“Oh, I forgot to ask you.” Yan Bo stuffed the book back into Zhi You’s hands. “Which friend’s house are you visiting?”
“Jiu Hui.”
“To little junior sister’s house?” Yan Bo pondered in silence for a moment, reaching out to snatch the books from Zhi You’s hand. Zhi You dodged his hand while holding the books, looking at Yan Bo in confusion.
“It’s not appropriate to go to little Junior Sister’s house reading these books.” Yan Bo’s honest face showed embarrassment. “How about I pick another one for you?”
“These are pretty good too.” Zhi You held onto the books and refused to let go. “If Senior Brother is willing to give me another one, that would be even better.”
“Alright.” Yan Bo went back into the house and came out with a copy of the “Book of Rites.”
“This is the main thing you should read.”
“Little junior sister’s elders must be magnanimous people. You don’t need to be too nervous when you visit them,” Yan Bo said, knowing that Zhi You had no relatives before he joined the sect and was not good at socializing. “Rites are used for politeness. How can you be formal with people you’re truly close to? Sincerity is the most touching thing in relationships.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Zhi You put away the “Book of Rites.” “I understand.”
“There’s no need to thank me for such a small thing.” Yan Bo emphasized again, “Go to little junior sister’s house and have fun. Don’t worry too much.”
“Alright.” Zhi You nodded and stood up. “Senior Brother, I’ll head back first.”
“Alright.” Yan Bo knew his personality, so he didn’t keep him any longer. He sent him out of the courtyard and didn’t forget to tell him, “If there’s anything you don’t understand before you leave, feel free to ask me.”
After seeing his little junior brother off, Yan Bo shook his head with a smile as he returned to his courtyard. His junior brother was indeed still too young and would be nervous about visiting someone else’s home for the first time.
-—–
On an early summer morning, dewdrops trembled precariously between leaves. A fat cat carrying a small dried fish in its mouth passed by and met Zhi You head-on. It dropped the fish and meowed twice at Zhi You.
All the animals on the island that had developed spiritual intelligence knew that Zhi You was the boss Jiu Hui’s junior brother. For the sake of the boss, everyone had to take good care of him.
“Good morning.” Zhi You stopped in his tracks and nodded at the fat cat.
“Meow.” The fat cat wagged its tail, lowered its head to pick up the dried fish, and continued walking forward.
After walking for a while, Zhi You encountered another frog that jumped out of the lake and croaked at him.
“Good morning.“carpreads.pages.dev
“Good morning.”
Next, Zhi You also met a dog and two birds practicing their singing in the treetops. When they saw Zhi You, they greeted him warmly.
The morning breeze was cool and refreshing. Although Zhi You walked alone on the road, it was very lively along the way.
In a place like Wangshu Pavilion, it was hard to feel lonely.
“Zhi You.” Just as Zhi You was about to fly over the lake and return to his courtyard, Prime Minister Wu emerged from the lake. “Come, I’ll carry you back.”
Zhi You couldn’t refuse Prime Minister Wu’s enthusiasm. He jumped onto Prime Minister Wu’s back and said, “Thank you.”
“It’s so early in the morning, I knew it must be you alone.” Minister Wu moved his limbs and swam slowly to the largest island in the center of the lake. “Jiu Hui definitely couldn’t get up so early.”
“She’s still young. She needs to sleep more to grow well.” Without thinking, Zhi You found an excuse for Jiu Hui.
Even Prime Minister Wu agreed with Zhi You, saying, “Little seedling really needs to eat and sleep more to grow strong.”
Zhi You: “Yes.”
“I heard that you and Jiu Hui are going on a long trip in a few days?”
“It’s not a long trip. Jiu Hui invited me to visit her home.” Zhi You’s eyes and brows softened, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. “We’ll leave after Master comes out of seclusion.”
“I see.” Prime Minister Wu seemed thoughtful. He sped up and sent Zhi You to the shore. “It’s not very peaceful outside. Be careful when you go out.”
