Chapter 61: The Six Immortals of Peach Valley

Seeing Wang Jingyuan arrive, the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley all swarmed around him, looking him up and down. At this point, Wang Jingyuan had already placed his hands behind his back and retrieved two packets of lime powder from his inventory.

Judging by the original work, these six weirdos were as eccentric as players; it was utterly impossible to predict what they would do next. The most fatal thing was that all six of them possessed formidable martial arts skills and excelled at combination techniques. Wang Jingyuan was no match for even a single one of them.

Now that all six were gathered, Wang Jingyuan had already prepared to launch a surprise attack and call for backup if things went south. He certainly didn't want to experience the sensation of being torn into four pieces.

After sizing him up for a moment, the six began to whisper among themselves: "Is it him?"

Peach-Root Immortal: "He looks just like a sissy, all fair and tender. It must be him."

Peach-Dry Immortal: "Not necessarily. When I was coming up the mountain, I saw someone else who looked just like a sissy too."

Peach-Branch Immortal: "Then why didn't you grab him and ask when you came up? What if he was Wang Jingyuan?"

Peach-Leaf Immortal: "That's right! If that person was Wang Jingyuan, wouldn't we have missed him?"

Peach-Blossom Immortal: "Are you guys idiots? Isn't there another one right here? Why don't you just ask him?"

Peach-Fruit Immortal turned his head to look at Wang Jingyuan: "Are you Wang Jingyuan or not?"

"Yours truly... Oh forget it, I am Wang Jingyuan." Wang Jingyuan originally wanted to flatly deny it, but upon second thought, aside from himself, wasn't there another pretty boy on Mount Hua named Lin Pingzhi?

The Fuwei Security Service was currently the financial backer of Mount Hua, so Yue Buqun could die, but Lin Pingzhi could not. Therefore, Wang Jingyuan simply admitted to it, wanting to see what business these six quirky little fellows had with him.

Upon hearing Wang Jingyuan admit his identity, the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley jumped up with joy, either shaking their bottoms or doing cartwheels, presenting a thoroughly eye-searing sight.

Out of social etiquette learned from MMORPGs, Wang Jingyuan felt he should join in when the other party started dancing, so he also began performing the wicked golden-gradient kneading-milk dance.

After a while, the group finally remembered that they had serious business to attend to today. They stopped and said to Wang Jingyuan, "Wang Jingyuan, come with us. The little nun wants to see you."

"A little nun? Yilin?" Wang Jingyuan also stopped, a slim and delicate figure flashing through his mind, but then he shook his head again: "Did you guys get the wrong person? Isn't it possible that the one she wants to see is Linghu Chong?"

The Six Immortals of the Peach Valley shook their heads like rattles: "No, no, the one the little nun wants to see is a pretty boy named Wang Jingyuan."

Wang Jingyuan furrowed his brows and rubbed his chin: "What do you suppose Monk Bujie wants to see me for?"

"Who knows what he wants to do—hey! We didn't say Monk Bujie wanted to see you! It's the little nun who wants to see you."

Wang Jingyuan waved his hand: "Come on now, you couldn't pry a muffled fart out of Yilin with three cudgel blows; do you really think she could direct you to find me? It's bound to be Monk Bujie. There's probably some misunderstanding in all of this. I still have matters to attend to on the mountain; I'll go chat with him some other time." The main point was that Feng Qingyang was still busy and unable to spare a hand. Once Feng Qingyang was free, he would bring Feng Qingyang along to see him.

Seeing that Wang Jingyuan was uncooperative, the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley immediately closed in: "No way, you must come down the mountain with us."

Realizing that they were not here to cause trouble for him, Wang Jingyuan put away the lime powder, pulled out a block of soft wood, and showed it to the Six Immortals, saying, "Look, what is this?"

Peach-Fruit Immortal frowned: "Isn't that just a piece of wood?"

Wang Jingyuan took out a small knife and began carving rapidly into the soft wood. He had been making interesting little trinkets these past few days, and his [Carpentry] proficiency had been soaring.

In no time at all, the block of soft wood in his hand was carved into the shape of Peach-Fruit Immortal's head. Wang Jingyuan tossed the carved head to Peach-Fruit Immortal: "Here, take it and play."

