Chapter 48 Returning to Changjin Mountain (Part 1)
After New Year's Eve, Chu Jianshan found another excuse to stay at the Lin residence for a few more days until the fifth day when news came from Changjin Mountain.
To celebrate the birthday of Jiang Yan, the leader of Changjin Mountain, all sects are invited to gather at Changjin Mountain for a joint celebration.
Chu Jianshan felt something was amiss as soon as he heard the news, and confirmed it several times, but each time he received an affirmative answer.
Bai Qianfan secretly pulled him aside to a secluded spot and asked, "You also feel something's not right, right?"
Chu Jianshan nodded: "Asheng's birthday celebrations have never been this grand before. With such a large entourage, I'm afraid the birthday celebration is just a pretext. What they really want to see are the elders."
Bai Qianfan became serious: "It seems the rumors are true. They're going to make a move against Linyi Sect?"
Chu Jianshan sighed softly: "Linyi Sect has been monopolizing the market for a long time, and its behavior of bullying and annexing smaller sects is well-known. Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone, and this day will come sooner or later. However... there is still one thing I don't understand."
Bai Qianfan asked, "What?"
Chu Jianshan frowned and said, "When you were the sect leader, you always put the overall situation first and stepped down when you could. Why have you become the leader this time? Isn't this clearly pointing the finger at Changjin Mountain?"
After thinking for a moment, Bai Qianfan said, "Perhaps the sect leader has his own considerations, but the current situation is unclear, so you must come back with me."
Chu Jianshan readily agreed: "I understand even if you don't mention it."
Moreover, he still hadn't figured out why the bride in the coffin he'd seen in the Water City tomb had the exact same face as Jiang Rusheng. He had to ensure the safety of his older sister and Asheng.
"By the way," Bai Qianfan asked again, "why did you stay at the Lin residence for a few more days?"
Chu Jianshan replied dismissively, "Can't I rest for a couple more days?"
Bai Qianfan snorted coldly: "I don't believe you for a second. Don't think I can't guess that you've made some kind of deal with Lin Mumu in private?"
Seeing that he had seen through him, Chu Jianshan stopped pretending and nodded, saying, "Yes, I want her to repair my spiritual core."
Bai Qianfan had considered this before, and hurriedly asked, "Does it work?"
Chu Jianshan lowered his eyes: "Even if it can be repaired, it will still take time. Right now, we can only barely use some spiritual power. It's impossible to go back to how it was before."
Bai Qianfan nodded: "I understand. Your problem with your spirit core isn't so easy to solve, but even if it only has a little effect, it's still good. Don't be discouraged."
Chu Jianshan raised an eyebrow slightly: "It's rare to hear you say something nice."
Bai Qianfan chuckled and asked, "But I'm quite curious, how did you get Lin Mumu to agree to you so readily?"
Chu Jianshan gave an enigmatic smile: "Naturally, I took advantage of a certain silly child a little."
Bai Qianfan immediately realized: "Ji Shi, could it be that you sold him to Lin Mumu?"
Chu Jianshan had no intention of arguing with him any longer and simply turned and left: "Guess for yourself."
Bai Qianfan caught up with him and interjected, "But I still have to remind you, you've been making excuses to stay here for so long, even I think something's wrong. With Cheng Yuan's intelligence, he can probably guess what's going on, but he's never asked you. He probably wants you to tell him yourself."
He nudged Chu Jianshan with his elbow: "They trust you so much, yet they don't even know your true identity. To be honest, you're being a bit unfair."
Chu Jianshan remained silent for a while, as if accepting Bai Qianfan's criticism, and then made up his mind: "When we get to Changjin Mountain, I will find an opportunity to explain things to him. At that time, everything will be up to him to decide. I will not stop him from leaving or staying."
Early the next morning, they set off from Qingyao City. Ji Shi said goodbye to Lin Mumu before leaving. The two carriages slowly traveled along the main road, crushing the newly melted snow.
Inside the carriage, Ji Shi looked at Bai Qianfan with a resentful expression: "Senior Brother Bai, why are we taking a carriage? Why don't we just fly there on our swords?"
