Baili Mu felt a jolt in his chest and imdiately led his n outward, ready to kill Chen Shi, but he stopped after a few steps, his expression unsettled.
Governor Gaochang had just ordered him not to lay a finger on Chen Shi within a hundred li of the capital; otherwise, Gaochang would wipe out the entire Mountain-Moving Clan. If Gaochang had just turned his head and Chen Shi had been killed, what would Gaochang think?
Gaochang controlled the prefectural soldiers; exterminating the Mountain-Moving Clan would be easy!
Would Young Master really offend this provincial official and the Gao family over him and the Mountain-Moving Clan?
Yet a talisman had just killed over a hundred of the Mountain-Moving Clan — it happened just monts ago — and that killer was still coming in full force!
Saintess Xuan whispered, “Sect Leader Baili, stay calm. Minister Gao will handle this and give you an explanation.”
Baili Mu steadied himself, expressionless as he said, “Minister Gao had better handle things fairly, or it will be difficult to convince the people!”
Chen Shi entered the capital and looked around. He saw workshops making carts everywhere, far busier than other provincial cities. Cart production here was specialized: so shops made yokes, so made wheels, others axles.
There were workshops dedicated to designing protective canopies and painting talisman inscriptions, stables raising exotic beasts and fine horses, and even a market for hiring coachn!
Shops selling whole vehicles lined the streets, each with its own signboard.
There were different vehicles: horse-drawn carriages, ox carts, canopied carts, covered wagons, two-horse, four-horse, six-horse teams, and even war chariots.
Ornantal accessories — pearls, glass glazes, agates, jeweled pendants — items other places treated as treasures were displayed along the street, blooming in sunlight with an uncommon brilliance.
Every street was packed with people; buyers crowded the lanes, accents from everywhere mixing, bargaining voices rising in clamor.
“Xiao Wangsun would never want to leave this place once he arrived. He just has no money,” Chen Shi slowed his steps to appraise the shops on both sides.
He wanted to buy so decorations for his wooden cart.
He had used a creation talisman to animate the wooden cart into a living thing. Chen Shi had once tried to upgrade it: he spent a fortune on two superb horses mixed with dragon blood, intending to hitch them to the cart, but the wooden cart ate them as soon as they were hitched.
He tried other horses too — all of them were eaten by the cart.
This wooden cart was his grandfather’s relic and very simple: four wheels, a pivot connection for steering, good shock resistance; as long as the road wasn’t terrible, you barely felt bumps.
But it had no canopy, no protective canopy, and no draft animals like horses or exotic beasts to pull it.
The interior space was small: two people and a dog squeezed in alongside a book box and a talisman stall, making it cramped.
And sitting in the cart without a cushion made your butt sore.
While Chen Shi was looking around, a voice called, “Provincial Graduate Chen traveled from afar. Are you here for revenge or to buy a cart?”
Chen Shi stopped and turned. A middle-aged man in plain clothes stood not far off, flanked by two attendants. The attendants looked like officials with a strong bureaucratic air, but the middle-aged man himself did not appear officious; his face was gentle and approachable.
Hearing the title “Provincial Graduate,” Chen Shi felt a spontaneous warmth and smiled, “You know ?”
The middle-aged man returned the smile. “Who doesn’t know Chen Shi, the top scorer of Xinxiang and Gongzhou provincial exams? I am Governor Gaochang. Greetings, Provincial Graduate Chen.”
“You flatter !”
Chen Shi’s heart leapt. He hurriedly returned the salute and said with a smile, “I beca the provincial graduate by a fluke and am still a little bewildered. I consider myself only sowhat learned; Gongzhou and Xinxiang produced many talents. How could I deserve this honor? It must be heaven’s favor.”
Gaochang stepped forward, laughing loudly, “Provincial Graduate Chen need not be humble. Even across the Western Ox New Continent, your talent ranks among the best. The New Year is near; when will you head to the Western Capital to take the tropolitan exam?”
In a few words he made himself familiar with Chen Shi, as if they had known each other for years and were simply old friends catching up.
Chen Shi smiled, “After affairs here conclude, I’ll return to Xinxiang, rest over the New Year, then head to the Western Capital to sit the exams.”
Gaochang nodded lightly. “The journey to the Western Capital is long; you’ll need a good cart. I have admired you for so ti and would like to gift you a fine vehicle, wishing you success and a Triple First next year!”
Chen Shi declined with a shake of his head, “I appreciate the kindness, but I already have a wooden cart. Though old, it’s my grandfather’s relic; I can’t abandon it. I only planned to buy so bits and pieces to retrofit it.”
Gaochang said solemnly, “Provincial Graduate Chen is a man of principle, attached to the past yet mindful of origins — a true gentleman! I admire that.”
Chen Shi felt as if his heart had been ironed flat, an indescribable comfort spreading through him.
Gaochang pressed the advantage, “Chen Graduate, I have a small, improper request. You see, half the cart production in the Western Ox New Continent is made in my prefecture; comrce thrives, the people live in peace and prosperity, no thieves, no bandits. It’s a feng shui treasure spot for this continent.”
