Chapter 49 - 48: New Year’s Eve Get-together

Chapter 49: Chapter 48: New Year’s Eve Get-together

Upon arriving at Huxing Island, he first went to Zhonglou Street Marketplace to sell the seven Water Arrow Talismans in his possession, hoping to bolster his supply of Spirit Stones.

To Chen Jianghe’s surprise, the price the Yun Family of Huxing Island offered for Spirit Talismans was actually five percent higher than at the port’s Workshop Association.

They bought them back at eighty-five percent of the market price. Chen Jianghe received five Spirit Stones and ninety-five Spiritual Sand, an extra thirty-five Spiritual Sand.

He had to admit, a Foundation Establishment Immortal Race like the Yun Family was quite conscientious. It was no wonder that in times of stability, so many skilled Honored Guest Elders would choose to join them.

If not for the fear of his secrets being discovered, Chen Jianghe would have been more than happy to stay with the Yun Family for several decades.

Adding this to the Spiritual Sand he already had, Chen Jianghe walked into a Spiritual Pill Shop with five Spirit Stones and one hundred sixty Spiritual Sand.

He first glanced over the crystal counters, but he didn’t see the High-Grade Spirit Pill, the Misfortune-Breaking Pill.

Previously, Zhou Miaoyun had said he could buy a Misfortune-Breaking Pill on Huxing Island, yet this Spiritual Pill Shop didn’t have any. This left Chen Jianghe a little puzzled.

’Are Misfortune-Breaking Pills sold privately?’

"Hello, why don’t I see any Misfortune-Breaking Pills for sale?" Chen Jianghe asked in a gentle voice, looking at the graceful, shapely Shopkeeper.

"Are you looking to buy a Misfortune-Breaking Pill, sir?"

The Shopkeeper’s charming eyes swept over Chen Jianghe. When he fell silent with an embarrassed look, she knew he was just another person who had come to inquire about the price.

She wasn’t annoyed. A faint smile appeared on her clean, beautiful face. "The Misfortune-Breaking Pill is a High-Grade Spirit Pill, a Divine Pill used for breaking through from the Mid-Stage to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining. It’s extremely expensive, so we don’t sell it over the counter or keep any in stock. It’s only available by special order."

"Oh, so that’s how it is. Thank you, Fairy," Chen Jianghe said, cupping his hands.

"Hehe~"

The Shopkeeper chuckled, a smile playing on her lips. "Fairy? I’m no Fairy. I’m just an ordinary person without a Spirit Root."

He couldn’t detect the slightest hint of disappointment or self-pity in her tone; she didn’t seem to mind not having a Spirit Root at all.

Chen Jianghe couldn’t help but give her a second look.

’It’s true she doesn’t have a Spirit Root, but she’s definitely not an ordinary person. She’s probably from the Yun Family’s Direct Lineage.’

’Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to manage such an important Spiritual Pill Shop.’

"I’ll take one Qi Nourishing Pill."

Chen Jianghe paid two Spirit Stones and left with a Sandalwood Box containing the Qi Nourishing Pill.

Next, he went into a materials shop and bought a box of Spiritual Ink, then headed to a general store to buy small gifts for the children.

’Of course, there was no need to buy overly expensive gifts. When it comes to friendly exchanges, it’s the thought that counts.’

’Besides, who has that many Spirit Stones to spend just on maintaining social ties?’

Arriving at the general store, Chen Jianghe picked out five puppet toys suitable for various age groups. Even though Yu Daniu’s fifth son had only been born recently, he couldn’t be left out.

The five puppet toys cost a total of eighty-five Spiritual Sand, which was still within Chen Jianghe’s budget.

Chen Jianghe left Zhonglou Street Marketplace with the puppet toys in hand, expertly navigating his way to Fumin Residence, number thirty-two.

He knocked on the courtyard gate.

"That must be Brother Jianghe!"

A moment later, he heard Yu Daniu’s voice from inside.

The courtyard gate opened, and Yu Daniu and Yun Xiaoniu came out to greet him.

"Five kids already, and you’re still so excitable," Chen Jianghe said with a hearty laugh as he walked in.

"Xiaoniu, go give the toys to your little brothers."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Yun Xiaoniu thanked him politely, then took his younger brothers to find their Fifth Brother and play with the toys.

