Above the Great Dao
Chapter 536 - 251 New Year_2

Chapter 536: Chapter 251 New Year_2

The Red Horse Rebels had gone out with mountains of gold and silver, distributing them amongst the common folk of Qingzhou and exterminating nearby Evil Spirits.

In the following days, Chen Shi and Li Tianqing alternately took up the role of the Red Horse Rebels, beheading many corrupt officials and even more Evil Spirits, eventually dispersing all the gold and silver treasures amassed by the Wan Family.

That day, the two sat in a wooden cart that rolled out of Qingzhou City, drifting further and further away.

Turning to look back at Qingzhou City, Li Tianqing suddenly said, "Little Ten, do you think after we leave, there will be another Lord Wan?"

"There will be."

Chen Shi raised the Hua Gai and said, "After we leave, the court will send people to investigate what happened here. There will be new governors, salt commissioners, commandants, and Lords Wan who will continue to play their tyrannical games. That’s just the way of the world."

Li Tianqing seemed discontented, "We’ve just barely cleaned up Qingzhou, how can we bear to see it revert to its old ways? Is all that we’ve done useless? All in vain?"

He felt his passion cool suddenly, doused in icy disillusionment.

Chen Shi smiled and said, "How can it be useless?"

He placed a stick of incense at the Guan Sheng Emperor Temple and prayed, saying, "At the very least, they will restrain themselves considerably. They will fear that going too far might lead to a Red Horse Rebel storming in, knife in hand, and slaughtering them like chopping vegetables. They will treat the common people better, because... we’ve been here!"

"We’ve been here..."

Li Tianqing murmured, feeling a great deal more at peace, and said quietly, "As long as corrupt officials and tycoons exist, the Red Horse Rebels will return. The martial God of Wealth, Emperor Guan, will come riding swiftly, ready to decapitate the wicked."

Chen Shi glanced at him, then suddenly smiled broadly and said, "Tianqing, we independents have a little organization known as the Heavenly Court. You see, how about joining us... and there’s no need to misinterpret this; we truly are not rebelling. Our aim at the Heavenly Court is to find those lost gods of China..."

After Chen Shi explained for a while, Li Tianqing confirmed that indeed, the old master’s intention was not a rebellion; the idea of the Heavenly Court was indeed about searching for the gods of the Chinese pantheon in mythology, restoring their doctrines, and re-establishing their worship.

Not to overthrow the court or the True God.

Li Tianqing nodded in agreement, for his deep knowledge earned him the code name Scholar at the Heavenly Court.

Chen Shi took out a Heavenly Court Token he made and handed it to him. Li Tianqing examined it and saw that the token was rather simple and said, "I understand alchemy and could make some Heavenly Court Tokens."

Chen Shi expressed surprise, "Tianqing, you read so many books, yet you can also perform alchemy and crafting; what else can you do?"

Li Tianqing responded, "There’s much I can do; basically, a little of everything... Oh, the Spiritual Medicine in the garden!"

He remembered those sentient Spiritual Medicines in the Wan Family’s garden—such treasures!

He was about to jump from the cart to seize those Spiritual Medicines when Chen Shi smiled and said, "Those Spiritual Medicines, the ones that could be taken, I have already taken."

Li Tianqing sighed in relief and asked, "When did you do it?"

"While you were asleep."

Chen Shi lay down in the cart and leisurely said, "Not all the Spiritual Medicines could be transplanted to the God of Wealth Temple and my small temple; some required specific climates, so I did not transplant them. There are a total of one hundred and nine suitable for you and me. I planted fifty-four in the God of Wealth Temple and fifty-five outside my small temple."

Li Tianqing laughed and said, "You’re getting more meticulous in your work."

Chen Shi replied, "Keep the God of Wealth Temple for yourself; one reason is you can cultivate there, and another is that with the new year approaching, you need to return to Gongzhou soon to fetch your mother and Lord Li Jindou. If you face any danger, Emperor Guan can protect you."

He paused and then said, "The events in Qingzhou will surely not escape the notice of the upper echelons of the Thirteen Families. Take your mother and Lord Li away, either to Qianyang Mountain or to Gongzhou, and don’t go to the Western Capital for the Imperial Examination."

Li Tianqing nodded solemnly.

"And you?"

"Me? To the Western Capital, I will certainly go!"

Chen Shi looked up at the sky and laughed, "I intend to not just go, but to also reach the top scorer in the Imperial Examination and become the top scorer in the final imperial examination! You need not worry about me; I have my ways to stay safe."

Li Tianqing looked anxious and said, "I heard from Uncle Thirteen that the top scorer’s position is already pre-arranged; I fear you may not succeed."

Chen Shi appeared shocked, then filled with indignation, "It’s that corrupt? Who has it been arranged for? I’ll take care of him!"

"That I don’t know."

Li Tianqing packed up his pocket courtyard, jumped down from the cart, and bowed, "Master Chen, let’s part ways here. One day, on Qianyang Mountain, I await the good news of your success in the Western Capital!"

