Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Let Me Treat You to an Egg

“Greetings, Deacon Li.”

When this young man appeared, the Dispatch Department and Pilotage Department disciples all stopped fighting. They had looks of awe on their faces, and some of them recognized the young man and immediately bowed in greeting.

At the same time, Zhao Zhongheng quickly walked out from within the Dispatch Department. His expression changed a little as he hurriedly bowed toward the young man in the air.

When Xu Qing saw this scene, his eyes narrowed. He could sense astonishing fluctuations coming from the person in the air. Xu Qing even felt that this person seemed to be stronger than the Vajra Sect’s ancestor.

While Xu Qing was observing, Deacon Li opened his mouth in mid-air and spoke indifferently.

“By the order of the elder, the disciples who participated in this fight will lose three months of salary. The surplus provided to the Pilotage Department shall be as usual!”

“And Zhao Zhongheng, the elder has summoned you. Come with me!”

Deacon Li’s gaze landed on Zhao Zhongheng. Although his expression didn’t change, he felt some disappointment in his heart.

He knew that the reason for all this was because of the elder’s stupid grandson. Zhao Zhongheng was obviously a core disciple with an incomparably high status, but he caused such a big mess when he descended the mountain to take up a post.

“The elder is so wise, so how could he have such a stupid heir?”

Deacon Li retracted his gaze and made a grasping motion with his right hand. Zhao Zhongheng’s face turned pale and his eyes filled with terror upon hearing the deacon’s words. Deacon Li grabbed him and whistled toward the distant Seventh Peak.

With his departure, the matter between the Dispatch Department and Pilotage Department was immediately resolved. However, the blood and corpses that covered the ground made it clear that the conflict between the two sides had only been temporarily suppressed. Both sides still had obvious killing intent in their eyes.

“Okay, the show’s over, so let’s get moving. That person just now was Elder Zhao’s favorite, Li Diling, also known as Deacon Li. Since he personally came to take Zhao Zhongheng away, that kid’s really in for it this time.”

The captain took out another apple and took a bite before standing up and walking away.

Team Six followed him. Turning around, Xu Qing glanced at Huang Yan and saw him discussing something with the other disciples of the Pilotage Department. He retracted his gaze and walked away slowly.

At this moment, the sea breeze blew over, causing the long hair covering Xu Qing’s forehead to flutter, and revealing his slender eyes. Those eyes held a distinct charm that clearly distinguished gratitude and grudges.

The day passed, and as the sun set and dusk arrived, Xu Qing’s patrol also finished.

After finishing his work, Xu Qing stealthily followed the merfolk youth as always. Unfortunately, he still didn’t find an opportunity, so he returned to his magic boat and started cultivating.

His days at Seven Blood Pupils were far livelier than at the scavenger camp; however, Xu Qing’s diligent cultivation didn’t stop at all. He was very clear that only the strength of his cultivation base was the best foundation for survival.

Moreover, his breakthrough to the eighth level of Qi Condensation was imminent, so the time for him to go to sea was also approaching.

“It’s not difficult to make a breakthrough in cultivation, but I still can’t afford the materials needed to upgrade my magic boat to Level Seven.” Xu Qing muttered, pulling a jug of wine out from his leather bag and taking a sip.

He didn’t know when it started, but at some point, he had begun to enjoy the flavor of alcohol. As he drank, he wondered whether he should make go to Banquan Road again to make more money. However, after thinking it over, he felt that since he wasn’t certain of his ability to kill the old innkeeper, he shouldn’t go over and alert the enemy.

Xu Qing took another gulp of wine before holding the wine jug upside down and shaking it a little. It was empty.

However, it was already dark, and Xu Qing didn’t feel like going out to buy alcohol. He simply placed the jug aside and closed his eyes to meditate.

Time passed, and soon, the bright moon was hanging high in the sky. The moonlight scattered onto the surface of the sea, reflecting on the seawater like a mirror in the dark night and emitting a mysterious sense of beauty.

In the darkness, Xu Qing suddenly opened his eyes from meditation and looked outside the cabin.

Not long later, the sound of footsteps rang out from the shore. As they gradually approached to the magic boat, Xu Qing’s eyes showed a bright light until a familiar voice came from outside.