It opened its mouth and spat out a sword. “This is the sword my great-great-great-great-grandfather left behind. It served as the Prime Minister to the Dragon King. It is said that this sword was forged from the scales the Dragon King shed when he was changing his scales. It has a natural ability to restrain aquatic demons. Take it for self-defense.”
“A Dragon King’s discarded scales?” Zhi You picked up the Dragon Scale Sword. Even though he had seen countless swords, he couldn’t help but be amazed by this one.
“My great-great-great-great-grandfather was the Prime Minister of the Dragon King, not a lackey in front of the Dragon King. At most, he only dared to pick up the scales that the Dragon King had shed to refine magic weapons, but he didn’t dare to pull out the scales while he was sleeping.” Prime Minister Wu said with regret, “If the scales were pulled from the Dragon King’s body, they might be even more powerful.”
Zhi You: “…”
The ancestor secretly collected the master’s scales to refine swords, and the descendant used the ancestors’ turtle shell to refine defensive magic weapons. Perhaps the sea turtle clan had a tradition of saving.
“Many thanks, Prime Minister Wu.” Zhi You did not refuse Prime Minister Wu’s kindness. “When I return, I will definitely return the sword without any damage.”
“It’s fine. I don’t like to appear in human form, and this Dragon Scale Sword is of no use to me. You can use it however you like.” Prime Minister Wu hesitated for a moment. “It’s just that I didn’t have a good relationship with those monsters in the sea in my early years. If you and Jiu Hui encounter any sea monsters, remember to beat them hard. Don’t show any mercy.”
Zhi You was silent for a moment before saying, “Alright.”
“Make sure to beat them up real good, beat them until their fins are broken and their bones are shattered.” Before sinking to the bottom of the lake, Prime Minister Wu didn’t forget to instruct, “Don’t show mercy just because of me!”
Zhi You: “…”
Even if he was not good at dealing with people, he could tell that Prime Minister Wu hated every underwater yao equally.
At noon, while eating in the east kitchen, Zhi You told Jiu Hui about this matter.
“It’s simple,” Jiu Hui said. “Fly a thousand miles east from our village, and you’ll reach the vast sea. When we get there, I’ll take you to pick two troublemaking sea demons and beat them up.”
Anyway, they couldn’t just take Prime Minister Wu’s Dragon Scale Sword for nothing.
“The sea…” Zhi You asked curiously, “Is it really that big?”
“Of course.” Jiu Hui put down her chopsticks. “A thousand li to the east of our village is the sea, a thousand li to the north is the snowy mountains, a thousand li to the west is the desert, and to the south is a dense forest. I can take you to any of those places you’d like to visit.”
“Anyway, there’s no place within a thousand li that I’m not familiar with.” Jiu Hui whispered in his ear, “Our village is still somewhat renowned in the area. I’ve got everything covered. If I can’t handle it, there are still the village elders.”
Zhi You’s ears turned slightly red. “Okay.”
In the mountain village at that moment.
“In a few days, Little Jiu Hui will bring her little junior brother back to the village to play. Those who don’t like to transform into human form should not transform, and those who like to transform should not change back to their original form. You absolutely cannot let her little junior brother discover your true identities.” The village chief knocked on the table. “Also, go and spread the word to those little things on the nearby mountain peaks. If there are any who don’t understand, you go and teach them to understand.”
“Aside from that, what else should we pay attention to?” Aunt Liu asked. “Little Garlic Chive is bringing a friend back for the first time, so we should take it seriously.”
“We’ll treat him the same way we treat Little Jiu Hui.” The village chief smiled. “There’s a human saying: ‘Make our guests feel at home.’ The best way to welcome the child is to make him feel like he’s returning home when he comes to us.”
“That’s true. Anyone that little garlic chive takes home must be a good kid.” Aunt Liu had a good idea in her mind.
