Chapter 12

Forming a contract naturally required identity documents, and identity documents had to be registered at the City Lord’s Manor of Canglan City.

Chun Chou: “…”

Fortunately, he had intended to make a trip to the City Lord’s Manor anyway to register, so it didn’t feel like too much trouble.

When the late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator discovered that Chun Chou didn’t even have identity papers, his gaze flickered slightly—but he said nothing. After entrusting his stall to a neighboring vendor, he casually lifted the two pots of spirit herbs, preparing to head to the City Lord’s Manor with Chun Chou.

Chun Chou: “…”

He quickly said, “I have a donkey cart. Since I’ve already taken these two pots, we can place them on the cart to keep them steady.

He then took the little donkey out of his spirit beast pouch and assembled the cart from his storage pouch—heaven knew how many short videos from his previous life he had mentally reviewed to figure out how to dismantle and pack the cart boards and wheels efficiently.

With the cart ready, and seeing how cautious Chun Chou was, the cultivator paused. Judging by the condition of the plants on his stall, he had to admit he didn’t look particularly trustworthy.

So he handed over the Marrow-Cleansing Grass and Jade Beauty Flower. Chun Chou carefully tied the two pots to the cart bed to minimize jolting and damage. Only then did the cultivator say, “My name is Xu Liang. We’re both in Qi Refinement—no need to call me Senior. Just call me Brother Xu.”

Once the two herbs were secured, Chun Chou thought that made sense—they would be working together long-term, after all. Smiling, he fed the still slightly dazed little donkey a carrot and said, “Brother Xu! My name is Chun Chou—just call me that. I came with my cousin. He’s at the bookshop buying books. It’s on the way—we can pick him up before heading to the City Lord’s Manor.”

Xu Liang nodded.

The young boy no longer needed to follow.

Chun Chou gave him two low-grade spirit stones from Canglan City and two pieces of gold—he had brought some gold and silver from the mortal realm just in case. In the future, they could even serve as “hometown specialties” for his younger siblings.

The boy’s eyes widened. “Senior, this… this is too much.”

Chun Chou ruffled his hair. “You worked hard today. Remember what I told you—don’t rush. Protect yourself first. Without the ability to protect yourself, you’ll still be bullied even if you make it to the eastern district.”

More importantly, Chun Chou worried the boy’s family might not be willing to give up such a profitable child. And human hearts were strange things—even among siblings, jealousy could arise.The boy’s future was uncertain, but Chun Chou hoped he would figure it out.

“The boy seemed to only half-understand, but he nodded nonetheless and went on his way.”

Chun Chou and Xu Liang then went to the bookshop and picked up Ling Wuji.

Chun Chou quietly explained the matter in brief. Ling Wuji nodded slightly.

Xu Liang glanced at Ling Wuji’s legs, finding the two “cousins” somewhat strange. But it didn’t matter. As long as Chun Chou was useful to him, the rest was irrelevant.

The three arrived at the City Lord’s Manor before nightfall. Chun Chou and Ling Wuji both registered for identity documents. Lacking any proof of origin, they could only provide verbal statements—where they were from, their names, ages, and so forth. They would have to remain in Canglan City for a full year without misconduct before receiving official identity documents recognized across the Canglan Continent. For now, they were issued temporary identity tokens valid for one year, usable only within Canglan City, to be exchanged after that period.

As for their place of origin, Ling Wuji spoke.

“Wunie City, Canglan Continent.”

Chun Chou remained calm, though he had no idea where Wunie City was. He trusted Ling Wuji—whatever Ling Wuji said, was what it was.

The steward registering them showed a flash of surprise, then immediate understanding. He clicked his tongue. “Ah. That explains it.”

Wunie City was not far from Canglan City, yet like Canglan City, it stood apart from other cities.

Canglan City had originally not even been a city, merely a passageway the demon beasts of the Ten Thousand Demon Forest passed through to reach the Canglan Secret Realm.

