31 Book 1 Epilogue (1/2)
Wang Jun continued the conversation after they had taken a few bites. ”Everyone is fine, but they took your fall from Greatwood Bridge very personally. They don't know you're back yet, because I wanted you to be in full health before breaking the news to them.” Shaking his head, he continued, ”Feng Ming was very shaken and ashamed, and he felt like he could have put a lot more effort into cultivation. In his opinion, he might have been able to help a lot more if only he had taken advantage of the cultivation resources he had access to.
”As a result, he asked his father for permission to join the army as penance. He has been assigned to one of the strictest commanders in the army, and Heaven only knows what kind of man he will be by the time he obtains permission to return. My informants in the military say that, in all likelihood, he will either come back a brave, responsible person or die trying.
”Gong Lan disappeared shortly after our return, along with her brother and many members of their mercenary company. She also blames her gentle behavior and seems intent on following in her brother's footsteps. Hong Xin, on the other hand…” Wang Jun was suddenly interrupted by the sound of swift footsteps rushing down the hallway.
A teary-eyed Hong Xin ran into the room and aggressively hugged Cha Ming while sobbing.
Wang Jun coughed lightly. ”I invited her for breakfast this morning since the doctor said you would be up soon. I thought it would be a nice surprise.” He gently rubbed the top of Hong Xin's head, who blushed and smiled.
”Brother Jun definitely treats me the best. I'm so glad you're back! We've all missed you terribly, and I was so sad! But Brother Jun kept me company very often, and he took me for walks, and he always treats me to supper.”
Wang Jun spurted out tea and rubbed his head awkwardly, which made Cha Ming laugh. Huxian laughed telepathically.
”Yes, he is the best,” said Cha Ming. ”Did you know that he rushed out with Elder Bai to save me in the spirit woods? He even took me to the best doctor in the city, which is why I could get well so fast. Huxian and I would have died if it wasn't for him!”
Wang Jun shot him a thankful look. He had been worried that Cha Ming might be interested in Xin Er, and he'd been hesitant to be too forward before obtaining Cha Ming's approval.
”Wait, how long have you known he was back?” Hong Xin said, her hands suddenly on her hips. ”Why didn't you tell me?” Her imposing manner had reached sky-high levels, and neither of them could properly think or put sentences together. Cha Ming and Wang Jun both shuddered and explained hastily.
”I just got back last night,” Cha Ming exclaimed. ”And that spirit doctor was really good! Wang Jun didn't want you worrying!”
”Didn't want me worried? You mean you hid it from me?” Hong Xin looked aggrieved.
Panicking, Wang Jun looked around and found the wandering Elder Bai. His eyes lit up instantly.
”Elder Bai, didn't I tell you yesterday afternoon to inform Xin Er that Cha Ming had returned? Why didn't you tell her?”
Hearing Wang Jun's scolding, he paled but quickly picked up the hint.
”Aiya, in my old age, I made the judgment that the young miss loved surprises, and so I sent the courier with a letter to invite her for breakfast … This old man knows his mistake. I will punish myself. Please continue with your breakfast, I will take my leave.”
Hearing that Elder Bai was about to go inflict punishment on himself, Hong Xin's eyes widened. ”It's not his fault, Elder Brother Jun. Please don't let Elder Bai punish himself!” She looked at Wang Jun imploringly.
Wang Jun shook his head self-deprecatingly. ”No, the fault is all mine. I should have been more explicit in my instructions. It's my fault, Elder Bai. Relax and continue with your activities. What's important is that Cha Ming is safe and sound at last.” Wang Jun clasped his hands together and gave Elder Bai a short bow of apology. Elder Bai nodded his head.
Meanwhile, Cha Ming decided that one day, he would also do his all to obtain such a loyal assistant.
--
It was now late afternoon, and Cha Ming and Wang Jun were seated at an ornate wooden table, drinking tea. Elder Bai was out running errands, Hong Xin had returned home, and Huxian was sleeping lazily by a warmly lit fireplace. Oddly enough, the fireplace and chimney matched the rest of the building, being completely wooden in composition. The bark covering the wood had a reddish hue, and as far as Cha Ming could tell, it was impervious to the weak fire used to warm the living room. It did, however, give off a smoky cinnamon smell whenever the heat of the fire reached a certain intensity.
”You definitely know how to enjoy the small things in life,” said Cha Ming, sipping on his cup of tea. ”This fireplace and chimney must be worth a fortune.”
Wang Jun made a gesture, indicating that Cha Ming should put his cup down to be refilled with freshly brewed tea.
”My father always said that one can enjoy these simple comforts privately but must never show them off in public. By appearing humble, your friends appreciate your modesty. Conversely, your enemies will underestimate you, and neutral people will find it difficult to resent you. Therefore, I always dress simply, but the tea I brew is always top quality. The outside of my home is simple, but my desk and fireplace are worth more than the entire house combined. As an added benefit, I don't need to spend excessive money on impressing others. In some matters, my father is truly wise.”
