Chapter 35: When Old Friends Meet, Enmity Runs Deep

Qin Xiaomo was just about to board the carriage when her gaze inadvertently swept across the surface of the lake. In the center, she saw a turtle with a massive head, at least three meters wide, poking above the water. On its back coiled a large snake, its eyes glowing green. Could this be the legendary immortal? Some townsfolk noticed and began to shout loudly, kneeling in reverence, “The Turtle God has manifested! The Turtle God has manifested! Please bless us, Turtle God!” Instantly, everyone on the street stopped, knelt, and called out in unison. Some even lit incense and candles by the lakeside, offering fruits in worship.

Watching from beside the carriage, Qin Xiaomo smiled at the old immortal, bowed, waved her hand, and silently mouthed, “Thank you.” The giant turtle nodded and swiftly dove beneath the lake.

Once the water calmed, the townsfolk resumed their business and continued on their way.

The carriage rolled smoothly along the stone road. Jiang Wei and Red Mole drove up front, Coldface sat at the rear guarding the luggage, while Qin Xiaomo and Qian Mubai sat quietly inside. The white dumpling of a creature sprawled out in Qian Mubai’s arms, sleeping soundly—after the battle with the landfish, they had become inseparable friends.

Suddenly, Qin Xiaomo recalled that Qian Mubai had left last night to pursue the flute player. She hurriedly asked, “By the way, did you catch the one playing the flute?”

“Mm, I wounded him and he escaped,” Qian Mubai replied, gently stroking the fur on the white dumpling’s belly with his slender fingers.

“Who is he?”

“He’s from the Nether Hall. Those paper puppets were under his control. Now that he’s injured, he won’t appear again for a while.” Qian Mubai spoke as if it were someone else’s affair.

Qin Xiaomo grew anxious. “Why didn’t you kill him? What if he comes back and you’re not here?”

Qian Mubai lifted his gaze, staring intently at Qin Xiaomo. She realized her words carried a hint of ambiguity and hurriedly clarified, “I—I’m not very skilled, my spiritual power isn’t strong. I’m like a piece of Tang Monk’s meat, easy prey. If someone captures me, I’ll trouble you to come find me. It’s a waste of your time and effort.” She knew her explanation was rather feeble and lowered her head to pick at her nails.

Qian Mubai remained silent for a long moment, watching her, then suddenly leaned closer and said softly, “I am always here.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiaomo’s heart skipped a beat. To be flirted with by an NPC and feel nervous—she quickly retorted, “I mean, what if? Like this time, do you know what I went through? Do you know where I went? How were you always here?” To outsiders, it sounded like she was pouting at her husband.

After a while, Qian Mubai smiled, unfastened a white jade pendant shaped like a magnolia flower from his waist, and handed it to Qin Xiaomo.

“What’s this for? You think giving me a gift will make me forgive you?” She shot him a glare.

Qin Xiaomo didn’t know why she was being so petty, but once the words came, she couldn’t help but speak them, venting her frustration. Otherwise, her chest felt unbearably tight.

“This jade pendant—wear it on you. If you’re ever in danger, just grip it and send me a message. I’ll know where you are.” Qian Mubai took out another black magnolia-shaped jade pendant from his robe and hung it back at his waist.

“This jade?”

“It’s Yin-Yang Jade, also called Ultimate Jade. The original stone resembled a Taiji diagram, extremely rare. The two pieces attract each other, so they can guide the way.” Qian Mubai caressed the black jade gently, recalling that years ago, they each possessed one. As he touched it, the black jade gradually grew bright, emitting an orange glow from its core, like shining a flashlight through the stone. The magnolia white jade in Qin Xiaomo’s hand flickered with an orange light, wondrous to behold.

Looking at the magnolia white jade, Qin Xiaomo felt all her worries vanish. The corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously, though she tried to restrain herself, and quietly fastened the white jade to her waist.

“You’ve reached the late stage of the fourth Earth tier. To break through to the fifth, you must go to the Valley of Ten Thousand Treasures. There’s something there that can help you advance quickly,” Qian Mubai said, but Qin Xiaomo interrupted.

“The Spring of Ten Thousand Eyes?”

Qian Mubai watched her for a moment and nodded. “The immortal spring appears only once every ten years, gathering the essence of the earth and myriad minerals. Its energy is scarce, enough for one person to absorb and enhance their spiritual power—thus, it’s priceless. This year marks the tenth, and in two days, the spring will emerge.”

“So you planned to bring me here all along? But it sounds difficult!” Qin Xiaomo knew well the spring’s value, but treasures like this always attracted competition—when would it ever be her turn?

“Do you think everyone knows of this spring?”

“You mean no one else is aware?” Qin Xiaomo hadn’t considered that.

“Otherwise, how could Xu Qinxian, with her talent, become a master of the eighth Earth tier?”

“Isn’t it? There are so many people in the manor—any maid or servant could let slip a word, and soon the entire region would know,” Qin Xiaomo mused, since she herself had found out.

“The valley master of Ten Thousand Treasures may appear amiable, but he’s ruthless and keeps his word. Once, a young maid inadvertently mentioned it to someone outside. Her mouth was sewn shut, and she was hung in the servants’ courtyard to starve to death. With such an example, who would dare utter another word?”

“How cruel. And those who heard about it?” Qin Xiaomo felt a chill.

“The entire household, dozens of people, vanished overnight.”

Qin Xiaomo was stunned, speechless for a moment. After a while, she managed, “But didn’t she have three brothers? And she and her second brother were children of a concubine. Surely it wouldn’t fall to her?” Qin Xiaomo had seen many dramas of power struggle, and suspected the Valley of Ten Thousand Treasures would be no different.

“The old valley master had one wife and one concubine, who bore him four children. The eldest and third were from the wife, the second and Xu Qinxian from the concubine. Yet he never neglected any of them. In the valley, both men and women can inherit the master’s position. Xu Qinxian, as the youngest and only daughter, was especially favored, giving her more chance. She promised to withdraw from the succession, thus giving her the opportunity.” Qian Mubai explained.

“In that situation, it was less a concession and more the best arrangement. Three brothers—whoever stood out would hold the winning card.” Qin Xiaomo scoffed; Xu Qinxian had merely benefited from circumstance.

“To have ten years of peace was what the old valley master wanted.”

“The opportunity went to Xu Qinxian ten years ago. This time, he won’t let it go so easily, especially not to an outsider like me, regardless of your status.” Qin Xiaomo eyed Qian Mubai, who wore an inscrutable expression and said, “He will let it go! By the way, here’s this for you.”

“Wait—isn’t this… the fruit from the immortal’s table? Did you go to that cave too?”

Qian Mubai handed Qin Xiaomo the immortal fruit he’d taken from the old immortal. “When I went to look for you, you had already left.” Qian Mubai had never lied before; his gaze drifted to the window, his face flushed to the ears. “If you’re ever bitten by venomous snakes or beasts alone, eating it will save your life.”

Qin Xiaomo quickly stowed the immortal fruit into her pocket.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out outside the carriage: “If only all the world were free from illness, I’d rather my basket of medicine go unsold. Would you like to buy some medicine, sir?” It was none other than the mustachioed medicine vendor.

Qin Xiaomo remembered how he had spread her information everywhere, which led the Nether Hall to find her so quickly, resulting in a worldwide hunt. She shouted from inside the carriage, “Stop! I’ve been looking for him—now he’s come right to me! Old friend, it’s time we met again.”

Jiang Wei tugged the reins and called out loudly from outside, “Yes!”