Chapter 6

Chun Chou was in an excellent mood.

Everything that needed to be sold had been sold, and at a pretty good price at that. On top of that, he had negotiated another deal and obtained a magical artifact he could give to the one he admired.

He had every reason to be happy.

As he walked through the market, he looked from afar and saw that Ling Wuji’s stall had also been packed up—clearly his goods had sold out as well. That made Chun Chou even happier.

But as he kept walking, he noticed something off about Ling Wuji’s gaze.

Mm. It was almost like a little wolf cub that had suddenly had its food snatched away?

But Ling Wuji, who had grown up with him since childhood, had always been gentle and considerate, hadn’t he? Even if he appeared cold to outsiders, Ling Wuji had always been tender toward him.

Chun Chou stopped about five meters away from Ling Wuji, hesitation flickering in his eyes as he looked at him.

Ling Wuji also came back to his senses. He withdrew his originally sharp gaze, no longer looking at the offending sachet hanging at Chun Chou’s waist, and instead shifted his eyes to Chun Chou’s fair, smooth face.

Chun Chou tilted his head slightly, looking at him innocently and in confusion, as though he did not understand why Ling Wuji was looking at him that way.

Ling Wuji took a deep breath. Rather than waiting for Chun Chou to step forward, he maneuvered his wheelchair toward him, stopping three steps away—he was afraid that if he got even a little closer, he wouldn’t be able to resist reaching out and tearing off that eyesore of a sachet in one swift motion.

Ling Wuji tilted his head slightly upward, the corners of his lips curving faintly. “Shall we go eat first, or head straight to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion?”

Seeing Ling Wuji seemingly return to his usual gentle and considerate manner, Chun Chou felt as though what he had seen earlier had only been his imagination.

He thought for a moment and decided he should trust his own judgment. After all, they had grown up together since childhood—he should trust Ling Wuji.

So he reached out, intending to take Ling Wuji’s hand. Halfway through, he remembered his “deal” with Qiao Linglong and withdrew his hand instead.

“Let’s eat first! Mm… how about we go have hot and sour rice noodles? I wonder if the cultivation world even has anything that delicious .”

When it came to fine cuisine, cultivators were naturally no match for mortals in terms of ingenuity.

If not for the lack of storage space, Chun Chou would have loved to buy an entire Qiankun pouch full of food! That way, after going to the cultivation world, he wouldn’t be stuck eating nothing but light, airy, spiritually infused dishes.

At the moment Chun Chou reached out and then withdrew his hand, Ling Wuji’s fists had already clenched.

Many thoughts ran through his mind, but in the end, he could only think of that pair of love gu.

Human hearts could change—but love gu would not allow a heart to change.

It truly was a good thing.

Though countless thoughts surged within him, Ling Wuji did not forget to respond to Chun Chou. He was unwilling to let even a single word of Chun Chou’s fall to the ground.

“We’ll have the hot and sour rice noodles, but we should also have a proper meal. Let’s buy two bowls first and bring them to Xingyun Pavilion to eat in a private room.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “You enjoy the things made by mortals, and you also like the dishes at Xingyun Pavilion. In a few days we’ll be leaving anyway. Since we’re already out today, we might as well taste everything properly.”

Chun Chou immediately brightened.

Although he thought noodles alone would be enough, Ling Wuji was right. Since they were leaving soon, tasting more of the delicacies of the Immortal-Mortal Realm wasn’t a bad idea.

There was a noodle stall right in the marketplace, and Xingyun Pavilion wasn’t far away. Before long, the two had bought the noodles and arrived at a small private room in Xingyun Pavilion.

After ordering their dishes, the attendant left the room.

Only then did Chun Chou happily take out the rod-shaped magical artifact.

“Look—Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles!” Chun Chou demonstrated it for Ling Wuji just as Qiao Linglong had shown him earlier—except he had already poured out the golden needles inside beforehand.

Mainly because he was worried about punching dozens of small holes into the wall and having to pay compensation. Not very cost-effective.

Ling Wuji’s mood had originally sunk to the lowest depths. All kinds of emotions pressed down in his heart, leaving behind only dark thoughts. But when he saw that what Chun Chou had taken out was meant as a gift for him, Ling Wuji felt that Chun Chou still held him in his heart.

