Chapter 32: He Likes to Play (Please Follow and Collect!)

After the morning mist passed, the early summer sun had already become somewhat poisonous.

However, in a remote wilderness, a swarm of bees began to dance.

A large number of spirit bees with red patterns on their abdomens closely followed a slightly smaller bee queen, sometimes flying to the treetops, sometimes landing in the grass.

Upon closer look, this group of spirit bees adorned with red tassels numbered no fewer than seventy.

Not far away in the shade of a tree, a youth dressed in brown-gray coarse hemp clothing stood with arms crossed, watching this scene.

The queen bee's mating is also called the queen's nuptial flight.

This scene lasted exactly two quarters of an hour.

When the bee swarm gathered around the queen and returned, Yunhe reached out and caught a male bee that had fallen from the air.

This bee's abdomen bore ten red stripes, clearly a ten-striped Red Pattern Spirit Bee that had just broken through to the early first-stage demon beast level!

However, at this moment it had lost all vitality, its demonic power was completely undetectable, and its entire body felt light and empty, as if its innards had been completely hollowed out.

The queen bee's mating is a death‑seal; the male dies after mating, which Yunhe had anticipated.

However, before this male bee died, Yunhe, who had a certain connection with the Blood Insect Control Technique, could sense that its final emotions were satisfaction, joy, and relief.

Buzz—

The swarm hovered before him, and the queen bee slowly flew out.

Seeing the queen bee, Yunhe was slightly startled, then smiled.

"Demonic power has broken through!"

If one were to say, the queen bee's demonic power earlier was comparable to that of a cultivator at the first layer of Qi Refining, then now it has already reached the second layer of Qi Refining.

I never expected mating to have such a result.

But upon reflection, the male bee gave all of its essence and vitality to the queen, and combined with the splendor and peculiarity of the mating itself, it is understandable.

Yunhe silently placed the dead male bee into his storage bag.

Its contribution was considerable!

From then on, the queen bee gained the ability to lay eggs on her own.

Yunhe also no longer needed to expand the swarm by converting ordinary spirit bees into Red Pattern Spirit Bees.

Actually, he still had some anticipation.

Strictly speaking, his own Red Pattern Spirit Bee queen was also transformed from a spirit bee, but thanks to various coincidences and his arrangements, she successfully metamorphosed into a Red Pattern Spirit Bee queen.

But he very much wanted to know whether the eggs the queen would lay would be Red Pattern Spirit Bees, ordinary spirit bees, or an entirely new bee species.

Watching the bee colony become somewhat agitated after the queen's conception, Yunhe gave a faint smile.

He waved his hand.

"Go hunt, to provide nourishment for the queen."

He himself sat cross‑legged beneath the tree.

In the Blood Insect Sacrifice Technique secret art, even after one's cultivation base reaches the middle stage of Qi Refining, there are still things to learn, to master and to cultivate.

"This should be the longest sleep the Demon Beast Body has ever had."

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye; as Yunhe walked the streets of the market town, he pondered.

Even though after eating the Twin Thunder Juice Fruit, his cultivation breakthrough had not kept him asleep this long.

If he couldn't feel that the Demon Beast Body was still alive and well, he might really have thought that while it was comatose, another demon beast had taken advantage and nibbled at it.

Speaking of which, the scene of Old Ao Tuo Mountain had been recalled in his mind not just once or twice; each time the feeling of 'seeing' was different, yet he could never grasp a clue or find a starting point.

It was just like a big tangled, complex ball of thread lying before him, yet he could never find the end.

Lost in clouds and mist, he had no idea what was going on.

"Forget it; waiting for the Demon Beast Body to wake up should yield some gain."

Carrying a bag, Yunhe passed through the busiest street of the market town, went through several alleys, and stopped in front of a residence that looked not too large.

Thud, thud‑thud.

He lightly knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

Soon, a voice and footsteps came from inside the door.

"Uncle He, it's me."

The wooden door opened, and the old man who stepped out was none other than Old He, the steward in charge of selling bees for the Wang Clan of the market town.

