Chapter 071
Chapter 71: The Spirit Healing Pill Given to Liang Wei Sheng
The artifact refining room was filled with the clanging sound of metal against metal. Shi Zi Chu squatted in the corner, her gaze fixed on Xing Lan as she forged artifacts.
Why was she sitting in the corner? It wasn’t because Xing Lan told her to; rather, it was because the temperature from the alien flame was too high, and the corner was the farthest point from it.
When the artifact forging was over, Shi Zi Chu lazily toyed with a magic artifact in the shape of a circular tassel.
“Peak Master Kui Lian gave that to you?” A deep, cold voice broke into Shi Zi Chu’s dazed thoughts.
Startled, Shi Zi Chu looked up and saw that several finished stones were laid out in front of Xing Lan. The blue alien flame had been extinguished and put away, though the temperature in the room still lingered.
“Mm,” Shi Zi Chu replied, standing and walking over. “I went to deliver a congratulatory gift to Peak Master Kui Lian. She gave me this magic artifact in return.”
Shi Zi Chu had to admit, Peak Master Kui Lian was quite skilled in artifact forging. This defensive heaven-ranked magic artifact would fetch at least several million spirit stones at an auction.
Xing Lan nodded and then began to gather the stones while walking out with Shi Zi Chu.
“Sect Master asked Meng Xi Yu to deliver the menu for the banquet. You can confirm it with Sect Master later,” Shi Zi Chu remarked, handing over a booklet.
Xing Lan took the booklet and flipped through it. “Has she had a change of heart?”
Usually, Jiu Jiu would change all the dishes to her preferences and report to the Sect Master that it was Master’s decision.
Xing Lan glanced at Shi Zi Chu in mild surprise, her gaze carrying a questioning look.
“The main focus of this banquet is Master, so I can’t overshadow that,” Shi Zi Chu said seriously.
Xing Lan did not press her, instead, she nodded and spoke calmly, “Then we will prepare a special dish just for you.” She put away the booklet. “I’ll speak with Sect Master about this.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
“During this time, I’ll be quite busy. You should stay in the back mountain and rest to heal your injuries,” Xing Lan instructed, her voice filled with concern.
Without the life-bound sword, Jiu Jiu’s situation had been less than ideal. He had to hurry and forge a spirit sword for her.
Shi Zi Chu gave an awkward smile.
Xing Lan paused in his steps, looking directly at her.
“Heh heh…” Shi Zi Chu attempted to deflect with a couple of silly laughs. “Master, in a few days my body will be much better. I’m just thinking about bringing back Junior Sister as soon as possible.”
Xing Lan turned his gaze away, not responding.
“Master~” Shi Zi Chu pouted and approached with soft, coaxing words. “I’ll be with Clan Chief Ye, you can rest assured.”
Could he really relax?
“I understand,” Xing Lan said, pulling Shi Zi Chu’s hand as they walked toward the bamboo hut. “If you need anything, find me.”
Even if he couldn’t be there physically, the life-bound sword would arrive instantly.
Shi Zi Chu obediently nodded.
Back at the bamboo hut, Shi Zi Chu recounted the events at Vigilance Peak, and when the mood deepened, she squeezed out two crocodile tears to show how sorrowful she was.
Xing Lan wasn’t fooled. He knew exactly what Shi Zi Chu was doing.
“The medicinal herbs have already been prepared for your bath,” Xing Lan said, his voice cold. “As for the spirit healing pill, I gave it to Liang Wei Sheng.”
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes widened in shock.
“His injuries are too severe for a rejuvenation pill to be much help,” Xing Lan said calmly.
Since he had decided to take him as an apprentice, he wouldn’t be stingy.
Shi Zi Chu’s mind quickly spun with a new idea.
Supreme Virtue City
Ye He Qi and Shi Zi Chu returned to the Ye Clan just as Liu Cui Yu was coming back from outside.
Upon seeing the two walking side by side, Liu Cui Yu’s gaze instantly turned dark with displeasure.
Shi Zi Chu smiled warmly and greeted, “Old Madam.”
