Feng Shui Chapter 151: Snow Mountain

Chen Xiao was eager to learn more about Xi Yunqing’s past, and Xi Yunqing was more than willing to share. He began calmly, “I was taken in by my master at a young age and brought to the Chongxuan Sect. Later, I was formally accepted as a disciple. In my youth, I traveled and trained alone. So far, I’ve visited two Grand Heaven Realms, seven Middle Heaven Realms, and thirteen Minor Heaven Realms.”

As Xi Yunqing finished, Chen Xiao stared at him, eyes wide. They looked at each other in silence for a moment before Chen Xiao realized, that was it.

That was it.

Once again, Chen Xiao experienced what it meant to talk to a conversation killer. In just a few words, Xi Yunqing had distilled his entire life story into a highlight reel. Chen Xiao rubbed his face and widened his beautiful almond-shaped eyes, trying to signal Xi Yunqing with his gaze to say more.

Seeing that his younger brother wasn’t satisfied, Xi Yunqing furrowed his brow in mild frustration. After thinking for a moment, he added, “I was only five when I joined the sect. At the time, Master was in seclusion, so it was my senior brother who first guided me. I progressed quickly in my cultivation, but Master worried that my foundation wasn’t stable, so he ordered me to suppress my realm for several years. Still, during my first participation in the sect’s grand competition, I won first place.

Because I often caused trouble for others when I was younger, I didn’t have many close peers. When receiving merit tasks from the sect, no one wanted to team up with me, so I became particularly adept at combat, whether against beasts or fellow cultivators.

After I reached the Golden Core stage, the Steward Hall made an exception and appointed me as an honorary steward. Following orders from the Sect Master-Uncle, I also handled a few matters as the sect’s representative…”

After this stretch of speech, Xi Yunqing’s expression turned momentarily dazed, he seemed unsure what else to say. If asked to discuss cultivation theory or philosophical reasoning, he could speak fluently and knowledgeably. But when it came to recounting his personal experiences or expressing emotions, he was at a loss.

To him, the past was simply the past, not something to dwell on. Moreover, he felt his life was rather unremarkable, and couldn’t tell what might interest Chen Xiao.

Emotionally, there were indeed many things he wished to say to his younger brother. But it felt like an invisible force was lodged in his throat, making it impossible to speak his feelings aloud.

Seeing this, Chen Xiao felt both helpless and a little heartache.

Forget it. No need to press him.

At least that summary gave him a decent picture of the past.

The spring breeze was gentle, and the sun shone brightly. Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing sat side by side at the desk, basking in the sunshine as they talked. As usual, it was mostly Chen Xiao starting the conversation. Thankfully, Xi Yunqing did care about some things, he asked about the situation in the city.

“…So now the royal family has already set out to seek help from other Heaven Realms. We’re not sure when they’ll return." Chen Xiao explained in detail, finishing with a note of concern.

Xi Yunqing thought for a moment and replied, “If they already have a target in mind, they might return within two or three months. But if they’re still searching, it could take up to a year.”

“A whole year?” Chen Xiao frowned. The canal was being rebuilt according to his design, and he needed to monitor the recovery of the underground water veins. Would he really have to wait that long?

“Don’t worry." Xi Yunqing said soothingly. “The Shen royal family is more anxious than anyone. They won’t let the timeline slip. Big Brother will take you traveling nearby, and we’ll return when the time is right.”

Chen Xiao relaxed a little and nodded. “That works too. I’ll have time to train Yanxing more as well.”

After ending his seclusion, Xi Yunqing had taken some time to rest. During that period, he personally guided Chen Xiao in close-quarters blade techniques. Thanks to his solid foundation, Chen Xiao grasped the essentials and memorized the forms in just over ten days. However, his overall swordsmanship was still shallow and would require long-term, steady practice.

Time passed quickly. Between daily cultivation, drawing talismans, and teaching Shen Yanxing, it was already late March.

That morning, after finishing his routine training, Chen Xiao naturally joined Xi Yunqing for breakfast. After they ate, Xi Yunqing suddenly invited Chen Xiao to go out with him, to catch the wild geese that would be used in the coming-of-age ceremony.

“We have to catch them ourselves?” Chen Xiao asked, surprised. He’d asked Shen Yanxing about the ceremony before, and she hadn’t mentioned anything about catching geese by hand.

Xi Yunqing nodded. “That’s right. I know there are farms that raise geese, and most people just buy them for the ceremony. But as cultivators, we should practice self-reliance. Catching them personally is a better symbol of independence and strength.”

Now Chen Xiao understood. “I’ll follow your lead, Big Brother. If cultivators are all doing it themselves, I shouldn’t be the exception.”

Chen Xiao decided to go hunting for wild geese with Xi Yunqing. When Shen Yanxing heard about it, he recommended a location. “The name 'Jin City' comes from the Jing River. At the river’s source lies a snow-covered mountain that never melts, called Mount Jing. There's a type of wild goose living there with snowy-white bodies and jet-black wing tips. They’re called snow geese. These snow geese are elegant and noble in appearance, perfect for the coming-of-age ceremony, where the tradition is to shoot a goose as a rite of passage.”