Seeing Yunhe at the door, Old He's eyes lit up involuntarily, but he quickly showed an embarrassed expression.

"Young Yun"

"Dad, I've told you several times already: the chief steward of the market town is now someone from the second branch, so don't go looking for them if you have nothing to do. Also, the supply of hatchlings is cut off—just leave it be. You're no longer the old bee‑keeping farmer, so you don't need to."

A clear female voice came from inside the door.

A female cultivator wearing a green dress lifted her chin, leading a maid‑like servant out from the house.

She had willow‑leaf eyebrows and light makeup, her skin slightly pallid, yet her features were exquisitely fine and harmonious; her hair was coiled up, bearing an air of grace and a touch of a married woman's charm.

"Fellow Daoist He."

Yunhe hastily made a bow.

This woman was precisely Old He's daughter, the bee‑farmer's daughter who had married into the Wang Clan.

Although she was only at the early stage of Qi Refining, she was nonetheless a member of the Wang Clan.

Thanks to her son's status, her position was already not low.

"It really makes no sense—Old He, that old farmer with a mouth full of yellow teeth, could actually produce such a refined daughter; no wonder the Wang Clan's young master wants to take her as a concubine."

Yunhe silently clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Hmm."

But she merely gave Yunhe a casual sideways glance, then left with her maidservant.

After the two walked away, Lao He scratched the back of his head, revealing his sparse yellow teeth as he gave a simple smile, wanting to explain his daughter's rudeness in a couple of sentences.

But before he could speak, Yunhe said:

"Uncle He, has the supply of young bees in the market been cut off?"

He paid no heed to the faintly superior attitude of Lao He's daughter; instead, he cared more about what she said.

Hearing this, Lao He finally put away his smile and let out a long sigh, "Yeah, it's been cut off for over four months already."

Four months?

Yunhe's heart stirred, and he calculated the time.

Around the time the Extermination Team was established?

But how could the market's supply of young bees have been cut off?

"Right, Young Yun, what's this?"

Lao He saw the bag Yunhe was carrying in his hand.

"Oh."

Yunhe came back to his senses and smiled:

"I brewed a little wine myself, knowing you like it, Uncle He, and brought it specially as thanks for your care during this time."

Lao He stared, then sighed, "What care?"

He shuffled his feet.

"Just right, old man I haven't been on duty lately, so I'll take you to the Wei Dao Prefecture for a walk—just a few steps away—and later your attitude will be okay."

Speaking, he made a gesture to lead Yunhe toward the other side of the street.

Because the house diagonally opposite his, less than a hundred meters away, is precisely Wei Qingfei's residence!

In fact, the vast majority of people who moved from the shantytown to the market residential area live in this vicinity.

Yunhe, however, dodged without leaving a trace.

He waved his hand and said:

"Uncle He, I really just came to visit you today."

At this moment.

The courtyard gate next to Lao He's residence opened.

A cultivator clutching some messy hair, with deep-set eyes and severe dark circles, stepped with unsteady feet and staggered out pushing the door.

"Yo, Old He, got a visitor, eh? Fellow Daoist!"

Seeing this person, Yunhe couldn't help but feel surprised.

It turned out to be the very person who, when Yunhe first went to the market to buy talismans, sold him a middle-grade first-order "Crimson Flame Talisman" and liked to hang out at his stall selling talismans while "admiring" the female cultivators on the Red Gauze Building!

This is indeed a coincidence.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, do you know Young Yun?" Lao He also seemed somewhat surprised.

The Liu-surname talisman-selling cultivator gave a hehe laugh.

"Very familiar, very familiar."

Saying this, he also raised his eyebrows at Yunhe, everything left unsaid.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yunhe also gained some understanding of this talisman-selling cultivator.

This person is named Liu Hongyong, male, fond of women.

His cultivation base is mid Qi Refining, roughly just entered mid-stage, like Yunhe around the fourth layer of Qi Refining, and he is also a low-grade first-order talisman master.

"Hehe, business hasn't been good lately."