-—–
As June approached, the weather grew hotter and hotter. As noon drew near, the number of pedestrians on the street dwindled. Shiyi walked in, carrying two bowls of cold shaved ice. “Senior Brother, the incense shop across the street is selling shaved ice, and there are quite a few customers. I bought two bowls. You should try them too.”
Less than a month after arriving in Taolin City, Shiyi had grown accustomed to the days of eating and drinking in Taolin City, and he would even go to taste the fresh items sold in the nearby streets and alleys.
Nan Feng took the bowl of shaved ice. The coldness traveled from the bowl to his fingertips. He watched Shiyi, who was busy eating the shaved ice, and remained silent for a long time. Only when the shaved ice gradually melted into a sticky liquid did he speak. “The demons haven’t made any moves lately. We should return to the sect in a few days.”
Shiyi’s eating motion paused. He looked up at Nan Feng. “Eldest Senior Brother, has the Sect Master Immortal Venerable summoned us back?”
“No,” Nan Feng ate half a spoonful of the melting ice. “But we can’t stay here forever.”
Shiyi held the spoon in his hand and said nothing.
“Two gentlemen.” The owner of the shop next door passed by and saw the two sitting at the entrance of the shop eating crispy pastries. She greeted them with a smile, “Have you had lunch?”
Shiyi shook his head.
“If you haven’t eaten, come to our house and have a bite.” The proprietress greeted them warmly, “Today, my old Liu stewed some pork ribs. They taste really good.”
“Thank you, auntie. We’ve already cooked dinner. Next time, next time you come.” Eleven hurriedly declined.
In fact, they never cooked. They lived on bigu pills.
“Young people can’t eat this kind of junk food all day long.” The proprietress shook her head as she walked over. Not long after, she brought over a bowl of steaming braised pork ribs and forced it into their arms.
She stretched out her hand and patted Shiyi’s arm, making a loud sound. “Young man, eat more. If you don’t have a strong body, how can you find a wife?”
In the end, under the insistence of the lady boss, Nan Feng and Shiyi’s lunch included a bowl of braised spare ribs in addition to the bigu pills.
Shiyi stuffed the braised pork ribs into his mouth and said with a muffled voice, “Senior Brother, Taolin City is pretty good. Why don’t we stay a few more months? What if the demons invade as soon as we leave?”
Nan Feng tasted the ribs without saying anything. The ribs were a bit salty, but the meat was rich and flavorful. The cook had been generous with the seasonings.
“Alright.” Nan Feng looked at the blazing sun outside. “Then… let’s wait a little longer.”
Although he did not know what he was waiting for.
“Nan Feng, Shiyi!” Jiu Hui walked into the shop with a bowl of crispy rice in her hands and saw the two gnawing on spare ribs. “Did you two mooch off Boss Liu next door?”
“How did you know?” Shiyi asked curiously.
“Boss Liu next door loves eating braised pork ribs the most. Since neither of you know how to cook, Boss Liu must have given them to you.” Jiu Hui didn’t treat herself as an outsider at all. She pulled Zhi You and squeezed the two of them to sit down. “How’s business recently?”
She took two pairs of chopsticks and handed one pair to Zhi You. Without waiting for them to say anything, she started eating.
“Miss Jiu Hui is here?” The proprietress next door appeared again with a bowl of braised spare ribs. “I thought it was you two just now. I was worried that there wouldn’t be enough spare ribs, so I brought some more.”
“Thank you, auntie.” Jiu Hui stood up and took the bowl. “Auntie, I’m going back to my hometown in a few days. I’d like to buy some preserved fruit from you. Could you please help me prepare some?”
“No problem, I’ll pick the best ones for you when I get back.” The proprietress smiled and said, “Come and get them when you have time.”
After Jiu Hui saw off the proprietress, she turned around and saw Nan Feng and Shiyi looking at her, so she asked in confusion, “Why are you looking at me?”
