Chapter 120: Song of the Peach Blossom Hermitage

After the matter was settled, Zhou Bai returned to the caravan. The harvest this time was quite substantial, and enemies who willingly delivered themselves to death like this were rare indeed.

Naturally, everyone was overflowing with gratitude, but fearing they might displease him, they did not dare to pester Zhou Bai excessively.

They had never expected that a previously unremarkable wandering martial artist would turn out to be an immortal.

This made many of Zhou Bai's actions that they had previously considered somewhat eccentric now appear as mere manifestations of his innate divine nature.

In truth, as for Sheng Li, she had indeed seen immortals while she was in Xuzhou, but they merely displayed some eye-catching spells; how could they possibly possess such terrifying methods?

Inside the carriage, Qinggui's little mouth had remained wide open in utter astonishment. Her expression stayed blank for a long time before she was finally interrupted by Sheng Li.

"Young Miss, did you see that? A white dragon!!"

Sheng Li wore a look of envy on her face and sighed softly, "Immortals from the Underworld Bureau are naturally like this—profound in their methods, and their every gesture is far beyond what those bandits could ever hope to compare to."

Qinggui's heart was filled with reverence, and she could not help asking, "Young Miss, do you think that if we mention our trip to Xuzhou to White Immortal Master, he might be willing to lend a helping hand?"

Sheng Li shook her head and flatly rejected the idea, "Don't speak such nonsense. Even if White Immortal Master is also heading toward Xuzhou, it does not mean we can afford whatever price is required to make him help us."

"I'm sorry, Young Miss, I spoke out of turn," Qinggui hurriedly apologized.

Uncle Nan had been riding his horse at the very rear of the caravan. Every few breaths, he would turn his head to glance at Zhou Bai, followed by a heavy sigh.

Regret gnawed at his heart so fiercely that his entrails felt as though they were turning green. Earlier, Zhou Bai had offered him a drink of immortal wine, which he had flatly refused. Now, it seemed he had most likely missed out on a supreme opportunity of a lifetime.

At this thought, Uncle Nan could not help letting out another long sigh. Just then, he noticed Zhou Bai slowing the pace of his horse and drawing closer to him.

He felt a mixture of apprehension and unease; before he knew Zhou Bai's true identity, he had always addressed him as a junior, but for all he knew, Zhou Bai might be older than himself.

"How much further is it to Wancheng?"

"Replying to White Immortal Master, we should arrive by tomorrow. If you cannot wait, I can point out the direction for you so you can ride the clouds and mist to get there without having to wait for us."

"It's just some ordinary little techniques, hardly worthy of being called an immortal."

Zhou Bai could not help laughing and crying. If he truly possessed such incredible abilities, he would have vanished to Xuzhou in the blink of an eye, or be executing enemies with flying swords from a thousand miles away, rather than going through all the trouble of conjuring up a dragon-steed.

Uncle Nan looked utterly unconvinced, given that he had witnessed with his own eyes a white dragon over twenty meters long and a blade light that instantly engulfed an entire mountain forest.

Such a terrifying demon had been dealt with in mere minutes right before his eyes.

To say nothing of Uncle Nan, the attitude of the entire caravan's guards had now turned exceptionally respectful, and they even matched their marching speed to that of the skinny horse.

Before leaving Handu, Zhou Bai had asked Wen Meng to keep an eye out for martial arts manuals for him, but whenever an opportunity arose, he would still make inquiries himself. "By the way, Brother Nan, I can see that your martial arts skills are quite good. Do you have a master?"

Uncle Nan's aged face flushed red, and he hurriedly waved his hands, "White Immortal Master flatters this humble person too much. My real name is Nan Zihe, just call me Old He will do. As for the martial arts manuals, please wait a moment."

After saying this, he quickly hurried toward the carriage, poked his head through the window to converse with Sheng Li for a moment, and then turned back.

Uncle Nan was holding a small bundle in his hand, which he handed over to Zhou Bai. "White Immortal Master, I noticed ever since our battle with the demons that you seem to be deliberately searching for martial arts manuals. These are the treasured collection of our escort agency. We have no other way to repay your life-saving grace, so please accept them."

