A Simple Solution

His gaze lingered on the contents of the hexagram image.

Li Chang'an's eyes lit up, and his heart began beating faster.

"The Jade Pendant of the Eldest Miss Zheng!"

If he found this Jade Pendant, he could use it as an excuse to request an audience with the Eldest Miss Zheng.

When that time came, there might still be room to turn things around regarding the mining assignment!

Li Chang'an immediately rose to his feet.

Without the slightest hesitation, he left at once.

I hope this Golden Finger hasn't made a mistake.

Night had fallen deep, and the bright moon hung high overhead.

Not far outside his door flowed a great river, its surface shimmering with ripples.

The Clear Water River!

Clear River Market had earned its name precisely because it had been built along the river.

Looking out, he saw the riverbank shaded by luxuriant green willows, their countless branches swaying in the moonlight.

"The Hexagram Image says it's beneath a willow tree, but it doesn't say which one. I can only search slowly."

Li Chang'an held his patience and began searching by moonlight.

The river flowed gently, and water plants grew thickly.

He focused all his attention, sweeping his gaze over the areas beneath every willow tree.

About an hour passed, and Li Chang'an's eyes had grown somewhat dry.

At last.

Beneath an old willow tree, he spotted a faint glimmer.

"Found it!"

Li Chang'an's gaze sharpened, and he stopped in his tracks.

He glanced left and right, then cautiously crouched down and parted the tangled water plants.

What appeared before him was an exquisite Jade Pendant, warm and translucent, with delicate patterns and a character engraved on its front: "Zheng."

Li Chang'an immediately reached out and snatched it up.

He swiftly tucked it into his robes.

"Phew..."

After doing all this, even his breathing had quickened.

After all, this was the Jade Pendant of the Eldest Miss Zheng. If someone else saw him with it, it would most likely bring unnecessary trouble.

Li Chang'an didn't dare delay. He rose and headed straight home.

After returning home, he shut the door.

Only then did he let out a long breath.

"Fortunately, nothing went wrong!"

Li Chang'an took out the Jade Pendant and examined it closely, an irrepressible excitement rising in his heart.

The Golden Finger was accurate without fail!

With the help of the Hexagram Image, his future Immortal Path would become smoother. Perhaps he really might have a chance to reach the legendary Great Dao of Longevity!

It took quite some time before Li Chang'an finally calmed down.

"Now isn't the time. I'll go find the Young Miss tomorrow morning."

He suppressed his many tangled thoughts.

Li Chang'an closed his eyes and meditated, remaining awake throughout the night.

Time flowed slowly.

Before he knew it, the night receded, and the morning roosters announced dawn.

Li Chang'an opened his eyes, rose, and left the house, heading toward the Market Central Area.

The Eldest Miss Zheng lived in that area and occasionally appeared to handle disputes within the Marketplace.

Before long.

Li Chang'an stopped outside a small courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

He rapped on the courtyard gate, producing a muffled sound.

Very soon.

A Maid opened the courtyard gate and looked at Li Chang'an warily.

"What do you want?"

"Miss, I found this Jade Pendant engraved with the character 'Zheng.' It should belong to the Zheng Family. Please inform someone of it."

Li Chang'an explained his purpose and took out the Jade Pendant.

A flicker of surprise crossed the Maid's eyes, and she immediately invited Li Chang'an into the courtyard.

"Please wait a moment. I'll go inform the Young Miss."

With that, she walked toward the depths of the small courtyard.

Li Chang'an sat in the courtyard and waited quietly.

Before long.

A melodious, pleasant voice rang out.

"A few days ago, I went to slay a Water Demon that had been causing trouble and accidentally lost my Jade Pendant. Many thanks, Fellow cultivator Li, for returning it."

Her voice was like an oriole emerging from a valley, or a clear stream trickling onward, soothing to the heart and refreshing to the mind.

Li Chang'an instinctively looked over.

She was a young woman dressed in a blue-green gown.

With a refined head, graceful brows, and eyes clear as water, she was poised and demure.

She was none other than the Eldest Miss Zheng.

Zheng Qingqing!

Li Chang'an immediately rose and cupped his hands.

