Chapter 35

As the hour of youshi approached its end, the sun dipped below the horizon, disappearing from sight.

The world was enveloped in the deep blue of twilight, casting a serene veil over Azure Dragon City.

Azure Dragon City, one of the liveliest metropolises on the Nine Provinces Continent, kept its gates open around the clock.

At the city gates, a line of people waited to enter.

Inside the gates, Master Chu, accompanied by his steward, guards, and Niu Niu's parents, eagerly anticipated their arrival.

Niu Niu's mother whispered to her husband, "Niu Niu's father, why hasn't Niu Niu arrived yet?"

A few days prior, officials had informed them that Niu Niu had been found and would be returned home soon.

That afternoon, Master Chu's household had confirmed that Niu Niu would be back that day!

Impatient with waiting at home, they had arrived early at the city gates, finding Master Chu already there.

Niu Niu's father, his gaze fixed on the gate, silently shook his head in response to his wife's question, his grip tightening on her rough hand.

He wasn't sure either.

Master Chu offered comfort, "Don't worry. Yujiang City is quite a distance from Azure Dragon City. It's normal for them to be a bit late."

He paused, his spotted hand tightening around his cane, and sighed, "We've waited this long; a little more time won't matter."

Niu Niu's parents fell silent. Niu Niu's mother leaned into her husband's embrace, wiping away a tear. Her voice carried a sense of relief, "Yes, you're right."

The disappearance of their child had left them hollow, eating without appetite, their hearts aching. Nights were the worst, sleep elusive, driving them to the brink of despair.

The thought of the deep well at home had crossed her mind more than once, but the thought of her husband, their chickens and pigs, and the approaching autumn harvest kept her grounded.

Days dragged on like years.

"Master! Young Mistress!" the steward, on tiptoe, suddenly exclaimed, "Look, it's the Young Mistress!"

Master Chu and Niu Niu's parents' hearts leapt. They turned to see Baili Dao leading Niu Niu and Chu Chu by the hand, emerging from the crowd entering the city.

A day of journeying together had forged a deep bond between Baili Dao and the two children. They were now discussing the bird they had just seen flying overhead.

Chu Chu tilted her head, "The bird's belly was so round. Could it be carrying a baby?"

Niu Niu wondered, "Or did it just eat a lot?"

Baili Dao, the elder brother figure, concluded, "That's a sparrow. Sparrows always have round bellies."

The two children nodded in understanding, "Oh..."

Behind them, Jian Huan gently touched the crack in her bamboo staff, feeling a pang of regret.

The broomstick really wasn't up to par. After just a day of use, it had started to split.

She shook her head and disdainfully tossed it into her Mustard Seed Pouch.

Though she wasn't sure what use a cracked broomstick could serve, the pouch still had space, so she decided to store it for now.

Hearing the conversation ahead, Jian Huan asked, "Why didn't I see the sparrow?"

Beside her, Shen Jizhi walked with focused precision.

Today, he wore new clothes and shoes.

The clothes were from an old Jiang family estate, a white and blue robe embroidered with gold threads depicting a vivid pi xiu.

The shoes were a repurposed version of his old white boots, now a water-green shade with bamboo patterns.

The ensemble was perfectly coordinated, fitting for the events to come.

However, with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the city gates were unusually crowded tonight.

Shen Jizhi moved slowly and cautiously, his every step deliberate.

"You fell," Shen Jizhi replied without looking up, his gaze fixed on his white and blue hem and the occasional glimpse of a pink skirt.

Jian Huan: "Alright then."

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‍had indeed fallen several times that day, though she always managed to steady herself before hitting the ground.

"Grandpa!" Chu Chu suddenly exclaimed with excitement, releasing Baili Dao's hand and sprinting towards the group waiting at the street corner, "Grandpa!!"

Niu Niu followed her gaze, his eyes widening as he burst into tears, running towards his parents, "Dad, Mom, wahhh, Mom..."

