There were many people in the Jianghu. They came from the Jianghu, and they would also leave the Jianghu one day.
So this group stopped at the ferry crossing, asking the passing ferries about the prices.
Due to the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament, it was unusually lively. The prices of the ferries had gone up a bit, but that was nothing to these Jianghu knights.
It was just a little more money.
But generally only those with inferior martial arts or people who came specifically to watch the excitement would pay the ferryman.
Those with high enough martial arts would just walk across the river with lightness skill, why would they need to take a ferry.
And so there was such a scene.
"Who is that elder, actually crossing the river with just a bamboo pole?!"
By the river bank and ferry crossing, someone cried out in surprise.
Everyone quickly looked over.
In the hundred meter wide river, an elder with the air of transcendence was standing on a bamboo pole, hands held behind his back, looking completely at ease. He swayed as he slowly crossed the river, looking as if he would fall in at any moment, yet steadily made it across the river and arrived on the other bank.
"Look at how that old man crossed the river so easily with just a pole. He must be some legendary master. Though his face looks unfamiliar, we have never seen this person before."
"Or perhaps he is some great hidden figure who has emerged, let's not make wild guesses, such crafty old monsters are frightening, if he overhears and takes offense, it would bode ill for us."
The few Jianghu people stopped talking, afraid to casually discuss further, afraid to bring disaster upon themselves. These old eccentric monsters of Jianghu were unpredictable in temperament, and extremely frightening when angered.
Furthermore, this old man was not outstandingly impressive. In the days since they arrived at Tian Tan waters, they had encountered many powerful figures, among them were even some legendary chivalrous heroes!
Their experiences had broadened, and they were no longer as easily shocked by an old eccentric. For now, they turned their minds back to the matter of crossing the river, and looked toward the ferry boats.
"Hey boatman, how much per person to cross the river?"
The boatman was a middle-aged fellow, and he smiled and replied. "Thirty coins per person, come aboard."
The few knights frowned. "Thirty coins is too expensive. Though we brothers aren't short on money, we don't want to be extorted. Let's look around some more."
The boatman shook his head and still smiling, said, "Suit yourselves, but let me give you some advice. Crossing the river is this price everywhere now. I'm already quite cheap."
The few didn't respond and left to check out other ferries.
Watching their retreating backs, the boatman helplessly shook his head and muttered to himself, "With so many crossing, prices are bound to go up a bit. Business depends on the times."
He casually draped the towel from his shoulder onto the boat cabin, then turned and called out towards a smaller boat beside his.
"Brother Chen, aren't you going to set sail? It's almost noon, the busiest time for business."
There was no response from the small boat. After a long pause, slow footsteps sounded and a lazy silhouette emerged, casually leaning against the cabin. He calmly replied to the middle-aged man.
"I'm not doing business, I just feel like rowing a boat."
The middle-aged man helplessly shook his head again. "You've been here two years already. You should work harder to earn money, find yourself a wife."
Chen Xia stood with arms crossed, lazily leaning against the cabin, lightly laughing as he replied. "Then I'll just wait for a wife to come find me."
The big fellow was amused by Chen Xia's words. He sat down in the boat and critiqued, "With your looks and refinement, you're plenty charming enough to win young ladies' hearts."
"But to marry and start a family, it takes more than just one girl's agreement. You'll also need the parents' approval. Without some betrothal gifts, how could you gain the parents' blessing?"
Chen Xia's mind worked peculiarly. He instantly found a solution and replied, "Then I'll find a girl without parents."
The big man was taken aback, not having expected this train of thought. He paused for a bit, then persuaded further.
"Girls without parents are hard to find. Furthermore, girls who have suffered hardship tend to be more practical. Their standards would be even higher."
Chen Xia's body slid down against the cabin until he was sitting on the bed. He smiled and replied, "Then I'll find a rich widow."
The big man fell silent. He carefully scrutinized Chen Xia, then after a long pause, slowly responded. "You're quite suited for that actually."
And so their conversation ended there. The middle-aged man lifted a water jug and took out a food bun from his bag. He ate and drank some plain water.
Noon was almost upon them, the busiest time for business. He wouldn't have time to eat then, so he had to replenish his strength now.
As the big man ate, he glanced aside at the cabin. He noticed Chen Xia had already slipped inside and disappeared from sight.
He faintly frowned. This Chen lad had arrived at Tian Shui altar two years ago, claiming to be wandering and finding the scenery pleasant, so stayed to row boats.
But his boat business was terrible.
He rowed according to his mood, taking whatever money the passengers gave, never asking for more.
Extremely strange.
Even stranger was how Chen Xia rarely left the cabin. No one had ever seen him eat, but no one looked too deeply into it.
The middle-aged man also shook his head. He didn't bother prying into other's business. He could barely handle his own life, why worry about others?
Inside the cabin, Chen Xia blankly gazed up at the ceiling. He felt more and more disinclined to move now, perhaps due to his Great Turtle Resting Art reaching greater heights.
Or maybe he was just simply lazy.
Who knew?
Chen Xia flipped over and took out a small mirror from his clothes, examining his own looks.
