Chapter 36: Abnormal

Bai Yichen smiled slightly and shifted the topic, asking, "I once heard a saying: where there are many people, there will be factions. I wonder if Brother Chen Long, the Rat, and the Monkey are part of the same faction as us?"

"Hahaha, what a great saying! What a good question! If you are willing, you can naturally be part of my faction!"

Chen Long responded with hearty laughter.

In an instant, the originally tense atmosphere transformed, turning into a gentle breeze.

Seeing Chen Long only mention himself and not the Rat or the Monkey, Bai Yichen understood a bit more.

So he replied, "That is certainly the case."

"Since we are in the same faction, may I ask you to share what has transpired?"

As he spoke, Bai Yichen raised the fragment of the treasure map in his hand.

Seeing this, Chen Long pondered for a moment before saying, "I'm not very clear about this matter either. Each member of the twelve zodiac signs has their own independent tasks, so outsiders find it difficult to know. This time, I learned by chance that the Monkey was sent to kill that person to retrieve the treasure map."

Bai Yichen thought for a moment and asked, "Then what if the Monkey originally obtained the treasure map? How would Brother Chen Long handle it?"

Chen Long shook his head and replied, "I would just observe the situation. I haven't entertained any thoughts of breaking the organization's rules."

Hehe, then why didn't you come out to save the Monkey earlier? Bai Yichen thought to himself.

It seemed Chen Long had seen through Bai Yichen's thoughts, for he then said, "The organization gathers for profit; the zodiac signs operate independently, and naturally, there's none of that emotional camaraderie like in sects. Moreover, your strength is extraordinary, and your actions were quick. It was hard for me to intervene in time."

After a brief pause, Chen Long added, 

"However, in recent years, due to the emergence of the Goat, there have been many changes within the organization. Originally, the twelve zodiac signs were merely tools; as long as the interests were aligned, anyone could use them. But now, they are gradually becoming tools for certain individuals. It's a good thing that the treasure map ended up in your hands."

Disputes of ideology and faction struggles?

Indeed, once an organization develops to a certain extent, these issues arise.

Bai Yichen then asked several questions regarding the twelve zodiac signs, and Chen Long was quite honest, answering each one.

This revealed a bit more of the mystery surrounding this organization in the martial world.

Finally, Chen Long reminded him, "Also, I will relay the news of your return to the organization, lest there be two Ugly Bulls later on. And don't forget our monthly contact from now on."

Bai Yichen nodded in agreement and then made a request.

Chen Long was somewhat surprised but still agreed.

After more than half an hour, the two figures floated away in different directions, disappearing down the mountain path.

The summer sun still shone brightly here, and the surrounding forests returned to their former tranquility, as if the bloody battle just now had never occurred.

Yet the blood on the ground and the bodies lying in pools of blood spoke volumes about the cruelty of the martial world and the cheapness of human life.

…

The bright moon hung high, and the evening breeze was cool as a luxurious pleasure boat drifted on the river.

"Prepare the food and wine; tonight I intend to indulge myself…"

In the ornate pavilion with carved railings and jade steps, a feast of fine wine and delicacies awaited.

Delicate porcelain held exquisite dishes, including spicy and delicious "Loach Drilling Tofu," smooth and rich "Xishi Tongue," golden and shiny "Wuwei Board Duck," sour, spicy, and fragrant "Dong'an Chicken," as well as marinated fish, roasted goose, and bear paws…

The jade-green wine cups were filled with amber-hued fine wine, with a dozen bottles of various exquisite wines placed nearby, including Tusu wine, Song brewing wine, bamboo leaf green, and lamb wine from beyond the borders, all were present.

Another exquisite dish was served—the fish sashimi made from the four-gilled bass, specially prepared by the chef at Drunken Immortal Tower around the time of the beginning of autumn, was truly a culinary masterpiece.

The young man in a blue robe raised his wine cup, gently took a sip, and used his ivory chopsticks to pick up a piece of fish sashimi to savor the taste.

At that moment, two women with skin as white as snow and eyebrows like willow leaves slowly walked in, resembling beauties stepping out from a painting, their gazes gentle like water, each frown and smile charmingly playful.

For any gourmet, this would be the most beautiful sight, not to mention the two enchanting flowers beside him, skillfully lifting the mood with their laughter.

As the night deepened, the young man in blue became slightly tipsy, feeling indifferent to worldly honors.

He casually brushed his clothing. Dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, it remained clean and immaculate even after a day of toil, resembling a snow lotus blooming on Tianshan, untouched by any speck of dust. The cloud patterns adorning the edges of the brocade robe rippled like water, delicate and dynamic.

Soon, he jumped off the pleasure boat, standing on a small flat-bottomed boat, inviting the bright moon to sail with him, questioning the immortal path with heaven and earth.

The water was calm, with hidden currents surging, as the small boat drifted toward Dongjiang County.

Speaking of which, the request Bai Yichen made that day really opened Chen Long's eyes.

That request was to change his title within the Twelve Zodiac signs to "Qing Si" (Green Qilin).

Among things related to bulls, this title was the only one that seemed appropriate.

After all, he was a disciple of that figure, and as someone born into the Dao sect in this life, he was indeed a disciple of that figure. This title was at least acceptable.

The other request was to have Chen Long fight him with all his strength.

After all, it was not often he encountered a master at the complete Innate stage in their prime, and he naturally wanted to take this opportunity to measure his own strength.

As a result, under the mighty internal energy provided by the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture and protected by the Dragon Elephant Diamond Power Technique, using the Four Symbols Opening Heaven Palm to counter his enemy and the Eight Trigrams Cloud Dragon Technique to maneuver, and concealing the complete Light Rain Sword Technique, he barely managed to hold his own against Chen Long for half an hour, which was quite impressive.

It even left Chen Long, hidden behind his mask, somewhat dazed, but he quickly congratulated Bai Yichen without concern.

After bidding farewell to Chen Long, Bai Yichen sought out a town, and upon inquiry, learned that it had been seven days since he entered the mountains.

Seeing that he still had ample time before the one-month deadline, Bai Yichen decided to practice in Jiangzhou for a while, combining work and rest as the right path for cultivation.

Moreover, how could one practice Sitting and Forgetting Heart Refinement without experiencing the mortal world?

If one does not enter the world, how can one transcend it?

As time passed, Bai Yichen found himself once again at the gates of Dongjiang County, but after nearly a month of transformation, he was naturally quite different; anyone judging him by his old appearance would likely be surprised.

Just as Bai Yichen was about to head towards the Zhang residence, he suddenly sensed something familiar while passing through the old street, and saw a little beggar approaching him.

Wasn't this the little beggar he had once given alms to, now turning into a pickpocket?

Yet he did not sense any danger and was curious about what this person was planning to do.

As they brushed past each other, the little beggar deliberately reached out his hand toward him, but it was not like an ordinary pickpocket; instead, he seemed to be stuffing something into Bai Yichen's hand.

Bai Yichen opened the note and saw a few crooked characters written on it: "There seems to be something unusual at the Zhang residence recently."