Liu Hongyong rubbed his nose; he hadn't been to the Red Gauze Building in a long time.

Sigh.

Liu Hongyong let out a sigh, then suddenly had an idea.

Pulling Yunhe aside, he said at the same time, "Fellow Daoist Yun, may I have a word? Old He, I want to speak with Fellow Daoist Yun."

"Eh, okay." Lao He didn't find it surprising, "Just right, I'll go make a few dishes, and later we'll have a drink."

"Old He, count me in later."

After shouting at the incoming Lao He, Liu Hongyong pulled Yunhe to the side.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, what are you doing?"

Seeing his sneaky appearance, Yunhe could neither laugh nor cry.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, last time we met we hit it off immediately, chatting happily, making me miss you greatly; it's a pity you seldom come to the market, brother."

"Enough!" Yunhe pressed his brow, "Fellow Daoist Liu, if you have something to say, just say it straight."

Liu Hongyong's tone hitched; after cautiously looking around, he rubbed his hands, lowered his voice, and asked with an embarrassed laugh:

"Then I'll speak plainly. Fellow Daoist, the book you mentioned last time called 'Spring and Autumn,' I've searched for it a long time but still haven't found it; I don't know if you could"

While speaking, he also didn't forget to raise his eyebrows.

Yunhe: ""

"Fellow Daoist, I'm just single-mindedly devoted to learning; surely you won't let me down, right?"

Seeing Liu Hongyong's somewhat fawning expression, Yunhe for a moment didn't know how to respond.

"Hongyong, who are you talking to?"

A female voice came from inside the door.

Then Liu Hongyong's expression suddenly stiffened.

A woman dressed as a Daoist nun stepped out slowly, the corners of her mouth curled in a smile; although her looks were merely above average, her full bosom and slender waist added a touch of mature woman's charm.

Eh, I—cough cough—I and Fellow Daoist Yun are talking about drawing spirit talismans, right? he said, giving Yunhe a meaningful glance.

"Eh, I—I cough cough, I and fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" he said, giving Yunhe a meaningful glance.

Interpretation: "Eh, I and, cough cough, I and Fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" While speaking, he gave Yunhe a glance.

"Eh, I—I cough cough, I and fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" he said, giving Yunhe a meaningful glance.

Thus: "Eh, I and, cough cough, I and Fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" While speaking, he gave Yunhe a glance.

But we need to keep the structure: maybe "Eh, I and, cough cough, I and Fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" One side speaking, one side giving Yunhe a glance.

"Eh, I—I cough cough, I and fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" he said, giving Yunhe a meaningful glance.

We can translate: "Eh, I and, cough cough, I and Fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" While saying that, he gave Yunhe a glance.

We need to keep it concise but faithful.

Let's produce: 【121】 "Eh, I and, cough cough, I and Fellow Daoist Yun are discussing drawing talismans, right?" While speaking, he gave Yunhe a glance.

Check: we used "Yunhe". Good.

Yunhe's expression was strange.

Translate: Yunhe's expression was strange.

We need to keep as one line: 【122】 Yunhe's expression was strange.

He has a wife, yet he's so into Red Cherry Pavilion?

He has a wife and yet is so enthusiastic about Red Cherry Pavilion?

He even has a wife, yet he's so into Red Cherry Pavilion?

We'll output: 【123】 He even has a wife, yet he's so into Red Cherry Pavilion?

Liu Hongyong really knows how to have fun!

Translate: This Liu Hongyong sure knows how to have fun.

We need to use glossary: Liu Hongyong. So: 【124】 This Liu Hongyong sure knows how to have fun.

But Liu Hongyong's words hit him right in the heart.

Translate: However, Liu Hongyong's words hit the mark.

But Liu Hongyong's words struck his heart.

We'll output: 【125】 But Liu Hongyong's words struck his heart.

He turned to the somewhat heroic-looking female cultivator and said, "Exactly, exactly."

Translate: Turning to the female cultivator who looked somewhat heroic, he agreed: "Exactly, exactly."

We need to keep quotes. So: 【126】 Turning to the female cultivator who looked somewhat heroic, he agreed: "Exactly, exactly."