Peach-Fruit Immortal immediately and happily began playing with his own "head," while the other five immortals scratched their ears and cheeks in envy, all turning their gazes toward Wang Jingyuan.

Wang Jingyuan didn't hesitate either; he directly took out more blocks of soft wood and carved them one by one. Before long, everyone was holding a replica of their own head.

Peach-Root Immortal, acting as the eldest, remained relatively sober. Holding onto his head, he emphasized, "You still have to come with us. We'll grant you a grace period of three days."

Hearing this, Wang Jingyuan looked at Peach-Root Immortal with a trace of disdain: "Is this your first time running an official errand? Have you never been on official duty before?"

Peach-Dry Immortal looked puzzled: "What's an official errand?"

Wang Jingyuan casually pointed at them: "It's like what you're doing right now—following Monk Bujie's orders and running all the way here to find me."

Peach-Blossom Immortal nodded: "So that's what an official errand is called. We've been on them before."

Wang Jingyuan then looked at them with a puzzled expression: "Since you've been on official duty before, why are you so inexperienced?"

The Six Immortals of the Peach Valley leaned closer: "What experience?"

"Let me ask you, when you came to find me, did Monk Bujie give you any perks?"

The six immortals shook their heads repeatedly: "No."

"Did he give you any travel expenses?"

"No, we prepared our own dry rations."

"Then why are you working so hard?"

Peach-Fruit Immortal spoke the truth: "We can't beat him. If we don't listen to him, he beats us."

Wang Jingyuan spread his hands: "See? I told you you have no experience. I'm not telling you not to do it, but you have to learn how to slack off."

Peach-Blossom Immortal asked, "What does slacking off mean?"

Wang Jingyuan explained, "You have to do the job, but don't work so hard and so fast. For instance, with today's matter, you shouldn't be in such a rush to take me away. I can find a guest courtyard on this mountain for you to stay in. I bought a VIP membership at the fruit shop in Huayin Town down the mountain, and they send up dried fruits at regular intervals. I'll tell them to send more from now on—fresh fruits, dried fruits, candied fruits, you name it. Besides fruit, their shop also sells some snacks, like osmanthus cake, cloud-flake cake, candied haws, poria cakes..."

Peach-Leaf Immortal drooled as he shouted, "Stop reciting! Stop reciting! If we take too long to bring you back, what will happen if Monk Bujie comes looking for us and beats us up?"

"I went out to travel the rivers and lakes and only recently returned to Mount Hua. You chased after me all the way, and that's how you finally found me here on Mount Hua."

Peach-Branch Immortal didn't quite understand and scratched his head: "Aren't you right here? You didn't go down the mountain?"

Wang Jingyuan gave a hint with a look of utter exasperation: "Monk Bujie didn't come, so I went down the mountain to travel. Whenever he shows up to find me, that's when I return to the mountain. The six of you chased after me all the way; crossing mountains and wading through rivers must have been so exhausting. Even if you haven't made any great achievements, you've certainly put in hard labor. During this time, just stay on the mountain in peace. There will be plenty of snacks, and I'll have someone buy some toys. If you feel bored, I know a wind-instrument troupe; their Huayin old-tune operas are peerless, and you can even request specific repertoires. When the time comes, I'll invite them up to sing for you."

The Six Immortals of the Peach Valley suddenly saw the light. So this was what slacking off meant! The six immortals immediately smiled and said, "You really are a good person."

Wang Jingyuan waved his hand: "Everyone who knows me says so."

Just then, Lu Monkey ran back, and he hadn't brought Feng Qingyang back with him. Looking at Lu Monkey, who had rushed back in a flurry, Wang Jingyuan asked, "What's going on?"

"Junior Brother Wang, it's bad! People from the Mount Song Sect have come looking for trouble."

Wang Jingyuan frowned: "Are they here for me?"

"Yes and no. Mainly, they're here for our Mount Hua."

Wang Jingyuan glanced at the Six Immortals of the Peach Valley: "Dear older brothers, have I treated you well?"

The Six Immortals nodded repeatedly: "Unmatched."

Wang Jingyuan asked again: "Then if this little brother has something he'd like to ask you older brothers for help with..."

"Leave it to us! We absolutely won't slack off when it comes to your affairs."

Wang Jingyuan cupped his fists in salute: "Then I'll thank you older brothers in advance."