Bai Qianfan chuckled twice and explained, "It's all because of someone. First, they said Chu Jianshan had no spiritual power, then they said he was in poor health and they were afraid he would get cold. They were so worried about this and that, so they decided to just ride in the carriage together."
He stretched and lay down: "This saves me from wasting my spiritual energy."
Ji Shi looked puzzled: "When did their relationship become so good? Weren't they having conflicts before?"
Bai Qianfan turned over to face the wooden board, unwilling to comment on how their relationship had improved.
In the other carriage, perhaps because Chu Jianshan was too nervous about returning to Changjin Mountain, he was somewhat absent-minded and even felt nauseous the whole way.
Cheng Yuan noticed that something was wrong with him, poured him a glass of water and fed it to him.
"How are you feeling? Any better?" Cheng Yuan patted his back.
Chu Jianshan forced a smile at him: "I'm fine, you don't need to worry."
Cheng Yuan changed his position, letting Chu Jianshan lean against him, and patted him gently: "If you feel really uncomfortable, take a nap."
Chu Jianshan frowned, suppressing the urge to vomit. Once he recovered, he still had to spare a moment to tease him: "Are you that worried about me?"
Normally, Cheng Yuan would cup his face in his hands, say cheekily, "Yeah, it hurts me to death," and then find all sorts of excuses to kiss him.
But Cheng Yuan's brows remained furrowed all day, and he didn't react to Chu Jianshan's teasing. He simply added another blanket for him, put his arm around him, and said, "Don't talk, rest for a while."
"No way..." Chu Jianshan muttered, "I feel uncomfortable if I don't talk."
Cheng Yuan became anxious and hurriedly asked him, "Where does it hurt?"
Chu Jianshan looked up, suppressing a laugh, and said, "My mouth hurts."
Cheng Yuan sighed helplessly, not intending to argue with the patient, but Chu Jianshan was still persistent, even when he was exhausted, he still tried to climb up Cheng Yuan's neck: "You really don't plan to kiss me?"
He clearly saw Cheng Yuan's Adam's apple bob, but his mouth remained firm: "No kissing, don't be ridiculous."
Chu Jianshan pouted. He had a wicked idea at this moment. The more he was told not to do something, the more he wanted to do it. He didn't care about his discomfort anymore and rubbed against Cheng Yuan's chest: "But I want it."
Cheng Yuan frowned, touched Chu Jianshan's forehead, and asked in confusion, "He's not delirious from the fever."
Chu Jianshan pulled his hand down, leaned closer, and demanded, "So, are we going to kiss or not?"
Cheng Yuan was still a little worried: "Are you really alright?"
Chu Jianshan said anxiously, "It's alright, hurry up and kiss me."
Cheng Yuan obediently hugged him, closed his eyes, and slowly moved closer. Just as their lips were about to touch, Chu Jianshan suddenly felt a churning in his stomach.
"Ugh...!"
He quickly turned his head away, gripping the blanket tightly with both hands, fighting off the urge to vomit, his brows furrowed together.
Cheng Yuan immediately reacted, helped him up, found something for him to catch his breath, and patted his back.
"If you feel like throwing up, just throw up. Don't hold it in."
Chu Jianshan shook his head, suppressing a surge of emotion, and leaned against Cheng Yuan, panting heavily, feeling utterly weak.
Cheng Yuan covered him with the blanket again and said, "I told you not to push yourself. You're not feeling well, yet you're still like this..."
"Alright, that's enough," Chu Jianshan interrupted him, covering his head with the blanket. "I'm going to sleep."
The words of blame were stuck in his throat, but Cheng Yuan couldn't bear to continue, so he hugged him tightly and coaxed, "I won't say anymore, go to sleep."
The carriage continued on its way. Due to Chu Jianshan's health condition, the journey was delayed by two days, and they arrived at Changjin Mountain just one day before Jiang Rusheng's birthday.
Changjin Mountain is located in a remote area with towering peaks reaching into the clouds. It was originally a secluded place for quiet cultivation. However, it gradually became known to the world after the emergence of Chu Qingyuan, who became famous at a young age. Its status rose among all sects, second only to Linyi Sect.