Master Chu bent his aged back, embracing his granddaughter tightly.

He closed his eyes, a tear rolling down his wrinkled cheek, his beard trembling as he repeated, "Good, good child, it's good you're back, good, good..."

Meanwhile, Niu Niu's family wept together, their emotions overflowing.

Passersby at the city gates looked on with curiosity and confusion, unsure of the scene unfolding before them.

Niu Niu's mother first composed herself, gently calming Niu Niu, then glancing at her husband, who was weeping uncontrollably, and the curious onlookers. She gave her husband a firm slap, "Stop crying!"

...

Jian Huan and the others didn't approach the scene, instead stopping by the city wall.

Jian Huan kicked a small stone underfoot, silently reciting a mantra to distract herself.

Such scenes were too emotional for her to bear, afraid she might break down in public.

Baili Dao, too, couldn't hold back his emotions, turning to face the wall and wiping his eyes.

Jian Huan glanced at Baili Dao, then at Shen Jizhi, who stood beside her with an unreadable expression.

His face was always inscrutable, and she couldn't discern his thoughts.

Recalling his eventual descent into madness in the book, Jian Huan hesitated, then spoke, "The day before we left, didn't Elder Yu Qing call me?"

Shen Jizhi hummed in acknowledgment, glancing at her with a questioning look, "?"

He had seen her flying up that day while practicing his sword.

Her bamboo staff had been too conspicuous to miss.

Jian Huan continued, "Elder Yu Qing told me a long story. I found it quite meaningful. Do you want to hear it?"

Shen Jizhi replied succinctly, "Speak."

Jian Huan relayed Elder Yu Qing's words, emphasizing the key points, "See, Elder Yu Qing said, never harm others for any reason. Money is also a reason. A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it through proper means, understand?"

Shen Jizhi: "..."

Seeing his silence, Jian Huan asked again, "Don't you understand?"

Shen Jizhi glanced at her, slowly replying, "Are you trying to keep the reward for yourself?"

Jian Huan: "..."

Jian Huan was exasperated, exclaiming, "I'm worried you'll go mad for money in the future! I'm advising you not to be like that!"

She was indirectly accusing him of being too money-focused.

Shen Jizhi chuckled, "Thank you for your concern."

Jian Huan twitched her mouth, giving up, "Forget it, talking to a brick wall."

Shen Jizhi scoffed lightly, "Overthinking."

Jian Huan: "..."

Master Chu had prepared a lavish banquet at his home.

After a satisfying meal, Chu Chu escorted Niu Niu's family out, promising, "I'll come play with you tomorrow!"

Both children possessed dual-spirit root talents. Once they were a bit older, they could be sent to the Jade Clarity Sect for cultivation.

The Jade Clarity Sect typically didn't accept such young children, preferring those who were a bit older and more aware. Other sects did take younger ones, but Master Chu still preferred the Jade Clarity Sect, wanting to keep the children with him for a few more years.

The thought of sending such young children to a strange place pained him.

During the meal, he had discussed this with Niu Niu's parents, suggesting they send the children together in a few years, so they'd have each other.

While Master Chu pondered these matters in his study, his steward quietly entered, bowing, "Master, everything is prepared as you instructed."

"Good," Master Chu stood, leading the servants and steward to the courtyard where Jian Huan and the others were staying.

In the room, Jian Huan, Shen Jizhi, and Baili Dao sat at the table.

Jian Huan was drawing talismans, while Shen Jizhi meditated in silence.

Baili Dao looked between the two, puzzled.

He had been lying in bed when Jian Huan called him over, instructing him to sit, saying Master Chu would arrive soon.

But after three cups of tea, no one had shown up.

Just as he was about to pour a fourth cup, a series of footsteps approached.

Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi straightened up almost simultaneously.

Jian Huan quickly finished her last stroke, tossing her paper and brush into her Mustard Seed Pouch.

