my past life, coming back to repay a kindness," Lin Feiyuan murmured softly.
"The clothes are beautiful." Song Qianji smiled. "Your imagination is even more beautiful."
Lin Feiyuan, deflated, adjusted the fur collar while warning, "When you wear this in the Cultivation World, don't say I made it."
The dark smoke-red cloak draped down, its collar trimmed with black fox fur. The hem was embroidered with golden threads depicting flowing water and drifting clouds, the stitches so fine they resembled actual rivers and skies.
"I won't," Song Qianji nodded, symbolically sparing the other's face and reputation.
Lin Feiyuan never praised anyone outright, only snorting lightly, "Clothes make the man, as a saddle makes the horse. Look at you—transformed from a field laborer into a celestial immortal."
Song Qianji spun in place, gold and jade accessories chiming crisply: "It's a bit cumbersome and heavy, not very convenient for movement."
He preferred soft, lightweight clothes that allowed him to work at any time.
Sleeves that could be rolled up for transplanting seedlings, boots sturdy enough for fieldwork.
Lin Feiyuan snapped, "You're attending a banquet, not fighting or killing anyone. Why do you need convenience? Huawel Sect's formations are powerful—you won't gain any advantage by fighting within their grounds. If you sense something wrong, run for your life immediately, as fast as you can. Understand?"
Song Qianji shook his head: "They invited me this time. If anyone should run, it shouldn't be me."
Though he could run very fast, in this lifetime he couldn't be bothered to run anymore.
"You're usually so reasonable—why are you being stubborn now?" Lin Feiyuan frowned. "Lift my Spirit Qi seal, let me use transformation arts to alter my appearance, conceal my cultivation, and pose as a guard disciple to accompany you."
"Are your injuries healed?" Song Qianji asked.
"I..." Lin Feiyuan wanted to say they were healed, but feared the other might send him away, leaving him no reason to stay. Wanting to say they weren't healed, he worried Song Qianji would tell him to stay and recuperate instead of joining the excitement.
After stammering "I" repeatedly, he found himself at a loss for words."Go if you wish, it's up to you." Song Qianji didn't argue with him and pushed the door open to leave.
Outside, light snow drifted like plum blossoms scattering in the wind.
His bamboo flower trellises and vegetable garden fences were all edged with fluffy white borders.
Ji Chen and Meng Heze sat waiting at the table for the meal. Using chopsticks dipped in snowmelt, they traced diagrams on the table while discussing sword formation drills.
Wei Ping brought out a steaming lamb hotpot and cheerfully remarked, "Your new robes look splendid, Master."
Even on this overcast day, the smoky red fabric reflected a subtle glow, shimmering upon closer inspection—both luxurious and understated.
"Truly exceptional!" Ji Chen looked up and whispered to Meng Heze, "Brother Song still holds a place in his heart for Miss Chen. Not only is he willing to attend, but he even changed into new robes specifically for the occasion. When have you ever seen him wear formal attire? I certainly haven't."
Meng Heze tapped Ji Chen's forehead with the blunt end of his chopsticks: "What nonsense fills your mind all day?"
"Thinking about my sister's unsettled future, and my own bleak prospects." Ji Chen mused wistfully, "Miss Chen's engagement ceremony will surely attract many young female cultivators. I wonder if I might encounter a gentle, serene, non-violent beauty at Huawel Sect this time..."
Back when he struggled with talisman studies, he never dared entertain such thoughts. Now with growing confidence, he even dared to daydream in broad daylight.
Meng Heze frowned, pressed his lips tightly, and shook his head repeatedly with a grim expression.
Wei Ping said earnestly, "Since Brother Ji holds such aspirations, I'll pray for your success in Thousand Canals, wishing you immediate victory!"
Ji Chen beamed: "Many thanks for your auspicious words, Brother Wei!"
Eating in formal robes risked dipping sleeves into the hotpot. Fortunately, Wei Ping served the dishes:
"Master, the anthologies I co-edited with Senior Brother Ji—'Three Hundred Sixty Fundamental Principles of the Cultivation World' and 'Seventy-Two Things You Must Know After Channeling Qi'—have received excellent feedback. I plan to increase print runs for distribution to Hongfu. What would be an appropriate Spirit Stone price?"
Wei Ping oversaw the mining and management of Thousand-Ditch Prefecture's Spirit Stone mines, which Song Qianji never questioned.
From daily expenses at the Immortal Official Manor to major infrastructure projects in Thousand-Ditch Prefecture, he entrusted all financial matters to Wei Ping.
Yet Wei Ping always reported to him.
After consideration, Song Qianji replied: "How about one Spirit Stone?"
"Just one? That seems rather low." Wei Ping hesitated slightly, "That might barely cover printing and distribution costs."
While they provided materials freely to disciples within Thousand Canals, shouldn't they earn some profit from external sales?
Only when others saw the benefits of joining Thousand Canals would they eagerly seek admission.
But Song Qianji countered: "Those anthologies and answer keys focus on common knowledge and fundamentals. Only young cultivators from mortal backgrounds—those lacking masters or elders for guidance—would need them, and they're all impoverished."
He understood clearly: Outer Sect disciples of various sects possessed nothing, and Rogue Cultivators were even poorer unless they engaged in murder and plunder.
If priced too high, those who could afford them didn't need them, while those who desperately needed them couldn't afford them.
Wei Ping's efforts would be wasted, and Ji Chen's suffering would be in vain.
"Brother Song speaks wisely! Just like when he took us in, seeking neither fame nor reward." Ji Chen clasped his hands, "Brother Wei, I implore you to proceed with printing promptly, ensuring every guidance-starved young cultivator can access the latest knowledge and practice materials."
"Of course, rest assured everyone."
Wei Ping nodded with a smile.
I'll immediately bribe merchant caravans and establish distribution channels to sell the complete textbook series across the continent, spreading "Editor Ji's" reputation for severity and rigor throughout the four seas.By that time, would Ji Chen still want to find female cultivators to gaze at stars and the moon, indulging in romantic talks about wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight?
When you walk on the street, people would scramble to make way for you. Any female cultivator who dares glance at you would tremble in fear.
Seeing Wei Ping’s radiant smile, Meng Heze sensed something amiss.
But with Ji Chen beaming with joy, there was nothing he could do.
...
When the heavy snow ceased, the members of Song Courtyard boarded the Seven Ultimate Treasure Ship.
They set off relatively late, as many sects and families had already arrived at Huawel Sect one after another.
Huawel Sect had rushed to rebuild Cosmos Palace and other halls and pavilions, which from a distance appeared even more majestic and grand.
The representatives from various sects attending the ceremony were mostly young cultivators, dressed in bright clothes and riding spirited horses, chatting and laughing loudly, adding vibrant colors to the snow-covered mountain forests.
At the foot of the mountain, Huawel City was packed with crowds of onlookers.
Chen Hongzhu’s magnificent and widely sensational engagement ceremony was finally about to begin.
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