That immediately piqued Chen Xiao’s interest. His previous life had snow geese too, but he’d never actually seen one. He turned to Xi Yunqing and suggested, “Why don’t we go hunt those?”

Xi Yunqing considered it for a moment, then nodded. “That snow mountain is also home to fierce beasts. Since you want to go, we should bring Daoist Tong and Daoist Tang along. It'll be safer if we watch each other's backs.”

Chen Xiao was a little surprised. He recalled that Du Rong had once mentioned that the land routes included grasslands, deserts, snow-capped mountains, and dense forests. So this snow mountain must be near Jin City. He said, “That works. Arou’s recovered, too. Just the other day, he was complaining that he’s been resting so long his bones are going soft. This is a good chance to stretch his legs.”

With the three of them going, Tong Nuonuo naturally didn’t want to be left behind. Even though his current project wasn’t finished, he still joined them on the road.

They headed northwest first and found the Jing River that Shen Yanxing had mentioned, then followed it upstream. The river was wide and fast-flowing, cutting through the heart of Jin City. Along its banks, millions of people lived and thrived, many relying on the river for their livelihood.

At this time of year, the riverbanks were stunning. Lush green hills rolled in every direction, dotted with vibrant spring flowers in every shade of purple and red. It didn’t feel like a cultivation journey, it felt more like a springtime outing.

Tang Ru flitted about like a bird released from a cage, skipping across the mountains with ease. One moment she darted east, the next she zipped west, too energetic to stay still.

Every time she returned, she brought something new. Sometimes it was fresh wild greens sprouting in spring, sometimes wild fruits that had been missed last autumn. Other times, it was an entire beehive from who-knows-where.

Wild greens and fruits were one thing, but the sight of bee larvae made Tong Nuonuo go green in the face. Unfortunately for him, Chen Xiao was enthusiastic about everything.

It wasn’t forced politeness either. Chen Xiao genuinely appreciated Tang Ru’s foraging. Spring was the best time for wild greens, and after a whole winter of royal rations, the fresh flavors were a welcome change. As for the dried wild fruits, having been weathered by autumn and winter, they were crispy and fragrant, perfect snacks for an outing.

The bee larvae might have turned some people off, but Chen Xiao wasn’t one of them. His inner foodie instinct kicked in, and he immediately imagined how delicious they’d be.

Watching him gulp down a mouthful of saliva, Tang Ru laughed heartily. “Just you wait, I’ll make a treat for you to try.” She didn’t even need help. Off to the side, she pulled out a bamboo steamer lid from her storage pouch, and with practiced ease, broke open the honeycomb and cleaned it up. She waved them over. “Xiao Xiao, Nuonuo, come eat this honeycomb, it’s super sweet.”

Even though Tong Nuonuo still looked queasy at the bee larvae, he couldn’t resist the honey. As soon as Tang Ru waved him over, he dashed up, grabbed a piece, and shared it with Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao turned and immediately split his half with Xi Yunqing. “Big Brother, have a taste.”

Xi Yunqing didn’t want to refuse his goodwill, so he accepted it.

The wild honey was sweet with a deep floral fragrance, richer and purer than any honey Chen Xiao had ever tasted. He ate with a bright smile, clearly enjoying it. Xi Yunqing couldn’t help but glance at him a few times.

The honeycomb wasn’t large, and after a few bites, Chen Xiao stopped eating. He stored the rest away, planning to dissolve it in water to drink slowly. Seeing this, Xi Yunqing handed him his own half. “Take mine too. I’m not fond of sweets.”

Chen Xiao knew that Xi Yunqing had a light palate, he disliked both sweets and heavily seasoned food, so he accepted it and said, “This honey works great for preserving fruit or making fruit tea. Sweet and tangy, just the right balance. I’ll make you some next time, how about that?” He wasn’t very good at cooking, but making tea was doable.

Xi Yunqing naturally agreed. After surviving Chen Xiao’s previous culinary experiments, he figured there wasn’t much left that could scare him.

Meanwhile, Tong Nuonuo had finished his honey and was now pestering Tang Ru for more. She refused. When he tried to sneak a piece, he wasn’t quick enough and got swatted for his trouble.

As Chen Xiao laughed at the scene, he turned to Xi Yunqing and asked, “Big Brother, do you know much about Mount Jing?”

The two of them walked shoulder to shoulder. From their vantage point, Mount Jing was just barely visible through the mist, taller and prouder than the other peaks, its snowy peak standing out even from afar.

Xi Yunqing clasped one hand behind his back and said, “Mount Jing is rich in resources, home to many creatures, snow chickens, snow hares, snow leopards, white bears. There are ferocious beasts and even more dangerous ones. Besides the wildlife, the mountain is full of spirit herbs and trees, as well as alchemical minerals with water and wood attributes.”

Tong Nuonuo, who had just given up begging for honey, happened to overhear that and immediately lit up. He rushed over and asked eagerly, “Daoist Xi, do you know where those mineral deposits can be found?”