Chen Shi nodded.
He had noticed locals near the prefecture seed better off than those elsewhere, with real industry supporting many livelihoods.
Where there is industry, there is food and clothing. The logic was simple.
Gaochang continued, “I oversee this place and don’t wish to ruin its comrce or force people to flee. Therefore I earnestly ask you not to resolve any grievances inside a hundred li of the capital. Settle them beyond that range.”
He bowed deeply to the ground, sincere to the utmost: “Gaochang humbly begs you, Provincial Graduate!”
Chen Shi hastened to return the salute, “Please rise, Minister Gao. You overpraise !”
They rose.
Chen Shi smiled, “Minister Gao knows . I’m a simple village kid and don’t like trouble. Only when provoked do I retaliate. Many have misunderstood .”
The two officials behind Gaochang’s back twitched nervously.
Gaochang glanced at them, then turned back to Chen Shi, earnest, “I understand you, Chen Graduate. We both follow the teachings of the Master, learned and courteous — we wouldn’t provoke trouble, would we?”
Chen Shi felt understood and replied, “I didn’t expect Minister Gao to practice the Master’s teachings as well. I harbor no wish to harm others, but the Mountain-Moving Clan attacked , so I was forced to strike back. Today, if one learns the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening.”
Gaochang seed not to fully grasp those words and looked a little bewildered.
Chen Shi inwardly sighed: Minister Gao had so learning but hadn’t fully grasped the Master’s deeper aning.
Still, Gaochang understood Chen Shi’s unwillingness to cause trouble and smiled, “Rest assured, Provincial Graduate. I have ordered the Mountain-Moving Clan and the Hundred Refinents Hall that within a hundred li of the prefecture they must not make a move against you. Settle all grievances outside the prefecture. Do you agree?”
Chen Shi gladly agreed, “If Minister Gao commands, how could I refuse?”
Gaochang laughed, “With your talent, you’re sure to pass and serve in the court soday. Provincial Top Scholar, don’t forget Gaochang!”
Chen Shi blushed and protested, “Don’t call Top Scholar! I haven’t even taken the palace exam yet!”
“That’s inevitable!”
They chatted and laughed, both quite pleased.
Gaochang saw Saintess Xuan approaching and said, “This is Ji Xuanxuan of Bodhi Monastery, commonly called Saintess Xuan. Bodhi Monastery is one of the three great Buddhist holy lands. Saintess Xuan studied under Elder Miaoyin and cos from a reputable family.”
Saintess Xuan approached and bowed courteously to Gaochang and Chen Shi.
Gaochang returned the greeting, “Provincial Graduate Chen, I have so trivial matters and must take my leave.”
“No need for escort.”
Chen Shi’s gaze fell on Saintess Xuan. Her clothing was refined, her figure proportioned, waist slender, skin fair.
Most captivating was a tiny black mole at the corner of her upper right lip; whenever one looked at her, eyes naturally drifted to her mouth, adding a touch of desire.
Yet her temperant carried a detached, ethereal Buddhist serenity, free of worldly gri.
Her posture was graceful; as she neared a faint fragrance trailed, subtle and elegant. She murmured, “Xuanxuan greets Young Master Chen.”
Chen Shi’s face changed slightly and he turned aside.
Saintess Xuan was stunned, looking puzzled.
Chen Shi shook his head, “I don’t care for the title ‘Young Master,’ it feels insulting to .”
Saintess Xuan’s brows curved and she smiled, “How would you prefer to be addressed? Little Ten? Or Chen Shi?”
“I’m not that familiar with Saintess yet. You may call Provincial Graduate Chen, or Old Master Graduate,” Chen Shi said.
Saintess Xuan giggled, full of coquettish charm, “Very well, Old Master Graduate.”
She tried to draw closer, deliberately avoiding the title “Provincial Graduate Chen,” instead lowering herself with the teasing title “Old Master Graduate.”
Undeniably, she was hard to dislike: lovely features, a rare beauty, a lithe figure accentuated by curves. Coming from the Buddhist tradition, she inspired a complex mix of reverence and profane desire.
Chen Shi, curious, asked, “Is Bodhi Monastery a nunnery?”
Saintess Xuan shook her head, “There are nunneries in the Bodhi grounds, but the monastery itself is not rely a nunnery. My master, Elder Miaoyin, dwells at Zhishui Nunnery. If you’re interested, Chen Senior Brother, you could stay at Bodhi Monastery for a while.”
Chen Shi declined, “No interest. You’re a nun; why do you still have hair?”
Saintess Xuan’s brows slightly knit.
The question was sowhat offensive.
“I am under sixteen and my worldly attachnts are not yet severed. I have only taken vows with my hair intact; when I sever emotional ties, I will shave my head and cultivate. Then these three thousand strands will be gone,” she explained.
“I see.”