Perhaps that sachet was only a coincidence.

No matter what thoughts churned within him, Ling Wuji’s face revealed only a smile—the expression Chun Chou loved most on him.

“This magical artifact is quite good. It’s called Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles? Mm. Though what it fires forms a lotus pattern, when several golden needles are released all at once, it does resemble pear blossoms falling in profusion.” Ling Wuji toyed with the golden rod-shaped artifact for a while before stating with certainty, “This is for me.”

Chun Chou nodded and pointed at the golden needles. “Of course it’s for you. That Miss Qiao—mm, the town magistrate’s daughter—said this artifact can load 108 golden needles at once. Each activation can release 18 or 36 needles, or you can fire all remaining needles at once. She also said the needles inside can be replaced with ice needles. You have an ice spiritual root—this suits you perfectly!”

And besides, since Ling Wuji’s legs could not walk for the time being, this kind of concealed weapon was extremely suitable for him.

The moment Ling Wuji heard the words “Miss Qiao,” he had a thousand questions he wanted to ask. In the end, however, he only said, “This would suit you as well.”

Chun Chou waved a hand dismissively. Giving it to you is the same as giving it to myself.”

Without waiting to see how much turmoil Ling Wuji might be going through inside, he removed the green sachet from his waist, set it on the table, and in a lowered voice chattered on about everything that had happened—along with the “deal” he had made with Qiao Linglong.

Chun Chou did not comment on the transaction itself, nor on Qiao Linglong’s character. He only said, “If she can only go this far, and not be a little more ruthless, I’m afraid she won’t succeed.”

Only then did Ling Wuji finally understand that the truth was nothing like what he had imagined. It was as if snow had cleared and the sky had turned bright—countless flowers blooming in his heart.

Whether Qiao Linglong succeeded or failed was of no concern to him.

Ling Wuji reached out and took Chun Chou’s hand, their fingers interlocking.

“Whether she succeeds or not has nothing to do with us. However, Chun Chou… I want to be there with you when you meet her at your home.”

Chun Chou looked surprised at first, then laughed. “I was wondering why something felt off—turns out the vinegar jar has tipped over!”

“Don’t worry. I don’t like girls. And…” The youth’s tone paused slightly. “Didn’t we already make a promise to grow old together? Of course we’re heading toward being together for a lifetime. Ling Wuji, you have to trust me—and trust yourself too.”

As for whether they could truly be one person for life, that could only be known on the day the coffin was sealed and the final verdict laid down.

The many thoughts in Ling Wuji’s heart could not be spoken—nor could he tell Chun Chou that in his family’s direct lineage, this had always been their fate: to love only one person deeply, and sooner or later, to be betrayed by that very person.

Since records had been kept in the clan, not a single exception.

Ling Wuji had grown up with Chun Chou as childhood companions. He hoped he would be the exception—yet he always worried that he was not good enough, that he could not become that exception.

In the end, Ling Wuji only said softly, “Of course I trust you.”

But he did not quite trust himself to receive Chun Chou’s unwavering affection.

And so, the topic ended there for the day. The attendant entered the private room to serve the dishes. The two bowls of noodles—clearly not belonging to Xingyun Pavilion—were placed appropriately on the table without the attendant’s expression changing in the slightest.

Chun Chou thought to himself: As expected of a waiter from a grand establishment—such professionalism.

Chun Chou and Ling Wuji happily finished their meal, then headed to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

While eating, they had already discussed how to spend the spirit pearls in their possession: they would buy materials for alchemy, for refining artifacts, and for drawing talismans. If they happened to come across poisonous spiritual plant seeds, they could purchase some of those as well.

As for anything else, there truly was no need.

It was nearly impossible for those of the Immortal-Mortal Realm to enter the cultivation world. Yet for cultivators to come here, all they needed were spirit stones. The large trading houses even made regular trips to purchase rare local herbs and curiosities. There was no room left for small traders to profit from price differences.

Fortunately, the two of them were open-minded about it. After arriving at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and stating their requirements, the steward who received them fell into thought.

After pondering for quite some time, he finally spoke:

“If it is poisonous spiritual plants you seek, we do have some. However, the price is quite high. But—”

Chun Chou looked at him.