He was looking less and less like his past self, whether it was his brow, features, or countenance. There were some differences.
Simply put, he had become more handsome.
Only his lazy and casual air remained unchanged.
He shook his head and put the mirror away, sinking his consciousness down to check on his Spirit Dragon Qi level.
【Spirit Dragon Qi 150/1000】
The Spirit Dragon Qi granted by the Imperial Tutor was decreasing. Only 150 more in eight years. It would probably take another two to three hundred years to reach full capacity.
Fortunately Chen Xia could wait. It was nothing major.
Additionally, all the points from these past eight years were invested into his Luck value. His Strength was still 35, Magic Power still 0.
His Luck was currently 13. Occasionally some big fish would just leap into his boat.
Finding money on the road was child's play.
But it still wasn't enough. Chen Xia wanted to continue raising his Luck.
Luck could influence martial arts, physique, anything was possible if raised high enough.
This was metaphysics.
He yawned and looked outside through the window. The sun shined brightly in the sky, heat waves rolled forth. It was already noon, the busiest time for the ferries.
But it had nothing to do with him.
The moored ferries around him slowly filled up with customers, then leisurely sailed toward the opposite bank. Many people still waited on the crossing, enduring the harsh sun.
And before them was a small boat that never moved.
Some young masters of wealthy families were impatient. Enduring the sun, they walked over to the small boat and shouted loudly.
"Boatman, are you there? Sailing or not? I'll pay fifty coins!"
There was no response from the small boat, only silence.
The young master frowned and shouted again even louder, "Anyone there? Say something! If not I'll pay one tael of silver. Name your price, this young master has money to spare!"
Right after he shouted, a head poked out from the small boat.
Just when the young master was about to feel happy, thinking money could even sway ghosts.
Chen Xia tossed out a pair of oars and casually said, "If you want to cross the river, row it yourself. Give whatever money you want, I'm not short on money either."
Then he went back into the cabin to lie down again. His reason for lending out the oars was because he liked the rocking sensation when the small boat swayed. Coupled with the scenery drifting by, it made him quite drowsy.
Specifically, the feeling was similar to riding a train in his past life. Once aboard, he'd feel sleepy.
The young master stood at the crossing, somewhat stunned and at a loss for words. Yet in the end he boarded the small boat, picked up the oars, and even asked the crowd behind him.
"Anyone else want to row together?"
Rowing a boat was quite a novelty. Many were interested in participating.
And so the boat departed, with Chen Xia lying in the cabin on the verge of dozing off.
Those aboard the small boat, with nothing to do, started chatting.
"For this Martial Arts Tournament, who do you think will take first place?"
Someone analyzed, "Zuo Fei Yang who was previously number one in the world will have a good chance at defending his title. After all, he's still young and in his prime."
Another person disagreed, "In martial arts, how can you judge heroes by age? The nine thousand year old Chancellor has lived nearly two hundred years, yet remains in his prime."
"In my opinion, Zuo Fei Yang has been busy with royal affairs these past few years and hasn't had time to practice or make any breakthroughs. It's very likely that he's been surpassed by other top masters," someone remarked as the group discussed the various possibilities.
Suddenly, another person brought up, "What about the Immortal? Do you guys think the Immortal will show up?"
At this, everyone was taken aback. Then they began sharing their thoughts.
"This is a martial arts convention in the jianghu. The Immortal is no longer of the jianghu and has embarked on the immortal path. There's no reason for him to be here. Besides, it's been five years since the Immortal left the imperial city without a trace. I heard he's shut himself off in closed-door cultivation so there's no way he would have time for this event."
Someone else hesitated before offering his own opinion.
"I've only heard this, but apparently the Immortal went overseas to search for a way to ascend to the immortal realm."
One person shook his head. "I heard the Immortal has already ascended and that's why there's been no news of him."
"Oh, I actually heard the Immortal's ascension went wrong and he was gravely injured. That huge thunderstorm on the night he tried to ascend in the imperial city five years ago signified his failed ascension attempt. The sudden halt represented his failure."
"I also got some intel, though it was told to me by someone else. I definitely don't think this way. But apparently the Immortal failed to ascend during that fateful thunderstorm night in the imperial city and...crashed from the heavens!"
"Stop right there! Don't go around saying things like that," someone quickly admonished, not daring to continue down that line of discussion.
But they all knew in their hearts.
Every jianghu person hoped the Immortal had perished.
Because only with the Immortal gone could the jianghu lift up its head!
Otherwise, the Immortal would forever be like a mountain weighing down the entire jianghu of Great Song!
One man able to suppress the entire jianghu.
The current jianghu upswing was also because there had been no news of Chen Xia in five years, giving jianghu folk a bit more room to maneuver.
Lying in the cabin, Chen Xia listened to their conversation and felt rumors really did become more preposterous the more they spread.
He had now apparently met his downfall. Give it a few more years and the rumor would probably escalate to him reincarnating.
The Imperial Preceptor's spirit tablet days ought to just switch over to memorial services then.
Light three sticks of incense and make it a grave worship.
He turned over again and heard the men outside continue their discussion.
"Have you guys heard of the Little Immortal?"