Journey to the End of the Night-Chapter 1321 - 849: Guangmeng Old City (Part 2)

Baili An was startled, only after sleeping together today did he realize, Su Jing has the physique that attracts yin spirits.

He stared deeply without speaking, refraining from waking her impulsively. Instead, he retrieved a White Jade Flute from his sleeve and began to play softly.

The clear, melodious sound of the flute echoed gently, dispersing the yin spirits outside the window as if they had met a natural enemy.

Listening to the tranquil, distant flute melody, Su Jing’s furrowed brow slowly relaxed, her expression gradually becoming serene and calm.

Unconsciously, she turned over, hugging Baili An’s waist, her head resting against his chin, snuggling into his arms, sleeping ever more soundly and sweetly.

...

...

At the break of dawn in Nanze Mountain, due to the heavy snow, the sight of the sun slowly climbing over the mountain top could not be seen.

The faintly bright sky was cold and bleak.

Baili An awoke from meditation, intending to quiet his mind and rest for a short while, but Su Jing had already woken up early to dress, seeming very excited.

Still, excitement aside, through the night, Su Jing seemed to have grown a lot and learned to be considerate of others.

She moved lightly, without waking Baili An, as she sensed his even breathing.

After preparing everything, she didn’t rush him but quietly lay by the bed, staring at Baili An’s face in a daze.

Baili An’s daily sleep was never long, and soon he awoke, turning to see Su Jing’s round, black eyes, hard to disguise her excitement.

He rose, rubbed his head, and smiled: "Give me a moment, I’ll be ready soon."

Su Jing nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

Washing up, tying hair, dressing.

After preparing well, having ample Silver Taels ready, he took two paper fans and handed one to Su Jing, smiling in the snow:

"They say without counting years in the mountains, time passes without notice. Two years have flown by, we haven’t properly explored the Mortal World; today let’s enjoy ourselves, Su Jing."

Su Jing was unsure what truly enjoying oneself meant, but she knew that going down the mountain with him to play made her very happy.

As the day was about to dawn, the snow hadn’t stopped.

This time down the mountain, Baili An did not linger in the town at the foot of Nanze Mountain, but temporarily rented a carriage and hired two coachmen in Nanfeng Town.

According to the coachman, fifty li southwest of Nanze Mountain lies a city named Guangmeng City, one of the rich and famous cities of the Kingdom of Wei.

Many cultivators from outside the area also rest and play in the city.

Interestingly, today happens to be the yearly festival in the Mortal World, the Green Lamp Festival, making the city extremely lively.

At night, when the snow falls heavily in the city, the river is adorned with green lamps and there’s much folk magic, highly fascinating.

Green lamps reflecting off the snow would surely be a magnificent scene.

"Su Jing, your birthday truly is interesting, to coincide with the Green Lamp Festival." Baili An found it amusing.

Su Jing lowered the curtain of the carriage, listening to the coachman talk about the Green Lamp Festival in Guangmeng City, full of longing.

She tugged Baili An’s sleeve, looked into his eyes with seriousness: "I want to go."

Baili An naturally agreed unconditionally, nodding: "Okay."

The wheels rolled, horses trotted, crushing the white snow and dried leaves along the way. Finally, they arrived at this bustling city.

Baili An paid the Silver Taels to the two coachmen and entered the city with Su Jing.

Guangmeng City was filled with Mortal World vibes, with eight main streets and old alleys, crisscrossed paths, and teeming markets bustling with carriages.

Looking around, all was splendid, vying for attention, green willows and red carriages moved gracefully.

The prosperity of Guangmeng City far exceeded Nanfeng Town, which relied on Nanze Mountain. Although Nanfeng Town housed thousands, clustered households absorbed the mountain’s Spiritual Energy, giving a life akin to Spiritual Concealment.

Guangmeng City’s lively aura, bustling and vibrant, was full of affluence and life.

Su Jing found everything here extremely fresh, dragging Baili An to wander through long streets and small alleys.

The local delicacies were diverse and varied.

They shared a steaming bowl of spicy small noodles, sweating profusely from the heat, then enthusiastically bought big packs of lasting sweet cake pastries.

