Chapter 41: Three People Traveling, Five People Also Traveling (Part 2)

  The horse carriage moves forward, with the copper bell ringing "ding-dong".

  Looking at the copper bell hanging on the carriage, Xiang Qing Niu felt a lump in his throat. He was now even more certain that this black-shirted youth was not a good person, and even if he wasn't a demon from the underworld, he was still a thoroughly despicable scoundrel. After learning that he was from the Musang Pavilion and had several thousand taels of silver savings there, the guy refused to believe that he was penniless, forcibly searched him, and upon discovering that he only had this copper bell on him, actually stole even this worthless thing.

  He thought running into a horse carriage was his bad luck, now he realizes it's just the beginning of a nightmare.

  "That's the guy I had dinner with."

  He looked at Fang Jie with a wronged expression and tried to get back the copper bell hanging on the horse carriage.

  "You're just a swindler."

  Fang Jiebai gave him a glance and said, "You think I don't know what that's for? Usually in places where news is scarce, poor and remote villages, you hold a banner in one hand and shake this copper bell with the other, and shout 'foreknowledge of five hundred years, after knowledge of five hundred years', right?"

  Item Qing Niu said seriously: "I didn't say that I knew 500 years ago and 500 years later... I usually shout that I know 1,000 years ago and 1,000 years later."

  "Awesome!"

  Fang untied the bell and handed it to him: "Consider this your meal allowance, hanging it on the road will also relieve boredom. By the way... you said you're going to the Imperial Capital too, what are you doing there?"

  I'm going to the martial arts school.

  "What? You're also going to the Martial Arts Institute."

  Xiang Qing Niu was taken aback and looked at Fang Jie, asking: "Do you mean to say that you're also going to the Martial Arts Institute? Otherwise, why did you use the word 'also'?"

  "I am not!"

  Fang Jie shook his head and said, "However, I have a friend waiting for me outside Xiangcheng City, to travel with me to the Imperial Capital. He is one of this year's examinees for the Martial Arts Academy, and he comes from a wealthy family. Being from a wealthy family means having money, and having money means not worrying about food and drink on the way."

  "That's great!"

  Xiang Qing suddenly forgot his previous worries and fears, and immediately opened his eyes wide to ask seriously: "Do you know what I went to the Imperial City for? I reckon you can't guess either."

  Fang Jie looked at him with a smile and said: "You haven't said whether you're sure I'm a dead person or not, whether you're sure I've crossed over from the Asura realm. If you really are sure, then you shouldn't be so arrogant in front of me... Do you believe that if I reveal my true form, I can swallow you whole?"

  "Actually... I don't know if the Six Paths really exist."

  Xiang Qing smiled and replied with a smile.

  "Fang Jie's face turned red with anger: 'Then why were you so scared just now?!'"

  Xiang Qing Niu said, "This is the saying left by the founder of Taoism. The founder's contribution to the creation of the universe is so great and his wisdom is so profound, I don't think he would speak nonsense. Since the founder said it exists, there must be some truth to it."

  Fang Jie snorted: "The founder of Taoism and the founder of Buddhism are just swindlers... what did you go to the Imperial Capital for?"

  "I am the proctor!"

  Xiang Qing Niu puffed out his chest and said: "I am the proctor for this year's enrollment exam at the Martial Arts Academy!"

  "Oh no"

  Plop

  Xiang Qing Niu was kicked in the butt by Fang Jie and let out a cry as he fell off the horse carriage, his face hitting the ground without any of the elegance of a master. His stout body raised a cloud of dust on the official road. In the instant that he hit the ground, if it could be replayed in slow motion, you would see the beautiful sight of the fatty flesh on his face rippling out like waves.

  This guy, second only to Qingyue Mountain's Xiao Zhenren in the Daoist sect, couldn't help but curse out loud and then got up, twisting his fat butt, and chased after them again. Looking at how fat he was, yet running didn't seem to be a problem for him. Before long, he caught up with the horse carriage and climbed back on from behind the compartment.

  He originally wanted to drill into the carriage, but suddenly thought that there was also a beautiful woman like a fairy in the carriage, and it was a woman with a pair of snow-white thighs and a slender waist. As soon as he thought of this, he was frightened and jumped off the car and ran to the front of the horse-drawn vehicle, squeezed his buttocks and sat down beside Fang Jie.

