I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 228: Chapter 93: Spring Outing (3)

Ge Changgeng brought the Child with him, but only to say hello. Afterward, he went to another spot to fish, not wanting to disturb them.

When it was time for lunch, Ge Changgeng brought the little child, Qing Yan, and came over on his own without Fang Rui having to ask.

After all, Fang Rui’s cooking was truly excellent.

—Of course it was. When Fang Rui had nothing better to do—or rather, for his own enjoyment—he had leveled his Culinary Skill up to Great Success. How could it not be good?

Even though Fang Rui knew of Ge Changgeng’s identity as a Spirit Master, he wasn’t awestruck or overly respectful, nor did he try to fawn over or curry favor with him. Just as always, he casually joked, "Daoist, it’s not right to come for a meal empty-handed!"

This natural, respectful attitude put Ge Changgeng at ease.

"Of course I have a gift!" he said, patting his white crane.

"KREEE!"

The large white crane let out a clear cry and took flight. It circled over the lake for a moment, then suddenly dove straight down. With its wings folded, it plunged into the water like a streamlined arrow.

For a full twenty to thirty breaths, there was no movement.

The two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, grew anxious. They hopped in place, just about to ask what was happening.

Just then—

SPLASH!

The large white crane burst from the water’s surface, clutching a three-foot-long, thrashing golden carp.

"Consider this my gift," Ge Changgeng said with a smile, stroking his beard as he watched the large white crane bring the golden carp over.

Gasps of surprise rose from the surrounding maids.

"Amazing! That big white crane can hold its breath for that long!"

"I heard the Master say it’s some kind of Exotic Beast."

"That golden carp is a unique species from Mochou Lake. It’s very hard to catch, and to think it’s this big... Looks like we’re in for a treat today, thanks to the Master!"

...

Fang Ling and Nannan squealed with excitement, crowding around the large white crane and petting it all over. The bird puffed out its chest and let out a series of contented chirps.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady were also full of praise. Knowing Ge Changgeng was an extraordinary man, they wore respectful expressions.

Only Fang Rui’s eye twitched. He was highly suspicious. ’Ge Changgeng must have seen my White-headed Gull delivering fish, thought it was cool, and decided to bring his white crane just to show off.’

If Qing Yan knew what he was thinking, the child would surely have told him, "You’re right. Ever since my master tamed this white crane, he’s ridden it here every time. He was even disappointed that he missed you the last two times he went fishing!"

Speaking of the White-headed Gull, Fang Rui glanced to the side and found the bird staring intently at the large golden carp, looking utterly pathetic.

’So embarrassing!’

He irritably smacked the White-headed Gull on the head, took the large golden carp, and began to grill it.

He had to admit, the grilled golden carp tasted surprisingly good.

Once it was cooked, he divided it into four portions.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Nannan, Fang Ling, and the six- or seven-year-old child, Qing Yan, ate in one group. The maids ate in another. The two large white cranes and the White-headed Gull ate together.

Fang Rui and Ge Changgeng sat by themselves, a little farther away.

"Excellent!"

Ge Changgeng ate a piece of fish and exclaimed in praise, then glanced at Fang Rui. "Your aura is pure. It seems you haven’t consumed that Spirit Jade Ginseng, my young friend. To resist such a temptation... you are truly extraordinary."

’My so-called integrity only exists because I have a fallback. With my panel and Tribulation Points, I doubt I could have resisted the temptation either...’

Fang Rui shook his head. He brought up the matter of his capture of the Flower Thief, Kang Huaifeng, and probed indirectly, "Daoist Ge, what if I were to discover the truth on my own in the future?"

"Well..." Ge Changgeng thought for a moment before replying. "If you discover it yourself, my young friend, that’s acceptable. But I cannot be the one to say it."

"I get it."

Fang Rui understood instantly.

’It’s just like back in the Great Celestial Dynasty,’ he thought. ’Some things can be known, but not spoken. If you can’t solve the problem, then you solve the person who brought up the problem, right?’

’As long as you keep a lid on things, it’s happy days for everyone.’

"Ahem!" Ge Changgeng cleared his throat.

This was the second time Fang Rui had asked. It didn’t feel right to say nothing at all, especially after eating the man’s food. It’s hard to refuse a host you’re indebted to.

He thought for a moment and decided to give one indirect hint.

"My young friend, what do you see in this wine?" Ge Changgeng asked, pouring a cup and suddenly pointing into it.

Fang Rui looked and saw the cup reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, distant mountains with soaring birds, and the lake’s mirror-like glimmer.

"Beautiful," he couldn’t help but say.

"And now?"

A faint Spiritual Light glowed on Ge Changgeng’s finger. He tapped the rim of the cup once. Ripples spread out, seeming to puncture the surface image, and the scene within the cup changed instantly.

