Chapter 16: Hope for Longevity
Anping Alley. Inside the study of a small courtyard.
Smack, smack—the sound of whipping was incessant.
Fu Shaoguang stood on the Little Sheep Demon's head, his compound and simple eyes staring fiercely at the Little Pig Demon. One of his two lower legs remained still while the other stomped continuously; his two middle legs crossed in front of his abdomen, and his two upper legs held a thin bamboo pole.
The Little Pig Demon was on the verge of tears, watching Fu Shaoguang pitifully, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Fu Shaoguang glared, waving his upper leg. The bamboo pole whistled through the air above Zhu Yun. Having already experienced the 'bamboo shoot stir-fry' punishment, the Little Pig Demon immediately retracted her head, and her tears plopped down.
"Um..."
Gongyang Yang attempted to speak. Just as he spoke two words, Fu Shaoguang stomped furiously. Gongyang Yang’s head sank, and he dared not plead for mercy again. He immediately put on a stern face, feigning seriousness, and glared with his sheep eyes: "Crying! All you know is crying! Why are you looking at me? Do I have humanities written on my face, or arithmetic? Read your book, look at the problems!"
Zhu Yun immediately turned her head. She cried while desperately catching up on humanities. It's too hard! Why does she have to study humanities! She is a demon, not a person. She might not need it later.
Seeing Zhu Yun's pitiful state, Gongyang Yang felt unbearable and was utterly confused: Could there really be a demon in this world who didn't like reading? Just thinking about it was terrifying. Although sympathetic, for Zhu Yun's own good, Gongyang Yang lowered his head to read, trying hard not to pay attention to the situation. Hmph! It definitely wasn't because he was afraid of Shaoguang. And certainly not because he was afraid of being whipped himself.
On the sheep's head, Fu Shaoguang was indifferent. After several days of tutoring, he had figured out Zhu Yun's nature: the girl was extremely smart, but also greedy and lazy. Especially disliking reading. Sitting in the front row back then was entirely for show, so she could tell her parents: I tried hard, but my brain is stupid, I can't learn well, I feel miserable, I failed the test, don't blame me.
Unfortunately, old ginger is spicier. Pig Dad and Pig Mom saw through the Piglet's trick at a glance. For her, he had to be ruthless. Otherwise, she would only remember the food, not the beating. Shaking his head, Fu Shaoguang flapped his wings and landed on the desk. Gongyang Yang, knowing his place, helped him unroll a bamboo slip volume.
Fu Shaoguang had already finished reading the bamboo slips Gongyang Yang gave him last time, which recorded the situation outside the mountain. The mountain where he resided was Yu Mountain, stretching over three hundred li, with three counties along the way, of which Yunan County was the closest.
Yu Mountain produces bamboo and has large bamboo forests. The bamboo products from Yunan County are quite famous throughout the Great Yu Dynasty. Great Yu is the Human Race Dynasty outside the mountain. It has established its rule over the world for over a decade. The Founding Emperor is still alive, in his prime, wise, mighty, and exercising absolute authority.
Yu Mountain is located at the border between the north and south of Great Yu, possessing both southern climate and northern characteristics, making for unique scenery. The bamboo slip volume in front of Fu Shaoguang introduced the strange tales and market gossip of Yunan County.
The Gongyang Family possessed a rich collection of books. He had read several Jade Slip volumes these past few days. Including Biographies of Famous People and topography.
According to Gongyang Yang, he had only gained intelligence a year ago. Before that, he and his grandfather lived in Clear Water Town, Yunan County, with an Old Confucian Scholar whose surname was Gongyang. His grandfather listened to the old scholar read and compose poetry day and night, and over time, gained spiritual awareness. It wasn't until this summer that the old scholar's children returned home. Once the old scholar was accompanied by close relatives, his grandfather took him, along with the books and travel funds gifted by the old scholar, into the mountain to settle in the Demon Market.
The Old Goat Demon settled in Anping Alley because all their money had been spent by the grandfather and grandson on books. Since books contain beauties and golden houses, as long as they had books, the grandfather and grandson weren't particular about their dwelling.
Thinking of this, Fu Shaoguang looked at the courtyard outside the window, which was clean but poor, and shook his head helplessly. Precisely because of this, he brought the Little Sheep Demon along to tutor Zhu Yun. Firstly, to worry less and prolong his life—as tutoring schoolwork was quite taxing on a demon—and secondly, to help Gongyang Yang earn some extra money, compensating him for his past care. Fu Shaoguang was thinking of both demons. He was definitely not being generous at another demon's expense. He wouldn't damage his reputation like that.
