Chapter 328: Then Lets Drink Wine

Another three Lightning Tribulations were heard, making Heaven and Earth tremble and roar.

A single sword strike named Cold Mountain Snow seemed to turn the world to winter in the blink of an eye.

It sliced through one Lightning Tribulation.

Then a Divine Decree was announced, summoning all things of the mountain and forest, pulling the spirits of Heaven and Earth into motion, transforming into Sword Qi.

Another Lightning Tribulation was sliced away.

Only one was left.

The sword moved in a flower-like arc.

The sword shot toward the heavens like a long rainbow, shattering the Lightning Tribulation which then scattered down like starlight.

Before Autumn Moon Market, Old City God stroked his white beard, staring as the Heavenly Tribulation was scattered by the sword energy.

He stood dumbfounded for a long while, unable to find words.

Old City God had guessed the outcome long ago, but witnessing it personally still left him unable to hide the shock in his heart.

To shatter Heaven and Earth’s Lightning Tribulation with a single person’s strength.

Was this level of cultivation truly still within the ranks of Immortals?

The thunder receded, the dark clouds dispersed, the fierce winds settled into the valleys.

Stars and moon reappeared before his eyes, as if awakening from a dream.

On that day, the land for hundreds of miles baked in summer heat, yet the temple atop the mountain was covered with flying snow.

Winter had arrived suddenly!

The Rain-Listening Sword returned to his side. Chen Changsheng flicked his sleeve and murmured, “Quite the spectacular show, though.”

.

.

“That huge commotion…”

Deep within the Riverbottom Dragon Palace, Old Dragon King felt a stir within. He instantly emerged from the river and looked toward the source of the Lightning Tribulation.

After watching for a moment and seeing the Lightning Tribulation disperse, his worry lessened.

“He really is someone who can never keep still.” Old Dragon King shook his head with a smile.

Yingyuan stood beside him and asked, “Father, that direction… is it Flowing Cloud Temple?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Old Dragon King nodded. “Your Uncle Chen either does absolutely nothing or something absolutely earth-shattering.”

Yingyuan’s mouth hung open slightly, his admiration for Mr. Chen deepening.

He looked at Old Dragon King and asked, “Mr. Chen’s cultivation level…”

Old Dragon King shook his head, cutting him off without offering any explanation.

Yingyuan understood and dared not ask more.

Beside him, Ying En pressed her lips together, looking as if she wanted to say something but struggled to find the words.

She seemed to have guessed why this Heavenly Tribulation had come.

When Mr. Chen first whispered his plan to her, she had felt uncertain. Now, having witnessed this Heavenly Tribulation, Ying En found it hard to stay calm.

Could the path of prayer really…

“Boundless and profound!”

In this moment, Ying En truly understood the meaning of these four words.

While the Heavenly Tribulation was gathering.

Moyuan stopped bickering with Hu Junhan immediately. Carrying Tao’er, he flew toward Autumn Moon Market at his fastest speed.

Seeing this, Hu Junhan followed, eager to find out what was happening.

…

When they returned to Flowing Cloud Temple, their eyes met the sight of the snow-covered mountaintop.

“Sir!”

Tao’er cried out and ran into the temple. Finding the front courtyard empty, she rushed into the rear courtyard.

Finally, inside the rear garden’s pavilion, she saw Mr. Chen sitting calmly drinking tea.

Hu Junhan and Moyuan arrived right after.

They all stared blankly at Mr. Chen, utterly confused about what had just happened.

Why was Mr. Chen so relaxed?

Chen Changsheng looked at them, slightly surprised. “You’re back so early? Isn’t the River and Sea Grand Banquet still a few days away?”

Moyuan blinked. “I sensed something was wrong and came rushing back right away. That Heavenly Tribulation just now… wasn’t it because of you, Sir?”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “Somewhere else had it.”

“Was… was it?”

Moyuan seemed unconvinced. He glanced sideways at Hu Junhan.

Hu Junhan blinked back meaningfully at him.

Moyuan understood. He looked at Mr. Chen but didn’t ask any further.

Hu Junhan stepped forward. “Since all is well, we won’t disturb you any further, Mr. Chen.”

He motioned for Moyuan to leave with him.

Tao’er, however, was a bit confused. “Wasn’t it him?”

Moyuan urged her. “Hey, go on, just go.”

Tao’er was thus pulled out of the rear courtyard.

They sat down at the stone table under the withered tree.

The ground around them was already covered in a thick layer of snow. Looking up, traces of the scattered Heavenly Might still lingered in the sky above.

Who would believe it didn’t happen here?

Moyuan stated, “It doesn’t matter whether it was or wasn’t. If Mr. Chen says it wasn’t, then it wasn’t.”

Hu Junhan nodded, agreeing with Moyuan.

Tao’er looked around. “Going straight from summer to winter in the blink of an eye… how do you explain that?”

Moyuan reasoned, “Don’t they say ‘timely snow promises a good harvest’? Let’s just take it as a good omen.”

“Snow in the fifth moon? Promising a good harvest?”

“It’s about the same any month, isn’t it? Not much difference really.”

Moyuan waved a hand as if to dismiss the topic.

Tao’er could only shake her head helplessly. She then got up, took a broom, and began sweeping the snow accumulating in the courtyard.

The sound of sweeping snow echoed through the temple.

Flowing Cloud Temple was still quiet. The one sweeping snow was still that unknown woman who came from who knows where.

Tao’er seemed to recall many years ago.

She probably never imagined that she, in this lifetime, would ever get married.

She thought, how wonderful it would be if there was a snowfall on her wedding day.

No particular reason; she just liked snow, that’s all.

Her thoughts about this Mortal World had always been this pure.

A little later, Zhang Xiaoliu arrived at the temple.

He brought a jar of wine, naturally for Mr. Chen.

When Chen Changsheng saw him again, he clearly sensed that Zhang Xiaoliu had aged considerably.

He was indeed growing old.

Chen Changsheng invited him into the rear courtyard.

Compared to before, Zhang Xiaoliu seemed noticeably more timid. Perhaps the events earlier had taken away his former ease.

Chen Changsheng asked, “After three years sweeping the mountain, how do you find it?”

Zhang Xiaoliu replied, “Sir, it’s been fine. Young Master Mo usually chats with me; I don’t get bored.”

Chen Changsheng nodded faintly. “And has the magistrate returned all the wages they withheld?”

Zhang Xiaoliu froze, lowering his head as if he wished the ground would swallow him.

Chen Changsheng said, “In this matter, I didn’t lift a finger to help.”

Zhang Xiaoliu looked up, blinking, confused. “Then who…?”

Chen Changsheng inquired, “Do you remember the man you gave those green tangerines to?”

Zhang Xiaoliu recalled the figure who had waited at the mountain’s base.

He snapped back to reality. “He helped me?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Indeed. But if truth be told, it was more a readily given favor. He’d been meaning to clean up the local officials for some time; things simply aligned.”

Hearing this, some of Zhang Xiaoliu’s guilt eased.

He could not bear to owe any more favors to Mr. Chen.

To him, one more debt felt like a deep pang of guilt piercing his heart.

Chen Changsheng looked at the jar of wine Zhang Xiaoliu brought, reached over to take it, and broke the wax seal.

The fragrance of wine drifted out.

Chen Changsheng sniffed and smiled. “Still the Autumn Moon Brew.”

Seeing the smile on Mr. Chen’s face, Zhang Xiaoliu couldn’t help but smile too.

“No tea today.”

Chen Changsheng said, “How about just this one jar?” Pointing at the wine.

Zhang Xiaoliu paused, staring at Mr. Chen.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

“Then let’s drink wine.”