Chapter Eighty-Six: Disaster Comes from the Tongue

Chen Jin briefly reported to his parents that he was preparing to go to Mount Lao. They did not object; in fact, they enthusiastically supported him, saying that cultivation should involve tempering the heart in the mundane world, reading thousands of books, traveling thousands of miles, and so on.

Chen Jin truly wanted to tell them to read fewer web novels. Cultivation ought to be done in a quiet corner, diligently refining oneself; only after achieving immortality should one venture out and roam the world. There was no need to wander aimlessly all the time.

The only reason Chen Jin traveled about was because of the black leather book; otherwise, he would have surely hidden away in some corner, practiced until he reached the highest level, and become the Sword Saint of Ten Mile Slope.

Why constantly think about tempering the heart in the world, striving for the Dao? Wouldn’t it be better to hide away and cultivate well?

Though he grumbled inwardly, Chen Jin dutifully kept his thoughts to himself.

When Chen Lan heard that Chen Jin was heading far from home, she had an idea—not to follow him to Mount Lao, but to visit Mount Emei, taking the same route in the same direction as before.

But everyone unanimously opposed her plan, urging her to focus on cultivation first; once she truly stepped onto the path and gained a measure of self-defense, she could set out.

February fifteenth, clear skies, white clouds.

Because of the return of the world’s primordial energy, the air everywhere had improved considerably.

“Brother, when you get to Mount Lao, you must visit Taiqing Palace,” Chen Lan said mysteriously.

“What for?” Chen Jin looked at her in puzzlement.

“Word is, Taiqing Palace was surrounded by purple smoke a few days ago. It’s likely some treasure appeared—you should go; maybe you’ll get something out of it,” Chen Lan explained.

“Is that so? How come I never saw anything about it?” Chen Jin hadn’t secluded himself these days, nor had he hidden away to cultivate; he’d been checking his phone, but never saw any news about purple smoke at Taiqing Palace.

“I saw the news a few days ago; maybe it was deleted. Just go and see for yourself,” Chen Lan said, though she wondered about it internally.

“All right, then I’ll ask for a marriage blessing for you while I’m there,” Chen Jin smiled, nodding, and ruffled Chen Lan’s hair.

Short hair felt much nicer to ruffle than long hair.

“…You’d better ask for yourself,” Chen Lan shot him a glare.

“Haha, I’ll get one for both of us,” Chen Jin laughed.

…

Chen Jin boarded the train bound for Rong City, heading to Wuhang Airport. Rong City was the capital of Fujian Province; Chen Jin had studied there in university, worked there for a while, then left for Egret City to work, and finally, after much difficulty, returned home to take over the family business.

Looking back, he felt he’d been foolish then.

He could have just stayed and worked in Rong City and had a promising future. But people can be blind; he really lost his way.

So Chen Jin was someone with stories—give him a couple shots of liquor, and he could spend the night telling tales, whether of the country, family, or the world.

“Ah, my cultivation is progressing a little too quickly; lately my mental state’s been unstable, always daydreaming. Better practice more of the Gengxin Metal Qi Technique and the Shenyou Metal Nature Formula,” Chen Jin mused, tilting his head.

Since his train didn’t have business class, Chen Jin opted for first class.

Thus, someone sat next to him.

Unfortunately, not a beauty, nor even a woman—just a man, a man with body odor.

Thankfully, he was quiet, only played on his phone, and the smell wasn’t overwhelming.

It was just that Chen Jin’s senses were so sharp, he could pick up even the faintest scent…

Helpless, Chen Jin sealed his sense of smell with Primordial Qi and closed his eyes to rest.

After one stop, the man got off; Chen Jin didn’t bother with him.

As Chen Jin continued to rest with eyes closed, someone gently tapped him twice and called out several times, “Sir, sir, this is my seat.”

… Chen Jin calmly opened his eyes and glanced at the seat beside him.

It was a woman—a familiar face—sitting next to him.

“Hao Wenjia?” Chen Jin looked at her.

He knew she was familiar, but still asked for confirmation. After all, they were only high school classmates—not close.

“Looks like you haven’t forgotten my name,” Hao Wenjia smiled.

“You’re sitting here?” Chen Jin gestured to the seat beside him—not his own, which he’d booked straight through to Rong City.

“The one under you,” Hao Wenjia laughed.

“Oh? Here you go, take it, take it,” Chen Jin made as if to stand.

“Just kidding, just kidding, I’m sitting here,” Hao Wenjia chuckled.

“All right, then I’ll keep this spot for now,” Chen Jin had plenty of leisure, and could joke along.

“Where are you headed?” Hao Wenjia asked.

“To Rong City,” Chen Jin replied.

“Running away from home again?” Hao Wenjia teased.

“I’m out on business. What about you?” Chen Jin deflected and asked her.

“To Egret City, also for business,” Hao Wenjia answered.

The exchange was a bit awkward, but wasn’t life always awkward?

“Just came from the Cultivators’ Association in Banana City. Turns out I have cultivation aptitude—amazing, isn’t it?” Hao Wenjia tried to break the tension.

But as soon as she said this, Chen Jin felt everyone’s ears on the train perk up; the carriage fell briefly silent, then resumed its usual noise.

This girl was as careless as ever.

She seemed to realize something was amiss, paused, and instinctively covered her mouth.

“So you’ve joined the association?” Chen Jin asked, giving her repeated signals with his eyes.

“Mm, mm, they’re about to approve my membership,” Hao Wenjia replied, catching on and following his lead.

“Congratulations, then,” Chen Jin smiled.

“I’ll treat you to dinner to celebrate,” Hao Wenjia said, then leaned closer and whispered, “Have you gone yet?”

“Not yet. I’ve been busy lately. Once everyone’s done testing, I’ll go—it won’t be crowded then,” Chen Jin answered straightforwardly, making no effort to lower his voice.

Recently, it was like a special period; the whole society was pursuing cultivation, and many people went for testing—but those found to have cultivation aptitude were few, roughly three out of ten thousand. The chances were slim, yet enough to breed despair.

The government had recently launched several fitness routines for ordinary people, said to improve physical fitness and cultivate the so-called inner strength of martial arts novels. But it didn’t change one’s cultivation aptitude; they’d only just rolled them out, and few had succeeded, so the public remained skeptical.

As for those who tested positive for cultivation aptitude, ordinary people inevitably felt unbalanced.

There had already been several incidents—people with cultivation aptitude attacked, and one even stabbed to death on the street…

Never underestimate human jealousy.

That was why Chen Jin advised Hao Wenjia to use the protection of the Cultivators’ Association.

Soon after, Chen Jin reached his stop and got off, while Hao Wenjia continued south to Egret City. He hoped her journey would be safe.

…