Parting Is Imminent

What do you mean?

Are you saying you're going to charge me for breaking the calamity of blood light?

Chang Wu's eyes widened as he watched Ye Tong rub his fingers. He almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Was this guy… trying to extort him? Did he have to poke several bloody holes in him?

"What are you doing? Take your medicinal ingredients and leave."

Ye Tong's expression shifted slightly as he said indifferently, "Steward Chang, do you truly not understand, or are you pretending to be ignorant? I helped you break the calamity of blood light as a favor regarding the medicinal ingredients. But this jade pendant, I spent a considerable amount of real money to buy it. Are you trying to cheat someone who is kindly helping you? Are you being greedy?"

Jade pendant?

Chang Wu slowly lowered his head and suddenly realized. He had been so focused on his own losses that he had forgotten how valuable this jade pendant seemed!

"How much Blue Silver do you need?"

"Two hundred taels."

Chang Wu looked at the exquisitely carved jade pendant again, then thought about the calamity of blood light tomorrow. He gritted his teeth, pulled out two one-hundred-tael Blue Silver banknotes from his sleeve, and handed them over, saying, "We're even."

Ye Tong smiled and said, "We are even. Steward Chang, goodbye."

Chang Wu watched their retreating figures disappear out the door again, vaguely feeling that something was amiss.

"No charge for breaking the calamity."

"Charge for the jade pendant."

"Don't you need the jade pendant to break the calamity?"

"So, did the jade pendant get charged, or did breaking the calamity get charged?"

"..."

For a moment, even Steward Chang's astute mind couldn't quite figure it out.

Ye Tong, carrying the medicinal ingredients and the silver notes, with Yin Xiaojiu by his side, returned to the Precious Medicine Workshop in high spirits. Even though the once intact courtyard had turned into ruins, he still felt as if he were looking at a picturesque scene.

"Good heavens! How did this place become like this? Did it catch fire?" Yin Xiaojiu stared at the ruins, wide-eyed, unable to believe what she was seeing.

The Medicine Slave, who was supervising the craftsmen, turned around with a smile and said, "The old is gone, the new is not yet built. Ninth Girl, it won't be long before an even grander Precious Medicine Workshop is completed."

Yin Xiaojiu's lips moved, and she mumbled, "But it will cost a lot of silver."

The Medicine Slave looked at Ye Tong, a barely perceptible satisfaction flickering in his eyes. The fire, which seemed to have burned down the Precious Medicine Workshop, had actually burned away the Young Master's immaturity and naivete. It was as if he had suddenly awakened. The Young Master was no longer like a wolf cub hiding in the Precious Medicine Workshop, licking his wounds and struggling to survive.

He was different!

The Young Master's transactions with those seeking medicine showed insight into people and worldly wisdom, maximizing his profits. It wasn't the behavior of a youth, but rather that of a shrewd wise man.

The Medicine Slave couldn't fathom what had happened to the Young Master, but he was certain that this sudden change was a great thing. In an environment of deceit and treachery, enduring the cruel process of snatching life from heaven, one needed to understand the world and be adept at human interactions to grasp more chances of survival.

"Young Master, it will take several days to rebuild the Precious Medicine Workshop. Where shall we stay for the next few days?"

Ye Tong had pondered this question on his way back and already had an answer in mind, so he said without hesitation, "The Golden Phoenix Mountain Range."

The Medicine Slave hesitated, "The Golden Phoenix Mountain Range is fraught with danger. It's best to avoid it if possible. Recently, we've had quite a good harvest, and you can buy all the medicinal ingredients you need for now. There's no need to venture into the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range again, is there?"

"We can't just live off our savings."

In Ye Tong's mind, he saw the glistening Silver Crystals in the gleaming cabinets of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. In this world, only the strong could survive better. He needed to obtain the Silver Crystals as soon as possible to speed up his cultivation and increase his chances of survival.

The Medicine Slave asked, "When shall we depart?"

Ye Tong looked at Yin Xiaojiu and asked, "Where do you live?"

Yin Xiaojiu pouted, with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Brother Yezi, I've told you many times, I live in the ninth house in the Stone House District, but you've never been there!"

Ye Tong said, "Tonight, we'll stay at your place."

"Okay, okay!" Yin Xiaojiu's face lit up with joy, but then her delicate little face drooped again, and she said a little dejectedly, "But my place is very small. I'm afraid you won't like it."

Ye Tong smiled and said, "No matter how small Xiaojiu's place is, I'll like it."

Yin Xiaojiu's eyes brightened, and she grabbed Ye Tong's sleeve, saying happily, "Brother Yezi is the best. But, Brother Yezi, you're different now!"

Ye Tong's heart skipped a beat, and he asked calmly, "How am I different?"

Yin Xiaojiu smiled and said, "Brother Yezi never used to smile, nor did he say things that Xiaojiu liked to hear. I understand now, you saw Xiaojiu being bullied today, so you're comforting Xiaojiu, right?"

"Yes..."

Ye Tong chuckled inwardly. Children's hearts are truly so pure.

As night fell, the world was enveloped in darkness.

The Stone House District, also known as the slums, featured low houses built of bluestone. Although they were neatly arranged, the area was filled with smog and filth. Uneven paths were everywhere, with mud and dirty water visible. Many vagrants were unkempt, emitting foul odors that even stray dogs avoided.