"Greetings, Young Miss."

"Fellow cultivator, there's no need to be so formal."

Zheng Qingqing broke into a warm, gentle smile.

Her words were mild as she asked about the Jade Pendant.

"May I ask where Fellow cultivator discovered it?"

"On the southern side of the Marketplace, beside the Clear Water River..."

Li Chang'an answered in detail, recounting the entire sequence of events truthfully.

He explained.

He had signed a Spirit Contract with the Zheng Family and had been assigned to mine this year, leaving him anxious and unable to sleep.

So he had gone to the riverbank to clear his mind, only to unexpectedly find this Jade Pendant.

"Mining?"

Zheng Qingqing was a clever woman and immediately understood the implication behind Li Chang'an's words.

She covered her lips with a smile. "It's a simple matter. I'll mention it to Zheng Jinbao, and Fellow cultivator Li needn't worry any longer."

"Many thanks, Young Miss!"

Li Chang'an was overjoyed.

He hadn't expected it to be solved so easily!

This Eldest Miss Zheng was not only exceptionally intelligent but also remarkably easy to speak with.

Li Chang'an had originally prepared a whole lengthy speech, but none of it had been needed.

Zheng Qingqing seemed to feel that this still wasn't enough.

"How about this? For the next five years, Fellow cultivator Li, you won't need to do anything else. Focus on cultivating."

She gently stroked the Jade Pendant, her voice soft and tender.

"After five years, whether you stay or leave will be entirely up to you."

At those words, Li Chang'an was even more delighted.

He immediately offered his thanks.

A short while later.

Li Chang'an left the courtyard, and more than half the unease in his heart had already vanished.

Next, all that remained was to see whether this Young Miss would honor her promise.

In the courtyard.

The Maid poured Zheng Qingqing a cup of tea and spoke in a low voice.

"Young Miss, I made some inquiries. This Li Chang'an has a low-grade Spirit Root. His past performance was mediocre, and he has no particular strengths."

During that brief interval just now.

She had already investigated Li Chang'an's past thoroughly, confirming that he was merely an ordinary Low-level Cultivator.

Zheng Qingqing gave a slight nod.

"Good. I understand."

"Young Miss, should we keep a closer eye on him?"

"No need. It seems he's merely fortunate. We likely won't have much interaction with him in the future."

Zheng Qingqing instructed the Maid to visit Zheng Jinbao's residence and fulfill the promise she had made earlier.

And with that, the matter was considered settled.

At the edge of the Marketplace, inside the house.

Li Chang'an had just finished breakfast.

Suddenly.

A knock sounded at the door.

It was that same familiar voice.

"Chang'an, are you home?"

Li Chang'an opened the door.

Standing outside was none other than Zheng Jinbao, the Marketplace steward.

At this moment, he had completely changed his earlier casual attitude, his face piled high with smiles.

"Chang'an, I was too rough in handling things before. Don't take it to heart."

As he spoke, he stuffed a small cloth pouch into Li Chang'an's hand.

Inside the pouch were no fewer than forty Spirit Stones!

It had doubled directly!

Li Chang'an deliberately put on a surprised expression.

"Steward Zheng, what's this about?"

"Don't play dumb, boy. You know the Young Miss, so why didn't you say so earlier?"

Zheng Jinbao patted Li Chang'an on the shoulder, acting like a familiar elder.

He smiled and said, "Don't worry. From now on, cultivate in peace. I won't assign you any more tasks."

"Many thanks, Steward."

Li Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief, his heart completely settling.

The Young Miss had kept her word and done exactly as she promised.

For the next few years.

He could enjoy a peaceful period of cultivation.

"Steward Zheng, please take these Spirit Stones back."

Li Chang'an took only the twenty that belonged to him and handed the other twenty to Zheng Jinbao.

He knew very well that this fellow was insatiably greedy by nature.

He couldn't afford to offend him over twenty Spirit Stones.

But Zheng Jinbao's attitude was firm.

"Keep them! You can't cultivate without Spirit Stones!"

He directly pushed Li Chang'an's hand back.

Li Chang'an was helpless.

Zheng Jinbao was determined to make him accept the Spirit Stones.