Chapter 5: Preparing to Descend the Mountain

Chen Jiu rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with joy: "Master, this treasure has arrived just in time. I was just planning to head down the mountain tomorrow, as I was feeling short on silver. I didn't expect the delivery today. You truly are a timely benefactor!"

After the second-in-command distributed the final finances, he stood up and looked into the distance: "The boss is about to make another breakthrough, and this is not good news for us"

Watching the three leaders who were constantly discussing on the side, Chen Jiu felt for the first time that the stronghold indeed had no future. If it were not for his lack of livelihood skills, he would have long sought a way to leave this stronghold.

The second-in-command looked at Chen Jiu and said, "Why haven't you come to collect your items? Do you want to drink the northwestern wind during the New Year? You were always the happiest one when the items were distributed every year. What happened this year?"

Chen Jiu stated that going up the mountain to gather medicinal herbs is because certain techniques can utilize these herbs to increase the chances of breaking through barriers

The third-in-command shook his head: "I didn't notice anything; it seems we were overthinking it. Perhaps the boss is truly preparing to break through the barrier!"

Chen Jiu glanced at the second-in-command and then said, "Leader, is my share of the treasure ready for me?"

The Way of Heaven is the will of Heaven and Earth, supreme and unparalleled, residing in the birth and death of the universe, the flourishing and withering of all things, and the life and death of all beings, nurturing all beings

Approaching the window, I gently pushed it open. The moonlight flowed like water, and the distant mountains continuously reflected the moonlight, creating a beautiful yet hazy landscape of mountains and rivers

The third master chuckled and said: "Second brother, you are overthinking. No matter how intelligent or clever this kid is, without strength, he cannot stir up any trouble. My prestige has greatly increased this time; it is just right to go have a drink to celebrate!"

The bandit has suffered a disaster and has been implicated; all of Chen Jiu's pent-up anger has been unleashed upon him

However, the opportunity has now arisen; even the big boss is about to flee, let alone someone like Chen Jiu, a small fry. The most crucial point is that Chen Jiu now possesses a cultivation technique, which is not comparable to the past. His future is limitless. If he were to settle down in this bandit den, living a life of uncertainty, then Chen Jiu would truly be like a piece of rotten mud that cannot be propped up.

The great way is exceedingly simple, directly pointing to the human heart; the great way is formless, the great way is ungraspable, the great way is natural, returning to simplicity and embracing truth! Chen Jiu closed his eyes, and vague thoughts continuously flashed through his mind.

After speaking, he hurriedly picked up his share of the treasure and ran back as if fleeing

The second-in-command has acknowledged Chen Jiu's statement, and the other leaders are quite pleased that the chief is not making an appearance. Now that the spoils have been divided, the prestige of the several leaders has significantly increased among the bandits.

Chen Jiu glanced at the other heads of the family but noticed nothing unusual: "I heard that the chief seems to be on the verge of breaking through a bottleneck and is preparing to enter seclusion for this purpose. He must be at a critical moment of breakthrough, or perhaps he has gone up the mountain to gather herbs"

The bandits dared not evade, but could only continuously plead for mercy

The figures of the three heads of the family are emaciated, to the extent that one can faintly see the individual bones and veins, as well as blood vessels resembling earthworms

The second-in-command chuckled and said: "You rascal, hurry over and pick it up, everything is right here!"

Although he claimed to possess no real cultivation, merely having just begun to sense the Qi and exchange it with the heavens and the earth, this slight connection to the Qi of creation allowed Chen Qi to remain unafraid of the cold and heat. This is certainly not a capability that an ordinary cultivator could possess

A few of the heads smiled as they watched Chen Jiu disappear from view. Only after Chen Jiu's figure had vanished did they retract their smiles: "Old Third, did you notice anything?"

The second-in-command nodded and said, "By the way, why hasn't the elder brother come out today?"

Chen Jiu did not dare to go outside; it was already late at night. If someone were to discover him out at this hour, who knows what kind of trouble might ensue

It is a pity that this splendid moonlight cannot be shared with anyone! A gust of cold wind blows, yet at this moment, Chen Qi does not feel cold.

After finishing a pot of wine, Chen Jiu began to feel a bit dazed. Looking up at the moon in the sky, he murmured to himself, "What exactly is the Great Way?"

As the energy gradually manifested, Chen Jiu entered a state of forgetting both self and the external world. The countless profound truths of heaven and earth, the sounds of the Dao, echoed incessantly in his ears, as if he were communicating with the universe or seeking wisdom and understanding from it

Oh, what are you doing coming down the mountain, kid? With the New Year approaching, aren't you going to spend it up there?