Wunie City, on the other hand, was where many sects across the continent drove out their sinful disciples. After expelling them, the sects would issue internal kill orders—any sect disciple encountering such a person was required to execute them. Hunted with no path left, they could only flee into Wunie City.

Once an adult entered Wunie City, they could never leave.

However, if an adult brought a child inside, or if children were born within the city, those children would have one chance to leave upon reaching adulthood.

But once they returned, they could never leave again.

Wunie City had no rules—only survival. Anyone could die at any time. You could rob others freely; as long as you weren’t caught, there was no punishment—though someone else might rob you in turn.

That its people lacked identity jade tokens was entirely normal.

The steward no longer dared to underestimate the pair—even though one sat in a wheelchair and the other looked harmless and innocent. He handed over their temporary identity jade tokens and reminded them to exchange them for official ones after a year.

The temporary tokens were merely two jade pendants. No names were carved on them, but each city gate had devices to verify their information.

Holding the jade token, Chun Chou thought the official version was probably much the same.

Then came the contract with Xu Liang.

The contract was actually quite loose. As long as Chun Chou revived the Marrow-Cleansing Grass and Jade Beauty Flower but did not sell them openly in the marketplace, and Xu Liang could not catch him in the act, Chun Chou could technically sell them to anyone without breaching the agreement. If caught, it would merely require the City Lord’s Manor to intervene and Chun Chou to repurchase them as compensation. However, Xu Liang had also offered relatively stable long-term “temporary work,” which made the agreement worthwhile in Chun Chou’s eyes.

Once the contract was sealed, Steward Bai, who oversaw the matter, studied Chun Chou. “You’re a spirit plant cultivator? And you can revive these dying herbs? Mm. Where are you staying, young man?”

Chun Chou smiled. “My cousin and I plan to stay at Hongfeng Inn for the next three or four days. If Steward Bai has any poorly grown spirit herbs, feel free to come find me.”

Steward Bai stroked his short beard and nodded. In a few days, he would indeed pay a visit to Hongfeng Inn and assess the young man’s true skill.

With the contract sealed and identity tokens in hand, Chun Chou and Ling Wuji bid farewell to Xu Liang.

Xu Liang now knew where they were staying and had the contract as assurance. Even if Chun Chou defaulted and ran, Xu Liang wouldn’t truly suffer a loss. Still, Chun Chou stood to gain more by honoring the agreement—Xu Liang believed he would.

Chun Chou did intend to fulfill it. But before that, he and Ling Wuji needed to purchase talisman paper, cinnabar, and related supplies. With the beast tide approaching, courtyard rentals would surely skyrocket. Ling Wuji would also need to draw talismans to earn spirit stones.

After making their purchases, they headed to Hongfeng Inn, as the young attendant had described.

Hongfeng Inn was where Qiao Linglong had been staying—though whether she still lodged there was unknown.

Because they carried the two spirit herbs, Chun Chou drove the donkey cart while Ling Wuji remained in his wheelchair. Chatting and laughing along the way—Ling Wuji having already memorized the nearby layout—they found Hongfeng Inn within half an hour.

A waiter came forward to greet them. Chun Chou was about to ask whether a female cultivator surnamed Qiao was staying there when he saw, at the entrance, Qiao Linglong and Liu Ting’er standing somewhat disheveled—both staring at them in surprise.

Qiao Linglong’s eyes shone with pure delight.

Twelve-year-old Liu Ting’er, however, looked at them with a trace of wariness and scrutiny before lowering her head. Yet she continued to glance at Chun Chou from time to time. She subtly adjusted her sleeve, smoothing it quietly.

Chun Chou seemed not to notice, smiling as he walked toward Qiao Linglong.

Ling Wuji, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes at Liu Ting’er.

This time, he did not sense danger from her—but the way she looked at Chun Chou felt strange. There was something like relief in it, and something like regret.

It was too strange.

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