The ninth house was located in the most remote northeast corner. The small room, less than twenty square meters, was very simple, with one bed, a three-legged long table against the wall, a dilapidated stove, and a washbasin and kettle.

"This place is quite clean."

Ye Tong stood alone in the room, looking around before opening the burlap sack he brought to prepare for refining medicine. The cauldron behind him was also brought from the Precious Medicine Workshop. For him, a poisoned person who needed to refine medicine and then use poison to fight poison to survive, the cauldron was equally vital.

Tomorrow.

Ye Tong would enter the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range.

Ye Tong did not know what dangers and hardships he would encounter in the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, nor whether he could return to Cold Mountain City safely within two months. Therefore, he needed to plan ahead and take precautions.

"Creak..."

The door was pushed open from the outside, and the Medicine Slave, his face grave, along with Yin Xiaojiu, looking dejected, entered the house.

Ye Tong glanced at the two, his brows immediately furrowed. While controlling the flames, he asked, "What's going on?"

The Medicine Slave forced a smile and said, "Young Master, you ordered this old servant to go to the textile shop to buy Ninth Girl's freedom, but we were a step too late. Her indentured contract was redeemed and taken away by someone else two hours ago."

"Didn't you inquire? Who did it?"

Ye Tong's expression turned grim.

The Medicine Slave replied, "I did inquire. They said it was a young woman, but she was wearing a veil, so her appearance couldn't be seen. Therefore, it's impossible to trace her identity."

Veiled?

A young woman?

Ye Tong's mind immediately conjured the image of Mu Qianlan, but he quickly shook his head and denied it. Mu Qianlan shouldn't know about his relationship with Yin Xiaojiu. The woman who took the indentured contract must have only recently noticed Yin Xiaojiu, perhaps when Yin Xiaojiu was in the arena.

Could it be Butcher Zhang and his group?

Or perhaps...

Tong Kaishan?

Trying to use Yin Xiaojiu to threaten him?

Ye Tong's thoughts raced, countless speculations churning. After a long while, as the medicinal liquid in the cauldron emitted a pungent odor, Ye Tong finally collected his thoughts and carefully transferred the refined medicinal liquid into two warm jade bottles.

Suddenly, he remembered something and cursed himself for being foolish.

Then, Ye Tong looked at Yin Xiaojiu, examining her face: her glabella was rosy, her forehead smooth and broad, indicating no illness or disaster recently; her migration palace had a bright and clear complexion, and between her brows...

Wait...

A long journey?

A bright future?

A sense of confusion arose in Ye Tong's heart. Yin Xiaojiu had grown up here, her parents and family were alive and well, her friends and relatives were all present, and she was extremely unfamiliar with the world outside Cold Mountain City. How could she be undertaking a long journey?

It wasn't him!

He was about to head to the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range, but it was fraught with danger, and he couldn't take her into such peril. Moreover, he wouldn't venture too far and would return within a short period.

Then...

What kind of opportunity would she encounter?

Ye Tong couldn't figure it out, so he stopped bothering. He treated Yin Xiaojiu like a sister. Seeing that she was not in danger and might even gain an opportunity, he could only be happy for her.

However, with her departure, who knew when they would meet again?

"Young Master, you..."

The Medicine Slave hesitated to speak.

Ye Tong came back to his senses, smiled, and shook his head. "If we can't find out, there's no need to rack our brains. No matter who took Ninth Girl's indentured contract, as long as she has a purpose, she will inevitably show herself. Medicine Slave, go buy some wine and food. We've been busy all day, and everyone is hungry."

"Alright!"

The Medicine Slave agreed, turned, and walked out.

Ye Tong reached out and pulled Yin Xiaojiu closer, gently stroking her hair. He said softly, "Ninth Girl, I'm going into the Golden Phoenix Mountain Range tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll be back. The Precious Medicine Workshop is still under construction. When you have free time, go over there and help Brother Yezi supervise."

"Mhm!"

A faint dimple appeared in Yin Xiaojiu's smile.

Ye Tong sighed inwardly and asked, "Ninth Girl, if you have the chance in the future, would you be willing to go out and see? See the sky outside, the earth outside, the magnificent and exciting world outside?"

"I want to!"

Yin Xiaojiu said without hesitation, "When I have nothing to do, I love going to the storyteller grandpa's place to listen to stories. Ninth Girl wants to be an adventurer, crossing mountains and seas, catching dragons and turtles. Ninth Girl wants to become powerful, like those high-ranking figures, roaming the Eastern Mu Continent, protecting Brother Yezi and my family, as well as Grandpa Medicine Slave."

Ye Tong's heart warmed, and he said gently, "My Ninth Girl has great ambitions. Brother Yezi is happy for you. But you must remember, no matter if Brother Yezi is by your side in the future, or wherever you may be, you are always my Ye Tong's sister. If anyone bullies you, fight them if you can win, endure it if you can't, and tell Brother Yezi later, and Brother Yezi will avenge you."

"Okay."

Yin Xiaojiu's smile became even brighter.

Ye Tong turned to look outside the door, a hint of determination in his eyes. He didn't know what his future held or what he would experience, but he had a tiger in his heart and his sights set on the heavens.

However, the immediate priority was to resolve his own hidden dangers and then cultivate with all his might.

In the future, if there's a chance... I must find her!