After taking a sip of the freshly poured tea, he continued. ”Speaking of which, I sense some interesting things in you. First, your body is a lot stronger than it was before you fell. Like before, I can tell that you're now practicing a very high-level body-refinement technique. You must have encountered unimaginable good fortune after you fell in the river. Secondly, I can tell that you have an impressive treasure aura. It seems like you found something good?”
”My luck was not bad. I encountered a body-refinement technique and everything necessary to cultivate it until becoming a Xiantian life-form. I can't share it with you, but the technique seems to be imparted as a legacy; I have a feeling that the future cultivation methods will be revealed once I am ready for them.
”As for the treasure, I discovered a large amount of elemental essence that is useful to me for talisman crafting. However, in the same location, I found these pieces of ore, which I can't identify.” Cha Ming produced a piece of stone he had found in the bottom of the liquified elemental essence lake—it was one of the stone Huxian had eaten a few to increase his strength by many levels.
Wang Jun gleefully grabbed the stone and inspected it from every angle. He then took out an expensive-looking soul-alloy knife and gently cut the rock into two pieces. The outside of the stone was emanating a light blue glow, but the center of each stone was crystal clear. Wang Jun nodded. ”How many of these stones did you find?”
Cha Ming responded by dumping several hundred stones on the living room floor. The room quickly lit up with a blue glow. As soon as the stones hit the floor, Wang Jun cried out and pulled out a small jade chest, which quickly sucked up the rocks from the floor. He then handed the chest over to Cha Ming.
”These stones contain two precious things. The first, as you've likely guessed, is pure crystalized elemental essence. It's a very good cultivation material, but it's difficult to absorb without a formation to channel it into a useable form. That's not a problem, however; I can easily sell you two such formations for a couple of the stones. The second treasure contained within is a high-quality soul-alloy ore. This is a very valuable material, and a small amount of refinement and reprocessing will produce slightly more than eighty percent of the original volume as pure soul alloy. In other words, you're rich now!
”I suggest selling me the crystalized elemental essence for a more convenient, processed form. I can give you 90% of the volume in exchange, since the impurity content of this crystalized elemental essence is very low. Meanwhile, I can also arrange for the remaining soul-alloy ore to be reprocessed into useable soul alloy. This is a premium material for weapons and defensive treasures for those who use soul power. Not only are you able to control them like your own hands, but you can inscribe runes on it that suit you best. These runes can be removed at any time. In addition, the weapons forged from soul alloy will change properties when imbued with soul power. They can be made heavier or lighter, larger or smaller. They can also change shapes, though without spirit power they will be restored to their original forged shape.”
In the end, Cha Ming took up Wang Jun on his offer, and he trusted that Wang Jun had offered him a fair deal. He only accepted one formation plate, however. When Wang Jun learned that Huxian could actually eat the ore, he became very excited.
”Can Huxian eat other things? Like beast cores, spirit stones, spirit beasts, etc.?” Wang Jun asked curiously.
”Yes,” said Cha Ming while slapping his forehead. ”He is basically gluttony incarnate. He can eat nigh unlimited amounts of spirit beasts and beast cores.”
Wang Jun laughed heartily. ”You're quite fortunate to have such a companion. This type of devouring ability stems from an affinity to darkness, and its very rare among spirit beasts. My guess is that he is using the crystalized elemental essence to increase his demonic cultivation while using the soul-alloy ore to reinforce his body.” After pondering for a bit, he took out fifty stones from the original few hundred.
”You should keep these for Huxian. I doubt that you can find a more efficient means for him to train.”
Soon after, Cha Ming left the Jade Bamboo Auction House and made his way to Elder Ling's residence.
--
Cha Ming walked down the narrow alley from the marketplace to his teacher's residence, the talisman shop. As usual, the small cabin was plastered with a variety of talismans, and Mr. Mao Mao was relaxing in the shade. Mr. Mao Mao stood up to greet Cha Ming this time, looking at him expectantly. Cha Ming didn't disappoint him and pulled out several bundles of dried flowers, which the cat dutifully brought into the house while leading the way.
Their furry friend led them into an empty living room, indicating that Elder Ling was still out for the day. A short while later, the cat came back with a placid and pleased expression. Just as he was about to move toward his usual perch, he noticed it was already occupied by a strange creature. The black-and-white Huxian was already curled up in a ball and napping.
Huxian, get down from there. That's Mr. Mao Mao's spot, and you don't want to get him angry! Cha Ming hurriedly sent a mental message, but it was too late. Mr. Mao Mao's hair was erect and his claws protruding. He let out a loud hiss and started advancing aggressively. Huxian's face wore a complacent smile. It was a true case of the young not fearing the strong.