"Huizhen is cooking. It’ll be ready soon, so we definitely won’t make you late for leaving the island," Yu Daniu said, pulling Chen Jianghe into the side room’s living area.

"As it happens, my sister-in-law is here too. I’ll introduce you two in a bit."

"Uh? Okay."

Chen Jianghe was taken aback for a moment but didn’t say anything more.

’Well, I’m at Daniu’s home, so I should just go with the flow. Besides, Yun Huizhen’s sister is hardly a stranger.’

Then, Chen Jianghe returned the pouch containing the Jade Scroll to Yu Daniu, only to see him toss it casually onto the table.

’It seems the Jade Scroll wasn’t that precious after all.’

Chen Jianghe was inwardly speechless. He realized that returning the Jade Scroll was secondary; the main goal was to get him to come over for a meal.

"Brother Jianghe, have you received a letter from Peiyao?"

A hint of worry flickered in Yu Daniu’s eyes. The journey from Jingyue Lake to the Celestial South Sect was long, and any number of dangers could arise.

Gao Peiyao had always treated Yu Daniu well, even giving him two Spirit Stones to help him out back then.

Even when Yu Daniu failed to make a name for himself in the Talisman Dao, Gao Peiyao never showed any disdain.

"No."

Chen Jianghe shook his head and said, "It’s only been a year. Even if Peiyao sent a letter, it would probably take until next year to reach Jingyue Lake."

"I wonder if she passed the assessment to join the Immortal Sect. I really hope she succeeded."

Yu Daniu brought out a pot of Middle-Grade Immortal Spirit Wine, filled Chen Jianghe’s cup, and then poured one for himself.

"I can tell Peiyao has great ambitions. Plus, her Spirit Root Talent is good. If she joins an Immortal Sect, her Immortal Path will be boundless."

"She should be able to pass the assessment. Peiyao’s Talent and age both meet the requirements, and she’s very meticulous. She will definitely achieve her goal."

"We just have to wait for the good news."

Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu clinked their cups and drained the wine in one gulp.

"What about Zhou Miaoyun? Has she sent any letters?" Yu Daniu asked while refilling the cups.

"Zhou Miaoyun might be a bit of a snob, but what Cultivator isn’t opportunistic? I still hope she can find her footing in Qinghe Marketplace."

Chen Jianghe glanced at Yu Daniu. He noticed his friend had become somewhat sentimental and seemed a little anxious.

Catching sight of Yun Xiaoniu playing in the courtyard with his brothers out of the corner of his eye, he understood the source of Yu Daniu’s stress.

After the new year, Yun Xiaoniu could have his Spirit Root measured.

Then there were Yun Youniu, Yun Sanniu, and Yun Siniu. Over the next three years, basically one each year would reach the age for having their Spirit Root measured.

Yu Daniu was thriving in the Yun Family now, mainly because he had fathered so many children, but he was still an outsider.

If he wanted to advance further, it would all depend on whether these children had Spirit Roots.

"No. Fairy Miaoyun probably hasn’t established herself in Qinghe Marketplace yet."

Chen Jianghe didn’t want to talk much about Zhou Miaoyun in front of Yu Daniu, so he changed the subject to the Fifth Brother, asking if he had been named yet.

At that moment, Yun Huizhen walked in carrying a dish, followed by a woman with delicate features.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Jianghe."

"I’m the one who’s troubling you," Chen Jianghe said quickly.

At this, Yun Huizhen shot a look at Yu Daniu, who quickly stood up and said, "Brother Jianghe, let me make an introduction."

"This is Huizhen’s biological sister, haha~ my sister-in-law, Huixiang."

"Huixiang, this is Brother Chen, Chen Jianghe. We went through thick and thin together in the Outer Waters."

"Greetings, Brother Chen."

"Fairy Huixiang."

While Yun Huixiang was sizing up Chen Jianghe, he was also observing her. This woman was also a Cultivator with a Spirit Root.

Third-Layer Qi Refining, with delicate features and a tall, slender figure.

"Don’t just stand there, sit down, sit down! Let’s eat!" Yu Daniu boomed with a laugh.

"Sister-in-law, have the children come join us," Chen Jianghe said. As the guest, it was proper for him to be the one to suggest having the children at the table.

Otherwise, Daniu’s family would have been too embarrassed to let a group of children cause a ruckus at the table while hosting him.