She touched her chest, murmuring, "My heart is racing. This must be what they call a heart-pounding moment."

Shen Jizhi remained silent, adjusting his breathing rhythm.

Outside the door, Master Chu paused, asking, "May I enter, three?"

Jian Huan, her gaze fixed on the chests carried by the guards, stood up with a bright smile, "Of course, of course, Master Chu, please come in!"

Shen Jizhi and Baili Dao also rose to their feet.

Master Chu entered, sweeping his robe aside.

Jian Huan's eyelids twitched, and she hastily said, "Master Chu, please don't kneel to us again. It would shorten our lives!"

Master Chu was taken aback but then laughed.

The once lifeless old man had regained his former vitality tonight.

He also recalled the incident when he had knelt to these two for help.

Back then, he was truly desperate, grabbing at anyone as if they were a lifeline.

"No more kneeling, no more kneeling," Master Chu said, bowing respectfully to the three of them. "Great kindness need not be thanked. I've already expressed my gratitude during the banquet. Now, I fear my words would only make our saviors feel that the old man is being verbose."

The three quickly returned the bow. Jian Huan said, "Master Chu, you're too kind. We don't deserve to be called saviors."

Master Chu smiled, gesturing to someone behind him, who then brought in a box and placed it down.

Baili Dao looked strangely at one of the people, recognizing Zhao Shi!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zhao Shi quietly winked at him, pointing to the butler in front and mouthing, "Let's talk privately."

Baili Dao nodded.

Master Chu turned to Baili Dao and bowed again. "Baili Dao, these are the two hundred thousand spirit stones I promised you. Please count them."

Baili Dao clasped his fists. "Thank you, Master Chu."

Next to them, Jian Huan muttered softly to herself.

She had completely forgotten that Baili Dao was also entitled to a reward. She hadn't told Shen Jizhi!

Just now, she had been too excited, her mind short-circuiting, and she had called Baili Dao over to collect his reward. Now she realized she shouldn't have done that.

She should have let Master Chu go to Baili Dao himself, and she would have divided the reward with him later in secret.

What a misstep.

Jian Huan stealthily glanced at Shen Jizhi, who showed no particular expression, only lifting his eyelids to give her a casual glance: "?"

She shook her head, indicating nothing was wrong, and quickly looked away.

Master Chu walked up to the two of them, bowing separately to Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi. "The three hundred thousand spirit stones I promised the two of you, I did not take back."

"Yes," Shen Jizhi said, taking out a sack from his Mustard Seed Pouch. It was the same sack that had contained the three hundred thousand spirit stones he had returned to Master Chu earlier.

Then, he followed up by taking out an account book, a pen, and a box of red clay, flipping to a certain page and walking up to Master Chu. "If there are no issues, you need to sign here."

His fingertip pointed to a line that read: "On such and such a date, Gu Shan owes the Chu family ancestor three hundred thousand spirit stones."

Master Chu took the pen and paper, writing at Shen Jizhi's request: "On such and such a date, repaid by disciple Shen Jizhi on behalf of Gu Shan," and signed his name, pressing his red thumbprint on it.

Shen Jizhi took it back, checking it word by word carefully, then stored it safely in his Mustard Seed Pouch, his eyebrows lifting slightly with a rare smile. "Thank you."

Next to them, Jian Huan quietly moved over to Baili Dao and whispered to him, "You take those two hundred thousand spirit stones first!"

Baili Dao was puzzled. "But one hundred thousand of those are yours."

"You take them first!" Jian Huan cautiously observed Shen Jizhi. "I'll ask you for them later."

Baili Dao followed Jian Huan's gaze to Shen Jizhi.

He remembered that Jian Huan had previously asked him not to tell Shen Jizhi about the reward. Instantly, he understood her concern.

Baili Dao's face showed a guilty expression, stammering, "But... Shen Jizhi already knows..."

"What?" Realizing her voice was a bit too loud, she quickly lowered it. "How could he know!"

