72: Chapter 71: Washing Mouth with a Golden Basin [Please Collect and Recommend] 72: Chapter 71: Washing Mouth with a Golden Basin [Please Collect and Recommend] PS: The book will be put on shelves on October 1st.
After that, I’ll update more frequently to satisfy everyone’s requests.
The various metrics during the launch of a new book are very important, as they determine the success of a book; with only one week left in the new book period, I’d like to ask my friends for help.
If you are reading on another website, please come to Qidian to click ‘Favorites’.
Every piece of data is very important to an author.
Regarding this Daoist’s temperament, Hou Niao felt helpless, but didn’t find it abrupt; it’s one thing to have interactions with someone, and another to like their associated Sects.
These are separate matters, which he could understand.
The minor trouble was finally resolved, lifting a weight off his shoulders.
To perfectly arrange a child’s life in this strange city, one needed connections, and this solution turned out to be even more perfect than he had envisioned.
With his burdens cast aside and his mood greatly improved, he had the leisure to pay attention to the people around him.
By listening more and speaking less, he roughly understood the nature of this longevity celebration.
The title “Old Immortal” was given by Mortals, not an honorific used in the Cultivation circles.
To Mortals, any Cultivator who could fly was deemed an Immortal, but they especially respected those who could predict the future of people, as such abilities could be of direct help to themselves.
In the eyes of Mortals, one of the main abilities of an Immortal was the power to foretell the future.
However, to most Cultivators, such an ability was of little practical use.
Not only did it shorten one’s lifespan, but nobody wished to prematurely end their own life to tell someone else’s fortune.
The origins of Old Immortal were a mystery, with nobody knowing the details.
There used to be those who sought to uncover his past, but after his name had been established in Liuyang for many years, such concerns faded into insignificance.
Where one learned his skills wasn’t important; what mattered was what could be predicted.
Possibly due to a fear of death in his old age, or perhaps a genuine comprehension of the heavenly secrets, Old Immortal ceased all fortune telling and character reading for others ten years ago, starting to focus on cultivating his mind and respecting the Heavenly Dao.
There were still people who traveled from afar to beg for a reading, putting him in a difficult position.
Agreeing would break his own vow, while refusing could offend friends.
Therefore, he decided to organize a highly ceremonious “Gold Basin Cleansing” on his one hundredth birthday.
Once the news spread, he could rightfully decline the persistent requests of the foolhardy.
Today, at the auspicious time, the feast was merely a formality.
The guests didn’t come for a few bites of food or several pots of wine.
What they truly cared about was Old Immortal’s final divination.
Thus, the guests were as numerous as clouds and congratulations as plentiful as rain.
Not only were there Cultivators from Liuyang City, but also from surrounding cities and even some who had traveled thousands of miles after hearing of his fame.
Daoists cherished such an event, as the tale would become a beautiful anecdote, and participating in it became a boasting right in one’s life.
A Gold Basin Cleansing?
He had never witnessed one before.
If the words were taken literally, did it mean immersing one’s mouth in a gold basin as a cleansing ritual?
But he knew this was a self-deception, just as if you killed someone, even after you “washed your hands” in a gold basin, there would still be people out for revenge.
Being a Cultivator specialized in Divination, have you asked Heaven if you wish to quit and clean your mouth?
Perhaps it was a hint to other practitioners that he was old and wished not to offend the divine, hence everyone should stop disturbing him; in essence, it was a performance for the Cultivation World to witness.
Having put his concerns to rest, even he, who wasn’t usually impressed by such things, felt some curiosity about it.
A servant approached him quietly, “Upper Cultivator, the master invites you to wait in the study; he will be with you shortly.”
Hou Niao nodded and followed the servant through a series of turns to reach a study.
It seemed Capital Commandant valued his visit quite highly, remembering the announcement at the gate and not forgetting him.
The study was simple, filled mostly with antique objects used for Divination, but he had no interest in them.
