Chapter 33: Third Brother, Remember to Drink Plenty of Hot Water

“Young man, have you made your choice?” Old Man Er rubbed his hands, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Zhou Qing immediately handed over all his spirit stones, then pointed to the cloth bundle on the left.

“Just pick one at random—this one!”

When Old Man Er saw the bundle Zhou Qing pointed to, he clearly froze.

“Are you sure?”

“Sure!”

“Once chosen, no returns. Want to think again?”

“No need!”

“Young man, don’t rush to decide. I’m giving you one last chance because you’re my first customer—don’t end up losing everything and crying.”

“I’m stubborn—I’ll take this one!”

“To get this? How boring!”

It was clear Old Man Er was disappointed; he tossed the bundle over without hesitation.

A few scattered onlookers had already gathered, having come earlier themselves—these items cost at least three or five hundred spirit stones, up to several thousand, couldn’t be touched, couldn’t be probed with spiritual sense, entirely a gamble, impossible to distinguish real from fake—who’d be foolish enough to play? [66] He then continued meditating with the supreme-grade spirit stone.

Everyone crowded close, eager to watch Zhou Qing open it.

Zhou Qing, already knowing the answer, peeled back the layers under Yan Xiao Hu’s tense gaze, revealing a gray box inside.

As the box slowly opened, a piece of black-green wood came into view, followed by a pure, potent wood qi.

“Yinming Wu Ling Mu!” Yan Xiao Hu gasped in shock.

He quickly snatched it out; others stared, filled with envy and resentment.

“Young brother, I’ll offer five hundred lower-grade spirit stones.”

“Five hundred? How dare you? Young brother, I’ll give eight hundred—will you sell?”

“I’ll give one thousand one hundred—I’ve searched for this wood for years; it greatly aids my wood-elemental cultivation. Please, help me out.”

Zhou Qing turned to Yan Xiao Hu.

Yan Xiao Hu’s face beamed—he never imagined Old Four had actually won.

Meeting Zhou Qing’s questioning gaze, he understood perfectly.

He didn’t need the item himself, but could easily sell it—and at a fair price.

Moments later, Zhou Qing had netted seven hundred and fifty spirit stones; both were overjoyed.

With just two hundred spirit stones, they could feast well at Yushan Hall.

“Old Four, since we were kids, I’ve always thought you smart and lucky—next time, I’ll pay. Pick one for me!”

Yan Xiao Hu rubbed his hands, scanning the cloth bundles.

Zhou Qing dared not—he could only use his talent skill [Daily Appraisal] once, and he knew when to stop; otherwise, what was the difference between him and a gambler?

“No, brother, let’s go somewhere else tomorrow!” Zhou Qing said.

Hearing Zhou Qing was leaving, Old Man Er hurriedly said, “Don’t go! Your brother’s right—you’re blessed with wealth today. Keep riding the wave! I’ll tell you straight: one item here is worth over ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones.”

At Old Man Er’s tempting words, Yan Xiao Hu and the onlookers’ eyes instantly lit up.

Ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones—that’s a hundred mid-grade, or even one rare high-grade spirit stone!

After multiple encounters, Zhou Qing knew Old Man Er spoke truthfully—but finding one item among so many blind boxes? Nearly impossible.

“No thanks. I just made some money—I want to hold onto it a while longer!” Zhou Qing smiled and refused, pulling Yan Xiao Hu away.

Others now felt itching to act, yet still dared not risk it.

Seeing Zhou Qing leave without hesitation, they exchanged glances.

Something felt off?

I get it—he’s an accomplice!

Almost got fooled!

Let’s go! Let’s go!

Watching Zhou Qing’s clean, decisive back, Old Man Er smiled bitterly—but beneath it, a flicker of admiration.

On the path of cultivation, how many can hold to their heart and resist greed? Had I not been greedy, I wouldn’t have been trapped in that cave for so many years.

…………

“Oh no, Old Four, I suddenly have a stomachache—must’ve eaten something bad this morning. You go ahead and browse, I’ll be right back!”

As Zhou Qing strolled with the old hen, inspecting the stall’s wares, Yan Xiao Hu suddenly clutched his stomach, muttered two words, and dashed off.

Zhou Qing paid no mind—at first.

But then he paused.

Neither of them had eaten breakfast.

Less than an incense stick later, Yan Xiao Hu returned, hollow-eyed and pale as death.

“What happened?” Zhou Qing asked urgently.

Yan Xiao Hu stared blankly at Zhou Qing: “N-nothing… just… completely drained from diarrhea.”

“Alright. When we get back, remember to drink plenty of hot water, Third Brother. Let’s go over there.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to go. I want to go home and drink hot water.”

On the square, disciples from the two sects clashed back and forth, a lively spectacle, while Zhou Qing watched, holding the old hen, thoroughly entertained.

In the square, disciples from the two sects clashed fiercely, a lively spectacle; Zhou Qing held the old hen, watching with delight.

Too bad Third Brother wasn’t here—he truly seemed badly ill, already rushing back to the sect.

[Ignore Point +1]

[Ignore Point +1]

That night, back home, Zhou Qing shattered another spirit stone for the old hen; it pecked twice then refused to eat more. He stroked its round belly, his eyes gleaming.

That night, Zhou Qing shattered another spirit stone for the old hen; it pecked twice, then refused more. He patted its round belly, eyes gleaming.

He then continued meditating with the supreme spirit stone.

The next morning, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Third Brother standing outside, dark circles under his eyes, utterly drained.

Dew clung to his hair, glistening.

Zhou Qing was stunned. “Third Brother, didn’t you sleep all night?”

Yan Xiao Hu said nothing, lunged forward, and began frantically patting Zhou Qing’s body.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Qing pushed him off.

Yan Xiao Hu forced a smile. “Just borrowing some luck. Time’s late—let’s head down the mountain. I checked the almanac today—perfect day for travel, auspicious for wealth.”

“Didn’t you used to not believe in this stuff?” Zhou Qing asked, puzzled by his brother’s strange demeanor.

Yan Xiao Hu chuckled awkwardly. “Old habits die hard. People change. Come on, let’s go.”

Arriving in Yanlong City, Zhou Qing never expected Third Brother to drag him straight to Old Man Er.

“Oh, Tiger Boy, back again? Want to buy something worth three thousand spirit stones? These are all similar—pick one!”

When Old Man Er saw Yan Xiao Hu, his face lit up like he’d spotted a god of wealth.

Zhou Qing stared at Third Brother, disbelief in his eyes.

Yan Xiao Hu ignored him, then pulled out his remaining seven hundred spirit stones and handed them to Zhou Qing.

“Old Four, you’re luckier. Let’s pool fifteen hundred spirit stones—if we win, four-six split!”

Yan Xiao Hu thrust the stones forward, desperate.

Zhou Qing finally snapped back to reality.

“What did you buy yesterday?” he asked.

Yan Xiao Hu’s face flushed crimson; Old Man Er, enjoying the spectacle, burst into laughter.

“This Tiger Boy’s bold—he spent three thousand spirit stones and opened a trinket worth barely ten! Bad luck indeed!”

Zhou Qing looked again at Third Brother, who looked ready to cry.

You’ve lost everything—your gambling obsession is insane!

[87] (End of Chapter)