Baseborn

Evasion is human nature.

With a lifeline dangling before them, anyone would try their best to grasp it.

The bystander is often blind; even though Fu Quanliang's behavior was erratic, Song Tonghai was unwilling to overthink it at this moment.

Fu Quanliang did not remain in seclusion for long. He emerged the following day, and the moment he did, he began making all sorts of demands to Song Tonghai.

He requested mountain delicacies and sea treasures, century-old vintages, as well as beautiful concubines and dancing girls.

Song Tonghai naturally complied with every request, but these astronomical expenses were becoming difficult for the Song Family to bear.

Most of the Song Manor's savings had already been sent away in batches, and the final bulk of their emergency funds had previously been given to Chu Zheng by Song Lingxue; now that it was all in Song Yun's hands, there was truly little grain left in the storehouse.

In desperation, Song Tonghai had no choice but to mortgage the Song ancestral home to exchange for gold and silver, hiring over a dozen songstresses and former courtesans from the largest brothel in Luofeng City to cater to Fu Quanliang's pleasure.

At the same time, Song Tonghai brought in the best chefs in the city, scouring for all kinds of ingredients, solely to serve Fu Quanliang alone.

Like this, the silver flowed out like water, with daily expenditures reaching at least a thousand taels.

The courtyard where Fu Quanliang resided had almost become a paradise on earth, with the pleasant sounds of strings and flutes playing day and night, filled with endless revelry and unbridled debauchery.

Chu Zheng saw everything regarding Fu Quanliang's words and actions, and he had essentially pieced together the thread of the situation.

With the hundred-day deadline drawing ever closer, Chu Zheng actually hoped that Fu Quanliang could buy them a bit more time.

At midday, Song Lingxue carried a bundle into Chu Zheng's courtyard.

"The old medicine in the storehouse is basically empty. These are the only medicinal pills left. I've asked people to keep an eye out; if they encounter century-old herbs, I will try my best to save them for you."

Chu Zheng took the bundle from Song Lingxue and glanced through it casually. Most of it consisted of Essence Pills, Bone Strengthening Powder, and other common herbal ingredients—better than nothing.

He needed spiritual medicine to practice the Dragon Tiger Body Upper Chapter, but in this mortal world, spiritual medicine was far too rare. Whenever it was occasionally obtained by mortals, it was quickly snatched up by major powers and offered as tribute to the Hidden Immortal Sects backing them.

Helpless, Chu Zheng could only use these common herbs as substitutes. Even if the medicinal potency was lacking, the source energy of the vegetation he absorbed could still drive the cultivation of the Dragon Tiger Body, though the progress was much slower.

As for stimulating the flesh with spiritual energy, that could be entirely replaced by the Sun Moon Essence.

After delivering the medicine, Song Lingxue did not leave, instead sitting down in the courtyard.

Chu Zheng did not avoid her; he poured a few Essence Pills into his mouth, took off his outer garment, and began directly absorbing the Great Sun Essence.

Under the sunlight, his lean, strong tendons and bones could be seen rhythmically undulating, as if breathing, and he was soon covered in a thin layer of sweat.

At first, Song Lingxue would feel a bit embarrassed, but after seeing it so many times, she gradually grew accustomed to it.

After a long while, Chu Zheng slowly opened his eyes and spat out the remaining medicinal dregs.

Song Lingxue walked to his side and handed him a towel; not far away stood a bucket of well water already drawn.

Chu Zheng took the towel, wiped his body with the well water, and asked casually, "Is Fu Quanliang still the same today?"

"Mhm. This morning he went through a suckling pig, and at noon he ate half a sheep and three bear paws. His appetite is getting better and better."

Song Lingxue frowned slightly and sighed, "Like a starving ghost reincarnated, as if he doesn't have many days left to live."

Chu Zheng remained silent. After so many days, even Song Lingxue could see the problem.

"Why did you come back that day?" Song Lingxue's gaze dimmed. "Helping the Song Family is pulling chestnuts from the fire for you; there is no benefit at all."

"I will try my best. When the situation becomes impossible, I will flee, and I will not take you with me."

Chu Zheng did not obfuscate, stating his thoughts clearly.

Song Tonghai and Song Lingxue were the primary targets; if he took them, Chu Zheng would never get away.

When necessary, Chu Zheng would naturally choose to abandon them.

The fact that he could leave Luofeng City safely this time was enough to prove that he was not within the target range. He possessed the Qi Observation Method, and the strength of others was clear at a glance; if he truly could not win, he would simply leave.

He would not do something as foolish as dying for nothing.

But in the current situation, they were far from that point, and there was still room to struggle; trying was no harm.

"That is good."

Hearing Chu Zheng's overly blunt words, a heavy stone seemed to fall from Song Lingxue's heart, and she felt much more at ease, a hint of a smile appearing on her face.

"I just feel... if you were to die just like that, it would be a pity."

"What is there to pity? Everyone must die eventually; some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai, others lighter than a feather."

Chu Zheng said softly, "Right now, your death and mine, in this world, are both as light as a feather."

"Is this also from a book?" Song Lingxue could not help but raise an eyebrow.

"Yes."

Chu Zheng put on his clothes and walked toward the house. "How much of the items I asked you to find have you brought back?"

He needed to increase his level as a restorer, which required valuable ancient relics. The older and more exotic they were, the more experience he gained after restoring them.

Chu Zheng had already repaired everything in the Song household that could be fixed. He had even intentionally smashed a few items after fixing them and repaired them again, but he had received no experience for it.

This forced him to find ways outside the manor, having Song Lingxue search for items from various other places.

"I've already placed them in the storehouse for you. Most are aged antiques that can't even be repaired; they were just discarded by their previous owners, so they didn't cost much silver."

Song Lingxue followed Chu Zheng into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Do you still have business here?" Chu Zheng frowned.

"I... I've been practicing my cultivation quite diligently lately, and my tendons and bones feel a bit uncomfortable."

Song Lingxue's gaze flickered as she lowered her head. "Could you use that Pediatric Massage Heart Method of yours to give me another massage?"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Chu Zheng stepped forward quickly and placed a hand on Song Lingxue's shoulder, but the panel did not provide any notifications.

"There's nothing seriously wrong, there's no need—"

Before Chu Zheng could finish his sentence, Song Lingxue suddenly reached up, pressing down on the hand he was about to withdraw, her head still bowed.

"I still feel like something is wrong."

After a long silence, Chu Zheng pulled his hand away.

"No need."

Before the words had even faded, Song Lingxue stood up abruptly and strode toward the door.

As she reached the threshold, she paused, turned her head suddenly, and asked, "Chu Zheng, what kind of person do you think I am?"

Chu Zheng was momentarily dazed. After a brief reflection, he gave an ambiguous assessment: "A smart person."

In his view, Song Lingxue was someone who knew exactly what she wanted and what she needed to give up.

Knowing how to make trade-offs was, at times, a form of great wisdom.

However, in the current political climate, being adept at weighing pros and cons was of little use. The world was unpredictable; there were rarely so many choices to be had.

"I actually feel... that sometimes I am quite wicked."

Song Lingxue tugged at the corner of her lips, pulled the door open, and walked out, her footsteps swift and purposeful.

It was not until she had exited the courtyard where Chu Zheng resided that Song Lingxue slowed her pace. Suddenly, her legs felt weak, and she braced herself against the wall, leaning against the side of the path.

After a long while, she bent over, covered her face with her hands, and a whisper spilled out from between her fingers:

"Despicable."