"Drawing talismans?" the female cultivator didn't suspect him, threw the half-open door wide open, and said, "Why don't you come in for a chat? I'll brew some tea."

Translate: "Drawing talismans?" The female cultivator had no suspicions, flung the half-open door wide, and said, "Why not come in and chat? I'll make you tea."

We need to keep punctuation. So: 【127】 "Drawing talismans?" The female cultivator had no suspicions, flung the half-open door wide, and said, "Why not come in and chat? I'll make you tea."

"Then, thank you, sister-in-law." Yunhe bowed in gratitude.

Translate: "Then, thank you, sister-in-law." Yunhe bowed in thanks.

"Then, thank you, sister-in-law." Yunhe bowed in thanks.

Wan'er the female cultivator chuckled lightly, twisted her slender waist, and headed into the courtyard.

Translate: The female cultivator, Wan'er, gave a light laugh, twisted her slender waist, and walked into the courtyard.

Wan'er

Thus: 【129】 The female cultivator Wan'er gave a light laugh, twisted her slender waist, and walked into the courtyard.

Liu Hongyong let out a sigh of relief and patted his chest.

Translate: Liu Hongyong immediately relaxed, patting his chest.

We need to keep "immediately". So: 【130】 Liu Hongyong immediately relaxed, patting his chest.

Immediately afterward, as if suddenly coming to his senses, he whispered in Yunhe's ear: "Fellow Daoist Yun, it's not sister-in-law, it's elder sister-in-law."

Translate: Immediately afterward, as if suddenly coming to his senses, he whispered in Yunhe's ear: "Fellow Daoist Yun, it's not sister-in-law, it's elder sister-in-law."

Immediately afterward, as if suddenly coming to his senses, he whispered in Yunhe's ear: "Fellow Daoist Yun, it's not sister-in-law, it's elder sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law."

This line is just the quoted terms. Should we keep quotes? The Chinese uses 【】 which are double quotes. We'll translate as: "Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law". Keep quotes? We'll output: 【132】 "Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law"

Yunhe considered it, then his eyes suddenly widened.

Translate: Yunhe pondered, then his eyes suddenly widened.

We need to keep "pondered". So: 【133】 Yunhe pondered, then his eyes suddenly widened.

"Ah?!"

Translate: "Ah?!"

We need to keep the interjection and punctuation. So: 【134】 "Ah?!"

I thought Liu Hongyong already knew how to have fun, but I didn't expect him to be even more extravagant than I imagined.

Translate: I thought Liu Hongyong already knew how to have fun, but I didn't expect him to be even more extravagant than I imagined.

We need to keep meaning. So: 【135】 I thought Liu Hongyong already knew how to have fun, but I didn't expect him to be even more extravagant than I imagined.

"Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law—just one character apart."

Translate: Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law—just one character difference.

We'll output: 【136】 Sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law—just one character difference.

That's your brother's wife!

Translate: That's your elder brother's wife!

We need to keep exclamation. So: 【137】 That's your elder brother's wife!

"It's not what you think!" Liu Hongyong grew anxious, "Come in, let me, as your brother, explain it properly."

Translate: "It's not what you think!" Liu Hongyong grew a bit anxious, "Come in, let me explain properly."

We need to keep quotes. So: 【138】 "It's not what you think!" Liu Hongyong grew a bit anxious, "Come in, let me explain properly."

He was pulled into the courtyard by Liu Hongyong.

Translate: Being pulled by Liu Hongyong into the courtyard.

We need to keep as a sentence: 【139】 Being pulled by Liu Hongyong into the courtyard.

However, before Yunhe entered the gate, he flicked his sleeve, and two red-veined spirit bees flew out silently, hiding under the tiles of the courtyard wall, silently watching the diagonally opposite residence of Wei Qingfei.

Translate: However, before Yunhe entered the gate, he flicked his sleeve, and two Red Pattern Spirit Bees quietly flew out, hiding under the tiles of the courtyard wall, silently watching the diagonally opposite residence of Wei Qingfei.

