Chapter 10: Do You See the Snowflakes Dancing in the Air? Aren't They Beautiful?

The sect leader was still engrossed in the manual on pig breeding.

Having eaten her fill, Lu Qingfei chatted idly with her master for a while before getting up to leave.

Night had fallen, and on Lingxiao Mountain, the shadows of the trees mingled with the evening darkness, making the gloom even more profound. Lu Qingfei sat atop a giant rock entwined with vines, closing her eyes and focusing her mind. The bright moonlight bathed her face, as if shrouding her in a thin, gentle veil of white.

Within her spiritual consciousness, a drifting cloud floated.

She tried to steady it.

In an instant, however, the cloud was sliced into countless pieces and scattered with a crash.

Lu Qingfei opened her eyes, turning her head to glance toward the ancient tree with its deep roots and lush leaves not far away.

“Come out.” Her voice was calm, betraying neither joy nor anger.

At her words, a female ghost wafted over, dressed in a palace gown of crimson gauze. The brilliant red flashed before her eyes like a sudden sweep of blood.

Human and ghost locked gazes.

The young woman’s eyes were as dazzling as a starry river, bright and startling, almost unbelievably beautiful.

But the ghost remembered how Lu Qingfei had once destroyed a fierce spirit with her bare hands, so decisive and ruthless that a tremor of fear ran through her heart.

Lu Qingfei asked, “Do you have a problem with me?”

The ghost hurriedly shook her head, nervously twisting the fingertips of her right hand with her left. Stammering, she said, “I want to ask you for a favor.”

Lu Qingfei was slightly perplexed.

Did she have a sign above her head reading “I’m a Good Samaritan” in bold letters?

Even wandering ghosts were coming to her for help now.

“I am Shen Nanxiang, Princess Consort to the Wise King of Chu. After my death a thousand years ago, my soul took refuge in a multicolored dragon-patterned porcelain jar.”

The ghost spoke slowly, with the measured cadence of someone from ancient times.

A multicolored dragon-patterned porcelain jar.

Lu Qingfei’s gaze paused almost imperceptibly.

“Three months ago, someone stole the jar. Without it, my soul will soon dissipate completely. I heard from other spirits that you can see us, and you’re capable of dealing with malicious ghosts.”

She didn’t need to say it; Lu Qingfei had already noticed that her spiritual essence was on the brink of dispersal.

“Can you help me find the porcelain jar?” Shen Nanxiang’s eyes shimmered with a pleading light.

The recent news about “Tomb Raiders” stealing artifacts from the Chu kingdom’s ancient tombs came to Lu Qingfei’s mind.

After leaving the police station, she had specifically looked into the matter.

Three months ago, a tomb-raiding gang, lured by tales of countless treasures buried in the Wise King’s ancient mound, sneaked in under cover of night and plundered its centuries-old cultural relics.

By the time the tomb’s caretaker discovered the intrusion, the site had already been emptied.

The tomb was located in a desolate mountain, along treacherous roads, and that very night a heavy rain had washed away all potential clues.

After tireless investigation, the police finally identified a suspicious black sedan.

This vehicle had been seen repeatedly near the tomb and was likely used for scouting the location.

Once they had a lead, the police launched a targeted investigation.

After days and nights of surveillance, they finally apprehended the suspects.

Half a month ago, all seven members of the tomb-raiding gang were brought to justice.

During interrogation, the criminals confessed to their deeds, and over fifty stolen relics were recovered.

The thieves had paid the price for their greed, yet none admitted to ever seeing the dragon-patterned porcelain jar.

That artifact, identical to the broken jar Lu Qingfei had made.

“It was a wedding gift from my mother, made by her own hands,” Shen Nanxiang said anxiously. “She loved me more than anything. If I lose the present she gave me, she’ll surely be angry with me. I don’t want to upset her.”

“I beg you, help me!”

While she spoke, Lu Qingfei took out her phone and found an image of the multicolored dragon-patterned porcelain jar.

She held the screen up to the princess consort’s face.

“This one?”

Shen Nanxiang cried out excitedly, “That’s my jar!!!”

