Chapter 5

As the vital energy gradually arose, Chen Jiu gradually entered a state of complete absorption, where countless principles of the universe and the sounds of the great way continuously echoed in his ears, as if he were communicating with the universe or seeking the way and truth from it.

What is the way of heaven?

The way of heaven is the will of the universe, supreme and unparalleled, governing the birth and death of the cosmos, the prosperity and decline of all things, and the life and death of all beings, nurturing all life.

Ordinary people look up to the sky, unaware of the sun and moon's hidden movements, the changing of the seasons, and the mysterious workings of the universe, where all things follow their causes and conditions. The great way is the 'way of heaven,' which restrains the high and elevates the low, diminishes the excess and supplements the deficiency. Heaven can cover but not carry, earth can carry but not cover, the great way can encompass but not distinguish, knowing that all things have their uses and limitations.

Chen Jiu's tightly closed eyes gradually began to shed tears, as a mysterious and ancient aura from the universe enveloped him, gradually seeping into his body and spirit.

With a deep breath, Chen Jiu opened his eyes: "To hear the way in the morning and die in the evening, it is no more than this."

Chen Jiu slowly stood up. The coal had long since gone out, indicating that a considerable amount of time had passed. Chen Jiu was no longer sleepy.

He walked to the window and gently pushed it open. The moonlight was like water, and the distant mountains reflected the moonlight off the accumulated snow, creating a hazy and beautiful landscape.

Chen Jiu did not dare to go out, as it was already deep into the night. If he were discovered going out at this hour, who knows what trouble it would cause.

He returned to the room and rummaged through the cabinets to find a jar of wine that had been hidden for over seventy years. He took out a jade cup, the wine crystal clear, shimmering like amber in the moonlight.

"It's a pity that such a beautiful moonlight has no one to share it with," a cold wind blew, but Chen Jiu did not feel cold.

Although he had not truly cultivated, he had just generated a sense of qi and exchanged vital energy with the universe. This subtle vital energy, the creative qi, made Chen Jiu immune to cold and heat, a capability far beyond that of ordinary cultivators.

Ordinary cultivators, even with vital energy, are no different from ordinary people, and only truly stepping onto the path of cultivation can make them immune to cold and heat. This shows the extraordinary nature of Chen Jiu's cultivation method.

After finishing the jar of wine, Chen Jiu's small body began to feel drowsy. Looking at the moon in the sky, he muttered to himself, "What is the great way?"

"The great way is simple, and enlightenment comes naturally," Chen Jiu recalled a famous saying from his previous life, and said it involuntarily.

But soon, Chen Jiu, drunk, said, "Hey, what did I just say?"

"The great way is simple, pointing directly to the heart. The great way is formless, the great way is lawless, the great way is natural, returning to simplicity," Chen Jiu closed his eyes, and these thoughts flashed through his mind.

As the sun rose and the moon set, the golden crow hung high in the sky. Chen Jiu had been awakened by the little bandits, for today was a day of great joy for the entire bandit camp. Indeed, it was a day of great joy, as the annual goods were finally being distributed, and the entire camp no longer had to worry about the New Year.

Looking at the three leaders discussing, Chen Jiu felt for the first time that the bandit camp had no future. If he had any means of making a living, he would have long found a way to leave the camp.

But now the opportunity had come. Even the leader was planning to run away, let alone Chen Jiu, a small fry. Most importantly, Chen Jiu now had a cultivation method, and his future was boundless. If he continued to stay in this bandit camp, living a precarious life, he would truly be a useless piece of mud.

Watching the bandits happily collecting their goods, Chen Jiu smiled, a smile that was hard to tell whether it was mocking or comforting, but it looked strange.

The second leader, seeing Chen Jiu lazily basking in the sun, waved to him, "Chen Jiu."

Chen Jiu walked over, "Second leader."

The second leader looked at Chen Jiu, "Why aren't you collecting your goods? Do you want to starve during the New Year? You're usually the first to collect things, what's wrong this year?"

Chen Jiu smiled bitterly, "Second leader, you misunderstand me. I trust you. Even if I don't come, the leader will surely keep my share for me."

The second leader nodded, "Right, why isn't the leader out today?"