We need to use glossary: Red Pattern Spirit Bee, Wei Qingfei. Also "Spirit Stone" not here. So: 【140】 However, before Yunhe entered the gate, he flicked his sleeve, and two Red Pattern Spirit Bees quietly flew out, hiding under the tiles of the courtyard wall, silently watching the diagonally opposite residence of Wei Qingfei.

Shortly after.

Translate: Soon after.

We need to keep as a short phrase: 【141】 Soon after.

"You actually understand talisman dao?!"

Translate: "You actually know talisman Dao?!"

We need to keep quotes and exclamation. So: 【142】 "You actually know talisman Dao?!"

Liu Hongyong's astonished voice came from the courtyard.

Translate: Liu Hongyong's voice, full of surprise, came from the courtyard.

We need to keep: 【143】 Liu Hongyong's voice, full of surprise, came from the courtyard.

Several days later.

Translate: Several days later.

We'll output: 【144】 Several days later.

"Still haven't found Zhou Dacheng?"

Translate: "Still haven't found Zhou Dacheng?"

We need to keep quotes. So: 【145】 "Still haven't found Zhou Dacheng?"

Wei Qingfei sat in the head seat, one hand pressed against his head, as if pressing his temples from a headache.

Translate: Wei Qingfei sat in the chief seat, one hand against his head, as if pressing his brow in a headache.

We need to keep: 【146】 Wei Qingfei sat in the chief seat, one hand against his head, as if pressing his brow in a headache.

". Not yet, perhaps he encountered a rogue cultivator." Chen Ping wiped sweat from his forehead and answered honestly.

Not yet, perhaps he encountered a rogue cultivator." Chen Ping wiped sweat from his forehead and answered honestly.

. Not yet, perhaps he encountered a rogue cultivator." Chen Ping wiped sweat from his forehead and answered honestly.

But we need to keep the quotes. So: 【147】 ". Not yet, perhaps he encountered a rogue cultivator." Chen Ping wiped sweat from his forehead and answered honestly.

Upon hearing that, Wei Qingfei's face flushed with anger.

Translate: Upon hearing this, Wei Qingfei's face involuntarily showed anger.

We need to keep: 【148】 Upon hearing this, Wei Qingfei's face involuntarily showed anger.

Whether Zhou Dacheng lives or dies is trivial; the key is the Golden Net Bee Basket he holds—that is.

Whether Zhou Dacheng lives or dies is trivial; the key is the Golden Net Bee Basket he holds—

Whether Zhou Dacheng lives or dies is trivial; the key is the Golden Net Bee Basket he holds—that is.

Whether Zhou Dacheng lives or dies is trivial; the key is the Golden Net Bee Basket he holds—that is.

We'll output: 【149】 Whether Zhou Dacheng lives or dies is trivial; the key is the Golden Net Bee Basket he holds—that is.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and casually asked: "How is the Yun-surnamed spirit bee farmer?"

Translate: Taking a deep breath, Wei Qingfei suppressed his anger and casually asked: "How is the Yun-surnamed beekeeper doing?"

We need to keep quotes. So: 【150】 Taking a deep breath, Wei Qingfei suppressed his anger and casually asked: "How is the Yun-surnamed beekeeper doing?"

"Sir, he hasn't gone out to tend bees for over half a month."

Translate: "Sir, he hasn't gone out to tend bees for over half a month."

We need to keep quotes. So: 【151】 "Sir, he hasn't gone out to tend bees for over half a month."

Wei Qingfei raised an eyebrow.

Translate: Wei Qingfei raised his eyebrows.

We need to keep: 【152】 Wei Qingfei raised his eyebrows.

"Over half a month?"

Translate: Over half a month?

We need to keep: 【153】 Over half a month?

As a spirit bee farmer, although not going out to tend bees avoids his arrangement, failing to pay the taxes mandated by the Wang Clan of the market town is just as deadly.

Translate: As a spirit bee farmer, although not going out to tend bees avoids his arrangement, failing to pay the taxes mandated by the Wang Clan of the market town is just as deadly.