Watching with eyes, observing with the nose, focusing with the heart…
It was not long before the venerable immortal Daoist Guan pushed open the door and stepped in.
He was an old man of dignified appearance, and Hou Niao meant no disrespect in using this term; indeed, the elder was poised and upright, radiating with an air of rectitude, embodying the grace of an immortal.
Daoist Guan looked at him with a kind gaze, “My young friend, I apologize for making you wait.
Today, I had far too many social engagements with people whose invitations I couldn’t decline, bonds built over decades…
Are you here on behalf of the Capital Commandant?”
Hou Niao bowed respectfully, “The Capital Commandant asked me to bring you a congratulatory gift.
He then presented the small gourd.
Daoist Guan swept his Divine Sense through it, felt a trace of surprise, and largely understood his old friend’s intention.
Contrary to Hou Niao’s expectation, Daoist Guan returned the small gourd to him, “I have erased the Divine Prohibition from this item.
Today, I shall pass it on to you as a gift for our meeting.”
Hou Niao had not anticipated this turn of events, “Senior, how can this be proper?
This is a gift from the Capital Commandant for you, I shouldn’t accept it…”
With a slight smile, Daoist Guan said, “My friendship with the Capital Commandant spans decades.
How could it be replaced by a mere gift?
Your presence shows his goodwill, which is enough.
Besides, this was not my idea; it was indeed the Capital Commandant’s intention.
If you don’t believe me, take a look at what’s inside.”
Even more puzzled, Hou Niao probed the inside of the small gourd with his spirit, and indeed, there was no prohibition left.
His spirit smoothly penetrated the interior and discovered that the so-called gift was simply a hundred and eighty Low Grade Spirit Stones!
While this was a significant amount for him, it was inconsequential to those Upper Cultivators who used Middle Grade and Top Grade Spirit Stones, where one was equivalent to ten or a hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones.
In other words, if this was a congratulatory gift, then were the Capital Commandant’s congratulations worth two Top Grade Spirit Stones, with perhaps a small discount?
That was utterly impossible!
But then it dawned on him; his monthly allowance, including Spirit Stones, Elixirs, and Talismans, amounted to thirty Spirit Stones.
He had been fined half a year’s salary, which precisely totaled a hundred and eighty Spirit Stones—not one more, not one less!
“This, this…” He didn’t know what to say, feeling overwhelmed by the high-mindedness and capricious actions of the exalted, which were utterly inscrutable.
Daoist Guan’s demeanor remained calm and serene, “Alright, your errand here is done.
I have received the Capital Commandant’s sentiments, and I, old man, am withdrawing from the cultivation circle, hence I have no messages to send back to him.
The feast is about to begin; you should return to the main hall.
There are many young and talented people like yourself there.
It is always good to make more friends.
Do not be too reclusive.
Cultivation is both a solitary endeavor and a communal affair, depending on the circumstances.
You will come to understand this in time.”
“Thank you for your guidance and generosity, Elder.”
Hou Niao did not refuse further, as that would be too conspicuous!
To these Upper Cultivators, such a trifling matter, if fussed over, would seem quite trivial.
He thus slowly left the study, cradling a belly full of questions as he headed towards the main hall.
Watching his retreating figure, Daoist Guan fell into contemplation; there was actually a letter inside the little gourd which he read and destroyed using his skills.
Hou Niao, being just a minor Energy Induction Cultivator, certainly couldn’t detect such manipulations, all done silently and without trace.
The relationship between him and the Capital Commandant was far from simple as it appeared—complicated and tangled, making it impossible for him to refuse the Capital Commandant’s requests.
Fortunately, by taking advantage of his retirement, he could finally settle matters and owe nothing to the Li family, right?
After all, he intended to perform a divination after the banquet to mark the conclusion.
What difference did it make what he divined?
…Given that the building project remains undecided, why not consider buying a garden?