Next ti you try to play hero, try to avoid damaging anything, will you?
I said I was sorry.
Chen Haoran and the old woman wandered down various streets and alleys of Stonebridge. Chen Haoran had the womans carpet thrown over his shoulder like a sack. From within ca the clicking and clacking of her bone wares. He thought it was the end of it when the old woman extorted him out of a gold tael for a sculpture he was positive wasnt worth that much. The old woman still didnt wasnt satisfied and had him help pack up her goods and carry them ho for her.
Bah, will your apology cut it if what you stepped on started bleeding instead of breaking?
He felt his eye twitch. You know I can just drop your stuff and leave, right?
The old woman scoffed. Go ahead. Prove right that you foreigners arent worth a damn.
I dont actually care about upholding anyones image. He really didnt. Its not like he was actually from this world, let alone any of the nations here. How do you even know Im not from here anyway? You havent looked at once. It took him a bit to notice, but it was true. She hadnt lifted her gaze at all when he t her or when the thugs were bothering her. Even now, when he was walking her ho, he still didnt know what her face looked like.
The old woman sniffed. I can sll the Peacocks water on you, boy.
Chen Haoran frowned and sensed her again. Still mortal. But was that true? Lan Fen could hide her cultivation level after all, or rather, the White Tyrant helped her hide it. Xie Jin could seemingly sll the Peachwine River on the Reservoir Town cultivators as well. With how connected his cultivation thod was to the Machu River, it wouldnt be strange if soone could recognize it on him the sa way. Really? he asked, just to be sure.
Of course not. The old woman said. The disdain in her voice was clear. Do you really think I can do sothing like that? Its your accent, you fool. Do you think you sound like my ho?
Chen Haoran was glad the woman wasnt looking at him. Otherwise, she would see him flush red. Right, why twist himself in knots of doubt when the obvious answer was there?
The sun began dipping beneath the horizon, and the last rays of purple sunset reflected off the ti-polished stones of Stonebridge. Around them, people closed up shops and made their way ho ahead of the curfew. They were heading away from the river and deep into the city. Father Ti had lovingly worn smooth the bricks of the houses surrounding them and draped them with curtains of crawling moss. The canals thinned out into twisting gulleys that wrapped around the roads and hos like snakes. The water of the Skyspear they carried stole the darkening skys reflection and burbled black, purple, and gold.
Its a beautiful city no matter what the ti is, Chen Haoran said.
The old woman humd. At least you can appreciate art. She ran a liver-spotted hand along a smooth wall as they walked. Oldest city continuously inhabited city on the continent. Even when the Snake King poured the coffers of an empire into the city, its age still showed through no matter how new the material.
The old woman led him to an unlit street. A chorus of crickets chirped in tune from one house to the next. Rising and falling like a conducted orchestra. It was far more pleasant music compared to the monstrous hunting screeches of the Spa Cavern crickets.
The old woman sighed. If youre going to steal the dragon, now is the ti to do it.
Chen Haoran was brought up short. Excuse ?
I recomnd not to try killing here, however. I still have so louts Im playing host for. Heaven forbid I let them try to use my kitchen.
Maam, Im not sure what youre saying.
Youre a cultivator, a decent one, I imagine. Why else would you let an old mortal coot take advantage of you like this? That piece of crap wasnt worth this much.
Oh. Well, he could imagine it looked quite bad from her point of view. Still, he couldnt help but ask. If you knew all that, why go out of your way to be so rude? "From what I've seen, cultivators arent above killing for a slight.
The old woman scoffed. Im old, boy. What do I have to fear that isnt already coming for ?
Crazy lady. Chen Haoran shook his head, laughing. Im going to have to disappoint you. Im not here to rob you or kill you.
Then why? He could hear the stern confusion in her tone.
Asking for hundreds of gold taels would be taking advantage of . Asking to fight soone for you would be taking advantage of . A single gold tael and helping you carry your things ho are pretty insignificant for compared to what I can actually do. Why not lend a hand then? He cocked his head in thought. Well, you were pretty rude. Thats enough reason not to help. Lets just say Im a nice guy.
The old woman was silent all the way up till they stopped in front of a small house with a vivid red door. A trio of worms were patterned all along the door fra.
You want to carry this inside or just leave it here? he asked.
Co inside, she finally said. Ill make you a bowl.
Oh no, Im fine-
The old woman whipped out her hand and slapped his arm. None of that, she scolded. No one leaves my ho without eating anything. This granny will spit blood and die before that happens. She still didnt look at him.
Oho? Was she coming around to him, perhaps? Chen Haoran smirked. If you insist. How about that dragon statue while were at it?
Business is closed, ca her blunt reply. She placed her hand on the brass door handle. I swear. Young n these days are just the strangest sort.
The door swung open and revealed a single-room. It reminded him of a smaller version of Sister Jias ho. A roaring fire sent up smoke up through a hole in the ceiling. The light illuminated a table where dinner was already underway.
Chen Haoran stopped.
The two, unfortunately, familiar faces at the table froze.
Wang Xiao let his noodles slip from his mouth. Jiang Lei paused midway through a sip from his teacup.
Wang Xiao and Chen Haoran spoke at the sa ti. Fuck.
He dropped his bowl and pointed an accusing finger at Chen Haoran. You!
The old woman kicked him in the shin.
Wang Xiao bit back his curse and glared at the woman.
Has no one ever taught you pointing is rude? And what kind of language is that? And where did you get this food? Are you trying to say my cooking isn't good enough? What-
On and on her tirade went. Wang Xiaos glare didnt go away but he visibly shrunk under the verbal barrage. Having once also been on the receiving end of an elders disapproval, Chen Haoran almost felt sympathy for him.
Almost.
It was his senior brother who ca to his rescue. Our apologies, elder. We did not an to insult your food. We simply didnt wish to continue taking advantage of your cooking.
The old woman coldly snorted, and she imperiously motioned to the table. Clear away that garbage. Ill have so real food ready in a few minutes. She looked back at Chen Haoran for the first ti. Cloudy white eyes locked gaze with his own. Shut the door and co sit.
She was blind? And she led him to her ho without him noticing that? He shook the extraneous thoughts out of his head. There were more imdiate issues. He looked at the smiling Jiang Lei and the angry Wang Xiao. Actually, I have a sloth waiting for at ho, so Im just gonna go now-.
In, ca her clipped command.
We would be honored to have you join us, Master Chen, Jiang Lei unhelpfully added.
He didnt have much choice, it seed. Joy.
Chen Haoran set down the old womans goods with a sigh and considered his options. Does he sit next to the Liquid ridian Realm or the guy who hates him?
Please feel free, Jiang Lei said, patting the cushion beside him.
With another sigh, he sat beside the last person he expected to see again. Xie Jin lied to him. Zumulu wasnt a big place at all.
I cannot say I expected to et again this soon. Jiang Lei was relentlessly positive.
Neither did he.
Likewise, he weakly said. Hows it hanging, guys?
Wang Xiao slapped the table. I demand a duel!
Right. What did he expect?
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