Liu Cui Yu managed a forced smile, though it barely touched her lips. “Daoist Shi.”
Ye He Qi nodded at Liu Cui Yu and then turned to Shi Zi Chu, saying, “Your injuries aren’t healed yet. Rest for the night, then we’ll go tomorrow.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded in agreement and followed Ye He Qi inside. As they passed Liu Cui Yu, Shi Zi Chu gave an apologetic smile.
However, Liu Cui Yu only saw mockery and disdain in that smile.
An orphan with no father or mother!
Liu Cui Yu’s gaze darkened as she watched Shi Zi Chu’s back.
South Courtyard
Before entering the house, Shi Zi Chu suddenly turned to look at Ye He Qi.
At his questioning look, she said, “Clan Chief Ye has a good temper.”
Liu Cui Yu was still alive, and her complexion suggested she was in good health.
Ye He Qi felt that standing here listening to Shi Zi Chu’s sharp words and being mocked again was not ideal. His voice softened as he remarked, “Annoying.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled brightly, her expression clearly saying, Am I really that annoying?
After watching Shi Zi Chu enter the house, Ye He Qi turned and left.
The next day, Shi Zi Chu was just getting up when a maid entered with hot water.
Suddenly, the star gem around her wrist stirred.
A golden snake descended from the sky, splashing into the warm water with a loud splash.
With a scream, the copper basin hit the ground, splashing water everywhere—most of it landing on the maid.
“Ah!!!”
“Young lady, forgive me!”
Two guards rushed in and immediately saw Shi Zi Chu, fully clothed and not yet combed, standing gracefully amidst the chaos, while the maid lay in agony, her body severely burned by the water.
The maid rolled on the ground, her wounds rapidly worsening, the water on her skin eating away at her flesh.
The golden snake, undamaged, shook the water off its body before coiling up on Shi Zi Chu’s wrist.
Shi Zi Chu gently stroked the star gem, her voice soft, “Good girl.”
The star gem responded with two hissing sounds.
As the guards approached to restrain the maid, Shi Zi Chu calmly warned, “Don’t touch her yet. The water is poisonous, it will corrode anything it touches.”
Seeing the maid’s exposed bones, the guards wisely kept their distance, heads lowered in respect.
“What’s going on?” Ye He Qi stepped in, scanning the room. His eyes settled on Shi Zi Chu. “Everything alright?”
Shi Zi Chu smiled, clearly unbothered.
How could anything be wrong for her?
Her soft, pink fingers moved slightly, and the spilled water began to slowly reassemble into the copper basin.
Ye He Qi raised an eyebrow at the sight of the water re-forming. Then, his voice, calm and full of authority, addressed the guards. “Take the basin to Old Madam and make sure she can wash her face.”
The guards hastily grabbed the copper basin and hurried out.
Shi Zi Chu stretched, the tension easing from her face. “Wait a moment.”
If it weren’t for all the scheming, being with Ye He Qi was truly comfortable. With just a glance, he understood her intentions.
Unfortunately, there would always be calculations between them.
Noticing Shi Zi Chu with her hair still untied, Ye He Qi turned to leave, saying before exiting, “There’s no rush. We’ll have breakfast first.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded in agreement.
After getting ready, the two of them went for breakfast.
Later, a guard came in to report that the Old Madam’s washing water had been accidentally mixed with poison, causing her face to be severely corroded.
After hearing the report, Shi Zi Chu’s appetite improved significantly.
After breakfast, the two set off for Waterlight City.
Waterlight City – Ye Clan
Ye He Qi’s arrival was abrupt, startling the branch clan chief into near panic.
“Clan… Clan Chief,” the man stammered, unable to stand straight in front of Ye He Qi, his tone humble and respectful.
Shi Zi Chu studied him briefly. His square face and upright features made him seem earnest, though she sensed something else lurking beneath.
When Ye He Qi spoke, his voice was warm, almost like a gentle breeze, “I’m here to find someone.”
As his words hung in the air, he gestured for the guards behind him to move ahead. The guards bowed before leading the way.