Shaking his head and clearing his mind of stray thoughts, Fu Shaoguang skillfully picked up the bamboo pole, gave the distracted Little Pig Demon a 'caring' tap, and quickly immersed himself in the story recorded on the bamboo slip.
【In the first year of Tianbao, in Yunan County, there was Craftsman Shan Gai, who specialized in making umbrellas. He worked diligently for fifty years, his craftsmanship exquisite. In his sixties, feeling he had little time left, he entered the mountains to seek bamboo, intending to practice his craft for a lifetime.
In the mountains, he chanced upon a Bamboo Maiden. The maiden left behind a fine piece of bamboo and entrusted him to craft an umbrella from it. The craftsman devoted his life's learning, spending half a year to create what he considered a masterpiece umbrella.
The maiden was satisfied and rewarded him with 'One-Two Bamboo Two-Rice.' The old man consumed it, and his body became robust, his complexion vibrant, his essence and Qi harmonized, extending his life by ten years until he reached seventy, where he died peacefully of old age without illness.】
After the tutoring session ended, Fu Shaoguang returned home, still reflecting on this strange tale. He even copied a version of it, his thoughts turning over: Was this a true story, or a fabrication? From sixty to seventy—that was an extension of ten years! That was enough for him to live for more than another lifetime.
If it was fictional, fine, he'd treat it as a joke. If it wasn't, the maiden in the story must be either an immortal or a demon—in short, she was extraordinary. If he could find her, would he also have hope for longevity? Thinking of this, his heart burned with excitement.
Drinking a cup of Clear Dew, Fu Shaoguang let his mind wander. Assuming the story was true, who was the maiden most likely to be? A flash of inspiration struck him, and he had a bold idea: 【Empress Yuli!!!】
Two days ago, Fu Shaoguang had read related records in a volume of A Brief History on bamboo slips: Before the establishment of the Great Yu Dynasty, after the fall of the previous Dynasty, Great Yong, there were over thirty years of troubled times, marked by the smoke of war. Tianbao was the reign title of Great Yong's third-to-last emperor. The reign titles and periods of the last three emperors were: Tianbao (35 years), Xifeng (25 years), and Chengping (17 years). The Old Umbrella Craftsman died in the tenth year of Tianbao. Counting the years of the chaotic period, about a century has passed since then.
The Golden Spider Demon had mentioned at the Demon Academy that Empress Yuli had been cultivating for over three hundred years. She is half the master of Yu Mountain, and a hundred years ago, she established the Yushan Demon Market to take in all the demons. Empress Yuli also possesses a Magic Treasure named the green gauze umbrella. When opened, the umbrella can cover mountains and rivers. It once displayed Divine Might, defeating the Rakshasa Mountain Master and protecting the Yushan Demon Market. These things are recorded in the Demon Market's historical texts.
However, this was only Fu Shaoguang's speculation, and he needed to search carefully for information to confirm its veracity. But at least he had some hope now. With a goal in mind, Fu Shaoguang felt expansive and thought the Clear Dew in his cup tasted sweeter than before.
In the evening, green lanterns once again hung across the night sky. The Demon Market gradually became lively. Black banners fluttered in the wind, revealing the Demon Script character for "wine" on the signboards. Flowers, birds, insects, and fish—all kinds of demons moved through the crowds. Ankang Alley, Ancient Pine Courtyard.
Today was a rest day, so Fu Shaoguang did not go to the Demon Academy. Around midnight, he absorbed Qi for cultivation, refining the Moonlight Essence and Spiritual Qi with increasing proficiency. Before sleeping, he took a bath at a comfortable temperature, his expression relaxed. In the water, besides herbs like Astragalus, there were also Nine-Scent Bug Pills.
Since achieving Clarity of Mind and Nature last time, Fu Shaoguang had broadened his research direction. Thinking of the concept of 'Using Form to Supplement Form' in health preservation, he wondered if he could 'Use Insects to Supplement Insects.' Starting with insect-based medicine, he focused on the Nine-Scent Bug. This insect possesses various pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-ulcer, and anti-fatigue effects.
Trying it tonight, the effect was excellent. He was completely relaxed, body and mind at ease, much more comfortable than simply using Astragalus Health Packets. It even felt slightly intoxicating. He had a good night's sleep. The next morning, he was full of vigor. Fu Shaoguang guided the Purple Qi, and his efficiency doubled. In the evening, he went to the Demon Academy, and after classes ended, he headed straight for the Book Collection Cave.
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