“You’re going back to your hometown?” Shiyi’s eyes widened. “You actually dare to go back to your hometown?”
“What’s wrong with going back to my hometown?” Jiu Hui asked in confusion. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Cultivators must sever their worldly ties to embark on the Great Dao. Why are you sneaking back to your hometown? Aren’t you afraid of being punished by Pavilion Master Yu?” Shiyi lowered his voice. “We’ll pretend this never happened, but don’t mention it again in the future.”
“Our sect doesn’t have this rule.” Jiu Hui waved her hand. “The entire sect knows that I’m going back to my hometown, and they’ve even prepared gifts for me to take back with me.”
“Your sect’s way of doing things is quite unique.” Shiyi’s feelings were complicated. He recalled that he was only eight years old when he left home. He had been in the sect for thirty years, and he had never returned home or communicated with his family.
He could barely remember what his father and mother looked like. He only knew that on the day he entered the sect, his mother had changed him into a new set of clothes, and his taciturn father had held his hand tightly, reluctant to let go.
When he boarded the sect’s flying boat and left Wenxian City, his father and mother seemed to be chasing after the flying boat, but the flying boat flew too fast and too high, and he soon lost sight of them.
Thirty years is not a long time in the world of cultivation, but it is enough for an eight-year-old child to forget the clear image of their parents.
“Jiu Hui, where is your hometown?” On impulse, Shiyi asked, “My hometown is in Tianhe City. If you pass by, can you please visit my parents for me?”
Nan Feng turned his head, pretending not to have heard Shiyi’s words.
“Tianhe City?” Jiu Hui vaguely felt that the name sounded familiar.
“If it’s not on your way, then forget it.” Shiyi laughed awkwardly. “It’s been so many years, I’m afraid my parents have already forgotten about me.”
“On the way, definitely on the way.” Jiu Hui gnawed on a large spare rib. “I just think the name of this city sounds familiar.”
“We stayed overnight in this city when we were returning to the sect from Wenxian City,” Zhi You reminded in a low voice.
“Yes, yes, yes, I remember now.” Jiu Hui nodded. “I also met a child in the city who wrote especially ugly characters, and a little yellow dog.”
She didn’t tell the two about anything else.
“Really?” Shiyi was overjoyed. “How is Tianhe City now? Are there any demons and monsters causing trouble?”
Tianhe City was poor and remote, without the protection of a sect. His biggest worry was that evil spirits would harm the city’s people.
“Everything was fine when I left.” Jiu Hui wiped the corner of her mouth. “If you have anything you need me to pass on, prepare it now. I’ll come and get it before I leave.”
Shiyi turned her head to look at Nan Feng, who still looked deaf and blind, as if he had already become an unconscious statue.
“Many thanks.” Shiyi stood up and bowed deeply to Jiu Hui. “Miss Jiu Hui, many thanks!”
“It’s nothing. Don’t be so polite.” Jiu Hui waved her hand with a smile.
After Shiyi sat down, he kept piling spare ribs into Jiu Hui’s bowl. Nan Feng looked at the spare ribs piled high in Jiu Hui’s bowl, then at the remaining vegetable in the large bowl: “…”
“Jiu Hui, what else do you like to eat?” After giving all the ribs to Jiu Hui, Shiyi asked eagerly, “I’ll go buy it for you right now.”
Nan Feng: “…”
He began to wonder if, if he stayed in Taolin City for a while longer, Shiyi would betray his sect and run off to become a disciple of Wangshu Pavilion.
“Thank you, that’s enough. I already had lunch with Zhi You today before we left.” Although she had already eaten lunch, Jiu Hui still finished the entire bowl of pork ribs. “While Zhi You and I were away, the people of Taolin City have troubled you two fellow Daoists.”
