You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

”A peerless master...”

Xie Tingyun’s eyes sparkled, inadvertently revealing a touch of envy.

In the literary world, there is no undisputed first; in the martial world, no one settles for second. There was not a single practitioner of Martial Arts who didn’t want to stand at the absolute peak, and Xie Tingyun naturally wanted to as well. Immortal Bai was the highest mountain of them all. He had stood in the Jianghu for decades, looking down upon all heroes. Even if one couldn’t defeat him, being able to stand opposite him and exchange a move or two in this life was something many dreamed of.

”If only Immortal Bai were truly going to spar with someone in Shu State,” Xie Tingyun said. ”And it’d be best if it were a Swordsman.”

For no other reason than this: if a Swordsman were to duel Immortal Bai, for a martial artist practicing the Sword Dao like Xie Tingyun, it would be equivalent to watching a martial demonstration. If the Opportunity arose, she might achieve an epiphany and advance in her Sword Dao. Shen Huatang, on the other hand, remained quite calm. Her Martial Arts Cultivation and Technique Realm were too low; even if she went to watch Immortal Bai duel, she wouldn’t be able to comprehend anything.

Xiaodie, Juan’er, and Cui’er needed even less explanation—it sounded like incomprehensible scripture to them. Only Huan’er and Chun Ying smiled without speaking.

Lin Zhong took in everyone’s expressions and shook his head. ”When figures of that level spar, it is both an Opportunity and a test for the bystanders.”

Xie Tingyun paused in the middle of picking up food with her chopsticks, her face falling. ”You’re right.”

She had been taking things for granted. Although her Martial Arts Cultivation and Technique Realm were considered respectable in the Jianghu, earning her the title of Fairy Tingyun, her aptitude would never catch the eye of a figure like Immortal Bai upon closer reflection. Let alone watching from the sidelines, even gazing from a distance was an extravagant hope. Moreover, when experts of that Realm sparred, those without sufficient skill wouldn’t even be able to withstand the shockwaves of their clash if they got too close. They would die without even knowing how.

”I heard that before figures of that level duel, they each choose a rising star of comparable strength to spar with?”

Lin Zhong smiled and nodded. ”There is indeed such a custom.

”For instance, several years ago, before the two seniors, Sword Master and Sword Ghost, dueled, they each selected someone.

”Senior Sword Master chose his Closed-door Disciple. Although she was just a child, she had already entered the path of the Sword Dao.

”The Jianghu People all say that her future achievements will definitely rival those of the Sword Master...”

After giving this brief explanation, Lin Zhong shifted his attention to Chen Yunfan in the inner room. Xie Tingyun, however, grew even more interested and pulled Shen Huatang into enthusiastic chatter.

At the dining table in the inner hall of the wooden building.

Chen Yunfan had naturally heard Lin Zhong’s words. Although he wasn’t interested in lofty figures like Immortal Bai, he could at least use this matter as a conversation topic—especially in front of Chen Yi. Thus, taking advantage of a lull in the chat between Xiao Wan’er and Cui Qingwu, Chen Yunfan raised his teacup to Chen Yi with a smile. ”Brother Yi, have you heard the true reason Immortal Bai came to Shu State?”

Chen Yi had naturally also heard the conversation between Lin Zhong, Xie Tingyun, and the others. ”What is it?” he asked casually.

Seeing Chen Yi’s clueless expression, Chen Yunfan smiled and said, ”An expert is going to duel Immortal Bai in Shu State.”

”I see...”

”If you are interested when the time comes, Brother Yi, I will take you to watch it.”

”No thanks. It’s best if I keep a respectful distance from Immortal figures like that.”

Chen Yunfan smiled. ”I almost forgot that you are a bit frail, Brother Yi. For a duel between experts of that caliber, it would probably be difficult for you to get close.”

”You’re right, Brother. But... aren’t you a scholar as well?”

Chen Yi really didn’t want to reveal the truth and leave Chen Yunfan with nowhere to hide his face. Not only did he know the reason for Immortal Bai’s visit, but he also knew that the person dueling him was a Swordsman. Chen Yunfan wasn’t annoyed; instead, he was delighted, the smile in his eyes becoming even more pronounced.

”Oh, Brother Yi,” Chen Yunfan thought, ”you think you know my background, but little do you know that I am well aware of yours. Trying to put on an act with me here? You’re still a bit too green.”

”You make a good point, Brother Yi. I was being inconsiderate...”

Chen Yi glanced at him and set down his bowl and chopsticks. ”Are you not busy with official duties today, Brother? Yesterday, Brother Huai’gu came to our door and mentioned that you hadn’t gone to work at the Government Office for some time. He also said you were sick. Is that true?”

Chen Yunfan’s smile stiffened. Catching a glimpse of Cui Qingwu’s half-smile out of the corner of his eye, he inexplicably felt a surge of panic. ”Brother Yi, are you remembering it wrong?”

”Oh? Perhaps I am.”

Noticing his gaze, Chen Yi looked at Xiao Wan’er beside him and asked with a smile, ”Have the refugees outside the Prefecture City been evacuated?”

Xiao Wan’er didn’t understand his intention but nodded cooperatively. ”They left yesterday. I heard that under the coordination of the Governor’s Office and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, they gradually dispersed after everyone received rations for their return journey.”

”And the grain prices, I remember they’ve dropped quite a bit as well,” Chen Yi added.

”Cui’er was just saying this morning that a picul of refined grain is now less than one tael of silver,” Xiao Wan’er replied. ”Many commoners who bought grain a few days ago were so furious that they went to the grain shops to argue.”

”Did the Governor’s Office step in to mediate?”

”I heard it was Lord Yang, Yang Ye, and Third Scorer Li who went...”

Hearing this, Chen Yunfan’s mouth twitched, and he let out a dry laugh. ”Is that so? I didn’t expect so much to happen while I was away from the Government Office, heh heh.”

Cui Qingwu shot him a reproachful look before leaning close to Xiao Wan’er. ”Sister Wan’er, I have to return home for the New Year holidays. Why don’t we travel to Tonglin together sometime later?”

Xiao Wan’er instinctively looked at Chen Yi. Seeing him give a slight nod, she smiled and agreed.

”I wonder how many renowned doctors will come in response to the invitations we sent out earlier,” Xiao Wan’er mused.

”Don’t worry, Sister Wan’er. Even if those people don’t come, our Cui Family can still find suitable candidates for the dean.”

”That would be wonderful, but...”

Seeing the two women change the subject, Chen Yunfan breathed a sigh of relief and couldn’t help but glare at Chen Yi.

”Brother Yi,” he thought, ”if you’re going to be ruthless, don’t blame me for being unjust.”