It was a mountain of corpses in a sea of blood, a forest of white bones, a bitter sea of sludge from which countless pale, bloated hands reached out, and innumerable infants wept tears of blood...

The scene lasted for only an instant. As the ripples settled, it vanished, and the bright reflection of the lakeside spring returned.

"This scene is the Great Yu," Ge Changgeng said. Then he fell silent, continuing to eat and drink while giving Fang Rui time to digest the revelation.

’So it’s true.’ A storm raged in Fang Rui’s heart. ’This peaceful scenery, this tranquil life... is it all just an illusion?’

Even if he didn’t want to believe it, every clue he had gathered—the former Golden Seal Renowned Hunter Kang Huaifeng, the Spirit Jade Ginseng, Ge Changgeng himself—pointed to the same conclusion: the Great Yu concealed a deep and disgusting filth.

Even the small corner of the truth he had glimpsed told him enough: behind the great drought in the Three Southern States and its depopulation, there was a deeper plot. The so-called Spirit Medicine, the resources the Great Yu Court supplied to Upper Grade Martial Artists, was most likely stained with blood...

And there was so much more he didn’t know.

’The Great Yu... it’s probably just like this cup of wine,’ he thought, a chill running down his spine. ’Beneath a beautiful woman’s skin... lies a skeleton!’

Ge Changgeng saw Fang Rui’s expression shift slightly before he regained his composure. A look of astonishment crossed the Daoist’s face. "Your reaction is much better than I expected, my young friend. Your mental fortitude is truly extraordinary!"

"No, it’s just that I already had my suspicions," Fang Rui said with a wry smile.

"It’s not as simple as just having suspicions. Your composure proves you are extraordinary in your own right. I won’t hide this from you, my friend. I once had an old acquaintance, a Golden Seal Renowned Hunter I’d known for years, who saw this very scene. He turned and left without looking back, and never sought me out again... Haha!"

There was an ineffable bitterness in Ge Changgeng’s laughter.

He paused, then asked with sudden curiosity, "If such evil were to fall upon you like a shadow, what would you do?"

Fang Rui considered the question carefully before answering. "If I’m not in a position to change things, I’ll just look after myself. I’ll protect myself and my family."

"And what if I were to say that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken?"

"I’d find a new nest."

"A new nest? Haha, you’re quick-witted, my young friend. I suppose that’s one way."

Ge Changgeng nodded. After laughing, he shook his head. "I’m afraid that beneath the heavens of the Great Yu, all lands within the four seas are much the same—similar in flesh, with only minor differences in the rot within."

"When I was a child, I too was full of aspirations for the world. But the older I got and the more I learned, the more pessimistic and despairing I became. And even what I know is only a small part of the whole..." He sighed deeply.

"Daoist, have you never thought of trying to change it?" Fang Rui asked, curious.

"Change it? Haha!"

Ge Changgeng laughed, but it was a desolate sound. "This Great Yu... the mere corner I have witnessed is like a mountain to an ant, a vast ocean to a mayfly. It crushes me until I can’t breathe. What talk can there be of change?"

"Besides, I may appear to lead a fine life, but in truth, I’m just a pathetic creature dragging out a meager existence. My retreat into nature is nothing but an act of resignation."

He sighed sorrowfully. "Ah, people are happier the less they know. I advise you, my young friend, even as you seek the truth, do not be too hasty. Take the time to enjoy the beauty of this world first. Otherwise, once you know more, you will likely no longer have the peace of mind for it."

"Then again, that might not be right either."

No sooner had he spoken than Ge Changgeng shook his head again. "If one were to experience the beauty of the world and then see the truth, an ordinary person’s spirit would likely shatter, no? With your disposition, it wouldn’t go that far, but it would be painful nonetheless."

"I once heard a saying that the cruelest thing in the world is to first build up the beauty of something, only to then shatter it to pieces."

"There’s truth in that."

Fang Rui’s thoughts began to drift, and he subconsciously mused, ’That has the same ring to it as certain kinds of adult stories. They start by building up the heroine as this untouchable, aloof ice queen, and then they shatter that image by describing her complete debasement... It’s a common trope for some authors.’

’Wait, what am I even thinking? Shameless! Shameless!’

Fang Rui reined in his thoughts and reflected on himself. ’I really am attached to the good life I have now. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be subconsciously resisting the search for the truth.’

With his strength as a Third Grade Martial Artist, if he truly wanted to investigate something, he wouldn’t have made so little progress.

Of course, from the perspective of an Immortal, haste makes waste. Rushing things would only lead to more problems.

Ge Changgeng stroked his beard, about to say something more.

"CHIRP CHIRP!"

Just then, two Phoenix-tailed Swallows flew over in a panic, their feathers all ruffled.

...

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