“Rest assured, I will definitely risk my life…”
“Cough!” Jiu Hui interrupted Shiyi’s words. “Don’t talk nonsense. Taolin City’s protective formation will always be open. You just need to pay more attention to the area around the city on a daily basis.”
The disciples of the Jiutian Sect must not usually like to read storybooks. In storybooks, characters who say things like “I will definitely protect you with my life” or “Unless I die, I will definitely not do this or that” often did not live to the end.
So this kind of thing could not be said, it was unlucky.
In the afternoon, the sun was strong, so Jiu Hui was too lazy to go out. She took over the rocking chair in the shop and fanned herself with a fan.
Nan Feng was fiddling with the abacus on the counter, silently watching Shiyi serve tea and water to Jiu Hui, and peel fruits and nuts for her, acting more servile than a slave.
Shiyi had good talent, but because he was young and his personality was not stable, he had been punished several times. Nan Feng understood in his heart that as the head disciple of the Jiutian Sect, he should have stopped Shiyi from secretly sending messages to his mortal relatives, but he couldn’t bear to do it.
Perhaps it was because he had stayed in Taolin City for more than twenty days, so he had been influenced by the liveliness of the people in Taolin City.
He didn’t know if it was good or bad, but he wanted to indulge him for once.
At the entrance, there was a barefooted child who had snuck out to play. After being discovered by an adult and lifted into the air, the child let out a series of wails.
The adult noticed that he was just howling without any tears, he got so angry that he slapped the child’s butt twice, which made the child howl even harder.
Nan Feng looked at Shiyi, at least to let Shiyi’s parents know that Shiyi was doing well in the Jiutian Sect.
As the sun gradually set in the west, Jiu Hui awoke from her slumber. She rubbed her eyes and turned her head to see Zhi You helping Nan Feng and the others organize the shelves. She stood up and asked, “Is it time for dinner?”
“Yes, yes, yes, it’s time for dinner.” At this moment, even if Jiu Hui said the sun was square, Shiyi would nod in agreement: “Jiu Hui and Zhi You, what do you want to eat? I’ll treat you.”
“I don’t know. Let’s go out and have a look first.” Jiu Hui took out the Moonlit Mirror and used it to fix her slightly crooked hairpiece. Then, she walked over to Zhi You in a wobbly manner.
Zhi You reached out to support her arm. “You’ve been asleep for too long. Are you dizzy?”
“A little.” Jiu Hui twisted her neck, walked outside the shop, and squinted at the sunset that was painting half the sky red. She smiled and said, “It’s really beautiful.”
Nan Feng closed the shop door. “Let’s go eat.”
“I heard that there’s a boss by the river who sells grilled fish that tastes particularly good.” Eleven approached Jiu Hui and said, “Jiu Hui, why don’t we go and try it?”
“Okay, okay.” Jiu Hui nodded.
Nan Feng glanced at Jiu Hui and Zhi You. He recalled that the last time the two were at a banquet hosted by their master, they had said that they disliked the fishy smell of fish.
“Grilled fish is different from steamed fish.” Zhi You seemed to guess what he was thinking and said solemnly, “Grilled fish is delicious and fragrant. We all love to eat it.”
Nan Feng: “…”
He chose to believe it, because believing would make him happy.
The summer river breeze was hot, and Jiu Hui could smell the grilled fish from afar. When they approached the grilled fish stall, Jiu Hui discovered that the person grilling the fish was actually Boss Song.
“Boss Song, one grilled fish, and two bowls of iced sweet dumplings.”
“Alright.” Boss Song held up the knife, swiftly grabbing a live fish from the bucket, gutting it and descaling it. She looked up and saw Jiu Hui, smiling before she could speak: “Miss Jiu Hui, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You must…”
She saw Nan Feng and Shiyi behind Jiu Hui, and her face changed.
“Boss Song, make us two grilled fish and four bowls of iced glutinous rice balls.” Jiu Hui reached out and pressed down on Nan Feng’s arm, the smile on her face unchanged. “One grilled fish with just a touch of spice, and one grilled fish with a lot of spice. Thank you.”