Chen Shi also jumped down and returned the bow, "Our learning is not so different. Although you cannot participate, if I become the top scorer, it is as if you have become the top scorer."

Li Tianqing, moved, smiled and said, "It’s a pity that we can’t compete at the Jinluan Hall to determine who the real top scorer is, and who is the second."

"Hahaha, naturally I am the top scorer!" Chen Shi laughed.

"That remains to be seen."

Li Tianqing waved his hand and bid him farewell.

Chen Shi watched him leave, until his figure disappeared, only then did he board the carriage and continue towards Qianyang Mountain in Xinxiang County.

The speed of the wooden cart gradually increased. Chen Shi sat inside, looking out at the misty Qingzhou City, his heart filled with emotions.

Qingzhou, we had been here.

Emperor Guan had been here.

He left you a clear sky.

If there are clouds blocking the way, a single slash will clear them, and the sky will be open again!

The wooden cart rumbled, traveling to the dilapidated dock by the Xianzhou River.

The dock was in disrepair, with not a single boat, only a lonely painted boat floating on the water.

Chen Shi glanced at the painted boat, the wooden cart rubbed against the ground, and with a burst of energy, he leaped into the water.

"Hey! Hey!"

The boat girl rushed out from the painted boat, shouting, "It’s free! Free, okay? Meals included on the journey!"

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then jumped onto the painted boat.

Black Pot also jumped up, the wooden cart grew six arms, grabbed onto the edge of the boat, climbed aboard, and parked itself on the deck to dry.

Relieved, the boat girl looked at Chen Shi as if she saw her efforts return to her pocket, and smiled, "Did Imperial Scholar Chen settle a big case in Qingzhou? Are you heading back to Qianyang Mountain to avoid the limelight?"

Chen Shi shook his head, "I am innocent, the cases were all done by Li Tianqing, it has nothing to do with me. I’m not going back to Qianyang Mountain to avoid anything, but to celebrate New Year."

The boat girl, handling the boat’s course, asked, "Imperial Scholar Chen, how old will you be after the New Year?"

"Twelve years old. But my grandfather said I was born early, in January, so I should be thirteen."

"Who else is in your family?"

"No one else, just me."

The boat girl softly advised, "If there’s no one in the mortal world, why not go to the underworld to accompany your grandfather, so he won’t be lonely. I’ll find a few companions for both of you, then days in the Heavenly Prison won’t be so hard."

Chen Shi paid no attention to her.

Two days later, they reached Xianzhou, Chen Shi and the boat girl parted ways, and he took a carriage to Xinxiang County, bought lots of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as a basket full of firecrackers, filling the wooden cart to the brim. He left the county town and headed towards Huangpo Village.

With New Year approaching, the city was full of lanterns and streamers, the countryside also bustled with joy, and children setting off firecrackers were everywhere.

Chen Shi returned to Huangpo Village, his face bearing a smile. He went from house to house distributing chicken, duck, fish, and firecrackers to the villagers of Huangpo Village, thickly catering to the kinship, making Yu Zhu’s grandmother and Wu Zhu’s old lady so happy they couldn’t close their mouths, showing utmost respect to Master Chen.

On New Year’s Eve, firecrackers sounded everywhere. Chen Shi moved the big red cannons to the village entrance and fired three shots. The noise was so loud it almost sent the old men and women of the village on their way ahead of schedule.

After setting off the firecrackers, Chen Shi, with a smile on his face, returned home, which was empty except for the dog wrapping dumplings.

Chen Shi walked to the east wing, to the west wing, and to the main hall, all were empty.

Grandfather was not at home.

It was New Year, and there were only him and Black Pot in the house.

Outside, the firecrackers crackled, but inside was unusually quiet.

The house felt a bit chilly, somewhat cold.

At that moment, a steady knocking sound came from the door. Chen Shi went to open it.

Yu Zhu popped her head in, smiling, "Little Ten, haven’t you had your New Year’s Eve dinner yet? My grandma said if you haven’t, don’t bother cooking; our food is ready. Let’s sit down and have a meal together."

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "That would be too much trouble for you! Wait for me, Yu Zhu. I’ll get ready! Black Pot, stop what you’re doing and wash your hands!"

He went to the well, secretly wiped the tears from his face, washed his face with cold water, steadied his emotions, and smiling, stepped out of the door.

That New Year’s night, he had a reunion dinner at Yu Zhu’s home. Yu Zhu’s grandmother was very kind, her father was very honest, her mother talkative, and Yu Zhu herself was very pretty.

Chen Shi felt the warmth of the lights, under which the family was joyously united.

He returned home and lay in bed, staring at the dark ceiling.

At that moment, he missed his family dearly.

— Thanks to the grand benefactor yasimi_1 for the Gold Alliance reward! Deeply grateful! Wishing the benefactor prosperity and success!