“Tomb raiders are driven by greed to lay their filthy hands on relics,” Lu Qingfei said. “People like that have probably already sold it off.”

Shen Nanxiang pulled out a wad of spirit money from her sleeve and declared generously, “I have money! I’ll buy it back!”

Lu Qingfei: …

“Did you ask the other ghosts?” Lu Qingfei asked, her expression unchanged. “Did any of them see who took the jar?”

Shen Nanxiang replied, “I asked, but they all said they didn’t see anything.”

Lu Qingfei spun her phone between her fingers, her gaze lowered in thought.

Seeing her remain silent, Shen Nanxiang assumed all hope was lost and drooped in despair. “It’s the only keepsake my mother left me, I… I…”

She looked up, tears streaming down her face as she gazed at Lu Qingfei:

“The priests who came to the tomb couldn’t see me—only you can. If you help me retrieve it, I’ll serve you in my next life, do anything you ask, fetch tea, pour water!!”

In her next life.

As if being promised the world by capitalists during the day weren’t enough, now even half-faded ghosts were offering pledges at night.

Lu Qingfei pondered for a moment, then said, “I’ll go down the mountain tomorrow and ask at the police station about the case for you.”

Shen Nanxiang wept with gratitude. “Thank you so much! Here, take this money, take it, it’s all yours!”

She frantically pulled out more spirit money, sending it fluttering through the air.

…Look at these swirling snowflakes—aren’t they beautiful?

All ghostly currency, scattered by spirits.

Lu Qingfei made a hand sign, gathering spiritual energy, then pointed a finger at the center of Shen Nanxiang’s brow.

“Earth’s embrace, fifteen channels, weave the soul and guide it.”

With the light of three realms, the soul is bound.

Shen Nanxiang’s nearly translucent form was suddenly entwined by countless threads, drawing her together and holding her firmly in place.

Her features, which had almost faded to smoke, became clear once more.

She beamed with joy. “Thank—”

Lu Qingfei raised her left hand, the red ribbon sweeping past. Before Shen Nanxiang could finish her thanks, she was sent away.

Peace returned.

Lu Qingfei sat cross-legged, hands resting on her knees, palms up, resuming her cultivation.

*

After the fierce battle, the rear mountain of Tianji Sect had grown desolate; the idyllic sounds of birds and running water were long gone.

On Lingxiao Mountain, morning dew turned to a gauzy mist, and pale golden sunlight streamed down.

Lu Qingfei emerged from her third senior brother’s quarters, looked up at the sky, and let the sunlight pour into her eyes, making them sparkle like scattered stars.

Carrying a scroll of calligraphy, she followed her planned route, leaving Tianji Sect for Cloud City.

The dense foliage, soft lawns, and brilliant songbirds faded behind, replaced by solid pavement and hurried crowds.

By day, she still had to hunt for a proper job.

It was the era of information technology, with a high demand for operations positions. She downloaded several reports on the internet industry and job requirements, then anticipated the questions interviewers might ask.

Having prepared thoroughly, Lu Qingfei could answer almost anything. After leaving a towering office building, she realized she was hungry.

Standing at a flatbread stall, waiting for her order, she pulled out her phone to browse job apps.

After seeing enough postings, she inevitably encountered some bizarre companies.

HR: [Are you willing to work overtime without pay?]

Lu Qingfei: [May I ask if your company is willing to pay salaries for free?]

HR: [Can you accept delayed wages?]

Lu Qingfei: [Can I come in late and leave early and still get paid in full?]

The HRs on the other end: This graduate is really something!

Those companies were obviously suspect and not worth considering.

Still, out of courtesy, she replied to each with the enthusiasm unique to the unemployed.

“Here’s your flatbread, please take it.”

The vendor handed Lu Qingfei a steaming pancake stuffed with egg.

“Thank you.”

She stuffed her phone into her jacket pocket, cupped the flatbread in both hands, and was just about to take a bite when a familiar pair of uniformed trousers appeared in her line of sight.

She looked up—an intern officer from the Cloud City precinct.

Their eyes met, and the young officer gave her a knowing smile.

Lu Qingfei: ?

Flatbread with egg isn’t illegal, is it?