Chapter 107: A Fool’s Errand
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
Ji Han Zhou exhaled deeply, feeling the tension release from his body. After sitting still on the reef for what felt like an eternity, his bones had grown stiff and aching. But now, finally, the hard times seemed to be behind them.
Stretching, he glanced at Yu Zhao with renewed energy. “Senior Sister Yu Zhao, just tell me what to do, and I’ll follow your lead.”
Yu Zhao arched an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. It was clear that Ji Han Zhou had been waiting for this moment, eager to prove himself. “This island is completely surrounded by the sea, and we can’t figure out which direction to head. If we move without a plan, we might end up lost in the endless waters of the Southern Sea. My suggestion is to build several rafts. They’ll allow us to travel over the water while conserving energy, and we can use them as a place to rest.”
She knew the dangers that lay ahead. Traveling by raft wasn’t just risky—it was practically inviting disaster. A single strike from a sea beast could shatter their rafts to pieces. But given their limited options, Yu Zhao had concluded that rafts were the best, and perhaps only, choice they had.
Ji Han Zhou didn’t need to be told twice. He immediately turned on his heel and sprinted into the dense forest that blanketed the island, his voice echoing as he shouted, “I’ll go chop some wood!”
Building the rafts wasn’t as difficult as it seemed. With the two of them working together, they managed to construct several dozen rafts within the span of an hour.
“Let’s set off.”
With a sense of resolve, they pushed the rafts into the water, the wood creaking as it touched the surface. Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou climbed onto one, and with a surge of spiritual power, the raft began to drift away from the island, its destination unknown.
Standing side by side on the swaying raft, they stared into the vast expanse of water before them. Despite the uncertainty that loomed ahead, their expressions were firm, eyes filled with determination. The path of cultivation was one of defiance against the heavens; only those with unwavering resolve could hope to achieve immortality.
East of South Sea City
In a small, secluded courtyard, Little Red rose early, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. She set about her daily chores with practiced efficiency, splitting wood and boiling water. As the fire crackled to life, she grabbed a bucket and hurried down the street to fetch water from the old well. With the jar now full, she rushed to the market to buy breakfast for her three younger brothers, her small frame moving with purpose.
When she returned home, she found her brothers still nestled under their blankets, deep in sleep. Quietly, she placed the breakfast on the stove and glanced at the money box, her frown deepening as she noticed it was nearly empty.
Not long ago, Little Red had been content earning five lower-grade spirit stones a day as a guide. But ever since they had moved into a new house, five stones barely covered a single day’s expenses. The other children in the neighborhood came from well-off families, and Little Red knew her brothers needed the best of everything to avoid being picked on.
But now, her savings had dwindled to almost nothing. She had no choice but to use the six upper-grade spirit stones she had stored with Grandpa Cha. However, she hesitated. She had carelessly mentioned Grandpa Cha to someone a while back, and since then, she hadn’t dared to visit him. But with no other options left, she decided to make the trip to the Fragrant Tea House.
After closing the door quietly behind her, Little Red walked briskly through the bustling streets, her mind racing with thoughts of what she might say to Grandpa Cha. She knew he’d be disappointed in her for not heeding his advice and returning home on her own. But she couldn’t abandon her brothers. If she sincerely apologized, perhaps Grandpa Cha would forgive her.
Before she realized it, she had arrived at the Fragrant Tea House. But instead of the familiar, fragrant three-story building, she found only a pile of rubble. Little Red’s heart froze, her mind going blank as the world seemed to tilt around her. She stumbled, collapsing to the ground in shock.
How could this happen?
How could this be?
Panic surged through her veins, and she scrambled to her feet, dashing to the winery next door. She grabbed the nearest worker, her voice trembling as she asked, “What happened to the Fragrant Tea House? Where are the people inside? Where’s Grandpa Cha? Where did they go?”
The worker, caught off guard, pushed her away with a scowl. “Crazy girl! Get lost! Don’t bother me!”
“Please, I beg you! Tell me what happened to Grandpa Cha! Please!”
Her desperation was evident as she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, her cries drawing the attention of onlookers. Uncomfortable under the gazes of the gathering crowd, the worker relented, pulling her to her feet.
“Stop making a scene, I’ll tell you,” he muttered, his voice heavy with a sigh. “The Fragrant Tea House must have crossed someone powerful. A few days ago, some people came and wrecked the place.”
Little Red’s legs buckled at the news, and she would have collapsed again if the worker hadn’t grabbed her arm.
“No one died, though,” he added quickly, trying to calm her. “But the tea master lost an arm, and they were all thrown out of the city. They’ve probably fled somewhere far away by now.”
The worker’s words were like a punch to the gut. Relief at hearing that Grandpa Cha was alive was short-lived as the reality of the situation sank in. Everything she had entrusted to Grandpa Cha was gone. The upper-grade spirit stones—her last hope—were lost.
Her heart heavy with despair, Little Red trudged back home. She found her brothers lounging around, their bellies full from breakfast. In the kitchen, the food she had bought was completely gone, not even a scrap left for her. Her stomach growled in hunger, but she pushed the feeling aside, too distracted by the question of how to provide lunch.
Before she could think further, her brothers’ voices echoed from the main hall, calling her over. She hurried to them, worry gnawing at her insides.
“I want Eight Treasures Wontons from the main street for lunch,” demanded Little Wool, his legs crossed arrogantly.
“I want roast goose!” another brother chimed in.
“Meat pies! Meat pies!” The youngest, Little West, banged his chopsticks on the table, a wide grin on his face.
Little Red hesitated, the reality of their situation weighing heavily on her shoulders. “We don’t have any spirit stones left. How about we have something simple for lunch? I promise I’ll buy you wontons and roast goose when I earn more money, okay?”
“No spirit stones? What about that middle-grade spirit stone? Did you spend it all?” Little Wool shot to his feet, his small fists clenched in anger. The other two brothers turned to her with matching scowls.
“No, I didn’t spend it,” Little Red quickly assured them, trying to explain. “We spent sixty lower-grade spirit stones on renting this house, and then I bought you new clothes and shoes, and fresh food…”
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
“What’s the use of all this talk if you’re still useless!” Little Wool cut her off, his voice dripping with disdain. “Didn’t you say that senior gave you a lot of spirit stones as a reward? Where are they? Did you hide them?”
“No, I didn’t hide them. I left them with Grandpa Cha…”
“Then go get them!” Little Bean shouted.
Little Red’s heart sank. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. “Grandpa Cha is gone, and I can’t find him.”
“What? You’re so stupid! How could you give our spirit stones to someone else? Now we’ve been scammed! What’s the point of you even being here? You might as well just die!”
“You’re a bad person! I’m going to hit you! Give me back my spirit stones!”
Her brothers’ angry voices rose as they started hitting her with their small fists, tears filling Little Red’s eyes as she sobbed uncontrollably. It was all her fault. She had been too trusting, and now their spirit stones were gone. The past few days had felt like a dream, but now, reality was crashing down around her. They would have to return to their miserable life in the southern part of the city.