Inside the restaurant, cups were raised and drinks were exchanged amidst a ceaseless clamor.
Chu Bai declined the invitations to more extravagant festivities that were to follow and left the private room alone.
The long corridor outside was brightly lit, bustling with an endless stream of serving maids and attendants weaving through the crowd.
He had only taken a few steps when he came face-to-face with a tall, slender figure.
The man was dressed in green robes and had a calm and steady demeanor. It was none other than Li Han, the second-place scholar in this year’s County Examination.
Li Han had also clearly just excused himself from his own celebrations. Upon seeing Chu Bai, he paused for a moment before a warm smile spread across his face. He cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Chu, what a coincidence."
"Brother Li." Chu Bai returned the gesture, his expression tranquil.
The two walked downstairs side by side. Although Li Han came from a Cultivation Clan, he showed none of the arrogance typical of a Noble Son. On the contrary, he was quite talkative.
"After today, you and I can be considered true classmates," Li Han remarked with a sigh. His gaze drifted to the bustling nightscape of Anping County outside the window, and his tone grew more solemn. "However, once we enter the Prefecture Daoist School, the real test will have only just begun."
Hearing this, Chu Bai glanced sideways at him.
Li Han continued, "Dayuan Prefecture governs seventy-two counties, and Anping County is but one of them. When the Prefecture Daoist School begins its term, the most talented individuals from all seventy-two counties will gather, not to mention the Noble Family Descendants from the Prefecture City itself. That will be a true gathering of elites, a place of hidden masters."
He paused here, looking at Chu Bai with a meaningful expression. "In a place like that, going it alone will be difficult. Since we are both from the same region and hail from Anping, we should look out for each other when we get to the Prefecture City."
Chu Bai’s heart stirred.
He hadn’t known Li Han well before, only that he was remarkably strong yet kept a low profile. He hadn’t expected him to be so clear-headed.
’Then again,’ he thought, ’Dayuan Prefecture is vast. There’s no shortage of brilliant talents from all over.’
"Brother Li is absolutely right. I would be grateful for your support," Chu Bai agreed with a nod.
Seeing Chu Bai agree so readily, Li Han’s smile widened. He immediately asked, "When does Brother Chu plan to set out?"
"First thing tomorrow morning."
"What a coincidence. I was thinking the same," Li Han said with a laugh. "It’s a long journey to Dayuan Prefecture. Why don’t we travel together?"
"I’d like nothing more."
The two arranged a time and place to meet the next day at the restaurant’s entrance, then cupped their hands in farewell and went their separate ways.
As he left the county seat, the night grew darker.
Chu Bai followed the familiar dirt road back home. When he crested the small hill and saw his village in the distance, he couldn’t help but pause.
The small village, usually pitch-black after nightfall, was now ablaze with lights.
Red lanterns, procured from who-knows-where, hung from the large locust tree at the village entrance. He could faintly hear the clamor of gongs and drums, a sound that seemed particularly jarring in the quiet night.
’Is someone having a wedding?’
Puzzled, Chu Bai quickened his pace. As he drew closer, he saw that the village entrance was already packed with people.
At the forefront were the old Clan Chief and the village chief. These two, usually held in high regard, were now dressed in new clothes washed until they were faded white. Their wrinkled faces were beaming like blooming chrysanthemums as they looked on in eager anticipation.
Surrounded by the crowd like the moon among stars were Father Chu and Mother Chu, along with his younger siblings, who looked both bewildered and excited.
"He’s back! Chu Bai’s back!"
A sharp-eyed child’s shout silenced the boisterous crowd for an instant, only to be followed by an even more fervent commotion.
"Aiyo, our Lord Top Scholar is back!"
"An Exiled Immortal has descended to the mortal world!"
"Chu the Top Scholar, your success has brought great honor to our clan. Here are three taels of silver, if you would please..."
The village chief and the Clan Chief practically jogged over to greet him. Their effusive enthusiasm left Chu Bai not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Although he knew the news of him taking first place couldn’t be kept secret, he hadn’t expected the reaction to be so swift and so grand.
Father Chu and Mother Chu stood in the crowd, watching their son surrounded by important figures. Their faces showed a mixture of unconcealable pride and the awkward unease of simple farmers facing such a grand spectacle.