As a spirit bee farmer, although not going out to tend bees avoids his arrangement, failing to pay the taxes mandated by the Wang Clan of the market town is just as deadly.

We need to keep: 【154】 As a spirit bee farmer, although not going out to tend bees avoids his arrangement, failing to pay the taxes mandated by the Wang Clan of the market town is just as deadly.

He waved his hand and said: "Forget it. He's just a novice cultivator. Guard Xin, have someone take care of it."

Translate: He waved his hand and said: "Forget it. He's merely a novice cultivator. Shouxin, have someone take care of him."

We need to keep quotes. So: 【155】 He waved his hand and said: "Forget it. He's merely a novice cultivator. Shouxin, have someone take care of him."

Guard Xin beside him bowed without expression and replied:

Translate: Zhou Shouxin beside him bowed expressionlessly and replied:

We need to keep: 【156】 Zhou Shouxin beside him bowed expressionlessly and replied:

"Understood."

Translate: "Understood."

We need to keep quotes: 【157】 "Understood."

Just as Wei Qingfei said, he didn't take a mere novice cultivator, especially a spirit bee farmer, to heart; the reason he made all those arrangements was simply to quickly collect the "public funds" to relieve his pressing need.

Translate: Just as Wei Qingfei said, he didn't take a mere novice cultivator, especially a spirit bee farmer, to heart; the reason he made all those arrangements was simply to quickly collect the "public funds" to relieve his pressing need.

Just as Wei Qingfei said, he didn't take a mere novice cultivator, especially a spirit bee farmer, to heart; the reason he made all those arrangements was simply to quickly collect the "public funds" to relieve his pressing need.

But now that the spirit stones have been gathered, this Yunhe "chicken" is no longer necessary.

Translate: But now that the spirit stones have been gathered, this Yunhe "chicken" is no longer necessary.

But now that the spirit stones have been gathered, this Yunhe "chicken" is no longer necessary.

He lightly tidied his clothes, then after dismissing the crowd, Wei Qingfei stood up.

Translate: After tidying his clothes slightly, Wei Qingfei dismissed everyone and stood up.

We need to keep: 【160】 After tidying his clothes slightly, Wei Qingfei dismissed everyone and stood up.

He paused to think for a moment.

Translate: He paused, thinking briefly.

We need to keep: 【161】 He paused, thinking briefly.

"The spirit stones are ready; it's time to complete the transaction."

Translate: "The spirit stones are ready; it's time to complete the transaction."

We need to keep quotes: 【162】 "The spirit stones are ready; it's time to complete the transaction."

He vanished in an instant.

Translate: He vanished in an instant.

We need to keep: 【163】 He vanished in an instant.

Wei Qingfei left the residence without telling anyone, silently and alone.

Translate: Wei Qingfei left the residence alone without informing anyone, silently.

We need to keep: 【164】 Wei Qingfei left the residence alone without informing anyone, silently.

But he didn't notice that, under the tiles of the courtyard wall diagonally across the street, several pairs of highly agile compound eyes witnessed this scene.

Translate: But he didn't notice that, under the tiles of the courtyard wall diagonally across the street, several pairs of extremely agile compound eyes witnessed this scene.

We need to keep: 【165】 But he didn't notice that, under the tiles of the courtyard wall diagonally across the street, several pairs of extremely agile compound eyes witnessed this scene.

Tomorrow's advance reading is crucial, affecting next round's recommendations. Fellow cultivators, please take an extra look tomorrow; I can't repay you, but after the release I hope to reach ten thousand a day to express my gratitude.

Translate: Tomorrow's reading is crucial, affecting next round's recommendations; please, fellow Daoists, take an extra look tomorrow—there's no way to repay, but after the work goes live, a daily ten thousand words will express my gratitude.

We need to keep the exclamation. So: 【166】 Tomorrow's reading is crucial, affecting next round's recommendations; please, fellow Daoists, take an extra look tomorrow—there's no way to repay, but after the work goes live, a daily ten thousand words will express my gratitude.

(End of chapter)