“Is Brother Xu Qing here? It’s Huang Yan from the Pilotage Department.”

Upon hearing this voice, the sharp light in Xu Qing’s eyes dimmed. He stood up and walked out of the cabin, looking over at the shore. The little fatty was standing there under the moonlight, with his long gray robes stretching over the folds of his stomach.

When he saw Xu Qing, a smile appeared on the little fatty’s face. After the matter with the Dispatch Department had been settled, on his way back, he had encountered an extremely joyous matter. Later, he was excitedly drinking wine and remembered what had happened during the day. After making some inquiries, he learned Xu Qing’s name and the berth he was stationed at, so he came over to thank him.

“Brother Xu Qing, thanks for your help today.”

Xu Qing looked at the little fatty and nodded. His expression was calm as he spoke.

“No need for thanks. You already gave me the Spirit Congealing Leaves in the pharmacy that day.”

“Ah?”

Huang Yan was taken aback for a moment. After thinking about it, he seemed to recall that such a thing had happened, so he scratched his head and asked curiously.

“You helped me today because I gave you some stalks of Spirit Congealing Leaves?”

“Not some, but seven.” Xu Qing said seriously.

Huang Yan blinked and looked at Xu Qing carefully before breaking out into a smile. Originally, he had only come to express his gratitude and didn’t plan on having much interaction with Xu Qing. At most, he would give him some gifts, and that would be that.

But now, he suddenly felt that this Xu Qing was quite interesting.

Thus, he took out two palm-sized eggs from his leather bag. These two eggs were covered in bluish-white eggshells that shone brightly under the moonlight.

“Bro, you’re pretty interesting. Let me treat you to an egg.”

As he spoke, he threw one of the eggs over. This egg was very strange; it could actually directly pass through the magic boat’s barrier.

Xu Qing’s eyes narrowed. With a wave of his hand, a large number of water droplets appeared and densely enveloped the egg, holding it still in midair. After looking closely, he noticed that the egg was completely intact without slightest sign of damage, so he looked up at Huang Yan.

“This is?”

“A little something.”

Huang Yan chuckled and licked his finger before pressing it onto the egg. Suddenly, it pierced the eggshell and poked inside, stirring through it one time. After removing his finger, Huang Yan put the egg up against his mouth and took a sip with an intoxicated expression.

As the eggshell broke, a fragrance spread out that Xu Qing could faintly smell even through the barrier. His cultivation base circulated on its own as though it was attracted to the smell. A feeling originating from his most basic instincts told him that this egg was extraordinary.

After hesitating for a moment, he thought it over and poked the egg with his finger. He discovered that the eggshell was extremely hard; even if he exerted some force, he couldn’t poke through it at all.

Xu Qing was surprised and his eyes glowed with a bright light.

“You need to put saliva on it. This thing is really weird, if you don’t use saliva, it won’t break open, and if you try to force it, it’ll just explode.” The little fatty burped.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment before licking his finger. This time, he easily poked a small hole in the egg. Instantly, an intense fragrance wafted out, causing his cultivation base to circulate suddenly. His very flesh and blood seemed to desire this thing greatly, as if it could directly improve his level of life.

Xu Qing’s breathing slightly hastened as he brought the egg to his mouth and took a sip. His eyes narrowed for a moment and he looked down at the egg before taking another sip.

The little fatty sat at the side with anticipation. He looked at Xu Qing as though he was waiting for his evaluation.

But even after he waited for a long time, Xu Qing remained silent.

“Um, how’s the egg? Is it good?” Huang Yan couldn’t help but ask.

“Not bad.”

Xu Qing nodded. He felt a warm current flowing through his body, and his forehead was slightly covered in sweat.

“Obviously. I spent a lot of effort to get these eggs, you know. Senior Sister really loves them. You’re lucky to get a taste today.”

Huang Yan looked at Xu Qing with a smug expression. By now, he somewhat understood Xu Qing’s personality, so he took another sip and didn’t speak anymore.

Xu Qing also didn’t say anything and continued to drink the egg silently.

Time passed, and the two drank eggs in silence. One was on the shore and the other was on a boat, and they faintly felt as if there was a tacit understanding between them.