Zhou Bai stood on no ceremony. Since it was something he needed, he reached out and took it directly. He weighed it in his hand; there were at least five or six manuals inside.

Being an escort agency, they were considered a moderately sized martial arts faction in the pugilistic world, so they certainly wouldn't lack martial arts manuals.

Seeing him accept the items, Uncle Nan also let out a sigh of relief. What he feared most was someone who was completely immune to both favors and persuasion; now it seemed that this person was at least approachable for building connections.

Zhou Bai opened the bundle, took a glance, and said with great satisfaction, "If you have any more manuals, bring them all. I can purchase them with silver."

A thought stirred in Uncle Nan's heart. Although Sheng Li had repeatedly emphasized that they must not ask Zhou Bai for help, he still could not resist testing the waters with a probe.

"White Immortal Master may not know this, but after our young miss left Xuzhou to search for relatives, turmoil broke out there. Unsure of the situation back home, she is eager to return and take a look.

Our trip to Wancheng this time is merely to resupply before heading straight to Xuzhou. In our escort agency, manuals like these are by no means scarce."

The conversation within the caravan naturally could not escape Zhou Bai's ears, and he already knew that this group had some compelling reason compelling them to rush to Xuzhou, and had even previously considered asking him for assistance.

"Although we are heading to the same Xuzhou, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I won't be lingering too long in Wancheng."

Though he refused verbally, Zhou Bai was actually somewhat tempted. To him, the troubles of mortals could probably be resolved with a mere wave of his hand, but time was running short for him. After pondering on it, he decided not to get entangled in their affairs.

Uncle Nan gave an awkward laugh, silently wishing he could slap himself across the face. He had no idea what had possessed him to try and use such petty bait to enlist the help of an immortal; he just hoped he hadn't annoyed the other party as a result.

In truth, far from being angry, Zhou Bai actually felt a hint of regret. He pulled out his Ocean-Contained Gourd and took a few swugs of wine.

The fragrance of the wine began to drift through the air. The guards in the caravan all swallowed in unison, and Ah Huang, who was riding on horseback, also woke up.

Zhou Bai kicked the demonic dog down to the ground, telling it to stretch its muscles and loosen up its bones.

After running a few steps, Ah Huang noticed that everyone else instinctively kept their distance from it, so it proudly lifted its chin, fully displaying the arrogance of a dog relying on its master's power.

"Brother Nan, I still owe you a drink of wine, open your mouth." Sharing the joy alone is not as good as sharing it with everyone; Zhou Bai felt drinking all by himself was a bit dull, so he turned around and spoke.

Uncle Nan was overjoyed. He rubbed his hands together and opened his mouth wide, filled with eager anticipation for the taste of the immortal wine.

A glob of wine surged out from the Ocean-Contained Gourd and, guided by Zhou Bai's water-control divine technique, flew directly into his mouth.

Before Uncle Nan could even savor the flavor, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over his brain, his vision went black, and he slumped over, dead drunk.

Zhou Bai smiled as he steadied his body, then tied him up with a rope from the horse's back and tossed him to a nearby mounted guard.

He took another hefty gulp of wine from the gourd. Feeling slightly intoxicated, he could not help chanting out loud:

"In Peach Blossom Village lives a peach blossom hermitage,
Beneath the peach trees dwells a peach blossom immortal.
The peach blossom immortal plants peach trees,
Then breaks off blossom branches to trade for wine money.
Sober, he sits only before the blossoms;
Drunk, he must sleep beneath the flowers.
Before the blossoms and after, day follows day;
Drunk and sober, year follows year.
Unwilling to bow his head before chariots and steeds,
He only wishes to grow old and die amid flowers and wine."

When Zhou Bai finished reciting this half of the Song of the Peach Blossom Hermitage, he suddenly felt that it was rather absurd of him to be acting so drunk for no reason, and his face could not help burning with warmth.

Beside him, the window of the carriage was lifted open by a sliver, and Sheng Li gazed out with a strange light in her eyes—this was truly how a human life ought to be lived.