“Alright.” Boss Song’s hand holding the knife trembled slightly as she lowered her head with a pale face.
“Nan Feng,” Jiu Hui looked back at Nan Feng. “Boss Song has been making soup dumplings in our Taolin City for several years. The people in the city love her cooking. You and Shiyi should also try her food.”
“She is…”
“Don’t you trust my taste?” Jiu Hui didn’t let go of the hand that was pressing down on Nan Feng’s arm. “Nan Feng, anyone who eats the soup dumplings made by Boss Song will have to praise them.”
“Alright.” Nan Feng slowly lowered his hand and looked at Boss Song with a focused gaze. “Since Jiu Hui, you’ve agreed, then Shiyi and I will believe you for now.”
Shiyi glanced at Nan Feng and then at Jiu Hui. He ran to the table, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the bench. “Jiu Hui, Senior Brother, Zhi You, come sit down.”
After the four of them sat down, Nan Feng lowered his voice and said, “Your Wangshu Pavilion is really audacious. Today, it was me who found out, but if it had been someone else, have you ever thought about the consequences?”
“Boss Song has our Wangshu Pavilion’s jade token on her.” Jiu Hui poured a cup of tea and personally handed it to Nan Feng. “Let’s just say she’s our Wangshu Pavilion’s managed beast.”
“Spirit beasts must form a blood contract with cultivators. This excuse might fool ordinary cultivators, but high-level cultivators will see through it immediately.” Nan Feng felt a faint headache coming on. “I’m afraid she’ll cause trouble for you.”
“If you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, no one will know.” Jiu Hui raised her teacup and toasted Nan Feng with tea. “I believe that you, Nan Feng, are not a despicable informer.”
Nan Feng drained his tea and said with a stern face, “I came here today to eat grilled fish, and I know nothing else.”
When the grilled fish was served, Nan Feng noticed that the two fish on their table were unusually large, and there were more glutinous rice dumplings than the others.
He glanced at Boss Song, who was cowering in the corner and not daring to make a sound, and rubbed his forehead. In this life, he had never told as many lies as he had in the month he had spent in Taolin City.
After dinner, Boss Song refused to accept payment, but Jiu Hui said, “Boss Song, someone else is paying for dinner today. You don’t need to save me money. You must accept payment.”
“They opened a shop on East Street. They’ll be there for the next two months. Boss Song, if you need anything, you can go to them.” Jiu Hui smiled. “Nan Feng and Shiyi are both trustworthy.”
“Thank you, Miss Jiu Hui.” Boss Song saw that Nan Feng and Shiyi really didn’t mean to attack her, so she boldly took the broken silver that Shiyi handed over. She whispered, “In the past two days, there have been strangers hanging around outside the city gate. Miss and Sir, you must be very careful when you leave the city.”
“Thank you for telling me, Boss Song.” Jiu Hui nodded, then turned to Nan Feng and Shiyi and said, “Zhi You and I will head back first. We’ll come back in a few days.”
“Jiu Hui, I’ll be waiting for you at the shop. Don’t forget.” Shiyi escorted Jiu Hui and Zhi You to the city gate. After watching them walk away, he turned to Nan Feng and said cautiously, “Senior Brother…”
“I know nothing.” Nan Feng looked away. “Nothing happened today.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother!” Shiyi was overjoyed. “Once I return to the sect, I will definitely cultivate diligently.”
Nan Feng sighed inwardly.
He had told another lie.
“Please come out.” Jiu Hui and Zhi You flew on their swords for a while. Jiu Hui stopped her sword and turned to look at the sky. “May I ask who you are?”
A gigantic whirlpool emerged in the sky, and an extremely beautiful woman appeared from the whirlpool.
Jiu Hui tilted her head and looked at the person who had arrived. “The Demon Queen?”