That Taoist used the little strength he had left to plan this so-called “daylight ascension”.
He thought it was perfect, but he still failed to trick that young man.
Luckily, the young man rembered all he had wanted to say.
He would just pretend he knew nothing.
His master, he had ascended to the Immortal Realm.
Chen Changsheng reached for his money pouch. He took it out and counted; it had only thirteen copper coins left.
He counted out twelve of them and held them out to the young man in front of him.
Chen Changsheng sighed and said, “Before your master died, he told to look after you a little. But I guess you don’t want to co with . This is all I have, enough for a few full als. Hope you don’t mind.”
Wang Yu gazed at the dozen copper coins in the Green-Robed Gentleman’s palm. He pressed his lips together and said, “Thank you.”
He took them and added, “I will pay you back later.”
When leaving, Wang Yu kowtowed three tis toward Zhenlong Mountain.
He wore no purple robe; his clothes were worn and torn. All he had on him now were those twelve copper coins. He didn’t know his next steps, or which path lay ahead.
Wang Yu didn’t know where he was heading.
But there would always be a place to be.
At worst, he would just wander around; he wouldn’t mind being a beggar.
Chen Changsheng turned to look back at Zhenlong Mountain behind him. After staring for a while, he went down the mountain.
…
The old man at the tea stall cooked an extra bowl of plain congee today.
But the guest was a bit late, so the plain congee had cooled a little.
“I even boiled yours,” Yan Huanglou grumbled.
Chen Changsheng said, “I went to see off an old friend; it kept for a bit.”
Only then did Yan Huanglou stop complaining.
Chen Changsheng laid out one copper coin on the table and said, “I only have one left now; do you want it?”
“Want it? Of course I want it.”
Yan Huanglou quickly put that one copper coin into his small pouch, as if afraid Chen Changsheng would regret it.
Chen Changsheng smiled and nodded, “I might not co to the tea stall much these days.”
“Why?” asked Yan Huanglou.
Chen Changsheng said, “This was the last one.”
Yan Huanglou paused and asked, “Are you that poor?”
“Yes.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “Yesterday, I told you I had no money.”
Yan Huanglou thought about it and smacked his lips, “A bowl of tea doesn’t cost much.”
“Are you treating ?”
“You can owe ; pay it back when you have cash.”
“…”
Chen Changsheng laughed helplessly, “You really are sothing.”
Yan Huanglou chuckled, “Others don’t even get to owe here; and you’re not happy?”
Chen Changsheng nodded, “Then thank you.”
“Want a pot of tea?”
“Sure.”
Yan Huanglou went off smiling to bring the tea. Then he took out a few bamboo sticks.
“One coin,” he said.
Yan Huanglou tossed the bamboo stick into the chopstick holder. He ant it was that copper coin Chen Changsheng now owed.
Chen Changsheng blinked and could only laugh helplessly, “One coin it is, then.”
Just as the two chatted happily, a man wearing a bamboo hat walked into the tea stall unnoticed.
After entering the tea stall, he said nothing and just sat down.
Yan Huanglou saw there was a guest, so he went over.
“Tea?”
The man under the hat shook his head and said, “Can I just sit here for a short while?”
Yan Huanglou didn’t make him leave, but said, “If guests co later, be kind and move, alright?”
The man nodded, showing he understood.
Seeing this, Yan Huanglou went back to Chen Changsheng’s table to chat.
“Back so fast?” asked Chen Changsheng.
“He isn’t here for tea.”
Chen Changsheng turned to look. Seeing the bamboo hat, it clicked.
“He really ca back…” Chen Changsheng murmured.
Yan Huanglou asked, “Do you know him?”
Chen Changsheng said, “Not really; we only t once.”
Yan Huanglou said, “Be careful; I sll blood on him.”
“Don’t mind him,” said Chen Changsheng.
“Really not?”
“Yes.”
“Drink tea.”
Chen Changsheng sat there for a full half-hour. The man with the bamboo hat sat without budging.
After the pot of tea was done, Chen Changsheng slowly got up. He said goodbye to Yan Huanglou and left the tea stall.
Ouyang Feng lifted his head and saw this. He got up and followed.
He saw Chen Changsheng go into a narrow alley, so he hurried after him.
But once he went in, Chen Changsheng wasn’t there.
Ouyang Feng froze and murmured, “Gone…”
He looked all around, but still didn’t find Chen Changsheng. With a helpless sigh, he went on searching.
Chen Changsheng saw the man had left. Then he showed himself again.
He looked out, flicked his sleeve, and walked the other way.
Back at the inn, the waiter ca over and asked, “Guest, will you extend your stay?”
Chen Changsheng picked up the jar of peach wine on the table and said, “No, leaving right now.”
The waiter nodded and saw the guest out the door.
After stepping out of the inn, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh.
So this was how it was; he would have to sleep on the street.
“One copper coin can trouble even a hero…”
Chen Changsheng murmured thoughtfully, “Maybe I can figure it out.”
He thought for a mont and lifted his hand to do the count.
“Gold is in the southeast…”
He whispered that, then put his hand down and walked to the southeast of Qingshan City.
A good while later, he stopped before a large mansion.
That house looked sad, with official seals on its gates. There was no sign above the door; it might have been taken off earlier.
“What place is this?” Chen Changsheng wondered briefly, then took a step forward.
Moving to the back of the manor, Chen Changsheng jumped lightly and got in. This manor had been sealed for many years.
The yard was nearly empty. Even the planted trees were all cut down. Going into one room, he saw books strewn on the floor and ssy tables and chairs, as if robbed.
Then, in the main hall, he saw the morial plaques for Heaven and Earth, Emperor, Ancestors, and Master. Off to the side hung a painting carved with the na Prince Yu.
“Ah, Prince Yu.”
This ant that this manor was once the Manor of Prince Yu.
Chen Changsheng walked around the house a bit more. Everywhere he looked, it was ssy. Probably, when they confiscated it, they took all the stuff.
But such a big manor, why was it still sealed?
This confused Chen Changsheng.
He stopped suddenly, recalling what he had seen earlier in the main hall.
He turned back and went to the main hall.
Lifting a hand to wipe his eyes, he saw a trace of golden light appear there. Then he looked again. The spot near the painting seed very different.
Chen Changsheng walked forward and reached out to touch that painting of Prince Yu.
But just then, an old, dry voice ca.
“Since you are not a guest, it is best not to touch the master’s things.”
Chen Changsheng stopped his hand and turned.
Right outside the main hall stood an old man wearing a long robe and a full beard.
Not human, but not a ghost. Instead, he gave off a sll of incense.
Chen Changsheng opened his mouth and asked, “Are you a Yin Attendant?”
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