Chen Shi lost interest and eagerly resud examining the street stalls for items to use on his wooden cart.
Saintess Xuan followed softly, murmuring, “Chen Senior Brother’s talent is exceptional…”
“I never attended school,” Chen Shi replied.
He entered a shop selling protective canopies for carts that shielded sun and rain.
But only nobles and high officials could legitimately use such canopies; commoners using them were considered presumptuous and might be jailed.
Yet in the Western Ox New Continent, rites had long eroded — money bought permission.
Saintess Xuan trailed behind, gentle and persuasive: “Chen Senior Brother, though you did not study formally, your talent is evident. Xuanxuan wants to diate. Please sit with Sect Leader Baili and exchange toasts, turn swords into silk.”
Chen Shi inspected the canopies hanging from walls and ceilings. So were exquisitely crafted with dragons and phoenixes carved and embroidered landscapes; others used precious materials with jeweled pendants and agates. So prioritized defense, painted with various talismanic inscriptions; a single canopy could hold hundreds of spells, boasting astonishing protection.
“Thanks for the kindness, Saintess.”
Chen Shi stared intently, “Sect Leader Baili is the Mountain-Moving Clan leader; they make a living by tomb robbing. Under the Ming laws, their entire clan should be executed. How could I sit and drink with lawless n? Don’t bring it up again... Shopkeep, take down that canopy!”
The shopkeeper pointed to an umbrella-shaped canopy and asked, “This one?”
Chen Shi nodded.
The shopkeeper took it down. Unlike the others, this canopy could fold down like an umbrella when unused.
It asured about a person tall when closed, covering roughly two to three ters fully opened, and had 108 pleats, crafted from hardwood, unpainted with talismans.
The shopkeeper said, “Sir, this canopy is blank.”
“I’ll take it. How much?”
“Five taels of silver.”
Chen Shi bargained. Saintess Xuan watched. After a while, Chen Shi bought it for three taels and seven qian and paid.
Saintess Xuan’s expression grew strange: “This kid is only twelve or thirteen, yet so common.”
The canopy Chen Shi bought had no talismans; he obviously planned to inscribe them himself. To her, that seed stingy.
She remained quietly while Chen Shi finished the transaction. The shopkeeper then gave Chen Shi so copper coins and said, “Chen Senior Brother, since you won’t reconcile, I won’t say more...”
Chen Shi was startled, “You’re still here? I thought you would have left.”
Saintess Xuan’s face flushed slightly; a bit offended, she murmured, “That Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword belongs to Young Master. Chen Senior Brother seized it — that’s taking another’s glory. Will you show Xuan so rcy and return the sword...”
Chen Shi glanced at her, “You are a nun. Why harbor worldly desire?”
Saintess Xuan said, “It’s not that Xuanxuan is worldly. The world is in chaos: the Celestial True God repeatedly brings early nightfall, days shorten and nights lengthen. A calamity unimaginable may be coming — a sign of a troubled era. Young Master has the will to save the realm; he is heaven’s mandate, the only one who can end the chaos and unite the Western Ox New Continent!”
She stepped forward, gently advising, “Chen Senior Brother, why not return the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword and join Young Master? In the future you could also rise from a dragon’s rise...”
Before she could utter the word “ritorious” fully, Chen Shi thrust his knee into her lower abdon. The blow ruptured her lower vitality; unimaginable pain shot through her.
She stepped forward, gently advising, “Chen Senior Brother, why not return the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword and join Young Master? In the future you could also rise from a dragon’s rits...”
Chen Shi landed a punch on her right ear, knocking her to the ground. He raised the canopy he held, about to smash it down, then set it aside and seized the pole of another canopy, whipping her with it!
“Smack! Smack!”
Clear slaps sounded as the pole, branded with many talismanic brands and very sturdy, cracked under Chen Shi’s ferocious blows. After a dozen strikes the pole split.
He replaced the pole and lashed with another, dozens of strikes that broke that pole as well, then straightened and tossed it aside.
Saintess Xuan lay battered and bruised, nose blackened, face swollen. At first she stifled the pain, but later it beca unbearable and she cried out, her voice quickly going hoarse.
“Shopkeep, how much for two poles? I’ll pay,” Chen Shi asked.
The shopkeeper panicked, reluctant to na a price, and stamred, “These two poles were engraved by a master talismanist; the cost is over eighty taels.”
“How expensive.”
Chen Shi shook his numb arm and produced a one-hundred-tael silver note, “Give change of ten taels.”
The shopkeeper hurriedly made change.
Chen Shi took the money, slung the canopy pole over his shoulder, and strode out. Still unsatisfied, he kicked Saintess Xuan’s backside twice.
She rolled out of the canopy shop.
“Not ditating quietly in the monastery and instead coming out to lobby for Young Master! What nerve!” Chen Shi strode out of the shop and spat at Saintess Xuan. “If I hadn’t promised Minister Gao to give him face and avoid killing in the city, you would already be counting yourself among the brothers of the Myriad Soul Banner!”
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