Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Stomping on Your Horse

Chu Wuji truly wasn’t feeling much pressure about the upcoming competition.

His biggest worry was that if he obtained the Black Jade Soul-Returning Pill and it proved ineffective, it would be incredibly frustrating. He wouldn’t know what to do next.

At least now he had some hope.

“Hmm? Didn’t you say you were going fishing? Why are you changing clothes?” Ning Xianzhi was puzzled as she watched Chu Wuji take off his clothes and walk towards the inner room.

Could it be that he was afraid of having a slight scent on him that would scare the fish away?

If he was that worried, Ning Xianzhi figured this child probably wouldn’t catch a single fish.

“It’s about the sense of ceremony! This outfit I’m wearing now is the one I bought the day I got the bear paws. It’s too new and uncomfortable. I’ll change into an old one.”

As Chu Wuji spoke, he took out a box from the wardrobe. Inside were two long robes, one black and one white. Compared to the robes of scholars, they lacked a touch of elegance, and compared to military uniforms, they lacked a bit of imposing simplicity.

They were somewhere in between, resembling the robes of wandering martial artists from decades past, which had once served as inspiration for the “uniforms” of many martial arts sects. The attire of various sects had been modified from this type of robe.

Nowadays, they were considered outdated and obsolete. Not to mention whether anyone remembered them, it was probably impossible to even find them.

“Mother, do you know where these robes came from?”

“I seem to have a vague memory. Did I make them for you?”

Ning Xianzhi guessed the origin of these robes at a glance. They were probably handmade by his snake demon godmother.

Because the material of these black and white robes was actually snakeskin. The white one was likely from his white snake godmother, and the black one… seemed to be from a green snake, just dyed black.

They weren’t particularly special, but they could resist some magic attacks.

Ning Xianzhi’s expression turned strange. Thinking of how he always wore those training uniforms, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Clothes are meant to be worn. Why haven’t I seen you wear these before? Mother thought you only had training uniforms.”

Chu Wuji was now taking out these treasured clothes because his godmother, Bai Sujin, had mentioned that she had someone consecrate them for protection against evil and misfortune. If not now, when would he wear them?

But he couldn’t say that now, lest his godmother guess what he was going to do and worry about his safety.

“These are the clothes mother personally made for me. I was afraid to get them dirty, so I didn’t wear them usually. But now, I need some luck for fishing!”

“You’re even talking about luck for fishing now? Are you also planning to perform divination and rituals before casting your line? Mother might as well accompany you to fish.”

“No need! You just rest in the house. If you get hungry, you can order food from the Eight Delicacies Restaurant and mention my name!”

“Does Wuji have such influence at the Eight Delicacies Restaurant~?”

Ning Xianzhi smiled as she watched Chu Wuji put on the black wandering martial artist robe. His strong and well-built body filled out the close-fitting robe, and his handsome face exuded youthful vigor, valiant and heroic, yet not overly arrogant or domineering.

It was as if a precious sword had finally found its perfect scabbard.

Ning Xianzhi was genuinely satisfied with his attire, feeling like a mother seeing her child finally dress up nicely.

She even wanted to ask him why he hadn’t changed into these clothes earlier! He looked so much more pleasing to the eye!

Chu Wuji always acted swiftly and decisively. He put the white robe back in the box and was ready to leave.

But even in his haste, he didn’t forget to bid farewell to his godmother.

“Mother, I’m going to borrow the fishing gear. You rest well at home… I’ll make everything alright!”

***

A good horse could effectively save travel time. He couldn’t just rent any horse from the post station; it might delay him.

In the tea room of the martial arts division, Instructor Shang Liangzheng was having tea with Yu Hualong, explaining the intricacies of his arrangements for the competition from various angles.

“Young Master Yu, there’s a new rule in this competition. The most interesting part is this line: ‘If the original participant encounters unforeseen circumstances and cannot attend, the audience can sign up on the spot.'”

This new rule was designed for on-site manipulation. The opponents Chu Wuji would face would all be “on-site contestants.”

This rendered all his prior research and intelligence gathering on his opponents useless.

They would select opponents based on their physical strength, resilience, agility, and other aspects to wear down Chu Wuji.

Yu Hualong nodded but expressed his concerns. “That boy is favored by the Jing’an Palace. Even Princess Yao’er is willing to accompany him. What if the Jing’an Palace demands that he be guaranteed a spot in the finals?”

Shang Liangzheng was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t considered this possibility.

If this really happened, he could only advise Yu Hualong to surrender early or go into the fight on an empty stomach. Otherwise, he might really be beaten to a pulp…

As they fell into silence, a disciple rushed over. Shang Liangzheng thought he was here to lighten the mood and change the subject.

