Teasing the young girl was really fun.
Other than that, Chen Xia didn't have any other thoughts.
It wasn't because Huang Qingyue was beautiful that he wanted to do anything. Of course he could, but there was no need.
One should learn to appreciate beauty. Chen Xia also didn't want to engage in reproductive activities without any emotional foundation.
He had strong personal thoughts and ideas, at least his actions were controlled by the brain above.
Huang Qingyue knelt and sat to one side, pouring Chen Xia a pot of water, and couldn't help letting out a yawn, rubbing her eyes.
She had accompanied Chen Xia in playing chess all night, and was really tired now.
"You go rest on the bed," Chen Xia lifted the teacup and took a light sip.
"No no, since you haven't gone to bed to rest, how could I?" Huang Qingyue hurriedly shook her head in refusal, and rubbed her tired eyes again, forcing herself to become alert.
Chen Xia put down the teacup, his fingers lightly tapping on the table, laughing:
"People, when hungry must eat, when tired must rest, when sleepy must sleep. Don't mind me, I'm not tired."
Huang Qingyue hesitated for a moment, glanced around, and softly suggested: "Then I'll just sleep on the carpet."
"Do as you wish," Chen Xia stood up and walked to the door, waving his hand: "You sleep first, I'll go out for a stroll."
After saying this, he leisurely wandered out without waiting for Huang Qingyue's reply.
Huang Qingyue looked at the closed door, her expression frozen for a moment. Then she curled up and fell asleep on the nearby carpet.
The imperial palace was huge.
Chen Xia was like entering an uninhabited realm, no one dared to stop him.
The palace maids and eunuchs who saw Chen Xia's lazy figure would immediately kneel down and pay respects, greeting Chen Xia.
Chen Xia would also politely respond, but he would not kneel.
Yet everyone in the palace had to kneel to him, including the Emperor Song Wei.
He was the highest standing person in this world.
But there was a saying well put - the higher you stand, the more lonely you become, especially when you've reached a level no one else can reach, and all around you are respectful smiles.
That's fine.
Chen Xia liked smiles, it would be even better if you took out the respect.
"Master, I've ordered statues of you to be built in every county of Great Song, for the people to worship every year. Pick a date, and I'll have it done right away."
Chen Xia was startled for a moment, "Why worship me, I can't grant wishes."
Song Wei quickly added: "You're the National Master of Great Song, and single-handedly drove back the barbarians, protecting the entirety of Great Song. You're equivalent to Great Song's guardian deity, the people should naturally worship you!"
Chen Xia rubbed his nose, somewhat overwhelmed by Song Wei's flattery, waving his hand casually: "You can pick whichever day you want, I don't care."
"Good good, then I'll go prepare right away, won't disturb Master anymore." After Song Wei finished speaking, he quickly retreated.
Chen Xia stood on the steps, slowly walking down, thinking about closing up for cultivation, and making plans for the future.
This was his first year staying in the imperial palace.
In every county of Great Song, statues of Chen Xia were erected. The third day of the fifth month was set as National Master Day. All the people had to worship Chen Xia's statue.
With Emperor Song Wei taking the lead, all civil and military officials worshipped in unison.
On this day, sitting at home, Chen Xia received this notification:
[Aura effect, annual National Master Day nationwide worship, Flood Dragon Qi 100/100]
Full.
Chen Xia was startled at first, then his face revealed joy. As expected, he could become stronger just by idling.
[Spirit Dragon Qi 0/1000]
Another prompt sounded in Chen Xia's mind. The Flood Dragon Qi evolved into Spirit Dragon Qi, and the color also changed from dark yellow to cyan.
His eyes shone as the cyan Spirit Dragon Qi swirled around once, then quickly calmed down.
[Spirit Dragon Qi: Qi of third-rank dragon clan, can control the spiritual nature, fuse into heaven and earth.]
This was a simple explanation of Spirit Dragon Qi.
Chen Xia didn't have a chance to test it out now. He'll think about it later.
"Brother Chen, the chessboard is set up. Let's play another round," Huang Qingyue's crisp voice sounded, calling Chen Xia over.
Her current status was as Chen Xia's maid.
After a year of interaction, Huang Qingyue also understood that Chen Xia was easy to get along with, did not put on airs when together, and even let Huang Qingyue directly call him Brother Chen.
Chen Xia responded and lazily went over to play chess.
Their chess skills were about the same now.
Because neither played by the rules.
No need to care about what spaces the horse or elephant could move.
Chen Xia could directly grab the "king" and charge out to eat other pieces, calling it a royal inspection.
Huang Qingyue could have her horse move two spaces in one step, saying she was riding an invaluable steed.
There were no rules, it was just fun teasing between the two.
The two also flew kites, right in the imperial palace.
Huang Qingyue held a large kite, anxiety on her cute face as she worriedly asked Chen Xia:
"Brother Chen, do you think our kite can fly?"
"It will naturally fly once you run a few steps," Chen Xia leaned against the wall, laughing as he replied.
"Brother Chen, have you flown kites before?" Huang Qingyue asked, holding the kite.
Chen Xia crossed his arms, "Flown one before, but didn't succeed."
