Chapter 36

In this world of immortals, demons, ghosts, and deities, are they free?

Ning Wuxie thought Ruo Lan would ask about some fortune or divination, but he never expected such a strange question.

"Since I was young, I have lost both my parents and was raised by the garden owner, who taught me music and arts. I often wonder, if there are immortals, demons, ghosts, and deities in this world, are they free? I wonder if you, sir, can help me understand." Ruo Lan sighed softly.

Ning Wuxie felt a slight heaviness in his heart. A woman like Ruo Lan, who worked in the Yi Xiang Garden, seemed to mingle with high-ranking officials and nobles, enjoying a life of luxury, but her status was extremely low, and she had no freedom. This made him yearn for freedom.

Are immortals, demons, ghosts, and deities free?

Immortals are governed by the Heavenly Court, demons are bound by the laws of heaven and earth, and ghosts and deities belong to the underworld. Are they free?

Immortals, demons, ghosts, and deities roam the heavens and earth, from the highest heavens to the deepest hells. Are they not free?

Ruo Lan's gaze made Ning Wuxie feel an urge to avoid it.

"If you can't answer, it's fine. It's a rather bizarre question." Seeing Ning Wuxie's silence, Ruo Lan felt a bit regretful but still smiled, her charm radiating.

Ning Wuxie shook his head and said, "I don't have an answer either, but I know that freedom is something one must strive for, and it is relative. No one is completely free, and no one is completely unfree."

Ruo Lan repeated Ning Wuxie's words to herself and bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. Do you have any questions?"

Ning Wuxie smiled faintly and pointed to a pavilion across the way, "I have a friend in this Yi Xiang Garden, in that pavilion. I would like to ask you to help me find my way."

"This..." Ruo Lan glanced at the pavilion, hesitating, "Sir, you may not know, but the Yi Xiang Garden has rules. Even I cannot enter the chambers of other sisters, let alone the Xiangju Pavilion!"

"However, if you want to see your friend, the garden owner has invited the top courtesan from Jiangnan, Xie Yanran, to be a guest tonight. You will surely see her then."

Ning Wuxie frowned. So many rules in the Yi Xiang Garden?

Night soon fell over Qingyun City.

The Yi Xiang Garden was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Even in the serene and elegant upper courtyard, the sounds of revelry could be heard. The visitors were all literati, scholars, and high-ranking officials from the Jiangnan region, each one a man of refined tastes.

In a pavilion that could accommodate nearly a hundred people, the curtains and drapes were richly decorated, and the air was filled with fragrance. Scholars and literati mingled, laughing and chatting, surrounded by beautiful women. If a scholar composed a good poem, it would be met with applause, and a beauty would embrace him.

Ning Wuxie entered the pavilion, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. In the center of the first floor, a raised platform was covered with a red carpet, and a woman played the guzheng, while attendants danced gracefully around her. Her soft singing echoed, a song called "Linjiangxian."

As he walked further in, some women, attracted by Ning Wuxie's handsome appearance, approached him, but he shook his head and rejected them. On the second floor, it was much quieter, with tables and chairs for guests to rest and take a break.

Ning Wuxie's gaze fell on a square table where three people were seated: a Taoist priest, a monk, and a scholar. Such an unusual combination in the Yi Xiang Garden drew a lot of attention.

Many guests looked at the three, and there were no women around them. An empty seat with a sword on it was available.

Ning Wuxie walked over, picked up the sword, and threw it aside. He sat down, rolled up his sleeves, and looked at the three, smiling, "Gentlemen, won't you offer me a drink?"

The monk, with a face full of scars, a demon-subduing staff by his side, and a fierce appearance, glared at Ning Wuxie, ready to stand up, but the Taoist priest held him back, shaking his head.

The scholar played with his wine cup as if it were a lover, his attention completely absorbed. He didn't even notice Ning Wuxie sitting down.

The Taoist priest, dressed in a blue-gray robe with a jade hairpin in his bun, had a slender face and a refined appearance. He wore a Buddhist whisk at his waist. After holding back the monk, he picked up the wine jug and poured a cup for Ning Wuxie, pushing it in front of him.

"Please!"

The monk glared at Ning Wuxie and snorted, "Boy, my wine isn't easy to drink."

"Wine is just wine. What's the difference between good and bad?" Ning Wuxie picked up the cup and drank it in one go.

"Good, I like that. Drinking is about mood. When I'm happy, it's good wine; when I'm sad, it's still good wine. For your words, I'll toast to you!"

The scholar slammed his cup on the table, laughed heartily, picked up the wine jug, filled his cup, and poured one for Ning Wuxie. He raised his cup, drank it in one go, and exclaimed, "Good wine!"

Ning Wuxie also raised his cup and drank it, exclaiming, "Good wine!"

The four of them, with such unusual behavior, naturally drew the attention of the guards in the Yi Xiang Garden. Some skilled experts were hidden in the shadows, and their gazes fell on the four. Even the guests sitting near them left.

Ning Wuxie paid no attention, looking at the three and smiling, "May I ask what brings you gentlemen here?"

"The Taoist priest and the monk are here to catch demons and subdue monsters. What do you think we're here for?" The Taoist priest smiled lightly and said softly.

The scholar began to play with his wine cup again, saying casually, "To admire flowers, the moon, and beauties. Fighting and killing ruins the scenery... I'm here to see the beauty of Xie Fairy. Why are you here, scholar?"

"To kill!" Ning Wuxie smiled slightly.

The Taoist priest, the monk, and the scholar all focused their gazes on Ning Wuxie.

Ning Wuxie looked at the three and smiled, "To kill those who deserve it, and anyone who stands in my way!"

"The scholar should cultivate himself, manage his family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. Your killing intent is too strong, which goes against the way of the scholar!" The Taoist priest sighed lightly.

"The Taoist priest's words are not sincere. Why can't a scholar kill? A scholar should lead troops in battle and govern the country in peace. Killing should be accompanied by drinking, which boosts one's courage and fills the sky with valor!"

The scholar poured another cup of wine for Ning Wuxie and filled his own, drinking it in one go. Ning Wuxie looked at the scholar and drank his wine, feeling a warm, fiery sensation spread through his body, his courage rising. He shouted, "Bring more wine, bring large bowls of wine..."

A servant looked at an old man with white hair, who nodded. Soon, a large jar of wine and four large bowls were placed on the table.

"Damn, a monk can't even drink more than a scholar? What's the logic in that? Come, drink. If you're going to kill, you need to drink more. Taoist priest, join us."

The monk stood up, broke the seal, and the aroma of wine filled the air. Clear wine flowed into the bowls. The four large bowls clinked together, and they drank heartily, their laughter echoing.

Various gazes—some disdainful, some curious, some wary, some worried, and some indifferent—fell on them.

In a private room on the third floor, a graceful and extraordinary figure watched them, and a cold voice came from behind.

"What are the wine-drinking monk, the heretical Taoist priest, and the heretical king doing here?"