"Well, Shen Jizhi and I were buying a carriage before, and on the way, he casually asked me a couple of questions, and I just... somehow ended up telling him everything..." He didn't know why he had said it; by the time he realized, it was already out.

Jian Huan: "He was deliberately fishing for information!"

Baili Dao: "But Shen Jizhi only asked me why I was investigating Chu Chu's case. He didn't fish for information or ask about the reward. It was just me talking too much..."

Jian Huan: "..."

Jian Huan: "Then, did he say anything at the time?"

Baili Dao tried to recall and then shook his head. "No."

Jian Huan pondered.

Shen Jizhi hadn't mentioned to her that he knew about this. What did he mean?

She silently returned to her original position.

Over there, Master Chu and Shen Jizhi had finished their business. Master Chu took three jade bottles from the butler. "These are three bottles of Spirit Recovery Pills, as a token of gratitude for your care of Chu Chu these past few days."

His granddaughter, who had been missing for so long, hadn't lost weight; her face was even rounder than before, and her complexion was rosy. She had also chattered nonstop with him.

Master Chu had noticed all this and was deeply grateful, so he had prepared these extra gifts.

Jian Huan's eyes lit up: "!"

She stared longingly at the Spirit Recovery Pills in Master Chu's hand, wanting to take them but feeling a bit awkward. After all, these weren't part of the agreed reward but rather a gift. She politely declined, "Master Chu, you're too kind. This is too much. We really can't accept it..."

Master Chu insisted on giving them to her. "It's just a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it, so that I can sleep peacefully."

After a few rounds of polite refusals, Master Chu was very insistent, and Jian Huan gave up, taking the bottles with a sigh. "You're too kind. Look at you, you're really too kind..."

With everything given and said, Master Chu bowed and took his leave. "I won't disturb your rest any further. I'll take my leave now."

Jian Huan, in high spirits, personally saw Master Chu to the courtyard gate.

When she returned, Shen Jizhi and Baili Dao were still in her room.

The three of them looked at the two hundred thousand spirit stones, each in silence.

Baili Dao spoke first. "One hundred thousand spirit stones were agreed to be given to Jian Huan. The other one hundred thousand, Shen Jizhi, shall we split it equally?"

Jian Huan looked at him in surprise. She had been thinking about dividing the five hundred thousand equally among the three of them.

But she hadn't expected Baili Dao to suggest this. She knew he was a good person, but she hadn't expected him to be even better than she had thought!

Shen Jizhi was also slightly surprised.

He had already known about this before attending the couple's banquet in Jiangfu.

But Baili Dao's two hundred thousand spirit stones were never his to begin with.

Without Jian Huan, Baili Dao wouldn't have joined. Throughout the journey, he hadn't helped Baili Dao; on the contrary, Baili Dao had inadvertently saved his life.

Baili Dao's reward had never crossed his mind to share. He had only asked Baili Dao about it out of curiosity about how much more Jian Huan could earn.

Shen Jizhi shook his head, refusing. "No need. This is yours. It has nothing to do with me."

Baili Dao was a straightforward person. Hearing the master refuse, he didn't press further, putting his one hundred thousand spirit stones into his Mustard Seed Pouch.

For a moment, no one spoke, and the room fell into an eerie silence.

Baili Dao looked at Jian Huan, then at Shen Jizhi. He wondered if the master hadn't left yet, was there something else to discuss? So he decided to stay a bit longer.

Jian Huan looked at Shen Jizhi, then at the undivided sack, then at the jelly clay in her Mustard Seed Pouch, and finally at Baili Dao.

Shen Jizhi also looked at Baili Dao.

The two of them spoke almost simultaneously: "Why are you still here?"

Baili Dao: "..."

Baili Dao instantly understood, his face turning red, and he quickly left.

As he closed the door for the two inside, he muttered to himself.

They were clearly a couple, but one moment they were staying together, the next they were separated, leaving him completely confused.