The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. After everyone got off, they looked up and saw only an endless expanse of stone steps hidden in the deep clouds.
Ji Shi had been looking forward to it for a long time, and ran up the steps in two strides. Bai Qianfan and Chu Jianshan had not been back for many years, and looking at the familiar stone steps in front of them, they felt as if they had been through another world.
When the group arrived at the mountain gate, the disciples guarding the gate immediately recognized Ji Shi and his companions and happily called out, "Senior Brother!"
Chu Jianshan carefully examined the two men. So many years had passed, and the gatekeepers had changed. He still vaguely remembered that the two gatekeepers were two dim-witted children, one fat and one thin. He could never remember their names, so he called them Little Fatty and Little Thin.
These two new disciples now seem to have been personally trained by Jiang Yan; they are handsome and upright.
With Cheng Yuan and the others acting as guides, the gatekeepers didn't make things difficult for Chu Jianshan and let him in without a word. Cheng Yuan originally wanted to take Chu Jianshan around, but unexpectedly, the sect leader's wife called him over.
Chu Jianshan shook his head, indicating that it was fine: "I'll just wander around nearby, you don't need to worry about me."
Cheng Yuan nodded and followed the person to Tinglan Pavilion.
Chu Jianshan knew Changjin Mountain intimately, so it was impossible for him to just wander around the vicinity. The first place he went was the remote Weimianju, where the master and disciple had lived for many years.
The crisp sound of bamboo was carried far by the wind. Even before entering, Chu Jianshan felt as if he were there again, as if he had returned to those days. The stone table and chessboard in the courtyard were still there, but he wondered if they were still the same chessboard from back then.
Having arrived here, Chu Jianshan suddenly felt a sense of trepidation, like being near home. He stopped outside the courtyard, not daring to take another step. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, scattering bamboo leaves all over the ground and blowing the gate open slightly, as if urging him to go in.
The scene before him was magnified, and before he knew it, he had arrived at the stone table. He touched the table and rubbed it between his fingers. There wasn't a speck of dust on it, indicating that it had been cleaned regularly. The chess pieces on the chessboard had also been neatly put away.
When his elder sister learned of his death, she was already not quite lucid and had not left Tinglan Pavilion for many years. It is likely that Jiang Yan sent someone to clean it up.
"It seems that Changjinshan has not been hospitable enough, which has caused our distinguished guests to get lost."
A familiar male voice came from inside the house. Chu Jianshan instantly raised his eyes, stiffly turned his head, and when he saw who it was, his heart was in turmoil, and he couldn't help but tear up.
The man was dressed in a dark blue formal suit, his clothes neat and tidy. He held a chess manual in one hand and had the other behind his back. Although he was not handsome, he had a kind and approachable face, just like the lush bamboo forest, making people feel at ease.
The two of them were stunned for a moment when their eyes met.
"Master..." Chu Jianshan opened his mouth to call him senior brother, but stopped himself in time.
He suppressed the surging emotions within him and respectfully bowed to Jiang Yan: "Sect Leader, please don't be offended. I wandered around and accidentally barged in."
“It’s alright,” Jiang Yan walked towards him, as if trying to examine his appearance closely, but after looking for a long time she couldn’t figure it out, so she could only lower her head and smile, “When I saw this distinguished guest… I felt for a moment that he was very familiar with me, as if we had met before?”
Chu Jianshan raised his head, clenched his fingers, and denied, "The sect leader must be mistaken. This is my first time visiting Changjin Mountain."
Jiang Yan nodded and sighed, "I've been mistaking people for others for the past few years. I guess I've been overthinking things."
"By the way," Jiang Yan continued, "how did you know I was the sect leader?"
Chu Jianshan explained, "I heard from the disciples outside that the former residence of Immortal Venerable Nanxu is right here. The only person who can enter this place must be the sect leader."
“Yes…” Jiang Yan nodded with a smile, then turned to look at the room: “This is where my junior brother lives. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye.”
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