The steward continued, “However, we have recently acquired a new type of spiritual plant seed—a vine seed. Once grown, the leaves of this vine differ from ordinary ones. They are as sharp as blades. If they pierce or scratch someone’s skin, the injured person will feel as though intoxicated. Young Master Chun Chou, would you care to take a look?”

Chun Chou nodded, “I’d like to take a look.”

As expected, the steward took out a jade box specifically used for storing spiritual plant seeds. Inside were only three emerald-green seeds.

The steward removed one and placed it in Chun Chou’s hand. “Young Master Chun Chou is most skilled at cultivating spiritual plants. I imagine you recognize this vine seed.”

Chun Chou placed the vine seed in his palm, carefully sensing it with spiritual energy. He examined its appearance and even lifted it to smell it.

“This seems to be a Drunken Fish Vine seed.” Then he exclaimed in surprise, “You were actually able to obtain Drunken Fish Vine seeds? No—that’s not right. This seed… how many years has it been stored? Why does it still carry the scent of water? Does it even still have a chance to survive?”

Drunken Fish Vine is a type of vine where its leaves resemble small fish in shape and are as sharp as blades. If pierced by them, a person will appear as though intoxicated. The vine itself is even more toxic; if its juice is extracted and used to soak other food, whoever eats that food will feel deeply drunk.

The steward gave a wry smile. “Nothing can be hidden from Young Master Chun Chou. For you to cultivate the finest spiritual plants, you truly have skill. This is indeed Drunken Fish Vine seed. However, the family that previously stored it did not assign a proper caretaker. The person responsible left it soaking in water for several years before it was discovered. If these three seeds are to survive, I’m afraid it will require some effort on your part, Young Master Chun Chou.”

Chun Chou thought for a moment and picked up the other two seeds to examine them as well.

Then he knew—he could grow them.

He didn’t quite understand why, but he seemed born to be a spiritual plant cultivator. Once he held a seed in his hand and carefully observed a plant before him, he simply knew whether he could handle it or not.

Still, Chun Chou said, “If I can grow even one, then I won’t be at a loss. But if all three fail… wouldn’t I be the one losing out?”

The steward smiled. “How could I not know Young Master Chun Chou’s abilities? How about this—Drunken Fish Vine is extremely rare, and this is three seeds at once. Under normal circumstances, selling them at two thousand spirit pearls each would still earn me a scolding from the shopkeeper. But since it is Young Master Chun Chou asking—and these seeds have been soaked in water—if you take all three, I’ll sell them at one thousand spirit pearls each. I’ll also include ten different spiritual fruit seeds as a gift. And of course, the jade boxes specially used to store the seeds will be included as well.”

Chun Chou asked, “Which spiritual fruit seeds are you giving? Specifically which ten varieties? Have they also been soaked in water?”

The steward’s lips twitched. He thought to himself: No wonder this young man managed to raise four younger siblings on his own just by cultivating spiritual herbs and plants, and even send them all to a cultivation academy—he truly isn’t easy to fool.

He personally selected ten spiritual fruit seeds that were considered rare in Red Leaf Town and known for their good flavor. They were placed into two jade boxes and handed to Chun Chou for inspection.

Chun Chou examined all ten seeds before finally nodding in satisfaction.

With the addition of Drunken Fish Vine, Chun Chou now had another offensive weapon at his disposal. The remaining spirit pearls that he and Ling Wuji had were spent on other spiritual herb seeds, artifact-refining and talisman-drawing materials.

The two returned fully loaded. On the way back, the little donkey carried Chun Chou and once again passed by the marketplace. In the marketplace, there were still mortals selling candied hawthorns.

Although these candied hawthorns were made by mortals, the ingredients used were all spiritual fruits containing spiritual energy. Chun Chou and his younger brothers and sisters all liked eating them very much.

Chun Chou called out to the little donkey and stopped. After thinking for a moment, he bought all the remaining candied hawthorns on the vendor’s straw rack. The vendor was very happy and gave the entire straw rack to Chun Chou as well.

Chun Chou thought about it and felt that it was fine. He took two candied hawthorns from it—one for Ling Wuji and one for himself—and put the rest into his nearly full Qiankun bag.

The Qiankun bag could store things for a long time. He only hoped his younger siblings would taste them while they were still sweet.

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