  As soon as he got on the cart, the old horse that was pulling it let out a pained whinny.

  "If you knew whose butt you kicked, you'd be sorry."

  "Fang Jie let out a cold snort and said: 'You're really shameless, you kick me down but still manage to climb back up yourself.'"

  Xiang Qing Niu looked at Fang Jie and said seriously: "If people knew that I was the examiner of this year's martial arts academy, can you imagine how many people would rush to carry me on a sedan chair? Can you imagine the countless wealth and treasures piled up in front of me, even your carriage couldn't hold it all? Can you imagine that even the third or fourth rank officials in the imperial city would be respectful when they see me? I'm really giving you face by sitting in your carriage... Ah! You kicked me again!"

  Plop

  Fang Jie looked at the fat body falling to the ground for the second time and couldn't help but sneer: "I may also be deceitful, but I wouldn't dare brag this much. If you're the proctor of the Martial Arts Academy, then I'm Zhou Banqian, the principal!"

  The fat man climbed onto the horse cart with great difficulty for the second time, dusting himself off and couldn't help but plead: "I'm just hitching a ride, can't you understand some hospitality?"

  "If you don't talk nonsense, I won't kick you."

  "Sigh... why don't you believe me?"

  Xiang Qing's cow supported his cheek, seemingly recalling something with a bitter expression: "When I was in Jianghuai Dao, I said I was the reincarnation of the Daoist ancestor and no one doubted it. Such a big lie deceived countless people, now that I'm telling the truth, I'm being beaten... What kind of world is this?"

  ……

  ……

  Xiangcheng East Fifteen Miles Farewell Pavilion

  Fang Jie looked at the middle-aged man in brocade clothes standing outside the pavilion with a somewhat gloomy expression, his hands behind his back. This middle-aged man exuded an aura of superiority, although he didn't look particularly intimidating, but indeed carried a sense of oppression.

  The man didn't say a word, but his cold gaze swept over the crowd, making people feel uncomfortable.

  A square face, with a well-groomed beard, looking like a man in his forties, except for a slightly protruding belly that hints at a somewhat prosperous life. It's quite remarkable that he has maintained a decent physique. Although he doesn't currently hold any high-ranking official positions, he does have the title of County Marquis.

  Such people will always be high above ordinary people.

  So when Fang Jie saw the middle-aged man's eyes with a faintly contemptuous gaze, he didn't feel any disgust. Fang Jie had once said that dogs always look at people from a low angle. But his face still maintained a seemingly sincere respect, and then he bowed his hands and made a deep bow as a junior.

  "I've seen seniors."

  "Senior?"

  The middle-aged man slightly hesitated, then shook his head and said: "You are a friend of Lü Shang's, and last night you helped him out of a great deal of trouble. You might as well call me Uncle Cui."

  The middle-aged man continued, "Last night's affairs have been carefully told to me by the guests. Although you did it hastily, it was inevitable. My family may not be a prominent one in Xiangcheng, but we are not someone who can be bullied by anyone."

  Lü Shang must go to the Martial Arts Institute for the exam, this matter cannot be delayed. You are old acquaintances and close friends, traveling together also has a companion, I am also less worried.

  He waved his hand and immediately several servants led a few tall horses over.

  A middle-aged man looked at the somewhat worn-out horse carriage and slightly frowned: "Since you are taking the Imperial Martial Academy exam, it's still better to ride horses. Otherwise, when you arrive in the imperial capital, people will think that you are too comfortable and lazy, which is not good. I'll give these few horses to you, and I'll arrange a few skilled servants to escort you along the way, and all food, drink, and expenses will be taken care of."

  He turned back to look at Cui Lue and said, "You've been careless since you were a child, I didn't have high expectations for you. My original plan was to wait until you settled down and then hand over the family's land and property to you to manage. But your aunt has put in so much effort to help you get the entrance exam quota for the Martial Arts Academy, you can't disappoint her kindness and care. This time when you go to the Imperial Capital... do your best, don't let your aunt down."

  Chui Lue Shang hastily bowed his head and said: "I understand."