Seeing all sorts of strange kites and other trinkets, Su Jing’s eyes lit up as he dragged Baili An into a shopping spree.

The two agreed that when the spring breeze rises the next day, they would fly each kite on the Nanze Mountain.

Baili An really liked these warm little agreements between friends.

Both of them rarely came down the mountain, and while playing, they lost track of time.

As night fell deeply, and Guangmeng City became even more bustling, not the least bit cooler due to the descent of night.

Baili An and Su Jing were buried in a variety of large and small items, looking like country bumpkins who have never seen the world, their heads barely visible.

Such a scene naturally drew the mocking gazes of some young men carrying swords, priding themselves on being graceful.

As night drew on, more and more women roamed the streets.

Some were bold enough to take a few glances at Baili An.

Then, blushing, the young ladies shyly placed their lanterns among Baili An’s pile of items, and then walked away lightly, holding their hearts.

Baili An was unaware of the situation, unable to see clearly what was placed, and could barely catch a glimpse of a pink mandarin duck pattern, without seeing the whole view.

"Too many things, Qiankun Bag." Su Jing suddenly said.

Baili An was suddenly enlightened: "Oh yeah, the Qiankun Bag!"

He had a Qiankun Bag, so why was he struggling to carry so many things?

He stored all the purchased items, only leaving some trinkets in hand, while the rest of the kites and such were all stored in the Qiankun Bag.

"Why did that girl give me a lantern?" Baili An held the lantern, its light unlit, with a Fire Stick quietly inserted, and two red candles, one long and one short, placed in the center of the lantern.

Su Jing, with a crunching sound, bit off the sugar figurine’s head, frowned, and said, "I don’t know."

"This, my friend, is something you may not know." A young gentleman approached slowly from across the street, accompanied by an outstandingly beautiful young lady.

Baili An turned to look, the young gentleman wore a long blue robe, with a treasured sword at his waist, lightly swinging a fan with his right hand.

He was handsome, with a smile like a spring breeze, looking like he was born into a wealthy family in the city.

This person had a naturally sociable personality, and under Baili An’s puzzled gaze, he closed his paper fan, pointed to the lantern in Baili An’s hand, and smiled:

"This brother here is outstandingly handsome, so surely that young lady has taken a liking to you. Today is the annual Green Lantern Festival.

During this festive night, the ladies become a bit bolder, and through the festival’s atmosphere, they walk the streets. If they take a fancy to someone, they would give their lantern."

Su Jing’s brow furrowed deeper, biting into the sugar figurine more vigorously.

Baili An was slightly awkward, unsure how to deal with such proactive conversations from a stranger.

He responded with silence for a while before stammering: "But... but I don’t even know her, how should I return this lantern?"

The sound of biting the sugar figurine softened a bit.

The young gentleman laughed heartily, for some reason treating Baili An with great enthusiasm.

He said: "That’s simple, do you see the two candles inside the lantern? One is long and one is short. If you have no interest in the young lady, light the short candle and let it float downstream in the river.

If you fancy the lady, light the long red candle, signifying a long-lasting relationship.

Downstream, there are people specially tasked with intercepting lanterns with short candles, while letting those with long candles continue to flow; the girls will be watching downstream.

If they see their own lantern fished out, they’ll give up; if not, they’ll wait for their beloved on the Vermilion Bird Bridge in Guangmeng City.

Heh heh, either way, during the Green Lantern Festival, whether or not this leads anywhere, setting afloat lanterns is quite fitting for the festival."

Baili An looked at the pink lantern in his hand, revealing a wry smile: "It seems I have to set this lantern afloat."

Su Jing had already completely finished the sugar figurine, and she suddenly asked: "So, which candle will you light, the long or the short one?"

Surprised, Baili An glanced at Su Jing, never expecting her to be interested in such romantic matters, and couldn’t help but laugh, asking in return: "Which one do you want me to light?"

Su Jing, without hesitation, confidently said: "The short one."

Baili An took out the Fire Stick and ignited it, chuckling lightly: "Alright, I’ll do as you say."

Su Jing watched the dim light in the lantern, her eyes sparkling with excitement.