Publish Time: 2026-07-06 20:32:00
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«Chapter 546: Which Maiden Never Yearns for Love
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Life in Qingshan City was peaceful and mostly ordinary. Such days were truly wonderful. At least for Chen Changsheng, this was what it meant to truly live.
After all, he was someone who couldn’t bear to part with the Mortal World. So much so, he’d spent several days here and had almost forgotten his purpose for coming.
It was exactly noon.
Chen Changsheng looked up to see the blazing sun, the yang energy at its peak. He raised a finger, drawing a wisp of pure yang energy towards him.
“Transform.”
The pure yang energy shimmered erratically, yet with a Divine Decree, it morphed into a furnace hung in mid-air.
All the required medicinal herbs were laid out on the table.
Chen Changsheng lifted two fingers, tilting them as he said: “May I borrow Third Prince’s True Flame?”
As his words fell, a shimmering figure appeared before him.
Third Prince Nezha gave a warm smile and replied: “Please feel free to use it, sir.”
With his words, a flash of Golden Light appeared.
Chen Changsheng raised his hand, and in his palm bloomed a gleam of the Samadhi True Flame.
“My thanks.”
Then Nezha’s figure vanished.
Chen Changsheng channeled this gleam of True Flame into the pure yang furnace. Then he began placing the herbs inside, one by one.
He was still somewhat inexperienced.
For this batch of Elixirs, Chen Changsheng toiled from noon until mid-afternoon. He’d hoped for ten Elixirs, but ended up with only five; the rest were waste.
And even these five successful ones didn’t look very good. It was likely due to the furnace; after all, it was formed from borrowed pure yang energy—how could it compare to the Magical Artifacts of the Cultivation World?
Still, it was progress.
Chen Changsheng glanced at the sky and murmured: “Time to attend to some proper matters…”
He stepped out the door.
Looking back, he felt something was missing.
Ah, Lihua.
He didn’t know where Ruyi had taken her for some wild fun.
Chen Changsheng shook his head, letting it go. Exiting Chuanfeng Alley, he walked towards the city gate.
Outside Qingshan City, beyond Chang Guan Pass.
A wide road unfolded before him. Built in recent years, it reportedly stretched straight from Abyss River to Shangjing, primarily for transporting grain. The region of Abyss River enjoyed pleasant weather and abundant harvests, supplying nearly twenty percent of the army’s grain each year.
Spotting a Long Pavilion standing not far away, Chen Changsheng entered and sat down.
He was here to wait for a visitor.
From time to time, merchant caravans and horse-drawn carts passed by on the road. People were coming and going without end, most hurrying to enter the city before nightfall. After dark, trouble tended to stir.
Some greeted Chen Changsheng along the way, asking for directions or resting briefly in the pavilion with casual chatter.
Chen Changsheng’s gaze swept down Chang Guan Pass, then suddenly paused.
Several carriages rolled out of Chang Guan Pass, escorted by a large number. Many carried swords and knives strapped to their sides. They didn’t seem like Jianghu People but more akin to constables.
Leading the convoy was a rider on a fine horse, guiding the carts forward.
Chen Changsheng stood and walked to the entrance of the Long Pavilion.
The man on horseback looked back, his eyes scanning the pavilion, settling upon a figure clad in a Blue Robe.
Taking a closer look, he froze.
“Whoa…”
Pulling the reins, he halted his horse. The convoy behind ground to a stop.
Someone beside him asked: “What’s the matter, Sir Tao?”
Tao Sheng locked eyes with the figure in the pavilion. Collecting himself, he spoke to his companion: “Please move ahead with the caravan. I believe I see an old acquaintance. I’ll join you shortly.”
His colleague glanced towards the pavilion and nodded.
“Be quick, Sir Tao.”
“I will.”
Off moved the convoy, leaving Tao Sheng alone.
He dismounted, leading his horse towards the Long Pavilion.
As Tao Sheng approached and saw the man’s face clearly, he froze again.
Tentatively, he asked: “Pray tell, is it truly Mr. Chen?”