"Why?" Huang Qingyue's pretty face looked up, somewhat curious.
Chen Xia thought for a bit before laughing in recollection: "That day the wind was strong, and there was no sun. I thought it'd be good for flying kites, so I went up the mountain. But I forgot..."
"Before thunder, there would also be strong winds."
"Haha." Huang Qingyue laughed foolishly, then worriedly asked: "Brother Chen, you weren't hurt then right?"
"The kite was gone." Chen Xia only replied this much.
"Hehe." Huang Qingyue chuckled, then holding the kite, started running to get it airborne, but no matter what could not get the kite to fly. She could only stop, panting as she complained to Chen Xia:
"Brother Chen, the kite won't fly."
"No wind." Chen Xia gave the reason.
Just as he finished speaking.
Huang Qingyue turned her head, and felt a gust of wind hit her face.
Strong wind.
Blowing her hair, stirring her skirt, plastering it against her perfect figure.
The kite was rustling.
Huang Qingyue pressed down her skirt with one hand, loudly asking Chen Xia amidst the wind:
"Brother Chen, with wind this strong, will there be thunder later?"
"There won't be." Chen Xia's light, floating voice passed through the strong wind and entered Huang Qingyue's ears.
His eyes shone with cyan light.
Today the wind was strong, and the kite flew high as well.
Amidst the strong wind, Huang Qingyue smiled at him from afar, "Brother Chen, let's fly kites together next time!"
Her voice didn't penetrate the wind.
But Chen Xia heard it clearly. Leaning against the corner, he nodded slightly, smiling as he responded: "Okay."
Yet he didn't say when this "next time" would be.
Life always comes with partings. Chen Xia felt his endless lifespan meant he shouldn't get too close with others.
It wasn't good for either side.
Year three.
In the alternating winds and snows of winter.
A lazy figure got up early, stepping unhurriedly, treading the vast white snow, leisurely leaving the imperial palace.
He wore a green shirt.
Just like when he came, empty-handed.
The wind and snow grew heavier behind him.
Completely obscuring Chen Xia's figure, along with his departing footprints, vanishing together.
Perhaps snowy days were good days to leave after all.
Who knows?
Chen Xia left just like that, silent and tranquil.
In the next room, Huang Qingyue got up and wore thick cotton-padded clothes, dressed up cute and pretty. She knocked on Chen Xia's door, knowing he was lazy, and called out:
"Brother Chen, time to get up. Brother Chen, get up. Brother Chen..."
No one responded.
Puzzled, Huang Qingyue increased her force and directly pushed the door open.
Nothing inside had changed, everything was still there.
Only Chen Xia was gone.
"Brother Chen, stop hiding. I see you."
Huang Qingyue deliberately shouted, thinking Chen Xia was joking with her. But Chen Xia's response never came.
Her expression grew anxious as she raised her voice.
"Brother Chen, Brother Chen?!"
Still no response.
Huang Qingyue started searching the room, finally finding a note on the bed. On it were three neatly written characters.
Parting Letter.
The content was below in crooked handwriting, very much Chen Xia's style.
"I personally feel partings need no letter, since it's not good news anyway. But to be polite, I'll just mention it. A chance meeting is fate, go outside the door and see."
The parting letter's content was so simple, very much Chen Xia's lazy style.
Huang Qingyue held the farewell letter in her hand and went to the door, only to find a crooked snowman about ten meters away, with a tall broom inserted in it, seeming to wave goodbye.
Huang Qingyue wiped away the tears that were about to fall from her eyes, and smiled back with a wave of her hand.
With a snap, the snowman suddenly collapsed, revealing a book inside.
Huang Qingyue walked over curiously and picked up the book to see four big words on its cover.
The Book of Profound Chaos!
The news that the National Teacher had left the imperial city could not be contained and inevitably spread out.
So people across the realm came to know that the National Teacher had gone into the world.
Officials in the provinces and counties all became nervous, intending that if they met the National Teacher, they must properly pay their respects to curry favor.
But sadly they never encountered him.
And people cannot stay nervous forever. At first they would pretend, but later returned to normal.
Most notably, the jianghu of Great Song underwent great changes.
Ever since Chen Xia, the only immortal in the mortal realm, disappeared without a trace, the jianghu of Great Song flourished again, with many masters establishing their own sects.
They even initiated a new round of competition for the Top Ten Masters in the Realm.
It was called the Grand Tournament of the Number One Martial Arts in the Realm.
This happened in the eighth year.
Moreover, this martial arts tournament was jointly organized between the jianghu and the officials.
It was hosted by the four great jianghu families in alliance with the Old Dragon Temple, the Three Great Sects, and the royal court of Great Song. The top ten masters would be granted official titles and rewards of ten thousand taels of gold.
Of course, even if you didn't make it into the top ten, as long as you had the skills, you could still join the Patrol Office and receive a generous salary to work for the royal family. It was a great opportunity for jianghu masters to move up in the world.
In no time, all kinds of jianghu masters swarmed towards the tournament.
And it was to be held at Tiantan Waters, which required crossing a hundred-meter river and several mountains before reaching the shore.
It was a place of great scenic beauty.
And scenic places often share one trait.
They attract many idle people.