Chapter 119: Idle Gossip

Chen Jin arrived at a tavern—the very same tavern where he had previously caused a scene. He took a seat inside, ordered food and drink, and waited for someone.

Around a quarter past nine, a man entered. He walked slowly into the tavern, took a seat opposite Chen Jin, and then smiled gently at him. The man was about six feet tall, solidly built, with large knuckles on his hands, clearly someone accustomed to hard physical labor. Chen Jin already knew him; he was the stall owner.

“I thought you wouldn’t come,” Chen Jin said, pouring a bowl of wine for him.

“Just a coincidence, just wanted a few drinks,” the owner replied.

“What should I call you?” Chen Jin asked.

“No need for formalities. My surname is Zhang, given name He. And you, brother, what do I call you?” Zhang He returned the question.

“I’m Chen, given name Jin,” Chen Jin responded.

“When did you come to Liyuan Town, and why are you so interested in the Zhang family?” Zhang He cut straight to the point.

“I’m a distant relative of the Zhangs. I came for the funeral a few days ago but got caught up in some unexpected matters. I wanted to understand the reasons behind it. You see, I have a hidden ailment of the heart. If I don’t get to the bottom of things, it weighs heavily on me,” Chen Jin said with a helpless expression.

“I see, that’s a tough spot for you, brother. The Zhang family’s affairs won’t be resolved anytime soon. I think you’d better find a doctor to treat your heart condition,” Zhang He said, seeing through Chen Jin’s fabricated excuse and teasing him without reserve.

“Oh? Do you know of any doctor who can cure my heart ailment?” Chen Jin seized the opportunity to steer the conversation.

“Well... I do know of one in the neighboring town of Leiyan. The doctor there is indeed quite skilled. As for your heart condition, that depends on what the doctor says,” Zhang He said thoughtfully.

“Oh, I thought you yourself were a master in such matters. Didn’t expect there to be hidden talents all around here,” Chen Jin said with genuine surprise.

“Hahaha, great sages hide in the countryside; no saints are found in the bustling cities,” Zhang He laughed heartily.

“That’s very true, very true,” Chen Jin agreed.

“Let me owe you a drink, brother, and in return, I’ll share a saying with you. How about that?” Zhang He continued.

“Hmm? What wisdom do you have to offer?” Chen Jin replied.

“I wouldn’t call it wisdom, just a small piece of advice,” Zhang He waved his hand modestly.

“Please, enlighten me,” Chen Jin said seriously, cupping his hands.

“The Zhang family’s waters run deep—don’t stir up muddy waters,” Zhang He said solemnly. “That’s all. The rest is up to you to decide.”

“Hmm… thank you, brother Zhang. Please,” Chen Jin feigned contemplation and poured another bowl of wine for Zhang He.

“Thanks. My wife at home warned me not to overdrink. I’ll stop after this bowl,” Zhang He said with a smile.

The two clinked their bowls and then downed their drinks in a hearty gulp.

“How deep are the muddy waters of the Zhang family? Do you know?” Chen Jin asked, unable to conceal his curiosity.

“Brother, do you really want to hear it?” Zhang He looked at him with a helpless expression.

“Heh heh, just to listen. I know some things are best left alone, but my heart ailment won’t let me rest without uncovering some secrets. A few years ago, I even went to Luofu Mountain but found nothing. Alas, it only deepened my pain,” Chen Jin grinned wryly and poured another bowl of wine.

“No, no more wine. If I drink another, my wife will break my leg,” Zhang He feigned resistance, though the wine still filled his bowl.

“Eh~ Your wife must understand how hard you work away from home. How could she blame you? Besides, I have a little trick to mask the smell of alcohol. Even the Heavenly Hound of the Clear Source Daoist Master couldn’t detect it. Brother Zhang, drink with ease,” Chen Jin encouraged.

In truth, this was mainly because Zhang He was willing to drink. For a cultivator with steadfast resolve, no amount of persuasion would make them drink if they didn’t want to. They simply wouldn’t drink—that was principle.

“Really?” Zhang He perked up at this.

“Of course. If you share the Zhang family’s secrets with me, I’ll teach you this trick,” Chen Jin said.

A cultivator can naturally expel alcohol from their body, but that would defeat the purpose of drinking. Usually, they wouldn’t do so. Chen Jin’s so-called trick was simply a method to stimulate enzymes in the body to break down alcohol faster.

“Hmm…” Zhang He pondered, nodding, then shaking his head, and finally nodding again. It was clear he was torn inside. “Alright, but the Zhang family business is minor. It’s not right to trade it for a technique. I’ll owe you one in return. How does that sound?”

“You’re the one losing out,” Chen Jin said.

“No, no, not at all. Don’t refuse, brother Chen. If you don’t accept my technique, I won’t tell you anything about the Zhang family,” Zhang He said firmly.

“...Then I gratefully accept. Thank you, brother Zhang,” Chen Jin said solemnly, cupping his hands.

“Then let me tell you,” Zhang He waved his hand, setting up a subtle illusion that would prevent ordinary people from overhearing and cause them to avoid their table.

“Please,” Chen Jin invited.

“The Zhang family is actually a branch of the Zhangs from Dragon and Tiger Mountain. They were once renowned in Sichuan, but later fell on hard times. The reasons are tied to two places I can’t mention. Because of these places, the younger generations lack cultivation talent. Without successors and no support from true immortals, the Zhang family naturally declined. They became the ruthless wealthy landlords they are today,” Zhang He sighed.

As he spoke, he gestured toward the sky and then to the west, alluding to the Heavenly Court and the Western Paradise.

After hearing this, Chen Jin compared it with the information he had obtained earlier from the righteous faction. The discrepancies were vast—night and day, miles apart.

“I heard from someone that an ancestor of the Zhang family became a disciple of Buddhism. How does that square with what you’re saying, brother Zhang?” Chen Jin voiced his doubts.

There was no point hiding it; otherwise, his assumptions would all be wrong.

“That’s because of that Buddhist disciple that the Zhang family ended up like this,” Zhang He said with a strange smile.

“Please, brother Zhang, be frank,” Chen Jin poured more wine.

“Alright, today I’ll go all out and tell you everything,” Zhang He declared with a grand gesture.

...