This feeling was very novel to Huang Yan, and his body and mind couldn’t help but slowly relax. Huang Yan’s eyes slowly dimmed with a drunken feeling, and his vision gradually turned hazy. Under the moonlight, he swept his gaze across Xu Qing’s peerlessly beautiful face and couldn’t help but comment.

“Xu Qing, someone with your appearance will definitely have problems when wooing the girl you like in the future. You’re so beautiful that she’ll feel insecure. Only someone like me will make girls feel at ease.”

Xu Qing didn’t say anything. He sat there and sucked on the egg, not letting go of a single drop.

Ignoring Xu Qing’s silence, Huang Yan simply laid down at the side with his hands behind his head, resting on the moonlight. Looking at the bright moon in the sky, a figure seemed to appear in his heart. He sighed.

“Xu Qing, do you have someone you like?”

By now, Xu Qing had a faint understanding of Huang Yan’s style of speaking; that is, very casual and overly friendly. He shook his head.

“Look, it’s just as I said. Your appearance definitely isn’t good for wooing women. I’m different. Let me tell you, today is a joyous day for me, and it’s not because the Pilotage Department is getting its surplus back. No, it’s because I realized that Senior Sister actually also cares about me. That’s why I drank so much tonight.”

“Xu Qing, did you know? All these years, I’ve been constantly giving Senior Sister different things. Today, she finally found something she wants, and she even asked me to bring it to her as soon as possible. I was so moved that I think I like her even more now.”

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment. He didn’t have anyone he liked, and he also didn’t know how people expressed the feeling of liking someone. However, he faintly felt that there was something wrong with Huang Yan’s words.

He swept a doubtful gaze at the infatuated Huang Yan. Realizing that the little fatty was being completely sincere in his words, Xu Qing fell silent.

The words of the shopkeeper from the pharmacy came to his mind; Huang Yan had been desperately pursuing a female disciple for seven or eight years already

After a while, Xu Qing felt that he should say something, so he took a sip of the egg and spoke seriously.

“Congratulations.”

Huang Yan became even happier when he heard this and patted his belly.

“Xu Qing, I can tell that your words are sincere. You’re different from the others!”

“I, Huang Yan, am not someone who doesn’t know how to repay kindness. You helped me today, so I definitely have to reciprocate.” Huang Yan rummaged through his robes and took out a leather bag, which he tossed over to Xu Qing.

“There are a few magic boat materials in there. Take it as a meeting gift.”

“I gotta go, see you later.”

As he spoke, Huang Yan stood up and shook his head to clear it. As he walked away, he took out a jade slip and started to send voice transmissions one after another…

Xu Qing opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Watching Huang Yan laugh foolishly as he sent voice transmissions, Xu Qing felt that it was best not to disturb him at the moment. Thus, after watching Huang Yan leave into the distance, he turned around and walked over to the cabin.

At that moment, the sea breeze blew over, caressing his body and sweeping through his black hair. It carried his scent and drifted across the Seven Blood Pupils main city under the night sky.

After blowing past buildings and streets and witnessing the different kinds of prosperity in the night city, the lingering wind began to fade. Finally, it fell on the body of a person climbing the Sixth Peak to the south of the city. It lifted a few strands of long hair on this person’s forehead, revealing an elderly face.

If the wind was alive and could bring this scene back to Xu Qing, Xu Qing would recognize this person at a glance. It was… the Vajra Sect ancestor.

At that moment, the Vajra Sect ancestor was walking silently up the mountain steps.

The face reflected under the moonlight seemed to have more wrinkles than before.

Each wrinkle seemed to contain a deep sorrow. As they piled up, it made the Vajra Sect ancestor’s face look extremely bitter.

He walked silently until he came to a cave abode halfway up the Sixth Peak.

The arched stone gate of the cave abode was shut. All around it was green grass, and above the gate were three words written in flamboyant calligraphy.

Leisure Gate.

Judging from the name, the owner of this cave abode should be a serene and elegant person who valued peace and quiet.

Outside the cave abode, the Vajra Sect ancestor took a deep breath and cupped his fists.

“Fellow Daoist Leisure Cloud, an old friend has come to visit. May we meet?”

Previous Chapter

Table of Contents

Next Chapter