The disciple hurriedly reported, “Head Instructor, Chu Wuji just barged into the martial arts division and rode away on your beloved horse! He wasn’t gentle at all, kicking its belly hard! Your horse kept neighing in pain!”

Shang Liangzheng was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the situation. He cursed, “What does that scoundrel Chu Wuji mean by this? Did he give a reason?”

“He mentioned Princess Yao’er’s name, saying to contact her if there were any issues.”

“…”

***

Government Office

After the cat spirit case, they had efficiently resolved several other troublesome cases. With their superior’s permission, they were now having a celebratory drink.

And it was during their daytime shift! Being able to openly slack off and drink in the government office felt especially satisfying!

Constable Yan Daliu said regretfully, “It would be great if Chu Wuji were here. I went to look for him for several days, wanting to invite him to drink today, but the door was always closed, and I couldn’t find him.”

Old Man Kong had been grinning from ear to ear these past few days, greeting everyone with a boisterous “Hahahaha,” as if possessed.

Just seeing Shang Liangzheng kneeling at the Jing’an Palace gate a few days ago had dispelled much of his pent-up frustration over the years.

He raised his wine bowl and declared cheerfully, “To the joyous occasion of Shang Liangzheng kneeling until he fainted, cheers!”

At this moment, the sound of horse reins being pulled came from outside the government office. Chu Wuji, in a black robe, strode in hurriedly.

Seeing him, Yan Daliu was both curious and delighted. “So someone informed you about the drinking party! Why are you dressed so formally?”

Old Man Kong was more straightforward and started greeting him again. “Hahahaha, Wuji, do you know how long Shang Liangzheng knelt that day? Cheers!”

Hearing Old Man Kong’s infectious laughter, Chu Wuji couldn’t help but smile, happy for the old man’s cheer.

He first offered a toast with a bowl of wine. After downing it, he said regretfully, “It’s a pity I’m caught up with something. Otherwise, I would have sat down and drank with you. I’d like to borrow a few peach wood knives and some enchanted water if you have any.”

Everyone in the government office considered him someone with some demon-subduing abilities. Hearing his tone, they assumed he had taken on a private job.

Without asking any questions, Yan Daliu, the chief constable, went to the storeroom and brought out a large box filled with various peach wood weapons.

“Take whatever you need. The constables mostly use swords. These are of no use to us.”

Chu Wuji wasn’t proficient in using so many weapons, but these consecrated peach wood weapons only needed to strike the demon; it didn’t matter if he was an expert.

He cupped his hands in gratitude, offered another toast, then skillfully attached the various peach wood weapons to his back and hurriedly left.

Yan Daliu didn’t mind the boy’s hasty arrival and departure, but he wondered, “So those were all slander against this chief constable! With all these peach wood weapons on his back, he looks quite imposing. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was a master of all eighteen weapons! But when I carried these back, everyone said I looked like a firewood carrier!”

The young constable beside him remained silent but had his own thoughts:

‘How can it be the same?’

Chu Wuji was tall and strong. Even with a full load of weapons on his back, he didn’t look burdened, so he naturally wouldn’t resemble a firewood carrier. But Chief Constable, with your physique…

Old Man Kong didn’t laugh this time. He could sense that Chu Wuji was going to handle something important. Without speculating on the details, he simply stroked his beard and said, “This boy’s clothes have quite a vintage feel. I’m afraid few tailors remember this style nowadays. Where did he find these old things?”

The young constable was surprised. Recalling Chu Wuji’s attire, he said, “Really? I thought they were new clothes from some shop. They’re trendy and good-looking!”

Hearing the young constable’s words, Old Man Kong couldn’t help but sigh.

Back when there were still various sects in the Lihuo martial world, this kind of wandering martial artist robe was considered common, unfashionable, and outdated.

Almost every sect wore this style with minor modifications, so it was easy to encounter people wearing the same clothes on the street.

Times had changed. Now, those who participated in competitions on stage would wear eye-catching and flashy clothes, striving to leave an impression on the audience, even seeking out famous artists to inscribe their robes with calligraphy or landscape paintings.

What was considered common and outdated by people like Old Man Kong had, after many years, almost disappeared, only to become trendy in the eyes of the young constable.

After hearing the old clerk’s sentimental thoughts, the young constable spoke up, not afraid of offending him. “Old Man Kong, could it be a matter of the person wearing them? When encountering someone with the same clothes, whoever is uglier feels embarrassed. You couldn’t admit that back then, so you blamed the clothes for being unfashionable.”

Old Man Kong immediately put on a stern face and scolded, “Yan Daliu, your apprentice is being sarcastic! He’s saying you’re ugly, that’s why you looked like a firewood carrier!”

The chief constable raised his eyebrows and rebuked, “Alcohol emboldens cowards! You haven’t even finished your bowl of wine, and you already dare to insult your master?!”

—————-

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