Watching this unfold, Chu Bai felt no vain pleasure. Instead, his mind was as clear as a mirror.
’This is "influence."’
He now possessed a Daoist Record and was the Top Scholar of the County Examination. In the eyes of these ordinary villagers, he was a great figure who had reached the heavens.
He naturally exchanged a few polite words with the Clan Chief and the village chief, accepting the silver they offered and giving the old men enough face.
’I’m leaving tomorrow for a long journey. Once I go, it will be years before I can return.’
’By accepting this flattery and this empty fame, my parents will have an easier life in the village.’
’In the future, anyone who wants to bully the Chu Family will have to think twice about the "Lord Top Scholar" in the Prefecture City.’
"Uncles and elders, I just finished the examination today and am truly exhausted. Besides, I must set off for the Prefecture City to report in early tomorrow morning. As for the celebration feast, I appreciate the thought, but let’s save it for another day."
After finally dealing with the enthusiastic villagers, Chu Bai used the excuse of needing to pack his belongings to lead his relieved family back to their small courtyard home.
At home, another round of warm farewells and advice followed, the details of which need not be recounted.
After settling his family down, the night had grown deep.
Chu Bai went alone to the banks of the Sanmu River outside the village.
The river wind was damp and cold, carrying the familiar fishy smell of the water.
He stood on the bank, his eyes narrowed slightly. He circulated his Purifying Power, extending his senses out over the river’s surface.
A moment later, he slowly withdrew his gaze and gently shook his head.
He could no longer sense the Purifying Spirit Flow that had helped him break through to the Qi Cultivation realm.
Wild Spiritual Energy was like rootless duckweed, destined to drift with the current.
After a few days away, the stream of energy had long since drifted to an unknown location. Perhaps it had dispersed into the vast river, or maybe it had sunk into more treacherous, deeper waters.
He could probably find it if he insisted on searching, but that would require going deep into the river—a risk too great and ultimately unnecessary.
’Oh well. Out with the old, in with the new.’
Chu Bai felt no regret.
The Sanmu River was indeed a treasure trove, but unfortunately, venturing deep into its waters would require a much higher level of Cultivation.
He walked to a hidden patch of reeds and untied the mooring rope from a wooden stake.
It was a small, black-canopied boat he had been renting long-term for his Cultivation.
The oar broke the water’s surface as Chu Bai skillfully rowed the boat a few miles downstream to a solitary thatched hut.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
The sound of knocking was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
"Who is it... so late at night?"
A hoarse, elderly voice came from inside, and then the wooden door slowly creaked open.
An old fisherman, wrapped in a worn-out jacket, poked his head out while holding an oil lamp. When he got a clear look at the young man standing outside, his murky old eyes widened, and he nearly dropped the lamp.
"Immortal... Immortal Master Chu?!"
The old fisherman had clearly heard the news. Seeing Chu Bai now, his legs gave out, and he was about to kneel. "This old one had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai! I didn’t realize it was Lord Top Scholar gracing me with his presence..."
Quick as a flash, Chu Bai sent out a gentle stream of Power that caught the old man’s elbow, preventing him from kneeling.
"You’re too kind, old sir. I’m just here to return the boat."
Chu Bai pointed to the small boat moored by the riverbank and said in a warm voice, "Thank you for your help these past days, old sir. This is the rest of the rent. Please take it."
As he spoke, he took out a string of copper coins from his robes and placed it on the dilapidated wooden table by the door.
The old fisherman waved his hands in terror, his face pale. "I can’t! I really can’t! This old one is not worthy of such an honor! It was a blessing for this shabby boat that you used it... I should return the money you paid before..."
With that, he was about to go back inside to search for the previous copper coins.
"Business is business."
Chu Bai placed a hand on the old fisherman’s, his tone gentle but firm and leaving no room for argument. "It’s only right to pay for renting a boat. I am not short on silver coins, so please don’t refuse, old sir."
Without waiting for the old fisherman to say another word, Chu Bai turned and walked off into the night.
"He’s... He’s truly a living god..."
Chu Bai walked along the ridge between the fields toward home, his steps light.
The Cause and Effect here was settled. There were no more attachments holding him back.
Tomorrow: Dayuan Prefecture, and a new journey.

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