Seeing him, Chen Changsheng answered: “I hadn’t imagined Brother Tao would still remember me.”
Tao Sheng’s eyes widened. He stepped forward, clasping his hands respectfully: “Tao Sheng pays his respects to Mr. Chen!”
Shock rippled through him. How was it that after more than a decade, Mr. Chen still looked so youthful? It bordered on the inexplicable.
“Brother Tao flatters me.”
They entered the pavilion and sat down.
Tao Sheng gazed at Mr. Chen and ventured: “When did Mr. Chen return to Abyss River?”
“Just a few days ago,” Chen Changsheng replied.
“Then why is Mr. Chen here…?” Tao Sheng inquired.
“I am waiting for someone passing by,” Chen Changsheng said. “Perhaps fate intervened, bringing me to unexpectedly meet Brother Tao here.”
“Truly, fate!”
Tao Sheng’s voice warmed with feeling: “After Mr. Chen left all those years, I heard nothing. My own affairs prospered later, yet I had no place to offer my gratitude. I’ve never forgotten you.”
“I thank Brother Tao for his thoughts.”
Chen Changsheng stated: “In truth, there is little to thank me for. I merely offered an idea back then. The saying holds: deeds depend on men. It was all thanks to Brother Tao’s effort that brought these results.”
He then asked: “But pray tell, why are you leaving the city just now? Setting out now would mean traveling at night.”
Tao Sheng sighed helplessly: “Items destined for the palace must not be delayed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have personally overseen their escort myself.”
For if these were lost…
Heads would roll. How could he take it lightly?
Chen Changsheng remarked: “I had heard a little. Jian Tea Bowls flourished now, declared imperial tributes, so precious they are difficult to obtain. Brother Tao has certainly achieved greatness.”
“Mr. Chen praises me too much,” Tao Sheng insisted urgently. “Without Mr. Chen back then, how could I be who I am today?”
He hesitated, then asked: “By the way, will Mr. Chen stay long in Qingshan City?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head: “Likely not in the coming years. This visit will be brief; I must leave within a few days.”
Shock flickered across Tao Sheng’s face: “This…”
Anxiety surfaced: “Could Mr. Chen possibly extend his stay just a little? Through these years, I have never had the chance to properly thank you. Yet now, the timing is poor. A round trip would take me days. What if, upon my return, you are already gone? How deeply I would regret it.”
Chen Changsheng paused thoughtfully: “Whether I may linger longer… that depends on the winds of circumstance.”
A glimmer of hope lit in Tao Sheng’s eyes: “I will spur my horse, racing back! I swear upon it! Then I must host you at a feast!”
Chen Changsheng smiled gently: “Haven’t you already thanked me? Why the formality, Brother Tao?”
“The guidance you gave me then, I carry engraved in my heart,” Tao Sheng declared earnestly. “Letting it be dismissed with these few words? To do so would shame me as a man! Fear not, sir. When we meet, courtesy and banquet shall be fully rendered, lacking not a whit!”
Chen Changsheng began: “Brother Tao…”
“Sir need say no more.”
Tao Sheng rose: “Pressing matters call. Rude of me, I brought no formal gift. Yet I carry this single bowl upon my person. Please accept it.”
He carefully removed a tea bowl from his robe.
It gleamed as if lit within, adorned with silver scale and dragon designs. The lip shimmered with a blue glow from its pale base, dazzlingly resplendent.
Tao Sheng placed the Jian Tea Bowl firmly into Chen Changsheng’s hands, then stood, clasping his hands again.
“I shall race with all speed! Only catch this turn in fortune!”
Before Chen Changsheng could respond,
Tao Sheng strode from the pavilion and mounted his steed.
“Sir, please wait for me!”
Chen Changsheng held the luminous, swirling Jian Tea Bowl, his gaze following the rider.
A sharp call echoed.
“Hiyah!”
He saw flanks spurred, the horse galloping into dust.
Chen Changsheng looked down at the bowl in his grasp and sighed deeply.
The Mortal World’s bonds of friendship are truly remarkable indeed.
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