  Chui's family head, Chui You, snorted and said: "Your aunt has now been promoted to noble concubine, everyone in the Li and Liu families knows about this matter, that's why no one dares to make trouble. That young master of the Li family and the good-for-nothing of the Liu family probably haven't even heard about it yet, otherwise how could they come up with such vicious and stupid ideas? You don't need to worry about the matters in Xiang City, I'd rather see who can do something to my Chui family!"

  "Father, you have worked hard, your child is unfilial."

  Choi Ryuk's head hung down as he spoke.

  "Go away! Why put on such a childish attitude? The Martial Arts Institute wants men who are upright and heroic, not those who are timid and hesitant."

  After saying that, Cui turned around and was about to leave. He walked out three or four steps before suddenly turning back to look at Fang Xie and asking: "Young man, what's your name?"

  "Fang Jie, courtesy name Jue Xiao."

  Cui nodded slightly and looked at Fang with a calm but serious tone: "My Cui family will remember this name."

  After finishing this sentence, he took a step to leave again. However, Xiang Qing Niu was not pleased and jumped over to block Cui You, pointing at his own nose and asking: "You asked that little kid's name, why didn't you ask mine?"

  Chui Yu was slightly dissatisfied, but didn't show it: "May I ask what is the Taoist name of this venerable one?"

  "There's no need for formalities, but... I'll tell you, just don't be scared. Are you prepared? Listen carefully... I'm the proctor for this year's entrance exams at the Martial Academy, and His Majesty has specially dispatched an envoy to invite me to the Imperial Capital."

  When he heard this, Cui You's mouth and eyebrows twitched involuntarily. He took a deep breath, then beckoned the servant to come over and handed him some silver, selecting the smallest piece and placing it in Xiang Qing Niu's hand: "Master will buy tea on the way, I'll entrust the matter of my son taking the martial arts academy exam to you. Farewell..."

  Xiang Qing Niu looked at the silver in his hand and couldn't help but burst out.

  Fang Jie rushed over and covered his mouth, pulling him onto the carriage.

  ……

  ……

  "Mr. Cui, do you know what I went to the capital for?"

  Xiang Qing Niu sat in the horse-drawn carriage, looking at Cui Lue who was riding a horse alongside him and said: "If you knew my true identity, I guarantee that you would be so scared that you would fall off your horse."

  Chui Lue Shang glanced at Xiang Qing Niu, then looked at Fang Jie who was still excited about the fun of horse riding. Although Fang Jie was a cavalryman from Fan Gu Castle, there were only four or five war horses in the castle, and no one was allowed to touch them except for executing tasks. He had always liked the feeling of galloping freely, so having a horse of his own now was indeed exciting.

  "Are you carrying silver on your body?"

  Fang Xuan asked Cui Lue about business.

  Chui Lue Shang nodded and said, "My father knows that I'm used to being extravagant, so he naturally prepared a lot of silver. However, the money is all on those few servants' bodies, I don't have much on me."

  Fang Jie said: "Give this Taoist priest a big red envelope with one or two silver coins in it, and he will ensure that you are admitted to the Martial Arts Academy."

  Xiang Qing Niu glared at Fang Jie, and with a hint of commercial courtesy, said: "The silver is not necessary. As the proctor of this year's martial arts academy, I must naturally follow the imperial court's laws and regulations, and resolutely do not accept bribes. However, looking at your face, it's not ordinary, your bones are clear and extraordinary, you will definitely become a great talent in the future. In that case, from now on, you'll be in charge of my wine and meat every day, and I'll give you a free divination, how about that?"

  "Alright"

  Cui Lue nodded and thought to himself that since they were in the same line of work, it was fate, and making another friend wouldn't hurt.

  Xiang Qing nodded in satisfaction and leaned against the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.

  He glanced at Daquan, then at Xiang Qingniu, and then at Cui Lüeshang. In the carriage, there was also a certain someone who must be showing off her beautiful legs while sleeping - Mu Xiaoyao. The group was getting bigger and bigger, and it wouldn't be boring going to the imperial capital this time either. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel emotional, stretched his limbs and said loudly: "As the ancients said... three people traveling together is also good... five people traveling together is also good..."

  "Isn't it said that among three people walking together, there must be one who can be my teacher?"

  "When three people travel together, one of them must be my teacher; when five people travel together, one of them must be an idiot."