Chen Jiu glanced at the other leaders, seeing no abnormalities, "I heard the leader is trying to break through a bottleneck and is in seclusion. He might be in the middle of breaking through or gathering herbs on the mountain."

Chen Jiu mentioned gathering herbs because some cultivation methods can use herbs to increase the chances of breaking through.

The second leader accepted Chen Jiu's explanation. The other leaders were glad the leader was not out, as their prestige among the bandits had greatly increased after the distribution of goods.

Chen Jiu looked at the second leader and said, "Leader, is my treasure ready?"

He smoothly changed the topic, without any hint of tension.

The second leader laughed, "You little guy, come and pick it out. It's all here."

Rubbing his hands, Chen Jiu smiled, "Leader, this treasure comes just in time. I was planning to go down the mountain tomorrow, and I was short on silver. I didn't expect it to be delivered today. You are truly a timely rain."

"Hey, what are you going down the mountain for? The New Year is approaching, aren't you staying on the mountain?" the third leader asked.

The third leader was thin, with visible bones and veins, like earthworms.

If you underestimated him because of his thinness, you would surely die a miserable death. To stand out among countless bandits and secure a position, he was a ruthless and vicious person, a true villain.

Chen Jiu laughed, "With the New Year approaching, my clothes haven't been changed for three years, and I'm not young anymore. I need to go down and buy a maid. This can't go on forever."

The leaders found no flaws in his explanation. The second leader teased, "Chen Jiu, can you even use a wife with your small build?"

The surrounding bandits couldn't help but laugh, but seeing Chen Jiu's angry expression, they quickly suppressed their laughter.

However, from their red faces and bulging necks, it was clear they doubted whether Chen Jiu could use a wife.

Feeling their skeptical gazes, Chen Jiu kicked a nearby bandit, "I'll kick you again, I'll kick you again. I'm a man, and you say I can't use a wife. You deserve it."

The bandit, caught in the crossfire, could only beg for mercy.

After a few kicks, Chen Jiu retracted his leg, grinding his teeth, "Leader, I'll go prepare."

He picked up his share of the treasure and ran back as if fleeing.

The leaders watched Chen Jiu disappear, and when he was out of sight, they收回了笑容：“老三，看出什么没有？”

三当家摇摇头：“没有看出什么，看来是我们多心了，老大或许是真的在准备破关呢。”

二当家闻言点点头：“这陈九是老大的心腹，还好这小子不能够习武，不然定要将其给除去。”

三当家嘿嘿一笑：“二哥多虑了，这小子就算是才智再好，在机灵，没有武力也翻不出什么风浪，这次我的威望可是大涨啊，正好去喝一杯庆祝一下。”

三当家的话是实话，不管在哪里都是武力至上，不然陈九就不仅仅只是一个小头目，而是山寨里面当家的了。

二当家将最后的财务发掉之后起身看着远方：“老大又要突破，这对于我们来说可不是什么好消息。”

三当家摇摇头：“没事，只要你我暂时安稳，恪守本分，老大也挑不出什么毛病，他怎么也不能鸡蛋里面挑骨头，这样可就失去了人心，这山寨也就完了。”

说完之后几人觉得挺有理，一阵大笑之后向着不远处的食堂走去。

翻页上AD开始

翻页上AD结束

收回了笑容：“老三，看出什么没有？”

The third leader shook his head, "I didn't see anything. It seems we were overthinking it. The leader might really be preparing to break through."

The second leader nodded, "Chen Jiu is the leader's confidant. Fortunately, this kid can't practice martial arts, or we would have to get rid of him."

The third leader chuckled, "Second brother, you're overthinking it. No matter how smart or clever this kid is, without martial skills, he can't cause much trouble. My prestige has greatly increased this time, so I'll go have a drink to celebrate."

The third leader's words were true. In any place, martial power is supreme. Otherwise, Chen Jiu wouldn't just be a small leader but the head of the bandit camp.

After distributing the last of the goods, the second leader stood up and looked into the distance, "The leader is about to break through again. This is not good news for us."

The third leader shook his head, "It's fine. As long as we remain stable and follow the rules, the leader won't find any faults. He can't pick on us for no reason, or he'll lose the support of the bandits, and the camp will be finished."

After saying this, they all found it reasonable and laughed heartily before heading towards the nearby canteen.

翻页上AD开始

翻页上AD结束