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding bandits couldn't help but chuckle softly. However, upon seeing Chen Jiu's exasperated expression, they all stifled their laughter once again

After kicking a few times, Chen Jiu retracted his swift leg, feeling a deep-seated resentment, and ground his teeth: "Boss, I will go back and prepare!"

The second-in-command nodded upon hearing this: "This Chen Jiu is the confidant of the boss. Fortunately, this kid cannot practice martial arts; otherwise, he would definitely have to be eliminated!"

Chen Jiu wore a bitter smile: "The second in command has truly misunderstood me. This is my trust in the second in command. Even if I do not come, the leader will surely leave my share for me!"

Mortals gaze upon the vast heavens, unaware of the hidden sun and moon. The four seasons alternate, and between the realms of light and darkness, all things follow their causes and conditions. The eternal and great is known as the "Way of Heaven." The high are restrained, while the low are uplifted; the abundant are diminished, and the insufficient are supplemented. Heaven can cover but cannot bear; the earth can bear but cannot cover. The great way can encompass but cannot be defined. It is known that all things have their possibilities and impossibilities.

Naturally shifting the topic without a trace of mundane triviality

In the distance, the second-in-command waved at Chen Jiu, who was lazily basking in the sun here. Chen Jiu stepped over and said, "Second-in-command!"

Chen Jiu laughed and said, "Isn't the end of the year approaching? I haven't changed my clothes in three years, and I'm not young anymore. I am about to go down to buy a maid. It won't do to continue like this for long!"

Several leaders found no flaws, and the second-in-command chuckled mockingly: "Chen Jiu, can your little frame even be of use if you were to marry a wife?"

However, judging from the flushed faces and thickened necks of the crowd, it is evident that everyone harbors significant doubts about whether Chen Jiu can use his wife.

As the sun sets and the moon rises, the golden crow hangs high in the sky. Chen Jiu has long been awakened by the little mountain bandits, for today is a day of great celebration for the entire stronghold. Indeed, it is a day of great joy for the whole stronghold, as today marks the beginning of the distribution of the New Year goods, and the entire stronghold no longer has to worry about the New Year.

Feeling the skeptical gazes of the crowd, Chen Jiu kicked at a bandit beside him: "I command you to laugh, I command you to laugh. I am a man, and you dare say that I cannot use my wife? Truly despicable!"

If you underestimate him simply because of his slender figure, then you are surely destined for a most tragic end. To stand out among countless bandits and secure a place for oneself is no simple feat; he is a ruthless individual among the most ferocious, a villain among the worst of the wicked

With a leisurely breath released, Chen Jiu opened his eyes: "To hear the Dao in the morning is worth dying for, nothing more than this!"

However, Chen Jiu soon drunkenly said: "Eh, what did I just say?"

Chen Jiu's tightly closed eyes gradually began to seep with tears, as a mysterious and ancient aura, the most profound between heaven and earth, enveloped him, slowly permeating his body and his primordial spirit

After speaking, several people felt it made sense, and after a burst of laughter, they headed towards the cafeteria not far away

Returning indoors, I rummaged through the cabinets to find a bottle of old liquor that had been hidden for over seventy years. I took out a jade cup; the liquor was crystal clear, resembling amber under the moonlight

Chen Jiu slowly stood up. By this time, the coal had long since extinguished, and it seemed that quite a bit of time had passed. Chen Jiu was already completely devoid of sleepiness.

Observing the bandits joyfully stepping forward to claim their belongings, Chen Jiu wore a smile, the nature of which was uncertain—whether it was one of mockery or relief. In any case, it appeared rather peculiar.

The great way is extremely simple, and understanding comes naturally! Chen Jiu recalled a famous saying from his past life and could not help but utter it.

The third leader shook his head: "It's nothing, as long as you and I remain stable for the time being and adhere to our duties, the boss won't find any faults. He can't nitpick over trivial matters, as that would alienate people's hearts, and this stronghold would be finished!"

What the third leader said is the truth; no matter where it is, power is paramount. Otherwise, Chen Jiu would not merely be a minor leader, but rather the head of the stronghold.

A typical practitioner, even if they possess a certain level of energy, is no different from an ordinary person. Only those who have truly embarked on the path of cultivation can remain unafraid of the changing seasons. This illustrates the extraordinary nature of Chen Jiu's techniques.

What is the way of heaven